Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 17

Day 17 'The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler' (2009)
The true story of Irena Sendler who helped save 2500 Jewish children during World War 2. Irena, a Catholic, working as a social worker during the occupation in Poland, gets access to enter Warsaw Ghetto. She helps smuggle children out and place them with other families. Eventually Irena gets arrested and tortured but never says a word against the many people who helped her. Not a single child she helped rescue was ever caught or found by the Nazis.

I'm a sucker for Hallmark Hall of Fame movies. This is a truly moving story of bone-a-fide hero. The scenes in which the mothers had to make the ultimate sacrifice of giving up their children in order to save their lives. Heartbreaking. It's nice to see a movie about a true hero.

The love story was cute. Gorin Visnjic plays Stefan, and it's nice to know that they later married in real life. Stefan was a college friend who was Jewish and Irena bumps into him again in the Ghetto. It's sweet, he's hot, it's all good.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 16

Day 16 'Bright Star' (2009)
Bassed on the true story about the ill fated love affair between poet John Keats and Franny Brawne. Beautifully shot by Jane Campion. The costumes were beautiful, the sets were good. It's a very beautiful movie to look at. Abbie Cornish was very good and I was surprised that she wasn't nominated for an Oscar.

It's a touching love story but be it's also freaking depressing. I was so moved and involved in the story. Excellent movie. Should be shown more love. What I also found very moving was the love letters they wrote to each other. What you hear in the film was there actual letters. Very touching.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 15

Day 15 'Sarah, Plain & Tall: Winter's End' (1999)
Jacob's father reappears in his life after 30 plus years of being a no show, a dead beat. Jacob's upset, doesn't trust his father.It makes for a difficult relationship with the two. Though his father is trying to make amends for his past mistakes, especially with his son. After a serious accident were Jacob is injured and can't work the farm, his father steps up. Anna is working in town as a nurse worrying about her fiance who's fighting in World War 1. Sarah of course is the bridge that keeps her family together.

Well, it's a good movie. Is it as good as the previous two, no, but it's an okay way to end the series. Glenn Close is always good.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 14

Day 14 'Skylark' (1993)
The highly acclaimed sequel to the beloved Hallmark Hall of Fame's Sarah, Plain & Tall. Boy that was a mouth full right there. In all seriousness, I love this, just as much as the original.

Sarah, Jacob, Caleb and Anna are all back. It's been two years, (the story take place in 1912) since Sarah was, essentially, a mail order bride. The Witting's are a happy family. But there's a drought and the farm is suffering for it. The drought is effecting everyone and close friends sell farms and move away. You can't live without water now. When fire breaks out and destroys the barn and no water left, Jacob sends Sarah and the children back to Maine until rain comes. While in Maine, Sarah stays with her family and finds out she's prego. Soon it rains in Kansas and the farm is saved, ya. Jacob travels to Maine to get his family back together. Of course it ends well.

It's just as good as Sarah, Plain & Tall, if not better. See it, it's awesome. I still remember the first time I saw it. I missed out on Sarah, Plain & Tall when it first aired on TV, so I was unfamiliar with the story. Flipping threw the channels one night, I saw Glenn Close was coming on and decided to give it a chance. It was the premiere and I was hooked. I just remember sitting in my room by myself watching this charming story. It actually made me love Hallmark movies. I'm such a sucker for them.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 13

Day 13 'Sarah, Plain & Tall' (1991)
A much beloved Hallmark Hall of Fame production based on the classic children's novel by Patricia MacLachlan. Sarah Wheaton (Glenn Close) travels from Maine to Kansas after exchanging letters with a widower, Jacob Witting (Christopher Walken). Jacob has two children, Anna and Caleb, who are still morning the lose of their mother. Sarah must adjust to her new surroundings and her new family. A very compassionate and devoted person, Sarah bonds with Anna and Caleb and teaches the children it's okay to morn and move on. Sarah also works her magic on Jacob, and a love story is born.

