(Painting of E.M. Forster by Dora Carrington)If you read my sidebar, you know I love movies and often watch 5-6 per week. I also dislike winter, especially up here in the Siberia of the East Coast. Movies, hot cocoa and popcorn get me through these dark, cold and lonely nights. I plan to post a Hot Chocolate Review every now and again, focusing on movies made from novels, plays, poems and so forth. Here is the first.
E.M. Forster was born in London on January 1, 1897, he died June 7, 1970. He was a novelist, short story writer and in the '30's-40's a broadcaster on BBC radio. He is famous for the phrase "Only Connect" which comes from the novel Howards End.
Howards End book 1910 movie 1992
is one of my favorite novels/movies of all time. I have read it many times, seen the movie often. It takes place in London at the turn of the last century and is about the Schlegels (bohemian intellectuals) played by Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter. The Wilcoxes (wealthy family) with Anthony Hopkins as Henry Wilcox. And the Basts (lower-middle-class aspirants). Close to my heart is the fact that one theme centers on who will inherit a house in the country. Five mugs of hot cocoa
Room with a View book 1908 movie 1985
a Merchant/Ivory film starring Helena Bonham Carter about Lucy Honeychurch's trip to Italy and debate about which beau to marry. Light and lovely. Four and a half mugs
A Passage to India book 1924 Movie 1984
a David Lean film starring Judy Davis as Adela Quested. Set in India in the later days of the British Raj. Five mugs.
Where Angels Fear to Tread Book 1905 Movie 1999
a Masterpiece Theater production starring Helen Mirren. Again set in Italy. Three and a half mugs.
Maurice Book 1971 Movie 1987
This book was written early in Forster's career but not published until after his death, possibly because it deals with homosexual themes. Hugh Grant stars in this Merchant/Ivory film. Three mugs.
There is also a Masterpiece Theater version of A Room with a View made in 2007 staring Elaine Cassidy which I have not seen. All film are available on Netflix. Happy Viewing!! PS. Don't forget to read the book too.
10 comments:
I enjoyed your movie and book reviews and it seems we both appreciate many of the same actor(resses)...I love BBC TV too.
Fun cocoa mug ratings!!!
Rainy and blustery here right now as well. I like it.
Dear Suki, you know I am a fellow reader and E.M. Forester lover...so, I will definitely be a "Hot Chocolate and Popcorn" follower... hmmmm..but depending on the time of day and the season, can I be a "Popcorn and Red (or White) Red follower?
I adore most of these films - but would change the "hot chocolate" rankings" a bit. "Room with a View", "Where Angels Fear to Tread" and most definitely "Passage to India" get 5mugs from Moi! By the bye, I did see the PBS version of "Room with a View" - and while it really can't compare to the film, it is credible and well done. (In particular, I love the ending.)
Oh, and on the "Lilacrobin" queue - I just saw a film I think you would enjoy...a Polish film "The Young Girls of Wilko"....haunting and unforgettable! Two glasses of red wine! (Mon Dieu!)
Love to you and Bibs,
♥ Robin ♥
I'm laughing about the mugs ratings!!! Hilarious and clever.
I don't have a dvd player and I haven't (I'm embarrassed to say) finished a book in over a year.
Reading is what I do when I go to bed, problem is it puts me to sleep! I have a million books nearby calling to me, pleading with me to pick them up and devour them.
I must divide my time into too many parts and often times art wins out.
Still, I miss a good read and a good movie.
Soo, I hope, for both!
xo♥
I have always wanted to see Howards End. I did see Room with a view ..the film...and loved it.
Suki, I love all these movies, though I have not read the books. "Passage to India" is one of my all time favorite movies. Like you I watch a lot of movies and I read a lot. I love your combining the best of both worlds :-). xoxo
Robin, a glass of red wine works!! in fact i just bought some red wine for myself. now i need to buy a popcorn maker.
Lolo, I think I would die if i couldnt read. In fact, after i had to leave my twenty year rental I was so upset i couldnt read for a year or more because I could not concentrate beyond two pages. I hope never to experience that again. it was very hard. But remember, I live alone. Gobs of empty time to read and no one to interrupt me. Course I've been reading like a maniac since grammar school/.
Annie I must put Passages on my queue and see it again as it was a long time ago I saw it and i keep getting it consfused in my head with Heat and Dust with Julie Christie which I also love but it's not an EM Forster book/film.
I love the idea of "mugs" - what a great idea. I also love movies but haven't succumbed to Netflix yet, just not enough time to sit and watch a movie these days. But I will take some of your recommendations to LISTEN to the books. I listen to Books in the car on the way to work or anywhere. Great way to use the time, and I love the interpretations of the voices.
I love both of these film versions of Forster classics, and watch them often. Wonderful portrait by Carrington!
Merry Christmas, my friend! xx
All favourites of mine--which I'd forgotten! They'd be great to watch again. Keep the reviews coming!
I remember reading A Passage to India for the first time when I was in high school and being absolutely transported by it. It began a lifelong fascination for me with stories set in India.
Ha! I love the mug ratings!
It;s also nice to read your movie reviews - there are some that I look at and wonder if we would like them - I love watching movies, too, but hardly ever seem to actually get there. It has a lot to do with living in the country with no hire stores close by, and a lot to do with intertia!
Happy holidays, Suki - I hope that you are well and content for now.
Arohanui,
Lesley.
Post a Comment