Period Drama: North and South

This drama is my new favorite!

Gads, ever since I watched Pride and Prejudice, I've been thirsting for period drama. I've tried re-watching the older version of P&P but it didn't quite pique my interest. But when I saw a clip of North and South on Youtube, I just knew I had to watch it. I'm not really used to watching period romance, I've been used more to reading it. But I've discovered that it is such a pleasure to watch it! To see for myself their clothes, to hear their accents, to know how a country ball looked like. It's hard to imagine when you've never seen anything like it in your life. HAHAHA.

I also want to mention that this is a show by BBC. Recently, I've really grown to liking their shows. (Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sherlock, Doctor Who). I also know they do a lot of good period drama. The good thing is they do them as serials which, I think, is waaaay better than doing them as movies. Especially the adaptations like Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and other stuffs. The first BBC show I've watched is, of course, Sherlock which is NOT a period drama. Anyway, I want to talk more about North and South.

This drama is set in the time of the Industrial Revolution, I've gathered. And it's about the differences between the slower-paced, more rural South of England and the Industrialized North. This show is based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell. I've recently downloaded an e-book version of this and I am soooo looking forward to reading it. Much so, in fact, that I have also downloaded an audio book that I can listen to if I can't get a hold of a computer or an e-book reader. Last night, HAHA, I listened to it till I fell asleep and my dream was infused with bits of the story. It's so funny.

Okay, so this is a synopsis from the BBC website.

Set against the backdrop of Victorian England's industrial north, it follows the fortunes of Margaret Hale, one of 19th century literature's most original heroines.

Played by Daniela Denby-Ashe, Margaret is a privileged, middle class southerner who is forced to settle in the northern town of Milton.

Margaret takes instant offence to the town and its people. She becomes terribly lonely and hates the dirt, noise and lack of civilisation, blaming their new way of life for her mother's ailing health.

Her distaste for the town and its people extends to handsome and charismatic cotton mill owner John Thornton, (Richard Armitage), whom she believes epitomises everything she dislikes about the North.

However, Margaret gradually begins to settle in Milton. Her social conscience awakens and she befriends some of the local mill workers, learning about their poverty and workplace struggles.

As events conspire to throw Margaret and Thornton together, the two spirited characters have to overcome their repressed physical attraction for one another and conquer prejudices of class and circumstance.
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Another shorter one from Wikipedia

North & South is a British television drama serial, produced by the BBC and originally broadcast in four episodes on BBC One in November and December 2004. It follows the story of Margaret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ashe), a young woman from southern Englandwho has to move to the North after her father decides to leave the clergy. The family struggles to adjust itself to the industrial town's customs, especially after meeting the Thorntons, a proud family of cotton mill owners who seem to despise their social inferiors. The story explores the issues of class and gender, as Margaret's sympathy for the town mill workers conflicts with her growing attraction to John Thornton (Richard Armitage).

The serial is based on the 1855 Victorian novel North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell. It was adapted for television by Sandy Welch and directed by Brian Percival.
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This drama is actually so sweet and romantic. I also like the history behind it. If you know Pride and Prejudice, the love story is actually quite similar. How the heroine hates the hero at the beginning and all that.

What I really really really like about this drama is the hero, John Thornton. At first, I didn't really like him. I don't think anybody would've liked him in his first scene because he actually beats up one of the workers in his mill. HAHA. But he had a reason for beating up the lad, at least. As the story progresses, my word! You are going to adore every fiber of his being. He is a complete momma's boy. HAHA. No, I wouldn't actually say that. It's just that his mom is all he has in the world. His mother absolutely loves him, although she could be overly protective. I also like their not-so-typical relationship, although it's easy dislike his mother. Another reason why John Thornton is amazing is because of the actor who portrayed him, Richard Armitage. HE IS SOOOO FRIGGIN' AWESOME! What an excellently effective actor. I am totally besotted with his piercingly fierce eyes and his half-smiling wry lips. Gosh! The thing is, I like details in what I watch. I like to notice the little things. And Richard is the kind of actor who pays attention to those things. So, I really love every flicker of his eyes, every tilt in his tone of speaking, every twitch of the corner of his mouth. He acts with those small details and I just feel elated watching him. I guarantee you, you will fall in love with him. **Oooh! I'll disrupt this train of thought to mention that Richard is going to be in The Hobbit! Although I seriously don't think he'll be as awesome looking there. I think he's the guy, that character, I always see with his face covered with mustache and beard. HAHA. Although his sideburns in North and South is most definitely charming too. END**

