I promise I didn’t rig Google’s random number generator. This week’s random movie (DVD 11799) just happens to be one of my favorite movies: Cary Fukunaga’s 2011 adaptation of Jane Eyre. Here’s our summary: When orphaned governess Jane Eyre arrives at imposing Thornfield Hall, she’s intrigued by her brooding, wealthy employer, Rochester. His dark moods … Continue reading “Random Movie Monday — Jane Eyre”
I promise I didn’t rig Google’s random number generator. This week’s random movie (DVD 11799) just happens to be one of my favorite movies: Cary Fukunaga’s 2011 adaptation of Jane Eyre. Here’s our summary:
When orphaned governess Jane Eyre arrives at imposing Thornfield Hall, she’s intrigued by her brooding, wealthy employer, Rochester. His dark moods and the strange occurrences in the house lead her to discover a terrible secret that he had hoped to hide from her forever.
What this summary leaves out is that Jane Eyre is adapted from the eponymous 1847 novel by Charlotte Bronte. It’s a Gothic novel, but it’s also one of the first English proto-feminist works of fiction. Director Fukunaga and screenwriter Moira Buffini highlight this aspect of the story, unlike other (often longer) adaptations that treat it as a romance. In less than two hours, they fully flesh out a story that’s part scandalous declaration of independence, part coming of age, and part romance.
Add all of that to superb costuming, a sublime score (I’m still upset composer Dario Marianelli wasn’t even nominated for an Oscar), and solid acting from Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender, and you’ve just got a really solid film.
Franco Zeffirelli, the famed director behind many a Shakespeare adaptation, died in Rome this weekend at the age of 96. His earliest days seemed to predestine him for the drama he would become celebrated for. Born out of wedlock in Florence, Italy, his mother made up his surname based on a mistranslation of a Mozart … Continue reading “Remembering Franco Zeffirelli”
Franco Zeffirelli, the famed director behind many a
Shakespeare adaptation, died in Rome this weekend at the age of 96.
His earliest days seemed to predestine him for the drama he would become celebrated for. Born out of wedlock in Florence, Italy, his mother made up his surname based on a mistranslation of a Mozart aria. During WWII, he fought with Italian partisans against Mussolini’s fascist regime before becoming an interpreter for the British army. After the war, he studied at the University of Florence, where he got his first taste of the wonder of stage and opera.
By Alexey Yushenkov – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65018562
He began his opera career in the 1950s, first working as
a production assistant, then set designer, and later directing productions in
Italy and the United States. He gradually
transitioned into theatre, and he directed Shakespeare productions in London
throughout the 1960s. He became known for his lavish sets and lush costuming,
and he carried these hallmarks with him when he began directing films. His
first film, The Taming of the Shrew (1967),
starred Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The film was a moderately
successful, but his big break came the next year with Romeo and Juliet. This sumptuous film is still considered one of
the best adaptations of Shakespeare’s tragedy, and thousands of American
students watch it every year in classrooms.
After these two early successes, Zeffirelli took a break
from Shakespeare and focused on making more religious films, such as Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972), and Jesus of Nazareth (1977), which earned
mixed reviews from critics and audiences. After a decade adapting operas for
the big screen, he experienced a sort of career renaissance after the release
of Hamlet (1990), starring Mel
Gibson, and Jane Eyre (1996).
As with many men in Hollywood, Zeffirelli was not without
controversy. He was a demanding, difficult director—some would say abusive, and
allegations of sexual harassment followed him from Romeo and Juliet onwards. Bruce Robinson, who played Benvolio in
that film, later became a screenwriter and based the character of Uncle Monty
from Withnail & I, on the Italian
director.
Zeffirelli will be remembered in Hollywood as beyond as a director who retold our best known stories in sumptuous, lush fantasy worlds. You can find the following of his works in our collection:
Romeo and Juliet (DVD 5806)
La Boheme (DVD 7103)
The Taming of the Shrew (DVD 9159)
Hamlet (DVD 5914)
La Traviata (DVD 2327)
In addition to these DVDs, you can view many of his stage productions through The Metropolitan Opera streaming service, available with your AU credentials.
We have a lot of American History-themed new acquisitions this week, as well as some classic sci-fi and the last of the Best Picture nominees. All of the DVDs are Home Use and free for you to rent from the library. Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (DVD 16255) Fire Song (DVD 16256) … Continue reading “New DVDs! New DVDs!”
We have a lot of American History-themed new acquisitions this week, as well as some classic sci-fi and the last of the Best Picture nominees. All of the DVDs are Home Use and free for you to rent from the library.
Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (DVD 16255)
Fire Song (DVD 16256)
Sons of Liberty (DVD 16257)
A More Perfect Union (DVD 16259) [No gifs to be found, but have some Tom Hanks explaining the Constitution]
The Crossing (DVD 16260)[Again, no gifs, but Schoolhouse Rock George Washington is always awesome]
It’s a beautiful day outside, so we’re here to bring you… something else. This week’s random movie is DVD 10068, Alucarda. Here’s our summary: A strange friendship develops between two young girls at a convent, Justine and Alucarda, and their relationship destroys the lives of those around them in a torrent of blood, death and … Continue reading “Random Movie Monday: Alucarda”
It’s a beautiful day outside, so we’re here to bring you… something else. This week’s random movie is DVD 10068, Alucarda. Here’s our summary:
A strange friendship develops between two young girls at a convent, Justine and Alucarda, and their relationship destroys the lives of those around them in a torrent of blood, death and damnation.
… Yikes. I have no stomach for horror movies, and this one throws around death, dismemberment, and horrific camp in a way that only 70s horror movies can. I couldn’t even find a trailer that didn’t have a) dismemberment, b) bathtubs of fake blood, c) lots of stabbing, or d) all of the above. If this is your scene, check it the movie out!