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Brighter side of web - good films
I would recommend the film "You Can't Take it with You" by Frank Capra. It's enjoyable and uplifting. It has blatant message, but the film maintains a very good speed, humour and incisiveness.
"Frank Capra's 1938 populist spin on the George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play about a family of happy eccentrics is a great deal of fun, though it significantly rewrites the original work and doesn't represent Capra (Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) at his best. Jean Arthur plays a member of the blissful Vanderhof household who falls in love with a rich man's son (James Stewart) and brings him into her nutty home. Lionel Barrymore, who played such a bad guy eight years later in Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, is the wonderful Grandpa Vanderhof, who addresses God during the dinner prayer as "sir" and speaks plainly and beautifully of why it's good to be alive. Capra took this opportunity to rail against big business and champion the common man, but the overall tone of the film--typical for the director's comedies--is buoyant and snappy. --Tom Keogh."
- You can't take it with you at IMDB
- You can't take it with you at Amazon.com
"The Flying Scotsman" about the life of Graeme Obree is coming out soon. Looks very good, see preview here -Flying Scotsman
Good films I have seen lately:
St Patrick. I didn't know anything about the patron saint of Ireland (who was actually British). I had always associated St Patrick with Guiness... But his lifestory is quite inspiring. Sold into slavery he is taken to Ireland. He escapes, but soon feels drawn to return to Ireland.
Miss Potter I saw this on plane to NY. Good account of the life of Beatrix Potter, the creator of the Peter Rabbit stories.
HitchHikers guide to the Galaxy - Featuring Marvin the depressed android
The Tenet of Wildfell Hall Based on the novel by Anne Bronte, Featuring Tara Fitzgerald, very good. I haven't read the book, but it had much to commend it.
"I think you ought to know I'm feeling very depressed."
"I ache, therefore I am." - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Fit the Eleventh
[about a Magrathean sunset that Arthur finds magnificent] "I've seen it. It's rubbish."
Marvin: "And then of course I've got this terrible pain in all the diodes down my left side."
Arthur: "Is that so?"
Marvin: "Oh yes. I mean I've asked for them to be replaced, but no one ever listens."
Arthur: "I can imagine" - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Fit The Second
"Do you want me to sit in a corner and rust or just fall apart where I'm standing?" - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Fit The Second
Molokai: The Story of Father Damien (1999)
Hawaii sunset
Molokai tells the true story of the Belgian Catholic missionary, Father Damien. As a young priest and missionary, Father Damien voluntarily agreed to go to the Leper Colony on Molokai and spend the rest of his life on the island caring for the forgotten victims of Leprosy. The film recalls his experiences in dealing with 100s of patients, who had effectively been left to die unaided. Before he arrived there was nothing in the way of law and order; the island was in a near state of anarchy, where the wealthiest and strongest got the little shelter there was. Father Damien had not only to fight against the terrible effects of leprosy but also the inaction and at times indifference of the civil and religious authorities. However with the meagre resources allocated to him Father Damien was instrumental in improving the material conditions and well being of the patients. After serving the Leprosy patients for several years Father Damien himself contracted the disease. Father Damien eventually died from leprosy, the disease that he had dedicated his life to mitigating its effects.
The U.S. President (played by Peter Sellers) talks to the Russian President, as the world is on the verge of nuclear annihilation.
Peter Sellers - Comic Genius
Le Grand Voyage
Le grand Voyage is an interesting and thought provoking tale of an elderly devout Muslim making a pilgrimage to Mecca. To get to Mecca the elderly Father requires his youngest son, to drive him. Reda agrees only reluctantly, and this is only due to a sense of filial responsibility. There is a sharp divide between the two both in terms of age and outlook on life. Reda is secular a non-practising Muslim and frequently regrets having to drive his father some 3000 miles to Mecca. There is at times a painful separation between the two, as each struggles to reconcile their very different aspirations.
Based on a true story of Gladys Aylward, this Oscar winning film tells the story of how one woman was inspired to leave the comforts of England to travel to China to work as a missionary. In China she sets up an inn for tired hungry mule drivers, where she gets an opportunity to share stories from the Bible. Gradually overcoming the hostility and suspicion of the locals she wins the heart of Army colonel (Curt Jurgens), she also impresses the powerful local mandarin (Robert Donat). Her finest hour comes during the Japanese invasion where she escorted 100 orphan children to safety.
Saints and Soldiers
Based on actual events during WWII "Saints and Soldier" tells the story of a small number of American soldiers who somehow managed to escape from the massacre of Malmady. However they were left trapped behind enemy lines and were over 20KM from the American lines. They are willing to stick it out, hiding from the Germans. However they then come across an Allied pilot (Oberon Winley)shot down in possession of vital information about the German advance. Therefore they decide to make the perilous journey back through the German lines.
The film is a good combination of character development and action. It is not a standard war movie and poses interesting questions and moral dilema's. The film was created on a small budget, but at the same time the action scenes are effective and gripping. From the war crime of Malmedy, the film makes a powerful case for showing that War is never a simple case of black and white. In its own way the film is both tragic and uplifting.
