One Week to Gatsby!

I know I'm posting A LOT about The Great Gatsby, but we're on the countdown.  If you haven't yet had a chance to check out The Great Gatsby official site, you really should.  It's like literary eye candy!  The costumes, sets, and music look and sound amazing. Let me just share my favorite trailer.  Amazing!

All Things Austen: "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries" and Austenland

Am I the last person who is completely Jane Austen crazy to miss this awesome web series, "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries"?  I think so.  If you haven't yet checked it out, you really should.  I'm pretty new to web series as a whole, but I love the short vlog (video blog) format.

You can catch "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries" at:
http://lizziebennetdiaries.tumblr.com/
http://www.youtube.com/lizziebennet
https://www.facebook.com/TheLizzieBennet
https://twitter.com/TheLizzieBennet

Here's episode 1:

 During my "hiatus" from blogging, I had the opportunity to go view Austenland at the Sundance Film Festival.  I owe my friend at work a HUGE thank you and favor for asking me to go along to help chaperone.  It was so fun, and I really loved watching it with an auditorium full of teenagers.  They oohed and aahed at all the right places, which was hilarious.  There was one moment that was especially memorable when one of the actors mentioned people who are "obsessed" with Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice.  A number of students in front of us all turned around and looked at my friend (who named her daughter Austen--and is SO stinking cute) and me (with my Darcy mouse pad).  It was hilarious and we both started laughing.  I think they have caught on to our love of all things Jane Austen???

I'm happy to say that the movie has been picked up and should be out some time this summer.  I can't wait to see it again!  For those who have read the book, you can expect a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek, humorous version of the story we love.  I found myself laughing more than anything and relaxing into a really good time.  Here's a link to the clip, if you haven't caught it yet:  http://youtu.be/9IL5r-yg6Is

In the end, I'm so glad that Jane Austen continues to live on.  Whether it's through the pure form or through adaptations and retellings, I'm all there.  I kind of wonder what is in the future for Jane Austen?  What a thought!

Thanks for humoring my Jane Austen fangirling.  Have you checked out either of these Austen releases?  

Oscar Madness Pulls Me Back

It's been too long, and I'm feeling the mojo coming back again.  Honestly, as mentioned before, I've just been beyond burned out this school year and found myself hanging by a thread.  In January I got a student teacher, who took 1/2 of my classes.  Although I still find myself using every moment at work to grade, lesson plan, or deal with day to day stuff, having a student teacher has let me go home at night to rest and go to bed at a decent hour without stressing out over all I left undone.  In short, I'm doing better.

Sorry to vent, but how else do you explain a nearly two month absence?  You complain and then explain yourself.  I'm not 100%, but I'm better, and can say that I've been reading like a fiend!  What makes you feel better than reading a ton and sleeping a bit?  Not much, in my estimation.

Well, tomorrow night are the Oscars.  As most years, I've only seen about half of the Best Picture nominees, but I'm still pretty excited to watch.  This year I had the chance to catch:  Les Miserables, Argo, Silver Linings Playbook, and Lincoln.  From the other categories, I've seen:  Anna Karenina, Brave, and Prometheus. It doesn't feel like much at all to me, but you still couldn't keep me away!  My apologies for those who follow me on Twitter, as I'm sure I'll be chattering away all evening.  I can't wait.

Okay.  Until I get back into the book-review swing of things, I'll see you around.  For now, I'll leave you with a couple of my favorites.  Where would I be this year without Les Miserables?

I also really liked Silver Linings Playbook.  I have to say that this scene where the lead actor, played by Bradley Cooper, flips out over the tragic ending of A Farewell to Arms had me laughing a little too loudly in the theater.  I might be an English teacher who is supposed to love classics, but who hasn't felt this way about a book a time or two?

 

Until after the Oscars, I'll be hoping for the best for all of my favorites this year!  

Re-Read Review: Austenland by Shannon Hale

As a BAD book blogger, I haven't been supporting Utah Book Month as I should.  We really do have a lot of great authors here in Utah, many of whom come out and support our local get togethers and local events.  They are really awesome!  Right now I'm in the middle of reading Bree Despain's third novel in her Dark Divine series and I'm getting ready to read Shannon Hale's Midnight in Austenland.  Before I pick up Hale's next novel though, I went back to re-read Austenland so I could remember some of the details, and it was even better the second time through!

Synopsis:  From Goodreads, "Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.

Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen;or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It's all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?"

