Yet Another Romantic Tag || Valentine's Day Period Drama Blog Party

Happy day after Valentine's day! I'm a little late, but here are my answers to Heidi's Valentine's Day Period Drama Blog Party Tag!

1.) Your current three (or up to five!) favorite period dramas?

Emma (2009), Pride and Prejudice (1995), Downton Abbey, Anne of Green Gables, and Enola Holmes.

2.) What would you recommend to someone who’s never seen a period drama as a starter?

Probably Emma (2009) because it's so happy and pretty. It's quite long, but that matters not. (If you want to get into the period drama world, then you better get used to looooong movies.)

3.) A favorite couple that wouldn’t be included in answer #1 (cause I’m figuring those are already top favorites ;)) and/or a favorite secondary character romance? 

PERCY BLAKENEY AND MARGAURITE!! 

I recently read the Scarlet Pimpernel and I LOVE THESE TWO. They are both such strong characters who are really meant for each other (even though SOMEBODY is quite pigheaded for awhile! *throws a snuff box at Percy*)

4.) What do you consider foundational qualities for a healthy romance? 

Probably trust, patience, and good communication.

5.) Worst villain/antagonist?

Probably Rigaud from Little Dorrit. That man is straight up terrifying. 

(He doesn't get a picture, because no one wants to look at him.)

6.) A favorite proposal scene?

Aaaaaaaaalways Emma (2009). Nothing beats "If I loved you less I might be able to talk about it more."

I also really love Laurie's proposal to Amy in the book! It was so sweet and simple, and I am quite put out that all the movie versions saw fit to cut it!

7.) Favorite period drama characters based on a real life couple?

Katherine and James from Hidden Figures. They are so cute! (it's also an excellent movie!)

8.) Any classic b/w period dramas you like?

Hmmm, none are coming to mind. 

9.) Most mature romance in a period drama? (mature as in age and/or characters who are consciously and wisely ripened by life experience, etc.)

Janet and Alec from Road to Avonlea. It's a much lesser known period drama show, but it's lovely, and Alec and Janet are lovely. They have a firmly built relationship, and even though we see them go through marital struggles throughout the show, they always come back around. They are always there to love and support the other. 

10.) Most excruciatingly long, slow burn romance in a period drama?

Amy and Arthur from Little Dorrit. Like COME. OOOONNNNN. I love you Arthur, but OPEN YOUR EYES!!!

11.) A story that has multiple film adaptations where you love more than one of them?

I'm usually more of a One Film Adaptation Only kind of girl, but I recently saw the Sense and Sensibility miniseries (2008) and I loved it!! But I will still always love the 1995 version.

12.) A book you think needs to be made into a film (or a new adaptation)?

Sooooo many. But right now The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery and Rilla of Ingleside also by L.M. Montgomery are at the top of my list. Their both so good and so deserving of a well done film!

Thank you so much for hosting Heidi!! I do love any chance to rave about period drama couples ;) 

Yours Truly,

Miss Woodhouse

Period Drama Romances that Ironically Deserve More Love || Valentine's Period Drama Blog Party

We interrupt this program to bring you a second blog party, namely the Valentine's Day Period Drama Blog Party, hosted by Heidi! 

I'm starting off this second party with a little nod to a few of my favorite period drama couples! I decided to go with some lesser known couples who really deserve more love, although I couldn't resist throwing in some more popular ones, because sometimes they're just too cute!

Minnie and Alfie || Larkrise to Candleford

"See Minnie, you make me laugh."

These two are just cinnamon rolls. Yes, Minnie is a little silly. But that's who she is. I really appreciate that the writers didn't feel the need to change her character when she and Alf became a couple. Alf is just a sweetheart who's got the weight of the world on his shoulders, and Minnie helps him carry that weight. She is the one who makes him smile.

Enola and Tewkesberry || Enola Holmes

"At least we have each other."

I have already talked about my love for these two, but all the more chance to fangirl talk about them. Theirs is a relationship built on trust, which coincidentally started with Enola asking, "Do you trust me?" to which Tewkesberry emphatically replied, "No!" 

Their relationship never gets further off the ground than a strong friendship (although sparks flew HARD) but they know that they have each others backs. And I have high hopes for a sequel in which they fall in love ;)

Emma and Mr. Knightley || Emma (2009)

"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more."

Yes, they are a very popular couple, but they are so worth the hype. Emma is a flawed heroine, and Mr. Knightley is the ultimate gentleman. Their lifelong friendship is something that endears them as a couple. Emma teases, Mr. Knightley scolds, and together they have a bond that makes them such a beautifully functional couple.  

Peggy and William || Return to Cranford

"We have always been equals. Love makes people so."

Even though they are a lesser known couple, these two are REAL cute. REAL CUTE.

Peggy is a dear girl, who (because she is an ANGEL) takes care of her mother (who is horrible to her) and her brother (who is Trouble with a capitol T). 

She stumbles upon a young man named William (also a sweetheart) (played by Tom Hiddleston, himself)

 (of course that's not why I love him so much) (what a notion) 

William takes it upon himself to rescue her from her horrible family, and the rest is history. There may or may not be an angsty, dramatic scene where he rescues her from a train wreck *swoons* and a perfectly darling waltz to bring everything to a close.

