Archive for the ‘films’ Category
Atonement
Posted on: January 2, 2008
- In: films
- 2 Comments
I have no intention of making this a regular habit, but for the second time in two weeks, I feel that a post on the film I’ve just seen is in order.
Today’s visual treat was Atonement. And it truly was a visual feast. I think I described The Golden Compass as beautiful, and I’d argue that Atonement is, in its own way, at least as good-looking. Several shots are still vivid in my mind some hours later: Keira Knightley looking like Venus emerging from the fountain; the soldier in front of the cinema screen, crying; the Underground tunnel during the blitz, all dark reds and blues and heaped up people, looking like something painted by Caravaggio. James McAvoy is fairly easy on the eye as well.
Below the line there will be spoilers, though if you’ve read the book you should be fine.
I don’t want a republic
Posted on: December 22, 2007
- In: films
- 8 Comments
A while ago, Laura Sanderson asked if I would blog about the Philip Pullman books, His Dark Materials, in light of the recent cinema release of the first in the series, Northern Lights (film and US book title, The Golden Compass). Exams now being over, I went to see the film yesterday and now have some thoughts to share.
If you’ve not seen the film or read the books, be warned that there will be spoilers. If you’ve read the book but not seen the film, then it’s fine to read and there’s one spoiler that’s really worth knowing before seeing the film. Oh and, if you do go and see it, don’t stay for the credits. I’ve no idea who wrote/sang the final song but they should be ashamed of themselves. It’s truly awful.
Unbecoming Jane
Posted on: August 18, 2007
- In: books | ethics | films
- 6 Comments
I originally had low expectations of Becoming Jane, the film purporting to be an account of the early part of Jane Austen’s career as an author. Then a couple of good reviews and a fun-looking trailer lured me in. Hmm. I think if I’d gone with my original mindset, I might not have been so disappointed.
What was good? Well, I don’t mind paying $6 to watch beautiful English countryside and listen to people talking with English accents for a couple of hours at the moment. Anne Hathaway in the lead role just about pulls off the accent without it grating. And there were a couple of really excellent scenes – the dance at the second ball, Cassandra hearing news of her fiance. Interestingly, these were both scenes with little or no dialogue.
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