Friday 30 December 2011

Robert Pattinson in another Period Drama

Robert Pattinson in Bel Ami (2012)

All the members of Team Edward, this is to bring to your kind attention that Robert Pattinson will be seen in yet another Period Drama, BEL AMI, directed by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod, and starring Christina Ricci and Uma Thurman in the lead.

The movie is about a young man in Paris who rises to power by manipulating the city's most influential women. It will be released in March in the coming year.

I have always been of the opinion that Robert Pattinson being English must do more of such roles although I like him as Edward (Twilight). May be someday, say, after ten years or so he'll have a career like that of Colin Firth, well may be.

Friday 9 December 2011

Top FIVE Period Dramas Series and Movies

I know I have been a lousy blogger for a while and I am sorry for that, caught up in exams. I was going through my movie collection yesterday evening and I figured out I should finally rank my favorites and compile a list for all my readers.

Here I am , with the Top Five Period Dramas of all time - my favorites! Sit back, relax and cozy your winter evenings watching them.

1. Pride and Prejudice (2005 & 1995 mini series)
Pride and Prejudice 2005
Pride and Prejudice 1995
After all these years its still my top favorite, there's definitely something about Mr. Darcy that makes us like him so much. Pride and Prejudice, I think is the best book by JA, I love it, day or night, it will always be my favorite. The English society, five sisters, Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins, all these things add spice and humor to the story.      

2. Little Women (1994)
Little Women 1994
This story by American author Louisa May Alcott also has four sisters in he family, but with an entirely different take. I love this movie because of the simplicity and sincerity of the characters. Jo March played by Winona Ryder is one of my all time favorites and I love the carols in the movie. Catch it if you're looking for something subtle and warm.

3. Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Sense and Sensibility 1995
Another one by JA, great story and settings. The way Jane Austen has presented the social satire in her writings has been very accurately captured in the movie, then you have stars like Emma Thompson. Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant, what more could you ask for.

4. Downton Abbey (2010 TV series)
Downton Abbey 2010
Yes, its the most recent period drama that kept us glued to our TV screens. Though the video for the second series has not yet been released but we can always start with the first season. Elegant is the word which defines the sets, costumes and art direction for this TV series with about $1 million being spent on every episode! The drama justifies that cost, it has 15-16 different characters and all of them are extremely engaging.

5. North and South (2004)
North and South 2004
This period drama TV series is based on the novel with the same name by Elizabeth Gaskell. The difference between this story and the others is that, it does not capture the riches and the scenic countryside of England rather it shows the industrial scene of the country, life of the workers and the owners. This is definitely a breathe of fresh air if you're looking for something different than the usual.

Well, do tell me about your top five period dramas and how do you feel about the list that I have compiled.
The weather outside is so good, it already feels like Christmas and I am still stuck with my semester exams! Anyway, enjoy the week before Christmas.
Don't forget to comment.

Sunday 27 November 2011

The King's Speech (2010) - A Review


This is a guest post by Mary Albert.
The King's Speech 
The King's Speech, a period movie released in 2010, was written by acclaimed writer David Seidler and much-admired director Tom Hopper.  The movie concentrates on the private lives of a famous historical figure, King George VI, otherwise known as Bertie, and his Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue.  The story narrated how the latter helped King George VI in controlling and understanding his stammer, which had been tormenting the king since his childhood.

At some point of the story, The King's Speech has somehow illustrated a morganatic relationship between King George VI and his speech therapist, which was eventually intensified by the astute wife of King George VI.  The period movie exemplifies a political and social setting, which were intelligently and carefully interlaced in the film.  These include the national hopelessness occurring in the country, the emergence of international political philosophy or movement known as movement, and the onset of the mass media as a compelling factor in the lives of every society.

With regard to the film's historical significance, it explores various critical past events that have been regarded as prominent incidents in world history.  It includes events such as the death of George V in 1936, the account of the first sovereign to address his subjects by means of radio, the succession of Edward VIII as the new ruler, Edward VIII's instant resignation with the intention of marrying Wallis Simpson, an American double divorcee, and the crowning of George VI, amongst many others.

