cricketbat

Perhaps it's because I haven't entered the world of Downton Abbey for some time, but it felt nice to visit these grounds again. I enjoyed seeing all the familiar faces and places. However, I have to admit that I had forgotten many of the storylines and the intricacies of the various relationships. It didn't take long to get back up to speed, though, and remember most of what was needed to enjoy this film. There were some questionable story choices, and some subplots felt a little forced, but overall, Downton Abbey: A New Era is true to the spirit of the original series and is pleasant to watch.

The Private Life of Henry VIII is a simplified view of history, primarily focusing on the marriages of the English king. And yet this film made an impact on how we view this particular monarch. From what I've read, Charles Laughton's interpretation of King Henry VIII has overshadowed actual historical evidence regarding his behavior and character. This movie also rewrites history a few times in order to speed things up and advance the plot. So while The Private Life of Henry VIII may not be a completely factual historical drama, it is an amusing caricature of the early years of the Tudor period.

I find it fascinating that The Shaggy Dog was the second-highest grossing film of 1959. Yes, this live-action Disney comedy is fun to watch, but putting it just under the big-budget, epic drama Ben-Hur just seems odd. It also outperformed such cinematic classics as Some Like It Hot, Rio Bravo, and North by Northwest at the box office. I also found it interesting how many of the visual effects still hold up. Not all of them, of course, some of the movie looks pretty hokey now, but Disney did a great job for 1959. I enjoyed watching The Shaggy Dog as a kid and my kids seemed to enjoy it, as well.