Author: courtneywhoblog

Book Reviews

Who Cooked the Last Supper? Review

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Who Cooked the Last Supper? by Rosalind Miles

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

As a lover of books with strong female leads, whether historical fiction or fantasy, I decided to give Rosalind Miles’ Who Cooked the Last Supper? a chance. Good thing I did because the book gave me a whole new knowledge of the horrors and struggles women faced throughout history.

Miles explores the roles of women from the beginning of time to the current state of the female sex. It was interesting to read about the days of the Great Goddess before man created a monotheistic, male-led religion and women’s influential role before men came to “conquer” us. It is shocking and, quite honestly, horrifying to see how women were put down because of male insecurities—seen as monstrous demons instead of the beautiful givers of life they used to be. I rolled my eyes many times while reading due to the absolute idiocy of female oppression discussed in the book. It was appalling to read how women were treated in the past and still to this day.

What I appreciate the most from Who Cooked the Last Supper? is the new information I gained. I never completely understood or even heard of how men tried to control women using their minds and body, such as through the terrifying practice of genital mutilation. I also love that Miles didn’t focus on one group of women but wrote about women worldwide. She could have easily only mentioned white American women, but she didn’t. Although, I would have liked more discussion on the dual struggles women of color faced because of sexism and racism.

Miles had an amusing and entertaining way of using sarcasm and irony to get her point across. I enjoyed that immensely. What other way can you get through a book about women’s depressing and infuriating oppression without using sarcastic humor to lighten up the reading experience? Even though the book discussed the wins women were rewarded for their strength and perseverance, the losses would have swallowed me whole if there wasn’t some form of humor in Miles’ writing.

Who Cooked the Last Supper? was an informative read that I recommend to anyone interested in learning more about women’s history in the world.

Book Reviews

Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic Review

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Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic by Mark Blake

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Mark Blake’s Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic is a biography based on the legendary lead singer of Queen. The biography looks into the singer’s childhood and life before he reinvented himself into the icon Freddie Mercury, his years before Queen became a band, and of course, the years Queen was together.

The biography was relatively short. I would have loved more information, but the author made up for that with his passion for Queen’s music. It was evident throughout the entire book that Blake was an honest fan of Queen. He handled every stage of Mercury’s life with care. He did his best to represent who Mercury was as a human being and artist. I loved that the book wasn’t just a list of facts. It told a story and kept it interesting with antidotes from Mercury’s life. A Kind of Magic features multiple quotes from the people closest to Mercury, such as Queen band members Brian May, Taylor Roger, and John Deacon. Blake even included quotes from the man himself. It felt like I was getting the authentic version of Mercury’s life and not a fictitious tale of the many rumors surrounding the legend.

As a music lover, it’s nice to read more about the recording process of one of the greatest bands in history. I also loved how Blake described in much detail each Queen album’s musical aspects. The pictures featured in the biography were stunning! I had never even seen some of those pictures before, which was a delightful surprise.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic. However, I hope to find another book that goes even further into the musical genius that is Freddie Mercury. It was a tad more basic in the overview of his life than I had expected. Still, Blake’s sensitivity and love for the book’s subject made it enjoyable.

Book Reviews

Throne of Glass Review

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Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas  

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

In the Throne of Glass, a young assassin sent to a vicious labor camp is chosen by the Crown Prince as his champion in a competition to be the King’s Assassin. This young woman has the chance to win her freedom and accepts, and her journey begins.

I’ve learned by now that Sarah J. Maas will never disappoint me. Throne of Glass was an absolute pleasure to read. From the first chapter, Maas sucked me into this new world filled with assassins, sarcasm, dreamy men, mysterious deaths, an evil King, and magic (Ironic since magic is banned in Adarlan). Throne of Glass is a book that makes someone stay up all night reading chapter after chapter, wanting to know what will happen next.

Celaena Sardothien must be one of my favorite book characters of all time. I loved her from the first moment she was introduced in the book. Her humor and sarcasm in the first pages of Throne of Glass pulled me in. As an assassin sent to a labor camp as a slave in Endovier to die, it’s expected that someone would lose their inner light, but Celaena never did. She survived when others perished within months and didn’t lose herself in the darkness. Celaena’s humor and witty remarks forced a smile on my face multiple times. I loved my sassy assassin. I also loved her inner strength and bold spirit. The ruthless duel between her and Cain (hate him) was tough to read, but Celaena’s will to keep fighting even when she was severely weakened made it all worth it. I can’t wait to learn more about her in the coming books! Her mysterious background before she became an assassin has me intrigued beyond belief.

