Movie Review: Hugo (2011)

Hugo (2011)

4 out of 5 stars

Winner of 5 Academy Awards including Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Visual Effects

Nebula Nominee

I squeeed with delight when I got the e-mail from Netflix on Monday afternoon that they were shipping me the BluRay of Hugo.  I really thought I would be forcing myself to watch the remake of Conan the Barbarian (starring Jason Momoa of Stargate: Atlantis fame).  Since Hugo wasn’t slated for release to the public until Tuesday, I was very pleasantly surprised when Netflix opted to send it to me the day before the official release date (although I didn’t actually receive it until Tuesday, so perhaps that makes it okay).

I got home from work a few minutes early to find Terry concocting a new pasta dish with butternut squash and broccoli. He already had an appetizer in the oven so I removed myself to the great room to do some exercising while dinner finished cooking.  I wanted to make sure that my evening was completely free of obstructions so Terry and I could watch Hugo in peace.  I even remembered to feed the dogs.

I enjoyed Hugo and especially the story of Georges Méliès, excellently portrayed by Ben Kingsley.  I knew of Méliès’ famous film (often billed as one of the first science fiction films) Le Voyage dans la lune (or A Trip to the Moon for us English speaking blokes).  But Hugo exhibited more steampunk and fantasy elements than true science fiction, being based in a 1930s Paris railroad station.   I would really categorize this as a historical fiction piece, since most of the information on Méliès is accurately portrayed.  I did love seeing Christopher Lee again, albeit in a cameo-esque role as the bookshop owner.  Terry remarked after the movie that he recognized the actor portraying the Station Inspector (played by Sacha Baron Cohen of Borat fame – ugh).

Now that I have seen all of this year’s Nebula Nominations for the Bradbury Award, I can make my selection for what I think the best of the lot.  But not in this post.

I don’t want to detract from the magic that is Hugo.  I highly recommend you watch this film.  You won’t be disappointed.

Google celebrates Leap Year, ‘Barber of Seville’

Google celebrates Leap Year, ‘Barber of Seville’.

Happy Leap Day!

And it’s also hump day.  Halfway to the weekend.

Oh, and I almost forgot.  My wonderful husband reminded me that I get to work one extra day this month without any extra pay.  Isn’t he adorable?  Sheesh!  As if I needed a reminder of the joys of being salaried.