Film of the Week - Amélie

This week film of the week is another European film and it is the story of an innocent girl in Paris who decides to help those around her and along the way, discovers love. The film in question is a master piece of the art of film making and it simply called Amélie.

The film is directed by the self taught frenchman Jean-Pierre Jeunet. As a testament to his craft the film became the biggest worldwide success of French cinema history and went on to win many awards. The direction is both stylish and slick and the acting, as if often the case in European cinema, is excellent. If you like watching films because they are pure works of art then you will just love this film.

I know I have mentioned the film in the blog before and that is for good reason, it is just a joy to watch and that what I hope I will get joy from it again when I see it again later in the week. If you have the film on DVD or you find it to rent, then watch it with me. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Film of the Week - The Black Book

This week film of the week is a bit different in that it the first that is not a English spoken film. In fact the film is Dutch, but don't let that put you off seeing it. It simply is a wonderful film with a wonderful story. It is the film Black Book.

The film is the story of rich Jewish girl hiding in Holland during the second world war who stars working for the Resistance after her family are murdered by the SS while trying to escape to liberated Belgium towards the end of the Second World War. Although set during the war it is a very human story full of twists and turns and it is not a typical war film. It has a mixture of action, romance and mystery giving it a wide audience appeal.

The film is directed by Paul Verhoeven who is better known in the English speaking world for his hollywood films like RoboCop, Total Recall and Basic Instinct. As you would expect of any european director that has been recognised in America the direction is first class as in the editing and cinematography. Add to this is some fine acting by all the cast it makes this film a must see. 

If you haven't seen a european film this is a good one to start with. It doesn't take you long to get use to the subtitles and after you do it like watching an English speaking film. I'm really looking to seeing it again and I hope you will join me.

Film of the Week - The Mummy

This week the story of our film starts out in the days where the Pharaohs ruled Egypt and the rest of the world was living in the bronze age in small wooden dwellings make the most of the land the best way they could. This weeks film is the "The Mummy" made in 1999. It  is a mix of the adventure film and the horror film and it works really well. 

It is the story of Rick O'Connell an American serving in the French Foreign Legion who is rescued from death by Evelyn Carnahan, an English libraria, who interested in starting an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Hamunaptra. While there they accidentally waken the Mummy, Imhotep, who was put to mummified alive to endure the agony of his wounds for all time for his affair with the mistress of the Pharaoh. Imhotep, once released from his slumbers is set on revenge and in bring his former lover back to life and the story follows the leader characters as that try to stop his plan. 

The acting like many of the films I have featured is really good and this case it is combined with a humorous story in a film with a traditionally horror/adventure subject line. This is coupled with excellent photography and special effects that really makes the film come alive. The whole package is surprising good and good enough that it led to two squeals being made, still watchable but in my opinion not as good as the first film.

I haven't seen it for a a few years now and I am really looking forward to it again. If my memory of it is right I'm going to have an enjoyable couple of hours. If you haven't seen then film do, if you have why not see it again.

Film of the Week - The Wizard of Oz

This weeks film of the week is a childhood classic that has stuck with me since the first time I ever saw it. Even now I can still remember singing "We are off to see the Wizard" as I walked with my grandmother back to her house which was on the Essex mashes. The is of course The Wizard of Oz.

I'm sure everyone knows the story, but quickly it the story of Dorothy who gets who lives in Kansas who gets caught in tornado and she is carried away to the land of Oz, There the house she was in lands killing the wicked witch of the West. In a attempts to get back home she sets out down the yellow brick road to get the Emerald city with the wicked witch of the East, the other wicked witch sister, set on revenge. Along the way she picks up a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Cowardly Loin. Each with there own reason of going to the Emerald City were they want to see the Wizard.It is a wonderful story and wonderfully told by the film.

The acting, the direction, the cinematography and the writing are just beautiful to watch. You just sink into the story and get lost in it's magic. It is a true masterpiece and a firm favorite will many critics as well as normal film goers and it's no wonder it is shown every Christmas to the delight of many. I know I could write about forever it is such an amazing picture.