Review:  This was a fun book to read from the get go.  I liked the it the first time, and I loved it on the second go around.  I distinctly remember not liking the Darcy-esque character in this novel, which is ironic, right?  Aren't we supposed to not like him and then realize how prejudice we were?  Yes, I do think that's the case.  The first time I read it, I just remember  being sucked into the re-enactment of our favorite, romantic read, Pride and Prejudice.  This time, I remembered some of what was to come and paid more attention to the characters that I knew were the nice guys--you know, the way you watch the romantic lead in a movie when you know that's how he'll end up?  You just seem to notice all the sweet things they do to show that they're not the person they are putting on.  That was the case in this re-read; I picked up on some fun interactions that I didn't the first time around.

As far as sweet escape reading goes, this is high on that list.  I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Austenland and its twist on the Jane Austen tale.  The ending is very reminiscent of a great chick film, which I loved.  I'm in need of another one of these, so I hope the film comes out soon!  On the whole, this was just a real delight to dive into and relive all over again!  Now I'm ready for the movie to come out, which I'm hoping will come out before the end of the year.  

All right.  Now I can head off to read Midnight in Austenland!

By the way, here is a fun film exclusive if you're interested in the movie that will be coming out.

Film Review: Albert Nobbs (2011)

Albert Nobbs is based on a short story by Irish novelist George Moore.  In the story, Albert is actually a woman who has chosen to pose as a man.  As such, Albert opens the film by working as a hotel waiter, which he has done for almost his entire life at Morrison's hotel.  With the passage of time, Albert obviously wishes for a different life, one where he can own his own business and have his own family. 

From this we get a complicated story that was quietly played out over the course of the film.  We watch as Albert tries to figure out how to make his dreams come, and we are left wondering why and how Albert could play out this charade for so long.

In a strange Upstairs, Downstairs meets an Irish Downton Abbey, Albert Nobbs takes the viewer through a complex set of issues that really boil down to the desperation of lives lived in silence and hiding.  This was a film that made you question a lot of things, but answer very few of them.  Some of the ways the film sets up the story lead us to believe, quite early on, that perhaps Albert isn't a woman desperate to care for herself in a man's world, but is actually a person confused about their gender and identity.  With that in mind, the film gets more and more complex.  And maybe it shouldn't, but it does.  In the end, it feels as though Albert should just be able to find peace and truth somewhere.

Personally, I really appreciated the thought that went into this film.  This is a "thinking man's film," as I like to call them, which means that it tackles some gritty, complex issues.  In my opinion, the subtly in Albert that others found creepy, was not creepy, but more unsure.  Albert was a character that was so simple in his desire for love and acceptance, yet so fearful of it, that I couldn't help but feel sympathy for him.  He really chooses to spend a life letting no one in. 

In short, if you're not into art house style films, this might not be a good fit for you.  For me, it was an interesting and thought-provoking film that tugged at the proverbial heartstrings.

Fiction to Film to Fantastic Music Friday: The Man From Snowy River (1982)

 I know that it's been awhile since I posted a "Fiction to Film to Fantastic Music Friday" post, but since I recently watched The Man From Snowy River over spring break, I had to post a little something about this jewel of a film.

When I was growing up, this was a favorite in our little community.  I don't think there was a slumber party that I attended that we didn't watch this movie or Anne of Green Gables.  Yes, we had very tame slumber parties--granted, that was when I was like nine or ten!  I was always really jealous of all the kids in my area that got to take piano lessons.  I wanted to take piano lessons, so much so that I begged my parents to let me!  Eventually, I was allowed to take them for about a year and a half.  Throughout that whole time, I had a series of songs that I wanted to learn how to play, and "Jessica's Theme" was right at the top.  It's funny to me now, but as a young girl, this was some strange obsession I had.

To be honest, I was unfamiliar with the poem until a few years ago.  It's interesting that a movie would come out of Andrew Barton Paterson's poem "The Man From Snowy River," but I'm glad that it did.  For me, this movie really is more about a memory.  We probably all have movies and soundtracks that etched their ways into our lives as we were growing up, and this one happens to be a pretty prominent one in my own.

* Fiction, to Film, to Fantastic Music Friday is my own little weekly post. The premise is just to share my favorite books made into film, with amazing soundtracks to boot.  There might even be times where it's just a great film and soundtrack, or great book and film.  Either way, join in if you would like!

What films mark your early years as a child?  I'm not talking your all-time favorites, but the ones that maybe take you right back to a certain time in your life?

Film Review: The Song of Lunch

Masterpiece recently celebrated their 40th year in broadcasting, and I think it's safe to say that many voracious readers are also big fans of their programing.  With great fiction to film selections, amazing classic adaptions, and thrilling original programming (hello Downton Abbey!), there seems to be a never-ending selection of great things to watch.  Yes.  I'm a total fan and have my DVR set to record anything put out by Masterpiece.

