What's on in the pictures?

Just been to see Zero Dark Thirty; didn't want to see it [wasn't all that keen on The Hurt Locker] but sat enthralled throughout the film. Just goes to show that it's when you don't expect to like a film it surprises you.

Oh, that's me sorted out. Again. Just had a nice day, that's all. Night night, all. Off out.

So pleased to hear that. Still remember my first 'encounter' with The Hobbit. My then boyfriend brought the book to my flat, read the first page and then told me I'd have to get my own copy. There was a huge waiting list for it at Bodmin library so I'm not sure when I actually got to read it, but my paperback Lord of the Rings is one of my oldest possessions. Strange to think that, as a Brummie girl a lot of Middle Earth was actually based on [I think] a local reservoir.

Glad you enjoyed it ariadne. It should be good and faithful to the book - taking 3 whole films to tell the story.
And the NZ government coughed up a fortune to keep it in Wellington. Massive subsidy.

..apologies to DDL fans out there . I did used to lust after him greatly but, recently, he seems to have become a caricature of himself....

So happy; you know what it is like when you go to see a film of a book you have loved? Well, this was just right. Everything I'd have hoped. Not, I know great literature or anything, but it meant a lot. Took the two oldest GCs, so the popcorn cost me! But lovely...off out parting now if I can work up the energy. may help me....

The tv adapatation of Great Expectations was very good so I'm not sure about the film. Interested to hear what Ariadne says about The Hobbit as it's had terrible reviews [although I wouldn't miss it for the world]. Can't watch anything about the tsunami as still remember travelling back from Wales that year and hearing it on the news. Not sure these days about Daniel Day Lewis. Loved him in Last of the Mohicans but hated There Will Be Blood. Wonder what he had to do this time to 'get into character'? Wear a silly hat for a long time [?].....

I'm waiting to see Les Miserables, I thought it was coming out at Christmas but apparently not the middle of January. I also am waiting for the reviews of the Life of Pi as that looks as if it could be good. I very much want to see Daniel Day Lewis's portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, I think he's one of our best actors, which I also believe is out sometime in January. I'm not going to see Great Expectations as the tv one from last year is still quite fresh in my mind and this version is a bit too soon after it. The trailers for the film about the tsunami starring Ewan McGregor looks good, but no doubt very sad.

Off to see "The Hobbit" with the two oldest GC today; we have to go to the 11.30 showing to give me time to have a little nap before tonight's party.

(Another joy about moving down here - someone with whom to go to the cinema when Theseus won't!)

Went to see Great Expectations this week, and I was a bit disappointed. I thought it was very slow to get going and it didn't hold my attention.
Some fine acting from Robbie Coltraine and Ralph Fiennes, but Helena Bonham Carter was a hopeless Miss Haversham.
The latest television production with Gillian Anderson and Ray Winstone was just as good.

Looking forward to The Quartet and Les Miserables (Hugh Jackman swoon)

Nooo! Don't spoil it... more like my DD1!! We are a family of curly haired folk, several of whom are redheads!

...does look a bit like Rebeka Brooks, though .....

We all loved it Jess when we went on Sunday! Great feisty heorine,a good role model!

The Brave - latest animated film. This is definitely one to take the GDs to. Or anyone else. I am not a big fan of animated films but this is on my A list.
We went to see the 2D version as DH does not have 3d vision.
There hasn't been a feminist animated film since Mulan (although Rapunzel was pretty feisty - but is was a lurve story)
It has the voices of Connelly, Coltrane and Thompson (sounds just like her mum when she puts on that scottish accent). Amazing animation (the horse!!! the hair!!!)
The "brave" in the title is the red-haired princess - but also, with irony I suppose, the band of kilted eejits - the men. Nuff said. Go see it.

A Royal Affair; Danish film made by the guy who produced the first [and best] Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Beautifully filmed, superbly acted, rather long at 2 1/2 hours but I certainly wasn't itching for it to end after 2 hours. Rather like The Duchess but much, much better. Based on the true story of Christian VII, his wife Caroline and her affair with his advisor/doctor. However, what sets this film apart from other historical royal films is the fact that the main characters were trying to reform Denmark politically and socially and were, in fact, light years ahead of their time. Does it have a happy ending? Well, you'll have to watch it to find out [or wikipedia King Christian which would be a lot quicker!].

