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Wuthering Heights
$24.99
This is a beautifully-photographed but ultimately rather flat adaptation of the classic Gothic romance by Emily Bronte. There is much to love: a haunting, delicate score, fantastic production values for a project made for television; brooding moors and a real find in newcomer Charlotte Riley, who makes a fetchingly fiesty gamine and suitably northern Cathy Earnshaw. For me this production stumbles on a few crucial points, however. Tom Hardy brings a silky menace to Heathcliff which is an interesting take on a famously brutish character, but with his full lips, small squinty eyes and soft features, on the whole I couldn't buy him as Bronte's brutal yet sexy Gypsy. His delivery was too polished by far for an illiterate stablehand as well, though that served him better in the later parts of the film after Heathcliff has turned himself into a gentleman of sorts. This version allows Cathy and Heathcliff a few scenes of real passion, but despite them, I didn't quite feel the irresistible animal attraction between this pair. I was completely thrown by the series' first half hour, which jumped back and forth in time so much I thought I'd accidentally selected the second half of the program. The familiar beginning is completely gone.

I may be in the minority by preferring the 1992 theatrical version with Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes. Fiennes succeeded rather better at Heathcliff's cruelty, but also his passion. Charlotte Riley is a more authentic Cathy in terms of her heritage, but Binoche offers a more nuanced performance; contrast the 'My love for Edgar is like the foliage in the woods; time will change it. My love for Heathcliff is like the eternal rocks beneath . .'speech of the two for proof. Ms. Riley still has some growth ahead of her as an actress.

People often forget that Nelly is the narrator, and therefore the heart of the novel, since she is so often given a background role in the cinematic treatments, but it's crucial that Nelly be a strong character, functioning as she does as confidant and conscience of the entire household--essentially a mother to all. Sarah Lancashire's meek and mousy portrayal of a fairly standard 19th century household servant can't touch Janet McTeer's maternal yet fiery perfomance in the earlier film. The other supporting characters are conventionally-done as well, though no expense has been spared in the period costumes and detail. Worthwhile if you are a Wuthering Heights fanatic, but in my view, the 1992 version was the definitive one, making this one, at best, redundant.

If Only You Were Lonely Version A
$15.98
The editorial review for this album makes me sick (reproduced below and possibly just above). Who hypes the album in the review like this? Pathetic. The only thing going down in history is the day HH released a steaming pile of garbage on delusional fans.
"HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS are set to make February 28, 2006 a day that will go down in history. After spending the fall of 2005 holed up in the studio in Hoboken, New Jersey, HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS have surfaced with a painfully beautiful album that is nothing short of the biggest rock record of 2006."

Fragile Future
$13.98
I am VERY unhappy with my purchase. I was sent a confirmation e-mail that said my product would be shipped January 16-17 and would arrive January 23-February 6. My CD still has not arrived and today is February 24.

Jerdon JP4040CF 3X Vanity Mirror, 9", 3X-1X Magnification, Adjustable Height
$59.99
The First Class table top mirror is 9" in diameter and rotates 360 degrees from 3X magnification to 1x. The pedestal is adjustable which allows a height of 16.5" to 21.5". Available in a chrome finish. Unit comes kd in box and screws together without use of tools.