Went to see ‘Testament of Youth’ (the Vera Brittain film).
Beautiful photography, costumes and props. Very watchable but I felt it dragged towards the end.
My paternal grandfather’s eldest bro died in the Etables field hospital (2nd May 1918) so that part of the film was of great interest.
I watched Eileen, the life and times of a serial killer. Classed as a film, but actually a documentary. One troubled, scary woman, but I found it fascinating. I love true stories.
Is that new? (Big fan of her rather depressing book)
I have the book on my kindle and just about to start it, The film I will be watching on my way back to the UK in 3 weeks time . looking forward to both.
I watched ‘The Devils Double’ on my laptop the other night.
A brilliant performance by Dominic Cooper as Saddam Husseins murderously insane son Uday and of course his political double Latif Yania. An insight into a world of truly evil people.
Not for the faint hearted
Excellent book, enjoyed it immensely, though ‘enjoyed’ might not be the right word because it is a very intense and sad book marking the end of a world as people at the time knew it.
Vera Brittain herself is quite a fascinating woman she was involved with the Sackville Wests who were also an odd lot and very worth reading about too.
Her daughter was Shirley Williams
(I hope I spelt all the names correctly, if I didn’t they are reasonably close)
My late OH liked to tell me that Shirley Williams was shorter than me and had size 10 feet !!!
I never managed to spot her feet on TV, despite gluing myself to some seriously boring programmes 
My son and I went to see Kingsman last week. Brilliantly funny film. I cannot remember the last time I laughed out loud for so long my belly ached. Shall never be able to listen to the 1812 again without giggling! Young Welshman Taron Eggerton channeled his inner Michael Cain to perfection! Samuel Jackson lisped his way through it brilliantly, and Colin Firth was, Colin Firth. Can highly recommend it.
Also, have to say has some of the most amazing high speed perfectly crafted action/fight sequences I have ever seen. Almost ‘balletic’ in their perfection.
We went to see The Second Best… yesterday and it was good fun - story a bit banal but saved by the great British actors AND Richard Gere. Great photography of India and the marriage ceremony and Bollywood dancing at the end was spirit lifting.
I look forward to seeing the new Testament to Youth arriving here.
Bruce - if that period of history interests you (as it does me) I can recommend two books that both my OH and I have just read. The Last Summer and The Great Silence both by Juliet Nicholson. First about the year before the outbreak of war and the other about the four years after the war. Both highly readable and well researched and ought to be made into documentaries.
Have just finished ‘Margot at War’ - the Asquiths in No 10 during the war. Also I have a very good history of the Sackville-West family - “Inheritance”. We went to Knole a few years ago. As you may note. I am a bit obsessed with that period of history and its characters!
An Unfinished Life. With Robert Redford, Jeniffer Lopez and Morgan Freeman. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Watched life of PI yesterday, bit underwhelmed after all the hype.
Don’t think I’ve seen that … won’t bother anyway:-D
I gave the Jennifer Lopez ‘Boy Next Door’ ? a miss too but am looking forward to Cinderella. Looks pretty good and a friend helped build one of the coaches
Nom, I feel like that with most hyped up films. I’ve now chosen to watch films on Netflix that I haven’t even heard of before and I’m thoroughly enjoying them. Hyped up films are often disappointing.
It was well made, loads of gorgeous CGI but as a fantasy film goes Cloud Atlas was far better, but of course it will appeal to others, im waiting for the final Hobbit dvd due out back end of April.
Just re-watched the first Ice Age dvd visually stunning and great laugh animation has come such a large way.
High in the intellectual stakes; did I mention that before I came on holiday I watched, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1? OK if you’ve got nothing else to do.
Couldn’t stand that Jennifer Lawrence until I saw her in Silver Linings Playbook when she went up greatly in my estimation. (One of those moments when you know you’ve seen an actor before but can’t for the life of you remember where, I was amazed to discover it was The Hunger Games)
I’m just back from the cinema. My friend & I went to see ‘The Second Exotic Marigold Hotel’
It wasn’t half as good as the first one (even with Richard Gere in the cast)
Carol, I loved the first one, so I’ll be really disappointed if the second one lets me down. Often that’s the case though 
Just watched the first one again, so disappointed to hear this as i loved the first. Why Richard Gere, unless its a sop to try and improve the American audience
Just like putting Shirley Maclaine in Downton Abbey.
