3 Movie Reviews: Our Mutual Friend, Emma, The Young Victoria

While in The Ohio I watched a few movies (we stayed up very late and tended to get up much too early, but isn't that how vacation is supposed to be?)

In case you are in need of something new and good to watch, here are my very brief reviews:

Our Mutual Friend

The opening scene put me off at first--it seemed to fake to me--but soon after that, I forgot all about my apprehensions and fell headlong into the movie. 

This movie follows the book in all the major plot developments (as far as I can remember), but it cuts out some subplots--there are quite a few subplots in the book, and I think you'll agree with me that although it would have been fun to have everything depicted, the movie would have been much, much too long. 

(Because I realize that, I didn't miss them too terribly, though, the subplot that was included was one of my least favorite: it had to be included because it influences the major plot in minor ways.  Pity though, because I really had no interest in it.)

I think reading the book first is a great idea, because a few scenes will mean more to you for having done so.

Be prepared to be sucked into this movie.  There are some great love stories going on--with some really messed up relationships providing a perfect contrast--and the really bad guy is Very Scary.  (Which might taint your view of the latest BBC Sense and Sensibility because he plays Colonel Brandon--though, he's so different a character in each, you'll probably be able to pretend it's a completely different actor).

Emma (BBC 2009)

I've heard nothing but rave reviews about this movie, and although I didn't get to see it until just last week, I put so much faith in the first 15 minutes (which I had seen) and the reviews of others that bought it for my mom for her birthday.

Now that I have seen it, I can join with her (and many others) in singing it's praises.  I've never particularly cared for the book Emma, so little in fact, that I skimmed most of it.  BUT! This movie has a fantastic view of the true situation of the characters.  Emma is all alone, left to care for a father who she loves too dearly to part with, and who is too selfish and myopic to let her go.  That may or may not excuse her stupidity in your eyes, but it certainly garners some sympathy from me.

There is plenty of playful banter and humorous situations to keep the audience laughing--and of course, *SPOILER! (though, I'm guessing most of you already know the plot and conclusion)*   Mr. Knightley's declarations of love are well worth the wait and quite touching.

*END SPOILER*

The Young Victoria

I loved that the love story in many ways took a backseat to the political intrigue.  Because I'm sure that's pretty much how it was for Victoria (at least at first). 

I have very little by way of historical knowledge to say whether this movie is true to reality--but, frankly, I don't care.  I watched this as a romance and a romance is what I got.

The basic gist of the plot is that Victoria (who has had little, if any, by way of preparation) becomes Queen of England at a very young age.  She is being courted (both politically and romantically) by the man who becomes her prime minister. At the same time, her distant cousin from Germany is thrust into the scene by men who want to secure Victoria's allegiance to them.

He falls in love with her.

She is undecided about many things, including him.

An enjoyable film.  And I've been told that the real Victoria's letters to her Prince were quite romantic--it seems they really were very much in love with each other.  At some point, I'm going to have to find out for myself.

So!  In one vacation I saw two movies I've been wanting to see, and one I'd never heard of.  And how often is it that you see three movies in a week and like all of them?  Maybe I'm just partial to things Brittish.

Alice in Wonderland Review

(photo from imdb.com)

I've always disliked Alice in Wonderland.  Too creepy--I think it was that live action version that came out when I was a kid that really got to me.  Since it, I've avoided even the cartoon version.  Moo on the other hand read the book fairly regularly (if I recall correctly).  And she loved the cartoon version too.

So it was with no small amount of trepidation I went to see the Tim Burton/Disney  Alice in Wonderland. 

And loved it.

It's a fantastic movie.  Sure it's kind of creepy, but not nearly as much as I thought it would be. 

Though, let's be clear: I don't think it's a movie I'd take children to see.  There is some violence/scary stuff that I think would have taken its toll on me as a child.  So, proceed with caution if you're hauling kids to see it.  (Though, I think in a way it IS a child's movie: children deal with things they find truly scary (whether adults find the same things scary or not) as a matter of course  and enjoy reading about scary things in a make believe world because it mirrors their own reality--but whether your kid wants to watch a movie with those kinds of things, even in a make believe world, is another matter entirely).

But for me...it was wonderful.  I love that I could be drawn into a story I didn't want to know more about, and that I thought I knew everything about, was surprising.  This movie took what I knew and added to it, making it a rich story I could enjoy being a part of. 

And there are three characters that really do that: Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts.  I don't know which I liked more. 

Alice has a sort of dreamy feel to her character--and I think the trip to Wonderland is the perfect proving grounds for her perception of herself.  She knows (or thinks she knows) what she is capable of, but everyone in "real" life and in Wonderland pushes her to do and be certain things she doesn't want to do or be.  And it is only through facing some truly scary things (scary because they aren't in the "real" world and don't follow the roles of Victorian England...and they're monsters, too, whether a beast, soldiers of cards, or people with evil agendas) that she finds she is Courageous and Smart and Capable.

The Mad Hatter is--wonderful.  I can't say more without spoiling things.

And the Queen of Hearts: she's evil but I loved her!  I loved her mannerisms, her cool heart sunglasses for croquet, and her petty temper.  Fabulous.

I loved the movie, I plan to watch it again.

Though, it has ruined one thing for me (I guess this really goes back to the Disney cartoon version, though this movie perpetuated it a little)...I can't take purple irises seriously anymore.  And my backyard has quite a few of them, and I took some pictures  for bragging purposes to share with you. 

I'd like to know what you thought about the movie--so leave a comment or two. --Lu

Favorite Things Add On

3. Psych.

(I know, I know. Megan and Matthias are shaking their heads and saying, "We told you so."  And all I can say back is...you were RIGHT!  It is stinkin' funny.)

