THE SMARTER MOVIE MAGAZINE
It’s apt that our cover film should close a chapter, seeing as I am shutting the book on Total Film with this issue (my 153rd). After 10 years of captaining this fine ship, I’ll be stepping off the deck to hand the captain’s hat over to the most excellent Matt Maytum, with Jordan Farley as his chief mate. It’s been a glorious ride; Total Film has remained engaged, authentic, smart and fun in the years I’ve been aboard – both in team and output. There have been so many magnificent people, places and things that I could write a letter the length of this magazine, but if you know me at all you know I favour a brisk run time. So in the spirit of awards season, here are my gongs for my time at TF Towers:
Best on-set moment: Being on any Bond set is pure pinch-me, but the best (and hottest) was being the only journalist on the Skyfall set who watched the titular lodge burn to the ground. (Special mention to the Pinewood Bond archives, where I donned white gloves to handle THE golden gun, Jaws’ silver teeth and Connery’s annotated script.)
Best interview: So many, but silverware for Michelle Rodriguez who saved me from a falling palm tree during our chat in Cancun; Christopher Nolan for inviting me into his editing sanctuary to talk Dunkirk and drink Earl Grey; Kevin Costner for full star power; Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter for making kid dreams come true…
Best party: The Elvis party at The Formosa before the Golden Globes. Baz Luhrmann MC-ing, Lisa Marie and Priscilla Presley hanging out at the bar. My seven-year-old Elvis fan self just died.
Best festival: Venice. When you’re bobbing across the lagoon in a water taxi to chat to Timmy Chalamet at the Cipriani, life doesn’t get much better. Best mentor: Jamie Graham. Such film knowledge, such mag craft. Such terrible luck with eggs and gyms.
Best cake: We get a lot of them but there’s none more impressive, delicious or Hollywood than the Tom Cruise coconut/white choc Christmas cake each December. Truly makes the season and my year.
Best work spouses: Matt, Jordan, Matthew, Mike (formerly of this parish). This team is the BEST. I can’t wait to see what they do with all the future issues incoming. I will now become a very excited subscriber and contributor to ma