Since Throne of Glass was written by Sarah J. Maas, it was not surprising to see some dreamy men in the book. The two love interests, Dorian and Chaol, could not have been more different. Dorian, Prince of Adarlan, was playful and flirty. Chaol, Captain of the Guard, was guarded (no pun intended) and distrustful…at first. Dorian fell for Celaena quickly, but Chaol took much longer to truly see Celaena for who she really was outside of being an assassin. Yes, Dorian was charming, and Chaol could be an asshole to Celaena sometimes, but I couldn’t help but love Chaol more. The connection between Chaol and Celaena seemed deeper than Dorian and Celaena. And Chaol doesn’t even kiss Celaena in Throne of Glass! I did have a love for Prince Dorian, and he will be an excellent king, but he wasn’t the right fit for Celaena. It was clear in the final duel between Celaena and Cain that Chaol understood her in a way that Dorian did not.

One of my favorite parts of Throne of Glass was the friendship between Celaena and Princess Nehemia. This is the dynamic duo I needed! Two badass women who rebel against authority and do it beautifully with attitude and grace. What could be better than that? Celaena needed a friend in the glass castle, and Nehemia was a perfect choice. I’m excited to see more of this duo in future books.

The competition itself was a little lackluster. The Tests could have been more exciting but the mysterious and brutal deaths of the champions made up for that. Beyond the fantastic characters, a dark creature was wreaking havoc in the castle. The deaths of the champions left me on edge. Maas is good at creeping me out using these scary and monstrous creatures. The fight between the monster and Celaena was a little bit of a letdown due to the buildup in previous chapters. However, it all came together in the final duel when Celaena must face an even bigger foe.

The underlining discussion about King Adarlan taking over all of Erilea and the banishment of magic is something I look forward to unpacking more in the following books. Obviously, magic is still present in their world, and I have a feeling it will be seen more as I go further into the series. I cannot wait!

I loved reading Throne of Glass. I would recommend it to anyone who has read the ACOTAR series or loves fantasy fiction. You will not want to miss out on this book!

Book Reviews

The Memoirs of Cleopatra Review

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The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George   

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Margaret George’s The Memoirs of Cleopatra tackle the difficult task of telling the story of Cleopatra’s life. The last Ptolemy to rule Egypt. The great Queen of Egypt. Cleopatra was not only a clever Queen but also a mother and woman who loved two powerful Roman commanders. She faced many challenges before and during her rule. Writing this novel had to have been daunting, but George pulled it off beautifully.

The Memoirs of Cleopatra is written as if Cleopatra is writing her life story on scrolls for someone to read once she is gone from the world. She wanted her truth written to combat others’ versions of Cleopatra. I enjoyed George’s choice to write out Cleopatra’s life this way. It gave a more personal feel to the novel. I especially loved how the story is so highly detailed. This is a 900+ novel filled with every possible observation, small or large, that made up Cleopatra’s daily ongoings and significant life events. 

I deeply admire the Cleopatra presented in The Memoirs of Cleopatra. You can see how clever and curious she is from a young age. Her ability to soak up knowledge like a sponge is one of my favorite qualities of Cleopatra. Once she came into power, Cleopatra’s pure perseverance and durability were what made her the ruler she was. Every choice she made in the novel was to keep Egypt safe and prospering. Her love for her country. George made it clear that although Cleopatra was a fighter in spirit, she was also a true lover. I loved reading about Cleopatra as a mother. It was apparent that she was a devoted mother and only wanted the best for her babies. I also appreciated the genuine friendship between her attendants, Iras, Charmian, Mardian, and Olympos.

Now with her strengths also came weaknesses that I did not like. Her ambition that emerged during her time with Caesar and kept growing afterward was my least favorite aspect of her personality. I wanted her to live a happy and peaceful life in Egypt with her children. But a ruler’s mindset can be taken over by the temptation of growing an empire for her family.

It would not be the story of Cleopatra without two men: Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. The two loves of her life. The two men were so different from one another. One is perceived to be a god among men. Another is a mortal forced into a role he did not want. Caesar came into Cleopatra’s life when she fought for her right to be Queen of Egypt. The instant connection between them was staggering to behold in written form. George somehow brought these two larger-than-life beings together in a mystical yet organic way. Cleopatra and Caesar’s tale of love was anything but ordinary. This was clear when George represented them as reincarnations of the goddess Isis and the god Amun during the two lovers’ first meeting and night together. George showed how difficult it was for Cleopatra to love a man who was not seen as a mere mortal. It was angering at times to see Caesar’s life in Rome (his wife, the Senate, Roman customs) affect Cleopatra so much. I didn’t particularly like Caesar as a love interest. He couldn’t give her the love and affection Cleopatra truly deserved. She couldn’t control who she fell in love with, and for that, she was constantly attacked for it by the Romans.

