Adnerb the Movie Nerd

Movie reviews from a middle school teacher's perspective

Downton Abbey: A New Era

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Apple Rating:

If you have seen the Downton Abbey series and saw the first movie – this will not disappoint.  First off,  all of our old favorites are back including Mr. Carson, Lady Crawley, Mrs. Hughes, Daisy Parker, Mrs. Patmore and Lady Mary.  There are two subplots going on and they are both intriguing.  In the first one, Maggie Smith, everyone’s favorite Countess, has inherited a villa in the south of France.  So some of the family goes there to check out the villa and to solve the mystery of why it was left to her.  The other subplot is a bit more fun.  It is 1930 and a movie crew is willing to pay a pretty penny to be able to film at Downton Abbey.  The movie is silent but talkies are coming!  If you have ever seen “Singing in the Rain” you will be able to guess what happens.  What I loved the most though was how many of our favorites find love, grab new opportunities and discover hidden talents.  Maggie Smith, as always, has some of the best lines.  All in all, if you love Downton Abbey, I highly recommend this one.

Emma

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Apple Rating:

Wow! This is one gorgeous movie! I couldn’t take my eyes off of the amazing costumes, lush scenery, and don’t even get me started on the unending parade of desserts. Oh to be living in the Regency Era of 1815 Britian! Jane Austin’s ‘Emma’ is lavishly filmed by director Autumn de Wilde. For those of you unfamiliar with the story (read people!),Emma (Ana Taylor-Joy) is a spoiled, extremely rich young lady who meddles and interferes with everyone’s business. Through misunderstandings and down right stupidity, Emma almost ruins the lives of several people, while thinking she is doing them a favor. Her childhood friend, George Knightly (Johnny Flynn) is constantly dressing her down for her bone-headed decisions, and seems to be the only one with the guts to stand up to her. I loved Emma’s hypochondriac father, played with a wonderfully wry approach by Bill Nighy, and the always delightful Miranda Hart as Miss Bates. The downside to this movie for some of you will be that it takes its time. But I think it moves slowly so that you can savor the eye-popping surroundings. They did a tremendous job setting the costumes, homes,landscape, and environment. If you love Jane Austin books/movies, you are going to enjoy this movie immensely.