The fourth entry in the Harry Potter franchise is the first to get itself a PG-13 rating, reflecting the fact tht the stories themselves are getting darker, and dealing with heavier subjects. It also sees a new director behind the camera, Mike Newell, who continues the world-building of the series, embracing the visual aesthetic that…
Tag: maggie smith
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) – Alfonso Cuaron
Despite the box office success of the previous two Harry Potter films, the franchise really comes into its own with a change of directors, the masteful Alfonso Cuaron settles into the chair taking over from Chris Columbus who moved into a producer’s role for this entry. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint return for…
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) – Chris Columbus
The magic of Harry Potter continues in Warner Brothers’ second instalment of what would go on to be an insanely profitable franchise. Director Chris Columbus returned for a second outing, with this adaption of the second book in the series (which was still being written at the time – can you remember the time when…
Hook (1991) – Steven Spielberg
“Oh there you are Peter.” That line makes me mist up every time I hear it, but it’s also from a film that I treasure for a number of reasons, and I got to revisit it for the first time in a number of years courtesy of DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book and…
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) – Chris Columbus
The next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my return to the family genre and my screening of The Fellowship of the Ring is another franchise that captured hearts and imaginations. Looking back, as I rewatch this film, there is no way that this movie could fail. It’s based…
Gosford Park (2001) – Robert Altman
Nine years before Julian Fellowes created Downton Abbey, he wrote Gosford Park from an idea from filmmaker Robert Altman, and it is the next title on the What Else to Watch list in DK Canada’s The Movie Book, following their recommendation of The Rules of the Game. The film balances a mystery, drama, with hints…
The Secret Garden (1993) -Agnieszka Holland
Francis Ford Coppola serves as executive producer of this adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel, and the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book. Young Mary Lennox (Kate Maberly), born and raised in India is orphaned when her parents are killed in an earthquake. She is sent to live…
Clash of the Titans (1981) – Desmond Davis
Now this is the way you do a Greek mythology epic, with heart, fun and some top-notch stop motion effects. There is more emotion and character in a single armature movement in this film, than in the whole of the pixelated version of the 21st century! I was so happy to be able to…
Late To The Party – Downton Abbey
I’ll be the first to admit that I came to this show late. I’ll also admit that currently I am only two episodes into the first series. I do know that I’m going to fly through it pretty quick! As we know, or maybe we don’t, I love my British television. I had heard…
The Mind Reels 