Category Movie Reviews
Weekend Update: Murakami, Polar Bears, and Poirot
One of my goals for 2018 is to stick to a more regular posting schedule here on Book Fifty, and I’ve decided that means two posts each week. I’ve been posting general reading tips on Mondays and book reviews on Thursdays, if you haven’t noticed that pattern yet! But tonight I have a sort of […]
Film Review: La La Land
I have a confession to make: I love the Oscars. I love watching the red carpet shows, the fake smiles, and the spectacle of the awards show itself. Why? I’m not sure, but I think my love for the Academy Awards has its roots in the same place as my love for Downton Abbey, The Olympics, and […]
Fall Watch List
As much as I love reading, sometimes you just need to curl up on the couch, give yourself a manicure, and watch some good TV. I thought I’d share what I’m excited about watching this fall, some literary-inspired things, and others not-so-literary! This is Us (NBC) I’ve been waiting for a while for a new […]
Film Review: Kenneth Branagh’s Romeo and Juliet
In the heat of the summer, there’s nothing better than settling into a cool movie theatre seat with popcorn and a drink. One of my new favorite things is to go see theatre broadcasts at the movie theatre. I saw one last fall–Benedict Cumberbatch in Hamlet–so I was excited to see that Kenneth Branagh was releasing […]
Downton Abbey and the Power of Happy Endings
Last night, after six wonderful seasons, Downton Abbey wrapped up its run as my favorite television show. I’m planning a post in the near future about my favorite moments from the show, but for today I thought I’d take a few minutes to talk about the ending of the series and about happy endings in general. […]
Three Books For Sherlock Fans
I’m the first one to admit that I arrived late to the Sherlock party. I didn’t start watching this BBC show until a few months ago, but once I pressed play on episode one, I couldn’t stop! I love that the show is a modern adaptation of a Victorian classic, and I really love all […]
Henry IV, Part II
If you ever need proof that history repeats itself, read Henry IV, Part II. Just like Henry IV, Part I, this play focuses on King Henry IV, his son Hal, and Hal’s less than perfect friends. In Part 2, however, Shakespeare plays on the reader’s expectations. He knows we are all waiting for Hal’s reformation, waiting for Hal to “banish plump Jack, and banish all the world.” He knows we are waiting, and he makes us wait. And wait. And then wait some more.
The Hollow Crown: Henry IV, Part I
Confession time: About fifteen minutes into this film I had to go get my copy of the play and follow along. I could hardly understand what anyone was saying, and it was difficult to understand the plot. There are a lot of people in these plays, and none of them go by their real names! If […]
Richard II (in Retrospect)
If I had to pick a theme song for the first two history plays I’ve read so far, it would be “Another One Bites the Dust.” The play begins with a king who has blood on his hands. Once Henry deposes Richard, we see a new king with the same old problem. He’s guilty as well, and his hands are not clean.
Review: NT Live’s Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch
After three hours and twenty minutes (not counting the intermission), it’s official, y’all. Benedict Cumberbatch is my favorite Hamlet. My review is focusing on my own opinions—not the slightly mixed reviews I read of his stage performance. Take it for what it’s worth! I’m no theatre critic, but I do love me some Shakespeare. 1. […]
Book Fifty 