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http://liberlexica.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/rainy-day-watch-a-movie-one-of-these-movies/
I always feel like one of the most fun things to do on a rainy day (ahh, April showers...) is to curl up on the couch with some hot cocoa. On the other hand, sitting on a sofa sipping cocoa (or tea, or whatever you're into) and staring at the ceiling/wall gets boring for some people. For them, I suggest a nice book or movie. And since this is a blog about history (you know, when I occasionally write about things that are relevant to history), I want to pick out some of my favorite historical-type movies. They're a real grab bag/ mixed-up bunch, so feel free to pick whatever suits your needs (kids' movie, sad movie, comedy, etc.).
The King and I (1956): An awesome Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about the king of Siam and a British schoolteacher in the 1860s. I love the songs in the movie, I love the characters, I love the storyline. There are more modern versions, but I definitely recommend this one, because it is by far the best. Watch if you're in the mood for a musical.
The Young Victoria (2009): Watch if you're in the mood for something moving. It tells the story of a young Queen Victoria (okay not that surprising with the title and all), and how she meets her future husband (although I managed to forgot the actual historical fact that she married him when I was watching the movie and got all concerned she would pick someone else... not to ruin the plot or anything). It's incredibly well-done, but be prepared for some heart wrenching at the end.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): Yes, it is ridiculous. However, it is very funny. If you haven't seen it, then you should definitely watch it- even if only to understand a variety of inside jokes stemming from the film. If you haven seen it, then watch it again!
Tristan and Isolde (2006): Starring James Franco (before he was famous- you might not even recognize him!) as a besotted English knight in love with an Irish princess who's been married off to the knight's lord. The story itself originated over a thousand years ago and is very Romeo and Juliet-ish. If you're looking for something romantic, but at a different pace than Young Victoria, this is a good pick.
Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003): I found this movie kind of unsettling, but maybe its a good one to tackle on a rainy day. Its about the Dutch painter Vermeer and stars Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. But since its about a Dutch master, and I've been neglecting the art side of this blog, I'll go ahead and pick it anyways. At least if you watch it, you'll end up feeling like you know more about Vermeer (no one will know you "learned" about him in a movie).
A Knight's Tale (2001): Full of great rock music, and not nearly as dreary as many period films. This movie doesn't take itself too seriously and is fun to watch. Not terribly historically accurate, but a fun and funny choice.
Far and Away (1992): Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise star in this movie as Irish immigrants moving to America. This one is a bonus for US history buffs (Oklahoma land rush, anyone?).
Shanghai Noon (2002): Hilarious comedy with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. Full of really great immature jokes and possibly some history in there. Perfect if you're in the mood to see Jackie Chan cause accidental injury to himself and Owen Wilson make jokes about the Wild West. More fun for the American history people (sometimes all those British dramas get you down).
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005): This movie is beautiful, but very sad. Make sure you're really in the mood for it before you watch it, and maybe have some tissues on hand. It's about a girl growing up in Japan and being trained as a geisha. This movie shows the interesting clash between old and new in 20th century Japan as the result of WWII (and other factors).
Newsies (1992): Possibly my favorite movie ever made. This movie is about the 1899 newsboy strike in New York. Also, it is a musical (sorry, they're my favorite genre- note that I've mostly spared you from Disney movies and musicals in this list). It's upbeat and fun, and not a bad movie at all. Plus, a young Christian Bale sings- in a New York accent.
TV Series Honorable Mentions: The Tudors (of course), Pillars of the Earth (technically an 8-part miniseries), Manor House (a British documentary that sends people back in time- really!), Downton Abbey (a 7-part miniseries about British aristocracy in 1912)
Period Pieces I Strongly Suggest You Skip: Clash of the Titans (2010), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Casanova (2005), Marie Antoinette (2006)
Happy movie watching!
http://liberlexica.wordpress.com/2011/09/23/rainy-day-watch-a-movie-one-of-these-movies/
I always feel like one of the most fun things to do on a rainy day (ahh, April showers...) is to curl up on the couch with some hot cocoa. On the other hand, sitting on a sofa sipping cocoa (or tea, or whatever you're into) and staring at the ceiling/wall gets boring for some people. For them, I suggest a nice book or movie. And since this is a blog about history (you know, when I occasionally write about things that are relevant to history), I want to pick out some of my favorite historical-type movies. They're a real grab bag/ mixed-up bunch, so feel free to pick whatever suits your needs (kids' movie, sad movie, comedy, etc.).
The King and I (1956): An awesome Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about the king of Siam and a British schoolteacher in the 1860s. I love the songs in the movie, I love the characters, I love the storyline. There are more modern versions, but I definitely recommend this one, because it is by far the best. Watch if you're in the mood for a musical.
The Young Victoria (2009): Watch if you're in the mood for something moving. It tells the story of a young Queen Victoria (okay not that surprising with the title and all), and how she meets her future husband (although I managed to forgot the actual historical fact that she married him when I was watching the movie and got all concerned she would pick someone else... not to ruin the plot or anything). It's incredibly well-done, but be prepared for some heart wrenching at the end.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): Yes, it is ridiculous. However, it is very funny. If you haven't seen it, then you should definitely watch it- even if only to understand a variety of inside jokes stemming from the film. If you haven seen it, then watch it again!
Tristan and Isolde (2006): Starring James Franco (before he was famous- you might not even recognize him!) as a besotted English knight in love with an Irish princess who's been married off to the knight's lord. The story itself originated over a thousand years ago and is very Romeo and Juliet-ish. If you're looking for something romantic, but at a different pace than Young Victoria, this is a good pick.
Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003): I found this movie kind of unsettling, but maybe its a good one to tackle on a rainy day. Its about the Dutch painter Vermeer and stars Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. But since its about a Dutch master, and I've been neglecting the art side of this blog, I'll go ahead and pick it anyways. At least if you watch it, you'll end up feeling like you know more about Vermeer (no one will know you "learned" about him in a movie).
A Knight's Tale (2001): Full of great rock music, and not nearly as dreary as many period films. This movie doesn't take itself too seriously and is fun to watch. Not terribly historically accurate, but a fun and funny choice.
Far and Away (1992): Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise star in this movie as Irish immigrants moving to America. This one is a bonus for US history buffs (Oklahoma land rush, anyone?).
Shanghai Noon (2002): Hilarious comedy with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. Full of really great immature jokes and possibly some history in there. Perfect if you're in the mood to see Jackie Chan cause accidental injury to himself and Owen Wilson make jokes about the Wild West. More fun for the American history people (sometimes all those British dramas get you down).
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005): This movie is beautiful, but very sad. Make sure you're really in the mood for it before you watch it, and maybe have some tissues on hand. It's about a girl growing up in Japan and being trained as a geisha. This movie shows the interesting clash between old and new in 20th century Japan as the result of WWII (and other factors).
Newsies (1992): Possibly my favorite movie ever made. This movie is about the 1899 newsboy strike in New York. Also, it is a musical (sorry, they're my favorite genre- note that I've mostly spared you from Disney movies and musicals in this list). It's upbeat and fun, and not a bad movie at all. Plus, a young Christian Bale sings- in a New York accent.
TV Series Honorable Mentions: The Tudors (of course), Pillars of the Earth (technically an 8-part miniseries), Manor House (a British documentary that sends people back in time- really!), Downton Abbey (a 7-part miniseries about British aristocracy in 1912)
Period Pieces I Strongly Suggest You Skip: Clash of the Titans (2010), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Casanova (2005), Marie Antoinette (2006)
Happy movie watching!
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