Of Ye Olde Tymes And Men In Tights

There's nothing like losing yourself in a good historical romp.  One with sword fights and men in tights acting all manly and swoony.

Or maybe that's just me.

Either way there's something about getting lost in the past, whether through a book or a TV show that is immensely addictive.   Even better with the TV shows you get even more swoonish appeal with the likes of  Jeremy Irons, Tom Hiddleston and Henry Cavill to name just a few.

And if you want to know more about some of these real-life people and the times they lived in there is also a ton of non-fiction for you to wade into.  True stories of scandals and mysteries and love affairs and deaths that will make you realise that the past was definitely not an era of the staid and strait laced.

It almost seems fitting then that there are 2 events coming up in Auckland that celebrate this - The Pop-Up Globe Theatre which will be showcasing a series of Shakespearean productions and The James Plays, which is screening as part of the Auckland Festival.  So why not check them out.

After all you can never have too much of a man with a sword...

Alan Rickman: The Perfect Villain And Much More

If you've read some of my previous posts you'll know I have a thing for Die Hard being The only Christmas movie that everyone should watch, and not just because it has explosions and witty one-liners and action galore but because of the superb Alan Rickman.

Forget Bruce Willis.

Alan Rickman is the man.  Charming, debonair with just the right amount of snark and a voice that could turn you into a swoony puddle.

It's no wonder he made such wickedly wonderful villains.   

Then again he was pretty much wonderful in everything he did.  Whether as the suave Hans Gruber in Die Hard or as the evil Sheriff in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves or as a the romantic ghost in Truly, Madly, Deeply; if he was in a movie you just knew you had to watch it just for him a lone.

With his sudden passing binge watching all his movies seems like the perfect thing to do so why not check out some of his best work 

David Bowie: Starman

Artist, Hero, Starman...

David Bowie touched something in all of us and made us feel that it was okay to be different.  An oddball himself, he lead his life with dignity and grace and all on his own terms.  In a world where being different isn't always easy, Bowie shouted out his differences in the only way he knew how - with music.  And what glorious, wonderful music it is.

From Space Oddity to Golden Years to Under Pressure to This Is Not America his talent, passion and artistry shines through, every song unique just like he was.  And it's this uniqueness and inspiration that will live long in each and every one of us every time we hear one of his songs.

RIP David Bowie.  You are a Starman to us all.

The British are coming!

They say write about what you know….so for my first blog post for Auckland Libraries, I thought I’d write about my obsession. It’s one of the best things to have ever come out of the ol’ United Kingdom. You can take your history, your monarchy, castles, and Earl Grey tea, it’s the best thing, ever (I’m sorry Kate).

So, if you have time in your life for a new obsession (which I’m guessing you do, it’s the holidays after all), here are my picks for the best British comedy to veg out on the couch to.


1. Monty Python's Flying Circus
The show that established the comedians John Cleese and Michael Palin’s, and filmmaker Terry Gilliam’s fame, this classic show is the grandfather of the comedy world. It is hard to believe it is forty years old. Renowned for using short animations as ‘links’ between sketches, it allowed the performers and writers creative freedom to not have to use traditional punchlines. There is also plenty of footage dedicated to mid-thirties men dressed as elderly British ladies, which doesn’t hurt. Watch if you love surrealism, and prepare to start quoting the ‘Dead Parrot’ sketch.

2. The Mighty Boosh
Named after the childhood hairdo of creator Noel Fielding’s brother, this show is like a modern-day Monty Python. Just like with Monty Python, the writers star as the main characters in their creation. Combining frequent pop culture references, guest appearances, and even some damn catchy music written by creator Julian Barratt, this show is childlike brilliance.

3. Blackadder 
Ahh, Blackadder. Almost everyone in the English-speaking world will recognise the star of this show, due to his future role as the mute Mr Bean. Rowan Atkinson, with fellow British actors Stephen Fry, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson and Hugh Laurie, proves he’s just as funny being vocal as he is with his mouth shut. The four series of Blackadder prove to be like a fun history class; covering medieval times, Queen Elizabeth’s court, the dim wit of George III (played with great ineptitude by Hugh Laurie), and finally, World War One, which ends with a moving tribute to the people who lost their lives in the Great War.

4. The IT Crowd
A contemporary of the Mighty Boosh (look out for the shared actors), this show is great for geeks, and for the people who love them. I challenge you not to fall in love with the protagonists; misanthrope Roy, socially backward but cute-as-a-button Moss, and career-minded Jen. Much of the humour comes from the clash of their respective worlds. Jen is socially adept, but doesn’t know the first thing about IT (in one memorable episode, she lifts up a small black box, and calls it “the internet”) and the intelligent slackers of the IT department who are almost constantly socially awkward. This show comes with so many references that will make your little geeky heart sing.

These are a great place to start, and remember to hit me up in the comments section if you want any more suggestions ;)

Happy New Year!

Sneak Peak: And Then There Were None: Or The Worst Holiday Ever

Murder, mayhem, borderline insanity, creepy and not so creepy goings-ons this latest version of And Then There Were None has got it all.

There's even a little bit - okay make that a lot - of sexiness in the form of dark, tall and handsome Aidan Turner who once again takes his shirt off.... and a lot more.  Be still my swoony heart.

Beautifully filmed and brilliantly acted this TV mini-series is so good and so addictive that once you start you won't want to stop until the killer is revealed.

And if you can't wait for it to screen here then why not check out the book or one of the older versions that we have got on DVD.