Penelope was AWESOME!!!

[ericadawn16]

Okay, I was just expecting a nice RomCom with James McAvoy and Christina Ricci, but it was more than that. The story kept me guessing with a positive message and without anything objectionable except for alcohol and one one innuendo by Reese Witherspoon. Christina Ricci has always been a favorite of mine, but Reese surprised me; not just her New York accent, but nothing like the normal sweet girl next door she plays. She had a little more street grit to her.

Now, on to the men:



(Takes a moment to drool)

My mom described this as the best James McAvoy performance she'd seen and I concur. Now, I haven't seen Starter for Ten or Rory O'Shea, but so far...strictly filmwise..., my favorite film would have been Narnia where he spends half the movie frozen so this was a great improvement. Not only does he get to be cute, but he gets to be all angsty and heroic...in an American accent!!!

I had my doubts when I heard the lack of Scottish brogue coming from his lips. When others have attempted the American accent, I have been struck by the overwhelming urge to hit them and tell them to stop it. However, this was not the case here. In all but a couple of scenes, he was dead on as though he'd been born here in the States and not over there.

Just gorgeous with the accent and shaggy hair and well-fitting trousers in one scene...and the piano playing!! I almost forgot about that.

(sighs happily)

There was also Peter Dinklage who I love so much since Station Agent and Nigel Havers who's from my Chariots of Fire and BIG SURPRISE. I didn't know that BURN'S IN IT!!!

Yes, that's right, Burn.

At first, it was just a glimpse: a brief "Wait a minute." Then, it happened again in another scene which I blamed on the delusion of an overly Owen-cized mind thanks to the Martha episodes airing on BBCA, but my mom confirmed what I was seeing with the question, "Isn't that the guy from Torchwood?"

A question she has not asked since I was watching "The Empty Child" on tv. So, it's Burn and he's not playing a cocky Brit!! He's playing a cocky AMERICAN.

hehe

"" (Watch on YouTube)

It was filmed before first season. Actually, he's in less than a handful of scenes, but I was gleeful about it anyway. Wonder when Ianto...err, I mean Gareth, will be in a film?

(Goes off to squee elsewhere)

Comments

[gryffindorgeek.livejournal.com]

Well, I haven't seen Penelope yet, but I think my favorite role of his would be Tom Lefroy in Becoming Jane. Aw, I really liked that movie.

Man, I really want to go see Penelope now. Jaaaaaames... :D

[flyingpigs-live.livejournal.com]

Yea I really want to see this! I'm not a huge Ricci fan (and I can't stand Reese and I'm not a fan of James), but this looks really interesting! How many stars would you give it (out of 5)?

[meowbooks.livejournal.com]

Ricci has always made interesting choices- I didn't know it was her when I first saw the trailer. I KNEW she looked familiar and the movie looked intriguing. Yet another to add to my list.

[artic-fox.livejournal.com]

Can't wait to see this - I've only heard good things. I read an article about the film, and Reese said that she "got James on board when he was cheap", and it "would never happen again" now that's he is massively A-list in Hollywood now.

[ericadawn16.livejournal.com]

I saw Becoming Jane and I loved his coat and whenever he talked, but then...at the same time...how I do I put this delicately? Okay, I can't really put it delicately. While I love James, I found Tom Lefoy to be an asshole. The ending, especially, ruined the rest of the film for me pretty much. It had that Romeo and Juliet sensibility where I don't buy the love because if you truly loved each other, you'd find a way to be together...a more practical plan than R&J, I mean.

[ericadawn16.livejournal.com]

Hmm, very difficult question because I liked it a lot but it's not like a movie where everything has meaning and all of that like the Pirates films.

I think I'd go with four stars because the story is engaging, the actors are excellent and there's only an occasional nitpick that doesn't detract from the film.

[ericadawn16.livejournal.com]

I've been a fan of hers since they had ads on tv for the first Addams Family. I remember being jealous that my oldest brother got to go to Livestock AND The Addams Family.

[ericadawn16.livejournal.com]

Yeah, since it was done two years ago, but I do love that I've seen the Wanted trailer twice in the theater....oh, and Mr Bingley! Mr Bingley from the Keira version is in Penelope, too. I didn't even recognize him...just thought he looked familiar!

[artic-fox.livejournal.com]

Ahh, Simon Woods! I love him - he's great. I'll never forget the episode of Spooks where he plays the prime minster's son, still at university, and they were getting him to play someone who like 19 or something, when he's easily at least 30ish, I think. He could get away with it though!

[gryffindorgeek.livejournal.com]

LOL, yeah he was a bit of an asshole, but I have a thing for bad boys. :X And anyway, Jane Austen died alone anyway, so I guess it wouldn't have made much sense if they gave it a happy ending. It's kind of like Shakespeare in Love, and I also really like that movie. :P

[serenaprn.livejournal.com]

Damn...now I know I'm not the only one developing a serious crush on James Mcavoy....lol....you and I just tend to have teh same taste don't we Erica?

[ericadawn16.livejournal.com]

Oh yes we do....

(Distracted by Jack D. in icon)

Ooh, Swingtown is May 29th!!! Plus, James M. was the hottest faun ever.