And her torture by the Roman people did not end with Caesar’s death. No. Cleopatra’s heart would lead her to one other Roman man. During the love affair with Caesar, Marc Antony did not play a huge role in The Memoirs of Cleopatra. He was here and there, but mostly just a side character, as Cleopatra ironically did not think much of him. When they met again years after Caesar’s murder, the sparks and chemistry flew off the pages. Cleopatra and Antony’s love was full of passion. Everything they did was extreme and passionate, from the love declarations to their fights.

In contrast, Caesar couldn’t give his whole self to Cleopatra. Antony was a willing servant to his love for her. He was not a perfect man, and he made mistakes, but it couldn’t be argued that Antony did not love with everything he had. Antony appreciated Cleopatra for the woman and leader she was. I loved that characteristic of him. However, Antony could be pretty toxic at moments in the novel. He was such a complex character. I sometimes wanted to hate him, but I couldn’t ignore his unadulterated devotion to Cleopatra.

Let’s not forget the worst character in the novel, Octavion. I hated him with my whole heart! I wanted to jump into the pages and beat that cowardly snake. He was the absolute worst. I have nothing nice to say about Octavion. I loved how Cleopatra won her final battle against him by tricking him and ending her life on her terms.

I undoubtedly enjoyed reading The Memoirs of Cleopatra. Every page was an adventure, and I experienced every possible emotion while reading. I would recommend this novel to historical fiction readers interested in the mystery of Queen Cleopatra.

Book Reviews

Ecstasy Review

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Ecstasy by Mary Sharratt   

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Alma Schindler was considered the most beautiful woman in Vienna before marriage. She lit up a room the minute she strolled in and enchanted every man that came across her. But she was not only a socialite. Alma was an ambitious and creative young woman who strove to make a name for herself as a composer. Her talent, drive, and beauty are probably what led to the men in her life falling in love with her. The most famous of her lovers was the great composer and conductor Gustav Mahler, whom she would marry at 22.

Mary Sharratt’s Ecstasy explored the life of Alma Mahler, née Schindler; from her sexual awakening at the young age of 19 to her first husband, Gustav Mahler’s death when she was 32. As a young woman living in a society full of artists, architects, and the intelligentsia, Alma, as a character, was raised believing that she could take her love for music and create a life for herself independent of a man. But as she experienced the first hint of sexual desire at 19 years old, Alma found that there was a whole other aspect of life she wanted to explore: love and lust.

As a character, Alma is impossibly complicated, and Sharratt displayed this perfectly by representing the two warring sides of Alma as the demure and obedient Eve and the defiant and carnal Lilith. In the novel, it seems Alma was constantly fighting herself. Even before she was married, the need to compose and live her life to the fullest as a New Woman of the early 1900s was challenged by the worry of being considered the “third sex” or alien compared to traditional women. Once Alma was married to Mahler, that internal war only grew more violent as she became a mother and was constrained to the ideas of what Mahler thought a wife should be. Sharratt’s narration of Alma’s inner turmoil as a woman drowning in her husband and European society’s views of a woman’s place in the world left me, as the reader, desperate for Alma’s musical survival.

Alma’s sheer passion for music was what I treasured most as I read Ecstasy. Any music lover would feel a particular connection to Sharratt’s account of Alma’s total enraptured state after hearing a dazzling piece of music. Sharratt’s effort in describing the music Alma heard made it easy to feel how significant music was in Alma’s life. To see Mahler force Alma to stop composing and focus on supporting his music was hard to read after seeing Alma’s clear adoration for listening and composing music. I was in a state of despair as, chapter after chapter Alma sank deeper and deeper into her own depression because of her husband’s selfishness. That despair turned into elation as Mahler finally saw that he was hurting his precious Almschi and started promoting her compositions. The reawakening of Alma as a composer was wonderful to read after worrying that side of her was lost forever.

The title of Ecstasy not only hinted at Alma’s passion for music but also her passion for the physical pleasures of life. From the very first chapters, Sharratt narrates a young woman’s journey experiencing the bliss and enveloping hunger for physical expressions of love for the very first time. Alma’s carnal desires were an important part of expressing her love for the men in her life in the novel. Sharratt explored a woman’s desires that society would have frowned upon by society in the 1900s and embraced the idea of women having just as much sexual freedom as men.