Back in November of this last year, Masterpiece Contemporary ran a program called The Song of Lunch, which I was intrigued to hear was an adaptation of a narrative poem by Christopher Reid.  (See this Guardian article for a short clip from the original poem.) That was interesting enough for me to want to check it out, but after seeing that Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson played the couple in the film meeting up for that lunch together, I was sold.

The basic premise of the piece is that Rickman's character meets up for a lunch hour with Thompson's character, a woman he had an affair with 15 years earlier.  Throughout the meeting over lunch, we are privy to the interesting, amusing, and even disturbing thoughts of Rickman's character.  He details what he sees, how things have changed, and how he feels at every turn.  In a lot of ways, he revealed the fears and weaknesses of a man looking back on his life and questioning his choices.  Told in a very beautiful, lyrical style, this is not a piece filled with a lot of dramatic monologue.  No, it is geared toward nuance, symbol, and tone.  In short, although stirring at times, I thought it was amazing.

The piece is a pretty short one of maybe an hour in length.  The subtly of the story will probably not be every one's "cup of tea," but I thought its poetic narration to be stunning.  Of course, having all-star actors like Rickman and Thompson doesn't hurt the piece.  They don't necessarily speak very often, but use body language in large supply to reach out and tell a much bigger story than is spoken.  In short, I loved it.  If you have a moment to sit and quietly watch a thinking/feeling film, then I really do recommend you check it out.

                                          Watch The Song of Lunch Preview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

Sunday Blatherings: Oldies Still Rule

What a lovely day!  It definitely feels more like March already, with spring not only just around the corner but also seemingly already upon us.  I love it.

This past week was a bit odd.  I started to feel "off" Sunday or Monday, and by Tuesday I was in the full throes of the flu.  I took off one day, but muscled through the rest of the week because I had to.  Saturday, you would have thought I was home free, but I woke with a giant migraine that had me wondering what in the world I did for my body to send me such a harsh message!  Thankfully, I'm feeling so much better and can refocus on work and every other goal we throw out when we get sick.

A couple of new updates for me though.  First, I joined Weight Watchers.  I'm not very thrilled, but my best friend coerced me into doing it with her.  Granted, nothing I've been doing has been very successful, but I'm not convinced that counting the value of every little thing I eat is the way to go.  We'll see.  Second, I've applied to teach summer school.  *sigh*  Admittedly, I don't really want to because the summer is already so filled with conferences, meetings, and teaching online classes that it doesn't feel like the huge break everyone seems to think we all get. I'm trying to focus though and get the last of my debt polished off.  I'm so close that I can feel it!

Anyway, that's it for my crazy life.  All is well, in general, so today I'm gearing up for the Oscars later tonight.  I apologize ahead of time if you follow me on Twitter and get a barrage of tweets that are Oscar related.  I haven't quite seen all of the films up for nominations tonight, but I have seen quite a number of them.

Having said that, I got sucked into an oldie but goody today when Singin' in the Rain came on cable.  My mother raised me on a large dose of musicals, which we then followed with some major musical soundtrack tunes rolling through our house on Saturday mornings.  I swear that I think of Camelot as house cleaning music to this day!  I'm now thinking I should do a little honor to all of my favorites, both in honor of the Oscars and to great film making in general.  Here are just a few:

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, not really a musical, but I couldn't NOT include this one.

 I swear that these are just a drop in the bucket as far as musicals and oldies are concerned.  Once I got started, I thought of all the great old films I love and want to re-watch.  Although we're focused on all the new releases on this Oscar Sunday, I might have to give myself a challenge to watch all these oldies again!

What oldies are your favorites?

Film Review: Never Let Me Go (2010)

When I was in grad school, I had to read Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Never Let Me Go for a Contemporary British Fiction course.  Talk about a trip!  I was familiar with his other novel, Remains of the Day, with its quiet reserve and social conversation.  That was what I expected with this newest novel, but that is not quite the direction it headed in. 

If you're unfamiliar with the synopsis of the novel and movie, it can be halting.  The premise of the story is built around a group of children raised together as what seems to be normal children, sent away to boarding school, to learn and develop skills and talents like any other child.  There are whisperings of odd things to come, but no one knows for certain what it all means or how they might actually be different from other children.  It is only, after various revelations and their development over time that we learn the shocking truth of the real lives these children will one day lead.  In short, they have been genetically engineered for medical use down the road.

There is a love story built into the plot that adds a depth to the tragedy that plays out, but does not take over the entire story altogether.  It's hard to reveal too much, without revealing some of the tragic twists that are revealed over the course of the film and novel, but they really are pretty shocking to learn. We as viewers (and readers) feel as shocked and blindsided by truths as the characters must.