Daniela Denby-Ashe does a fantastic job as Margaret Hale. I love her face! Those eyes with those eyebrows? So attractive. And she doesn't come off as prissy despite all that. But Margaret's character can get pretty annoying sometimes, with her prejudice and rash judgment and how she acts upon those sooo sometimes I come close to detesting the chit. HAHA.

I like it that I know more about Thornton than I do Margaret. I know about his feelings more than hers. He even falls in love with her earlier! It's like he's the main protagonist here. And Margaret is the ethereal closed-off character he adores.

It's quite easy to make audience develop a liking towards Thornton. He is pretty much like Fitzwilliam Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Dark, brooding and exceedingly moody brute. But his show of vulnerability, his declaration of love even though he knows "such a woman cannot care for him", oh gads, you do not only trust the man, you actually become smitten.

You know how when the movie affects you, you almost immediately deem it as a fantastic work of art? Well, this series gave me shivers and lowered me to mindless screeching with just a mere holding of hands. I am not exaggerating. When Margaret kissed Thornton's hand, I was breathless. When they kissed, well, my world was irredeemably shattered. You better watch out for this last scene.

Everyone is particularly in shambles because of the "Look back. Look back at me." scene. OH, but I'm telling too much already.

I would love to watch this thing with you guys. It's just four episodes (pouting), PLEASE????

HAHAHA.

Tell me why this isn't the cutest thing ever.

I only know one reason why this isn't the cutest thing ever: it makes me extremely jealous of Adam Young. I wish Matty was telling me that.

Otherwise, it's the cutest thing ever.

I really want this book.

I've read other John Green works but I never really like them that much. But this one seems promising.

Now, this is something.

YYEEEESSS. Sweet.

@YoKnickerBoxers I'm doing both, no worries! :)
— Chase Coy (@chasecoy) May 13, 2012

FINALLY! A song again :) Be glad.

I am totally in love with this song right now and I take it to heart. I'm going to sing this to my husband once we're married.

I am so looking forward to more Mindy Gledhill. Maybe her entire album is the soundtrack of my life. Or even my dream life. Nevertheless.

Chick-Lit: Anna and the French Kiss

I recently read this chick-lit titled Anna and the French Kiss and I really liked it.

It's about this girl Anna who was sent off to Paris by his dad. He enrolled her to a boarding school for Americans. Can you believe it?! She was a senior already! Well, she totally hated that and she had a rough time. And then she meets these guys who became her friends and among them was the guy of her dreams. BBBUUUUTTT he already has a girlfriend and they've been together for a year. UGH. Talk about ouch. But that girl doesn't go to that school anymore. Etienne and Anna became friends and then BEST friends and then y'know what comes next. They hang out for the whole year for Pete's sake. And theeeennnnn....

Anyway, I'm not gonna say anymore cause you might want to read the thing. And hey, if you do, just tell me and I'll e-mail you the e-book version I have. :)

It's totally awesome.What I liked about it is the fact that it's about friendship too. Not just silly sloppy romance. I like Anna's friends and the way they hang out. I wish I had those kinds of friends. Another reason why I liked this is Anna's character. You know, I seldom read chick-lits before this because I find that I don't like the protagonists that much from other chick-lits. And more often than not, the books are in their POV sooo eeew. Irritating girls. But I find that I like Anna very much. Her interest Etienne St. Claire is, of course, desirable. Hot, if you don't mind my saying so. The only thing you probably wouldn't typically like is his being short. I don't like short guys because, well, I'm a short girl. Balance is essential, am I not right? Anyway, St. Claire is cool. And his name! Etienne. So romantic. I've read the name before, in the Julia Quinn novels. It intrigued me then, that name. HAHAHA. He also shows his weakness and vulnerability here so it's cool too. I like that I know what the boy is about. I like that I know his story too and I can predict his actions and thoughts because of what the story reveals about his past and his character.

