What to watch

I am the reigning queen of watching movies at home.

I love movies.

It's the perfect way to escape the everyday, and lose yourself in another world.

In fact, I've watched lots of movies lately. So today I'm sharing two good ones that I think you should watch too. Well. If you want. I won't pressure you.



 
'A Little Chaos'

I freaking love Kate Winslet. If you don't love her, don't say anything bad or I will be forced to sit you in the naughty corner.

Now. I loved 'A Little Chaos' so much I watched it twice in two days. That's how beautiful it is.

Set in the 17th century, it's a British period drama (don't let that turn you off, I love period films, Matt doesn't - and Matt loved it too, happily sitting through both screenings) telling the story of Andre le Notre, who was considered the greatest landscape architect of the time. He co-designed gardens at Versailles as well as Tuileries in Paris.

The rest - well it's fictional, but if you're happy to get led up the garden path, it's a beautiful story, and it's romantic too. And who couldn't do with a little extra romance these days?

Cast full of great actors, it's good entertainment. Well in my book it is.




'Big Eyes'

Now - this is based on a true story. Directed by Tim Burton it's the story of American artist Margaret Keane - famous for her paintings and drawings featuring obscenely large eyes. 

Margaret and her daughter are at an outdoor art show selling drawings when she meets her soon-to-be husband, Walter - who's his selling Parisian street scenes.

Margaret's husband, Walter, takes the credit for her paintings in the 1950s and 1960s - and without giving away the punchline - it's pretty fascinating and sad. 

If you want more - you can read this TIME article (spoiler alert, it tells you much of the movie).

Amy Adams is wonderful as Margaret Keane, and the film itself makes for compelling viewing. (I love this shot of the artist Margaret Keane, seen with Amy Adams on the set of 'Big Eyes').

Have you seen any great films lately?

A Royal Night Out:: Review

I was lucky enough to enjoy a sneak preview of A Royal Night Out last week. I was really, really excited, I'd watched the trailer and it looked right up my alley.

And it was right up my alley. And my street. My boulevard. My avenue. It was right up there.

Based on the true story of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret being allowed to go out into public on 8th May 1945, VE Day, it's embellished, to great effect. 

Imagine this, six years of horrific war, food rations, bombing, general gloom and doom. And the two princesses concoct a fantastical ruse to convince their father (King George VI, played by Rupert Everett) to allow them out to hear how the public responds to his victory speech. 

It works and they are allowed out, incognito - to dance at the Ritz with a strict curfew to be home by 1am. 

Princess Margaret (played by Bel Powley), quipped with all the best lines, is wide-eyed and hilarious; Princess Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) is considered, incredibly beautiful and navigating her world as an ordinary young woman in the midst of huge on-street celebrations. 

They jump from the Ritz, to 

It's fun. Innocent fun. It's such a fun movie, nostalgic and lovely I came out positively buzzing darlings! It's feel good, fanciful film that was so right for me to escape into.  


My rating? See it! It's light-hearted, whimsical, and an adventure on another scale. Plus it's funny! 

I give it three and a half stars. 

A Royal Night Out - in cinemas from May 14.

The Incredible 'The Imitation Game'.

I took myself off to the movies on Saturday afternoon - which is a rare treat indeed. A solo movie jaunt, and no one to share the popcorn with. Actually, if you must know, I didn't have popcorn. I had a choc top. It's almost compulsory to do so.

I've really, really wanted to see The Imitation Game since it first hit the big screen. 

Benedict Cumberbatch.

Keira Knightley.

And a little-known story (war altering) about WWII. 

A film about the incredible mind of Alan Turing. The creator of the world's first computer.

Honestly, since watching this, I haven't stopped thinking about it. There's so much to contemplate. To digest. To mull over. 

You know those movies when you come out and feel like you really need to chat with someone about it, to debrief? This, for me, was one of those. 

From the performances of Cumberbatch and Knightley (and everyone else) to the true story, my mind was completely blown. It was beautiful, incredible, funny (in some parts) and so hauntingly sad.  

If you've seen it, I'd love to know what you think! 

