British tv and movies

[gwaevalarin]

I went to see "Becoming Jane" yesterday. I can't say how authentic the movie is since I don't know that much about Jane Austen's life. Just that she was from Hamshire, a reverend's daughter, that she never married and died in her 40s (?) in or near Winchester. But I can say that I liked "Becoming Jane" as a movie. For me it carried the atmosphere of her novels just without the happy ending - though the ending was still satisfactory and showed her as the independent woman I think she was. There were quite some scenes that gave me the feeling that this event in her life might be where she got her idea for this character or that scene from which was very nice.
About the actors: I'm not sure what to think about Anne Hathaway yet. Something about her bugged me but I can't say if it was her acting, her German voice - Jane Austen in German feels just so very wrong - or how her looks reminded me of Liv Tyler in some scenes.
I had seen James McAvoy before in "Atonement" and I think he did a very good job there but I liked him even better as Tom Lefroy. I think he got across that careless, cocky, almost cheeky and light-hearted Irish guy (I know: "Too may adjectives" ;)) who at the same time is very charming and likeable and later the man who's deeply in love with Jane and desperate to find a way to be with her.
And Maggie Smith of course is always a big bonus. I had just rewatched "Keeping Mum" a few days earlier and it's astonishing how very different the characters are she plays in those two movies.
I'll have to watch "Becoming Jane" again in English to form a definite opinion but I can recommend the movie in good conscience.

On a somewhat related topic: As much as I love my US shows I feel they're taking over too much. So I'm currently looking for shows from my beloved isle(s).
Anything you can recommend?
I'm open to pretty much anything though I don't usually like crime shows and I'm not a big fan of pure comedy.
I'm mainly looking for tv shows but I'm interested in mini series and movies as well.
The only criteria they have to meet is being English or Irish.

A website about British and/or Irish shows would be helpful as well. Something in the like of serienjunkies.de or tv.com

And last but not least in squeeworthy news: I got my confirmation letter for Asylum 2008 today. Wheeeeee! *g*

Comments

[darciana.livejournal.com]

As for TV stuff from Britain: I already recommended "Life on Mars" to you, but you didn't seem to like it very much, although I don't primarily perceive it as a crime story, but as a portrait of a man who's completely lost in a strange place.
I would have strongly recommended "North & South" to you, but as I've seen you already know it.
Besides that I'm not that familiar with UK telly, but with movies. If I ever stumble across something you might like, I'll let you know. :o)

I've seen "Becoming Jane" a while ago. You don't need to know much about Jane Austen's life. It's not a biography in the strict sense; it just plays with episodes from her life and motifs from her books. It's more a "what if" thing.
I've already written a short review here, and we seem to agree on Hathaway and McAvoy, at least to a certain extend. He did a very good job, while she was, in my opinion, not a good choice for the leading character. I've seen the undubbed version, and her accent annoyed me. I wonder why everyone in that movie is from GB or Ireland except for her.

[gwaevalarin.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say that I didn't like "Life on Mars". It just didn't get me hooked. I've seen two episodes so far and I'll probably watch the rest sometime. It's just not on the very top of my list.

If I ever stumble across something you might like, I'll let you know. :o)
Thank you! :)

It really seems that we agree on Hathaway and McAvoy. I don't really see either why they didn't choose a British actress for the role of Jane Austen. But I'll have to wait until I get to see the OV before I can say anything about her accent.
I might look for some more moves with James McAvoy now. I just realized that I've seen and liked him in "The Chronicles of Narnia" as well.

[dimturien.livejournal.com]

Robin Hood. *g*

Hat das jetzt mal geklappt mit den CDs? Wenn nicht, soll ich dir ein paar Folgen mal auf DVD brennen, zusammen mit den zwei anderen "Fallen"-Folgen?

Ansonsten... Äh... Ja. Primeval kennst du ja schon. Isses eigentlich schon wieder Februar? *auf zweite Staffel wart*

Aber komm, gib's zu. Du hast nur Angst, dass du dann nix mehr zu gucken hast, sollte die WGA doch länger streiken als nur ein paar Tage... ;)

[gwaevalarin.livejournal.com]

Robin Hood. *g*

I'll give it a try. Right after "Shameless"
Erm, you're not turning into a James McAvoy fangirl, are you?
Let me come back to you on that.

Isses eigentlich schon wieder Februar? *auf zweite Staffel wart*
*mitwart* Furchtbar eigentlich, wieviel Zeit wir immer mit warten verbringen müssen.

Aber komm, gib's zu. Du hast nur Angst, dass du dann nix mehr zu gucken hast, sollte die WGA doch länger streiken als nur ein paar Tage... ;)
Ich habe eher Angst, dass mein englisch noch völlig amerikanisch wird. Dagegen muss ich unbedingt mal was tun. Außerdem klingt British English viel schöner. &hearts