They loved it!

It isn't a secret,  my husband and I watch a lot of Bollywood films.  We watch foreign films all the time and these Indian ones in particular.  Until recently they had some strict rules about intimacy in films so you never saw the characters actually kiss. Bollywood films are almost always full of romance so they use song and dance to show how people are feeling rather than just have the characters kiss.  Our kids know that we watch these films at night when they have gone to bed and have always been curious about these musical films that we often discuss with our Indian friends (who are just shocked that we even watch these movies).  Since we have read so much and studied so much about India this past week I picked up a Bollywood film at the library this week to show them.  Tonight we put it on.

I picked Lagaan - Once Upon a Time in India
to show them.  This was one of the first Indian films I saw and I knew it was a story that the kids would get hooked into.  It isn't a true story but it does show some elements of India's history.  It shows some of the tension between the British and the Indian people.  It also has a lot of Cricket in it which I knew would be interesting to the boys. 

I was a bit shocked by how much the kids liked this. They had to read subtitles and there were many times Henry asked me what they were saying but the others followed along just fine with the subtitles.  The kids didn't get bored at all and sat through all 3 and 1/2 hours of this film in one sitting. We had a lot of popcorn and homemade bread and butter to keep up our strength as we watched but these kids were hooked almost from the start.

I had planned to just show a bit of the film originally.  Show one of the dance numbers or something and see how it went.  I didn't think the kids would be that interested.  I shouldn't underestimate these little guys. 

Now that I know my kids can handle subtitles maybe I need to show them a few more foreign films. It is a great way to get a taste of a culture. Can you think of any classics like Lagaan I could show my kids?

WWII Movies

There must be at least a thousand and one World War II movies out there. We even own a few, but I am have having a hard time showing them to my kids. They are either too violent (I love Band of Brothers but it is way more graphic than my boys are ready for) or also contain other things that I really don't want my boys exposed to yet. Operation Petticoat, Kelly's Heros and Father Goose come to mind. I am not even tempted to show South Pacific. Maybe I am getting a bit more selective, because these are films I watched as a kid. We even own a few of them on DVD. I  just don't find them particularly praiseworthy now.  And I guess I would rather my kids use their time doing something else.

They do get to watch movies once in awhile so I try to introduce only the good ones. So far I have shown them Tora Tora Tora and The Longest Day.  I was surprised that they got so involved in The Longest Day. Henry was a little skeptical about it being in Black and White and there was a point in the film when Ian asked "When is the longest day ever going to get started". I guess he wanted to see the action and less of the waiting around and talking about the invasion. When it was over Henry said "I totally forgot that it wasn't in color" and "lets watch this one again tomorrow". I actually plan to show The Great Escape  next. I know my boys will love the digging of the tunnel and the motorcycle chase. 

We have talked about The Sound of Music and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and how they fit into the war. We have watched these two films many times so they know them well. Those aren't directly about the war but the war does play a part in the story.

Am I missing any great WWII films that would be appropriate for boys under the age of 8 to watch? Sophie watches these films with us but doesn't get quite as involved in them and sort of comes and goes while doing different things. But my boys get very excited when the action gets going. I can tell they really like the fighting and the guns and explosives. Boys just love these types of things.

We are pretty much finished with WWII and really should be moving ahead in our History. I think we have covered just about everything without going too far into the details of what went on in concentration camps or what Japan was like after the atomic bombs. Those things are for us to cover in one of the next times this time period comes around in our History rotations.

Now I need to read the other stories

Last night while my husband and I were sitting in front of the television watching Cranford on Masterpiece. He said something that made me giggle. He said " you have totally converted me to these movies. I am really enjoying this". He then went on to explain that the other guys at work think he is so strange because he watches costume dramas. Those other guys don't know what they are missing. I love watching these films with my husband. He doesn't read the novels like I do and he is always asking how true to the books these films are but the fact that he doesn't just endure these with me but truely enjoys them is so wonderful.

Last night's episode of Cranford was great. Even though I didn't recognize some of the characters and story lines, because they happen in other novellas that were writen by Gaskell, the story was so well woven together and so well acted it really lived up to my expectations. I can't wait to see next weeks episode. I really want to get the two novellas that are woven into the Cranford Cronicles.

Here are a few other reviews of Cranford that I have read today. I am not the only one who enjoyed last nights viewing.

Jane Austen Today
Jane Austens World
By Sun and Candlelight

Cranford

I finally finished Cranford!
I started it ages ago but one thing after another prevented me from getting time to read it. Mostly... every time I sat down the last two weeks I started to itch and scratch. (Poison Oak and it's effects lasts sooooo long) I have kept myself busy the last little bit cooking, cleaning and anything that kept my hands busy. I have also spent a good amount of time practicing the piano. Anything to keep my hands and brain busy. But reading books has been difficult. Even reading to the kids has been a bit hard but with three of them piled on my lap and around me I am usually able to get through a few.

