Fly Me To The Moon

Continuing the film theme here’s one that really should be on that list somewhere- Le Voyage Dans La Lune (1902). Over 100 years old, this little French masterpiece is as whimsical and wonderful as anything that’s come since. You’ve probably all seen it before, but it’s always worth another wee watch. Go on, take ten minutes out to take in one of the greatest films in cinematic history.



Oh, and I especially hope my two newest followers, Megan and Bethan, enjoy it. You ladies seem like you’d be rather lunar inclined ;)

I Love Lists

I haven’t done one of these in a while, a big super long post of pointless ramblings (my favourite kind). Today I’m nattering on about films, of the fantasy/sci-fi genre to be precise. I’ve had to update my favourites list following last night’s viewing, you see. Having missed out on it at the cinema, which I now very much regret, I rented Terry Gillingham’s The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus. And, oh, but it was excellent.

Granted, it could’ve been so much better if Heath Ledger’s death hadn’t forced a script rewrite towards the end. This prior knowledge combined with the fact that I’d heard only mediocre reviews of the movie, and that I find Gillingham’s stuff to be a bit hit or miss, meant that I wasn’t expecting too much. But considering the circumstances I think they did an admirable job. I was both awed and entertained in equal measure.

So I suppose maybe the pleasantly surprised factor may be playing a wee part in it’s ranking, but my Top 10 which had already grown to a Top 17 is now a Top 18. Still with me? Well you can find said list below.

I want to point out that this is only a tally of my fantasy/sci-fi faves and in no way covers my top films of all time. That is one list that can never be finished because I can never decide what goes at the top. Kind of the opposite to the novel I’ll never write because I can’t settle on an ending. At least that’s the excuse I tell myself.

There are notable absences on it too; some flicks I simply didn’t find worthy, some I haven’t seen yet. Others aren’t there because I feel the fantasy/sci-fi tag doesn’t quite cover them. Like The Shining or Dr Strangelove, both of which would make my top 10 films of all time (although I have deliberately omitted A Space Odyssey- me thinks the emperor isn’t wearing any clothes). Night of the Living Dead, Hero, X-Men, Harvey, Superman, Sleepy Hollow, Pi- all of these and more I toyed with but decided to leave out in the end.

Anyway, here you go. My top fantasy/sci-fi films as of April 2010.

1- The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Obvious but worthy.

2- Star Wars

Originally trilogy only, naturally.

3-Pan’s Labyrinth

I always find it interesting to hear how the ending of this amazing film made people feel. I watched it with my fiance and at the end I was almost moved to tears while he found it quite uplifting. Still, beautiful either way.

4- Princess Mononoke

It’s tough choosing between Hayao Miyasaki and Studio Ghibli’s many wonderful animations, but I think this is my favourite.

5- Alien

My pick of the only two good films in the franchise.

**New Entry** 6- The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Such a pity that Mr Ledger passed on towards the end of production, it could’ve been a masterpiece.

7- Sunshine

Surprisingly brilliant sci-fi from Danny Boyle. Almost as good as Alien and so much better than 2001.

8- Howl’s Moving Castle

More Miyasaki mastery.

9- Big Fish

Burton’s best, in my insignificant opinion.

10- Delicatessen

This may shock a lot of people, but I wasn’t a big fan of Amelie. The ending gave me a toothache. I rather enjoyed this though. And The City of Lost Children, although I watched that after the pub one night and my memories of it are rather dreamlike.

11- First Contact

I had to include a Trek film here somewhere and, while most of such a persuasion would opt for The Wrath of Khan, I grew up with The Next Generation and have to swing in that direction.

12- Edward Scissorhands

I really will watch absolutely anything with good ole Mr Depp in the lead but this proves that it’s not just for that pretty little face of his.

13- The Brothers Grimm

Gillingham again. I can’t believe it, a film with Matt Damon I actually love!

14- Stardust

British fantasy action for the whole family (god, I sound like one of their publicity blurbs).

15- The Fall

Lesser known fantasy flick from 2008 set in 1920s LA.

16- The Fisher King

More Gillingham, this time with The Dude and Mrs Doubtfire searching for the Holy Grail- in New York City. How could it not be great?

17- Total Recall

More than muscles and action, this is actually a really decent sci-fi movie. As are the TWO Terminators, but I’m a girl who likes fairies and could hardly put three Arnie films in the one list!

18- Labyrinth

Yes, I am a child of the 80s and this is just a random pick of the cheesy fantasy films that shaped my childhood. Other options included Willow, The Never Ending Story, Bill and Ted, or The Last Unicorn.

p.s Just a thought, wouldn’t the latest Alice movie have been so much better if Gillingham had directed it? Don’t get me wrong, I love Tim Burton, but I think the former Python could’ve given it that darkly absurd quality it was lacking.

Fae Music and Elfin Thrones

Today I planned to post some more random Etsy lovelies. I’m putting those on standby, though, for while browsing that wonder-filled place of a thousand wishes I came across the most amazing little shop. The seller goes by the name of Pandora Jane and, even if she doesn’t have the longest list of items, what she lacks in quantity she makes up for in charm. Take the one below, for example, which is described as a scientific device to view fairies and essence, or that little bench which is a “fae loveseat”. I don’t think I need to tell you how much I love these little works of art.

Go to her shop for more fae-tastic wonders.