11 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
10 Temmuz 2012 Salı
9 Temmuz 2012 Pazartesi
Talking "Prometheus" with Sebastian Gutierrez
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Many people found my less than favourable reaction to Ridley Scott's Prometheus rather baffling, not the least of whom was my fellow blogger and friend, New York's very own Sebastian Gutierrez. Being the argumentative fellow that he is (although I can hardly talk), he reached out to me through email to ask the question "why?" Through a series of replies we battled back and forth, and while I don't think there was any clear winner (he still likes the movie and I don't), it certainly made for an interesting debate. If you're keen for some spirited discussion on one of the years most divisive films, visit Seb's website, Films From The Supermassive Black Hole, to read our entire conversation.
Many people found my less than favourable reaction to Ridley Scott's Prometheus rather baffling, not the least of whom was my fellow blogger and friend, New York's very own Sebastian Gutierrez. Being the argumentative fellow that he is (although I can hardly talk), he reached out to me through email to ask the question "why?" Through a series of replies we battled back and forth, and while I don't think there was any clear winner (he still likes the movie and I don't), it certainly made for an interesting debate. If you're keen for some spirited discussion on one of the years most divisive films, visit Seb's website, Films From The Supermassive Black Hole, to read our entire conversation.
Review - The Three Stooges
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Director: Bobby & Peter FarrellyRunning Time: 91 minutesReview by Tom Clift
The Three Stooges is a very stupid film. Then again, if you bought a ticket expecting anything different, then really, the only idiot is you. Directed by Bobby & Peter Farrelly — the brotherly duo behind Dumb & Dumber, There’s Something About Mary and more recently Hall Pass — this twenty-first century re-imagining captures with impressive authenticity the style and tone of the classic vaudevillian trio, whose antics influenced generations of comic filmmakers, including the Farrellys themselves. Admittedly, one suspects the staying power of these new Stooges will be somewhat less significant than the originals. Still, in a media saturated culture where stupidity is currency, The Three Stooges arrives with a simplicity and an innocence that could almost be described as sweet.
Keep Reading at Moviedex »
The Three Stooges is a very stupid film. Then again, if you bought a ticket expecting anything different, then really, the only idiot is you. Directed by Bobby & Peter Farrelly — the brotherly duo behind Dumb & Dumber, There’s Something About Mary and more recently Hall Pass — this twenty-first century re-imagining captures with impressive authenticity the style and tone of the classic vaudevillian trio, whose antics influenced generations of comic filmmakers, including the Farrellys themselves. Admittedly, one suspects the staying power of these new Stooges will be somewhat less significant than the originals. Still, in a media saturated culture where stupidity is currency, The Three Stooges arrives with a simplicity and an innocence that could almost be described as sweet.
Keep Reading at Moviedex »
Movie Musings: Magic Mike
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On Friday night I went with two friends to the opening night of "Magic Mike." I have been a huge Channing Tatum fan since the first second he graced the silver screen in the dance movie "Step Up."
When I read that Channing would be starring in a movie inspired by his stripper past I knew I had to see it. When I heard it was being directed by Steven Soderbergh I was even more intrigued. Soderbergh directed two of my favorite movies, "Erin Brokovich" and "Ocean's Eleven."
As we took our seats in the packed theater (the show was already sold out at 10:00am that morning) I was expecting to smile wide, blush ten shades of red and leave wanting to watch it again. Unfortunately, I was incredibly disappointed. Let me explain.
On the plus side, Channing was as delicious as ever and his dance moves are still as hot as they were in "Step Up." I would watch any movie he is in. I'd watch on mute. However, the writing in "Magic Mike" was weak and his character had a back story that was just unnecessary. The movie is about stripping, not about his secret entrepreneurial dreams to become a furniture designer.
The only other positive for "Magic Mike" was Matthew McConaughey's character Dallas. Dallas owns and runs the strip club and he is equal parts salesman and snake. He was so swarmy that at times he was hard to watch. That being said, his abs are still the best on the planet. Period.
I think I was most disappointed by the lack of dancing/stripping in the movie. I think every person that showed up to theater that night wanted an escape; they wanted a show. The movie wound up being maybe 20% performing and the rest of the time we were following this ridiculous story about Mike (Channing) and the 19 year old kid he brings into this world of stripping. Adam, the newbie, winds up majorly stabbing Mike in the back which made me even more furious. More naked Channing, less stupid sub plot!
The worst part for me was the anti-climactic romance (if you can even call it that) between Mike and Adam's sister Brooke. He chases her for the entire movie and when she finally gives in (which is in the drop dead last scene) we see a teeny, tiny kiss between them. That's it? Are you serious?
Lastly, you could feel Soderbergh's touch on this movie because the entire film felt like it was shot through the Instagram Early Bird filter. There was a slight haze on the film the entire time. He also took some interesting, angled camera shots that just seemed out of place with this low brow movie.
Ladies, I am telling you, save your pennies and skip "Magic Mike." Log on to your Netflix account, bump "Step Up" to the top of your queue and when it arrives, invite over your friends for the show you deserve.
If you want a taste of "Magic Mike," visit the movie's website and send a Chan-A-Gram instead.
*Images courtesy of Collider.com, EW.com, HollywoodReporter.com and JustJared.com.
When I read that Channing would be starring in a movie inspired by his stripper past I knew I had to see it. When I heard it was being directed by Steven Soderbergh I was even more intrigued. Soderbergh directed two of my favorite movies, "Erin Brokovich" and "Ocean's Eleven."
As we took our seats in the packed theater (the show was already sold out at 10:00am that morning) I was expecting to smile wide, blush ten shades of red and leave wanting to watch it again. Unfortunately, I was incredibly disappointed. Let me explain.
On the plus side, Channing was as delicious as ever and his dance moves are still as hot as they were in "Step Up." I would watch any movie he is in. I'd watch on mute. However, the writing in "Magic Mike" was weak and his character had a back story that was just unnecessary. The movie is about stripping, not about his secret entrepreneurial dreams to become a furniture designer.
The only other positive for "Magic Mike" was Matthew McConaughey's character Dallas. Dallas owns and runs the strip club and he is equal parts salesman and snake. He was so swarmy that at times he was hard to watch. That being said, his abs are still the best on the planet. Period.
