Angela's Ashes (R): Adapted from one of the most beloved memoirs of all time, Angela's Ashes is a gripping story of Frank McCourt's coming of age in impoverished Ireland. Following McCourt through the trials and tribulations of death, religious clashes, and finding himself through his childhood and adulthood, the film manages to retain a sense of distance, humor and grace even when dealing with dark subject matter.
Atonement (R): Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are spellbinding in this portrayal of love and the challenges of classism at the onset of World War II. The plot functions on the notion of how a single event shapes the course of people's lives, the future of all involved, in this case, being in the hands of a school-aged girl. A mesmerizing story about perseverance in the face of adversity, personal growth, and the power of love. Truly a must-see.
Billy Elliot (R): Set in the early 1980's, Billy Elliot follows a young boy in the aftermath of his mother's death and the desires of his father and older brother for him to engage in traditionally "masculine" pursuits (mining and boxing). In the slums of Newcastle, Billy's life has been predetermined to mimic the course of his dysfunctional family's, but Billy has little interest in going into the mines. After boxing lessons one day, Billy walks into a ballet lesson, and feels a new source of joy in his life. The story is both touching and frustrating as Billy goes on to pursue his love in the face of his family's disapproval, and reconcile the guilt he feels over the miner's strike and the increasing financial burdens placed on his family. A film that all at once motivates its audience to laugh at Billy and with him, but ends on a positive note.
Elizabeth (R): Cate Blanchett's portrayal of the monarch is striking, following her personal evolution from a naive adolescent, to a young adult in love, to the hardened queen that went on to foster one of the most prosperous times in England's history. Religious themes are present in this film, though they are not obtrusive, and Geoffrey Rush and Joseph Fiennes round out an all-star cast makes even discussions of political tactics and war enjoyable.
Hilary & Jackie (R): A portrayal of the lives of real life sisters Hilary and Jacqueline du Pre, the latter receiving great renown for her mastery of the cello. The film depicts their growing up, particularly focusing on the air of competition that is ever-present in the lives of the sisters until Jacqueline's premature death at age 42.
Muriel's Wedding (R): One of Toni Colette's lesser known films, Muriel's Wedding is, on the whole, hilarious. Muriel is an overly enthusiastic old maid who dreams of getting married and brims with hope for her own romance every time she witnesses the nuptials of those around her. She is a scapegoat to everyone she knows--comically so, whether it be her immediate (dysfunctional) family or her "friends." Suddenly, Muriel finds herself in an arranged marriage to an Olympic athlete (portrayed by Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and is ecstatic that finally, her own special day has come. Little does she know that an unexpected event will soon change everything she wanted out of life, including her desire for marriage. The film's soundtrack consists overwhelmingly of ABBA songs, and contains such comic gems as Muriel telling the staff in a bridal shop that her mother is a bed-ridden cancer patient so that they will take pictures of her in gowns to "show her," when really Muriel just brings them home to put them in a photo album. Quirky and sweet.
Pride & Prejudice (PG): Keira Knightley in a Jane Austen adaptation. Not much further explanation required.
The Queen (PG-13): Helen Mirren gives an apt performance of the queen in the immediate aftermath of the death of Diana, a time period during which the Windsors came under great public scrutiny for an excess of the stereotypical "British reserve." While the queen does not undergo some great emotional transformation by the film's conclusion, Mirren portrays the subtlety of the stiff-upper-lipped public figure, mastering such small gestures as clutching her purse so that, upon watching, you find yourself saying, "Wow, the queen does do that."
Sense & Sensibility (PG): Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman round out a whimsical cast in this adaptation of the Jane Austen classic.
Shakespeare in Love (PG-13): Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes star in this romanticized account of the early life of William Shakespeare. A dreamy story of forbidden love across the social classes and early efforts of women in the arts.
For the Kids:
Mr. Bean
Monty Python
For Teens:
Shaun of the Dead (R): An average Joe with repeated shortcomings in life decides to prove to everyone how important he is by saving select loved ones from the conveniently-ongoing zombie apocalypse.
TV:
The Tudors
-Posted by Anna
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