tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76402770166339588892024-03-06T11:20:34.824+11:00Ribbons of LightThe Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.comBlogger433125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-63958858167401964462012-05-14T09:59:00.000+10:002012-05-14T09:59:46.890+10:00MonDaybook I<span id="goog_992312330"></span><span id="goog_992312331"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmWZKhnkNnx6GS6s5CaI31NXkBudAQplF7tp0iQ7yj3BsLfdD8M7CjC15RqyjItonA2LN27fYKykFC-KENAEe-9Z0C3D35Q4E1sFGlRrhCznMmEjuwuDajcpOoogeA43D6ttI84Z0hb66/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-09+at+4.01.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmWZKhnkNnx6GS6s5CaI31NXkBudAQplF7tp0iQ7yj3BsLfdD8M7CjC15RqyjItonA2LN27fYKykFC-KENAEe-9Z0C3D35Q4E1sFGlRrhCznMmEjuwuDajcpOoogeA43D6ttI84Z0hb66/s200/Screen+Shot+2012-05-09+at+4.01.50+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Finding inspiration and encouragement for the week ahead!</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Excuse the gimmicky title and hastily-put-together picture - I might try to improve both at a later date.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~~~~~</div>
</div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A book I am planning to read this week:</span> The Iliad, by Homer.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My goals for this week:</span> to try at least 3 new recipes, and to clean my room.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Something I was blessed with last week:</span> attending the library sale!!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Something I am looking forward to this week:</span> (maybe) seeing Beauty and the Beast in 3D!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">An inspiring picture/piece of music:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photoseed.com/uploads/2011/08/11/single-puyo-medium-600-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://photoseed.com/uploads/2011/08/11/single-puyo-medium-600-600.jpg" width="449" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Very</i> L.M. Montgomery. Very Anne Shirley, in fact! <a href="http://photoseed.com/collection/single/im-schilf/" target="_blank">Picture</a> found via Tumblr.</span></div>
<br />
Your turn, if you'd like to join in!
<script src="http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=3e9501ef-575c-4edb-b240-c2b88d18c44d" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
<br />The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-8521314731043383272012-05-13T20:05:00.000+10:002012-05-13T20:05:06.993+10:00My $12 worth of booksI was lucky enough to attend a library sale a couple of days ago (thank <a href="http://sevenlittleaustralians.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Erin</a>!). Books were $6 a bag (savvy bookworms brought large cloth shopping bags, and carefully packed as many books into each bag as possible). Childrens' books were free. I went armed with about 10 bags (just in case), and enough cash to fill them all (just in case). After spending the whole morning rummaging, I came tottering out of the building, carrying two VERY heavy bags crammed with books - together with a smaller third bag and my hand bag. I didn't know I possessed such strength! My biceps are still sore now. For the sake of books, even the weakest bibliophile finds strength and determination they didn't know was in them. I suppose I could have just been sensible and carried them out to the car one bag at a time. . . hmmm. . . yes. Too late now.<br />
<br />
Moving on: it is time to show off my spoils! As I mentioned, I bought just the two bags of books, plus a third bag of free children's books, bringing my total expenditure to $12.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXUSta9pXhwZTnFUcOB7GGjeeOClkRcFlVyjAtOV_ftOUrjfPjIT8fdHDgDLnfoTMoFGanMszQAUkmjzilpHqZnydqrGzF-KaOl1ZiH7UVMUhF5r5wInR4I7sBuIMkB5Wsmgb_8x9JLPb/s1600/IMG_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXUSta9pXhwZTnFUcOB7GGjeeOClkRcFlVyjAtOV_ftOUrjfPjIT8fdHDgDLnfoTMoFGanMszQAUkmjzilpHqZnydqrGzF-KaOl1ZiH7UVMUhF5r5wInR4I7sBuIMkB5Wsmgb_8x9JLPb/s1600/IMG_0018.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The big hardcover books: The Complete Phantom of the Opera, Myths and Legends of Ireland, A History of Movie Musicals, The World of Rubens, and Alpine Interiors.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4sSED-9HzBnHrRWEyEFsoW5ZzU2MZPuxnep9rChRmufEKk2_Nq6HuxbOm7bPSE80JjkTAVA5DA42qjMLqdjyUCaZvmZZZWf9ijgpX-Sok2PBrggf6LKcseapANTIcF6skPTVWzVqLzQI/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4sSED-9HzBnHrRWEyEFsoW5ZzU2MZPuxnep9rChRmufEKk2_Nq6HuxbOm7bPSE80JjkTAVA5DA42qjMLqdjyUCaZvmZZZWf9ijgpX-Sok2PBrggf6LKcseapANTIcF6skPTVWzVqLzQI/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" /></a></div>
The Dickensian books - a biography, Bleak House, and Our Mutual Friend. I already had a couple of copies of OMF, but I bought the extra copy for sentimental reasons as much as anything - it is the exact same copy that I borrowed from the library when I read OMF for the very first time. Besides, it's nice to have multiple copies of favourite classics. Also, I like the cover (which you can't see very well, I snapped these pictures late this afternoon when the light wasn't good), of Keeley Hawes in the 1998 adaptation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7SxF3qgSS2_BMe1VQfVkPEkKh-KU7mcOK30wUif4BwwycHqzQgfHRMQWVjzyYh2Xh7IE62MSFFseJxMy_j8g-mAF2vUDZRENJMAS_tlXXLyCvrhjnapmRcGtBF9fHM7gLLTm9tb_GPsu/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7SxF3qgSS2_BMe1VQfVkPEkKh-KU7mcOK30wUif4BwwycHqzQgfHRMQWVjzyYh2Xh7IE62MSFFseJxMy_j8g-mAF2vUDZRENJMAS_tlXXLyCvrhjnapmRcGtBF9fHM7gLLTm9tb_GPsu/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" /></a></div>
The L.M. Montgomery books. A beautiful, hardcover, illustrated copy of Anne of Green Gables, and an as-new hardcover copy of Anne of Avonlea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oxOycvKdJMrv5JdejJj_zHk24c6KkTHyQAw7SWdgZWkPt5z3hsxfznjtM_IyFDVTJG2kglnxwTY_lF90bgpy09kQ368DuG1xO2nutcRMrdkAyyCclt7n79CHsMOVjzmhLdcQw_FaTJno/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oxOycvKdJMrv5JdejJj_zHk24c6KkTHyQAw7SWdgZWkPt5z3hsxfznjtM_IyFDVTJG2kglnxwTY_lF90bgpy09kQ368DuG1xO2nutcRMrdkAyyCclt7n79CHsMOVjzmhLdcQw_FaTJno/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" /></a></div>
The James Herriot books: James Herriot's Yorkshire, All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Wise and Wonderful, and The Best of James Herriot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBs5y4KNYyUu7ExETRUyZOLk4bKfEviUCp_MxbUvW0wSKRRfc4qWHkBB2tXdwq6B8W2VMMRRt-KjG5CjSvLkUbYODwqNKWV9PZ4zVL1PM18sBvXrsh73aymQIXUGnt1_V4zZIsv7umYMj/s1600/IMG_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBs5y4KNYyUu7ExETRUyZOLk4bKfEviUCp_MxbUvW0wSKRRfc4qWHkBB2tXdwq6B8W2VMMRRt-KjG5CjSvLkUbYODwqNKWV9PZ4zVL1PM18sBvXrsh73aymQIXUGnt1_V4zZIsv7umYMj/s1600/IMG_0025.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The poetry books: Seven Centuries of Poetry in English, Romantic Period Verse, and Selected Poems by T.S. Eliot.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHbD4FEr3RNGdjgEPs0_p5kx2cVfXyMWNJLeqfMb5HOxormtLXb-Ij3wmvIbFfkvg95a1wixV29gRlge43DZublQ4xbHnJQRdoYpDx7VgikH33czbmD2niMaTNlXRXZfFYiSFNQYk32fM/s1600/IMG_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHbD4FEr3RNGdjgEPs0_p5kx2cVfXyMWNJLeqfMb5HOxormtLXb-Ij3wmvIbFfkvg95a1wixV29gRlge43DZublQ4xbHnJQRdoYpDx7VgikH33czbmD2niMaTNlXRXZfFYiSFNQYk32fM/s1600/IMG_0030.jpg" /></a></div>
Miscellaneous children's books, including a copy of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9ZrvtFEqRTxZkmvqsILdFwymf2J_t9VHc0K8l8pMKWSilqJmDZYdjyKN7L3fHBEFkgNW66tBzKFylIpEuQIYfJsN_8-VGEoL0xVVSjjk_ee6FN1zgTPTgzs6MgQpfSFhSMVP-iRZSWif/s1600/IMG_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9ZrvtFEqRTxZkmvqsILdFwymf2J_t9VHc0K8l8pMKWSilqJmDZYdjyKN7L3fHBEFkgNW66tBzKFylIpEuQIYfJsN_8-VGEoL0xVVSjjk_ee6FN1zgTPTgzs6MgQpfSFhSMVP-iRZSWif/s1600/IMG_0028.jpg" /></a></div>
A couple of classics and a couple of children's books. Treasures of Snow, a book from the Chronicles of Prydain series (I still haven't read the first book in the series, but never mind. . .), Romeo and Juliet, and Animal Farm.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NX14OyBW7_C1eTGd1zCHga5iHes5SoM8l1N2cbxzBgDS7FvFjRaQKgFHlYr6jrcOXQUlL3vChbW01QvnzTij0BFIgCbsVZqH5cjrmVG4aOHJXgkRmUsWYmQWUgQ-j8RoXOcpNlTuYIH_/s1600/IMG_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NX14OyBW7_C1eTGd1zCHga5iHes5SoM8l1N2cbxzBgDS7FvFjRaQKgFHlYr6jrcOXQUlL3vChbW01QvnzTij0BFIgCbsVZqH5cjrmVG4aOHJXgkRmUsWYmQWUgQ-j8RoXOcpNlTuYIH_/s1600/IMG_0031.jpg" /></a></div>
Miscellaneous others. The Book of Buildings: A Travellor's Guide, a biography of Frances Hodgson Burnett, Classic Knitted Cotton Edgings, a Francine Rivers book, and The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames - useful for researching one's family history, and for looking up the names of one's celebrity crushes and favourite fictional characters in order to research <i>their</i> family history. Not that I would ever do such a silly thing as that.<br />
<br />
I also bought another 10 or so titles, mostly children's picture books - including a couple of Beatrix Potter volumes.<br />
<br />
I exercised great self-restraint and didn't buy <i>any</i> National Geographics, much to my mother's relief. I was a little disappointed that there weren't more good books on offer - for every decent book, there seemed to be about 100 Jackie Collins or Dan Brown books. Still, that made finding the few gems even more exciting and worthwhile.<br />
<br />
If you're still reading - thank you! Most of my family members, not being book-lovers, were not at all interested in my haul, so it's nice to share my excitement with others who are likely to sympathise with my delight in the treasures I found! :-)</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-45628867700291034882012-05-10T08:48:00.000+10:002012-05-10T08:57:09.213+10:00Oliver Twist (1999)As I've been working on my Period Drama Index, I usually write a brief review of each film or series. I try to keep each review to within a few sentences, but sometime they stretch into several paragraphs. . . such was the case here. I thought I might as well share it as a proper blog post, rather than let it hide away in my work-in-progress Index pages.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">~Oliver Twist 1999~</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=316853.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/316853.jpg" width="272" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Michael Kitchen as Mr. Brownlow with Sam Smith as Oliver</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
In my opinion, there has been no one truly definitive screen version of Oliver Twist, though there are several pretty good ones. The 1999 adaptation, a four-episode, six-hour miniseries, is the longest, most complete adaptation. It expands on the backstory of the novel in a major way. If you've ever been confused by any plot points of the story, this series should clear a lot of things up for you! The first episode - or two, I can't quite remember - deal solely with Oliver's origins, and where and how Monks comes into the picture.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It is a very adventurous adaptation, but in some aspects I felt it missed the mark. The portrayal of the Artful Dodger/Jack Dawkins was off. The backstory part of the series dragged on for too long - 30 minutes or so would have sufficed. And I had mixed feelings about how the characters of Monks and his mother were written. Here, Monks himself is a victim, while his mother is the true villain. It's an interesting interpretation, but I prefer my Monks to be more threatening and ambiguous - that is, after all, the point of his character.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
