Memorial Day

Remembering all soldiers, past and present.

Review: Emma (1997)

This was the first version of Emma that I saw. It was on Masterpiece: Classic one weekend a couple of years ago, so my mom and I sat down to watch it.

Poster/Box Art


Synopsis
Synopsis taken from Emma (2009) Review

"Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich" is a woman living in the English town of Highbury with her father. After making a match that lead to the marriage of her governness, Miss Taylor, and Mr. Weston, Emma (Kate Beckinsale) had fancied herself to have a knack for matchmaking. She is determined to make a match between Mr. Elton, the local vicar, and Harriet Smith (Samantha Morton), much to the chagrin of her father and her brother-in-law, Mr. Knightly (Mark Strong).

Characters

Both Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong are fairly well known, but you might recognize some of the cast in Emma. Samantha Bond (Mrs. Weston) was in one episode of Downton Abbey and Lark Rise to Candleford and was also in Mansfield Park (1983). Samantha Morton (Harriet Smith) was in Jane Eyre (1997). Olivia Williams (Jane Fairfax) was also in Miss Austen Regrets. Lucy Robinson (Mrs. Elton) was also in Pride and Prejudice (1995). And I believe Raymond Coulthard (Frank Churchill) was also in He Knew He Was Right.

Emma Woodhouse with Frank Churchill (Left)
and Mr. Knightley (Right)

Kate Beckinsale was okay as Emma (though not my favorite as Emma and even though I thought her imaginings were getting to be too much), but to me, Mark Strong is not Mr. Knightley. He seemed to be always yelling whenever he got upset, like he was going to throw a chair or something. I mean, was it really like Mr. Knightley to start yelling when he heard that Frank Churchill went to London to get his hair cut? I could see Mr. Knightley making a sarcastic remark about it, but to actually start yelling?

I didn't particularly care for Samantha Morton's Harriet. In the book, she is supposed to be a pretty looking girl, and I don't think that she was pretty enough. Olivia WIlliams's Jane Fairfax I liked. She was elegant and pretty, as she is in the book. I particularly disliked Frank Churchill in here, though. He just seemed too full of himself and he really irritated me (well, more than Frank Churchill usually does).I also thought that Miss Bates was too old. When I picture Miss Bates, I see someone in her late 30's or in her 40's; this Miss Bates could have been in her mid fifties or later.

Some of the acting I thought was forced and not "real". It just seemed like some of the lines were just said... It seemed like there were some spots where there could have been a little more emotion or if an emotion was expressed, it came out fake.

Jane Fairfax (Background) and Harriet Smith (Left Foreground)
and Emma Woodhouse (Right Foreground)

Scenery

There are some nice outdoor scenes, but I thought that some of the overtones were a little dark for Emma. Emma is a light-hearted story, so the scenes ought to be light and vivid, but the scenes were dark. Scenes take place outside either in Highbury, out on the country roads, or outside of Hartfield or Donwell Abbey, or inside the different homes of the characters.

Costumes

Some of the costumes I liked, others not so much. I never really liked the extra high neckline, so when Harriet had a white dress with a really high neckline, I didn't like that dress. I also thought that they over-did some of the neck kerchief frills: the ones without the frills were much better. The rest of the gowns, overall, I thought were good.

Harriet and Mr. Elton married?! One of Emma's many
imaginings...

Music
Some of the music is very light and bouncy (like the theme song and dance numbers), but there were times during Emma's imaginings that the music got very serious and completely unlike the tone of Emma. Overall, the music is kind of a hit and miss.

Overall: 3/5
I didn't completely hate this version of Emma, but I much prefer the 2009 miniseries to this version. The acting wasn't the best and the scenery could have been a lot lighter and more fitting to the tone that the book had. If you don't have too much time to spare and want to watch a version of Emma, this version or the Gwyneth Paltrow version are both okay, but if you really want a good sense of Emma and have the time to spare, watch the 2009 miniseries.

Emma is available on DVD. It runs for 107 minutes.

