Alex Cox is a legend, his introductions to films on BBC2 in the 90's were really great and influenced me a lot. Repoman - one of his films - is crazy and a classic, heartily recommended.
Walker and Sid and Nancy are fantastic films as well, love Straight to Hell too. I agree with Mark that Highway Patrolman is his best film. His Moviedrome series was a fantastic crash course on Cinema that wasn't all about blockbusters, shame BBC hasn't bought it back even on BBC4.
So, we're all in agreement then that Alex Cox is an enigmatic, intelligent, humble and thoroughly interesting guy and that we're all old enough to remember how cool / great "Moviedrome" was on BBC2 back in the mid to late 80s? :)
I think just as importantly that on Moviedrome, he was allowed to bring us films which we would never get a chance to see and articulate some of the fine detail of the films that we could have otherwise missed. I think as well as many other's, he helped expand my film vocabulary immensely and will be forever grateful for that.
Nice to see Alex Cox being interviewed. Moviedrome was a huge part of my film education as an impressionable youngster, it's a programme that's long overdue for a return.
Even if it isn't shown on BBC 1 or 2, show it on BBC 4. Even repeat the series along with the Mark Cousin years (although he lacked the warmth of Cox his years were good as well), so many cult films and unseen gems on Cox's run of Moviedrome.
Moviedrome was so fundamental to my love of film. The Terminator, Shivers, Q the winged serpent, The serpent and the rainbow, I saw all of them with Alex's wonderful intro's... thank you Alex!!! I wish there were more curated film series...
Oh man, Alex Cox! I'd credit this guy with essentially tutoring me on how important film can be, as a young teenager. Seeing him now really hits home how much this chap shaped me. Godspeed you, Mr Cox!
This was the best uncut in ages Mark, Really enjoy listening to Alex Cox. I grew up watching Moviedrome and alex opened my mind to some amazing films. Thanks Alex!
Great stuff, that was a really enjoyable interview to watch. Alex Cox's Moviedrome series not only introduced me to many wonderfully out there movies, but also taught me a great deal about how they were produced, filmed and received. I really must go and buy his book!
Thank you Mark, moviedrome got me watching films I would never have considered or thought about watching. Alex cox's quite voice and gentle manner hooked me and made me seek out the strange and unusual in movies. I will buy this book and hopefully watch along. Any chance of you hosting a new moviedrome it must be time to bring it back.
we all need to email BBC and get moviedrome back. Alex was like one of those brilliant teachers that grabbed your attention and was the best one in your school. I remember when the intros and actually bit gutted the film started as listening to him was more important. 😂 👍 thank you Mark for this special.
Alex Cox taught a class at the University of Colorado, Boulder. I went there from '03-'06. Roger Ebert was famous for appearing there every year for the Conference on World Affairs. Got to meet him three years in a row. Got to learn under Bruce Kawin one of the most knowledgeable persons on film I've ever met. Drew Goddard has mentioned in interviews that he was the inspiration for "Cabin in the Woods". His book "Mindscreen" is one of the best books I've read on narrative filmmaking.
I was such a huge fan of Moviedrome and Alex Cox back in the day. I remember being massively annoyed when they changed to Mark Cousins. So much so that, even though the quality of Moviedrome's films were maintained, I have actively avoided Mr. Cousins' output since. I know, I know....
I used to love Moviedrome, too. Alex's introductions were always fascinating, even when the films weren't so much. I sent off for the movie guides that accompanied the series, and still I treasure those two booklets. They are available as pdf files from alex's old website, alexcox.com if you want them.
It's the audience that mostly (maybe half of them) aren't that interested in sitting in a cinema any more. Given the choice between watching a movie at home and sitting in a cinema with all the possible distractions and I'd go for the first one every time. The only drawback is that you sometimes might not give a movie as much chance as you would if you had specifically travelled to go watch it. Well, that and you'd need to wait a few months for the DVD to come out. I suppose it depends on the movie. Superhero movies, James Bond-type thrillers and comedies are okay to watch on the big screen for me. Maybe there's something added in the communal experience for some people. There's a lot to be said for home comforts and you don't get that anywhere else so if something can be taken into the home then a lot of people will always prefer that.