On the other hand, this adaptation has the best, the scariest Bill Sikes ever (played by Andy Serkis, who definitely has a gift for playing creepy Dickensian - oh, and Tolkienesque - villains); and probably the most moving and disturbing murder scene of any Oliver Twist adaptation.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
One other point of interest is the proliferation of talented actresses who starred in this series at an early stage in their careers: Isla Fisher as Nancy's friend Bet, 19-year-old Sophia Miles as Oliver's mother, and a 14-year-old Keira Knightley as Rose.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This Oliver Twist is definitely not for little ones, but for older fans of the book, or anyone looking for a good Victorian-era period drama, it is definitely worth a look. Stars Sam Smith, Michael Kitchen, Robert Lindsay, David Ross, Julie Walters, Marc Warren, Lindsay Duncan, Emiliy Woolf, Andy Serkis, Keira Knightley, and Alun Armstrong.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My rating: 3 out of 5 stars. Recommended for teenagers and up, and there are a few uncomfortable scenes that you may want to skip.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<a href="http://www.charitysplace.com/review/olivertwist.htm" target="_blank">Charity's Place</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Oliver-Twist-Masterpiece-Theatre-1999/dp/B0001WTUJE/ref=sr_1_7?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1336559177&sr=1-7" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0222608/" target="_blank">IMDb</a> | <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sRkApg9ukk" target="_blank">Youtube</a><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Photos - unfortunately most of these are very small, though there are a couple of bigger ones:</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=OliverTwist1999SamSmith.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_OliverTwist1999SamSmith.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=76.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_76.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=316853.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_316853.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=591707.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_591707.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=agnes_fleming.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_agnes_fleming.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=bill_sikes-char.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_bill_sikes-char.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=bill_sikes.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_bill_sikes.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=edward_monks.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_edward_monks.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=edwin_leeford.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_edwin_leeford.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=fagin-char.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_fagin-char.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=fagin.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_fagin.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=mrs_elizabeth_leeford-char.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_mrs_elizabeth_leeford-char.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=mrs_elizabeth_leeford.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_mrs_elizabeth_leeford.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=mrs_mann.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_mrs_mann.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=mr_brownlow-char.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_mr_brownlow-char.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=mr_brownlow.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_mr_brownlow.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=mr_fleming.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_mr_fleming.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=nancy-char.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_nancy-char.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=nancy.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_nancy.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=oliver-twist-1999-1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_oliver-twist-1999-1-1.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=Oliver-Twist.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_Oliver-Twist.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=oliver_twist-char.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_oliver_twist-char.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/?action=view&current=rose_fleming.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Oliver%20Twist%201999/th_rose_fleming.jpg" /></a>
</center>The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-38537907239407527882012-05-08T08:04:00.002+10:002012-05-08T08:06:49.394+10:00Made me smile.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNucPiLz6pHLS_A-T03Z7rmFKl5z-egNtUAikbmM_U39vpogEmP6s-i39PjQCepo5TsuRdAyQyjoyGnJ_AyPC8R0z0fdUsvJcwvQ1UrdwWDva_sV3LtfzLWqgEHl5Ksw7rrizwwxWc5ll/s1600/GoBunburrying.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNucPiLz6pHLS_A-T03Z7rmFKl5z-egNtUAikbmM_U39vpogEmP6s-i39PjQCepo5TsuRdAyQyjoyGnJ_AyPC8R0z0fdUsvJcwvQ1UrdwWDva_sV3LtfzLWqgEHl5Ksw7rrizwwxWc5ll/s400/GoBunburrying.png" width="330" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://kelliefalconer.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/for-you-accordion-on.html" target="_blank">From Accordion to Kelly</a></span></div>The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-18300706640505716392012-05-07T21:40:00.001+10:002012-05-07T21:51:46.620+10:00I have amazing followers. :-)I am currently going through my followers list for the first time in way-too-long, visiting every one of you who has a blog. I have been humbled and amazed! I've enjoyed making many new acquaintances, and I look forward to getting to know all you wonderful people better - new friends and old friends alike, in Hungary, Italy, America, Germany, Canada, Australia, or wherever you may be!<br />
<br />
<3 EliseThe Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-15649627962259518602012-05-07T09:16:00.000+10:002012-05-07T09:16:41.130+10:00Baby names<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/158400111864104414/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/267119821618550387_wa2Jnsig_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
Names! Always such fun to discover, discuss, and make lists of - even if you're not having a baby!<br />
<br />
What kind of names do you like for boys? And for girls? What sort criteria would you consider when choosing a name? Here are some of the things I would take into consideration:<br />
<br />
<b>1.</b> If my baby were to someday marry a royal (I am speaking hypothetically, of course), would his/her name be appropriate? Would it be a suitably regal, timeless name? Or would it be. . . an embarrassment? This is something that particularly struck me around the time of William and Catherine's wedding last year. Thank goodness Michael and Carole Middleton had the good sense to name their daughter Catherine, rather than (. . .)<br />
<br />
<b>2.</b> Does the name have a positive meaning? An - er - meaningful meaning?<br />
<br />
<b>3. </b>Is the name aesthetically pleasing? Does it have a pleasant sound when spoken aloud? A pleasant appearance when written down?<br />
<br />
<b>4.</b> How common is the name? I would probably try to avoid names that are overwhelmingly popular. Unfortunately, there are a lot of names I really like that are currently in the <a href="http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/pregnancy/prepare-for-baby/the-top-baby-names-in-australia-right-now-20120423-1xgyc.html" target="_blank">Top 100</a> here in Australia! Australian parents actually have decent taste in names, at the moment - with a few notable exceptions, such as Jaxon *cringes*.<br />
<br />
<b>5.</b> Last but not least, does the name have pleasant associations? This criterion can be particularly frustrating. Even if a name ticks all of the above boxes, it may still have negative associations in the mind of the public - or in my own mind. I used to like the name Bella/Isabella. . . before a certain series of books came along. I used to like Edward, too - before that same series of books came onto the scene. And I used to like Julia - before our current Prime Minister became Prime Minister.<br />
<br />
So, what sort of names do you like? Quirky, or classic and elegant? Vintage, or contemporary? Share some of your favourites, if you want to!<br />
<br />
My new favourite baby name site is the alarmingly addictive <a href="http://nameberry.com/" target="_blank">Nameberry</a>. It has commentary on 1000s of names, and 100s of lists to browse through.The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-68359573151778228112012-05-05T22:13:00.000+10:002012-05-05T22:13:09.984+10:00Very sad. . .I've just been going through all the blogs that I follow/subscribe to, and about two-thirds of them have been inactive for <i>years</i>. Words fail to express my feelings on this occasion, so I resort to emoticons. :-o :-(<br />
<br />
I really HAVE been out of the blogosphere for a while.The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-16485282563792040112012-04-10T19:16:00.001+10:002012-04-10T19:21:35.434+10:00Mirror Mirror: a fangirl's review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flicksandbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/lily-collins-snow-white-mirror-mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.flicksandbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/lily-collins-snow-white-mirror-mirror.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
This review comes a week or two too late, since anyone interested in Hollywood's latest fairytale offering, Mirror Mirror, has probably already seen it. But I thought I'd do a brief write-up regardless.<br />
<br />
Mirror Mirror is a retelling of Snow White, starring Julia Roberts as the evil stepmother Queen, Arnie Hammer as Prince Alcott, and Lily Collins - daughter of musician Phil Collins - as Snow White herself.<br />
<br />
I have been looking forward to this film for over a year - ever since the first publicity photos emerged last year - but going in to watch it last week, I had fairly low expectations, having read a lot of mixed reviews. I anticipated a silly, though hopefully pleasant and amusing 90 minutes.<br />
<br />
Here ends the sensible part of this review, and here commences the fangirly part. Here is an approximate summary of my thoughts as I walked out of the cinema after watching Mirror Mirror.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The seven dwarves are fabulous!</li>
