Showing posts with label Historical Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Historical Romance. Show all posts

Sunday, 6 April 2014

Reign

Reign is an American historical fiction television series following the early years of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1557 France. The series, created by Stephanie SenGupta and Laurie McCarthy, airs on The CW. This type of TV shows is one of my favorites and I have to tell you that the actors, the scenarios, the costumes and everything are simply amazing.
Set in 1557 France, the highly fictionalized series follows the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, at French court while she awaits her marriage to the future Francis II of France, whom she has been engaged to since they were six. At court, Mary has to contend with the changing politics and power plays, as well as her burgeoning feelings for Francis and the romantic attentions from Francis' bastard half-brother, Bash. Francis' mother, Catherine de' Medici, is secretly trying to prevent the marriage following Nostradamus's confidential prediction that the marriage will lead to Francis' death. The series also follows the affairs of Mary's Scottish handmaidens Kenna, Aylee, Lola and Greer, who are searching for husbands of their own at court.


Opening narration:
“Since Mary, Queen of Scotland, was a child the English have wanted her country and her crown. She is sent to France to wed its next king, to save herself and her people - a bond that should protect her, but there are forces that conspire, forces of darkness, forces of the heart. Long may she reign.”

Trailer:


Tuesday, 28 August 2012

Pride and Prejudice


Pride and Prejudice

 
Pride and Prejudice

by


"When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited, while he struggles to remain indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever. In the sparkling comedy of manners that follows, Jane Austen shows the folly of judging by first impressions and superbly evokes the friendships, gossip and snobberies of provincial middle-class life."

I confess that "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen started off annoying me and ended up enchanting me. Up until about page one hundred I found this book vexing, frivolous and down right tedious. I now count myself as a new convert to the Austen cult.
In this case I think the movie is better than the book and I really loved it. In fact, I really enjoy historical romance and I imagine myself sometimes living in that past time and wearing  those huge dresses.

For those interested, here is the movie trailer: