Oscars 2011: King Firth, politics and playing it safe

As expected, Colin Firth was awarded the Best Actor Oscar for his commendable portrayal of King George in The King's Speech. The movie itself won Best Picture, despite competition from such films as Black Swan, Inception and The Social Network (which had been hotly tipped to pip them to the post).

Natalie Portman lived up to expectation by winning Best Actress. For the best supporting statuettes the lucky ones were Christian Bale and Melissa Leo. No real surprises there, eh?

The Oscars is at times more politics than common sense. Inception, one of the most innovative films in recent cinema history, was probably released too soon to be a serious contender. Black Swan and The King's Speech by comparison were released months later. Perfect for Oscar season. It gave them more time to build a proper hype and as the Oscars rarely take a chance (and let's face it, Inception and Black Swan are too unusual and original to appeal to the old-fashioned Oscar voters), The King's Speech was the obvious choice.

It ticked many of their popular boxes. Historical drama. Check. Biography. Check. Royalty. Check. Physical obstacle. Check. Best Actor starring in the film. Check.

It has become a bit of a tradition to have an overall favourite - a film they award the most Oscars. They never have a tie. That'd be like saying: ''We don't know which movie was the best this year.'' And we can't have that, can we?

But I'm not complaining. I much preferred The King's Speech to The Social Network. Upon watching a few interviews with its star, Jesse Eisenberg and the man on which his performance was based, I came to the conclusion that he did not portray Mark Zuckerberg. No, not at all. I saw not one similarity in their speech patterns or mannerisms. Jesse Eisenberg played a more clever, highly-quotable version of himself. And considering his performance was the most appealing thing about the whole movie, I'm glad it did not win Best Picture.

That being said, I wish the Academy would've surprised us by naming Inception best picture. It would've been most deserving but that has never been at the top of their list.

Fairy Tale Updates

Ewan McGregor is in talks for magic beans adventure ''Jack the Giant Killer''. The dashing Scotsman is set to play the leader of the king's giant fighters. Sounds like a sword-wielder! More info is also available on the rest of the cast. Nicholas Hoult plays the title role while Stanley Tucci is rumoured to portray the king's shady advisor and Bill Nighy and John Kassir will take on the two-headed giant - one head each. Interesting!

I previously mentioned Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters and some more information regarding this adaptation has been released. The story takes place fifteen years after the siblings escape from the gingerbread house. Their adventures there has turned them into full-blown witch hunters. Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Renner were already confirmed as the two siblings and now Ingrid Bolsso Berdal was added to the list as one of the witches. Famke Janssen gets to call herself Queen Witch and Peter Stormare will star as the town sheriff. This has certainly got potential.

Meanwhile, teens rejoice in the prospect of getting Beastly, an adaptation of Beauty and the Beast starring Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical fame and Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four). Mary-Kate Olson gets to practise her best witch impression and I have a feeling this could still turn our pretty interesting. They sure went for an interesting look for Brit actor Pettyfer, who looks strangely tattooed in the flick. Also curious to see Neil Patrick Harris as Will. See the trailer below. Beware: Teenage sappiness ahead.

Strawberry Brunches

I can feel it in the air - like a whispered promise. Spring is coming. The birds told me so. As I skip to work at ungodly hours, their music accompanies and soothes me. How can I not be merry when the world around me is waking up from a long, cold slumber? I, too, am awakened once more. 

Today in particular was a very fine afternoon. Sunshine is scarce in Ireland. Methinks the leprechauns stuffed it in a pot at the end of a rainbow. But today, the drowsy sun, emboldened by its hibernation, greeted me with a gentle embrace. I bought myself the first ice-cream of the year, hurried to my favourite hiding place and sat down on the grass, watching the birds frolic in the bushes and listening to their song. I felt at that instant one with nature.

Ah, isn't life beautiful? At such moments, it seems most precious. Spring is a time for long walks and gardening - watching the flowers blossom before your very eyes. Spring is also an excellent time for high tea or elegant brunches. Last year, we had several and I would like to share with you a few photographs from those occasions. 