<li>Lily Collins is flawless and I adore her! She SO looks like Audrey Hepburn! She also reminds me of a young Jennifer Connelly.</li>
<li>The costumes are amazing, as I had been led to expect they would be, though I thought Snow White's swan dress, or more specifically, her headdress at the ball struck me as being - well - just faintly ridiculous. Just a little over-the-top for our young heroine - reminiscent of Audrey's overwhelmingly "up" <a href="http://www.google.com.au/search?q=my+fair+lady+ascot&hl=en&safe=active&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=J7uDT8GjOomkiAfp_cDABw&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CA4Q_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=703#hl=en&safe=active&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=my+fair+lady+ball&oq=my+fair+lady+ball&aq=f&aqi=g4g-m1g-S1&aql=1&gs_l=img.3..0l4j0i5j0i24.5218l7685l2l8296l8l8l0l1l0l5l297l1774l2-7l7l0.cfis.1.&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=33fd328c5e0a0650&biw=1280&bih=703" target="_blank">up-do</a> at the ball in My Fair Lady.</li>
<li>Bonus Sean Bean! And his character doesn't die! Well, he sort of does, but actually doesn't, as you'll understand if you've seen the movie. I'll watch anything for Sean, and to have bonus Sean Bean in a movie is always - well - a bonus.</li>
<li>Silly "feminist" twist on the story is silly! I mean, Snow White becoming an adept fighter in a matter of days. . . sure, whatever. But it's a silly, light-hearted film, so the feminist-lite aspect of the retelling - also evident in other parts of the film, such as when Snow has to kiss the Prince to save the day, rather than other way round - didn't bother me as much as it would have done if we were supposed to take it seriously.</li>
<li>I LOVE the random Bollywood song at the end! It's so random, and quirky, and unexpected! In short, it fits the film perfectly. It's also ridiculously catchy. I had "I believe I believe I believe in love" going through my head for hours...</li>
<li>Prince Alcott/Arnie Hammer is kind of cute. Not my type, but still - cute. Handsome princes are never unwelcome in any movie, as far as I'm concerned!</li>
<li>Julia Roberts was good as the Queen. She often annoys me as a heroine, but I liked her as a villainess. (!)</li>
<li>This movie is visually stunning. Not just the costumes, but the animated opening scene, the breathtaking landscapes, and imaginative sets.</li>
<li>Music composed by Alan Menken, who also composed the music for most of the best Disney movies from the last couple of decades!</li>
</ul>
There is some slightly more grown-up humour in parts of film, but for the most part, Mirror Mirror was sweet, innocent, fun, funny, and bursting with colour. A delightful confection, a bona fide feel-good movie. Was it silly? Yes. Did I love it? Yesss!!<br />
<br />
As well the occasional cheeky humour, some parents may also be concerned about the "magic" element in this fairytale film. Only the "bad guys" use magic, and it's always portrayed as evil, but there were a couple of scenes that might be a bit much for little ones. Mirror Mirror is marketed as a family film, but I'd say it's more of a teen movie. . . age 10-12 and up. If you enjoyed recent fairytale films from Disney - I'm thinking of Enchanted, Tangled - you'll like Mirror Mirror, though needless to say it isn't of the same calibre of Tangled, or the classic Disney princess movies.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, it gets two thumbs up from me! I adored this film. . . as I am sure you've gathered, so I'll stop now.<br />
<br />
If you've seen Mirror Mirror, let me know what you thought! And if you have any recommendations for quirky fantasy or fairytale films, please share them!<br />
<br />
Christian reviews of Mirror Mirror:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.pluggedin.com/movies/intheaters/mirror-mirror.aspx" target="_blank">Plugged In</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/sdg-reviews-mirror-mirror/" target="_blank">NC Register</a><br />
<a href="http://www.charitysplace.com/review/mirrormirror.htm" target="_blank">Charity's Place</a><br />
<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies/reviews/2012/mirrormirror.html" target="_blank">Christianity Today</a><br />
<br />
Picturrrres! Click on thumbnails to view larger.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813292_b7ad190e.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813292_b7ad190e.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813296_d0956fb1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813296_d0956fb1.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813297_25259caa.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813297_25259caa.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813298_7ecd2b0a.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813298_7ecd2b0a.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813299_2f45a87a.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813299_2f45a87a.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813300_3341fe54.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813300_3341fe54.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813301_07ebc3de.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813301_07ebc3de.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813302_7953c574.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813302_7953c574.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813303_64325dbf.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813303_64325dbf.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813305_69f504d2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813305_69f504d2.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813306_18018154.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813306_18018154.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813307_3afde600.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813307_3afde600.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813308_db7dfb87.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813308_db7dfb87.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813309_d2527d93.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813309_d2527d93.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813311_0f9c8497.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813311_0f9c8497.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813312_f938b75b.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813312_f938b75b.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813313_7e472889.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813313_7e472889.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813314_0a726fd8.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813314_0a726fd8.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813315_efe33f28.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813315_efe33f28.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813316_dad00912.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813316_dad00912.jpg" /></a>
<center>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813317_02a0712b.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813317_02a0712b.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813318_0540b024.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813318_0540b024.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813319_1a46be4e.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813319_1a46be4e.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813320_83cc2652.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813320_83cc2652.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813324_543c75a5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813324_543c75a5.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813326_9599b10f.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813326_9599b10f.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813327_855e9f74.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813327_855e9f74.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813328_9f1fad21.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813328_9f1fad21.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813329_57d6629e.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813329_57d6629e.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813330_3e9f0052.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813330_3e9f0052.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813331_811fa6fd.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813331_811fa6fd.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813332_915e052d.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813332_915e052d.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813333_d5d5a070.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813333_d5d5a070.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813334_ca002853.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813334_ca002853.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813335_4c8a76fd.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813335_4c8a76fd.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813336_1a17094d.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813336_1a17094d.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813337_67bc6e09.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813337_67bc6e09.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813338_7078dd58.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813338_7078dd58.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813339_f7d61498.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813339_f7d61498.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813340_3f817e19.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813340_3f817e19.jpg" /></a>
<center>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813341_78507ee2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813341_78507ee2.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813342_3e18369c.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813342_3e18369c.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813344_62740e00.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813344_62740e00.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813345_f04135ed.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813345_f04135ed.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813346_efb062bc.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813346_efb062bc.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813347_166eaa3c.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813347_166eaa3c.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/?action=view&current=1813348_110301d6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Mirror%20Mirror%202012/th_1813348_110301d6.jpg" /></a></center>
</center>
