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)