It's really nakakakilig so you better read it!

Hey, here's a trailer I found on YouTube. It's so cool. That is not a movie ver. of Anna and the French Kiss, though. That is a movie titled LOL. It might sound familiar to you because there's an American remake to be shown soon starring (guess who) Miley Cyrus! Yeah. Hahaha. Anyway, this version is French, which is awesome so I'll watch it. HAHAHAHA! It's a good video for Anna and the French Kiss because it shows some scenes that are parallel with the scenes in the book. :))

Movie: Rocket Science

Given that it is an extremely awful movie with a lot of stuttering, depression, divorce, heavy high school kissing with no emotional attachment whatsoever, and all adolescent turmoil and nonsense, I find I can still see the good in this movie. But I am not saying it’s not an awful movie. In fact, I’m saying don’t watch it unless you want to see the reasons why I like it. LOL Otherwise, it’s a gross coming-of-age film. But really, it’s heavy emotional too. You see, it’s about this guy Hal Hefner (?) and he stutters and can’t speak straight. So everybody thinks he’s a retard and so he tries to find his voice by joining the Debate Club whatever. Anyway. You see, I like details in movies. And I find joy in these little things. HAHAHA! I first watched this when I was in high school and I was so weirded out as well as fascinated, but really more weirded out. And I failed to notice the little things! But I decided I liked it anyway, just because it had spirit and emotion. But now, watching it again...How do I like thee? Let me count the ways.

1.      Anna Kendrick’s pudgy face! LOL. I can laugh at it for the whole movie. Dang, I just hate her character so much that I had to have something to be happy about when I see her.

2.      The narration. The narrator. So dramatic! And effective.

3.      That Chinese (?) whatever Asian guy named Aaron Yoo (I think). Anyway, he’s just so random and I don’t know his significance in this movie and he says the most random things and he’s always freaking smiling and it just borders on ridiculous. Really.

4.      Whenever I see Reece Daniel Thompson, that guy who plays Hal Hefner, I’m always day dreaming of what he looked like today for real. And I can’t help thinking he could be a very awesome nerd. Or if not, just cute. He’s more likely taller. And I bet age does him good. He has beautiful skin, you know.

5.      And HELLO! The ultimate, most important thing in this movie that I brushed off that first time is Nicholas D’Agosto. Ben. My Nickito. You see, just recently, Nick became my hero. When I saw him in some other movie, and I loved him. Then I’m re-watching this Rocket Science movie and I started from the middle. So I was half an hour in this movie when I realized my Nickito is in it! I have forgotten. I was but a teenager and I had no taste whatsoever. That’s the only explanation I can gather.

6.      Nickito debating. He’s so marvellous! I so love watching his face as these emotions flashes through it. I like seeing the quirk at the corner of his mouth as he starts to smile and how his eyebrows shoot up.

7.      Nickito dry cleaning. He wears a smock. :P That scene! I love that. His face is all sarcasm and exasperation. HAHA!

8.      Nickito so young. He’s 31 now I think. And he still looks exactly like that. He is INCAPABLE OF AGEING.

9.      Ben ditching Ginny in the beginning of the movie.

10.   Ben and Hal tag-teaming against Ginny! THAT IS EEEPPPPPPPIIIIC! Yes, I earlier expressed my deep disgust of Anna Kendrick’s character right?

11.   Ben’s wisdom.

12.   Nickito so tall J

13.   Nickito’s laugh when Hal told him about his cello-throwing fit of anger. “A real cello? *insert cute laugh here* Now that’s pretty sharp on my book.”

14.   Nickito saying “..blah blah (I couldn’t follow, he was talking too fast)..our priority which is finding you and your voice.” I just loved that.

15.   Nickito on the rooftop. When he screams “THROW ME THE CELLO!” so Hal will speak louder.

16.   Nickito playing the banjo. The banjo, of all instruments! I am fascinated by it, you see. And only recently. When I met Phoebe Cryar from The Vespers.

