Effie Gray - story of one of the Pre Raphaelite girls, married off to a dude who couldn’t stand the sight of her, wouldn’t go near her, & one of the first women to obtain a divorce in Victorian England, which took a lot of guts. Went on to marry the brilliant artist John Millais & have loads of kids 
Ex Machina - loved it, plenty to think about - all the brainy bods thinks AI is a serious threat & this film shows it well I thought , intriguing & gripping.
Hi Jodie! I LOVED Effie Gray, I found it quite captivating. Emma T was so lovely to her, husband unbelievably unkind. What gorgeous photography too, couldn’t fault it.
I just wished they’d gone on to show what a happy life she had after she got rid of that awful guy & hooked up with Millais, the film sort of ended only half way thru the story.
They went on to have 8 kids. This wellknown painting is their grandson https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Bubbles_by_John_Everett_Millais.jpg
I didn’t know that. But what an insight into the ghastly lives some women endured in those days with no rights and so on.
I love that painting, had no idea he was their grandson, they should’ve added a PostScript to the film!
Yup they shd have added a summary of what happened to the 3 main characters. Ruskin had a long career, but never had another relationship tho seems he had a passion for naked little girls … no wonder he couldn’t handle a grown woman! Millais painted Ephie in the “order of release” … gotta find a pic…https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Millais_Order_of_Release.jpg
Helluva shock often for both sexes on the wedding night. But whereas many women endured and " thought of England" a man could just walk off in disgust like Ruskin did.
Watched “Never let me go” last night - beautifully acted - but seriously weird!
I found it to be the most seriously depressing story I’d ever come across.
Felt like slitting my wrists after watching it!
It upset me for weeks afterwards.
Seriously grim and unsettling. Shudder…
Having said that, the year he wrote the story I believe was the year of the first clone, Dolly, remember? His inspiration I suppose?
I agree with you both
I thought Carey Mulligan was absolutely transfixing but I found the plot and the story as acted truly depressing and remember using the ‘slitting my wrists’ phrase to my niece when I was describing it to her. I too felt ‘affected’ for a good while after; is that a sign of a great film?
I haven’t read the book - perhaps that would help make the story more acceptable?
Yes I guess it is the sign of a good film/book/show that it stays with you for weeks afterwards.
I could’ve done without that in this instance though!
But I agree the acting was superb if harrowing.
No way am I ever going near the book!!
Nor me!
The Water Diviner, starring Russel Crowe.
A man goes in search of his sons, 4 years after Gallipoli, not a masterpiece, but enjoyable and a steady paced film with nice cinematography and a decent storyline based on a true story.
I watched An Education yesterday, having recorded it from the TV a couple of weeks ago.
Based on the true story of the journalist/writer Lynn Barber, it described a couple of years in her life, from 16 to 18, as a ‘grammar school girl’ in suburbia in the early 1960s. Carey Mulligan, always good, was excellent in the role, with Alfred Molina also excellent, though thoroughly unlikeable, as her social-climbing father. Rosamund Pike and Emma Thompson were also in the cast, plus other actors you will recognise and I have forgotten, for now.
She had a very interesting ‘interlude’ in her growing up and imo, well worth watching. It might be available still on iPlayer - I’m not sure if they keep films, or for how long
Ex Machina, classy bit of Sci Fi by a British director. Not overdone with CGI but nicely put together story about AI with nods to Blade Runner as a reference point.
I haven’t been to a cinema for years. It’s sooooo loud usually, it hurts my ears.
Absolutely agree.
I’d not been to the flicks for many years, partly because of the racket, but a few months back was persuaded to give it a go … YIKES !!! :!: :shock: :shock: the surround sound was horrific but I tried it again … and again and now feel desensitised.
Unsure whether that’s good or bad, but there have been a couple of films I’ve seen that NEED to be experienced on the big screen … ‘Whiplash’ being one.
I use foam ear plus - always. I often complain as I leave the screen but the staff just say they get complains from people that they can’t hear.
So, as soon as the Da da da dadad da da dada da of the Pearl and Dean music starts, that’s me putting my plugs in. It works!
That made me laugh Hilary, because I used to do exactly the same at a Zumba class I started a while back. The music was far too loud so I took foam earplugs. I packed up going in the end.
It must be my ears, because no one else seemed bothered.
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The Rum Diary 2011[/CENTER]
well worth a watch - - comedy - an early Johnny Depp film also staring Aaron Eckhart and set in Puerto Rico, drug sex but erm no rock and roll - just a not to believe good relaxing laugh
Watched Hitch last night on DVD with a friend. We enjoyed it, it was funny in places, had a good plot & a happy ending.
