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December 5, 2013 • Classics
Boy Meets World is one of the most beloved sitcoms from the 1990’s. Many of us grew up learning life lessons from Mr. Feeny and the rules of friendship from Cory and Shawn’s bromance. However, Boy Meets World also has many bookish lessons to share.
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December 3, 2013 • Classics
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without at least one viewing of Little Women. Even though this isn't your typical Christmas movie, the 1994 version has some of the best Christmas scenes full of food, family, and laughter. And, don't even get me started on the book. Making something out of nothing is what the March sisters do best, and Christmas is no exception. Carols will be sung. Gifts will be exchanged. Food will be eaten, and the poor will be helped. Even times of upheaval cannot dampen the girls' holiday spirit. Here's how to celebrate the March family way!
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September 16, 2013 • Classics
Kick off your shoes, chow down on some mushrooms, and whip out the sparklers: it’s time to celebrate Hobbit Day and Tolkien Week. Though there are some discrepancies between the Shire and Gregorian calendars, Hobbit Day - the birthday of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins - has been celebrated on September 22nd since 1978 and is the kickoff to Tolkien Week.
Many schools, bookstores, and libraries observe the date as a way to focus on Tolkien’s work and pique the interest of new fans, but here at Quirk, we love a good party.
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April 19, 2012 • Classics, Fiction
Here at Quirk, we like our classic literary mash-ups. But we like the original classics too. Happy birthday to Charlotte Bronte (April 21, 1816), who more than one hundred and fifty years ago wrote a bang-up tale of orphans, ghosts, betrayal, and all-consuming love featuring one of the most independent, kickass heroines in all literature.
If you haven’t read Jane Eyre lately, it’s time to pull it off the shelf and give it a go. It’s good. Really good. In fact, it’s better every time you read it. But if you’re not up for quite that big of a time investment, try one of these movie versions of Jane Eyre instead:
Mia Wasikowska (Albert Nobbs and Alice in Wonderland) and Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds, Shame, 300), are impressive as actors and might garner great attention, but when acting together there’s no sexual tension.
In fact, if you don’t already know the story, it’s hard to see why this young Jane would fall in love with this master of the house. When you want Jane to go off to Africa with St. John, you know something is wrong!
Anna Paquin makes a bold young Jane and Helen Burns at Lowood School is beautifully played. This version is worth watching for its arresting cinematography and interesting interpretation. But William Hurt is perhaps a bit too mild to make a convincing Rochester and this Jane may be a little too plain.
