Sparkling, a sheer delight to the senses
594246
I have been an avid fan of Rich & Maya for quite a while now & when Rich decided to put all into a book I was thrilled. This book literally SPARKLES, a sheer delight to the senses. Within it's pages we are transported into a gentle, sparkling, rainbow coloured, caring & spiritual world that inspires us, both child & adult. Through the wonderful artwork, the wise words & quotations Rich & Maya help us to realise what our lives are truly about & we learn to cope with lifes pressures & frolic in our worlds beauty. Rich & Maya have a deep love & understanding of man. To pick up this book daily is a must for me, it never ceases to lift my spirit, a pure joy!
1427896
These crystal earrings are immense fun to wear! They seem small and insignificant in the hand, but spring to life, with every turn of your head, once affixed to your ear. They are very light-weight . I kept forgetting I was wearing them, until I surprised myself,  with glimpses of wildly flashing sparks of light and color, as I passed by mirrors, or even panes of glass. The crystals glitter and shine as though they are lit from within! . The picture indicates that the crystals are blueish - but mine flash pale green, gold, and lemon yellow. Wear these earrings when you are in the mood to be noticed! They won't fail you!
3077147
The book itself is a lovely object to hold, and the world inside its covers is a pleasure to explore. The visuals are beautiful, haunting, and stimulating. Fernando's text is a joy to read quickly and has the depth to make delving into closer readings juxtaposed to the images a worthwhile endeavor.
3088804
Much like the confections she describes, Joanne Harris' story is a sweet indulgence. The book is similar in tone to Alice Hofmann, with a mystical outsider, Vianne Rocher arriving in a small town and her effect on it's inhabitants. The book early on sets up it's themes of right and wrong,  spirituality, religion, and the delight in sensual pleasures. But be aware, this isn't a sappy candy coated romance or mortality tale. Underneath it's simple story are a set of rich and complex characters battling their own demons, and who help bring alive this small French village. The book is also soon to be released as a motion picture with Juliette Binnoche, and Johnny Depp
273901
The most sparkling, fun filled, enjoyable, colorful, interesting, magical, mystical, wanton, delightful/evil, hilarious, tale of true love...no matter what...ever! :)
1624226
What a delightful, whimsical confection is this film.  Having seen it in the theater, I viewed it again at home with even more appreciation.  Although the framing of the scenes, use of color, even of screen width deserves a great deal of attention and complement because it is so clever and effective, it is the quirky, affecting portrait of the Ralph Fiennes character and his bell hop, Zero, which are at the heart of the film and make it work so well.  A bittersweet story in some ways and one which on one level is a valentine for a vanished era of Edwardian elegance, effectively destroyed by the two world wars.
3685926
Very enjoyable! The airy, delicate and dreamy landscape of beats and noises make you feel the joy of discovering mystical unseen world. Although the stories vary in mood, each story is complete in concept. I often listen the album for several times in a row. Will there be new releases soon?
2827479
Malcom Arnold has not limited himself to serious music, but has enjoyed equal if not more success as a film composer with such greats as the score to Bridge on the River Kwai to his credit.  And he is successful in that genre because of what makes his Dances such a hit: a super-human talent for creating great tunes and surrounding them with great orchestrations.

This music is just plain fun.  It isn't for messaging a wounded ego and it isn't for mourning.  It's for pure pleasure, and pure pleasure it gives.  These suites are sometimes rollicking, occasionally tender, and never sorrowful.  And there is always a catchy melody nearby.

These dances are sumptuously performed by the Philharmonia led by Bryden Thomson.  The sound is wide-ranging, bright without sizzling, and of demonstration quality.  The brass sound very natural and the bass and percussion are well-represented and well-defined.  The listening perspective a little close but not objectionably so.  I can find absolutely nothing to criticize on this disc.  Even worse, there are so many great dances among the five sets, I can't reach a decision about which ones I like the most!  I guess I'll just have to play the entire disc every time I listen.  Cheers!
815234
The opening song, What A Wonderful World, sets the tone for this tender, lovely film, which is, from start to finish, a feast for the senses. Likely intended for younger audiences, this artfully-filmed movie is appropriate for all ages (from babies to centernarians). The species of animal parents & babies are myriad: bears, penguins, horses, otters, prairie dogs, lions, gorillas, hippos....

The film is accompanied entirely by music, with zero narration. Most of the songs are actually familiar lullabies, some purely instrumental, others sung by contemporary artists. All are well-done: sweet and soothing, never once interfering with but, rather, drawing you even further in to beauty and spirit of the unfolding imagery.

The songs are punctuated in-between with very brief, humorous animal-footage clips, lasting maybe 10 seconds, which have silly or cute sound effects. These clips are just the right length for a smile or chuckle, without detracting from the overall flow of the experience.

