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Discussions continued

MissQuin 16 Jul 10 at 10:14 a.m. GMT

Ok, I'll carry on this post, as the other one is so slow to load. This is where we can talk about non Agatha Chrisite subjects. So feel free to waffle on!

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Number3 21 Dec 10 at 2:44 p.m. GMT

I've seen the Peter Ustinov version of 13, but so far I haven't seen any version of "And Then There Were None."  I will have to find some time to get all the versions from the library.

I did read "Rule of Three" last night.  Now I'm on the quest for "Fiddlers's Five/Three."

I hope everyone in Europe is doing ok in the snow.  My part of the States got another 4 inches last night.

MissQuin 21 Dec 10 at 11:49 a.m. GMT

That's very kind of you to say so. People I know are falling over in the snow. The whole countries grinding to a standstill just because of it.  It really is too cold for me. I plan to curl up with Chrisite adapts, were finally being shown orient Express, Chimneys, Geranuim. Plus old version of Then There Were None and 13 at dinner are on too. Anyone seen those?

That adapt of GE sounds good, I'll look out for it. Have you seen the most recent version of bleak house, that's v v good. Plus I love Jane Austen, so we have a few things in common.

How would everyone feel if I start Discussions part 3? this post is very slow to load.

Number3 19 Dec 10 at 2:43 p.m. GMT

I watched  the 1980's version that had Joan Hickson as Miss Havisham. 

How did everyone in Europe enjoy being smacked by the snow? 

That is a below average snow day here.  I have to say that global warming is messing up the European Jet stream.  Let's just hope it's a fluke.

I got two of the plays from "Rule of Three" from my local library.  I'm going to read those after I finish this Jane Austen biography that I'm reading.

Everybody be careful in the snow, because there are those that cause accidents because they aren't familiar with it and it ca be very tricky.

MissQuin 19 Dec 10 at 12:18 p.m. GMT

Yes I know about parkour, in the town I used to live some kid fell off a shop roof trying it!! If someone trained to do it yes, then why not.  But in the real world there's no safety nets!! silly kids.

Of course how would someone know there good at parkour until they leapt?

HarleyBarley 19 Dec 10 at 11:21 a.m. GMT

Fantasy with CGI is an entirely different matter, of course. But I agree with the latter clause.

The jumping from building to building is actually a form of parkour, but a highly dangerous and advanced stunt of it. Basic vaulting across objects, jumping across gaps, climbing ledges, &c are actually a not-unheard-of form of sport. I used to want to learn parkour, but I've abandoned the project for the busy times now.

MissQuin 19 Dec 10 at 10:37 a.m. GMT

If a fantasy book is brought to life on the big screen with CGI that can be great. But I feel some modern day films are rely on all style and no substance.

Also action films don't interest me as they have such ludicrously unbeliveable situations. If most people jumped from building to building they'd plummet to their death. But in a movie- well the person can leap and land perfectly without so much as a scratch! Part of my brain screams "this is so unreal!" Logic doesn't pay a part in big Hollywood blockbusters which is why I avoid them. Even the trailors are annoying. There's always that deep voice over.

HarleyBarley 18 Dec 10 at 2:37 p.m. GMT

Yes, CGI can get a bit nasty sometimes. I, too, prefer psychological implications than seeing the actual thing - one of the reasons I prefer books to films being that I can imagine everything with my own mind and not be subjected to a definite interpretation. But yes, I do tend to prefer analysing than just swallowing stories up. Even if I enjoyed it at first, I tend to think over it later and then some logic kicks in, making some point of the story odd or otherwise unpleasant, and then...

MissQuin 18 Dec 10 at 2:29 p.m. GMT

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Well the thing about the Innocents and turn of the Screw is... the "ghosts" may or may not be real. We only read one persons view of it. So it's defintely a pyschological book rather than sheer ghost story.

 But I'm not of a scientific sceptical mind, I'm more open ideas. So I love gothic literature. Also love the fact that all adapts Ive seen of it have never had any effects. Just plain pyschological horror and excellent writing. Which to me is worth more than any CGI but we are all different.

HarleyBarley 18 Dec 10 at 2:18 p.m. GMT

Not much time, I'm afraid. With two - no, three, though for the third I act as teacher and not dancer - routines to remember, I don't think I'll be able to read much until after Christmas.

I'm not really a fan of ghost stories, but you know that already. I just don't find them disturbing. It's a strange thing of mine: I tend to break the fourth wall a bit too often when watching films, ignoring the dramatic events to say things like "The 3D's excellent" or such like.