The thing I found interesting about the film is the equal bits of what I like to call sepia-colored-restraint that fell over the film like a mist.  The same restraint that you find in the novel also plays out in the film.  Had I not already been familiar with the book, I would have found some of the conversations and plot twists jarring against the slow moving story.

Original Novel Cover

One of the things I found a bit odd in the film were the details added about their sexual development.  In the book they seemed normal and part of what you would expect for children growing into adulthood, but in the film they felt startling and exaggerated.  I'm not sure if that is one of the differences between the way the subject is taken on by the author versus the film director, or if it is a "Hollywood" device?  I suppose that anything corporeal felt that way in the film though, since so much of it ends up being psychological as you uncover more and more of the truth behind the story.

I can't say that I loved the film, but I didn't love the book either.  I definitely appreciate the genius of Ishiguro and what he accomplishes in so many different ways.  How he manages to going from a calm book about a butler and his worldview to a startling mental thriller really baffles me.  For that, I give the author kudos.  As for the film, I think I need more time to mull it over.

Other Reviews I Appreciated:
Roger Ebert --As typical of his style, Ebert really puts this movie eloquently.
The Guardian --I felt like this article really mirrored my own thoughts.
The New York Times --Great response to the film's methods and message.

Fiction to Film to Fantastic Music Friday: My Fair Lady

Growing up, my mom played musicals in our home pretty much nonstop.  In fact, I almost feel as if it's a requirement to listen to the soundtrack of Camelot while you clean on a Saturday morning. I actually really love it and have to give my mom credit for pretty much educating me on every great film out there.  Now that I think about it, that's probably why I really am such a film buff.

One film that we watched three or four times a year was My Fair Lady.  I loved Professor Higgins, and maybe I was channeling my future profession as an English teacher, but I loved his passion for language.  He was snarky, pushy, and a little grouchy.  I loved him.  Add Eliza into his refined-world mix and it was just priceless.

Now as a teacher, I get the opportunity to teach and recommend plays for my students.  Although the actual play Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw, does not match up to the musical exactly, it is still a genius of a play.  When my students start to get down or feel as though all "classical" literature is a bummer, I point them towards a wonderful George Bernard Shaw or Oscar Wilde play and they brighten up.  I like a good tragedy or gut-wrenching drama, but sometimes we really need to have a laugh and a smile.  Thankfully, Shaw's Pygmalion does just that, and the film My Fair Lady fits the musical bill.

If you're unfamiliar with this glorious classic, let me include one that I love, "Without You."  Honestly, I could hardly pick one because there are so many great songs. Here is one of my favorites.

* Fiction, to Film, to Fantastic Music Friday is my own little weekly post. The premise is just to share my favorite books made into film, with amazing soundtracks to boot.  There might even be times where it's just a great film and soundtrack, or great book and film.  Either way, join in if you would like! 

Film Review: Iron Lady (2012)

As a gift to myself for finishing out the term, I slipped into a theater to watch the new Margaret Thatcher film, The Iron Lady.  Starring Meryl Streep as the "Iron Lady," herself, I wanted to see what all this early buzz was about!  With each year I've come to embrace the fact that I'm probably every bit as much of a film connoisseur as I am with books, and so each year I try to make a point to go and see as many of the Oscar-buzzed films as possible, so The Iron Lady was a must see.

Set in a modern context of Thatcher's life, we see the development of her life and career through flashbacks she has from her home, where she is being watched over by nurses and family as she slipped further and further into the throes of dementia or Alzheimer's disease  (we never really know which).  Throughout the film, she sees people from her past and interacts with them, which causes her caretakers more and more concern.  From this Thatcher gains a steely determination to stay in control of her "hallucinations" and either not address them, or keep them hidden from those around her.

As she deals with her present sense of lost awareness, she constantly flashes back to her life and all that she has experienced--and lost.  We get a real sense that although she desperately loved her husband and children--enough so to be at a loss without them in her old age--that her career was the penultimate in her life.  Her real sense of self came from serving her country, come what may in terms of approval or understanding.

I absolutely loved the film and immediately called a few people that I knew would also love it, to recommend it to them.  This is a thinking-man's film, for sure.  There are no flashy action scenes or blatant messages, but what we do get is a real film of introspection and thoughtfulness that had me thinking about my own life.  Margaret Thatcher, whether you agreed with her politics or not, was an absolute standard in Women's History, and someone that should be given real attention for the bravery she showed in moving through what has always been a "man's world."  Her real "iron"-fisted approach to life and her career was very interesting, especially considering how she used it to have a control over her life that had be admired in many ways.

The young Margaret & husband in the early days of her career.