I was flicking through the TV channels late at night a few years ago, and caught most of a film called 'Repo Chick'. It's a truly 'WTF' film. I spent half the time wondering: "How is this connected to Alex Cox's Repo Man?" Then I became horrified as a I slowly discovered that it really *is* a sequel. "But surely it's just made by a crazed fan?" I thought. Then Cox turns up in the film himself. "Okay, he cameo'd in a crazed fan film," I thought. Nope... he wrote and directed it. So my question is: why should I read a book on film written by the person who made Repo Chick?
Because he also made Repo Man. Doesn't it intrigue you that he can make bad and good films? Especially given his comments here about film being a collaborative medium, not an individual one.
His top 10 that he submitted to sight and sound in 2012 was: Brazil, The Devils, Don't Look Now, The Exorcist, Eyes Without a Face, It's a Wonderful Life, Mary Poppins, A Matter of Life and Death, Pan's Labyrinth, The Seventh Seal
Alex Cox is a legend, his introductions to films on BBC2 in the 90's were really great and influenced me a lot.
Repoman - one of his films - is crazy and a classic, heartily recommended.
Yeah bring back Moviedrome - such a great series
Walker and Sid and Nancy are fantastic films as well, love Straight to Hell too. I agree with Mark that Highway Patrolman is his best film. His Moviedrome series was a fantastic crash course on Cinema that wasn't all about blockbusters, shame BBC hasn't bought it back even on BBC4.
So, we're all in agreement then that Alex Cox is an enigmatic, intelligent, humble and thoroughly interesting guy and that we're all old enough to remember how cool / great "Moviedrome" was on BBC2 back in the mid to late 80s? :)
I think just as importantly that on Moviedrome, he was allowed to bring us films which we would never get a chance to see and articulate some of the fine detail of the films that we could have otherwise missed. I think as well as many other's, he helped expand my film vocabulary immensely and will be forever grateful for that.
*****
Absolutely, sir
Nice to see Alex Cox being interviewed. Moviedrome was a huge part of my film education as an impressionable youngster, it's a programme that's long overdue for a return.
Even if it isn't shown on BBC 1 or 2, show it on BBC 4. Even repeat the series along with the Mark Cousin years (although he lacked the warmth of Cox his years were good as well), so many cult films and unseen gems on Cox's run of Moviedrome.
Alex cox. Legend. I still remember watching him on moviedrome. I must buy this book.
That long-missed, well-remembered voice...
Seeing Alex Cox again just makes me ache to hear him more. Thank you for getting him on!
Moviedrome was so fundamental to my love of film. The Terminator, Shivers, Q the winged serpent, The serpent and the rainbow, I saw all of them with Alex's wonderful intro's... thank you Alex!!!
I wish there were more curated film series...
Fantastic interview, only just seen this after having enjoyed Alex Cox's moviedrome introductions.
Oh man, Alex Cox! I'd credit this guy with essentially tutoring me on how important film can be, as a young teenager. Seeing him now really hits home how much this chap shaped me. Godspeed you, Mr Cox!
This was the best uncut in ages Mark, Really enjoy listening to Alex Cox. I grew up watching Moviedrome and alex opened my mind to some amazing films. Thanks Alex!
Great stuff, that was a really enjoyable interview to watch. Alex Cox's Moviedrome series not only introduced me to many wonderfully out there movies, but also taught me a great deal about how they were produced, filmed and received. I really must go and buy his book!
Thank you Mark, so good seeing Alex on the 'screen' again.
Always nice to hear from Alex Cox. I've seen and enjoyed all of his films, Three Businessmen being a particular favourite.
Thank you Mark, moviedrome got me watching films I would never have considered or thought about watching. Alex cox's quite voice and gentle manner hooked me and made me seek out the strange and unusual in movies. I will buy this book and hopefully watch along. Any chance of you hosting a new moviedrome it must be time to bring it back.
we all need to email BBC and get moviedrome back. Alex was like one of those brilliant teachers that grabbed your attention and was the best one in your school. I remember when the intros and actually bit gutted the film started as listening to him was more important. 😂 👍 thank you Mark for this special.
TOBY DAMMIT, YES! One of my favourite (short) films. Amazing experience.
