A-Z #19: The Beach

You can pick up hundreds of DVD's for a buck each - it doesn't matter. Its never about quantity, its about quality. A-Z is my way of going through my collection, from A-Z, and justifying why I own the films...

#19 - The Beach 

Why did I buy it?

Again, we have the inevitable Danny Boyle answer. Alongside the Leonardo DiCaprio answer. And the interest in Alex Garland.

Why do I still own it?

Ever the completist, The Beach goes with all the other Danny Boyle movies, but I am not ashamed of this film. I think it seems to capture such a beauty about the islands they visit - really filling you with a desperation to get to such an isolated location. This in itself is a selfish thought and so, the destruction of this perfect world is even more tragic but neccessary. Then there is the use of the track '8 Ball' by Underworld ... such joy!

Remember - you can always email The Simon and Jo Film Show directly using this email: simonandjoshow@gmail.com

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A-Z #11: Angela's Ashes

You can pick up hundreds of DVD's for a buck each - it doesn't matter. Its never about quantity, its about quality. A-Z is my way of going through my collection, from A-Z, and justifying why I own the films...

#11 - Angela's Ashes

Why did I buy it?

One Christmas my Mum and Dad had recently moved back to Limerick and explained to me how Angela's Ashes was set and filmed on location in Limerick. Strangely enough, Frank McCourt has written two books Sarah absolutely adored - Angela's Ashes and 'Tis - whilst I had read, while training to be a teacher - Teacher Man. Because Sarah and I enjoyed his prose and my parents lived where it was located, it seemed appropriate to purchase the film and actually know how how good it was.

Why do I still own it?

Good question. I think there is something heritage-ish about it. I am Irish born and ... well, not really bred, because we moved when I was two. Thus, no Irish accent and only family members to remind me of the Irish heritage I possess. Nevertheless, though my Mum was never the child in the street collecting coal, she was in Limerick within 30 years of the events depicted in Angela's Ashes so I am sure there is some link there - and I think, this film holds this little key to a world I wish I knew so much more about.

Remember - you can always email The Simon and Jo Film Show directly using this email: simonandjoshow@gmail.com

We are also on Twitter  and Facebook.