One interesting thought I took away from the movie had to do with her hallucinations in her old age.  As she hallucinated her husband into real life, over and over again, I wondered how damaging is it really to allow someone that comfort--if it is a comfort?  I think we've all dealt with people in our families or lives who grew older or were sick, and slipped a bit in their sense of reality.  Is it our own need to keep them grounded, for our own security, that is important, or is it possible that this gives a person a level of comfort in the end?  I really don't know the answers there, but I have a much greater sense of empathy after watching this film.

The Iron Lady, in my estimation, is a real must see if you are a film buff at all.  Meryl Streep's performance was really amazing, as she slipped into the role of Thatcher, almost flawlessly.  The filming, en media res, was a great technique for moving us backward and forward in time so we could see and feel as Thatcher might feel.  Overall, I found it to be a great film, and one that I think will win Streep more than just that Golden Globe from Sunday night!

Below is one of the official trailers if you want to check it out.

Masterpiece Contemporaries

As with many avid readers, I also have a love for all things Masterpiece Theater on PBS.  Thanks to Masterpiece, we have been given some of the crown jewels of fiction to film, so how can we not keep our eye out for what's up and coming?

Here's what is coming up this Sunday, 11/6 and next Sunday, 11/13:

An MI-5 spy thriller called "Page Eight" is up this Sunday, starring Bill Nighy as the aging spy, with Michael Gambon, Rachel Wiesz, and Judy Davis. 

Following this first Contemporary, will be "The Song of Lunch," which stars the amazing Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson.  In this piece, Rickman is a copy editor/writer who meets back up with a former lover from 15 years ago.  The story unfolds from there. 

I know I can't wait for either of these showings, not to mention "Downton Abbey" series 2 that comes out on January 8th and will run through February 19th!  (I can't wait!)  There is always so much to look forward to on PBS when it comes to great dramatizations, classics, and mystery. 

See PBS, Masterpiece for all of their schedules and more about their 40th year anniversary. 

Footloose (2011)

Can I admit that I'm not sure how I feel about the updated version of Footloose that comes out next month?  Why, you ask?  Well, I was raised on the original.  It was one of the first soundtracks I ever owned.  I had a HUGE crush on Kevin Bacon when I was a teen.  And, to top it off, the movie was filmed near where I live and work.  Remember the mill where Wren worked and where they held the dance?  Well, they filmed it at the Lehi Roller Mills, which I drive by every morning on my way to work.  The school I teach at is basically on the same lot as the mill, but we're behind where the mill sits.  (The mill still runs and has some amazing products at their "Lehi Roller Mills" site that they sell.  All of their flour and mixes are amazing!  We give them as gifts all the time, and I stop in to pick flour up for daily use.)

Here's the original release, in case you haven't seen it in a long time:

Anyway, I'm feeling a lot of mixed feelings about the newest release.  Here's that release.  What do you think?

Saying Goodbye to Harry in My Own Way

Last month I posted a quick "Denial. Thank You." post for the final installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, pt. 2.  It took me awhile to figure out why I was so opposite to the crowd; why I ignored it all and refused to even think about heading to that final film.  Well, it finally felt right to go see it, and I finally understood why I reacted the way I did.

For just about every book and film, I've either stood in line or pre-ordered the newest installment.  When other people wanted to talk about it or cram themselves into a crowded place to have access to the newest release, I was right there with them.  That's what it was like for a decade, right?  This time, I wanted nothing to do with any of it.  Zip.  Zero.  Zilch.  Nada.

If I'd remembered back to when book seven was released, I responded pretty similarly.  Although I got the book on the day it came out, I didn't rush through it.  I took a week to read it, cherishing a couple of chapters at a time, in the hopes that I could extend that final book as long as possible.

So, this last week I finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows again and finally crept into the theater, with only about ten other people there, and settled in to say goodbye my way.  What can I say that others have not, except to say that I thought it was amazing.  Sure there were things that I wondered about or knew were missing (ie. Harry offering Voldemort a chance to change and repairing his wand), but it really was a great finish. 

Like many fans, I shed a tear or two.  The first was when McGonagall stepped in to protect Harry against Snape.  In fact, that scene brought more to the story for me than it did in the book.  Played by Maggie Smith, she really brought so much to that character, and I loved her for being the force for good that she was! 

On the flip side, Mrs. Weasley's famous showdown with Bellatrix was way more serious than I read it.  In the book, I laughed and cheered when she called Bellatrix a "Bitch" because she really was!  It was so out of character for her that I read it as the ultimate "step off" moment.  In the movie, it was just way more serious than I expected.

Of course, I got choked up when we finally got to see Snape's back story.  Who didn't fall in love with this character, for his complex set of traits and strength of character?  What kind of person can stay dedicated to their love for another in such a way that they become so self-sacrificing?  It kind of made all those Potter-torturing days endearing.