The final battle between Alma’s two beings inside of her, Eve and Lilith, was one of the best moments for me. Finally, Alma let all her pain out on Mahler and allowed the fierce Lilith to spring free. The absolute freedom of body, mind, and soul Alma experienced was gratifying in every sense of the word. This is what Ecstasy is all about. The ruthless war and final triumph of a woman finding her place in the world.

I would recommend this historical fiction gem to all that have a deep love for music and wants to learn about the meaning of being a woman in the early 1900s.

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My Favorite Classic Hollywood Movies

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What do I do when I’m stressed? Think about my favorite things! (I felt very Maria von Trapp just now.) One aspect of my life that I don’t express enough on my blog is my love for old movies! My passion for the Golden Age of Cinema stems from my obsession with Marilyn Monroe. My deep fascination with the legendary blonde led me to dip my feet into the deep waters of Classic Hollywood cinema at a young age and THANK ALL THE HOLLYWOOD GODS I DID!

I keep a mental list of my favorite go-to classic Hollywood movies that never disappoint me and take my mind off of the stressful world of adulting for those days when I need a break. *groans* Some are musicals, others are dramas, and there is always a hint of comedy that sneaks it’s way in. Obviously, many of my favorites star Marilyn Monroe, but what can I say? She is my cinema idol always and forever. I strongly believe that everyone should see at least half of the movies on my list, so after you read this post…START WATCHIN’! I’m just playing. Maybe not.

Anywho, I tweaked my list a tad bit so that I would have my Top Ten picks instead of my Top Thirty-Five or more and today I am happy to share with my readers My Favorite Classic Hollywood Movies! *giggles excitedly* Throughout my list, you might see the words “COURTNEY’S MUST WATCH,” which means exactly what is says. You must watch it or else. Just kidding, nothing will happen to you. Well, except you will be wasting your life and will have deep regret when your on your death bed. But that’s about it. I promise.

10. Splendor in the Grass (1961)

Starring Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty
Directed by Elia Kazan
Drama/Romance

9. All About Eve (1950)

Starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter,
George Sanders, and
Celeste Holm
Directed by Jospeh L. Mankiewicz
Drama

8. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

Starring Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, and Karl Malden
Director by Elia Kazan
Drama

7. On the Town (1949)

Starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, and Ann Miller
Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
Musical Comedy/Romance

6. A Face in the Crowd (1957)

*COURTNEY’S MUST WATCH*
Starring Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, Anthony Franciosa, Walter Matthau, and Lee Remick
Directed by Elia Kazan
Drama

5. How To Marry A Millionaire (1953)

Starring Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, Lauren Bacall, and William Powell
Directed by Jean Negulesco
Romantic Comedy

4. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

*COURTNEY’S MUST WATCH*
Starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor
Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
Romance/Musical

3. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1955)

*COURTNEY’S MUST WATCH*
Starring Ethel Merman, Donald O’Connor, Marilyn Monroe, Dan Dailey, Johnnie Ray, and Mitzi Gaynor
Directed by Walter Lang
Musical Comedy/Drama

2. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

*COURTNEY’S MUST WATCH*
Starring Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien, Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake, and Marjorie Main
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
Family Drama/Musical

1. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

*COURTNEY’S MUST WATCH*
Starring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell
Directed by Howard Hawks
Musical Comedy

 

What are your favorite classic Hollywood movies?

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My Favorite TV Show Couples EVER

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I’m a hopeless romantic at heart and I LLLLOOOVVEEEEE watching TV shows that feature some of the most adorable, loving, and iconic relationships. I kept making changes while writing this post because I would remember another couple I love and then I had to start all over. These relationships made me laugh and cry, fall in love with the characters, and put me through a lot of emotional rollercoasters. After hours of narrowing down my list, I give you My Favorite TV Show Couples EVER!!!!

10. Izzie & Alex/Jackson & April

392881d996b077ea4468e03daf9f5f76I couldn’t pick between these two Grey’s Anatomy couples! It was just TOO HARD! The way Alex stays by Izzie’s side through the cancer and does everything he can to make her happy…TEARS! Izzie and Alex were perfect together, but sadly they both made their mistakes and I was HEARTBROKEN when Izzie left. Now on to Japril! They only had each other after the shooting and their friendship was so cute! I wanted them to get together SOOOO BAD and it finally happened! Then April had to get all weird and leave. Then she came back, they both dated other people (I was annoyed), and finally they came back together. They even had the most adorable little BABY!!! Annnddd then they were broken up for good… Shonda Rhimes likes to hurt my feelings.
 
