Keep Calm And...Watch Films From the UK!

This summer I am going on a dream trip to the UK! I am so excited and can’t wait! I will be able to scratch off certain countries and cities on my list of places around the world I want to travel to.

In honour of this upcoming trip...a list of some great films that not only take place in the UK, but are UK produced films.

Trainspotting Directed by Danny Boyle

I remember being 11 (maybe 12) and one of my older sisters sneaking me in to watch this film in theatre. I was probably way too young at the time, and I have watched it multiple times since. Sadly I still have to watch it with the subtitles on, because the Scottish accents are just so think at times and the dialogue to rapid that I don’t want to miss anything.  With a kick ass soundtrack that is still awesome to listen to.

I must also admit that I have to thank this film for its hand in turning me off drugs completely.

Director Danny Boyle has hinted recently that there are talks about a sequel in 2016. That there was always an idea to do this and it would take place 20 years after the first film and loosely inspired by the book Porno that is also the sequel to the Trainspotitng novel by Irvine Welsh. 

We shall see if it happens.

 A link to an article with more details of this possibility. This could be good or really bad.  http://collider.com/trainspotting-2-sequel-danny-boyle/

And, agreeing with the above article, one of the best opening scenes for a film...

Pirate Radio (AKA The Boat that Rocked) Directed by Richard Curtis

Speaking about kick ass soundtracks! Pirate Radio is all about the British music scene in the 1960’s. The BBC had a large amount of control and influence on  mainstream radio offered very little promotion to the rise of pop and rock ‘n’ roll music right in its prime. In response to this neglect, DJ’s and other music lovers, set up gorilla like radio stations on boats outside English boundary waters...hence “pirate radio.” 

This became extremely popular and mainstream broadcaster and government took notice and were not happy. 

It is fun look inside this part of British, pop culture and music history.

Elizabeth Directed by Shekhar Kapur

One of the greatest leaders and characters in history, Elizabeth Tudor (the last Tudor monarch and with famous parents King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn) aka Elizabeth I is shown in a realistic way unlike other portrayals of this famous Queen. We see her shaky rise to the throne and political/religious instability, to becoming known as the “Virgin Queen” and winning the love of her people. The film is filled with the lush visuals, beautiful costumes depicting the Elizabethan fashion and amazing cinematography. Played wonderfully by Cate Blanchett, I am still bitter more than ten years later that Gwyneth Paltrow won best actress over Cate and I still consider it one of the great injustices in Oscar history.

In 2007 there was a sequel of sorts with Elizabeth the Golden Age, where the focus was on an older Queen and the end of her reign.

Fish Tank Directed by Andrea Arnold

A recent trend in the UK film has been the focus on poverty/lower economic status and social issues that link to that and affect everyone.

The film is about a troubled 15 year old Mia, who lives with her mother and younger sister and the fall out within the family (and with Mia personally) that occurs after Mia meets her mother’s newest boyfriend, Conner (played by Michael Fassbender). A difficult film at times to watch but this 2009 Cannes Jury prize winner is worth it.

Sweet Sixteen Directed by Ken Loach

Continuing on the previously mentioned trend is Sweet Sixteen. I actually have to thank a friend of mine who showed me this film. The film takes place in a small Scottish town (again subtitles might be needed) and is a coming of age film about Liam who (along with his friend) come up with ways to make money that are not exactly legal. He does all  of this and buys a trailer so when his mother gets out of prison the day before his 16^th   birthday, he and his mother can live in it. As well as re-establishing a relationship with his estranged more level headed sister and her child, so they can all start fresh and forget the past.

Sadly life doesn't always go the way we want it to.

In the Name of the Father Directed by Jim Sheridan

Did you think that I would do some blog post about UK films and NOT include one with Daniel Day -Lewis in it?

In the Name of the Father is taken from the true story of Belfast born Gerry Conlon, a petty thief who is at the wrong place and the wrong time and  is falsely accused of an IRA terrorist bombing and part of the group known as the “Guildford four.” Gerry’s father (who originally sent Gerry to England to set his life straight) gets mixed up and is also accused of being a terrorist. For 15 years the two are in prison and despite the harshness of prison life stand by their innocence and the injustice done to them. Finally, a lawyer, Gareth Peirce, comes across their case and decides to reopen it. Seeing the mistakes done before and taking a new approach to set them free.

