So who watched Godfather 3 last night on Sky?

A deeply flawed film. Could have been as great as the others (Godfathers 1 & 2), but for the presence of Sophie Coppola in the lead role.

She's flat as a pancake (presence-wise). I cannot see the film without wondering what it could have been with Winona Ryder (at the height of her powers - or just starting the slide anyway) in the role. And it depresses me.

Anyhow... it still has some attention grabbing moments - like when Michael makes his first confession in 30 years - "I am beyond redemption!", to a Cardinal who is about to become Pope John Paul 1.

In fact, it's a very topical film to be screening right now, they showed the Conclave selecting a new pope. Presumably both JP2 & Joe Ratzinger were present.

And the film follows the events (some speculation) involving the Vatican bank, certain Sicilian & American "families", and the corruption that led to the (speculated) murder of the new pope.

Michael tries to save him. And then avenges in spectacular & operatic (literally) fashion.

Great stuff. They should have killed off Sophie's character a lot earlier though.

And we also watched an odd little film in the weekend called Rodger Dodger. It's about a completely reprehensible ladies' man (a reptilian Campbell Scott) teaching his 16 year old nephew all about women (and how to score them).

And this guy is butt squirmingly awful, wracked with bitterness & guilt about his family, and pretty much consumed with misogyny.

Has an interesting cast - Isabella Rossellini, Jennifer "Flashdance" Beals, & Elizabeth Berkley (who keeps her clothes on).

Finishes on a slightly optimistic note of redemption... worth a look. Some barbed & barbarous dialogue (kind of like In The Company of Men, but not quite as bleak).