I think I was most disappointed by the lack of dancing/stripping in the movie. I think every person that showed up to theater that night wanted an escape; they wanted a show. The movie wound up being maybe 20% performing and the rest of the time we were following this ridiculous story about Mike (Channing) and the 19 year old kid he brings into this world of stripping. Adam, the newbie, winds up majorly stabbing Mike in the back which made me even more furious. More naked Channing, less stupid sub plot!
The worst part for me was the anti-climactic romance (if you can even call it that) between Mike and Adam's sister Brooke. He chases her for the entire movie and when she finally gives in (which is in the drop dead last scene) we see a teeny, tiny kiss between them. That's it? Are you serious?
Lastly, you could feel Soderbergh's touch on this movie because the entire film felt like it was shot through the Instagram Early Bird filter. There was a slight haze on the film the entire time. He also took some interesting, angled camera shots that just seemed out of place with this low brow movie. Ladies, I am telling you, save your pennies and skip "Magic Mike." Log on to your Netflix account, bump "Step Up" to the top of your queue and when it arrives, invite over your friends for the show you deserve.
If you want a taste of "Magic Mike," visit the movie's website and send a Chan-A-Gram instead.
*Images courtesy of Collider.com, EW.com, HollywoodReporter.com and JustJared.com.
Dining Out: ArtBar
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Once a month I have dinner with a group of five girls. Given all of our schedules, finding a date that works for everyone is nothing short of a miracle.
For June we decided to have our monthly dinner at ArtBar in the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge. Not sure where that is? I wasn't either.
ArtBar (and the Royal Sonesta) is behind the Museum of Science and across the street from the Cambridgeside Galleria.
The night that we went was the first night of the intense summer heat wave that kicked off about two weeks ago. It was a Wednesday. I remember because it was the hottest Wednesday of my life.
As you approach the entrance to the hotel, the sign for ArtBar is prominently displayed against the brick exterior of the building.
Once you enter the hotel you have to weave your way down a long hallway, but eventually you arrive at ArtBar, which true to its artistic name, has a large, metal sculpture outside the entrance to the restaurant.
Despite being over 90 degrees outside, we had made a reservation for the outdoor patio a few weeks before and the girls really wanted to keep the outside table. I was a bit nervous about dining in the extreme heat, but we headed out there anyway.
From the patio you get an incredible view of Boston. You can see across the Charles River into Beacon Hill and to the right, you can see the John Hancock tower peeking out over the bridge.
Our table had vibrant, orange placemats positioned with contrasting black napkins. The ArtBar menu melds both the orange and black for a sleek looking list of offerings.
On the inside of the menu, on the very first page, there is a list of all the local farms where ArtBar gets their ingredients. I am a huge fan of restaurants that prioritze local and sustainable food.
Since it was painfully hot outside we needed ice cold drinks. None of the cocktails appealed to me, but there was a punch option that looked incredible. ArtBar offers a few different punch varieties and they come in servings meant for two, four or six people.
We ordered the French Standard which was vodka, lillet, St. Germain, lemon and grapefruit bitters. It came in a giant serving piece with a spigot! Each of the glasses that came with the punch had a scoop of ice cubes, a fresh cherry and a lemon rind. Yum!
This drink was sensational! It tasted dangerously like fruit juice. I could have drained that pitcher by myself.
For an appetizer we ordered the fried mac and cheese. The mac and cheese came stuffed into crispy wontons and served with a cheese fondue for dipping.
The mac and cheese itself was very bland tasting, but the addition of the wonton shell added a fantastic crunch.
For the entree course the friend sitting across from me ordered the Caesar salad. It was the perfect ratio of lettuce to parmesan to dressing.
Two of the ladies ordered the Boston Bibb salad. Which came with strawberries, goat cheese, brown sugar pecans and a maple chive vinaigarette. One of the girls opted to add grilled chicken which she said was excellent. When I asked how she liked the salad she replied, "I don't know how, but the end bites were even better than the beginning. I loved it!"
I had a sea of choices for my dinner, as ArtBar has an entirely separate vegetarian menu. They don't bring it out with the regular menu, so if you want to see it, you have to ask. After much deliberation, I went with the veggie burger.
The veggie burger came topped with a pickle that was speared to the bun. The French fries came poking out of a wire, silver basket. I also received a delivery of three, small condiment bottles for my burger and fries.
The veggie burger was a disappointment. It crumbled apart as I ate it and the patty was just too big. Additionally, the patty itself was super dense. It was made from lentils and portabello mushrooms. Veggie burgers are always a gamble and I lost on this one.
ArtBar's French fries were underwhelming. I normally clear my plate when it comes to fries, but I left half the basket on the table.
I wish I had visited ArtBar on a night that wasn't sweltering. My discomfort from the heat definitely colored my take on the experience. For example, our waitress routinely disappeared for 15-20 minutes at a time and had I not been sweating and dying for more water, I probably wouldn't have cared or noticed.
If I worked in the neighborhood (like the hundreds of employees across the street at EF) I think I'd love ArtBar for after work drinks with a view. The patio is a delightful urban oasis and that punch really was superb.
Have you been to ArtBar? Should I give it another chance?
For June we decided to have our monthly dinner at ArtBar in the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge. Not sure where that is? I wasn't either.
ArtBar (and the Royal Sonesta) is behind the Museum of Science and across the street from the Cambridgeside Galleria.
The night that we went was the first night of the intense summer heat wave that kicked off about two weeks ago. It was a Wednesday. I remember because it was the hottest Wednesday of my life.
As you approach the entrance to the hotel, the sign for ArtBar is prominently displayed against the brick exterior of the building.
Once you enter the hotel you have to weave your way down a long hallway, but eventually you arrive at ArtBar, which true to its artistic name, has a large, metal sculpture outside the entrance to the restaurant. 
Despite being over 90 degrees outside, we had made a reservation for the outdoor patio a few weeks before and the girls really wanted to keep the outside table. I was a bit nervous about dining in the extreme heat, but we headed out there anyway. 
From the patio you get an incredible view of Boston. You can see across the Charles River into Beacon Hill and to the right, you can see the John Hancock tower peeking out over the bridge. 
Our table had vibrant, orange placemats positioned with contrasting black napkins. The ArtBar menu melds both the orange and black for a sleek looking list of offerings. 
On the inside of the menu, on the very first page, there is a list of all the local farms where ArtBar gets their ingredients. I am a huge fan of restaurants that prioritze local and sustainable food. 