</center>The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-91650701637797413152012-04-02T15:31:00.000+10:002012-04-02T15:31:25.902+10:00Ahem.Be not alarmed, gentle readers. My devotion to Jane has not wavered. Yesterday's post was indeed, as many of you guessed, published in consequence of the date being April 1.The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-37384988734463887252012-04-01T18:12:00.001+10:002012-04-02T15:31:48.696+10:00A Confession<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.austengame.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/jane-austen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.austengame.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/jane-austen.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I can no longer call myself a Janeite. Over the last few months or so, I have undergone a complete change of heart in regards to the work of Miss Austen. How can I put this. I just. . . don't like her books any more. They are overlong, shallow, tedious, and - dare I say it - BORING. I'm sorry if I offend anyone. I just can't understand how Jane Austen's books ever appealed to me in the first place.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sorry, Jane.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-89083319112756556352012-03-31T11:22:00.002+11:002012-03-31T11:22:56.500+11:00You Might be a Homeschooler if. . .Just HAD to share BlimeyCow's latest video:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kes6KVbbeyo" width="400"></iframe><br />
<br />
And here's their <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJHt-m3VX6o&feature=related" target="_blank">7 Lies About Homeschoolers</a> video if you haven't seen it yet.The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-17100672019970652652012-03-31T08:44:00.000+11:002012-03-31T08:44:01.215+11:00Recent readsI've been taking a brief break from the classics these last few weeks. It's been. . . fun. I've borrowed a heap of books from the library. Our library will be losing a significant portion of its collection in the near future, so I've been reserving a lot of books from that part of the collection while they're still available! Here's an overview of some of the books I've been reading. Don't forget to add me on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4464405-elise" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>, if you haven't already. I'm something of a Goodreads addict - I love finding interesting books to add to my ever-growing to-read shelf.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1177056234l/678074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1177056234l/678074.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/678074.Doctor_Who" target="_blank">The Clockwise Man</a></b> by Justin Richards<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>England 1924: the Doctor and Rose find themselves caught up in the hunt for a murderer. With faceless killers closing in, can they solve the mystery of the Clockwise Man before London itself is destroyed? This is the first of a new series of hardcovers featuring the new Doctor Who from the new TV series.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
My first Doctor Who novel. I've been slowly working my way through the TV series, and can't get enough! Eccleston is still my favourite Doctor, and Rose one of my favourite companions, so it was fun to return to their "era". The Clockwise Man was adequately well-written and diverting. Not on the same level as one of TV episodes, but still fun. As with a typical NuWho episode, the story combines elements of mystery and sci-fi. This particular book had something a steam-punk feel to it, thanks to the heavy involvement of clockwork - stuff - in the story. <b>3 out of 5 stars.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328753258l/136967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328753258l/136967.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/136967.The_Storekeeper_s_Daughter" target="_blank">The Storekeeper's Daughter</a></b> by Wanda Brunstetter<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Time seems to stand still in Naomi Fisher's tranquil community, but it cannot hold back tragedy. Helping her widowed father run a store, manage a household, and raise seven children is a daunting task. There is no time to think about courtship or having her own family, though her heart yearns for the attention of Caleb Hoffmeir. But her days are plotted for her-until the afternoon her baby brother disappears from the yard. How can Naomi expect anyone to love and trust her if she can't take care of one small boy? Should she leave all that is familiar and seek a new avenue of life?</span></i></span><br />
<br />
My first Wanda Brunstetter novel. Also my first taste of Amish fiction. I wasn't particularly taken with it. The story moved VERY slowly, and the dialogue seemed stilted and unnatural, particularly from the non-Amish characters in the book. There was one particularly ludicrous plot point. . . at which point I stopped reading, and skipped to the end of the book to the resolution that I knew was coming. I gave this 3 stars originally, but considering that I didn't even finish the book, perhaps I should make that <b>2 out of 5 stars</b>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1331792551l/3151913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1331792551l/3151913.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3151913-colonel-brandon-s-diary" target="_blank">Colonel Brandon's Diary</a></b> by Amanda Grange<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">A vibrant retelling of "Sense and Sensibility," Grange's sweeping epic breathes new life into another of Austen's best-loved novels.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">At the age of eighteen, James Brandon's world is shattered when the girl he loves, Eliza, is forced to marry his brother. In despair, he joins the army and leaves England for the East Indies for the next several years. Upon his return, he finds Eliza in a debtors' prison. He rescues her from her terrible situation, but she is dying of consumption and he can do nothing but watch and wait. Heartbroken at her death, he takes some consolation in her illegitimate daughter, who he raises as his ward. But at the age of fifteen, his ward goes missing. Devastated by the thought of what could have happened to her, he is surprised to find himself falling in love with Marianne Dashwood. But Marianne is falling in love with the charismatic Willoughby.</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Not perfect, but a brave effort on the part of Amanda Grange. I liked the part of the book that detailed Colonel Brandon's earlier life, but I was actually a bit disappointed with the handling of Brandon and Marianne's relationship. Worth a look if you're a Brandon/Marianne fan like me, or for anyone who loves Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility and would be interested in reading a sensitive retelling of the neglected back story of S&S. <b>3.5 out of 5 stars.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">~~~~~~</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Doctor Who fan? Amish fiction reader? Read any of Amanda Grange's Austen hero books? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts!</span></span>The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-3931623892939290372012-03-30T12:50:00.000+11:002012-03-30T12:50:46.775+11:00Diana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs424.ash1/23507_335588172050_110191582050_4177242_2395529_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs424.ash1/23507_335588172050_110191582050_4177242_2395529_n.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Diana</i> by Walter Crane 1881</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I love the slightly gloomy, twilit atmosphere of this painting, accentuated by the trees looming in the background. I am more familiar with Walter Crane's illustrations than with his paintings, but I hope to explore more of his works.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Image from <a href="http://www.artmagick.com/pictures/picture.aspx?id=5910&name=diana">Artmagick</a>.</span></div>The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-24416215796648870392012-02-23T22:36:00.001+11:002012-02-24T08:27:04.522+11:00Guilty pleasures: Monarch of the Glen<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Monarch%20of%20the%20Glen/?action=view&current=35900285_image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="290" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Monarch%20of%20the%20Glen/35900285_image.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I am not a TV person. My preferred storytelling mediums are books and films: I generally have little patience for TV dramas. Dramas, with their drawn-out, repetitive, convoluted story lines. Dramas, with their over-abundance of births and deaths, marriages and divorces, hookups and breakups, and, well - dramatic things.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The other thing about TV shows is they take such a DARN LONG TIME to watch. 13 one-hour episodes in a season? I could re-read a Jane Austen book in the time it would take me to watch that. In most cases, Jane Austen would win hands-down.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So, there has to be something very special about a show for me to stick with it. Other than that most diverting program chronicling the adventures of a certain inimitable <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436992/">Doctor</a>, the only TV show that I've ever grown significantly attached to is. . . Monarch of the Glen.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Monarch%20of%20the%20Glen/?action=view&current=351d1978f9e4d289d153fe95096f52f3_21616695.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Monarch%20of%20the%20Glen/351d1978f9e4d289d153fe95096f52f3_21616695.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For those of you who are not familiar with the show, here's MotG in a nutshell:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><i>Monarch of the Glen was a BBC drama (it went for 7 seasons) set in present-day Scotland. An elderly lord - or laird - and his wife live in a castle on their estate in the Scottish highlands. It is difficult to make a profit out of the land, and for years they have been losing money. Their son, who lives in London, pays a visit to the family home, and is shocked at the state of affairs. Eventually he decides to leave London and move back to Scotland, where he can devote all his time and energy to saving the family’s ancestral house and lands, and making them profitable again. He takes the reins from his ageing father, and becomes laird of the estate - and the “monarch of the glen”. The son also happens to be quite young and good-looking. Cue numerous "romantic interests". </i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know what it was - the setting, the characters, the cast - but there was something about Monarch that I found absolutely irresistible.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I LOVE Scotland, and I love the highlands, and the gorgeous landscapes featured in this series, and the houses, and lochs, and EVERYTHING. I WANNA GO TO SCOTLAND!!! Ahem. I must exercise more restraint in my use of the caps lock for the remainder of this post. But seriously, how could you not love a show where THIS is the main setting?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.travlang.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/mesmerizing-castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://www.travlang.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/mesmerizing-castle.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Ardverikie House, "Glenbogle House" in MotG</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">The fact that my ancestors came from Scotland also helps make the show extra special for me.