Tag: Movies

Movie reviews

Reblog: North & South (BBC)

EmmaLeave a comment

I updated and posted my review of the minseries! 

Emma's avatarKnightleyemma

Daniela Denby-Ashe as Margaret Hale and Richard Armitage as John Thornton

Introduction 

Cotton, tea pouring, and firm handshakes NEVER looked SO good!  A very unlikely romance, labor union struggles, friendship across social classes, and other very “modern” themes are found in this timeless story (not unlike the work of Jane Austen).  However, unlike JA, Mrs. Gaskell delves into the lives of the poor/working class in Milton (a city VERY similar to Manchester) where she moved after she married.  I’m reading the novel, and this adaptation stays close to it.  If you haven’t seen this 2004 show yet, check out You Tube (under MissJaneAustenfan, a young Spanish woman who is ALSO crazy over period dramas).   

http://www.youtube.com/user/MissJaneAustenfan

Or you can buy the DVD (set of 2 discs) online or at your B&N store.  It’s worth it!

UPDATE: It’s now also on Netflix! 

 

Background, Setting, & Costumes  

The time period is AFTER that of JA- N&S is set during the…

View original post 722 more words

The Hobbit (2012)

Emma1 Comment

Thorin: [singing] Far over the misty mountains cold / To dungeons deep and caverns old
Dwarves: [singing] The pines were roaring on the height / The winds were moaning in the night / The fire was red, it flame spread / The trees like torches blazed with light…

The Hobbit poster featuring Richard Armitage and Martin Freeman

Well, I can honestly say this was the most anticipated film for me in 2012.  I saw it with my mom and little brother on New Year’s day (in Fishers, IN).  We saw the 2D, since none of us are fans of 3D.  Mom and I were most excited to see one of our favorite (British) actors, Richard Armitage, on the big screen for the first time.  The eyes and the voice are the same! 

Thorin: Loyalty, honor, a willing heart, I can ask no more than that.

Poster featuring Martin Freeman as Bilbo

Bilbo Baggins: I have… I have never used a sword in my life.
Gandalf: And I hope you never have to. But if you do, remember this: true courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.

We had seen Martin Freeman in the Sherlock series (BBC) and earlier in Love Actually, and thought he was a very fine actor as well.  (That Brit rom com is one of my little sister’s favorites.) 

Illustration of ThranduilActor Lee Pace

Lee Pace plays Thranduil, Legolas’ father, in two brief (yet crucial) moments in the film.  Unlike most of the cast, he’s an American. 

Luke Evans as The Bard and Orlando Bloom as Legolas - Entertainment Weekly magazine

Legolas (Orlando Bloom) will appear in the later films (so no worries, teen gals)!  There will also be a new (human) character, played by Luke Evans. 

Bilbo smoking pipe

FYI: Martin’s co-star in Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch, will provide voices for two characters in the later movies.  I thought he’d be good as an elf.  Elijah Wood is back, as are Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis (Gollum; second unit director), and the much beloved Gandalf, Ian McKellan.

Dwarves overtake Bag End

In the introduction to the story, we see old Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) and his young nephew/heir Frodo (Wood), in their cozy home in Hobbiton.  (For this prequel to The Lord of the Rings, Elijah’s 30 year old face was de-aged using computer technology.)  Bilbo is planning his birthday party and also putting the finishing touches on his memoirs.  He thinks back (60 years), and we transition from Holm to Freeman smoking a pipe outside Bag End.  The wizard dressed all in gray, Gandalf, comes to his door and mentions an adventure.  “No!  We don’t want any adventures here!” Bilbo exclaims.

Bilbo riding a pony

Gandalf: Home is now behind you. The world is ahead.

In time, the reluctant hobbit meets 13 dwarves (some young/inexperienced, some battle-hardened), who are on a quest “to claim their long forgotten gold” and their homeland, which was taken over by the dragon Smaug.  The group are lead by a displaced king, Thorin Oakenshield (Armitage). 

Still from the official trailer

These dwarves are nothing like Snow White’s friends- they love to drink (like hobbits), fight (get better with age), have a lot of pride, and are secretive in nature.  We learn why dwarves distrust the elves.  In this film, they uncover some elvish weapons, which they quickly adapt to using.  Bilbo finds a little sword, too. 

