Roasted Vegetables #365photos2022
Movie Advent Calendar #24 – The Muppet Christmas Carol
“Go forth! And know him better, man!”
In 2012 I did a cinematic advent calendar of twenty four films. These were films that I really liked and have enjoyed at the cinema. This year I have posted an advent calendar of twenty four movies, and this is the final film in this year’s series.
The Muppet Christmas Carol was released thirty years ago this year and I do think it is still fresh. Though I think the first time I saw it was not that long ago. I bought a copy in 2018, but I think I may have seen it on television before that, though knowing Christmas festive television viewing, probably not the whole film.
Something I recall about flicking through the Christmas Radio Times and TVTimes back in the day (when you had to buy both) I would note and mark down things I wanted to watch, but generally the festive celebrations would get in the way of watching some stuff, or I would find a film on having missed the beginning. With a VCR player and then DVDs, it became easier to watch stuff in its entirety. Now streaming means you can find stuff quickly, and if you don’t have a copy, purchase a copy to watch.
There is a downside to that, as I have video libraries in iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play, I sometimes can’t remember what films I have in which account, so I have been known to purchase a second copy of something. I certainly have bought digital versions of films I have on physical media in the past. So for example I have three copies of Ghostbusters, and three versions of Ready Player One. Sometimes the digital version came with the DVD (or Blu Ray), hence the second copy, sometimes I wanted the HD version (or even the 4K version).
Anyhow I know I only have one digital copy of The Muppet Christmas Carol.
The Muppet Christmas Carol is a 1992 American musical fantasy comedy-drama film produced by Jim Henson Productions and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It is a retelling of the classic Charles Dickens story A Christmas Carol, with Kermit the Frog playing the role of Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, and Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge.
What is interesting is how close the film is to the original Dickens’ story. Many of the lines are directly lifted from the Dickens’ classic.
Michael Caine gives a standout performance as Ebenezer Scrooge, bringing a touch of gravitas to the proceedings.
The Muppet Christmas Carol is a delightful and entertaining take on a classic tale. Caine is perfect as the grumpy old Scrooge, and the Muppet characters bring their unique brand of humour and charm to the story. The film features a mix of original songs and classic Christmas carols, and the musical numbers are a highlight of the film.
The Muppet Christmas Carol is a must-see Christmas film that will delight audiences of all ages. It’s a joyful and entertaining celebration of the holiday season, and a perfect way to get into the spirit of the season. Of course if you don’t like the muppets then this isn’t the film for you.
Get The Muppet Christmas Carol at Amazon.
The stage is set #365photos2022
Movie Advent Calendar #23 – V for Vendetta
“People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.”
In 2012 I did a cinematic advent calendar of twenty four films. These were films that I really liked and have enjoyed at the cinema. This year on a similar theme I will be posting a movie advent calendar of twenty four movies.
On the 2012 calendar I did think about putting down 1984 or V for Vendetta down, but when I thought about it, from a cinematic perspective I chose Brazil, as for me it was the best out of those three films. 1984 is a great film, but is an incredible book, especially when you consider it was written in 1948. A powerful vision of a dystopian future where Big Brother knows all and there is not just no freedom, but no freedom of thought. However though I think the book is superb, I am less enamoured by the film. It was a choice between Brazil and V for Vendetta. Well back then I chose Brazil as I thought it was a better film (it still is) and it had more personal resonance, it was a film I had seen at the cinema when I was at University.
So here we are in 2022 and though I prefer Brazil, I have now added V for Vendetta to this advent calendar. I think part of that is how much more the film resonates and in some ways how much closer we appear to be moving to that reality.
V for Vendetta is a 2005 dystopian political thriller film directed by James McTeigue and written by the Wachowski siblings, based on the 1988 DC/Vertigo Comics limited series of the same name by Alan Moore and David Lloyd.
The film stars Hugo Weaving as V, a mysterious anarchist who wears a Guy Fawkes mask and seeks to bring down the fascist government that controls a dystopian version of Britain. Natalie Portman plays Evey, a young woman who becomes caught up in V’s revolution.
One of the key aspects for me in V for Vendetta is its thought-provoking themes, which explore issues of freedom, democracy, and individuality in a society where these values are under threat.
The film’s futuristic setting is convincingly realised, with a strong attention to detail in the production design and costume design. This is England, not quite the England we know, but certainly one that is both familiar and incongruent.
Weaving delivers a memorable performance as V, bringing a sense of mystery and intensity to the character. Portman also does a good job as Evey, convincingly portraying her character’s arc from a frightened young woman to a more confident and determined individual.
