Jane Lite Rules Mansfield Park

After viewing my third of the new PBS Jane movies, I've decided this ensemble should be called Lite -- as in fat free -- just the bare bones romance. This Mansfield Park in particular really stripped away of all of the funny characters and side stories. Mrs. Norris isn't so awful, Mary Crawford not so bitchy, and Fanny's brother and seaside family are barely a blip on the screen. That's ok I guess, but one of the main things I love about Jane Austen is all of the odd-ball self-involved characters that riddle her novels. Oh well. Jane Austen Lite is better than no Jane Austen at all.

Atonement in the theater

It's always nice to see a movie in the theater; it seems like I do that less and less and watch DVDs more. Probably due to my Netflix compulsion. Anyway, I just saw Atonement after hearing mixed reviews from friends and critics. I had read the book (although I did some paging through the boring parts like the war scenes) and knew pretty much what to expect. While I could see why some people thought the movie was boring, I was not bored because it was so nice to look at -- it is so lush and beautiful -- beautiful mansion and gardens and actors. Keira Knightly and James McAvoy are both stunning and the young actress who played Briony is entrancing as well. The war scene on the beach is bizarre and marvelous, like a dream sequence. Each little scene is glorious in some way -- but maybe it's that the movie just doesn't hang together very well and seems a little flabby in parts, but it is definitely something to look at.

I also saw on DVD Hoax about the writer who pretended to know Howard Hughes and write his biography. It's a pretty outrageous story.

And I recently saw Jeff Tweedy, Sunken Treasure Live, a concert film. I liked watching and love Tweedy of Wilco's music and his fantastic voice. You got a glimpse of what kind of person Tweedy is and well he comes off kinda jerky at times but not so jerky that you don't still admire his music.

Jane Rules Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey has always been my least favorite Jane Austen. In it's favor last night's PBS version had a cute Katherine Moreland, a charming George Tilney, and an imposing castle. Both Persuasion and Northanger Abbey move at a quick pace and are likable, but I didn't feel like I got to know the great quirky side characters that make Jane Austen so great.

This weekend I also saw Savages with Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. It's about a brother and sister who have to care for their ailing father. The previews made this move seem whimsical and charming, so I was not expecting it to be as grim as it was. I think it's going to be one of those films that needs mulling over.

Last I saw the A&E miniseries about Charles II called The Last King with Rufus Sewell as Charles. It's a bit of a boddice ripper, but those who like movies about the English monarchy will like it, I think.

Jane Rules -- starting with Persausion

Well, at least she rules the air waves for the next couple of Sundays. Yes, all of Jane Austen films are being made anew (except Pride and Prejudice -- they are reshowing the A&E version). Tonight was Persuasion and while, in my humble opinion, it didn't come close to the Amanda Root version that was longer and payed more attention to some of the kooky characters like Anne's ridiculous sisters, I liked this breezy version; I liked the actress who played Anne and thought the Frederick was a less dour and much cuter than the other Captain Wentworth. Hey, what about that weird street open mouth kiss at the end? That seemed to come out of nowhere.

A Couple of Talky Movies about Sad Women

Sound fun? Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont starring Joan Plowright is a sentimental British slice of life movie where a cute young fellow poses as her grandchild after a series of misunderstandings and temporarily helps her escape her lonely life at this bizarre British hotel for the elderly, The Claremont. One disturbing outcome of watching this movie is that I found myself identifying with the elderly Mrs. Palfrey rather than the young feller hoping to be a writer.

The Secret Life of Words stars the wonderful Sarah Polley as a damaged girl who finds herself acting as a nurse on an oil rig. She tends to a burned and blind worker who happens to be played by Tim Robbins. It starts menacingly slow but grows on you sort of -- it may be worth it to see Sarah Polley's great portrayal of a girl coming out of her shell.

No Country for Old Men -- Guest entry

My sister saw No Country for Old Men -- a movie I was reluctant to see -- too scary. Here are her thoughts:

If you like violent and depressing moives with no hope for a “good” ending this is the movie for you. The redeeming part is the acting and camera work is superb. Also, it kept me on the edge of my seat.

Hmmm, I think I can still miss this one.