Books I've been reading lately

Between the one's I've been doing for review,  I've been doing a book club.

So far, we've had two selections

1. Jane Slayre  (April 's book of the month)
2. Eat Pray Love (June's book of the month)

With summer, we've sort of slowed down.  Hoping that things will pick up soon though.

I've also read for just myself  Bergdorf Blondes 


I will have reviews on these in the next few days.  The book club is still in the middle of Eat Pray Love     You can find us on Facebook too

Motherhood : movie

Right off you are thinking what does this have to do with anything?

It's a version of Mrs. Dalloway.

For anyone who has not read Mrs. Dalloway, it is about a woman who's life is examined in the course of one day. The end of the day being a grand party she's throwing, and how she views herself in the course of the day.

The movie Motherhood is about a woman who is planning this party for her daughter's 6th birthday, and how her life is

examined in the course of that day leading up to the party.

The husband, the best friend, the society she has to deal with; all which make her doubt herself and her place in life.

Now, I love this idea. Loved it when they did the film The Hours (also based on Mrs Dalloway)

and am loving it in this modern telling.

With the internet, our lives are processed down to one day at a time, and our lives spilled forth sometimes in full for others to view in short areas of time. This movie uses the blog as a way for the lead to examine her own life in less then perfect snips. And we the viewers, are treated to her in every shade of what at first appears to be the beginning of a meltdown but in fact is a celebration.

March 23 2010

I got another book in the mail the other day. Read Remember Recommend by Rachelle Rogers Knight. Which I will be reviewing next week.

Yesterday, was my birthday. So mom took me for lunch and while I was out, I wandered into the bookstore and bought myself a copy of Cleaving A Story of Marriage Meat and Obsession by Julie Powell. I am very eager to start reading this one. I adored Julie/Julia. Been reading her blog for awhile now and just love her strength and humour.

This has launched me on a bit of a cooking book addiction. I have a "to buy list" that has about 6 memoirs from Chefs/Food Critics that I hope to have soon.

I'll be doing a Jane Austen post hopefully tomorrow. I just got my hands on a copy of the latest BBC version of Emma and I want a chance to sit down to watch it.

Jane Austen Anyone?

You know, I had fun last year being part of the All Jane challenge that was hosted by Stephenie's Written Word. I know there are a few other bloggers out there doing one of their own right now, and I am sure that there will be more as time goes on.

I'm tossing out the idea to anyone who might be interested, of doing a semi-Jane Austen book club. Not really a challenge, but just comparing notes.

If anyone is interested, just leave me a comment and we'll get a link exchange going.

First book to be talked about is Emma

The Men of Jane Austen Part 3

This is the last part of the final challenge for the All Jane Austen Challenge

I know I have not covered all the men, I have to be honest, this was a challenge that was unrealistic. Which I of course would not admit when I started this one. I am admitting it now.

Does that mean I failed the challenge? Maybe.

Something I have noticed in a general sense with the men in her books, that is the age. The average age of her heroes and villains is around 34.

Almost as if the men over this age are of no interest to her at all. I can in part understand this, as I am one for younger men.

I also noticed there are not alot of father figures in general in her books. The ones that do appear, seem to have little to do with things.

It makes one wonder if Jane Austen found the lives of her male characters as interesting as she seemed to for her female ones?

And why I am about to do something completely odd. I am going to "cast my Austen men". If I was doing a production of a Jane Austen, I would choose these real life men to play her characters This would be my dream cast. Some of these names you will recognize and some will have you scratching your head as to whom they are. ( The names with ** after then are wrestlers. )

Mr. Knightley = Jay Lethal**

Mr. Elton = Randy Orton**

Frank Churchill = Austin Aries**

Colonel Brandon = I have to go with the actor who's played him and stuck in everyone mind Alan Rickman. I know there have been other actors who's played him, but for me there is no other Colonel Brandon.

Mr. Willoughby = Andrew McCarthy.

Mr. Edward Ferrars = Jack Huston

Mr. Robert Ferrars = Jimmy Jacobs**

Edmund Bertram = Jude Law

Tom Bertram = Benicio Del Toro

Mr. Crawford = Alessandro Nivola . Again, I know he played this character already, but for me there is no other Mr. Crawford. No one can live up to his version of it.

