Category Archives: Movies

There’s something about Darcy.

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Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813. Nearly 200 years later, the novel’s romantic lead, Mr. Darcy, still has an effect on women. Be it the novel or the movies..there’s something about Darcy.

I am an avid reader of historical romances and an avid viewer of period piece movies. I’ve seen just about every version made of this Jane Austen classic, and found each one to be enjoyable in its own unique way. Of all of the adaptations my absolute favorite has to be the 2005 version with Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen. Yes, there were some things about this movie that were historically inaccurate or not faithful to the book, but I am completely in love with it. I adore Matthew Macfadyen’s portrayal of Darcy. Many would gasp with the thought of me going against the crowd favorite – Colin Firth. For years I loved him as Darcy, but there is something about the way Matthew plays the character – moodier, shyer, subtler, and more tormented than his predecessor.

So who played the strong-headed Mr. Darcy best? Well, it depends on the woman answering the question. Either way, Mr. Darcy is always in our hearts and sometimes, as seen here, on our clothing.

I found Brookish’s Etsy Shop randomly and fell in love with their products immediately. I hope to order the Mr. Darcy Proposal Tote Bag and the Captain Wentworth Scarf with a lovely piece taken from Captain Wentworth’s passionate letter to Anne Elliot (from Persuasion). They are lovely reminders of an author I hold dear.

Please note: This isn’t a paid advertisement. I just love their stuff! Click on the pictures to go directly to the etsy shop.

Etsy Love: Totoro

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My Neighbor Totoro is an anime film by Hayao Miyazaki. You might have heard or seen of some of his movies: Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Porco Rosso {which I did this post on}. My Neighbor Totoro happens to be one of K and my favorite anime films. The film follows the two young daughters of a professor and their interactions with friendly wood spirits in postwar rural Japan.

1. Totoro Stare Studio Ghibli Inspired Print {I must have this!}
2. Totoro Coin Leatherette bag
3. Hand Paint Wood Box
4. iPad MacBook laptop decal
5. Doll key chain
6. Felt iPad Sleeve

Completed: #94. Watch 5 foreign films (1/5)

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94. Watch 5 foreign films (1/5)

As of today Monday, November 7th my husband and I started a month long experiment to go without television.  Once we challenged ourselves with the meat-free month we were smitten with seeing what our next challenge would be.  What does this have to do with watching a foreign film?  Well, this weekend we made sure to pack in as much television and movies as we could.  We cleared out our DVR and watched whatever Netflix had come in.  The Orphanage was one of those movies.

The Oraphanage revolves around Laura who returns to the dilapidated orphanage where she grew up, accompanied by her husband, Carlos and their seven-year-old adopted son, Simón.  Her plan is to reopen the orphanage as a facility for disabled children. Once there, Simón claims to see a boy named Tomás, whom he befriends.  During a children’s party at the orphanage, Laura and Simón argue, and Simón hides from her. While searching for him, Laura is confronted by a boy in a sack mask with the name “Tomás” embroidered onto his shirt. The boy traps her in a bathroom, and when she escapes she finds that Simón is missing.  The rest of the film revolves around Laura figuring out the mystery of who Tomás is and where her son Simón has disappeared to.

I am a very big fan of films that Guillermo Del Toro is involved in and this one did not disappoint.  It has been a while since we have seen a stylish, creepy ghost story that has kept us on our toes.  I found that the acting, story, score and pacing were beyond perfect.  If you are looking for something a bit different than the usual slash and gore do try this movie.  I know you won’t be disappointed.

IMDB TOP 250 Movies:# 28. North by Northwest (1959)

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This is another list that I have not even thought about in months – IMDB TOP 250 Movies. Due to the wedding we didn’t really have much time to watch as movies as we would have liked. So I decided to go over the list again and see what Netflix had on their “Watch Instantly” and add a couple to my Queue. The first movie I got was North by Northwest.

