England trip on Twitter!

I will be in England for 2 weeks (leaving in a few days) and have decided to post photos on Twitter for anyone wishing to follow along. I will be seeing a few things related to period drama such as Kenwood House in Hampstead Heath above. As well as being the real home of Dido Belle Lindsay of the recent film Belle, it was dopy Mr. Rushworth's seat Sotherton in the1999 Patricia Rozema adaptation of Mansfield Park. It was also the setting for the scene in the film Notting Hill where Julia Roberts was filming a Henry James adaptation.

Ok, I am hardly excited at all. I will also be visiting Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill's birthplace and as long as we are talking filming locations it was used for The Young Victoria, The Lost Prince and the new Kenneth Branagh Disney production of Cinderella starring Lily James (otherwise known as Lady Rose from Downton Abbey).Can't wait to take my niece to see that one!

So I will try to make my Twitter postings as visually appealing as possible and I promise not to Tweet any inanities! Feel free to make suggestions of places I should check out in London or in Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire. Cheers!

@JAustenFilmClub 

P.S. I almost forgot to mention that I will be seeing Richard Armitage in The Crucible at The Old Vic Theatre in London. ;)

Hugh Grant- Actor of the Week

Hugh Grant

In honour of his new animated film The Pirates! Band of Misfits or The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists depending on your side of the pond, my actor of the week is Hugh Grant. I will admit to a bit of a weakness for Hugh's films. If you take a look at his IMDb page, you will see why I had trouble narrowing down my choices for this post. So if I just limit myself to period films first,we have...

Hugh Grant in Sense and Sensibility

Although a little stiff-necked, Hugh Grant is wonderful as Edward Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility. One of his best roles!

Hugh Grant and Tara Fitzgerald in The Englishman who...yada yada yada

In The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain, he plays an English cartographer who has to tell a Welsh village that their mountain is only a hill. I'm going to have to see this one again, as I have been to Wales since I first saw the film (it is breathtaking) and as I recall, the film was pretty darn good.

Hugh Grant as Reginald Cardinal in The Remains of the Day

In The Remains of the Day, he has a small but wonderful part in this riveting film which is now almost 20 years old!

Hugh Grant and Judy Davis in Impromptu

In Impromptu as Chopin and opposite the luminous Judy Davis as George Sand, he is sweet and funny. Not a serious take on Chopin, this one is right up my alley. I love a spot of comedy! Emma Thompson has a riot as the loopy Duchess in this one as well. Love her!

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Ok...now for the non-period films of Hugh Grant's which I absolutely adore. No, they are not high art but they always entertain.

Bridget Jones's Diary

Bridget: Apparently, I used to run round naked in his paddling pool.
Daniel Cleaver: I bet you did, you dirty bitch.

Love Actually

Prime Minister: Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around.

Music and Lyrics

Alex Fletcher: The best time I've had in the last fifteen years was sitting at that piano with you.
Sophie Fisher: That's wonderfully sensitive... especially from a man who wears such tight pants.
Alex Fletcher: It forces all the blood to my heart.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Fiona: There's a sort of greatness to your lateness.
Charles: Thanks, it's not achieved without real suffering.

About a Boy

Will: I couldn't possibly think of a worse godfather for Imogene. You know me. I'll drop her at her christening. I'll forget her birthdays until her 18th, when I'll take her out and get her drunk and possibly, let's face it, you know, try and shag her. I mean, seriously, it's a very, very bad choice.
Christine: We know, I just thought you had hidden depths.
Will: No. No. You've always had that wrong. I really am this shallow.

Two Weeks Notice

George Wade: I own the hotel, and I live there. My life is very much like Monopoly.

Notting Hill

Keziah: No thanks, I'm a fruitarian.
Max: I didn't realize that.
William: And, ahm: what exactly is a fruitarian?
Keziah: We believe that fruits and vegetables have feeling so we think cooking is cruel. We only eat things that have actually fallen off a tree or bush - that are, in fact, dead already.
William: Right. Right. Interesting stuff. So, these carrots...
Keziah: Have been murdered, yes.
William: Murdered? Poor carrots. How beastly!