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;">I'm moving there one day. To Scotland, I mean, not to the Victorian castle pictured above (unf</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">ortunately</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">). </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Aside from the beautiful setting, what made this show work was the fantastic chemistry between all of the cast. Scottish actor Alistair Mackenzie was good in the lead role of Archie MacDonald, though I was disappointed with how his character was written in later series. Susan Hampshire was radiant as Archie's mother, Molly; and Richard Briers was excellent as dad, Hector.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Monarch%20of%20the%20Glen/?action=view&current=bmp_4_282_240.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Monarch%20of%20the%20Glen/bmp_4_282_240.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">One of the highlights of this show, as any "Boglie" will tell you, was Julian Fellowes in his guest appearances as Kilwillie. (Yes, the same Julian Fellowes who has won Oscars and Golden Globes and Emmys and who-knows-what else for his screenplays for Gosford Park and Downton Abbey.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Dawn Steele was wonderful as cook and housekeeper (of sorts), Lexie. She brought tremendous energy and personality to the role, and had loads of chemistry with Alistair Mackenzie/Archie. In a parallel universe, if I were a much less shy version of myself, I would be a slightly more demure version of Lexie. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Monarch%20of%20the%20Glen/?action=view&current=0108mona.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Monarch%20of%20the%20Glen/0108mona.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="263" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">The writing of the show was good. In the long term, I didn't like the progression (or lack thereof) of the story arc and characters, but the episodes themselves are tolerably well written, with plenty of humour.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Whilst I would consider myself a fan of MotG, I'll be first to admit that this show had its flaws. Serious flaws. The first series, though not perfect, had plenty of charm, but I felt that the show deteriorated as it progressed through further series. As I said above, I was disappointed with the character and plot development in later seasons. The departure of several core cast members didn't help, either.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">So, while Monarch of the Glen didn't live up to its potential, it still remained enough charm, enough of that magic "something" to make me persevere with the show. I am still working my way through it, having started the beginning of the first series sometime last year. I'm now up to the fourth series. I go on a Monarch binge whenever I get sick and want to watch something comforting and not too demanding. For 45 minutes of charming escapism, nothing beats an episode of Monarch of the Glen.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">MotG is a "family" show, but parents should take the PG rating seriously. One of the few things that bothers me about this series, from a moral perspective, is that it is implied - and accepted as normal - that couples sleep together before marriage. I know it's only a true reflection of our culture, but it bothered me nonetheless. . .</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">So - I thought that I'd share this post, since I think many of my gentle readers would appreciate this - er - gentle show. Get it from your library if you can. I understand the Region 1 DVDs retain the original 16:9 (widescreen) screen ratio, so if you're in North America - lucky you! And if you can't get access to the DVDs, there is always Youtube. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Monarch%20of%20the%20Glen/0101mona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="270" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Monarch%20of%20the%20Glen/0101mona.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">I should also mention that Monarch of the Glen was loosely - emphasis on loosely - based upon <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compton_Mackenzie">Compton Mackenzies</a>' Highland novels. The books are, I understand, very different from the series, and are set in the 1940s, when they were written. I haven't read the books, but I'm keen to give them a look. If they have half the charm and humour of the series, they should be worth reading.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">If you've seen any of the show, let me know what you thought. If you're a more-or-less rabid fan, like yours truly, please introduce yourself! And to the uninitiated, if I've inspired you to give MotG a try, please tell me what you think of it afterwards.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;">And please share any favourite TV shows that you're particularly fond of! Any suggestions for things that you think I might enjoy? </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px;">I've just realised I've said the word "please" three times in about three sentences. Oh so what, I'm just trying to be polite, and I'm too tired to edit and rewrite any longer. Goodnight world!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #181818; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">~<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Other%20Films%20and%20TV/Monarch%20of%20the%20Glen/">More pictures</a>~</span></div>The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-1618802345916644072012-02-19T12:55:00.002+11:002012-02-19T12:55:37.156+11:00What I've been up toHi everyone!<br />
<br />
I thought I'd give you an update on what I've been doing. . .<br />
<br />
As far as online pursuits go: Tumblr. I have discovered how fun and addictive it can be. So addictive, that I recently decided to take a Tumblr sabbatical. (Any new posts published are from my queue.) I'll get back on again sometime - but I'll try to set myself a strict time limit per day. In the meantime, you are welcome to peruse <a href="http://missmorland.tumblr.com/">my personal Tumblr blog</a> if interested. I cannot guarantee that you won't run into occasional bouts of fangirling and silliness. (When I get slightly obsessed with something or someone - movie, book, artist, actor - Tumblr is my outlet). You have been warned.<br />
<br />
In real life: my brother has started going to school. Yes, school! High school! Un-homeschool! It's a challenge for him, but he seems to be enjoying it so far, which is great.<br />
<br />
I've done something I've been thinking about doing for years: signed up to volunteer at our local public library. I'll have my first day at the library next week.<br />
<br />
My dear friend <a href="http://mykoalasong.blogspot.com.au/">Anna Maria</a> has recently left for uni. I will miss her. She is the only girl my age I know in "real life" who loves books as much as I do, and with whom I can discuss books for hours.<br />
<br />
Small changes in the rhythm of life. People getting older, growing up. I'm going to be twenty next month. It's sobering - a quarter of my life, gone. Or a fifth of my life, if I live to be remarkably old.<br />
<br />
What else. . . Oh, yes. My mother's blog is QUALITY. I mean, really. My blog, on the other hand is, um. . . yes. If you haven't yet had a look at <a href="http://piecesofcontentment.blogspot.com.au/">my mum's beautiful photography blog</a>, you really should. :-)<br />
<br />
I hope you're all doing well, and I think there might be a few new posts soon. I think I've got the writing itch again.<br />
<br />
And though I may not always be active here on my blogger blog, if you want to, you can keep up with me on: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ribbons-of-Light/131019406934355">my Facebook page</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4464405-elise">Goodreads</a>, and now occasionally <a href="http://missmorland.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/elisemorland/">Pinterest</a>.The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-34958811882332926202011-12-24T17:57:00.000+11:002011-12-24T17:59:35.304+11:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Gerard_van_Honthorst_001.jpg/752px-Gerard_van_Honthorst_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Gerard_van_Honthorst_001.jpg/752px-Gerard_van_Honthorst_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Adoration of the Shepherds</i> by Gerard van Honthorst</span></div>
<br />
May God bless you and be with you this Christmas.<br />
<br />
EliseThe Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-62790632038701825692011-10-30T15:34:00.000+11:002011-10-30T15:34:50.129+11:00Hello again and goodbye againYikes! Another two weeks have slipped by and I haven't posted anything. Well, I'm afraid you'll probably have to wait another month before I publish any new material, because I'm doing Nanowrimo again! That's right! Yes, I'm crazy. Yes, I am extremely excited about it. Yes, I am writing another Regency romance (of sorts). No, I am most likely <i>not</i> going to let you read it. Ever.<br />
<br />
I'm going to be writing Pride and Prejudice. From Jane Bennet's perspective. :-) I CAN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED!! Every literary bone in my body has been tingling with anticipation for days. That sounded weird. . . but that's how I feel!<br />
<br />
Fellow Nano-ers, please do <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/theeditrix">add me</a> as a writing buddy.<br />
<br />
What else is there to add. . . hmm. . . I'll put a widget on my sidebar so you can keep track of my progress (if you're interested. . .). I still miss all of you. If only I had an extra couple of hours in every day in which to blog and do internet stuff. It's not that I'm super busy, but I can't read books and blog and watch movies all at once during my spare time. . . unfortunately.<br />
<br />
Oh, one more thing. If you'd like to do a little something to help me through Nanowrimo. . . I'm looking for some good music to listen to while I write my novel. Have any suggestions? I like classical music, classical crossover (e.g. Hayley Westenra, Katherine Jenkins), Celtic music, instrumental music, world music, film scores. I think a lot of my readers have similar tastes to my own, so shoot me some of your favourites!The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-82430952471378605872011-10-06T09:35:00.000+11:002011-10-06T09:35:29.089+11:00Christy (1994)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.erasofelegance.com/entertainment/tv/christy/christypub10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.erasofelegance.com/entertainment/tv/christy/christypub10.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<b>~Christy (1994)~</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Family-oriented
drama that ran on CBS for two seasons, from 1994-1995. Inspired by the
classic biographical novel by Catherine Marshall, which was in turn
based on the life of Marshall's mother - the real-life "Christy",
Leonora.<br />
<br />
19-year-old Christy Huddleston feels God is calling her to the
mission field. She leaves her comfortable home in Asheville, North
Carolina, to work at a mission school deep in the Appalachian mountains.
