Sink Me! Entries

I'm not really supposed to be back as my family and I haven't even moved into our new house yet but Miss Amy Dashwood is having a delightful contest over at her hilarious period drama humor blog Sink Me! and I just had to get in on the fun since I had internet at the hotel we're staying in.

Here are my three contest entries:

Photo: Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Quote: Song 'Chu-Chi Face' from Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang

Photo: Little Dorrit (2009)

Quote: Jo & Laurie from Little Women (1994)

Photo: Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Quote: Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

Let me know what you think!

Now go make your own entries for this delightful contest! :)

Period Drama Caption Contest - Results

I was a little disappointed with the amount of caption entries that came in for last week's Period Drama Caption Contest but many thanks to the four lovely readers who entered. 

Instead of having a poll I'm just going to post the entries that were sent in and ya'll can let us know which captions made you giggle.

Screencap #1

Mr. Woodhouse will be happy to know this child is free of disease. - by Emily

What a delicious baby! - by Jillian B

Screencap #2

But there was such a shocking lack of satin! (Mrs. Elton) - by Scullery Maid

I think it rather hard to be loved whether I like it or not. (Rose in Bloom) - by Scullery Maid

Really, you have no compassion for my poor nerves! (P&P) - by Scullery Maid

Screencap #3

Girl: Do you like my new hair?

Guy: She hogged the bathroom for hours this morning. - by Jemimah

Forgive me if I kept you waiting, I had a difficult time finding a suitable hairstyle. - by Jillian B

You're mad to think I'd marry you, too ragged you are! (from "the Saucy Sailor Boy") - by Scullery Maid

You do not ask me for a riddle.

Your whole personality is a riddle. I thought you over-qualified. (Emma) - by Scullery Maid

Isn't my new gown lovely?

I'll imagine that I like it. - by Scullery Maid

Many thanks again to those who submitted captions!

If you thought of a caption while reading this post feel free to put it in the comments.

Period Drama Caption Contest

You've probably seen these type of games before but this is the first time I've hosted one at OFC. 

Below are screencaps from three different period dramas which made me chuckle just looking at them. Your job is to come up with witty captions for the scenes below. 

Example: Perhaps the pic might make you think of a line from a song or a quote from another film or even just a clever conversation based on the expressions of the characters.

To Play: 

--Leave up to 3 witty captions for each screencap in a comment (you don't have to do captions for all three photos, just whichever you want). 

--In your comment please tell which number screencap you are leaving captions for.

--Please keep captions free of offensive language or content. 

--Later in the week I'll either put up a poll for readers to vote for their favorites or choose my favorites and winners will be announced next Saturday.

--Have fun and go ahead and comment on other reader's captions if you wish!

Screencap #1

Screencap #2

Screencap #3

I look forward to reading everyone's captions! :)

P.S. My family and I are having a moving sale this weekend (hence the no-tallying-scores-for-me game) and would appreciate prayers that almost everything we need to get rid of will sell. Thanks!

Eating Muffins

Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoy The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)? It's been a favorite for a while because it's a sweet story with a stellar cast and it always makes me laugh!

Here's one of my favorite clips from the film that shows Colin Firth at his funniest:

"They seem to be eating muffins."

Have you seen The Importance of Being Earnest?Do you have a favorite scene or line?

Film Review: Leap Year (2010)

I rarely review modern day films but in honor of St. Patrick's Day I wanted to review Leap Year (2010) because it's a recent favorite of mine and a fun film set in Ireland.

This film won't be for everyone so if you're not interested in modern comedic romances or Irish themed things just ignore this post.

Story: Anna Brady from Boston has always thought the story her father told about the Irish tradition of ladies proposing to their guys on February 29th was a silly idea. But when Anna's boyfriend Jeremy, a busy cardiologist, fails to propose to her she follows him to Ireland to pop the question. Bad weather forces her plane to land early so Anna must continue to Dublin by land and she enlists the help of Irish pub owner Declan O'Callahan to drive her. When his junky old car dies they must travel by foot, bus and train without killing each other - let the hilarity ensue!

Scenery: Gorgeous! Many picturesque views of Ireland including glens, cliffs, shorelines, rugged country, rolling hills and stone castles! Every scene is filled with beautiful color and richness.

Music: A mixture of original score with an Irish sound, Irish reels, pub classics and a few pop songs. The original soundtrack has some lovely songs and can be purchased from Amazon.

Costumes: Anna has some very cute feminine outfits but some low necklines. I loves her dress at the end, so sweet! She often wears $600 heels which are ridiculous for walking cross country. Declan has a smart jacket which I liked a lot. All clothes are modern but tasteful.

Acting: Some of the reviews I've read say the acting is terrible especially the fake Irish accents the Irish residents have. Some of the accents aren't great and some of the phrases and stories they tell are a little clique but still very charming and funny.
Amy Adams (Enchanted) who plays Anna is totally cute with her red hair and clumsiness. She's so pretty and I really enjoyed the mischief her character gets into. Matthew Goode (He Knew He Was Right) is a favorite and his portrayal of skeptical Declan is clever even though the Irish accent he dons isn't perfect. Together they made a very cute pair!

