Winchester

I really wanted to see WINCHESTER, because I have toured the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California (http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/). The concept of the home's architecture is intriguing and Sarah Winchester seems like an interesting, but misunderstood individual. Currently, the home is smaller than in Mrs. Winchester's time, but still a maze of a residence with beautiful gardens. Here is a photo I took of Mrs. Winchester's notorious seance room:

Helen Mirren is a talented actress and always gives outstanding performances. She is an excellent choice for the role of Sarah Winchester.

WINCHESTER is a supernatural horror film. Since so many people are intrigued by Mrs. Winchester's desire to have continual construction on her home, the movie would be better as a mystery-suspense story. That could have worked because several gothic elements are already in place: large house, desolate location, mysterious events, etc. Screenwriters The Spierig Brothers and Tom Vaughan are clearly inspired by what prompted the home's design, but could have a more complete script by fully developing the character of Sarah. She is the one whose story needs to be shared, and then the mystery of the house would be solved. However, the full title of the movie is WINCHESTER: THE HOUSE THAT GHOSTS BUILT. So in this movie the focus is not on Sarah Winchester (as many may expect). Perhaps someone will write a story about Sarah Winchester one day, showing her home as the setting, and illustrating why she lived in such a residence.

Jason Clarke plays Eric Price. Eric is a doctor hired by the Winchester Company to assess Mrs. Winchester's mental state since executives want full control of the company. If Dr. Price can prove her mentally unfit, she will be removed from the business.

WINCHESTER is currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is http://www.cbsfilms.com/winchester/.

Lady Macbeth

The movie LADY MACBETH is adapted by Alice Birch from the novella Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District by Nikolai Leskov, which was inspired by the William Shakespeare play Macbeth.  LADY MACBETH is a gothic romance steeped in drama and suspense.  One may even believe the female protagonist Katherine Lester (played by Florence Pugh) is the young Lady Macbeth from the Shakespeare play, if he had written a prequel.

Katherine stops at nothing to get what she wants. This is contrary to how the character is first introduced. Initially, the audience sympathizes with her for having to marry a much older man she does not love. And apparently, he does not love her either. They also share a hatred for his father.

LADY MACBETH is director William Oldroyd's feature film debut. It is an impressive effort, and the decision to not have a film score is brilliant, because the audience is engaged without one.

The movie's official Web site is http://www.ladymacbethfilm.com/.  LADY MACBETH is currently playing in theatres.