17.   Nickito singing The Battle blah blah of the Republic. HAHAHAHAHA!

18.   Nickito’s smile while singing said song.

19.   Earl, Hal’s brother, caring. At all.

20.   Ben and Hal’s polka-dotted bow ties.

21.   Hal Hefner’s song speech.

22.   The mystery behind Nickito’s character. I think it’s awfully complex and complicated. HAHA.

READ THIS: Rocket Science is NOT really an awful movie. I lied. This film is totally eccentric. It’s indie, which explains a lot. Geez, I like indie. They’re really weird but they have heart. Not to mention wit and intelligence! But I did have to do that internal battle of whether I really liked it or not, which lasted for all of 3 seconds. Really, awful or not, this movie is attached to me already.

This post shall be about Nicholas D'Agosto.

More Regency Lexicon

As I am pretty obsessed with these words.

Cap/ Set One's Cap


Try to catch a sweetheart or a husband.


"It was clear to all of the guests at the Mottram ball Thursday last that Miss Rosamund Reiling has set her cap far Mr. Phillip Cavender.


It is the opinion of This Author that the two are well matched indeed."


--Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, 30 APRIL 1817
(An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn)


Cast up one's accounts

To vomit.
Anabel's stomach heaved. She spent all night casting up her accounts.


--inspired by Anabel's character in Fool for Love by Eloisa James

chit

A saucy, forward girl.

"Ellie wanted to strangle her. She didn't particularly like being condescended to by a chit of fourteen

years."  --Eleanor Lyndon from Brighter Than the Sun by Julia Quinn

Because She Would Ask Me Why I Loved Her

a poem by Christopher Brennan

If questioning would make us wise
No eyes would ever gaze in eyes;
If all our tale were told in speech
No mouths would wander each to each.

Were spirits free from mortal mesh
And love not bound in hearts of flesh
No aching breasts would yearn to meet
And find their ecstasy complete. 

For who is there that lives and knows
The secret powers by which he grows?
Were knowledge all, what were our need
To thrill and faint and sweetly bleed?. 

Then seek not, sweet, the "If" and "Why"
I love you now until I die.
For I must love because I live
And life in me is what you give.

I never knew poems could be such delights. They make me shiver in awe and love. :)

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods, or steepy mountain yields. 

And we will sit upon rocks,
Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,
By shallow rivers to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals. 

And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant poises,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle; 

A gown made of the finest wool
Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
Fair lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of the purest gold; 

A belt of straw and ivy buds,
With coral clasps and amber studs;
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me, and be my love. 

The shepherds's swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May morning:
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my love.

Christopher Marlowe
1599

Regency Lexicon

Some Regency terms I encounter during my readings. And my use of them in context :)

Almack's


Exclusive assembly rooms in London. One required vouchers from one of the Patronesses in order to attend.

Surely he could endure another more night with all those ambitious society mama's at Almack's.


Almack's was the place to find oneself an eligible bride.

Banns

A notice of an impending marriage given on three consecutive Sundays in one's parish church. If no one objected to the match during this period, the marriage could proceed.

She asked him to get a special license. She would rather they marry in haste, without all the necessary banns read.

Bedlam

An insane asylum in London. The full name was the Hospital of Saint Mary of Bethlehem.

A conversation with him is like a day at Bedlam.



“After spending the 

past few days cooped up with Miss De Leon, I 

consider myself a worthy candidate for Bedlam.” --Blake Ravenscroft (To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn)

Bit o'muslin


A woman of who gives sexual favors in exchange for payment.

“Calista, listen to me for a moment,” he said gently. “I am not engaged to Amanda, and

Lady Enright knows that.”

“I realize it is more of an understanding, but surely—”

“There is no understanding.” He sighed, disliking to shock her but knowing that honesty

was called for. “I had hoped to spare you the particular details of this, my sweet, but the

truth is that Amanda is—was actually—my, er—”

The light dawned in her eyes as she saw his discomfort. “Mistress? Fancy piece? Bit of

muslin?” Her tone sounded bitter to her own ears, and tears burned in her eyes as she

acknowledged to herself that they owed as much to jealousy of Amanda Prescott as to

disgust with his profligacy.

