What ho! Just popping in here with a quick FYI post.
So....I had a certain scene in mind from the 1940 Pride and Prejudice for our Inklings, but the beginning of July flew by as I was trying to locate a dvd player to use with my new laptop (I know, old school xD) and then when that wasn't happening I didn't recalibrate very speedily. My apologies. (And rest assured, I still definitely want to do that prompt eventually, just have to figure out the logistics.)
Anyhow, what with those technicalities and then madly prepping posts for our upcoming Legends of Western Cinema Week (for which I have multiple fun reviews coming your way!) unfortunately Inklings fell through the cracks this month. At this point it just seems best to postpone and pick up again fresh in August. I already have a summery prompt picked out that I think you'll all enjoy. :)
Meanwhile, if you didn't get a chance to join in with the archery scene prompt in June and still want to, feel free to go for it! I'll post everyone's links for June with the new prompt as usual next month.
~
Thanks SO MUCH for your patience and looking forward to jumping in with our new prompt in August! Hope you're all having a lovely summer! <3
I'm so happy to be announcing this year's return of Legends of Western Cinema Week for July 22nd-26th, and which I'm co-hosting with Rachel of Hamlette's Soliloquy and Olivia of Meanwhile in Rivendell...
Come party time, we'll have a blog tag you can fill out on your own blog, and hopefully lots of other fun little tidbits (possibly some games and giveaways, etc.), but the majorly exciting part is that you'll all be welcome to contribute additional blog posts of your own discussing all things classic and western (primarily relating to film, but books are always welcome as well :)).
The only rules are that:
1 -- any posts must be about the genre
2 -- new for the occasion
3 -- appreciative of the subject / not derogatory
There'll be more details available when the event arrives, but just getting the news out there now so you can start thinking what you might like to contribute. Also (unless you want to!) you don't need to tell us what you plan to share ahead of time, which leaves some nice flexibility.
Last but not least, Olivia did a great job with our buttons this year -- I'm just tickled pink about them. Aren't they lovely? We'd much appreciate it if you're able to grab one or two and splash them about so anyone else who might like to participate gets to hear about it. Thanks so much everyone and looking forward to celebrating with y'all soon! <3
Hold on to your hats as I'm popping in to announce the upcoming-ness of one of my favorite weeks of the summer. I speak, of course, of the wonderful Legends of Western Cinema Week, which I'm once again honored to co-host with Rachel of Hamlette's Soliloquy and Olivia of Meanwhile in Rivendell...
As usual, there are some great things simmering in the works (an exciting tag, hopefully some games, giveaways etc.) and of course we'll need all of you to help bring along the party spirit by contributing posts of your own -- movie reviews, character tributes, soundtrack studies, basically your general enthusiasm and effusiveness about any and all things western! (Hence, the only qualifications: all posts must be new for the occasion & appreciative of the genre / not derogatory.)
Olivia put together these shiny new buttons for the occasion so be sure to grab one and spread the word. Can't wait to celebrate
with y'all! :)
P.S. And yeah.... I felt like brushing things up a bit a few weeks ago and redid everything over here very purply. ;X We'll see how long I leave it, but enjoying it for a bit anyway! xD
Well, it's been a hot minute since I've posted over here, but it's that time of year again -- that glamorous all too needed celebration of grit and determination and dogged courage and just all around great storytelling. I speak, of course, of the annual Legends of Western Cinema Week, July 25th-29th this year, which I'm honored to once again be hosting with Hamlette of Hamlette's Soliloquy and Olivia of Meanwhile in Rivendell... Definitely one of the highlights of my year. ;)
And y'all are invited! We'll have a tag and hopefully some games, and as always you'll be able to contribute anything of a western-y nature: movie reviews, character studies, score appreciation posts, lists of favorite films, theme studies... whatever you'd like to dream up! You can share as many posts as you like, they just have to be something new for this year and properly enthusiastic/appreciative of the genre.
Be sure to grab at least one of these buttons (made by the talented Olivia) to share round & I'm looking forward to celebrating more favorite westerns with y'all! <3
First and foremost as a self-discipline tactic, I've been pondering a good way to emphasize and mark the period between Easter and Ascension Sunday, and choosing to focus on deep, epic story seemed the immediate and obvious conclusion.
