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My Fave Movies 
Genre: Drama
Main Cast :
Anne Bancroft .... Helene Hanff
Anthony Hopkins .... Frank P. Doel
Judi Dench .... Nora Doel
Synopsis:
Excellence from printing to silver screen.
I love Helene Hanff's 84 Charing Cross Road and it's amazing that the movie version is up to the same high standard of the book. The castings and screenplay are perfect. This film is magical and it's very educational in literary sense and performance from Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins are superb.
This film shines in drawing out the cultural and social differences between London and New York during the period of their letter correspondence.
~~An unspoken Love~~
I thanked the man at Central Park who introduced "84 Charing Cross Road" to Anne Bancroft and Mel Brooks for help making it into a film. David Hugh Jones did a splendid directing. Marvellous adaptation of Helene Hanff's book which I cherish. Without this film I may never find such a terrific book. Great contribution to books-lovers and movie-goers. I love this film.It's one of my all time favourite! Very literary unique with exquisite performances from Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins. This bitter sweet true story is about lifelong letters correspondence between a struggling writer Helene Hanff(Bancroft) and a book dealer Frank Doel(Hopkins). It began when Helene, a New Yorker responded to an advertisement in the "Saturday Review of Literature". She wanted to mail order out of prints or cheaper edition old books from a London book shop which Frank worked as a book dealer. The book shop was located in 84 Charing Cross Road. At first everything were strictly business like. Helene was always interested and amazed by English Literature and cultures and Frank vice-versa,intrigue by this American. Eventually,they developed a special friendship,an unspoken love and care for each other without even seeing each other. They were like soul mates and that was extraordinary. The cultural and social differences between London and New York during that period were vividly illustrated. It's so touching to see Helene finally going to London.Her love for english literature was sincere and remarkable. This made the movie so unforgettable and great. Beacause all these actually did happened and those people really existed. Both Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins were astonishing in their roles. Also with great supporting casts like Judi Dench and Maurice Denham. This movie taught me about books,the magic of literature,friendship and many more.It also showed there are many different kind of perpetual love and care. I'll always re-watch it because I find it's a classic which touch my heart and soul.
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Genre: Drama / Romance
Main Cast :
Audrey Hepburn .... Holly Golightly (Lulamae Barnes)
George Peppard .... Paul Varjak
Synopsis:
This movie is based on Truman Capote's novel. It's about a woman's(Hepburn) relationship with her new neighbour(Peppard).
Her favourite place is Tiffany's in New York where she can beat away her blues. She also sings "Moon River" in this movie.
~~Fascinating!They are after the same rainbow end ~~
I love this movie. From the first scene when Holly(Audrey Hepburn) alighted from the yellow cab to have breakfast in front of Tiffany to the very last scene when Holly and Paul(George Peppard) reunited and kissing in the rain. Mesmerizing film, shine in all departments. Excellent adaptation from Truman Capote's same name novel. Skillful directing by Blake Edwards and flawless performances from both the leads and not forgetting great supporting casts. This role was made for Audrey Hepburn, she was graceful, witty, charismatic and totally awesome. One of her best performance ever! The story was about a free spirited and helpless Holly Golightly who lived with a nameless 'Cat', didn't want to own anything and afraid of love and commitments. Life pretty much socializing because holly's goal in life to marry one of the richest man under 50. Things take a twist with Paul Varjak moved into the apartment below hers. Paul was a struggling writer who actually a kept man by a rich lady. They became neighbour to friends then soul mate and eventually lovers. This is not the usual romance story, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is a timeless classic, showed sincerity, sensibility and class. I also love the song of this movie "Moon River". Who can forget the part when Holly plucking the strings of the guitar and singing it "moonnn----riv---ver"...... This movie touch my heart with memorable characters, song, etc and I've watched it from time to time because each time I watch it, I renewed the feeling. Marvellous vintage classic.Simply divine!
MOON RIVER
Moon Riv-er, wid-er than a mile:
I'm cross-in' you in style some day...
