Here is something for the kids to look forward to - There is a new version of the Christmas Carol set to release in November. The trailer looks amazing, the amination is very nice and it seem quite funny. I look forward to taking the kids to see the movie. It might be noted that the voice of Mr. Scrooge is by Jim Carrey and Colin Firthplays Scrooge's nephew Fred.
I found some nice screen caps of the movie you might enjoy;
For those of you who read this blog, (firstly thank you), you may have noticed that other than commenting on movies and TV series, I do post often about Richard Armitage (you will have to see his acting skills and on screen sizzle to understand why :)
As the BBC TV series Spooks, Season 8 is close to airing on BBC, there is another interview by RA in the Daily Record
An Excerpt from the Article:
TALL, dark and handsome, Richard Armitage is a leading man in demand.
He's just about to return to TV screens as MI5 agent Lucas North in spy drama Spooks, a role he filmed as soon as he breathed his last as arch villain Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood.
He won't be around to see it, however, as he's filming in South Africa playing a soldier in new drama Strike Back.
It's a hectic filming schedule which has played havoc with his personal life.
He admits he's recently single having spent the best part of the last three years working non-stop - often out of the country.
But the 38-year-old struggled for work so much in his early years he was on the verge of giving up acting altogether and confesses nothing gives him real fear like turning down work.
He says: "I've become one of those actors who find it difficult to say no when things are offered.
"I think if I had come out of drama school and been an instant Hollywood superstar I would be taking long, leisurely holidays.
"But I always feel somehow it's going to be taken away from me so I work when I can. When you struggled with work as I did when I left drama school you make hay when the sun shines.
Apart from his acting abilities, I certainly admire his modesty - in the face of such success to remain so humble is very remarkable. It takes a great person to remember their struggles and remain grounded through the ups and downs of life's journey.
Great going RA - it is nice to see an actor who is not hung up on being a "celebrity". Hmmm, now if only your RA Army and Blogger fans can fix your dating dilemmas :)
An interesting clip I came upon on Youtube: Here is a Spooks scene being filmed (sans RA) on site, and is captured by a bystander possibly with a phone cam. It will be interesting to see how this is edited to fit in the series.
Other than great movies, I do get hooked on some TV series as well - usually the ones that air after 9:00, once the kids go to sleep. Last season I started watching season 2 of the award winning TV show on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Television) called the Border. It showcases the exploits of the Canadian Border Services Agency in solving various immigration, terrorist, and other threats. The current season (Season 3) started about 2 weeks ago and it airs on Thursday nights at 9:00pm ( yippe!! waiting for new episode tonight).
The show is faced past and action packed with lots of chemistry and romance to sizzle up the screen. In order to add more intregue, there are intelligence agents from other countries who make special appearances, including US home land security officers, and MI-6 agents. The group is lead by Major Mike Kesler (James McGowan) who has interesting mix of agents who work for him.
The Border Cast from Season 2
Canada's Lucas North :)? Graham Abbey, plays Det. Sgt. Grey Jackson
Short trailer of the show on Youtube:
To see all the current episodes of this show click here The Border on CBC
I recently came upon a movie version of Shakespearse's TheMerchant of Venice released in 2004. Perhaps it was well circulated/ viewed in 2004, but I somehow seem to have missed it.
I must admit, not being a fan of old English, I have not read too many of Shakespeare's plays, other than those mandated in English class. I was therefore a bit unsure as to how I would like a movie version of a play. I was quite pleasantly surprised. The film turned out to be a little gem indeed.
The movie has a stellar cast ensemble, including Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Finnes and newcomer (at the time) Lynn Collins.
The story (as many of you may already know) is about a young nobleman (Bassanio) , needing funding to win a girl of significant wealth (Portia), asks help from a successful merchant ( Antonio). The merchant not having the funds available on hand agrees to guarantee a loan secured by Bassanio by asking someone else. Bassanio asks for a loan from Shylock, a Jewish monylender, who dislikes Antonio but agrees to loan the amount with the condition that if Antonio is unable to pay back the loan, he is entitled to a pound of Antonio's flesh.
The rest of the story details how and if this is achieved or not. It is hard to believe that this play was written between 1596 and 1598. Even though so many, many years have passed yet some of the underlying human sentiments shown in the film remain the same today.
This movie is beautifully captured and has a rich and vibrant tone. Venice was a cultural and trade capital at the time and this is reflected in the beauty and vibrancy of it's cityscape and canal pathways.
I don't think the English version is on youtube as yet, but there is a version dubbed in Spanish available for viewing. Here is also the Merchant of Venice wikipedia link, with additional information regarding this movie.
Definitely worth viewing, however some scenes are not suitable for kids.
In the final ( for now) installment of my observations on North and South, here is an interview by Richard Armitage and Daniella Denby-Ashe.
After watching North and South for about the 20th time, and each time being amazed by the on-screen chemistry between the lead pair (Richard Armitage and Daniella Denby-Ashe), I was intrigued to know more about the thoughts of the lead pair regarding their roles and the on screen chemistry they show.
After some digging, I came upon this interview aired on BBC from a series called "Affairs of the Heart" and posted on youtube by a very talented RA Fan - HeathDances.
It is a cute interview, giving a glimpse into some of the actual happenings behind the scene. I love how they both have enjoyed filming the last scene (and plus I really don't need an excuse to listen to Richard Armitage's silky sultry voice ;)
I just finished watching Episodes I and II of Emma which is currently airing as a miniseries on BBC in UK on the site Tudorphiles. Being a miniseries, this version is different to the movie version of Emma (from the 1990's) with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam.
