#BooksWithBeddes: 300th Book Read Celebration

Folks, this is an occasion: My 300th read book is official on Goodreads as of tonight! We must do what we can to celebrate. I've included my Goodreads review for your viewing pleasure. And this is how I celebrate! (I live the adventurous life.)


Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Three and half stars, I think.
Genre: retold classic, alternative narrators. love triangles
Summary: This is the story of Peter Pan, but told from Tinkerbell's point of view as an omniscient third person narrator. As a fairy, she can tell the thought, feelings and memories of the people around her. She is tied to Tiger Lily first, and of course, Peter, later. Tinkerbell narrates Tiger Lily's background and how she meets and falls in love with Peter. But it isn't a love affair that is meant to last because Tiger Lily is engaged to be married, Captain Hook wants Peter Pan dead, and another girl, by the name of Wendy, comes into the picture.
Response: This was a suggestion by one of my students, and I had to read it quick because she had already promised it to another friend. It was a quick read.
The writing was beautiful and had a haunting sort of lyricism to it. I love the unusual narrator. I don't really like Tinkerbell as a character from the original Disney story, or her other reincarnations in those straight-to-DVD movies. But Tinkerbell as the narrator is genius. The author explains why she can't talk, and how she met Tiger Lily, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.  As a fairy, she is privy to people's thoughts, and feelings, even the ones that are kept deep inside.
This Neverland was parts beauty, mystery and danger. This retelling of Peter Pan had a much darker edge to it that I was expecting. It wasn't the Neverland of Disney's imagination. In a way, it was an appropriate Neverland for a grown up audience.
Tiger Lily wasn't the most sympathetic character. I felt she was too cold and distant for me to really care about her, but the supporting cast of characters were spot on. I think this book broke my heart a little, but it also patched it up too.


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The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown (Movie Review)

Or in other words, Stockholm Syndrome on the Silver Screen.

Sometimes, I get in movie phases. Recently, I've been in a black-and-white kind of mood. I do have quite the collection on hand of pre-1960 movies, but sometimes, it's nice to try something that you've never seen and have no reference for. Hence, Netflix!

Netflix knows me so well. There is a whole queue of classic films, just for me. ;)

The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown

Ironically, there wasn't a hint of pink to be seen in the whole movie! I'd like to know where people get the titles from sometimes. The only nightgown on screen was clearly white and was the most modest thing I've ever seen. Unless they mentioned it was pink in the script and I just didn't hear it? But even in black and white film, you can tell when something is supposed to be colored, right?

Look at that nightgown: pioneers wore more revealing things!

Anyway, I can't say this film has lots to recommend it. Jane Russell is supposed to be a big deal, and she was appropriately the best part of the movie. Everyone else was very stiff, especially her romantic lead.

However, the part that intrigued me, was at the very beginning. Jane drives through the studio lot, obviously a big deal by how easily she breezes by everything. She parks where she wants and tells her producer that she wants more shots of her in the trailer she previews. So I expect her to be another Singin' in the Rain drama queen: shallow, conceited and not too bright.

I was surprised then when she was talking to a friend, getting ready for a premiere when she says that it was ok for everyone to boss her around, but when she tries to do the EXACT SAME THINGS, she is villainized for it. And it's so true. Women in male dominated fields are villified for demonstrating the same traits that male counterparts earn praise for. And I was intrigued that she would express that opinion, which was pretty forward thinking for a film from the 50's.

Otherwise, the script is pretty weak, the acting more-so, and the premise that one would fall in love with someone that originally just wanted to take (monetary) advantage of them is kind of squirm-worthy. But I will say Jane's actress is a note-worthy feminist trying to have some control over her career and I found it blog-worthy.

The End.

Historical Hearttrob(s)

If you've spent any time around me, you will pick up on the fact that I love history. More than that, I have illogical romantic attachments to historical figures.

Particularly, Alexander Hamilton.

Oooooo. So much looooooove.

This fact was so apparent that at one point, my roommate painted me a portrait of A.H. for a birthday present. This crush is real and ongoing, 7 years strong, I'm telling you people.

However, this post is not solely dedicated to A.H. even though the man fully deserves his own post. And will probably get one at one point. This is to show you this slightly inappropriate blog that I just discovered thanks to a friend.

http://bangabledudesinhistory.blogspot.com

Mostly historical facts with some snark and pictures of attractive dudes, what more can you ask for? I love learning things that I didn't know before and this blog has it all. Random facts about pretty famous people. And the best part?! A.H. was the very first post. BOOOYA! Apparently, Alexander is a pretty popular choice. Why not?! The man was brilliant, founding father and duel-to-the-death type of guy.

No really, he died in a duel. Stupid Aaron Burr. 

I will leave you with a rap about Alexander Hamilton that was sung in the White House. No joke, it's quite good and IT'S ABOUT ALEXANDER HAMILTON. What more do you people need?! ;)

Swayze Night with the Sister

To preface this post, I've wanted to see this movie for ages, like ever since I fell deeply in love with Tom Jones and his "She's a Lady" song. 

I found out that it was featured on this movie with the super long title, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. Basically, it features Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo as drag queens. And basically, they change everyone's live they meet. 

It was a little hard to get past Swayze in a dress. But he was just so CLASSY. Seriously, I would have worn any one of Swayze outfits. 

I found out that Swayze and Snipes were up for the Academy awards for best actor and best supporting actor. Dudes, they totally should have gotten it. You try acting wearing high heels and well tailored dresses.

Of course, it can't be Swayze night without another Swayze film. And that is the ultimate classic, Dirty Dancing. 

                                                        

Mmmmmhmm, folks, Johnny Castle. The sis and I have a lot of fun imagining the perfect casting of the ultimate remake. You know it's going to happen eventually. 

This is what we think so far: 

Baby: Jennifer Lawerence (seriously, she is basically perfect for every role.)

Johnny Castle: Tatum Channing

Baby's father: Mark Harmon

Baby's mother: Jennifer Grey (it would be perfect if she did a cameo as the mother)

uhhhh...that is about as far as we got. But it would be perfect if Hollywood would just listen to us!

Apparently, I need to watch Ghost, another Swayze classic. It's too bad he went so young and such a hard way to go. Very talented actor.