SHERLOCK: My New Obsession 25 January 2012
Posted by Admin in Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock (BBC), Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle).2 comments
I now have a new obsession – BBC’s Sherlock. It’s one of the smartest shows I’ve seen in a long time, and I was smiling nearly the whole time I watched the first episode. I can’t really explain what it is about this show that I love so much – after all, I’m usually a bit of a purist whenever it comes to adapting my favorite books to movies or shows. In theory, I should have hated this completely – this is a Sherlock Holmes in the 21st century, this is a Sherlock Holmes that sends texts instead of telegrams, and rides cabs instead of hansoms. The story of A Study in Pink is only very, very loosely based on A Study in Scarlet. But what can I say? This is just… genius. Perhaps it is because while watching the show, I really get the feeling that the writers and creators have such respect and reverence for the original Sherlock Holmes stories written by the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The stories may be different, but these are the characters that fans have always known and loved. Benedict Cumberbatch is Sherlock Holmes, and Martin Freeman is John Watson.
The only thing I hate about this show is that each series only has 3 episodes, and we don’t know yet when the next series will be out. I hope it comes out really, really soon. Till then, I’ll be re-watching the past 6 episodes again and again.
My Favorite Mr. Darcy and Lizzie Scenes from PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Part 2 of 2) 21 June 2010
Posted by Admin in Jane Austen, Movie Quotes, Pride and Prejudice (2005), Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen).4 comments
My favorite movie at the moment is the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice directed by Joe Wright. I’ve only seen this movie for the first time more than a week ago (11 June 2010 to be exact) but have since watched it more than 15 times. Here is the second part of my list of top 10 favorite Mr. Darcy and Lizzie scenes in reverse order. Check out the first part here.
# 5 – Proposal at dawn
Though this must be the top favorite of a lot of Pride and Prejudice fans (after all, this was the proposal where Lizzie finally said yes), there are scenes that I enjoyed more. Of course, it’s quite hard to refuse a slightly disheveled looking Mr. Darcy saying “You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you.” though I’m not even sure if that was a stutter or if he was repeating himself for emphasis. But it was so lovely all the same, and such a perfect way to end the story.
# 4 – And so he smiles.
How can I not love the only scene where Mr. Darcy actually smiles? While Georgiana is playing so well on the pianoforte, Lizzie and the Gardiners arrive. Mr. Darcy seemed much more relaxed and open than we’ve ever seen him before, which is either because of the presence of his sister, or his growing love for Lizzie, or probably a combination of both. I particularly love how proud he seemed to be of his brother, and how so many smiling looks were exchanged between Mr. Darcy and Georgiana, Mr. Darcy and Lizzie, and Georgiana and Lizzie. Such a nice happy family-to-be.
# 3 – The most awkward call of all time
While Lizzie is settled down alone at the Collins, Mr. Darcy storms in and stands fidgeting, looking most awkward and out of his depth. He glances around with a slightly panicked expression on his face, and when it was quite obvious that Lizzie was waiting for him to say something, the only thing he could come up with is, “This is a charming home.” When he hears the arrival of Mrs. Collins, he hurriedly departs with the words, “It’s been a pleasure.” We echo Charlotte’s astonishment when she asked, “What on earth did you to do to poor Mr. Darcy?” and Lizzie replies with equal astonishment, “I have no idea.”
# 2 – Surprise, surprise
Lizzie is visiting Pemberly with her Aunt and Uncle, and she strays away accidentantally and spies Georgina in a room, playing on the pianoforte. This is interrupted by the sudden arrival of her brother, Mr. Darcy, who looks up and sees Lizzie. She tries to run, much embarassed by having been seen by Mr. Darcy in his own estate. He follows her, quite obviously very surprised (though pleased) to see her. His demeanor has already changed much from his stiff and formal attitude before, and you could see how he wanted to stay there talking to her for a longer time. However, she hurries off and turns down his offer to see her back to the village.
# 1 – “I love you. Most ardently.” (a.k.a. the trainwreck proposal)
Without a doubt, this is my favorite scene in the entire movie. Mr. Darcy proposes to Lizzie in the rain by saying that he loves her most ardently, and yet unwittingly insults her in the process. I love this intense scene so much that I better just transcribe the whole conversation here:
Mr. Darcy: Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you… I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgment, my family’s expectations, the inferiority of your birth by rank and circumstance. These things I am willing to put aside and ask you to end my agony.
Lizzie: I don’t understand.
Mr. Darcy: I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.
