LesSmarberry
@lessmarberry.bsky.social
Random movie reckons. Mostly genre pictures, Gialli, French and Italian crime movies, horror from '30s-'60s
Known in the business as the Whispering Giant, but my eyes are quite hard
Known in the business as the Whispering Giant, but my eyes are quite hard
Pinned
American Regional Horror Movies, a new thread for a new year 🧵
A rough definition:
Independent low-budget horror movies, made far away from mainstream Hollywood, by local casts & crews which often might include non/semi-professional members. And sometimes only ever exhibited locally
A rough definition:
Independent low-budget horror movies, made far away from mainstream Hollywood, by local casts & crews which often might include non/semi-professional members. And sometimes only ever exhibited locally
Reposted by LesSmarberry
slow start to the year, film wise, but here are some belated thoughts on Vincente Minnelli's The Band wagon (1953)
letterboxd.com/jamesewand/f...
letterboxd.com/jamesewand/f...
A ★★★★ review of The Band Wagon (1953)
It is impossible not to compare Vincente Minnelli’s The Band Wagon (1953) to Singin' in the Rain of the previous year, and not only because it shares similarities in plot and production values. It is ...
letterboxd.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:44 PM
slow start to the year, film wise, but here are some belated thoughts on Vincente Minnelli's The Band wagon (1953)
letterboxd.com/jamesewand/f...
letterboxd.com/jamesewand/f...
Until yesterday I would have bet real paper money that I'd seen 1973's Messiah of Evil years ago & had thought it was just ok
I had not seen Messiah of Evil & review to follow but TLDR it's amazing
So now I'm trying to figure out what vaguely similar, less good, 60's/70's horror I confused it with
I had not seen Messiah of Evil & review to follow but TLDR it's amazing
So now I'm trying to figure out what vaguely similar, less good, 60's/70's horror I confused it with
January 4, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Until yesterday I would have bet real paper money that I'd seen 1973's Messiah of Evil years ago & had thought it was just ok
I had not seen Messiah of Evil & review to follow but TLDR it's amazing
So now I'm trying to figure out what vaguely similar, less good, 60's/70's horror I confused it with
I had not seen Messiah of Evil & review to follow but TLDR it's amazing
So now I'm trying to figure out what vaguely similar, less good, 60's/70's horror I confused it with
Reposted by LesSmarberry
"Bonjour"
"Oh you're French?"
"No, I am Finnish"
"Oh, why do you speak French?" "Finnish is too difficult"
"Oh you're French?"
"No, I am Finnish"
"Oh, why do you speak French?" "Finnish is too difficult"
January 4, 2026 at 11:28 AM
"Bonjour"
"Oh you're French?"
"No, I am Finnish"
"Oh, why do you speak French?" "Finnish is too difficult"
"Oh you're French?"
