Dave McAllister
@davefilmblog.bsky.social
Film enthusiast. My reviews at www.davefilmblog.com
At 90 years old, Peter Watkins death yesterday was hardly unexpected but it’s still sad that such an astonishing and bold film maker is still on the margins in our culture. His intelligent, often challenging and innovative films are unique. Here’s an obit: www.bfi.org.uk/features/pet...
October 31, 2025 at 7:36 PM
At 90 years old, Peter Watkins death yesterday was hardly unexpected but it’s still sad that such an astonishing and bold film maker is still on the margins in our culture. His intelligent, often challenging and innovative films are unique. Here’s an obit: www.bfi.org.uk/features/pet...
A thrill to meet Alex Cox and Nick Freand Jones after an event discussing Moviedrome, the BBC film programming that turned me on to the weird and wonderful in cinema. I even found my old Moviedrome booklets and got them signed!
July 4, 2025 at 9:37 PM
A thrill to meet Alex Cox and Nick Freand Jones after an event discussing Moviedrome, the BBC film programming that turned me on to the weird and wonderful in cinema. I even found my old Moviedrome booklets and got them signed!
Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead at the Royal Albert Hall complete with London Philharmonic Orchestra was brilliant. Lots of tie dyes in the audience. The only performance in Europe.
June 21, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead at the Royal Albert Hall complete with London Philharmonic Orchestra was brilliant. Lots of tie dyes in the audience. The only performance in Europe.
David Cronenberg’s THE SHROUDS is surprisingly effective as both a personal meditation on grief and also an almost absurdist comedy. Like the best of speculative sci fi, it’s a reflection of contemporary concerns, and is very much a film about ideas.
June 16, 2025 at 10:46 PM
David Cronenberg’s THE SHROUDS is surprisingly effective as both a personal meditation on grief and also an almost absurdist comedy. Like the best of speculative sci fi, it’s a reflection of contemporary concerns, and is very much a film about ideas.
A brilliant day at bfi Film On Film festival today, well worth hiding from the sunshine! Preminger’s ADVISE & CONSENT, Iranian film A MOMENT OF INNOCENCE, Hitchcock’s 1934 version of THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH and Georgian film PIROSMANI. More tomorrow.
June 14, 2025 at 10:07 PM
A brilliant day at bfi Film On Film festival today, well worth hiding from the sunshine! Preminger’s ADVISE & CONSENT, Iranian film A MOMENT OF INNOCENCE, Hitchcock’s 1934 version of THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH and Georgian film PIROSMANI. More tomorrow.
A Sunday afternoon treat at the Garden Cinema. My DVD of the wonderful Fishing with John has never been able to play the first Dennis Hopper episode. Eventually I got to see it! Next in this double bill is the UK premiere of a mythical doc called Tarpon.
June 8, 2025 at 5:21 PM
A Sunday afternoon treat at the Garden Cinema. My DVD of the wonderful Fishing with John has never been able to play the first Dennis Hopper episode. Eventually I got to see it! Next in this double bill is the UK premiere of a mythical doc called Tarpon.
For those who need translation of the last scene when the subtitle projector packed in at the ICA's rare screening of Jacques Rivette's HISTOIRE OF MARIE ET JULIEN:
Julien: What time is it
Marie: Pretty early
J: I mean … what are you doing here, who are you? How did you enter?
(cont...)
Julien: What time is it
Marie: Pretty early
J: I mean … what are you doing here, who are you? How did you enter?
(cont...)
May 29, 2025 at 10:37 PM
For those who need translation of the last scene when the subtitle projector packed in at the ICA's rare screening of Jacques Rivette's HISTOIRE OF MARIE ET JULIEN:
Julien: What time is it
Marie: Pretty early
J: I mean … what are you doing here, who are you? How did you enter?
(cont...)
Julien: What time is it
Marie: Pretty early
J: I mean … what are you doing here, who are you? How did you enter?
(cont...)
An astonishing final show. A delicate shimmering first set ebbing and flowing beautifully finishing with a touch of darkness. Then what a final set, epic, intense and with such energy. This has been a brilliant residency. Thanks @cafeotodalston.bsky.social and The Necks!
May 11, 2025 at 10:01 PM
An astonishing final show. A delicate shimmering first set ebbing and flowing beautifully finishing with a touch of darkness. Then what a final set, epic, intense and with such energy. This has been a brilliant residency. Thanks @cafeotodalston.bsky.social and The Necks!
I picked this up from the BFI today and can’t wait to dive in. Murch is a fascinating guy and I’d strongly recommend ‘The Conversations’ and ‘In The Blink Of An Eye’.
May 11, 2025 at 5:24 PM
I picked this up from the BFI today and can’t wait to dive in. Murch is a fascinating guy and I’d strongly recommend ‘The Conversations’ and ‘In The Blink Of An Eye’.
Performance number three. First set was self contained and relatively short. The second set was the best so far, fast pulse, exploratory, wide ranging and euphoric. And the audience loved it. @cafeotodalston.bsky.social
May 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Performance number three. First set was self contained and relatively short. The second set was the best so far, fast pulse, exploratory, wide ranging and euphoric. And the audience loved it. @cafeotodalston.bsky.social
Second performance. Darker mood than the sunny afternoon and equally involving.