I love this movie, in fact I've never come across anyone who doesn't. I highly recommend it. The production is top notch, the acting is excellent and it's freaking Glenn Close and Christopher Walken. I never get tired of watching, it's always enjoyable no matter how many times I see it. It's a sweet movie, it's a family movie, but it's such a great TV movie. I love it. Everyone should watch it, I'm serious. It has all the great elements of a good love story. Hey, it's a television classic now.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 12

Day 12 'The Courage to Love' (2000) (as seen on Lifetime)
The true story of Henriette Delille, a new New Orleans creole living in the 19th century. Creolos were children born from relationships between wealthy European white men and African American women. Even though there was love in most of those relationships, marriage was not allowed. Henriette was a very religious woman, she spends her days helping people, educating children and various church duties. Henriette's father, leaves her mother after years of living together to marry a white woman of his class, it has a profound impact on the family, which now has to struggle for money. Henriette defies her mother and tradition by refusing to an arranged situation, basically like an arranged marriage but not a marriage, a glorified mistress is a better way to put it. Henriette soon meets a French Doctor Gerard Gaultier, and they soon fall in love. He wants to take her to France so they can get legally married. Henriette is torn, her mother has gone mad, her sister who was in a very loving relationship has be left penniless due to the death of her partner and rejection from his wealthy family. Henriette is also conflicted by her feelings for the church. In the end she follows her heart and becomes a nun. She later becomes the founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family.

Vanessa Williams does an incredible job. It's an inspirational film and heartbreaking all at the same time. Though Henriette did truly love Gerard, she makes the hard decision to follow her heart, which she doesn't regret in the end. A great film, I saw it when it first aired on television and have seen it several times since. Well worth a watch. It's not preachy, it's just a story about a woman choosing the right path for her life and not letting others choose her life for her.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 11

Day 11 'Hidden in Silence' (1996) (as seen on Lifetime)
Based on the true life story of a Catholic teenager, Stefania Podgorska (Fusia for short) who lives in Przemysl, Poland during the second world war and hides 13 Jews in her attic, with Nazi soldiers living in her house at one point.

I remember back in 1996, when Lifetime was airing an original movie every month, back in their glory days of original TV movies. It was around March, I was watching Sisters (Lifetime was airing the repeats then) and was intrigued by the commercials for the movie. I'm a sucker for movies about the second world war. I also loved Kellie Martin. I still love her, ever since Life Goes On. A few days later I was watching a morning talk show, I don't know why I was, but Kellie Martin was a guest and she was talking about her new movie. So, had to watch now.

It's a great story, it's a true story. Fusia was a brave woman who maintained she didn't do anything special. It's a TV movie, so it doesn't have the budget a major film would but still it hits home and it looks good. The feel of despair, the atmosphere, the cloths, the anxiety, was all there. Watch it, Fusia was and is a true hero for being what everyone should be, decent human beings.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 10

Day 10 'Cold Mountain' (2003)
Let's see, Nicole Kidman is in love with Jude Law. She waits for him during the civil war. Bad stuff happens. Um, I just don't care. I really don't care.

You know what, I have no words. Wait, yes I do. I wasted my life watching this crap. I can't get that time back ever. I might be the only one in the world who feels this way, but I wanted to die while watching this film. I wanted to die simply to escape the torture my eyes and ears were enduring. I haven't recovered yet, I don't think I'll ever fully recover. I don't understand all the praise it gets. As always, to each there own. For me though, I hate it passionately.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 9

Day 9 'The Young Victoria' (2009)
Based on the early life of Queen Victoria of Great Briton. In this film, we see her lonely very strick childhood and upbringing, the death of her uncle the King, her first meeting of Prince Albert, the tough early years of her reign, the drama she has with her mother. All that good stuff that we love to watch about royals.

In all seriousness, it's a good movie. I consider it more of a romantic movie, since it largely focuses on the blossoming love between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Their love story is one for the ages, they loved each passionately and Queen Victoria mourned Prince Albert fiercely after his death. We do have that image of Queen Victoria, all dressed in black, morning always. It's a fascinating love story, and it's true, what's better than that.

