TV Review: Still Star-Crossed

I was looking forward to the premiere of Still Star-Crossed on ABC. Even though Romeo and Juliet is not one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, I think it's an interesting idea to imagine what happened to the Montagues and Capulets after the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

Even though most people are familiar with the story of Romeo and Juliet, I'm glad that they began the series with their wedding and subsequent deaths, to introduce the world we're entering, how the characters of the series relate to Romeo and Juliet, and to show where the "sequel" starts. Now, that we've reached the end of Shakespeare's tale, we'll see how R & J's choices continue to affect the lives of those secondary characters.

I liked the "look" of the series. It doesn't look like it's all been filmed in front of a green screen, like ABC's Once Upon a Time. I feel it captures the time period well.

I know that there really wasn't time to tell much of Romeo and Juliet's story, because the series isn't about them, and you can get the whole story if you read the play or watch a version of the play or movie, but I wish they hadn't changed some of the details. Such as Rosaline finding the "dead" Juliet, instead of the nurse, and Juliet finally dies by drinking the same poison that killed Romeo, instead of dispatching herself with the "happy dagger."

I was disappointed that Lord Capulet wasn't distraught over the death of Tybalt. He just says that a Capulet was murdered by a Montague in the streets. Tybalt wasn't just a Capulet, he was his nephew. Couldn't he at least have mentioned him by name?

I was surprised they didn't mention the infatuation that Romeo had with Rosaline, not even in passing. It's interesting that the main character in Still Star-Crossed is a character that is only mentioned in Romeo and Juliet, but she is the reason that Romeo meets Juliet to begin with. Why not reference this at all?

And, that was just the first episode.

The second episode just didn't go anywhere to me. Is the whole series going to be "will they marry or won't they marry?" I don't know if that's enough to keep me watching.

Although... I was happy to see that Torrance Coombs is in the cast. He was one of my favorite characters in Reign, and I was sad when he left. It took me a while to watch Reign again after he left.

Just sayin'.

U.K. Trip of 2015 Part 3: England Day Trips

Note: Click here for part 1, and click here for part 2 of my U.K. trip of 2015.

During our trip to the British Isles, my friend, Carrie and I took three day-trips where we visited Bath, Windsor Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon, Canterbury, the Cotswolds, Stonehenge, Dover, and Leeds Castle.

Bath

Canterbury

Cotwolds

Dover

Leeds Castle

Oxford

Stonehenge

Stratford-upon-Avon

Windsor Castle

Odd and Ends

Cinematic Blast from the Past: Black Arrow

Tell me if this sounds familiar:

You're feeling a little nostalgic, so you decide to watch a movie you loved when you were younger. When it starts, you're so excited, then after a while you realize that it isn't quite as good as you remember. It's a bit campy and silly, and the dialogue and some of the acting really is laughable.

And... it doesn't matter.

You still love it.

I can think of a dozen movies that fit this scenario. And every once in while I want to revisit those films. I can escape for a couple of hours and I'm taken back to my youth. It's the best.

One of these movies is Black Arrow, a Disney movie from 1985. It was on the Disney channel, when the cable channel actually showed classic Disney movies. The film, based on a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, is set in 15th century England during the Wars of the Roses. One of the reasons I love rewatching this movie is that even when I was young, I knew that some of the acting and dialogue were quite ridiculous. I don't know if the overacting and campy delivery of lines were because of the director, or because of the campy dialogue. There are some good actors in the movie, and so I'm thinking it was probably a combination of both. The long pauses and close-up reaction shots of the actors were definitely a director's choice, and they just up the campiness.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are some good things about Black Arrow. It has some good fight sequences, the story has intrigue and the plot is interesting. If you like historical fiction, then you're sure to enjoy it, especially if you're familiar with the history of the Wars of the Roses. And, Benedict Taylor isn't bad to look at, either. Especially with his 80's hair.

My sister and I used to quote the movie imitating the actors' delivery of the lines. When others were quoting Monty Python and the Holy Grail, my sister and I quoted Black Arrow.

I would love for this movie to be remade with the exact same dialogue and see if it might not be as campy if the dialogue is spoken without the overacting. It would be interesting to get the script and read through it with some of my actor friends and see if it could actually be a good movie. Or we might just laugh all the way through it. Who knows.

