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Netflix is so much fun - and quite the mixed bag...
In the last couple of weeks we've seen a number of movies. A couple from Netflix, and one I've never seen before that Gwen happens to own.
"Wondrous Oblivion" - a very little-known british coming-of-age story about a boy and the game cricket. I knew nothing about cricket going in to the story, and I haven't learned a heck of a lot after. But it is a lovely little story about prejudice, race relations, growing up, and making the right choices. The story takes place in the early '60s. Our hero is twelve going on thirteen, and is quite mad about the game cricket. He wants to play for the school team SO BADLY. But he has one thing stopping him - he plays SO BADLY!
A black family moves in next door - the neighborhood has been lily-white ever since the dawn of time, and this Jamaican family throws everyone into a tizzy (it's the sixties, remember). They tear out the garden in the back and put up nets all over the place and make it into a make-shift scaled down cricket pitch.
Our hero is taken under the wing of the New Neighbor, and learns much about cricket and the world. And the two families (our hero's family are immigrants and Jewish- lived through WWII) become closer. Our hero has to decide about doing the right thing and doing the easy thing. Cute little movie - if you like slightly odd british dramas, this one is for you! Don't worry too much about the cricket - it doesn't detract if you don't know anything.
"Stranger than Fiction" - I *loved* this movie. I was expecting to just tolerate, or outright dislike it - for one reason only. Will Farrell is the protagonist. I dislike most everything I've ever seen of Will Farrell. If this casting choice is keeping you from seeing this movie DON'T LET IT!!! Guess what, folks! Will Farrell can ACT! Who knew?
This is a quirky, adorable little movie! So worth watching! Emma Thompson is fabulous as the completely blocked writer. She is trying to figure out how to kill the main character in the books she is writing, and does lots of odd things.
Queen Latifah shines as the assistant trying to get the writer through her block. The girl who owns the bakery is funny and strange and we love her. And Will Farrell does an amazing job when his comfortable, safe little life is turned inside-out and backwards. I loved the point where he looks up at the bakery owner and says with such mourning "This probably won't make any sense to you, but I'm afraid I'm in a tragedy."
It has much to say about actually living life. Well done.
"The Count of Monte Cristo" - the newest movie.
This is a movie Gwen owns, and I'd never seen. Well done, costumes were very pretty. Richard Harris was sparkling and strange as the priest. The prison scenes were cramped and claustrophobic - all the things a good tunneling prison movie should be. I loved the way he finally freed himself from the prison and fell in with smugglers.
Gwen is right, there is one character in the movie who is in a completely different movie, but while it doesn't *add* to the story, he is not on screen enough to become a blight to ruin the movie.
"The Illusionist" -
WEIRD! Very very weird. Edward Norton as Eisenheim is a little creepy as the illusionist, and yet does a terrific job. His love interest was seen little enough that she doesn't become annoying, and the police inspector (Paul Giamatti) was always two steps behind, and yet still figured it all out in the end.
That he even figured it out is surprising because he didn't have enough insight, I thought. But I won't say more, because it is one of those movies that just has to unfold.
Other than the movies, not much going on here. The last few days have been extremely hot and humid, and the weather seems to be unstable, as today started out fairly cool and dry.
I auditioned for a play, but did not get cast. I knew I would not get cast, because I don't dance, and dancing was essential. I won't say I *can't* dance, because it kind of remains to be seen. Lets say I have never *studied* dance. And being the klutz I am, dance was never going to be a very good fit. However I always wanted to learn at least some of the basics. I just haven't had the opportunity. One thing I wished I had growing up. Less piano lessons. After just over two years of lessons my teacher told my mother perhaps piano wasn't the right activity for me. Old bat.
Ah well. So no rehearsals in my near future, sadly. I always love the process of putting together a show. Its just that this show slotted so neatly into my schedule. I so need a new job so I don't have to plan around these stupid meetings anymore.
Well, I've finished my bitchfest. What's new out there with all of you?
