Happy birthday Shakespeare!

For a little shout out to Shakespeare on his birthday I am just going to leave this here. 

You can listen to it as many times as you want to. No judging here. 

Let's talk about: Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson was born in Paddington, London on April 15, 1959. 

She was born into a family of actors. 

Her father was an actor. Her mother has co-starred with her in several films. 

And her sister is also an actor (she was in Harry Potter as well)

Emma studied English literature at Cambridge University where she was part of the Footlight's Group, a famous group where many of the Monty Python members first met. She was the first female to join Footlights, served as vice president of the troupe, and co-directed their first female revue entitled Women's Hour.

After graduating she begin her career on BBC radio and touring with comedy shows. 

She soon broke into television doing comedy. 

Then she started performing in London's West End which led to a role in a BBC miniseries and from there to more movies and to writing.

Thompson is unique in being the only person to win Academy awards for both acting and writing.

One of the things that I love about Emma Thompson is that she seems so real. 

She acts silly and serious. 

She is honest. 

 "You can't imagine what satisfaction can be gotten from throwing a pie into someone's face."

She really seems to care about life and people and stories. 

I admire anyone that can just be themselves and not care what others think. 

"Once you're a mom, you've been split into two people. Like Peter Pan and his shadow."

Emma  has one daughter, Gaia, and one adopted son, Tindyebwa Agaba. 

A former child soldier and refugee, Thompson and her husband Greg Wise met Agaba at a refugee council event when he was invited to spend Christmas with the family before eventually being adopted by the couple.

 I imagine she would be a pretty fun mom. 

Emma and Gaia arriving at the Golden Globes:

So, basically, I just think Emma is cool!

 (Who needs painful shoes at an awards show?)

Getting down to business... 

What are my 5 favorite Emma movies?

#1: Much Ado About Nothing

This was the first movie I saw her in. 

Young lovers Hero and Claudio, soon to wed, conspire to get verbal sparring partners and confirmed singles Benedick and Beatrice to marry.  

It is so funny. 

And Emma was so brilliant in this role. She was spot on, serious, and funny. 

Side note that I think most of you probably know- she starred with Kenneth Branagh whom she married in 1989 and divorced in 1994. 

#2: Sense and Sensibility

I love this version of the movie so much. 

And I absolutely love Emma's portrayal of Elinor Dashwood. 

Emma wrote the screenplay for this movie!

She also met her future husband on set. 

Yes, she is married to Willoughby! (Greg Wise)

#3: Love Actually

While not appropriate for all audiences, I have a special place in my heart for this movie. 

Emma's role of Karen is heartbreaking. 

She portrays it so well. 

 And of course, seeing her and Alan Rickman together in the last two movies leads me to the next movie...

#4: Harry Potter

Emma plays the role of Professor Sybil Trelawney so perfectly. 

Honestly, I can't imagine anyone else in that role now that she has done it. 

[on her role in the Harry Potter film] "I have a nervous breakdown in the film and in one scene I get to stand at the top of the stairs waving an empty sherry bottle which is, of course, a typical scene from my daily life, so isn't much of a stretch."

#5: 

For this one I was going to say Nanny McPhee or Saving Mr. Banks, both of which Emma stars in  brilliantly. 

But instead I am saving it for a movie that isn't even out yet. 

Why? 

Because I know she will be brilliant in it. 

And I am insanely excited about it. 

Beauty and the Beast. 

In which Emma will be playing Mrs. Potts. 

Thank you Emma for all you do to entertain us!

*Do you have a favorite Emma Thompson film?

Happy St. George's Day

 

(Google's St. George's Day illustration)

Today is St. George's Day. 

It is England's national day. 

(It is also Shakespeare's birthday!)

St. George is the patron saint of England (even though he was born in Turkey).

He was executed in 303 A.D in Palestine when he refused to take part in the persecution of Christians. 

During the time of Alfred the Great during the crusades there were knights that said he appeared to them before battle to encourage them. 

They felt the connection to him so much that they took the red cross, his symbol, and put it on the English flag. 

 In 1522 he became the official patron saint of England. 