Which.... *pausing to fire off all the cannons*.... brings us to our deep, epic story blog party! (To which ye all are invited. ;))
Properly defined from Merriam-Webster, an epic is:
1) "A long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical hero (the Iliad and the Odyssey are epics)"
2) "A work of art (such as a novel or drama) that resembles or suggests an epic"
3) "Extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope"
And I know this is tricky to pin down, but for the purposes of this blog event, I'm defining deep story as involving real blood and sweat and tears, real risk and temptations, hard and shining loyalties, and often deep, earth-shaking hilarity; story of the kind that pierces to the heart, that sticks in your teeth, that changes the way you think, and that shapes what you love.
These are stories of lofty magnitude and sweeping proportions, which have themselves often engendered more stories and/or countless retellings.
Larger-than-life stuff of the likes of Ben-Hur and Zorro and Robin Hood. Classic fairy-tales, of course, can fit in as well -- Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty & the Beast, etc.
Think Shakespeare and Chesterton and Lewis and Spenser and Star Trek and besieged castles and WWII. The category is huge and broad, with potential ideas springing left and right. (The two ginormous exceptions I'm making to this are LOTR and classic Westerns. Both form the definition of an epic, but I know of two separate blog parties happening round our corner of the blogosphere later this year and devoted to each one respectively, so I'm hoping to steer in a little different direction with this party. That said, if you have your heart set on posting something LOTR related, etc., I'm sure we can negotiate. ;))
Specifics: here at Along the Brandywine, we'll have -- not one -- but two giveaways over the course of the party and there'll be some sort of tag/questions to fill out + numerous other good little surprises popping up as we go along. You'll be able to contribute film reviews, book reviews, character studies, theme discussions, whatever celebratory things you'd love to share.
Last but not least, be sure to grab a button or two right now and share them round as widely as you can so other folks get the chance to join in the festivities.
So there ye have it! *rubbing hands with excited anticipation* I can't wait to hear what y'all think!
There’ll be a tag and games here at Along the Brandywine and you can also contribute film reviews, character studies, whatever you’d like to dream up connected with the whole period drama romance theme.
Details
For the purposes of this party, I’m specifically narrowing it down to period dramas set in the 17th-20th centuries (let’s say 1600-WWII -- not sure if there are many set in the 1600’s, but it’d be fun if you know of any xD).
The only other specification is that all entries must be family friendly (i.e. not rated R).
That’s it! So start brainstorming my lovely fellow period drama loving friends and be sure to grab a banner/button or two and splash them about (including a link back to this post) so as many people as possible can join in the fun.
Yay, I can’t wait! ;)
(P.S. And I'm sorry, blogger is giving me a bit of a run around on the picture sizing/how visible the type is, so some of them are more suited to sidebar use, others if you want to use in a blog post. I've messed with them a whole bunch, but now need to get busy with some Christmas festivity plans... hopefully you can still find one of them that works beautifully for you! <3)
I'm extending our blogathon run time through tomorrow (probably should've done it that way from the get-go, but no matter ;)). I still have one post I'm working on and planning to do the wrap up post probably tomorrow evening. So don't hesitate if you have an idea you'd like to get in and do keep visiting round and commenting on everyone's lovely posts. :)
Happy Monday y'all! (Or rather, what ho and all that. I'm listening to one of my stand-by Bertie & Jeeves while digging my way through a pile of housework. ;D)
First a couple general notes, then a quick checklist of heads-up reminders -- would love to have you join in any or all of these!
Time permitting, I'm hoping to reply to all your lovely recent comments asap <3
My P&P '05 review is coming together well -- it's still aways out/I have to screencap it, but getting excited to hear all your thoughts
And announcements --
1) This month's Inklings is still open through the end of this week.
2) Our LOTR read-along is progressing nicely, so be sure to be sure to pop over and check that out if you're interested.
3) Finally (and I cannot believe how fast this is coming up! :P), but our Fred Astaire/Gene Kelly blogathon is NEXT WEEK! If you haven't already, check it out HERE. We'd positively love to have you join us, iffen ye're so inclined. :)
And... I wanna keep this short and sweet and get it posted while my internet's still working, so I think that's it folks... *scratching head and double checking...* yup, that's it! Pip pip!
I hope you're having a lovely Sunday... This morning was gorgeous (all early light and shadows and dappled sunshine with fresh air). The afternoon's heated up a bit, but all in all I'm enjoying the blue I can still see in the sky after weeks of smoke.
And... (you can pretty much tell everything from the title, but I figured I'd better put in some pictures and give you at least a couple paragraphs for a proper post ;)), this is just a quick reminder that this month's Inklings link-up is still open through Wednesday.
Also, we'll officially be starting our LOTR read-along HERE tomorrow (very exciting), so make sure to follow over there if you'd like to join us (or even just pop in now and then, which would also be fine and dandy).
