My Wish List (Books, CDs and DVDs)

Books:

The Briton and the Dane - This was another book I won in a Goodreads giveaway. It is set in the Anglo-Saxon/Viking era and I found the story fun and engaging. My only problem with it was that the dialogue was written in modern english but using the grammar from the era in which it was set. It seemed annoying at first and made me think of Armstrong and Miller cavemen sketches from their TV show; I did get used to it in the end though. The book ended suddenly and in author notes at the back it said a sequel was planned, so I would read that eventually.

Dead in the Family - Sookie Stackhouse 10 -Charlaine Harris -So, the new installment in the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood series. Another great fun read from Charlaine Harris but not my favourite from the series since it left open a load of storylines that I was really interested in. Hopefully they will be more fully explored in the next book. Good to hear more from the folks of Bon Temps though and I will be eagerly awaiting no.11 and the third series of "True Blood", which just started showing in the USA!

Dracula - The Undead - Dacre Stoker - This is the sequel to Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'. The book is interesting: in some ways I liked how they continued the story, but on occasion it seemed a little far-fetched and too much. The premise is that Dracula is back, along with another evil figure, and this time it is Jonathan and Mina's son, Quincey, who must do battle. It was fine to read as a bit of fun, but this would not be a novel I would return to again and again.

Films:

Eclipse - Twilight - So, the third installment in the Twilight films. Visually I felt this was the best of the three so far and I liked the approach of the new director. It was also good to see characters like Jasper, who had been marginal in the first two films, come to the fore a bit more. Nice CGI work for the wolves again and all in all a good set for the finals film(s).

Night Watch - We rented this Russian fantasy movie from Blockbuster. The premise was of good and bad 'Others' and the struggle for order. The plot was good and I think it would have been a great film if left in Russian. For some misguided reason though they tried to dub it and the result was appaling! Worth seeing for fun but it would have been so much better if they'd just subtitled and left the voices alone!

Clash of the Titans - This was an OK action film, with some well done effects, but I feel the great authors of ancient Greece may well be turning in their graves. The story was not always 100% according to myth/literature but I had been ready for this. More annoying was that none of the characters were engaging; all came across very 2D (funny when it's a 3D film). A good bit of fun but not a timeless classic like the stories it is based on.

Shows:

The Silver Rose (seen at Festival Theatre, Adelaide 17th July 2010) - This is a ballet version of the opera "Der Rosenkavalier" and is a tragi-comic story with a love triangle and a happy ending. I thought it worked well as a ballet and the set and costumes in Arts Nouveau style looked fantastic. The lead dancers had some lovely solos and pas de deuxs to some very lyrical and sweeping music. Half the audience seemed to be coughing most of the way through it but other than that I thought is was a great piece.

Feu la Mere de Madame (seen at Nexus Cabaret, Adelaide 25th June 2010) - This was a French play written in 1908 and performed in French with English surtitles. The piece was a short but enjoyable farce that often had me laughing out loud. The actors did well, though I was surprised at the need for a interval in a play that only lasted 1hr. Apparently it was too exhausting for the actors to do it all in one go!!! A good bit of fun anyway.

Stephen Schwartz and Friends (seen at Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide 23rd June 2010) - This was a great evening out. Stephen played piano and sang some of his pieces, aided by 6 other singers (several well known names). In between the songs he was interviewed by David Campbell and we got to hear some fun stories about his life and works. He stuck mainly to the better known of his songs, but added a few extras in too - such as two arias from a recent opera he wrote. All a very enjoyable evening and he stayed for signing afterwards so I got to meet him and get his autograph.

Le Grande Macabre (seen at Festival Theatre, Adelaide 3rd March 2010) - On the whole this opera is a little more modern that my usual tastes, but with the offer of a half price seat, I decided to give it a try. Certainly the music, though clever, would not be my choice but the rest of the production was excellent. The ASO drowned the singers a couple of times but the direction was great and the set was really inspired and impressive! I am glad I got to see this production just for interests sake, but I would not rush back if it were put on again.