We watched another wide range of films during September.  I have included the ratings that members of the group have given for the films.  Of course, different people enjoy different genres and actors, so I expect many may not agree with the ratings.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994): Set in a male prison, run by a corrupt warden, sadistic guards and some predatory inmates.  Rated as 4/5.
Bed Among the Lentils: an Alan Bennett monologue starring the incomparable Maggie Smith.  Rated as 4+/5
Still Alice (2014): The story of a highly intelligent university lecturer’s descent into Alzheimer's Disease and the impacts it had on her family.  Rated as 2/5. 
Foyle’s War (Series 1, episode 3, 2002): An episode of the series set during WWII, involving Detective Chief Inspector Foyle, aided by his Sergeant, Paul Milner, and his driver, Samantha Stewart.
Carrie (1952): A melodrama from the 1950s starring Laurence Olivier and Jennifer Jones.  A bit of nostalgia with plenty of twists and turns.  Rated as 3/5.
Three Pines (2013): Based on a book, Gamache and his loyal inspector Jean-Guy Beauvoir investigate the murder of a much-loved retired schoolteacher.  Rated as 3/5.
Stan and Ollie (2018): a fictionalised biography of the comedy partnership of Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy which started in 1927.  Rated as 2+/5.
Colossal (2017): It is a sci-fi fantasy about Gloria (Anne Hathaway) who moves back to her hometown after a relationship breakdown/job loss. 
The One and Only Ivan (2020): An animated film based on best-selling author Katherine Applegate's award-winning 2013 book about Ivan, the headline act at a mall-based circus run by ringmaster Mack.  Rated as 4/5

We are continuing with this approach for the class as the group is enjoying the variety of films and comments.  We would welcome anyone who wishes to participate by sharing thoughts about films they have watched and interested in hearing comments about films others have watched.  You can send me a message on [email protected].  Contributions are due by 14 October for our next “class”.
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Joy Shirley

​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