Tuesday, May 6, 2014

two great films





"Oranges and Sunshine" with Emily Watson.  It's "Philomena" from a different angle.  If you teared up then, you'll gush at "Oranges."  Watson is luminous.  From the Flix with a definite recommendation.


I came across this enchanting film while looking up the filmography of Sophie Nélisse who played the young daughter in "The Book Thief."   (Emily Watson plays her mother in that one.)  "Monsieur Lazhar" is the story of an Algerian man who takes a job as a substitute teacher in a school in Montreal.  His life is a wreck, his students' lives are wrecks; their previous teacher committed suicide in her classroom and her body was discovered by one of the students.  It is a lovely, tender story of how each ~ the teacher and the students ~ is comforted and restored by the other.  Sophie Nélisse is one of his students.  Another Flix find with a enthusiastic nod.  In French with subtitles.




I also "read" John Grisham's latest, Sycamore Row, using my new, spiffy iPod.  What a great idea; put it in my pocket and go take a walk, reading all the way.  The plot is typical Grisham; good guys, bad guys, very bad guys, serendipity, and it all ~ or almost all ~ comes out well in the end.  In this one, the brilliant Jake Brigance from A Time to Kill, is back on the scene in fine lawyerly style. 


4 comments:

DAK said...

Reading while walking. Obviously, you're not strolling down Mission Street.

Liz said...

From those of us who have extolled the merits of e-readers, we told you you'd love it! However, please don't walk while reading. Don't risk falling!!! A contemporary friend of mine fell a few days ago (not reading) and sprained one foot/ankle and broke the other foot in FIVE PLACES! In our age group, we have to learn how NOT to fall!!!

I loved Sycamore Row! Haven't seen the 2 movies you write about, but glad to have the recommendations.

HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!!!!

Liz said...

From those of us who have extolled the merits of e-readers, we told you you'd love it! However, please don't walk while reading. Don't risk falling!!! A contemporary friend of mine fell a few days ago (not reading) and sprained one foot/ankle and broke the other foot in FIVE PLACES! In our age group, we have to learn how NOT to fall!!!

I loved Sycamore Row! Haven't seen the 2 movies you write about, but glad to have the recommendations.

HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!!!!

The Fevered Brain said...

To those concerned about my "reading" while walking: I don't actually read. I listen. Everything I now "read" is actually being listened to.