Since it was painfully hot outside we needed ice cold drinks. None of the cocktails appealed to me, but there was a punch option that looked incredible. ArtBar offers a few different punch varieties and they come in servings meant for two, four or six people.We ordered the French Standard which was vodka, lillet, St. Germain, lemon and grapefruit bitters. It came in a giant serving piece with a spigot! Each of the glasses that came with the punch had a scoop of ice cubes, a fresh cherry and a lemon rind. Yum!
This drink was sensational! It tasted dangerously like fruit juice. I could have drained that pitcher by myself. For an appetizer we ordered the fried mac and cheese. The mac and cheese came stuffed into crispy wontons and served with a cheese fondue for dipping.
The mac and cheese itself was very bland tasting, but the addition of the wonton shell added a fantastic crunch.For the entree course the friend sitting across from me ordered the Caesar salad. It was the perfect ratio of lettuce to parmesan to dressing.
Two of the ladies ordered the Boston Bibb salad. Which came with strawberries, goat cheese, brown sugar pecans and a maple chive vinaigarette. One of the girls opted to add grilled chicken which she said was excellent. When I asked how she liked the salad she replied, "I don't know how, but the end bites were even better than the beginning. I loved it!"
I had a sea of choices for my dinner, as ArtBar has an entirely separate vegetarian menu. They don't bring it out with the regular menu, so if you want to see it, you have to ask. After much deliberation, I went with the veggie burger.The veggie burger came topped with a pickle that was speared to the bun. The French fries came poking out of a wire, silver basket. I also received a delivery of three, small condiment bottles for my burger and fries.
The veggie burger was a disappointment. It crumbled apart as I ate it and the patty was just too big. Additionally, the patty itself was super dense. It was made from lentils and portabello mushrooms. Veggie burgers are always a gamble and I lost on this one. 
ArtBar's French fries were underwhelming. I normally clear my plate when it comes to fries, but I left half the basket on the table. 
I wish I had visited ArtBar on a night that wasn't sweltering. My discomfort from the heat definitely colored my take on the experience. For example, our waitress routinely disappeared for 15-20 minutes at a time and had I not been sweating and dying for more water, I probably wouldn't have cared or noticed. If I worked in the neighborhood (like the hundreds of employees across the street at EF) I think I'd love ArtBar for after work drinks with a view. The patio is a delightful urban oasis and that punch really was superb.
Have you been to ArtBar? Should I give it another chance?
Coming Soon: Food Truck Festival Of New England
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Back in June the Food Truck Festival of New England rolled onto the UMass Boston campus. I wanted to go, but UMass is a bit of a pain to get to, so I decided to skip it.
A week later I read a round up of the festival on a fellow Boston blogger's site (read her review here) and I was convinced I needed to go to the next stop on the tour! The UMass festival had appearances by the following trucks: Bon Me, Staff Meal, the Chubby Chickpea and Roxy's Grilled Cheese, just to name a few.
Ladies and gentleman, mark you calendar, the Food Truck Festival of New England is coming to Brighton on Saturday July 28th!
The festival is taking place at one of my favorite spots on the Charles River, Artesani Herter Park. This park has an enormous, free parking lot, public restrooms, a playground, a sprinkler park and picnic tables.
Personally, I am hoping for appearanes by Roxy's Grilled Cheese, Mei Mei, Paris Creperie and an ice cream truck (I'm not picky, who ever wants to roll up with frozen treats, I welcome you).
Get all the information on this delicious day on Food Truck Festival of New England's website.
Anyone else planning on going?
*Image courtesy of Boston.com.
A week later I read a round up of the festival on a fellow Boston blogger's site (read her review here) and I was convinced I needed to go to the next stop on the tour! The UMass festival had appearances by the following trucks: Bon Me, Staff Meal, the Chubby Chickpea and Roxy's Grilled Cheese, just to name a few.
Ladies and gentleman, mark you calendar, the Food Truck Festival of New England is coming to Brighton on Saturday July 28th!
The festival is taking place at one of my favorite spots on the Charles River, Artesani Herter Park. This park has an enormous, free parking lot, public restrooms, a playground, a sprinkler park and picnic tables. Personally, I am hoping for appearanes by Roxy's Grilled Cheese, Mei Mei, Paris Creperie and an ice cream truck (I'm not picky, who ever wants to roll up with frozen treats, I welcome you).
Get all the information on this delicious day on Food Truck Festival of New England's website.
Anyone else planning on going?
*Image courtesy of Boston.com.
8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar
Teaser Tuesdays #4
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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. It's definitely my favourite bookish meme. Anyone can play along!
This week's teaser comes from Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard.
I've been wanting to read this book for so long and my review is coming soon!
"It must have been Daniel who had brought me home, for Joseph could never be called "filthy". Good. I don't want Joseph tarnishing his reputation with swooning girls. Daniel, at least, had no reputation to tarnish."- Page 125
I'd love to see your teasers! Post them below!
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. It's definitely my favourite bookish meme. Anyone can play along!
This week's teaser comes from Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard.
I've been wanting to read this book for so long and my review is coming soon!
"It must have been Daniel who had brought me home, for Joseph could never be called "filthy". Good. I don't want Joseph tarnishing his reputation with swooning girls. Daniel, at least, had no reputation to tarnish."- Page 125
I'd love to see your teasers! Post them below!
Austen in August!
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I absolutely adore Jane Austen, so I was super excited to find out about this reading event taking place in August!
Here is what Roof Beam Reader has to say about the event:
"So, for this event, the goal is to read as many of Jane Austen’s novels as you want/are able, during the month of August. Biographies and re-reads also count. I will post throughout the month (planning for Tuesdays and Fridays) on different subjects, as well as with my own reviews of the Austen books I finish. I will be offering giveaways and I am hoping that some participants will also be interested in writing guest posts or hosting giveaways of their own, to make this more interactive.
If you are going to participate, you can read any of Jane Austen’s novels, a biography about her, or any contemporary re-imaginings (such as Austenland or The Jane Austen Book Club, for example). All posts will help you qualify for prizes, which I’ll explain in a later post!"
So exciting! I am going to read Mansfield Park, because that is the only one of Jane's novels that I am yet to read, and Austentatious by Alyssa Goodnight, which sounds really cute.
Will you be reading any Austen in August?! Sign up here to participate in the event!
I absolutely adore Jane Austen, so I was super excited to find out about this reading event taking place in August! Here is what Roof Beam Reader has to say about the event:
"So, for this event, the goal is to read as many of Jane Austen’s novels as you want/are able, during the month of August. Biographies and re-reads also count. I will post throughout the month (planning for Tuesdays and Fridays) on different subjects, as well as with my own reviews of the Austen books I finish. I will be offering giveaways and I am hoping that some participants will also be interested in writing guest posts or hosting giveaways of their own, to make this more interactive.
