I watched 300 a few days ago and disliked it less than I thought I would. I then spent two days reading about the Greco-Persian wars and finally feel reasonably informed on the matter.

So, things I liked about 300: it was visually very satisfying. It tried to emulate the comic book and, having never seen the comic, I presume it was very successful. ( Read more... )

El Angel Exterminador

Arty 50s Mexican film. Somewhat too arty for me as the plot was secondary to the meaning. It was very actually Sartrian actually - a bunch of bourgeoisie get “stuck” in a room and nobody knows how it happened or how to leave (the door into the adjoining room being impassable despite no physical barriers). It was still ( Read more... )

12 Angry MenWow. One of the best films I’ve ever seen and definitely a 10/10. 12 jurists decide on the fate of a young man convicted of murdering his father. Brilliant acting from all of them, realistic and engaging characters, a very well written script and almost entirely filmed in one small room, this really is a masterpiece. The only fault I ( Read more... )

Cultural Renaissance

Having a lot of free time in general, holidays in particular, and access to libraries where borrowing DVDs and CDs as well as books is free, has led to a kind of cultural renaissance in my life. The number of books I am reading, DVDs I am watching, and new albums I am listening to, is increasing at a glorious rate.

I have ( Read more... )

 I have seen several very good films of late: Tours held a “cinema and film” festival this weekend, showcasing a lot of brilliant British film, including three that I went to see: My Son the Fanatic, Young Soul Rebels, and My Beautiful Launderette. I also saw 8th Wonderland at the festival, and Gandahar and Ratatouille separately.

My Son the ( Read more... )

I've just realised how long it's been since I last blogged about films. I hope I haven't left any off the list. Here it is, anyway, in vague order of how much you should watch the film.

1) Synecdoche, New York
2) Howl's Moving Castle
3) Metropolis
4) Cinema Paradiso
5) Mulholland Drive
6) My Neighbour Totoro
7) La belle et la bête (Beauty and the Beast)
8 ( Read more... )

One of my aims for this term has been to watch more films, which I've managed quite well so far. Of late I've watched La Planete Sauvage, American Beauty, A Tale of Two Sisters, Oldboy, Fire and Raise the Red Lantern. :D

La Planete Sauvage - Fantastic Planet

1970s French animated surreal sci-fi. :D These are all my favourite adjectives, and this is ( Read more... )

Yesterday I went charity shopping with Annie, with pleasing results. I bought the RotK DVD (yes, shamefully I didn't own it before...), 2 Discworld books (1 of which I already owned, alas), an atlas of ancient history and the Book of Lost Tales by Tolkien. I'm particularly pleased with the last two. The atlas covers all those ancient Eurasian ( Read more... )

Films

I recently bought The Motorcycle Diaries and Pan's Labyrinth to add to my meagre DVD collection.

Recently seen: Che part 1, The Class, Sunshine.

Che: part 1Fairly interesting look at his life but one of those films I probably wouldn't watch more than once, I guess. The best part was Castro's soothing voice... Should probably get round to ( Read more... )

Films I have seen this term: Slumdog Millionaire, Spirited Away, Amores Perros, Les poupées rousses, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Dostana. I have also discovered the best cinema ever (which calenaldion would certainly love) - one screen, entry music rather than trailers, comfy seats ( Read more... )