Add a soundtrack by U2 that matches the powerful performances.

It is a sad and touching story of a father and son and the horrors of a justice system gone wrong, and of the IRA and the British government. With a gritty look into the past struggles and the memories that still linger today despite delicate peace treaties.

 Hunger Directed by Steve McQueen

In more “films to make us socially aware” there is the first of three collaborations between Michael Fassbender and Steve McQueen (Shame and the upcoming Twelve Years a Slave are the other two).

Hunger, like In the Name of the Father is also based on true events.  The story of Bobby Sands-an Irish Republican activist who goes on a hunger strike in protest of the treatment of Irish inmates by the British guards and England’s refusal to recognize Bobby and other inmates as political prisoners in well known high security Maze prison in Belfast.

The film starts of focusing on two other prisoners before Bobby Sands enters the picture and is graphic in its violence and the harsh environment of the prison. It should also be noted that there is very little dialogue in the film on top of the slow pace, so try and stay with it. There is a great scene and monologue by Fassbender where is he is talking to a Priest who has come to visit him and pleads for him to stop his hunger strike.

It should also be noted that Fassbender’s physical transformation as he withers away is intense and up there with Christian Bale’s transformation for The Machinist.

Other notable films

      Rob Roy

     Ginger and Rosa

     Red Road

    Harry Potter (What? It takes place in England? And filmed in the UK)

   The Tudors (A TV series about one of the most famous kings in England and filmed in Ireland).

   Game of Thrones (I know, I’m obsessed. Westeros and the culture George R.R. Martin has created is obviously inspired by Medieval England and Europe. Also partly filmed in Ireland).

I’m sure there are plenty I have missed, so feel free to recommend some film for me to watch before my trip!  I've already added The Wind That Shakes the Barley. 

Reading List Update: AKA Books That Are or Aren't Films Yet!

I`m sorry for the lack of posts recently (for those that do read this, lol), but life and lack of ideas/imagination and inspiration have plagued me lately.

I thought I would do a bit of an update with some books that I have read recently.

·         

     The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 

     The author shows great  talent with her first novel, a bestseller and picked up shortly after its release to be adapted into a film. That is no small feat. 

I found myself engaged and wanting to read on because I was curious as to how it was going to play out and end; how the competition/game would play out between Celia and Marco and affect them and those around them. When I thought I had an idea of what was going to happen next, usually something occurred and I would have to adjust my theories in trying to figure it all out. 

The novel is full of rich details and descriptions of the circus and all the magic that is involved as well as the era, giving the reader what is needed to form the images in their mind. 

Sadly, in a way that is also the one of my minor complaints about the novel. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love the details and the descriptions, and it is important for a book like this, but I think the character development of Celia and Marco and their story slightly suffered from it. I just felt that there was just a little too much in describing the circus, the atmosphere and all the acts, all the talk about the competition/circus from the other characters, that developing the story between Celia and Marco got lost a little. I think there should have been a bit more interaction between Celia and Marco. I understand that they were destined to be together and bound before they even met, the whole love at first sight. Maybe I’m too realistic or whatever, but I would have liked more of their development and getting to know one another and the build up before they admit their feelings to one another. And as much as I liked Celia and Marco, I feel that I still don’t know them that well as individuals/characters like I have with other books. 

     This is being adapted into a film as well, and could be visually STUNNING if done right. I'm thinking something along the lines of The Prestige meets Twelfth Night.  Like the novel, the movie might slightly suffer from focusing on the visuals and not the characters, in particular Celia and Marco. 

·   The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Another book that is being adapted into a film,  naturally,  with director Josh Boone and scriptwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (500 Days of Summer, The Spectacular Now) . The story of two teens, Hazel and Augustus who both have cancer and meet a support group was not exactly what I thought it would be. It was slightly predictable at times but the writing is good and the characters believable that attempts to give a realistic look at a  illness, death and other issues through a teenager’s perspective. Not that I know what it is like to have cancer, but I did have some serious health issues at the same age as Hazel and Augustus and there was an element to them and the story that I related to. I did become invested and although by halfway I did have an idea how it would all end, I was still engrossed and entertained with the read.

No official word yet, but early rumours put Shailene Woodley and Hailee Steinfeld in competition and talks for the female lead of Hazel Lancaster. 

