ThisFilmIsOn

There are many reasons why we at thisfilmison love Scroobious Pip. Unapologetically the first reason is an aesthetic one. Just look at that lovely, lovely beard, it’s almost hypnotic. Secondly he is an exceptionally fine wordmongerer (smith just sounds insufficient). Thirdly, as the majority of us are white, middle-class males he’s introduced us to music outside of our comfort zone (Mos Def rules!).

But mainly, as you’d expect from a website all about film, we love his moving picture references. Now any Benny can just pick up a line or character from a film and use it willy nilly (we’re looking at you McFly!) but when Mr. Pip starts waxing lyrical about Elwood P. Dowd, James Dean and Spiccoli you know it’s done with love and respect.

How delighted we are then that he’s sat down with us to talk all things film related…

Name

Scroobius Pip

Occupation

I do talky stuff over music.

Proudest Achievements

Well theres just too many (that could sound humble or arrogant). Releasing our first record, headlining a stage at Reading festival, working with de la soul, playing half way up a mountain in Japan…I’ll stop there.

What is your Most Favourite Bestest Film In The Whole Wide World?

Thats a tough one! I kind of have two. I would say it is between Harvey and Buffalo ’66. Both for completely different reasons. Harvey is just one of the most beautiful movies ever. Jimmy Stewarts performance as Elwood P Dowd is the most endearing performance ever recorded. The simplicity with which he approaches life highlights the trappings of our own complexities.

Buffalo ’66 is equally amazing though! Written, Directed by and starring Vincent Gallo it is clearly a work of love (and maybe ego). His performance as Billy Brown brilliantly manages to make you love him and hate him throughout. Its that exact reaction (as a viewer) that makes his strange love/hate relationship with Christina Ricci all the more convincing.

Favourite Scene

I’ll go for favourite scene from Buffalo ’66. There are two that spring tomind but I will focus on one of the last scenes (the other was the bowling alley dancing scene). As Billy Brown is entering the strip joint the music seems to fuse with the scene. Everything seems to throb and move in time, while Billy slowly walks through taking it all in. Then the abrupt end to the scene (no spoiler!) shakes you out of that particular grove, just as you are getting comfy. Genius.

Favourite Line

There is a line in Harvey that, from the day I heard it, was my favourite line in cinema. Its more a short monologue but I will jump to the end…

Elwood P Dowd: “In this life you can be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant. For years I was smart. I recommend pleasant…”

First Movie You Remember

Batteries Not Included! I remember watching it at Christmas and wanting little Alien robots to come and live in my house. They never did…

Last Film You Saw

Last film I saw on DVD was Fish Tank. The girl in it lives one town along from me on the train line so I had heard a lot about it. I thought it was decent. Very bleak (and at times it felt like it was bleak for bleaks
sake) but decent.

Worst Film You’ve Ever Seen

That REALLY is hard. There are a lot of bad films I like. I’m a big fan of mixed martial arts so awful films like Never Back Down and Never Surrender have given me great amounts of joy! The only film I have ever walked out of the cinema on was Rogue Trader. Wasn’t enjoying it one bit.

What Do You Love About Movies

Everything! You can get so many different things from so many different types of film. Sometimes, I want an escape. Nothing heavy, just entertainment. A chance to switch off your mind. More often than not, however, I love the journey a film can take you on. The emotions it can evoke. The work-out it can give your mind. Films are pretty good aye?

Scroobious Pip is currently touring Europe with Dan Le Sac, keeping one eye on Millwall FC. Their second album The Logic Of Chance is out now. Enjoy some video-ness below.