If you are going to participate, you can read any of Jane Austen’s novels, a biography about her, or any contemporary re-imaginings (such as Austenland or The Jane Austen Book Club, for example). All posts will help you qualify for prizes, which I’ll explain in a later post!"
So exciting! I am going to read Mansfield Park, because that is the only one of Jane's novels that I am yet to read, and Austentatious by Alyssa Goodnight, which sounds really cute.
Will you be reading any Austen in August?! Sign up here to participate in the event!
The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt - Review
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The Blurb: Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant male on horseback nearly squashes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits.
The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behaviour.
When Anna becomes the earl's secretary, it would seem that both their problems are solved. Then she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London for his "manly" needs. Well! Anna sees red—and decides to assuage her "womanly" desires...with the earl as her unknowing lover.(From Goodreads)
The Cover: So pretty and purple! This is another example of a good romance cover: not too raunchy, but still hot enough to make me take a second look. I also simply adore the dress the lady on the cover is wearing; too lovely.
The Review: Another fantastic Elizabeth Hoyt romance! Even though this is the first book in the Princes Trilogy, this is actually the second in the series that I've read; I read The Serpent Prince a couple of months ago and loved it. The Raven Prince is another great offering. Anna and Edward are amusing, intelligent, and somewhat vulnerable main characters, and the romance they come to share is mature and realistic without being too serious.
The thing that I am really liking about Hoyt's Princes Trilogy is that all of the main female characters are intelligent and have a will of their own. Anna is no simpering miss, yet she is still a romantic at heart, like most of us girls! Over the course of the novel she develops into a strong-willed and more independent version of herself, and I loved seeing her stop bowing to society's expectations and to just do her own thing.
The Raven Prince is a lush, sensual romance with more than enough actual plot to keep things interesting. Filled with light, humorous dialogue and touching, romantic moments, it is definitely one of my favourite romantic reads of the year. An especially enjoyable quick read, it is a book that I recommend to all!
Loved this! 4 Roses.
The Blurb: Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant male on horseback nearly squashes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits.
The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behaviour.
When Anna becomes the earl's secretary, it would seem that both their problems are solved. Then she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London for his "manly" needs. Well! Anna sees red—and decides to assuage her "womanly" desires...with the earl as her unknowing lover.(From Goodreads)
The Cover: So pretty and purple! This is another example of a good romance cover: not too raunchy, but still hot enough to make me take a second look. I also simply adore the dress the lady on the cover is wearing; too lovely.
The Review: Another fantastic Elizabeth Hoyt romance! Even though this is the first book in the Princes Trilogy, this is actually the second in the series that I've read; I read The Serpent Prince a couple of months ago and loved it. The Raven Prince is another great offering. Anna and Edward are amusing, intelligent, and somewhat vulnerable main characters, and the romance they come to share is mature and realistic without being too serious.
The thing that I am really liking about Hoyt's Princes Trilogy is that all of the main female characters are intelligent and have a will of their own. Anna is no simpering miss, yet she is still a romantic at heart, like most of us girls! Over the course of the novel she develops into a strong-willed and more independent version of herself, and I loved seeing her stop bowing to society's expectations and to just do her own thing.
The Raven Prince is a lush, sensual romance with more than enough actual plot to keep things interesting. Filled with light, humorous dialogue and touching, romantic moments, it is definitely one of my favourite romantic reads of the year. An especially enjoyable quick read, it is a book that I recommend to all!
Loved this! 4 Roses.
My Friday Finds #4
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Friday Finds is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading. It showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren't necessarily books you purchased).
1. Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter"The Luxe" meets the ancient world in the extraordinary story of Cleopatra's daughter.Selene has grown up in a palace on the Nile with her parents, Cleopatra & Mark Antony--the most brilliant, powerful rulers on earth. But the jealous Roman Emperor Octavianus wants Egypt for himself, & when war finally comes, Selene faces the loss of all she's ever loved. Forced to build a new life in Octavianus's household in Rome, she finds herself torn between two young men and two possible destinies - until she reaches out to claim her own. This stunning novel brings to life the personalities & passions of one of the greatest dramas in history, & offers a wonderful new heroine in Selene.
2. Folly by Marthe JocelynThree fates intertwine in this moving and passionate love story set in Victorian London. Mary Finn: country girl, maid to a lord in London.Caden Tucker: liar, scoundrel, and heart's delight.James Nelligan: age six, tossed into a herd of boys.When Mary Finn falls into the arms of handsome Caden Tucker, their frolic changes the course of her life. What possesses her? She's been a girl of common sense until now. Mary's tale alternates with that of young James Nelligan, a new boy in an enormous foundling home. In Folly, Marthe Jocelyn's breathtaking command of language, detail, and character brings Victorian London to life on every page, while the deep emotions that illuminate this fascinating novel about life-changing moments are as current as today's news.
3. Miss Hildreth Wore Brown: Anecdotes of a Southern Belle by Olivia deBelle ByrdWhile Olivia deBelle Byrd was repeating one of her many Southern stories for the umpteenth time, her long-suffering husband looked at her with glazed over eyes and said,“Why don’t you write this stuff down?” Thus was born Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle. If the genesis for a book is to shut your wife up, I guess that’s as good as any. On top of that, Olivia’s mother had burdened her with one of those Southern middle names kids love to make fun. To see “deBelle” printed on the front of a book seemed vindication for all the childhood teasing. With storytelling written in the finest Southern tradition from the soap operas of Chandler Street in the quaint town of Gainesville, Georgia, to a country store on the Alabama state line, Oliviade Belle Byrd delves with wit and amusement into the world of the Deep South with all its unique idiosyncrasies and colloquialisms. The characters who dance across the pages range from Great-Aunt LottieMae, who is as “old-fashioned and opinionated as the day is long,” to Mrs. Brewton, who calls everyone “dahling” whether they are darling or not, to Isabella with her penchant for mint juleps and drama. Humorous anecdotes from a Christmas coffee, where one can converse with a lady who has Christmas trees with blinking lights dangling from her ears, to Sunday church,where a mink coat is mistaken for possum, will delight Southerners and baffle many a non-Southerner. There is the proverbial Southern beauty pageant, where even a six-month-old can win a tiara, to a funeral faux pas of the iron clad Southern rule—one never wears white after Labor Day and, dear gussy, most certainly not to a funeral. Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle is guaranteed to provide an afternoon of laugh-out-loud reading and hilarious enjoyment.
