OD on Movies, Popcorn and all such good things

Three movies in seven days. It's high time movie cinemas introduced a frequent-flyer sort of scheme to reward regular visitors. With Mr R's rehearsals interrupting our Wednesday movie schedule, we've had to resort to going on other odd days to see the films we wanted before they were taken off.

So, there we were on Sunday to see King Kong. I went with a bit of reluctance - the promos showing skeletons and creepy crawlies were not were encouraging. Having learned not to judge a book by its cover or a movie by its promos, I went, telling myself I could always close my eyes when it got too much.

I'm so glad I did.

King Kong is one of the best movies I've seen in a long long time. The photography is superb and Peter Jackson's direction keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting for the inevitable. It is a distressing movie. By the time the credits rolled up, I was upset at the way the poor gorilla was being treated. Men! No sense at all.

If there's one movie you see this month, let it be this one. It's worth it. I promise

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The following evening (Monday), we were back to see The Chronicles of Narnia - a fable about three kids who wander into a wardrobe and end up in the mysterious land of Narnia, right in the middle of a quest for power between Aslan the lion and the White Witch. What a movie! I enjoyed it thoroughly. The special effects are astounding as is the acting of the kids, especially the little girl. The movie resounds with references to Christianity, but done so beautifully, you don't really mind.

This is another movie you must go see, with or without accompanying kids.

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Movie No 3 last night, was the spectacular Memoirs of a Geisha. Arthur Golden's novel makes the leap to this lavish screen presentation in time for the Oscars. With its flowing silks, melancholy mood and almost-authentic sets, this one will surely been in the running for the little bald statuette - for the 'Best Costume' award, if nothing else. The music by stalwarts such as Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma swept the audience into pre-war Japan and into the lives of these women who kept men entertained with their dance, music and conversation. The film has the gorgeous Michelle Yeoh in a subdued role, but the beautiful Zhang Ziyi in the lead role effectively diverts your attention.

A story of love, loss and betrayal, this movie left me feeling a little annoyed at the end because it is also a story of a 1o year old who falls in love with a stranger and ends up with him god-knows-how-many-years-later. That bit was not amusing. Kindness and gratitude is perfectly fine and understandable, but to have that little girl hold feelings for that man for so many years (and for him to reciprocate at the end of movie!)... Does it end the same way in the book? Hopefully not.

Only one way to find out.
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Next on the list is Superman, sometime in April, I think. But April's a long time away. There'll surely be others before then. Watch this space.