movies
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Guest Post: American Girl Series
This week over at Willow and Thatch, I’m reviewing the American Girl movies for anyone interested in family-friendly period films. You could say that the American Girl dolls and books were one of my first introductions to history when I… Continue reading
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BlacKkKlansman: This is Why Historical Fiction Matters
I don’t get out to the movies much anymore, mostly due to a combination of parenting fatigue/childcare costs/fear that the movie won’t be worth the effort. But when my cousin Dan Whitener announced that his original song “We Are Gonna… Continue reading
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Guest Post: Crooked House
I’m excited to share that I have another guest post up on the lovely period-drama website Willow and Thatch. “Movie vs. Book: Crooked House” is the first in an ongoing series exploring recent adaptations of Agatha Christie’s novels. Crooked House,… Continue reading
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I’ll Make a Man out of You
On Wednesday, International Women’s Day, my 6th grade history class watched Mulan to celebrate the end of our unit on ancient China. They made silly comments about the villain’s appearance, laughed at Mushu, and danced along to “I’ll Make a Man out… Continue reading
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It’s Elementary
Lately I’ve been indulging in an orgy of Sherlock. Not just the BBC show (although we recently finished the third episode of the latest season, and MAN was that dark), but books and radio dramas, too. Modern adaptations, stories that play… Continue reading
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When You’re On the Wrong Side of History (Part 2)
Or: The Dark Side. Or: The Crusades as Fought by Hunksome Orlando Bloom. Last week I wrote about my admiration for the Masterpiece drama Indian Summers and the way the writers create ambiguous characters while staying fairly true to history. As… Continue reading
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When You’re on the Wrong Side of History (Part 1)
How do you get an audience to root for someone who’s on the wrong side of history? When you’re writing a book or screenplay, it can be a tricky business. You have to make the character seem sympathetic, while still staying… Continue reading
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The "First" Thanksgiving (I)
With Thanksgiving little more than a week away, I’ve had cooking on the brain. No wonder–it’s the only national holiday entirely devoted to food (plus, well, giving thanks). Is there anything more wonderful? I decided to honor the holiday by… Continue reading
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Frontier House (II)
A few days ago I gave an overview of PBS’ miniseries Frontier House, where three modern families live for five months on Montana homesteads as though it were 1883. Here are just a few things that were fascinating about the… Continue reading
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Frontier House
It’s 1883. You’ve arrived in a desolate part of Montana with your family and all your worldly belongings, ready to create a homestead and start your new life as a farmer. You have only the woods and the tools you… Continue reading
Abby Murphy 