Yesterday the weather was anything but conducive for yard work (of which there is a great deal) so we decided to drive up to Madison to see Jane Eyre. The movie itself was just so lovely and perfect I nearly cried. The casting could not have been better and I felt it did justice to the book very kindly. There were changes, but none that made me dislike it, which I am prone to do when a beloved book is done wrong. The scenery was breathtaking and the costumes wonderful. Oh, how I love a costume drama. Jane Eyre was one of those movies were the dialogue is sparse but the communication between the characters huge and emotional and beautiful. I adored it. 5 stars.
I am so glad that we did not wait for it to come to our area. We drive fairly often to Madison to see a film, but we had never been to the Sundance. Wow. Have we been missing out. It's located in the Hilldale Mall, which is in itself pretty fantastic. There is a Target with it's own parking garage. Some cities have a vibe; some good and some bad. Madison has the best possible vibe I've known. It's earthy and green, but trendy and academic. In all ways cool.
This is part of the interior. To the right is a concessions area that has much more than your average movie offering and some of the best popcorn I have ever eaten.
Concessions area and let me tell you that it looked like this when we got there and when we left. Lesson learned, leave LOTS of extra time for goodies. There are seating areas with tables and also a large seating area with leather sofas and chairs to hang out in. During the warmer months there is a rooftop bistro. Cool factor at 10+.
We thought we had left plenty of time, but there was a substantial line at the ticket counter where not only do you buy the ticket, but you choose the seat you want from a touch screen. We got good seats and made our way to the theater. There is, btw, an amenities fee tacked on the the ticket. I think it was $1.50. I'm not entirely clear on exactly what this covers, but the tickets themselves weren't crazy overpriced so it seemed worth it. This is the hallway into the theater area:
The whole hallway is lined with up-lit birch trees.
The seating is stadium and comfortable. I saw a couple come in with a big plastic tray with food and drinks and it had a piece on the bottom that fit into the cup holder creating a sort of tray table. More cool.
After the film we went into the mall to a store located directly across the hall called Playthings. Greatest kids store ever. Got Cambria some fun Easter basket goodies. Looking forward to bringing her there some day. Then we left the mall, crossed the street and grabbed a cupcake at Gigis Cupcakes. It was such a good time.
On the way out I grabbed a Sundance catalog and was a teensy bit shocked by how crazy overpriced it was AND by the fact that I wanted pretty much every thing in it. I did get some good jewelry ideas that I can recreate myself. If you can't buy it, make it.
We came home and crashed. The wind around here has been gale force of late and driving up and back fighting it and an early Spring shower of fat, white rain (after April 10 I refuse to acknowledge snow) AH was beat and so was I. Today has arrived sunny and cool so he is out there working away. I went to the grocery store and am doing indoor chores. All in all it's been a very fine weekend. Hope yours has been the same.