V for Vendetta is a well-made and thought-provoking film that explores timely and relevant themes. It is scary how some of those scenes have been and are been played out today make it even more relevant. Its strong performances and attention to detail make it a compelling and memorable viewing experience.
Get V for Vendetta at Amazon.
Sovereign #365photos2022
Movie Advent Calendar #22 – Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
“Sorry. We call them Muggles.”
In 2012 I did a cinematic advent calendar of twenty four films. These were films that I really liked and have enjoyed at the cinema. This year on a similar theme I will be posting a movie advent calendar of twenty four movies.
The first film was, rather original, it was different to the original Harry Potter series. I loved the fact it was set in the 1920s, it didn’t involve Hogwarts, it didn’t involve existing (lead) characters from Harry Potter.
The film follows Newt Scamander, a magizoologist, as he travels to New York City with a suitcase full of magical creatures. He meets some American wizards and gets into a bit of bother. I loved the magical suitcase and all the animals hidden inside.
The special effects in this film are top-notch and bring the creatures to life in a way that is both believable and enchanting. The performances by the main cast, including Eddie Redmayne as Newt and Katherine Waterston as Tina, are strong and add depth to the characters.
The plot is engaging and fast-paced, with enough twists and turns to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
I also saw this film been shot when I visited the Harry Potter Studio Tour in 2015. Well I say saw, you could see from the car park that they were filming something at Leavesden Studios, and it involved some city buildings.
However the second and third films almost became too much like Harry Potter, there is a young wizard Newt Scamander, who is fighting a dark wizard, Grindelwald, and is helped (and hindered) by Dumbledore.
Also the two most recent episodes of the film series, in my opinion lost their way and it isn’t too surprising, along with the fact that the series has been mired in whirlwinds of controversy surrounding actors Johnny Depp (Gellert Grindelwald) and Ezra Miller (Credence Barebone), and Wizarding World creator JK Rowling, it looks like a fourth film won’t happen Not surprising that, as the two latest films in the franchise did not do well at the box office, and combine that with the various controversies, we know now that the series (and possibly the franchise) has been killed by the studio.
So for me I still like the first film and I think it was a lovely piece of cinema.
Mince Pies #365photos2022
Movie Advent Calendar #21 – Bridge of Spies
“My name’s Donovan. Irish, both sides. Mother and father. I’m Irish and you’re German. But what makes us both Americans? Just one thing. One. Only one. The rule book. We call it the Constitution, and we agree to the rules, and that’s what makes us Americans. That’s all that makes us Americans. So don’t tell me there’s no rule book, and don’t nod at me like that you son of a bitch.”
In 2012 I did a cinematic advent calendar of twenty four films. These were films that I really liked and have enjoyed at the cinema. This year on a similar theme I will be posting a movie advent calendar of twenty four movies.
As I said earlier in the calendar, I have really enjoyed virtually everything Tom Hanks has done, I have seen most of his films and there are a fair few in this movie advent calendar and there was a few in the cinematic advent calendar I did in 2012. So it wasn’t too surprising that I enjoyed Bridge of Spies.
Bridge of Spies is a historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 2015. It stars Tom Hanks as James Donovan, a lawyer who is recruited by the CIA to negotiate the release of a pilot, Francis Gary Powers (played by Austin Stowell), who was captured after his plane was shot down over the Soviet Union. The film is based on the real-life events of the 1960 U-2 incident, in which Powers was captured and held as a spy by the Soviet Union. Donovan is tasked with negotiating a prisoner exchange, in which Powers would be released in exchange for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel, who had been arrested in the United States.
The film is set during the height of the Cold War, and it does a great job of capturing the tense political climate of the time. Hanks gives a fantastic performance as Donovan, bringing a sense of intelligence and moral conviction to the character. The supporting cast is also strong, with standout performances from Mark Rylance as Rudolf Abel, the Soviet spy who is at the center of the negotiation, and Amy Ryan as Donovan’s wife, Mary.
I really liked the attention to historical detail. The costumes, sets, and dialogue all feel authentic and help to transport the viewer back in time. The cinematography is also top-notch, with some beautiful shots of Berlin and New York City. I think it is this kind of film that made me really enjoy my recent trip to Berlin. I never though had the time to get to the bridge, maybe next time.
Bridge of Spies is a well-crafted and compelling historical drama that is both informative and entertaining.
Get Bridge of Spies at Amazon.
Hedgehog #365photos2022
