JANE AUSTEN POST OF EPIC.
It's finally here. MY JANE AUSTEN POST OF EPIC WIN. Reviews, pictures, and polls of the Masterpiece Theatre extravaganza. Squee, discuss, and drool over the Austen men. I dare you. :D
Persuasion:
I have to admit that this is one of my least favourite Austen novels. It just sort of fell flat and I could never seem to connect with Anne. With that being said, I enjoyed the new adaptation. Not my favourite by far but it was enjoyable. I read the book right afterwards and noticed all the artistic liberties that were taken and perhaps that was why I did enjoy the adaptation.
Or perhaps it was Rupert-Penry Jones. XD
Overall, the adaptation was very quiet and subtle and while I didn't detest it, I couldn't seem to fully invest myself in it either. I feel like I can't really remember it either which leaves this little review at a standstill, huh? Maybe I should stop before making a fool out of myself.
Northanger Abbey:
OMG I LOVED THIS ADAPTATION. IT WAS SEXY AND CUTE AND OMG.
One of the main reasons why I love this novel so much is because I can wholeheartedly connect with Catherine. She's a naive girl who fantasizes and exaggerates reality because of the books she reads. I think she's absolutely adorable and I love the fact that she jumps to conclusions and she's flawed and all that.
PLUS AREN'T SHE AND HENRY THE CUTEST THINGS LIKE EVER?
I've always loved the Gothic aspect of this story, especially which such an innocent character like Catherine. She gets in over her head and it's so different from Jane's other novels. It has the same elements of romance and rogues and all that but there's a darker side to it all.
I adored the way the adaptation was made, especially when it depicted scenes from Catherine's novels. Felicity Jones and JJ Feild had GREAT chemistry and they worked so well together (at least for me). They had that awkwardly cute factor down and yet when Catherine makes the assumption about his family, it's clear the conflicting emotions they each have. It's absolutely heartbreaking and yet you can't help but think that this is what Catherine deserves for making everything seem like a novel she's read (even if she is right on some accounts).
Picture time FTW.
THAT'S RIGHT HENRY CLIMBS TREES. (This one isn't showing up. D:)
AGH. This scene was so incredibly cute. I died.
Make-out session, y/y? But it was cute so it's okay.
Overall, I absolutely adored this adaptation.
Mansfield Park:
Not one of Austen's most loved books and certainly not a big favourite of mine. It's nice and all but just sort of loses my attention.
The adaptation was cute - yay for Billie Piper! Anyway, sure, Edmund and Fanny are adorable (kind of) and all but it just doesn't have the wow factor that her other novels have. It didn't have the warmth of Emma or the emotion of Sense and Sensibility. At least that's how I feel about it. I haven't actually read the book in ages but the adaptation, while being well made, just didn't feel like a hit with me. I've talked with numerous people who feel the same way but perhaps some of you out there liked it.
So this one is just kind of meh with me.
Miss Austen Regrets:
I, unfortunately, did not see all of this one but I do own it on DVD so I plan to watch the whole thing soon. Then I can give a better review. The little that I did see (the very beginning) wasn't bad but I really can't say much until I see it in its entirety.
Pride & Prejudice:
Oh, what to say about this adaptation? I didn't watch all of it because I own it on DVD but the parts I did see made me smile. Wonderfully made and casted and absolutely brilliant. A lot of my friends like the 2005 version better but that's probably because they don't want to watch a six-hour adaptation. I CAN'T WAIT TILL 12TH GRADE ENGLISH CAUSE WE GET TO WATCH THIS.
Even so, this adaptation has WET SHIRT!COLIN FIRTH. MMMM. Oh wait, the 2005 version has misty!Matthew Macfadyen. That's a hard one.
I can't really review this one since I've seen it plenty of times already and I've loved it since I first got it for Christmas. Perfect throughout and just so amazing.
Emma:
My favourite Austen novel by far and the first time I had seen this adaptation. I own the Gwyneth Paltrow version and I LOVE IT TO PIECES. I normally don't like to compare things but with this I just can't help it. I wasn't too big on this adaptation. It was well made and it followed the book but there just wasn't the warm heart that's present all throughout Emma.
And, I'm sorry, but Mark Strong is no Jeremy Northam. And Kate Beckinsale was just too cold for me - then again, I've never really liked her. xP
This novel has my favourite quote out of any Austen novel and I didn't really like the way it was executed in this version.
"'Whom are you going to dance with?' asked Mr. Knightley.
She hesitated a moment and then replied, 'With you, if you will ask me.'
'Will you?' said he, offering his hand.
'Indeed I will. You have shown that you can dance, and you know we are not really so much brother and sister as to make it at all improper.'
'Brother and sister! no, indeed.'"
GUH. I LOVE THAT SCENE SO MUCH.