This film is an experience to behold, one that will enchant children and adults alike, leaving even the most hardened cynic to agree that this is, indeed, a wonderful world.
3842768
"The Climax" provides Boris Karloff not only with his first Technicolor film, but audiences with a handsome, humdinger of a mustache-twisting Victorian melodrama.

True, the story is not supernatural, but what does that matter when Boris keeps his deceased girl friend preserved beneath a gauze shroud in a secret room? If this is not sufficient, then just savor the mouth watering color photography, art direction and costumes.

This is one of the most visually handsome color films from the 40's, and ranks favorably against Minnelli's "Meet Me in St. Louis" in the warmth, depth, and clarity of its chromatic range, whilst simultaneously recalling Twentieth Century Fox's lighting schemes from "The Little Princess," and anticipating "Blanche Fury" in its tonal subtleties.

The settings are both sumptuous and historically accurate, (sharp eyed viewers will note that some of the same props show up later in Ulmer's "Bluebeard,") and provide the perfect background for the cloak and dagger theatrics.

Not to be outdistanced are Vera West's (one of Hollywood's most undervalued designers) late Victorian gowns--each a marvel of velvet, chiffon, plumes, and various embroideries, not to mention being a testament to the lost art of dressmaking.

Susanna Foster not only wears them charmingly, but sings like an angel, until Boris hypnotizes her. Thereafter, she is a bit somnambulistic--something of a problem given an impending operatic engagement.

Not to worry though, a turban-less Turhan Bey will save the day, in a nick of time, allowing Susanna to hit her high C on opening night, as scowling villain Karloff rushes off to a succulent fate.

That fate, as depicted, with Uncle Boris collapsing on a curtained bier that is laden with the corpse of his long dead (though still photogenic) inamorata, as they both go up in flames, is as aesthetically and dramatically delicious as they come.

One can almost imagine the the whoops of the popcorn patrons as they cheered this pyrotechnic finale in the Rialto's of yesteryear.

Not to be missed.
2113615
Roberta Grimes book, The Fun of Dying, is delightful and uplifting.  From the realms of the unknown  - like quanta-littleness and heavenly expansiveness - I felt like a kid in the new candy supermarket that opened in our neighborhood.  So many sweets, some tart, some chewy, fascinated my curiosity.
Thank you, Roberta, for the many morsels you've given me to enjoyably contemplate.  I am much fuller because of your decades-old quest. - Joel Baehr, Minister, Unity of Mesa
1385273
Nelly has sold me with this incredible mix of music. The combinations of jazz, hip-hop,latin rhythms,pop and other exotic influences are a pure pleasure to immerse oneself in.  Her voice is like sparkling wine- crisp, clear and extremely intoxicating. The harmony work is a treasure chest of vocal crafts.  Here is hoping that this woman sticks to her guns and sets the pace for the others to follow.  She surely outclasses them in singing talent and songwriting skills.
4345227
Playful and amusing, the poems of "Effervescent" are delights to savor.
670010
I just received this book today and I am so in love with the beautiful pictures and warm narrative throughout the book. I just want to curl up on the couch with this book and a nice big cub of tea for the next week.  It is absolutely dazzling.

Each and every chapter screams WOW!  My favourite chapters are 'serenity', 'tranquility' and 'individuality' - every page speaks to you and the photographs are amazing.  I also really like how there are little descriptions of the rooms on every page ... like "The study's tailored flannel chair is given a touch of whimsy with a hand-embroidered pillow."

Thank you Sandra Nunnerley for the endless enjoyment out of your book - I could get lost in the pictures all day, noticing different furniture, artwork and objects.... like the snakeskin mantel on page 39... stunning!

A great book that I highly recommend.
1539965
Lovely saturation. Setting is interesting, without being too "busy."  Full of sparkle.
3767998
This film which I first saw on PBS is filled with photographic beauty, time lapse photography which is extremely succesful with the unfolding of flowers, and movement of butterflies, birds, etc.  A musical accompaniment  allows one to truly bathe in this wondrous world of visual gifts.
1380078
My first thought when I finally had to turn the last page of this delightful book (I read the last chapter slowly, not wanting it to end!) was how much I looked forward to seeing Silver Apples of the Moon on film.  This book is meant to also be READ, however -- not only seen on film. While the plot certainly does stand on its own merit -- (I was completely caught up in the excitement of its unpredictable twists and turns) --  the author's fine, descriptive writing has a palpable lushness that is not to be missed, as many reviewers have already noted.  Truly -- there were moments in Silver Apples that were captured so vividly, it was as though I could feel the very movement of the air in the room.  Few books in my memory have had this kind of evocative sensory power. If you are looking for a "good read," one that stays with you, one you will begin missing the moment you turn the last page -- this is it.