Saints and Soldiers official site
The Great McGinty
Prologue: "This is the story of two men who met in a banana republic. One of them never did anything dishonest in his life except for one crazy minute. The other never did anything honest in his life except for one crazy minute. They both had to get out of the country."
This film is told in flashback by Dan McGinty (Brian Donlevy). Living in depression hit America, Dan is homeless and destitute. However he is asked to help the Mayor with vote rigging in an election. He proves so adept at vote rigging, the Mafia style boss, gives McGinty a promotion. Soon he is elected Mayor himself, with the full support of the Mafia. He even takes a wife of convenience (Catherine McGinty played by Muriel Angelus) to help in getting elected. Slowly we see Dan McGinty’s good side, eventually his wife persuades him to stand up to the Mafia and do something good. A lifetime of easy money threatened by one moment’s of good intention.
This was my first Preston Sturges film. It definitely won’t be my last. It has really interesting characters and a thought provoking story line. It is also just good fun to watch.
Sister Luke (Audrey Hepburn)
A Nun’s story is a film directed by Fred Zimmerman about the life and inner struggles of a young Belgian woman who decides to become a nun.
The film revolves around the life and disciplines of living in a holy order. If you have little interest in religion or spiritual life, you may find the first 40 minutes rather uneventful. The first part of the film is basically a description of the disciplines that novice nuns must learn to adhere to. On the surface this beginning sequence is quite austere, but at the same time it provides an intriguing insight into the life of a convent.
O what a lovely war is masterpiece of satire on the futility of war. Its power as an anti war movie is not in its graphic depiction of war but in its innovative use of surrealism, satire and contrast. Throughout much of the film the tone resembles a popular Music hall performance, yet unobtrusively the film manages to place in sharp contrast the horrors and futility of the conflict. For example the upper class British Generals talk bullishly about the day’s progress but hiding in the background is a cricket scoreboard with the number of dead (60,000) yards gained (0).
Miracle of our Lady of Fatima at Amazon.co.uk
Miracle of our Lady of Fatima at Amazon.com
Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima DVD review
3 children of Fatima
The Miracle of our Lady of Fatima is closely based (some liberties were taken) on the real events that took place in Portugal during 1917.
In 1917 Portugese society was facing many strains. The new Communist government was hostile to the Catholic Church creating a divide in the country between the more secular urban populations and the traditional Catholic rural populations. Furthermore Portugal had recently been drawn into the Great War, many young men were away fighting on the Western Front. It was admist this backdrop that 3 simple children reported seeing a vision of the Virgin Mary in pasture called the Cova da Iria ("Irene's Cove") near the village of Aljustrel, about a mile from Fátima. You felt the film presented a rather simplistic version of the political events, some reporters suggest it was portrayed through the eyes of a McCarthyite filter. However this isn’t a significant distraction, because the film is primarily about the religious and spiritual experience of the Virgin Mary’s appearance.
This is the kind of film I usually don't particularly like, but to be honest I really enjoyed it. It has a real charm and good sense of humour. Audrey Hepburn deservedly received an Oscar for her performance of a complex character, with an underlying innocence. The film was directed by Blake Edwards who also produced the very popular Pink Panther series. There is definitely some kind of link between the 2 films although its hard to put my finger on it.
The Oscar-nominated screenplay was written by George Axelrod, loosely based on the novel by Truman Capote. George Peppard plays Paul 'Fred' Varjak
Breakfast at Tiffany's at Amazon.com
Breakfast at Tiffany's at IMDB
See also the Nuns Tale with Audrey Hepburn featuring as a nun. Very good film
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
I thought this was the best book in the series, surpassing all the previous books. There are intriguing subplots in the book. I particularly like the way the ministry of magic and Proffessor Umbridge (played by Imelda Staunton) try to infiltrate and influence Hogwarts. The story is no longer a children's story but a very well worked plot and characterisation.
Long live J.K.Rowling!
looking forward to the film - Harry Potter and order of Phoenix
I rarely watch TV so take the opportunity to rent DVDs from Amazon.co.uk. It is much easier than having to go to a video shop. You can choose from nearly any DVDs you might want to watch either film or TV. THere have only been a few old films which weren't available. I was suprised because I found them in a top 100 film list of all time. It costs £10 for 6 per month. or £6 for 3. When finished just pop them in the post. Its hard to see how DVD rental places like Blockbusters will be able to survive in the future.
- North and South at Amazon.com
- North and South at Amazon.co.uk
North South is an adaptation for TV of Elizabeth Gatskell’s novel. Throughout 4 episode series the acting is superb and the strong storyline continually provides interest. With a backdrop of industrial unrest the programme easily draws you into the Victorian era and is a powerful expression of the turmoil’s and emotions of this period.
Nanny McPhee is a 2005 children's film. It was adapted from Christianna Brand's Nurse Matilda books by Emma Thompson.
As children's films go its pretty good. Its not overly sentimental like Mary Poppins but is quite funny and enjoyable to watch.
Interview video below.
This is a digital animation about a young warrior, Ashitaka, who is forced to flee his home town because of a curse he gets from fighting an evil demon. The film deals with the conflicts between humans, animals and the ancient Gods and Spirits. The hero of the film, Ashitaka, seems at times to be the only voice for promoting harmony, peace and understanding between the conflicting forces.
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