Susan Hated Literature

Jul 29 2007

A Little Princess

Published by Fence under Moving Pictures

Dir: Alfonso CuarÃ³n
Writ: Richard LaGravenese & Elizabeth Chandler, based on book by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Liesel Matthews … Sara Crewe
Liam Cunningham … Capt. Crewe/Prince Rama
Vanessa Lee Chester … Becky
Eleanor Bron … Miss Minchin
Errol Sitahal … Ram Dass
Kelsey Mulrooney … Lottie

Sara Crewe lives a spoiled life in India with a devoted, doting father, until World War I intervenes, and he enlists, sending Sara off to boarding school in New York to keep her safe. There she must adjust, whereas before she had free rein to do as she pleased, now she must submit to rules and regulations that she doesn’t understand. And, most difficult for her, she must keep her imagination in check. But Sara isn’t a selfish, “poor little rich girl”, she is bright and kind, and soon makes friends with most of the other girls, from those in her class to the scullery maid. She is also the only one who can really get through to Lottie as they have both lost their mothers.

4 responses so far

Jul 18 2007

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Published by Fence under Moving Pictures

Dir: David Yates
Writ: Michael Goldenberg Based on novel by J.K. Rowling

Daniel Radcliffe … Harry Potter
Emma Watson … Hermione Granger
Rupert Grint … Ron Weasley
Ralph Fiennes … Lord Voldemort
Michael Gambon … Albus Dumbledore
Imelda Staunton … Dolores Umbridge
Gary Oldman … Sirius Black
Mark Williams … Arthur Weasley
Julie Walters … Mrs. Weasley

I don’t remember much of the book. I know that I did read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and I do remember the ending, but a lot of what went on in the middle. No recollection whatsoever. So in a way you could say that I wasn’t faced with comparing the novel and the film. Which is a good thing. And without that comparison I’d have to say that this is a good film. (there are spoilers for the previous books/films below the cut. None for The Order of the Phoenix.)

17 responses so far

Nov 04 2006

Sixty Six

Published by Fence under Moving Pictures

Dir: Peter Weiland
Writ: Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan

Gregg Sulkin - Bernie Reuben
Helena Bonham Carter- Esther Reuben
Eddie Marsan - Manny Reuben
Peter Serafinowicz - Uncle Jimmy
Stephen Rea - Dr. Barrie

It is the summer of 1966, and Bernie Reuben is looking forward to his Bar Mitzvah. All his life he has been overlooked and forgotten, by his family and by everyone else. This is his chance to shine and to become the centre of attention. But 1966 is also the year of the World Cup, and the date of his Bar Mitzvah is the same as final, and as the day grows closer and closer it appears that the English team will defy all predictions and make the final. This is the last thing Bernie wants, it’ll totally overshadow his big day.

This is a film based on “partially true” events, and it aims to be a comedy, but while there are some humourous moments overall it isn’t funny enough. It is fine, and watchable, and most of the performances are quite good, but it lacks that something that would make it a good film.

It is probably more of an entertaining film if you can appreciate all the footballing nostalgia, because there is some nice inter cutting of the action from the matches, but being from Ireland, watching England lift the world cup isn’t something that makes me shout for joy Although some of the footage is very entertaining, almost worth going to see the film solely to take a look at the football. But there isn’t enough for that justification, because the film does concentrate on Bernie and his trials and tribulations. Some of which will make you shrug in mehness, others are affecting, but in the main it is nothing special. That being said, it does have its charming, touching moments. It just wasn’t very memorable.