Anyway.... Cranford.

I was introduced to Elizabeth Gaskell through the BBC mini series, Wives and Daughters. (If you haven't seen it then you really NEED to.) I quickly went to the library to read the novel. It was even better then the movie and filled in so much more of the back story. Then came North and South, another BBC series. I love it as well and then had to read that novel. I heard that Gaskell's novel Cranford was being filmed so this time I thought I would actually read the book first. Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes it isn't. We will see tomorrow when I get to see the first part of the film. It shows on Masterpiece Classics Sunday night.

As for the book. It is a interesting look at a close nit society of women. Spinsters and widows don't sound like a really interesting subject but it is always fun to see how woman never really change. Through this series of short little stories, Gaskell tells us about the life these ladies lived in a country village. Each character is somewhat a sterotypical woman character. You have one who gets all the gossip. Another that everyone just loves because she is so sweet and nice. And of course you have to have the high and mighty one that everyone else refers to and wants to get approval from.

Gaskell protrayed these ladies with all their foibles, and with a reality that I could recognize because they are the same thing I can see today. Through out the book she refers to the ladies "little economies" or what they choose to do to save money on certain items. But they still want to appear like they don't have to economize. Or she refers to how ill at ease they felt when caught in their everyday clothes rather then the nicer things they put on when visitors are expected. This made me think about the countless times I have quickly shoved a bunch of toys and what not into my bedroom when someone is expected because I don't want them to think we live such a cluttered home. We all want to appear at our best and let everyone think that is how we live all the time.

I am excited to revisit these characters through the film. I have read a few reviews that have said that the writers added a few characters and stories from other Gaskell works. I hope this doesn't bother me too much. And no doubt I will have to find these other stories and read them.

Music Study - Mozart

This week we have been listening to a lot of Mozart. He is our composer for the month of March. Sophie has greatly enjoyed it. I started with the Classical Kids CD called Mozart's Magnificent Voyage.

After listening to this Sophie was very interested in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute. I was hoping to find the other Classical Kids production called Mozart's Magic Fantasy but our Library doesn't have it. And they don't have it on CD swap either.
I may just have to buy it.

Instead I decided we would get a movie version so she could see and hear the music. (Thank you Netflix!) I remember watching Ingmar Bergmen's The Magic Flute in College (I had a film teacher that loved Bergman films) and thought we could watch bits of it. I knew it was very long so I thought we could watch just a few of the arias.

I was shocked that they loved it. It is sung in sweedish and you have to read subtitles. But they didn't seem to mind. I did explain what was going on to the boys since they couldn't read it. They ended up watching the whole thing. Not in one sitting. We started it in the afternoon yesterday and then I stopped it to make dinner. They begged to watch some more of it after dinner last night so we let them. They finished it with their Dad before they went to bed. Even the boys sat there glued to the screen watching it. I was really surprised.



I like this cover of the film better. The one above looks far too sinsister and very Bergman like but not something I would show to kids. But I had seen the film before so I knew it was alright. I also knew I was going to be sitting here watching it with them to make sure it was alright. Sophie did say parts of it were a bit scary but she really liked it. She loved Papageno playing his bells and little pipe flute.





We have done very well with Music study, now I need to finally get around to introducing our Artist.

Didn't hate it.

I went into this viewing of Mansfield Park not expecting to like it. From the articles I had read and the pictures and even clips I had seen I wasn't impressed. Last night I tuned in to watch this movie because it is Jane Austen and I can't pass up the opportunity to see an Austen flick. I was fully ready to just pick it apart and point out all the flaws.
I can't say that I loved this production but I didn't hate it either. I thought Billy Piper looked totally wrong for the part of Fanny Price. The hair and eyebrows were bothersome. But she did a decent acting job. I think the writing wasn't that good and I actually didn't recognize many actual Austen lines. I don't know Mansfield Park as well as I know other Austen novels so that isn't surprising. From what I do remember from the book is that there is a whole lot more to the story then what was shown last night.
I also don't remember Lady Bertram playing matchmaker. If I remember right Edmund's family was against the match. I could be wrong.... maybe I need to read this book again. It has been a long time.

So I don't totally recommend this one but if you are an Austen fan you really should at least view it once. It could have been a lot worse.

What I thought.....