Ode to a Writing Desk

Aren't writing desks the most fantabulous things? I certainly think so and antique writing desks even more so due to the history behind it. 

Just imagining myself sitting behind such a fine piece of furniture inspires me. I think of the creative souls of yesteryears that sat in my place, writing their letters (back when people still put pen to paper) and keeping in touch with distant relatives. A time when we travelled by carriage and dreamed of uncharted territory.

Writing desks remind me of courtship. Yes, they open up a whole world of girlish romance. And I'm not even trying to resist. So, let's marvel at a few lovely specimens. I own an antique one myself that I shall share soon in a post dedicated to the delights of antiquities. 

Fine, I cheated. This is a whole set. But I love it!

A modern incarnation

Bedroom Secrets

I sleep in a chamber entirely my own where all sorrow is overthrown. These are my bedroom secrets. This is the stuff of dreams and quiet reflection.

Book Review: Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables is one of those classics that millions of children grew up with. I, however, grew up with the famous Megan Follows adaptation that first aired in the 80's. My aunt instilled in me a love for all things Anne and Gilbert and we watched the series on old tapes, despite the fact that bits and pieces were missing.

Imagine our joy when it was released on DVD a few years ago. We've watched it many times since and a while ago, I got it into my head that I should read the books that first gave birth to the colourful world of Avonlea. I always likened myself to Anne; I have the same wild imagination and thirst for knowledge and books. No, I'm not Canadian and my hair isn't red. But I'm sure that if Anne and I were to meet, she'd find me a kindred spirit.

The first book opens with a description of Anne's childhood and at first, her endless ramblings left me breathless. She is instantly loveable but I found myself wondering how anyone could speak quite so much. But I was much delighted with the idea of giving places names such as "Lover's Lane" and "The Lake of Shining Waters". Perhaps we should all invent names more suitable for the places we adore. Mrs. Lynde, next-door neighbour to the Cuthberts, is entertaining from the start, that's what. Meddlesome people who always pride on speaking their minds can become good friends too.

Although the book greatly differed from the adaptation in some points (some things were completely left out of the series, such as Anne visiting Sunday school and their story writing club), I never found myself annoyed at the differences or skipping pages. It did strike me as strange that Gilbert Blythe rarely appeared throughout the book save for mentions to their rivalry and the occasional brief interaction. It was evident from the first that he harboured romantic feelings for Anne, who must've seemed to him so much more worldly than her peers in her reflections and ambitions. 

Montgomery's purple prose has been much talked of and at times, I tired of her descriptions and passed over them very quickly but it very much suited Anne's personality so I do not mind it. No one I know would dedicate so many speeches to the trees and flowers of this world, but that is one character trait that is unique to Anne Shirley. Despite her many virtues, she is a very flawed girl; vain, temperamental and resentful (towards Gilbert, who she stubbornly refuses to forgive for calling her ''Carrots'' as they first meet). But it is her flaws that make her appealing and she always strives to improve herself and never makes the same mistakes twice.

Dashing Gilbert Blythe 

Marilla perfectly counters Anne her dreaminess with her practical ways and Matthew, a quiet but kind fellow rarely strings more than two sentences together; however, his actions and thoughts are described in detail when he has not the courage to share this information verbally. Without a doubt, Montgomery is a very gifted storyteller. When we read the book, we are transported to Prince Edward Island and the characters that inhabit it seem incredibly lifelike. We can visualise the flowers and taste the liniment cake that Anne bakes. I did notice an overuse of adjectives in speech tags early on but this seemed to improve as the book went on. 

Anne of Green Gable is a very agreeable experience that takes us through a vital stage in a girl's life. We first meet Anne when she is but eleven and at the end of the book, she is a young woman of sixteen. We cheer her on when she struggles to fit in and snicker at the many scrapes she gets herself in. It is a very realistic portrait of a young girl and I eagerly await her next adventures.

5/5 stars

The Nuisances of Public Transport

Whenever I step onto a bus I am faced with rows of people seated behind each, always occupying the window seat. Sitting next to a complete stranger is avoided at whatever cost. Imagine the social diseases one might catch. As if merely sitting behind someone instead of next to someone will protect you from the evils they have in store. I admit that I like the window seat because it gives me a better view of the road but apart from that, I don't much care whether someone is sitting next to me or not. Live and let live.