She dreams of doing great things for God, but soon struggles to cope as
her sheltered upbringing leaves her utterly unprepared for the poverty
and squalor with which she is quickly confronted.<br />
<br />
Both the book and the
series meant a great deal to me as a younger teen, and I am deeply
attached to Cutter Gap and its residents. I sometimes found Kellie
Martin slightly irritating as Christy - I liked Christy's character much
better in the book. But whilst the book is far better, I can't deny
that the series was also something special. There was wonderful
chemistry between all the cast, and the show had a great vibe to it.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a good family drama in the
mould of Little House on the Prairie or Lark Rise to Candleford, but
especially for teenage girls! Fellow Christy fans, FYI, I ship Christy/Neil.<br />
<br />
Parents,
there are some mature issues dealt with in a few episodes - i.e. the PG
rating is warranted. I should also warn potential viewers that the show
was canceled after its second series, and so ends on a cliffhanger. If
you want to find out what happens afterwards (sort of. . . ), read the
book. Stars Kellie Martin, Tyne Daly, Randall Batinkoff, Tess Harper,
and Stewart Finlay-McLennan. **** </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/">Photo Gallery</a><b> | </b><a href="http://charitysplace.com/review/christy.htm">Charity's Place</a> | <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap3eSGS4Cvk">Trailer</a> | <a href="http://www.erasofelegance.com/entertainment/tv/christy/christy.html">Eras of Elegance</a> | <a href="http://www.neilandchristy.com/">Fansite</a> | <a href="http://christyfest.suddenlaunch3.com/">Forum</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christy-Complete-Tyne-Daly/dp/B000LC4ZBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299016146&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108725/">IMDb</a> | <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NatoNFjrOqE">Youtube</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=001.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_001.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=002.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_002.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=003.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_003.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=004.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_004.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=005.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_005.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=006.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_006.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=007.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_007.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=008.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_008.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=009.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_009.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=010-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_010-1.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=010.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_010.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=011.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_011.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=012.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_012.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=013.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_013.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=014.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_014.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=015.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_015.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=016.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_016.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=017.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_017.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=018.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_018.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=019.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_019.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=020.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_020.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=021.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_021.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=022.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_022.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=023.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_023.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=024.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_024.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=025.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_025.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/?action=view&current=026.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Christy%201994/th_026.jpg" /></a>
The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-82768600398919913302011-10-04T17:00:00.000+11:002011-10-05T08:13:36.332+11:00Princess Caraboo: pictures and overviewWatched this one the other day. Here's its entry in my labour-of-love <a href="http://ribbonsoflight.blogspot.com/p/period-drama-list.html">period drama database</a>, which I have finally started working on again, so check back every so often to see new links/pictures/reviews.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog1-1.jpg" /></a>
<br />
</center>
<b style="font-family: inherit;"> ~Princess Caraboo (1994)~</b></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
A sweet, somewhat overlooked film; loosely based on a true story. In Regency England, a small vagrant is found in a country field. She speaks no English and is dressed in strange, Oriental clothes. The girl calls herself "Caraboo", and claims to be the daughter of a king. For Princess Caraboo (Phoebe Cates), it is the beginning of an incredible adventure, in which she charms a journalist, a professor, the aristocracy, and even the Prince Regent himself. Phoebe Cates is wonderful as the plucky, almost Heyer-esque heroine, while Jim Broadbent and (Cates' real life husband) Kevin Kline are hilarious. Also keep an eye out for cameos from Stephen Mackintosh and Anna Chancellor. The stereotyped, bigoted depiction of the English aristocracy marred the film slightly for me. Princess Caraboo is marketed as a family film, but it does contain a couple of slightly "icky" moments, so be warned. Directed by Michael Austin. Stars Phoebe Cates, Wendy Hughes, Stephen Rea, John Lithgow, Jim Broadbent, and Kevin Kline. ***<b> </b>12+</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times","Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/" style="font-family: inherit;">Photo Gallery</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> | </span><a href="http://www.charitysplace.com/review/princesscaraboo.htm" style="font-family: inherit;">Charity's Place</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> | </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3665887513/" style="font-family: inherit;">Trailer</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> | </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Caraboo-Phoebe-Cates/dp/B00000F5ZL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317706169&sr=8-1" style="font-family: inherit;">Amazon</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> | </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110892/" style="font-family: inherit;">IMDb</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> | </span><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/princess_caraboo/" style="font-family: inherit;">RT</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> | </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnQYVCYST2A" style="font-family: inherit;">Youtube</a> </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=001.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_001.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=002.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_002.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=003-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_003-1.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=003.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_003.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=004-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_004-1.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=004.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_004.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=005-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_005-1.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=005.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_005.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=006.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_006.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=007.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_007.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=008.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_008.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=009.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_009.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=010-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_010-1.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=010.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_010.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=011.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_011.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=012.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_012.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=013.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_013.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=014.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_014.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=015.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_015.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=016.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_016.jpg" /></a>
</center>
<center>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=017.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_017.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=018.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_018.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=019.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_019.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=020.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_020.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=021.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_021.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=022.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_022.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=023.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_023.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=024.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_024.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=025.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_025.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=026.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_026.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=027.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_027.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=028.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_028.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/?action=view&current=029.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/Costume%20drama%20galleries/Princess%20Caraboo%201994/th_029.jpg" /></a>
</center>The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-2761059982446250422011-09-30T15:49:00.001+10:002011-09-30T15:49:18.311+10:00Anna Karenina 2012 castI am way behind the times. . . I've just had a glance at the Anna Karenina 2012 <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1781769/">IMDb page</a> (filming started this month, apparently). This movie has everyone in it! Seriously!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pursebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/top-ten-hairstyles-fall-2011101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://pursebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/top-ten-hairstyles-fall-2011101.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
