War and Peace

I just finished watching War and Peace. This particular adaptation came out in 2007. It is adapted from the novel by Leo Tolstoy that was originally published in 1869. I have never read the novel, so I am not sure how closely this adaptation followed it, but I really enjoyed it!

The film focuses on several aristocratic, Russian families and takes place over the period of time directly before to directly after the French invasion of Russia during the Napoleonic Wars. The film follows Count Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei Nikolayevich  Bolkonsky (Pierre's close friend), Princess Maria Nikolayevna Bolkonskaya (Andrei's sister), Countess Natalia Illyinichna Rostova (she is in love with Andrei), Count Nikolai Illyich Rostov (Natalia's brother), Sofia Alexandrovna Rostova (she lives with the Rostovas and is in love with Nikolai), Prince Vasily Sergeyevich Kuragin, Princess Elena Vasilyevna Kuragina (Vasily's daughter), Prince Anatol Vasilyevich Kuragin (Vasily's son), Maria Dmitryevna Akhrosimova, Amalia Evgenyevna Bourienne, and Vasily Dmitrich Denisov.

The film had a lot of characters. One reason that I was able to keep them all straight was because of the magnificent performances. I was very happy to see Alessio Boni in another role. I have seen him in several other films, but have never seen him in an English-speaking role. I also really enjoyed Malcolm McDowell and Brenda Blethyn, but the actor that I was probably most impressed with was Clemence Posey. I have seen her in several roles before, but never one that was so three-dimensional. She gave a really amazing performance.

I would definitely recommend this film. It is definitely a must-see!

The Book of Eli

I just saw the Book of Eli and LOVED it! It just recently came out and was written by Gary Whitta. It was directed by Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes. I should have known to expect a really good movie since they also directed From Hell (which was my favorite movie for a really long time).

The film takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. The world as people know it is actually a lot like the American West was. There are few people left that remember what the world used to be like. Thirty years prior, a religious war began. there was a flash, and a hole was torn in the sky. People took shelter underground. The sun burned everything. Corrupt men have the power now. Water and other items that were once taken for granted have become commodities. Women have become prostitutes. Strangers are not to be trusted, and cannibals that have eaten too much human meat can be spotted by their shaking hands.

This film was full of a lot of really good performances. It starred Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson, Jennifer Beals, Michael Gambon, Tom Waits, Malcolm McDowell, and Frances de la Tour. As usual, Gary Oldman gave an amazing performance as what could have become the cliche, carbon-copied "bad guy." He has played many of these sorts of characters in the past, but as usual, this character was inventive and unlike any other that he has played.

I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone. It is definitely a must-see! Have any of you seen it? Leave your thoughts in the comments.