In the last couple of weeks we've seen a number of movies. A couple from Netflix, and one I've never seen before that Gwen happens to own.
"Wondrous Oblivion" - a very little-known british coming-of-age story about a boy and the game cricket. I knew nothing about cricket going in to the story, and I haven't learned a heck of a lot after. But it is a lovely little story about prejudice, race relations, growing up, and making the right choices. The story takes place in the early '60s. Our hero is twelve going on thirteen, and is quite mad about the game cricket. He wants to play for the school team SO BADLY. But he has one thing stopping him - he plays SO BADLY!
A black family moves in next door - the neighborhood has been lily-white ever since the dawn of time, and this Jamaican family throws everyone into a tizzy (it's the sixties, remember). They tear out the garden in the back and put up nets all over the place and make it into a make-shift scaled down cricket pitch.
Our hero is taken under the wing of the New Neighbor, and learns much about cricket and the world. And the two families (our hero's family are immigrants and Jewish- lived through WWII) become closer. Our hero has to decide about doing the right thing and doing the easy thing. Cute little movie - if you like slightly odd british dramas, this one is for you! Don't worry too much about the cricket - it doesn't detract if you don't know anything.
"Stranger than Fiction" - I *loved* this movie. I was expecting to just tolerate, or outright dislike it - for one reason only. Will Farrell is the protagonist. I dislike most everything I've ever seen of Will Farrell. If this casting choice is keeping you from seeing this movie DON'T LET IT!!! Guess what, folks! Will Farrell can ACT! Who knew?
This is a quirky, adorable little movie! So worth watching! Emma Thompson is fabulous as the completely blocked writer. She is trying to figure out how to kill the main character in the books she is writing, and does lots of odd things.
Queen Latifah shines as the assistant trying to get the writer through her block. The girl who owns the bakery is funny and strange and we love her. And Will Farrell does an amazing job when his comfortable, safe little life is turned inside-out and backwards. I loved the point where he looks up at the bakery owner and says with such mourning "This probably won't make any sense to you, but I'm afraid I'm in a tragedy."
It has much to say about actually living life. Well done.
"The Count of Monte Cristo" - the newest movie.
This is a movie Gwen owns, and I'd never seen. Well done, costumes were very pretty. Richard Harris was sparkling and strange as the priest. The prison scenes were cramped and claustrophobic - all the things a good tunneling prison movie should be. I loved the way he finally freed himself from the prison and fell in with smugglers.
Gwen is right, there is one character in the movie who is in a completely different movie, but while it doesn't *add* to the story, he is not on screen enough to become a blight to ruin the movie.
"The Illusionist" -
WEIRD! Very very weird. Edward Norton as Eisenheim is a little creepy as the illusionist, and yet does a terrific job. His love interest was seen little enough that she doesn't become annoying, and the police inspector (Paul Giamatti) was always two steps behind, and yet still figured it all out in the end.
That he even figured it out is surprising because he didn't have enough insight, I thought. But I won't say more, because it is one of those movies that just has to unfold.
Other than the movies, not much going on here. The last few days have been extremely hot and humid, and the weather seems to be unstable, as today started out fairly cool and dry.
I auditioned for a play, but did not get cast. I knew I would not get cast, because I don't dance, and dancing was essential. I won't say I *can't* dance, because it kind of remains to be seen. Lets say I have never *studied* dance. And being the klutz I am, dance was never going to be a very good fit. However I always wanted to learn at least some of the basics. I just haven't had the opportunity. One thing I wished I had growing up. Less piano lessons. After just over two years of lessons my teacher told my mother perhaps piano wasn't the right activity for me. Old bat.
Ah well. So no rehearsals in my near future, sadly. I always love the process of putting together a show. Its just that this show slotted so neatly into my schedule. I so need a new job so I don't have to plan around these stupid meetings anymore.
Well, I've finished my bitchfest. What's new out there with all of you?
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