This week Mary Poppins the musical came to town for a limited engagement at the Orpheum Theatre, and I got a chance to watch it last night! I wrote a post with more details over at Collective Endeavors, but needless to say, it was quite amazing. For a preview of the musical, here's a clip from the 2007 Tony Awards featuring the original cast and three songs from the musical:
Just a simple all-black outfit I wore to watch Iron Man 3 yesterday. I realize that my last few outfit posts consist of me wearing these same flats, but they seem to go with everything, plus they're one of my favorite pairs of black flats I own (and I own a lot, trust me). Anyways, Iron Man 3 was so amazing, I went in with somewhat low expectations since I figured the story couldn't possibly top the first film. The story was just great, the visuals were stunning, and as always, the comedy was spot on and in typical Iron Man-fashion. I have to say that this might very well be my favorite of all the Iron Man films. But I am seriously excited for the new Thor and Captain America sequels. There are seriously so many films coming out this year, I can't wait. Next up on my must-watch list, the new Star Trek film and The Great Gatsby adaptation.
At five feet tall, it's always been a challenge to find any kind of maxi skirt or dress that didn't require hemming. So you can imagine my surprise and delight when I found this chiffon-pleated skirt at Uniqlo that hit right at my ankles, which makes me wonder whether this actually is a maxi skirt or it was supposed to hit at mid-calf for taller girls. Whatever the intention was, it works perfectly for me, and I bought two, one in this peach/orange color and one in light gray. Personally I think everyone ought to own chiffon-pleated maxi skirts because they make an outfit so dramatic and romantic, especially when you're walking around and the skirt just kind of moves with your body, or when the wind is blowing and the fabric flows so fluidly. Also half the time, I feel like a character from some pre-1920s era, having to lift my skirt up whenever I walk up stairs or tuck it under my legs when I hop into a car or even sit down. The downside is that I'm sure the hem has collected dirt from all over whenever I sit down or in general am not level with the ground, which reminds me of the Pride and Prejudice quote used in the title of this post, a remark by one of the Bingley sisters (depending which version you're watching) regarding Elizabeth's dirty petticoat. Although I sincerely hope the hem of my skirt isn't six inches deep in mud.
Surprisingly I don't talk about Elementary very much, whether here on the blog or even to my friends, yet it has earned a spot within my top 5 favorite shows of the moment. I think the idea behind Elementary was met with initial reluctance by everyone, since it was essentially described as the American version of Sherlock. Naturally, as a fan of all things Sherlock Holmes, I was very skeptical when I heard that not only were they producing a modern adaptation of Sherlock Holmes in the U.S., but they were going to turn Dr. Watson into a woman. At the time, the idea seemed ridiculous to me, mostly because I thought the U.S. was just trying to recreate their own version of Sherlock for the fame and ratings, and because I believed they could never recreate a show as well written as the British counterpart. However, I was curious, plus I adore Jonny Lee Miller so I decided to give the show a chance. It started off slow but the show has really developed into a wonderful series with amazing characters.
Jonny Lee Miller plays recovering drug addict Sherlock Holmes, who has recently relocated to New York City from his home country of England. As part of his recovery, his father insists on hiring a sober companion for him, who is none other than Joan Watson (Lucy Liu). Of course, Watson initially encounters resistance and reluctance from Holmes, but these barriers are broken down over time as the two get to know one another. Holmes is currently a consulting detective for the NYPD, and Watson, a former surgeon-turned-sober companion, begins to assist Holmes on his cases, along with Captain Gregson (Aidan Quinn) and Detective Bell (Jon Michael Hill). Over time, both Holmes and Watson realize that Joan is actually a good detective and truly has a passion for the field, while Holmes has come to rely on Joan as a friend and work partner.
Initially Elementary received a lot of comparisons to Sherlock as it follows a different storyline than its British counterpart. However, it is important to note that aside from the idea of modernizing Sherlock Holmes, these two series differ greatly. Let's start off with the fact that Sherlock consists of three 90-minute episodes per season, and each season is basically aired whenever they want with no particular schedule. Meanwhile, although Elementary is only in its pilot season, each episode is the typical hour-long, almost weekly series that follows the typical American primetime television schedule. In addition, Sherlock concentrates on remaking and modernizing Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novels, while each case in Elementary is new every week in typical American crime show fashion, taking subtle elements from the book to use for characterization. While I do enjoy Elementary a lot, I have to say that sometimes the crimes are not so intricate and dynamic, and occasionally I can guess who the murderer within the first 15 minutes. Yes, each show has its pros and cons, but I truly believe that they are very different conceptually.
