My mom and I saw Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day last night. It was the last night our local theater had it. I'm surprised we had it at all!
It was a delightful movie. I think it may end up being my favorite of 2008.
Set in 1930's London, the film tells the tale of Miss Guenevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand), a mousy, starving governess who can't find steady work. She steals an appointment card from the employment agency, and finds herself as the social secretary to an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams). Over the next twenty four hours, she helps Delysia sort out her various boyfriends and get a part in a West End musical. She undergoes a transformation of her own, and in the end, helps Delysia find her true love and true self.
There are lovely performances in this movie. Amy Adams is so adorable, and Frances McDormand is believable as Miss Pettigrew. Lee Pace is fabulous as Michael, the poor pianist Delysia really loves. Shirley Henderson is perfectly nasty as a conniving fashion queen who knows Miss Pettigrew isn't what she says she is, and tries to blackmail her into getting back her boyfriend (Ciarin Hinds).
The film's atmosphere is perfect- from the grim beginning with Miss Pettigrew at the soup kitchen, to the shopping/makeover frenzy Delysia takes her on (the lingerie show is a hoot!), to a wild party, and finally a jazzy nightclub. The costumes were fantastic. I was drooling over some of the clothes...I think I may have been born in the wrong decade! There are a few heavy moments, such as an air raid (the film takes place just before WWII breaks out), and the glimpses of poverty- the Great Depression of the 1930's was world-wide. But otherwise, the film is a bright, happy treat.
I'm still looking for the novel by Winifred Watson. My library doesn't own it, and it has only recently been reprinted.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
*dies from the cute*
Possible spoilers ahead....
I went to see Penelope on Friday. It was adorable. It was a nice, sweet piece of candy after all of the gloom and doom of the Oscar winners. There aren't enough movies like this- the ones that are funny, cute, and sweet without making the viewer want to throw up. The last one I can think of was Enchanted!
How can someone not love a tale of a girl cursed with a pig's nose until she finds true love with one of her own kind? Yes, that is the plot, such as it is. It doesn't need to be any deeper than that. There are charming performances all around, from Christina Ricci as the cursed girl of the title to James McAvoy as a potential suitor who isn't what he seems. Reese Witherspoon appears briefly as a friend to Penelope when she leaves home for the first time. There's also Peter Dinklage as a reporter who tries to expose Penelope's secret (and has a change of heart about that), Catherine O'Hara as her overprotective mother, and Simon Woods as the nasty Edward, a blue blooded suitor who is afraid of Penelope. It was hard to think of the nice Mr. Bingley from Pride and Prejudice as the bad Edward, but he was perfectly nasty and snobby.
I loved Penelope's delight at being out in the world for the first time. The movie is very colorful and playful in showing Penelope's world, both behind the walls of her home and beyond them. The whole Penelope/Max romance was a little bit rushed, but it is a fairy tale after all. Finally, I loved the film's "I like myself the way I am!" message. No magical first kiss to break the curse- it's more like Dorothy saying "There's no place like home".
This movie was on the shelf for two years. What a shame. It could have been seen and enjoyed so much sooner! And of course, it's getting trampled at the box office by 10,000 B.C.- give me pig-faced girls over woolly mammoths any day, please.
I would not be a very good Torchwood fan if I didn't point out that Burn Gorman (Dr. Harper) has a small role- he's the boss of the reporter. I'm wondering if his part got cut. His American accent was weird. Some British actors just don't do them well.
More sweetness and fluff at the movies next week for me- I'm going to see Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
. It's based on a forgotten 1930's novel that is being rediscovered. It looks good.
I went to see Penelope on Friday. It was adorable. It was a nice, sweet piece of candy after all of the gloom and doom of the Oscar winners. There aren't enough movies like this- the ones that are funny, cute, and sweet without making the viewer want to throw up. The last one I can think of was Enchanted!