Old dream - mak-er, you heart - break-er,
wher-ev-er you're go-in, I'm go-in your way
Two drift-ers, off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We-re aft-er the same....
rain-bow's end... wait-in 'round the bend,
my Huck-le-ber-ry friend,
Moon Riv-er and me.
From the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's"
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer and Music by Henry Mancini
Shine (1996)
Genre: Drama
Main Cast :
Geoffrey Rush .... David Helfgott (adult)
Lynn Redgrave .... Gillian Helfgott
Armin Mueller-Stahl .... Peter (David's father)
Synopsis:
~~A tragic story well told~~
What a sad story! A true story about an Austrialian Pianist David Helfgott with refinements. How he overcome his mental breakdowns to perform on stage again. A pianist struggled to regain self-believe and the courage to play again. Being a child prodigy, David Helfgott was very promising, but been terrorised by a controlling and stubborn father. He lived in fear but yearned to achieve and excel in his piano playing. He tried to run away to pursue his dream but over doing and his lack of self determination and unstable mind drove him to a mental break down (they proclaimed that but I believed if he had treatment earlier...). He was sent to mental institution and stayed there for several years...forcing him to give up his dream but with twist of fate and meeting a soul mate changed his life again... He regained his playing ability and eventually gave his concert performance and now live happily with his love,performing regularly and hopefully fear no more.... Superb performance from Geoffrey Rush. He completely convinced me that he is David Helfgott. He shines in every department, putting in all his heart and soul to this role and totally deserved his Oscar. Truly remarkable and touching. The movie also have great sound tracks, solid classical piano performances from Rush and most of all it made me cried...... I'd read the biography written by Gillian and I must said the movie was very closed attempt to the truth...and Scott Hicks did took nearly 10 years to write it with David's aid and permission. All in all a great contribution to both film and classical music industries.
The Remains of the Day (1993)
Genre: Drama
Main Cast :
Anthony Hopkin .... Stevens
Emma Thompson .... Miss Kenton
Christopher Reeve .... Lewis
Synopsis:
~~Poignant~~
Excellent adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel. With sensational direction by James Ivory and flawless performances from Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Plus great supporting casts namely Christopher Reeve,Peter Vaughan, James Fox and Hugh Grant. The film is about seize chances,follow your heart,bad timing, regrets, misjudgement, love and trust etc... "Remains of the days" is a sad story about a head butler Mr.Stevens(Hopkins)who is loyal and willing to serve his master wholeheartedly . He's a reserved man who hide his personal feeling and emotions and suppress his love. His life is all about doing his best in his job and devote himself completely. His 'peaceful' life has a ripple when Ms Kenton(Thompson), the new housekeeper arrived. Obviously they have feeling for each other and Kenton even showed her intention. However Stevens although seem interested but didn't appreciate and deliberately hide his feeling. Leading to Kenton's disappointment. She tried but gave in to Fate eventually. This role is tailor-made for Hopkins who totally bring out it's essence. He convincing portray his role. His emotions, expressions and presentation are exceptional. This film project a sense of lost and missed opportunities distinctly. The most unforgettable scene is when Stevens and Kenton reunited after several years,at the bus stop in the rain,Those few seconds of holding hand while bidding good bye, the lost feeling and those eyes contact.. that's poignant. They hoped for a second chance but resigned to Fate due to circumstances. I find this film touching,marvellous with beautiful art direction.I love it's Englishness...so beauteous. Truly remarkable!
