Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A to Z - Pride, Prejudice, Patriot & Padmé

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
The story follows the plot of Pride and Prejudice, but places the novel in an alternative universe version of Regency-era England where zombies roam the English countryside. Described as the "stricken", "sorry stricken", "undead", "unmentionables", or just "zombies", the deceased ancestors of England are generally viewed by the characters as a troublesome, although deadly, annoyance. Their presence modifies the original plot of the story in both indirect and noteworthy ways: Messages between houses are sometimes lost when the couriers are captured and eaten; characters openly discuss and judge the zombie-fighting abilities of others; women weigh the pros and cons of carrying a musket; it provides safety but is considered "unladylike".

Unladylike!? I think walking around being one of the undead is more unladylike. Women, ugh! There is a time to be proper and time to ... well ... not. This book started out rough for me cause it took me a bit to remove myself from the original. Once I started to let my freak-flag fly, the story turned out to be quite good and kept me interested.

The Patriot
2000 American historical war film starring Mel Gibson, Chris Cooper, and Heath Ledger *sigh*. The American Revolution occurs in 1776. Widower Benjamin Martin a veteran of the French and Indian War, is called to Charleston to vote in the South Carolina General Assembly on a levy supporting the Continental Army. Fearing war against Great Britain, Martin abstains while Captain James Wilkins votes against and joins the Loyalists. A supporting vote is nonetheless passed and against his father's wishes, Martin's eldest son Gabriel joins the Continentals. Years later Charleston falls to the British and Gabriel returns home injured, carrying dispatches. The Martins care for both British and American wounded after a nearby battle, before British Dragoons led by ruthless Colonel William Tavington arrive and arrest Gabriel. When Martin's son Thomas interferes, he is killed by Tavington, who then orders the Martin's house burned and American wounded killed. Martin and his young sons retaliate by ambushing the British convoy, freeing Gabriel. A British survivor tells Tavington of a single man killing all, earning Martin the moniker of "The Ghost". Gabriel and Martin resolve to fight the British, leaving the children in the care of Martin's sister-in-law, Charlotte.

And so the story continues. Oddly my oldest son, born in 1998 (two yrs before the movie), was not named after Heath Ledger’s character but they share the same name, however Martin is my son’s middle name and not last. Cool little tidbit.
                                 *drooling and a heavy sigh* 

Padmé Amidala

Born Padmé Naberrie, in a mountain village on Naboo. Padmé Naberrie became known successively by her Name of State as Princess Amidala of Theed, later becoming Queen Amidala of Naboo and Senator Amidala of the Galactic Republic, who adheres to the principles of democracy and rule of law. The mother of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa is first mentioned in the 1983 film Return of the Jedi, though she is not named. While in the Ewok village on the forest moon of Endor, Luke informs Leia that she is his sister and that the Sith Lord Darth Vader is their father. When asked if she remembers her "real mother," Leia answers, "She died when I was very young" then later when Luke asks more of her memories, she says, "She was very beautiful... Kind ... but sad". Luke confesses he has no memories of their mother, and the discussion ends as he leaves the village to confront Vader on the second Death Star.
She is one of my most favorite female characters of all time. Of course Ass-kicking Leia is a tied second to Terminator’s Sarah Connor. But Padmé was strong willed, steadfast, and knew what she wanted. A perfect role model for all girls. Feminine yet powerful.

Harry James Potter

The title character and the main protagonist of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. The majority of the books' plot covers seven years in the life of the orphan Potter who, on his eleventh birthday, learns he is a wizard. Thus, he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to practice magic under the guidance of the kindly headmaster Albus Dumbledore and other school professors. Harry also discovers that he is already famous throughout the novel's magical community, and that his fate is tied with that of Lord Voldemort, the nationally feared Dark Wizard and murderer of his mother and father. Harry is categorised as a "half-blood" wizard in the series, because although both his parents were magical, his mother, Lily Evans, was "Muggle-born". Meanwhile his father, James Potter, was a pure-blood descended from one of the most ancient pure-blood families, the Peverells, who lived before the founding of Hogwarts. Harry is described as having his father's perpetually untidy black hair, his mother's bright green eyes, and a lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead. He is further described as "small and skinny for his age" with "a thin face" and "knobbly knees", and he wears round eyeglasses. Harry is particularly talented in Defence Against the Dark Arts, and also good at Quidditch.