4. A Humble Companion by Laurie GrahamNellie Welche is the daughter of a high-ranking steward in the household of Prinnie, Prince of Wales. In 1788, at the age of twelve, she's proposed as a suitably humble companion to Princess Sophia, one of George III's enormous brood of children. Nellie and Sofy become friends for life. From the first rumblings of revolution in France to the exciting, modern times of gas light and steam trains, from poor mad George to safe and steady Victoria, Nellie is the sharp-penned narrator of a changing world and the unchanging, cloistered lives of Princess Sofy and her sisters. Nellie proves to be more a hawk-eyed witness than a Humble Companion, as her memoir lifts the lid on the House of Hanover's secrets and lies.
As you can tell, I'm really feeling historical fiction this week. Lots of interesting books here, and I can't wait to read them!
Please post your Friday Finds below... I'll add them all to my never ending to-be-read list!
1. Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter"The Luxe" meets the ancient world in the extraordinary story of Cleopatra's daughter.Selene has grown up in a palace on the Nile with her parents, Cleopatra & Mark Antony--the most brilliant, powerful rulers on earth. But the jealous Roman Emperor Octavianus wants Egypt for himself, & when war finally comes, Selene faces the loss of all she's ever loved. Forced to build a new life in Octavianus's household in Rome, she finds herself torn between two young men and two possible destinies - until she reaches out to claim her own. This stunning novel brings to life the personalities & passions of one of the greatest dramas in history, & offers a wonderful new heroine in Selene.
2. Folly by Marthe JocelynThree fates intertwine in this moving and passionate love story set in Victorian London. Mary Finn: country girl, maid to a lord in London.Caden Tucker: liar, scoundrel, and heart's delight.James Nelligan: age six, tossed into a herd of boys.When Mary Finn falls into the arms of handsome Caden Tucker, their frolic changes the course of her life. What possesses her? She's been a girl of common sense until now. Mary's tale alternates with that of young James Nelligan, a new boy in an enormous foundling home. In Folly, Marthe Jocelyn's breathtaking command of language, detail, and character brings Victorian London to life on every page, while the deep emotions that illuminate this fascinating novel about life-changing moments are as current as today's news.
3. Miss Hildreth Wore Brown: Anecdotes of a Southern Belle by Olivia deBelle ByrdWhile Olivia deBelle Byrd was repeating one of her many Southern stories for the umpteenth time, her long-suffering husband looked at her with glazed over eyes and said,“Why don’t you write this stuff down?” Thus was born Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle. If the genesis for a book is to shut your wife up, I guess that’s as good as any. On top of that, Olivia’s mother had burdened her with one of those Southern middle names kids love to make fun. To see “deBelle” printed on the front of a book seemed vindication for all the childhood teasing. With storytelling written in the finest Southern tradition from the soap operas of Chandler Street in the quaint town of Gainesville, Georgia, to a country store on the Alabama state line, Oliviade Belle Byrd delves with wit and amusement into the world of the Deep South with all its unique idiosyncrasies and colloquialisms. The characters who dance across the pages range from Great-Aunt LottieMae, who is as “old-fashioned and opinionated as the day is long,” to Mrs. Brewton, who calls everyone “dahling” whether they are darling or not, to Isabella with her penchant for mint juleps and drama. Humorous anecdotes from a Christmas coffee, where one can converse with a lady who has Christmas trees with blinking lights dangling from her ears, to Sunday church,where a mink coat is mistaken for possum, will delight Southerners and baffle many a non-Southerner. There is the proverbial Southern beauty pageant, where even a six-month-old can win a tiara, to a funeral faux pas of the iron clad Southern rule—one never wears white after Labor Day and, dear gussy, most certainly not to a funeral. Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle is guaranteed to provide an afternoon of laugh-out-loud reading and hilarious enjoyment.
4. A Humble Companion by Laurie GrahamNellie Welche is the daughter of a high-ranking steward in the household of Prinnie, Prince of Wales. In 1788, at the age of twelve, she's proposed as a suitably humble companion to Princess Sophia, one of George III's enormous brood of children. Nellie and Sofy become friends for life. From the first rumblings of revolution in France to the exciting, modern times of gas light and steam trains, from poor mad George to safe and steady Victoria, Nellie is the sharp-penned narrator of a changing world and the unchanging, cloistered lives of Princess Sofy and her sisters. Nellie proves to be more a hawk-eyed witness than a Humble Companion, as her memoir lifts the lid on the House of Hanover's secrets and lies.
As you can tell, I'm really feeling historical fiction this week. Lots of interesting books here, and I can't wait to read them!
Please post your Friday Finds below... I'll add them all to my never ending to-be-read list!
Ghost Gum Valley Excerpt
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I wanted to share this excerpt from the upcoming Australian saga Ghost Gum Valley by Johanna Nicholls with you all. It really peaked my interest!