"No, I am Finnish"
"Oh, why do you speak French?" "Finnish is too difficult"
I see your Reality Bites homage Stranger Things finale. I see it & I like it
January 3, 2026 at 9:14 PM
I see your Reality Bites homage Stranger Things finale. I see it & I like it
American Regional Horror Movies, a new thread for a new year 🧵
A rough definition:
Independent low-budget horror movies, made far away from mainstream Hollywood, by local casts & crews which often might include non/semi-professional members. And sometimes only ever exhibited locally
A rough definition:
Independent low-budget horror movies, made far away from mainstream Hollywood, by local casts & crews which often might include non/semi-professional members. And sometimes only ever exhibited locally
January 3, 2026 at 1:00 AM
American Regional Horror Movies, a new thread for a new year 🧵
A rough definition:
Independent low-budget horror movies, made far away from mainstream Hollywood, by local casts & crews which often might include non/semi-professional members. And sometimes only ever exhibited locally
A rough definition:
Independent low-budget horror movies, made far away from mainstream Hollywood, by local casts & crews which often might include non/semi-professional members. And sometimes only ever exhibited locally
Watching a 1970's Regional Horror Movie featuring a drifter who casts a reign of terror in a Texas town, by employing his moderately sized pocket knife
Maybe I'm stereotyping the semi-rural American South, but I can't help thinking that someone should have just shot him by now
Maybe I'm stereotyping the semi-rural American South, but I can't help thinking that someone should have just shot him by now
January 2, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Watching a 1970's Regional Horror Movie featuring a drifter who casts a reign of terror in a Texas town, by employing his moderately sized pocket knife
Maybe I'm stereotyping the semi-rural American South, but I can't help thinking that someone should have just shot him by now
Maybe I'm stereotyping the semi-rural American South, but I can't help thinking that someone should have just shot him by now
"Being Sick"
Zero stars, would not recommend
And now to watch what I fully expect to be some truly dreadful movies
Zero stars, would not recommend
And now to watch what I fully expect to be some truly dreadful movies
January 2, 2026 at 12:03 PM
"Being Sick"
Zero stars, would not recommend
And now to watch what I fully expect to be some truly dreadful movies
Zero stars, would not recommend
And now to watch what I fully expect to be some truly dreadful movies
Ending 2025 like I started it, feverish & distempered
Happy New Year everybody
Happy New Year everybody
December 31, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Ending 2025 like I started it, feverish & distempered
Happy New Year everybody
Happy New Year everybody
Going to watch Murder By Contract & looked up director Irving Lerner, to find that he was, inter alia, a real SOVIET SPY WITHIN THE MANHATTAN PROJECT
If I was a Jules Dassin or a Joseph Losey, I'd have been a bit peeved to see ol' Irving not only walking freely around LA but also making movies
If I was a Jules Dassin or a Joseph Losey, I'd have been a bit peeved to see ol' Irving not only walking freely around LA but also making movies
December 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Going to watch Murder By Contract & looked up director Irving Lerner, to find that he was, inter alia, a real SOVIET SPY WITHIN THE MANHATTAN PROJECT
If I was a Jules Dassin or a Joseph Losey, I'd have been a bit peeved to see ol' Irving not only walking freely around LA but also making movies
If I was a Jules Dassin or a Joseph Losey, I'd have been a bit peeved to see ol' Irving not only walking freely around LA but also making movies
Experiment in Terror (1962) Neo-noir procedural, directed by Blake Edwards with cinematography by Philip H. Lathrop
A new one for my list of best looking black & white movies
Lee Remick is threatened by an unseen assailant. Can FBI agent Glenn Ford save her without tipping off the bad guy?
1/5
A new one for my list of best looking black & white movies
Lee Remick is threatened by an unseen assailant. Can FBI agent Glenn Ford save her without tipping off the bad guy?
1/5
December 29, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Experiment in Terror (1962) Neo-noir procedural, directed by Blake Edwards with cinematography by Philip H. Lathrop
A new one for my list of best looking black & white movies
Lee Remick is threatened by an unseen assailant. Can FBI agent Glenn Ford save her without tipping off the bad guy?
1/5
A new one for my list of best looking black & white movies
Lee Remick is threatened by an unseen assailant. Can FBI agent Glenn Ford save her without tipping off the bad guy?
1/5
Reposted by LesSmarberry
some brief thoughts on Satyajit Ray's 1955 coming-of-age classic Pather Panchali
letterboxd.com/jamesewand/f...
letterboxd.com/jamesewand/f...
A ★★★★ review of Pather Panchali (1955)
Finally dipped into my Apu Trilogy boxset with Satyajit Ray's 1955 debut, Pather Panchali (Song Of The Little Road). Although inspired by Italian neo-realism, making use of non-professional actors, it...
letterboxd.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:09 PM
some brief thoughts on Satyajit Ray's 1955 coming-of-age classic Pather Panchali
letterboxd.com/jamesewand/f...
letterboxd.com/jamesewand/f...