You might be able to find it on youtube. And if you watch it, I hope you enjoy it in all of its campiness, silliness, over-acting, and quotable quotes.

Below are my favorite quotes (some just because of the delivery):

Sir Daniel: To Sir Richard! A few minutes ago, a boy. Now, a man!

Sir Daniel: Revenge has a long memory, does it not?

Sir Daniel: He has plans. I have plans. We'll see whose are best.

Appleyard: Your meat must fill his belly.

Will: Remember, when properly used, the staff is mightier than the sword.

Black Arrow: If you cease to serve Sir Daniel, you might live to reach manhood. (regarding message) Take that to your master. Tell him, I wish him many sleepless nights.

Richard: What is your name?
Black Arrow: I'm called Black Arrow. It is enough.

Joanna: Why am I here?
Sir Daniel: I am your guardian. Why should you not be here?

Sir Daniel: Pretty flower. But the wrong color.
Joanna: My father thought not.

Sir Daniel: How like your flower you are. Very beautiful.
Joanna: And like my flower I have prickly thorns. So, I ask you again, why have your brought me here?

Scar: He must be very fast with a bow.
Richard: He is.

Richard: That man could choose the next King.
Joanna: But not the rightful one.
Richard: Like father, like daughter - rebellious.
Joanna: What do you know of my father, Yorkist?
Richard: He was a traitor. So it's said.
Joanna: To you and to your kind. But to others and to me... a hero.

Warwick: The killer instinct, Brackley. If I'm born again, I would like to be born a hawk.
Sir Daniel: And please God, I'm not born a hare.

Warwick: You might have a warm exterior, Brackley, but you've got a cold heart.

Dinner guest: More wine! More wine for my friend here. More wine. Haha.

Sir Daniel: Richard. She actually jumped the moat?
Richard: Yes.
Sir Daniel: What a bright dame she will be.

Sir Daniel: Poor Richard. Not having enough time to enjoy his inheritance.

Joanna: Him. It would have to be him.

Joanna: I needed your horse.
Richard: Well, I'll say this, you have spirit, girl.
Joanna: I'm Lady Joanna, and I'm nobody's girl.

Richard: Do we go?
Joanna: Do I have any choice?
Richard: I have my orders, and I'll obey them.
Joanna: You're nothing but Sir Daniel's lapdog.
Richard: Get on the horse.

Joanna: Murderer! You've killed him.
Scar: Where is the body?
Joanna: Swept away in the river. Murderer!

Black Arrow: Whoever did this can't be far away, Will. Take some men and find him. There are questions needing answers.

Warwick: You haven't said much on the way, Brackley. Nervous or something?
Sir Daniel: No, your Grace, I'm not nervous, Why should I be?
Warwick: Afraid the bride won't turn up, perhaps.
Sir Daniel: Why do you say that?
Warwick: I had a sudden vision of you, waiting at the altar for a bride who's changed her mind.
Sir Daniel: That will not happen to me.
Warwick: (laughs) Relax, my dear Brackley. I was only joking. (laughs)
Sir Daniel: Hahahahaha.

Will: Let the others go... on foot. This one... we take.

Richard: He's mine.
Black Arrow: You're wounded.
Richard: He's mine. Give him a sword.

Warwick: A union of spring and winter. How sad. Oh, well.

Oates: Trust me.(exits the room)
Warwick: I'd rather trust a fox.

Oates: My allegiance is to you, Sir Daniel, and to no one else. On my honor.
Sir Daniel: Your honor, sir, is buried as deep as Sykes and Appleyard.

Oates: The red rose or the white. Trust me.

Man: He's a thief. Let the dog have him.
Black Arrow: He may be a thief. But he's also a man.

Sir Daniel: Some women are never more beautiful than when they are angry.
Joanna: Then I shall be lovely whenever you are near.
Sir Daniel: (evil laugh) My dear Joanna. Calm yourself. Reflect. I am not an ogre. I think I will make you a very good husband. I shall be sensitive to your every wish.
Joanna: I'll have to be carried, screaming up the aisle.
Sir Daniel. Oh, dear, oh dear, oh dear. Hannah, what shall we do with such a disobedient child?
Hannah: Beat her.
Sir Daniel: Yes, I'm sure you would. Go now.