--Lord Stanhope's Proposal by Jessica Benson

**It might be of interest for you to know that Calista and Tristan, Earl of Stanhope marries at the end of this :) Mistresses are normal for them, you see. Maybe not if it is to be a love match ,though.

Bluestocking

A lady interested in books, learning and scholarly pursuits. From the so-called "Blue Stocking Society" which a group of society ladies began in the 1750's to discuss literature and other matters.

Belle could not believe that the handsome viscount would want a bluestocking such as herself.  

Breeches

Short, close-fitting trousers that fastened just below the knees and were worn with stockings.

He was a man with an eye for fashion, as one could tell by the way his breeches handsomely hugged his masculine thighs. 

By-blow

An illegitimate child.

"But she was no gently bred lady, she thought defiantly. She was a bastard, a nobleman's by-blow. She was not a member of the ton and never would be." --Sophia Gunningwood who took the name Sophia Beckett which later became Sophia Bridgerton, wife of Hon. Benedict Bridgerton. (An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn)

Regency Lexicon.

PHAETON

A four wheeled carriage usually having the front wheels smaller than the rear ones. It also had no side protection and left the gentleman's trousers or the lady's skirts open to flying mud. A very high seat, so high that one had to use a ladder to get into it only added to the phaeton's outre looks. A phaeton was drawn by two or sometimes four horses and came in several styles. ( http://www.likesbooks.com/carriages.html )

CURRICLE

The race-car of the regency. A curricle was a two wheeled carriage with a folding hood for protection from the elements. It was light and speedy, it was drawn by two horses and quickly became the carriage of choice for the fashionable young man about town. The curricle was a good vehicle for showing off your driving skills, and showing off your perfectly matched pair of horses. ( http://www.likesbooks.com/carriages.html)

Films.

Pride and Prejudice

Neverland Parts 1 and 2

From Prada to Nada

I'll laugh at you laughing at me.

She's the girl that every boy wants to date,
She's the chic that every girl wants to be,
Including me, I know you see
That I'm just unsure and insecure
I'm so afraid, I disbelieve myself
I'm self-absorbed but I can't be strong,

I can't even be the hero in my own song.

'Never Let Me Go' - The Trailer

This has sooo much effect on me. I don't know why but I've visited it's IMDb page before but I don't remember it at all. And it's soooooooooo, I don't know, so like those dystopian things I've been reading. So deliciously compelling. Must watch! Plus, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley?  UH-HUH! And I'm curious to see Carey Mulligan's acting. :)


UPDATE: Well, hey hey. It is a dystopian film after all. Did a little bit of researching. I think I may have brushed up on it back when I was on my dystopian-crazed phase and downloaded so many dystopian young adult fiction. HAHA. So much that I don't remember things. Anyway, these dystopian things are really creepy but so engrossing too. They're sooo weird :)

Hey, Charlie Rowe stars as the young Tommy! I'll tell you about Charlie on another post.

Toodles.

She Moves In Her Own Way- The Kooks

Go summer songs! This one makes me feel so gooooood! :P

AAAND I love the way it's English through and through.

The Kooks. Soooo awesome.

The Ginger just replied to me on Twitter.

If you wanna know who "The Ginger" is, you better read my nonsensical post titled 'Are you saying it's possible to have red hair and NOT be a Weasley?'

Anyway, I posted his quote about Obama being hipster and he gone and done replied to me.

I love my jokesters.

WOW.

Y'all y'alll y'alalalalal. Listen to this. I discovered this just now.

Geeezzz. Do you know, I love Robert Schwartzman. And I know about his relations with the brothers. But I didn't know THIS. THIS. After years and years. SIGH. Wave it off Nikka. Deep breaths, walk away. It's Robbie, he's hot, he sings awesome, everybody loves him and you're happy for him.

I think it's high time I posted a Bulldozer song.

I present to you The Ocean Grove band.

My friends John Taylor, Greg Garbowsky, Jack Lawless and Ryan Liestman.

Don't remember them?

Watch this.

Can you believe they didn't know that it was JT.