So for, the episodes have been very enjoyable. The characters have been well developed and have some depth and dimension. I like the lead pair (Romola Garai as Emma and Johny Lee Miller (JLM) as Mr. Knightley). It has been observed/said in other blog sites the Richard Amritage (RA) would have made a better Mr. Knightley. I am not sure about this. It is true that JLM does not look 16 years older than Emma, however I don't think RA fits the physical look of Mr. Knightley. Having said that, I will not turn up any opportunity to see RA on screen, so perhaps they should make another version with him in it!
I am posting the link to the Tudorphile site to view the Emma episodes, although registration might be required in order to view the clips. I look forward to seeing Episodes III & IV.
In continuation of the Norht and South theme ( I started this blog only after seeing the miniseries this summer, and was inspired to be creative myself), here is another segment on North and South. For those of you who have not seen it as yet, you can watch it in segments on youtubehere.
When eyes can say so much -As Mr. Thornton, Richard Armitage shows such a wide range of emotions and portrays such an expressive face, I had to do a photo collage to showcase a few of these expressive looks.
It is really great to see when an actor get into a character and "bring it to life" so well. Like Colin Firth and Mr. Darcy, I think Richard Armitage has "immortalized" this role and no other actor can play this role again, without being compared to this performance. Here are some of his expressions pulled together- the evil glare at Mr. Henry Lennox at the fair was evil - funny, the pain of "look back at me now' was real, the relief of "it was her brother" was collectively felt, the adoration in "sorry your mother could'nt join us" was so romantic, the amusement over the money proposition was sooo cute as are all the other tender moments displayed at the train station. I especially liked his smirk when his mother chides him about getting dressed to go to dinner at the renegade clergyman's house ( like a lot of you ladies, can you tell that I have watched this movie many, many times :). What were your favourite moments?
Another movie that I have recently watched and that I have really enjoyed is the 2007 version of the BBC production of Jane Austen's Persuasion.
This production received mixed reviews on many of the movie review sites, as the movie was seen to be a bit too fast paced for an Austen film. The ending in particular was not well received. I however enjoyed this version very much and thought the ending was very well done.
I think this movie may not have been a reproduction of the the script of the book, however I think it was true to the spirit of the story of love, loss, regret and redemption.
The Lead Roles
In the lead are roles are Rupert Penry-Jones as the handsome Captain Frederik Wentworth and Sally Hawkins as the steady and quiet and constant Anne Elliott. They do a great job of their roles and I felt their on-screen chemistry was palpable.
Here is trailer of the movie from BBC posted on youtube by DamnIHateYTubeTwo
Here is a longer trailer posted on youtube by Luthi3n84
To see the full movie in 10 minute parts in Youtube click here Persuasion 2007
The VIFF is ongoing from October 1 - October 16, 2009. This year for the first time, I attended a movie showing at a film festival. It was a really nice experience. Meeting some of the cast members in person - gave a very personal experience to watching the film.
The movie I saw was called Excited. It is a Canadian movie - set in Vancouver, with a Canadian director (Bruce Sweeney) and cast (Cam Cronin, Laara Sadiq). The movie is a romantic comedy, dealing with a taboo/ sensitive topic of male "performance" problems.
Overall I thought this was a cute, well directed and well acted movie, and would recommend it as worth seeing. Beware however that it has adult content and is not suitable for children (or even teens I would think.)
Please Richard, may that be a rhetorical question, cause surely you can have no doubt??
Thanks to Google Alerts - this morning I saw this new and very good interview with Richard Armitage about his life, love, and upcoming Spooks Series. A MUST read for all RA FANatics
Unfortunately the latest series of Spooks does not air in Canada (not that I know of), so I will have to wait for some kind soul to upload clips to Youtube.
On a personal note to RA
Thanks for all your good roles and great work RA. I hope that as you have bloomed late in your career and now see great success, your "sparse and frugal" love life too will blossom soon and that you shall meet your true love at last!
When I first heard of the TV mini-series North and South, I must admit I was not too interested. I had never heard to the author Elizabeth Gaskell, and a period film set in the gritty mills of northern England during the industrial period was not tempting at all. Nonetheless, being a sucker for anything romantic I embarked upon watching the mini series.
Enter the world of RA Frenzy....
This was my first introduction to the actor Richard Armitage - What an outstanding actor! His expressions, his voice, his every movement to portray the character John Thornton was really excellent (I will add more on my mild obsession on RA in more posts to come!).
The mini series was quite a delightful surprise - I would recommend anyone interested in period dramas to take the time to watch North and South. The cinematography and music is breathtaking and haunting. This warm love story set in the cold and stark setting offers a beautiful journey into another time and place.
It was orignally broadcast on BBC in 2004, and the DVD is available for purchase on any online book store such as Amazon and Chapters ( in Canada).
Here is a fan trailer from Youtube made by queenybee522.
Hello and welcome to my blog! I love watching uplifting, inspiring, thought-provoking, romantic and period films. Over the years I have discovered many wonderful movies that have really inspired me. This blog is a space to share my enjoyment of these movies and the actors and artistic crew who make these movies great.
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Blogger name -Sitara - means star - morning star, star light, bright star etc, in sanskrit. The night sky with sparkling, twinkling stars is a most delighful sight indeed.
Of Cabbages, Kings and Queens - A word play on the line "of Cabbages and Kings, from Lewis Carrolls's poem 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' from Alice in Wonderland. It is meant as a way of saying - speaking to a wide audience or speaking on a wide range of subjects.