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9. Pacey & Joey

Joeypacey
Little Courtney loved this amazingly AWESOME couple with all her heart! Thank God my girl Joey didn’t end up with that annoying whiny baby Dawson. (He was the worst.) We were blessed to see this these relationship transpire. Again this couple puts met through a lot with their ups and downs but in the end they are together and everything is right in the world. HAHAHAHA Dawson you lost! (I’m a bit petty when it comes to him.)

8. Buffy & Spike

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Yes, I loved Buffy and Angel…but I secretly always wanted Buffy and Spike together! Joss Wheadon teased this relationship for FAR TOO LONG until finally giving me what I want. I love me a bad boy…at least on TV. Spike is a bad ass and under all that bravado was a truly wonderful, tender man. Also…he was fine. Buffy kind of annoyed me with her initial refusal to accept her feelings for him, but thankfully she gets over that (kind of). They just fit so well together. Spike brought out a different side of Buffy and vice versa. I wish we could’ve seen more romance between them, but (sigh) Spike just had to sacrifice himself to save everyone.

7. Jackie & Hyde

516Another unlikely couple that sent my heart a flutter every time they were on my TV. Jackie’s overly dramatic personality surprisingly works well with Hyde’s “I don’t give a f***” attitude. After Hyde took Jackie to prom early on in the series I knew that wasn’t the last time we would see them together. I think they never loved anyone else as much as they loved each other. Forget about Kelso. As usual these writers want to break me apart until I’m nothing, so they broke up my favorite couple from That 70’s Show. How could they do that to me??? WHY??? WHHHHYYYYY!!!????? THEY BELONG TOGETHER!!!!

6. Elena & Damon

tumblr_mv6uhwYhVn1qf7aceo1_500AHHHHH YYESSSS!!! Who cares about Stefan? NOT ME! Damon will always be better out of the two! Thank God, Elena chose Damon! He accepted Elena for who she was and never tried to change her. And although Damon made some mistakes, no one could love as hard as he did. Damon’s heart is so big and beautiful and Elena was blessed to get even a little bit of that sexy man! UH there are so many beautiful and cute moments between them in The Vampire Diaries, but one of my favorite moments was when they were dancing dancing together at a ball during season three. The passion and love they have is all consuming and anyone that says Stefan is the better choice for Elena is dumb. Sorry not sorry.

5. Cristina & Burke

Who didn’t love this intelligent, stubborn, intense, and (in the end) tragic couple?! They’re both extremely driven and ambitious. They always think their way is the best way and that definitely caused some tension between them. Burke was the best teacher Cristina could’ve had, but they both sadly realized Cristina couldn’t be the little housewife he honestly wanted. However, this couple had some great times together and that’s why they are one of my favorite couples! I love how they push each other out of their comfort zones! They were equals on almost every level! But..again…Shonda Rhimes hates me and broke up this love affair. I still wish they ended up together…even though I understand that they weren’t what the other one needed at the time of their engagement. (cue sad face)
 
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4. Rory & Jess

1fb681dc58abb93825a5416db07ff9dcWhy do I continue to pine over couples that don’t end up together? Because apparently I like to torture myself. This was another couple that challenged one another and related to each other in many ways. The build up to their relationship was AAGGGOOONNIIZZIINGGG! Rory fought so hard against her attraction to Jess because of her relationship with Dean, but true love will always triumph. (At least for a little while in this case.) Jess and Rory gave me all the feels and were my sarcastic couple goals. The fact that they didn’t end up together in the Gilmore Girls reboot was…upsetting to say the least. They deserve better!

3. Leslie & Ben

93de8253d2bc633343f91c0cabf44c074d-22-parks-and-recreation-2.2x.h473.w710Oh yes. This is a good one. When I tell ya’ll I LOVE THIS COUPLE…(crying) they are every type of relationship goal. Like…they are PERFECT! They are both extremely nerdy in their own ways! They are quirky as hell! They are hilarious! They are everything amazing in the world! They are love! One of my favorite moments is when they get married in the Parks and Rec office surrounded by all their closest friends. Leslie found the perfect counterpoint to her overpowering personality. I love that they can just be themselves and have fun with each other. They make me so ridiculously happy!

2. Dwayne & Whitley

ExhaustedMindlessChicken-size_restrictedI had to give ya’ll a little throwback to one of the greatest love stories on TV! Just thinking of that seen where Whitley is about to marry Byron and Dwayne comes in and asks her to marry him instead!! (I’m forreal tearing up.) This on-and-off again relationship put me through it, but it was all worth it. Dwayne calmed the crazy waves of eccentricity that is Whitley and Whitley motivated Dwayne to strive for greatness. And (obviously) they were hilarious to watch on TV. Another couple we didn’t deserve, but to THANK THE TV GODS we got em’!

