Month: March 2019

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Series Review – Anna Karenina (2013)

SUMMARY

Though the source novel is long and much more complex, most adaptations, focus on the character of Anna Karenina herself. Anna is married to the much older Count Karenin. She is content in her marriage until she meets the dashing bachelor and ladies man Count Vronsky. He is immediately smitten, but for the sake of her young son and her standing in society, Anna resists his overtures.

However, Vronsky’s attentions in the face of her husband’s neglect encourage Anna to believe that she is in love with Vronsky. Defying convention, the two run away together. Though they are very much in love, their romance comes at great cost to Anna. Not only is she isolated from her beloved son, but she is also shunned by most of society. The disparity in society’s reactions reveals their hypocrisy. Doors are closed to her but Vronsky meets less judgment and resistance. Anna becomes more and more desperate to hold on to Vronsky. Her doubt and jealousy drives a wedge in their relationship.

Unlike other adaptations, this version also includes the parallel story line of Konstantin Levin and Anna’s family friend Princess Kitty. Levin is in love with Kitty, but she has eyes for Vronsky and refuses his marriage proposal. Heartbroken he returns to his country estate and Kitty travels abroad. Kitty eventually matures and accepts Levin’s second proposal. But her prior rejection creates a wall between them in their marriage. Kitty learns to love her new husband, but he is wary of being too vulnerable with her.

These two couples navigate the complexities of their relationships and provide a opposing portraits of passion and love.

For the full review, please follow me over to The Silver Petticoat Review.

 

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Top Ten Tuesday – Books Featuring Musicians

Today’s Topic: Audio Freebie (Any audio goes: audiobooks, music, podcasts, you name it.)

Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl

Well, I almost didn’t participate in this week’s Top Ten post. I’ve only listened to one audiobook and never listed to podcasts. So, I was stumped. But then I decided to think outside the box a bit. Since music is an audial experience, I thought it would be fun to list books that feature musicians; those who sing and those who play.

The characters in these books are not all necessarily professional or career  musicians. Some just have a personal passion for it. So without further ado…

Rose in Three-Quarter Time – This one has been on a lot of my lists lately, mainly because it is so good. But this time it is because both of the main characters are musicians. Oliver is now a conductor and Rose is a violinist with an orchestra in Vienna.

Love’s Reckoning – Silas Ballantyne may be a blacksmith’s apprentice, but his true passion is the family violin which he has brought with him from Scotland.

Infinity + One – Bonnie Rae Shelby is a famous singer in hiding who finds herself on a cross-country road trip with a stranger.

The Whys Have It – A tragic accident brings together the orphaned Samantha with pop superstar Cory Minor.

Then There Was You – This delightful rom-com set in Australia has a male protagonist who is not only the son of internationally known pastors, but also the lead in their very popular touring worship band.

Nocturne for a Widow – What happens when a sassy actress butts head’s with her dead husband’s arrogant son who is running from his past as an acclaimed violinist? Sparks, that’s what. I love this gothic-lite/comedy mashup set in the Hudson River Valley area.

The Butterfly and the Violin – This heartbreaking, well-written time-slip novel features a talented Jewish violinist who finds herself alleviating the tragedy of her interment in Auschwitz.

A Light in the Darkness – One of my favorite YA stories. I just love the main characters Tish and Sebastian so much. Tish is the sole female in a male rock band and Sebastian is the tortured newcomer.

One Night With a Rockstar – This modern re-telling of the biblical story of Esther is one of my favorites.

All She Wanted – Charlie is a pianist with a scholarship to a prestigious music school.

What are some books featuring musicians that you would recommend?

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Classic Film Review – Operation Mad Ball (1957)

Don’t you love it when you take a chance on a movie you’ve never heard of and end up loving it? Such is the case for me with Operation Mad Ball.

SUMMARY

WWII may be over, but there is a group of men still stationed at an American medical base in France. Among these are Captain Lock (Ernie Kovacs) and his nemesis Private Hogan (Jack Lemmon). Lock is a by the book sort of Captain who is unpopular with the other enlisted men. Pvt. Hogan, however, is a man with a glib tongue and quick mind. He is well-liked by his fellow soldiers, especially for his attempts to make life more fun on the base.

