August 2011 In Films, Books and Music

August has not been a busy month. I have absolutely no excuse for the (lack of) quality or the (lack of) quantity. I'm just lazy.

Films
I spent most of this month watching The Lord of the Rings series, which I'm preparing a mammoth post for my film blog on, so this was what I fit around it...
ER series 1 - ER was no stranger to me when my Dad bought the box-set of seasons 1 and 2 – I had seen much of the final few seasons, but nothing of the earlier episodes. Being initially set in 1994, ER is almost as old as I am, and I have to say I LOVED it. From the very first episode, ER series 1 is reliably touching, funny, entertaining, exciting and simply an excellent, excellent programme.
The Rise of the Planet of the Apes - I’ve never seen the original Planet of the Apes, but I have seen the Tim Burton remake, and always thought it was pretty good. This, however, I think was better, with the amazing CGI effects actually showing more of Andy Serkis’s performance than you could really see through Helena Bonham Carter’s mask. A good story, with excellent control of your stomach muscles – don’t think I de-tensed until about two hours after leaving the cinema.
Australia - I know this film is mushy, but I just don’t care. Nicole Kidman is the best I’ve ever seen her as a sort of 1940s Bridget Jones, Hugh Jackman is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen him as a rugged cowboy-type and the little boy who plays Nulla is one of the best child actors I have ever seen. The story is too long, but a fantastic epic that manipulates your emotions with perfect precision – Baz Luhrman’s finest hour.
Oranges and Sunshine – I have to say that I did enjoy this true story, of a Nottingham social worker who accidentally uncovers the story of young British children being deported to Australia from the 1940s up to 1970. However, I don’t think it quite packed the punch I was expecting and hoping from it. Some brilliant acting though – particularly from Hugo Weaving and David Wenham.
Mean Girls – It’s been years since I’ve seen this teen classic, and it has not lost anything. The peak of Lindsay Lohan’s career but only the start of Rachel McAdams, this heightened-realism story of the bitchery, backstabbery and ultimate camaraderie of high school girls is an example of what teen movies SHOULD be...
Brassed Off - I love independent films based in the North of England, so I knew I’d love this, but it did not disappoint. The story of a colliery band in Yorkshire trying to stagger on through the closing of their mine is touching, heart-wrenching, very funny and the kind of cracking good tale I always expect from these films. Especially poignant given the recent death of the incredible Pete Postlethwaite.

Music
I listened to nothing new this month. I know I'm a disappointment.

Books
The Book Thief – I tried to read this a few years ago and gave up a few chapters in, for no real reason. This time, however, I couldn’t put it down. I’m not sure why this change of heart occurred, but this time I found this book unputdownable. Low on the laughs, but I cried like a baby, and the imagery and sheer originality of Death’s narration is second to none.
One Day – I read this shortly before going to see the film, and have to say that I did find it funny, endearing and thoroughly enjoyable but not, unfortunately, up to the standards of David Nichols first novel – Starter For Ten. Strange, since One Day has garnered much more attention, but whilst enjoying it, I found both of the lead characters infuriating at times, rather than sympathising with them.
Rebecca – for several years I thought I was named after this book and now, having read it, am massively relieved to discover that is not the case. I was expecting a deep, psychological, period story about the ghosts of memory, but actually found it to be a very exciting story of secrets and lies. I found the nameless main character maddeningly wet at times, but generally enjoyed this book far more than I was expecting to.