1. April & Andy

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This couple brings so much joy, love, sunshine, and laughter to my soul! Andy is the guy that sees the bright side of everything and is basically like a sweet puppy. April is a dark soul who seems to hate everything (but she doesn’t) and is like the grumpy cat that wants nothing to do with anyone. You would never expect them to click so well together…but in fact…THEY DO! April never makes Andy feel dumb or insecure and Andy makes sure April feels loved and accepted at all times. Once April started crushing on Andy, you saw a softer side to the Queen of Darkness and it made me love her more. Also…they are SOOOO freakin’ funny! They make everything better! They make me happy in every way possible! I love every single scene of them in Parks and Rec! My favorite moments are when they are role playing as Burt Macklin and Janet Snakehole.
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The Movie Musical!

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In 2020, I bought a book called The Movie Musical! by Jeanine Basinger. The book provided me an entirely new look on movie musicals that I’ve seen thousands of times and introduced me to movie musicals that I’ve never even heard of. Jeanine Basinger provided a more thorough analysis of movie musicals from earlier decades, including the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 50s. I happened to love that she shined a brighter light on those decades because I have always appreciated the older movie musicals than the newer ones. Although, I love the movie adaptions of musicals released in recent years such as Les Miserables, Dreamgirls, Into the Woods, Mamma Mia, and Cats (fight me). Movie musicals from the earlier decades hold a special place in my musical heart. The Movie Musical! inspired me to watch some of the movies Jeanine mentioned in the book.

Today I am rating 12 movie musicals I watched that I had never seen before. Many of the films made me smile while others made me want to cringe.

1930’s

42nd Street (1933)

Rating: 4 out of 5
The story of life as a performer in the ’30s as they open a new show was energetic and confusing at times in regards to the plot but had a couple of great songs by Al Dubin and Harry Warren. The two leading women Ruby Keeler and Bebe Daniels, stole the show every time they were on the screen. Some plot points didn’t quite make sense to me, such as Daniels’s love interest seems to give attention to Keeler’s character, but nothing comes of it. And Keeler’s own love story wasn’t well developed. But I did overall enjoy watching it and hearing music like the title song.

Top Hat (1935)

Rating: 5 out of 5
There is only one word I can use to describe the movie starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers: charming. This may sound crazy, but I had never seen a Fred Astaire movie until I watched Top Hat. This musical comedy was the perfect introduction to the Astaire/Rogers team. The had an ease and elegance about them that made me fall in love with the movie. The comedic timing and writing for the character Beddini were hilarious. This movie is timeless.

Babes in Arms (1939)

Rating: 1 out of 5
I love Judy Garland and usually take a liking to any movie she is in, BUT, Babes in Arms is the exception. The teaming of Mickey Rooney and Garland is a favorite of some classic Hollywood movie lovers. I, on the other hand, did not enjoy that duo. I can see why the author of The Movie Musical! said Garland and Rooney look like they are hyped up on drugs in their scenes. While I did not enjoy the movie, there were moments I did like, such as the number in Rooney’s living room. What made the movie cringe-worthy for me was the minstrel number where everyone (Garland included) were in blackface. *Shaking my damn head.* Judy, Judy, Judy. Why?? I could barely watch that number, and it went on forever. The movie also did not have a great plot.

1940’s

Me and My Gal (1942)

Rating 5 out of 5
Another iconic duo came together: Judy Garland and Gene Kelly. Out of all the pairs I’ve seen, this one is my favorite. The passion, care, energy, and work they put into every musical number was evident throughout Me and My Gal. I could see the effort the screenwriters put into making this the perfect wartime movie. It had the happy musical moments that could put a smile on your face and moments that brought the reality of war to the audience. This movie is practically perfect in every way. *Said in my Mary Poppins voice* This movie makes it hard for you not to fall for the talents and charms of Garland and Kelly. Me and My Gal was one of my favorites from this week.

Cover Girl (1944)

Rating: 5 out of 5
Rita Hayworth is an absolute angel in Cover Girl. Gene Kelly showed out during is “alter ego” dance break. And watching the friendship between Kelly, Hayworth, and Phil Silvers was brilliant. You couldn’t ask for a more dynamic and entertaining threesome. The plot had a real story going on that made sense to me, and the musical numbers were breathtaking. Kelly and Hayworth were gorgeous together. I wanted to yell at the screen every time Otto Kruger’s character tried to break up the couple. Thankfully, the old man’s stupid plot to give Hayworth’s character the life her grandmother could have had failed.

