Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince Monday, Jul 27 2009

I don’t normally watch movies at the cinema, but the one thing I will guaranteed is the Harry potter series. Apart from the fifth and 2nd film, I’ve watched them all in the cinema, and this is no exception.

Harry is growing up and has turned 16. After the events of the last book, Harry learns a lot more about Voldemort in this instalment and also finds love with an likely person. Ron and Hermione are also growing up, and Ron gets a girlfriend and grows up a bit more in this one.

Draco Malfoy comes into his own in the film, and I felt Tom Felton did more than just sneer in this film. He got a really meaty storyline that really changed the dynamic for his character and he showed some real depth in acting in this film.

I know a lot of people were upset about what was and wasn’t filmed, but to my mind, what was shown was amazing. Sure, I wish the last scene in the book had been shown, but the films are entirely separate of the books, which have more depth and detail.

Cinematically speaking, I loved the rich textures and use of colour to depict memories and evoke emotion. And my favourite has to be Luna’s colourful choices.

There’s also a lot more humour in this film, which I found great as its all going to get very serious and scary further on in the film. So, the humour showed that while these are dark times, people still need a laugh.

A fantastic offering and looking forward to the next one!

4 out of 5 stars.

Random fact: Dame Maggie Smith completed filming this film whilst undergoing radio-therapy as treatment for breast cancer.

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Vicky Cristina Barcelona Saturday, Jun 27 2009

Vicky and Cristina are two Americans who are spending their summer in Barcelona. Vicky is pursuing her Masters degree in Catalan Identity and Vicky is along for the ride. They stay with some distant relatives of Vicky’s. As they explore the city of Barcelona they come across a local artist, Juan Antonio who tells them he’s attracted to both of them and invites them to join him in one hour for a trip to his home town of Oviedo.

Vicky is unimpressed but Cristina’s game for adventure. After Vicky unsuccessfully persuades her not to go, they eventually end up on a plane, piloted by Juan Antonio. He’s a good host, taking them to see all the sights and just when things are developing between him and Cristina she gets ill with an ulcer and is in bed for the entire weekend.

This leaves Vicky and Juan Antonio to see the sights and an attraction develops leading to a one night stand. This leaves Vicky feeling guilty as she is engaged to be married to Doug and now she is confused about what she wants, as she knows Cristina is trying to persue a relationship with Juan Antonio.

Along the way, stories about Juan Antonio’s ex-wife Marie Elena surface and their volatile relationship which has clearly left a mark on the artist. Out of the blue, Marie Elena materialises and throws Cristina and Juan Antonio’s relationship in question.

Its a complex film and i think you need to watch it a few times to really get it, but it tries to be more clever than it is. For example, the narrator didn’t add anything to the story. I just found him intrusive. Also, the twisted storyline was good but I couldn’t sympathise with any of the characters and I think that’s a good thing.

People aren’t black and white, theirs always a shade of grey especially when it comes to relationships so I think this film is worth a look. Also Barcelona plays a fantastic role in the film and make you want to go see this beautiful city for yourself.

4 out of 5 stars.

Random fact: For his brief driving scene in this movie, Javier Bardem underwent hours of driving instruction and still didn’t have a driver’s license to show for his efforts when the movie wrapped.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona [DVD] [2008]

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Happy Go Lucky Thursday, May 14 2009

Happy Go Lucky follows Poppy Cross, a Primary School Teacher (Elementary School) living in London with her best friend and flatmate Zoe.

Poppy has an active life, great friends, good job and positive outlook.

The film follows Poppy’s journey as out for a stroll one day, her bicycle is stolen. She resolves to get driving lessons, and meets her driving instructor Scott. Scott is angry, violent, ignorant, prejudiced and just plain mean. Poppy tries her best to get through to him by being cheerful and cheeky, which winds him up even more, leading to a harrowing showdown.

Along the way she helps a pupil who is bullying others in her class and meets a social worker with who we assume she starts a relationship after she has a one night stand with him.

Poppy has two sisters, one is in uni doing Law and the other is married, a teacher and expecting her first child with her husband, but is insecure about her life and feels Poppy is rubbing it in when she mentions how happy she is with her carefree life.

Poppy’s cheerful attitude can be grating, in fact it loses all novelty after five minutes, but you can’t help but watch to see what happens next and how she deals with her driving instructor and the various people in her life.

I’m perplexed by this film. I’m not sure if I like it or not, but its one of those films I think which I’ll have to watch a few times just to get. Its a very different offering from Mike Leigh’s previous film, Vera Drake which I watched and enjoyed.

Overall, a good film if you’re looking for something different to watch.

4 out of 5 stars.

Happy-Go-Lucky [DVD] [2008]

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The 19th Wife – David Ebershoff Tuesday, Apr 21 2009

The 19th Wife follows two parallel stories about Plural Wives within the Mormon faith. One story is set in the present, Jordon Scott’s mother BeckyLynn has been accused of murdering her husband. The evidence points to her as the one who could have done it.