Lizzie: (after a pause) Sir, I appreciate the struggle you have been through, and I am very sorry to have caused you pain. Believe me, it was unconsciously done.
Mr. Darcy: Is this your reply?
Lizzie: Yes, sir.
Mr. Darcy: Are you… are you laughing at me?
Lizzie: No.
Mr. Darcy: Are you rejecting me?
Lizzie: I’m sure that the feelings which, as you’ve told me have hindered your regard, will help you in overcoming it.
Mr. Darcy: Might I ask why, with so little endeavor at civility, I am thus repulsed?
Lizzie: And I might as well enquire why, with so evident a design of insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your better judgment.
Mr. Darcy: No, believe me, I…
Lizzie: If I was uncivil, then that is some excuse. But I have other reasons, you know I have.
Mr. Darcy: What reasons?
Lizzie: Do you think anything might tempt me to accept the man who has ruined, perhaps forever, the happiness of a most beloved sister? Do you deny it, Mr. Darcy? That you separated a young couple who loved each other, exposing your friend to the censure of the world for caprice and my sister to its derision for disappointed hopes, involving them both in misery of the acutest kind?
Mr. Darcy: I do not deny it.
Lizzie: How could you do it?
Mr. Darcy: Because I believed your sister indifferent.
Lizzie: Indifferent?
Mr. Darcy: I watched them most carefully and realized his attachment was deeper than hers.
Lizzie: That’s because she’s shy!
Mr. Darcy: Bingley too is modest and was persuaded she didn’t feel strongly.
Lizzie: Because you suggested it!
Mr. Darcy: I did it for his own good!
Lizzie: My sister hardly shows her true feelings to me. (silence) I suppose you suspect that his… his fortune had some bearing…
Mr. Darcy: No, believe me I wouldn’t do your sister the dishonour, though it was suggested…
Lizzie: What was?
Mr. Darcy: (after a pause) It was made perfectly clear an advantageous marriage…
Lizzie: (enraged) Did my sister give that impression?
Mr. Darcy: No, no! No, there was, however, I have to admit, the matter of your family…
Lizzie: Our want of connection? Mr. Bingley didn’t seem to vex himself about that…
Mr. Darcy: No, it was more than that.
Lizzie: How, sir?
Mr. Darcy: It was the lack of propriety shown by your mother, your three younger sisters, and even, on occasion, your father. (thunderclaps are heard, Lizzie is obviously hurt) Forgive me. You and your sister I must exclude from this.
Lizzie: And what about Mr. Wickham?
Mr. Darcy: (moves closer) Mr. Wickham?
Lizzie: What excuse can you give your… your behavior towards him?
Mr. Darcy: You take an eager interest in that gentleman’s affairs.
Lizzie: He told of his misfortunes…
Mr. Darcy: Oh yes, his misfortunes have been very great indeed.
Lizzie: You ruined his chances and then you treat him with sarcasm.
Mr. Darcy: So this is your opinon of me? Thank you for explaining so fully. Perhaps these offences might have been overlooked had not your pride been hurt…
Lizzie: My pride?!
Mr. Darcy: …by my honesty in admitting scruples about our relationship. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?
Lizzie: And those are the words of a gentleman. From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.
Mr. Darcy: (leans in, looks at Lizzie for a long time as if about to kiss her) Forgive me, madam, for taking up so much of your time.
My Favorite Mr. Darcy and Lizzie Scenes from PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Part 1 of 2) 21 June 2010
Posted by Admin in Jane Austen, Movie Quotes, Pride and Prejudice (2005), Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen).2 comments
My favorite movie at the moment is the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice directed by Joe Wright. I’ve only seen this movie for the first time more than a week ago (11 June 2010 to be exact) but have since watched it more than 15 times. Here is the first part of my list of top 10 favorite Mr. Darcy and Lizzie scenes in reverse order. Check out the second part here.
# 10 – Barely tolerable
This is the scene where Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were talking to Mrs. Bennet, Jane and Lizzie in the ball. In passing, Lizzie mentioned that poetry had the power to drive away love, to which Mr. Darcy replied, “I thought that poetry was the food of love.” Lizzie replied that it may be the case if it’s a “fine stout love,” but not if it is merely a “vague inclination,” at which point a poor sonnet can be counted upon to kill it outright. Mr. Darcy replied, “So what do you recommend to encourage affection?” probably unconsciously planning to file the information for future reference, should he wish to encourage Lizzie’s affection. Lizzie quickly replied: “Dancing. Even if one’s partner is barely tolerable.” then stalked off. This must have suprised him since it shows that she heard his earlier comment that she was “barely tolerable,” and she had the guts to call him to it.