(Psych side note: The Rock's sister says that since she's been watching Psych, she's noticed she's been more observant.  And just tonight (a mere three days after seeing my first episode EVER) I too noticed that I'm getting a tad more observant.  As in, we were picking up a key from our neighbors, and from my position outside their back door I observed that there were homemade chocolates on the kitchen table.  And in my mind, the little Psych glowy light zoned in around the chocolates as if it were an important clue.  Mostly, it was just important to my stomach.)


Watch yourself an episode and let me know if you like.

That links to the second show of the series because...

NOTE: the pilot episode is hilarious and worth watching, but does have the only makeout scene I've encountered in the series so far (though I'm not really an expert on the series, I have it on good authority it's the only one).  It's mild, but I'm warning you because I was annoyed by it and you might be too.  Also, it happens at the beginning of the show, and I didn't want you to get the wrong idea about the whole series from that one blip of stupidity.  And also, these shows are crime mysteries, and sometimes there is some violence, which I didn't find offensive, but I get overly worried that my scale of tolerance is not your scale, so--there ya go.

--Lu

P.S. In case you were wondering, my neighbors did give us some chocolates even though I was Very Good Mannered and didn't make any kind of suggestive comment at all.  Patience paid off...and the fact that they know I have an unquenchable sweet tooth.

Cooking Fun with Julia

Hi Friends!

NPR has an interview with the screen writer/author for the new Julie and Julia movie, along with a few clips.
The clips don't give away the plot, they just dish out good characterization. And they're really funny----ESPECIALLY the meltdown one.
I think all of us can relate. I was guffawing up my sleeve over it. Real life and all that.

Enjoy!
Love,
Moo

P.S. This is Lu: watch the "Meltdown" scene (found on the left side of the NPR story page). The crying is so funny because haven't we all Been There?!!!

Surprise!

HP6 is in THEATERS! WHAT?!


Yes, I was the girl who blocked off the day in my planner for the opening date of HP6 when it was in November (remember that debacle? And how Twilight tried to supplement the loss by moving into the old HP date?). I was the girl who sighed over how far away the movie was when it was still scheduled for that Novemeber date, and I was the girl who was Very Upset by the shift all the way to JULY! (are you joking?! That was an eternity away.)

I was the girl who asked that my birthday present be tickets to see HP6 even though I would have to wait 3 months to get them. And I was the girl who started asking for that birthday present 6 months before my birthday. And I was the girl who drove her husband crazy with HP talk (though it was a cheerful road as he got plenty of good teasing time in).


And, yes, I am the girl who just now realized that Harry's latest flick has been out in theaters for a few days now...and I didn't even know it. In February I could tell you the exact date the movie was coming out. I could tell you how thrilled I was to see it. How I was going to make a paper chain to count down the days (not really, but I was that kind of excited).

Somewhere in the mess that has been the month of July, I lost track completely of HP6 and just now as I was looking up something completely different on YouTube, I saw an add for The Movie.

It felt like the time I slept through my first class of the day, but didn't realize I was late. I got to the hallway of my class and saw a few too many of my classmates walking in the wrong direction and then, in a moment worthy of a movie, I glanced up at the clock and stopped dead in my tracks. Twilight Zone music played in my ears and I thought for a small moment that time had flashed forward an hour instantaneously.

And when I realized what had happened, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of indignation. I had been gypped out of a WHOLE HOUR of my life! (except that I had been asleep during that hour, so technically I had gotten a much needed benefit, unintentional though it was).

So now that my indignation at HP6's audacious sneaking is wearing down, I've got to figure out when I can make it to Town to see The Movie... I can hardly wait!

--Lu

Movie Recommendations

My dad took me and The Rock to see Up for my belated birthday present (I love getting a trip to the movies as a birthday present, but there wasn't anything out back then that I wanted to see. In fact, The Rock's birthday present to me is still on hold because it seems that HP6 will NEVER make it to the theaters. Does anyone else feel like we've been waiting way too long for that flick?!)

As a warning, if you are a bawl-baby like me, you'll probably have a few teary moments during Up. (who would have thought it would be that kind of show). Also, there are a few things that are slightly annoying and/or cheesy in a grin(grimace)-and-bear-it kind of way. But those elements didn't detract from the good parts of the movie enough to make me regret seeing it. I love a movie that makes me laugh (and cry, too, if it's for a good reason.) This one did both.





If you haven't yet seen Love Comes Softly, may I recommend that too. I think the book might be even better, but it's been so many years since I read it, I can't give a reasoned opinion on it right now.

It seems that I appreciate more and more stories that depict what I consider to be real love. Love based on something beyond instant attraction or an irresistible, fatalistic pull toward someone else. Maybe it's because I don't buy into the notion of fated love, or love that sprouts from an unknown source, undying and unyielding no matter what. That would be too easy. And I have yet to see an example of that kind of love in a relationship in the Real World. I'm happy to be pointed toward such a relationship, though, if you know of one.

That isn't to say that I think all relationships in the Real World are painful or unhappy. I know that's not true. For instance, so many things about being with The Rock come naturally and easily. But it didn't just happen out of thin air. Both of us have characteristics and personalities that allow us to get along easily with each other. And when I was making the decision to marry him, I looked for those things. As much of a hottie I think he is, that pales in comparison to Who He Is. Who a person is (their character) is what you look for when you are thinking about success in the long term. Jane Austen was all over that principle--just read Pride and Prejudice again if you don't believe me.

So when a movie or a book has characters that actually love each other because of the kind of people they are, I love to immerse myself in the story. Which is why I appreciated Love Comes Softly--it feels real to me in a way that most romance books/movies don't.