So, when did we become so paranoid? People never talk to each other anymore. And when someone does speak to a neighbour, their conversation soon commandeers all quiet in the vicinity. It seems an unwritten rule that when you are travelling, you keep your mouth shut and choose from the following three options: 1) daydream/stare out the window, 2) read or 3) listen to music.

I have no problems whatsoever with those electing to spend their time with the first two options. They are a quiet and respectful kind of people. But then there are those dream of a career as a DJ. You've all encountered them, no doubt. The worst of all is the teenage variety. Especially because they are rarely alone. They stick together like a pack of wolves.

They come in the guise of a giggling schoolgirl and quickly go into full DJ-mode and play music from such inspiring artists as Rihanna. These creatures have never heard of headphones either so everyone is subjected to a concert of musical misery. Sometimes, they even feel compelled to sing along. They fail to comprehend that after a long day at the office, the last thing we want is to hear those brats belt out pop classics.

The somewhat less annoying version is the 20-something male listening to his Ipod/Iphone, oblivious to the fact that his volume is so high that everyone in a 100 feet radius can boogie to his favourite R&B or metal tracks. Those who favour dance music are worst of all since all you hear is a neverending beat. Thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa. When I end up next to one, I actually change seats. These sort of beats are quite a distraction.

This morning, the man in question felt the need to tap his fingers along to the rhythm so the whole bottom portion of the bus constantly heard him drumming to the beat of his own annoyance. Oh, and did I mention he was reading, too? I imagined all sorts of insults I could throw at him. Why couldn't he just read his bloody book? Do these people not realise that travellers looking for some peace and quiet cannot relax when their eardrums are under attack?

Another big nuisance is cell phones. Sure, we need them and they've become an essential part of our lives. I understand that and I don't even mind someone making a quick phone call to let a friend or relative know they're on their way. But for some, travelling affords them the time for long, enthusiastic conversations with everyone they've ever met. Do they really want a whole bus or train full of strangers to hear what they have to say? Apparently.

I believe in keeping your private life private so I always keep phone calls to a minimum when I'm on the road. I prefer the occasional text. Also, I'm not sure what bothers me the most: when I hear someone loudly chatting away in English or when they're talking in some obscure language I cannot place. Both types of people are impossible to drown out as they manage to speak in such as a frequency as cannot be overcome by music, which would undoutedly push you into DJ territory.

And then there are those who do not know the concept of personal space. A while ago, I was on my way home and the bus was chock full with school children. I was standing near the exit and held on to the pole to keep my balance. A teenage boy was standing against the pole, completely covering it and languidly resting his head against it. He kept his head firmly in place, despite the fact that it pressed against my hand. I moved my hand down but there was no escaping him. His hair tickled my fingers and yet he did not move. Twat!

Cars are very expensive here because of the taxes and insurance but maybe it'd be worth it...

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

A screenshot of the upcoming sequel

Tada! Yesterday the title to the Sherlock Holmes sequel was officially announced: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Cue the creepy music.

Well, it's a much better title than The Amazing Spider-Man in my opinion. The Sherlock Holmes sequel is shaping up to be a pretty interesting project. The first movie was a surprise hit that solidified Robert Downey Jr his comeback and gave Jude Law's career quite a boost.

Now, as you might know it is a truth universally acknowledged that any movie making over 50p at box office must have a sequel. So naturally, the sequel was promply announced with Guy Richie back at the helm. So far, I'm optimistic. As long as he brings back the devious humour that made the original such fun. I enjoyed the bromance of the original and am confident that the relationship between Holmes and Watson will be explored further.

With Dragongirl Noomi Rapace onboard it should be an exciting adventure. British gem Stephen Fry also stars as Holmes his estranged brother Mycroft. I have a feeling there won't be much love lost between the two siblings. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how the brothers get on and how often poor Mycroft gets pushed into harm's way.


