Historical Fiction TV: Reign Season Two SPOILER ALERT!

A quick recap of Reign season two! Now I know that many of you history lovers can not stand this show because it is so far fetched that it really is not even remotely the same people anymore but I LOVE it! I have to share with you all what went down in season two.

Queen Mary & Prince Conde,
this is his WTH face.

In a nut shell Mary Queen of Scots and France was violated and absolutely refuses to let any man touch her especially Francis. This assaults leads Mary to have a affair with the handsome Louis Prince of Conde. This goes good for awhile and Francis allows the relationship to continue with his vowed protection only because he is holding out hope that after the affair Mary will return to him and love him once again. In the meantime Mary and Conde have made plans to escape to Scotland but that all gets ruined and Elizabeth I of England steps in with an offer of marriage to Conde. The offer came with conditions and Conde took the offer and was made to promise that he would dethrone Francis and take France for himself.

As many of you fans know nothing on Reign works out the way it is suppose to. Conde and Mary both end up betraying each other while a war is about to break out in France with Elizabeth I of England backing it. Mary's banished Lady in Waiting Greer is learning how to survive on her own with out the benefits of royal favor by becoming a madame at her own brothel. She finally gets the man she has always loved and sadly decides to keep her business over the man that loves her. Bash and Kenna are on the outs and still technically separated after the King of Navarre tried to come between them. Kenna and bash both find love in the most unusual of places. Following their hearts ends up leading them on a dangerous path that ends tragically and mysteriously, leaving Kenna pregnant and Bash on a witch hunt.

Dowager Queen Catherine de' Medici in the meantime has her hands full with Lord Narcisse all season and finds that even though she loves him she can not control his heart and his heart will always belong to Mary's once Lady in Waiting Lola. Love affairs aside Catherine will stop at nothing to protect France and that includes betraying her own children which at the end of the season earns her banishment and a audience with none other than ELIZABETH I! The suspense this season surrounding Elizabeth I was intense and leave it to TV to delay her appearance to as long as possible ... literally the last twenty seconds of the season. Check out the season two pictures below and tell me what you think. I once heard it say that the Reign characters are the barbie versions of the real people, what do you think?

Prince Conde & Queen Mary

Prince Conde & Queen Mary

Lord Narcisse

Princess Claude, Francis sister

Greer & Leith

Queen Mary & King Francis

Queen Mary & King Francis

Queen Elizabeth I of England

Historical Fiction TV: THE ROYALS

Hey everyone I just wanted to share a new historical TV show that I am completely hooked on The Royals on E! I happened to come across this one because on Google Play it has the first episode for a free download. I admit that once I watched the first one I was utterly hooked into it. The story is so bad it is good, kind of like Reign on CW. It is like watching a car accident that you just can not take your eyes from. The story is suppose to be very loosely based on the modern day ruling king of England. Elizabeth Hurley is the Queen Helena and of all people her mother is Joan Collins!

It is awfully good with the plots and adventures of the younger royals. They too are also loosely based on the current royal family members of the Windsors. There is even a girl, Ophelia that is like Kate Middleton pursing Prince Liam while his twin sister Princess Eleanor parties all her nights away. Now I must state that this show is the extreme version of the Windsors. They party like rock stars and are constantly doing drugs, fighting and plotting against each other. If you are not down with the drugs and sex than this is not the show for you. I do not mind those parts and I find that the writers of the show take a grain of truth and have turned it into a full blown escapade every episode. Sadly there is only one season to date and it won't be back until November but I am patiently awaiting its return. For more on the show check out these sites: E! The Royals Site, Full Cast List on IMDb & IMDb Page.

"Drama about a fictional British Royal family set in modern day London, who inhabit a world of opulence and regal tradition that caters to any and every desire, but one that also comes with a price tag of duty, destiny and intense public scrutiny. - Written by E!"

"The Buckingham Palace on steroids New York Post"

Full cast photo

Prince Liam with Ophelia

Princess Eleanor with her smoking hot body guard Jasper

Joan Collin's as The Grand Duchess Alexandra of Oxford

Prince Cyrus with his daughters Princess Maribel and Princess Penelope

Princesses Penelope and Maribel Inspiration: Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice LOL!! If you want to check out more of who is who's inspiration then check out this funny article by New York Post.

REIGN on CW Review

I know that not everyone likes the new show Reign on CW. I have to admit that I LOVE IT! It is so far left field on everything especially on Mary Queen of Scots life in France that it is insanely bad. But it is so bad that it is GOOD! The clothing, the hair, and now even the music. The whole cast is to die for beautiful men and women. Yet Mary stands out as the shows great beauty. I know that the show has not just caused scandal on the historical accuracy front but it also air the CW networks raciest scene to ever air. I became hooked on it after I watched this raunchy scene between Mary's lady in waiting Kenna and the King of France. It was a down and dirty little sex scene that left my mouth gaping open. The moment proved that this show was defiantly an adult show. In Reign the women are glamorous with a modern day edge making for some very cute bohemian aristocratic fashion's. All of Mary's ladies are to die for beautiful and very different from each other which makes it all the more exciting. They even made Catherine De' Medici a beautiful mature woman. I guess Reign just makes everyone beautiful. I totally understand if this show is not your cup of tea but I thought I would share some of the cool things I love about this show just in case it sparks your interest.

