Great Expectations

Thankfully Masterpiece has provided us with yet another top-notch adaptation to fill that gaping Sunday evening void left by Downton Abbey. This time it's the unforgettably atmospheric Great Expectations and after watching the first episode can I say I loved how the creepiness (a truly integral part of any Dickens story) was given full reign? Excellent stuff.

Next Sunday can't come fast enough.

Masterpiece: Downton Abbey

PBS Masterpiece just gets better and better every season, doesn't it?

This most recent Masterpiece Classic miniseries brings us the incredible Downton Abbey - a story of a traditional English household, upstairs and down, at the turn of the century. I for one am loving every second of it. So many fabulous characters, intrigues, and insights to that turbulent period of time. If you haven't checked this one out, be sure to do so. It's only online for free until February 22nd. Although - I still have two more episodes to watch, so if you've seen them all already (lucky!) Please. Don't Tell Me What Happens!

In expected fashion, I already have my favorite quote of the series (so far) and it came from the imposing Dowager Countess, played by the fabulous Maggie Smith:  "No Englishman would ever dream of dying in someone else's house!"

Love.

The game is on!

Man, oh man. I just finished watching the first episode of the new Sherlock from PBS Masterpiece Mystery and I am in love. The creators have managed to blend just the right amount of intrigue, wit, and faced-paced revelations and action. And the relationship between Watson and Holmes...perfection. I am such a big fan of their modern incarnation. And very happy to still have two more episodes to go. Be sure to check out the episodes online - you can only see them for a few weeks.

Favorite line: "I'm in shock. Look! I've got a blanket!"

Masterpiece Classic Emma Tonite!

Just a quick reminder to all you Austen-ites to be sure to tune into PBS Masterpiece Classic to catch the premiere of Emma, which starts tonight and will run for the next three Sundays.

I've already got a smile on my face just anticipating all that witty Emma-Knightley banter.

Free Books, Movies, Oh my!

After wandering around the blogsphere while stuffing my face with leftover pumpkin pie (who doesn't love the holidays and time off?), I'm stumbled across some very fun things I want to pass along.

Books become Movies:

One of my favorite British series has to be the Confessions of Georgia Nicholson by Louise Rennison. Girl is a Riot. If you haven't experienced the hilarity of Georgia yet: imagine if Bridget Jones had started her diary when she was still a teenage walking disaster. Love the books and thanks to the GreenBeanTeenQueen I just spotted the trailer for the movie Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging which will air on Nickelodeon on January 1st. I've got my fingers crossed that it'll be good - I might be more than a little excited to watch this one.

PBS Masterpiece just gets better every year. I adored the Jane Austen remakes last year - which totally changed my opinion of Northanger Abbey, thank-you-very-much. For their 2009 season they are premiering such favorites as Emma and Return to Cranford. But if you haven't yet seen the first part of Cranford (which aired last year starring the luscious Judi Dench), they are rebroadcasting it on Sunday or you can watch each episode online for a few more weeks.

Free Reads:

Lisa McMann is offering her readers a chance to download a free copy of Wake. You have until 12/31/09 to download it and 30 days to read, so hop over to her blog for all the details.

Maureen Johnson - Queen of Cheer - (also author extraordinaire) is giving everyone a free ebook of Suite Scarlett. You can only download this marvy book until 1/15/09, so hurry over.

Happy New Years Everybody!!