Finally, Harry's showdown with Voldemort was the obvious moment we'd all been waiting to see.  It was everything about magic that I loved.  The obvious message of good over evil, love over hate, is all over these films and this final scene.  Harry's own faith in this truth is what carried him to this moment and allowed him the courage to face Voldemort.  What more can be said?

Okay, so why couldn't I get all that with a crowd full of people, with friends or family by my side?  After I left the theater it dawned on me that it was my way of saying goodbye.  As an only child, books were my companion when no one else was around. I had read the books by myself, and experienced everything with Harry by myself, so I had to end it by myself.  It was perfect.  I let go of the denial, closed the book, and knew that I'd return to it again.

For those who find connecting to books and characters is weird, I suppose you'll think my stubborn streak was also weird.  For the rest of you who have ever loved a book or character so much that you were angry or sad when the story came to an end, I know you'll understand and have a story all your own.  This is just my story and my final tribute to a much loved series that I know I'll read again.

Fiction, to Film, to Fantastic Music Friday: Last of the Mohicans

Because I really love both fiction and film, I have been batting around the idea of starting my own weekly topic called "Fiction, to Film, to Fantastic Music Friday".  The premise is just to share my favorite books made into film, with amazing soundtracks to boot.  There might even be times where it's just a great film and soundtrack.  Either way, join in if you would like!

 To kick things off, I wanted to share one of my favorites in this category, The Last of the Mohicans.  I recently watched this movie again and wanted to go dig out the music (or pull it up on my iTunes list--much easier).

Admittedly, I've never read James Fenimore Cooper's novel of the same name, but from what I understand, the two daughters had almost the opposite story lines from the movie, as did Uncas and Hawkeye.  Honestly, there is so much that can be said about what the film version was trying to accomplish by playing out the strong, romantic storyline between Cora and Hawkeye, but I'll leave that for another day!  What we're really left with is this seemingly panoramic view of colonial America.  Somehow through its gruesome fight scenes, we see a romanticized ideal of man and woman surviving in the beautiful, uncolonized America.

Okay, so beyond all the intellectual things this film is fraught with, I really do love it. Besides, I will admit that I have a weakness for Daniel Day Lewis (ie. The Age of Innocence, The Crucible, The Boxer, and There Will Be Blood, among many others), who just never seems to tire of running in this movie! Yes, the violence in the film is pretty intense and I find myself flinching or looking away during many scenes; however, this fight for existence is everything the film is about.

The thing that adds even more to the movie is the amazing score tied to it.  If you've ever heard this soundtrack, it has probably stuck with you.  Everything from the Main Theme, to Clannad's "I Will Find You", to the amazing "Promontory" are every bit as moving on their own as in the film.  This is definitely one of my all-time favorite soundtracks.  If you haven't heard it, check it out.

Here is a clip of "Promontory":

Paris in July: Triple Film Review

In general, I love art house films, independent movies, and foreign films.  In fact, I think I've seen my fair share and really love the thought that goes into them.  I will admit that I've often struggled with French films and even had a conversation about it with a historian/guide on my trip last month to Paris.  After a pretty lengthy conversation about what the French find important or enjoy exploring, I learned that they like to consider existential questions about the true nature of man, his relationships with others, and his relationships with larger "truths" around him.   Honestly, I'll have to give some of these contemporary French films another chance.

One film that set me on that road was the movie Paris, starring Juliette Binoche and Romain Duris.  The basic premise of the film is centered on the life-threatening illness of Binoche's brother, played by Duris.  From this story, we see a number of other human stories play out around them.  We see the story of the couple who work in the market, who have separated.  We see the professor, who is undergoing a bit of a mid-life crisis.  We see the girl across the street, who seems so carefree and happy, but who can't settle on one thing.  And so the stories go on and on and on, each connecting back in some way to the brother and sister.  Through the stories, the city of Paris itself plays an integral role through its beauty, culture, and history.

Although a bit drab, with the hard issues and crazy relationships, I thought it was really beautiful.  Maybe having gone through caring for a family member who was terminally ill made the solemn, soul searching in the movie more palatable, but I thought the relationship complex and intriguing.  I wouldn't say that the entire movie is drab, and in fact would say that it really draws on the small beauties of life.

The second film I actually rewatched was Marie Antoinette with Kristen Dunst.  How could I not come home from Paris and watch this film again?  I wanted to see more of Versailles (minus the zillions of tourists) and see a dramatization of that amazing palace with someone living there!  I'll admit that the first time I saw the movie in the theater, years ago, that it was zany and felt like a Rocky Horror film mock up of what it must have been like.  Now, having read a bit and visited Versailles, I kind of get what they were going for in the film and totally loved it!  I suppose it also helped that Laduree, where I picked up my own box of macaroons, supplied the cookies and the color palate for their movie version of Marie Antoinette's life. 