I'm looking forward to watching it again and I will do that during the day so I don't get disturbed with children. That way I just relax and enjoy something that is really special. 

Film of the Week - Moulin Rouge

This weeks film of the week is film that I have featured before in the blog when I did a series of posts on films some months ago. It is film set to become a classic, Moulin Rouge, a musical spectacular with the emphasis on the spectacular. 

The film is set in closing years of the nineteenth century and is the story of Christian, a young English writer who has come to Paris to follow the Bohemian revolution. There he enters a world of the world of the prostitution and drugs of the underworld at the time and there was nowhere better to live that life than the Moulin Rouge. It is while he is there that he falls in love with the courtisan Satine, the star of the club whose affections have been promised to the clubs patron, the Duke. And so starts a dangerous love triangle and the newly formed couple fight all odds to try and stay together with a tragic ending.

The film showcases the genius of the director Baz Luhrmann who combines the skill of film making and theatrical direction with such skill. He takes the vision, style and artistry of the theatre and combines that with freedom of film to create the most spectacular and memorable works.This is combined with excellent writing, music, special effects and of course acting that makes it a film that will stick in your mind.

I can't do more than highly recommend this film to you even if it isn't the sort of film you would watch normally. Forget the story line and just immerse yourself in the visual and audio splendour that is Moulin Rouge and take yourself back in history to the hight of Fin de siècle Paris.

Film of the Week - Twilight

This weeks film of the week comes from the best selling Twilight series of novels writen by Stephenie Meyer, that seems to have loads of people talking.The film question is Twilight, a vampire-themed fantasy romance, adapted from the frist of Stephenie Meyer's novel's. Interestingly the the novels and the films have also led to a number of copy cat TV series based loosely on the idea's behind the story. 

It is the story Isabella Swan, a seventeen year old student, who moves into the small town of Forks near the Washington coast. It doesn't take her long to become befriended by a number of students at the local high school, but she soon becomes intrigued by one particular family the Cullen's. In order to find out more she sits next Edward Culern in one of the classes, however for some reason he seems disgusted by her. A few days later is Isabella is nearly run over by a van, however Edward who is near by saves her life by stopping the vehicle with a single hand. She tries to talk to Edward by he warns of off becoming his friend.

After much research Isabella makes the discovery that Edward is in fact a vampire, however they don't live on human blood like tales of old but on animal blood, although they still crave the former. She confronts Edward with what she has found and the pair become friends and then they eventually fall in love and Edward introduces Isabella to his family. Then on the scene arrives some nomadic vampires who observing Edward's protectiveness of Isabella decide to hunt her for sport. And that is all the of the story I know, so at least I can't spoil the ending here.

From what I have seen of the film, it is like all the films I have picked, wonderfully acted and directed. It is also amazingly atmospheric as you would expect of a film like this. I don't know how the story compares to the original novel, since haven't read it, for that you need a real fan of the books and films, however it is clear from the story in the film why the novels sell so well.

It is a film I have only ever seen the first half of some years ago. Somehow I never did see the end and now it is time I rectified that. At the time I was really enjoying it but there were other things to do. Even to this day, because I haven't read the books do I know how it ends, despite the fact that Emily has the film on DVD. She loves the film and the books and so the plan is to sit down with a bag of popcorn with the girls and watch it from beginning to end.

Film of the Week - Bad Boy Bubby

This weeks film comes not from America but from Australia. It is the film "Bad Boy Bubby" which over the years as attracted a cult following and for good reason. I'm more than happy to say that I am one of those people that are part of that cult.

It is the story of Bubby, a man who has been locked away from the outside world for thirty fives years having been told by is controlling mother that the air outside is poisonous. He only learns of the truth when his father turns up and what is already a twist family becomes even more twisted. After a tragic confrontation Bubby is forced to leave the place he has lived and enter the outside world. Clearly suffering psychological damage from being locked away the film follows the story of Bubby coming to terms with the outside world.