State Fair (1945)

Rating: 3 out of 5
I didn’t love it. I didn’t hate it. There were some cute songs by Rogers and Hammerstein, and I still find my self singing “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” around the house. I didn’t understand how Dick Haymes’ character went from liking a girl from home to falling in love at the fair to going back to the other girl like nothing happened. *Sigh.* State Fair was a basic movie musical that had all the elements needed to make a cute movie. There was nothing that I disliked, but I also was not dazzled.

Easter Parade (1948)

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
The pairing of Judy Garland and Fred Astaire was magical. Two legends on one screen and yet they never battled for attention. Every moment felt organic, genuine, and happy. I love how the duo is not afraid of making funny faces and always perform as if they are having the time of their lives. Ann Miller was also a treat even though I did not care for her character. I wish we had more movies with the duo, but alas, we were not fortunate enough to receive that blessing.

1950’s

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Outside of the clearly misogynistic and annoyingly sexist views by the main male lead, Adam, I quite enjoyed Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The musicals numbers were utterly joyful, amusing, and visually pleasing to the eye. The dancing number where the brothers are trying to impress the young women was out of this world! Jane Powell, as the female lead, had just enough power and charm to boss those boys around and whip them into shape. Howard Keel’s voice and looks could almost make up for his character’s stupidity. The brothers were also fine as hell, so that is always a plus. If the boys hadn’t kidnapped the girls (yeah, you read that right), I would have given the movie a perfect rating. By the way, my favorite brother is Gideon.

Carmen Jones (1954)

Rating: 5 out of 5
I love the music from Bizet’s opera Carmen, so I was thrilled to find that there was a musical movie adaption. Dorothy Dandridge was an excellent choice to play Carmen. She took control of any scene she was in with her seducing energy and undeniable talent. Every actor in Carmen Jones fits their role to a T! Hammerstein’s lyrics with Bizet’s classical music fit just right, and the musical numbers never disappointed me. Not to mention, the singing was beautiful. One of the scene stealers for me was Pearl Bailey. She exuded attitude and sass in the best way. I would recommend this movie to anyone.

Gigi (1958)

Rating: 2.5 out of 5
The Movie Musical! made me believe Gigi was about to be one of the best musicals of the late ’50s…and boy was I wrong in assuming that. The only reason I gave it more than a 1 was because of Leslie Caron’s adorable and sweet portrayal of the young Gigi. Her acting and the visuals (props, sets, costumes) made this movie at least watchable for me. The script was horrible. The men in the film were the worst. The male characters’ mindsets on love and relationships were not attractive to me in the slightest. Also, the first hour of the movie sets it up that Louis Jordan’s character only thinks of Caron’s like a little sister, then out of the blue, he falls in love with her. What? There needed to be a full development of their relationship. And the men did too much talking instead of singing during their musical numbers. However, I did enjoy some of the songs.

1960’s

Bye Bye Birdie (1963)

Rating: 2 out of 5
The opening and closing number featuring Ann-Margret were…horrible to listen to. I was cringing every second while she “sang” the title song. The annoying and downright selfish mother was the worst. The rockin’ rollin’ singer and icon that all the girls wanted was grody, to say the least. And the script was overly cheesy and such a basic musical. A couple of the songs were cute. I liked the dance break for “A Lot of Livin’ to Do” and appreciated Dick Van Dyke and Janet Leigh’s portrayal of their characters. Paul Lynde, who plays the dad, was the comedic relief I needed in the movie and Bobby Rydell as the young love interest was lovable. Rydell’s character deserved better.

Funny Girl (1968)

Rating: 5 out of 5
I feel beyond blessed that I took the time to watch Funny Girl. I love it with my whole heart! Barbara Streisand was charismatic and tore my heart out when she sang “My Man” at the end of the movie. I felt like I was watching Fanny Brice’s life and love story come to fruition. Every musical number included Streisand, which was perfectly fine with me because she took it home every time. The one thing I didn’t like about the movie was the constant dialogue about how ugly Streisand’s character is. It made me feel sad for her, but it also made me want her to succeed even more and find her happiness. I now understand why people love Streisand so much.
Book Reviews

Queens of Themiscyra Review

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Queens of Themiscyra by Hannah Lynn  

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

When you hear about the Amazons, you may think of Princess Diana, aka Wonder Woman from DC Comics. That famous female superhero was inspired by the great warriors of Themiscyra in the tales of Greek mythology. The women born and raised as Amazons became renowned for their strength, agility, and battle skills, leading them to be some of the greatest fighters in Greek mythology.