North by Northwest is a classic from director Alfred Hitchcock. It stars Cary Grant as an advertising executive who looks a little too much like someone else and is forced to go on the lam (I love that saying!).

I did enjoy this movie just like I have for most the films by Alfred Hitchcock (like here, here and here). I don’t know why, but I am always drawn to seeing his movies before anything else on the list.

Favorite Quote: “Now you listen to me, I’m an advertising man, not a red herring. I’ve got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-wives and several bartenders that depend upon me, and I don’t intend to disappoint them all by getting myself “slightly” killed.”

Chloe

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Suspecting her husband, David, of infidelity, doctor Catherine hires sexy escort Chloe to seduce him and test his faithfulness. But as Catherine checks in on Chloe’s encounters with David, Chloe’s reports become increasingly lurid. Soon, the relationships between all three intensify in unexpected ways.

This is director Atom Egoyan’s interpretation of the French movie Nathalie.  It is an intimate, thrilling story of a wife who feels invisible to her husband and the consequences of her actions.  Julianne Moore, is utterly convincing as a beautiful professional woman who is insecure about her relationship with her husband Liam Neeson.  She suspects he is an adulterer, and sequesters the help of Amanda Seyfried who is the escort hired to test the husband’s loyalty.

I love the way the director shot the movie.  You could feel Catherine’s thoughts by the brief images of things going on around her and how Julianne Moore acted. Some images were  so well selected that you feel you know exactly what she is thinking and feeling. The last  shot of the back of her head at the very end speaks volumes. This is real cinema. It is a real story with feelings.  It was dark,  intelligent and well acted.  The only downside to the movie was the ending.  It was too predictable.

95. Watch 10 movies my fiancé wants to watch that I would never be interested in (8/10)

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# 95. Watch 10 movies my fiancé wants to watch that I would never be interested in (8/10)

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Modern and mythical worlds collide in this fantasy-adventure. Percy Jackson is no ordinary teenager. He’s the son of Poseidon and is accused of stealing Zeus’ ­lightning bolt. The story is of Percy adventures as he embarks on an incredible cross-country journey to prove his innocence, recover the bolt and prevent a war amongst the gods.

Having no expectations for the movie, I went in not knowing for sure what to expect. First off I have to admit that the cast was pretty good – Pierce Brosnan, Uma Thurman, Rosario Dawson, Sean Bean and Catherine Keener. Secondly, the story wasn’t that bad either. Well at least for me. I have not read any of the books, so I can’t speak for those who have.

I loved the mythology that was tied in and the film displays it wonderfully. The special effects were pretty good and the story was pretty fast paced. All and all it was a good movie choice on K’s part. It was definitely worth my time and was a highly enjoyable movie.

When in Rome.

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On Wednesday night I took some time away from wedding planning. I was so overwhelmed with the whole days activities so I took two hours to relax and just get over the day. I slipped into bed and cuddled up to watch When in Rome with a very large glass of wine.

When in Rome tells the story of a women named Beth who is a junior curator at the Guggenheim Museum (amazing job). While visiting Rome for her younger sister’s wedding, Beth realizes that she may never actually settle down because no man has ever been more important to her then her job. So, in a moment of drunken despair, she visits the Fountain of Love and removes several coins from the fountain’s water. Legend has it that if you take a coin from the fountain that said person will fall head over heals in love with you. This brings five guys (Will Arnett, Jon Heder, Dax Shepard, Danny Devito, and Josh Duhamel) into her life – all of whom have fallen madly in love with her. Of course wackiness ensues. Beth then has to figure out a way to break the spell and see if the man she loves actually loves her or if it is just part of the spell. Confused yet?

I don’t know if it was because of the way I was feeling on the particular day that I was watching it, but I loved this movie. When I needed to laugh the most this movie delivered. I won’t say that it is a masterpiece of a movie, but it was cute, funny, and a light diversion just when I needed it most. So if you are having one of those days go grab a glass of wine and pop in this movie. Hopefully it will lift your spirits too.