Emma (1996)
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Main Cast :
Gwyneth Paltrow .... Emma Woodhouse
Jeremy Northam .... Mister Knightley
Toni Collette .... Harriet Smith
Synopsis:
~~Delightful from print to screen----- A film well made~~
Great attempt by Douglas McGrath to bring Jane Austen's timeless classic to silver screen. This adaptation compressed the lengthy novel into a concise,witty and upbeat narrative satire. Without losing the essence of the oringal. Gwyneth Paltrow gave an excellence performance playing Austen's heroine.She obviously did her homework.With polished english accent,she sang and played the piano,dance,sew,draw,played archery,and not forgetting acted as Cupid. Being the backbone of the movie,Emma Woodhouse tried to matchmake friends around her namely Harriet Smith. The outcome showed she clearly not quite cut out to be cupid however things seem to turn out well and merry eventually--thanks to the crafty works by Jane Austen. The film didn't forget to bring out the best of Austen's creation. Emma Woodhouse is beautiful,clever,witty but with pinch of insensitive and willfulness but clueless when come to matters of her own heart and interest. With some twists and turns with some harmless mishaps,she ended up with her Mr.Knightley. All sprightly done. The castings are near perfect with exceptional casts like Toni Collette,Jeremy Northam,Ewan McGregor,Alan Cumming,Juliet Stevenson and Phyllida Law.Great rapport and numerous intellectual dialogue. "Emma" has one of the best costume and art direction with distinct details of the 19th century England society. It's oscar winning sound track also added to the enjoyableness of this romantic and delightful film. The captivating aura of this film make watching Austen even more fun and entertaining . Everyone and everything turned out great. A film well made.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Genre: Drama
Main Cast :
Tim Robbins .... Andy Dufresne
Morgan Freeman .... Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding/Narrator
Synopsis:
~~Sweet Revenge~~
A story about friendship,freedom,revenge and hope. Set in the 40's and happened in Shawshank Prison. The story showed how a banker Andy(Robbins)who was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing of his wife and her lover despite he cried for innocent. There were many question unanswered... "Did he murder of his wife or not?" "Was he falsely-convicted?" The main story showed how he 'survived' in jail.His special friendship with "Red"(Freeman). This movie excel in it's character development and thrilling plot. It has a brilliant twist in the end. One of the best work from Stephen King. Great adaptation from the same name novel. Even better with the class of actors and the sincerity of this production.Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman were perfect for their roles and showed great rapport. Frank Darabont's did a marvellous task in putting this intriguing story together. This movie filled with dark and violence scenes it also depicted vivid prison life. Simply astonishing. One of the best movie ever made.
Children of Heaven (1997)
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Main Cast :
Amir Farrokh Hashemian .... Ali
Bahare Seddiqi .... Zahra
Mohammad Amir Naji .... Ali's Father
Synopsis:
~~The power of simplicity~~
One of the most distinguished accomplishment of "Children of Heaven" is it's simplicity. One of the Best Foreign Language Film I've seen. Majid Majidi did an superb excellent job of writing and directing it and keeping it simple. The two children are fascinating,natural actors and astounding. The story is pure and simple.Set in Iran.It about how a boy Ali try to aim win a race but just for the place which the prize included shoes.Not the 1st prize. It's because Ali lost his sister,Zahra's shoes and being so poor with pathetic parents they have to keep it a secret and share shoes every school day. His sister would wear it first and run back to meet at a point where she passed the shoes over to her brother. Ali just ran like crazy trying to beat the school-bell. One day he have a chance to take part in a race which he could win a new pair of shoes...Guess what happen?? This delightful yet moving movie illustrated a bitter-sweet tale which touched my heart. Showed me the true meaning of priceless kinship and determination.
Secrets and Lies (1996)
Genre: Drama
Main Cast :
Brenda Blethyn .... Cynthia Rose Purley
Marianne Jean-Baptiste .... Hortense Cumberbatch
Timothy Spall .... Maurice Purley
Synopsis:
~~Does the truth really hurt??~~
A sincere English production about a successful middle-class black lady,Hortense looking for her birth mother,Cynthia who turned out to be white and lower-class. Secrets were uncover and lies were being told. Eventually lead to discovering everybody's darkest secrets and all those white lies. Mike Leigh wrote this brilliant script and with skillful direction made this film unique and realistic. Brenda Blethyn gave an excellent,flawless performance as Cynthia Rose Purley. With creditable supporting casts like Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Hortense, Timothy Spall as Maurice Purley etc.. This compelling movie made me wonder--"Does the truth really hurt"?? It also showed the importance of family support,love and care.