Adler in Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Rachel McAdams is back for a bit part and I hope her costumes will be as fabulous as the first time around. Most of all, I'm curious if Jared Harris as Professor Moriaty will be able to fill Mark Strong's large shoes. I thought the villain one of the highlights of the first film. It was a very dark and multi-faceted character with a bit of black magic thrown in for extra spice. Enemies are often my favourite characters but in Sherlock Holmes the man himself is equally intriguing and twisted. We'll have to wait and see how Moriaty will hold up.

Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law in the sequel

Valentine's Day: Romantic or Commercial?

Today is a bad day to be single. All around us we see the delivery of flowers, valentine cards and sweets. Everything is covered in hearts and tints of red and pink lest we forget what time of year it is. But is any of it real? In a world when we no longer have time for intimacy and sleep with our Blackberry, has all our romance been stuffed into one day? Negligent husbands come out of the woodwork to buy their wives' affection with a box of chocolates. I bet their mistress gets diamonds.

True romance is different. It doesn't wait till February 14th rolls around each year. It's always lurking in a corner somewhere - ready to strike when you least expect it. A couple that is truly devoted to each other doesn't need mass hysteria to convince them to treat each other nicely for one day. Valentine's Day is not about love. It's all about cashing in on gullible minds and in the current economical hardships, the shops need the holiday desperately. Valentine's Day has turned into a bottom line. It's become a business and it's a billion dollar industry.

If I were in charge, I'd cancell the whole damn thing. No, I don't say that because I'm single. I say that because the holiday is a cop out. Every time a relationship is in a bad place, Valentine's Day can temporarily make them forget their struggles. He buys her a gift and she decides to give him another chance. Only men dump their loved ones today. No woman on Earth enjoys being single on Valentine's Day. It would mess up their plans to gloat and make their girlfriends jealous with romantic anecdotes.

But the sad truth is, tomorrow it will all fall apart. That's what happens when your relationship is a charade. It can't last. So why waste your time, energy and money on it? I dub today Liberty Day. All of us stuck in a bad marriage or destructive relationship should choose today to turn our life around. Take control of your life because sometimes, being single is a whole lot better than being married. What's romantic about being a fake, anyway?

What do you think of Valentine's Day? Let me know in the comment box.

Continued: Dark Fairy Tales to Hit Cinemas

Nicholas Hoult

Well, isn't Jack and the Beanstalk pretty much a fairy tale? So I say it counts. Anyway, Bryan Singer is set to direct an adult version of the famous children's tale named Jack the Giant Killer. Oooh, they even put the word killer in the title. Do I sense a R rated adaptation coming our way? I sure hope so!

Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy, Skins) is in talks for the lead role while the fabulous Stanley Tucci is also rumoured to star in the flick. Wouldn't he make a great villain? Fingers crossed. Other actors recently cast are Bill Nighy and John Kassir.

According to reports, the film will feature Jack as a farmer on a mission. A princess has been kidnapped so our brave hero must venture into the kingdom of the giants.

Let's hope Hoult paid attention during weapon training for Clash of the Titans. This sounds like a sword-wielding adventure. Who will play the princess? I'm hoping for Bill Nighy in a wig.

Highlander remake on its way

And if that fact alone doesn't make you cringe, this will: the screenplay was written by Melissa Rosenburg, most famous for the classics that are the Twilight scripts. Talk about an interesting transition. How does one go from teenage angst to head-chopping action?

On the bright side, this is Hollywood's chance to make some improvements on the original. Yes, it was a great, entertaining action flick and Lambert made for some yummy eye-candy. But maybe this time they can...

1) Cast a Scotsman to play MacLeod. Maybe James McAvoy.
2) Let Ramirez be played by a Spaniard. Antonio Banderas?
3) Find a more interesting heroine than what's-her-face. Gemma Arterton? I like surprising casting choices.
4) Have a baddie more multi-layered and less of a freak.
5) More backstory. To be honest, that's my favourite part. It's all them kilts.

The only thing I'm certain that can't be improved upon is the music. Who doesn't remember the epic soundtrack Queen provided? -sigh- But maybe they can go the Daft Punk route and churn out a killer music score.

