goof-off week, day #1

Memorial Day.
We finally made it to the 'Prince Caspian' movie. Despite reading some less than glowing reviews, I'm glad we went. It is a tremendous film, even if not perfectly matched to the book. Yes, Prince Caspian is decidedly older in the movie, and distractingly darker (isn't he a blond narnian in the book?), but overall the characters and the feel of the movie are good. Reepicheep is especially on the mark. I'd go see it again, just for him. The only 'huh?' moment that is really out of character from the book and even the movie, is when Susan kisses Prince Caspian. Obviously this wouldn't happen in the book (he's a child!...but not so in the film), but even in the film a romantic relationship isn't developed at all. I don't even think it is hinted at, other than, yes, Caspian is tall, dark, and handsome. Still, go see it! It's worth ignoring one scene.
Then I took a nap, had lunch, and played board games all afternoon with the kids and Robin. Play Trivial Pursuit if you want to wonder, 'why do my hubby and oldest son use so much brain space on completely useless information' YES, I said useless because using the info in a game doesn't count! =)
After dinner, we walked to Cups and Cones. I love having an ice cream shop close. And, I love family days!
-kanga

Super Bowl trumps Jane Austen

I don't know why, but the guys in our house thought that this football game was more important that the latest PBS movie about Jane Austen...!
We watched out taped episode of Jane Austen Regrets yesterday. I imagine that this portrayal of Jane is close to real life. It isn't as glamorous, or have the intense experiences, but her life is much more intriguing to me than her stories. There is pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow, waves of plain days and interesting ones too throughout her life. Her relationships formed and developed her as a person and this, in turn formed and developed her writing subject too.
Jane is winsome, yet deeply yearning. She is like all of us, I suppose.

Mansfield Park

I guess it all comes from trying to condense a huge book into 1 1/2 hours. Though I liked the movie, I was dissatisfied as I watched. The development of these deep and complex relationships was so quick and surface level. Unless you've already read the book, it was too shallow and leaves too much unsaid. If you've read the book, then I guess it's a good reminder of the different scenes and characters...and a reminder of what the story really is. But if you did read the book, did Fanny really look like that? Did you think the realtionships were sufficiently explored? (I know that it can only be done in a representative way in film, but still! ) To be fair, all Jane Austen works have redeeming characters, and I especially liked Edmund.
So, this wasn't my favorite Jane Austen book-to-film. I am still dreaming of Catherine! I want to live that life...not the aristocratic one...the one of her childhood. A simple life in the country with tons of kids, laughing and running free in the outdoors, surrounded by family and good friends, and able to walk everywhere in town! Does it exist now? Oh, and the gorgeous dresses, but for sure that doesn't exist!
Can't wait until the next Masterpiece Theatre!

Northhanger Abbey

We had our Sunday night at the Masterpiece Theater..at home of course! Northhanger Abbey was very well done. Though the book can be confusing, the movie was not. The story is interwoven with Catherine's many imaginations, encouraged by her novel reading so many of these imaginations are wild. The movie made this flow seamlessly.
Catherine is probably my favorite Jane Austen character. She is young, inexperienced, naive in many ways. As she begins to leave her childhood, the story begins. I want to jump in and guide her. The world is a hard place! Sometimes people will take advantage of you! Ack! Don't do that! Or, yes trust this person! But she manages herself fine (don't want to ruin the story for you!) , even if she must painfully evaluate herself. She even matures and moves beyond her childish ways.
And...aaahhh...a happy ending!

Masterpeice Theater 2008

Thanks to Kanga's friend, Cynthia, we have plenty of Jane Austen! She sent the PBS schedule for Masterpeice Theatre. Thank You!!

For your benefit too:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/austen/index.html

I originally posted the whole schedule here, but changed my mind. You definitely should explore the pbs site. There are some terrific resources there. I am so excited! I think we have our literature course for the Spring...and I spent no $$. The information at pbs is a treasure, especially for us Jane Austen-ophiles.

I can't wait to get started!
-kanga

Maria Goretti, movie

Yes, it's true. What are we doing with are free time this week: being lazy, enjoying each other, and watching another movies.
Maria Goretti was given to Piglet for Christmas. I had been warned that there are a couple of frightening scenes for young'uns....and it's true. We just shooed Roo out a couple of times. Even though this brought about inevitable questions, I can predigest the information and he doesn't have to observe. That being said, I think that even those scenes were tastely depicted, though ugly enough, even I being 'most squeamish' could watch.
From the description "This film tells the inspiring and tragic story of the beloved saint of modern youth who died defending her purity at the hands of a knife-weilding attacker."
There is way more to the story. Maria is inspiring: cheerful, hopeful, faithful.....and forgiving. I love the parallel between malaria and hatred, with hatred being worse as Maria's father teaches her. And, she learns well because before she dies while in immense pain from her wounds she forgives her attacker and hopes that he is with her in heaven.
Oh, to have such pure and noble intentions! Maria Goretti, pray for us!
-kanga

Emma

No, we are not getting any school done this week! I answer to C. Robin's question.
We watched Emma. At first I could not get over comparing it to Pride and Prejudice, and wasn't liking it much. After settling in, though, I think the characters in some way show many truths. Emma is immature and meddling, but she does accept criticism and grows in maturity and compassion by the end. The other character are likable, real, and I wanted good things for them! In the end, everyone married the ones I chose....so of course, it all ended well. I recommend this one too!
-kanga

Vitus

We just watched 'Vitus', which my bro recommended and lent to us. It was so good! Makes me want to fly an airplane ~o~
Thanks, Mike!
-kanga