The second story is from the origins of the Mormon faith and is told through Ann Eliza Young’s memoir, The 19th Wife. Ann Eliza was Brigham Young, a founder of the Mormon faith’s 19th wife and it details her marriage and bitter divorce.

Jordon’s mother asks him to solve the mysery of who actually killed his father. She asks him to believe that she didn’t kill him. And strangely, he does and does all in his power to help his mother.

The story is told through Jordon’s point of view, through Ann Eliza’s memoir, through Brigham Young’s diary, through newspaper accounts and various other documentation to give it an authentic feel as well as impart information that cannot be told in the story.

I like this book. Its long, and it took me over a week to finish it, but its an interesting account into the idea of Plural Marriage from the early Mormon faith as well as to present day. The present day story is also interesting and keeps you on your toes, and the murderer when finally revealed is not one you’d expect which gives the reader a thoroughly satisfying ending.

But the book is not without its flaws. Like I said, its long. Like really long. I think it could have cut a lot of the historical documents and other plot devices, but I did enjoy reading Ann Eliza’s account of life in the 1800s. What I didn’t enjoy was the long winded plot which I just wanted to end half-way through because I just wanted the murderer revealed so I could read another book!

But if you’re willing to go at a leisurely pace and are interested in Polygamy and its origins within the Mormon faith, this is a good book to read.

4 stars out of 5.

The 19th Wife

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The West Wing – Season 5 Tuesday, Mar 31 2009

I’ve finished the 5th season, 2 more to go!

This season was an intense one. Zoey Bartlett, the president’s daughter was kidnapped in the 4th season finale. She’s brought home and has to face the public and her own demons during her recovery.

Bartlett appoints a very liberal and the first woman as Chief Justice, an unprecedented move. Donna asks Josh for more responsibility and job growth, which allows her to go on a CODEL mission to Gaza with Andy and Fitz, but which ends with her being involved in a car bombing in Gaza, and the death of Admiral Fitzwallace.

The President is told he’s taking too long to get to a resolution, that the American people need more done, but he takes Kate Harper, the new Deputy NSC Head’s advice to consider his options, which leads into Season 6.

Lockdown is an interesting episode, where members of the staff have to stay put during a biohazard scare, which means Toby and Will have to stay in a room, difficult since they’re not talking. Josh and Commander Harper are stuck together as are The President, Charlie and Debbie.

I liked this season, but it was a difficult one to get through, it flowed but it didn’t have the magic of earlier seasons. I think this is because Aaron Sorkin, the show’s creator left.

4 out of 5 stars.

<a href=”http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0007SMDU0?ie=UTF8&tag=behindthemask-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0007SMDU0″>The West Wing: Complete Season 5 [2001] [DVD]</a><img src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=behindthemask-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B0007SMDU0″ width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″ alt=”" style=”border:none !important; margin:0px !important;” />

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Suburban Girl Thursday, Mar 5 2009

Brett Eisenberg is an Associate Editor at a publishing house. Her boss is replaced by a younger, prettier and meaner version of her. Brett is now assigned drudge work but meets an older, charming publishing legend in Archie Knoxx when she attends a book signing.

Brett makes many faux pas’ with Archie, like offering him candy when he’s diabetic.

But she slowly falls in love with him, and becomes a better version of herself. However, Archie ruins it all and cheats on her. This betrayal causes Brett to move out and on a visit to her parents, learn her father has cancer. She’s angry that her family didn’t tell her as they thought she couldn’t handle it.

Meanwhile, Archie meets her parents finally and they address the issue that he is 7 years younger than her father. And then Archie is taken into hospital and Brett must deal with this as well.

I’m probably not explaining this as well as I could, but my original summary got eaten by WordPress.

Its a good movie though, something Sarah Michelle Gellar should do more often to break out of the teen/comedy genre she seems to typecast in. Alec Baldwin is fantastic as the savvy, sexy and sophisticated Archie who offers her advice to make her way in publishing.

All in all, a really good film I enjoyed.

Random fact: Based on the Melissa Banks book, The girls guide to hunting and fishing. This is a short story in the collection.

4 out of 5 stars.

Suburban Girl [DVD] [2007]

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The Other Boleyn Girl Friday, Feb 27 2009

Anne and Mary Boleyn are sent to court to entice the young King after the Queen falls out of favour, when she delivers another dead child.

The Boleyn’s Uncle, the Duke of Norfolk hatches a plan so that Anne can attract the King and become his mistress to allow the family to prosper. Unfortunately, during a riding incident the King is hurt and Anne is sent away to France.

But Mary, although married, captures the King’s attention and becomes the Royal Mistress. At first the King is infatuated and the Boleyn’s prosper, but when Mary becomes pregnant, she must begin her lying in to allow the baby to grow.

This leaves the Boleyn’s vulnerable and so Anne is called back for. Where once she was an impetuous youth, she is now a calculating lady who has her eyes on the King and the power that comes with it.