Objectionable Content: Because this is a modern and secular film there is some slightly objectionable content that gives the film a PG rating. Anna and her boyfriend have been "together" for four years and plan to buy an apartment together without getting married. On their trek cross country Anna and Declan stop at a Bed & Breakfast where they pretend to be married so the strict owners will let them stay. During dinner the other married guests kiss and tell Declan to kiss his "wife" so he and Anna share a kiss that lasts a bit longer than expected. Because the B&B owners think Anna and Declan are married they are given one bedroom which has no door on the bathroom and although they comically fight over the bed they both end up sleeping in the same bed but stay on their own sides. At a party Anna and Declan go to Anna has a bit too much to drink and is sick all over Declan's shoes. There is some slight language and name calling.

My Thoughts: This is a modern day romantic comedy that has a lot of cute and hilarious scenes. The love story is sweet but kind of fluffy. This film is definitely a chick flick and the view of Irish people and the accents used are kind of cheesy. But as a fun fluffy romp through beautiful Ireland I actually really like this film. Anna is a very sweet character with silly romantic notions and her trek across Ireland helps her too step out of her busy life and take a look at what really matters. *spoilers* As a hero Declan likes to have some fun teasing Anna about her city ways but when it come down to it he protects her, wants to make her happy and reminds her what's really important in life. *end of spoilers*
So overall this is one of my favorite films to watch around St. Paddy's Day and for me it's just a lot of fun.  

My Recommendations: Like I said this film won't be for everyone because of some of the slightly objectionable content so although it's rated PG I'd probably but this film at ages 13 and up. But if you happen to have a TV filter such as ClearPlay is would probably take out any objectionable language or scenes.  This is a modern film so again my period drama fans may want to just skip this post.


Have you seen Leap Year (2010)? What did you think of it?
Do you have any films you enjoy watching for St. Patrick's Day?



Very Truly Your's,

Running Into Nonsense With Flora Finching

The elusive Mrs. F!

Flora Finching is probably the funniest character in Charles Dickens's Little Dorrit. She definitely makes me laugh no matter which film adaptation I'm watching! Her ridiculous sentimental expressions and blundering slips are quite comical.

When I was looking up some of her quotes I was only the teeniest bit surprised to find that her long-winded dialog has few punctuation marks - a couple commas but hardly any period marks! Her lengthy speeches are akin to Miss Bates in Jane Austen's Emma! They just go on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on....(clears throat) anyway!

In the book Arthur and Flora were once in love but never married. Years later when he sees her again nothing is left of the pretty and sweet girl he once new. I love his expression at first seeing Flora in the 2009 miniseries! 

Astonished!

Haha! Poor Arthur! Not quite what he was expecting! :)

Let's take a look at some of Flora's comedy gold:

"Dear old days gone for ever!"

'You mustn't think of going yet,' said Flora--Arthur had looked at his hat, being in a ludicrous dismay, and not knowing what to do: 'you could never be so unkind as to think of going, Arthur--I mean Mr Arthur--or I suppose Mr Clennam would be far more proper--but I am sure I don't know what I am saying--without a word about the dear old days gone for ever, when I come to think of it I dare say it would be much better not to speak of them and it's highly probable that you have some much more agreeable engagement and pray let Me be the last person in the world to interfere with it though there was a time, but I am running into nonsense again.' 

- Flora Finching, Charles Dickens's Little Dorrit, Chapter 13

I enjoyed the 1988 adaptation's portrayal of Flora, especially the extra bits they took straight from the book! 

"Hush!"

Arthur clearly doesn't love Flora anymore and she seems to feel that Arthur must definitely be devoted to young Amy Dorrit. 

  'Ask me not,' said Flora, 'if I love him still or if he still loves me or what the end is to be or when, we are surrounded by watchful eyes and it may be that we are destined to pine asunder it may be never more to be reunited not a word not a breath not a look to betray us all must be secret as the tomb wonder not therefore that even if I should seem comparatively cold to Arthur or Arthur should seem comparatively cold to me we have fatal reasons it is enough if we understand them hush!'

  

All of which Flora said with so much headlong vehemence as if she really believed it. There is not much doubt that when she worked herself into full mermaid condition, she did actually believe whatever she said in it.

  'Hush!' repeated Flora, 'I have now told you all, confidence is established between us hush, for Arthur's sake I will always be a friend to you my dear girl and in Arthur's name you may always rely upon me.' - Flora Finching, Charles Dickens's Little Dorrit, Chapter 24

Poor Amy! There was little need for Flora to keep saying "hush, hush" as Amy couldn't get a word in edgewise if she wanted to! :)

"Arthur not Doyce and Clennam"

During the story Amy Dorrit does some sewing for Flora at her house. When Arthur Clennam has some life-changing news for Amy he seeks her out and whisks her away leaving Flora to make this departing speech: 

"The dress will never be finished but shall be laid aside and called Little Dorrit!"