Producer Neal Moritz has promised that the new film will “stay true to the core of what we believe Highlander is.” But I'm still far from convinced. You just don't mess with classics. Why do they even need to be remade? What's the point?

Fast Five director Justin Lin will helm the remake. Who? I have no idea. It sure as hell doesn't sound too promising so far.

Dark Fairy Tales to Hit Cinemas

Red riding hood (2011)

I love fairy tales - especially dark ones as originally written by The Brothers Grimm. So when I heard that three different adaptations of Snow White are currently in the works I couldn't help but get excited. Fairy tales invariably have a period feel as befitting the ethereal atmosphere of such stories and upon hearing more details about the three different versions, I found myself intrigued.

Julia Roberts has just been cast as the Evil Queen in The Brothers Grimm: Snow White. ”Julia was our first and only choice to play the Queen,” said producer and Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh in a statement. “She is an icon, and we know that she will make this role her own in a way that no one else could.”

What, America's sweetheart as a villain? Gasps of terror resound all over the world. I happen to think it's brilliant casting. Hollywood loves it when actors are dragged out of their comfort zone and Julia could use a meaty role to sink her teeth into after the mixed reviews she received for Eat, Pray, Love. And yet, I am equally interested in the other versions.

One of them is called Snow White and the Huntsman, the Universal film starring Charlize Theron as its Evil Queen (Viggo Mortensen is in talks to play the Huntsman). So far, this one sounds most promising in my honest opinion. Charlize has the acting chops to carry it off and Viggo certainly has that hunter act down (well, he was a bit of a hunter in LOTR, no?). I can't wait to hear which actresses will grace our screens as Snow White so I'll reserve my judgement till then. I initially heard a rumour about Kirsten Stewart being courted for the sought-after role but her reps have since denied ever being approach. There is a God!

And then there's the Disney version currently titled Snow and the Seven. A live-action Snow White that takes place in China with seven warriors instead of seven dwarfs. Did I mention it's directed by Francis Lawrence of I am Legend? Yes, really. Snow White goes Asian. The synopsis? A British girl in 19th century Hong Kong trains with seven Shaolin monks to help her fight evil. It's listed for release in 2013 so we should receive more information soon. Unless they reveal the whole movie was the result of an acid trip that should never have seen daylight. Time will tell.

Another ''dark, gothic remake'' that has received a lot of attention lately is Red Riding Hood, directed by Catherine Hardwick of Twilight fame (which may or may not be a good thing...probably it's not) and starring Amanda Seyfried from Mama Mia! and Mean Girls. The trailer looks quite sexually-charged and dark so it should be interesting to see how this adaptation turns out. The medieval setting suits the story and it stars the very talented and underrated Gary Oldman. If it's a hit, it could pave the way for other similar films. Perhaps a gothic Peter Pan or a horror version of Sleeping Beauty.

You never know in Hollywood.



Hansel and Gretel

Another interesting upcoming release is Hansel and Gretel. Thigh-killing Bond girl Jamke Janssen will play the leader of a witch coven. Let's hope they don't uglify her too much. Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton will star as the famous siblings who get lost in the woods and  nearly end up as a witch's snack. In this retelling, however, the duo are grown up into witch-slayers. Just imagine the possiblities. Will there be breadcumbs? Not sure. Will there be butt-kicking action? You betcha.

First Look: Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher

The first picture of Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher has just surfaced. She portrays the politician in biopic The Iron Lady. Oscar-bait much? Yep! Thoughts? I think there certainly is a likeness there and a bit of creepiness. That hairstyle alone is nightmare-worthy. Very curious how Streep will tackle Thatcher's posh accent and mannerisms. A movie worth watching.

Exploring the Irish Countryside

                                              The picturesque village of Cobh

Last week we travelled around Ireland in celebration of my 25th birthday. My aunt and uncle flew in from Holland especially with a travel guide in hand. We started our journey in Dublin on my birthday, the 28th and explored Temple Bar where we tasted the local pub culture and enjoyed some merry live music. Had I had the proper training, I would've donned Irish dancing shoes for the occasion (but I refused, despite constant entreaties). We seated ourselves in The Temple Bar, possibly the most famous pub in Dublin and a true tourist attraction with its happy red exterior.