Don't want to ruin it for anyone who might watch it in the future ; although it is a well known book so a lot of people will know anyway. Obviously not in the same league [not many films could be] but started to remind me of The English Patient. As I didn't really watch it properly last night I may have to watch it again to fill in a few gaps. There was a wonderful scene where Diana Rigg as a nun explains her take on Christianity. In fact, I may have to buy it on dvd as a lot of it is beautifully filmed. One scene in particular breaks your heart. I'll pm you with 'the ending' if you like.

a weepy?

Not on at the cinema but this was on tv last night; The Painted Veil. Made a point of watching it while I was still sorting the house out and started off finding it rather dry and boring [and the acting rather wooden]. However, I stuck with it and it turned into the most beautiful love story. Now, I'm not one for love stories [I think I said the same about the Salmon Fishing film] but there was a sweetness and a poignancy about this one that has [again, my definition of a good film] stayed with me and I'm still thinking about it now. Probably on iplayer for a while and not to be viewed when one is feeling sad [which I am, but sometimes I like wallowing in misery, me ] but quite exquisite.

Two Days in New York; Mart Kermode said he laughed all the way through it [as did some women sitting next to us]. I didn't laugh once. Thankfully we only saw it to kill time before the Olympic Torch came through the town. lilib; thanks for mentioning Where do we go now.....it's on at my cinema at the end of July; I was wondering why such a good film hadn't been shown there. Prometheus sounds good and, although I'm not a fan of Batman films the latest one was partly filmed near here so I'll make a point of seeing it. That and the fact that Tom Hardy is in it. Are there any actors/actresses that other people will go out of their way to see if they're in a film? My fix of subtitles will be, well, 'fixed' by A Royal Affair, a Danish film about romantic goings on at the court of King Christian. With a bit of insanity thrown in for good measure it should be good, albeit very long.

I thought Moonrise Kingdom was dire; have to agree with Jess about it being 'a comedy with no laughs'. I liked The Angels Share. My one critiscism of the film being that I wish that the crime Luke had commited hadn't been quite so vile as it stopped me rejoicing in any new found happiness that he found. However, there were quite a few moments in the film where the audience responded 'as one'; something that I'm not sure has ever happened before.

thank you lilib, sounds wonderful. I will have a look at where, Where Do We Go Now is playing.

I saw Albert Nobbs, recently and agree with you Crimson that the performance from Glenn Close was extraordinary, it was a shame that the overall film didn't deliver.
Any other recommendations. A new Picturehouse cinema opened up near me so the idea of going out to see a film has become a lot more real (and safe!)

@lili

thank you very much for the review on this i will be absolutely going to see this flick with my friends. I am a big fan of 'Caramel' and will be relishing this follow up film by Nadine Labaki.

briana

I was lucky enough to go to the screening of 'Where do we go now' which is a fim by Nadine Labaki, who directed Caramel. It's a funny take on Muslim/Christian relations, set in an unknown middle eastern village which has a church and Mosque next to each other. It's about the womenfolk's antics to try and prevent their menfolk from warring. Highly recommend it as it's funny, touching and an interesting take on the subject!

Saw Albert Nobbs last week; terrific acting performance by Glenn Close and a very sad/sweet little film. 2 Days in New York is supposed to be very funny, but that isn't till the end of the month. Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is back for a couple of days, so may catch it then. The Hunger Games and The Pirates are both on in the kids clubs showings. Ken Loach came to give a talk at our cinema a while back, so I want to see The Angels Share. And Moonrise Kingdom sounds good.

Been to see The Angels Share (the comedy about the lads in Scotland) today. It was really good and very funny in parts. The opening scene had everyone in the cinema laughing out loud (admittedly, that was only about a dozen people - it was an early evening showing).The young lead actors are all unknowns (perhaps not even professional actors) and were all excellent.

There is as much swearing as you would expect from a Ken Loach film about working class kids in Glasgow but not as much violence.

Highly recommended.