TRACKS:: Review and Reader Giveaway

We don't get out much. But when we do, we try and see a movie. 

I saw the trailers for 'Tracks' a while back, but a shortage in babysitter supply meant we just never got there. 

Matt and I got to watch it on Friday night, tucked up in bed together (I know, so old, so fogey). It was well worth the wait. 

Starring Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver (my favourite!) and based on the story of Australian woman Robyn Davidson who set off on a nine month journey crossing the Australian desert, with only camels for company. 

The scenery and cinematography is completely breathtaking, the characters compelling. 

Directed by John Curran (The King's Speech) it's a story that will  have you glued to your screen, laughing, crying - and in complete awe. Mia plays the role beautifully, and Adam Driver - well I could never hate him. He's beautiful, gentle and intelligent as photographer Rick Smolan. 

Put in short, it's an inspiration to cram as much into your life, to believe you can, and to do it - even when there are doubters. 

To celebrate 'Tracks' going to DVD I've got three copies of the DVD and the book to giveaway to three lucky winners (each pack RRP $54.99). 

To enter all you have to do is tell me what's the most brave adventure you've ever taken on. And ensure I can easily contact you.

Entries close Friday 4th July at 5pm. 

This Way Of Life:: Have You Seen This?

Have you ever seen this documentary? If you haven't, you totally should. It's beautiful. 

It's a film about a family in New Zealand who live an incredible and simple life. Two quietly intelligent and articulate parents Peter and Colleen Karena , six incredible children, lots of horses, an amazing landscape. 

I've seen it a couple of times and each time have been captivated and inspired by the simplicity of the family's life. The closeness of the family, their ability to live such an amazing life, honestly, I can't even summarise how great it is. Just watch it. 

Filmmakers Sumner Burstyn and her husband Thomas Burstyn shot for four years with the family, in which they faced immense hardship, disappointment, grief and devastation. And yet every time they rise above it and 

It's on iView at the moment, and I just wanted to give it a shout out. 

The Grand Budapest Hotel:: Clandestine Film Watching

Last night I got home - and the house was a bomb. 

I felt pretty angry. That's actually an understatement. This has been percolating away for a while. 

So 20 minutes after walking in, I walked back out. 

I felt pretty guilty. But also pretty angry. I am sick of being the only one to tidy things away because everyone's taken the "it's not my stuff" posture - so they just leave it. 

What did I do? Well, what is one meant to do when you have steam coming out your ears and no where to really go?

I went to the movies. With no movie in mind, I just had to pick one based on the time I arrived, and whatever was showing. Thankfully it was The Grand Budapest Hotel. PHEW!

Because my friends, watching that film? Magical. 

I kept sitting there reminding myself that Wes Anderson is a freaking genius. Everything is perfect. And perfectly quirky and wonderful. There are so many shots I wanted to photograph in my memory because they were a beautiful play of colour, a riot really. 

I've thought about it all day, and looking on Pinterest has reminded me of so many great moments, I can't wait to watch it all over again. 

Honestly, it's one of my all-time favourite films now, straight to my top 5. And maybe even my favourite Wes Anderson film.

The casting is brilliant. 
The costumes are superb.
The sets incredible.
Everything is sublime.

Have you seen The Grand Budapest Hotel? And did you love it as much as I did?

Pretty Damn Awesome

This made me happy. 

Honestly. Watch it. Life-affirming and wonderful. 

You Might Like This. I Do.

Sydney three-piece 'Little May' - a beautiful track that's more than worthy of some repeat plays. 

Love the film clip too - Sean Dooley's gem. 

And Now You MUST Watch This

I'm not going to say a thing. Just watch it. 

I Need A Laugh. This Could Be My Answer

I can't wait to see this! 

Episode 2: Actual Conversations with my two year old

FIST PUMP!

Episode two is up.

SO good. These are gold. And may there be many, many more.

Round Two:: John Oliver's Round Two Investigating Gun Control

As if the first part wasn't powerful enough, John Oliver goes in for a second round with American politicians regarding gun control. (ding ding)

Seriously. How about a round of lobotomies?