Despite the film concentrating on King George VI's triumphant over is grave disability, the period movie is still not considered as something that is over-romantic or victorious.  Some of the principal themes of  "The King's Speech" include bravery, responsibility, and the need to put duty higher than individualistic pleasures or contentment.  For this reason, one can consider this period movie as one of the most compelling works of Stephen Frears.

--Mary Albert

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Saturday 26 November 2011

The Eagle - UK Premiere

Just thought of sharing this video with you all, its the UK premiere of the Roman period movie THE EAGLE starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell. The plot of the movie has been adopted from the famous adventure novel THE EAGLE OF THE NINTH (1954).


Wednesday 23 November 2011

Downton Abbey Welcomes a Handsome Stranger

Downton Abbey Christmas Special
If rumors are to be believed then a handsome someone will be entering Downton Abbey this Christmas in the Christmas Special. Lord Hepworth will be attending the Christmas celebrations with the Crawley family and will be swooning Lady Rosamund (wealthy sister of Earl Grantham).

The reasons behind this are not known as of now but Dowager Countess sure has an eye over him. One thing is for sure, Lord Hepworth will be at the center of the events that will take place in this episode besides ofcourse the tension among Lady Mary, Mathew Crawley and Sir Carlisle. Its going to be a two hour long episode.

Downton Abbey fans have something special to witness this Christmas!

Tuesday 22 November 2011

Downton Abbey Girls as the Disco Girls

Now this is a must for all the Downton Abbey fans, I just checked it out on PeriodDramas.com and then on the DailyMail. The Downton Abbey girls have let their hair down for a Festive Photo shoot. You won't believe your eyes, have a look at these dazzling divas, especially Zoe Boyle (Lavinia Swire) who departed with the end of the second season, seems to have risen from her grave and that too , InStyle!



Its party time girls!

Monday 21 November 2011

The Great Gatsby - 2012

I couldn't stop myself from posting this video on the HOME page. I am all thrilled for this movie, with great story and starcast, who knows, it could be one of the best period movies of all times.


I'll keep you updated on this, till then , ENJOY!

Saturday 19 November 2011

The Remains of the Day (1993) - Reviewed

My Overall Rating - 7.5/10


The Remains of the Day - 1993

The Remains of the Day is the screen adaptation of the novel by the same name, authored by Kazuo Ishiguro. Its starcast is excellent, Anthony Hopkins(Stevens), Emma Thompson(Miss Kenton), James Fox, Christopher Reeve, Ben Chaplin and Hugh Grant.

Anthony Hopkins as Stevens
The Remains of the Day


Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton
The Remains of the Day
James Fox as Lord Darlington
The Remains of the Day
The story starts with Stevens receiving a letter from Miss Kenton, telling him about the nostalgia of the time when she used to work alongside him at Darlington Hall, about twenty years back. Stevens has shown to be the head butler at Darlington Hall and after Lord Darlington's death, one of the remaining servants who still serve the mansion which now belongs to a retired Congressmen from America.

Hugh Grant as Reginald Cardinal
The Remains of the Day
I couldn't stop myself from watching this movie and there was no reason in doing so either. When you see a starcast like this one, you just feel like fixing your eyes on the screen from casting to credits. There's no doubt that the movie is excellent, in every field you can think of, especially acting. Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson have delivered what is expected from them - flawless performance. I felt like there were moments when Anthony Hopkins actually surpassed Emma Thompson on the screen. The settings, the locations, screenplay and every detail you could possibly find through naked eyes, have been taken care of.

I am in no position of passing my reviews on a movie like this, still, just for the sake, WATCH IT! Its one of those masterpiece you would like to spend your cash on buying BluRays and DVDs. Absolute treat!


IMDb Link - The Remains of the Day
Wikipedia Link - The Remains of the Day


Tuesday 15 November 2011

Anne of Green Gables (1985) - Reviewed

My Overall Rating - 7/10
Anne of Green Gables - 1985



Anne of Green Gables is the TV adaptation of the novel Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, a Canadian author. It is by far the most popular version of the novel out of a total of six. The movie stars Megan FollowsColleen Dewhurst and Richard Farnsworth among the rest. It has been directed by Kevin Sullivan.