The film also does cover a bit of politics of the day, a few unpopular decisions that the Queen made, her uneasy relationship with her mother, played wonderfully by Miranda Richardson. The hatred that she had for Sir John Conroy who micro managed her and her mother's life. Her criticised very close relationship to Lord Melbourne, who was Prime Minister at the time. It's beautifully shot, the costumes were fantastic. Most importantly I predicted that it would win the Oscar for best costume.

There were a few deleted scenes on DVD/Bluray. It's always interesting to see what they left out on the cutting room floor. There was the storyline about one of her mother's ladies in waiting. Lady Flora Hastings, who became ill but refused to submit to a physical examine. People thought she was pregnant by an affair with Victoria's arch nemesis Sir John Conroy. Since Victoria hated Conroy she believed it, low and behold Lady Flora dies of a tumor. All that's cut, there is even a nice scene where Victoria is asking Lady Flora for forgiveness, of course Lady Flora is on her death bed. They weren't long scenes either, wondering why they were cut. In the end, they weren't really needed. I always feel bad for actors when there stuff gets axed. Really, none of the other deleted scenes were needed either. It's not a long movie, it doesn't drag on, which is a good thing. Is it the best movie ever made, no, but it's not an awful movie. I think people will generally enjoy it. If your in the mood for a nice love story that has a happy ending, and true to boot, then this is a good watch.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 8

Day 8 'Alice in Wonderland' (2010)
A sequel to the Disney's cartoon Alice in Wonderland. Alice finds herself back in Wonderland meeting up with the Mad Hatter and friends, battling against The Red Queen and all that good stuff. Alice is very unhappy in the real world, having to decide whether or not to marry for money or to follow her dreams and take over her father's shipping business. But, she sees the White Rabbit from her dreams, was it it a dream? Alice follows the White Rabbit and, well ends up falling down the rabbit hole and in Wonderland on another adventure of a lifetime.

Directed by Tim Burton, it screams like a Tim Burton film. I like Burton so it doesn't bother one bit. I dug this film, I've read complaints but I liked it. Maybe all that complaining was about the 3D, but I saw this on DVD. It's visually amazing. the CGI is incredible, you felt like all the creatures and Wonderland were real. The costumes were unbelievably gorgeous, especially in the beginning of this film. I think Alice had like twelve costume changes. The best part, Lindsey Duncan and Geraldine James were in it. There roles were to short but it was so awesome to see them, especially since I didn't know they were in the film.

I love Helen Bonham Carter, but please Tim Burton, stop putting your wife in all your movies. It's getting old. Johnny Depp was his usual self. I was confused as to his decision to get all Scottish brogue when the Mad Hatter was getting all dark and creepy. WTF was that about?

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 7

Day 7 'The Magic of Ordinary Days' (2005) (as seen on CBS)
A charming Hallmark Hall of Fame movie starring Keri Russell and Skeet Ulrich. Based on the novel by Ann Howard Creel, it's the story of Livy Dune who finds herself pregnant and about to marry a man she doesn't know, Ray Singleton.

Set during during the second world war, Livy is a highly educated woman with big plans for her future. But Livy falls in love and ends up with a bun in the oven. Her father, a preacher, is horrified and since she isn't married, arranges a marriage to a farmer, Ray. Livy and Ray don't get along right away. He's a farmer, she's a city girl, they have nothing in common. Ray is a shy homebody and Livy's thoughts are more wordily. While Livy tries to adjust to her new life, she befriends Ray's sister Martha and two Japanese American girls who work on Ray's farm who live in an interment camp. Livy still harbours feelings for her babies father but he's nowhere to be found and ultimately not interested anymore. It's basically a story about two people getting to know each other and falling in love.

I love this movie, it's so sweet, it's a feel good movie. It might be a common story by now, been a ton of books and movies based on this plot but the script is excellent and so is the cast. It's a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, of course it's feel good. Hallmark does a really good job with the costumes, makeup, settings for their period pieces, no exception here. I never feel like I waste my time when I watch this movie. I always love it no matter how many times I see it.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 6

Day 6 'Sense and Sensibility' (BBC Miniseries) (1971)
Based on Jane Austen's novel, Sense and Sensibility is about two sisters, Elinor and Marianne. Their troubles, their heart breaks. Wait, everyone should know what this story is about and if you don't, read the book. Bonus geek moment, this production was never seen in the US but it's now available on DVD, so it's extra special, ha.

