Great Ways to Procrastinate » Gotta See It

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Kathryn — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 19:30:35 +0000

Yes, Colin Firth IS Mr. Darcy in our hearts. But don’t let that stop you from rushing out to see the latest adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice starring Kiera Knightley as Lizzie, Matthew MacFadyen as the delectable Mr. Darcy, Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennett, and Dame Judith Dench as Lady Catherine de Bourg. The movie is not only stunningly beautiful to behold, but infinitely sigh-worthy. I won’t spoil it for you…but when Lizzie and Darcy dance at the Netherfield ball (big sigh)…when Mr. Bennett gives Lizzie and Darcy his consent (try to stop the tears)…and when the couple meets on the moors in the early morning (heart leaps into throat). All of this, the whole story, in just over two hours. Amazing. Two gloved thumbs up!

Vanity Fair

Kathryn — Thu, 01 Jul 2004 14:45:58 +0000

While I was researching Lady in Waiting, Vanity Fair (starring Reese Witherspoon and James -yummy, yummy- Purefoy) was being filmed in Bath. Streets were covered with earth and carriages were parked before stately homes and costumed actors strolled transporting Bath to 1820. Vanity Fair, based on Thackeray’s famed novel, is the story of low born “Becky” Sharp (Witherspoon) who finds she must rely on her wit, guile, and sexuality as she makes her way up through society circa 1820. Opens September 1, 2004. (What, you thought I’d put a picture of Reese Witherspoon here? How little you know me…).

Girl with a Pearl Earring, by Peter Webber

Kathryn — Tue, 02 Mar 2004 01:12:20 +0000

Beauty inspires Obsession

Okay, in college most girls had posters of rock stars on their walls. I had a poster of the girl with a pearl earring, from a Vermeer exhibit I attended in Washington, D.C. Something about the painting haunted me. What was her story? Well, after reading the phenomenal novel Girl with a Pearl Earring, by Tracy Chevalier, I had my answer. If you haven’t read the book, please do. Or go and see the movie, starring Colin Firth (just to see him as Vermeer, is worth the price of admission) and Scarlett Johansson as his passionate student and willing subject.

Master and Commander, The Far Side of The World, by Patrick O’Brian

Kathryn — Sat, 31 Jan 2004 19:56:16 +0000

Even if you aren’t a huge fan of Patrick O’Brian’s incredible naval novels set in the early 1800′s (okay, I shall not judge you ) —the source material for this epic picture—the movie stars the very talented Russell Crowe, who’s not half bad to look at for two hours. Double sigh.

Cold Mountain, by Charles Frazier

Kathryn — Sat, 31 Jan 2004 19:52:10 +0000

I simply adored the 1997 book Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. In fact, its one of my all time favorite novels. With an all-star line-up including Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, how could this film do anything but please?

Cold Mountain is the heart-wrenching story of a wounded confederate soldier (Jude Law) who embarks on a dangerous journey to return home to the woman (Nicole Kidman) he loves. Sigh.