It is strange to look forward to Sunday Night other then that my kids usually go to be early, but having Jane Austen films on each week is something I am really enjoying. Last nights film, Northanger Abbey was very well done.
I thought the actors were great in their roles. They each seemed to fit the image of that character I had formed when reading the book. Catherine was sufficiently innocent and Henry was the teasing, friendly, and gentlemanly without making him a dandy like they did in that older film.
The movie did seem to fly through the story rather quickly. But that may be due to 30 min cut from this showing by PBS. I know I am going to have to netflix the DVD of it because there was a bunch of scenes I have seen online that weren't included in last night's broadcast.
I saw an interview online with Andrew Davies, the screenwriter. He spoke about how horrid and racey the novels are that Catherine is reading. In the film they voice over some of the text for these books while they show Catherine reading and dreaming about the stories, and wow... they are rather shocking. I didn't really mind these additions to the story but I didn't love the Isabella Thorpe story told so blatently. In the novel it is left unsaid and you know what happens without having to see it. I would have appreciated if it had stayed that way.
But overall. It was a good production. I enjoyed it and look forward to watching it again.

I haven't read many good reviews about Mansfield Park which is going to be playing next week. From the pictures and clips I have seen I will still have to wait to see Mansfield Park done well. It is my least favorite Jane Austen novel. But I will still be here next Sunday night watching it.

Persuasion

Jane Austen's novel Persuasion is my favorite Austen novel. Ok, It is hard to pick a favorite but it is right up there with Pride and Prejudice. I have read each a number of times. I have been looking forward to the new BBC movie based on the book that would play on Masterpiece Theatre. Last night I curled into bed to watch the film, excited that I would finally get to see it. PBS has been talking about The Complete Jane Austen on PBS for months building up the anticipation. And my visits to Pemberley don't help either.

I had checked the Persuasion board at the Republic of Pemberley off and on for a bit to see other's thoughts on this production. Those lucky Janeites in the UK have already seen this newest film and were able to share their feelings about it. There were mixed reviews so I went into the film with somewhat low expectations. I haven't been really impressed with the latest Hollywood attempts at Austen's novels. BBC is usually good about adapations. They usually keep to the book without adding in a lot of Hollywood to the story.

I don't want to say I was disapointed in this Persuasion. But I can't really say I loved it. I did enjoy Rupert Penny-Jones as Wentworth. And I didn't mind the actress that plays Anne. Most of the actors did a good job. I think I was disapointed in the screenplay. For some reason the writer felt it necessary to explain everything. Jane Austen is often very subtle and you have to catch on to some of the plot points. But this film had everything explained and spelled out.

I don't know if it is the actress, director or writer to blame but Anne was far too emotional in this movie. She wore her feelings on her sleeve for all to see. That isn't the Anne Elliot that I know from the book that leaves Wentworth wondering about her true feelings. Both Wentworth and Anne were pretty easy to read in this production.

This I could have handled... but the writer botched the best scene. The overheard conversation between Anne and captain Harville which prompts Wentworth to write the letter.... gone... non existing in this film. The conversation was moved up in the film and was between Anne and Benwick and wasn't overheard at all. The letter at the end was useless, especially since it is handed to Anne in the street while she chases around Bath looking for Wentworth. The letter might as well have been left out all together.

So before I dissuade you from watching it. Give it a try but just know it isn't the best production. It is lovely to look at and Rupert does look dashing in his period clothes (I am used to seeing him in MI5). I still love the older BBC/Masterpiece Theatre production from 1995.

I am looking forward to next weeks Jane Austen film that will be shown on Masterpiece Theatre, Northanger Abby. Andrew Davies does the screenplay so it should be good. He usually does a great job with adaptations. And there isn't a good version of Northanger Abby out there yet so I am hoping for the best. I will have to read up on this movie this week and see what the ladies at Pemberley have to say about it. I haven't read this one nearly as much as Persuasion or Pride and Prejudice so I won't be as well versed on the story. But I am sure I will have comments.

Baking, Listening and Watching

This week we have been getting a bit of rain and I have been doing a lot of baking. (I am actually out of flour and will have to raid my food storage if I don't get to the grocery soon.) And since I have been in the kitchen I have put music or stories on the CD player for the kids to listen to while they play with blocks, legos or little knights. I love it when Sophie starts to sing along with the Christmas songs or when Ian tells me when it is time to change disks for the story. It means they are actually listening. As we drive we also listen to the many CDs of stories and songs that I have burned and often the kids ask to take it inside to finish. So we have been filled with stories. When we aren't listening to them we are reading them.

One of the Stories the kids have really enjoyed listening to recently is The Story of Jesus from Kiddie Records Weekly. They had it listed in February of 2006 but I downloaded it and added it to a CD with other Christmas Stories and songs I downloaded from this sight. My kids love to listen to these stories but especially this story. We have heard it many times during the last few days.

