John Hodson
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mgcroadster.bsky.social
John Hodson
@mgcroadster.bsky.social
Journalist since '73, now retired, film geek for longer. Rejoiner, lefty, love films of all eras. Recovering Man Utd. fan of six decades. Uses admiration of John Ford as a Rorschach test. No followers without a profile - sorry!
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If you can, please support this; from his early teenage years, our late son James did what he could to support Manchester's homeless, whether it was a gift, food, or simply a kind word. It's a charity that means a lot to us & we give every year...
Done all your Christmas shopping but still have that one person left to buy for?
Gift a Bed! 🎁

For £32, you can provide a night of much needed rest for someone who would otherwise have nowhere safe to sleep.

Save the stress and gift a bed today.

www.gmmayorscharity.org.uk/gift/p/gift-...
Reposted by John Hodson
Commemorate Trailers From Hell Guru Don Coscarelli’s birthday with these trailer commentaries!

Godzilla
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Fm...

The Beast With Five Fingers
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGDq...

3 Days Of The Condor
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX6E...
February 17, 2026 at 9:41 PM
What's a line delivery you'll never forget?

#filmsky 📽
February 17, 2026 at 11:02 PM
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🔎 From the archive
“Has the BBC ever investigated the source of this leak?”

‘BBC Bias’ Memo Was Authored by Lobbyist Tied to Pro-Trump Tech Giants — by @nafeez.bsky.social
The leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm…
🔗 https://bylinetimes.com/2025/1…
'BBC Bias' Memo Was Authored by Lobbyist Tied to Pro-Trump Tech Giants
The leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm paid by US tech giants tied to the President
bylinetimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:47 PM
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More than 80 current and former participants of the Berlinale have signed an open letter to the festival condemning what it claims has been its “silence” when it comes to the conflict in Gaza and the “censoring” of artists who have spoken out.
Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton and Adam McKay Among 81 Names to Sign Open Letter Criticizing Berlin Film Festival for ‘Silence’ on Gaza: ‘We Are Dismayed’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton and Adam McKay are among the names to sign the letter criticizing the Berlin Film Festival's 'silence' on Gaza
variety.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:36 PM
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Kent chums! The Astor, Deal, this Sunday, Stan, Ollie and Me! See you there!! theastor.co.uk/events/100-y...
100 Years Celebration of Laurel & Hardy - Presented by Neil Brand - The Astor Theatre
Tickets - £23.00 Following the success of his 2023/24 tour, Neil Brand invites you to celebrate the centenary of Laurel and Hardy with a brand-new show. In
theastor.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Pancakes, sliced banana, Skyr apple, crushed toasted walnuts, maple syrup.

Aye...
February 17, 2026 at 8:09 PM
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2/17/49: Max Ophüls' Caught
w/Mr. James Mason, Barbara Bel Geddes, Robert Ryan (channeling Howard Hughes)
Godard: "Max's best American film"
More:
@jhoberman.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/m...
@dcairns.bsky.social: dcairns.wordpress.com/2017/10/25/c...
ASC: theasc.com/articles/cau...
Caught: A Lost Noir Classic
Legendary director Max Ophuls and accomplished cinematographer Lee Garmes, ASC lent their skills to a widely-scorned 1949 picture that has proven its…
theasc.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:32 PM
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Just looking through some old comics and found a mail order advert for Small Prophets
February 15, 2026 at 5:42 PM
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#SmallProphets is the gentlest three hour comedy, an exploration of relationships, of quirky humans seeking answers to the simplest and most fundamental questions. It asks its audience - what would you ask? What would make you truly happy? What is your heart's desire?

Right now, another series...
February 17, 2026 at 12:15 AM
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Today is the last day to read this piece for free.

It might work quite well as an intro to my writing for people who only know it via Bluesky.

P.S. It's much better if you read it all the way to the end.