Nine Months

Rebecca Taylor: Sam! My water broke!
Samuel Faulkner: Well, we'll get you another one! 

OK, that last one seems very appropriate since Hugh Grant has finally become a father to a little girl Tabitha with Chinese actress Tinglan Hong. Who knew he had hidden depths?

Did I miss any of Hugh Grant's films that you really love? I left out the film Restoration with Robert Downey Jr. and Sam Niell, because I had never heard of it but which looks awesome. Can anyone recommend it?

Hugh Bonneville- Actor of the Week

Hugh Bonneville- Downton Abbey

Hugh Bonneville has been in so many period pieces that I had trouble narrowing down the photo choices for this post. Of course his most recent role of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey is giving him a lot of exposure at present but he has worn 19th century garb for a good part of his career!

Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Rushworth in Mansfield Park

He totally cracked me up as the dim witted Mr. Rushworth in Mansfield Park 1999. I mean, get a load of that hair!

Hugh Bonneville as Bernie in Notting Hill

And who didn't love him as Bernie the worst stockbroker ever in Notting Hill? The dinner party scene where he doesn't recognize famous movie star Anna Scott is priceless. (OK, I know it's not period but doesn't the late 90s count now?)

Bernie: What's the pay like in movies? I mean. Last movie. How much did you get paid?
Anna Scott: 15 million dollars.

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Bernie: I'm sorry I am so late. Bollocksed up at work again, I fear. Millions down the drain. 

Hugh Bonneville in The Cazalets

I wish I could say that I had seen Hugh in the 1940s miniseries The Cazalets, but it is still on my wish list. Anyone with a recommendation?

Hugh Bonneville in Daniel Deronda

As Henleigh Grandcourt in Daniel Deronda, Hugh Bonneville is delightfully bad for a change. For anyone who has never seen this one, you are in for a treat. Hugh is amazing as a bad boy and the rest of the film is riveting. The dresses on Romola Garai are pretty fab too and Hugh Dancy is always easy on the eyes. All in all this one is a must see.

Hugh Bonneville as the Prince Regent in Beau Brummell: This Charming Man

From the sublime back to the ridiculous, here he is as the poncy Prince Regent in Beau Brummell. I really liked this film which I only saw recently. Hugh gives us a fascinating glimpse at the insecurities of the man that the Regency Period was named after.

Hugh Bonneville as Rev. Brook Bridges in Miss Austen Regrets

As a poor vicar in Miss Austen Regrets, he gives a tender portrayal of a man still in love with Jane Austen years after he had married another woman. So sweet!

Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Bennet in Lost in Austen

Still stuck in the Regency era, here is Hugh as the wonderful Mr. Bennet in Lost in Austen. He looked like he had a riot with this Jane Austen time travel piece.

And as a bit of fun, here is Hugh Bonneville in the Grand Finale episode of The Vicar of Dibley as Vicar Jeremy Ogilvy who is marrying Geraldine and Harry (Richard Armitage) but who apparently still has a crush on his old classmate Geraldine. So cute! (and I can always find a way to get a bit of Richard Armitage on my blog)

Rhys Ifans- Actor of the Week

Rhys Ifans is one of those British characters who are rather fun to watch, both in film and in life. I mean here is a man who used to be the lead singer for the Welsh pop group Super Furry Animals, was engaged to Sienna Miller and played Spike the crazy Welsh roommate in Notting Hill.  And now he has the lead role in Anonymous, playing the Earl of Oxford who, and I quote with disdain, "supposedly penned Shakespeare's plays". Whether you buy the premise of the film (and I truly hope that you do not), there is no denying the fact that Rhys Ifans is a talented actor. Weird, but talented!

Rhys Ifans as The Earl of Oxford in Anonymous

He really shows his acting chops in Anonymous. This role will finally help to erase Spike from the minds of film goers everywhere. OK, maybe not totally erase the image of Spike...in his underwear...

Rhys Ifans as the crazy Welsh roommate Spike from Notting Hill

Or perhaps Spike in the wetsuit and scuba mask eating cereal...

