I’ve recently been to see the film Tolkien about the early life of the great author who created The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. As one who has loved the creations of Tolkien, both his writings and his art, since I was at university, I looked forward greatly to seeing this film. IContinue reading “Film Reviews: ‘Tolkien’ 2019 Starring Nicholas Hoult”
Category Archives: films
Book Review: ‘The Magical History of Britain’ by Martin Wall
The period of British history which we call the Dark Ages was not dark at all – according to the author of this book, Martin Wall. But we do know the period this term covers, between about 500 and 1000 BC, was marked by frequent warfare. Many of us choose to imagine it best probablyContinue reading “Book Review: ‘The Magical History of Britain’ by Martin Wall”
Film and Book Review: ‘Silence’ by Shusaku Endo: and The Film Starring Andrew Garfield
Silence by Shusaku Endo is one of the most compelling and powerful books I’ve ever read. I wrote about it in this way on my website as part of a blog post about an exhibition at the British Museum, Living With the Gods. When I first read the book, several years ago, I think oneContinue reading “Film and Book Review: ‘Silence’ by Shusaku Endo: and The Film Starring Andrew Garfield”
Reflections on Life and the Writer’s Journey from a Mamma Mia Perspective
Yes I do indeed find some lessons from Mamma Mia on the dynamics of life – and the writing journey. Having recently seen the film Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, twice, and loved it even more the second time I saw it, I felt compelled to draw out some dynamic equivalents for all of us. Mamma Mia,Continue reading “Reflections on Life and the Writer’s Journey from a Mamma Mia Perspective”
Reflection Upon The Nativity film 2010
I recently watched again “The Nativity”, the TV mini series first broadcast by the BBC at Christmas 2010 but this time I watched the entire film on DVD. I remember the series had a strong impression on me when I first viewed it and we could hardly wait for each new episode. Seeing it asContinue reading “Reflection Upon The Nativity film 2010”
My Dream Cast for “Mystical Circles”
Novelists, have you “dreamcast the film adaptation of your book? Many do! Film Adaptations of books If you do it early enough in the process of writing your novel, it can be very helpful. Though I understand that the reality of having your book turned into a film can sometimes not be a very pleasant experience.
The Full Monty and What it Says About Not Being Controlled by Your Circumstances
Recently I watched the 1997 British comedy drama film “The Full Monty” again. The reason why I love it is that it’s about “little” people deciding not to be controlled by their circumstances. Six men who in their different ways are suffering during the decline of the Sheffield steel industry, decide to do something nobodyContinue reading “The Full Monty and What it Says About Not Being Controlled by Your Circumstances”
The Gatiss/Moffatt Post-StoryTelling World of Sherlock
We’re familiar with the phrase postmodern and more recently with the notion of post-truth. But now I think, for writers, it is true that there is a post-storytelling phenomenon – which moves beyond and over-turns current rules. And it’s illustrated in the scripts that Steven Moffatt and Mark Gatiss create for their TV drama seriesContinue reading “The Gatiss/Moffatt Post-StoryTelling World of Sherlock”
Inspiration from Foreign Language Films in our Film Club
During the course of this blog I’ve written about sources of inspiration from many directions – from people, cities, landscape, history, buildings, travel, books, art, TV drama and films. Certainly films I love have enriched my creative life. Writers benefit from cross-fertilisation all the time! A few years ago my writer friend Meg Harper setContinue reading “Inspiration from Foreign Language Films in our Film Club”
Thoughts on Three Dimensional Characters in Films and Novels – Inspired by Hugh Grant
On the Graham Norton Show which was broadcast on BBC One on Friday 16th April 2016, actor Hugh Grant said he took on the role of St Clair Bayfield in the newly-released film Florence Foster Jenkins against his previous intentions, because a) the script was so good and b) because he was attracted by the three dimensionalContinue reading “Thoughts on Three Dimensional Characters in Films and Novels – Inspired by Hugh Grant”
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