The Secret of Moonacre
Director: Gabor Csupo
Starring: Dakota Blue Richards, Ioan Gruffudd, Natascha McElhone
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Fans of movie adaptations of popular children's books beware - the only secret about Moonacre is how dull it is. Still, it takes a certain something to make a movie so intensely unnecessary that it fails to elicit any sort of response whatsoever.
Based on the Carnegie Medal-winning novel The Little White Horse, by the late British novelist, Elizabeth Goudge, The Secret of Moonacre "is an enchanting tale of magic and adventure" - according to the back of the equally dull-looking DVD cover, in any case. Certainly, there is magic. And yes, it could be said that the main character, Maria Merryweather (Dakota Blue Richards) experiences an adventure of sorts. But enchanting? There are lots of other things this movie could be called before that.
Richards, who is best known for her semi-decent performance as Lyra Belacqua in 2007's disappointing The Golden Compass, plays Maria Merryweather, who is sent to live with her cantankerous uncle, Sir Benjamin (Ioan Gruffudd), in the opening scene, her father's death and accrued debts having forced her out of her luxurious childhood home.
Accompanied by her gaseous intensely annoying governess, Miss Heliotrope (Juliet Stevenson), the duo make their way to the dilapidated Moonacre Manor, nestled in the heart of Moonacre Valley.
Within days of settling into her new surroundings, and in part thanks to the magical book in her possession, the only item bequeathed to her by her father, the young Merryweather quickly discovers she is the key to breaking a curse that has long haunted the two warring families that live in Moonacre - hers, and the more sinister De Noir clan. Once united by a beautiful princess called Loveday (Natascha McElhone), the only daughter of the leader of the De Noirs (Tim Curry), and the fiancée of Benjamin Merryweather, greed forced the families apart after both men fought for ownership of a set of magical moon pearls, offered by Loveday as a wedding present.
The princess subsequently curses the valley - and both families - after witnessing their greed over the other-worldly pearls.
Don't be fooled by the fantastical storyline. The plot is indescribably tedious, the acting equally so. Quite what possessed the normally watchable Curry - who starred in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show - to sign on for Moonacre is a mystery. We can only assume the actor, alongside Gruffudd and McElhone, was paid handsomely (whatever the budget was, it certainly wasn't spent on the CGI effects) for committing this particularly inadvisable career move.
Perhaps the most bewildering part of this mess, however, is that the director, Gabor Csupo, has filmed another children's book adaptation poles apart from Moonacre - the heartbreaking, enchanting, and deservedly acclaimed, Bridge to Terabithia. Anyone looking for a decent children's film on DVD should give this a miss and pick that up instead.
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5