With the right script adaptation, casting and direction, this could be a great film. 

·   The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

    Book one: City of Bones

    Book two: City of Ashes 

    Book three: City of Glass

    Book four: City of Fallen Angels

    Book five: City of Lost Souls

    Book six: City of Heavenly Fire (coming September 2014) 

No judging, but I read this series after I got through a bunch of heavy books and really wanted something fun and light to read. Or as a good friend likes to call it: “literary junk food” that’s good for the soul. There is nothing wrong with that. Simply put, the story of Clary Fray discovering the secret world of Shadowhunters- half human half angels- who fight demons and the like.  Yes, there is a bit of a love triangle between Clary and the bad boy/but not really a bad boy Jace Wayland and her best friend Simon. Without giving much away, the tirangle is solved halfway in the series and not really the main focus. Arguably more in common with Harry Potter than Twilight.   This is a YA (young adult) series, but compared to other book in the same category, and some personal complaints about the writing and plot, it is a fairly solid and fun read overall.  Also, another friend of mine’s father did some set construction on the film adaption of the first book.  If the first film does well (it most likely will) it has the potential to be a big and successful franchise in the same league as The Huger Games and Twilight. Even with six books (with a really tight timeline) that could make it difficult to keep going.

Film Trailer!

    A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons

   Books four and five in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin

   Book one: A Game of Thrones

   Book two: A Clash of Kings

   Book three: A Storm of Swords

   Book four: A Feast for Crows

   Book five: A Dance with Dragons

   Book six: The Winds of Winter (release date TBA)

   Book seven: A Dream of Spring (release date TBA and final book) 

   This series (for those that have not read the books or watched the HBO show) is difficult to summarize and  describe.  It is more than just bunch of crazy people all fighting and killing one another for the Iron Throne of Westeros.

   I admit I am a complete geek when it comes to these books and the show. I have lost hours on the internet reading and discussing theories on how it is all going to go down in the end.

   I applaud those die-hard fans who have stuck with the series since the first novel was written about twenty years ago and have spent an average of three to five years in between novels.

   Season three starts on March 31 and will cover about 2/3 of the third novel in the series, which is mine and the majority of the fan base’s favourite, and considered to be the better written, or one of the better written books so far in the series. I also loved book one and five.   

   And for a little fun... I would never attempt to speed up a writer’s/artists creative process, but, please George..."write like the wind!". I need to know what happens to my beloved Jon Snow.  

On a more serious note: The show does have the potential to run into a serious problem with catching up or maybe even getting ahead of the books-depending how things go. HBO contracted many of the actors for six seasons (unprecedented before) to 2015/2016. That should bring it to the end of adapting book five for the show. Yet, there is no official word on when book 6 will be released, although going with George’s pattern, not to expect anything before the end of 2014.  Book 7...who knows. Many fans (myself included) don't want the show to get ahead of the books, for obvious reasons. Despite show creators and head writers David Benioff and Dan Weiss being told by George R.R. Martin  how it all goes down and to finish the show should he die before he finished the last two novels. 

A neat article with a more detailed look into this potential problem: http://winteriscoming.net/2013/03/what-if-game-of-thrones-overtakes-the-books/                              

P.S. Should the show adapt all seven books (potentially up to summer 2019) it will be the longest running live action television series in history. The Simpsons I believe have that honour for an animated series.                                                                                                                                                

Just like the story, everything is up in the air. 

  The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper

I will admit that this was one of the most difficult books I have read. Seeing how the novel was written in 1826, the language is dense and not what I am use to and difficult to understand at times.  I was also silly and ignorant when I first started the book. I thought it would be more like the film, but it was not and I was disappointed. The books is more about Duncun and his perspective rather than Hawkeye and Cora, or are more secondary characters.  Having said that, just like when I read my first Tolstoy and Hemingway  I felt a great sense of accomplishment at crossing of another literary classic off the list.

 The Road by Cormac McCarthy

This is not a light, fluff read. It is one of the most dark, depressing and  realistic books I have read. Without giving too much away, don’t expect and hopeful or satisfying end with this one. The story of a father and son, known only as "the man" and "the boy" and their harsh and intense struggle to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic America . I really don't want to say more than that about the book.  The film adaptation (that I watched after reading the book) does a good job with keeping with the spirit and story as well. 

Happy Reading!