 While this is the national day of England and you would think it would be celebrated, from everything I have read it sounds like England celebrates St. Patrick's day more than they do St. George's day. 

Apparently it isn't even a bank holiday. 

But no matter!

Happy St. George's day anyway!!

Let's talk about: As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes

I just finished reading this book over the weekend and it was a really fun read. 

The book started a little slowly for me but then as soon as they were in England filming the stories started getting better and better. 

It is written by the dashing Cary Elwes.

(or, He who has perfect hair as I like to call him.)

Okay.. so now he looks like this. 

Still a handsome fellow. 

The book is filled with behind-the-scenes stories and photographs along with blurbs from the other actors involved including Robin Wright, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, Mandy Patinkin, and Wallace Shawn. It also has bits from the author of the original book and the screenplay William Goldman, the director Rob Reiner, and the producer Norman Lear. 

He said he decided to share his memories while at the 25th anniversary cast reunion as they realized how much the movie still meant to so many people. 

And to them. 

I really want to share some of the most interesting parts of the book but I don't want to spoil it for you! 

But I was struck by how many of them felt completely self aware during the filming. Like they weren't good enough for the parts. Sometimes celebrities seem like they would have so much confidence in real life and it is easy to forget that they are just people with all the same hang ups as a lot of us. 

So go read it and then come back and comment on your favorite parts and I will comment back with mine!

You can find it here or at your local bookstore or library. 

It is a really quick read. I started it on a Saturday night and finished it on a Sunday afternoon. 

And the best thing about it was that it let you in on how nice these people are in real life which, to me, adds to the enjoyment when watching a film. 

After reading this I definitely will be watching the movie again soon so I can watch it with new eyes. 

It also made me want to visit Haddon Hall in England!

They did most of the filming there, the nearby areas, and on a sound stage nearby. 

This book just reminds us of what a wonderful thing these people created. 

A movie that will last the test of time. 

Let's talk about: Downton Abbey

I have recently started re-watching Downton Abbey with my mom after telling her for a very long time that she would love it. 

I thought it might be fun to post my thoughts as I re-watch. 

If you haven't watched it and want to- don't read any further as I may post spoilers. 

And if you have watched the entire series (as I have) please do not post spoilers past the episode I talk about in case some reading along haven't yet watched later episodes. 

Thank you!

Starting with episode 1 of season 1...

As I watched I tried to remember how I felt the very first time I watched it. 

I was hooked from the start. 

There was the code being tapped out, the train, and then THAT music started. 

I have watched and loved a lot of shows through the years but I love the intro music to Downton the very most. 

As the song starts you see Downton Abbey (Highclere castle in real life) and it is exquisite. 

As we begin the Downton Abbey journey, the characters have just learned of the sinking of the RMS Titanic in April 1912 and the fact that the cousin and heir of the family had been aboard and had died. We immediately see the compassion of Lord Grantham as he worries not only about the first class passengers but about those "below decks".

Mary, the eldest daughter, was supposed to marry him and now the family is realizing that they need to find a new heir for the family home and their fortune as well as a husband for Mary. 

Downstairs, a new valet arrives. John Bates. He had served in the Boer War with the Earl of Grantham and so has been invited to be his valet. 

He was injured and now uses a cane and that immediately puts him at odds with some of the others. 

Thomas in particular. 

My first impression of Thomas was that he was quite handsome. And then he opened his mouth. 

I knew right away from this episode that he and O'Brien would not be my favorite people. 

I also knew right away that I was going to love Carson, Mrs. Hughes, Anna, Sybil, and Lord Grantham. 

What surprised me though is that as I re-watched I remembered that in the first episode I was not a fan of Lady Grantham. I didn't think I would like her as she came off a bit snobbish and rude. 

But fast forward a few episodes and I will have forgotten that and love her. 

Other standouts from the first episode:

1) When we got our first glance of that library. SWOON.

Be still my heart. 

 2) When Anna, whom I already had great feelings about woke up and said, "For once in my life I would like to sleep until I wake up natural."

Ever since having kids I can relate. 

