[Feature] The King's Speech: After the hype.

After the, what seemed to be, endless months of praising, celebrating and encouraging this film, I still hadn't gone and seen The King's Speech at the cinema. For reasons I can't quite pin down, the fact of the matter is I just didn't buy a ticket. Not through some sort of pretentious rebelling, not allowing myself to get caught up in the hype, and not because I was SO busy I just didn't have the time of day to see it, I just didn't. 

But now I have. I sat down in front of the TV, put it in the DVD player and watched this film. I have to admit, I was so excited because this truly seemed to be a phenomenon when it was released. I didn't see a review lower than 4 stars, and whoever I spoke to about it seemed to rave. The award ceremonies didn't disagree with any of that either. So, all this expectation and what for? Quite a positive reaction actually. 

It's a thoroughly entertaining film on all accounts. The story is moving, the dialogue is witty and the acting is "just splendid", to quote the film. Adding to all this, I think my favourite thing about the whole movie was the direction of it. The movement of the camera, the editing of the shots and the framing is beautiful. I almost watched it again just to admire the gorgeousness of it. Tom Hooper deserves all the glory he received. 

What's pleasing after watching it is the fact that it's a genuinely good film, not one of those who gets caught up in the excitement and then forgotten about. You could watch this film over and over again and not get bored. The storyline isn't too intense, and I'm sure you'd notice new things in each scene every time you watched it. The fact that it stars Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter puts the cherry on top of the cake. Actually, what DID put the cherry on the cake was the little girl from Outnumbered, Ramona Marquez. That girl is lovely. 

You should remind yourself of this great feature and watch it again. It's a beautiful and heartwarming film, as you probably are well aware. It oozes Britishness and makes you proud to be a part of the nation this film belongs to. There's enough eccentricity in it to not make Britain seem to middle-class, but enough seriousness to keep our reserved nature flowing. 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows [Review]

Director: David Yates


Writers: Steve Kloves, J.K. Rowling


Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter


British wizardry just upped it's game again; the first saga of the final instalment of this prestigious story is finally with us with a great impact. The actors have found themselves in their roles, the action and special effects are darker and increasingly more exciting; Plus, we've even got some old friends back. Although long, the time passes quickly catching you off guard with quick moments of intensity through the narrative. 


David Yates (Director of Half-Blood Prince and Order of the Phoenix) has really pulled everything out that he could. There's some interesting detail to his cinematography that really makes your eyes bulge. Particularly with the editing, the attention of effects for the magic makes the film seem more mysterious. Something I thought was lacking in the previous two was the wizard theme running throughout. But here we see these mature young adults use their powers in a much more knowing way, giving them more of an appeal to an older audience. Added with this, the way he has choreographed the film to flow and pause in certain parts and speed up in others brings with it a real sense of a movie-going experience. It flows brilliantly and stops leaving you wanting more - Which is handy because the story hasn't finished being told as it cuts half way through.


The books were something that skipped my life somehow, but as a film goes, this is probably the best (besides the first, because I'm one of those ones who always has a soft spot for the first) one yet to come. You know the characters and the story leaving you to sit back and enjoy the ride. 


Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) is actually believable as his character. Before I found his performances a bit stiff, but now he's the man and accepting his responsibility as a world known wizard. Emma Watson (Hermione) is just as beautiful as ever, and Rupert Grint (Ron) still remains the cheeky one, but a little more masculine now. It's just wonderfully British. Their accents, the location and their attitudes will all live up to what audiences around the globe want to see, and what England loves to witness - A film close to their hearts that they can be proud of. 


Helena Bonham Carter stands out in her role this time. We haven't got as much appearance from the dark side as you'd expect, but a funny feeling in my guts tells me that their team of nut jobs will be haunting our dreams in the next one - Probably from the film ending on Voldemore and not the three main characters. It wasn't a satisfying end, but one of anxiousness.


[Spoiler Start] What kind of sick, messed up fairytale would ever kill an Elf, especially Dobby?! That did make me genuinely sad. I then told myself that this character was made from imagination and a computer so I soon pulled myself together. [Spoiler End] But that's what Harry Potter is great for - creating characters that would never even be in your dreams, and giving them this sense of life where you can connect with them in an enchanting  setting. 


I went into the cinema with a low expectation and came out pleasantly surprised. A perfect winter film (If you've managed to stick with it for the past 10 years). 


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Here's a fun little parody you can enjoy, based on the song "Like a G6" we have "Likes it's Quidditch: