Not MY kind of British Movie, but.....

Still hilarious!

If you were to look up "Dashing" in the dictionary, this is what you'd find

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Colin Firth is the thinking woman's sexiest man alive. Just when I think some other British boy has taken his place atop the pedestal of my affections, he does something lovely and my heart is his again.

Take his speech at this year's Golden Globes for instance:



Oh Colin, I love you even when you're not wearing a waistcoat.

Merry Christmas Ladies....

(Thanks Carren!)

Awesomely Bad Christmas Song O' the Day

Enjoy:

EVERYTHING Sounds Better With an English Accent

Especially HIS English accent:



How adorable is Jude Law?

Those nights in the country must be long....

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow.

4 things.... Maybe 5

1. This was supposed to happen to ME!!!

2. I have only one more week until Spring Break. It's about time. I'm plumb worned out, and I get to go and see some of my favoritest people ever....(Carly and Rachel, start clearing out your drawers now. You know I'm gonna make you do it when I come, ya pack rats!)

3. I have a post in the works about the British Crap I've been watching over the past couple of months. Here's a preview:



He makes that cravat look really good.

4. My upstairs neighbor decided to throw what sounded like a slumber party for 150 10 year old girls WEDNESDAY night. The main party game was apparently "Who can scream the loudest while running up and down the hall and then dropping bowling balls until 1 am." I don't know who the winner was, but I DO know it wasn't me. Oooooor my students the next day.

5. I tried Pioneer Woman's pizza crust recipe this week and it resulted in the most delicious homemade pizza I've ever made/tasted. If you like pizza at all, you should try it.

Well, I can now just up and die of happiness...

Awhile ago I wrote about the wonders of the new BBC television series Robin Hood. I waxed poetic about the fun story lines and cute boys and related the sad news that I do not, in fact, have BBC America, and therefore have to wait until each season is released on dvd.

I thought that would be all I'd have to say on the subject,(on this lil' ole' blog anyway) but I was wrong. Ohhhhhhh how I was wrong.

Because, you see, in series three not only is Richard Armitage



back playing the evil (yet yummy) Guy of Gisborne,

and cutey pie Jonas Armstrong



as the cheeky, yet righteous Robin

but new to the show is,


wait for it.....





My boyfriend Toby Stephens playing Prince John!!!!!!!!!!

And I will love him, even though he wants to kill adorable little Robin Hood.


So let's get this straight. In a British show that I already love, I get to watch



him, and



him, and (be still my beating heart)





him?

As my friend Ricci put it "There could be absolutely no plot and this would still be the best show on TV."

Damn. I'm going to have to get BBC America.

Things You Should Check Out, Volume 4

This beautiful little jewel of a film came out my freshman year in college (1992) but for some unfathomable reason, wasn't released on dvd in the U.S. until last week. I have personally been waiting for this film since I converted my movie collection to dvd a few years ago.

If you don't know what this movie's about, I can sum it up with one word: Love. Love of self, love of others, love of those who are difficult to love, love of nature, love of strangers.

It's the story of four British women who, for individual reasons decide to share a vacation at an Italian castle for the month of April. At first they struggle with themselves and each other, but because one is willing to love unconditionally the castle becomes a home, a "bucket of love". These women are transformed because they step outside themselves and choose to be different than they've always been.

My favorite moment is when Lottie (played by the magical Josie Lawrence) makes the realization that the problems in her marriage were not solely the responsibility of her cold and distant husband. She decides that instead of loving him in the manner he has loved her (not very well), she will love him with her whole heart. What a powerful message.

I also love that these women were miserable and instead of wallowing in it, chose to step outside of their comfort zone and make a difference in their lives. It makes me want to do the same (and a month in an Italian castle wouldn't hurt, you know?)

Finally, it's beautiful. A feast for the eyes.

Of course, this is a woman's movie (I refuse to call it a chick flick. It's too special for that), a period piece, and British. If those things aren't your cup o' tea, I understand, but I'd hate for you to miss it.

