00s Movie Review - Pride & Prejudice

Director: Joe Wright
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 127 minutes
Year: 2005
Starring: Keira Knightley Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Tom Hollander, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Judi Dench, Rupert Friend, Carey Mulligan, Kelly Reilly, Talulah Riley, Penelope Wilton

Description: Sparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) meets single, rich, and proud Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen). But Mr. Darcy reluctantly finds himself falling in love with a woman beneath his class. Can each overcome their own pride and prejudice?

Review: After the 1940 version with Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson and the successful mini-series from 1995 with Colin Firth, this is the newest incarnation of Jane Austen’s literary classic “Pride & Prejudice”.

Keira Knightley, as Elizabeth Bennet, plays her biggest role to date. She is the point of your attention and Knightley shows us she can handle the pressure. Especially in the more dramatic scenes she stands strong, even if she shares the screen with the experienced Judi Dench.

The chemistry between Keira Knightley and her on-screen Mr. Darcy, portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen, is great. Every time the two get closer, you feel butterflies in your stomach. Just a look or response is enough to know what they feel.

Both Knightley and Macfadyen are perfectly cast in their roles, but Rosamund Pike also did a wonderful job. She shines and this is the movie I discovered her in. Judi Dench plays her role as arrogant and respectable Lady Catherine very well, like we expect from her. Tom Hollander as the typical Mr. Collins, is responsible for a more humoristic touch. His character is incapable of saying anything spontaneous, which is especially funny when he has to share some more emotional matters. Then there is Brenda Blethyn as the neurotic Bennet mother, who wants only one thing: her daughters to be married with a preferable wealthy and good looking man.

The camerawork is impeccable and the music fits the style and time period of the film perfectly.
As a fan of the novel, I’m very pleased with this movie version of “Pride & Prejudice”. You might call me a hopeless romantic, but it’s one of my favorite films of all-time.

Rating: 5/ 5

10s Movie Review - The Guernsey Literary Society

Director: Mike Newell
Genre: Drama/ Romance
Runtime: 123 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Lily James, Michiel Huisman, Matthew Goode, Penelope Wilton, Jessica Brown Findlay, Katherine Parkinson, Tom Courtenay, Glen Powell

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 7: A MOVIE SET IN A EUROPEAN COUNTRY
 
Description: In the aftermath of World War II, a writer (Lily James) forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island when she decides to write a book about their experiences during the war.

Review: London, 1946: Juliet Ashton, a young, successful writer, is invited by a small but fanatical book club to the Island of Guernsey. Once she arrives, it turns out that there is a deeper story behind the jolly islanders and their club.
At first glance, “The Guernsey Literary Society” is simple and cheerful, one of those movies where everything works out and everyone is happy. How director Mike Newell slowly deepens the film and unravels the underlying layers is beautifully executed. Two hours for a story of this proportion is somewhat excessive though.
The cast is top-notch, but the heart of the film lies with Lily James, who proves she can easily carry a movie. Michiel Huisman (fellow Dutchman) also gives a strong performance, as does Penelope Wilton. I absolutely loved this movie.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

00s Movie Review - Shaun of the Dead

Director: Edgar Wright
Genre: Horror/ Action/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2004
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Bill Nighy, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Nicola Cummingham, Peter Serafinowicz, Penelope Wilton

Description: Shaun (Simon Pegg) decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend (Kate Ashfield), reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.

Review: Leading man and co-writer Simon Pegg didn’t give himself the most heroic role. Shaun is maybe one of the biggest losers on the big screen. But that is what makes him so common and recognizable.
It takes some time for Shaun and his friend Ed to realize that London is filling up with zombies. When they finally find out, their responds is just as ‘realistic’: throwing everything as long as it didn’t cost anything. The two think of a plan of rescuing Shaun’s mom and girlfriend and then taking shelter in their pub the Winchester.
“Shaun of the Dead” is first and foremost a romantic comedy, with a splash of horror elements. You wouldn’t expect that of a zombie movie, but that’s exactly the power of the film. The humor is typical British en when you’re a fan, like I am, this is just your movie. It’s subtle and very clever.
For fans of black comedies, “Shaun of the Dead” is the perfect movie. And this is the start of a great series of films, that made me fall in love with Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. What a threesome!

Rating: 5/ 5

TV Show Review - After Life (Season 1)

Season: 1
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Number of episodes: 6
Year: 2019
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Tom Basden, Tony Way, Diane Morgan, Mandeep Dhillon, David Bradley, Kerry Godliman, Ashley Jensen, Paul Kaye, Penelope Wilton, Joe Wilkinson, Roisin Conaty

Description: After Tony’s (Ricky Gervais) wife dies unexpectedly, his nice-guy persona is altered into an impulsive, devil-may-care attitude; taking his old world by storm.
Review: British comedian Ricky Gervais is know for his work on “The Office” “Extras”, “Derek” and his pessimistic stand-up shows. Gervais created, directed and stars in “After Life”.
Here he plays the depressed Tony. His wife died of cancer. The only thing left is a video message she made and their dog Brandy. Taking care of his dog keeps Tony from killing himself. But it’s clear he’s done with life. He is cynical about everything. His job at the local free newspaper doesn’t bring him any joy either, only bizarre stories.
But with all this darkness, there is a little hope. Tony finds a little bit of joy in his life. For instance a drug addict and his prostitute friend. He shows he’s has a human side. Him meeting a widow in the cemetery shows a different side of Tony as well. Since they share the feeling of grief. When Tony visits his dementing father, the nurse gets his attention. And a new co-worker brings a little light to Tony’s dark light as well. But his gloom and self-destruction stand in the way to making any progress.
It all sounds like a very dramatic series with dark themes. But the power of this series lies with Ricky Gervais and how he tackles it all with humor. It’s not a light series, it manages to move you, but has a constant dark humoristic side. Gervais is best in roles like this.
“After Life” has only 6 episodes in this first season, which are all about 30 minutes long. And it managed to tell a story that you care about and it’s super strong. I can’t wait to see season 2.

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 103: The BFG

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, Bill Hader

Description: A girl named Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) encounters the Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance) who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children.

Review: I grew up with Roald Dahl books and when I was a teacher I read his stories a lot too. For his 30th film, Steven Spielberg made this genre film filled with children’s fantasy. Finally “The BFG”, one of Dahl’s best stories, is brought to the big screen.
Little Sophie lives in an orphanage and sees a giant in the middle of the night. This giant, the BFG, takes her into the world of giants.
This type of film really has to rely on the chemistry between the fable like creatures and the little admires. Ruby Barnhill, who plays Sophie, does an excellent job. With both the charisma of an adult and the amazement of a little girl, she is believable. Mark Rylance is a charming BFG, heartwarming and just loveable.
The animation is amazing, it looks really impressive. The expressions on the face of the BFG are so realistic. This film is jawdropping, when it comes to its techniques. And the chemistry between Sophie and the BFG is so good, especially in the more quiet scenes.
“The BFG” is bit lighter then the book and a little less complex. It was a film I really looked forward to and it brought back the little girl in me that loved this book. It didn’t disappoint, Spielberg hardly ever does that.

Rating: 4,5/ 5