(Excerpt from Simon & Schuster)
Sounds intriguing, right?! Ghost Gum Valley is described as a sweeping saga, set in colonial Sydney in the 1830’s, tells a story of unlikely love between two delightful characters. I don't usually read Australian historical fiction, but I'm rather looking forward to this one. I'll definitely be picking it up the next time I visit a book store or my local library!Isabel woke up as a stranger in a strange room. She was alarmed by the thought she may have been sleepwalking again. Unwanted memories flashed through her mind.One minute I was seated on the wharf, a perfect lady, even if I was dressed as a boy. All I did was try to stop two drunken mariners molesting a young girl. Then one said something odd – ‘Put your dukes up, ya queer’. The next moment he punched me in the eye.Isabel gingerly fingered the puffy flesh around her eye, overcome by the shame of being frog-marched to the Watch House by two hefty constables with the Yankee whalers and the girl she now knew to be a prostitute. Afraid her voice would betray her gender she had refused to answer questions. She smiled at the thought of the policeman’s odd expression on finding lady’s unmentionables in her carpetbag. Being dressed as a boy gave me a wonderful sense of freedom. If I lived as a boy then I’d be safe from men. I’d never have to marry! Sitting upright in bed she was horrified to discover she was naked.‘Who undressed me? Please God, tell me I didn't spend the night with him?’She had only one clear impression of Marmaduke Gamble. Arrogance! She felt humiliated by the way his nose had twitched in distaste at the rank smell of her and the memory now made her desperate to bathe. But how?The elegance of this unknown room surprised her. The Regency fabrics and furniture would not have looked out of place in Uncle Godfrey’s London villa. But there was no sign of a washbasin and jug. How uncivilised: don’t these Colonials ever wash?Isabel sprang from bed to discover her carpetbag was missing. So where were her clothes?Tentatively peering around the door to an adjoining room, she squealed with delight – a bathroom with splendid modern plumbing and elegant brass fittings! She shied away from the mirror to avoid the reflection of her beaten face, but immediately ran a bath, exclaiming in ecstasy over the bars of perfumed soap, the first since the Susan set sail.What luxury! She washed her hair twice to free it from the matted combination of sweat, grime and saltwater accumulated during the voyage. After ducking beneath her bathwater like one of the playful dolphins that had raced beside the Susan, she scrubbed her body until her skin glowed pink. She now felt courageous enough to examine her bruised face in the mirror.Maybe it wouldn't be such fun to be a boy. I’d always be on the wrong end of a fight.She carefully washed the dried blood from her lips and bathed her swollen eye in cold water until she could almost peer out of the slit.Clean, shining hair restored a degree of dignity. To be dirty was the most demoralising thing in the world. How degraded women prisoners must feel being unable to bathe for months on a convict vessel.With no clothes to wear she improvised by pulling a sheet from the bed and winding it around her body in a makeshift sari. Examining a brand new silver-backed hand mirror, brush and comb set, she discovered they were engraved with the initials I.A.G. Beside them was a card that read, Welcome to Australia. Forgive me jumping the gun in adding the G for Gamble. I trust you are comfortable in my new hotel. It was signed Garnet Gamble in a different hand from that of the rest of the note.At least Marmaduke’s father has some kindly instincts, ‘Colonial barbarian’ or not.Now she felt ready to tackle breakfast from the tray that must have been left for her while she slept. A wine decanter was an odd substitute for a water jug but the warmth of the wine coursed through her body to give her Dutch courage.These Colonials must drink wine as liberally as the French. But I have a raging thirst so who am I to quibble?Startled by the heavy knock at the door she hastily secured her ‘sari’, seated herself on a winged armchair and hastily swallowed the last mouthful of breakfast.The key turned in the lock and Marmaduke Gamble strode into the room.No longer diminished by fear or hunger and fortified by fine wine, Isabel had her first chance to evaluate by daylight the man to whom she had been sold.The reality of Marmaduke Gamble totally appalled her. There he stood nominally English, but clearly a hybrid version. One of the new species called Currency Lads, he did not fit into any of the categories of the English class system she had known all her life.It took her only ten seconds to reach her verdict of him and feel insulted. He had not made the slightest attempt to create a good impression on his English bride. Tall and long-limbed, he stood planted in the centre of the room wearing moleskin trousers tucked into mud-stained thigh-high boots. In place of a gentleman’s stock was a crumpled neckerchief. The width of his shoulders was accentuated by a red shirt open at the throat, revealing the hair on his chest. He wore a suede waistcoat and a fl ashy silver-buckled belt. His coat jacket was hooked by one finger and slung over his shoulder. She noted his flamboyant ruby ring. And the final insult – he did not bother to remove his broad-brimmed hat.Piercing dark eyes stared back at her from a rugged face tanned by the sun and when he turned his head Isabel was startled by the long mane of hair that hung like a horse’s tail halfway down his back – wavy dark brown hair that caught the light.Damn him, his hair’s more luxuriant than any woman’s.She was shocked by his hands. He’s clearly never done a day’s work in his life. And that ruby ring belongs in an Indian bazaar. His manners are uncouth. He didn't even bother to say good morning. I’ll be damned if I’ll curtsey to him in this bed sheet.Isabel refused to be intimidated by the direct, challenging stare that no English gentleman would ever direct at a lady.When at last he spoke his deep voice had an odd accent, like a lazy version of their common mother tongue.‘So that’s the real colour of your hair,’ he said. ‘Quite an improvement. I see you’ve discovered the bathroom. I didn't want to disturb you by sending up a housemaid to help you dress.’ He gestured to the sheet. ‘That the latest Paris mode, is it?’
(Excerpt from Simon & Schuster)
7 Temmuz 2012 Cumartesi
Don't Make a Scene: The Living Daylights
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The Story: "They've got him," I hissed in the dark after this scene to my companions (who've gone to see the premiere of every Bond film since For Your Eyes Only in 1987). They thought I was referring to the death of the film's "sacrificial lamb" (there's one in every film), Agent Saunders, head of Station "V"-Vienna, but that's not what I meant at all.
I meant that they finally got an actor who "got" the character of James Bond the way Ian Fleming described him in the books. No actor had really played the book-Bond. Connery took the edge off with a soft Scottish burr and a smooth gentility, befitting a "gentleman spy" of the '60's. George Lazenby merely took pages from Connery's play-book as best he could, and Roger Moore, determined not to be compared with Connery, emphasized the style of a high-toned Briton (which he came by more easily), and mocked the very attributes that were designed to make Connery's brawler more refined.
But none of that's Bond. Bond is a British pit-bull, doggedly pursuing the tracks of the villain. He hates the job, but relishes the bene's. He lives fast, knows he'll die young, but not today, and so squeezes as much enjoyment out of it as he can, until everybody else around him is wrung dry. Licensed to kill, he has a high body-count, professionally and personally.
And he's a bit of a bastard. A stone-cold killer with patriotic fervor instead of a conscience, and a clear sense of who's a good guy and who's a bad guy: He's a good guy and then there's everybody else.
And that's Bond to the core. Quips aside, he's a jerk. And a cad. And a little cranky most of the time.
And that's how Timothy Dalton played him in The Living Daylights. He'd read Fleming and done his homework (he'd been asked to replace Connery after he quit the first time, and begged off, saying he was too young for the role—he was—and not saying he thought it was career suicide to try to follow Connery's run), and tried to toughen Bond up a bit, after the rather soft Moore years. The public initially responded to his Bond, but his second film, the leaner, meaner Licence To Kill, underperformed at the box-office (at least for a Bond movie). Pierce Brosnan had the role briefly between Moore and Dalton (and lost it due to some double-dealing from his "Remington Steele" producing company and NBC), and perhaps he might have been a better transition between Moore and Dalton.* By the time, Daniel Craig came into the role, audiences were ready to embrace a tough Bond in the mold of Fleming's creation.