Its a story of an orphan, Anne Shirley, who has been in and out of orphanages and homes several times and is yet to find a family which would treat her as their own. She finally gets adopted by two elderly people living at Green Gables and Anne finally finds what she was looking for. The story then continues showing Anne's life from there on and justifying the title Anne of Green Gables.

The story is definitely very well written and so is the screen play. Mind you, it is a two part television series, so if you decide to watch it all at once, carry a drum full of patience because it is rather lengthy, almost 3:15 hours! There are some moments where you feel that it is being dragged uselessly but at the same time you witness good performances and a totally subtle screenplay.

My advise would be to watch it! Its decent, light, well acted and well directed, something which is hard to find in the period dramas of the 80s, it doesn't look obsolete, not at all. Indulge yourself!


IMDb Link - Anne of Green Gables
Wikipedia Link - Anne of Green Gables


Monday 7 November 2011

From Time to Time (2009) - Reviewed

My Overall Rating - 7/10
Form Time to Time (2009) - Period Movie Box 

I had more than one reason to watch From Time to Time (2009), for starters, its a period movie directed by Julian Fellowes and this was good enough for me. It is based on a novel by Lucy M. Boston and the screen adaptation has been penned down by Julian Fellowes himself. The story of a young boy (Tolly) who discovers that he can travel between two worlds, the present and that of two centuries old, while staying at his family place and he finds out about his family secrets.

The second reason to watch this movie - two of my favorite actors, Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville, both of whom are prominent in period cinema.

Maggie Smith as Mrs. Olknow
From Time to Time (2009)
Maggie Smith plays Mrs. Oldknow, Tolly's grandmother and the oldest living member of the Oldknow family. As is with me, I happen to think that every movie starring Maggie Smith is so much more than satisfactory, and so was this one, she never leaves me disappointing!

Hugh Bonneville as Captain Oldknow
From Time to Time (2009)


Hugh Bonneville plays Captain Oldknow, good man who has wolves for family and staff members, except for his daughter Susan whom he loves dearly and more so because she is not blessed with eyesight. Now, Captain Oldknow is a part of the Oldknow family from two centuries back, hope you understand.


I enjoyed the movie fairly well and I think it is something different from the usual period drama movies we get to watch, it has got some imagination to it. There is this question Tolly asks in the movie, "why is it that only some us can watch the ghosts and others can't", to which Mrs. Oldknow replies that, probably because others are very involved in matters concerning themselves and they are not open to the rest of the world.

Alex Etel as Tolly
From Time to Time (2009)
The child actor, protagonist of the story, Alex Etel looks very plain at times but he's just as innocent as Tolly should be. Other actors have done heir part very well, as was expected from a premium cast.

So, I think even younger kids will be able to enjoy a period movie for a change, because all you need for time travel is a torch and an open mind!



IMDb Link - From Time to Time (2009)
Wikipedia Link - From Time to Time (2009)

Sunday 30 October 2011

Happy Birthday Winona Ryder

We wish a very Happy Birthday to Winona Ryder (b. 29th October)!

As a period drama fan, I'm sure you all must have heard of Winona Ryder and must have seen her in movies like Little Women and The Age of Innocence, etc.

Winona Ryder was born and named after the place of her birth Winona, Minnesota, USA. She first came into the limelight when her movies Heathers(1989) and Edward Scissorhands(1990) got released but she started to have a loyal fan following with the big movie, Martin Scorsese directed The Age of Innocence (1993). Although she has had quite a few ups and downs in her acting career, its good to know that she is right back on the track.

Some of her period dramas role :


  • Mina Murray in Dracula (1992)
Winona Ryder as Mina Murray in Dracula

Her first role in a period movie was in Bram Stoker's Dracula. Mina Murray is Jonathan Harker's fiance and is a strong, spiritual and intelligent woman. Though she gets victimized by Dracula, she helps Van Helsing in tracking him to his catle.