I've now seen every version of Sense and Sensibility, I believe. (My favorite is still the 1995 film version with Emma Thompson.) This production, having been made in 1971, does look dated today but by no means is it unwatchable or not entertaining. Well acted, some were a tad over dramatic (mostly the male actors), but still a very well acted/written production. One of the reasons I love watching 70's productions from the BBC is that the cast always looks like everybody else. What I mean is there are various looks. Not everyone is a size zero or a beauty (that goes for both women and men), different looks and shapes. Everything today, it's to many people looking the same. Same hair, same look, same everything.

Patricia Routledge portrayed Mrs. Jennings. (Most famous today for playing Hyacinth in Keeping Up Appearances) I have to say it's the most accurate portrayal of Mrs. Jennings on film to date. Routledge shows Jennings silliness, teasing, meddling, good nature and fierce loyalty. In past productions you got the feeling that Mrs. Jennings was a good person, but it never shows the deep friendship that developed with Elinor. Mrs. Jennings refusal to leave and staying with Elinor when Marianne was sick, all the caring and attentiveness to Marianne when she found out the truth about Willoughby. I love Patricia Routledge, she made this production for me.

Frances Cuka was an excellent Lucy Steele. She got all her arrogance and bitchiness perfectly. Joanna David was a good fit for Elinor. Overall, give it a look, it's dated but well worth a watch if you love Jane Austen.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 5

Day 5 'The Duchess (2008)
Based on the true life of Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire. She was the 'it' girl of her time. A socialite, a fashionista, a gambler, political at a time when it was frowned upon for women to do so, constantly in the press and always in debt. Seemed to me a somewhat sad life mixed in with a few good moments. (Princess Diana was a descendant of hers, which was shamelessly used in some of the trailers. The Duchess of York, Fergie, is also a relation threw Georgiana's illegitimate daughter.)

Married to the Duke, she has four children (three daughters and one son), countless miscarriages and raises the Duke's illegitimate daughter by a maid. Her best friend, Lady Elizabeth Foster, who she catches her husband having an affair with, spends the next twenty five years living, well the Duke had essentially two wives. Foster has three children from her marriage who also move in, plus bears the Duke two more illegitimate children. Georgiana has an ill fated love affair with Charles Grey, the second Earl of Grey. They have an illegitimate daughter which Georgiana is forced to give to Charles' family to raise. Georgiana visits her in secret for the rest of her life, she also gives her blessings to Elizabeth that after her death she can marry the Duke, for which she does.

I'm not much of a fan of Keira Knightley, but I happen to see most of her films. Well, she has done a lot of costume drama. I have to say that The Duchess is her best work, acting wise, to date. I think she was far more deserving of an Oscar nomination for this than Pride and Prejudice (which sucks). I was shocked when she wasn't nominated. I was floored by how good Knightley was. The cast was good, Ralph Fiennes was fantastic as the Duke. See it alone for him.

Georgiana's life, to me anyway, was sad and she suffered greatly for it in the end. Especially when she had to give up her daughter, that was heart breaking. I wanted to kill Elizabeth, that heffer. But she made up with Georgiana when she helped her with Charles and was with her threw it all with the loss of her daughter.

The costumes were fantastic and I correctly predicated that it would win for best costumes at the Oscars. (Hey I've predicated best costume correctly eleven years in a row.) Actually, this whole movie looked breath talking. The sets, makeup, it was all done with great detail and care. It's a great movie. Well written and well acted by everyone.

Doctor Who - TV Ramblings Part 3

Episode 10 'Vincent and the Doctor'
Amy and the Doctor travel back in time to meet Vincent Van Gogh when the Doctor notices a strange creature in one of his paintings. Once the meet the the very trouble Van Gogh, they discover that he is the only one to see a monster that is terrifying not only Van Gogh but also the town. Van Gogh has deep perception or what not, makes him able to see the creature while others don't. Get it, he's gifted in more ways then just his painting.

