The Magic of Ordinary Days (film)

I watched this film recently as it is now available on you tube.  I thought it was a lovely story of love and redemption.  Certainly a different kind of story, which was set in the countryside of America in earlier times of 1944 during the war years.   Clothing, costumes and settings were quite spectacular and also the way of life of the farming community in those times which were not quite so distant from the present days.

The film also gave an insight into attitudes and values of the times.

 An enjoyable film to watch.

Daniel Deronda (film)

I enjoyed watching this fascinating film of Daniel Deronda.  A fascinating drama and also a social commentary of the times as this film also portrays the plight of the Jewish people in nineteenth century England and their struggle for acceptance and a place of their own in a promised land.  I actually found the film compelling viewing. 

I loved the costumes, the drama, the beauty of the settings and the artistry of the characters.  The singing and music.  It was wonderful.

 A wonderful script and character portrayal depicted in an era of charm and high society living.
A well recommended film!

Beautiful singing in the film in this you tube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr4dgdzWYao

Best wishes from Sandra

Casanova (film)

Casanova is a wonderful film set in Venice which I enjoyed watching.  The backdrops of scenery were
spellbinding and the baroque music was lovely.  The time was 1753, in Vencie, an exotic time, with the fashions, clothing. music and Carnivale.

The costumes which the characters wore were magnificent and the story amazing.

I would describe this film as romantic comedy and also quite entralling to watch.
I loved every minute of this film.

It is the story of the love between Francesca and Casanova.  The artistry, the beauty of the scenes and the humorous
adventures in the film made this film very enjoyable.

Casanova flalls in love with Francesca who is quite unlike any woman he has come across previously.  Casanova plays his role under many disguises and it is this aspect of the film which is quite humorous
and the misconceptions of the people he comes into contact with.

A doge, an inquisitorial bishop, Francesca's mother and brother, Francesca's fiance and the wonderful
scenery made this film very special.

The film stars Heath Ledger as Casanova and Sienna Miller as Francesca.  A must-see film for enjoyment
and light entertainment.  Even though the film seems humorous in many respects the film also represents
many truths and a wisdom of life.  It is a wonderful story.

Well recommended!

Best wishes

My best wishes Sandra

Les Miserables (film)

I enjoyed watching the musical version in film of Les Miserables.  I thought it was a wonderful film
set in France about thirty or forty years after the revolution.

It is a compelling story of a zealous officer of the law determined to chase an ex-prisoner who had already served his sentence over the years.

A wonderful cast starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe and the beautiful songs make for an exceptional tale.  It is a tale of beauty and love, the story of the young people who put up the barricaades in Paris in the 1830's and it is also a story of hope and wonder.

This film is well recommended.

A couple of songs from the film:

Do you hear the people sing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTLwzuQuRsw

I dreamed a dream: Anne Hathaway as Fantine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsS1MS3EqyM

lovely songs!

I may watch this film again!

best wishes from Sandra

Miss Austen Regrets: a film

This is a wonderful film from the BBC of the novelist Jane Austen,

writer of romantic novels Pride and Prejudice, Sense and

Sensibility, Mansfield Park and Emma.

Jane was widely admired for her novels which were read in Paris

and enjoyed by royalty and yet her own story may not

have been quite so romantic as her heroines.

I enjoyed watching this movie. It is so different!

Jane lives in fairly straitened circumstances with her mother and sister

in a cottage on her impoverished brother's estate who is a widower

responsible for eleven children.

Jane wonders about her life and how it may have been different had she married

at an earlier stage of her life when she received a marriage proposal.

The film reflects a society with its different codes of

conduct and character of early nineteenth century tempered by its beautiful horses and carriages,

music and dancing, elegance and manners.

The beliefs of the times when people thought differently

about marriage make for compelling viewing.

It is an unusual film with wonderful settings of beautiful landscapes and authentic styles of clothing which reflected the times.

Strong emotions, quirks and foibles of the characters and an engaging story line enhance

the picturesque quality of this film. Jane Austen was a strong and witty character herself

like her romantic heroine in Pride and Prejudice.

Full credit to the makers of this movie! It is quite a masterpiece.