# 9 – No false modesty here
This is the scene where Lizzie is playing piano rather poorly, and Mr. Darcy walks towards the piano to watch her. Lizzie says, “You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all your state to hear me, but I won’t be alarmed even if your sister does play so well.” To which Mr. Darcy replied, “I am well enough acquainted with you, Miss Elizabeth, to know that I cannot alarm you, even should I wish it.” I love his look filled with subdued longing after their full exchange, as he gazes at Lizzie.
# 8 – May I have the next dance?
Charlotte and Lizzie are chatting cheerfully, when they are suddenly accosted by the always formal Mr. Darcy, who gravely asked, “Miss Elizabeth, may I have the next dance?” To which Lizzie replied in an equally formal tone, “You may.” Mr. Darcy gives a slight bow before walking off. If you didn’t know that he was already in love with her at that point, you would think he was the most difficult man to get along with.
# 7 – Electrified
Lizzie curtsies stiffly at Mr. Darcy, then bestows a friendly smile and curtsy to Mr. Bingley before she climbs the carriage on the way home. Unexpectedly, it is Mr. Darcy who helps her up, and after exchanging a fleeting look, we get a close up of Mr. Darcy’s hand, which looked as if it was electrified by the touch of Lizzie’s hand.
# 6 – A world of their own
The first time they danced (and their conversation) was so intense that it was as if they were on a world (or on a hallway) on their own. Of course, there are still such witty conversation such as Mr. Darcy asking Lizzie, “Do you talk, as a rule, while dancing?” and Lizzie replying, “No… No, I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn… Makes it all so much more enjoyable, don’t you think? “
Drying Tears and Bearing Burdens (My Tribute to LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott) 2 April 2009
Posted by Admin in Little Women (Louisa May Alcott), Louisa May Alcott.add a comment
NOTE: I wrote this essay to join the contest of Powerbooks called “Inspired! A Tribute to the Book that Started It All.” Entries are supposed to be about the book that started one’s love affair with reading. I had a tough time deciding which book to write about, so I was only able to write this on the day before the deadline. Thankfully, I won 3rd place.
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“I may be strong-minded, but no one can say I’m out of my sphere now, for woman’s special mission is supposed to be drying tears and bearing burdens.” (Little Women, Louisa May Alcott)
It’s hard to remember the exact moment when I realized that I loved reading. All I know is that as a kid, I would read everything in the house – labels on shampoo bottles, my Dad’s theology books, old issues of Reader’s Digest. I discovered the wonders of the school library when I was in kindergarten, and would spend countless hours stretched out on the carpet with a Sesame Street book. By the time I was in Grade 3, I have progressed to illustrated versions of Nick Joaquin’s classics like The Woman Who Had Two Navels. The world of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys opened up to me when I was in Grade 5, and I would take home five books at a time, intent on finishing the entire series in the shortest time possible.
Due to my limited allowance, I would very rarely buy books of my own. I was happy enough to borrow books from classmates and the library, mainly because I don’t often re-read books anyway. One reading is usually enough, so there’s no point in buying my own copy.
I don’t even remember what induced me buy a discounted paperback copy of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Perhaps it was included in my English class reading list and I got curious. Perhaps I read a mention of it in some essay or magazine article and I thought it would be worth buying. All I remember is that I was in first year high school, I was in a bookstore on my own, and I decided to use my week’s savings to buy the book. That hasty decision started my book collection.
There’s a certain rustic charm about this book which instantly attracted me. From the start, I felt drawn to the character of Jo March – the tomboyish, headstrong protagonist. I got interested in her three sisters as well – Meg (who reminded me of my own sister), Beth and Amy. I loved Marmee with all my heart, and had a crush on Jo’s best friend and next-door neighbor, Teddy Laurence.
I read the entire book in one sitting, and re-read it again the next day (and the day after that and so on). If I wasn’t re-reading Little Women, I would be reading Louisa May Alcott’s other books in our school library, such as Little Men, Jo’s Boys, Rose in Bloom, Under the Lilacs and Eight Cousins.
Little Women was not the first book I read, but it was the book that made me realize that reading was going to be my lifelong hobby. It opened my eyes to the fact that I’ll never be happier than when I’m curled up in bed with a good book. It made me understand that there are some books you just have to own, for the pleasure of re-reading it anytime you want.
When I think about it now, I can name two particular reasons why Little Women will always be one of my favorites.
