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

Lovely Blog Party Kick Off + Tag

Hello there friends! Welcome to the Lovely Blog Party!!

Cordy is so good as to be hosting this month long party once again, and I'm so excited she is!! So, without further ado, here are my answers to her Would You Really? Tag...

 Would you ever go for a walk in the pouring rain to avoid the company of a gentleman caller?

Hmmm, it very much depends on the gentleman. If he wasn't a completely insufferable person, then I would probably stay and see it through, but then again, what if I should come across a Mr. Collins...?

Would you ever, truly, try your hand at matchmaking?

ABSOLUTELY!

 I may or may not have already dabbled in it, ahem. 

I am Miss Woodhouse after all ;) 

Of course, if I were to try my hand at matchmaking, I would try to be very careful of both peoples feelings. I would hate to force anyone together and make things awkward. But with tact and careful planning, such things as casual meetings and hangout can be planned, and then carefully overseen and prompted by yours truly.

Would you be comfortable wearing glass slippers for a night out at a ball?

Definitely not, I can barely walk in normal heels, let alone a glass pair.

Would you ever eat an apple given to you, rather forcibly, by a perfect stranger?

Oof, I've always wondered at Snow White for this one. Like, yes dear, we know you're not the smartest cookie in the box, but COME ON.  Yes, you have an optimistic view of human nature, but accepting an apple from the stranger who already looks EXTREMELY shady, without question..??

So no, I wouldn't.

Would you ever pretend to be a man's fiancée who you've never actually met?

I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THIS!!

I seriously think that would be so much fun, especially if the guy is cool and plays along well.

Would you ever dance with a stranger that sang to you in a forest?

Well first of all, is he a good singer?

Second of all, is he a good dancer?

Either way, I don't know that I would. Unless of course, "he is the handsomest man you have ever seen, girls!"

(although if it were someone I already knew, it would be a whole different story ;)

Would you ever be the one to propose?

Nooope. Not to rain on any girl's party out there, but I am a firm believer in that being the man's move. Plus, I really want to have the whole experience of being proposed to and all that mushy stuff ;)

Would you ever visit the house of a man you refused but is supposedly out of town?

Well if I had second thoughts after refusing him, I very possibly would. I mean, as long as he's out of town, it should be fine, right...?

And that's all friends! Make sure to hop over to Cordy's blog to check out all the festivities! I will return with more romantic themed posts very soon!

Yours Truly,

Miss Woodhouse

Some Thoughts on the new Emma

Well Friends. I went back and forth quite a bit on whether I wanted to actually see this movie or not. The preview did not look very promising, and it appeared as though they were trying to turn my dear Emma into, well... a spoof. So I was very apprehensive going into this.

Yesterday I caved and watched it. 

And... I didn't hate it. I actually quite enjoyed much of it.

Does it replace my beloved 2009, Ramola Garai, Absolute Perfection, Johnny Lee Miller aka THE KNIGHTLEY, Emma? 

No it does not. 

But. I liked it more than I was expecting too. 

I will try to keep this post organized, but it will probably end up being a thought dump, so please bare with me.

To start, the overall aesthetic of the movie was veeeeery lovely. The colors, the houses, the clothes, the scenery, I loved it a lot. In fact, that was probably my favorite part of the whole movie. Nice aesthetics always make me happy, and as far as I am concerned, this movie nailed it in that department. 

Let's move onto Emma. This particular Emma was definitely a little too... sharp for my liking. And I don't mean that in a mean way, Anya Taylor-Joy is just not what I picture Emma to look like. Also, what was with the tight, miniscule curls? Those were a little weird. 

However, I certainly didn't dislike her portrayal of Emma. But I did find that her Emma was much more dislikable as a character. I don't know if this was a good thing or not. Even Jane Austen believed that not many people would like Emma. And half of the point of this story is to see Emma go through a character transformation from self centered, slightly spoiled young lady to someone who genuinely cares about others and their feelings. And while we do see this, I don't feel like the change was as noticeable as it could have been. Emma only got a little bit nicer, and a little bit more conscientious of others. But I didn't feel like the ultimate transformation was there.

However, I did really like other aspects of Emma's character, including the relationship between her and Miss Taylor, as well as her and Harriet. We got to see a much softer and emotional side of Emma. Her love for Miss Taylor was really very sweet, and her friendship with Harriet was much more genuine, and I really appreciated that!

There were several little vignette's that gave us a peep into Emma and Harriet's friendship and I really liked those scenes. It showed us that there was more to their relationship than Emma just wanting someone as a plaything. She genuinely cared about Harriet and their relationship, which I think was a very nice touch. 

On that note, I was much more inclined to like this Harriet. She was very sweet and naive, but she seemed a little less stupid then the other Harriet's I have seen, which was refreshing. (But also, her obsession with Mr. Elton, was slightly creepy...?)

And I feel it should be noted, even though he's a minor character, that Mr. Weston was much more likable in this adaptation! He came off as bit silly and stupid in the 2009 Emma, but I really liked him in this one! and no it is not just because he is played by Lestrade whom I also happen to love. that has nothing whatsoever to do with it. what a notion. 

Ahem.

Mr. Woodhouse was also rather funny. I quite enjoyed his character. I found his first little entrance hop quite amusing. Also his barricade of fire shields was funny. And that is all I have to say on his account.

As for Mr. Elton, you couldn't even see his face behind that collar that was something like two feet tall. But he was a good Mr. Elton. I just found it irritating that he had no neck to speak of.  

And of course, we mustn't forget Mr. Knightley.

hhhrrrrrmmmmmm...

I honestly can't make up my mind. There were many times when I did like him (the badly done scene was well done, if you will. haha.) But there were other times when he just wasn't working for me. Maybe it was because I couldn't even really tell what his face looked like behind all that shaggy hair and two foot collar...? I don't know. But for now, Johnny Lee Miller will continue to remain intact as THE Mr. Knightley. 

And it should be noted that I Am Concerned. What, if I may ask, the heck was with the bare rear ends??? 

That is not cool. No one needs that. So please, movie producers, chill.  

Also, can we talk about the proposal scene? They almost had it!! They were so close! I almost loved it! And then... and then...

HeR NoSe sTarTs tO blEEd??? 

Whaaaaat was that??

Weird, that's what it was. 

I also have very mixed opinions of the soundtrack. There were several times when it was just a rather loud choir singing old hymns and folk songs and while in a different movie I think I would have liked it, it just really didn't fit here. Whenever it was instrumental music I thought the soundtrack was lovely, but the loud singing was not for me. 

And that draws us to a close. It seems that I have a few more negatives than positives on my list, but I promise that I do not despise it. All in all, there was actually quite a bit here that was Good Stuff. I would certainly watch it again simply for the pleasing aesthetic, but I also wouldn't mind seeing it again just because I did find myself enjoying it quite a bit.

So! Have you seen the new Emma and what are your thoughts? Do you have a favorite adaptation? Let's chat!

Yours Truly, 

Miss Woodhouse