Whoo boy! School has sure been busy and well I've been lazy too. I've done so much since the last time I updated, homework mainly but I have seen my usual share of movies and cultural stuff. First off Gosford Park, wow, what a movie! It was quite enjoyable despite not understanding all of it. What can I say, I'm slow to understand it seems. I found the murder mystery and upstairs/downstairs concepts very new and fresh. A big change from a lot of the movies these days. I've always liked period pieces, they are so much more fascinating. Anyway, the upstairs/downstairs concept allowed for a good insight into the life of a servant. Much of the movie was seen through the eyes of Kelly Macdonald's character, who was maid to Maggie Smith's character. The wonder of who was the killer was very effective. Every direction is covered and I felt myself thinking about every possible person, since after all, everybody is a suspect! Now for specific characters. I enjoyed the friendship between Emily Watson and Kelly Macdonald as well as the moment of lust between Clive Owen and Kelly Macdonald. There was a little of everything in the movie. Clive Owen really captured my attention. The stiff and not wanting to share anything about himself set his character apart (as obvious for those who saw the movie). The fact that he obviously liked and was caring towards Kelly Macdonald's character was very surprising. But then again, maybe he wanted somebody real like her, somebody to take care of and love. Now I shall actually wreck the ending if anybody has not seen it yet. Clive Owen's character was the illegitimate son of Helen Mirren's character (housekeeper at the manor) that she had to give to an orphanage. Blah, blah, blah, you could probably guess who the father was. But anyway, getting off topic again, I was never good at being concise. Clive Owen's character really made me take notice. I have heard rumours of him being the next James Bond. That I definitely would not mind. I think he would make a dashing James Bond. :)
The National Ballet of Canada dancers rock! I saw them perform Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet in February and I was blown away. I have always loved Prokofiev's version of R&J. The dancing just enhanced the music and makes every note of music great. Every movement fit so well with the music as well. I sat in the cheap seats and although you can't see any expressions or faces you get this amazing overall view of the stage. For the dancers who were able to act up into the balcony, I totally commend them on fabulous performances. The dancers rotate roles and I saw dancers debut in the lead roles: Heather Ogden who normally dances in the corps de ballet was Juliet and Guillaume Cote (a second soloist I think) was Romeo. They both danced and acted well. Heather Ogden has a small frame, seemingly waif-like; that made her believable as a teenager for me. The small pattering steps she danced were really effective in establishing the steps people take in going from child to, in Juliet's case, a woman. Heather played the role very innocent and the joy she shows as Lady Capulet gives her her first ball dress was very genuine. Now, besides being very good looking (going by his headshot here), Guillaume Cote made more than a physical impression on me. He started out nicely as Romeo when he was infatuated with Rosalind. As he became more and more in love with Juliet, he seemed to morph into a mature, responsible man. He could dance with power when dueling with Tybalt but he could also be romantic. In the balcony scene as he lifted Juliet up to the balcony after they had danced, he lifts her very tenderly and places her gently and lovingly. After they had married and spent their first night together, I could tell that he did not want to leave her but he knew that he had to because he had killed Tybalt. So as he exited during that scene, I sensed the difficulty and heartbreak of being separated. One other dancer who stood out to me was Christopher Body as Tybalt. He was dominant and the hate for the Montagues really showed. During the fight between him and Mercutio he would not let it. He kept the menacing feeling going. The same went for the duel with Romeo.
The ballet made such an impression on me that I went back the next week. I finally got to see Sonia Rodriguez dance. It was a mixed program and I saw her dance in Paquita. I can't wait until May when they have performances again. I may see the The Contract.
The ballet has really brightened up my life these days. As have online quizzes and surveys. I don't know what makes those surveys so fun. Until next time!
Photos on the left are of Sonia Rodriguez and Aleksandar Antonijevic, Guillaume Cote, and Heather Ogden.
Whoo boy! School has sure been busy and well I've been lazy too. I've done so much since the last time I updated, homework mainly but I have seen my usual share of movies and cultural stuff. First off Gosford Park, wow, what a movie! It was quite enjoyable despite not understanding all of it. What can I say, I'm slow to understand it seems. I found the murder mystery and upstairs/downstairs concepts very new and fresh. A big change from a lot of the movies these days. I've always liked period pieces, they are so much more fascinating. Anyway, the upstairs/downstairs concept allowed for a good insight into the life of a servant. Much of the movie was seen through the eyes of Kelly Macdonald's character, who was maid to Maggie Smith's character. The wonder of who was the killer was very effective. Every direction is covered and I felt myself thinking about every possible person, since after all, everybody is a suspect! Now for specific characters. I enjoyed the friendship between Emily Watson and Kelly Macdonald as well as the moment of lust between Clive Owen and Kelly Macdonald. There was a little of everything in the movie. Clive Owen really captured my attention. The stiff and not wanting to share anything about himself set his character apart (as obvious for those who saw the movie). The fact that he obviously liked and was caring towards Kelly Macdonald's character was very surprising. But then again, maybe he wanted somebody real like her, somebody to take care of and love. Now I shall actually wreck the ending if anybody has not seen it yet. Clive Owen's character was the illegitimate son of Helen Mirren's character (housekeeper at the manor) that she had to give to an orphanage. Blah, blah, blah, you could probably guess who the father was. But anyway, getting off topic again, I was never good at being concise. Clive Owen's character really made me take notice. I have heard rumours of him being the next James Bond. That I definitely would not mind. I think he would make a dashing James Bond. :)