<b>Keira Knightley as Anna Karenina.</b> Not convinced about Keira as Anna at all. Anna is supposed to be beautiful, warm, maternal, very curvaceous, and quintessentially feminine. Keira. . . isn't. Well, she's beautiful, but as for the rest. . . I'm sorry, but this is a crucial part of who Anna is and what attracts Vronsky to her: her warmth, and motherliness, as well as her beauty and sophistication. Vronsky had a cold, unfeeling mother. To him, Anna represents the comfort, the security, and the kindness of the mother and family life that he was deprived of as a child. If Keira were to go up four dress sizes, then we'd be talking, but as it is, I just can't visualise Keira - who still looks like a skinny little slip of a girl - in this part!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pajiba.com/assets_c/2011/09/jude-law-dunhill-02-thumb-400x507-31065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.pajiba.com/assets_c/2011/09/jude-law-dunhill-02-thumb-400x507-31065.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<b>Jude Law as Karenin.</b> Is it just me, or have all three of the most recent Karenins (James Fox, Stephen Dillane, and now Jude Law) been far more attractive than the role calls for? I can understand the reasoning behind this from a director's point of view: that is, not wanting to perpetuate the stereotype of Karenin as Anna's old, ugly, unsympathetic husband. But still - Jude Law? Still, at least he's not playing Vronsky (which I had assumed to be the case when I first heard that he was attached to this film). Jude Law as <i>Karenin</i>, on the hand, is an interesting and unprecedented casting decision, that's for sure!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/menshair/1/0/t/9/-/-/curly02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/menshair/1/0/t/9/-/-/curly02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Aaron Johnson as Vronsky.</b> Yessss! *Fist pumps*. Tall, dark, handsome (probably a bit too pretty, to be honest) and confident, yet young and vulnerable.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.trailershut.com/actor-images/kelly-macdonald-7554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://www.trailershut.com/actor-images/kelly-macdonald-7554.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Kelly MacDonald as Dolly</b> - perfect.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWGpCzwzADEdtCVWc2sQcXBHxZNFeeXcLeE4qZWe5Yav4JxMRt0rYGFq4bHO2wdLO3lyTfHqpKnSmF41xsPRUYfRJKJm76jJ6SBPLvC4lqkQIToZ5QlYQHaCofSmHYxYpfsjAzLu1ouzo/s1600/mm-ttm3d-san-sebastian-photo-call7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWGpCzwzADEdtCVWc2sQcXBHxZNFeeXcLeE4qZWe5Yav4JxMRt0rYGFq4bHO2wdLO3lyTfHqpKnSmF41xsPRUYfRJKJm76jJ6SBPLvC4lqkQIToZ5QlYQHaCofSmHYxYpfsjAzLu1ouzo/s320/mm-ttm3d-san-sebastian-photo-call7.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b>Matthew MacFadyen as Oblonsky</b> - awesome!!!! I can't wait to see Matthew playing another Felix Carbury-esque character. As you can <a href="http://prideandprejudice05.blogspot.com/2011/09/photos-video-matthew-macfadyen-at-three.html">see</a>, he has already started growing a beard for the part. <strike>He looks scary, to be honest</strike>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/5700000/Olivia-olivia-williams-5793367-414-540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/5700000/Olivia-olivia-williams-5793367-414-540.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<b>Olivia Williams as Vronsky's mum</b> - W00t!! Sorry, I've just been typing my honest response to each casting decision. No false dignity here.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/ruth-wilson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/ruth-wilson.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<b>Ruth Wilson as Princess Betsy</b> - perfect. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://estb.msn.com/i/8E/AA64BC667C742BA279C5A942DD93E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://estb.msn.com/i/8E/AA64BC667C742BA279C5A942DD93E.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Domhnall Gleeson as Levin. </b>Initial response - wh-wh-wh-WHAT? A ginger Levin?! Interesing. On second thoughts - this could be an inspired casting decision. Levin's character is partly based on Tolstoy himself, and Domhnall actually looks remarkably like a young Tolstoy (red hair notwithstanding). Also, if this lures in the Harry Potter fans, I'm all for it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www2.2space.net/images/upl_news/110214/1297693211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www2.2space.net/images/upl_news/110214/1297693211.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<b>Alicia Vikander as Kitty.</b> Hmmm. . .<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/592x888/k_n/MDockery_GL_7jan11_pa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/592x888/k_n/MDockery_GL_7jan11_pa_b.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
And <b>Michelle Dockery</b> and <b>Emily Watson</b> are in the cast list too, though their roles have not yet been confirmed. <br />
<br />
All in all, my excitement about this film has multiplied approximately 4 x. I remain unsure about Keira as Anna, but the rest of the cast appears to be more or less perfect, featuring a dynamic mix of established and up-and-coming actors. I'm looking forward to seeing what Joe Wright does with this adaptation. Fingers crossed the screenplay manages to do a tolerable job of cramming Tolstoy's tome into two hours or so of screen time. (!)<br />
<br />
Your thoughts?The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-11374007798162745762011-09-15T17:39:00.001+10:002011-09-15T17:39:52.809+10:00Post No. 500I miss blogging.<br /><br />I miss blog<i>gers</i>!!! <br /><br />The new-look blogger is fabulous.<br /><br />I need a bit of mental stimulation. I can feel my brains turning to muuuussssh inside of me. Well, not quite, but the discipline of forcing my randoms thoughts onto the page (err - post) is good for me.<br /><br />I miss you all!!! Wait, I mentioned that already.<br /><br />Apparently, I have written 499 posts on this blog. This post will bring that number up to a nice, even 500.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">All excellent reasons why I should start blogging on here again!! </span>You've all been very patient! Thank you to everyone who hasn't unfollowed me.<br />
<br />
Now, where to start?? Maybe I could revive one of those series I started (you know, those series that I PROMISED I would complete and not let die). Maybe I could finish that review of Tangled. Maybe I could write a review of one of the many books I've read this year. (But not Anna Karenina. That would be beyond my powers of reviewing. I don't want to do another "Villette" review.)<br />
<br />
What would you like my next post to be about? <br />
<br />
And can I just give you all a big hug? *HUGS*. The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-52277862742251186952011-06-13T11:38:00.000+10:002011-06-13T11:38:28.652+10:00Horrible Histories - Series 3!I am becoming dangerously obsessed with the incredibly addictive, Monty-Pythonesque Horrible Histories. Here are <strike>a </strike><strike>coupl</strike><strike>e of</strike> several songs from the third series, which is currently airing in the UK.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="292" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qkzxXLRjojM" width="460"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="292" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zlwDrpTq2Mo" width="460"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="292" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yczN8Cy70UU" width="460"></iframe>The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-83583441116676841342011-06-06T20:13:00.007+10:002011-06-07T08:38:37.351+10:00Onegin movie review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog006.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Japanese poster for the film. Isn't it gorgeous?!</span></div><br />
Alexandre Puskin. Known to Russians as the father of Russian literature. His greatest masterpiece: <i>Eugene Onegin</i>. A novel in verse, it was first published in serial form from 1825-1832.<br />
<br />
Fast-forward a century or two to 1992. Actor Ralph Fiennes happened to read Onegin, and it left a deep impression on him. He made a casual remark to his sister about the cinematic potential of the book. . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog003-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog003-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And so began a family project that culminated in the release of Onegin seven years later, in 1999 - directed by Martha Fiennes, starring Ralph Fiennes, and scored by Magnus Fiennes (with solo piano pieces performed by Maya Fiennes). The film received a mixed critical reception, and is today one of those lesser-known period pieces that deserves wider appreciation among fans of the genre.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog1010.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog1010.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Evgeny Onegin (pronounced roughly Ev-GEN-yee An-YAY-gen) is a priviledged young man living a life of decadence and debauchery in 1820s St Petersburg society. Think of him as a cross between John Willoughby and Eugene Wrayburn, with a dash of Heathcliff thrown in. Or something like that. He is a rake, a dandy, and a cynic.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog060-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog060-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ralph Fiennes as Onegin, Lena Headly as Olga, Liv Tyler as Tatyana</span></div><br />
When the news reaches Onegin that his uncle is gravely ill, he sets out on the long journey to his uncle's provincial estate - not out of solicitude for his uncle, but because he hopes to inherit a considerable fortune from him. He arrives at his destination to find his uncle already dead. Onegin is now the owner of a vast Russian estate, with hundreds of serfs under his dominion. He has no intention of managing his estate personally - that would be too much like hard work - and so makes plans to return to his former life in Petersburg as soon as he can find a suitable steward to oversee the property.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog012.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog012.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
During his temporary stay in the country, Evgeny has the opportunity to meet some of the neighbours - including a young poet called Lensky, and two young sisters: silly and flirtatious Olga Larina, with whom Lensky is in love; and quiet but passionate Tatyana Larina. Tatyana quickly falls desperately in love with Onegin, but her love is not requited.<br />
<br />
I won't say any more, since as you know it is my policy to try not to reveal any spoilers in my reviews. . . Suffice to say, all does not end happily. (Well, duh! This is a Russian classic, after all!) However, poetic justice is done, and the ending is moving and satisfying, if not happy.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog030-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog030-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Onegin is the most Byronic of Byronic heroes. As is typical of this sort of "hero", he is really a rather selfish and despicable character; yet not entirely devoid of humanity, and the viewer is compelled to feel some measure of sympathy for him in the end.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog072.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog072.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Tatyana, on the other hand, is a wonderful heroine. Though she makes one or two fatal mistakes, she is a virtuous character and sticks to her moral convictions, even when to do so would mean great pain and unhappiness for herself. Her strength of character places her alongside the heroines of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog047.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog047.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Liv Tyler gives the strongest performance I have seen from her, and she is preternaturally beautiful as always - though the rather severe 1820s fashions are unflattering. The only outfit she wore that I genuinely liked was the angelic white dress in that unforgettable final scene. (Well, it's not quite the final scene, but if you've seen the movie, you'll know which one I mean.) Her hair was styled in a much softer and more feminine manner in that scene, too. (Not that any of this really matters, of course; but I can't help being female. My apologies to readers who have little or no interest in something so trivial as clothes.) Oh, and the ice-skating outfit was also rather nice.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog014-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog014-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Ralph Fiennes was also excellent, playing both the spoilt, apathetic socialite and the tortured, devoted lover to perfection. Ralph's hair and costumes were just as amazing as Liv's. He looked like Beau Brummell come to life. This is a side of Regency fashion that we don't see much of in Austen adaptations, because all of Jane Austen's heroes dress sensibly and impeccably. (Naturally!) But it is fun to see a genuinely foppish, extravagant character - like the young Onegin - all bedecked in late-Regency garb.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog004-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog004-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Toby Stephens was good, too, playing an earnest, idealistic young man, not dissimilar to his character in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Onegin is definitely a must-see for Toby Stephens fans. Needless to say, it's an absolute MUST-see for Ralph Fiennes fans.<br />