How can someone not love a tale of a girl cursed with a pig's nose until she finds true love with one of her own kind? Yes, that is the plot, such as it is. It doesn't need to be any deeper than that. There are charming performances all around, from Christina Ricci as the cursed girl of the title to James McAvoy as a potential suitor who isn't what he seems. Reese Witherspoon appears briefly as a friend to Penelope when she leaves home for the first time. There's also Peter Dinklage as a reporter who tries to expose Penelope's secret (and has a change of heart about that), Catherine O'Hara as her overprotective mother, and Simon Woods as the nasty Edward, a blue blooded suitor who is afraid of Penelope. It was hard to think of the nice Mr. Bingley from Pride and Prejudice as the bad Edward, but he was perfectly nasty and snobby.
I loved Penelope's delight at being out in the world for the first time. The movie is very colorful and playful in showing Penelope's world, both behind the walls of her home and beyond them. The whole Penelope/Max romance was a little bit rushed, but it is a fairy tale after all. Finally, I loved the film's "I like myself the way I am!" message. No magical first kiss to break the curse- it's more like Dorothy saying "There's no place like home".
This movie was on the shelf for two years. What a shame. It could have been seen and enjoyed so much sooner! And of course, it's getting trampled at the box office by 10,000 B.C.- give me pig-faced girls over woolly mammoths any day, please.
I would not be a very good Torchwood fan if I didn't point out that Burn Gorman (Dr. Harper) has a small role- he's the boss of the reporter. I'm wondering if his part got cut. His American accent was weird. Some British actors just don't do them well.
More sweetness and fluff at the movies next week for me- I'm going to see Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
. It's based on a forgotten 1930's novel that is being rediscovered. It looks good.
Monday, February 25, 2008
12 hours, 5 movies!
AMC Theaters had an Oscar marathon on Saturday- all five Best Picture nominees. My mom and I went. She'd already seen Michael Clayton, and we'd both seen Atonement, but we enjoyed seeing them again.
Michael Clayton: It was a well-written, perfectly acted thriller with a style very similar to 70's classics such as All the President's Men. George Clooney deserved his Best Actor nomination, and if it had been any other year, he should have won! I was very happy that Tilda Swinton won Best Supporting Actress. That was one of the few surprises from last night's ceremony!
There Will Be Blood: An epic loosely based on Upton Sinclair's novel Oil! It was a wild ride, and in some places quite bizarre. It was a very interesting look at the oil industry in the early 20th Century, and what people would do to get ahead in the business. Daniel Day Lewis probably gave the performance of his career, and won his second Oscar for it. His character was conniving, heartless, and intense. I was surprised that there was so much humor throughout the film. Grim humor, but humor. "I drink your milkshake!!!" Hee. That was unexpected. I wish Paul Dano had gotten a Supporting Actor nomination as the rather hypocritical young preacher (there were shades of Elmer Gantry in his performance).
Atonement: I'm glad I got to see it twice. I loved this movie. I think it was my favorite of 2007. I loved the book, and it translated to the screen very well. I had no trouble with the time shifting/different character points of view (a quibble some viewers had). The acting, costumes, score, and photography were all perfect. I was disappointed that the only Oscar it won was for Original Score. It should have won Cinematography, and I'm still surprised that James McAvoy didn't get a Best Actor nomination.
Juno: I enjoyed this movie. I really did. Ellen Page is a terrific young actress, and I hope to see her in movies for many years to come. But I really don't understand why it got a Best Picture nomination. I felt that way about Little Miss Sunshine last year, too- and that was my favorite film of 2006. Juno was a well-written, touching, hilarious, heartbreaking, and charmingly acted film about a pregnant teen who searches for a perfect couple to give her baby to. But a Best Picture contender? Not really. That's just my humble opinion, though. I won't argue with its win for Best Original Screenplay, though- even though I thought Michael Clayton was far better. It's nice to have a comedy win a major Oscar.