Joanna: You're evil.
Sir Daniel: No, my dear. It is just that I believe that the ends justify the means. You either marry me or I kill you.

Black Arrow: Joanna. You must not marry Sir Daniel.
Joanna: I have to. I have to.
Black Arrow: Why? Why? (she leaves) Why!

Warwick: I know you. Richard, whatever your name is.

Warwick: I hate granting favors. They either cost me money or friends. Usually both.

Warwick: You see, Richard whatever-your-name-is. Justice must not only be done. It must be seen to be done.

Will: Helpless!
Black Arrow: Helpless. Helpless, helpless. I never felt so helpless!

Joanna: Your Grace.
Warwick: Yes, my dear.
Joanna: Do you know why I have to do this?
Warwick: I've been told. Yes.
Joanna: And you still let it happen?
Warwick: But of course.

Richard: No!
Will: No!
Black Arrow: No! You! Violator of England!

Oates: Purger-er! Murderer!

Sir Daniel: Out of my way, boy.

Black Arrow: It is done.

U.K. Trip of 2015 Part 2: London

Note: Click here for Part 1 of my U.K. trip of 2015.

Spending eight full days in London with no set schedule, other than having tickets to live productions, was a dream. Carrie and I had a tentative schedule of what where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see, but if we wanted to go somewhere else, we did. We took time to take pictures, and we didn't feel rushed as we toured historic landmarks.

We saw eight live productions: Wicked, Les Miserables, Woman in Black, Matilda, War Horse, The Lion King, Hamlet (with Benedick Cumberbatch), and Richard III. All of the shows were good. I have to say that I was a little reticent about seeing Les Miserables again. I've seen the musical multiple times, and I had grown quite tired of it. But the West End production was excellent and made me remember why I loved it so much the first time I saw it in Los Angeles.

Carrie's friend's wife was playing Glinda in Wicked, and she helped us get very good seats for the production, and she invited us to go back stage with her after the show and gave us a backstage tour. It was so exciting to stand on a West End stage. We got to see the bubble that Glinda flies in on. She showed us her costumes, and that blue dress she wears at the beginning and end is so beautiful up close. I was so geeking out that I forgot to ask if I could take pictures. Dang it!

One of the highlights of the trip was the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. This ceremony, where they "lock up" the tower at the end of the day, has been performed every night in some form or other since the 14th century. That's what I call keeping up tradition. I was so excited to go. I heard about this ceremony many years ago, and I’ve always wanted to do it. The problem I came up against on my other trips was you have to get your tickets (which are free) many months in advance. But this time I knew more than a year in advance that I was going, so I got the tickets quite early.

I really wanted to see a ghost at the Tower. I don't think that seeing a ghost is something I would want if I were by myself, or when I’m in my own house, or in a place that I was staying overnight, but I just think it would be cool to see a ghost in a place as old as the Tower of London when I’m with a group of people. So, as we were leaving after the Ceremony of the Keys, a little after 10pm, I was looking up at the windows, and in one of the windows I thought I saw a shadow pass across the windows. Who knows what it was, but I am saying that it was the ghost of Anne Boleyn. It probably wasn’t anything at all, but that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! Ghostly sighting, check!

I love London, and I want to go back soon. But until then, it's nice to have pictures to remind me how much I enjoy exploring this wonderful city.

Elizabeth Tower 

Fun Fact: "Big Ben" is not the name of the clock or the tower, it is the name of the bell in the tower

Elizabeth Tower and the London Eye

View of Westminster Bridge and Houses of Parliament from the South Bank

Westminster Bridge and Houses of Parliament

Westminster Bridge

Westminster Abbey

Kensington Palace

London Eye

Hyde Park

Peter Pan statue (Hyde Park)

Albert Memorial (Kensington Gardens)

Tower Bridge

St. Paul's Cathedral

 

Tower of London

 

Buckingham Palace

Important Reminder

National Gallery

Les Miserables

Earl's Court Pub

Cafe in the Crypt

The Tube

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Odds and Ends

Street Performers

Yes, that is a flame coming out of his tuba

Shakespeare's Globe

Kings Cross Station