So,
as ye can see, I've decided to just go for this musicals blogathon
thing. I think it has the potential to be whole heaps of fun, but I can
most definitely use your help spreading the word. *pretty
please....?????* (Well, I mean, really it's up to all of you to make the
party delightfully party-ish. ;D *clearing throat politely*)
As
you can see, I'm narrowing it down to any musicals with either Gene
Kelly or Fred Astaire (leaving options for highlighting other names or
themes in the future if this becomes any sort of annual thing), but that
should provide y'all with lots of options and ideas. As far as entries
it can be pretty much anything to do with the theme: so movie reviews,
character studies, panegyrics on the score, costume studies, whatever
you can dream up!
Just leave your plan/idea here in the comments
and I'll add it to this post so folks can see what you're hoping to
contribute. Unless someone really has their heart set on it, preferably
we wouldn't double any titles, but that rule's subject to adjustment.
There's no limit on how many posts you contribute, so don't feel
dampened if you're feeling really inspired.
Planned posts:
Anchors Aweigh (1945) from Heidi @ Along the Brandywine
Summer Stock (1950) from Tiffany @ Pure Entertainment Society
On a Fred Astaire costume from Tiffany @ Pure Entertainment Society
The Pirate (1948) from Carissa (Regency Woman) @ Musings of an Introvert
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949) from Sally Silverscreen @ 18 Cinema Lane
Funny Face (1957) from Sally Silverscreen @ 18 Cinema Lane
10 Favorite Gene Kelly Movies from Hamlette (Rachel) @ Hamlette's Soliloquy
Second Chorus (1940) from Rebecca @ Taking Up Room
Silk Stockings (1957) from MovieCritic @ Movies Meet Their Match
Admittedly, folks are busy and this has been such a weird time, I'm not
sure if y'all will feel like joining in, but by the same token a little song
and dance may be just the ticket. ;) Won't you join me?
P.S. Please remember to grab a button and share far and wide! Thank'ee kindly!
(P.P.S.
Also, you know how it is when you've been staring at a word too long
and everything starts looking wrong? Usually I'd always spell glamor
thusly, but my computer kept changing it to the British spelling all the
time and I didn't feel like fighting it + it does make a lot of sense.
You're all ok with it as is, right? ;P)
*rubbing my hands in delicious anticipation for all these announcements....*
First, Hamlette's hosting her annual Tolkien blog party next
month! It's always a marvelous time, so be sure to check it out.
(I
think I'm going to try and contribute a post on the regal ladies in
LOTR, so lots of brainstorming to do yet.) Visit her post for all the details and more great buttons.
And as you've probably already gathered by now, I'm hosting a LOTR read along beginning September 28th. (I'm so excited!) The whole idea is to keep it very fun and relaxed and refreshing. (Note: if you do want to join in that and/or read the posts, make sure to follow over there too as technically it's a separate blog.)
Finally, this might seem a little out of left field (what with all the Tolkien-y stuff), but I've had an itch of late to watch some more classic musicals, so I'm thinking of hosting a blogathon in early November, specifically for Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire films (I thought highlighting those two would both narrow down the category and also give plenty of options). I can post more details later, but let me know if you're interested!
Meanwhile, iffen you feel so inclined to share any (or all!) of these buttons, it'd be splendid and much appreciated. ;D Thank you so much and ta ta for now!
~
Would you like to read Lord of the Rings? What are your thoughts on my plot re a classic musicals blogathon?
I'm super delighted and excited and thrilled and all that good stuff to be announcing this year's return of Legends of Western Cinema Week, which I'll be hosting with the amazing Hamlette of Hamlette's Soliloquy.
*shooting a virtual cannon full of confetti*
It'll be August 17-21. There'll be a tag and some games, and you can delve in and contribute any western-y movie reviews (or basically any western-y movie related) thing you like. As always, it should be whole bunches of fun.
So pop on your thinking caps and mark your calendars!
Below are a couple buttons to splash about and plaster everywhere you can think of (made by the talented Olivia of Meanwhile in Rivendell, thank you, Olivia!):
~ ~ ~
Hurrah! Would love to hear what you're planning to contribute so be sure to let me know in the comments and see you all then!
(And be sure to see Hamlette's post HERE for even more great details.)
Lots of Life Stuff has been happening here in the last few weeks, so I'm still finishing up reading (and hopefully commenting!) on all the lovely LOWC posts, but I do have a few other blogger-y things I've been pondering over as well.
