Once in a while there comes a movie that captivates me so and I can watch every minute of it twice and maybe three times in a very short time. From the cast, music, and simpleness of it, Friendly Persuasion is one of my favourite movies. It was made in 1956 and stars Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire.

It is one of the few movies set in Indiana (my home state) during the Civil War. Morgan’s Raid is the main theme for the actual war, but most of the movie deals with the lives of the hilarious, loving, Quaker family, the Birdwells.

I laugh every time I watch this movie and I can’t help smile when I see Samantha, the goose. If you’ve seen it, you know exactly what I’m talking about. All around I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and might even buy it for my birthday, if I can find it anywhere. I would recommend this movie for an easy, fun loving movie night.

For the last year, as most know, the Twilight series rose in popularity, gathering a cluster of women from all ages in their growing fan club. I sat back and watched, metaphorically speaking, as the hordes kept sweeping the nation, obsessed with a forbidden romance, though for centuries we’ve seen the grip forbidden love has had on people, yet for some reason an average story has the hearts of countless women. The grip however ranges from those who just watch the movie once a day to those wearing the insignia on their underwear.

I, personally, have never had any interest in the Twilight fad. At first because everyone liked it, which immediately puts me off. I like to be different and hold my head up high when girls almost hyperventilate when they realize I’ve never done something and now…not having watched the Twilight movies. So, my first inclination was to not like it, even though I’d never seen it.

But then I read very useful articles such as : Eclipse : An Ideal Romance, Abstaining from the Madness, and How Twilight is Revamping Romance.

Then, after considering the entirety of the subject, I decided to watch the first movie, so I would be able to finalize my objections. And while I’m on the subject of objections…I read on her Wikipedia page that Stephenie Meyer likened her book with having been inspired by Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery, among other classics of literature! For what it’s worth, I didn’t see any supernatural men falling in love with Anne, who is the opposite of Bella; charming, talkative, and completely fascinated with life.

After having Mom verbalize her trust that I wouldn’t turn into a “fanpire” I viewed the movie on You Tube. I have seen the plot before, though, minus the undertone that the leading man has a thing for the heroine’s blood.

As a movie, it was, at times, corny. There are a few moments where I thought Bella was surprisingly refreshing as a heroine, mostly due to the fact that she trips and acts like the average girl, which is probably what captures most girls’ attention. Lined up against the wall with other movies, it isn’t out of the ordinary in the fact that the romance is selfish - on Bella’s part, and that a real eternity exists yet they choose to live their life on their terms.

And for the record, as for ‘promoting abstinence’, I felt that during that particular scene, when Edward throws himself across the room after kissing her, that he is not removing himself from the act of premarital sex, but trying not to kill her. If he was sure he wouldn’t kill her, I feel like they would’ve went ahead and… *ahem* you know, since he did end up spending the night in her bed anyway he obviously didn’t think about it being too sensual.

But in the light that Twilight is receiving globally, I feel that it can be dangerous for young girls and as it seems - their mothers. Yet all movies, with the exception of a few truly clean films, can become distractions when they become more than a two hour plot line. When anything takes our eyes off of Christ we are vulnerable and when we place something ahead of Him Satan takes his best shots. Twilight is not the only movie that has stirred hearts in the wrong direction. When we have an obsession towards something, whether is be Edward Cullen or our own personal glory, it becomes dangerous. We are all sinners, easily swayed by the smallest thing, but the thing that defines us from the world is that we have a Saviour, one who is more powerful than our sinful nature, and can save us from it.

After having seen it, these are my conclusions…it is an ordinary movie with a plot line that straddles others before it, with the exception of vampires and werewolves. I do not feel the need to watch this movie again, and I am a romantic, so that tells you something.

But what is more, I do not believe Twilight is at the very heart of the problem, but our own hearts. We choose to let it control us or not. Sure the movies have helped in that area, but we take what is in them and decide to let them run rampant for a while.

Written by the lesser known Bronte sister, Agnes Grey is a  fairly short book composed by Anne Bronte. It follows a few years in the life of young Agnes, a daughter born to parents who married for love and not for money, which their income is lacking. To help with the pecuniary situation, Agnes decides to pick herself up and leave to be a governess. With some reluctance, Mrs. Grey allows her daughter to go, but warns her it will not be what she thinks. Nevertheless, Agnes is sent to a home with children who rule their parents. After a few months of horrible spoilt children, Agnes is then sent to a calmer home, but still with its faults. While there presumably she meets the curate, Mr. Weston, and the two grow to enjoy each others company. I will leave the rest for you to read on your own:)

I would say that the book is well written, with a flowing style of writing, yet the only thing I wished for in the story was perhaps a little, okay a lot more detail in the plot, with perhaps some twists or obstacles, but nonetheless it was still an agreeable read.