  • May Welland in The Age of Innocence (1993)
Winona Ryder as May Welland in The Age of Innocence

Winona Ryder plays May Welland, the fiance of Newland Archer (Daniel Day Lewis), who seems carefree, innocent and childlike woman but deep inside is very knowledgeable and manipulative. This role also got her an Academy Award nomination for the best supporting actress.

Winona Ryder as Jo March in Little Women

This movie was one of the seventeen adaptations of the famous book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and perhaps the latest one. She plays Jo March, second daughter of the March family and 'SON' to her father. Again, this role got her an Oscar nomination for the category of best actress in a leading role.


  • Abigail Williams in The Crucible (1996)
Winona Ryder as Abigail Williams in The Crucible

The movie is based on Arthur Millers' play The Crucible, directed by Nicholas Hytner. Abigail is devil taking human form to seek revenge and spread hatred and violence wherever she goes. She has all the possible qualities of a perfect antagonist.

We hope Miss Ryder that we will see more of you in the coming years! All the very best with your career.

Monday 24 October 2011

The Last Station (2009) - Reviewed

My Overall Rating - 7/10

The Last Station (2009)

I watched this movie a couple of days back but I wasn't sure of writing a post about it up till now. The Last Station is a movie based on the later years of Russian author Leo Tolstoy showing his interest in politics and the people of Russia. The movie stars Christopher Plummer (Leo Tolstoy), Helen Mirren (Sofya), James McAvoy (Bulgakov), Paul Giamatti (Chertkov), Kerry Condon, Anne Marie Duff and others. It has been director by Michael Hoffman, though I am not sure if I should appreciate his efforts.

The plot is based on the struggle for conquering rights for Tolstoy's work and his estate which would all be in the control of public domain, as wished by the Tolstains and they are fighting against Sofya, Tolstoy's wife, who wants the control for herself and her children. Bulgakov (McAvoy) has been appointed as Tolstoy's new secretary, experiencing both the sides of the brawl. In short, they have shown the dialogues among Tolstoy, Sofya and Chertkov, as heard by Bulgakov.

The reason I am not able to like or dislike this period drama is that I couldn't take it in, completely. At times, I thought it to be very mature and well acted and then suddenly I saw Helen Mirren running and screaming all over the screen, Helen Mirren getting naughty and Helen Mirren shouting some more and more. However, I liked James McAvoy, Christopher Plummer and Paul Giamatti, all of whom have acted very nicely. The movie's best part is the climax, well acted, well written and well directed, you actually start feeling a bit emotional.

Overall, its a good movie to watch but not a pass time, not a light movie. If you have time and patience and brains, then this should be on your watchlist!


Wikipedia Link - The Last Station

Sunday 16 October 2011

The Three Musketeers (2011) - Reviewed

My Overall Rating - 6.5/10
The Three Musketeers (2011)

I was long waiting for this one to hit the screens and I watched it today, "Soda without fizz"! The Three Musketeers was supposed to be a big movie, atleast I thought so but its disappointing.

The movie stars Mathew Macfadyen (Athos), Luke Evans (Aramis), Ray Stevenson (Porthos), Milla Jovovich (Milady de Winters), Orlando Bloom (Duke of Buckingham), Logan Lerman (D'Artagnan) and others. With a cast this impressive you think that the movie is going to be so worthy but its only-just-acceptable.

The opening shots are very impressive, the introduction to the three musketeers and Milady are shot with some style. The three musketeers have played their part well but D'Artagnan was the 'sore of eyes' for me, through out, you may even say that Logan Lerman is simply 'REPULSIVE'. An actor who is half a foot shorter than the others, gets to capture all the screen in a movie like this, well that's not fair by my standards. It looks like the three musketeers have been left behind by a mouse man.

Orlando Bloom was good to watch, something different from his regular gallant self but there's a lot of room for improvement, I think. Milla Jovovich has done what was expected from her, fight scenes and corset, truly herself. 3-D effects are being highly appreciated, but I think I would have liked it the same even in 2-D.

If you have sometime, some gap to fill in or if you are the type who would watch anything in the name of action and sword fencing, then you must go and watch this movie. In case you're looking for something refreshingly new in the old story, I think you'll be disappointed.