James Nesbitt as BofurAs Leo on BallyK

Fans of the Irish TV series Ballykissangel may recognize one dwarf, Bofur (James Nesbitt).  From 1996-1998, the Belfast-based actor played Leo, the big city journalist.  Bofur likes to have fun! 

Dean O'Gorman as Fili and Aidan Turner as Kili

Fili (Dean O’Gorman) and Kili (Aidan Turner) have been termed the “hot dwarves,” which Turner said makes him “cringe a little.”  LOL!  Since they are young dwarves, they are eager to see some fighting and contribute as much as they can.   

Galadriel and Gandalf

Galadriel: Why the Hafling?
Gandalf: Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? That’s because I am afraid and it gives me courage.

Cate Blanchett as Galadriel

Cate’s part is not big, but she looks more beautiful than ever as Galadriel (The Lady of Light)!  She has a different sort of crown and a cool dress (with a long train, of course). 

Hugo Weaving as Elrond examines map

The company go to Rivendell, where Elrond (Hugo Weaving) helps the company by reading ancient dwarvish on a very important map.

Company meet The Goblin King

Orcs and trolls are different in The Hobbit than in the trilogy.  They are more developed; they also look different. 

Jed Brophy as Nori

One of the toughest orcs is now a dwarf- Jed Brophy (a New Zealand actor and skilled stuntman) plays Nori.  Even his eyebrows are braided! 

Gollum in his cave

Bilbo Baggins: Why don’t we have a game of riddles and if I win, you show me the way out of here?
Gollum: And if he loses? What then? Well if he loses precious then we eats it! If Baggins loses we eats it whole!
Bilbo Baggins: Fair enough.

We find out how Bilbo got the ring.  He and Gollum have a battle of riddles in a cave.  Well, don’t want to give too much info… 

The music (composed again by Howard Shore) is even better than in the trilogy.  The Misty Mountains song is sung by Richard and the company of dwarves- very cool!  The (New Zealand) scenery, along with the special effects, are stunning.   The acting is quite fine, especially from McKellan, Armitage (creating a natural leader/heroic), and Freeman (who makes the perfect hobbit).   

Pretty fly… for a Dwarf

EmmaLeave a comment

If The Hobbit was the last piece of work I ever do, I would be happy.  I still feel that if I never work again, I have had the most fulfilling experience an actor could ever have with this role. I’ve never been challenged in the way this role challenged me. 

-Richard Armitage

He’s got real depth, genuinely, as an actor. He’s just going to keep getting better and better.

-Phillipa Boyens

the-hobbit-character-poster-4

As Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

I got this idea of literally having an open shield so I drew it for him and they [Weta Workshop] came up with this design.  It’s the same piece of branch he used to defend himself years earlier and it’s hardened with age. 

On the TODAY Show (w/ Hoda & Kathie Lee)

Glamour (UK) mag’s bethind the scenes video

RA_IMDB

Hobbit star Armitage finds a wee bit of fame

Fun & informative interview w/ Richard & co-star Martin Freeman

john-thornton

 

 As John Thornton on North & South (2004)

An in-depth article on his Hobbit role

Peter Jackson (director) & actors on shooting in New Zealand

gog68

As Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood (2006-2009) – one of my fave pics

I think I’ve just got a face that suits half shadow rather than full daylight.

The Marilyn Denis Show (Canada)

TV3 (Ireland) Interview

GREAT Holiday Films

EmmaLeave a comment
  • A Christmas Carol (1999 TV version starring Patrick Stewart)
  • Holiday Affair (1949)
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 – animated version; 2000)
  •  It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
  • Little Women (1994)
  • Love Actually (2003)
  • Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
  • The Preacher’s Wife (1996), remake of The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
  • The Shop Around the Corner (1940)/You’ve Got Mail (1998)
  • The Sound of Music (1965)
  • While You Were Sleeping (1995)
  • White Christmas (1954)