Mr. Rushworth = Ryan Reynolds.

William Elliot = Desmond Wolfe**

Captain Frederick Wentworth = Sheamus**

John Thorpe = Steven Mackintosh

Henry Tilney = James Marsters

Mr. Bingley = Chris Sabin**

Mr. Collins = Eric Young**

Mr. Wickham = Kevin Zegers. And yes I know that is a cheat as he already did the movie Jane Austen Book Club playing the character of Trey

Mr. Darcy = Alex Shelley **

I hope I remembered everyone.

So this is the final part to my final challenge. As I said, it was more then I could handle. I'll remember not to be so bold next time.

This has been fun, coming around to peoples blogs over the last 6 months seeing everyones reviews.

In the end you have to ask yourself "What would Jane Do?"

Movies about Books -part 2

Secret Window. Based on the novella by Stephen King, Secret Window Secret Garden.

Is about a writer who is being accused of stealing another writer's work. We are taken through this situation which is only a small part of his downward spiral into madness as we discover his recent divorce.

He's done this in the past, and now has to face this demons.

This being a King story right off makes it a good one, true horror comes from inside not out. Johnny Depp once again pulls you into this world and makes you believe that what you read might not be what you see.

Movies about Books

As I was working on my Jane Austen Challenge, I found myself returning more then once to the Jane Austen Book Club. Which is a movie about books.

And it got me thinking of the movie the Ninth Gate which is also a movie about a book.

In this case, a book written by the devil on how to bring him into flesh.

The movie is also based on a book.

What is it you think that draws us to books? To the idea of the written word? To the need to have them?

Is it the knowledge they hold, or is it the idea of what they might evoke? Wither we are reading a text book on math, a cookbook, a steamy romance or a religious text, books somehow bring out another side of us. And let's us get lost in that particular world for awhile.

The message in the movie Ninth Gate is one of caution. The book that Johnny Depp's character is chasing after is one that unlocks a puzzle to the gods. In turn, it unlocks a part of him that he didn't even know existed. Sometimes, when we go hunting for the answers, the answers are hunting for us.

The Pagan/Witch Challenge

Pagan Girl is hosting her first challenge.

You can find out about it on her blog here

You can read about my challenge choices here

It runs from Yule (Dec 21st 2009) until just before Hallowe'en (Oct 21st 2010)

The Men of Jane Austen Part 2

This is the second part of my final All Jane Austen Challenge

Jane Austen gave her share of bad guys to her novel Emma.

The character of Mr. Elton even out weighs the character of Frank Churchill, who is the "other bad boy" in this story. Mr. Elton is viewed as being in love with one character, then confesses the fact is wrong that he is indeed crazy about Emma, then runs off and marries someone else for their money. His motive like so many of the men in Austen's novels is money.

Her big hero in this story is Mr. Knightley. Whom, as his name suggests is the knight in shining armor not just to Emma, but to Miss. Smith and to Miss Bates. A gentleman who is not only educated, and wealthy but how has a sense of real family values. It's easy to understand why so many state Mr. Knightley as a favourite among Jane Austen's characters.

How do we feel about Mr. Collins?

I did a short post on another blog a year ago on the character traits of Mr. Collins. Once again, this villain has done nothing much more then being stuck up and greedy.

Even Jane Austen's most wicked characters Mr. Wickham, Mr. Willoughby, Captain Frederick Tilney, never seem to cross the line from seducer (wither for simply sex or money) into harsher crimes (rape and murder) giving all a chance for redemption.

Mr. Darcy is seen as the design of man in perfection. But again I ask why?

So many stories over the years have copied the idea behind Darcy for their hero. Making him tall dark and stuffy. A man who practices life while looking down his nose at it. Everyone and they're dog's grandmother has said "but look at what Mr. Darcy does for love" Um what does he do? He ruins his best friend's life for a full year by talking him into running away in the middle of the night because Mr. Darcy disapproves of Jane's station. He then helps to hide the fact Jane is in the same town as Mr. Bingley, further complicating it for them. Then only when he realizes that in order for his own ego to be centered does he mastermind to get them together. Yes he threatens Mr. Wickham into a proper marriage to Lydia, but still only because otherwise his own desires would be shut out. So tell me again why we all love Mr. Darcy?

