Right chuffed with the BBC

I just had to share my latest discovery! The new mini-series (well, really not so new but new to me) put out by the BBC:  CRANFORD.

I'm appalled that this movie was put out in 2007 and I just found it now. Where have I been? I even trawl the BBC site on occasion looking for stuff. How did I miss this? I've even read the Elizabeth Gaskell book it's based on. Such a moving weave of stories that shows the strength of women with humor and clarity.

In the end I finally found it on Netflix. Now I've had to send both discs back and am going to have to buy them for myself. I want to see it again and share it with my daughters and friends.

There is an all-star cast headed up by Dame Judi Dench. She is amazing in it! As well as Dame Eileen Atkins, Imelda Staunton, Lisa Dillon, Michael Gambon, Greg Wise, Julia Sawalha, Simon Woods, Joe McFadden, Philip Glenister, Kimberly Nixon. 

Actually the list goes on and on. Everyone does such an amazing job. One of the ones I was most impressed with, though, was one of the youngest in the cast, Alex Etel (of Millions and The Water Horse fame). Such an inspired and heartfelt performance from one so young! 

It is done in 5-1 hour episodes. There are changes from the original book. The writers actually wove 3 of Gaskell's novels together to provide enough material for the mini-series length. Cranford is a fairly short novel. They do it so well that, even though I've read the book, I'd have to go back and reread to see for sure what they added.

Kudos BBC! 

Entertain me!

As requested, here's a rundown of some shows and films that I have found particularly entertaining lately. Sure I could say CSI, but who hasn't already heard of that and made their own decisions. Same with The Bucket List. I thought I'd share some that aren't on everyone's radar.

TV

1. Castle

--Mon. 10 PM on ABC. It just started this last week. Two episodes have already aired. Very charming. Written by Stephen J. Cannell. A famous thriller author, researching for a new series, shadows a detective. The first episode had cameos of James Patterson and Stephen J. Cannell as Richard Castle's writer buddies. There are complete recaps of the episodes on ABC's website.  I wasn't planning on watching any new shows. The dang TV is eating away at all my writing time. I was leaving the room when my husband started watching this one. I stopped to tell him something real quick before I left the room and got sucked into it in the first few minutes. I'm already hooked. Ugh! And yet very entertained in all my ugh-ness.

2. The Mentalist

--Tues. 9PM on CBS. It started last fall. 16 episodes have aired. A reformed psychic (i.e. not a psychic at all, but just very observant of human nature and people's actions and quirks etc.) helps the FBI solve crimes. 

3. Chuck

--Mon. 8 PM on NBC. This is the 2nd season of Chuck. The first one was cut short by the writers' strike last year. So it would be fairly easy to catch up. There are also full episodes and recaps posted on the NBC website. Chuck is a lovable computer wiz who works for the Nerd Herd at the Buy More (think Geek Squad at the Best Buy). He becomes the country's most vital asset when a database of government secrets ends up in his head and the only computer with that info self destructs. He bumbles through helping the FBI solve cases. This one totally cracks me up every week. It may not be for everyone, but I love it.

Film--for the synopses just pull up netflix or something like that.

1. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day

--(2008) Amy Adams, Frances McDormand--I saw this one reviewed on Stephanie Perkins blog and had to check out. Loved it! Frances McDormand is fantastic. It's quirky and fun with a little depth too. The HBM (Hot British Male) factor is another good reason for watching. PG-13--for backal and sidal nudity and adult themes.

2. Cold Comfort Farm

--(1995) with Kate Beckinsale, Ian McKellen, Rufus Sewell--Hilarious! The names! The personalities! The situations! British humor!  An unexpected array of twists and turns! Amazing cast!  More HBM sitings! PG

3. Dear Frankie

--(2004) with Gerard Butler, Emily Mortimer--Heartwarming, sweet, romantic. I saw this advertised on one of my netflix rentals and added it to my list. Gerard Butler (a definite HBM) would be reason enough to watch this movie, but the story is poignant and touching. It really stays with you. PG-13 for language.

4. Regarding Henry

--(1991) with Harrison Ford, Annette Benning--My token US movie. Okay, so my films have tipped very British. I do tend to lean that direction. The problem is I think y'all are all familiar with the US ones I love. Here's one you younger people may not be familiar with, since it was filmed in 1991. Henry's journey is compelling. I loved it when it first came out, and it still holds up after all these years. (Harrison Ford's not bad either.) PG-13. 

I've been Mamma Mia-ed

I was very blase about seeing the movie Mamma Mia.  I mean, I like Abba alright, but I've never been a huge fan.  I figured I'd like it about as much as I like Abba--moderately well.

One of my nieces is totally in love with it--you might even say obsessed--and tried to convince me to take a look.  I kept planning to get to it.  Then my husband and I got tickets to the Broadway traveling show version for February, and I figured I'd wait and watch the movie after we saw the live show. No biggie!  No rush!  Then another friend watched it and was instantly just as hooked as my niece.  Well, hmm! Fine!  I figured I should just go ahead and watch it. I caved, and New Year's Eve was the day. 

What can I say?  I totally lost all my blase-ness!

Wow!! There is seriously good reason why Meryl Streep has received more nominations than you could shake a stick at and has won 2 academy awards and 6 golden globes.

 

Everyone in the movie was great, but, for me, she totally stole the show.  Look at her.  She's 59 and jumping on the bed like that among many other things I was amazed she could still do.  In fact, at several points I was in complete and utter awe of her.  When she sang "The Winner Takes It All," I had chills and tears, and at the end of the movie I had to immediately go back and watch that scene again and I had chills and tears again. Who knew she could sing like that? and act like that while she's singing like that? Holy cow! A! maz! ing! 

I laughed hard, and I cried, and then I laughed again and again.  The all-star cast was a surprise for me, especially Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth.  Who knew they could sing?  and dance? Seeing Colin Firth dance at the end--I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.  You have to watch all the way through to the very end.  It's like your reward for watching the credits. Julie Walters was also a show thief!  (Go Mrs. Weasley!)

The music was fun and surprising and was perfectly woven through the storyline.  There were songs I had totally forgotten that Abba did.

On top of everything else, that gorgeous scenery in Greece is breathtaking--show stealer extraordinaire!  

There you have it.  I have now been Mamma Mia-ed!  Thanks Alyssa!  Thanks Michelle!  Thanks Meryl and Pierce and Colin and Julie and Stellan and Amanda and Dominic and Christine and the stags and hens...  Thank you all for some seriously entertaining entertainment!

Anybody else seen it?  What did you think?