YEAAAH. They're JB's band boooyaaaaaah. And they formed their own shindig. They called it Ocean Grove. It was Bulldozer before. Way way before. You might know or remember that I was besotted with Garbo. I still am.

Here's a song

Are you telling me its possible to have red hair and NOT be a Weasley?

Heyyyyyooooooo. HAHAHA.

Just being random. There's this band on Twitter who followed me quite some time ago. And I just have this crush on one of the band members. His name is Andrew from the band Rocky Loves Emily and I initially like him based solely on his being a ginger. I found it highly amusing because it is definitely what DEFINES him. He's like Andrew the ginger man or just plain Ginger. They do trends like #gingerproblems and #gingerwisdom and probably lots of other phrases with the word "ginger" on them and they make Be Calm posters saying "Be Calm and Ginger On" but then these are common ginger activities. But he is how I found out and it's so amusing and adorable. I can't resist stuffs like that and I definitely cannot resist a good mass of red hair. You probably don't know that about me so I'm coming clean now. I have this obsession with red hair, green eyes and freckles. Yes, freckles. I adore them. Most especially on a pretty girl's face, specifically along the nose.

Hey, Andrew is cute as heck too. He's got amazing eyes and I smile whenever I see his face. But half of the reason is amusement. HAHA.

Andrew. Andrew. Andrew.

I was on his Tumblr account earlier and some posts just really made me smile. So now I have a list of Andrew lines:
-I've got 99 #gingerproblems and a soul ain't one of them.
-Retweet if there is a special Red Head in your life.
-We’re all bad people, because nobody is good on their own.
-I don’t [have a girlfriend]. I have a wife, does that count? lol
-Obama has a tumblr? What a hipster! (Ohmygeez I definitely backflipped on this one. Andrew is a hipster himself)
-imposters. (when asked what he thought of people who dye their hair red)
-#gingerawareness!
-They are inferior to my breed! ;) (when asked what he thought of blondes)
I like another one from the band though. Their front man Brandon. Yeah, he's cool and slightly weird (even for me) and he is ABSURDLY TALL.

Check them out! The band, I mean. They're pretty cool. I would probably put them on my playlist IF I were in my rock/punk phase. But alas, I don't find myself in that mood just now.

The Cumberbatch is Ginger.

Take it from Hyacinth. Where the heck is Gareth when she needs muzzling?!

Oh, I forget. They're not yet married here. Heaven help us from unmarried female Bridgertons. Oh, Hyacinth is the only one remaining.

“Eloise,” Penelope said, somewhat breathless from trying to shake off Hyacinth.

“Penelope.” But Eloise’s voice sounded curious. Which did not surprise Penelope; Eloise was no fool, and she was well aware that her brother’s normal modes of behavior did not include beatific smiles in her direction.

“Eloise,” Hyacinth said, for no reason Penelope could deduce.

“Hyacinth.”

Penelope turned to her husband. “Colin.”

He looked amused. “Penelope. Hyacinth.”

Hyacinth grinned. “Colin.” And then: “Sir Phillip.”

“Ladies.” Sir Phillip, it seemed, favored brevity.

“Stop!” Eloise burst out. “What is going on?”

“A recitation of our Christian names, apparently,” Hyacinth said.

The Bridgerton's amuse me to no end.

Colin and Penelope (but esp. Colin) making me laugh my head off.

“Penelope’s here?” Anthony barked. “Why?”
“She’s my wife,” Colin returned.
“She’s never attended before.”
“She wanted to see me win,” Colin shot back, rewarding his brother with a sickly stretch of a smile.
Anthony resisted the urge to throttle him.Barely. 

“And how do you know you’re going to win?”
Colin waved the black mallet before him. “I already have.”
“Good day, all,” Penelope said, ambling down to the gathering. 

“No cheering,” Anthony warned her.

Penelope blinked in confusion. “I beg your pardon?”
“And under no circumstances,” he continued, because really, someone had to make sure the game retained some integrity, “may you come within ten paces of your husband.”
Penelope looked at Colin, bobbed her head nine times as she estimated the steps between them, and took a step back.

I say, nothing beats a good (not to mention annual) Bridgerton Pall Mall game at Aubrey Hall.