Best of the Bank Holiday Films

Stuck for things to do this bank holiday weekend?
How about checking out these films on telly over the next few days.

Ticket Stub has picked the best of the bunch, so grab the popcorn, sit back and relax with these movies over the weekend...

Friday:

Precious (2009), BBC2, 11.05pm

Image: nytimes.com

Based on the novel Push by Sapphire, this film achieved critical acclaim in 2009. It tells the story of Claireece Precious Jones: an illiterate and obese sixteen year old who is abused by both her mother and father in 1980s Harlem. She is enrolled into an alternative school in the hopes that her harrowing life will turn around. The movie was nominated for six awards at the Oscars and won two - Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Mo'Nique's performance as Precious's mother, Mary Lee Johnston.

(500) Days of Summer (2009), Channel 4, 11.40pm 

PICK OF THE DAY

Image: lavitastella.com

The story of Summer and Tom is not a love story - we're told this from the very beginning. Much like Annie Hall (1977), this off beat rom-com looks at Tom's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) failed relationship with Summer (Zooey Deschanel). The non-linear narrative is creative and clever. I love the quirky elements in the film including this brilliant dance number which was featured in Ticket Stub's Top Ten Dance Sequences. A huge highlight is the soundtrack - Regina Spektor, The Temper Trap, Simon & Garfunkel and The Smiths feature. Have a listen on Spotify, it will not disappoint.

Saturday:

The Wizard of Oz (1939), Channel 5, 3pm

Image: boktowergardens.org

A musical classic. After a tornado hits her home in Kansas, Dorothy is transported to the magical land of Oz. There she must follow the yellow brick road to meet the Wizard after accidentally killing the Wicked Witch of the East. Along the way she meets a brainless scarecrow, a heartless tin-man and a cowardly lion who all have their own reasons to meet the almighty powerful Oz. To find out more quirky facts about the film, check out Ticket Stub's Throwback Thursday Trivia.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974), ITV, 3.55pm

Image: moviemail.com

Based on Agatha Christie's novel, this is considered one of, if not, the best book-to-movie adaptations of Christie's work. After the train is stalled by a snow landslide, Poirot is summoned to solve a murder that has occurred the night before. The film stars Albert Finney, Ingrid Bergman, and the late, Lauren Bacall. Bergman won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Greta.



Jumanji (1995), GOLD, 6.50pm

Image: drafthouse.com

After the tragic death of Robin Williams last week, many TV networks have been airing Williams's best work. Jumanji is a great family adventure which had me on tenterhooks as a kid. The movie centres on Alan, a 12 year old boy who finds the dangerous board game Jumanji and gets trapped playing the game with his friend, Sarah. When siblings, Judy and Peter, play twenty six years later, they unintentionally release Alan and attempt to save Sarah and finally finish the unpredictable game. To see Ticket Stub's tribute to Robin Williams click here.

Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi (1983), ITV, 9.45pm

Image: thefancarpet.com

For sci-fi fans, here is your pick of the day. The third installment of the Star Wars saga follows straight after the previous episode. After rescuing Han Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, the rebels must attempt to destroy the second Death Star. At the same time, Luke Skywalker struggles to bring Darth Vader, his father and fallen Jedi, back from the dark side of the Force. Many will be looking forward to the new Star Wars: Episode VII, scheduled for 2015. Unfortunately, Harrison Ford recently broke his ankle whilst on set but is reportedly to be recovering well!



The Full Monty (1997), Sky1, 9pm
PICK OF THE DAY

Image: theguardian.com

The Full Monty is a much loved British comedy. Not only is it hilarious, it is also set in one the best cities - Sheffield. The movie sees six unemployed steel workers form their own Chippendales-style striptease act, with the promise of going the full monty. The ensemble cast, which includes Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy and Tom Wilkinson, are highly entertaining. The film scored critical acclaim internationally. It was the highest grossing film in the UK until the big blockbuster Titanic came along. The film was also nominated for four Oscars and won Best Original Music Score. 

Insomnia (2002), BBC2, 11pm

Image: seetimaar.wordpress.com

Another Robin Williams film, this time in one of his more serious roles. Insomnia follows the story of two LA homicide detectives investigating a murder of a local teen in an Alaskan town. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this remake also stars Hilary Swank and Al Pacino. A tense thriller for a Saturday night.

