But is it art?

Posted on 2/26/2012 by boj Posted in Books, Film

Costume drama

I don’t really talk about it much with people who don’t share this particular interest but I really like costume drama. While I avoid Merchant-Ivory like the plague, I will happily watch most period pieces I have the opportunity to see.

I got a bit stumped the other day when Charissa asked me what I think of Downton Abbey. My immediate reaction was to say that it is bad. I then qualified that response by admitting that I like it. This schism exists amongst my period piece following friends though few are fence sitters like me. Some think it is absolute rubbish and wonder at the nerve ITV/PBS have in producing it and others think it is the best thing on TV right now.

I have been trying to come up with a way to explain my feelings about this show, and even “worse” shows like Larkrise to Candelford which I fatefully follow. Downton Abbey has high production values. The costumes and settings are gorgeous. Acting is first rate, after all, I have never seen actors like Maggie Smith or Brendan Coyle be anything other than dazzling. The writing is good quality but not great and it is here that my criticism stems from.

In my mind, a period piece television drama is not in competition with other like dramas but with all other period pieces on television within last ten years (decade is a random delineation on my part but whatever, bear with me). This means that it competes with other shows that have the same production values but are based on classic literature. The writing of Downton Abbey can’t compete with, say, Daniel Deronda (I am just thinking of whatever show I saw last). Then there are costume dramas that are not based on classics but are nevertheless based on writing that was successful in novel form prior to being filmed such as the Hornblower or the Sharpe series. Then there are films such as The Cock and Bull Story, The Libertine and The Last Mistress which are really fantastic (in my opinion anyway).

For me, Downton Abbey is something that is enjoyable to watch if you have already seen all the great stuff and still want more or just want to see a fun and easy show to relax to. I would not recommend it to someone who does not regularly watch period pieces regardless of whether I never miss an episode or not.

Film – Sherlock Holmes

Posted on 1/14/20121/14/2012 by boj Posted in Film

I have two resolutions for this year. One is to read more and the other is to do a major house clean-up by the end of February.

Film – Anonymous

Posted on 12/30/2011 by boj Posted in Film

Chris and I believe that we could not buy blue, green or red car/van because the recession caused Honda to be extra conservative with the car colours in last two years. Chris also believes that the movies released in last few years are crummier because no one is willing to invest in riskier films. I am not sure I buy into this. Anonymous on paper is exactly what I like. I love costume drama, revisionist history and am reasonably fond of Shakespeare conspiracy theories. This movie had potential and it obviously had funding, but it did not stop it from being dull. It did have a few nice moments, I loved the scenery, particularly the Rose and the Globe. The computer generated (I assume) architecture of Elizabethan London was nice. The old Queen was interesting but the only truly redeeming aspect of the movie was the “theatre crowd”, particularly the Ben Jonson’s character. If someone on the Internet “edits” the movie to only have the sections about or around the theatres, it might be worth watching, otherwise, it is a skip.

This brings me to review of the year in film. I saw six movies in theatre this year, two of which were released in 2010. Of the 2011 films Midnight in Paris is the only one that stands out.

Goodbye Prvimir!

Posted on 11/30/201111/30/2011 by boj Posted in Baby, Bike, Film, General

The green car has been donated, we are sitting at home waiting for it to be taken away.

Owen is taking it much easier than I am, he is sitting with me fogging up the window and being amused at it.

We have been keeping busy. I go spinning twice a week and Owen goes to daycare five out of ten days. Trev gets on the bus in the morning and comes back after 4. Chris helps me out in the morning and works normal hours. House is in a not too bad shape though, as always, it could be better.

I manage to get out once in a while, though not as much as I wish. It has been a while since I went to the movies and it is probably be another while until I go again. I have taken to watching Netflix at night while I nurse Markus. I watched a movie I wanted to go see but could not find the time. It is called “Away we go” and it is very sweet.

I had this great plan to bike Owen to daycare until the snow hits, but me not being a morning person stopped me. I managed to get some biking in now and again. Before he left, my dad installed some cargo space on the front of my bike so I am trying it out.

I was sad to hear that the rest of the opera season has been canceled. Boo!

Film – Midnight in Paris

Posted on 9/12/2011 by boj Posted in Film, General

Chris and I managed to make it to a movie, isn’t that crazy??? We have not been to a movie since April, partially because we have gotten out of the habit of going on dates in the evening and partially because the selection of films available in the last little while did not appeal to us.

Fortunately for us, despite the recession in film choices, Woody Allen still puts out a movie every year. “Midnight in Paris” was tons of fun, plenty of one-liners and the best Woody Allen alter-ego impersonation I can remember.

I also managed to kick off this season of opera by going to Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci. It was great fun though a bit challenging at this stage of pregnancy.

Film – Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec

Posted on 5/10/2011 by boj Posted in Film, General

No, we did not go to the royal wedding, but we did go to a zombie one…

Curiously enough, zombies require much less security and no helicopters.

We did not get enough of Dr Whos at Southwark, so we ventured into the full Dr Who experience.

We got threatened by some Daleks, we piloted the TARDIS and we got to be 3D’d by some aliens. I kept my eyes closed for the 3D part, so I can’t tell you more.

Post Industrial Brambles

Category: Film