I think that was a TKO.

Whoop De Doo: This Is Genius

John Howard on Gun Control. from John Beohm on Vimeo.

This is so great. Take the time to watch it. Despite it being a very serious topic, it's funny. And really well done.

I Can't Freaking Wait To See This

As soon as I saw the poster for this walking out of the cinemas (me, not the posters), I got excited. Such a freaking good cast - and it's got - - - Michelle Williams. It's long been documented how much I love that other mother. She's the bomb and then some. 

Have you seen any good movies lately? 

I'm sorry to say, the only movies I've seen recently are DVDs. Namely Karate Kid and The Color Purple. Ahem. But you? Any good ones I should check out this weekend?

PS - My friend Lee sent me this link to check out Michelle at the premiere. How good does girlfriend look??!

Good Movie - Good Cause

Between now and February 4th, hotfoot it to Hoyts and watch Oscar nominee Naomi Watts and UNICEF ambassador Ewan McGregor in The Impossible.

Why?

Because for every ticket sold, $1 from each ticket sale will be donated to UNICEF Australia. 

That's a pretty good wicket!

Some background, if you please:

The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami was one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in history.

UNICEF was on the ground to support children and their families immediately after the wave’s impact, helping to distribute basic food and health supplies as well as caring for children who were separated from family or orphaned. 

The Impossible is based on the true story of one family’s effort to survive this unforgiving disaster.

I'm Famous! (Also Known As: What To Do In The School Holidays)

Tiny has a fascination with being famous at the moment. I'm not altogether convinced she quite grasps the idea of being famous, but when something good happens she'll jump up and down and shout: "I'm famous, I'm famous." And then she does a funny little jig and continues her chant.

It's cute rather than being precocious. Well I can say that, I am her mama.

Last weekend we got to tread the charcoal swirly carpet to view a preview of Brave. (Almost famous.) There was highland dancing, bagpipers, face painting, and then of course - the movie.The smalls were in utopia.

Brave is all about a teenage girl-princess, Merida, growing up in Scotland. It involves bows and arrows, haggis, bears, and a witchy woodworker. We found it pretty enchanting. Tiny got scared at one point and climbed onto my lap - and then continued to rave about Brave after we got home.

I loved listening to Billy Connelly and Emma Thompson breathing life into their characters. And the gags that went over the kid's heads.

The smalls loved the adventure, the story, the action and the excitement. For us, it's school holiday viewing recommended. And basically, since I need all the help I can get for school holidays - I'm going to continue this week with some more school holiday worthy ideas that you might like.

Or are you going away somewhere warm? And in that case - take. me. with. you.

As Seen On The Voice

Did you see me on The Voice on Sunday night?

Nope. Me neither. I was too busy tweeting and eBaying at the moon.

But one of my ace Twitter buddies sent me this photo.

Being Lara Bingle: Opinions or Assassinators?

So tonight I watched the debut episode of Being Lara Bingle. It was funny and fun. Exactly the type of television I want to watch when I am tired after work. You can shake your head at me all you like, but we all want different things. Right?!

So I tweeted it too.

Afterwards the knives were drawn. 140 characters at 20 paces.

Since when did it become au fait to be nasty?

The snipers were out aiming to shoot her down, just as the paparazzi were ready to shoot her.

And since I am well on my way on the positivity parade, I stood firm. It's not ok to tear shreds off Lara Bingle.

If you don't want to watch it, then don't. Simple really. But you don't have to assassinate someone.

And for the record, I've had the good fortune of working with Lara - many, many years ago. She is just as beautiful now as she was then - and without a speck of make-up. She just glows.

Gareth Malone: Art of Teaching

Did you watch Gareth Malone's Extraodinary School for Boys on ABC1 last night? If not, you totes missed out. He is amazing. Catch it on iView if you can - it's a brilliant prgram. Particularly if you have boys.

LAMB

You really must check out this new clip made to advertise lamb for Australia Day. Featuring Melissa Tkautz. And the Justice Crew. It's solid gold.