4 Things, Maybe 5

1. Quantum of Solace was only ok. But Daniel Craig did things for polo shirts that I thought impossible.



2. Bronx Mowgli Wentz? Really?! Did they lose a bet or something?

3. This week was American Education Week, and a teacher at my school always gives the kids an assignment to choose a teacher to write a thank you card for. I got about 6 this year, and they were really sweet. One in particular said that I was the most inspirational teacher she'd ever had. It made me cry and feel all warm and tingly inside. It's nice to know you make an impact.

4. I'm through fighting it. I'll go and see Twilight. I'm sure it will benefit from abridgement. I think I can handle two hours of on screen teenage angst. I deal with the three dimensional version every day.



(Robert Pattison and his handsome hair don't hurt the cause. Of course, in my heart he'll always be Cedric Diggory.)


5. I realized that I haven't mentioned my boyfriend Toby for awhile. Hey everyone, I love Toby Stephens!

Things you should check out, volume 1

I know I've used my blog in the past to plug things I enjoy, but I've decided to make it a regular feature...

Today's plug is the BBC television series Robin Hood.




I want to start off by telling you that I know that it is historically inaccurate and a bit cheesy. This isn't a show that I'd call particularly smart, but it is clever and funny. It's totally aware of its place in the universe and is just plain entertaining.

We all know the story of Robin Hood, and this series bets on that, using all that we know in order to stray from historical accuracies in favor of fun and modern sensibilities.

Jonas Armstrong:



Is a cheeky and adorable Robin, and I love his hoodie. Yes. Hoodie. This aint your mama's cape wearin' Robin Hood, people.




One of my all time favorite British actors (and the groom in the "It Should've Been Me" video seen previously on this blog) Richard Armitage plays the brooding and complex Guy of Gisborne.



I know. It's a lot of black leather. And some guyliner. But, even though he's a baddie, and trust me he is BAAAAAAAAAAD, he's complex. You can see why Marian is kind of drawn to him even if she is in love with Robin.

Also enjoyable are his interactions with the deliciously evil and campy Sheriff of Nottingham played by Keith Allen.



Allen has said he plays the sheriff as if he has a crush on Robin, and I must say, it shows. I love this sheriff, he's so deliciously evil.

So, I highly recommend you check out Robin Hood on BBC America or on dvd. You'll be glad you did.

I relate to this more than I'd like to admit

(From the Vicar of Dibley 2006 Christmas special)

Let me build a bridge...

When I went to college I had the great blessing of finding friends that were the perfect fit. One friend in particular, Melissa, and I were about as much alike as two girls who grew up on opposite sides of the country could be. The most amazing thing was the similarities between our music collections. We had MANY of the same albums, and when one of us hadn't heard of something the other one owned we ended up loving it (with the exception of Blind Melon editor's note: It has been brought to my attention that my memory decieves me. It was Molly, not Melissa that liked Blind Melon. However, I do know that we disagreed about some band/artist. Maybe it was Bryan Adams. and ABBA. I couldn't stand the former, it took a while for Melissa to warm up to the latter.)We both loved Crowded House, a band most people are mostly meh about, and discovered that both of us had rollerskated in the driveway to the Xanadu soundtrack as 10 year olds. One of the FIRST things we bonded about was our mutual love of Sting. We loved him with a pure and total love. We were so passionate about him that if the rest of our friends and roommates had originally held only lukewarm feelings for Sting, we soon indoctrinated them.



Our favorite song was "Fortress Around Your Heart" and as Melissa owned a videotape of Sting's videos we not only listened to the song repeatedly, but also watched the video so often that we had every action memorized, including his repeated fist punch indicating the beginning of the chorus, the swoon worthy arching of his brow, his intense gaze, and the subtle, yet wholly sexy licking of his lips. It got so that no matter what we were doing, when we heard a particular part of the chorus each of us would punch a fist in the air and go about our business. At first it was a joke, but eventually we started doing so unconsiously.

In the past few years I haven't listened to much Sting, but after my amazing experience at The Police concert last month I got out my old Sting and Police cd's and loaded them on my Ipod. "Fortress Around Your Heart" is still my favorite, although "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" runs a close second.

