Mapp & Lucia – BBC (2014)

Episode 1 – Miss Elizabeth Mapp reigns supreme in the picturesque town of Tilling, and has even more reason to gloat than usual when she lets her house for the summer to a very desirable tenant – Mrs Emmeline Lucas, known to her friends as Lucia. However, when the newcomer proves more popular with the locals than expected, Mapp is left out in the cold, leading to a constant battle for supremacy over bridge parties, garden fetes, art competitions and even the odd yoga class.

Episode 2 – Mapp is still reeling from Lucia’s victory at the summer fete and is left to watch disconsolately as the locals flock to her rival’s little dinner parties across the street. Before long, however, she sees her chance for revenge. As the townsfolk busy themselves preparing their entries for the summer art exhibition, one of the highlights of the social calendar, Lucia and Georgie lay out their intentions to submit their sketches – giving Mapp a rather wicked idea to keep them out altogether. But it turns out that subterfuge rarely likes being hidden for long in a place like Tilling.

Episode 3 – Miss Lucia decides to take Tilling’s cultural welfare in hand by beginning a series of musical evenings, although Mapp is curious to notice the odd moan from the locals – could they be tiring of her high-handed ways? Mapp is keen to encourage a revolt, convinced her rival is a fraud since learning she traced her sketch for the art exhibition. Now all she needs is a way to show her up once and for all. Meanwhile, Miss Mapp and Diva are engaged in their own skirmish, this time over the season’s latest fashions, and the rest of the townsfolk are trying to quell their excitement as news arrives that the Prince of Wales is to pass through the station.

Period comedy, starring Miranda Richardson, Anna Chancellor, Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss, Pippa Haywood, Poppy Miller, Felicity Montagu, Paul Ritter, Gemma Whelan, Nicholas Woodeson, Katy Brand, Harish Patel, Joanna Scanlan and Frances Barber.

Based on E.F. Benson’s novels, this mini series written by Steve Pemberton is exquisite – from the scenery to the perfect performance of the cast. It’s was a pure pleasure to watch … Now, I’m so looking forward to reading the books.

The Hobbit – The Battle Of The Five Armies

The Dwarves of Erebor have reclaimed the vast wealth of their homeland, but now must face the consequences of having unleashed the terrifying Dragon, Smaug, upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. As he succumbs to dragon-sickness, the King Under the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield, sacrifices friendship and honour in his search for the legendary Arkenstone. Unable to help Thorin see reason,  Bilbo is driven to make a desperate and dangerous choice, not knowing that even greater perils lie ahead. An ancient enemy has returned to Middle-earth. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide – unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends as five great armies go to war …

Fantasy, starring Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Luke Evans, Evangeline Lilly, Aidan Turner, Lee Pace, Cate Blanchett, Ryan Gage, Sylvester McCoy, Stephen Fry, James Nesbitt and the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch.

As I said last year, I love how Peter Jackson adapted Tolkien’s novel for children in an epic and magnificent saga. I was never bored and felt dread for the tragic ending. As expected I cried, not only for the dead, but for remembering as thirteen years ago I went and watch ‘The Fellowship Of The Ring’ being sure that I would never read Tolkien’s books … Not only I have read The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit, but I enjoyed them and would recommend them to everyone as classics from the creator of Fantasy. Without Tolkien we wouldn’t have George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire’s saga. As a conclusion I will say thank you to Tolkien for being so imaginative and to Peter Jackson for giving us two spectacular and emotional trilogies.

The Hobbit – The Battle Of The Five Armies

This movie will be beautiful and spectacular … I’m so looking forward to watching that last part ! Shivers and tears will be at the rendez vous …

A Conversation Between JK Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe (2011)

Last night, I found this video completely by chance. I thought it was so interesting even if it’s from three years ago. I love the Harry Potter books and I’m looking forward to reading anything Rowling would write on this topic. It was fun to follow the 2014 Quidditch World Cup on Pottermore and I really think Rowling is such a touching person as I watched her in Who do you think you are ?, discovering her family’s past in France. I need to reread the books as I miss her characters so much.

** SPOILERS** If you haven’t read the books or seen the movies yet and want to, do NOT watch that video.

Copyright Warner Bros Entertainment®

The Hobbit – The Battle Of The Five Armies (Trailer)

The Hobbit – The Battle Of The Five Armies

We got at last from Peter Jackson the poster and the first photos of this long-awaited conclusion of Bilbo’s adventures.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012)

This drama is an adaptation and completion of Charles Dickens’ last novel by screenwriter Gwyneth Hughes.

Part 1: Opium addict and choirmaster at Cloisterham cathedral John Jasper, lusts after schoolgirl orphan Rosa Bud. But she is betrothed to his nephew Edwin Drood, who will inherit a fortune if the mariage goes through. However, when two exotic strangers, twins Helena and Neville Landless, arrive in town, Jasper sees an opportunity to get what he always wanted. But will he allow his dark desires to take shape, and will he get away with it if he does?