Part 3 coming soon

Stacey Voss: In Person from Oct 17th 2009

Here is the new episode of my show Creeping Screams! Stacey Voss did a book signing today as part of her tour. I was there with camera in hand, a very shaky hand, and taped it.

The Men of Jane Austen Part 1

This is the last challenge for the All Jane Austen Challenge. I will be the first to admit that I picked lighter challenges at the beginning so that I would have enough time to give to this one. Had I been smart I would have been working on it from the beginning but, I am not that smart.

Even with 3 full months this was a heavy one to handle.

Mr. Darcy Mr. Darcy Mr. Darcy. Everyone loves Mr. Darcy. More spin offs have been written around him then I can count.

Why do we love him so much? That is the question.

Mr. Bingley. I have always felt should have gotten more air time.

I was going to break this down to the heroes and the villains but, was unable to keep from wanting to add Frank Churchill to the heroes when most consider him a villain. So, that idea went out the window. Then I started a list of the men, and well I know I am forgetting a few.

*Mr. Tilney

*Mr. Knightley.

*Colonel Brandon

*Mr. Wentworth

*Mr. Ferrars

See what I mean.

In Jane Austen Book Club, the character of Grigg is a mix of Mr. Knightley and Mr. Bingley. He's loyal, sweet and witty. The traits of most of Austen's men who are more the sidekicks then the center heroes.

As well in JABC, the character of Dean is viewed as a slight take on Edward Ferrars and Capt. Wentworth. Solid, dependable, passionate enough but still not the visible hero.

But what of our Henry Crawford?

In JABC the character of Trey is our token bad boy, (one of as the other "bad boy" in Jane Austen Book Club is a girl) as a full out Henry Crawford.

Few of the Austen villains are borderline nice guys, Mr. Crawford from Mansfield Park is one of them. I know I am going to get alot of reactions to that, but he does fall in love. Yes,

Mr. Crawford falls in love with the wrong woman, but he does indeed fall in love.

Once again, I bring you back to Jane Austen Book Club, and the question that is posed if when you read Austen's novels, you have to wonder if she didn't have a thing for the bad boys?

Which got me wondering, almost all of her heroines fall in love for the first time with a bad boy. Is this a lesson Jane Austen felt all must go through to end up knowing a good thing when they finally found it? Or is there another reason under it all?

Was it to warn women of the pitfalls of lust?

Or was she just wanting a reason for her heroes to be heroic?

Frank Churchill.

Another one of the borderline bad guys. He is an impossible flirt that manages to make everyone believe he is interested in them, while the whole time secretly committed to Miss Fairfax, as well as being a snob. Unlike some of the other Austen bad guys, who's crimes are far worse, his biggest fault is being a grown man with the attitude of a high schooler. I think that is why I like the Clueless version of his character the best.

Part 2 of the Men of Austen coming soon.

A challenge to any men reading my blog

I just posted a challenge on my main blog for any of the men who read it so why not post it here too.

I want to know what men really think of the Jane Austen characters.
Here is the post
and it will be ongoing no deadlines or time limits. A totally open challenge.

And yes I was inspired by my favourite scene from Jane Austen Book Club.

Jane Austen Book Club book vs movie

Another one of my challenges for the All Jane Austen Challenge
this is number 6 on my list.

Comparing the book to the movie with a slight review.

But wait I am adding a twist. The twist is pointing out who in my social circle is an Austen iconic character.

First off, the book.

It's a retelling of all 6 novels, with a leaning towards Emma. It starts off with heavy Emma overtones, with the loss of a family member. (In Emma we see a wedding and the "loss" of her companion. In JABC it's the dead of a pet) The character of Jocelyn is Emma

The main male character Grigg (there are 4 male counterparts ) is meant to be Mr. Knightly/Mr. Bingley.

The character of Prudie is Anne Elliot.