#1 -- I don't know if any of you remember the Inklings I used to host over on my author blog, but I'm thinking of bringing it over here to AtB and giving it a fresh start. Thoughts anyone??
#2 -- I've been thinking on this for quite a while and decided to start a couple other main blogging spots. (And if you enjoy AtB don't worry! I'm very fond of everything here as well, so not planning to shut it down anytime soon. ;)) But my daily interests have expanded a lot in the last few years. I don't want to parse my life up too much (or create that impression anyway) but at the same time I'm not sure everyone here will be interested in my new post topics/direction. Plus this'll be a way to just keep things more organized if you will. So finally I decided I'm gonna keep AtB for occasional movie reviews, philosophical ramblings, and sometimes more grown-up book-ish related stuff.
And... I've officially started two new blogs.
The first I put up a few months ago so you might remember it. On Story Bent, a book review blog for picture and chapter books for little people. (And also not so little. ;)) Due to working on LOWC Week shortly after putting it up there's still not much on it, but I'm hoping to have plenty more coming soon.
The second one is currently the very freshest and sparkliest. (And I'm both terribly nervous actually and super excited. :)) Called Angel in the Marble, you can find it HERE (with a slightly different web address, so be sure to take note of that -- the obvious addresses were taken but the name's integral to the whole idea and I tried to keep it easy ;)).
I really look forward to hearing your thoughts and hope you're interested in visiting over there now and again!
Welcome, welcome, welcome! *scattering showers of sparkling confetti*
It's happening. It's really happening. Legends of Western Cinema Week is officially here! Honestly, I've been thinking about this stuff for what seems like weeks and weeks now, and seriously y'all, this is gonna be GREAT. ;D
Again, be sure and visit my co-hosts blogs, Hamlette of Hamlette's Soliloquy and Olivia of Meanwhile, in Rivendell... for lots more posts, etc. And we're each hosting a giveaway so be sure to check theirs out too. They're both lovely friends and western-y kindred spirits and I can't wait to confabulate over everything we have in store for this week. :) :)
So! Now let's saddle up and do this thing!
The link up info and my giveaway are below, but first off, here are our tag questions for your copying pleasure:
~Legends of Western Cinema Week Tag~
1) Do you tolerate, like, or love westerns?
2) What do you enjoy about them and, more broadly, the west itself (e.g. the history, accompanying paraphernalia, etc)?
3) What's the first western you can remember watching?
4) Who are your favorite western stars, the ones whose presence in a western will make you pick it up off the shelf?
5) What's your favorite performance by an actress in a western?
6) What is your "go-to" western, the one you'll typically reach for?
7) Do your family/friends share your interest in westerns, or are you a lone ranger (pun completely intended)?
8) Pick one western to live inside for a week, and explain why you chose it.
9) Share one (or several!) of your favorite quotes from a western.
Giveaway Goodies
Due to a series of fortuitous and exciting circumstances, I've amassed a fun collection of prizes and I'm hoping there's something of interest for everyone.
The Important Details: Each of these are individual prizes (I created collages for the sake of brevity), but depending on how many entries we get, each winner is eligible to receive more than one prize. Also, due to region & shipping, Categories 1, 2 & 3 are US only, but 4 is open for international winners too. I can't make promises, but if you list your top favorite prizes in the comments section I'll do my best to match you up with one of them. Also, after the giveaway you'll have a week to respond by email with shipping info before I need to draw another winner.
#1: Western print
Our first prize is this 5x7 print of a John Wayne quote (i.e."Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyways")
#2: The Films
(All Region 1 DVD's)
Tombstone (1993), The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017)
Silverado (1985), True Grit (2010)
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), The Fastest Gun Alive (1956)
Shadow on the Mesa (2013), The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
#3: Jigsaw puzzle
#4: Magnets
(The magnets are in pairs, so 4 prizes total)
Barn & Cowboy w/horse
Paintbrush & Montana-ish cabin
Tetons: Cabin & Lupine
Tetons: Golden & Subdued
You can enter the giveaway here:
(There are directions within the widget for how to enter,
including how to note which prize/s you're interested in)
Don't forget to grab the tag questions up above, fill them out on your blog, then come back and leave a link to your post/s in our widget-y thing below. You can leave it on any of our blogs and it should show up on all three automatically (courtesy of the fancy link-y thing). Also, if you write more than one post (i.e. topical posts, movie reviews, etc) add each one as a separate entry so everyone can easily find everything you've posted. :)
That's it! Now let the fun begin! *figuratively dancing a jig (and I would throw my hat in the air if I was a cowboy and not a lady)* I can't wait to see what y'all come up with!
