I just finished watching the new PBS version of Emma. I have to say that although it is by far my favorite adaptation of the book (Clueless doesn't count, right?), I was a little disappointed in the ending. It was not the ending of the story itself that irked, I am a die hard Austen fan after all, but the way it was portrayed in the mini series. PBS put together a beautiful four hour mini series which took the time to explore the characters and major plot of the book but also included lesser known snippets that added a charm to the production. However, of that four hours less than ten minutes was dedicated to resolution and the inevitable Austenian conclusion-almost as if the producers were apologetic for exposing us to something as trite as a happy ending. The last ten minutes, instead of maintaining the cohesive flow of the story like the rest of the script, were a series of snapshots of the resolution. It felt more like a photography session at Sears than the end of a movie.
I enjoyed the mini series, I just wish that after having invested the time and interest in the characters and concern for their well-being, that the PBS crew had allowed us time to enjoy the resolution instead of hastily pushing us out the door. If you are looking for a good adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma, by all means watch this. But if you want a real ending, read the book.
Showing posts with label movie review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movie review. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
movies and books
John and I signed up for Netflix a few months so I have been furiously catching up on all of the movies I wanted to see but never got the chance. Below are my reviews of a few- in case you are interested.
Julie and Julia: I inexplicably LOVED this movie! I laughed my head off at the entire pretext and Julie's freak-outs in the kitchen. I loved the characters and the pretext and pretty much everything about it.
John's comment: The very few funny places were not worth the time it took to watch the entire movie. I think, secretly, he liked it, too! Ok, not really.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Although I wasn't majorly impressed with the character development (aside from maybe the mother and the main little boy), the movie was a thought provoking glimpse of how regular German families/families of soldiers reacted to the atrocities of WWII. Actually, the indoctrination process of antisemitism reminded me a little of "The Book Thief" (a good read!). However, the ending made me physically ill. I would not recommend this movie to anyone with kids or a tender heart or feelings in general.
John's comment: It was not as good as some of the other WWII movies we have seen (ie: A Beautiful Life), but not bad.
Terminator Salvation: This is probably my favorite of the Terminator movies. The only reason I say that is that we really enjoyed the Terminator: Sarah Conner Chronicles tv series and since this movie was all John Conner all the time (plus, Christian Bale to boot!) I felt some sort of connection to the characters. I was also not nearly as terrified as I thought I would be. Can we say desensitized?
John: It was okay.
(FYI: John's comment "It was okay" could mean anything from so so to loved it, just so you know.)
As for some good books:
Our book club just read The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Anyone with boys should read this book and then read it to their boys. It is so much fun! (appropriate for kids maybe 8+)
I also just reread Catching Fire which is book two of The Hunger Games series. Oh. My. Goodness. Read this! I have a copy if anyone wants to borrow it. (YA Lit)
I also just finished The Mislaid Magician which is book three of the Sorcery and Cecilia series. These are fun books written as letters of correspondence. There are two authors for these books and they don't discuss the plot ahead of time so they never quite know where the story is headed. (YA Lit)
Speaking of books written as letters of correspondence, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a great read! (adult historical fiction)
And my last recommendation is a book I have not yet read but it is sitting on my to-read shelf. It is Heir to Sevenwaters, book four (I think) continuing on the Daughter of the Forest series by Juliet Marillier. She is an incredible writer. Her stories are beautifully told and the characters are riviting and thoroughly enjoyable. (adult fiction/fantasy)
Julie and Julia: I inexplicably LOVED this movie! I laughed my head off at the entire pretext and Julie's freak-outs in the kitchen. I loved the characters and the pretext and pretty much everything about it.
John's comment: The very few funny places were not worth the time it took to watch the entire movie. I think, secretly, he liked it, too! Ok, not really.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Although I wasn't majorly impressed with the character development (aside from maybe the mother and the main little boy), the movie was a thought provoking glimpse of how regular German families/families of soldiers reacted to the atrocities of WWII. Actually, the indoctrination process of antisemitism reminded me a little of "The Book Thief" (a good read!). However, the ending made me physically ill. I would not recommend this movie to anyone with kids or a tender heart or feelings in general.
John's comment: It was not as good as some of the other WWII movies we have seen (ie: A Beautiful Life), but not bad.
Terminator Salvation: This is probably my favorite of the Terminator movies. The only reason I say that is that we really enjoyed the Terminator: Sarah Conner Chronicles tv series and since this movie was all John Conner all the time (plus, Christian Bale to boot!) I felt some sort of connection to the characters. I was also not nearly as terrified as I thought I would be. Can we say desensitized?
John: It was okay.
(FYI: John's comment "It was okay" could mean anything from so so to loved it, just so you know.)
As for some good books:
Our book club just read The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Anyone with boys should read this book and then read it to their boys. It is so much fun! (appropriate for kids maybe 8+)
I also just reread Catching Fire which is book two of The Hunger Games series. Oh. My. Goodness. Read this! I have a copy if anyone wants to borrow it. (YA Lit)
I also just finished The Mislaid Magician which is book three of the Sorcery and Cecilia series. These are fun books written as letters of correspondence. There are two authors for these books and they don't discuss the plot ahead of time so they never quite know where the story is headed. (YA Lit)
Speaking of books written as letters of correspondence, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a great read! (adult historical fiction)
And my last recommendation is a book I have not yet read but it is sitting on my to-read shelf. It is Heir to Sevenwaters, book four (I think) continuing on the Daughter of the Forest series by Juliet Marillier. She is an incredible writer. Her stories are beautifully told and the characters are riviting and thoroughly enjoyable. (adult fiction/fantasy)
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