She refuses to bed him and will only agree once she is Queen. The King is infatuated and so begins a separation from Rome, dividing the country and changing the face of English religion forever.

I found this to be an enjoyable film despite all the main leads being non-British actors and sometimes their accents did slip. Natalie Portman who played Anne was the best at keeping hers and told the story well. Scarlett Johannson while beautiful is fantastic at emoting through her body language.

Eric Bana as the King Henry, was only in it for a bit but he owned the screen whenever he was given some screen time. Fantastic version of the book this is based on.

4 out of 5 stars.

Random fact: Natalie Portman (Anne) and Scarlett Johansson (Mary) say that their costumes were the biggest contribution to them knowing their character. Their dresses gave them good posture and the colors helped represent their personality. With Anne, her bold and simple colors show that she wants a main goal. Mary’s softer and much more complicated dress design shows that she is a more modest person and tries to be herself.

The Other Boleyn Girl [DVD] [2008]

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The Fall Tuesday, Jan 27 2009

Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) takes on the role of a stunt man in LA during the 30s. Whilst attempting a stunt to impress the girl he loves, Roy loses his legs and becomes a paraplegic. At the hospital he befriends a 5 year old girl called Alexandria and tells her an epic story of a colourful cast of characters.

Five men who have a grievance against the evil Governor Odius and they all want him dead. Along the way they travel the globe in search of Odius, righting wrongs and exacting revenge as needed. Reality and Fantasy mix when the real world becomes embroiled with the world of the story and Alexandria learns what is truth and what are lies.

Visually its a stunning movie, and you must watch it just for the visuals. Everything is beautifully thought out and the locations complement the story. The cast and costumes worn are also incredibly amazing. They just don’t make films like this!

But, in terms of story I was sorely disappointed. The little girl while cute, gets annoying after a while. The second half is slow and predicable, and I feel lets the story down a little.

All in all though, a visual treat for the eyes.

Random fact: Singh shot the hospital scenes with Catinca Untaru (Alexandria) in chronological order. As filming progressed over the course of six weeks, she grew taller and her English improved, like her character would have in real life. She also lost her two front baby teeth right before shooting began, so filming in sequence allowed for the continuity of the gap between her teeth to remain consistent.

4 stars out of 5.

The Fall [2008]

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Saawariya Monday, Jan 19 2009

Ranbir Kapoor plays Ranbir Raj an aspiring but poor singer who brings happiness and lightness wherever he goes. In a beautiful town he makes friends with Gulabji, a local prostitute who advises him to live with the ageing Lili who he affectionately calls Lilipop. One night Raj meets the beautiful but sad Sakina who is waiting for her lover on a bridge. After rescuing her from some trouble, he escorts her home. Sakina thinks he’s playful but confides her love story to him, little realising that Raj is in love with her.

But Sakina loves her family’s former tenant, Imaan who promised her that he would meet her on the bridge in town in a year’s time. Raj advises her to forget Imaan and be happy with him, but she cannot forget her love. Eventually Imaan comes back and Raj realises you cannot keep those whose destiny was to be together apart.

This film received a lot of criticism, but if you look at the story its a simple one of friendship, love and hope. The songs are fantastic with some real standout numbers, and you can tell its been a labour of love for the director.

The actors, Sonam and Ranbir Kapoor were good in their parts, but Sonam Kapoor stood out more for her innocent yet intense portrayal of a young woman in love. Ranbir was OK, but he played the comedy aspects really well.

Overall a good film.

Random fact: According to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film is a tribute to his grandmother, who spent her whole life waiting for her son Navin Bhansali to return home. He found that aspect of love (of waiting for someone close to return to you) an interesting theme to capture in a film.

4 out of 5 stars.

Saawariya [2007]

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Bride and Prejudice Tuesday, Dec 16 2008

Lalita Bakshi is a strong, independent and fiery Indian woman who meets and instantly dislikes Will Darcy, an American accompanying his friend Balraj to a wedding in India. But Balraj falls in love with Lalita’s sister, Jaya which puts Lalita and Will in close proximity. Johnny Wickham sweeps Lalita off her feet but he hides a dark secret that Will tries to warn Lalita about, but which she finds out when its far too late.

Based on Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” this is an updated and very modern take on cross cultural romance, misunderstandings and prejudice that was as evident in Austen’s day as it is now. Filled with songs, dance and the beauty of India, you can’t help but be pulled along into the story.

Martin Henderson is searingly handsome as the arrogant Will Darcy, and Aishwarya Rai Bachan is OK as Lalita, but doesn’t contain as much fire as I see Lizzie Bennet as having. Anupam Kher is hilarious as the sarcastic but funny father and Nitin Ganatra is hilarious as the accountant, Kholi after Lalita’s hand in marriage.

I love Gurinder Chada because she makes films I can relate to, but not her most recent one. This is a funny, feel good film that leaves a smile on your face by the end of it.

Random fact: The phrase “no life without wife” is and old saying by Gurinder Chadha’s father.

4 out of 5 stars.

Bride And Prejudice [2004]

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