Finally, I went to see Midnight in Paris, starring Own Wilson and Rachel McAdams.  The basic premise of the film is that Wilson plays a film script writer from Los Angeles who is vacationing in Paris with his fiance, played by McAdams.  In the quirky style that is a Woody Allen film, there is a lot going on in the dialogue and conversations that you have to pay careful attention to.  Basically, Wilson loves Paris and reminisces about the 1920's and how much inspiration he could have gotten there as a novel writer, had he lived at that time.  From this one little wish, the story takes off and he has quite a crazy experience with many of the authors, artists, musicians, and intellectuals of that period.  How would you explain such inspiration and the need for more with the people around you?

I really loved this film and thought it was too short!  There is a lot of name dropping and one liners and quotes that I had to pay very close attention to catch.  I quickly found myself scouring my memory for every discussion I'd sat through in my Humanities classes back in college and thankful for every biography of an artist or author that I've read.  I still know that I missed a few and have a few others that I want to look up more information on their lives.  On the whole, this was such a fun movie, with quirky dialogue and snappy wit.  If you love art and culture, reading and philosophy, then this movie is just your cup of tea.  The real relationship in the movie seemed to be between the artist and his creative muse, but the overriding message of the movie is the best of all (which I'll leave to you to discover because it would give too much away).  Paris is a wonderful center for the film, and definitely steps in as one of the main characters in the film.  Without it, you wouldn't have all the other crazy characters.  This was a fun, thinking man's film, and one that made me yearn for more like it!

Thank you SO much to everyone who left me recommendations for other great French films, or films that center around Paris.  I have a long list to try out! 

If you've seen any of these films, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Favorite Movie Lines & Memories: French Kiss (1995)

One of my favorite movies of all time is French Kiss (1995) with Meg Ryan and Kevin Klein.  Of course my trip coming up has given me a renewed interest in this favorite movie of mine, but when I went on a search through my DVD collection for it, I realized that it was gone!  To make a long story short, I really had to search to find a replacement, which kind of scared me.  Is this movie that obsolete that you can't find it anymore?  I felt a slight need to hoard the movie and buy several "just in case," but I resisted. 

If you haven't seen French Kiss, it's quirky and funny, and in my book--a must see.  Below is a quick trailer from the film:

Listed in the menu section of the DVD are the trailers for a bunch of other movies I'd almost forgotten about.  It made me want to rent them all, crawl into bed with a nice bowl of popcorn, and take a walk down memory lane!  Tell me if any of these movies make you smile or transport you back to 1995:

Ever After

One Fine Day

Great Expectations

Picture Perfect

Never Been Kissed

Cousin Bette

Pardon my walk down memory lane, but these movies needed to be brought back up again!  There's a certain romantic quirkiness to most of these romantic comedies that dates them, but makes them so fun to watch.

My favorite line(s) come from French Kiss.  First, I can't stop laughing when Kevin Klein tells Meg Ryan, "When people tell me they are happy, my ass begins to twitch."  (Pronounced with his French accent and it's a sure laugh every time.)  We also named our cat "Bubs" from the movie, which I had to really search for a good clip of, but you can see at about :50 in the clip below.  (Sorry about the subtitles!) 

Have you seen French Kiss?  If not, what is one of your favorite "go to" films that seems to have all your favorite lines?

Jane Eyre (2011): Film Thoughts

Jane Eyre is one of those grand novels, that if you've read and compared to Wuthering Heights, you probably came to a definite conclusion about which Bronte novel you liked better.  I was always a Jane Eyre fan, although I'll admit to really wishing Jane would have given Rochester a good kick in the shins through many scenes in the novel.  Wuthering Heights always disturbed me, with Heathcliff and Catherine's cruelty to one another, all in the name of love.  Ironically, Jane and Rochester also have a pretty cruel fated relationship.  Both are fairly complex characters, with troubled pasts and emotional baggage to pack around.  To this we add the complexity of class distinction and gender difference.  Therein we get the recipe for an angsty, Gothic/Romantic novel that we continue to read, film, and discuss.

This newest Focus Feature filming of Jane Eyre is well done.  My emotions ran the gamut, and I can say that I was pretty invested in the characters and their story.  The opening sequence starts with the scene in the novel where Jane has run away from Rochester and Thornfield Hall.  From there, the film is a set of flashbacks from her life, including her troubled upbringing, her time in the girl's school, and her time at Thornfield Hall.  As with some of the other film versions of the novel, this Jane is plain, but very pretty in her plainness.  Rochester seems, at least in my opinion, to be the wild card. He can either be slightly mad and scary looking, or you can go for the ruggedly handsome, leading man type.  In this case, he seemed a bit of both.