The Mask of Dimitrios (1944) Greenstreet & Lorre star in this adaptation of Eric Ambler's classic espionage story, which sees Lorre's novelist on a quest through the murky world of pre-War Balkan intrigue in order to unravel the mystery of the late & unlamented Dimitrios
1/4
1/4
December 27, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The Mask of Dimitrios (1944) Greenstreet & Lorre star in this adaptation of Eric Ambler's classic espionage story, which sees Lorre's novelist on a quest through the murky world of pre-War Balkan intrigue in order to unravel the mystery of the late & unlamented Dimitrios
1/4
1/4
Reposted by LesSmarberry
Totally.
If you’re bored and have a couple of minutes to kill… some seasonal thoughts…
www.patreon.com/posts/133679...
If you’re bored and have a couple of minutes to kill… some seasonal thoughts…
www.patreon.com/posts/133679...
In Which I Propose a New Messiah | David Avallone
Get more from David Avallone on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Totally.
If you’re bored and have a couple of minutes to kill… some seasonal thoughts…
www.patreon.com/posts/133679...
If you’re bored and have a couple of minutes to kill… some seasonal thoughts…
www.patreon.com/posts/133679...
Superman (2025) Starts in a weird place & it feels longer than its runtime but, y'know, it made me believe a man can fly
December 26, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Superman (2025) Starts in a weird place & it feels longer than its runtime but, y'know, it made me believe a man can fly
Off to a family gathering to remind my cousins that, no matter how old they get, I'm still the eldest & am therefore still the boss of them
December 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Off to a family gathering to remind my cousins that, no matter how old they get, I'm still the eldest & am therefore still the boss of them
Reposted by LesSmarberry
It’s quite rare that writing, acting, editing, casting and directing collide at the very same intersection in time and space, producing a piece of work that could be said to be perfect, but 1941’s THE MALTESE FALCON is such a movie - boxd.it/9H0VaB #FilmSky #Bogart
December 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
It’s quite rare that writing, acting, editing, casting and directing collide at the very same intersection in time and space, producing a piece of work that could be said to be perfect, but 1941’s THE MALTESE FALCON is such a movie - boxd.it/9H0VaB #FilmSky #Bogart
The important thing to know about an assassination or an attempted assassination is not who fired the shot, but who paid for the bullet. And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die....
And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, but slumbers eternal until the stars are right.
December 25, 2025 at 9:37 PM
The important thing to know about an assassination or an attempted assassination is not who fired the shot, but who paid for the bullet. And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die....
Reposted by LesSmarberry
Christmas Day movie: the wonderful Remember The Night boxd.it/cekJiL
A ★★★★★ review of Remember the Night (1940)
Second watch for what is fast becoming my favourite Christmas movie and one of my favourite films full stop. What I noticed this time is how deftly the film sets you up for a lighthearted screwball co...
boxd.it
December 25, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Christmas Day movie: the wonderful Remember The Night boxd.it/cekJiL
Reposted by LesSmarberry
They call Brigadoon a fantasy, but I grew up in Kirkcudbright and I call it documentary. I know it is probably Gene Kelly's least cool film, but I find irresistibly charming (accents and all). And there is a vein of something quite unusual that runs through it, with the Van Johnson character.
December 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
They call Brigadoon a fantasy, but I grew up in Kirkcudbright and I call it documentary. I know it is probably Gene Kelly's least cool film, but I find irresistibly charming (accents and all). And there is a vein of something quite unusual that runs through it, with the Van Johnson character.
Why did you never learn to dive Les?
Y'know, normal reasons, I've always lived near good public transport links, & insurance for learner drivers was just so expensive.....oh, & every single anxiety dream I've ever had has involved me being behind the wheel of an out-of-control car. So, there's that
Y'know, normal reasons, I've always lived near good public transport links, & insurance for learner drivers was just so expensive.....oh, & every single anxiety dream I've ever had has involved me being behind the wheel of an out-of-control car. So, there's that
December 23, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Why did you never learn to dive Les?