The acting in the film as a whole is wonderful, but it is edgy performance by the main actor Nicholas Hope that helps make the film's success. He makes Bubby a figure that is both sympathetic, interesting and at times quite frightening. It is a beautiful example of acting at its finest.

The film is full of extremely dark humour and if this isn't your thing then may be it isn't the film for you but if it is then it is a must see. It is beautifully aesthetic and I personally find it fascinating to watch. I'm really looking forward to seeing it again over the coming week.

Film of the Week - The Shawshank Redemption

This weeks film of the week is the story of a banker, Andy Dufresne, who is wrongly accused of the brutal murder of his wife and her lover. He is sent to Shawshank Prison after receiving a double life sentence and the film is the story of his time there and his battle to become respected and popular with both the inmates and the prison staff. The film is of course "The  Shawshank Redemption".

It was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor. and they were well deserved because it a well crafted film that features some wonderful performances from the cast. The feel of the film and the oppression of the prison environment is perfectly portrayed by the director who makes the most of a wonderful story.

I was introduced to the film some years ago and I will always remember the first time I watched it. I was mesmerised by the film and the feeling of hope I felt at the the end amazed me. I was completely absorbed by the film. Although I haven't seen it in years I know the times I have watched after the first time I saw it have always left me feeling the same way.

It is a story of survival, friendship and above all hope when all hope seems lost. It is a amazing story that tells us that through adversity with determination and staying true to yourself you can win through in the end, even if it takes years. It shows we can all determine our our fate if we believe in it enough. 

It is a wonderful film and if you haven't seen it then you must. I'm really looking forward to watching it again sometime over the coming week. I just hope I get that feeling of hope from it again that I have in the past, I need it at the moment.

Film of the Week - Kings Speech

This week we turn our attention to a more recent film that had everyone talking. What is great about this film is it is British and show we can still make good films ourselves that can win awards. The film in question is the Kings Speech and is based on on a true story of a King fight to overcome a speech impediment so he could talk to his people.

There is a strange story behind why I can watch this film, but basically it was sent here by accident some that lived hear years ago. So before I send it back I thought I would watch it given the reviews and the press when it was released. Up to now all I have watched is the first few minutes but if they are worth going on this is going to be a watch. The acting, as in the case of many British films, is second to none from what I have seen and the story seems fascinating. I really looking forward to watching the whole film and I hope it is a happy accident I got to see it.

I'm loving this spot and I have the next weeks films already to view, one I haven't seen and another I can watch time and time again it is so well crafted. No hints, you will just have to come back and see what I have picked in the coming weeks.

Film of the Week - Perfume

On of the things I have been thinking about is a film of the week spot. I really love film and it seem strange that I never really get time to sit down and watch one these days more than once a month so I thought by starting a film of the week spot I could motivate myself in to watch a film once a week. The first film I have picked for spot is the film Perfume directed by Tom Tykwer and stars Ben Whishaw, Dustin Hoffman and Alan Rickman.

The film is the story Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born in a fish market, whose first cry on this earth lead to the death of his mother. Born with a amazing sense of smell which dominates his life to the extent that smells mean more to him than the words to describe them. His early life was spent in a orphanage before he sold onto tannery at the age of eight, where a child worker had only a slim chance of making it through to adulthood. Jean-Baptiste Grenouille survives and is sent delivering goods in Paris. This is where he comes across the scent of a redheaded girl that he goes on to kill before taking in as much of her scent as he can. From that moment on he dictates his life to preserving scent and create the ultimate perfume made up from the scent of thirteen beautiful women.

The film is based on a novel by Patrick Süskind, of the same name, which was  published in 1985. It is a fascinating story, and as a film it is beutifully shot and very atmospheric. The acting is wonderful through out and although the film is on the long side running for over two hour and twenty minutes, it holds you for every minute. If you have't seen it then search it out. If you like something a bit different from the run of the mill Hollywood film you will love this.