<br />
Also in the cast were Harriet Walter, Jason Watkins, Alun Armstrong (he seems to pop up in <i>everything</i>), Lena Headly, and Martin Donovan. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog021.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog021.jpg" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, there's a duel. . .</span></div><br />
Now, the unpleasant part of any Christian movie review. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Objectionable content</span>. Isn't "objecionable" such an ugly, squirmy word? And "inappropriate" is nearly as bad. Anyway. Onegin is suitable for mature audiences due to mature themes. Onegin is a rather immoral character, after all. However, the R-rating in America is unmerited and inexplicable. A PG-13 would have been much closer to the mark. There was only one scene that I fast-forwarded - a somewhat intimate scene between husband and wife which wasn't graphic or inappropriate (ugh! That ugly word again!) but I FF'd it nonetheless. There was also one somewhat gory scene during which I blocked part of the screen. I just can't handly ANY blood or gore, LOL.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog050.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog050.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
The production values for Onegin were universally excellent. The soundtrack is for the most part haunting and effective. The film was shot on location in England and St Peterburg, and the scenery is stunning. The cinematography is outstanding. The costumes and hair design were, as mentioned, impressive.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog013-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog013-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
It isn't a perfect film. This is a dramatic story, but some of the scenes felt slightly overdone, to the point of being melodramatic. Also, the scenes I mentioned above could have been handled with a little more restraint. This didn't have to be an R- or even a PG-13-rated film - it could easily have been a PG.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog049-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog049-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
However, it is a haunting, thought-provoking story, with memorable performances from the two leads. As Charity Bishop mentioned in her <a href="http://charitysplace.com/review/onegin.htm">review</a>, it's rare to come across a movie that actually upholds marriage and commitment, rather than excusing unfaithfulness and immorality in the name of some vague notion of "true love".<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog112-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog112-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Onegin (the film, not the character) is: hypnotic, sad, beautiful, mesmerising, unforgettable. A work of art.<br />
<br />
If you can't appreciate this kind of story (most of the critics didn't), you're a jaded old cynic with no soul, worse than Onegin himself. So there.<br />
<br />
4 out of 5 stars. Recommended for mature teens and up.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog062.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog062.jpg" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ralph Fiennes, Liv Tyler, and Martha Fiennes.</span></div><br />
Links:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ralphfiennes-jenniferlash.com/article.php?id=130">Interview with Martha and Ralph Fiennes</a><br />
<a href="http://sci267.tripod.com/fiennesonegin2.html">Interview with Ralph Fiennes</a><br />
<a href="http://imageshack.us/g/268/093jn.jpg/">Photo Gallery 1</a><br />
<a href="http://imageshack.us/g/708/blog051.jpg/">Photo Gallery 2 </a><br />
<a href="http://charitysplace.com/review/onegin.htm">Charity's Place review</a><br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119079/">IMDb</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog097-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog097-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Having loved the movie, I can't wait to read the book, and hope to do so very soon. Can anyone recommend a good translation? (Marian??)<br />
<br />
Discovering Onegin and reading Anna Karenina at around the same time earlier this year has inspired in me in an interest in Russian culture and history. . . My mother says we have a Russian ancestor - I must remember to ask Grandma about it sometime. . . Meanwhile, I have yet another country to add to my list of places to visit when I go on my Grand Tour of Europe someday. ;-)<br />
<br />
I couldn't resist including a bunch of photos. My apologies if you are on a slow internet connection. . .<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Images 8, 12, 14 & 16: credit to LovelyLivTyler.com </span>The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-35951098248312268612011-05-31T09:40:00.003+10:002011-05-31T10:01:20.827+10:00A New DirectionI have published only one or two blog posts in the last month or so. And in that time, I have enjoyed doing - other things!<br />
<br />
I've been doing a lot of reading, for one thing. There have been times during my blogging journey over the last 3 years (has it really been that long??) when I have read very little. I spent much of my spare time in blogging or other online pursuits. Over the past 6 months or so, however, I have developed a more disciplined - no, disciplined isn't the right word - but certainly a more active reading habit.<br />
<br />
Something else has happened, too. I've discovered the joy and satisfaction that is to be found in savouring the small things in life. In the garden, in the house, in watching my siblings grow. I wake up every morning excited by the possibilities the day might bring - doing this or that in the garden, trying a new recipe, reading a new book to my little sisters.<br />
<br />
Blogging is often a very time-consuming activity for me. It usually takes me several hours to put together one of my longer posts. The fact that I can be easily distracted and diverted when I'm gathering material online for my posts doesn't help! (Perhaps I should try writing posts with notepad and pen, so that I am less likely to be distracted by all the distractions the internet offers. It could be a more time-efficient way for me to blog.)<br />
<br />
All this to say: I enjoy blogging - ESPECIALLY having the opportunity to "meet" so many kindred spirits from all over the world - but at the same time. . . I've got books to read and life to live!<br />
<br />
I am not giving up blogging altogether. Hopefully I will be able to find a balance, wherein I will have time for blogging AND reading and other things. (Mummy suggested that I might aim to publish one post per week, which could be a realistic goal.) In the meantime, I can't guarantee that there will be many new posts on here. Or if there are, they might be of a different nature to what you're used to. . .<br />
<br />
In the early days of this blog, I shared more tidbits from real life - recipes, humorous or memorable incidents from my life. . . that sort of thing. I think there will be still be the occasional book or movie review in future, but there might be more pieces from everyday life as well. I hope this is okay. People change, and blogs change! As my interests change, it's reasonable to expect that my blog will evolve with them. I never set out with the intention that this blog should be a period drama blog, or a book blog, or any genre of blog. It's always been bit of a hodge-podge of different things.<br />
<br />
I repeat, I definitely won't be giving up blogging altogether. My reason for starting this blog was to use it as a way to develop my English skills. I might have finished [home]school, but I haven't finished learning or developing. It's good for me to write. It challenges me, and it provides an outlet for thoughts and ideas that I may want to share.<br />
<br />
Summing up:<br />
<br />
-I apologise for the lack of recent posts.<br />
<br />
-I apologise for the possible lack of posts in the present/future.<br />
<br />
-I wanted to give you a word of warning in case my blog heads in a slightly different direction in the future.<br />
<br />
Well. God bless you all!<br />
~EliseThe Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7640277016633958889.post-74551805287064636982011-05-28T18:59:00.001+10:002011-05-29T07:39:25.677+10:00Beautiful costume drama stillsCollecting period drama pictures from various corners of the web has become something of a hobby for me. The reason for this being that the pictures are just. So. Gorgeous! One could (in fact, one often does) spend hours drooling over the beautiful costumes, houses, landscapes, and people.<br />
<br />
Many costume drama pictures are small works of art in themselves. As I am sure most of you are well aware, whenever I do a post on a period film, I use it as an excuse to share as many images as I can possibly cram into one post. This time I have no such excuse. This is simply a messy, mish-mash costume drama picspam, featuring a few of my favourites. The following are symphonies in light, colour, and texture! Elise, stop waxing poetical and get on with the pictures. . .<br />
<br />
And just as a disclaimer, I do not whole-heartedly endorse every film in mentioned in this post. A couple of these films contain fast-forward-able scenes.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog030-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog030-1.jpg" /></a><br />
I love Drew Barrymore's red velvet dress. She really is a timeless beauty. Also, her character in this film is one of the few (that I know of) in period drama to have hair that is nearly as long as mine. :P Yay for lasses with long tresses! (Ever After 1998)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog016.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog016.jpg" /></a><br />
Bleakly beautiful. (Persuasion 2007)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog83high-res.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog83high-res.jpg" /></a><br />
Because it's so delightfully English! This could be a scene from any one of Georgette Heyer's novels. (Emma 1996)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog2031.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog2031.jpg" /></a><br />
Well, I had to include at least one pic of my favourite literary hero. ;-) Why does he does he have to be a fictional character? Why??! (Northanger Abbey 2007)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog007-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog007-2.jpg" /></a><br />
Very Monet-esque. By the way, if anyone could tell me where I can obtain high-res non-watermarked pics from this film I would be very grateful. (The Magic of Ordinary Days 2005)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog029.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog029.jpg" /></a><br />
An interior shot for a change. I love the warm, rich tones in this picture. (The Illusionist 2007)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog051.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog051.jpg" /></a><br />
Beautiful Liv Tyler. (Onegin 1999)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog001-5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog001-5.jpg" /></a><br />
ANY still from this movie could easily have featured in this post. Italy. . . Helena Bonham Carter. . . Scumptious Edwardian costumes. I love how the personality of each character is conveyed in this picture. (A Room with a View 1985)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog097.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog097.jpg" /></a><br />
The dress and the field of wildflowers were made for each other (quite literally, no doubt). (Marie Antoinette 2006)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog011.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog011.jpg" /></a><br />
I loved Cecily's Pre-Raphaelite inspired daydream sequences. :-) (The Importance of Being Earnest 2002)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog092.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog092.jpg" /></a><br />
Once again, any picture from this movie could have been in this post. This one is very moody and gothic, and strongly remiscent of Andrew Wyeth's <a href="http://www.jssgallery.org/Other_Artists/Andrew_Wyeth/wyeth.jpg">Christina's World</a>. (Tess of the D'Urbervilles 2008)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/?action=view&current=blog008-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt150/TheEditrix/blog008-1.jpg" /></a></div>One of my favourite movies. (Enchanted April 1992)<br />
<br />
I suppose I'd better stop now. Part 2 will quite possibly be coming very soon. By the way, I hope you don't mind a post featuring mostly pictures, rather than writing. I've been suffering from a spot of writer's block lately.The Editrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184804847476554759noreply@blogger.com10