From top left to right: Dauphin Francis, Mary Stuart, Sebastian, Catherine de Medici, Henry II. From bottom Left to right: Aylee, Kenna, Greer, Lola, Nostradamus. 

The Cast 

Kenna, Lola, and Greer.

Mary Stuart ~ Adelaide Kane
King Henry II of France ~ Alan van Sprang

Queen Catherine de Medici ~ Megan Follows

Dauphin Francis ~ Toby Regbo

Diane de Poitiers ~ Anna Walton

Sebastian (King Henry II and mistress Diane de Poitiers son) ~ Torrance Coombs

Nostradamus ~ Rossif Sutherland

Kenna ~ Caitlin Stasey

Lola (Mary's lady in waiting) ~ Anna Popplewell

Greer (Mary's lady in waiting) ~ Celina Sinden

Aylee (Mary's lady in waiting) ~ Jenessa Grant

On episode #118 the show was at a turning point. Mary and Francis are firmly married and the king Henry II has gone mad. Henry allowed a servant woman to usurp Queen Catherine De' Medici's crown after she won the queen of the bean contest. The little servant girl won and Henry being mad at the time let her take it way too far. Meanwhile in a turn of events a new contract was being negotiated with the Pope for certain land rents and Henry not being fit to negotiate means that the golden couple Mary and Francis would swoop in and save the day by taking over the negotiations. 

Catherine de Medici and Nostradamus

Did mention that all of this took place at a ball? That was the best part. Mary and Francis were taking the stage and finding their royal footing at this time. But surprisingly the best part of this scene was not the ball it was the music! It took me while to pick up on it but playing in the background for the ball there was a string quartet playing, I knew this song but until the courus broke out I had no idea how I knew it. Best song ever for the moment goes to Lordes "Royal" performed by Vitamin String Quartet. The music was oh so fitting and I loved it, loved it, LOVED it. I wanted to share the music with you and some info about my new favorite show even if it is not your cup of tea consider it a train wreck that you just can't take your eyes off of. I hope that through this show some might watch it and wonder what was the real Mary Queen of Scots like. Maybe they will become a historical fiction junkie too and who knows maybe just maybe someone will give Mary a chance and find out that her life was way more dramatic than anything a TV show could ever hope to produce. I am sad to say though that Reign had it's season finally last week and I hope to goodness they do not cancelled it but for now check out the stuff below for more on Reign including where to watch the full episodes for FREE.

More on Reign! Main CW Reign Page  ~ Full Episodes ~ Reign Music List

~Lizzie~

The Great Gatsby Movie Art and Fashion

I know I am really late on "The Great Gatsby" Train but I must admit I held myself back. I read the book before I watched the movie and it was worth the wait. Beautifully filmed this movie is breath taking and I am glad I waited. I wanted to share with you all some of my favorite little things related to "The Great Gatsby". Happy reading all!

Carey Mulligan "Daisy Buchannan

Tiffany even jumped on board for Gatsby themed spread May 2013

For More On The Great Gatsby:
Check out the Soundtrack on Google Play
Amazon, Books, The Movie, and More on The Great Gatsby
You Tube "Young and Beautiful" - A Tribute to "The Great Gatsby"
You Tube The Great Gatsby Deleted Scenes - Alternate Ending SPOILER ALERT!

~Lizzie~

"Cloud Atlas" Movie and Music

Okay so here is the deal on "Cloud Atlas", it is one of the most expensive independent films ever made 102 million to be exact. It is also considered a German science fiction foreign film even though almost all the actors are American. The story is unique and visually stunning it will quite literally take your breath away for so many different reasons. It is basically about a group of people who keep being reborn or reincarnated over and over or as Wiki puts it "the film features multiple plot lines set across six different eras". The six main characters are all linked and their lives keep crossing paths in every life. From back in slave trading times all the way to the future in Korea, these people always find each other. Some in tragic ways and others in happy ways the one thing that follows them all is the music. It is the kind of music you could never forget. It melts into your soul adding a balm to all past hurts. I am in love with this movie and music it really brought heart back to me lately. I encourage all of you to watch it not just once but multiple times because each time you pick up something you had not seen before. It is like watching it new every time  These are stories of humanity where the heart is trying to do good but sometimes it is just not meant to be well at least not in this life.

Cloud Atlas Trailer

"Cloud Atlas Sextet" Music Score
 

The official synopsis for Cloud Atlas describes the film as: "An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution." For more on this check out the Wiki.

My favorite in this movie was Jim Sturgess. I never really notice him before this but he is dang heroic in this film and defiantly sexy. The future story in Neo Soul really will make you think outside of the box.

This I added for after you watch the film if you want to check and see who is who on the different lives and how they cross paths.

~Lizzie~

New Series "Dracula" Coming this Fall to NBC

Coming to NBC this fall "Dracula" featuring Jonathan Rhys Meyer and created by the same people who brought us The Tudors.

"Golden Globe winner Jonathan Rhys Meyers ("The Tudors") stars in this provocative new drama as one of the world's most iconic characters.