And the winner is:
No Country For Old Men
Wow. That was really something. Another book adaptation (a novel by Cormac McCarthy) that was nearly perfect. And it's typical (meaning brilliant and bloody) fare from writers/directors Joel and Ethan Cohen. Murder, drugs, theft, morally ambiguous characters, dark humor, an ending that doesn't tie everything up neatly (and no happy endings, either)- it's all there. Great acting from Josh Brolin (another one who should have gotten a Best Actor nom but didn't!), Tommy Lee Jones, and Best Supporting Actor winner Javier Bardem. This was one of the few Best Pictures I've agreed with in recent years (hello, Crash over Brokeback Mountain, WTF??).
My rankings:
No Country For Old Men
Michael Clayton
Atonement
There Will Be Blood
Juno
So my viewings of the films of 2007 in the theaters is officially over. Bring on 2008! If AMC does a Best Picture Marathon in 2009, I am there.
Michael Clayton: It was a well-written, perfectly acted thriller with a style very similar to 70's classics such as All the President's Men. George Clooney deserved his Best Actor nomination, and if it had been any other year, he should have won! I was very happy that Tilda Swinton won Best Supporting Actress. That was one of the few surprises from last night's ceremony!
There Will Be Blood: An epic loosely based on Upton Sinclair's novel Oil! It was a wild ride, and in some places quite bizarre. It was a very interesting look at the oil industry in the early 20th Century, and what people would do to get ahead in the business. Daniel Day Lewis probably gave the performance of his career, and won his second Oscar for it. His character was conniving, heartless, and intense. I was surprised that there was so much humor throughout the film. Grim humor, but humor. "I drink your milkshake!!!" Hee. That was unexpected. I wish Paul Dano had gotten a Supporting Actor nomination as the rather hypocritical young preacher (there were shades of Elmer Gantry in his performance).
Atonement: I'm glad I got to see it twice. I loved this movie. I think it was my favorite of 2007. I loved the book, and it translated to the screen very well. I had no trouble with the time shifting/different character points of view (a quibble some viewers had). The acting, costumes, score, and photography were all perfect. I was disappointed that the only Oscar it won was for Original Score. It should have won Cinematography, and I'm still surprised that James McAvoy didn't get a Best Actor nomination.
Juno: I enjoyed this movie. I really did. Ellen Page is a terrific young actress, and I hope to see her in movies for many years to come. But I really don't understand why it got a Best Picture nomination. I felt that way about Little Miss Sunshine last year, too- and that was my favorite film of 2006. Juno was a well-written, touching, hilarious, heartbreaking, and charmingly acted film about a pregnant teen who searches for a perfect couple to give her baby to. But a Best Picture contender? Not really. That's just my humble opinion, though. I won't argue with its win for Best Original Screenplay, though- even though I thought Michael Clayton was far better. It's nice to have a comedy win a major Oscar.
And the winner is:
No Country For Old Men
Wow. That was really something. Another book adaptation (a novel by Cormac McCarthy) that was nearly perfect. And it's typical (meaning brilliant and bloody) fare from writers/directors Joel and Ethan Cohen. Murder, drugs, theft, morally ambiguous characters, dark humor, an ending that doesn't tie everything up neatly (and no happy endings, either)- it's all there. Great acting from Josh Brolin (another one who should have gotten a Best Actor nom but didn't!), Tommy Lee Jones, and Best Supporting Actor winner Javier Bardem. This was one of the few Best Pictures I've agreed with in recent years (hello, Crash over Brokeback Mountain, WTF??).
My rankings:
No Country For Old Men
Michael Clayton
Atonement
There Will Be Blood
Juno
So my viewings of the films of 2007 in the theaters is officially over. Bring on 2008! If AMC does a Best Picture Marathon in 2009, I am there.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Oops!
I forgot one movie on my 2007 list- Fred Claus. 3 stars for that one.
A quick Oscar note- my mother and I are planning to do the Oscar marathon at the nearest AMC theater. All day, all five Best Picture nominees: Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men, Atonement, Juno, and There Will Be Blood. This should be a great deal of fun.
A quick Oscar note- my mother and I are planning to do the Oscar marathon at the nearest AMC theater. All day, all five Best Picture nominees: Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men, Atonement, Juno, and There Will Be Blood. This should be a great deal of fun.
Monday, February 4, 2008
2007 in review...
