February 9, 2012

Brit Movie Reviews: The Woman in Black Review – Daniel Radcliffe post-Harry Potter

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Like it or not the Harry Potter movies are over, and actor Daniel Radcliffe – despite having  enough in the bank to walk away forever – is trying to move onto the next stage of his career. He’s already performed on stage to some acclaim, but his next movie project was always going to be … [Read more...]

Brit Movie Reviews: The Decoy Bride Review Starring David Tennant and Kelly MacDonald

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Many Doctor Who and David Tennant fans have been waiting for The Decoy Bride for some time. It's had a strange release schedule (being released in Italy months ago for some reason). But it's finally opened in the USA on the IFC On Demand service. It will open in US theaters in march. This is … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: The Real Elizabeth – An Intimate Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Andrew Marr

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This being the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year, there's a whole host of books coming out about her that purport to tell her life story. The first of them is The Real Elizabeth - An Intimate Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Andrew Marr (in the UK the book is titled The Diamond Queen: Elizabeth II and … [Read more...]

Brit Movies: The Iron Lady Review from an American Perspective

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Making a biopic about Margaret Thatcher is not an easy thing to do. She’s not a sparkling conversationalist, she’s not overly witty, and she’s not electric in personality. However she is one of the most significant women of the last century and remains England’s first and only female Prime … [Read more...]

Brit Movies Reviews – Coriolanus – Ralph Fiennes stars and directs Shakespeare’s tragedy

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Fiennes – most recently seen on screen as Lord Voldemeort in the tumultuous final two movies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – goes all Shakespearean for his directorial debut, taking on one of the bard’s lesser-performed works. Screenwriter John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator, The … [Read more...]

Brit Movies Reviews: The Iron Lady – Meryl Streep Shines by The Film Glosses Over History

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Editor's Note: This if the first review for Anglotopia's new staff Brit movie reviewer - James Bartlett - a British Expat living in LA. Period dramas and classic novel adaptations aside, in many ways this is perhaps the most British movie released for many years, as it is a biopic of Margaret … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: A Little Piece of England – A Tale of Self Sufficiency by John Jackson

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I love a good book about living off the grid and A Little Piece of England - A Tale of Self Sufficiency by John Jackson is a great little book about the subject. Here is what the book is about: A Little Piece of England, tells the tale of how the author’s family, living in a sliver of … [Read more...]

Sherlock: Series 2 Episode 1 – A Baker Street BabeTalks BBC’s Sherlock – A Scandal in Belgravia

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Herein lies a special review: Taylor's immediate reaction to her first viewing of the new Sherlock. I am thoroughly prepared to eat my words upon second viewing but this reflects my initial thoughts. ~Warning. Spoilers abound and post is sorely unedited or proofread~ I feel like there are … [Read more...]

British TV Podcast – 2011 Holiday Special – Downton Abbey, Doctor Who and More!

The British TV Podcast with Chrissy & Ryan presents its 2011 Holiday Special. We review the recent Christmas specials on British TV including "Doctor Who," "Downton Abbey," "The Borrowers," "Lost Christmas" and more. Ryan finishes the year with his Top 10 list of favourite TV shows. Listen to … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: England Is a Truly Magical Place

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Do you have a little Anglophile in your life? If so I have found the book for them. England Is a Truly Magical Place by Karl Woodbury and Tony Crampton is a children's story that is chalked full of British history that is accessible to children. This edition also comes complete with an audio version … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: Tales of A City London Adventure Walks for Families

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We receive a lot of books to review in the Anglotopia offices. While all of the books we have received have been wonderful, London Adventure Walks for Families, has to be one of my favorite. Perhaps, it is because the next time I travel to London it will be with a child? As an American I was brought … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: British Music Artist on the Rise – Michael Kiwanuka

Several months ago, I ordered a copy of the acclaimed British music magazine, MOJO, to be sent to me in the post.  The particular issue I ordered also came with a compilation CD featuring artists on the London music label, Communion.  Communion is of great interest to me, not only because the … [Read more...]

Brit DVD Reviews: New Tricks Seasons 4 DVD Set Review

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New Tricks is one of our favorite British  cop shows and the season 4 box set released by Acorn Media is another great DVD set for your viewing pleasure. Three former detectives thought they were retired--until the lovely and persuasive superintendent Sandra Pullman (Amanda Redman, Sexy Beast) … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: London’s Bridges by Peter Matthews

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  Did you know that London only had one bridge that crossed the Thames until the eighteenth century? I was amazed when I read that interesting fact in Peter Matthew' London's Bridges.  This book is the ultimate guide to the bridges of London. From  railway purposes or pedestrian purposes, … [Read more...]

