The Enid Blyton Society

Darrell71 wrote: I also watched Dunkirk a few months ago. I'm not a big war movie fan, but I absolutely loved it. Did anyone else watch it?

Coincidentally, we watched it on television last night and were really looking forward to seeing it. However, we both found it boring. Maybe there was too much hype, but it could have been so much better. I also found the musical score to be most irritating.

Katharine wrote:The film I've watched most recently or should I say, am currently watching is 'Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire'. My daughter turned 12 recently, so is now old enough to watch the film, so I've been watching it with her. I'd forgotten how much swearing there is in it, maybe I was extra sensitive because I was watching it with her, but I found it quite uncomfortable, and unnecessary.

As I recall, there was little or no swearing in the books.

We also watched Victoria & Abdul on television earlier in the week. The Moonrakeress wasn't too impressed, but I loved it. Mind you, almost anything starring Judy Dench is worth looking at! There was a documentary on last night which I have recorded. I look forward to comparing the two.

Sim's Scrooge is a masterpiece in my opinion. I also consider the B&W version to be the one to watch. The 'colourised' version just looks false.

Moonraker wrote: Sim's Scrooge is a masterpiece in my opinion. I also consider the B&W version to be the one to watch. The 'colourised' version just looks false.

I agree, I'd always rather see the black and white version rather than a colourised version, although I have seen both. Black and white films were made to be black and white, with the set, lighting, costumes etc designed to be seen in black and white!

A good example are the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers films, all of which were most definitely designed in terms of looking visually splendid in black and white. The sets were constructed, quite often, in shades of black and white and grey so they would photograph sharply and effectively on black and white film. Interestingly, these films have never been colourised, as far as I know.

I finally watched the film "The Croods" yesterday late evening. It's quite funny and the story is interesting considering the background of the prehistoric interchange between neanderthals and "modern" human beings.

Moonraker wrote: Sim's Scrooge is a masterpiece in my opinion. I also consider the B&W version to be the one to watch. The 'colourised' version just looks false.

I agree, it's an excellent film (and it was the B&W version I watched last month) — my main gripes were that I didn't find the acting convincing at times (especially Scrooge himself) and I found the occasional departures from the original story annoying! But that's my fault for being a pedant and a purist, not the film's fault. I have seen several film versions of A Christmas Carol — from the serious to the silly — but haven't yet hit on one that I'd consider THE definitive version. But I'm probably too hard to please and should just stick to the original book.

Just saw Paddington 2 today on the high recommendations of a friend. Absolutely wonderful film! So beautifully done — suspenseful, hilarious, heartwarming and with an ending that left me with (happy) tears in my eyes. It was the sort of film that restores one's faith in humankind (or bearkind?), that's all I can say. A great one for all ages and you don't have to be familiar (I'm not very) with the Paddington books or the first film in order to follow it. If anyone here is interested but hasn't been to see it yet, do give it a try!

Thanks for your brief review, Courtenay. Will definitely watch it now. I was contemplating whether to watch it or not.

Courtenay wrote:Just saw Paddington 2 today on the high recommendations of a friend. Absolutely wonderful film! So beautifully done — suspenseful, hilarious, heartwarming and with an ending that left me with (happy) tears in my eyes. It was the sort of film that restores one's faith in humankind (or bearkind?), that's all I can say. A great one for all ages and you don't have to be familiar (I'm not very) with the Paddington books or the first film in order to follow it. If anyone here is interested but hasn't been to see it yet, do give it a try!

I thought that I had seen Paddington 2- then realised I'd seen a Marks and Spencer Christmas advert...

The film's completely different from the M&S ad, I can assure you. Well, it does have a burglar in it, but not one who gets mistaken for Santa Claus...

Tonight we watched 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' - a film that, unbelievably, I had never seen before. I've always been put off because I'm definitely not a fan of Marilyn Monroe. She couldn't act, couldn't sing and couldn't dance and I don't even consider her very attractive - but she wasn't bad in this film, which was quite good fun. A musical movie from 1953 is fairly 'modern' for my tastes, as I prefer those from the 1930's and 40's. Still, I give it 3 out of 4 for entertainment value.

A good film, Rob! I must agree with your views on MM. Her acting/singing were poor. It was her ample 'Assets' that the directors/producers were obviously interested in! She has never interested me, but my Brother is a massive fan of hers & has framed posters/photos on his wall at home.

I watched 'A Matter of Life & Death' on DVD last night, which stars David Niven & Kim Hunter. Well worth a watch, so I won't spoil the plot here!

The only Marilyn Monroe film I've ever seen is 'Niagara'. I can't actually remember what happens, but I know I rather liked it.

I love 'A Matter of Life and Death'. I won't spoil it either but it seems years ahead of its time considering the plot. It's hard to believe it was made in 1946, the year after the War ended. Were there any complaints of bad taste at the time? I can only imagine that if some idiot tried to remake it today, it'd just be some tasteless comedy!

I agree, Stephen. The film was way ahead of its time. I first saw it when I was a nipper & I was instantly hooked by the very imaginative storyline. Not many remakes are better than the original, so I just hope they don't try remaking this film. It would be a complete disaster!

number 6 wrote:I watched 'A Matter of Life & Death' on DVD last night, which stars David Niven & Kim Hunter. Well worth a watch, so I won't spoil the plot here!

A great film, although it always gives me goosebumps.

I was delighted to see a real camera obscura (or whatever it was called) at a Victorian Fair a couple of years ago.

Yes, you're right, Katharine. I saw my first camera obscura at Portmeirion in North Wales quite a few years ago, which showed fascinating views of the village.

Being an old Hollywood Musical fan, as is my dad, we've been watching musicals in my DVD collection for almost two years now - maybe three or four a week - I have around 600 Hollywood musicals on DVD - and we've now watched all those I have from 1927 with 'The Jazz Singer' through to 1953 so far. Tonight we watched another from 1953 - one of my favourite Doris Day movies - 'By The Light Of The Silvery Moon'. Great stuff!