Better late than never. I didn't see as many movies in the theaters as I thought. But here's a rundown:
Blades of Glory- 3 stars. Good, silly Will Ferrell fun!
Shrek the Third- 2 1/2 stars. Entertaining, but the charm has worn out.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End- 3 stars. A mess, but fun.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix- 3 1/2 stars. I saw it three times in the theater.
Hairspray- 4 stars. My favorite film of the summer. I love musicals.
Ratatouille- 3 stars. Another excellent Disney/Pixar film. Much better story than Cars.
The Simpsons Movie- 3 stars. Fun, hilarious big screen adventure of TV's favorite dysfunctional family.
The Golden Compass- 3 stars First part of the His Dark Materials Trilogy- a lavish production. The film was a little rushed and themes were toned down from the book, but it was enjoyable. Unfortunately, it did not do well at the box office in the U.S., so it's unlikely that the remaining two parts will make it to the screen.
Enchanted-3 1/2 stars. Probably the most fun I had in the theater in 2007 (except for Hairspray). A delightful send-up of the Disney princess craze and Disney movies in general- with an animated princess banished to the real world of New York City.
Sweeney Todd- 3 1/2 stars. Gory and haunting adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical. Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton team up once again. Sondheim's music is mostly intact, and Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman can really sing. It's a little too intense. I spent large portions of the film covering my eyes!
Atonement- 4 stars. Best movie I saw in 2007. Excellent adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel. Beautifully shot and acted. A four hankie movie if ever there was one- the end of the film is heartbreaking.
Still hoping to see: Kite Runner, Michael Clayton, Juno, No Country for Old Men, and There Will Be Blood. The last four and Atonement are this year's Best Picture Oscar nominees.
2007 was another good year for movies. 2008 and 2009 look a bit gloomy with the WGA strike still going on (though it may be over this week). There are still plenty of films already in the can, however, and I already have a list of what I'm looking forward to:
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull- the title has me thinking WTF?, but it will be nice to have Harrison Ford back as Indy.
Mamma Mia- an adaptation of the hit Broadway show- a story about a wedding set to the music of ABBA. I loved ABBA as a kid. I'm getting "Dancing Queen" in my head now.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince- Duh. Of course I'm looking forward to this one!
Star Trek- officially, Star Trek XI- but it takes place long before the original show's adventures. I can't wait to see what the new cast and crew does with the franchise. It needs some refreshing.
Blades of Glory- 3 stars. Good, silly Will Ferrell fun!
Shrek the Third- 2 1/2 stars. Entertaining, but the charm has worn out.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End- 3 stars. A mess, but fun.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix- 3 1/2 stars. I saw it three times in the theater.
Hairspray- 4 stars. My favorite film of the summer. I love musicals.
Ratatouille- 3 stars. Another excellent Disney/Pixar film. Much better story than Cars.
The Simpsons Movie- 3 stars. Fun, hilarious big screen adventure of TV's favorite dysfunctional family.
The Golden Compass- 3 stars First part of the His Dark Materials Trilogy- a lavish production. The film was a little rushed and themes were toned down from the book, but it was enjoyable. Unfortunately, it did not do well at the box office in the U.S., so it's unlikely that the remaining two parts will make it to the screen.
Enchanted-3 1/2 stars. Probably the most fun I had in the theater in 2007 (except for Hairspray). A delightful send-up of the Disney princess craze and Disney movies in general- with an animated princess banished to the real world of New York City.
Sweeney Todd- 3 1/2 stars. Gory and haunting adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical. Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton team up once again. Sondheim's music is mostly intact, and Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman can really sing. It's a little too intense. I spent large portions of the film covering my eyes!
Atonement- 4 stars. Best movie I saw in 2007. Excellent adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel. Beautifully shot and acted. A four hankie movie if ever there was one- the end of the film is heartbreaking.
Still hoping to see: Kite Runner, Michael Clayton, Juno, No Country for Old Men, and There Will Be Blood. The last four and Atonement are this year's Best Picture Oscar nominees.