Alex Cox taught a class at the University of Colorado, Boulder. I went there from '03-'06. Roger Ebert was famous for appearing there every year for the Conference on World Affairs. Got to meet him three years in a row.
Got to learn under Bruce Kawin one of the most knowledgeable persons on film I've ever met. Drew Goddard has mentioned in interviews that he was the inspiration for "Cabin in the Woods". His book "Mindscreen" is one of the best books I've read on narrative filmmaking.
Very interesting man. These are the videos I come to youtube for.
Just watched Living in oblivion off the back of this. Brilliant film.
I didn't even know about this book coming out! By the time the video had finished, I had already bought it off Amazon.
So happy to discover this thanks 🙏
Yes, that was a pleasure. Can we have more bits like this please?
Call of the Wild with Clarck Gable didn't have any music in it, and I only noticed during my third rewatch
Sid and Nancy. Not a factual account of the Pistols but it brought Gary Oldman into films, and he is class.
I think that Alex Cox is an International Treasure.
book sounds great, just ordered it.
I wish Kermode & Cox had a show!
Not heard of Alex Cox before but have seen him mentioned three times this week...thinks it's an omen to watch his films.
Bring back Moviedrome, with either of these two gentlemen fronting it...
Damn, I really miss Moviedrome. I could listen to this guy forever.
Nice salute to The Wild Bunch! Holy cow, I love that movie. "Let's go."
Pleased he talked about the little known gem that is "Toby Dammit", Fellini's homage to the great Mario Bava.
I was such a huge fan of Moviedrome and Alex Cox back in the day. I remember being massively annoyed when they changed to Mark Cousins. So much so that, even though the quality of Moviedrome's films were maintained, I have actively avoided Mr. Cousins' output since. I know, I know....
I used to love Moviedrome, too. Alex's introductions were always fascinating, even when the films weren't so much. I sent off for the movie guides that accompanied the series, and still I treasure those two booklets. They are available as pdf files from alex's old website, alexcox.com if you want them.
It's the audience that mostly (maybe half of them) aren't that interested in sitting in a cinema any more. Given the choice between watching a movie at home and sitting in a cinema with all the possible distractions and I'd go for the first one every time. The only drawback is that you sometimes might not give a movie as much chance as you would if you had specifically travelled to go watch it. Well, that and you'd need to wait a few months for the DVD to come out.
I suppose it depends on the movie. Superhero movies, James Bond-type thrillers and comedies are okay to watch on the big screen for me. Maybe there's something added in the communal experience for some people.
There's a lot to be said for home comforts and you don't get that anywhere else so if something can be taken into the home then a lot of people will always prefer that.
Repo Man prob my favourite film of all time.
I was flicking through the TV channels late at night a few years ago, and caught most of a film called 'Repo Chick'. It's a truly 'WTF' film. I spent half the time wondering: "How is this connected to Alex Cox's Repo Man?" Then I became horrified as a I slowly discovered that it really *is* a sequel. "But surely it's just made by a crazed fan?" I thought. Then Cox turns up in the film himself. "Okay, he cameo'd in a crazed fan film," I thought. Nope... he wrote and directed it.
So my question is: why should I read a book on film written by the person who made Repo Chick?
Because he also made Repo Man. Doesn't it intrigue you that he can make bad and good films? Especially given his comments here about film being a collaborative medium, not an individual one.
Just a point. Robert Rodriguez did everything in El Mariachi himself. So he didn't have a crew on that.
Yeah, he did.
www.imdb.com/title/tt0104815/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm
+JJoe I was just pointing out that it was just a couple of guys and not a huge crew. Glad to see Alex Cox need to rewatch Highway Patrolman.
he seemed a down to earth friendly guy
ghost lady in the reflection
mark 100,000 subs coming do a special video on your top 10 favourite movies of all time
His top 10 that he submitted to sight and sound in 2012 was: Brazil, The Devils, Don't Look Now, The Exorcist, Eyes Without a Face, It's a Wonderful Life, Mary Poppins, A Matter of Life and Death, Pan's Labyrinth, The Seventh Seal
Need to watch all the shit he’s talking about
Why did Alex Cox get blackballed, again ?