This morning I took my sister-in-law Emily to the airport in my jammies. I was really tired, and didn't even really pay attention to what music was playing when suddenly my fist flew up, punching the air on its own accord. I quickly focused on the music to find "Fortress Around Your Heart" playing on my Ipod.

Some things just stay with you.

I had a dream. . .

High School Dream #1: See The Police in concert.

Really. This was the number one, seemingly impossible dream. My friends and I talked about it, included it in our yearbook messages to one another, and never believed it would ever happen.

You see, The Police broke up when we were way too young to have seen them.



Their last album Syncronicity came out when I was in the 3rd grade, and although I was aware of it (my sister owned the lp), I was too in love with Billy Joel and Kenny Rogers to be a fan. Also, their lyrics and videos confused and frightened me. It wasn't until years later, in high school that I realized the brilliance of their music and the absolute gorgeousness of Sting. By the time I'd begun my love affair, they'd been broken up for about six years.

And they didn't just break up, they hated each other. It got so bad at the end that Stewart Copeland set up his drum kit so that he couldn't see Sting while they performed, and once Sting performed an entire show with a broken collarbone from a brawl backstage.

So, even though we wanted it to happen more than anything, it was like dreaming about seeing the Beatles in concert. A nice wish, but nothing more.

Thanks to the members actually surviving into middle age without overdosing or losing their sanity, calmer tempers, the offer of obscene amounts of money, and nostalgia, The Police reunited at went on tour last year.

Helen and I decided to go see them here in Vegas a few months ago when she was in town with her baby and husband, and we've been looking forward to it ever since. The knowledge that I would be seeing The Police in concert got me through the last couple of VERY tough months, and I put it on my four page to-do list so that I had at least one happy item to check off.

Sadly, the Sunday before the concert Helen's little girl got sick and she had to cancel her trip. I called my friend Jill who was only too happy to buy Helen's ticket and drive to Vegas. You see she had Ohmygoodnessitismayandicannotworkthisfridayitis. A pretty bad case of it, actually. It's a known fact that a quick trip out of town is the only known cure, so she was relieved that I happened to have an extra ticket.

So, how was it, you may ask? Did the concert live up to my impossibly high expectations?



It actually did! It was AMAZING. Sting, Stewart, and Andy were brilliant, incredibly talented and looked like they were having a lot of fun on stage. Every song was wonderful, but "Wrapped Around Your Finger" was particularly fantastic, with Stewart Copeland kicking tail and taking names on two sets of percussion instruments. The encore consisted of "Roxanne" "Every Breath You Take" and a rendition of "So Lonely" that nearly blew the roof off the place. Have I mentioned that this whole experience was AMAZING!?!

In addition, Elvis Costello opened. Yes. Elvis Costello. Can you believe it? I couldn't either. He was really funny, sounded great, and when he sang "Alison" Sting came out and sang it with him. I just about died of happiness. I've been to a lot of concerts, and that song was one of my favorite live music moments ever.

Over the past couple of years I haven't listened to much of The Police or even Sting. I thought I might be over my love for them, thinking that maybe I'd been wrong about how good they were, how much this music moved me.

I was WRONG. The Police are legen (wait for it) dary for a reason. They outperform nearly everyone I've ever seen, and their music is still as complex and fun as ever. Then there's the Stingerhoffer himself. He is still INCREDIBLY sexy, fabulously talented, and when he performed his signature leap, so did my heart.



Boys, why can't I quit you?



Oh yeah. That's why.

*Disclaimer: the video's from the tour, but not my show.

I'm in love and I don't care Who knows it.

Back the in pre-VCR days of Joshua Tree Elementary, whenever the administration wanted to "reward" us for good behavior they'd set up the film projector in the multi purpose room and show us an episode of Star Trek called "The Trouble with Tribbles". If you don't know the premise behind this episode it's about these little fluffy creatures who multiply too quickly soon taking over the Enterprise. It's a commentary on count yourself lucky.