Mary and Matthew || Downton Abbey

"I won't be happy with anyone else, as long as you walk the earth."

Another more popular couple, but I can't help it. Mary Crawley is a handful. She can be bitter, frosty, judgmental, and just plain mean. Until she meets Matthew. Matthew sees through the layers of prickliness to Mary's soft side, and she falls hard for his gentle yet determined manner. Theirs is a bumpy road to romance, but they are a couple who bring out the best in each other.

Juliet and Dawsey || The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

"Do you think it's possible to belong to someone before you've even met them?"

This is one of those soft, quiet relationships. The reassuring handholds,  the heartfelt letters, the kind encouragement. Dawsey and Juliet just have such a sweet connection from the very beginning. Their love of books and writing, and their strength to stand up for what they believe in makes them such a lovely couple.

Are any of these couples your favorites? Were there some that I didn't mention that you love? I've got sooooo many posts planed between both romantic blog parties, so I will be back very soon ;)

Yours Truly,

Miss Woodhouse

Now, where to begin?

Hello lovelies!

If you haven't already guessed from the title, followed by the photos that Sorta Give It Away, I am about to write a post about the new Netflix movie Enola Holmes, aka The Movie That Left Me In Love, In Tears, and Gave Me Approximately 47 Heart Attacks.

*ahem*

I wasn't made aware of the existence of this movie until about two weeks before its release when a friend showed me the preview. The preview in itself was enough to make me very excited. So when it was released, I watched it as quickly as I could possibly hit the play button. 

AND YOU GUUUUUUYYYYYYYSSSSSSS

You know when you find a movie that just is so amazing that you want to share it with practically everyone, but at the same time, you don't, because it's your precious and you're afraid other people won't appreciate it like you do?

That is this movie for me.

The gorgeous aesthetic, the adventurous music, the perfect acting, the amazing storyline, the precious characters, THE STINKIN CUTEST SHIP!! 

Suffice to say

I Love It.

So I will share it because it deserves to be shared. And also because I NEED SOMEONE TO FANGIRL WITH!

So firstly, Millie Bobby Brown as Enola (which backwards, spells Alone, in case ya don't know) was perfection!! She was so cute and tough at the same time, and managed to pull it off without being annoying, which is a feat in itself.

I loved that she had the same smarts as Sherlock (who is also amazing by the by), yet is still learning how to wield them, and we see her slowly maturing throughout all her experiences as the movie goes on. All in all, she was perfectly perfect. 

(Also if I could learn karate now so I can be just as kick butt as she is, that would be great, thanks.) 

Of course, we must also address young Viscount Tewkesberry, the Marquis of Basilwhether

aka THE MOST PRECIOUS CINNAMON ROLL. 

HE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS.

*SEMI-SPOILERS*

which *cough* doesn't exactly happen... 

*distant sobbing*

*END SPOILERS*

Seriously though, he was a darling character. Him and Enolaaaaaaa. I mean that boy was smitten after knowing her for 2 and 1/2 seconds.

 And we stan our hopeless romantic, garden loving, slightly squeamish, yet extremely resilient Marquis of Basilwhether. 

*SPOILERS*

And as much as I wanted a Holmesberry kiss, I can very much appreciate where they left the relationship. It's obvious that they both have feelings for each other, but Enola isn't there yet. She's spent most of her life rebelling against the idea of a husband, so the whole falling in love thing is a bit of new territory for her and something she has to get used to. So I really like that they didn't force the relationship to move too fast just because that's what audiences want. I have no doubt that Enola will come around very soon, but for now, I am satisfied :)

(but the hand kiss was still great)

*END SPOILERS*

Ok, I will say no more on their score. Just that you should watch it and you will love it and you will ship it.

Enola and her mother had such a lovely, lovely relationship. Even though we only saw that relationship through mostly flashbacks, you get such a good feel for the two of them and I love it.

Helena Bonnaham Carter was fabulous, as she always is. For some strange reason, slightly eccentric characters are really my cup of tea. 

A Few More Thoughts in Bullet Points so that I Have Some Organization...

•  I must be allowed to geek out for a moment about the cinematography. The way they incorporated flashbacks with the present shots, as well as little moments like the shots of the cliff edges just made my creative heart go !!!!!!!
• The music makes me want to reimagine my life and go on an adventure. So yes, catch me listening to the soundtrack for the next forever and awhile. 
• The aesthetic is everything dried flowers, trains, cobblestones, windblown hair, old parchment, watercolor, long skirts, dark hallways, and golden fields. Which is another way of saying Practically Perfect in Every Way.
• "What made you like me more?"

• The relationship between Sherlock and Enola (all the great sibling relationship/teaming up/mentorship vibes)
• PLOT TWISTS
• "I know jujitsu" *does little karate hands*
• The breaking the fourth wall style of narration was very interesting. Normally, I don't love that kind of stuff, but it really worked in this movie. It was a really good method for showing us Enola's thought process.
• the costumes are fan-freaking-tastic!
• Sherlock. If you've seen it, you'll understand ;)

So, how to conclude...

Please watch this.

Please love it

And if you don't, please don't tell me, because I will take it very personally. 

(Not really.) (But Maybe ;))

So! Have you all seen Enola? What are your thoughts?! Hope you are all doing great! 

Yours Truly, Miss Woodhouse