In Walk of Punishment, Michelle Fairley continues to dazzle as Catelyn Stark, Tyrion is appointed Master of Coin, the white walkers are making charming spirals out of horse heads, and we’re treated to two separate interpretations of The Bear and the Maiden Fair which so unhappily failed to precede Lady Olenna’s cheese last week. This…
Month: April 2013
god Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens (Book Review)
‘I have been writing this book all my life, and intend to keep writing it,’ says the late great Mr. Hitchens in his afterword, and so defines all that is extraordinary in god Is Not Great’s anti-theism. It’s a book that feels tremendously personal, but that makes a gorgeously passionate and aggressive testimony to our…
The Ten Best Period Drama Quotes, Ever.
10.Emma (1995, Kate Beckinsale version) Mr. Knightley: She refused him? Emma: Yes. Mr. Knightley: Harriet Smith refused Robert Martin? Emma: Yes! Mr. Knightley: Then she’s a greater simpleton than I thought! What is the foolish girl about? Emma: Oh to be sure, a man always imagines a woman to be ready for anyone who asks…
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (Book Review)
One of the major criticisms/compliments that reviewers the world over level at The God Delusion is that it’s almost impossible to read it without becoming exasperated at some point. I find this rather baffling. To have one’s views challenged, proven to be wrong, or in my case, supported (for once!) with such eloquence, such zeal,…
Dark Wings Dark Words: Game of Thrones S03E02 (Review)
This week’s Game of Thrones is an exponential improvement and welcome respite from the panic-inducing dreadfulness of its season premier. The script is excellent, the production and locations striking and beautiful, and the acting is tremendous. Let’s start with the characters we didn’t see in the season premier. The episode begins with the reintroduction of…
Don’t Even Bother Arguing: Pride and Prejudice 2005 sucks.
The howls of indignation from fans of the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice have never quite ceased since the day it was announced that there’d be a new film adaptation starring Keira Knightley of the Great Locked Jaw. You can still hear them if you listen hard: the movie is still popping up on…
Valar Dohaeris: Game of Thrones S03E01 (Review)
Let us grieve, for winter has indeed come on the day this blog has anything bad to say about Game of Thrones. Regrettably, in comparison with the consummate artistry of last season’s finale Valar Morghulis, this season’s premier, Valar Dohaeris is no response at all. Much like the books, the show is beginning to suffer…
Star Trek: Into Darkness International Trailer (Review)
Dear me, Mr. Holmes, dear me. The latest trailer for Star Trek: Into Darkness is some seriously manipulative shit: poorly put together, ridden with clichés and nowhere near as promising as its predecessor, it nevertheless promises a CG spectacular that makes you hit the repeat button again…and again…and again. Not having done as much Trek…
Notes on ‘The Paradise’ Series 1 Episode 1
Featured image is by alexandra george at http://bookshelfstories.blogspot.gr/2013/01/the-paradise-bbc-series.html. While it doesn’t quite leave you passed out on the floor gasping for more, The Paradise comes pretty close. Transferring Zola’s Au Bonheur des Dames to northern England, it’s an Edwardian drama for our times. It’s about ordinary people that face the same issues as ordinary people…
More Unconventional Pairings (Not Just From Westeros): A Mashup
Following the success of ‘The Most Unconventional Pairings in Westeros,’ Her Ladyship digs into her own bookcase/DVD rack for some more hooking-up of odd couples. Arthur Kipps (The Woman in Black) and Amy Dorrit (Little Dorrit) Judging from the brief flashbacks to Arthur’s deceased wife in the film of The Woman in Black, Arthur has…
LADYGILRAEN 