Category — Films

I am very much  looking forward to watching another chapter of this wonderful new series on ITV1 on Thursday at 9pm.  This epic journey, in the company of the very amiable Billy Connolly, covers ten weeks travelling  from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean across Canada, above the Arctic Circle, via the Northwest Passage. I cannot think of  anything more I would rather watch that these ‘Journey’s of a lifetime’.  For one thing,  it is most unlikely that I would ever manage to see these awe inspiring places, and simply wonderful scenery. Mr.Connolly started his journey at Pier 21 in the very busy sea port of Halifax in Nova Scotia.and for me what adds well to all his travel programs, is  Billy’s total joy of life,  his delight and enthusiastic dialogue as we travel with him on this fabulous journey.  It was so nice to witness his camaraderie with everyone he met along the way. This Thursday we see the comedian continuing his journey through the remote regions of Canada and along to Baffin Island, he will met the Inuit communities, and then along for a two day trek into the Auyuittuq National Park. I do know he joins a seal hunt? so not too sure about that, but if  like  me, you like to travel the world from the comfort of your armchair, do take a look at this short  four episodes series. It’s certainly worth a watch.

It will be a classy affair, no doubt about it. Starting tonight on BBC 1 at 8pm. This 14 episode, Dickens Masterpiece, adapted by the superb Andrew Davies, will  indeed be delicious viewing. With the plethora of wonderful stars, including Bill Paterson, Matthew Macfadyen, Sue Johnson, and the simply superb Tom Courtney  I can’t wait,  not to be missed – and remember second part is on Thursday.

Mondays won’t be the same for a while as I will really miss my  travels down the Amazon with the intrepid, very cheerful Bruce Parry. What a superb program  ‘Auntie Beeb’  it has been. Last evening Mr Parry reached the final stretch of his epic journey and here we  really see the massive destruction that is taking place in the Brazilian Rain Forest. How savage it all looked, and shockingly close to the indigenous tribes.  Bruce Parry’s journey took him seven months! but we were able to see his journey in a matter of weeks and as he has now been made a ’son’ of  a badly affected tribe in a very moving ceremony, we witnessed and felt their despair. Bruce Parry covered their  story so completely – it was compelling viewing. 

How good it is to have  the former Royal Marine Bruce Parry back for another great series. Often not one to watch, while having supper! but how very entertaining  is  “Amazon with Bruce Parry” showing on BBC2  at 9pm on Monday evening .  This week as he  treks along  the route of the Amazon through parts of the remote Peruvian forest is quite sad in places.  The disruption to the  Achuar tribe is so badly threatened by the worlds  oil companies showing the pollution they make to their very necessary water rivers spoiling this unique way of life. As always Parry was keen to integrate with the tribe and agreed to try ayahuasaca a hallucinogen that causes severe vomiting. It was painful viewing, but fearless  Parry was not to be beaten.  As always  so educational and the scenery is  just amazing.  These are such great series and certainly not to be missed.  There are four more episodes to go, catch it if you can.

It was with great delight that I watched this enchanting program on BBC1 on Sunday.  The marvellous actress Joanna Lumley visited the Arctic Circle  to view the mystic phenomenon  of  the Northern Lights. This had been her life long dream after reading of these wonders in her childhood story book. A tiny picture of  the aurora borealis staying in her memory throughout her life and it was with a great passion that she embarked on this rather special  journey hoping to see them.  She started her journey in Trondheim, Norway, catching a northbound train towards the arctic circle and along the way Joanna meets some very interesting  people in this fantastic wonderland.  Joanna Lumley is a much loved  and  very beautiful British actress and with her wonderfully cultured voice, it simply made this delightful television viewing.  It was such a very nice change from all  the shouting  and swearing of  so many recent  programs.  How very alluring  this journey was, how restful,  delightful and visually breathtaking.   Joanna charms all the very interesting people she  meets along the way,  looking simply wonderful in her array of  stunning winter hats.  A perfect program and I wont spoil the ending  but just to say it’s well worth watching. I am sure it will be repeated again -do try to see it if you can.

Although released  in 2002 it was nice to see this  interesting film starring Michael Caine and Brenden Fraser shown on BBC1 on Tuesday evening. I do like a good spy thriller and this one set in the sweaty climes of  1950’s Vietnam with all it’s vivid tastes and smells, was a visual beauty. Caine plays a great role as Thomas Fowler a journalist for the London Times. Brilliant director Philip Noyce sets the scene well, showing the real but cloying possessive love that Fowler felt for his very beautiful fragile Vietnamese girlfriend Phung (Hai Yen).   Stunning muted scenes, shot so well, give the viewer a real feel for the dissolution and somewhat shabby life Fowler lived during these trouble times. It was politically complex with a wonderful worked plot but for me the love triangle between Fowler, Pyle and Phung  carried the film. Yes it’s four years old but certainly worth a watch, if you did not see it first time round.