For one, it is a coming-of-age story, and I was lucky enough to read it during the time that I was coming of age myself. I could feel Jo’s rebellion at the thought that she was expected to leave her boyish ways behind to become a “proper” lady. I could feel her discomfort and awkwardness throughout her teenage years. The book gave me hope that indeed, this embarrassing stage in life will pass, and that maybe I could even become a gracious little woman afterwards.
The other reason is that I could relate all too well with the character of Jo, especially with regards to her temper. When her sister almost died because of something she did in anger, a repentant Jo sobbed to her mother about not knowing how to control her fits of rage. Marmee comforted Jo – and me – when she explained that she had the same problem, and was angry nearly every day. The difference is that Marmee was always very careful not to show any signs of irritation. As she explained, “A startled or surprised look from one of you when I spoke sharply rebuked me more than any words could have done, and the love, respect, and confidence of my children was the sweetest reward I could receive for my efforts to be the woman I would have them copy.” She also explained that we must ask our Father in heaven to teach us to deal with our anger and to change our hearts. Reading Marmee’s words somehow made me feel as if a burden was lifted up from me, and I resolved to follow her advice.
Aside from being able to relate to Jo’s temper, I could also relate to her grief when Beth – her favorite sister, her personal “conscience” – died. You see, my own brother died two years before I read Little Women. Something stirred in me when I read one of Beth’s final conversations with Jo – “I never wanted to go away, and the hard part now is the leaving you all. I’m not afraid, but it seems as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven.” It made me cry the first time I read it, and I used to avoid re-reading that particular part. Later on, I realized that I had to face my grief some time and let the story of Beth’s death wash away some of my sorrow for my own Kuya’s death.
That’s why Little Women will always have a special place in my bookshelf and in my heart. That’s why this book will forever hold a certain magic for me. It’s because through its heartwarming storyline, its relatable characters and its subtle moral lessons, Little Women is capable of drying my tears, and bearing my burdens.
Jumbly Quotes from THE BFG 9 August 2008
Posted by Admin in Book Quotes, Roald Dahl, The BFG (Roald Dahl).18 comments
If you have no idea who the BFG is, you should check out my previous blog entry here. The BFG is a nice, jumbly giant who “kidsnatched” the orphan Sophie because she saw him by accident. She learned from him that he was not a “cannibully” giant who ate “human beans,” which apparently taste differently when they’re from different cities or countries.
“Bonecruncher says Turkish human beans has a glamourly flavour. He says Turks from Turkey is tasting of turkey.”
“I suppose they would,” Sophie said.
“Of course they would!” the Giant shouted. “Every human bean is diddly and different. Some is scrumdiddlyumptious and some is uckyslush. Greeks is all full of uckyslush. No Giants is eating Greeks, ever.”
“Why not?” Sophie asked.
“Greeks from Greece is all tasting greasy,” the Giant said….
“As I am saying,” the Giant went on, “all human beans is having different flavours. Human beans from Panama is tasting very strong of hats.”
“Why hats?” Sophie said.
“You is not very clever,” the Giant said, moving his great ears in and out. “I thought all human beans is full of brains, but your head is emptier than a bundongle….”
“The human bean,” the Giant went on, “is coming in dillions of different flavours. For instance, human beans from Wales is tasting very whooshey of fish. There is something very fishy about Wales.”
“You mean whales,” Sophie said. “Wales is something quite different.”
“Wales is whales,” the Giant said. “Don’t gobblefunk around with words. I will now give you another example. Human beans from Jersey has a most disgustable woolly tickle on the tongue,” the Giant said. “Human beans from Jersey is tasting of cardigans.”
“You mean jerseys,” Sophie said.
“You are once again gobblefunking!” the Giant shouted. “Don’t do it! This is a serious and snitching subject. May I continue.”
“Please do,” Sophie said.
“Danes from Denmark is tasting ever so much of dogs,” the Giant went on.
“Of course,” Sophie said. “They taste of great danes.”
“Wrong!” cried the Giant, slapping his thigh. “Danes from Denmark is tasting doggy because they is tasting of labradors!”
“The what do the people of Labrador taste of?” Sophie asked.
“Danes,” the Giant cried, triumphantly. “Great danes!”
“Aren’t you getting a bit mixed up?” Sophie said.
“I is a very mixed up Giant,” the Giant said. “But I does do my best. And I is not nearly as mixed up as the other giants. I know one who gallops all the way to Wellington for his supper.”
“Wellington?” Sophie said. “Where is Wellington?”
