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Reviews
En kongelig affære (2012)
An Intellectual, Sexy Royal Affair
A Royal Affair is a fabulous dramatization of a true story about Caroline Mathilde, a younger sister of King George III of England who was wed to the unstable King Christian of Denmark at the ages of 15 and 17 respectively. If this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, then you know where this story is headed. The young Queen quickly finds out that she has married a bit of a whack- job, but endears herself to Denmark by quickly providing a royal heir. Her loony King Christian then announces that he is leaving for an extended tour of Europe, to which she replies the Danish equivalent of "So? What do I care?". Oh, did I forget to mention that this film is in Danish with English subtitles? They would actually have been speaking German in the Danish Court of the time, but it's a Danish film so let's not quibble about that. Christian brings back a certain German Dr. Johann Struensee with him from his Grand Tour, who as well as befriending and acting as a calming influence on the young King, brings some radical notions to Denmark like smallpox vaccination, freedom for serfs and the abolition of torture. He is able to use the King's power to drag Denmark into the "modern era" of The Enlightenment. This film takes place around the time of the American and French Revolutions to give some context. Dr. Struensee finds a kindred spirit for his progressive ideas in the young Queen and, well, let's just say that the history books seem to agree that her second child, a daughter, was fathered by the good doctor! If you enjoy a gorgeous, slow political romance then this is your film. Just make sure you see it with someone who is also into that kind of film. The Squire (my husband) was OK with this one but only just! :)
Chimpanzee (2011)
Chimpanzee is for the whole family! Two bananas up!
After taking my husband to see Chimpanzee last night (as I have no school age kids to drag) I have to give it two bananas up! We both loved it. What a refreshing change to see a film that almost any age could see together and have a great discussion afterward.
Gorgeously filmed and just the right length to keep smaller ones from getting bored, I was amazed at the footage that the filmmakers got of these chimps. I am one of those who has trouble leaving the primate area of the zoo and it does make you marvel at their similarities with humans.
You'll feel like you just went on a trip to the rain forest of Africa, and I can't imagine a child or teen not liking this. Or an adult for that matter.
John A.: Birth of a Country (2011)
Who knew our history was entertaining! O Canada!
As someone who watches a lot of period drama, I really enjoyed this. As a middle aged Canadian who knows she should learn more about Canadian history, I doubly enjoyed this.
I won't spoil it for you by telling you how our country was born (although we were really supposed to learn that in grade 10!). But I will heartily recommend that you watch this. Although if you are reading this, you probably already watched it! The only complaint I have is the less than stellar Scottish accents, but that is really quite minor. It's great they hired Canadian actors and not Scottish ones I suppose! But the acting was really wonderful and I came to IMDb to find out who these wonderful actors were.
I am absolutely going to buy this when it comes out on DVD so I can watch it again. I hope it comes with lots of great extras so I can learn even more Canadian history. REALLY. I am not joking.
I think this will improve grade 10 Canadian history for many generations to come. Bravo to the CBC!