Film Reviews & Movie Analysis

I initially decided to make this Top Five because I wanted to add Pride & Prejudice (2005) to a list. However after delving a little deeper I realised the net for this specific category was cast pretty wide. After a lot of thought, spontaneous inspiration and playing favourites, here’s what I settled on.

MOVIES

1. Pride & Prejudice (2005)
[1813] Who doesn’t know the story of the five Bennet sisters, particular outspoken Elizabeth and her adversary, the brooding Mr Darcy? Arguable one of Jane Austen’s most beloved tales, the 2005 Joe Wright adaptation just ticked all the right boxes. The cast was spot on, it made 1800’s language easy to understand while maintaining its authenticity and it was a damn good romance story told with all the subtlety of the time.

2. The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
[1662] Based on a short story by The Three Musketeers author Alexandre Dumas, and featuring his popular albeit now aged characters. Starring Leonardo Di Caprio, John Malkovich and Jeremy Irons, the movie like the book it is adapted from attempts to shine a light on the identity of a mysterious French prisoner whose face was kept hidden beneath an iron mask. It’s a surprisingly moving story that took me by surprise the first time I saw it.

3.Troy (2004)
[12th/13th Century-ish] This three hour and fifteen minute movie based on Homer’s Illiad is an amazing piece of cinema for its time (I mean 2004), and despite mixed reviews is definitely unforgettable. Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom (arguably his most well acted roll) provide a star studded cast for Homer’s tale of love, betrayal and the Trojan War.

4.Gladiator (2000)
[180AD] Russell Crow fighting for revenge and freedom in an oddly fitting leather skirt. The sword clanging Ancient Rome set movie gives us all that we’d expect from the era; unfair imprisonment, blood thirsty crowds and Colosseum conundrums. There’s so much packed into this movie that it never ceases to amaze me that this two and a half hour movie feels infinitely shorter.

5. Gone With the Wind (1939)
[1861] The two part sweeping tale of Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. For a movie made in the 40’s I think they did a fantastic job of transporting the audience back more than one hundred years. One of the things I love about this movie is that the main character – as much as we like her – doesn’t get to have her cake and eat it too.

Just missed out: Moulin Rouge! (2001), 300 (2006), and Les Misérables (2012)

TELEVISION

1.War and Peace (2016)
[1805] Six part mini-series adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s epic about Russia on the brink of war. As Napoleon’s army approaches, Russian aristocracy continue to live a life of over indulgence and gossip before their lives change drastically. If ever there was a time to use the term “fresh take” then it would be now. The stunning visuals coupled with the vibrant young cast made this series one of my favourite things to come from television in 2016.

2.The Tudors (2007-2010)
[1500’s] If you haven’t at least heard of Jonathan Rhys Meyer’s Henry VII then the rock you live under must have terrible reception. The historical fiction series chronicles the brutal, manipulative and crass life of the six wived King in such a dramatised way you can’t help but to get heavily invested. The series had a number of well known actors pass through its doors, and was a career stepper for Henry Cavill (Man of Steel, The Man from U.N.C.L.E) and Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones, Elementary).

3.Peaky Blinders (2013-Present)
[1919] The lives of the a local gangster family and organisation on the gritty post war streets of Birmingham. Everything from the accents, the factory life setting, and the bullying presence of the Shelby’s, loads this show with authenticity and intrigue from the off all thanks to the perfectly cast Cillian Murphy. Plus, that whole cap and coat ensemble of the Peaky Blinders has become such an iconic statement.

4.Emma (2009)
[1815] Another Austen prodigy – The BBC Adaptation of her fourth novel uniquely captures the light hearted air of Emma Woodhouse. It’s definitely one of the more fun adaptations I have ever come across which makes it so distinctive – and is pretty much why it made the list. The four part series is incredibly easy to get wrapped up in, and once it’s over you’ll be tempted to consume it all over again.

5.Reign (2013-2017)
[1557] Three monarchs after the late King Henry VII, reigns Elizabeth I – and the virgin queen has a bitter rivalry with the principal character of Reign; Mary, Queen of Scots.
There are many arguments over the historical accuracy of this show, namely with the costumes and the frequent and futile attempt to disguise top 40 hits by having them played with lutes and harps and shit. However it has a young and beautiful cast that will succeed in getting a new generation hooked on the intriguing world of period dramas.

Just missed out: Outlander (2014-Present) and The Last Kingdom (2015-Present).

My Last Top Five: From the 90’s

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