I have also put the Audio book of Princess Academy on and we have been listening to it as well. I am enjoying this one. Sophie isn't totally interested since it has Princess in the title. She has turned her mind against it. She is so anti princess it is funny. But she did actually request to watch Sleeping Beauty the other day because the music is by Tchaikovski of course. But the boys loved seeing the knights and this movie is what sparked the little knights coming out of the closet.

One morning I just didn't feel like getting going so we all curled up in my bed and watched Holiday Inn a Holiday tradition in my house. I thought the kids need to be reaquainted with Fred Astaire. The boys loved the dancing (especially when Fred dances with the fire crackers) and Sophie recognized many of the songs. I love it that my kids will watch these old black and white movies. We actually have quite a few of them in our our DVD collection and I love them, so they can't get away from them.

Cold rainy weather certainly makes for cozy story and movie times! This is one of my favorite parts of this time of the year. And with the baking I have done we have had warm bread and Cinnamon rolls and such to enjoy along with our story times.

We've been lucky with movies recently

My husband and I have watched a few really great movies recently. I have written about our Bollywood film fascination. We watched a great Indian film this weekend it is called Swades. Like all bollywood films it was long and there was a few musical numbers but what we loved about this film was how much more we learned about Indian culture. It takes place in a small poor village. So you get to see how a lot of the people in India live. Many of the bollywood films take place in the city or about wealthy families so you don't get a real image of what life in India is like. This film showed the problems that Indian people face as they face the changes of the modern world. Very good film!

We have also recently watched The Ultimate Gift This movie is produced by Fox Faith (The same people that put out the Love Comes Softly films) and is a wonderful film about finding what it really important in life. And how to find true happiness. The message came across very clearly and makes me think about all the things that I am very grateful for but also for all the good I could still do with that has been given to me.

So for anyone that needs a movie to curl up in front of on a cold night this winter. Here are a few great ones.

Top Ten Tuesday - BBC Costume Dramas

Last night I started to rewatch one of my favorite BBC period dramas and before getting to the menu on the DVD it had an add for other movies the BBC has done. I realized that I have seen all of the ones they talked about. I am a big fan of these films. I own a few of them on DVD but they also fill my queue at Netflix. They are my comfort movies that I put on when I just want to relax. I have read many of the books that these movies are based on so that may be why I love them so much. I get to revisit some of my old friends through these films. The BBC really knows how do costume dramas. Most of these have appeared on A&E or on Masterpiece Theater. Here are a list of a few of my favorites.

1. North and South - This is what I was watching last night. Maybe because it a pride and prejudice type story or it might be Richard Armitage as Mr. Thornton but I just love this production.

2. Wives and Daughters - I just love Molly and all her different relationships with all the different people in her life, that are depicted in this film. What a great character!

3. Middlemarch - This is a somewhat older one. I remember watching it when I was in High School. It caused me to want to read the book. I loved the book and reread it now all the time. And then of course have to watch the movie again.

4. Our Mutual Friend - I really love Charles Dickens. This is a very involved story, like all Dickens stories. You definetly get caught up in the lives of these characters.

5. Daniel Deronda - I don't know exactly what I love about this story. I haven't read the book. I guess it is the music. The music is so good in this film. I really want the soundtrack.

6. David Copperfield - This is one Daniel Radcliffs first films. It is what helped him land the part of Harry Potter. He really does a great job as the young David Copperfield. This is one of my favorite Dickens novels and they do a great job depicting the story.

7. Jane Eyre - This is one of many different films I have seen of this story but this is a good one. I really liked that they give equal treatment to the St. John story line in this production. Others haven't given enough time to this part of the story. I used to hate Jane Eyre. I never could see how anyone would like Mr. Rochester. But that St. John story line is really necessary to understand why Jane goes back.

8. PersuasionThis is one of my favorite Jane Austen films. I think it is a more realistic depiction of life in the time period would have been like rather than some of the more stylized productions.

9. EmmaAlthough I love Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightly. I think this version of Emma is a lot better than the Gwyneth Paltrow film. The actors playing Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill are more like they are in the book.

10. Pride and PrejudiceWhat list of BBC Dramas would be complete without this 6 hour production of P&P. In college my roommates and I watched this one all the time. We were always shocked when some of our guy friends knew of the film. They always claimed that it was only because they had sisters but they would often sit and watch it with us. They got into it as much as we did. I got my husband hooked on Costume Dramas after I got him to watch this film with me. He didn't have any sisters so never got forced into watching it before.


There are so many good BBC films it was hard to narrow it down to just 10 but these are my favorites. I have watched these ones over and over again.


The BBC also does some great series shows like Foyles War and Jeeves and Wooster which are also really well done.

I have been watching these types of films since I was a little girl. My kids already get a dose of them at times but haven't caught on to them yet.... but they will love them too I am sure.