Monday, January 24, 2011

Two movies I watched over the weekend

This weekend, I watched two wonderful movies on Netflix that I’d like to share with you. I streamed them both right onto my laptop and watched them on my big screen. Both are French with subtitles and star Audrey Tautou, an actress with the kind of expressive beauty that transcends language.

The first is Amelie, about a girl who lives alone and works in a café. One day, she stumbles upon a child’s hidden treasure and decides to find the person to whom it belongs and return it. If this makes the person happy, she would continue to do good deeds for others. I did a short review about it a couple of years ago, if you care to read.

Amelie review and trailer

I wanted to see something similar today but there really isn’t anything quite like Amelie. However in my wanderings, I did come across a film that I thought looked interesting. A Very Long Engagement  is directed by Jeanne-Pierre Jeunet and is a wartime romance.

a_very_long_engagement_02

Tautou plays Mathilde, a young woman who is searching for her finance, a WWI soldier who disappeared from the battlefield after a court martial. Her investigation launches several other miniature stories that shift back and forth in time. Beautifully filmed along the French coast, the movie is a visual feast. But I will warn you that the battlefield is equally as effective at drawing emotion. The very beginning scenes are probably the worst though, and I’m so glad I continued to watch.


a_very_long_engagement

This movie is going to stay with me for awhile.  I really didn’t want it to end. If you watch, you may be surprised to find Jodie Foster in a small role, speaking impeccable French.

Watch the Trailer – A Very Long Engagement

I tried to embed the trailer into my post but for some reason, Windows Live Writer is being persnickety about it tonight.

Hope you like.

Until tomorrow, then . . .
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26 comments:

Jan's camera said...

Hi, I love 'Amelie'. I have seen that one a couple of times. Audrey Tatou is so sweet and lovely in that film. I have yet to watch the other film. I will put it on my list on Netflix. Thanks. Have a good week.

myletterstoemily said...

i've wanted to see "amelie" and now i
really do! my daughter and i adored
ms. tatou in "coco".

Lisa said...

I cant wait to watch this.
Sounds wonderful and the photos make it look like a movie that would stay with me for a while too.

Anonymous said...

We started using Netflix this month and are in love with it. I haven't watched either of these movies yet but they are now on my list. Thanks for the reviews!

Di

Caroline said...

Amelie is one of my very favorite movies... I have to watch A very long engagement...sounds wonderful.

deborah said...

I can't wait to watch both movies!

Jon said...

Amelie is my all time fav movie. Havent watched the long engagement!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Speaking of visuals.. I watched "A River Runs Through it" this weekend for the first time - the scenery..and the "scenery".. were just beautiful. Heartbreaking too...

Now I'll have to check out your recommendations -

Gail said...

The trailer of Engagement is riveting but I am afraid I will cry.

Crying is something I avoid at all costs.

Sarah said...

Thanks for the recommendations! I almost always love the movies you watch. I saw Amelie and loved it, and will put A Very Long Engagement on my Netflix list immediately! If you get a chance, be sure to see her in Coco Before Chanel!

Mental P Mama said...

Okay...they're going on the list. ;)

The JR said...

Normally I would flip past these 2, but with good reviews I'll watch them if I get a chance.

mrs mediocrity said...

I've had Amelie here forever, borrowed it from my brother and never watched it. I think it's time.

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Thanks for the recommendations! I will have to add them to my queue!

Daryl said...

We watched Tangled ... adorable

Cait O'Connor said...

Thanks for the recommendations. I am thinking of joining LoveFilm and need suggestions for good films.

Country Gal said...

I saw it at a friends house, wonderful ! I love netflix its great for all kinds of shows and movies ! I am now into the tv show Hot in Cleveland it is soo funny ! Have a great day !

Carolynn Anctil said...

Amelie is one of my favourites, too and I think the actress is quite striking. I'll have to check out the other film.

Mary said...

Adding them to the queue...

(is that how you spell it?)

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

One of these days I'll watch movies again, and when I do I'm getting Netflix! To hell with the video store and pay per view. (Yes, we do still go to a video store but we have to drive 15 miles to the nearest one. As you might guess, we don't go often.)

Lili said...

Wow, I know just by the trailers I would love both of them. Thanks for sharing Kate! xo ~Lili

Joy said...

thank you for these suggestions... I just activated a 6 month free Netflix account (from my daughter for Christmas) and I was wondering what to order. I like these types of films.

Char said...

i adore the first but had problems trying the 2nd...maybe i should try again.

Unknown said...

Noted. Thank you.

persnickety is a wonderful word :)

Gail Dixon said...

I LOVED Amelie! When I first got Nexflix, I put that in my queue and was so glad I did. Not my husband's cup of tea, but I adored the film. Thanks for the reminder. I think I'll watch it again!

GailO said...

Amelie is one of my all time favorite movies...I love it to pieces! but I have never heard of A Very Long Engagement and I thank you for this suggestion and review...I already know I will love it and it is now on my Netflix list:)