Y'know, normal reasons, I've always lived near good public transport links, & insurance for learner drivers was just so expensive.....oh, & every single anxiety dream I've ever had has involved me being behind the wheel of an out-of-control car. So, there's that
Y'know, normal reasons, I've always lived near good public transport links, & insurance for learner drivers was just so expensive.....oh, & every single anxiety dream I've ever had has involved me being behind the wheel of an out-of-control car. So, there's that
Reposted by LesSmarberry
At the recent Quatermass event, the panel was asked for TV recommendations beyond some of the more ‘obvious’ (Stone Tape, Casting the Runes etc). I gave a few but said I would compile a couple more.
So as promised! Feel free to ask for any extra info.
So as promised! Feel free to ask for any extra info.
December 23, 2025 at 11:29 AM
At the recent Quatermass event, the panel was asked for TV recommendations beyond some of the more ‘obvious’ (Stone Tape, Casting the Runes etc). I gave a few but said I would compile a couple more.
So as promised! Feel free to ask for any extra info.
So as promised! Feel free to ask for any extra info.
Review of Sapphire (1959), Victim (1961) & Life Ruth (1962) from the creative team of Basil Dearden, Janet Green & Michael Relph on LetterBoxd
(Because Bluesky won't provide me, history's greatest martyr, with a 'save draft' function)
letterboxd.com/lessmarberry...
(Because Bluesky won't provide me, history's greatest martyr, with a 'save draft' function)
letterboxd.com/lessmarberry...
LesSmarberry’s reviews
LesSmarberry’s reviews
letterboxd.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Review of Sapphire (1959), Victim (1961) & Life Ruth (1962) from the creative team of Basil Dearden, Janet Green & Michael Relph on LetterBoxd
(Because Bluesky won't provide me, history's greatest martyr, with a 'save draft' function)
letterboxd.com/lessmarberry...
(Because Bluesky won't provide me, history's greatest martyr, with a 'save draft' function)
letterboxd.com/lessmarberry...
Reposted by LesSmarberry
First watch: Sabrina (1954, directed by Billy Wilder). Love triangle between two rich brothers – playboy David (William Holden) and workaholic Linus (Humphrey Bogart) – and their chauffeur’s daughter, the titular Sabrina (an enchanting Audrey Hepburn). 1/4
December 23, 2025 at 10:05 AM
First watch: Sabrina (1954, directed by Billy Wilder). Love triangle between two rich brothers – playboy David (William Holden) and workaholic Linus (Humphrey Bogart) – and their chauffeur’s daughter, the titular Sabrina (an enchanting Audrey Hepburn). 1/4
Anyone else accidentally delete a 25 part thread at the very moment they were about to post it? No, just me?
Fucking moron Les
Fucking moron Les
an angry cartoon character with the words im so annoyed right now below it
Alt: an angry cartoon character with the words im so annoyed right now below it
media.tenor.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Anyone else accidentally delete a 25 part thread at the very moment they were about to post it? No, just me?
Fucking moron Les
Fucking moron Les
Going to review the 'social problem' films of director Basil Dearden & screenwriter Janet Green later
But a grimly funny nugget re 1961's Victim was that the censor objected to the intensity of the antagonist's homophobia, on the basis that "it might discredit legitimate disapproval of homosexuals"
But a grimly funny nugget re 1961's Victim was that the censor objected to the intensity of the antagonist's homophobia, on the basis that "it might discredit legitimate disapproval of homosexuals"
December 22, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Going to review the 'social problem' films of director Basil Dearden & screenwriter Janet Green later
But a grimly funny nugget re 1961's Victim was that the censor objected to the intensity of the antagonist's homophobia, on the basis that "it might discredit legitimate disapproval of homosexuals"
But a grimly funny nugget re 1961's Victim was that the censor objected to the intensity of the antagonist's homophobia, on the basis that "it might discredit legitimate disapproval of homosexuals"