The first time I watched it I thought, "At least we got out of math for this." the 10th or so time I thought, "This is really stupid." and by the 100th or so time I wanted to rip my eyes out and scream, "WHY? WHY MUST YOU TORTURE ME WITH THIS?!?" To sum up, I hate Star Trek. In ALL it's incarnations.

In fact, I have pretty much hated the entire genre of science fiction with the exception of Star Wars, which let's face it, is required watching for anyone of my generation.

Then came Buffy.


First of all, It's not really science fiction, it's fantasy (don't EVEN get me started on fantasy). Secondly, was easily the smartest thing on TV. Because of my own prejudices, I never watched it while it was actually on. In fact, I mocked my sister for years for watching a "teeny bopper vampire show". Then she made me borrow seasons one and two. I found that it wasn't a silly vampire show at all; it was funny, clever, and deep. It made me think and laugh and nearly every episode made a commentary about our own society without being preachy or heavy handed. Oh how I loved it (still do).

And there's Spike


The sexiest comic relief of all time.

I spent an entire summer watching episode after episode, and now I own all seven seasons. Still, I thought that Buffy was just a blip on my otherwise Sci-Fi/Fantasy free life.

Then came him:


I called him The Doctor. So did every Science Fiction geek in Great Britian. "Doctor who?" You might ask. Yes. Doctor Who.

My brother came over to my apartment this week and stared in horror at the series three dvds I'd checked out from the library. Then he looked at me and said, "You're NOT watching Doctor Who are you?" Why this reaction? Because Doctor Who is the show for the geekiest Sci-Fi geeks in the English speaking world. And here I was, on series THREE!

I can understand his reaction. You see,the first Doctor Who that was on tv in Britain from 1963-1989 was famously low budget and campy.

Now

it's big budget and campy. I love it. What can I say? It's British.

What originally won me over was Christopher Eccelson, AKA Doctor #9. He is both dark and silly, brooding and childlike. He wears a black leather jacket and makes me swoon a little.

Then he died saving the life of Rose (a fabulous, kick butt, smart woman who only needed to be saved 'cause she was trying to save the world herself, thankyouverymuch.), but regenerated into:



This foxy gentleman.

At first I was disappointed. But I've grown to love David Tennant as Doctor #10 in his natty three piece suit and sneakers. I love his snappy comebacks and wicked, foxy little smile.

I love Doctor Who. I've become one of THOSE geeks.

So I'm off to write that hit song, "Alone In My Principles."

I've never been a big fan of James Bond. The dialogue is corny and overpopulated with double entendres, and the action pretty unbelievable and silly. Then there's the man himself. He's sexist, smirky, a bit too smooth, and a slut. All of these things make me want to haul off and smack him. He's British, so you think that'd soften the blow for me, but alas, it never did.

Until now. . .



I wish I could say that it doesn't matter who plays James Bond. That I have integrity and unbendable principles. I don't like the way women are portrayed in these films (or men either, for that matter. Did you see that torture scene in Casino Royale? Ouch!), or the glorification of indiscriminate sex, or the overabundance of violence. That should be enough. . .

But...




And I don't even like blondes.

A Dying Breed...

I was watching the Today Show, well, today,(Clever title, they've got there, init?) and they had a little story about the fact that natural redheads will be extinct in 100 years. There's a guy who is so upset about this that he's set up a website to stop this from happening.



The idea of red heads becoming extinct has me depressed. Of course, my natural color is not as red as the current shade I'm sporting, but this saddens me. WHY?? Because I loves me some red headed men. I know, I know. Most of you are saying "WHAT?!?!?" because you've all been brainwashed into believing that all red headed men look like this:



Or This:



But let me chime in on this one for a little bit. I went to college believing this lie. Then came HIM. I don't know HIS name, I never have actually spoken to HIM, but I will tell you that I could describe to you every single inch of HIS BEAUTIFUL face. HE was the most gorgeous creature I had ever lain eyes on, and he had red hair. He was a fellow student at BYU, and because the stars were aligned, or because I needed to rethink my stance on red-headed boys (developed because of the aforementioned and a boy in my ward growing up who was a HUGE dork and thought everyone picked on him because he had red hair. . . FYI, P.W., we picked on you 'cause you were a whiny weenie who couldn't take a joke, but if you need to blame it on your red hair, be my guest), I somehow managed to see him on campus nearly every day for the first two years of college. We never had any classes together, had no friends in common, and I never discovered his name, but I loved him with a love as pure and true as it is possible to feel for a person you've never actually spoken two words (or even one) to.

