Category — *Drama

Based on the book by Meera Syal, Anita and Me is a beautiful coming of age story narrated by Meena, a British Asian girl growing up in the West Midlands. She’s the only brown girl she knows (besides family). This, plus her burgeoning creativity, make it really hard to make friends. So, she’s thrilled when local bad girl Anita (who’s white and blonde, the way Meena wishes she was) starts hanging out with her. Things quickly sore between the two … READ MORE

JFK is two stories: the story of the only case ever brought to trial relating to the JFK assassination, and the story of Jim Garrison, the New Orleans district attorney who brought it. There’s a tremendous controversy about Garrison’s version of events, which I’m not touching in this post. I will say, however, that I read Garrison’s book and the other book the movie is based on a few years ago, and found Oliver Stone had no problem diverging from … READ MORE

Hello, THL! It’s been a long time, due to RL issues as well as plain and simple writer’s block. I’ve still got that, so bear with me. This post might be rocky.

I recently stumbled across a show I’d never heard of - October Road, on ABC here in the States. I saw Laura Prepon as Hannah and stuck around for a bit because I like her. I couldn’t tell you what the show’s about, other than it seems to encapsulate … READ MORE

I’ll say upfront that I’m not a regular One Tree Hill (OTH) viewer. With the dearth of new programming on (not blaming the writers for wanting their fair share, but DAMN I wish the industry would work this strike out sooner rather than later), I’ve found myself scrounging around for something to watch. I won’t do much reality TV - as inspiring as the Biggest Losers certainly are, I don’t need to watch them do it.

Anyway, so I tuned in … READ MORE

***CONTAINS SPOILERS***

The Street is a series which features a different home on a street in Manchester, UK each episode. While the first five episodes of series one were a bit hit and miss for me, the finale absolutely blew me away.

My interest was piqued in the very first scene, as Leah, the eldest daughter in the O’Neill household, played with a Cinderella doll. For some reason, it made me think of Purtek’s post about Prince Charming as an abusive … READ MORE

Okay, I love(d)* Supernatural. I acknowledge that I tend to filter out a lot with it because of that love. The show’s about two brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester, who hunt evil. This has pretty much always been their life. Female representation on the show tends to be as victim of the week - though those victims are often very resourceful and smart and strong in their own, limited rights. I’m not here to talk about the victims of the … READ MORE

I recently saw a BBC production of Elizabeth Gaskell’s romance, North & South. Do not confuse this with the John Jakes story of the same title about the US Civil War. This is an English book from 1855 (read it here) about a young woman uprooted from a lovely cultured life in Southern England to a smoky, congested, money-obsessed northern town called Milton (thinly disguised Manchester). In the course of the story, she finds Milton is not so awful; she … READ MORE

Post by Guest Writer: Spartakos

Despite all the good parts, there was something else I noticed about this film. It’s all about romances, yet every one of the females (at least, in a romantic role) was almost stunningly attractive, with the possible exception of Emma Thompson (I think she’s good looking, but they intentionally made her look “dowdier” than she is)…and she gets cheated on. Okay, I’ll grant that Laura Linney isn’t “stunning”, but she is very pretty. … READ MORE

Post by Guest Writer: Spartakos

David and Natalie: Nice Guy Finishes First

Besides the fact that Hugh Grant is hilarious, can we count all the good points about this romance? Handsome, powerful man falls in love with…slightly chubby but very pretty ordinary girl? Hooray! He even says that he doesn’t think she’s chubby (which she’s not…she’s hot). Handsome, powerful man does NOT use his position and influence to seduce said girl? Hooray! He even sends her away (without firing her…I think?) so … READ MORE

I rewatched Titanic recently, and realised just how much my romantic notions have developed, because once upon a time I considered this to be the epitome of romance, and now I’m walking away in disgust”¦

You have Rose (Kate Winslet) a beautiful young woman engaged to an absolute jerk Caledon (Billy Zane) for his money - theirs has all dried up, according to her mother Ruth (Frances Fisher, in about the best performance this movie has to offer). She ends up … READ MORE