Rocketeer

Red pants SisterS Point, Demin jacket Chick with guns, Top Gestuz,

Boots Friis Company, Necklaces made by me.

Tournament: Round 4

Round 4 voting has just opened! There is only one poll. Vote for your favorite hero out of the remaining heroes:

• John Thornton (North and South)
• Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)
• Arthur Clennam (Little Dorrit)
• George Knightley (Emma)
• Captain Frederick Wentworth (Persuasion)

The top four heroes will move on to the fifth round! The hero with the least votes will be eliminated. Go and vote for your favorite!

Tournament: Round 3 Results

Voting for Round 3 has closed! Here are the results! Winners are bolded.

Poll 1

Sir Percy Blakeney (The Scarlet Pimpernel) -- 25 votes

John Thornton (North and South) -- 51 votes

Poll 2

Colonel Brandon (Sense and Sensibility) -- 27 votes

Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) -- 57 votes

Poll 3

Arthur Clennam (Little Dorrit) -- 38 votes

Edward Ferrars (Sense and Sensibility) -- 34 votes

Poll 4

George Knightley (Emma) -- 56 votes

Gilbert Blythe (Anne of Green Gables) -- 24 votes

Poll 5

Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey) -- 36 votes

Captain Frederick Wentworth (Persuasion) -- 37 votes

Thank you everyone for voting! Round 4 will be up shortly!

Last day to vote in Round 3

This is your last day to vote in Round 3 of The Period Drama Hero Tournament! If you haven't voted yet, do so now!

Acne

Some brands just don't keep an eye on the trends, they make the trends. With everything they do, people all over the world are copying their genius ideas, but in matter fact there is just one brand who does it good. In my opinion, Acne is such a brand.

Their designs are innovative and modern, but at the same time also classic and timesless. Millions of people are dying to buy a pair of real Acne boots, but only a few of them can afford these beautiful pieces of design. Therefore, a lot of brands are taking Acne as their inspiration to create a fabulous collection. One of those brands is Bronx, which fall/autumn 2011/12 collection is so awesome that you have to love it. I can't wait for this collection to be in stores this autumn!

Sometimes, dreams have to stay dreams in order to feel the desire.

Working on Some Big Changes!

I've been busy the past few days working on some changes to Elegance of Fashion. I've felt for a while now that I needed to change up Elegance of Fashion a little bit. Don't worry, I'm not changing anything in the way my blog is run: there are still going to be reviews, tournaments, banners, etc. I'm just trying to make everything look nicer and neater. I'm planning on some awesome changes, so stay tuned for some exciting new things! I'll announce when I'm going to release these changes.

Customizing

Boots Kiboots, Top Zara

This is what I call a customized outfit. Once in a while, I jump into my closet to see which pieces I do not wear anymore, but which are still nice and wearable.

This time, I was dying to buy some demin shorts, but I couldn't find the right one. So I took my scissors and cut some of my old jeans which I do not wear anymore. And there you go: now I have plenty of denim shorts!

The same story is for these brown socks I wore with this outfit. Last winter, I bought some dark brown tights, because I thought I needed them. But actually I never ever wore them. And ever since I was searching for overknee socks (which I think are hard to find), I cut the upper part of these tights and now I have overknee socks. How simple is that?

You don't need money to create, you just need a little fantasy.

Good luck!

xox, V

Tournament: Voting Progress

The voting is about half way done. Here is how everyone has voted so far! Leaders are underlined.

Poll 1

Sir Percy Blakeney (The Scarlet Pimpernel) -- 21 votes

John Thornton (North and South) -- 39 votes

Poll 2

Colonel Brandon (Sense and Sensibility) -- 20 votes

Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) -- 45 votes

Poll 3

Arthur Clennam (Little Dorrit) -- 27 votes

Edward Ferrars (Sense and Sensibility) -- 30 votes

Poll 4

George Knightley (Emma) -- 44 votes

Gilbert Blythe (Anne of Green Gables) 20 votes

Poll 5

Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey) -- 27 votes

Captain Frederick Wentworth (Persuasion) -- 31 votes

You only have three more days left to vote! If you haven't voted yet, do so now!

