Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

For his directorial début Rupert Sanders delivers a very dark take on the classic Snow White story. Though there is little in common with most Snow White stories, it does hit specific plot points; wicked witch (Ravenna, Charlize Theron), poisoned apple, and dwarves. Initially imprisoned by Ravenna, Snow White (Kristen Stewart) escapes, then with the help of the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) makes her way to her Uncle's castle, whereupon she returns with an army to overthrow Ravenna's cruel rule.

First of all I must say that the film looks fantastic. The costumes are all fantastic, down to the little details on Ravenna's dresses; there are many beautiful exterior locations giving the film a real epic feel; and some of the visual effects were amazing. In particular the dark army at the beginning of the movie is brilliantly realised, the way Ravenna exploded into Ravens is great, a cool troll, and the dwarves were amazing.

Where the film falls flat is in some of the cast, namely Kristen Stewart; she just doesn't have the charisma to pull off a main role like this. She is wooden and just looks uncomfortable for most of the film, not least when she gives her morale-rousing speech for the army - Theoden this is not! Actually half way through the film I found myself thinking "Has she actually really said very much?" Charlize Theron is a good actress, and her Ravenna is good; though having seen Eva Green's performance as Morgan in Camelot, I thought that she would have been a much better Ravenna. The other main character is Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman, and thank goodness for him; he is the one character we really care about. His Huntsman is gritty, initially of questionable loyalty, and has great wilderness survival skills; so Aragorn basically. To continue the LOTR theme, I noticed that Snow White seemed to have the Tree of Gondor on her shield! The supporting cast are fine, including Sam Spruell as Ravenna's brother Finn and Vincent Regan as Snow White's Uncle, Duke Hammond. The Dwarves are also good, the likes of Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone and Nick Frost having their faces digitally imposed onto small actors.

An entertaining romp that looks amazing, and far enough removed from the classic fairy tale for miserable uncultured people like me to enjoy it. Going for it are some sumptuous visuals, a tremendous scale of production and a rousing score by James Newton Howard; against it are a few below par performances, especially from Kristen Stewart who just isn't right for this kind of role.

Made in Dagenham (2010)

Made in Dagenham is a film that highlights one of those key moments in the development of society, and the people who make the rest of us sit up and question the "norm".  The story here is about a group of women machine operators working for the Ford Motor Car factory in Dagenham in 1968.  The work that the women do (construction of the car upholstery) is extremely skilled, but as far as Ford management are concerned it is unskilled, and this permits them to pay the women as such.  Encouraged by their Union representative Albert Passingham (Bob Hoskins), Rita and Connie (Sally Hawkins & Geraldine James) meet the management to discuss a better deal.  However, they soon realise the bigger picture that women all over Britain are paid on a hugely reduced pay scale when compared to their male counterparts; and all because they are women.  So begins a large scale campaign to bring this inequality to the attention of the nation and to change the company's view towards working women.

The film is funny, emotional, tragic, touching and perhaps most importantly, makes people aware that something we take for granted now, has only become a reality very recently.  Director  Nigel Cole manages to take a very serious issue and make a very enjoyable film.  It's not wall to wall Lols, but like the recent Marigold Hotel, it is the emotional investiture in the characters - and in this case how up-front the women are with the (naturally) all-male management - that makes the film good.  Sally Hawkins in particular is good as Rita, the working housewife who is also trying to change corporate law regarding women.  All the women are very strong characters, but Sally is in particular: like when she points out to her husband that the fact he doesn't come home drunk and beat her shouldn't be exceptional, it should be normal!  Bob Hoskins is also very good as the Trade Union rep who is 100% behind the women, and is so gleeful when Rita tells the management committee how it is and should be.

A very enjoyable film, with a great solid cast, lots of humour, and a very important eye-opening message.  Not a classic of British films by any means, but very good nonetheless.