Fargo (1996)
Genre: Black Comedy/Drama/Thriller
Main Cast :
Frances McDormand .... Marge Gunderson
William H. Macy .... Jerry Lundegaard
Steve Buscemi .... Carl Showalter
Synopsis:
~~Quirky~~
I've not seen anything like "Fargo".It is a very quirky black comedy.Exceptional way of telling a true story. The plot is about how Jerry Lundegaard(William H. Macy) planned a kidnapping scheme(of his wife) to get money from his father-in-law. However things got complicated when everything didn't went according to his plan,tragic struck and blood shed... Frances McDormand is flawless as Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief in charge of this case. She's no ordinary police,she has her special ways of investigating this case. It's amazing to watch her portray. She gave a stunning and idiosyncratic performance and totally deserved her Oscar. One of the best black comedy screenplay even written. It have all the elements which combined into a great winning formula. Classic black comedy with touches of drama,comedy,violence,suspense,etc... All characters seem eccentric and Coen brothers did a brilliant script which filled with unexpected lines and wacky emotions and reaction by a great group of talented actors like Steve Buscemi as one of the 'funny-looking'kidnapper,William H. Macy,Peter Stormare etc. This movie is so unpredictable and full of surprises and totally worth the time and money.
My Fair Lady (1964)
Genre: Musical / Romance
Main Cast :
Audrey Hepburn .... Eliza Doolittle
Rex Harrison .... Professor Henry Higgins
Wilfrid Hyde-White .... Colonel Hugh Pickering
Stanley Holloway .... Alfred P. Doolittle
Synopsis:
~~One of the most memorable musical of all time~~
Outstanding performances by the lovely Audrey Hepburn and the distinguish Rex Harrison. A tale about how an English professor,Higgins whom took up a bet with his friend,Colonel to 'train' and transform a lower-class flower girl,Eliza into a lady. A remarkable film with great songs and dances and witty dialogues and beautiful costumes. A classic film which looked at social differences and culture clashes within England during that time.
The Lost Weekend (1945)
Genre: Drama
Main Cast :
Ray Milland .... Don Birnam
Phillip Terry .... Wick Birnam
Jane Wyman .... Helen St. James
Synopsis:
~~Compelling vintage classic~~
"The lost weekend" was a great adaption of Charles Jackson same name novel.Billy Wilder's terrific directing always a bonus. It's about a struggling writer's weekend. Everything happened over a weekend. The film began with Don pretend to pack his luggage with a bottle tied to a string hanging outside his window.Don's life and fate changed. Don Birnam has writer's block, he is also a alcoholic. He is aware but unable to kick it.He even trade his typewriter for drinks. He been through a lot in a few days and forced to face up to his problem. Luckily he has love and support from his brother and girlfriend. Ray Milland gave a splendid performance which totally deserved his oscar.He showed Don's fear, depression and all his emotions so vividly. His role is pathetic and psychologically realistic. This film has a superb script with detailed description of nightmares images and visions. Breakthrough during that era. One of the memorable scene is when Don went to a musical play with actors drinking and he see 'Bottles dancing' instead. Although this film is black and white I find it amazingly well made and many contemporary movies couldn't hold a candle. I'm always fascinated by old classic film from 1940 to 1970. Although I belong to new generation I love the feeling and sincerity of old movies. I find this film psychoanalytic,truthful,compelling and a vintage classic! One of the best film ever made.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Family
Main Cast :
James Stewart .... George Bailey
Donna Reed .... Mary Hatch
Synopsis:
~~ What If??~~
A great and timeless classic,best for the holiday season when people may sit down and reflect on the past and hope for the future. A wonderful story about second chance and cherish what you have and care for people you love. James Stewart was totally superb in his role of George Bailey. Apparently George lost hope in life and wanted to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. His fate changed when he met a 'man'(his guardian angel) who came to show his envisions and the 'What If'(s) of his future life. He took George to places that meant something to him and how things turned out if he succeed in taking his own life,etc... He showed George there still hope and warm in his life and care and support from his family. Excellent direction by Frank Capra who gave this film a touch of magic.A terrific film,Marvelous all round. "It's a Wonderful Life" is a wonderful,compelling,touching story. It showed the real meaning of living and importances of family and love.