The Gwyneth Paltrow version will always be "my" version for a various amount of reasons. The Beckinsale version just throws me off.
Sense and Sensibility:
This is the only Austen novel that can rival my love for Emma AND THIS ADAPTATION ABSOLUTELY KILLED ME. BRILLIANT ON EVERY LEVEL AND OMG LOOOOOOOOOOOVE. Granted, the one thing I probably wasn't too keen on was that the Willoughby in the '95 version was more likable. I know he's not supposed to be a likable character but at least in that version he played the part of being all nice in the beginning and the likes.
Oh well. I STILL LOVE THIS VERSION AND IT MAKES MY HEART EXPLODE WITH HAPPINESS.
Let's talk about how much I love it accompanied with pictures.
First up: the men.
Colonel Brandon I've always loved. He's honourable and romantic and absolutely perfect. I read some complaints that David Morrissey looked to old but it's okay because a) Brandon is old, sorry ladies, b) HE LOOKS LIKE LIAM NEESON, and c) he did an absolutely amazing and fantastic job as Brandon. I felt his pain and the love he had for Marianne and GUH. So much love it hurts.
He needs to smile more often.
I've always loved Brandon and Brandon/Marianne more than Edward and Edward/Elinor but this adaptation MADE ME LOVE BOTH TO NO END.
Maybe it was because Dan Stevens was all, 'I'M ON UR TV MAKING EDWARD FERRARS FREAKING TEH SECKS WITH MY BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES LIEK OMG.' Seriously. Swoon much? Plus he made Edward all angsty and guh. Hugh Grant, as much as I love him and did like his portrayal of Edward, he was a much more awkwardly cute Edward.
WET SHIRT ALERT. SEXY.
LOOK AT THOSE EYES, WOMEN.
Now onto the sisters whom I adore so much.
Marianne's hormones like to go on rollercoaster cause first she's all, 'BITCH, TALK ABOUT ELINOR, KTHXPLZ,' then she starts moping about Willoughby. OH, MARIANNE.
IT'S OKAY TO CRY, ELINOR. JUST LET IT OUT. We're all here for you.
P&P 2005, anyone? Sorry, that was my first thought.
Now for some random shots.
AAAH. OMG IT'S JOHN WARREN FROM BECOMING JANE TO HAUNT US WITH THE WEIRD ROBERT FERRARS. D:
FAT KID OMGLOLZ. lady_grace, I thought of you. XDDDD
Last but not least, the couples. And I'll save my favourite for last.
As I said, Brandon and Marianne always overshadowed Edward and Elinor for me but this adaptation opened my eyes and made me go, 'AWW, THEY'RE SO CUTE.' -diez- I really appreciate and adore this couple so much more now.
This was my favourite scene of theirs because I really love subtle moments. Plus Edward was about to confess his TRUUUUUUE FEEEEEELINGS. Darn you, Lucy Steel! The Steel sisters were rather frightening, BY THE WAY.
Now they're gonna be all cute and break me. CHE.
Edward: COME CHASE THE CHICKENS WITH ME, ELINOR! IT'S WHAT ALL THE KIDS ARE DOING NOW-A-DAYS.
Seriously, WTF. Chickens? OH, EDWARD.
Now for Brandon and Marianne and all that scenes that made me convulse in my bed with BZUH CUTENESS. Seriously, it was like subtle cuteness overload. This adaptation made me want to pick up the novel and immediately start reading it.
My favourite scene of theirs. SO PERFECT.
PLUS LOOK AT THAT FREAKING GLARE OF DEATH. ILU BRANDON.
Now let me hear a unison 'AWWWWWWWW'.
Wait, this one may be my favourite scene. I DON'T KNOW. IT'S ALL SO CUTE AND ANGSTY AND OMG BRANDON AND MARIANNE ARE TOTLI IN LUUUUUUUURVE. I just really loved the subtly of this scene and the fact that Marianne's growing affection of him is really present. In the other one I just couldn't see it as much. In this one you really saw Marianne fall in love with him.
Just so cute. GET OVER IT. Do you think we never get a kiss between them because of the age difference? People think it might be weird? I kind of want a kiss. >>;
Kay. Yeah. Love. SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS ADAPTATION I MIGHT CROAK.
Poll Jane Austen FTW.
It's done. WTF. That was mucho amounts of fun. I love squeeing over Jane Austen.
Now link to this in your journals, tell your friends, whatever - let's just have an ENORMOUS Jane Austen post of squee, discussion, and absolute win.
Before I leave...
HAPPY 37TH, DAVID TENNANT!
So it's passed his birthday in the UK but shush. It's still the 18th here. xP Caitlin and I wrote that on the whiteboard in the Student Store and it was the wallpaper for my phone the whole day. So yay David Tennant! Monday will have an even bigger celebrity birthday post. Can anyone guess who the post (and pictures) will be dedicated to? :D
Catch you later, calculators.
