This week's theme was suggested by
Mettel Ray.
The Birdcage
Based on 'La Cage aux Folles' made in 1978 which was based on the play of the same name. 'La Cage aux Folles' was also made into a musical, which I was lucky to see some years back. A comedy about a gay couple who own a drag club in Florida who have to hide who they are when their son's girlfriend's very conservitive parents come to dinner. Robin Williams and Nathan Lane are perfect as Armand and Albert.
Contraband
A remake of the Icelandic film 'Reykjavík-Rotterdam' about an ex-smuggler who agrees to help his brother-in-law settle a debt to a drug dealer. From its generic looking action drama trailer, the film, which has an impressive cast, was really thrilling. With twists and turns and some really creeping acting from Ben Foster, the film was far better than it looked.
Far From the Madding Crowd
Not really a remake as it is an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel of the same name BUT it did have comparisons to the 1967 version, as I wrote about
HERE - I've included it as a remake for this week. Bathsheba Everdeen unexpecditly inherits a farm and becomes an independant woman. Unfortunately most like to define the story by her interactions with three different men, Troy the feckless soldier, William Boldwood, older neighbour and Gabriel Oak, the strong and silent farmer who has supported and known her before her fortune. It's no doubt a romantic drama but it is also about woman making her way in the world. Also, for me, its about Matthias Schoenaerts who plays Oak.
