Dead Poets Society (1989)

Dead Poets Society

Call No: TEMP 1091

The first time I saw Dead Poets Society was in my grade twelve English class (which, in a vague attempt not to date myself, was a number of years ago). This seems to be a recurring theme, as most of the people who I’ve met and have seen the film saw it in the same way: in a classroom. At first viewing I can understand the hype. It’s easy to get caught up in the film. But the reason you watch the film can definitely have an impact on what you get out of it.

The film opens at Welton Academy, an all boys private school. Neil and his friends Knox, Charlie and others are ready for whatever the new school year brings, including new arrival and roommate Todd and charismatic and inspiring new English teacher Mr. Keating. Though considered unorthodox by the school’s standards, Mr. Keating captures the attention of the boys and begins to help them appreciate the world around them by taking risks and living life to the fullest. Between the stresses of life and the influences of Mr. Keating, the lives of the boys in this English class are about to be changed forever.

Mrs. Brown (1997)

Mrs. Brown

Call No: PN1995.9.H5 M77 1990z

I realize that this is the second Judi Dench film that I’ve reviewed this week, but in my defense I’ve wanted to watch Mrs. Brown for some time now, and had no idea that she would be in Chocolat. Of course, watching too much Judi Dench is never a problem – the woman is a powerhouse of talent that often leaves you nothing short of impressed. It’s no wonder that she’s been knighted. If anything, I’m surprised it took them so long to do it.

Mrs. Brown tells the story of Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) and her years of friendship with John Brown (Billy Connolly). After years of mourning the death of her husband Prince Albert, Queen Victoria is surprised by the request and arrival of John Brown, a Scottish stable attendant and gardener whom her husband was fond of. Determined to do something about the Queen’s misery, the headstrong Brown slowly begins to make a difference, pulling the Queen back to joys of life. Unfortunately her servants and politicians become concerned with Brown’s unquestionable influence over the Queen, calling her “Mrs. Brown”, and determine to do something about it. As a result, the friendship between Queen Victoria and John Brown is put to the test. But when two worlds are pulling apart, is it really strong enough to survive?

Chocolat (2000)

Chocolat

Call No: PN1997 .C445 2000b

Chocolat has always been one of those movies that I’m familiar with, but I’ve never seen. I knew it was based on a book that I’d never read. I knew it was nominated for a few Oscars that it didn’t win. And, because I have a sister and a mother who are both die-hard fans, I knew it had Johnny Depp. I watched the film and expected some kind of romantic storyline, maybe even of the rom-com variety. What I saw was something deeper than what the general summary suggested there would be.

Make no mistake, there is some romance, but it is hardly the center of the film. Juliette Binoche plays Vianne, a single mother who moves on with her daughter to a new life every time the north wind blows. Unfortunately for her, the new town she moves into is very traditional and religious, hardly a promising place to open her new chocolate shop, especially in the middle of Lent. Despite the scorn of the mayor (Alfred Molina) and townspeople, Vianne stirs up changes and manages to befriend a cynical old woman (Judi Dench), a frightened wife (Lena Olin), and a river drifter (Johnny Depp) in the process. But the troubles of Vianne and her friends are far from simple, and it is only a matter of time before the north wind blows again.

Musicals Week: Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Singin’ in the Rain

Call No: PN1997 .S523 1997

Musicals week just wouldn’t be fitting without reviewing Singin’ in the Rain, the film many consider to be not only the greatest musical of all time, but one of the best films ever made. The film captured the hearts of many with its incredible music, entertaining characters and simplistic storyline. I have to admit that the first time I watched it, I had no idea what I was in for. I knew nothing about it and had no idea what the premise was. It wasn’t long before I was swept up in the magic of the film.

Here’s the story: It’s the golden age of silent film, and Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lena Lamont (Jean Hagen) are stars of their studio, Monumental Pictures. Don is on top of the world with his best friend Cosmo (Donald O’Connor) and newfound love Kathy (Debbie Reynolds) by his side. Unfortunately, talking pictures are becoming popular. Unless the studio and the duo can come up with a successful talking picture, their careers are finished. There’s just one problem: Lena, though beautiful, doesn’t exactly have the voice to match.

