Movie Talk on Sunday - British Films

I like MTOS, but I can't participate very often. The last one was about British films, so I thought I should answer the questions anyway (even four days later). But I started answering them, I understood that I'm not very familiar with true British cinema. I hope to catch up later. All questions were thought up by two hosts - @thommoj03 and @maxwellhubbard.

1. What is your all-time favourite British film?
"The Duchess", because it has Keira Knightley, who is always great in historical dramas; is based on the interesting life of a real person; is very dramatic, visually stunning, and its score is great.

2. Who do you consider the best British director?
Charlie Chaplin is my favourite. I watched every film (!) made by him or where he stared. If I had to choose alive directors, I'd say Tom Hooper (yes, I enjoyed "The King's Speech" very much); Richard Ayoade ("Submarine" is one of the best films I've seen in 2011) and Joe Wright (because of "Atonement" and his "Pride and Prejudice" adaptation).

3. Who is the best British actor/actress alive today?
I can't name the only one actor and just the only one actress. James McAvoy, Ralph Fiennes, Ian McKellen, Rhys Ifans, Alan Rickman, John Hurt, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, Jude Law, Christian Bale are good and great: on the other hand there are Helena Bonham Carter, Keira Knightley, Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson, Julie Andrews, Kristin Scott Thomas, Kate Winslet. If I forgot someone I hope they won't be offended.

4. What characteristics define 'the best of British'?
Intelligence, originality, wise budget use, talented actors.

5. What genre does British cinema do best? (give examples)
I'm a big fan of period dramas (see films mentioned in this post before).

6. What makes British films different from mainstream Hollywood movies?
Everything. Mainstream Hollywood movies are all the same (meaningless comedies with stupid jokes or action flicks with lots of invisible 3D). What I like about British films is that they aren't becoming mainstream, though David Cameron thinks they should (don't listen to him). Also it is great that British filmmakers don't forget their history and continue adapting classics.

7. Do you think British films are better than those from America?
Definitely. Because British directors are trying to make something new, and not to remake something old.

8. If you could get a cinema re-release for one British film what would it be?
My childhood dream is to watch two first Harry Potter films on the big screen.

9. 2011 was a great year for film. Which British film was the best of the bunch last year?
"Submarine" by Richard Ayoade.

10. Finally, which British film will wow audiences this year?
I'm waiting for "The Woman in Black", "Skyfall", and "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is also partly British.

If you know some great British films, please write them in comments below so I could watch them! Thank you.

"Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (2001) - Posters

After 10 years since "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" has been released I thought there is nothing I haven't seen about it. But I was wrong. Some of its posters are very familiar to everyone (not just to fans of this series), still the main part of them I've seen for the first time. I like how they're made - the combination of dark blue and gold is really magical.

Discover more about "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" (trailers, clips, interviews, premieres, posters etc.)

Source - MoviePosterDB.com (visit to find more posters of your favorite movies on any language)

"Bottle Shock" (2008) - Trailer

1976, Napa Valley. One small American winery and its workers are about to show the French that the world’s finest wines will now come from the other red, white and blue. Based on an inspiring true story and starring Alan Rickman ("Love, Actually"), Bill Pullman ("Nobel Son"), Chris Pine ("Star Trek") and Rachael Taylor ("Transformers"), "Bottle Shock" is an “intelligent, affectionate, beautifully acted movie” (The Hollywood Reporter) that pours out the laughs. For connoisseur Steven Spurrier (Rickman), there’s no finer art than French wine, despite rumours that the new California wine country holds the future of the vine. Positive the small Napa wineries are no match for established French vintages, Spurrier challenges the Americans to a blind tasting. But when he finds the valley full of ambitious - and talented - novice vintners like Jim Barrett (Pullman) and his son Bo (Pine), he realises his publicity stunt may change the history of wine forever. (Official movie site) Directed by Randall Miller this movie was presented at the Sundance film festival in 2008 in Spectrum category.

1976 год, винодельня Напа Валлей, Калифорния. Американцы готовятся показать французам, что именно их вино является самым лучшим. Основанный на реальных событиях фильм "Удар бутылкой" с Аланом Рикманом, Биллом Пуллманом, Крисом Пайном и Рэйчел Тейлор рассказывает "умную, нежную, красиво сыгранную историю", которая не раз вызывает смех. Для знатока хорошего вина (Рикман) нет вина лучше, чем французское, не смотря на слухи, что калифорнийское его во многом превосходит. Он решает отравиться туда и провести слепую дегустацию и разрешить наконец-таки спор. И знакомство с местными виноделами заставляет его изменить свое мнение. Снятое режиссером Рэндоллом Миллером, кино было представлено на кинофестивале «Сандэнс» в 2008 году. 

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" - New York premiere (quotes, photos)

I can say New York premiere was less epic than British, but still I was very happy to see all these talented people, who created an amazing world. Here is my live coverage of what everybody said at this "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" premiere. 

“- I’m not a huge fan of 3D, but it can be made beautiful.” David Yates, director

“- When Hermione punches Draco is a great scene.” David on one of the favorite scenes

“- I’d love to be Lupin.”  David Yates on who he wanted to play in ‘Harry Potter’

“- I’m gonna miss everyone.” Rupert Grint

“- I really don’t know what I supposed to do.” Rupert on what he will do after this tour

“- You want pop corn?” David Heyman with his son

“- But the sadness hasn’t hit yet. It will come in a few weeks.”

“- We all are really standing on the shoulders of Chris Columbus.”

