Pride & Prestige

No, you didn't read incorrectly. Jesse and I just returned from viewing 'The Prestige' - the newly-released flick starring Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson, random star, random star, etc etc etc.

Well, this is one of those films for which I really don't want to give anything away, so I shall say nothing other than what a couple of nutters...


See for yourself. And whatever you do...

Watch... Very... Closely...

Top Vintage

Hubby and I recently checked out 'A Good Year' - a charming new flick featuring the not-so-enigmatic Mr Russell Crowe and the hip new thing, Ms Abbie Cornish. Although I wouldn't rate it as an earth-shattering piece of drama, it was interesting to see two Aussies play the lead British and American roles and, if nothing else, it certainly satisfied your quintessential all's-right-with-the-world tale of romance, wine-making and the important things in life.

But the best bit? Well, that would have to be the fact that this sweet little yarn was neatly wrapped up in the gorgeous wiles of Provence.

After our short stay in Paris last year, Jesse and I felt compelled to add France as a close second to Ireland in our shortlist of favoured foreign states. But so inspired were we by our recent rendezvous at the cinema that Jesse actually checked out the French working visa system today. (No exclamations of surprise for finding out that there is basically no such thing).

Truly, despite being unable to eat the staple diet of cheese and bread, seriously failing to speak French, and having adopted a zero tolerance attitude towards arrogance, we still cherish the dream of living in the nether regions of France one day.

One day...

Videomania!

I am proud to announce that, in an unprecedented burst of laziness, we hired not one, not two, not even one more than two... but FOUR DVDs over the weekend! The hitlist stood as follows:

• Wallace & Gromit : Curse of the Were-Rabbit
• Pride & Prejudice
• Howl's Moving Castle
• 2064

Now I'm not one to foist my views upon others (everyone nod), and I have to admit that we didn't actually get around to seeing 2064, but I must say that this was actually quite a fine collection of flicks.

Kicking-off, Curse of the Were-Rabbit was yet another entertaining romp with Wallace and Gromit. Lots of ridiculous people and events, and even more amusing than I remember W & G being previously. So if you're into play-dough, rabbits, or both (like me), this film could be just the right way to gloss over a Friday night.

Next off the mark was P & P - the latest remake of this classic tale. Upfront, I must admit that I don't really have a soft spot for Keira Knightley (I can't even say her name in my head without putting on an outrageously snooty accent), so the odds were stacked against this film. However, in usual period drama style a la 'Emma' and 'Sense & Sensibility', I soon found myself wound up in the many comings and goings of this tale. A warning from Jesse though: The beginning is a bit hard-going what with too many young girls squealing and gibbering on, but if you focus and repeat if necessary, you should pull through fine.

Last, and my personal favourite, was Howl's Moving Castle. What a wicked animated film! Once again, I am embarrassed that I haven't delved into this genre earlier... but I'm now happily converted. Although a bit on the long side, this story had a lot of surprising humour, an imaginative premise and lots and lots of sparkly magical stuff! SOLD!!

Aaanyway, that's my wrap-up of events. It's not David & Margaret, but what is? If anyone has any other recent film recommendations, please feel free to comment. And if anyone wants to disagree with the views expressed in this post, please feel free to sod off. Thank you.