Top 12 things to do in Windsor – Top Tourist Sites in Windsor England

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1). Visit The Queen’s official home  Windsor Castle, the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle, is an official residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Highlights include the State Apartments, St George's Chapel, the burial place of ten monarchs, and Queen Mary's Dolls House. The Changing … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: Michelin’s Great Britain & Ireland 2012 Guide

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This year's Michelin Guide is bigger and better than ever.  This trusted guide has been around for over a hundred years, with the first guide having been published in 1900 by Andre Michelin himself. The Michelin Guide has been used by millions in many countries around the world as a invaluable … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: Discovering London Railway Stations By Oliver Green

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There is such a romance when I think of train travel. What it must have been like to sit in a grand car that was an opulent feast for the senses. However when I think back of what train travel  must have been like I usually completely forget about what the train station. In college I took a course … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: Bard Games by Victor L. Cahn

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  Victor L. Cahn really had a unique idea when he wrote Bard Games, a fun quiz book about Shakespeare. I honestly am not a huge Shakespeare fan, so when I saw this  come into the Anglotopia office I was hesitant on how to review it. I desperately wish I were a bigger fan of Shakespeare, and … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: Land Rover By James Taylor

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When I think of iconic British automobiles, the one at the top of my list is the Land Rover. Author James Taylor covers the long and exciting history in his book, Land Rover. I knew that Land Rover had quite an long history as a British brand, but I never realized how many functions the Land Rover … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: The British Motor Industry by Jonathan Wood

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The British Motor Industry by Jonathan Wood is a wonderful look into the history of the motor industry of Britain and how it shaped a country an a culture. Mr. Wood's book is broken down by time frame covering ever big name brand car maker in the UK. The book starts with the beginning of the motor … [Read more...]

Brit Book Reviews: Life in The Victorian Country House by Pamela Horn

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  There is such a romance about the British country house, I wonder what it would have been like to be a guest at a grand country house during this time in history. I would have adored participating in all of the events of a grand weekend in the country. While I cannot travel in time, Life … [Read more...]

Brit Book Reviews: The Power Behind the Throne by Sally Nicoll

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If you're looking for an entertaining and exciting Anglophile novel for the holidays then the Power Behind the Throne by Sally Nicoll is the book for you. The book itself has a rather absurd premise - that Prince Charles had an illegitimate son with an American and the 'establishment' in the UK … [Read more...]

Chuffed to Bits: Cookies, and Brownies, and Cupcakes – Oh My! Sweet Spots in London to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth

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Okay.  I admit it.  I’ve got a sweet tooth.  To be honest, death by chocolate sounds pretty good to me.  You know that scene from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, where Gene Wilder is singing Pure Imagination?  You know the one...     Who didn't dream of visiting … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: Tea With Jane Austen by Kim Wilson

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Have you ever imagined what it would  have been like to sit down to tea with Jane Austen? I certainly know I have pondered this many times. Would tea with Jane Austen resemble what high tea today? Kim Wilson's book, Tea With Jane Austen answers all of my questions on this topic. After reading the … [Read more...]

Brit Book Review: The Edwardian Home by Yvonne Bell

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  With the success of dramas like Downton Abbey, the Edwardian lifestyle is once again brought to the small screen, bringing curiosity about how people lived during this time. The Edwardian Home by Yvonne Bell is an excellent resource to see how those who weren't in charge of a large … [Read more...]

Downton Abbey – Series 2 – Episode 8 Series Finale Review – LIGHT SPOILERS!!!

Well, here we are at the end of this eight week long journey. We've been through war and peace and now we're left with some rather interesting turns in Downton Abbey. As usual we used our favorite service, TheTelly.net to watch Downton Abbey live as it aired in the UK. We've been treated to a … [Read more...]

Brit DVD Review: The Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher Review and Giveaway!

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If you're looking forward to Meryl Streep's turn at Margaret Thatcher but want to get a dramatic look at the iconic British Prime Minister while you're waiting, I'm happy to report that The Rise and Fall of Margaret Thatcher DVD set is worth owning. The DVD set is being billed at on narrative … [Read more...]

Downton Abbey – Series 2 Episode 7 Review – Light SPOILERS!!!

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It's now 1919 and our characters are trying to get back to normal after the turmoil of The Great War. As normal as normal can be. But everyone has been changed by the war, including the dowdy Dowager Countess. I don't want to give away what happened to Mrs. Bates for the sake of American fans who … [Read more...]

Johnny English Reborn Review – After 8 Years, The Spy Hardly Misses a Step

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One of the great things about writing movie reviews is that it gets me to see movies I hadn't really had much interest in seeing. Sometimes my lack of interest is justified, as with One Day. Other times, I'm pleasantly surprised as I was with Johnny English Reborn. The movie is a sequel to 2003's … [Read more...]

Harry Potter: The Magic Continues – Pottermore Opens for Beta Testing – Review

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The books are all published.  The movies have all been released.  But the magic of Harry Potter has not yet come to an end.  In June 2011, JK Rowling released a video announcing plans for a free-to-use, immersive website called Pottermore, where fans of the series can continue exploring the seven … [Read more...]

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