Category Archives: Film
Movie review: “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
Over the Christmas break, we went to the movies and saw “The Hobbit.” I enjoyed the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and have so many wonderful memories of seeing the three films in the theater with good friends – the first two when we were living in England, the last one when we had moved back to the States.
A part of me just wanted to revisit that magical world that Peter Jackson created. We were not disappointed. It made me want to be a hobbit, living in that tranquil Shire – and for those nearly three hours (which didn’t feel like three hours, I should add), I was transported. It felt like a reunion seeing those familiar faces from the “Lord of the Rings” again. Elijah Wood. Ian McKellan. Cate Blanchett. Gollum. And places like Rivendell and all of its glorious waterfalls.
* Sigh *
If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s still in theaters!
And I hope you have a wonderful three-day Martin Luther King Jr. weekend! I’ll see you back here on Tuesday!
The Hobbit
As the parent of two little ones, it is rare that we get a chance to go to the movies. I still haven’t seen the new Bond movie. I think our last trip to the cinema was “Moonrise Kingdom.” First world problems, people!
But with my parents visiting in a couple of weeks, we are looking forward to heading out to the movie theater and hunkering down with a small bag of popcorn that will cost more than it should. On the top of our list of things to see is “The Hobbit.” We recently spent a good week rewatching “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and are back in the old Peter Jackson state of mind once again.
This just looks fun and it premieres in the US this Friday!
Secret Cinema in London
“I didn’t ever imagine it would be like this so I was both shocked and surprised at the same time. I thought we were coming to watch a film!” – one Secret Cinema attendee interviewed by BBC Newshour
I, too, had heard bits and pieces about Secret Cinema and thought it was merely a pop-up shop-style movie theater. Oh how wrong I was!
If you want to get the real scoop, listen to BBC Newshour from yesterday. One of their reporters participated in this mystery night out in London and finds herself on trial, convicted and then sent off to a prison yard a la “Shawshank Redemption.”
I was only able to source yesterday’s Newshour podcast in its entirety (if you haven’t listened to Newshour, it’s a great listen anyway!) but you can scroll to 35:46 to hear about Secret Cinema! Also, check out some of the photos taken at this recent one. Talk about experiencing a movie!
Have you gone to Secret Cinema? What did you think?
Skyfall
I have just two words for you: James Bond.
At last, Skyfall opens in theaters today! It feels like such a long time since we’ve gone to the movies, but this one is at the top of our list! If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, enjoy!
If you’ve already seen the movie (UK peeps!), what did you think? Worth the wait?
Epic tea time with Alan Rickman
When it’s tea time for Alan Rickman, clearly he means business. Watch him make a cuppa in super slo-mo and then watch the drama that ensues. It is a “Portrait in Dramatic Time” by David Michalek.
I’m still not sure what it’s all about, Alfie, but Alan Rickman can make walking down the street into an art form. I should know. While working in London’s Notting Hill in 2000, there was a period of time where I would frequently see Professor Snape himself in the morning on my way to work. I would walk on one side of the street (Westbourne Grove), he would walk on the other, always looking down, serious, purposeful on his way to get a cup of coffee.
I never stopped him. I would never dare interrupt his morning routine. One morning, I spotted him inside a Caffe Nero, having a cuppa with Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (AKA Maid Marian from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) and the scene was near perfection.
Oscars dish
Was it just me or were the Oscars more tame (and more snooze-worthy than usual) this year?
But a big congrats to Christopher Plummer for his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. I haven’t seen “Beginners” but it’s moved up my short list of films to watch pronto.
Read the rest of this entry
If Wes Anderson had been Welsh …
This weekend, I watched a British film called “Submarine” by writer/director Richard Ayoade. Have you heard of it?
I hadn’t and wasn’t sure what to expect. It turned out to be a good coming-of-age movie. Quirky, bittersweet and beautifully shot (and comes in at only 97 minutes, and so gets extra brownie points from me!), “Submarine” is what “Rushmore” would’ve been if Wes Anderson were Welsh (and as a side note, did you know that Wales is Wes Anderson’s middle name? Coincidence?!)
Fine food and film
Number 5,761 reason why Britain is so cool: The Lounge at Odeon, the new London luxury cinema experience for the over-18 crowd.
With leather seats that fully recline and no more than 50 seats per screen, it’s a spacious way to enjoy a movie. But they also offer a full menu of finger foods, fork-and-knife fare including red mullet and prawn risotto, venison chili and lasagne, and desserts as well as a cocktail menu, all delivered directly to your seat by dedicated wait staff.
It’s a novel way to enjoy the big screen (and certainly beats oversalted popcorn and gloppy nachos). I would certainly check it out if I were in London this weekend …
Speaking of weekends, have a wonderful one and happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Americans enjoy a bank holiday on Monday)! I’ll see you back here on Tuesday.
The Holiday
I love watching holiday films (“Love Actually,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Home Alone,” etc.) in the ramp up to Christmas.
Friday night we watched “The Holiday.” Have you seen it?
I’m always comforted by a Nancy Meyers movie, not only for the rom-com storyline but the lush interiors, gorgeous wardrobes, Hans Zimmer soundtrack and fabulous locations (hello, charming hobbit house in Surrey!). Endless eye candy. But I particularly love “The Holiday” for the side-by-side comparison at English and California life. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out!
Unleashing your inner Iron Lady
Meryl Streep plays Margaret Thatcher in "Iron Lady." Love the 'do.
Never deny the power of big hair.
Margaret Thatcher’s sizable bouffant is reported to be all over the runways of Marc Jacobs and Chanel and now, with the release of “Iron Lady” this winter, this big hair trend is expected to be … well, even bigger.
Intrigued? Check out celebrity hairdresser Marc Woolley’s step-by-step instructions for creating this large-and-in-charge look.
I’m pretty sure that global domination requires an iron fist, large heated rollers and a paddle brush.
BRITRISH.COM 