AllThingsAnglophile

I had a bit of a day at work yesterday so what better way to relax than with episodes of Foyle's War? Now I know that some didn't like the transition to The Cold War and the move from straight out policeman to MI5 operative, but I find it really interesting. It's like an early Spooks/Foyle cross-over with loads of research. I actually even liked Sam's new husband, Adam, and his story of being an early post war Labor MP and the pressures that put on Sam (also though I like Max Brown, he never worked with Weeks for me). I like that the whole proceedings are gloomy looking and cynical and world weary. It feels realistic after the pomp of V Day.

I watched Sunflower. It was the best of the three by far, perhaps even one of the best episodes ever of Foyle's War and that ending!

Thoughts?

Well. One out of two ain't bad.

( The Snowmen )

Les Miserables Film

( 24601 )

After the disappointments of Burton's Alice in Wonderland (the most un-Burton film ever?) and Dark Shadows (Burton's crassest film ever?) I was beginning to think I had lost the Burton love. Reviews for Frankenweenie have started coming in and the general consensus is that he is back on form. What a relief. I was getting worried! Watching Les Miserables has reminded me that I'm almost due for a Burton filmography rewatch. He has directed some of the most haunting and beautiful films I have ever seen. It is a shame that he is so maligned these days.

As usual, opinions are welcomed flist!

So I finally watched episode one. I should probably make a thread in the nicola_walker comm seeings as it is well and truly done and dusted in the UK.

Anyway, I found the episode relatively intriguing plot wise, but I hated every single main character. Every. Last. One. And it was also pretty damn depressing. Probably not my cup of tea to be honest but I'll watch to the end BECAUSE ZOMG THAT ACTRESS I LIKE (the story of my life- watching programs I don't like for actors I love)

Also, lol at the returned stereotype of Nicola's character in a bad/unfufilling relationship stuck in a world of social and emotional dislocation. How predictable ;)

The most important thing however, is Nicola getting costume changes you guys. MANY. Tv is full of surprises. Random stripey jumper/top thingy was love. I wants one.

On Tuesday, Mum, my brother and I went and saw the live version finale of Spicks and Specks. After over 200 episodes, 7 series and many laughs at Hamish's expense, Adam, Alan and Myf are saying goodbye around Australia. I cannot lie. My heart may just be a little bit broken by the exit of a comedy music quiz show. But really guys. The ABC had the best Wednesday line up happening. If it wasn't Chris Lilley, it was the Chaser Boys or Margaret and David and The Gruen Transfer/Planet, and always, steady as a rock, Spicks and Specks: my university blues tonic that got me through the week till Saturday night and Doctor Who. It's the end of an era. I've been watching this show since I was about 16. Maybe even earlier.

( spoilers for the show )

I've done it! Read The Hobbit, LOTR and The Silmarillion in a row.

Reviews (ish) under cut link (well these are re-reads):

( The Hobbit )

Onwards to LOTR- I also watched all three movies just to be thorough because I'm weird like that also they are amazing movies

( may this be a light in the darkness, when all other lights have gone out )

The Silmarillion tells the tale of the First and Second Age and is a rather hard read. I saw it as more of an appendices to LOTR and The Hobbit than a book in its own right.

( because thou hast broken the law of the Lord, thou shalt never be King )

But the most powerful part of this story for me was always that of The Hobbit's. To quote Galadrial "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." A good moral. A good moral indeed.

Have you read any of these? Or seen the movies? What did you think?

IN WHICH I DO SQUEE MUCHLY. BECAUSE I LIKED IT ALOT. AGAIN.

( just a mad man with a box and nothing more )

In other news I am too scared to watch spooks 10.2. Someone tell me it isn't shit please.

I was pleasantly surprised. It was far better than LKH imo. Also, far better than Gatiss' previous effort with Victory of the Daleks which was the worst episode of s5 imo.

Review under cut :)

( monstors are real and I laugh in the face of danger )

I've always had a strange relationship with Harry Potter: the books. I always felt that J K Rowling sold out in book six and seven and the pace got very uneven. That's not to say I didn't appreciate the world she created and the characters I came to love and the way that part of my childhood is caught up in each books pages. But having said that, this is the reason I went to DH:p1 with so much trepidation as I didn't like Book 7 all that much. I was pleasantly surprised when I found it to be the strongest movie that had been released so far. I also was given an extra treat in that I thought Bellatrix Lestrange truly elevated herself above EVERYONE and really, really encapsulated the essence of evil. It was an astonishing performance from Helena and I think it is now impossible to seperate her from the character. I really feel that Helena brought a lot to the role of Bellatrix, she was born to play the part.

Actual film under cut link for part two:

( Read more... )

I think the last two films have been the strongest because the art direction really picked up (very Burtonish I noticed), the storytelling cut straight to the heart of the books even if that meant adding in or taking away scenes from the source material and finally, the atmostphere and the drama was exactly right. Deathly Hallows Part One and Two succeeded in a way the previous Potter's haven't done. They convinced me that these were movies in their own right with strong themes and performances that had real lasting dramatic resonance.

I've done half of my notes for one entire subject and a 2500 word major history essay which means I can post on lj :) Then its off to fix up a tutorial essay and email it to my tutor, do Walter Benjamin study notes and email my ANZAC/Remembrance Day article. Happy days. Also, I have major sore mouth for no apparent reason (though I'm willing to wager its something to do with getting my wisdom teeth out) and have to get to the dentist.

Anyway The Rebel Flesh/Almost People

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Well. So much for me staying off lj to do uni work haha! I think I'd go mad without this blog. As for Dr Who and The Rebel Flesh- as that it a two parter I'll review it as a whole after next Saturday night.

Now onto the books (no spoilers)

( Read more... )

My friend got me Touching Evil for my 21st. Damn it. If I get a credit for my two politics subjects, I blame Nicola Walker for my lack of study.