Also stationed on base is a group of female nurses, many of whom are officers. When a fellow private falls for a nurse, Hogan uses it as an excuse to play Cupid, by planning a ball. However, this is easier said than done. The machinations the men go through to secretly secure the site and the resources rivals a legitimate complex military mission. This is complicated when the base’s commanding officer Colonel Rousch (Arthur O’Connell) starts planning his own party for the same night. Hogan also needs to continually keep one step of Lock who is determined to finally catch him breaking Army regulations. Continue reading “Classic Film Review – Operation Mad Ball (1957)”

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Top Ten Tuesday -Books On My Spring 2019 TBR

Today’s Topic: Books On My Spring 2019 TBR

Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl

I love the host of new books which get released each spring. There are so many great new titles this time of year that my TBR pile just gets bigger. Some of these on this week’s list are new releases which I haven’t read just yet. Others will be releasing later this spring. Either way, I’m very excited about the books on this list. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday -Books On My Spring 2019 TBR”

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Series Review – Vanity Fair (2018)

Vanity Fair is arguably the crowning achievement of British author William Makepeace Thackeray. In it, he created perhaps the greatest anti-heroine in English literature, Becky Sharp. The name of the novel is an allusion to a place found in Pilgrim’s Progress where travelers’ find themselves lured in by a fascination of material things. It can also be read as a satire on English society of that time. Thackeray’s masterpiece has been adapted for both the big and small screen many times. But despite having seen two film versions, it is iTV’s recent adaptation which finally introduced me to the brilliance of Vanity Fair.

SYNOPSIS

Vanity Fair follows the journey of two young ladies from their friendship at school, through  a decade of their lives.

Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley cannot be more different. Becky is orphaned and without fortune, but uses her education, charm and beauty to make the most of her paltry connections. Above all she desires financial security and the influence of social position. She has no conscience about how she achieves these things. In her ruthless betterment of self, Becky manipulates various members of the Crawley family, Amelia’s brother Jos and eventually the Marquis de Steyne. Though she eventually obtains her objectives, it comes at a higher price than she expects.

In contrast, Amelia is sweet-natured but passive and completely naïve to the true natures of those she loves best. Unlike Becky, her only real wish is to settle down with her fiancé George Osborn to a life of happy domesticity. William Dobbin an army captain and friend to George secretly assists her in gaining her heart’s desire. Like Becky, Amelia eventually realizes her dream, but it also comes at a high cost.

As these women navigate ambition, romance, war and disappointment they must eventually face the truth and consequences of their choices. They must also decide if they are willing to change.

For the full review, please follow me over to The Silver Petticoat Review.

 

 

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February 2019 Quickie Film Reviews

February didn’t prove to be a very productive month for me in watching films and series. Of course it is a short month and I was busier than usual, so I’m cutting myself some slack.

I finished fourteen films and two series in February, that includes a mix of classic and contemporary entertainment. I revisited some old favorites (Gone With the Wind, My Fair Lady and The Quiet Man), and watched some creative Shakespeare adaptations.

Cheers For Miss Bishop Photo Source: TCM.com

My favorite discoveries this month are the sweet classic Cheers for Miss Bishop and the extremely cute Netflix film To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Continue reading “February 2019 Quickie Film Reviews”

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Top Ten Tuesday – Book Characters I’d Like To Switch Places With

Today’s Topic: Characters I’d Like To Switch Places With

Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl

What a fun prompt this is. It has really made me think differently about familiar and well-loved books. The great thing about a good book is that it takes you out of your own life and allows you to live vicariously through the lives of its’ characters.

Regular readers know that I adore historical fiction. However, when it came time to make this week’s list, there’s something I realized. As much as I enjoy reading about history, I don’t know that I would want to live it. That is why many of the ladies I chose for this list come from contemporary stories. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – Book Characters I’d Like To Switch Places With”

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Fay Wray and Robert Riskin Blogathon – Platinum Blonde (1931)

ABOUT ROBERT RISKIN

Hollywood isn’t often noted for its’ successful marriages. However, writer Robert Riskin and actress Fay Wray were one of the exceptions. The two were married for thirteen years until his death parted them.

Their daughter is publishing the book  Fay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Affair.  I am participating in The Fay Wray and Robert Riskin Blogathon honoring these two Hollywood stars and the book hosted by Aurora of Once Upon a Screen and AnnMarie at Classic Movie Hub.

One of the things I am always bemoaning about our modern films is the lackluster, disappointing dialogue. Classic films were full of snappy one liners, rapid fire conversations full of double entendres and attraction disguised as insults. They were witty and smart, but could also be cutting and sharp. It is rare to run across this verbal brilliance in new releases. Which is why I wanted to focus on Robert Riskin for the sake of this blogathon. Continue reading “Fay Wray and Robert Riskin Blogathon – Platinum Blonde (1931)”