Three Can’t Miss Films of 2012

EmmaLeave a comment

English Vinglish

The film’s story worked on many layers, and what I especially admired is how Sridevi becomes the spokesperson for lessons without being too overt about it, save for the ending speech that hammers in the emotion, and is sure to make your eyes well up. It deals with, on a macro level, how as humans we should be helpful and tolerant to those who don’t speak our language or understand our culture, that one shouldn’t be made to think one’s superior just because, or make the other look small. And on the more micro level, the structure of the family and its importance.  All these and more, told through a story about a woman finding her inner strength to stand out, stand up and be counted, building and reinforcing confidence that she’s more than just a Laddoo machine.  -A reviewer on IMDB.com

movie_picture_English-Vinglish

Do you loathe typical Bollywood films (w/ vacuous portrayals of women, too old to play college Romeos men, and incongruous songs/dances)?  Then this is THE film for you!  (I liked it even better than Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake, two fabulous films you should check out.)  Two friends and I made the trip to Leesburg, VA to check it out; we live in Silver Spring, MD.  

Shashi Godbole (Sridevi) is a beautiful housewife and mother living a comfy life in India.  She’s also a well-known caterer of sweets in her area (called ladoos) who regrets the fact that she doesn’t speak/understand English (like her executive hubby and snarky preteen daughter).  But she’s still cool in the eyes of her little son.  When the entire fam is invited to the US for the wedding of her niece, Shashi jumps at the chance to take a fast-paced English course (led by a quirky British teacher with a motley crew of NYC immigrants).  She keeps it a secret, however, which poses certain challenges!       

english-vinglish-1a

Who is that gorgeous/talented guy who befriends Shashi in the film?  It’s French-Algerian actor, Mehdi Nebbou, who’s a BIG star in his native France. 

nebboumehdinew2012pic3

Life of Pi

life-of-piThis is another fine film from director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Sense & Sensibility; Brokeback Mountain, etc.)  It incorporates good acting with cool visual/special effects.  The teen boy in the film NEVER acted before!  (Suraj Sharma lives in Queens and was discovered during an open casting call where his lil bro was auditioning.) 

LifeofPi2_620_112012

One of India’s finest actors, Irrfan Khan (the dad from Mira Nair’s The Namesake), plays the grown-up Pi/narrator.  Another Namesake connection: Tabu plays young Pi’s mom!  My own mom (who read the novel by Yann Martel) enjoyed the film, too, as did her friend/neighbor. 

Lincoln

In 1865, as the American Civil War winds inexorably toward conclusion, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln endeavors to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment which will forever ban slavery from the United States. However, his task is a race against time, for peace may come at any time, and if it comes before the amendment is passed, the returning southern states will stop it before it can become law. Lincoln must, by almost any means possible, obtain enough votes from a recalcitrant Congress before peace arrives and it is too late. Yet the president is torn, as an early peace would save thousands of lives. As the nation confronts its conscience over the freedom of its entire population, Lincoln faces his own crisis of conscience — end slavery or end the war.  -Jim Beaver, IMDB.com

ctm_1109_DOANE_480x360

Who could’ve imagined that Irish actor Daniel Day-Lewis would one day play one of America’s most-loved presidents!?  (Liam Neeson, star of Schindler’s List was first considered for the role.)  Steven Spielberg humanizes Lincoln in this big, yet also small/personal, film.

jgl-lincoln

I esp. liked the scenes w/ Lincoln’s eldest son, Robert, played by Joseph Gordon Levitt (who is becoming one of the young’uns to watch in Hollywood now).  Of course, you may know him from the comedy 3rd Rock from the Sun. 

lincoln_ek_mtl

My mom was happy to see Sally Field in a big role (after some years); she plays Mary Todd Lincoln with intelligence and emotion (without ever going over the top).  Mrs. Lincoln did suffer from depression after the death of her son, Willie, as pointed out in the film.  I wanted to see more of Elizabeth Keckley (played by ER‘s Gloria Reuben), who was the dressmaker to Mrs. Lincoln. 

lincoln_allies

Lincoln has class (David Strathairn, one of my faves), humor (James Spader, former ’80s heartthrob), and fiery rhetoric (Lee Pace and Tommy Lee Jones in the House of Reps).  Well, Jones adds some humor, too.  And yes, the revelation about his character’s (Thaddeus Stevens’) romantic relationship is true! 

lincoln_tlj