Last night Hil, Sarah and I went to see “The King’s Speech“. The movie is made by the British, stars (mostly) British actors, and is about the British monarchy. How could we not go see it at the theater?
It’s about a prince of England who has a fairly terrible childhood and becomes a stutterer. The movie only shows him as an adult and uses the prince’s musings about his childhood to draw out our sympathy. The interplay between the two main characters – the prince and his tutor – is both poignantly touching and humorous. The dialogue is superb and the cinematography is excellent. Of course, there is the predictable successful ending, but when a movie is great, who cares if it is somewhat predictable. All three of us thoroughly enjoyed the movie and – rarity of rarities – Hilary said she couldn’t believe it ended so quickly and could we stay and see it again. We could have, but we didn’t. I had work the next day (today) and we had still to eat dinner. I cannot recommend this movie too highly – simply brilliant! I can hardly wait for it to come out on DVD so I can watch it several times.
Tonight I went to the theater with my daughter Sarah (no Hil this time). Our second movie choice was a reversion back to my favorite genre – Sci-Fi, lots of fights, lots of explosions, and just enough decent acting and plot to get from one action sequence to the next – “I Am Number Four.” The movie is a mostly young adults (playing high school teens), alien with super powers, coming of age movie with the classic good versus evil plot thrown in to get you between the action scenes. Here’s a partial quote from Christianity Today’s review of the movie – “A dreary, explosion-saturated cross between Terminator, Twilight, and The Matrix…” They gave it a one star. Their reader’s gave it a 4 out of five stars. I’d say 4 out of 5 is just about right. Not a MUST see movie, but a very enjoyable way to while away a couple of hours with your daughter in harmless entertainment. I’m looking forward to the DVD and the sequel. And before I forget, there’s a great beagle in the movie. Love me them floppy ears!!
I LOVED “The King’s Speech”, but I also really enjoyed “Four”. I don’t think it’s a GREAT movie, but it was enjoyable and entertaining Sci-Fi / action. It would not bear close examination of the plot, acting or realism. Just action and entertainment, with a few good one liners thrown in. I think the one liners are what also put “Speech” over the top. The acting, directing, and camera work were superb, but the humor / banter is what “made” it for me.
I’ve never really cared for Corggies. They’ve always seemed a bit like yappy little buggers. As for big eared dogs, this isn’t going to lead to more years of pyschoanalysis is it? Go on, tell me why you like big eared dogs….
I loved the Kings Speech but I think you are giving I Am Number Four too much credit. Beagle or no Beagle.
I’m starting to really like Corggies…is that a strange bread of dogs to like? Did I ever tell you why I think I like big eared dogs?