At first, I thought it was an abberation, but I've realized that, yes, there are some uggos out there with red hair, but when a red headed man is hot, he's hotter than any other. You can disagree with me, you can laugh, but you can't change my mind on this one. Nope. Nuh Uh. Don't even try.

And in case you need some convincing, there's always my boyfriend Toby Stephens:



OR.... Delicious Damien Lewis:



Mmmmmmm. Let's look at that again, shall we?





Soooooooo.... if you know of any hunky red headed men, I don't mind if you turn up your nose. . . just send 'em my way.

Northanger Abbey

Jane Austen season on Masterpiece Theatre continued this Sunday with Northanger Abbey and I REALLY liked it. I think this is partially because it's my least favorite book by Jane and largely because it was screen written by Andrew Davies. If you don't know who he is, shame on you!! He is the wonderful human being who wrote the 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy.
(in case you need a reference: )



Felicity Jones was darling as Catherine, and J. J. Field was charming and lovely as Henry Tilney. So, two thumbs up.

Am I Persuaded?

Last night was the kick off of the new Masterpiece Theatre series "The Complete Jane Austen". From now until April PBS will be showing a film or miniseries for each of the six novels of Miss Austen. If you know me at all, you know that I am SO EXCITED I CAN HARDLY STAND IT!! My love for Jane knows no bounds and I've been looking forward to this. That being said, it goes without saying (but here I am saying it) I sat down last night wanting to love the new version of Persuasion.

The question is, did I love it? No. I liked it very much, and I love me some Rupert Penry-Jones (see exhibit A, below). As Captain Wentworth he's charming and dashing in a quiet and smoldering kind of way. I don't usually love blondes, but he's YUMMMMMMMMY, and I thought he did an admirable (wink wink. . .'cause he's in the NAVY, get it?) job, especially considering the very large boots he has to fill. I will still think of Ciaran Hinds (see exhibit B, below) from the 1995 film as THE Captain Wentworth, much in the way that Colin Firth will always be the Mr. Darcy of my heart, but I did like him.

Exhibit A:


Exhibit B:


Like Ciaran Hinds, Amanda Root who played Anne in the earlier film created an unforgettable and multilayered character. To try to step into that bonnet and corset is nearly impossible. That being said, I think that Sally Hawkins was a believably fragile Anne, barely hanging on emotionally when confronted with the lost love of her life. I understood her pain, and she made me cry along with her when she gazed right into the camera, tears streaming down her face, believing all hope is lost.

Amanda:


Sally:


Here's my problem. . . For some reason, the screenwriter chose to have Anne running like a maniac for many scenes, including the pivotal engagement scene in Bath. After running for what seems to be 20 minutes straight, she finds Captain Wentworth, accepts his proposal, and then KISSES HIM IN FULL VIEW OF EVERYONE ON A VERY BUSY STREET. I know that this seems very reasonable to those of you who don't visit the Republic of Pemberly on a regular basis, but... Jane Austen's heroines don't forget their manners, they don't gallop through the streets of Bath like lunatics, and they most certainly don't make out with men on the street in front of passers-by! I know that this is a Persuasion for modern audiences, but it's also MASTERPIECE THEATRE for heaven's sake. This film wasn't made for general audiences. It doesn't have Keira Knightly in the lead (so there's very little chance my brother will be caught dead watching!). It was made for Masterpiece Theatre watchers: we're purists, we understand the way these things are supposed to work!

Ok, rant over. I don't think I'll care as much if they mess up parts of Northanger Abbey or Mansfield Park, but don't mess with my Persuasion!