We don’t often go to the cinema, though we do watch a lot of films at home, through the NetFilms postal service. So it was a bit of a surprise to go 3 times last week to 2 different CineWorlds. And Martha made it 4 times!

Mamma Mia was the draw for her 3 times — yes, she found it that fun. I went one of those times, and we also saw Wall-E together. Strange to say, I found them quite similar films, as both had strong rom-com notes. Though byeond that you have a chick flick musical, and a piece about the dangers of consumerism and lack of environmental thinking. But both were hugely impressive in their own way, and the quality of Wall-E’s CGI was a real treat.

I also saw The Dark Knight with S, which was trying to be more serious, but the cod psychology from the characters didn’t make sense all the time. Still, some good performances, though Heath Ledger and most of the others weren’t as good as some were claiming. Heath was great - but only at one mood, and didn’t really vary it.

I’m kicking myself. I posted a short thought about the Golden Compass movie, but then I’ve read 2 other bloggers on it. Both have said things I realised or thought, but was too lazy to push through into words. And they’ve said it better than I would probably have done. Clearly I need to work much harder on my writing, which is part of the point of this blog.

Kester Brewin at Signs of Emergence says:

I think that Pullman is more interested in critiquing the ‘power religion’ exemplified by historic Catholicism and institutional Anglicanism. … If we try to protect our faith from criticism like this, we seal it from the tricksters, and prevent it from being refined. If we truly believe it, we should allow our children to see the film, and trust that the truth will out. … I hope the God believe in is more robust than that.

And then someone else pointed out how some of the intrigue and suspense in the beginning of the book is lost, as the film starts with a voiceover fully explaining the nature of the daemon/souls. ‘Tis a better example of how the book is superior to the film.

Two excellent films: The History Boys (on video) and Atonement (in the cinemas still). The first is written by Alan Bennett and “sparkles with wit and charm”, not to mention much discussion of complex male sexuality. The second adapted from Ian McEwan’s novel, has straightforward sexuality, but an excellent exploration of false testimony, guilt and attempted atonement. It also has the most amazing tracking shot I’ve ever seen - a full 10 minutes where the camera and the leading actors must have travelled over half a mile on foot.