Summerlicious Festival

It's kind of late and I know the Cannes Film Festival was already weeks ago, but ever since I couldn't find the time to post this before and I really really wanted to share this with you, I have to do it now! So here are my favorite looks of one of the most important film festivals of the year.

A lot of celebs chose for white or light colors this year and I have to admit that all my favorite dresses are also in white or light colors..

Enjoy!

Kristen Dunst not only won Cannes' Best Actress, but also shone in Chanel Couture at the 2011 amfAR's Cinema Against AIDS Gala. It's sure she's a die-hard Chanel fan and this time, she choses for a Couture dress in soft pink. Gorgeous!

As always, Doutzen Kroes looks stunning. She's wearing a split-thigh dress by Emilio Pucci at the premiere of the Beaver. It's simple, but she simply doesn't need more to look as good as she does here.

Rachel McAdams wore a flower embellished white dress by Maxime Simoens Spring 2011 HC Collection at the Midnight In Paris photocall. The nude platform peep-toe pumps are perfect with this dress. She does it good!

 

Elizabeth Olsen (the younger stepsister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) at the Martha Marcy May Marlene photocall. She wore this beautiful dress from her sister's The Row line. The dress is so magnificent that it doesn't need heels: the sandals go perfect with this look, even at such a photocall.

Review: Miss Austen Regrets

I had heard about this a while ago, but I didn't watch it until yesterday. I know only a little bit about Jane Austen's life, and I hadn't really seen a biopic of Jane Austen (excepting a couple of scenes from Becoming Jane), so this would be the first movie about Jane Austen that I have seen all the way through.

Poster

Synopsis
Miss Austen Regrets chronicles the later life of Jane Austen and her relationship with her niece, Fanny Austen-Knight. Jane councils Fanny on her choice of husband while Fanny tries to get the romantic side of Jane out.

Characters
There are a couple of actors/actresses that you may recognize in Miss Austen Regrets. Olivia Williams (Jane Austen) was seen in Emma (1997) as Jane Fairfax. Hugh Bonneville (Rev. Brook Bridges) was seen in Daniel Deronda as Mr. Grandcourt and also in Downton Abbey as Robert Crawley, Lord of Grantham. Phyllida Law (Mrs. Austen) was also seen in Emma (1996) as Mrs. Bates and is also known as the mother of actresses Emma Thompson and Sophie Thompson. Greta Scacchi (Cassandra Austen) was seen in Emma (1996) as Mrs. Weston.

Jane at an evening with her friends. She seemed to have
been holding a glass of wine through at least half of the movie.

I really didn't like the way Jane Austen was portrayed in here. I know only a little about Jane Austen's life (I haven't actually read the letters that she has written to her sister, Cassandra, or to Fanny), but I never pictured her as someone who indulged too much in wine, flirted with nearly any man in her path, or was constantly in ill-humor. It seemed that some of the characteristics that she had in this movie were what she condemned in her novels: the real Jane Austen ridiculed the flirtatious behaviors of Lydia Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and of Isabella Thorpe in Northanger Abbey and would have most likely have looked down upon women walking around at night, drinking wine, and looking into windows from bushes outside. Her sour attitude in here could almost resemble Mary Bennet's in Pride and Prejudice. The screenplay writers and producers were probably trying to make her appear more human, but there are other ways of doing that and keeping her in "sync" with what she wrote and believed. I'm not convinced in this portrayal of Jane Austen

The whole story focused more on Jane's relationship with Fanny, her niece, rather than Cassandra, her sister. I would have liked to see more of Cassandra in this movie; she was in there for a couple of scenes, but not nearly as many as she should have. I didn't like how the Jane/Fanny relationship was portrayed: it seemed like they were reduced to a couple of giggling girls: I really couldn't take either one of them seriously after a while, especially Fanny. Fanny seemed overly romantic and emotional where it got to the point that it was just irritating.

Jane (foreground) with Fanny and Cassandra in the background.