Rhys Ifans as Spike from Notting Hill

Shudder...he really is a good actor isn't he? Ewwww......

I also loved him in Pirate Radio (The Boat that Rocked) as Gavin, the "greatest DJ in Britain who has just returned from his drug tour of America to reclaim his rightful position". If they need an eccentric Brit, who do they call?

Rhys Ifans as Gavin from Pirate Radio

But he can also do a straight period drama role such as Dobbin in Vanity Fair...

Rhys Ifans as Dobbin in Vanity Fair

And who does Emma Thompson call when she needs a creepy, slimy uncle with gambling debts for her latest Nanny McPhee?  Why Rhys Ifans, that's who. It's hard to even imagine these are all the same people isn't it? What a chameleon!

Rhys Ifans as nasty Uncle Phil in Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang

And of course for the odd father of the odd Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter?  Yes, for Xenophilius Lovegood he hardly had to act at all!

Rhys Ifans as Xenophilius Lovegood from Harry Potter

So whether or not you like all of the films he has been in (and I am a fan of pretty much all of these films to a greater or lesser degree) you have to admit that this guy can act.  And I hope to see lots more of him in the future. Apparently without Sienna Miller.

My fave British (non period) comedies

Four Weddings and a Funeral 1994

Young Bridesmaid: What's bonking?
Scarlett: Well, it's kinda like table tennis, only with slightly smaller balls.

Love Actually 2004

Sam: Let's go get the shit kicked out of us by love.

The Full Monty

Dave: Anti-wrinkle cream there may be, but anti-fat-bastard cream there is not. 

A Fish Called Wanda 1988

Ken: Rev-enge!
Otto: [laughing] It's K-K-K-Ken! C-c-c-coming to k-k-k-kill me! How you gonna c-c-c-catch me, K-K-K-Ken?

Calendar Girls 2003

Chris: Lawrence, we're going to need considerably bigger buns.

Educating Rita 1983

Rita: Christ! My customer! She only come in for a demi-wave, she'll come out looking like a flippin' muppet!

Notting Hill 1999

Keziah: No thanks, I'm a fruitarian.
Max: I didn't realize that.
William: And, ahm: what exactly is a fruitarian?
Keziah: We believe that fruits and vegetables have feeling so we think cooking is cruel. We only eat things that have actually fallen off a tree or bush - that are, in fact, dead already.
William: Right. Right. Interesting stuff. So, these carrots...
Keziah: Have been murdered, yes.
William: Murdered? Poor carrots. How beastly!

Bridget Jones's Diary 2001

Mr. Darcy: I like a woman with an arse you can park a bike in and balance a pint of beer on.

Death at a Funeral 2007 (not 2010!)

Jane: Would you like a cup of tea, Sandra?
Sandra: Tea can do many things, Jane, but it can't bring back the dead.

Kinky Boots 2005

Lauren: Lola, you're gonna have to excuse Charlie. We don't have many transvestites in Northampton.
Lola: I'm not merely a transvestite, sweetheart. I'm also a drag queen. It's a simple equation. A drag queen puts on a frock, looks like Kylie. A transvestite puts on a frock, looks like... Boris Yeltsin in lipstick. There, I said it.

About a Boy 2002

Marcus: Suddenly I realized - two people isn't enough. You need backup. If you're only two people, and someone drops off the edge, then you're on your own. Two isn't a large enough number. You need three at least.

Pirate Radio (The Boat That Rocked) 2009

Dave: So tell us Mark, now at the very end - what was your secret? How did you get all them girls?
Mark: Simple. Don't say anything at all.
'Young' Carl: Nothing?
Mark: Nothing. Then, when the tension becomes too much to bear, you finally, finally, you just say: "How about it, then?"

Bend It Like Beckham 2002

Wedding Guest: Lesbian? Her birthday's in March. I thought she was a Pisces.

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So, there you have a list of some of my favourite British Comedy Films (not period pieces). I have obviously left a few off of my list which should be there so please help me out and leave a comment with your faves, whether they are on my list or not!

Cheers!