IMDb Link- The Three Musketeers
Wikipedia Link - The Three Musketeers

For more information on period movies stay connected to Period Movies Box.

Monday 10 October 2011

Period Movies - Handsome Heroes

I just checked this post on Most Handsome Men from Period Dramas and thought I will compile my own list.
I like them partly because of the roles they have played and partly because of their looks, of course!
Here's the original list, Most Handsome Period Drama Men and down here is my list -

1. Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Mr. Darcy - Pride and Prejudice
Mr. Darcy, I might not be your Elizabeth but my quiz result says that I am like her and I'll remain loyal to you, always.

2. Mathew Crawley from Downton Abbey
Capt. Matthew Crawley - Downton Abbey
Mathew, Lady Mary is a fool and she knows that, I wouldn't have given you up even for Kamal Pamuk!

3. John Thornton from North and South
John Thornton - North and South
Mr. Thornton, you're such a gentlemen and in the end we all realized it.

4. Edward Ferrars from Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Edward Ferrars - Sense and Sensibility
You're an eye-candy Mr. Ferrars and you shouldn't be that shy, please.

5. Jacob from Water for Elephants
Jacob - Water for Elephants
I like you when you are Edward and now I like more when you are JACOB!

6. Count Laszlo de Almasy from The English Patient
Count Laszlo de Almasy - The English Patient
I love army men and somebody as handsome as you are in the movie, I can only *sigh*

7. Robert Crawley from Downton Abbey
Earl of Grantham - Downton Abbey
Your Lordship, you are kind to your subjects and loving to your family and every bit the Earl of Grantham!

8. Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre (1996)
Mr. Rochester - Jane Eyre
I thank God for saving you from your dreadful devil wife!

9. King George from King's Speech
King George - The King's Speech
You're definitely all the royalty women need and you stammer so beautifully.

10. Theodore Lawrence from Little Women (1994)
Theodore 'Laurie' Lawrence - Little Women
Laurie, you're the sweetest and will always remain to be so!


SO, these are my favorite period drama heroes and I think I'll freeze this list now. Please do tell me about this list and your own favorites. Comments are most invited.

Saturday 8 October 2011

Vanity Fair (2004) - Reviewed

My Overall Rating - 6.5/10

Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair is the screen adaptation of the novel of the same name by William Makepeace Thackeray. The movie has been directed by Mira Nair and casts Reese Witherspoon as Becky Sharpe, Romola Garai, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Rhys Ifans, James Purefoy, Gabriel Byrne and others.

The story is about Becky Sharpe (Reese Witherspoon), a girl from humble social background and how she reaches high English society with her charm. As one of the characters says, "I thought she was a social climber, turns out she's a social mountaineer".

Mira Nair has done a decent job and I was happy to catch glimpses from India and traditional Indian music in the background but I think it has been overdone. There is something missing in the movie, I would say its not very compelling.

Romola Garai and Reese Witherspoon
 (Vanity Fair)

Reese Witherspoon looks and speaks every bit like a true English and all the actors have done well, costumes are good, the thing is I couldn't really connect. At some points it looks like it is not period drama but a poor comedy. Aunt Matilda (Eileen Atkins) was fun to watch and so Biju.



All in all, don't expect too high and you won' be disappointed, its a nice watch.

Wikipedia Link - Vanity Fair (2004) 

For more information on period movies stay connected to Period Movies Box.

Oliver Twist (2005) - Reviewed

My Overall Rating - 7/10


Another Charles Dickens story and I think the most famous of them all, for me atleast. Oliver Twist is the retelling of the classic story, movie directed by Roman Polanski, which means you can have high expectations.
Ben Kingsley as Fagin

Surprisingly, this story has been made and remade over twenty times for TV and big screens and therefore it faces much competition and critics. Oliver Twist is a very well made movie, very good casting and story telling, it actually takes you back to early 1800s. Some of the characters which stood out were Ben Kingsley as Fagin, Leanne Rowe as Nancy and Barney Clark as Oliver Twist.

