rpowell

Below is a gallery featuring photos from the 2002 television version of George Eliot's novel, "DANIEL DERONDA". The series starred Hugh Dancy, Romola Garai and Hugh Bonneville: ( Read more... )

Here is a gallery featuring photos from the 2007 miniseries, "CRANFORD". Simon Curtis and Steve Hudson directed this adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel:

( Read more... )

"OUR MUTUAL FRIEND" (1998) Review

As a rule, I have never been an ardent fan of Charles Dickens' novels. I suppose my aversion to his writing stemmed from being forced to read his 1838 tale, "Oliver Twist", while in my early teens. That was the last time I had read a Dickens novel, but several film and television adaptations of his work awaited me for many years down the road. And I did not warm up to them. ( Read more... )

"FLASHMAN" (1969) Book Review

Forty-one years ago, an old literary character was re-introduced to many readers, thanks to a former Scottish journalist named George MacDonald Fraser. The author took a character from a famous Victorian novel and created a series of novels that placed said character in a series of historical events throughout the middle and second half of the 19th century. ( Read more... )

THE MEANING OF COLORS

Several years ago, I came across an old website about Wiccan practices and meanings. I was surprised to discover that even before the advent of Wicca in the early 20th century, Pagan worshipers associated colors with certain meanings. And those meanings turned out to be quite different than many people would today assume. ( Read more... )

"THE BARCHESTER CHRONICLES" (1982) Review

Back in 1982, the BBC turned to 19th century author Anthony Trollope for a seven-part miniseries called ”THE BARCHESTER CHRONICLES”. The miniseries was based upon the author’s first two Barchester novels about the Church of England. ( Read more... )

"STARDUST" (2007) Review"

When I had first saw the poster, I could not drum any interest in seeing "STARDUST", directed by Matthew Vaughn. In fact, my interest remained dormant after viewing the trailer. Just today, someone had suggested that we see it, considering there was no other movie in the theaters we were interested in seeing. I said "no thanks". It did not end there. This "someone" literally had to coerce me into seeing the film. And you know what? I am glad that he did. ( Read more... )

Below is a gallery of photos from "STARDUST", the 2007 adaptation of Neil Gaiman's 1998 fantasy novel. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the movie starred Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Michelle Pfieffer, Mark Strong and Robert DeNiro: ( Read more... )

Below is a photo gallery featuring images of Tim Burton's new movie for Disney, "ALICE IN WONDERLAND". The movie starred Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway: ( Read more... )

"SHADOW OF THE MOON" (1957/1979) Book Review

I first became aware of British author, M.M. Kaye back in the early 1980s, when I read her famous 1978 bestseller, "THE FAR PAVILIONS". Intrigued by the author’s portrayal of the British and Indian societies in 19th century, I read another one of her novels – namely "SHADOW OF THE MOON". ( Read more... )