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First Impression: I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about the big wigs in the movie, but it’s a period piece with Keira Knightley, how could I miss it?

Afterthoughts: I have to agree with most of the critics that this really is Keira’s best work so far. In all of her previous movies, there was always this lack of raw emotion, a disconnect most evident when she’s beside a better actor. However, I don’t think I can find any fault in her portrayal of the Duchess at all. The wittiness and youthfulness, the sorrow and pain, not one second felt like “acting”. Combining with Ralph Fiennes’ equally wonderful Duke of Devonshire, who had just the right amount of cold-hearted sarcasm you couldn’t help but to laugh at despite such a tragic story, it was one of the best theatre experience I’ve had. The overall movie is a little straightforward and predictable, especially if you’ve seen the movie trailer. The plot that involves the love between the Duchess and Charles Gray could have been elaborated on, as with her supposed popularity with the public.

First Impression: Talk about renting unknown movies…my dad rented this because he liked the name.

Afterthoughts: The movie chronicles William Wilberforce’s political battle to abolish the slave trade. The movie naturally played like a history lesson, which means a little too straightforward for my taste. Ioan Gruffudd did a great job as the lead. I know he’s been in quite a few American movies but he will always remind me of the Hornblower series, which I’ve never seen and only heard of because of Jamie Bamber haha.

First Impression: I decided to watch the movie because of a crossfit/spartan training video on youtube…seriously. It’s a feature on the physical fitness training the cast had to take for the film, and I was inspired enough to thinking I’ll join the Crossfit Vancouver in the future. A bit pricey though…anyway.

Afterthoughts: I didn’t have very high expectation to begin with, as my brother told me there weren’t enough action. In the end I actually thought it was pretty awesome. Okay, so the constant grumbling and growling and PERFECT abs got annoying after awhile. The dark, flowing style reminded me of Sin City, which I also enjoyed, and not surprisingly as both movies were based on Frank Miller’s graphic novels. I’m not a history buff, so any discrepancy flew right by me, and given the chance (say on TV), I’ll be sure to catch it again.