There was this touching seen were the Doctor and Amy take Van Gogh to the future to see his paintings and the fame he garnered. In his life Van Gogh was criticised for his paintings and only ever sold one. But I could care less about this episode. The acting was good, it was funny to see the Doctor ruining around with a giant mirror to see the monster. You have Bill Nighy as a guest star and you use in him in two scenes. Seriously.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 4

Day 4 'Wallis & Edward' (as seen on ITV/BBCAmerica) (2005)
In this TV movie, Joely Richardson plays Wallis Simpson and Stephen Campbell Moore as Prince of Wales then later King of England Edward VIII. It's about this most famous love story of a man who gave up being king to marry his one true love. The film is entirely threw Wallis' point of view.Prince Edward first meets up with American Wallis Simpson while she's married to her second husband, Ernest Simpson. It all soon leads to an affair and Wallis' enviable but amicable divorce from hubby number two. Their affair is widely known and gossiped about in the papers, but the Prince is a playboy, nobody takes this affair seriously. Most think it's a passing fad. Once the King dies and Edward inherits the throne, that's when everyone demands a stop to it. Especially when Edward wants to marry a twice divorced middle class American woman. Everyone is against it, they say no to the marriage but advise him to keep her on the side as his mistress if that will keep him happy. Edward follows his heart and advocates the throne. In doing so he alienates his friends, his family and stuns a nation.I love this film. It's just a sweet romantic film. It looks beautiful, the costumes, the sets, the whole atmosphere. It's entirely focused on Wallis and her struggle with this relationship, the pros and cons. Now, they really don't get to political with this film or into other scandals like the whole Nazi stuff. It's mainly just a romance film. Richardson does a fantastic job. The scene, all done while on a phone, where she begs Edward to not advocate for her, to not give up his birthright was heart breaking. So was the scene were we see Wallis listening to Edward's speech when he announces to the world his was advocating the throne. Nobody can cry like Joely Richardson. There sad wedding were no one came, just the two of them. Yet hopeful because they did love each other. It's a Sweet movie, it's a love story. I mean who would advocate the throne fr a woman? It really happened, it tugs at those true romantic hippies out there.

The performances, excellent. Richardson is heartbreaking at times. Give it a rent. It's a sweet romance picture, that's all. It's not to long, it's not to short. I think it might be the first time that this story has been told threw Wallis' point of view. It stands on it's own merit.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 3

Day 3 'Miss Marie Lloyd - Queen of the Music Hall' (As seen on the BBC) (2007)
I own this movie, on region 2 dvd. To my knowledge it's not available here on dvd in the US. I'm pretty sure it's never aired in the US either but not 100% on that. So, that's out of the way.

This TV movie is about the life of Marie Lloyd, a famous singer who lived during the early 20th century. Back before TV or film there were concert halls, live entertainment. Of course concert halls still existed after movies came out. For the most part people got there entertainment threw these halls were you could see comedy skits, musical numbers, dancing, even raunchy stuff like strip teases. Well, Marie Lloyd became pretty famous by singing songs about everyday life, even raunchy songs. Well, raunchy for the times. Lloyd was constantly in tabloids for her love affairs, what she did out in her public life. Lloyd came from a not so great childhood upbringing to get her start on the stage at 18. She worked incredibly hard and soon became the talk of the town. Threw out her entire career she had people protesting her due to her more racy songs, her appearance on stage, whatever they could complain about. Her songs were popular on the radio. She had some unsuccessful marriages and unfortunately later on in her life she became an alcoholic. She had a daughter but wasn't the best of mothers. Her funeral was attended by thousands of people to pay tribute to a woman who was generally loved. Lloyd was a slave to her work, to her fans and thrived on their attention and devotion to her.

Jessie Wallace stars as Marie Lloyd. She does a pretty good job. I don't think I have ever seen her in anything before. What I really liked about this film was that it was a musical. You got to hear Lloyd's songs and her bits acted out. I enjoyed it for that. Plus Richard Armitage (Thorton from North & South) played one of her husbands. It's always a bonus when he's in something. Though that marriage headed south with his cheating and gambling away her money. Amanda Root is played a religious woman at the heart of trying to get people to boycott Lloyd's shows and music.