PS: By the way, planning to do a double Who and Torchwood review next week since it's so late this week.
Persuasion:
I have to admit that this is one of my least favourite Austen novels. It just sort of fell flat and I could never seem to connect with Anne. With that being said, I enjoyed the new adaptation. Not my favourite by far but it was enjoyable. I read the book right afterwards and noticed all the artistic liberties that were taken and perhaps that was why I did enjoy the adaptation.
Or perhaps it was Rupert-Penry Jones. XD
Overall, the adaptation was very quiet and subtle and while I didn't detest it, I couldn't seem to fully invest myself in it either. I feel like I can't really remember it either which leaves this little review at a standstill, huh? Maybe I should stop before making a fool out of myself.
Northanger Abbey:
OMG I LOVED THIS ADAPTATION. IT WAS SEXY AND CUTE AND OMG.
One of the main reasons why I love this novel so much is because I can wholeheartedly connect with Catherine. She's a naive girl who fantasizes and exaggerates reality because of the books she reads. I think she's absolutely adorable and I love the fact that she jumps to conclusions and she's flawed and all that.
PLUS AREN'T SHE AND HENRY THE CUTEST THINGS LIKE EVER?
I've always loved the Gothic aspect of this story, especially which such an innocent character like Catherine. She gets in over her head and it's so different from Jane's other novels. It has the same elements of romance and rogues and all that but there's a darker side to it all.
I adored the way the adaptation was made, especially when it depicted scenes from Catherine's novels. Felicity Jones and JJ Feild had GREAT chemistry and they worked so well together (at least for me). They had that awkwardly cute factor down and yet when Catherine makes the assumption about his family, it's clear the conflicting emotions they each have. It's absolutely heartbreaking and yet you can't help but think that this is what Catherine deserves for making everything seem like a novel she's read (even if she is right on some accounts).
Picture time FTW.
THAT'S RIGHT HENRY CLIMBS TREES. (This one isn't showing up. D:)
AGH. This scene was so incredibly cute. I died.
Make-out session, y/y? But it was cute so it's okay.
Overall, I absolutely adored this adaptation.
Mansfield Park:
Not one of Austen's most loved books and certainly not a big favourite of mine. It's nice and all but just sort of loses my attention.
The adaptation was cute - yay for Billie Piper! Anyway, sure, Edmund and Fanny are adorable (kind of) and all but it just doesn't have the wow factor that her other novels have. It didn't have the warmth of Emma or the emotion of Sense and Sensibility. At least that's how I feel about it. I haven't actually read the book in ages but the adaptation, while being well made, just didn't feel like a hit with me. I've talked with numerous people who feel the same way but perhaps some of you out there liked it.
So this one is just kind of meh with me.
Miss Austen Regrets:
I, unfortunately, did not see all of this one but I do own it on DVD so I plan to watch the whole thing soon. Then I can give a better review. The little that I did see (the very beginning) wasn't bad but I really can't say much until I see it in its entirety.
Pride & Prejudice:
Oh, what to say about this adaptation? I didn't watch all of it because I own it on DVD but the parts I did see made me smile. Wonderfully made and casted and absolutely brilliant. A lot of my friends like the 2005 version better but that's probably because they don't want to watch a six-hour adaptation. I CAN'T WAIT TILL 12TH GRADE ENGLISH CAUSE WE GET TO WATCH THIS.
Even so, this adaptation has WET SHIRT!COLIN FIRTH. MMMM. Oh wait, the 2005 version has misty!Matthew Macfadyen. That's a hard one.
I can't really review this one since I've seen it plenty of times already and I've loved it since I first got it for Christmas. Perfect throughout and just so amazing.
Emma:
My favourite Austen novel by far and the first time I had seen this adaptation. I own the Gwyneth Paltrow version and I LOVE IT TO PIECES. I normally don't like to compare things but with this I just can't help it. I wasn't too big on this adaptation. It was well made and it followed the book but there just wasn't the warm heart that's present all throughout Emma.
And, I'm sorry, but Mark Strong is no Jeremy Northam. And Kate Beckinsale was just too cold for me - then again, I've never really liked her. xP
This novel has my favourite quote out of any Austen novel and I didn't really like the way it was executed in this version.
"'Whom are you going to dance with?' asked Mr. Knightley.
She hesitated a moment and then replied, 'With you, if you will ask me.'
'Will you?' said he, offering his hand.
'Indeed I will. You have shown that you can dance, and you know we are not really so much brother and sister as to make it at all improper.'
'Brother and sister! no, indeed.'"
GUH. I LOVE THAT SCENE SO MUCH.
The Gwyneth Paltrow version will always be "my" version for a various amount of reasons. The Beckinsale version just throws me off.