Part 2 : With Edwin Drood feared dead, Jasper tries desperately to remember events of the night before. While Neville protests his innocence in the whole affair, Jasper begins to pursue Rosa with an intensity that pushes him to the edge of sanity. But revelations from Helena and Neville point ominously towards the cathedral crypt, where a discovery will surprise everyone involved.

Period drama, starring Matthew Rhys, Rory Kinnear, Freddie Fox, Tamzin Merchant, Alun Armstrong, Julia McKenzie, David Dawson, Ron Cook, Sacha Dhawan, Amber Rose Revah and Alfie Davis.

I wonder if Charles Dickens would have written the same moralistic ending to this dark drama. The cast is great , especially Matthew Rhys is rather terrifying as Jasper.

House Of Cards (1990)

Episode 1 – Francis Urquhart is the perfect politician. Impeccably diplomatic, charming, admired, trusted and respected by all. He has faithfully served his party without question, but events are about to spark his ambition. When the long-standing Prime Minister dies, the hunt is on to find a replacement.

Episode 2 – Urquhart is furious when the new Prime Minister, Collingringe, tells him that he is far too valuable in his current post, Chief Whip, to be offered a ministerial position. Hiding his contempt of the man behind his usual urbane smile, he believes the new PM will not last long, and perhaps something can be arranged to hasten his departure?

Episode 3 – As scandals and leaked stories gain momentum, Collingringe find himself in deep political trouble, and he has no alternative but to step down as Prime Minister. The only man whom he feels he can still trust is Urquhart. Meanwhile, political journalst Mattie Storin begins to suspect that Collingringe has been framed. But who is the culprit?

Episode 4 – Urquhart’s ruthless scheming is working. As the leadership election looms, all his leading rivals have been discredited. But even though the obstacles in his way have been erased, there is still no guarantee of his winning. Meanwhile, the truth is beginning to dawn on Mattie. As for Urquhart, he has too much to lose to let sentiment stand in his way.

Political drama, starring Ian Richardson, Susannah Harker, Miles Anderson, Alphonsia Emmanuel, Malcolm Tierney, Diane Fletcher, Colin Jeavons, David Lyon and James Villiers.

Being a fan of Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright in the American version of House of Cards, I wanted to watch the first adaptation of Michael Dobbs’ trilogy. In the new version the characters are far more developed since each season lasts 13 episodes against 4 for the British drama. I have to confess that I do not really understand how the British politics work and watching documentaries on Margaret Thatcher or this drama don’t enlighten me. Nonetheless, Ian Richardson, beautiful Susannah Harker ( she will play five years later Jane Bennett in Pride and Prejudice) and the rest of the cast are excellent and I’m looking forward to watching the sequel, To Play The King.

Under the Greenwood Tree (2005)

Under The Greenwood Tree was the first of Hardy’s great Wessex novels. Part love story, part comedy, the tale evokes the richness of village life tinged with melancholy for a rural world that Hardy saw fast disappearing.

Amongst the surrounding farms and woodlands of the idyllic village of Mellstock, Dorset, a bond grows between local boy Dick Dewy and a new arrival, the beautiful schoolteacher Fancy Day. The Reverend Maybold creates a furor among the village’s musicians with his decision to abolish the church’s stringed instruments choir and replace it with a new mechanical organ. But Miss Day causes an upheaval of a more romantic nature, as she steals the hearts of three very different men — the wealthy but older Farmer Shiner, the penniless young laborer and musician Dick Dewy, and the Reverend Maybold himself.

Through a maze of intrigue and passion across four seasons, Fancy is torn; she must make a decision of either head or heart. Will true love win out or will the social traditions of Victorian England determine Fancy’s future? Meanwhile, the men’s choir is restless and in open revolt about the new organ, spurred by their choirmaster, Reuben Dewy, who is Dick’s father.

Period drama, starring Keeley Hawes, James Murray, Steve Pemberton, Ben Miles and Tony Haygarth.

I appreciated this romance and I was glad that this story ended well. I have to say that I was traumatized by the ends of Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure. So now I know I can read a happy story by Thomas Hardy. I’m looking forward to do so.

The Thirteenth Tale (2013)

Biographer Margaret Lea is summoned to the home of reclusive and terminally ill novelist Vida Winter to document the author’s life. Vida reveals the secrets of her dark and unsettling childhood at ancestral home Angelfield, forcing Margaret to face up to the tragedy she herself suffered as a young girl.

Psychological mystery starring Olivia Colman, Vanessa Redgrave, Alexandra Roach, Robert Pugh, Steven Mackintosh, Tom Goodman-Hill, Sophie Turner, Janet Amsden and Madeleine Power.

This drama is an adaptation by Christopher Hampton of Diane Setterfield’s first novel which is classified in Gothic literature. I have to confess I hate ghosts stories – I’m so scared that it makes my hair on my back stand up…  Watching it, I had to stop many times to get my breath back. It’s a beautiful and sad story and I’m looking forward to read the book.