Sunday:

Edward Scissorhands (1990), Film4, 4.40pm
PICK OF THE DAY

Image: deppimpact.com

This is Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's first collaboration. The story follows an inventor's unfinished creation - Edward - who has scissors for hands (clue's in the title!). When he is taken in by a suburban family, he falls in love with the daughter, Kim. Although many of the town folk fear Edward, he has a gentle soul which Kim immediately connects to and the pair fall in love. 

Danny Elfman's music is enchanting and it is an excellent film to introduce new audiences of Burton's work to. Find out more about the famous Edward Scissorhands costume, by clicking here.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), GOLD, 6.50pm 

Image: tempi.it

Certainly the best film to combine live action and animation together. Bob Hoskins stars as Eddie Valiant - a private detective investigating a murder involving Roger Rabbit. Directed by the legendary Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Cast Away), the movie is a popular favourite for all the family. The film won four Academy Awards: Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing along with a Special Achievement Award for Richard Williams. This was for 'animation direction and creation of the cartoon characters'.

Miss Congeniality (2000), Watch, 6.55pm

Image: derekwinnert.com

A girly film starring Sandra Bullock as an undercover FBI agent who has to take part in Miss United States beauty pageant competition to find out who is to sabotage and bomb the show. Bullock is charming and hysterical as the tomboy agent. She is also joined by a wonderfully camp Michael Caine. Full of gags and entertaining performances.







Monday:

Rio (2011), Film4, 12.50pm

Image: cartoonsimages.com

After its recent sequel hitting cinemas earlier in the year, the first movie Rio flies onto our small screens. Animated by Dreamworks, it tells the tale of Blu - a rare domesticated macaw - who is taken from his comfy life in Minnesota to Rio de Janeiro to mate with the female macaw, Jewel. The cast looks splendid with voices from Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jane Lynch, Jamie Foxx and, rather randomly, will.i.am.




The King and I (1956), Film4, 2.40pm

Imag: screenmom.com

It wouldn't be a bank holiday without a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Deborah Kerr plays Anna Leonowens, an English widow who comes to Siam in 1862 to tutor the children of the King. Despite their culture clash, the two fall in love. The musical was nominated for nine Oscars and won four, including Best Actor for Yul Brynner.

Airplane! (1980), Film4, 7.15pm

PICK OF THE DAY

One of the most ridiculously silly comedies ever. Airplane! is a satirical disaster spoof which sees Ted, an ex-pilot afraid of flying, attempt to win back the heart of flight attendant, Elaine, on a long haul flight. However, when a virus hits the passengers and crew, Ted must save everyone on board. Starring Leslie Nielsen, the gags come thick and fast with slapstick, sight gags, plenty of puns and dead pan acting. If you don't like one joke, you're bound to like the next.   

I hope you have a wonderful bank holiday weekend!

What films will you be seeing at the cinema or at home this weekend?

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Happy Birthday Johnny Depp

Image: deppimpact.com

One of my favourite actors turns 51 today! (I can't quite believe he is in the over 50 category now). Yes, it is Mr. Johnny Depp's birthday and to celebrate the occasion, I have picked my top five favourite Depp character costumes. 

Arguably one of the best character actors, Depp has worn many iconic costumes. Wardrobe, hair and make up are vitally important for an actor. Putting on any garment - whether it be a fancy hat or a restrictive suit -literally places the actor into the shoes of their character. They can start to feel the way their character moves and fully get into the mind set of their role. That is probably a key reason why Depp is notorious for keeping all his costumes after films have wrapped.

Check out my favourite designs below, but are there any I have missed? 

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog 

1. Captain Jack Sparrow 

in 

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

I was very lucky to see two of the costumes on the list at the V&A Hollywood Costume exhibition last year, and this is one of them. Probably on par with no. 2 as the most iconic of Depp's costumes, Captain Jack Sparrow's outfit oozes sex appeal whilst maintaining the classic pirate attire. Penny Rose who designed the costume worked collaboratively with Depp to achieve Captain Jack's 'rock 'n' roll' pirate look. 

'I must give 98% of the credit for this costume to Johnny Depp. It's the walk, the mannerisms, the asides - he created it, I just helped him a bit. Of course, I know what works shape-wise and whether we're getting the look of a character, but he arrived with Jack Sparrow in his head already as he does with all his characters. ...The hat is very special. I had six styles of hat made by Peroni in Rome. He came in, took a look, and picked up that leather tricorn hat, which I had made on a whim - you rarely see a tricorn in leather. 

