Les Miserables

The trailer is out for the new Les Miserables which is coming out in theaters this December and I'm so excited to see it! I went through an obsession with this story when I was about twelve years old, (with the movie and book) I loved the movie with Liam Neeson as Jean Valjean and I can't wait to see Hugh Jackman in the role. Not to mention, it's a musical...and Anne Hatheway is in it. Both of whom have gorgeous voices. I have been waiting for them to do a musical together since they sang together at The Oscars. I am so looking forward to this!

And that is really all I have to say. I will let the photos speak for themselves:

You can view the trailer here.
~Anna Kristine

Bronte films

It looks like there are some new Bronte films in the making. A new Jane Eyre is set to release in 2011 starring Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) Michael Fass bender (300), Judi Dench (Cranford) and Jamie Bell (King Kong).

Also in the making to release the same year is Wuthering Heights starring Gemma Arterton (Tess of the D'Urbervilles) and Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl).

There's also an upcoming film about the Bronte sisters entitled Bronte. I'm not sure if this film will come about or not as it's been on IMDB for a few years and is still in pre production.

It's good to know there are more costume dramas on the way! Even if Jane Eyre has been made a hundred times. I'm excited to see what they're like!

Masterpiece Theater Oliver Twist

I was just reading a post about this version of Oliver Twist and it suddenly hit me that I haven't seen it. I missed it last year which is quite sad because Oliver Twist was my favorite Dickens growing up as a child. I like the look of it by all the pictures I've seen and I really want to get my hands on a copy of the dvd. Our library seems to not have it at the moment. I may have to ask them to order it. :)
Have any of you seen it? And what did you think?

Bright Star

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

Yesterday I went to the theater to see 'Bright Star' the new film about John Keats and Fanny Brawne. If you love beautiful clothes, hand stitching, and poetry...this is the film for you. I left the theater so inspired, and slightly gloomy. Do take a handkerchief with you as it will be needed!

Ben Wishaw did an incredible job as John Keats. One couldn't help falling in love with him.

And despite all the gorgeous costumes in this film, Keat's frock coat was my favorite:

Abbie Cornish was amazing as Fanny Brawne, and her costumes are stunning:

She designs and sews everything she wears so there is a lot of detail that we don't normally get to see in costume dramas. My friends and I were in awe over this sweater that is made of what looks like really tiny granny squares:

I am in love with her striped spencer:

Her little sister 'Toots' had some of the most adorable little dresses I've ever seen. Now I want to make children's Regency clothes. :)

Overall the film was brilliant. Beautiful cinematography, excellent acting, intricate clothing, wonderful soundtrack, and as if that wasn't enough...it's filled with the beautiful poetry and letters of John Keats.

Anybody else getting excited?? :)

I can't wait for the new Emma to air on Masterpiece Theater. I've heard rumor it's to air sometime this Fall.
The wonderful Romola Garai plays Emma:
Jonny Lee Miller plays Mr. Knightley:

Michael Gambon plays Mr. Woodhouse: (I adore this man)

Blake Ritson plays Mr Elton. Oh dear, I love this guy too.

And *drum role please* Rupert Evans is to play Mr Frank Churchill. *sigh* I've been dying for this guy to be in another period role since playing Fredrick in North and South. Now I'll most likely fall for him instead of Mr. Knightley. Why do they always pick my favorite actors for Frank Churchill? Oh well...perhaps he'll astound us all and make us reel with hatred. We shall see.

The costumes look so amazing. Now I must go sew something Regency...

The Young Victoria US Release Date

Finally a date has been set. :) The Young Victoria is set to release in the US on November 13, 2009. I'm so excited and can hardly wait!

Underpinnings :)

I'm so in love with Maria's underpinnings in The Secret of Moonacre. I finally watched this movie on YouTube awhile back because it seems like they aren't going to release it in the US and I got tired of waiting. It was a bit of a disappointment as it strayed quite a lot from the book, which I loved. But it was still worth watching for all the amazing costumes!

I just love all the different fabrics that look quite vintage:

I also love her blue corset. Inspires me to finish my corset...I know I know...I say that a lot. ;)

Anyway...I'm quite obsessed with underpinnings already but I thought these were really awesome and different. :) I think it would be so fun to have an underpinnings tea party one of these days. Underpinnings are just so pretty and it's such a shame they don't get to be seen. Well I hope you all are having a great Summer so far! I'm pretty busy helping some friends get ready for a wedding this week so I wont be sewing or posting much. Have a lovely week!

Gisborne vs. Thornton and a Pretty Dress

I've been watching season 3 of Robin Hood (which I'm not that big a fan of I'm sorry to say) and just have one episode to go to the end...it's got me really aching to watch North and South and see Richard Armitage in the role of a gentleman again. He's SO good as Guy of Gisborne but I can't help preferring him as Mr. Thornton. Obviously, since it's the good guy vs. the bad guy. ;) But I think the 1840's suits him better than Medieval anyway.
I just love those high collars and cravats. I'm seriously going to make some for my shop one day. We need more Mr. Thornton's in this world. :)
However...if I put North and South on...it's going to make me want this dress of Margret's again:

Isn't it gorgeous? Though I think I love all her dresses in this movie. I think this is one of my favorite eras. (among many) I love it so much better than Civil War. I like the longer waists and narrower skirts.

But oh dear...now I'm reminded of that Civil War dress I need to finish...hmm...maybe I'll pull that out this week. See what a horrid procrastinator I am? I only have a few days left to keep busy on my sewing projects and then I'll be out of town for a week and I might not be able to blog while I'm gone. But I'll be taking a few projects with me so hopefully I'll have something to show you when I return! :)

Regency

My mom is doing a Jane Austen Tea at the end of this month and I just realized...I haven't anything Regency to wear. *sigh* I guess I shall just have to make something new. Bummer. ;)I'm going to start from scratch as I've outgrown all of my Regency things so first off, I need to make some underpinnings! I'm going to use Jennie Chancey's Regency underpinnings pattern because it's amazing. :)

I haven't decided what sort of dress to do yet. But I was thinking it would actually be fun to go simple and do something like Charlotte Lucas' dress.

I just love love love this dress.

I still haven't tried the crossover bodice pattern that my friends gave me for my birthday so I could try that and make something like Lizzie's Pemberley dress which is one of my favorites:

Or I might just try something out of me head. We'll have to wait and see. I need to turn off Robin Hood and put Pride and Prejudice on. I need inspiration. I'm still dreaming of hoods and bow and arrows. Which wont quite fit in with the tea cups and English Country dances. ;)

Lucy from Sweeney Todd

I just ran across these pictures on Costumers Guide and fell in love. :) I haven't seen Sweeney Todd (and don't really want to) but the costumes are pretty awesome.
This one stole my heart though:
I love the paleness of it and the fingerless gloves:

So beautiful....now I want to make one. Just add it to my already massive sewing project list I guess? ;)

Little Dorrit Finale

Well, what did you all think of the final episode of Little Dorrit? I thought it was wonderful. :) If you didn't get a chance to watch it, you can still see it online HERE or buy it on DVD HERE.
A lot of work went into the costumes...I thought they were amazing. My absolute favorite though, I think, was Amy's simple dress and apron:

And then I'm in love with the men's wardrobe as well. Nothing quite so dashing as cravats. :)
Everything from the acting to the cinematography and score is stunning. This production was so well done. I'm a little sad it's over but at least now I can get it on DVD and watch it straight through with out having to wait a week to know what happens next. Even though there is some fun in that. :)

Next week is The Old Curiosity Shop.