Stoker

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Another in the Matthew Goode binge watch of 2014. Stoker is a 2013 mystery/thriller film about a quiet, teenage girl whose father dies and the strange familial interactions that subsequently occurs. Written by Wentworth Miller, lead actor of FOX’s 2003 series Prison Break (which I was addicted to up until the 3rd season because *spoiler* post prison break activities can only be plausible and entertaining for sooo long) and directed by acclaimed director Chan-wook Park who directed a little film in 2003 called Old Boy that people seem to lose their minds over (I still haven’t seen it); Stoker is a subtle study about being born with a predisposition for evil. 

Stoker – the family name of the main characters, may have been chosen as a reference to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, in part because this movie is creepy and people die and the killer is charming, but I doubt it. Then again, what would I know, I neither read Dracula nor watched the movie – a tragedy, I’m sure.

In this movie, Matthew Goode plays Uncle Charlie who comes to stay with the main character,, India (Mia Wasikowska) and her mother (Nicole Kidman) after the death of her father, with whom she was very close, and who strangely enough died on her 18th birthday. As the story develops you realize just how strange and anti-social the entire family is, each individual strange in their own way, developing relationships with each other that are different and yet similar; and which ultimately seeks to fulfill the basic human needs of being wanted, belonging and being understood.

Beautifully shot and with great imagery, the movie was at times a bit slow but with that said you do get more from the characters from what they don’t say. Their expressions, actions, wardrobe and surroundings play a much greater part in the viewer’s understanding than the actual dialogue which is really not that much. Add to that, the fact that each twist seemed to be a revelation of the nature of each character was what made it such an interesting watch.

Did you watch Stoker? What was the biggest twist/shocker and was there any part of it you didn’t like?

 

TV: Dancing on the Edge

Retro Fierceness (jazz hands included)

Described as the story of “A black jazz band (that) becomes entangled in the aristocratic world of 1930s London as they seek fame and fortune”, Dancing on the Edge is a 2013, 6 part, 6 hour British miniseries that is indeed an entertainment investment. At 6 hours you could finish it in a day if you had time to kill but it is also quite a good show to take in over a few days. It’s not too frenetic or riddled with excessive drama. Just a well shot, entertaining and well acted period piece.

The series stars Mr. “12 Years a Slave”,  Chiwetel Ejiofor as the ever so dignified band leader, Matthew Goode (whom I have already gushed about, here) as the charming, self-confident music journalist , John Goodman (sir, I haven’t seen you in FOREVER), Anthony Head (who I only know as Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Jacqueline Bisset (screen Royalty as far as I’m concerned), with special mention to Tom Hughes and his cheekbones who made quite a lasting impression with his portrayal of a character that was a mix of adorable and strange and that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

Having seen nothing of the previews and with Matthew Goode as my guide and eye candy, my plot expectations were fairly low. Don’t take this to mean that I was going in easy to please. As it turns out, the music wasn’t that hot or jazzy and there was more smoking than dancing; but as it progressed past the simple story of a black band making it in the 30s, I could see the metaphor “Dancing on the Edge” play out. I was quite surprised by its sinister, murder mystery-esque turn and by the end of the 2nd episode and I caught my mind swirling with conspiracy theories about the aristocracy (that I’m still not sure were in fact true). In fact, I became very anxiety ridden watching things play out. I may have been a bit slow, but by the end of the 5th episode, after all the murder drama had in fact been wrapped up, certain things only clicked because I read some comments which tied together events from the earlier part of the series. I also wished some things that were alluded to (i.e. a business venture between the characters of *Giles and Goodman) were more explicitly confirmed so I don’t feel like I imagined it all. The final episode, set in the form of interviews with the main members of the band, flashbacks  a bit of introspection left me feeling a mixture of awed, enlightened and unsatisfied. Watching the interviews (i.e. two people simply sitting across from each other having a conversation, so completely in character) and the flashbacks (particularly the extended phone monologues)  made me really appreciate the acting and gave me an insight to the characters that was indeed missing from the rest of the series. The ending however was shrouded in an entirely different kind of mystery and though obviously a statement about power and the aristocracy, it left me feeling more than a bit confused.

Like most British TV offerings, I quite enjoyed this. Some people found the plot quite slow and boring (and something that could’ve been wrapped up in 2 hours) but I found myself caught up in the subtleties and belief systems of the characters and the social proprieties of a changing era. I don’t think I’ve ever done a character study before but this series really made me want to delve into the mind of the main characters and their motivations. Especially those of Goodman’s, Head’s,  Bisset’s, Hughes’ and his sister Pamela (played by Joanna Vanderham). I do believe if this were a book I would recommend it for a book club read and discussion. It’s definitely worth a watch, a really wonderful production and if nothing else, it introduced my to Tom Hughes and his cheekbones. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out.

Have you watched this series? Did you enjoy it? What are your thoughts on the way it all panned out?

Welcome…just a little programming note

As a matter of full disclosure I must admit that the impetus for this blog and for me watching the slew of movies and shows which I will start this blog by reviewing was a combination of boredom, procrastination and the presence of Matthew Goode. The cheeky Brit, to whom I have been reintroduced from his stint on the exceptionally well written and well acted CBS drama The Good Wife and for whom I have a somewhat minor obsession at the moment; if one can count repeatedly watching his interviews and his scenes in the above mentioned drama while making my way through his filmography as minor. You may say I have a little crush, but as I’m making my way out of my twenties, let’s call it an “appreciation”. Please don’t hold it against me. On to the reviews!