Recent Recommendations: July 2012

Foyle's War
Foyle's War is perhaps the best BBC mystery series ever...or well, one of the very best. I first started watching it on PBS back in 2002 (can't believe it was that long ago), and now they're playing reruns on KCET (local LA public station). The wonderful thing is I've forgotten how they all end! So I can watch them afresh, and it is just so good. Foyle's War is a detective/mystery series set in the midst of World War II. Murder continues in war time, and mysteries are often wound up in political goings on in the military, black markets, classified information, prisoners of war, etc. (though there's still jealousy and anger and money motivating people, too). It's great stuff. Michael Kitchen is excellent, the writing is excellent. It's intelligent. And there's a subtlety to it--Michael Kitchen as Foyle isn't flashy, he's reserved and observant, but also direct and quietly kick-a**. It's also fascinating to get a peek at war-time England. I think it gives you a sense of how present the war was in everyone's lives--including attacks on their cities. Another fun thing about this series is seeing now established actors when they were only just starting--James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Laurence Fox--playing suspects, witnesses, etc. And it's now available on Netflix instant view!!!

This is a little late, but looking through Royal Ascot fashion is always entertaining. Here are the best galleries I could find of Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot 2012:
NY Daily News
Tom and Lorenzo
Irish Times
The Guardian

"A Sudden Illness" As I explored her website, I saw that Laura Hillenbrand (author of best-selling books Seabiscuit and Unbroken) won the 2004 National Magazine Award for this article. At the age of 19, she was suddenly overcome with nausea and chills. The doctors said she had food poisoning. This was the beginning of many, many misdiagnoses of an illness that often completely debilitated her--sometimes leaving her unable to sit up in bed. In this article Hillenbrand details her struggles with what would eventually be correctly diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is astounding what CFS does, how she survived, the boyfriend who stuck by her side the entire time, and that she has written these books even though sometimes she is only able to write a paragraph a day. Just read it. It's incredible. (If you want to know more about her and her current life, read this Washington Post article).

Boat Dress by Jacqueline Bradley

Jacqueline Bradley  is an Australian artist who creates "sculptural and performative objects, installations and costumes using building materials, household items, fabric and wallpaper." To be honest, I don't get all of her work, but what I do get I like. I saw her "Boat Dress" and had to see more. My favorite might be her "Kite Jacket." There are Tree-Hugging Gloves and a Postal Chair and Snake in the Long Grass Shoes. Her work is imaginative, a tad fantastic, and deep.   Read more about her and her art here.





Socially Awkward Penguin This is one of my favorite memes. I relate...too much.

(click to enlarge)

Superhero Girl Remember how I reviewed Faith Erin Hicks's graphic novel Friends With Boys? Well, she is also the author of webcomic called The Adventures of Superhero Girl. Superhero Girl lifts heavy objects! She leaps over tall buildings! She saves Toronto from monsters! She also does laundry (and shrinks her cape), forgets to take her mask off while acting as a civilian, sucks at parties, is a sucker for cats, and has an annoyingly perfect older brother. Faith doesn't write them much anymore because she's so busy with books, etc, but there are plenty there to look at. Start from the beginning.

Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks

Blackadder Classic British comedy show starring Rowan Adkinson as Blackadder himself. Each season takes place in a different era (Middle Ages, Elizabethan times, Regency, WWI), but they all follow the misfortunes of Edmund Blackadder (who presumably is a descendent/ancestor of the others). The character starts as a bit of a doofus, but with each season becomes more and more clever (so by Blackadder the Third, he's the antithesis of Mr Bean). Blackadder is accompanied by a servant, Baldrick, whose intelligence and hygiene decrease over the seasons, and some dim-witted aristocrat. It's hilarious. My absolute FAVORITE season/series is the Third, which also stars Hugh Laurie as the air-headed fop Prince Regent (don't expect any House hotness). Watch it on Netflix Instant View!