Top of the Pops: 50th Anniversary
Patrick Humphries and Steve Blacknell
Book
'It's Number One - it's Top of the Pops'. It's not just the story of a long-running television...
Parade's End: Some Do Not...; No More Parades; A Man Could Stand Up -; The Last Post
Julian Barnes and Ford Madox Ford
Book
Booker Prize-winner Julian Barnes introduces Ford Madox Ford's masterpiece Parade's End - now a...
James P. Sumner (65 KP) rated Yesterday (2019) in Movies
Jul 18, 2019
The trailer did a good job of letting you know what to expect without giving too much away, believe it or not. There are a few twists and turns along the way, which were a nice surprise. Ultimately, this IS a British rom-com underneath it all, and the final third is as predictable as every other film in the genre.
Yet this film oozes charm and whimsicality, and sets itself apart from everything that's come before it. Say what you want about Love Actually, but for me, that was the last British film to really make a splash on this level - which was 16 years ago!
The script is amazing. No scene feels unnecessary. No dialogue feels pointless. Richard Curtis, yet again, proves he's a true master of his craft. The lead roles are perfectly cast. Lily James, in particular, puts in another great performance, showing she's worthy of more heavyweight roles (although she's definitely found her niche in this type of film).
What I really loved about this film was how thought-provoking it was. Relative newcomer, Himesh Patel's portrayal of Jack Malek is spot-on, playing with your own emotions and morals, forcing you to ask yourself if you could remain as grounded and humble as he did if something like this happened to you. Despite being over the top at times, it all felt surprisingly real. I can imagine this is exactly how it would play out if something like this were to happen to someone - the media frenzy, the explosion of popularity online, the whirlwind of life-changing moments...
The film is about big moments in your life, and what you choose to do with them when they happen. It's about chasing your dreams and what you would do if you caught them. It's about how to follow your heart when it wants two things at once. I left the cinema smiling, but also genuinely thinking about my entire outlook on life.
Danny Boyle has done an excellent job with this film, and it deserves to go down as one of the best British films in recent years. Whether you're a fan of the music or not, this should not be missed. Near perfect!
Sounds: The Pronunciation App
Education and Reference
App
The ultimate interactive English pronunciation tool, for both students AND teachers. Sounds helps...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Dunkirk (2017) in Movies
Jan 2, 2018
Unfortunately none of this was apparent in the film, and as much as I love Nolan as a director, he seems to have concentrated too much on the cinematography rather than the importance of this event. No doubt, visually it was as beautiful as some of his previous work such as Interstellar, and the acting was subtle, yet stirring. As per usual, Mark Rylance stands out as the most understated and refined actor - but it was an all-round great cast. It's watchable, but it doesn't really show the true magnitude and significance of this period.
The Prisoner of Kathmandu: Brian Hodgson in Nepal 1820-43
Book
"The Prisoner of Kathmandu" is the first biography of Brian Hodgson, Britain's "father of Himalayan...
The Race Against Time
Book
When Chris Boardman first raced against Graeme Obree, in a time trial in Newtonards, Northern...
Whatever Next?
Book
After a sickly start to his life, Tony Porter certainly made up for it - he started his career...
Zola and the Victorians: Censorship in the Age of Hypocrisy
Book
London, 1888: Jack the Ripper stalks the streets of Whitechapel; national strikes and social unrest...
The Great Train Robbery: Crime of the Century: The Definitive Account
Nick Russell-Pavier and Stewart Richards
Book
Definitive account of the famous 1963 Great Train Robbery - and its aftermath. In the early hours of...