I mean, I would say that, but I promise: it really does.

www.tom-cox.com/once-upon-a-...
Once Upon A Time On A Lane
A few of you - but probably not loads - will have read this before but, while I put a few finishing touches to a new piece ready for Sunday, I wanted to post it again, in slightly spruced up form, for...
www.tom-cox.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:14 AM
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Bill Forsyth's ‘Local Hero’ was released on this day in 1983, and it still casts a heady spell, despite his own feelings about 'the Brigadoon thing.’ crookedmarquee.com/ordinary-fec...
Ordinary Fecking People: Local Hero at 40 — Crooked Marquee
Bill Forsyth's signature film still casts a heady spell, despite his own feelings about 'the Brigadoon thing.'
crookedmarquee.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:23 PM
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I don't believe I've ever seen Ted Levine speak so candidly about his regrets of portraying Buffalo Bill in THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. He and some of the crew on the film were asked about the film's cultural transphobia by The Hollywood Reporter.

www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
February 17, 2026 at 4:46 PM
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***ANNOUNCEMENT***

To Celebrate their 35th Anniversary, #CultEpics has announced a slate of releases coming in 2026:

UPCOMING 4K BLU-RAY RELEASES

February: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time with Tomoyo Harada by Nobuhiko Obayashi
March: The Key with Stefania Sandrelli by Tinto Brass
February 17, 2026 at 6:09 PM
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Film-wise: at 9pm, Renfield on Film4, Funny Cow on Sky Comedy, Shanghai Noon on Comedy Central or Parker on Legend. At 10pm, Blades Of Glory on TLC. At 10.50pm, The Hunt on Film4. At 11pm, Bonnie & Clyde on BBC2. At 11.10pm, Beetlejuice on BBC3. At 11.20pm, Nick Of Time on Legend #telly
February 17, 2026 at 6:10 PM
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Bits #BD Review – @timsalmons.bsky.social revisits the 1970 Hammer #horror sequel SCARS OF DRACULA, available on #Bluray from @kinolorber.com (#4K #UltraHD review coming soon). @billhuntbits.bsky.social thedigitalbits.com/reviews/item...
February 17, 2026 at 5:31 PM
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a few thoughts on Kelly Reichardt's The Mastermind, which I enjoyed the other night
letterboxd.com/jamesewand/f...
A ★★★★ review of The Mastermind (2025)
Movie heists do not have to go wrong, but they usually do. As far as art theft is concerned, Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind is hardly The Thomas Crown Affair (either version). The conspirator of the...
letterboxd.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:53 PM
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Excellent news, a true gem of a film. Roger Moore considered it his best work, and I agree.
***ANNOUNCEMENT***

Coming on April 27th on #4K and Blu-ray in the UK from @studiocanal.co.uk as part of their #CultClassics line: #TheManWhoHauntedHimself (1970)!

Harold Pelham, a partner in a large electronics firm, finds himself in bewildering circumstances after recovering from a near-fatal
February 17, 2026 at 4:47 PM
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Bits #BD Review – Dennis also checks out Cecile B. DeMille's 1928 #drama THE GODLESS GIRL, available on #Bluray from @kinolorber.com. @billhuntbits.bsky.social thedigitalbits.com/reviews/item...
February 17, 2026 at 4:48 PM
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These people really need to watch and ponder this great film en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsieu...
Monsieur Klein - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 17, 2026 at 4:40 PM
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***ANNOUNCEMENT***

Coming on April 27th on #4K and Blu-ray in the UK from @studiocanal.co.uk as part of their #CultClassics line: #TheNightcomers (1971)!

Following the death of their parents, Flora and Miles are left in the care of repressed governess Miss Jessel, and housekeeper Mrs Grose.
February 17, 2026 at 4:35 PM
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‘A realistic take on marriage’: readers on their favourite lesser-known movie romances
‘A realistic take on marriage’: readers on their favourite lesser-known movie romances
After Guardian writers shared their picks for big screen love stories people may not have seen, readers have responded with some alternative options
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:38 PM
It wasn't until I saw Robert Duvall in his passion project, THE APOSTLE, that I finally understood his portrayal of Jesse James in THE GREAT NORTHFIELD MINNESOTA RAID, the latter, in some ways, a dry run for the former, separated by 25 years.
February 17, 2026 at 4:20 PM
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A few underappreciated screen roles of the late #RobertDuvall...

buff.ly/pjKk19R
February 17, 2026 at 4:03 PM
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If from 4K scan why not 4K ?
***ANNOUNCEMENT***

Coming on April 28th on standard Blu-ray in the US from #ParamountPicturess: #Nashville (1975)!

Following 24 unique characters through 5 days in the country music capital, Robert Altman's Oscar winning epic presents a complexly textured portrayal (and critique) of
February 17, 2026 at 3:43 PM