Pages

Saturday, 23 September 2017

I've Been Thinking... - Three Ealing Comedies to Watch This Autumn.

Hi!!!

Good afternoon! Today's post is slightly different from my usual content. I wanted to share some of my favourite films with you today, more specifically Ealing Comedies. I say today, but I've actually had about 80% of this post written since May... Anyway, I've picked three of the Ealing Comedies, most of which were made in the 1940s and 1950s, and came to define both the Ealing Studios and British Cinema. They are perfect for those who love character driven pieces and for those with a slightly dark sense of humour. If you'd like to know even more about the history of these movies, because like me you're a bit of a nerd, click here. Without further ado, let's begin.



One of the earlier Ealing comedies, 'Kind Hearts and Coronets' is a brilliant film. Dennis Price is Louis Mazzini, whose mother was disowned by her high class family, the D'Ascoyne's, when she married for love rather than money. When she dies, she is refused the right to be interred into the family vault and Louis decides that he will take matters into his own hands, killing the D'Ascoyne family one by one so he can take his place as Duke. His plans are complicated further when he finds himself torn between his childhood crush and the beautiful wife of one of his victims. Alec Guinness takes on the roles of the eight members of the D'Ascoyne family, from suffragettes to clergymen, and this film was an early, and now lasting, showcase of his amazing talent as a comedic actor. The characters are quirky and entertaining, the plot is filled with ironic and clever details, and each elimination is more inventive than the last. If you like crime shows, a good laugh and characters that are off-the-wall and delightfully despicable, you simply must watch this film.


In 'The Lavender Hill Mob', Alec Guinness is Henry Holland, a timid, seemingly rather ordinary bank clerk. His job is to accompany gold bullion in the special van with armed security guards. He joins forces with his friend Pendlebury, played by Stanley Holloway, to steal the gold and smuggle it out of the country, but, as in any Ealing Comedy, things aren't as straightforward as the characters hope. This film has a much lighter tone overall than the other two on this list, I think, and packed to the rafters with laughs. It's such an entertaining film, and once again, the star of Ealing Comedies, Alec Guinness, shines in his performance. It's imaginative, the characters are hugely entertaining and the partnership of Guinness and Holloway, as well as of their characters Holland and Pendlebury, really elevates the film, keeping you invested from the get-go.


'The Ladykillers' was the first Ealing Comedy I ever saw, and as a child, I found Alec Guinness slightly unnerving in this film - as I think I've mentioned before. I have, however, always loved this film, so much so that a few years ago, I went to see the stage production of it and I reviewed it here. Mrs Wilberforce, played wonderfully by Katie Johnson, likes to report suspicious behaviour to the police. Completely unaware of this, the seasoned thief Professor Marcus, played by Alec Guinness, rents rooms in her house for himself and his gang, who are posing as an string quintet. They complete a bank robbery but slip up in front of their landlord when they try to escape. They decide she has to be killed, but things don't go to plan when the gang begin to double cross and go after each other.  The characters are so quirky, the plot is so off-the-wall and yet it works so brilliantly and it is an essential in every film collection.
And that brings today's post to an end. I hope you liked it, and you enjoy spending some time watching these films.
What is your favourite Ealing Comedy? Do you have any other comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading.
Have a brilliant day!
GingerSnaps xxx

Tuesday, 12 September 2017

I've Been Thinking... - Summer Favourites.

Hi!!!

Good afternoon and happy September! It's officially Autumn, which makes me very happy. To round up Summer blog-wise, I thought I'd put together a post telling you about some of the things that I enjoyed the most throughout the season. Its also a chance for me to talk to you about the things that I normally would have reviewed - everything from books to theatre to music is here. Oh, and if you enjoy this post, then check out this one on my best friend's blog - it's very good.



 I love Spiderman, he's one of my favourite Marvel characters (alongside Iron Man), and so I was really excited to see Homecoming. I won't deny that I was slightly unsure about another reboot when the others have been so recent but having seen the film, I think it is totally worth it. Homecoming might be my favourite Spiderman film of them all. I think Tom Holland is amazing as Spiderman, and the character seems truest to both life and the original spirit of the comics in this film. I loved Zendaya as MJ, and found the whole film engaging, funny and entertaining. I'm excited to see what's next for Tom Holland's Peter Parker.


This was the album I was most excited for this year, and I was not let down at all. It's riotous, colourful, experimental, inspiring, entertaining, chaotic, poetic and honestly you need to listen to it. It understands you, what you feel and hope for and if that's not worthy of a listen, I don't know what is. My favourite tracks are 'Why Do You Feel So Down', 'Listen To Your Friends', 'Humongous', 'The Kids Don't Want To Come Home' and 'Isombard'. Oh, and the lyric sheet folds out into this poster, which I thought was a really cool extra touch (and something I haven't seen for a while).
 

This summer, I decided to try out wearing glitter all over my face, but primarily as a highlight, something I'd wanted to do for ages because it looks so cool. Anyway, I've used glitter liners instead of loose glitter for years because it lasts better and stays put, and Collection's offerings are great quality and come in a number of lovely colours. I've been wearing Hustle a lot - it's a silver shot through with green, purple and black tones.

 
 
I've only read one book all summer. I'd hoped to read more but that didn't' work out. Thankfully, the one book I did read was one I found highly enjoyable. If you're looking for a funny, highly addictive, fun to read book, then I'd recommend the second book in the Bridget Jones series to you. There's plenty that differs from the film, so it's not predictable but there is a familiarity to it, which is nice. I read it within a few days, and picked it up whenever I got chance. Say what you want about 'Chick Lit' but when it's done well, like this, I don't think even it's worst critics could deny how fun it is to read.

TV - Strike: The Cuckoo's Calling

Having read The Cuckoo's Calling - and having raved about it online (here) and in real life to anyone who would listen - I was incredibly excited to watch the first instalment of the Strike series on BBC One. Strike: The Cuckoo's Calling consists of three episodes, each an hour long, which are all on BBC iPlayer, and follows private investigator Comoran Strike as he investigates the death of supermodel Lula Landry. I adored it. I think that Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger are perfect as Strike and Robin - I'm very invested in those two characters in particular. The plot is fast paced, intricate, and you simply must watch it. Major props to Michael Kellior for his fantastic direction and to Ben Richards for his amazing writing for this series - both of which maintain the intricacies of the book beautifully. Oh, and the opening title sequence is really up my street - aesthetically and musically. Weird thing to point out but yeah.
 
To celebrate my birthday, my friends and I went to London for the day to see Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre and to spend some quality time together. The show was absolutely incredible. The sets are intricate and beautiful. The cast are one of the strongest I have seen.
It made me feel so much - I laughed and I cried and I was so overwhelmed with happiness and joy and excitement that my heart was beating at a million miles an hour and I couldn't stop smiling. If like me Aladdin is your favourite Disney film, you're a huge Alan Menken fan (Proud of Your Boy is sung!!!! And a medley of Menken/Ashman Disney songs!!!), or you just really love dazzling theatre productions with a ridiculously talented cast, get yourself there to see it.


Thanks for reading.
What were your favourite things from this summer? Let me know in the comments.
I hope your week is off to a good start. I'll speak to you all soon.

I hope your day is delightful.

GingerSnaps xxx