May 11, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Second performance. Darker mood than the sunny afternoon and equally involving.
The first of four performances over two days of The Necks at @cafeotodalston.bsky.social this afternoon. As mesmerising as always, the two long sets seemed barely to last an instant.
May 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The first of four performances over two days of The Necks at @cafeotodalston.bsky.social this afternoon. As mesmerising as always, the two long sets seemed barely to last an instant.
I just discovered this happy yawning fellow on the 4th floor balcony of an Art Nouveaux building in Riga, Latvia. It’s said to resemble film director Sergei Eisenstein, who was the son of the building’s architect Mikhail.
April 26, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I just discovered this happy yawning fellow on the 4th floor balcony of an Art Nouveaux building in Riga, Latvia. It’s said to resemble film director Sergei Eisenstein, who was the son of the building’s architect Mikhail.
I received a little badge for donating blood 25 times. That's the equivalent of donating all of the blood in my body two and a half times. Although that fast-track method doesn't seem too appealing.
April 11, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I received a little badge for donating blood 25 times. That's the equivalent of donating all of the blood in my body two and a half times. Although that fast-track method doesn't seem too appealing.
I’ve been really enjoying the Jacques Rivette season at the ICA and today’s treat Pont Du Nord was another highlight. A conspiracy mystery set in Paris (what else?), this had a spritely wit and inventiveness that made it a joy from start to finish.
April 6, 2025 at 7:23 PM
I’ve been really enjoying the Jacques Rivette season at the ICA and today’s treat Pont Du Nord was another highlight. A conspiracy mystery set in Paris (what else?), this had a spritely wit and inventiveness that made it a joy from start to finish.
Ebay has an original CASABLANCA poster for just £69,500!! If I were a billionaire that’s the kind of thing I’d spend my cash on.
April 1, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Ebay has an original CASABLANCA poster for just £69,500!! If I were a billionaire that’s the kind of thing I’d spend my cash on.
I’m looking forward to exploring the themes and methods of Paul Thomas Anderson in this intriguing book. I’ve loved his films since the release of Boogie Nights. Thanks @ethanwarren.bsky.social
March 26, 2025 at 11:06 AM
I’m looking forward to exploring the themes and methods of Paul Thomas Anderson in this intriguing book. I’ve loved his films since the release of Boogie Nights. Thanks @ethanwarren.bsky.social
David Cronenberg and Howard Shore discussing a 46 year working relationship. What struck me is how much trust and understanding they had for one another. The only disagreement they could recall was whether a particular scene with a bus needed engine noise in the mix!
March 22, 2025 at 4:45 PM
David Cronenberg and Howard Shore discussing a 46 year working relationship. What struck me is how much trust and understanding they had for one another. The only disagreement they could recall was whether a particular scene with a bus needed engine noise in the mix!
It’s David Cronenberg Day at the London Soundtrack festival. First off, a 10am (!) screening of CRASH at the @BFI IMAX, with DEAD RINGERS and an in-conversation event with Howard Shore both to follow. This will be wonderful.
March 22, 2025 at 10:09 AM
It’s David Cronenberg Day at the London Soundtrack festival. First off, a 10am (!) screening of CRASH at the @BFI IMAX, with DEAD RINGERS and an in-conversation event with Howard Shore both to follow. This will be wonderful.
John Cale at the @southbankcentre.bsky.social was brilliant. A good cross section of lesser known songs including Rosegarden Funeral of Sores, Do Not Go Gentle…, Set Me Free, My Maria, Out Your Window, Barracuda, and a haunting cover of Nico’s Frozen Borderline.
March 21, 2025 at 11:46 PM
John Cale at the @southbankcentre.bsky.social was brilliant. A good cross section of lesser known songs including Rosegarden Funeral of Sores, Do Not Go Gentle…, Set Me Free, My Maria, Out Your Window, Barracuda, and a haunting cover of Nico’s Frozen Borderline.
All the predictable ones of course, but I also really like him in Scarecrow opposite Al Pacino, a film that deserves more recognition I think.
March 20, 2025 at 8:59 PM
All the predictable ones of course, but I also really like him in Scarecrow opposite Al Pacino, a film that deserves more recognition I think.
Pete Toth Trio last night included the incredible Bill Bruford on drums! It's such a thrill to see him come out of retirement and having fun. And I even got to say hello at the end.
March 11, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Pete Toth Trio last night included the incredible Bill Bruford on drums! It's such a thrill to see him come out of retirement and having fun. And I even got to say hello at the end.
Now enjoying my second viewing of THE BRUTALIST. It’s just as rich and satisfying as my first.
January 8, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Now enjoying my second viewing of THE BRUTALIST. It’s just as rich and satisfying as my first.
Now seated for this preview screening of A COMPLETE UNKNOWN. Will Timee portray Bob as the mysterious mischievous imp that he truly is.
December 18, 2024 at 8:17 PM
Now seated for this preview screening of A COMPLETE UNKNOWN. Will Timee portray Bob as the mysterious mischievous imp that he truly is.