The Princess Bride (1987)

 ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

The Princess Bride (1987) – R. Reiner

So, I have to admit that I was never really a part of the cult of The Princess Bride, quoting its ridiculous (but yes, highly quotable) lines at every opportunity (but I know many of you are). Nor have I read William Goldman’s original book which he adapted for director Rob Reiner (a fan of the book). Nevertheless, I thought this would be a fun movie to watch as a family. Especially since it is an embellished exaggerated fairy tale and my kids already know the form. It was even funny that they moaned and groaned at the start when the film begins with some romantic “true love” scenes between Westley (Cary Elwes) and Buttercup (Robin Wright) given that young Fred Savage (to whom the story is being told by his grandfather Peter Falk) also complains about the same (ugh, kissing).  But soon enough there was enough action, far-fetched and lampooned as it is, but still action and enjoyable from the kids’ point of view (even as some of the witty banter may have flown over their heads).  At any rate, there are many adventuresome moments as Dread Pirate Roberts… I mean Westley… attempts to rescue Buttercup first from kidnappers Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, and Mandy Patinkin, and then later from Chris Sarandon (the Prince who seeks to marry her) and Christopher Guest (evil Count). There’s also torture and even despondency with a risk of suicide – but it’s all so broad and even zany (i.e. Billy Crystal and Carol Kane’s bit) that it’s hard to be concerned, even in a family film.  We enjoyed it but I can’t say that I’m fully converted – I prefer something even more over the top (such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail – but that’s not for kids!).

The Killing II (2009)

 ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

The Killing II (2009) – S. Sveistrup

A couple of years after the first series, creator Søren Sveistrup brought police detective Sarah Lund (Sofie Gråbøl) back for a return engagement in this highly watchable Copenhagen drama that skilfully mixes detective work and politics while maintaining aspects of the thriller genre.  At the end of the last series, despite solving the case, Lund was basically sacked for breaking the rules; so here we find her working at a border security centre, far from the homicide squad.  But not for long, her old superior Brix soon calls her in to help with a case that has them stumped – a lawyer found murdered in a military memorial park who just might be a victim of an Islamic terrorist group. In a parallel plotline, we meet the new Department of Justice minister who has been appointed by the Prime Minister to shepherd an anti-terrorism bill through the parliament by negotiating with a far-right party and also a soldier who has been confined to a psychiatric institution upon his return from the war in Afghanistan.  At first, as before, these plot lines don’t quite line up – but of course they eventually entwine.  With only 10 episodes (rather than the 20 of series one), series two is more punchy than series one but also doesn’t get quite as deep into the lives of its characters as before. Gråbøl plays her character as wearier than before and seemingly unsure of herself – that is, until she can’t help following her instincts and doing what she thinks is necessary, regardless of the rules or other people’s feelings. The supporting cast are uniformly strong, playing more than just red herrings, fleshing out the plot with nuance and colour. I might check out series three sometime.