“Your head is full of squashed flies,” the Giant said. “Wellington is in New Zealand. The human beans in Wellington has an especially scrumdiddlyumptious taste, so says the Welly-eating Giant.”
“What do the people of Wellington taste of?” Sophie asked.
“Boots,” the Giant said.
Heehee. That was a long passage (with some parts chopped off – note the ellipses I put in), but I couldn’t resist. The other quotes are a bit shorter, I promise.
“I’m not sure I quite know what that means,” Sophie said.
“Meanings is not important,” said the BFG. “I can’t be right all the time. Quite often I is left instead of right.”
Here’s how the BFG described the other “cannibully” giants:
“All of those man-eating giants is enormous and very fierce! They is all at least two times my wideness and double my royal highness!”
What he means (in case you didn’t quite get it) is that the other giants are twice as wide and high as he is. After all, as the BFG himself says, “Twenty-four feet is puddlenuts in Giant Country.” But don’t listen to everything he says. As he warned Sophie:
“If you listen to everything I am saying you will be getting earache.”
And speaking of ears, you may have noticed the abnormally large ears the BFG has.
“They maybe is looking a bit propsposterous to you,” the BFG said, “but you must believe me when I say they is very extra-usual ears indeed. They is not to be coughed at.”
“I’m quite sure they’re not,” Sophie said.
Big ears or not, the BFG needs to eat. Since he doesn’t want to eat “human beans,” he must settle for an “icky-poo” vegetable called the “snozzcumber.”
“If I dont, I will be nothing but skin and groans.”
“You mean skin and bones,” Sophie said.
Sophie didn’t want to taste it at first, and asked if she really had to eat the dreadful snozzcumber.
“You do unless you is wanting to become so thin you will be disappearing into a thick ear.”
“Into thin air,” Sophie said.
But even though he has to live on snozzcumber (that tastes like rotten fish and frogskins), at least the BFG has a sweet and jumbly fizzy drink called the frobscottle. Unlike our fizzy drinks however, the bubbles go down instead of go up. Upon learning of this, the BFG reacted vehemently.
“Catasterous!” cried the BFG. “Upgoing bubbles is a catasterous disastrophe!”
The problem with talking loudly with Sophie inside his cave is that the other giants became suspicious, and asked him who he was talking to, getting “suspichy” that he is keeping “human beans” as pets. The BFG tried to bluff his way out of it.
“You is welcome to go and search my cave from frack to bunt,” the BFG answered. “You can go looking into every crook and nanny. There is no human beans or stringy beans or runner beans or jelly beans or any other beans in there.”
They had a close call with the other giants, who turned out to be not only “cannibullys” (cannibals), but real bullies as well when it comes to the BFG.
“I didn’t like that,” she said.
“Phew!” said the BFG. “Phew and far between!”
Sophie later learned that the BFG was a dream-collector. He took him with her in the pale country where you can hear dreams sailing along if you have such “propsposterous” ears as the BFG.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“We is in Dream Country,” the BFG said. “This is where all dreams is beginning.”
Unfortunately, sometimes what he catches are not good dreams (or “phizzwizards”), but nightmares as well (or “trogglehumpers”).
“Oh no!” he cried. “Oh mince my maggots! Oh swipe my swoggles!”
“What’s the matter?” Sophie asked.
“It’s a trogglehumper!” he shouted. His voice was filled with fury and anguish. “Oh, save our solos!” he cried. “Deliver us from weasels! The devil is dancing on my dibbler!”
While talking about dreams, Sophie made the interesting discovery that most giants only sleep for two or three hours per day.
“When do you sleep?” Sophie asked.
“Even less,” the BFG answered. “I is sleeping only once in a blue baboon.”
After some time, Sophie asked the BFG how he learned how to write, and found out that he had a Charles Dickens novel for the past 80 years.
“I is reading it hundreds of times,” the BFG said. “And I is still reading it and teaching new words to myself and how to write them. It is the most scrumdiddlyumptious story.”
“Sophie took the book out of his hand.” “Nicholas Nickleby,” she read aloud.
“By Dahl’s Chickens,” the BFG said.
The BFG and Sophie, upon hearing that the other giants were off to England to eat schoolchildren, began to hatch an idea to stop the giants. They went to the Queen of England to ask for her help.
“Your Majester,” he said. “I is your humbug servant…. Oh Queen! Oh Monarcher! Oh, Golden Sovereign! Oh, Ruler! Oh, Ruler of Straight Lines!”
I will not give away how the story ends, but it’s definitely worth getting a copy of The BFG.
