Knights, Dragons and Magic Oh My!

Some of my favorite stories originate from history and legends of the British Isles: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Guinevere, Merlin, Tristan & Iseult, Robin Hood, Richard III, dragons, sorcerers, The Lady of the Lake and so many others. One of my favorite books is my 1939 copy of The Boy's King Arthur, Sir Thomas Malory's History of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table illustrated by N.C. Wyeth. This beautiful book is full of stories and illustrations of Arthur, Launcelot, Tristan, the Fair Maid of Astolat, the Holy Grail and many of Arthur's other Knights.

Growing up my son also enjoyed many of these stories, his favorites were tales of Robin Hood, the Sword in the Stone and anything with dragons in it. As more and more movies and TV series were made retelling these stories, special effects evolved so much that when you see a dragon on film it's hard to believe that the creatures never existed.

Some of our favorite film and TV adaptions of these mythical stories include:

• The early 1980's TV series Robin of Sherwood (a cult classic, my son and I have the series on DVD and have watched each episode many times. Still the best version in my opinion)
• The 1981 film Excalibur (another cult classic with a who's who of before they became famous actors including Helen Mirren, Patrick Stewart and Liam Neeson)
• The 1996 movie Dragonheart (my son watched this movie over and over when it was released. Dennis Quaid valiantly tries to save the last dragon from a young King who becomes evil. The dragon's voice is Sean Connery)
• The 2004 film King Arthur (Clive Owen as Arthur and Keira Knightly as Guinevere)
• The 2006 Ridley Scott produced film Tristan & Isolde (James Franco and Sophia Myles as the tragic lovers)

I've watched a few episodes of the TV series Robin Hood on Netflix that ran from 2006-2009 on the BBC. It's a fun and more modern interpretation of Robin Hood and not nearly as dark as the 80's TV show Robin of Sherwood. Another series that I've begun on Netflix is Merlin which ran from 2008-2012 on the BBC. This series is fantastic and while it completely mixes up the legends, the adventures of Arthur and Merlin while they are young men is irresistible. If you are a lover of legends and myths you can't go wrong with watching some of the better interpretations of the stories on TV and film. 

Flash Back Friday #36

Because Mike Myers as Dieter, a West German television personality with his TV talk show Sprockets is still one of my favorite skits from Saturday Night Light. SNL was a not to be missed show in college (along with 90210, Melrose Place and the 1st season of The Real World). The "Sprocket" costume of black leotard and wire rimmed glasses was also a popular Halloween costume from 1989-1992.

"Now is the time on Sprockets vhen ve dance!"



Have a great weekend readers!

Flash Back Friday #28

Here is a classic clip from Sesame Street, Yip Yips Meet the Telephone.
You gotta love aliens that read an "Earth Book" and moo at the phone.
Hysterical!

Friday Flash Back #25

During my freshman year of high school I was on the gymnastics team and had practice during the season every day before school. While I was trying to wake up before leaving for practice I would watch The Muppet Show while eating breakfast. Reruns were on every morning in Chicago from 6:30 to 7 am and I loved almost every episode they made. The Muppets are great characters (loved the rats!) and the guest stars were the cream of the crop.
Since I've been missing me some Miss Piggy, here's a classic clip.
That Christopher Reeve was a talented guy.

Friday Flash Back #15

In honor of David Copperfield's birthday which was Tuesday, here is a flash back video of the disappearance of the Statue of Liberty. Fabulously retro clothes, radar systems, spotlights and pay attention to his hand gestures, hysterical!
Enjoy!

Looking for...

that misplaced car or a goose? If you are, check with David Copperfield. I saw David's show in Las Vegas and it was tons of fun and left the audience going, "How'd he do that?" Seriously entertaining.
Copperfield was a total stud when I was in high school (late 80's) and in college (early 90's) so seeing him live was a huge thrill for me. I think I've seen all his over the top cheesy shows (making the Statue of Liberty disappear, walking through the Great Wall of China) so I was expecting some good tricks and he didn't disappoint. Making a car appear over the head of guests he pulled from the audience and walking through a steel plate were some of his cooler tricks. What was surprising was how OLD he looked. Maybe it was an off night but I was expecting the movie star looks from tv and his posters all around Las Vegas, but when he walked out on stage I was shocked, he is OLD! Well not old, I thought he looked at least 60 and was shocked to find out when I Googled him he is only 52. This is the man who dated Claudia Schiffer for years but whatever, maybe the man has been a playboy too long. Maybe it's the magic that keeps the ladies interested, he is totally amazing.
Check out site here: http://www.dcopperfield.com/
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID!

Flash Back Friday #11

The most famous television cliffhanger of all time.
Who Shot J.R.
After this episode people wore Who Shot J.R t-shirts for months.
I was a regular viewer of Dallas, Dynasty, Love Boat and Fantasy Island and this episode is still one of the classics.