The film is completely filmed on a sound stage. You can always tell it's a set. I think that was the point, I could be reading way to much into it. Since Marie Lloyd lived her life mainly on the stage, this film really felt and looked like it was on a stage for every aspect of her life. The musical numbers were fantastic. The cast was great, and the costumes were top notch. This is a BBC production after all, their costumes are always top notch.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 2

Day 2 'Sherlock Holmes' (2009)
I love Holmes and Watson so I'm game to watch any films/TV that include them. Of course I've read the books to. What self respecting person has not. Have I gone to far,? Okay maybe not everyone has read Arthur Conan Doyle but if you've never heard about Sherlock Holmes your living under a rock or lead a very sheltered life.

I really enjoyed the film. I feel bad for missing out on it at the theaters. For me, I think what makes it fun is that Robert Downey Jr just looked like he was having a blast. I love Rachel McAdams, she was pretty decent. I mean her role could of been written better but that didn't make me like the film any less. Who doesn't love Mark Strong, great villain. The legendary Geraldine James graced the film, wish it was a bigger role. I love her. Jude Law was, well Jude Law.

What I really loved about this particular Holmes film was that Holmes wasn't so stuffy and that their was a decent amount of humor and action. I now they wanted to take Sherlock Holmes in a different direction and I think they were successful. I mean was this film perfect, no, there were a few problems but it doesn't take away from it. It's just a fun ride. Were not finding cures for diseases or helping to achieve world peace threw this film. Take it down a notch and enjoy it for what it is, fun. The mystery was interesting. I have heard a bit of complaining about it but Holmes has dealt with potentially super natural theories before. It's not out of the blue. The costume and set pieces were nice. Not excellent but the ladies looked pretty good in what they were wearing. I also loved the coloring the film had.

Jeez, baby crying. Gotta go.

Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon Day 1

Day 1 'Public Enemies' (2009)
So on August 1, I started my costume drama/period piece daily watch for a month. So here I go.
I watched Public Enemies in theaters and walked away loving it. It had everything I needed to make me love this gangster flick. I don't know if I would consider this a true gangster flick though. Basically it's based on the life of bank robber and America's first public enemy John Dillinger. Not really that great of a life if you take out the notoriety that has piled on threw the years. Years spent in jail, jail breaks, robbing banks, shoot outs, getting shot, running from the cops, women, all the good stuff. It all comes to a end when he's finally brought down by the FBI. Of course that's what kinda makes him a legend today. That and what he got away with, a crook legend. A great movie life but in reality, I just don't see the appeal. But times were hard back then, with the depression and the dust bowl, certain people were drawn to that outlaw life style. The public supported Dillinger to an extent, I mean he was robbing banks and banks were not friends to the average person. Kinda still the same today.

Johnny Depp plays Dillinger. I have to say it was a great match. Depp can get us to feel bad for Dillinger at one moment and then not feel bad for him. He played Dillinger's venerability well when he was around his girl Billie and showing his loyalty and ruthless side with his friends and crew.Christian Bale plays FBI agent Melvin Purvis. He's heading the task force after Dillinger and the rest of the so called public enemies. Batman's pretty good in this. Plus, did I already mention he's hot. Once or twice already? Okay then. Loved that accent. Seriously, Bale was great. He played reserve so well, you could clearly read in his facial expression and eyes what the character was feeling, thinking when stuff went right and when stuff went way wrong, on the methods the FBI were using.