The character of Sylvia is Fanny Price/Elinor Dashwood

The character of Allegra is Marianne Dashwood/Mary Bennet

The character of Bernadette is a little harder to nail down.

Then we are thrown into Mansfield Park on more then a few levels. Prudie's students are doing a play, and she is asked by one very seductive bad boy to help prepare. He is very much the Henry Crawford character.

Prudie's mother can be compared to Lady Bertram, by the simple issue of her being an exhippy stoner, unaware of reality.

Onto the movie

The scene when Prudie's husband is reading to her in bed, it's one of my favourite scenes from any film I have ever seen. It's so seductive.

The characters of Sylvia and Jocelyn are about a decade younger in the movie then they are in the book, but yet Allegra is around the same age as the book's character.

Most of the back stories have been left out of the film. Which is a shame, as we learn why certain characters do certain things in the book through their back stories.

And who in my social circle are Austen iconic characters?

Well, my sister would be Elizabeth Bennet.

Her friend Y.B. would be Lydia Bennet.

My friend E.K. is Emma.

And I am Miss Bates.

If I ever find a Mr. Bingley or Mr. Darcy I'll let you know.

Twilight Series

Originally posted on my blog Alucard's Rose on Dec. 22 2008

I decided to wait til I had read all the books in the series before doing a review. That was only because I had read them all one right after the other this last week.
I did however do separate reviews for Chapters Community as I finished each book, so here one by one is what I had to say about them on that profile.

TWILIGHT

It's Pride and Prejudice with vampires.

It was a hard time for me to get into this novel. It wasn't until the rival clan was introduced that it seemed to get interesting for me. And it was more then the nod to Jane Austen near the beginning of the story that had a continued underline throughout ; that never let me stop thinking of Edward as Darcy.

Granted the film was playing more on the Romeo and Juliet idea, but this is straight up Austen style love affairs.
I was hoping through the last few chapters that the characters of Alice and Jasper would be expanded on, but they weren't.

I hope the next one in the saga will be better.


NEW MOON

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with this one. The fact it focuses on the werewolf story line was a nice turn, and it didn't seem as depressing as Twilight had. Maybe you just don't notice the rain as much in this one?
The idea that life continues after a heartbreak has always been a favourite theme of mine in stories, and the connection to the secondary characters from the first book made this a little fleshier a plot.
The only real upsetting factor for me was how the character of Laurent was handled. I would have written his part very differently myself. And the seen in Italy with the coven reminded me very much of Armand from the Vampire Chronicles.
Overall I found New Moon to be a much better read then Twilight.


ECLIPSE

I have to admit, I am shocked that I am liking this series.
I was very skeptical with it being geared for teens but books two and three have had me glued. I read Eclipse in a day and a half.
I liked this one for the simple fact it started to unravel the idea of first love. I have never been one for the sappy sweet idea of Romeo and Juliet and was always more interested in the "what if" factor of second love.
Given that Eclipse moves a lot slower but a lot deeper then Twilight or New Moon, you don't feel anything but anxious for the families of Bella, Edward and Jacob.
With insight into a few of the minor characters you are given a balance between the daydreams of a teenager in love and the grown up responses to that love.
The question remains is it right to ask so much of love ?


BREAKING DAWN

Long, very very long.
There has been one book ever in the past to may me cry and that was Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. Well, the last two chapters of Breaking Dawn made me cry.
That said, a nice closing to the entire Twilight series.
The last half of this story is filled with more dialog then needed, getting every point of view from the many new characters added in this novel. Unlike the last two novels, the shift is once again back on Bella and the Cullen Family. Another full circle is found with reference to real folklore and myths that the author nods to in Twilight.
The subplot in this one seems to run with the theme of myth and the power a myth can hold.






What are my feelings about this set of books? It's refreshing to see a story that collectively is 2444pages that does not feel like it because you are so captivated by the weaving web between the 3 main characters. This is a love story more then anything else, but it does edge on the side of a western in the sense that there is always a showdown at noon. Edgy and witty, even when it was a depressing teen-us against -them love story that does what alot of the books in both vampire and werewolf genres are failing to do right now; which is be tempting without being explicit. Stephenie Meyer did what I didn't think anyone in the vampire genre could or wanted to do anymore, deliver a good solid vampire story without having to resort to cheap sexual ploys.
I haven't rated anything in a long while but I give Twilight Saga a 8out of 10 fangs.