And not to slight any of the Bond actors, but Dalton really worked at it, keeping the edge and losing most of the humor. He was famous for cutting out the one-liners from the script and just acting the reaction. Here, rather than showing Bond's hyper-epicureanism, commenting on the bad cup of coffee, he just makes a face and doesn't even cause a blip in the rhythm of the scene, but the point is made. When Agent Saunders is killed, Dalton's Bond goes into a rage, pursuing the one link to the agents' killer—balloons—and ends up drawing recklessly on tourists in the Prater Park in Vienna. And that rage only drops to a simmer once "the Bond-girl" shows up, and Bond finds out she knows more than what she's previously let on. Dalton lets Bond show his anger, his bitterness, suspicions and contempt, and provides a sure nod to Fleming.
Fleming, when you read the Bond series, comes off as a strong writer, but not the most creative one. There are catch-phrases and descriptions that appear again and again (and again). One of them describes his Bond's appearance when challenged, angry, betrayed, and generally "on-point." "His eyes became fierce slits." In this scene, after the hectic activity has died down and the emergency crews have come to clean up the mess, Dalton's Bond finds out there's more to the situation than he'd first realized, and his little holiday has turned deadly once he's let his guard down. "Yes," he says, turning full face into the camera, his eyes becoming fierce slits "I got the message."
And the screen had finally got Fleming's Bond.
The Set-Up: A training mission in Gibraltar has revealed that the KGB's assassination bureau "Smiert Spionem" ("Death to Spies") has survived the era of détente and crept into the defection of a Soviet General Georgi Koskov (Jeroen Krabbé). Koskov has been kidnapped from an MI6 safe-house and the "double-0" section has been tasked to find him to save face. James Bond (Timothy Dalton) takes his usual tact—pursuing the General's girl-friend (Maryam D'Abo), a Czech cellist, whom Bond has recognized as a faux-assassin during Koskov's initial escape across Soviet lines. Secreting her to Vienna, Bond meets up with Station Agent Saunders (Thomas Wheatley), who has put aside his differences with Bond's methods, to investigate the woman's background and her relationship with Koskov, which has involved an expensive gift—a rare cello—that brings another element into the conspiracy, a rogue arms-dealer named Brad Whittaker (Joe Don Baker). Still unknown to anyone in the investigation, though, is the last member of the trifecta, the assassin Necros (Andreas Wisniewski), who has targetted Bond for death.
Action!
Saunders waits impatiently for Bond in the Prater Cafe.
BOND: I'll be just a moment.
Bond walks to the pre-arranged meeting at the cafe.
Necros pulls out the antenna on his remote.
He readies his device, and the mechanism in the works lights up red.
SAUNDERS: It was bought recently at auction in New York.
SAUNDERS: Lot 124: the Lady Rose, a cello by Stradivarius of Cremona, 1724, sold for $150,000.
SAUNDERS: ...to Brad Whitaker.
BOND: Whitaker? The arms dealer?
SAUNDERS: The same.
BOND: Koskov and Whitaker.
BOND: Where's Whitaker now?
SAUNDERS: At his villa in Tangier.
BOND: Well done.
Bond retrieves the passports secreted in Saunders' paper.
SAUNDERS: Good luck.
BOND: Saunders...
BOND: Thanks.
Saunders heads for the exit.
Necros pushes the firing button. The glass door slams closed catching Saunders in its path, killing him instantly, the glass shattering from the force.
The explosion and chaos catch the cafe patrons by surprise, including Bond, who rushes forward to the exit.
Bond sees instantly that Saunders is dead.
The commotion spreads across the park, and Kara starts looking for Bond.
Bond watches helplessly at his slain co-agent, when something catches his eye.
It's an incongruous stray balloon that enters the cafe, as if to bear witness.
Bond reaches for it, and reads the writing on it.
"Smiert Spionem" - Russian for "Death to Spies"
Angrily, Bond's hands squeeze the baloon which explodes with a loud pop.
Then, he spots something in the distance.
More balloons, heading away.
Enraged, Bond dashes through the crowd, to confront the assassin.
He runs into Kara and brushes past her.
KARA: James!
KARA: Where are you going?
He leaps over a barricade, gun drawn, only to find...
The balloons being carried by park patrons, who react in horror.
Bond hurriedly hides his gun as they run away.
Bond begins searching for any familiar face, anything unusual to help him track Saunders' killer, but there's nothing.
He doesn't even notice Kara running up beside him.
KARA: What's the matter?
BOND: Bad accident back there.
KARA: Did you hear?
BOND: Hear from Georgi?
BOND: Yes.
BOND: I got the message.
BOND: He's with Whitaker in Tangier.
KARA: Brad Whitaker? The...
KARA: ...American?
BOND: You know him?
KARA: He's a patron of...
KARA: ...the arts. Georgi said he'd help me.
KARA: How soon do we have to go?
BOND: Immediately.
BOND: I promised Georgi I'd get you back as soon as I could.
KARA: Can't we stay here a few more days?
BOND: No. We leave first thing in the morning.
The Living Daylights
Words by Richard Maibaum and Michael Wilson
Pictures by Alec Mills and John Glen
The Living Daylights is available on DVD from Home Video.
* As it was, Dalton was a great transition for Brosnan, who played his Bond tough but lighter and with more humor, and his four films saved the franchise, basically.
The Story: "They've got him," I hissed in the dark after this scene to my companions (who've gone to see the premiere of every Bond film since For Your Eyes Only in 1987). They thought I was referring to the death of the film's "sacrificial lamb" (there's one in every film), Agent Saunders, head of Station "V"-Vienna, but that's not what I meant at all.I meant that they finally got an actor who "got" the character of James Bond the way Ian Fleming described him in the books. No actor had really played the book-Bond. Connery took the edge off with a soft Scottish burr and a smooth gentility, befitting a "gentleman spy" of the '60's. George Lazenby merely took pages from Connery's play-book as best he could, and Roger Moore, determined not to be compared with Connery, emphasized the style of a high-toned Briton (which he came by more easily), and mocked the very attributes that were designed to make Connery's brawler more refined.
But none of that's Bond. Bond is a British pit-bull, doggedly pursuing the tracks of the villain. He hates the job, but relishes the bene's. He lives fast, knows he'll die young, but not today, and so squeezes as much enjoyment out of it as he can, until everybody else around him is wrung dry. Licensed to kill, he has a high body-count, professionally and personally.
