We have continued watching a film of our own choice, sharing our thoughts with the class via email. The films watched for August were:
The Bookshop, 2017: Based on the book of the same name, rated as 4/5. It had some haunting background songs and beautiful photography of the quaint seaside town and surrounds and good performances.
The King’s Speech, 2010: A biographical historical drama, telling the story of King George VI, his impromptu ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer. Rated as 4+/5, winning a number of academy awards.
The Piano, 1993: In the mid-19th century, a mute woman is sent to New Zealand along with her young daughter and prized piano for an arranged marriage to a wealthy landowner. Another 4+/5 film, winning academy awards.
Midnight in Paris, 2011: Classed as a fantasy/comedy/drama, Owen Wilson stars as an aspiring writer, Gil Pender, who arrives in Paris with his fiancée, Inez, played by Rachel Adams and plans to finish his debut novel. This was rated as 3/5, an entertaining and feel good film.
The Children Act, 2017: A drama starring Emma Thompson as a judge (Fiona), married to Jack, a university lecturer (played by Stanley Tucci). This film is based on the book of the same name by Ian McEwan, telling of a court ruling intervening to force a blood transfusion for an 18-yearold against his parent’s religious stand. It was rated as 3/5.
Stan and Ollie, 2018: A biographical comedy-drama film based on the later years of the lives of the comedy double act Laurel and Hardy. The film strays from the truth a bit, but the result is a film that portrays the era well and was rated as 3/5.
Mary, Queen of Scots, 2018: This told of the relationship between Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I. This was intriguing as a period drama and the costumes were beautiful. All actors were wonderful & I give it a 4+/5
War of the Worlds (TV series), 2019: The new series on SBS. WAR OF THE WORLDS. Rated M15+. Some scenes are subtitled. There are 8 episodes, with filming in England, Belgium and France. This is still screening on SBS and available on SBS OnDemand.
The Last Song, 2010: The parents of Ronnie and Jonah are divorced, and the children have not seen their father for quite some time. The story tells of the developing relationships between the children and their father when they are forced to spend time with him. It was rated as 3+/5
The class members continue to enjoy the process and we will continue with this approach until we are able to resume our usual class sessions. We would welcome anyone who wishes to participate by sharing thoughts about films they have watched and are interested in hearing comments about films others have watched. You can send me a message on [email protected] and I will share your thoughts with the class. Our next “class” is scheduled for 9 September and comments are due around that date.
Joy Shirley
The Bookshop, 2017: Based on the book of the same name, rated as 4/5. It had some haunting background songs and beautiful photography of the quaint seaside town and surrounds and good performances.
The King’s Speech, 2010: A biographical historical drama, telling the story of King George VI, his impromptu ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer. Rated as 4+/5, winning a number of academy awards.
The Piano, 1993: In the mid-19th century, a mute woman is sent to New Zealand along with her young daughter and prized piano for an arranged marriage to a wealthy landowner. Another 4+/5 film, winning academy awards.
Midnight in Paris, 2011: Classed as a fantasy/comedy/drama, Owen Wilson stars as an aspiring writer, Gil Pender, who arrives in Paris with his fiancée, Inez, played by Rachel Adams and plans to finish his debut novel. This was rated as 3/5, an entertaining and feel good film.
The Children Act, 2017: A drama starring Emma Thompson as a judge (Fiona), married to Jack, a university lecturer (played by Stanley Tucci). This film is based on the book of the same name by Ian McEwan, telling of a court ruling intervening to force a blood transfusion for an 18-yearold against his parent’s religious stand. It was rated as 3/5.
Stan and Ollie, 2018: A biographical comedy-drama film based on the later years of the lives of the comedy double act Laurel and Hardy. The film strays from the truth a bit, but the result is a film that portrays the era well and was rated as 3/5.
Mary, Queen of Scots, 2018: This told of the relationship between Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I. This was intriguing as a period drama and the costumes were beautiful. All actors were wonderful & I give it a 4+/5
War of the Worlds (TV series), 2019: The new series on SBS. WAR OF THE WORLDS. Rated M15+. Some scenes are subtitled. There are 8 episodes, with filming in England, Belgium and France. This is still screening on SBS and available on SBS OnDemand.
The Last Song, 2010: The parents of Ronnie and Jonah are divorced, and the children have not seen their father for quite some time. The story tells of the developing relationships between the children and their father when they are forced to spend time with him. It was rated as 3+/5
The class members continue to enjoy the process and we will continue with this approach until we are able to resume our usual class sessions. We would welcome anyone who wishes to participate by sharing thoughts about films they have watched and are interested in hearing comments about films others have watched. You can send me a message on [email protected] and I will share your thoughts with the class. Our next “class” is scheduled for 9 September and comments are due around that date.
Joy Shirley