Scenery
The scenery was nice. The outdoor scenes look lovely, and the indoor scenes in the houses were nice too. There was one scene that had a blue overtone when Jane Austen was running through London: I didn't like that they had the blue overtone. But Miss Austen Regrets does afford some nice views of the English countryside.

Costumes

Fanny and Jane traveling. Here Jane is wearing the turban
that she wears for a good portion of the movie.

I liked the costumes. I noticed that Jane had more bold colors than Fanny, who wore mostly white and lighter colors. I think that in the Regency Era, older women wore more bolder colors, while younger women wore lighter colors. Jane's gowns were very nice. Her dresses consisted mostly of jumpers with gauze sleeves. I wasn't particularly fond of a turban (I think it was a turban) that Jane wore for a lot of the movie. Overall, this movie could give many costumers an idea of what style of Regency dresses they would like to make.


Overall:1.5/5
I'll admit the costume and scenery were nice, and the music was quite tolerable enough (though it really didn't stick with me long enough), but I am not convince with this portrayal of Jane Austen. If seemed as if she had the bad qualities of her characters that she created. If a movie can't get the main character right, it doesn't have a good chance of succeeding.

Miss Austen Regrets is available with the DVD version of Sense and Sensibility (2008). It runs for 90 minutes.

Get shorty

Demin short Only, Green short Bershka, Flower short Derhy

The only way to celebrate the summer is to get crazy and to get short.

In the summer of 2011 the shorts comes in every way and she does it good! It doesn't matter which color, print or material, as long as you show those legs you're good.

Personally, I adore shorts in bright colors or prints. But like every year, all year, demin does is also good in the short version. High-waised or low, I love it all!

So shake up the happiness.

x, V

Tournament: Round 3 and Wild Card Winner

First, I'd like to start with the wild card. The poll has closed and the Wild Card is... Arthur Clennam (Little Dorrit).

And now for Round 3. Here are the polls:

Poll 1

Sir Percy Blakeney (The Scarlet Pimpernel)

John Thornton (North and South)

Poll 2

Colonel Brandon (Sense and Sensibility)

Fitzwilliam Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)

Poll 3

Arthur Clennam (Little Dorrit)

Edward Ferrars (Sense and Sensibility)

Poll 4

George Knightley (Emma)

Gilbert Blythe (Anne of Green Gables)

Poll 5

Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey)

Captain Frederick Wentworth (Persuasion)

There are the polls! Go out and vote! You only have one week!

Another Banner

Just made this banner. This was suggested by Tasha from History Back in Time.

Also, make sure you vote in the Wild Card round of The Period Drama Hero Tournament! There are only a few more hours left to vote!

Banner!

Another banner!

This was suggested by Melody at Regency Delight~Jane Austen etc.

What do you think?

Annabel Lee

It was many and many a year ago,

In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know

By the name of ANNABEL LEE;

And this maiden she lived with no other thought

Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,

In this kingdom by the sea;

But we loved with a love that was more than love-

I and my Annabel Lee;

With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven

Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago,

In this kingdom by the sea,

A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling

My beautiful Annabel Lee;

So that her highborn kinsman came

And bore her away from me,

To shut her up in a sepulchre

In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in heaven,

Went envying her and me-

Yes!- that was the reason (as all men know,

In this kingdom by the sea)

That the wind came out of the cloud by night,

Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love it was stronger by far than the love

Of those who were older than we-

Of many far wiser than we-

And neither the angels in heaven above,

Nor the demons down under the sea,

Can ever dissever my soul from the soul

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side

Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride,

In the sepulchre there by the sea,

In her tomb by the sounding sea. 

By Edgar Allen Poe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, here's a handkerchief, dear. I'm sobbing my eyes out too. But, this is my favorite poem of all time, so I love it anyway. Why? I think it is beautiful and tragic, and I love how their love is undying even after death. How lovely ♥ However, I would like to make it clear that I don't agree with all the theology in that poem: I really don't think the angels in heaven were jealous, and I am sure they were *way* happier in heaven. ;) What is your favorite poem?
Blessings!