I also loved when she found Thomas and O'Brien in the hallway and they tried to play it off as if they weren't doing anything. But she said as she walked away, "You two can stay here plotting."

3) We are introduced to the dynamic of the sisters. 

Like I said, I knew right away that I liked Sybil. Mary seemed heartless and yet you did see little glimpses of humanity in her. I wasn't sure I would ever like her. 

And Edith. Poor Edith. I had no idea what to think of her. 

I wondered why they acted the way they did to each other. 

4) We immediately know what Carson will be like by the fact that in the midst of learning about the Titanic he is so worried about a maid serving at the dining room table and when Lord Grantham says "there are worst things" he replies that there isn't. 

I still loved him though. 

5) Did anyone else want to punch O' Brien when she did this:

Jerk.

6) I laughed when the Dowager Countess came in and blocked the light with her fan. 

We definitely get a feel for her right away. 

I hope you enjoyed the recap. More to come!

*Have you watched Downton?

*Have you re-watched Downton?

*Thoughts on this episode?

Let's talk about: Tea

I am not an expert on tea in any way.

In fact, I'm pretty sure I have never had a proper cup of tea. 

But since tea is such a huge part of the British culture I feel it needs a place on this blog. 

Last week when I was grocery shopping I stopped for a minute in the tea section to take a look. 

I decided to try this Jammin' Lemon Ginger Herbal Tea by Celestial Seasonings. 

We had a big snow storm the next day and I took the opportunity to make a cup of tea. 

I put the tea bag in my adorable Chip mug and then filled it with boiling water allowing it to steep for about 10 minutes. 

Then I sat down with a good book and my cup of tea. 

It was great. 

The smell was delicious and invigorating. 

 The taste was subtle but good. 

I think the biggest things I noticed were:

 1) I felt really relaxed while I was drinking it. It was calming. 

2) Over the next few days I kept craving another cup. 

So, while I can't compare it with much, I really liked this tea and will definitely be keeping it on hand from now on. 

*Do you drink tea? 

*What's your favorite kind?

Let's talk about: Austenland, the movie

Have you ever wished you could immerse yourself in the world of Jane Austen's novels? 

I think most of us have at one time or another. 

That is exactly what Jane Hayes does in Austenland. 

Austenland is based on the book of the same name by Shannon Hale.

I own the book and have read it a few times and was very excited to see it brought to the big screen. 

I, along with my mom, my aunt, my sister, my sister-in-law, and my nieces went to see it in the theater soon after it came out. 

I have never been in a theater that was so full of laughter. 

From start to finish everyone in that room was laughing. And there were times when we couldn't stop for a few minutes. 

This movie is a treasure. 

It starts out introducing us to Jane Hayes (played wonderfully by Keri Russel) and getting a feel for her obsession with Jane Austen, 

especially Mr. Darcy. 

Something many of us can relate to. 

She decides to get away from real life and head to Austenland- a Jane Austen themed experience in England where each participant gets to pretend to be a heroine in an Austen novel. 

The cast is brilliant. 

Every single person plays their part a little to the extreme and it is hilarious. 

The beautiful JJ Feild plays the role of the Mr. Darcy clone Mr. Henry Nobley to perfection. 

 (Tom Hiddleston look alike in my opinion)

Jane Seymour plays the stern Mrs. Wattlesbrook that runs the place and seems to almost always have some sort of fake animal near her. 

Jennifer Coolidge is the real standout with almost every line she says cracking us up.

 

My favorite line: "Did you DIE?"

(you'll have to watch the movie now to know what that is all about!)

 

 We follow Jane as she begins to question her obsession and is caught up in trying to figure out what is real and what is fantasy. 

 

I bought this movie the day it came out on DVD.

Usually if I really like a movie I watch it at least once a year. But I have watched this at least 5 times since I bought it a year ago. I am not even kidding. 

I made Doug watch it and although I don't think he laughed as often as I did, he still did laugh.

If you haven't seen Austenland yet you need to.

If you like Austen at all, like hunky British gentlemen, love to look at the beautiful English countryside and great houses, or just love to laugh this is the film for you.

I love Austenland!