December 20th, 2011 → 6:58 am
“Though she be but little, she is fierce.” – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
I’m hearing a lot of (positive) hype about the new (U.S.) version of the movie The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It may indeed be a good movie, but I know already that I am disappointed they did not cast Lisbeth as she is described in the book. In the book she is 4’10” tall – quite little, and quite fierce. I was sort of looking forward to a movie with a star character as little (and as fierce?) as me, but I guess not this time…
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
December 15th, 2011 → 6:25 am
No quote today, but a friend turned me on to the following link, that I just had to share with everyone. It is to a bunch of letters to Santa written by Shakespeare characters. If you don’t find it hilarious, there’s no hope for you: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/letters-to-santa-written-by-shakespeare-characters
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
November 16th, 2011 → 5:55 am
“You two are book-men.” – Love’s Labor’s Lost
One of my favorite novelists, Ann Patchett, and a friend of hers, Karen Hayes, have apparently decided to open a bookstore in Nashville simply because no one else will. “I have no interest in retail; I have no interest in opening a bookstore. But I also have no interest in living in a city without a bookstore,” Ms. Patchett is quoted as saying. That’s a real dedication to books, I’ll say!
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
October 17th, 2011 → 8:22 am
I saw the play God of Carnage this weekend and it was hilarious; wild, crazy, madcap like a horse gone wild. My only criticism was the ending. It didn’t come together very well at all, it just sort of, stopped.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
September 21st, 2011 → 6:37 am
“I love long life better than figs.” – Antony and Cleopatra
This quote seems a little odd, until you realize that in ancient times “fig” had a sexual connotation. Aristophanes, for example, in Peace wrote: “Pick your figs. May his be large and hard. May hers be sweet.” On that note, the choice between a long life and figs can indeed seem like something of a toss-up.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Other
August 24th, 2011 → 5:44 am
“A dish fit for the gods.” – Julius Caesar
I watched a rather old production of Julius Caesar last night, which had Marlon Brando in it as Mark Antony. After watching him in A Streetcar Named Desire awhile back as well, I can attest that I now totally get why Brando is considered such a huge, transformative actor. He was quite handsome as well! My god, his magnetism really does just jump off the screen.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
July 31st, 2011 → 6:56 am
“Beauty is a witch.” – Much Ado About Nothing
I watched the 1967 movie The Taming of the Shrew with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton last night. It was quite good. Elizabeth Taylor was an exceptional beauty, and quite a funny witch in it. No wonder my mother loved her so much. I don’t normally watch (because I don’t normally enjoy) old movies, but this one really was good; even my non-Shakespeare-loving husband enjoyed it to the end.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
July 26th, 2011 → 7:25 am
“Sorrow concealed, like an oven stopp’d, doth burn the heart to cinders where it is.” – Titus Andronicus
My husband and I watched the film Antwone Fisher last night (we both ended up in tears). One of the things it reminded me of was the power of catharsis, often helped along through the aid of a good psychologist (my mother was a psychologist, and the movie also reminded me very much of her). I had a sound disagreement with my Aunt once, who told me that a person should never voice their hurts and their feelings because it’ll just make other people feel bad. I have never disagreed with anything more. As the quote above eloquently states, sorrow concealed only does damage in the end.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Other
July 20th, 2011 → 7:23 am
“The true beginning of our end.” – Midsummer Night’s Dream
Borders has announced that it is going out of business and liquidating all its stores. I feel as though this is the beginning of the end of the hard-copy book. I know there are e-books and kindles and nooks and what-not, but I’m a bit old fashioned when it comes to sitting down and reading a fresh novel. I just like having the feel of it in my hands. I know e-books are the wave of the future, and I’m sure I’ll adjust, but I am just a little sad that the traditional hard-copy book seems to be losing its place at the pinnacle of a well-stocked library.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
July 12th, 2011 → 7:16 am
“Talkers are no good doers.” – Richard III
Last night I watched a great documentary by Al Pacino on playing Shakespeare’s Richard III. It was great fun watching him dissect some of the famous lines and scenes, as well as try to get teenagers in Central Park to go and see a Shakespeare play. I was watching it, thinking, what quote could I use for today’s blog post? And then, lo and behold, this one came up, which also perfectly described the posturing budget talks currently taking place in Washington, D.C. If all the craziness on Capitol Hill is driving you insane, rent Pacino’s movie, it’ll at least take your mind off things for a little while…
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Politics/Politicians