Barney Clark as Oliver Twist (center)
All of us are familiar with the story, its Charles Dickens typical gloomy tale which ends well. If you don't know the story, a word of caution for you, its not about Queen or other royalties so you won't be watching palaces and garden, its a story of a poor and polite orphan, Oliver Twist. The performances and screenplay are both very good and I think you'll enjoy the movie just as I did.

IMDb Link - Oliver Twist
Wikipedia Link - Oliver Twist 

For more information on period movies stay connected to Period Movies Box.

Thursday 6 October 2011

Little Dorrit (2008) - Reviewed

My Overall Rating - 7/10


Little Dorrit - Period Movies Box

Little Dorrit is the screen adaptation of the novel Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. I just finished watching it and after those 13 episodes of suspense, the last one wasn't very rewarding as I thought it would be. The series stars Claire Foy as Amy Dorrit, Mathew Macfadyen as Arthur Clennam, Tom Courtenay, Eddie Marsan, Andy Serkis, among others.

Since I have been following Downton Abbey regularly I might tend to be partial towards it but I didn't find Little Dorrit up to the mark. I know that all Charles Dickens's stories are gloomy and full of sorrow, yet this was very dark and dirty, if I may say so. In fact, the Circumlocution Office was dingier than Hogwarts' Owlery, really.

The saving grace of the series were performances by Claire Foy, Mathew Macfadyen, Tom Courtenay and Russell Tovey. Others were simply loud and exaggerated. The episodes seem to be long and boring even when they are just 30 minutes long because the maturity is lacking in the direction of course with three or four different directors directing different episodes.

Still, if you're looking for some light headed period drama series you can watch Little Dorrit and you'll not be very disappointed.

IMDb Link - Little Dorrit
Wikipedia Link - Little Dorrit

For more information on period movies stay connected to Period Movies Box.

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Downton Abbey Season 1


This is my second post on Downton Abbey and I wish to dedicate a whole new blog to it! The very first of the seven parts of the series sets the plot just right and you're engaged. Lady Mary, the eldest child of the Crawley family cannot inherit the estate of Grantham (being female) and two of her cousins and the ones in the line of the "throne" have died with the sinking of Titanic, one of whom was her fiance. Now, the problem is that Lord Crawley cannot fight with the entail which was written down by his father, Lady Mary cannot be heir the estate and she has lost her prospect. You see, it is such a good idea to introduce the audience with the very 'problem' and the plot of the whole series in the first episode itself.

Dowager Countess of Grantham
- in her element
I tend to make fun of the things I watch, maybe because that's my critical sense but I couldn't find a thing to make fun of, in the complete season. In fact, I loved Maggie Smith's (Dowager Countess of Grantham) one liners, they were so witty and she's such a comic relief in the serious surroundings. Perhaps, as my sister suggested, there is something funny, every episode starting with us watching Labrador's tail, he (I treat animals like they were people) must be credited for that.
Pharaoh -Lord Grantham's Dog


I am all praise about this one, for me, its about perfect. I do have this one complaint, they don't telecast the show in my country so I try hard keeping up with season 2, but I manage somehow. If you wish to watch Downton Abbey Season 2 and it is not available in your country just shoot a mail to me - moveoninlife@gmail.com and I'll give you a link, I can't post it here, it won't be a good thing ;) .

Watch this show for every thing you would like to see in a period movie and be thankful to Julian Fellowes, really, no exaggeration!  

Saturday 1 October 2011

Period Movies Box : Downton Abbey Season 1 - Reviewed

Downton Abbey (2010)
My Overall Rating : 9/10

Downton Abbey - Period Movies Box
I have been longing to write for this one for almost a week now. I don't really know where to begin from but one thing is sure THIS IS THE BEST SO FAR!

Downton Abbey is like a treat to period movie lovers, you simply can't afford to watch an episode and keep the rest for he next day. I watched all seven of them the same day, can't resist! For those of you who haven't been able to watch this one, I plead, please go to your nearest video library and grab a copy, its never too late.

