Author Archives: lovepirate77

France on Film: Ratatouille

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This post is a part of the France on Film Blogathon, hosted by Serendipitous Anachronisms. Day 1 focuses on French cinema, while day 2 will cover France as a film subject.

Ratatouille is a masterpiece of a film. It’s Pixar’s most adult film, the perfect balance of humor and emotion, with a great message about staying true to yourself no matter what society may think of you. It was one of the first films I ever reviewed on my blog (almost nine years ago, and it’s embarrassing to read), and one I’ve written about more than once. The moment when Anton Ego tastes Remy’s ratatouille and is transported back to his youth is one of my all-time favorite film moments, and I remember watching the film for the first time and sobbing from that moment through the end of the credits until the ushers came in to clean up the theater. But one of the most crucial, and often overlooked, aspects of the film is France itself, specifically the city of Paris, which beyond being just the setting for the story is almost a character on its own.Ratatouille is practically a love letter to Paris.

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Tonight’s Movie: Ratatouille

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Quote of the Day

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Admiral Harte, still hoping to curry favour and at the same time to gratify a personal malevolence, said, ‘Would it be in order to call upon Sir Joseph to declare a personal interest?’

‘No sir, it would not,’ cried Admiral Parr, his port-wine face flushing purple. ‘A most improper suggestion, by God.’ His voice trailed away in a series of coughs and grunts, through which could be heard ‘infernal presumption – new member – mere rear-admiral – little shit.’

HMS Surprise – Patrick O’Brian

France on Film Blogathon: Le Pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf)

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This post is a part of the France on Film Blogathon, hosted by Serendipitous Anachronisms. Day 1 focuses on French cinema, while day 2 will cover France as a film subject.

I can probably count on my two hands the number of French films I’ve seen. I’m in no way an expert on French cinema, despite having a great appreciation for it. I’ve been to France twice, but only as a tourist. I don’t speak the language, and while I know more than the average American about French history I’m sure my knowledge pales in comparison to the average European. Basically, I have no authority to speak with any certainty on French culture, history, or cinema, with one exception: one of my all-time favorite films is French. Le Pacte des loups (in English: Brotherhood of the Wolf), is a bizarre, unique mash-up of period drama, monster movie, and martial arts action film, but it’s also intense, emotional, funny, sexy, and simply gorgeous to look at. And, above all, it feels like the sort of film that could only have been made in France.

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Tonight’s Movie: Silver Linings Playbook

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Quote of the Day

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Inara: Good afternoon, Captain.

Mal: Morning. We’re downing, and in case that Wash don’t kill us all, local time’s going to be in the a.m., 10 or so.

Inara: Yes, I saw that.

Mal: Making plans? “Atherton Wing”. He’s a regular, ain’t he?

Inara: I’ve seen him before.

Mal: Oh, I never did. Not what I pictured – young. Must be rich too, to afford your rates.

Inara: I suppose. He has engaged me for several days.

Mal: Days!? Boy must have stamina.

Inara: (smiling) He does.

Mal: Well…fine. Is he letting you out at all?

Inara: Actually, we’re attending a ball tomorrow night.

Mal: Tell me, do all the men there pay for their dates, or just the young rich ones with stamina?

Inara: Most of the women in there will not be Companions, if that’s what you’re asking. Perhaps the other men couldn’t attract one.

Mal: Hmm. It’s sounds like the finest party I can imagine getting paid to go to.

Inara: I don’t suppose you’d find it up to standards of your outings. More conversation and somewhat less petty theft and getting hit with pool cues. (dismissing him) I understand if you need to go prepare for that “It’s 10 in the morning” issue.

Mal: Yeah. Better go do that. ‘Cause I think this is more of an evening look.

Firefly – Episode 4 – “Shindig”

Quote of the Day

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Kirk: He didn’t ask for what happened to him.

Spock: I felt for him, too.

Kirk: I believe there’s some hope for you after all, Mister Spock.

Star Trek – Season 1: Episode 1 – “Where No Man Has Gone Before”

Quote of the Day

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Giles: There’s a Watchers’ retreat every year in the Cotswolds. It’s a lovely spot. It’s very serene. There’s horse riding and hiking and punting and lectures and discussions. It-i-it’s… it’s a great honor to be invited. Or so I’m told.

Faith: Oh, it’s boring. Way too stuffy for a guy like you.

Buffy: Um, maybe I should introduce you again. Faith, this is *Giles*.

Faith: I see him. If I’d’ve known they came *that* young and cute, I would’ve requested a transfer.

Buffy: Raise your hand if ‘ew’.

Giles: Well, um, uh, leaving aside for a moment my, uh, youth and beauty, I’d-I’d say it was, um, fortuitous that Faith arrived when she did.

Willow: Aha! (They all look at her) Sorry. I just meant… aha! There’s big evil brewin’. You’ll never be bored here, Faith. ‘Cause this is Sunnydale, home of the big brewin’ evil.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Season 3: Episode 3 – “Faith, Hope & Trick”

Tonight’s Movie: The Jewel of the Nile

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‘Pray, Sir Joseph,’ he said after a moment, ‘who is this Dr Maturin?’

‘He is the gentleman about whom I sent your Lordship a minute last week,’ said Sir Joseph. ‘A minute in a yellow cover,’ added with a very slight emphasis — an emphasis that would been the equivalent of flinging his ink-well at the First Lord’s head in Melville’s time. 

HMS Surprise – Patrick O’Brian