2007 was another good year for movies. 2008 and 2009 look a bit gloomy with the WGA strike still going on (though it may be over this week). There are still plenty of films already in the can, however, and I already have a list of what I'm looking forward to:
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull- the title has me thinking WTF?, but it will be nice to have Harrison Ford back as Indy.
Mamma Mia- an adaptation of the hit Broadway show- a story about a wedding set to the music of ABBA. I loved ABBA as a kid. I'm getting "Dancing Queen" in my head now.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince- Duh. Of course I'm looking forward to this one!
Star Trek- officially, Star Trek XI- but it takes place long before the original show's adventures. I can't wait to see what the new cast and crew does with the franchise. It needs some refreshing.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
A long drought...
I went a full month between movie theater trips! I did manage to catch up on some films, though. In three days, I managed to see The Golden Compass, Enchanted, and Sweeney Todd. Last Friday I saw Atonement, which was definitely the best movie I saw this year! I'll post longer reviews and my year in review later this week.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Christmas is Coming!
Yes, it's time for the onslaught of holiday movies both in theaters and on television. I've already seen Fred Claus, which I enjoyed very much. It is full of every holiday feel-good movie cliché a moviegoer can think of, but it's still fun. Vince Vaughn plays the type of character he's best known for- a fast-talking, lovable imp. He is Fred, never do well older brother to the saintly Nick (Paul Giamatti), also known as Santa Claus. Fred goes to work at the North Pole, and chaos reigns. Best scene in the movie: Fred is chased through the streets of Chicago by a dozen angry Salvation Army Santas, and eventually dog piled by them in a department store. The North Pole sets were suitable colorful and corny. And I was very amused to see the rapper Ludacris digitally shrunk down to elf size. Vaughn and Giamatti work well together- and it's fun to watch Fred and Nick argue. I think this will be a classic!
One thing I look forward to every year is the 24 hours of A Christmas Story that airs every Christmas Eve. That is one holiday movie I will never get sick of. "I triple-dog dare you!" The leg lamp, Ralphie's bunny suit, the flag pole...it never gets old.
Another favorite of mine is Elf. Will Ferrell is terrific in this sweet movie. Like Fred Claus, it's corny and clichéd, but enjoyable all the same.
A Muppet Christmas Carol is another one I try to watch every holiday season. You can't go wrong with the Muppets! Michael Caine is a great Scrooge. And the film is very true to Dickens- if you can get past Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit!
It wouldn't be Christmas without television repeats of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (not the overblown Jim Carrey feature) or A Charlie Brown Christmas. I look forward to watching them...and if I miss them, I know I can always find them at the library.
I may be one of the few people out there who really doesn't care all that much for Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life. They're all right, but I don't go out of my way to see them. And I liked Tim Allen's The Santa Claus, but it's not one I watch over and over.
Of course, these are all very secular films. Only The Nativity (which I have yet to see) seems to be about the real meaning of Christmas!
One thing I look forward to every year is the 24 hours of A Christmas Story that airs every Christmas Eve. That is one holiday movie I will never get sick of. "I triple-dog dare you!" The leg lamp, Ralphie's bunny suit, the flag pole...it never gets old.
Another favorite of mine is Elf. Will Ferrell is terrific in this sweet movie. Like Fred Claus, it's corny and clichéd, but enjoyable all the same.
A Muppet Christmas Carol is another one I try to watch every holiday season. You can't go wrong with the Muppets! Michael Caine is a great Scrooge. And the film is very true to Dickens- if you can get past Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit!
It wouldn't be Christmas without television repeats of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (not the overblown Jim Carrey feature) or A Charlie Brown Christmas. I look forward to watching them...and if I miss them, I know I can always find them at the library.
I may be one of the few people out there who really doesn't care all that much for Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life. They're all right, but I don't go out of my way to see them. And I liked Tim Allen's The Santa Claus, but it's not one I watch over and over.
Of course, these are all very secular films. Only The Nativity (which I have yet to see) seems to be about the real meaning of Christmas!
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