Temple Bar

After our pub adventure, we ventured to Trinity College to learn more about the Book of Kells. Many ancient manuscripts and books were on display and the notion that they were written by hand, taking up years to complete, is something we could hardly wrap our head around. Nevertheless, they looked beautiful and the calligraphy was used very effectively. When viewing such treasures, ones own handwriting always seems impossibly illegible. The real reason that had brought us to Trinity College was their impressive library - the largest in the country. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photographs but they had some brochures available. Next, we paid a visit to the National Library, where student and professor alike can read the many books available (in silence). The building itself was most elegant.

 

The National Library

There happened to be a Yeats exhibition at the national library so we decided to take a quick look and were consequently immersed into his life with pictures, fragments of poetry and a documentary about his life and women. My aunt swooned over his bespectacled face while I swooned over his writing desk with built-in bookshelves. I had a bit of a fright when I noticed his date of death: Janaruy 28th. Yep. Today. My birthday. We ended the day with home-made banana/bacon pancakes which is a bit of a family speciality.

For Saturday we set off early in our rental car so we'd reach Cork relatively early. We told our TomTom to avoid the motorways so we could take in the Irish countryside, which was in turns cloudy and sunny but always fairly agreeable. We were lucky in that we suffered no rain during our travels and despite its being in the middle of winter it was never particularly cold. Thank the leprechauns! At any rate, back on the road! We saw some lovely scenery, nice green hues; fields, trees and plants. It felt as though spring were just around the corner, a happy thought! We made a quick stop at the Rock of Cashel, a ruin of sorts with a very impressive cemetery in its backyard. There were an abundance of Celtic crosses and black crows swooping in and out of our picture frames.

The ruin also came with a stunning view over the Irish countryside as you can see in the last picture. We returned to the road and journeyed on to the village of Cobh, one of the prettiest places I'd seen in ages. It had a very fine church with rows of multi-coloured villas nestled in front of it. Our camera flashed unrelentingly at the colourful local inhabitants while we struggled up and down the steep street and imagined living here. One of many delights of Cobh is the fact that it is situated near the shore. It has a history. Cobh is home to The Harbour of Tears, a place from which immigrants were dispatched to the Americas many years ago.

                            

                                           A monument dedicated to the first immigrant of Ireland

We wind promptly swept us into a lovely little restaurant with a view over the harbour. Come summer, it would be filled to the brim with tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of a large cruise ship passing by. Although there were no ships in sight, we tucked in some delicious salmon sandwiches and I rewarded myself with a very well-made sticky toffee pudding. By the time we finished our lunch, it was too late to continue on to Cork and my aunt admitted Cobh had been our destination all along. So we made our way back to Dublin, watching the sun sink below the horizon. We slept very soundly that night and with great satisfaction.

On Sunday we stayed closer to home and drove into the Wicklow Mountains, a very popular tourist destination where nature reigns supreme. Only an hour's drive from Dublin (unless you choose the scenic route), it is an ideal weekend trip with fabulous scenery and stormy weather as befitting such surroundings. Although we initially got lost and ended up in Hollywood, we reached the mountains around noon and admired the high hill tops and greenery.

We made a pit stop and enjoyed a leisurely walk in the mountains. All was quiet and peaceful as we climbed to the top and, arriving completely windswept, peered over the landscape like a bird from his nest. It was quite a view and for a moment, I felt like Cathy from Wuthering Heights, walking along the Yorkshire Moors. It had that same character and ruggedness about it.

Our last stop on our little trip was Glendalough, where we could see a medieval monastery and Rapunzel-style tower. At this time the temperatures started to drop and we beheld a bagpipe player hugging himself to keep warm. The kilt didn't supply much warmth. The monastery was very basic and small and I shivered as I tried to imagine how poorly-isolated it must've been during wintertime.

Glendalough served us up another pretty cemetery and after a nice meal at a local pub we headed home for a cup of hot coacoa and chatted about all the things we'd seen and done in the last few days. Ireland is a beautiful country but you have to get out of Dublin to see it.