What really got me was how many recognizable faces were in blink and you miss it roles. There was Carey Mulliagn (Sally Sparrow from the best ever Doctor Who episode, Weeping Angels. Oh ya, she was nominated for an oscar for the fantastic An Education.) as a prostitute. I swear she was on for a full minute before you never saw her again. Emilie de Raven (Claire, Lost) had at least three minutes. Channing Tatum had at least three too. I kept recognising faces and yelling out there tv character or movie names. Like David Wenham, kept calling him Faramir. Same thing with Branka Katic who played Anna Sage, who ultimately informed the FBI were Dillinger was the night they caught him. I was like, oh that's Ana from Big Love. I was also surprised when I saw Leelee Sobieski as Polly Hamilton, one of Dillinger's girlfriends. At that point I never saw in her in any form of adverting or pictures. Her part wasn't that big but I kinda liked that I didn't know she was in it.

I loved all the gun fights. The action was pretty good, real good. It is after all a Michael Mann film. He does his gun fights well. I love when stuff blows up in movies. Some of that stuff was just awesome to watch.
What I didn't like was Marion Cotillard as Billie. I just couldn't take her seriously. When she called one of the FBI agents a flatfoot during one of her defying scenes, I laughed out loud. Maybe it's my dislike the actress but I could of lived with someone else playing the part. I also wished it wasn't filmed in digital and instead with film. It would of looked even more gorgeous. The sets, costumes, were all excellent but the digital seemed to distort the picture at times. Though it's not a bad looking film in the least bit.

I got tell people to rent the bluray or dvd simply to hear the director, Michael Mann's commentary. It's full of some good stuff. Mann knows his history, he was very knowledgeable on Dillinger and the era. It was fascinating listening to the commentary simply because Mann made it entertaining, at least for me. I totally geeked out over it. Give it a listen. I enjoyed it as much as the movie.

TV Ramblings: Poirot

Agatha Christie's 'Third Girl'
Hercule Poirot is back taken names and kicking ass. Well, kicking ass in his own way.
When Norma Restarick comes knocking on Poirot's door claiming that he might be the only one to save because she thinks she committed murder. She then promptly runs away before Poirot can get some answers. Low and behold, Norma's childhood nanny is found dead, possible suicide. Norma is tormented by her mother's own suicide when she was just a child and is convinced she committed this murder. Poirot along with Ariadne Oliver, who's back for another adventure, make sense out of this whole mess before Norma ends up dead herself.

So, this was a decent film. Zoe Wanamaker is back as the crime novelist Ariadne Oliver, she's always good. Jemima Rooper plays the ever tortured Norma and she's well, she's a pass on the acting front. I was distracted by everyone's way to heavy caked on makeup. Holy smokes, those painted girls could give babies nightmares. I'm not totally in love with this production, need to watch it again. But as always, good costumes, great sets. There were kinda off on some of the actors and way off on the makeup, which is a surprise for a Christie adaption, usually top notch. I loved that we got to see Poirot's apartment again. It was a treat.


Agatha Christie's 'Appointment With Death'
Poirot is in Syria on an archaeologist dig with Lord Greville Boyton, his nasty wife and her kids. A travel writer, some doctors, a nun, a nanny, a whole bunch of crazy people, per usual. Nasty, and I mean nasty Lady Boyton gets killed, found stabbed to death while taking in some sun. Poirot leaps onto the case, sensing something right away and using those sleuthing skills to solve this murder of a most hated woman. Suspects galore.

Definitely a good film to end the the Poirot season this year. They filmed on location so everything looked beautiful, the sets, costumes, makeup, hair. Just really a top notch production all the way around. A good cast, but some of those American accents were brutal. Still, a lavish production, a good story and just a great watch.

The best part was that John Hannah played Dr. Gerard. Love him, he was great. I also like Christina Cole, she played Dr. Sarah. I loved her since 'He Knew He Was Right'. Tim Curry who played Lord Boyton was Tim Curry per usual. Elizabeth McGovern also stared as Celia Westholme. I've been a fan of hers since I saw 'She's Having a Baby'. She's been appearing in allot of British productions of late, it's always nice to see her on my screen. The cast was pretty good, near perfect.

I loved that in these three films, they touched a bit on faith. It didn't bother me in the least, Poirot could of been any faith and I could of cared less. It was just something different to show in these ongoing films. 'Murder on the Orient Express' had Poirot praying and we found out he was Catholic, the 'Third Girl' had a cross hanging on Poirot's wall in his apartment and in 'Appointment With Death', Poirot gifts a rosary to a much needed soul. I'm amazed that all three films kept that up, showing a bit more about Poirot by showing us a softer side, maybe, threw his faith.