Mansfield Park

This is my next challenge in the Jane Austen Challenge , my first post is here

This is number one on my list.

Where to start!

This challenge was a comparative of Mansfield Park in book and movie form. I have to say right off, that it took me 2 full months to get through the novel. The copy I have, has tiny print and a 400 page count. Normally, I can zip through a book that size in about a week, but this was just not the case.

I love the 1999/2000 movie version with Francis O'Conner.

And I realize that; that movie adaptation mixes some of Jane Austen's real life with the character of Fanny Price, and makes the Uncle out to be a totally bad character. But it still has something to it that endears it to me.

I found the 2007 version with Billy Pipper to be dull and lifeless. To me, the actress played Fanny Price too scared, too zombie like. I did like that they reframed the Uncle into more a caring character. Though the Aunt Norris in this version I found to be hinting at an affair between herself and the Uncle Bertram.

The first film, brings in the character of a younger sister, which in the book is Susan. But leaves out the brother William.

The second film, brings in William, but leaves out Susan.

In the movie Jane Austen Book Club, when they get to the topic of Mansfield Park, the character Grigg brings up the fact that Fanny and Edmund are first cousins by comparing them to Star Wars characters, and asks if this incest bothered anyone else.

I think that is a good point. When reading this novel, or seeing the movie for the first time, that subplot of Fanny and Edmund falling in love is never looked at fully in that regard. It is hinted at in the beginning of both book and film as a fear of the Uncle's but dismissed. And by the end of the story you are left thinking "but your cousins" when everyone else seems to find it a fitting thing for Fanny and Edmund to marry.

I found this to be such a hard read because I did not find a single character I really liked. They seemed too stiff. The scenes that covered the play near the beginning went on too long taking up many chapters to revile nothing of solid importance.

When chatting in a few Jane Austen book groups, and telling of my dislike for most this story, I found I was not the only one who preferred the movie to the book. It's difficult for me to understand how this novel was so prized when it came out 200 years ago, unless for it's preaching of virtues, and it's shock value at the time of its incest subplot?

I come away from this book feeling sorry for Mr. Rushworth and longing for letters from people. Otherwise, I have to say, Mr. Crawford feels like an unfinished character.

Julie and Juila Book review

I picked this up Sunday night, and did not stop reading until just after 1 am this morning.

This is a semi-autobiography about a woman going through a life crisis. She's been told she may never have kids, she is unsatisfied in her job, and she just moved. She is coming unglued and finds the only thing that is keeping her together is cooking.

Julie Powell became an internet hit when it was still a new idea to blog. It ended up changing her life. What she blogged about was the year long challenge she set for herself to cook all the recipes in the first volume of Julia Childs most impressive book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. This earned Powell her first book deal and a new chance to find herself.

Her second book is due this winter and I am looking forward to seeing what she has to offer this time around.

Clueless DVD review

As I posted before I joined the All Jane Austen Challenge. Here is my second challenge (the last item on my alternative list) A review of Clueless.

Okay first off, for those of you who don't know Clueless is a modern retelling of Emma. Rumours are buzzing that there is indeed a sequel in the works with original cast members returning (it could be argued that the tv show that came from the film is a sequel in itself) Just as Jane Austen was a pioneer for women writers and her novels the foundation of most romances, Clueless broke down barriers for trends, language and status. (cell phones were still a fresh thing when this movie came out, now they're so common you don't even think about it.)

I think what made this movie such an iconic piece was that it was infact a remake of Emma, but did not scream that it was. When it first came out at the cinema in 1995, there was no admitting that it was in deed a retelling of a Jane Austen film, even thought there was a Jane Austen revival going on at the time (Two other versions of Emma were in the works. One starring Kate Beckinsale (1996 tv) and one starring Gwyneth Paltrow (1996 cinema) ) it was not until it was released on video did people who were not Jane Austen fans find out. (The cover box claimed it as being a retelling of Emma)

Plot: High school student Cher is trying to make her life and the lives of her friends more connected to the world at large by playing matchmaker for her teachers, and fellow students. In the process she falls in love herself.

