December 13 movie: Elizabeth. There have been so many horrid historical movies out of Hollywood in recent years (Kingdom of Heaven, anyone?) that I approached this with some trepidation. But I have to admit, I enjoyed it a lot. Sure, things didn't really happen like that, but I never held it against Young Bess, which was more ahistorical than this one.
This movie reminded me a lot of The Godfather actually. I don't buy the idea of Elizabeth as an innocent and naive young queen. I think she had to learn how to survive the politics of court long before she made it to the throne. So I didn't agree with the premise, but the pageantry was still fun.
Speaking of Kingdom of Heaven, I saw on IMDB that Ridley Scott is coming out with a movie about Mary Queen of Scots next year. Ay caramba.
I'd like to see that some day. They were filming it at Raby Castle when our tour group went there. You looked down across the river and there were all these tents set up for some scene. We couldn't go in the courtyard because they were getting ready for something else.
Raby itself was interesting, at least the parts that aren't roped off with signs. I rebelled slightly and used a forbidden potty. I tried to take a picture of it, too, because it was of a very old and quaint design (like a missing link between a toilet and an outhouse), but the photo didn't come out. That's justice, I guess. Upstairs off the huge room full of second-rate paintings was a curio cabinet that I liked. I think there was a huge hairball, and maybe even a Jeny Haniver, though it was hard to tell in the light.
I'd like to see that some day. They were filming it at Raby Castle when our tour group went there. You looked down across the river and there were all these tents set up for some scene. We couldn't go in the courtyard because they were getting ready for something else.
Raby itself was interesting, at least the parts that aren't roped off with signs. I rebelled slightly and used a forbidden potty. I tried to take a picture of it, too, because it was of a very old and quaint design (like a missing link between a toilet and an outhouse), but the photo didn't come out. That's justice, I guess. Upstairs off the huge room full of second-rate paintings was a curio cabinet that I liked. I think there was a huge hairball, and maybe even a Jeny Haniver, though it was hard to tell in the light.
Oh sure, tell me my message didn't post and then put it up twice when I resend. Bad server! No doughnut!