I've never been able to prize it off him since.' Speaking in The Times, 'Meet Hollywood's Costume Gurus'. Oct. 2012

Left: Johnny Depp in Captain Jack Sparrow's costume. Right: The full costume display at the V&A Costume exhibition, 2012-2013.

2. Edward Scissorhands 

in 

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

The second most iconic costume from the first ever film Tim Burton and Johnny Depp worked on together. As you will see from the rest of the list, the duo have created some fantastical and distinctive character looks with the enormous help from designer, Colleen Atwood. Atwood's combination of Victorian elements and punk style hair, along with Depp's ghostly white face, creates a quirky mix of danger and innocence. This proves how important costume is to informing our understanding of a character. As despite the threatening exterior of his sharp hands and dark metallic suit, Edward is a gentle and innocent soul which you can see in his eyes. 

Left: Tim Burton's original design of Edward. Right: Depp in the Scissorhands costume. Not far different from the original concept.

3. The Mad Hatter 

in 

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Colleen Atwood's design for The Mad Hatter costume is colourfully crazy. The bow tie had a mechanism that Depp could use to droop down when the Hatter was sad and perk up when he was happy. There are various layers and hidden components to his costume which are explained by Atwood in the video below:

The entire look is based on real hatters who went mad by their use of poisonous mercury in the trade. Atwood states that the mercury 'caused the hair to turn a very fried red colour and their skin to get very pale'. 

You can clearly see this result in the final picture below. 

Left: Burton's original drawing. Centre: Atwood's design. Right: Depp in the end result, complete with hare. 

4. Sweeney Todd 

in 

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

This is the second Johnny Depp costume I saw at the V&A. What I particularly love about the costume is how the hair and make up completes the menacing look. The music inspired Atwood for all the costumes in the film. 'It's the starting point of all of it. It's a moody piece, so I wanted a lot of texture in the costumes. I wanted you to be able to feel them on screen.' Atwood speaking in USA Today. 

Here is another costume design video from Coleen on the set of Todd:

Left: Atwood's Sweeney Todd design. Right: Depp in full costume

5. Willy Wonka 

in 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

The final choice was created by designer Gabriella Pescucci. Johnny Depp's Willy Wonka may be nothing on Gene Wilder's, but the costume certainly takes inspiration from him - with the top hat, cane and brightly coloured coat. The bob haircut also adds comedic value to the look. I saw this costume back in 2009 when I went to the Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour in LA. They have a museum full of costumes from Harry Potter to the Batman series. Well worth the visit if you get the chance.

Left: The full Wonka costume. Right: The costume on display at Warner Bros. Museum in LA.

What are your favourite Johnny Depp costumes?

Who is his best character?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog

Happy Birthday Tim Burton

Image: peterguber.com

Happy 55^th Birthday to Tim Burton today! 

To celebrate the director’s special day, here are my top favourite Tim Burton films that you should definitely check out...

1. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Image: deppimpact.com

"Hold me" "I can't"

I adore this film. It was probably the first time I was conscious of Danny Elfman’s beautiful compositions – he has continued to collaborate with Burton throughout his career and is one of my favourite film composers. Speaking of collaborations, this was the beginning of the Depp-Burton partnership which has lasted for 23 years so far, with the most recent collaboration on the movie Dark Shadows (2012)

2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Image: broadway.com

"What's this? What's this?"

  Although this is often called ‘Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas’, Burton did not direct. Henry Selick directed and since went onto direct James and the Giant Peach (1996) and Caroline (2009). Burton was in fact producer and writer on The Nightmare Before Christmas. I had only previously seen stop motion with the comical duo Wallace & Gromit but this film had a darker approach and really captured my imagination. My favourite moment has to be when Jack sings ‘What’s This’ as he arrives into Christmas Town.

3. Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Image: deppimpact.com

"No, you must believe me. It was a horseman, a dead one. Headless"

This movie definitely introduced me to the dark side of Burton’s directorial vision which I instantly fell in love with (even though the headless horseman freaked the hell out of me when I was younger).  Another thing I fell in love with? Of course, it’s Johnny Depp playing Ichabod Crane.

4. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Image: deppimpact.com

"At last! My arm is complete again"

My final top favourite is Sweeney Todd. I’m a big fan of musicals and pairing Tim Burton with this film made perfect sense to achieve the dark and gory nature of the demon barber. The only thing I wish the film had is the prologue from the original stage show, ‘The Ballad of Sweeney Todd’. I truly think it could have worked over the top of the end credits.  However, the casting is fantastic with fabulously haunting performances by Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen and Alan Rickman.