MissQuin 17 Dec 10 at 10:47 a.m. GMT

That's about all for my xmas lit. As I said before I'm not hugely into Christmas. I celebrate it but I don't go mad. I'm quite glad when it's over!

But winter is a great time to read ghost stories and watch creepy films. I watched The innocents the other night and was much disturbed by it. Ive read Henry James Turn of The Screw, but because of the way it is, it's written so anyone who reads it has their own interpretation of events. The film version gave a meaning that I hadn't dreamed of. I still shudder thinking about it.

At least we have lot's of Chrisites on here next week. Ive seen the old 1945? Great Expectations which was great. Which version did you watch Number 3? Miss Havisham is scary!

Plus I know I'll have Chrisites for Christmas- Parker Pyne book among them.

I guess you may no hav e ime to read with your dance steps to practise Harley?

HarleyBarley 16 Dec 10 at 2:06 p.m. GMT

I'm not sure about other Christmas literature. I've read Little Women as a child - an abridged version, that is - but it's only vaguely Christmas-like at the beginning.

Number3 16 Dec 10 at 2:03 p.m. GMT

I have Dickens "Great Expectations" ready to go in my DVD player this afternoon. 

I don't celebrate Christmas, so I'm not usually in the shops this time of year.

But, I do enjoy a good Dickens holiday story.  "Cricket" was a good story.

MissQuin 16 Dec 10 at 1:48 p.m. GMT

I have indeed read that one. Though many years ago. I did enjoy it and a great xmas read. I also love A Christmas Tragedy which is one of the best short Miss marple stories.  On the other hand I'm not a fan of Hercule Poirot's Christmas which I found pretty dull.

Do you have any other Xmas literature you enjoy?

HarleyBarley 16 Dec 10 at 7:03 a.m. GMT

I've been reading A Christmas Carol to help me get in the mood. It's not as if I'm not feeling Christmassy. I'm as Christmassy as one can get without the snow, Santa Claus, and decorated trees. I suppose my copy of The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding can help a bit, too. Have you read that one, Miss Quin?

MissQuin 15 Dec 10 at 9:14 a.m. GMT

I'm trying to get in the festive spirit. At least it gives me the excuse to watch Dickens DVDs and listen to Christmas folk songs, which I do enjoy. There are some good points- recieving nice cards, food, seeing people pleased with their presents and mistletoe (grins) and that's about it.

 Plus time at home too. Apart from that It'll probably snow so much it'll be hard to go out which would be pain. Or at least give me time to spend with my books and some old films. Not very exciting I know!

HarleyBarley 15 Dec 10 at 4:30 a.m. GMT

@Miss Quin: Thankfully, living in a country with the largest Muslim population in the world means less cheesy Christmas songs blared in shops for me. And yes, I will be dancing at the 21st, a small pas de deux with an old acquaintance of mine.

Mr_west 14 Dec 10 at 4:42 p.m. GMT

i wish i had that much snow here, i could read more.

i just finish Cat Among The Pigeons.

i wasn't realy surprise but I didn't realy suspect the killer, quite disappointing book, also, poirot doesn't fit to the story, as T&T it might be better.

Number3 14 Dec 10 at 1:04 p.m. GMT

Mr. West I currently live in the states and we are going through a big blast of artic air.  Today the temperature is 7 deg F. 

Where I lived as a child was worse, so for me this weather is a piece of cake.

At least being forced to stay indoors means that one has more time to read.

MissQuin 13 Dec 10 at 4:51 p.m. GMT

Ah the wanderer returns! I fare well thank you. I had flu but have recovered and am back to normal. As normal as I can be anyway .

I'm sick of Xmas already so I won't mention it. I don't mind xmas day but honestly, I'm tired of horrible cheesey xmas songs that get blared out in shops here. Enough to test the patience of anyone. Will you be dancing at all then Harley?

I was stuck indoors for a week because of snow! I dread to think how are Scottish folk are fairing. It was v bad weather up there I hear. Ive not heard from them, so hope thier ok and not frozen in a snow drift. My over active mind does think the worst!

HarleyBarley 13 Dec 10 at 4:23 p.m. GMT

Well, well. I'm finally back after a sudden long bout of unrestlessness. I've been uncannily busy, and since Christmas is coming, might still be busy for a while.

And by the way, how fares everyone?