The Chronicles of a Costume Drama Whore

I've decided to make myself happy. Yep, I'm going to please myself (minds out of the gutter) by watching a period piece film/costume drama every night this month. Then I'm going to bitch and moan or gush my love in my own personal I don't make any sense way. Starting tonight, Public Enemies. Why Public Enemies, because Christian Bale is hot. So begins The Chronicles of a Costume Drama Whore. Or better yet, Costume Drama Whore-A-Thon.

Doctor Who - TV Ramblings Part 2

Episode 7 'Amy's Choice'
It's been a few years since Amy has traveled with the Doctor. She's married Rory and Amy's pregos. There settled in a nice village, when they hear the Tardis, happy and surprised to see the Doctor who's come for a visit. But not all is what it seems to be, this seems to be a different world, at the same time the Doctor, Amy and Rory are trapped in a broken Tardis heading for destruction. Which world is real, which world is a dream? Amy must decide what is real and what isn't.

Well, despite this being titled Amy's Choice and my dislike for all things Amy, I dug the episode. It was well acted and written. I love Rory so it's great to see him traveling with the Doctor. First thing I noticed was Amy finally wears a pair of pants. So, apparently she does own a pair or two. I like Amy much better when Rory is around, her shrill factor seems to go down a notch. I also loved the creep factor going on between both worlds. I have to say, the old villagers chasing Amy, the Doctor and Rory around with their walkers was pretty funny. I felt so wrong laughing at that. You don't laugh at old people. Guest star Toby Jones was major creepy. Jones plays creepy pretty well.

Overall this episode was pretty good, not perfect but not a bad way to spend your tv watching hour. I did feel a bit let down by the ending, the resolution. I don't want to give away to many spoilers but I felt it was all this build up for that.


Episode 8 'The Hungry Earth'
The gang travels to the near distant future, a small village town were the first greeting the get are future Amy and Rory waving to them from a distance. But not all is what it seems. Of course it isn't, this is Doctor Who after all. So the Doctor discoverers drilling and he and Amy go investigating. Rory stays behind putting Amy's engagement ring away, so she won't lose it when he comes across a mother and her son asking him to find out about empty graves and missing bodies. At the drill site, trouble, a worker has gone missing and Amy gets sucked into the earth. The Silurians are back with a 21 century makeover.

Well, not sure what to make of this episode. I loved/hated it. The Silurians are back and I believe that last time we saw them was in 1970 with the third incarnation of the Doctor. I love Jon Pertwee's Doctor. Awesome part of this episode was that Amy was off the screen for most of it. I think the best parts were the interaction the Doctor and the town folks who were trapped had with the Silurian they had captured. I knew things were gonna get ugly when the Doctor had to tell the mom to put away her weapons. I have no words left. I suck.


Episode 9 'Cold Blood'
The concluding episode to the previous episode 'The Hungry Earth'. The Doctor must negotiate peace between the humans and the Silurians to avoid an all out war. But things go way wrong when some crazed woman takes matters into her own hands and kills the Silurian they have hostage that the Doctor was planing on exchanging for Amy and two other people being held captive. To show that they meant peace, they weren't in this to harm them. Damn that crazed poorly written/acted woman.

Ah, this episode is a mess. What was up with the out of nowhere narration. It was distracting. The first part of this story had no narration. It was just stupid. My heart broke for Rory, he went bye bye. This is the second time Rory's died. First in 'Amy's Choice' and now here. But I'm sure he'll be back. It was so heartbreaking to see Amy forget all about Rory because he was sucked into those damn cracks in the wall. When the Doctor and Amy saw future Amy waving goodbye to them, the Doctor's face was layered with guilt. Matt Smith is best at playing it serious, not as a crazed person ruining around mumbling. Though it was pretty cool when the Flock of Seagulls Doctor put his hand in the crack and found a piece of the Tardis destroyed. That's about all that was good. Seriously.