And he's a bit of a bastard. A stone-cold killer with patriotic fervor instead of a conscience, and a clear sense of who's a good guy and who's a bad guy: He's a good guy and then there's everybody else.
And that's Bond to the core. Quips aside, he's a jerk. And a cad. And a little cranky most of the time.
And that's how Timothy Dalton played him in The Living Daylights. He'd read Fleming and done his homework (he'd been asked to replace Connery after he quit the first time, and begged off, saying he was too young for the role—he was—and not saying he thought it was career suicide to try to follow Connery's run), and tried to toughen Bond up a bit, after the rather soft Moore years. The public initially responded to his Bond, but his second film, the leaner, meaner Licence To Kill, underperformed at the box-office (at least for a Bond movie). Pierce Brosnan had the role briefly between Moore and Dalton (and lost it due to some double-dealing from his "Remington Steele" producing company and NBC), and perhaps he might have been a better transition between Moore and Dalton.* By the time, Daniel Craig came into the role, audiences were ready to embrace a tough Bond in the mold of Fleming's creation.
And not to slight any of the Bond actors, but Dalton really worked at it, keeping the edge and losing most of the humor. He was famous for cutting out the one-liners from the script and just acting the reaction. Here, rather than showing Bond's hyper-epicureanism, commenting on the bad cup of coffee, he just makes a face and doesn't even cause a blip in the rhythm of the scene, but the point is made. When Agent Saunders is killed, Dalton's Bond goes into a rage, pursuing the one link to the agents' killer—balloons—and ends up drawing recklessly on tourists in the Prater Park in Vienna. And that rage only drops to a simmer once "the Bond-girl" shows up, and Bond finds out she knows more than what she's previously let on. Dalton lets Bond show his anger, his bitterness, suspicions and contempt, and provides a sure nod to Fleming.
Fleming, when you read the Bond series, comes off as a strong writer, but not the most creative one. There are catch-phrases and descriptions that appear again and again (and again). One of them describes his Bond's appearance when challenged, angry, betrayed, and generally "on-point." "His eyes became fierce slits." In this scene, after the hectic activity has died down and the emergency crews have come to clean up the mess, Dalton's Bond finds out there's more to the situation than he'd first realized, and his little holiday has turned deadly once he's let his guard down. "Yes," he says, turning full face into the camera, his eyes becoming fierce slits "I got the message."
And the screen had finally got Fleming's Bond.
The Set-Up: A training mission in Gibraltar has revealed that the KGB's assassination bureau "Smiert Spionem" ("Death to Spies") has survived the era of détente and crept into the defection of a Soviet General Georgi Koskov (Jeroen Krabbé). Koskov has been kidnapped from an MI6 safe-house and the "double-0" section has been tasked to find him to save face. James Bond (Timothy Dalton) takes his usual tact—pursuing the General's girl-friend (Maryam D'Abo), a Czech cellist, whom Bond has recognized as a faux-assassin during Koskov's initial escape across Soviet lines. Secreting her to Vienna, Bond meets up with Station Agent Saunders (Thomas Wheatley), who has put aside his differences with Bond's methods, to investigate the woman's background and her relationship with Koskov, which has involved an expensive gift—a rare cello—that brings another element into the conspiracy, a rogue arms-dealer named Brad Whittaker (Joe Don Baker). Still unknown to anyone in the investigation, though, is the last member of the trifecta, the assassin Necros (Andreas Wisniewski), who has targetted Bond for death.
Action!
Saunders waits impatiently for Bond in the Prater Cafe.
BOND: I'll be just a moment.
Bond walks to the pre-arranged meeting at the cafe.
Necros pulls out the antenna on his remote.
He readies his device, and the mechanism in the works lights up red.
SAUNDERS: It was bought recently at auction in New York.
SAUNDERS: Lot 124: the Lady Rose, a cello by Stradivarius of Cremona, 1724, sold for $150,000.
SAUNDERS: ...to Brad Whitaker.
BOND: Whitaker? The arms dealer?SAUNDERS: The same.
BOND: Koskov and Whitaker.
BOND: Where's Whitaker now?
SAUNDERS: At his villa in Tangier.
BOND: Well done.
Bond retrieves the passports secreted in Saunders' paper. 
SAUNDERS: Good luck.
BOND: Saunders...
BOND: Thanks.
Saunders heads for the exit.
Necros pushes the firing button. The glass door slams closed catching Saunders in its path, killing him instantly, the glass shattering from the force. 
The explosion and chaos catch the cafe patrons by surprise, including Bond, who rushes forward to the exit.
Bond sees instantly that Saunders is dead.
The commotion spreads across the park, and Kara starts looking for Bond. 
Bond watches helplessly at his slain co-agent, when something catches his eye.
It's an incongruous stray balloon that enters the cafe, as if to bear witness.
Bond reaches for it, and reads the writing on it.
"Smiert Spionem" - Russian for "Death to Spies"
Angrily, Bond's hands squeeze the baloon which explodes with a loud pop.
Then, he spots something in the distance.
More balloons, heading away.
Enraged, Bond dashes through the crowd, to confront the assassin.
He runs into Kara and brushes past her.KARA: James!
KARA: Where are you going?
He leaps over a barricade, gun drawn, only to find...
The balloons being carried by park patrons, who react in horror.
Bond hurriedly hides his gun as they run away. 
Bond begins searching for any familiar face, anything unusual to help him track Saunders' killer, but there's nothing. 
He doesn't even notice Kara running up beside him.
KARA: What's the matter?
BOND: Bad accident back there.
KARA: Did you hear?
BOND: Hear from Georgi?
BOND: Yes.
BOND: I got the message.
BOND: He's with Whitaker in Tangier.
KARA: Brad Whitaker? The... 
KARA: ...American?
BOND: You know him?KARA: He's a patron of...
KARA: ...the arts. Georgi said he'd help me.
KARA: How soon do we have to go?
BOND: Immediately.
BOND: I promised Georgi I'd get you back as soon as I could.KARA: Can't we stay here a few more days?
BOND: No. We leave first thing in the morning.
The Living Daylights
Words by Richard Maibaum and Michael Wilson
Pictures by Alec Mills and John Glen
The Living Daylights is available on DVD from Home Video.
* As it was, Dalton was a great transition for Brosnan, who played his Bond tough but lighter and with more humor, and his four films saved the franchise, basically.
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