The Homesman (2014)
CRUMBLIES… Okay, this is a Western. One of the modern ones. And by that I mean the non-violent, shit it was tough out there, drive you nuts with its cruelty. And … Continue Reading The Homesman (2014)
Grudge Match (2013)
CRUMBLIES… God, I was pissed off. It’d been one of those days when the mobility scooter farted and died, the staff were organising games by the lake, and Simpering Sue … Continue Reading Grudge Match (2013)
Sideways (2004)
CRUMBLIES… Young Steve and I watched this together. He’s in his middle-years, my only son, married with two boys. And a prime candidate for the crash and burn of mid-life … Continue Reading Sideways (2004)
An Unfinished Life (2005)
CRUMBLIES… Hmmm. Here’s another Robert Redford film with all the ingredients of something genuine, but… somehow… sigh. He’s a maudlin old farmer, out in them thar hills, having a daily … Continue Reading An Unfinished Life (2005)
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café (1991)
CRUMBLIES… Here’s a thing that gets worse with old age: insomnia. You get creaky, the pain wakes you. You get fat, over-heating gets you. You hear a noise in the … Continue Reading Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café (1991)
Dan in Real Life (2007)
CRUMBLIES… I’m writing this in 2018 – the year the best TV Dad of all time died: John Mahoney of Frasier. Behind the grumpiness of Martin Crane was an actor … Continue Reading Dan in Real Life (2007)
His Picture in the Papers (1916)
CRUMBLIES… Silent Steve caught me unawares with this one. It’s over a hundred years old now, but feels weirdly modern. His Picture in the Papers is a silent movie … Continue Reading His Picture in the Papers (1916)
The Lightkeepers (2009)
CRUMBLIES… No. No no no no no no no. I only sat through the whole of this because there’s a Streep child in it, Richard Dreyfuss is Richard Dreyfuss and … Continue Reading The Lightkeepers (2009)
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962)
CRUMBLIES… Bloody hell. Mad Maud put this one on and practically worshipped at its feet. I’d never seen it – and had studiously avoided the careers of both star over … Continue Reading Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962)
The Notebook (2004)
CRUMBLIES… Mad Maud has a thing about James Garner. It’s an obsession that sits nicely alongside all her other ones, gets us doused in weekly bouts of The Rockford Files … Continue Reading The Notebook (2004)
Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
CRUMBLIES… Friendship, eh? If there’s a thing that makes life tolerable, it is the company of others. And by company I mean tightly managed video-calls with children, grandchildren and – … Continue Reading Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
Hello, My Name is Doris (2015)
CRUMBLIES… Now, here’s a new genre in the grey-scale of movies: older woman goes for younger man. The basics of this film had gotten round the corridors and old Jack … Continue Reading Hello, My Name is Doris (2015)
Away From Her (2006)
CRUMBLIES… Okay. Deep breath. It’s another Alzheimer’s film. After the emotional journey of Still Alice (2014), old Jack thought he’d go the whole hog and bask in some Julie Christie goodness. … Continue Reading Away From Her (2006)
Miss Lulu Bett (1921)
CRUMBLIES… Damn me, if Silent Steve didn’t find a gem from yesteryear for this Sunday’s God-do-I-have-to-watch-this-athon. It’s the story of a young spinster in an American home, treated like dirt … Continue Reading Miss Lulu Bett (1921)
Still Alice (2014)
CRUMBLIES… And it’s back to “too close for comfort territory”, only this one comes with the worst of catches. It is an Alzheimer’s story, but not the usual that you … Continue Reading Still Alice (2014)
Gran Torino (2008)
CRUMBLIES… I’m not messing with you – go watch Gran Torino now. Actually, no, watch The Shootist (1976) then watch Gran Torino. For it is very much the same film. Gran Torino … Continue Reading Gran Torino (2008)
