A triple feature with the enchanting Gemma Arterton

My star of the night....the wonderful Gemma...

One of the benefits of owning lots of movies on DVD and blu-ray is that you can watch what you want, when you want. You can have mini-marathons of certain themes or actors and you are not at the mercy of your cable channels. Well recently the local blockbuster video store had a going out of business sale and I was able to pick up lots of movies. Of which three I watched tonight, featuring one of my favorite modern actresses: Gemma Arterton. I was able to get four of her films to add to my collection and bring my total to six films with her. New to my collection are The Disappearance of Alice Creed, Pirate Radio, St. Trinian's, and Tamara Drewe. I already had Quantum of Solace and Clash of the Titans. So I thought tonight would make a great night for a triple feature. Here are my thoughts on the films I watched.

First up was St. Trinian's (2007) which was suggested to me by my good friend Irene Palfy many months ago. We had talked about this film before and she always raves about it. I can see why. It's very funny and features an impressive cast. Gemma plays Head Girl Kelly of the notorious school for girls. Well when the headmistress (played in drag by Rupert Everett) falls behind on mortgage to the bank, the school is threatened with foreclosure. Not too mention the unwanted attention of Colin Firth, who wants to bring the school down. Throw in Russell Brand as the shady Flash Harry, an almost unrecognizable Lena Headey as the school's newest teacher, Mischa Barton as the former Head girl who comes back to give some pointers to the girls and several up and coming actresses including Talulah Riley, Juno Temple and Lily Cole. Also look for Jodie Whittaker  in a funny role as Beverly. Oh and the hilarious Lucy Punch has a pivotal part as a rival school girl. 

Gemma as Head Girl Kelly...

Gemma is top notch in one of her early roles. I just love her speaking voice. She has one of the best voices in the whole world. Just heavenly hearing her speak. And rocks the best school uniform in film history. Now I need to see the sequel.

B-

Next up was the romantic comedy/drama Tamara Drewe (2010), which is one of Gemma's first starring roles. And she is quite good as Tamara, a young writer who returns to her childhood home in the English countryside to sell it. A return home and she is the gossip of the town thanks to her brand spanking new nose job, which the locals dub her 'plastic'..behind her back of course. Her neighbors include a celebrated novelist named Nicholas (played by Roger Allam) who holds a seasonal retreat for writers at his farm house, with his long suffering wife Beth (a terrific performance by Tamsin Greig) who has put up with Nicholas adultery for years. 

 Tamara striking a pose....

 How could anyone not fall in love with this gorgeous creature?

Tamara amidst the beautiful English countryside..

The neighbors get a look at the new Tamara and are left with their jaws hanging open...

and yes that's Bronagh Gallagher to the right of Tamsin with the short haircut....from The Commitments (1992) as the foul mouthed Bernie...

Throw in childhood boyfriend Andy Cobb (played by Luke Evans) and bad boy rock band drummer Ben Sergeant (played by Dominic Cooper...yes Tony Stark's (Iron Man) dad, and you have three suitors all lusting after Tamara. And Tamara while loving all this attention, tends to make some wrong choices. Things get very tense and dramatic toward the end, but the film closes out on a good feeling. Top notch performances abound especially by Gemma and Tamsin. Probably the best I have seen from both women. And that accent Gemma has...just wonderful. She should put a patent on it. Directed by the amazing Stephen Frears.

B

And finally for the night cap...the intense thriller The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009) about two men (Eddie Marsan, Martin Compston) who kidnap a rich man's daughter named Alice (a terrified but tough Gemma) and keep her locked in an apartment, bound and gagged until daddy pays the ransom. What starts out as a straight forward thriller becomes a wicked game of twists and turns as Alice refuses to go down without a fight. A solid film with a cast of only three people but you are so enthralled by what's going on, that three is more than enough.
B-

 Two guys with a plan...

 Alice eyes a way out...

The victim and her kidnapper have a little chat...