~

Our family also has enjoyed the BBC costume drama, Little Dorrit based on the book by Charles Dickens. My review is from the perspective of one who has not read the book. It is 7 and a half hours long, with a tremendous cast, and lovely filming. A lot of actors can be seen amidst dozens of other BBC adaptations, which gives them a familiar feel.

from left to right: Mrs. General, Mr. Meagles, Pet Gowan, Mr. Gowan, Flora Finching, Mrs. McClennam, Arthur McClennam, Flintwhinch, and Affrey

Little Dorrit is about a young lady born in a debtor’s prison with her poor father and a host of friends. She begins work for an elderly lady, Mrs. McClennam, whose son has been abroad for 15 years and who has come back due to his father’s death. But the house of McClennam has a secret many try to hide and unearth.

Amy Dorrit

The storyline brings sinister villains, mainly a Frenchman named Rigaud, extremely lovable characters such as John Chivery, interesting inhabitants like Mr. Pancks, and plenty of warm, detailed, and relieved moments. However the story does contain sensual expressions, a somewhat bloody suicide scene, and violence (usually in the presence or right after the presence of Rigaud).

Arthur McClennam

Despite the previous, I enjoyed the movie, and have been able to re-watch it many times. I rated it with the likes of Bleak House, although I think I enjoy Bleak House a tad more than Little Dorrit, but Mum really enjoyed Little Dorrit, more than most costume dramas.

I have had the privilege, thanks to modern technology, to watch the newest adaptation of Emma by Jane Austen. Without keeping you in suspense as to my opinion, I shall just say: …”I loved it”. Amazingly, as a female, I do not match make, nor have I ever really had the knack or desire to. I may be just a little worse than dear Emma Woodhouse when it comes to that subject.

Romola Garai plays the new Emma, who I admit never really was a favourite heroine of Austen’s. For some reason I could not relate to Emma, but with such a personable and sweet portrayal by Romola, I feel like I’ve gained a new heroine. Plus, her charming beauty seems to fit the description of Emma to my mind. Many, in fact, thousands have decided that they did not like this adaptation, but I, like a sore thumb, am quite impressed with this adaptation. It may be a little modern, but then again, most of movie producers can’t help but add something that the viewers are more familiar with.

The rest of the characters were fairly well cast. Harriet was adorable and not portrayed as a complete goose. Mr. Woodhouse (Michael Gambon) did excellent in his role, and I enjoyed the way BBC showed their relationship throughout the movie, allowing you to see Emma’s loyalties and faults.

Mr. Knightley, played by Johnny Lee Miller, who was completely unknown to me before the movie, did very well. Many fans will not allow him over Jeremy Northam in their affections for the great character. I for one, thought JLM better than JN, for an all around spectacular performance.

The trailer gave me doubts at the beginning, but after the first two installments, I was converted. I loved the innocence and beauty of the film. The music was not as good as the Rachel Portman’s Emma, but the good qualities made up for that. Giving Miss Fairfax, Emma, and Frank Churchill’s life at the beginning was a marvelous idea, for when you do not know their situation, one is less inclined to feel for them.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the film.

I had first read of Lorna Doone on a blog, and how often it was paired with movies like Pride and Prejudice on the “Favourite Movie” list. I had never heard of it, and after a few months of pondering I finally inter library loaned the movie which was made by BBC and A&E. Yet I was so anxious to watch the movie that I ended up watching it on Youtube in Spanish. I was even more anxious to know what they were saying for my Spanish isn’t too good. So I rented the book from the library to ease my anxiety.

I would say that I love Lorna Doone. The music is my style and the costumes are interesting and elegant at the same time. The acting is a little corny at times, but the story line is sweet, intriguing, and clean. Love is throughout the movie, in different forms, but it is there. Violence is present but only in the form of quick, red Kool Aid squirted over the “wounded” men. The characters, especially the antagonist (Carver Doone) is really an interesting character. He is not simply the bad guy that you love to hate, for through the movie, you start to wonder the depth of his sincerity.

The movie also includes: James McAvoy from Narnia and Becoming Jane, Joanne Froggat from Robin Hood BBC Season 3. Along with Mrs. Jamieson from Cranford, and Mr. Boffin from Our Mutual Friend.