For me, what really sets this series apart is its brilliant cast of characters. Elementary has been praised for its diverse cast and its ability to write about these characters not based off a stereotype. I know it puts a lot of pressure on actresses of color such as Lucy Liu and Mindy Kaling who are breaking racial and ethnic barriers as the leading stars of their individual shows; on one hand, it's great to see a female lead of color on a regular basis on television, but at the same time, you want the show to concentrate on their personality and acting abilities and what they can bring to the series beyond their ethnicity. In addition, the casting of Candis Cayne as Miss Hudson has also been raved by fans as a transgender actress playing a role that does not focus simply on her transgenderism, but rather as her supporting presence in the household maintenance and organization of Holmes and Watson's home. The show's diverse cast of characters is truly representative of the population of New York City.
While generally the relationship of Holmes and Watson is supposed to be platonic, the issue with casting a woman as Watson presents the possibility of a romantic relationship. I personally can't see this happening any time soon, as I enjoy Holmes and Watson's current friendship and how they complement each other as both work partners and friends. The writers have done a brilliant job over the course of the season to gradually build up their relationship based on trust and opening up to one another. Initially, we see that Holmes does not open up or socialize with people very well, and it takes Watson's patience and support to help Holmes in this aspect. Meanwhile, spending time with Watson allows Holmes to notice Watson's own personal interests beyond her job, and he realizes Watson's innate ability for deduction and observation also make her a good consulting detective. As Holmes spends several episodes trying to convince Watson to become his work partner, we see that Holmes is not only doing this for his own benefit, but rather also for Watson's. The two begin to develop a relationship over time in which they help one another become better human beings. Their teasing and bickering also make their relationship fun and interesting. Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu have great chemistry and work well together, and it definitely makes the Holmes/Watson dynamic more enjoyable to watch.
As the season begins to wind down, the last few episodes have set in motion an intriguing storyline with Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell from Game of Thrones) scheduled to play the infamous Irene Adler. Elementary has certainly made its mark with a great first season, and I am definitely looking forward to many more seasons of this fantastic show. Definitely check it out if you guys have the time, it's a thrilling crime series you won't want to miss. For a sneak peek, check out this fun scene below:
Excuse my pale white legs, but I think this might be the first time this year I've gone out sans tights. The weather is finally warming up around here, but unfortunately I'll be hibernating indoors for the next week to study for midterms. Also I don't believe I've ever worn this shirt on the blog, but it's one of the two Parks and Recreation t-shirts I ordered last Black Friday. Just another testament of my love for that show :)
Also with that P&R mention, here is an obligatory clip of Leslie Knope doing impressions (because apparently Amy Poehler is bad at doing impressions, according to P&R creator/writer/producer Mike Schur:
Another indie film I recently watched was Safety Not Guaranteed, mainly because the film stars three actors I like from three of my favorite shows: Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation), Jake Johnson (New Girl), and Mark Duplass (The Mindy Project). Darius (Plaza) is a bored college graduate interning at a Seattle magazine when an opportunity for an interesting story appears in the newspaper, advertising for a partner to travel back in time with Kenneth (Duplass). Skeptical but intrigued, magazine writer Jeff (Johnson) takes Darius and another intern, Arnau (Karan Soni), out to investigate the story and Kenneth. Darius applies for the time-travelling position as part of her cover, and Kenneth accepts her as his partner, although with initial reluctance. He begins training and testing her to make sure she is up for this adventure, all the while getting to know her better. As time goes on, the two become closer and begin to fall in love, but Darius's skepticism prevents her from truly being honest with Kenneth and opening herself up to adventure and faith. Meanwhile, Jeff reveals his true intentions in pursuing this story; he hopes to rekindle an old romance with an ex-girlfriend, Liz, who lives in the same town, and although he is initially put off by how much Liz has changed, he realizes that she is the same person he once knew as they become reacquainted.
What makes this quirky film so endearing is that aside from the sci-fi twist, it does deal with real problems and emotions. Darius has a problem with opening up and trusting others, while Kenneth is in denial of the truth and his past. Through their friendship, they begin to break down these barriers within each other and provide the support and love they each need. The movie explores the themes of faith and trust, mixed in with time-travelling, and it is such a sweet story that I implore you all to check out. The actors are all so brilliant, especially Aubrey Plaza, who is very much like her role as April in P&R, but then again, she's the master of deadpan humor. I'll also admit to having a new appreciation for Mark Duplass after this film, and now I'm so glad that he's a recurring character on The Mindy Project. However, I didn't care for the subplot with Jake Johnson. To me, Aubrey Plaza and Mark Duplass capture the heart and the spirit of this unusual film.