I think writing just one post for this epic series won't be fair, so I'll be writing several posts dedicated to Downton Abbey. I haven't quite watched something with an equal panache. The story, characters and plot, they literally chain you to the screen, so capturing. Some of the actors have done so well you won't be able to justify that this is their debut performance.

Starting with episode 1, you'll get familiar to the household and the Crawley family, everything that is going on, its so well crafted. By the end of the episode, you have your favorites, and the villains and definitely a SMILE on your face.

I think I shouldn't spoil your fun by giving out the story just in case you haven't watched it yet. In the next post I will discuss more about the Crawley family and their household.

Do tell me about this magnificent series, share your take on this. I love comments.

IMDb Link - Downton Abbey
Wikipedia Link - Downton Abbey

Thursday 22 September 2011

Period Movies Box - Wuthering Heights (2011) - Trailer

Wuthering Heights (2011) - Trailer




The new version of the famous novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, I think its the sixth or seventh screen adaptation of the book and as I have read the reviews, its getting worse. Personally, Wuthering Heights is one of my least favorites (you see I am not Bella Swan from Twilight). Still, if you're a die hard fan of the book, you'll be able to digest this movie, in case you are looking for some really nice period movie to spend a pleasant evening with AVOID this one.

Do tell me about it if you have the guts to watch it.

For more information on period movies stay connected to Period Movies Box.

Wednesday 21 September 2011

Period Movies Box - Ballet Shoes (2007) - Reviewed

Ballet Shoes (2007) - Reviewed
My Overall Rating - 6/10
Ballet Shoes - Period Movies Box

I had to choose between Bright Star and Ballet Shoes and you know by now, I chose the latter. Its TV movie directed by Sandra Goldbacher, starring Emilia Fox, Emma Watson, Yasmin Paige, Lucy Boynton and Richard Griffiths among others. The movie is the second screen adaptation of the popular novel Ballet Shoes by Noel Streetfield.

I have had not-so-pleasant experiences with the movies made for TV (since Persuasion-2007) and that is why I wasn't expecting much from this one though I was keen to watch Emma Watson play a different character than Hermione. She was fine and so were the other two actors, Yasmin Paige and Lucy Boynton. Emilia Fox has done a nice work too. The bad thing is that the movie people have tried to cash in on Emma Watson's STAR status by showing more of her than was needed. Similarly, they have tried to spice up a children's tale just to win more viewers, very gross.

It was only just fine. All the actors have played their part well but there are some really annoying flaws with the screenplay I think. I haven't read the novel and I totally understand that its not possible to capture everything that is there in the book, some changes are fine to work with as far as they end up entertaining the audiences. Just in case you haven't read the book, like me, the movie would look better to you than the ones who have read it, there are some major changes and not all of them are very good.

I don't want to spill out the story but I can't stop myself from saying that the most stupid of all the scenes was the one in which Petrova Fossil (Yasmin Paige) is seen flying plane at the end of the movie with no training at all. Now what's that, some Magic perhaps!

IMDb Link - Ballet Shoes (2007)
Wikipedia Link - Ballet Shoes (2007)

For more information on period movies stay connected to Period Movies Box.

Thursday 15 September 2011

Period Movies Box - Emma Thompson - Prominent Faces of Period Cinema

Emma Thompson
Period Movies Box - Emma Thompson

Born15 April 1959 (age 52)
Paddington, London, England, United Kingdom
OccupationActor, comedian, screenwriter
Years active1979–present
SpouseKenneth Branagh (1989–1995; divorced)
Greg Wise (2003–present; 2 children)
(Source - Wikipedia)


If you watch movies and call yourself a movie buff, I'm sure you know about Emma Thompson. She's one of the finest living actors in the world, I think so. Her presence on the screen or her name in the casting is a good enough reason for me to watch any movie. 


Not just that, she has also won Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published for Sense & Sensibility! She is one of those artists who are not bothered if they're going to look beautiful on screen, rather, they must look genuine and impressive. 


Her characters are just as true as her dedication, my favorite one is Elinor Dashwood, for sure! The list of her period movies-


If only I could continue writing, I wouldn't stop counting her merits. In short, if you get a chance to see any Emma Thompson, go for it, they offer more than entertainment!

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