It's the late 19th century, and the mysterious Dracula has arrived in London, posing as an American entrepreneur who wants to bring modern science to Victorian society. He's especially interested in the new technology of electricity, which promises to brighten the night - useful for someone who avoids the sun. But he has another reason for his travels: he hopes to take revenge on those who cursed him with immortality centuries earlier. Everything seems to be going according to plan... until he becomes infatuated with a woman who appears to be a reincarnation of his dead wife.

From the producers of the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning hit "Downton Abbey" comes "Dracula," a twisted, sophisticated and sexy take on Bram Stoker's classic novel, proving that some stories never die. One-hour drama".

For more on this upcoming show check out the website.
~Lizzie~

HF Movies For October

Anonymous 10.28.2011

Three Musketeers 10.21.2011

~Lizzie~

Disney's New Movie TANGLED

In theater November 24th Tangled is Disney's new feature film which features a very quirky Rapunzel. My blogger profile picture is Rapunzel. I just saw this and had to share it with everyone.Check out the official trailer.  



For more check out Disney's "Tangled" site

For the Love of Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross, Movie Premier in WA and West Coast

This has been a long time in the works and  finally this weekend I will be going to watch the premier of Pope Joan the movie in Tacoma WA. Have you ever read a book that was so compelling and so unique that even years after reading it you can still vividly recall the details of the book? Pope Joan for me has been the kind of book that I tell anyone and everyone who will listen about just how good of a read it was including my neighbors. Since Pope Joan was literally one of my first reviews here I have diligently followed its progress. I have showed my support for the movie with these ( D.C. showing , and Help the Release, Sundays Art the Irminsul) cool posts in the past but this is where you come in now. Pope Joan will be showing at selected theaters around the US here is the list of showings that just might be in your area. YES there are still tickets available for Tacoma and honestly if you are anywhere near WA it is worth the effort to catch it. I am driving 2.5 hours each way to make sure I see it, that is how bad I want to see it. I hope to see you there. Check out Donna's site for more information also http://popejoan.com/movienews.htm

This weekends showing info,

Tacoma, Washington Film Festival
2 PM Sunday, October 10
Grand Cinema 606 S Fawcett Ave
Tacoma, WA, 98402
Tickets and information: Phone: 253 593 4474.
Email: tacomafilmfestival@gmail.com

Los Angeles, California Goethe Film Festival
 7:30 PM, Friday, October 22, 2010
Aero Theater
1328 Montana Ave at 14th Street,
Santa Monica, CA 90403

Tickets:  $ 11/ general, $9/seniors, studentsAdvanced Tickets @ www.fandango.com 

Info:  margit.kleinman@losangeles.goethe.org

 

San Francisco, California Goethe Film Festival
7:30 pm, Saturday, October 23, 2010
Castro Theater
429 Castro Street
San Francisco, CA 94114-2019.
Tickets and info: (415) 263-8760 
or email:  festival@sanfrancisco.goethe.org

Ojai (California) Film Festival
November 5 - 7
(details as soon as we have them)

Pope Joan

"For a thousand years, her existence has been denied. She is the legend that will not die--Pope Joan, a controversial figure of historical record who, disguised as a man, rose to rule Christianity in the 9th century as the first and only woman to sit on the throne of St. Peter. In this riveting novel, Donna Woolfolk Cross paints a sweeping portrait of a heroine whose strength of vision led her to defy the social restrictions of her day.

Brilliant and talented, young Joan rebels against medieval laws forbidding women to learn. When her older brother is brutally killed during a Viking attack, Joan takes up his identity and enters the monastery of Fulda, where she is initiated into the brotherhood in his place. As Brother John Anglicus, Joan distinguishes herself as a great scholar and healer. Eventually she is drawn to Rome, where she becomes enmeshed in a dangerous web of love, passion, and politics. Triumphing over appalling odds, she finally attains the highest throne in Christendom, wielding a power greater than any woman before or since.

But such power always comes at a price...

Pope Joan is a sweeping historical drama set against the turbulent events of the 9th century -- the Saracen sack of St. Peter's, the famous fire in the Borgo that destroyed over three-quarters of the Vatican, the Battle of Fontenoy, arguably the bloodiest and most terrible of medieval conflicts. This masterwork of suspense and passion brings the Dark Ages to life in all their brutal splendor and shares the dramatic story of an unforgettable woman who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept".

Amazon

 

New Series on HBO "Boardwalk"

 I am a bit behind and I know I should have posted this before the season premier but I still look forward to catching this one this upcoming Sunday on HBO. It starts at 9pm on HBO. My husband watched it and told me a it was fabulous and believe it or not I also had a friend mention it to me the other day that it really is a cool show.

"From Terence Winter, Emmy Award-winning writer of “The Sopranos” and Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese, BOARDWALK EMPIRE is set in Atlantic City at the dawn of Prohibition, when the sale of alcohol became illegal throughout the United States. One of the most anticipated fall releases, BOARDWALK EMPIRE will begin its 12-episode season on HBO this Sunday, Sept. 19, at 9pm"

Check it out on Facebook for more!