The Artist – in cinemas now
Brief Synopsis: via Alliance
Hollywood 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a silent movie superstar. The advent of the talkies will sound the death knell for his career and see him fall into oblivion. For young extra Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), it seems the sky's the limit - major movie stardom awaits. THE ARTIST tells the story of their interlinked destinies.
Our twitter friends could not recommend this film more highly:
"its brilliant!!" - @Capitalcarboot
"Absolutely loved it- just wonderful and romantic" - Milly Kenny-Ryder @millykr
"Just been to see The Artist. Twas phenomenal. I cried almost all the way through it, naturally. Best film I've seen in a cinema. Wonderful!" - Rosie Alia Johnson @rosiealia
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W.E – released in cinemas January 20th 2012
Brief Synopsis: via Think Jam
Madonna’s W.E. is a beautifully crafted, passionate tale about the search for true love in the modern world, viewed through the prism of one of history’s most fabled romances. When King Edward VIII made the decision to give up the throne to be with the woman he loved, the American divorcee Wallis Simpson, the move shocked the nation and divided the British monarchy. The beautifully crafted W.E. tells the story of Wallis and Edward alongside that of Wally Winthrop, a woman in contemporary New York who attends an auction of their estate. Trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage, Wally becomes transfixed by the iconic figure of Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough BRIGHTON ROCK, MADE IN DAGENHAM), the chic, charismatic American who spoke her mind and captured the heart of King Edward (James D'Arcy, CLOUD ATLAS) in the decadent world in which she found herself. As Wally learns more about the sacrifices the iconic Mrs Simpson made in choosing to be with Edward, Wally finds the courage to follow her own heart and create her own happiness. Directed and co-written by Madonna, W.E. uncovers the truth behind what many called the greatest romance of the 20th Century.
We are looking forward to seeing this movie and will be sure to do a mini review when we do.
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We’ll Take Manhattan - Transmission time confirmed as 9.00-10.30pm, Thursday 26 January on BBC Four
Brief Synopsis: via BBC Media Centre
We’ll Take Manhattan explores the explosive love affair between Sixties supermodel, Jean Shrimpton, and photographer, David Bailey. Focusing on a wild and unpredictable 1962 Vogue photo shoot in New York, the drama brings to life the story of two young people falling in love, misbehaving and inadvertently defining the style of the Sixties along the way.
Set predominantly in 1962 but also exploring the story of how Bailey and Shrimpton first met, this one-off drama reveals how a young, visionary photographer refused to conform. He insisted on using the unconventional model Jean Shrimpton on an important photo shoot for British Vogue and, over the course of a freezing week in Manhattan, went against the wishes of fashion editor, Lady Clare Rendlesham, and made startling, original photographs.
We’ll Take Manhattan is the story of that wild week, of Bailey and Jean’s love affair, and of how two young people accidentally changed the world for ever.
Jean Shrimpton is played by Karen Gillan, David Bailey by Aneurin Barnard and Lady Clare Rendlesham by Helen McCrory.
Karen said: "Jean Shrimpton is an icon of the Sixties and I am so excited to be playing somebody who had such a lasting impact on the fashion world. I can't wait to take on the challenge of bringing Jean and Bailey's fascinating love story to life. Sixties here I come!"
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The Great Gatsby – to be released in the USA December 25th 2012
Nick Carraway, a Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. He is drawn into Gatsby's circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.
Director Baz Luhrmann is at helm adpating F. Scott Fitzgerald novel onto the big screen and in 3D at that, if anyone can do the production justice this master director will. Despite Luhrmann's inital reservation to go ahead with this project they thankfully have started filming in Australia. Their is a stellar
star cast including Leonardo DiCaprio (Jay Gatsby), Carey Mulligan (Daisy Buchanan) and Joel Edgerton (Tom Buchanan). It is set to be a massive blockbuster of the year although it sadly may not reach the UK shores until 2013.
What films or TV drama/series are you looking forward to see this 2012?