Let me be frank in saying that I've always thought that Rochester was a bit of a jerk.  In some sick, sadistic way, I found that jerk side of him made his eventual romantic side that much more charming and romantic.  You know, the bad guy the girl turned good, or the rich guy who hooks up with the poor chick?  It's all very Cinderella story, but in this case, Rochester isn't exactly a "Prince Charming".    Here's what I found interesting.  In the novel, Rochester seems to do a series of things to Jane that reveal that he gets that she's lower status, poor, and lacks opportunities afforded to him.  How do we know?  He makes rude comments to her.  He seems to lord his money over her.  He makes snide remarks about Adele and her mother.  He gets to know Jane a little, only to drag a woman he is supposed to be courting into the picture and into her very face.  He ignores her.  He commands her.  He dominates her.  He pleads with her.  He taunts her.  You get the picture.  Yes, he's wounded, and yes you get that he falls for Jane.  What I couldn't quite grip was the gentle touch they gave to the film's Rochester.  Were they trying to not annoy a modern audience?  Would we see Rochester's brusqueness as the exact opposite of romantic love and not care to see Jane with him?  I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but it was interesting to consider.

This version has a real movie feel to it, with the blending of beautiful sets, scenery, and music.  The acting is very good, with little deviation from the novel, aside from some of the order in which they tell it, scenes they chose to condense or leave out, and some pretty sexy kissing going on.  Overall, it was an excellent film and one that I will definitely add to my collection! 

If you've seen Jane Eyre, what were your thoughts? 

Royal Films for a Royal Wedding

Buckingham Palace Balcony, copyright iStock Photo

 This coming week is the royal wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton.  Although I was a young girl when Prince Charles and Lady Diana married, I still remember the mania that surrounded their wedding, the broadcast on TV, and that amazing dress that they crushed inside that carriage.  If we all wanted a view of a real-life fairy tale, well we got it with that wedding!

Here we are some thirty years later, ready to watch Charles and Diana's handsome son get married, and I'd like to disagree with all the new reports I've been hearing and say that yes, we Yanks are seriously excited about the wedding!  Okay, so I haven't heard many folks at work talking about the wedding, but we've been too busy to chat about it.  I do, however, think that this wedding serves as a splash of positive news that we all so desperately need.  How about we sidestep the mangy Donald Trump running for president and rising gas prices news to focus on something fun for once?!?

In preparation for the big day, I've noticed a lot of "royalty" themed or centered films.  In fact, the new Lifetime film "William and Kate" appeared on cable this past week. Said royal love story knock off film was dubbed as "pond scum" by one British reviewer on CNN, while another on ABC called it "wooden, at best."  (Check out this funny news spot "Bad Royal Movies" from ABC News.)  Yes, I watched it and have to agree with the ABC critic that "It's so bad, it's good."  Yes, it's cheesy.  Yes, it's unbelievable. And yes, you'll roll your eyes and wonder how people get away with writing this stuff!  In the end though, I will admit to being thoroughly entertained.  In all it's cheesiness, I say pony up to the cheese bar and enjoy!

Based around true events from the courtship of William and Kate, the film starts at St. Andrew's University in Scotland, where the two met at school while studying art history.  The two were friends there, but soon began seeing one another on the side.  As reported in the news, they had some on and off times, which are also depicted in the film.  Kate used these to her advantage though, and showed William that she could have a life without him, which in turn attracted him to her--you know, the whole "let him chase you" theory.  Well, the rest was/is history.

Honestly, check it out for yourself.  In the spirit of all things royal this week, I liked it and had a cheesy good time with the fairytale!  For more information on the film and show times, check out their "official" site at "William & Kate Movie" .  Here's the preview as well:

Besides this Lifetime dramatization of the courtship for William and Kate, there seems to be a lot of films about or centered on royalty.  Here is a short list of films and television shows I came up with:

The King's Speech

Young Victoria

The Queen

The Tudors

The Other Boelyn Girl

Elizabeth:  The Golden Age

Elizabeth

Victoria and Albert

The Prince and Me

Ever After

This isn't an exhaustive list, obviously, but a short jump off point for royal films and television.  There are other royal films based around royalty of France, Russia, etc. that I could include here.  Also, I really love Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett for its look at cathedral building.  We can say that if the number of films and television shows based around royalty, whether real or fictitious, doesn't prove that we're all still a bit intrigued and in love with the idea of royalty, then I don't know what does.  Royalty is an interesting subject, and for all it's modern complexities, I think we're all a little drawn in by the magic and mystique of it all.

What say you?  Do you have royal wedding mania?