Gosh I am drooling again! WHAT! I find Harry ...er, huh ... Daniel attractive in a weird sorta way. *wipping mouth on sleeve*

Þrymskviða

One of the best known poems from the Poetic Edda. The giant Þrymr steals Thor's hammer Mjölnir and demands Freyja as payment for it, desiring the goddess as his own wife. Instead of Freyja, the Æsir dress Thor as the bride and Loki as the bridesmaid, and the two travel to Jötunheimr for the "wedding." Thor's identity is comically hinted at throughout the reception (the god eats an entire ox on his own), with Loki providing weak explanations that the giants somehow accept for the odd behavior (he claims that the bride's immense hunger stems from her not having eaten for the last seven days for her excitement). Mjölnir is eventually placed into Thor's hands as part of the wedding ceremony, allowing the god to strike down the giants and return home.

22 comments:

  1. The Patriot's one of my fav movies. Thanks for the reminder! I think I'll watch it this weekend! :)

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    1. My son... Gabe, watched it for the first time in school this year and he loves it!

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  2. This is the 2nd post I've read for Padme. What a wonderful character she was, huh?

    Anyway, I blogged about Pottermore. I'm curious of you've explored it yet?

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    1. She was pretty awesome!

      I"ve visited the site but never signed up...

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  3. Padmé was such a strong character you can see where Luke and Leia got that from. I agree she is a great role model for all girls.

    it has been while since I watched the Patriot...I think I will checking the library.

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  4. I adore Harry Potter but found the whole Padme dying because she lost the will to live a tad stupid lol

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  5. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a riot. All Jane Austen novels should include zombies.

    I also adore Harry Potter.

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  6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has always tickled my interest but I never got the book. Harry Potter forever!! Need I say more?

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    1. I think you've said it all. You need to read it. It's quite good.

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  7. The Patriot is awesome, on many different levels. Jason Issac's was brilliant as the villain. It's too bad Mel Gibsons personal life has gone downhill and tainted his films somewhat! :)

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    1. Mel makes awesome movies for such a strange creature.

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  8. First of all, I heard they're making a Pride, Prejudice and Zombies movies, and I am soooo excited. And second of all,HARRY POTTER!!!

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    1. I heard that too. Kind of like the Abe Lincoln and vampires. All the cassics are about to be re-done.

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  9. Ha! I loved Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and the other novel Quirk Books published, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.

    I watched the SW original trilogy earlier this year but haven't seen the prequels; it's good to hear there's a strong female protagonist.


    The Golden Eagle
    The Eagle's Aerial Perspective

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    1. I haven't read the Sea Monters one... yet.

      You just now watched the original SW?! Amazing.

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  10. All great movie and character choices :)

    Hope you’re enjoying the challenge so far!
    --Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2012

    Twitter: @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge

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    1. A to Z is a great way to come together as a blogging community.

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  11. Oh James! be a dear and chase the zombies from the garden, they are trampling my prized Zinnias and I can't do it because I've just began my tea time!

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  12. I love Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. The author, Seth Grahame-Smith, clearly understands the original work in his spoof; I loved how Mr. Collins is even more ridiculous by not noticing the "changes" Charlotte undergoes and Wickham... oh man, I cracked up so much at that book. Not all of those mash-ups are quality. I tried reading Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters and could barely get through 1/3 of it.

    found your blog from the A to Z challenge!

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I heart me some good comments... and pumpkin spice latte's too!