Mini-Reviews: Summerland, Ladies in Black, Mary, Queen of Scots

Accidentally, this set of mini-reviews has a period drama theme. What can I say, a girl likes what she likes!

variety.com

Summerland

Words can barely describe how perfect this film is. Honestly, it was just beautiful. I've been a fan of several of Gemma Arterton's works for quite a while now, and so I was excited to see this one even though I didn't know too much about it to start. Actually, I don't even believe I had watched the trailer for it! But after seeing it, I was moved by it in so many ways. It was a lovely story, beautifully filmed and acted, and it has stuck with me for months after. I would absolutely recommend it many times over.

netflix.com

Ladies in Black

This movie was...fine. I really loved Angourie Rice in Every Day, and I can't fault her on her performance here, nor that of Rachael Taylor. Overall though, I just didn't really attach to it much. If it's on, I wouldn't be against watching it again, but I wouldn't actively seek it out to view it.

theguardian.com

Mary, Queen of Scots

You might know that I'm a huge Tudor history lover, so I watched this rather cautiously. A lot of the films and shows that come out regarding this time period I avoid like the plague because I can get very hung-up on the lack of historical accuracy, and I instead prefer documentaries (if you know Lucy Worsley, know that I adore her). You know the saying "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"? Let's just say that the music is gorgeous, and Saoirse Ronan does a decent job. Does that tell you enough? Shockingly I finished it...I must have been very strong that day.

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Have you seen any of these? What do you think? Are you a stickler for details in historical pieces, or are you fine with some creative license?

TV Shows - October 2020 - April 2021(Part 1)

It might have been a while since I've done an update on the shows I've been watching, but I have been experiencing a real mix of things on television. Since I was only really watching one thing at a time, I didn't really have enough to do monthly updates, and then after that I didn't really know where to start! So over the next while I'll give you some mini-reviews on what I've been viewing so that we can get all caught up.

radiotimes.com

Bridgerton - Season 1

I devoured Bridgerton. Did I like it? Absolutely. Do I think it was good? No, no I don't. But it was fun, and addictive, and I definitely recommend it if you need a distraction from real life for several hours. Just...don't have any expectations about historical accuracy or anything (think The CW's Reign), or you will instantly hate it.

tvacute.com

The Spanish Princess - Season 1

I loved this. I have an absolute obsession with Tudor history, and a particular adoration of Elizabeth I and Catherine of Aragon. So, a show diving right in on Catherine and the tumultuous time between her journey to England and marriage to Henry VIII? I was excited, but also feeling very cautious. I think they did a brilliant job with it - keeping both to her character and Henry's, and also keeping it feeling historically accurate. I'm really looking forward to watching the next season.

Blog-Along: Wolf Hall, Episode 6 - Master of Phantoms

Alas, here is my final blog-along of Wolf Hall, as we look at Episode 6. If you are new here and would like to start at the beginning, you can see Episode 1 here: Wolf Hall, Episode 1.  I will be editing things to avoid large spoilers and make things more concise, but it will mostly be my thoughts as I have them.

Wolf Hall, Episode 6 - Master of Phantoms

pbs.org

           Play by Play

• Smash on the table. Food will come faster that way. Ooh, and picking food out of your teeth and sticking it in your goblet. Oh the table manners!
• Uh-Oh, Crommy's seeing things. Cuckoo. Cuckoo.
  

Blog-Along: Wolf Hall, Episode 5 - Crows

Alright, we are now on Episode 5 of Wolf Hall, with only one more to go after this. If you haven't read my thoughts about the previous episodes, you can start with Episode 1 here: Wolf Hall, Episode 1. As per usual, I will be editing everything to avoid large spoilers, and to make things a bit more concise, but it will mostly be my organic thoughts.

Wolf Hall, Episode 5 - Crows

pbs.org

           Play by Play

• Oh sorry Sir, are we keeping you up? You know your dinner party sucks when not even the king is willing to stay awake for it.
• Jane Seymour, that was gutsy. Good girl.
  

Blog-Along: Wolf Hall, Episode 4 - The Devil's Spit

I took a bit of a break last week from Wolf Hall, so my apologies if you missed my weekly babblings! We are now on Episode 4, so sit back, relax, and enjoy (or watch along, if you'd like of course). If you haven't read my thoughts about the previous episodes, Episode 1 can be seen here: Wolf Hall, Episode 1. Once again, I will be editing everything to avoid large spoilers, and to make things a bit more concise, but it will mostly be my thoughts as I have them.

Wolf Hall, Episode 4 - The Devil's Spit

pbs.org

           Play by Play

• Anne looks so in love with the baby, it's wonderful...and then she shows her loveliness in full. Let's destroy the lives of other children so that mine can flourish. 
• Well played Anne, you know all about Cromwell's connections

Blog-Along: Wolf Hall, Episode 3 - Anna Regina

Continuing my blog-along of Wolf Hall, we are now on Episode 3. If you haven't read my thoughts about Episodes 1 and 2, check them out here: Wolf Hall, Episode 1 and here: Wolf Hall, Episode 2 Once again, I will be editing everything to avoid spoilers, and to make things a bit more concise, but it will mostly be my thoughts as I have them.

Wolf Hall, Episode 3 - Anna Regina

pbs.org

           Play by Play

• Oh good, starting off with torture is always fun
• Oh, is THAT the situation now Cromwell? Wow. Sharing your bed and everything.

Blog-Along: Wolf Hall, Episode 2 - Entirely Beloved

Since I had so much fun with my blog-along or Episode 1 of Wolf Hall, I thought I'd continue on with Episode 2. If you haven't read my thoughts about Episode 1 - Three Card Trick, check it out here: Wolf Hall, Episode 1. Once again, I will be editing everything to avoid spoilers and to make things a bit more concise, but it will mostly be my thoughts as I have them.

Wolf Hall, Episode 2 - Entirely Beloved

pbs.org

           Play by Play

• Gregory, can't say I'm your biggest fan right now. You seem a bit wimpy and unintelligent at the moment, but I guess we'll see.
• Is the housekeeper his sister-in-law? Or were they in the same household? Seems like sister-in-law. Uh...did she just essentially say she's a lesbian? We at least know she isn't into her husband. Well, that was an awkward conversation

Blog-Along: Wolf Hall, Episode 1 - Three Card Trick

Watching Episode 1 of Wolf Hall, I thought it might be fun to blog along my real-time thoughts to the piece. That being said, I will be editing everything to avoid spoilers, and to make things a bit more concise. For example, if I noticed something such as "shaky camera work" multiple times, instead of writing that 5 separate ways in my review here, I will edit it to mention that there were many instances of this occurring. Alright, here we go!

Wolf Hall, Episode 1 - Three Card Trick

pbs.org

     

          Play by Play

• Oh Jonathan Pryce, how I love you. Your dry, matter-of-fact attitude always makes me smile
• Did they just make an error with the timeline? I thought they had said at the very beginning that Henry had been married 20 years with no heir, but then they flashed back to eight years earlier and have now said he has been married 18 years with no heir...did I miss something? Shouldn't it be 12 years? I'm sure I must have gotten something wrong