Musicals Week: My Fair Lady (1964)

My Fair Lady

Call No: PN1997.2 .M9 2004

Last week I reviewed a film called Pygmalion, based on George Bernard Shaw’s play of the same name. This week I thought it would be fair and look at the other popular musical adaptation, My Fair Lady. Incidentally, My Fair Lady and my previous reviewed film Mary Poppins both came out in 1964, and competed against each other for many of the top awards. They went on to win thirteen awards between them, with Mary Poppins getting five (including Best Actress and Best Song) while My Fair Lady received eight (including Best Picture).

The premise is the same as last time. Linguist Professor Henry Higgins makes a wager that, in six months, he can present cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle as a duchess an embassy ball. But Henry may get more than he bargained for in this musical and entertaining battle of the sexes wages. Problems arise. Potential love interests interfere. And so begins the music, laughter, hijinks and love as the two work and fight together to try and win his bet.

Musicals Week: Mary Poppins (1964)

Mary Poppins

Call No: PN1997 .M364 1964

When Julie Andrews presented David Tennant with his BAFTA award for playing the title character on Doctor Who, he opened his acceptance by saying “If nothing else ever happens to me in my life, I just met Julie Andrews!” Fans across the world could relate to his excitement. The multi-talented Julie Andrews has been a darling of film and theatre for years, and for good reason. The woman brings an open honesty and charm to her roles that has not often been duplicated, and never as successfully. Her role of the title character in Mary Poppins is an excellent example of this.

Almost everyone recognizes the umbrella-flying nanny (or even her counterpart from The Simpsons, Sherry Bobbins), but here’s a refresher for the story: Jane and Michael Banks, two loveable kids who have a knack for losing their nannies in the park and causing mischief typical of children, have recently driven their last nanny to leave. This upsets their strict and workaholic father, who insists on hiring the new nanny rather than his suffragette wife. Enter (with some hilarity) Mary Poppins, “practically perfect in every way” and able to effortlessly conjure magic wherever she goes. With a little help, magic and showtunes from Mary Poppins, the four Banks members might find a way to be a family again.

Pygmalion (1938)

Pygmalion

Call No: TEMP 875

Before Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison made history with the musical smash My Fair Lady, Wendy Hiller and Leslie Howard played the perfect opposites of Eliza Doolittle and Rex Harrison. Based on the play of the same name, Pygmalion is an example of a film that remains as entertaining today as it was when it was released. Fans of My Fair Lady will have an unusual experience with the absence of characters breaking into song. Readers of the original work by George Bernard Shaw may be surprised by the change in the ending (which Shaw, writing the screenplay for this film, changed himself). That having been said, this film adaptation of Pygmalion is much more enjoyable as one might think.

Eliza Doolittle is a flower girl with a cockney accent that Professor Henry Higgins finds insulting during their first accidental meeting, calling her speech an “incarnate insult to the English language”. Having incredible confidence in himself as a professor of speech and phonetics, he makes a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can pass Eliza off as a duchess. That is, if Eliza and the Professor don’t kill each other first.

Toy Story (1995)

Toy Story

Call No: PN1997 .T69 2010

When the Oscar nominees for Best Picture came out last week, most of the names that I had expected to see were there. One name that I found (pleasantly) surprising was the summer blockbuster Toy Story 3, the final film in the famous toy trilogy. I remember reading about the studio’s determination to get a Best Picture nod, even going so far as to launch a series of posters, comparing scenes from the film to famous Oscar winners of the past. (You can find a collection of the posters HERE). The only other animated films to make the esteemed ballot was Beauty and the Beast in 1993 and Up in 2009. Being a fan of the Pixar and especially the series, I decided to go back and watch the first one again.

We all know the story. Andy is the boy who loves his toys, which all come to life when he’s not around. There’s Hamm the piggy bank, the cowardly dinosaur Rex, the often abrasive Mr. Potato Head, the loyal Slinky, and the pretty Bo Peep. The natural leader of the group, and favourite toy of Andy, is Sheriff Woody, a cowboy doll with a heart of gold. However, his patience and compassion for others is tested when Andy receives a new toy: a Buzz Lightyear action figure. Suddenly the toy room isn’t big enough for two favourite toys, and a fight results in both toys being separated from their owner with only days away from a house move. Buzz and Woody will have to learn to work together if they want to survive and get back to Andy, especially when the toy-destroying boy next door, Sid, gets his hands on them.