The independent author Hannah Lynn’s novel follows the lives of two of the Amazon’s most famed Queens, Hippolyte and Penthesilea. The story begins with a descriptive look into the Amazons in battles. It displays the astonishing abilities they have as warriors. In the first chapters, the Amazon’s love for their home and people is apparent with every word written, which creates an emotional connection that is felt throughout the entire book.

It was intriguing to read about the Amazons’ life and see how they were raised and trained at a young age. These women may have been warriors first, but Lynn truly brought this story to life by showing that the tenacious fighters were mothers, daughters, sisters, and lovers too. One of the best aspects of Queens of Themiscyra was the relationship between the daughters of Ares, Hippolyte, Penthesilea, Antiope, and Melanippe. Their sisterhood could not be questioned even when faced with trials. Their love for one another transcended any quarrels they had. The bond between the two Queens Hippolyte and Penthesilea, in particular, was divine to read. They had their differences and were very much different in how they ruled. Still, even after years apart, that connection never waned.

Queens of Themiscyra featured two romances: Hippolyte and Theseus and Penthesilea and Cletes. One began full of passion and ended toxic and painful. Another started as mere lust and transformed into something beautiful and fulfilling. This was an excellent decision for the author to show these two contrasting relationships because we see how love affects people differently. Hippolyte fell in love with Theseus, and it seemed like all sense slowly left her. It was upsetting to see the persuasive Theseus bewitch such a capable woman. One good thing did come out of that relationship, their son Hippolytus. As a reader, the pure and loving relationship between Hippolyte and her son was a joy to read and made it even more heart-wrenching when she had to leave him. The romance of Penthesilea and her fellow Amazon Cletes displayed how love can also enhance the good in their significant other instead of weakening it.

It was a pleasure to get inside the mind of the Amazon Queens and experience their battles, happiness, struggles, and inevitably their uniquely courageous ends. Queens of Themiscyra will anger, excite, and sadden you but also, as a woman, will make you proud. This book is recommended to readers who love Greek mythology and warrior women.

Book Reviews

Empress of the Night Review

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Empress of the Night by Eva Stachniak   

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Catherine the Great. Empress of Russia and the longest-running female leader ruling for 34 years. Formerly a princess of Anhalt-Zerbst going by the name of Sophie, the future Empress traveled to Moscow as a young girl and becoming the bride of the future Emperor Peter III. Catherine the Great found herself in a new country, surrounded by spies and ill-wishers. Even the current Empress Elizabeth had no real love for the young woman. But somehow, the new Grand Duchess fought her way to the top and ruled Russia with every ounce of grace and strength.

Stachniak’s Empress of the Night brings the world of Catherine the Great to life by setting up the story of Catherine during her final days, recalling the memories from her time in Russia. The author takes every care in the world to express every struggle, love, happiness, and anger Catherine experienced as Grand Duchess and then Empress. From the rage and abuse, Catherine’s mother thrust upon her to the betrayal of Catherine’s first Favorite Serge to the kinship she found within her supporters and other lovers. Stachniak was not afraid to explore the beauty and lust of Catherine’s great loves but also the ugly side that ended those relationships. We all know Catherine was a sexual being, and rulers of other countries loved to undermine her for that. Still, the author embraced the joys of female sexuality Catherine displayed. Catherine, as a character, was not afraid to show her pleasure for all life had to give. She revealed that a woman with so much power can still enjoy the vulnerability and softness that love brings.

While Catherine’s many loves are an essential part of the story, her decisions and lessons learned during her rule are the real scene stealers. It is a breathtaking experience to see a woman take every piece of knowledge and asset of herself to bring the world to a kneel. A world that men ruled. It is an even better moment to see this same woman still care for those around her, whether they be a servant, friend, or family member. In Empress of the Night, Catherine’s true successful leadership abilities were clear as day. Her strength compared to Peter III made it obvious how fit she was to take over as Empress. Catherine was one woman you did not want to mess with. And her network of supporters and spies shown in the novel was another transparent sign of the brilliant and determined leader she became.

As a reader, you hope that her story can continue, but you know Catherine’s reign is going to end. The author did an excellent job of balancing the legend that is Catherine the Great with the human that is Katenka. And because of that, her final moments in the last pages of Stachniak’s novel become ever the more painful.

Empress of the Night will keep you up at night reading every little morsel if you love reading historical fiction and learning about influential women in history.