Sense and Sensibility:
This is the only Austen novel that can rival my love for Emma AND THIS ADAPTATION ABSOLUTELY KILLED ME. BRILLIANT ON EVERY LEVEL AND OMG LOOOOOOOOOOOVE. Granted, the one thing I probably wasn't too keen on was that the Willoughby in the '95 version was more likable. I know he's not supposed to be a likable character but at least in that version he played the part of being all nice in the beginning and the likes.
Oh well. I STILL LOVE THIS VERSION AND IT MAKES MY HEART EXPLODE WITH HAPPINESS.
Let's talk about how much I love it accompanied with pictures.
First up: the men.
Colonel Brandon I've always loved. He's honourable and romantic and absolutely perfect. I read some complaints that David Morrissey looked to old but it's okay because a) Brandon is old, sorry ladies, b) HE LOOKS LIKE LIAM NEESON, and c) he did an absolutely amazing and fantastic job as Brandon. I felt his pain and the love he had for Marianne and GUH. So much love it hurts.
He needs to smile more often.
I've always loved Brandon and Brandon/Marianne more than Edward and Edward/Elinor but this adaptation MADE ME LOVE BOTH TO NO END.
Maybe it was because Dan Stevens was all, 'I'M ON UR TV MAKING EDWARD FERRARS FREAKING TEH SECKS WITH MY BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES LIEK OMG.' Seriously. Swoon much? Plus he made Edward all angsty and guh. Hugh Grant, as much as I love him and did like his portrayal of Edward, he was a much more awkwardly cute Edward.
WET SHIRT ALERT. SEXY.
LOOK AT THOSE EYES, WOMEN.
Now onto the sisters whom I adore so much.
Marianne's hormones like to go on rollercoaster cause first she's all, 'BITCH, TALK ABOUT ELINOR, KTHXPLZ,' then she starts moping about Willoughby. OH, MARIANNE.
IT'S OKAY TO CRY, ELINOR. JUST LET IT OUT. We're all here for you.
P&P 2005, anyone? Sorry, that was my first thought.
Now for some random shots.
AAAH. OMG IT'S JOHN WARREN FROM BECOMING JANE TO HAUNT US WITH THE WEIRD ROBERT FERRARS. D:
FAT KID OMGLOLZ. lady_grace, I thought of you. XDDDD
Last but not least, the couples. And I'll save my favourite for last.
As I said, Brandon and Marianne always overshadowed Edward and Elinor for me but this adaptation opened my eyes and made me go, 'AWW, THEY'RE SO CUTE.' -diez- I really appreciate and adore this couple so much more now.
This was my favourite scene of theirs because I really love subtle moments. Plus Edward was about to confess his TRUUUUUUE FEEEEEELINGS. Darn you, Lucy Steel! The Steel sisters were rather frightening, BY THE WAY.
Now they're gonna be all cute and break me. CHE.
Edward: COME CHASE THE CHICKENS WITH ME, ELINOR! IT'S WHAT ALL THE KIDS ARE DOING NOW-A-DAYS.
Seriously, WTF. Chickens? OH, EDWARD.
Now for Brandon and Marianne and all that scenes that made me convulse in my bed with BZUH CUTENESS. Seriously, it was like subtle cuteness overload. This adaptation made me want to pick up the novel and immediately start reading it.
My favourite scene of theirs. SO PERFECT.
PLUS LOOK AT THAT FREAKING GLARE OF DEATH. ILU BRANDON.
Now let me hear a unison 'AWWWWWWWW'.
Wait, this one may be my favourite scene. I DON'T KNOW. IT'S ALL SO CUTE AND ANGSTY AND OMG BRANDON AND MARIANNE ARE TOTLI IN LUUUUUUUURVE. I just really loved the subtly of this scene and the fact that Marianne's growing affection of him is really present. In the other one I just couldn't see it as much. In this one you really saw Marianne fall in love with him.
Just so cute. GET OVER IT. Do you think we never get a kiss between them because of the age difference? People think it might be weird? I kind of want a kiss. >>;
Kay. Yeah. Love. SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS ADAPTATION I MIGHT CROAK.
Poll Jane Austen FTW.
It's done. WTF. That was mucho amounts of fun. I love squeeing over Jane Austen.
Now link to this in your journals, tell your friends, whatever - let's just have an ENORMOUS Jane Austen post of squee, discussion, and absolute win.
Before I leave...
HAPPY 37TH, DAVID TENNANT!
So it's passed his birthday in the UK but shush. It's still the 18th here. xP Caitlin and I wrote that on the whiteboard in the Student Store and it was the wallpaper for my phone the whole day. So yay David Tennant! Monday will have an even bigger celebrity birthday post. Can anyone guess who the post (and pictures) will be dedicated to? :D
Catch you later, calculators.
PS: By the way, planning to do a double Who and Torchwood review next week since it's so late this week.