Adding clothing that looked like Regency styles was genus (the high empire waisted dresses, the corset cut tops, the extended use of hats, feathered collars/cuffs)

Making the character of Christian gay (the Frank Churchill character ) and removing the secret girlfriend was pure genius. This way his character could still flirt without becoming the bad guy so many feel he has been otherwise.

Tai's boyfriend (Miss Smith character ) being a pot smoking slacker with an addiction to Marty the Marson was very slick, very subtle. (Mr. Martin character was a farmer)

This is another one of those movies that no matter how many times you have seen it, you still get caught up in it. I admit, I have seen this film about a hundred times (saw it years ago at the cinema when it came out, and my sister used to have it on VHS) and watching it the other night on DVD I got so caught up, I forgot to take notes on it.

I am actually looking forward to seeing what they come up with for a sequel.

Becoming Jane : DVD review

As I posted before, I have joined the All Jane Austen Challenge, here is the first of my challenges. I decided to jump around in the list I had chosen (scheduling reasons) and am starting with the review of the movie Becoming Jane (#3 on my list)

First off, I have to say that when I first bought this film (it had a Feb 2008 dvd release) I hated it. But since, I have watched it numerous times, and find it better and better with each viewing.

This semi-biography (I think the proper term would be Historical Fiction) mixes Jane Austen's early works to express her growth. I thought the casting was just perfect, I do not believe there is another young actress who could have carried the weight of this film, and Maggie Smith as her rival in society was one of the smartest casting moves in years.

The opening scene which shows Jane writing about "propriety" intercut with her parents in bed, breaks through the stale viewpoint we have been trained to expect with adaptions of her works. We are then reminded of Jane Austen herself as being a witty and independent woman with the scene of her enticing Mr. Wesley to join them at the ball. So often her sarcastic side is downplayed painting her a total saint. The introduction of Mr. LeFroy both echos Jane and balances her. He is a weighty character that lives by society's rules while at the same time keeping his own individuality. Both their "father figures" (LeFroy's case his uncle) find them to be too wild for their stations and try to rope them in so to speak. The use of scenes taken out of her novels are good for plot connections but were alittle on the predictable side. I felt when they are in the woods and bump into each other and end up in a verbal sparing is perfect in it's comedic timing and you tend to loose yourself in this scene, as it truly is where the story starts. Pride and Prejudice is the one novel referenced over and over again in this film. The undercurrent of the film is true love, both in it's physical form (the romance with Jane/LeFroy) and the spiritual/emotional one that is expressed through words. Books and writing is where we find Jane being challenged, seduced and hiding. From her disapproval of the book LeFroy offers her to the reading she does at the end of the film. The confrontation between Jane and her cousin the Countess leaves you wondering if the Countess disapproves of LeFroy because of his supposed influence on Henry (Jane's brother) or because he represents something the Countess had taken from her when her husband was killed. When the group of four -Jane, Henry, Countess, LeFroy- go to visit LeFroy's uncle, I was feeling that should be the end of the film, but infact it's the first real sign of a conflict in the movie. The scene then when Jane meets her hero a sense of sadness and even madness over takes you as she sees for the first time the shadowside of herself. Isolation, loneliness and disregard. Until the death of Cassandra's beloved the famed relationship between the two sisters is downplayed, but given the news of LeFroy's intended marriage at this point in the plot adds to the feeling of dread (like a double death). The accepting of Mr. Wesley's marriage proposal is given off to be then more for the sake of her sister then for herself. Not too mention when she discovers the real reason for LeFroy being so money minded you feel a great loss for Jane. This movie has a surprising villain in the character of Mr. Warren , whom has maybe 4 scenes in the entire film and is quite forgettable till the end when he helps sew up some earlier plotlines.

The beauty of this film lays in it's independence and desire for freedom which colours all the love stories played out in it. With little to go on from reality of Jane Austen's life, this fleshes out beautifully.