“- I saw actually a girl with a tattoo of my autograph. I felt bad about.” Tom Felton

“- [Embarrassing moment] I was pointing at the HP poster, showing my friend that I am next to Emma and someone asked me if I am Matthew Lewis. It was a very narcissistic moment.” Matthew Lewis

“- She [JK Rowling] is writing. It would be brilliant. But I know no more about it.” Steve Kloves, screenwriter

“- Here in America you really response to the film.” David Barron on British restraint

Chris Columbus, the director, who is responsible for the beginning of 'Harry Potter' series, also came!

“- That supposed to happened. It has to finish.” Alan Rickman

“- It’s about the things like courage and determination and loyalty and love.” Alan on the last film

“- I had a good time when I shot the first scene.” Alan Rickman about which scene he likes the most

“- Somebody is very clever and it’s very beautifully done. I hope they’ll become rich. Warner Bros should give them credit for that.”  Alan Rickman on HP puppets

“- It’s been intense… It’s definitely sad.” Emma Watson

“- I’ll go and have a really big brunch.” Emma Watson on what she is going to do next

“- You have to have a heart of stone not to find Alan Rickman's performance just heartbreaking.” Daniel Radcliffe

 

 

Source - Zimbio

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" - London premiere

It was amazing watching this premiere live along with making a live coverage on Twitter.

This main show lasted more than three hours, but I was very exited to be a part of it.

Daniel Radcliffe and J.K. Rowling have arrived the last, but the people were incredibly happy to see them finally. But Emma, Rupert, Bonnie, Jason Isaacs, James and Oliver Phelps arrived earlier and were happy to spoke with fans and hosts. I've reposted here some favorite phrases, which are almost chronologically right (the first one was Rupert and the last one was Jo). Also Jo named the 'big seven' (the very last words, which also made me cry, because this magical story will be over soon) and said a very beautiful speech at the end.

"I can't believe it. This is great." - Rupert Grint
"This one [film] was very special." - Rupert Grint
"There is a huge epic battle and love and death. It's amazing." Rupert Grint on "Deathly Hallows 2"

 

Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) has arrived.
Matthew liked his special part in the Deathly Hallows.

"He [Lucius] ends up like an alcoholic... It was a glorious journey." Jason Isaacs
"Yeah, I've seen the film. It's great." Jason Isaacs
"I wanna say thanks, it was amazing ten years." Jason Isaacs

James and Oliver Phelps came!

 

Tom Felton arrived with his girlfriend.
"It's a strange feeling. I'm very exited to be here for the last film." Tom Felton
"I could broken down in tears every moment." - Tom Felton about the last scene filming.

Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore) has arrived. I love his character.
"I'm so shy, but it's wonderful." - Michael Gambon

"She [Luna] was so fun to play. And she was very inspiring." Evanna Lynch
"Today I feel I actually leaving it." Evanna Lynch

Julie Walters (Molly Weasley) joined the premiere.
Everybody loves Julie Walters' line from the last book - "Not my daughter, you bitch!"
"It took a couple of days to recover." - Julie Walters on her scene with Helena Bonham Carter

Clemence Poesy (Fleur Delacour)

"Tom [Felton ] was a delight to meet. He is such a gentleman." Helen McCrory

Domhnall Gleeson (Bill Weasley) came!

Natalia Tena (Tonks) has arrived too.

"All these people love Harry Potter. I can't believe it!" - Warwick Davis

"My first line was 'good luck'." - Bonnie Wright

"My favorite [moment] is the big fight between Harry and Voldemort." David Yates
"It's a very beautiful mix of action." David Yates

"The brilliance in Jo's [Rowling] work is in details." Steven Kloves (screenwriter)

"You're incredible, everybody!" David Barron, producer

Jim Broadbent (Horace Slughorn) and Miriam Margolyes (Pomona Sprout) have arrived.

"Here is Robbie Coltrane. A legend of the British television and cinema."
"It's scary, but very optimistic [ending]." Robbie Coltrane

"We were nervous, we were quit." Emma Watson on the kiss with Rupert
"I'll miss being Hermione." Emma
"Just thank you so much." Emma Watson

"Now it's strange to see myself with the nose." Ralph Fiennes

I like Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge) more, when she's not wearing pink.

David Thewlis (Remus Lupin) has arrived.

"I always wanna play Hermione. And Emma was a big help." Helena Bonham Carter
"She [Bellatrix] is so insane. She's beyond evil." Helena
"We have to take breaks." Helena on the scene with Julie Walters (Molly Weasley)

Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley) was in a good mood.

Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall)

"Something's happening." laughs Alan Rickman
"He [Snape] wasn't entirely free in his role [of headmaster]. He had some things to do." Alan Rickman

"This is damn cool!" Daniel Radcliffe
"I've got two pairs [of glasses]. The one from the 1st and the one from the last one movie." Dan
"It is amazing. I'm so proud of this film. We couldn't make a better version of this film." Dan
"He [Voldemort] is pretty terrifying. " Dan

"I love them. I love each and every one of them." JK Rowling about her fans
"I've trusted them. They are amazing." JK Rowling on the film creators
"I always knew I'd stand in the Trafalgar square and people will chanting my name." JK Rowling
"Thank you." - JK Rowling's message to her fans

Timothy Spall (Wormtail) has arrived.

"They've really grown into beautiful young people and beautiful young actors." David Heyman, producer

"It's a celebration of the ten years' story." David Yates, director

"Dan, you didn't get lucky, you were and always be a perfect Harry." Emma

"I love you, I really do." says Rupert to Emma and Jo

"Maybe I'll just write another one. It's a joke. But I never have been closer to write new one than now. Emma just finished me, Rupert crucified me." JK Rowling was so emotional.
"The great 7. Dan, Rupert, Emma, Matt, Evanna, Bonnie and Tom." JK Rowling

For more pictures visit http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/.