'...everybody will congratulate you some in earnest and some not and many will congratulate you with all their hearts but none more so I do assure you from the bottom of my own I do myself though sensible of blundering and being stupid, and will be judged by Arthur not Doyce and Clennam for this once so good-bye darling and God bless you and may you be very happy and excuse the liberty, vowing that the dress shall never be finished by anybody else but shall be laid by for a keepsake just as it is and called Little Dorrit though why that strangest of denominations at any time I never did myself and now I never shall!' - Flora Finching, Charles Dickens's Little Dorrit, Chapter 35

Oh dear! Are you giggling as much as I am? and I haven't even mentioned anything about Mr. F's aunt! 

Flora and Mr. F's aunt make a visit to Doyce and Clennam, Arthur's offices:

'Good gracious, Arthur,--I should say Mr Clennam, far more proper--the climb we have had to get up here and how ever to get down again without a fire-escape and Mr F.'s Aunt slipping through the steps and bruised all over and you in the machinery and foundry way too only think, and never told us!'
Thus, Flora, out of breath. Meanwhile, Mr F.'s Aunt rubbed her esteemed insteps with her umbrella, and vindictively glared.
- Charles Dicken's Little Dorrit, Chapter 24

Dear, delightful, ridiculous Flora! How we love to laugh at you! And how glad we are of poor Arthur Clennam's narrow escape from your nonsense. (boy, that sounded a bit harsh but it's true!) :)
The phrase "excessively diverting" comes to mind with regards to Flora. I think Jane Austen's Elizabeth Bennet would have laughed her head off if she'd ever met her! hehe :)

What are your favorite Flora Finching quotes?

Which Jane Austen character do you think would have laughed the most at Flora's silliness? 

Cravats & Heroes

Why Jane Austen's heroes are the best!

I don't know why, but I just loved this! 

Nothing beats a guy dressed in period costume, complete with greatcoat! 

"It's Christmas Eve Eve!"

On of my family's all time favorite Christmas films is the adorable Eloise at Christmastime! This film is sort of a follow-up of the original film Eloise at The Plaza, but can be watched and enjoyed on it's own.



Eloise is a rawther preciousness six-year-old girl who lives at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

"I'm Eloise, I'm six! I live at the Plaza Hotel." Is how the film, based on the stories by Kay Thompson, begins.



Eloise (Sofia Vassilieva) and her British governess, Nanny (Julie Andrews), rent a big suit at the Plaza where Eloise always seems to be in the center of any mischief that's going on. She's a big hearted girl whose spunk and opinionated ways are so much fun to watch. She boggles the minds of most of the hotel's staff and guests while still being ever so cute and adorable!



Christmas is Eloise's favorite time of year and the film follows her as she makes her plans. Everything from checking her mile long wish list, to marathon shopping at marvelous stores in NYC, to singing Christmas carols and eating too much chocolate with Nanny, to sneaking into the package room to see if any surprise gifts have come from her mother in France.

Eloise is also a romantic my nature and her attempts to bring her two friends together is very sweet. Maybe there will be a Christmas Eve wedding at the Plaza after all!

My family's favorite quote from the film is when Eloise wakes up in the morning on the day before Christmas Eve and proclaims to the world: "It's Christmas Eve Eve!" This is why we always have to watch Eloise at Christmastime on the 23rd of December.



So if you haven't seen this film it's a must see! I love the charm of the 1940's-1950's era hotel and clothes that's mixed with a bit more modern stores and transportation. This film is a delight and I'm going to hop off now so I can enjoy the fun of Eloise with my family!



Merry Christmas Eve Eve to all!

Very Truly Your's

On Stranger Tides - Trailer

I'm not sure if I've ever shared with you all what a huge Pirates of the Caribbean fan I am! I remember being skeptical when the first film came out that it would be any good. After watching the first film on DVD I was hooked and was very excited when the second and third films came out and watched them in the cinema with glee!

Mrs. Gae brought this trailer for the fourth film starring Captain Jack Sparrow to my attention and I am most thankful. Even though this new film will not have either the Will or Elizabeth characters in it, it looks delightfully funny and I am very excited to see it when it comes out in May of 2011!

Here's the trailer below, enjoy! :)




Hope you're having a wonderful day!

Widows' Peak

The sudden and tragic death of actress Natasha Richards has prompted me to post about the movie Widows' Peak in which she stared as Mrs. Edwina Broome.



I first saw this film when it was shown on TV a couple years ago and liked it instantly. The story centers around a group of controlling but well-meaning widows in a small Irish town. Their orderly world is upset when Mrs. Edwina Broome comes to town charming all the young men, eluding the scandal loving widows and becoming a rival to Miss O'Hare who takes an immediate dislike to her. When it seems that Edwina is trying to ruin Miss O'Hare the whole town is in an uproar and they are no closer to solving the mystery of her life.



Widows' Peak really is a lovely film filled with humor, romance, gossip and plenty of doddering old ladies. I can't remember any language in the film or off color scenes. If you've never seen this film I think it's worth a look and just wait for the surprise ending!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while but I've been so busy with work and now I'm just coming down with a cold! But I have had some adventures that I'll have to tell you about next time.

Mood

Blank
(very out of it, I need rest and vitamin C, and my eyes are blurry)