Hello everyone! Today, I am hosting for Enchanted Book Tours, featuring a Guest Post written by Author Lauren Clark, who yes wrote Dancing Naked In Dixie. I have read the Guest Post, and it is just wonderful, can't wait for you to see. Hint? Well it has something to do with films and Southern Belles, so thank you Ms. Clark for writing a wonderful Guest Post! :) In addition I will first provide a blurb of Clark's featured novel, and I hope you will buy and read it, as it seems to be an amazing Southern read, so now onto the rest of the post, enjoy! Blurb:
Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward. She jet sets to Europe and the Caribbean with barely a moment to blink or sleep. But too many mishaps and missed deadlines have Julia on the verge of being fired.
With a stern warning, and unemployment looming, she's offered one last chance to rescue her career. Julia embarks on an unlikely journey to the ‘Heart of Dixie’—Eufaula, Alabama—home to magnificent mansions, sweet tea, and the annual Pilgrimage.
Julia arrives, soon charmed by the lovely city and her handsome host, but her stay is marred by a shocking discovery. Can Julia's story save her career, Eufaula, and the annual Pilgrimage?
Now Here Is The Guest Post!
~ Best 'Recent' Films that feature Southern Belles ~
Eufaula, Alabama, the setting of Dancing Naked in Dixie, has its share of lovely and well-mannered Southern belles. On her assignment to preview the Pilgrimage, Julia Sullivan meets many of these women--and gets a taste of life in beautiful and historical lower Alabama.
If you enjoy Dancing Naked in Dixie, there are many classic movies that depict old-time Southern life (like Gone with the Wind) -- but if you're looking for a more 'modern' experience, here are my Top Ten picks for recent films that feature true Southern belles. Enjoy!
1. STEEL MAGNOLIAS (1989) If you haven't seen this movie, it's definitely one to watch ... and bring tissues! The film stars Julia Roberts and Sally Fields in a story of a southern wedding and life afterwards. Shelby (Roberts) is very much a modern-day Southern Belle. The events surrounding the wedding, scenes in the beauty parlor, and with neighbors and friends are true-to-life.
2. Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) Flagg's novel weaves together the past and the present through the blossoming friendship between middle-aged housewife Evelyn Couch and Ninny Threadgoode, who lives in a nursing home. Every week Evelyn visits Ninny, who tells her stories of her youth in Whistle Stop, Alabama.
3. Forrest Gump (1994) An epic film based on the 1986 novel by Winston Groom. The film starred Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise and depicts several decades in the life of Forrest Gump, a naïve native of Alabama who witnesses, and in some cases influences, some of the defining events of the latter half of the 20th century.
4. Ghosts of Mississippi (1996) This American drama film was directed by Rob Reiner and starred Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, and James Woods. The plot is based on the true story of the 1994 trial of Byron De La Beckwith, the white supremacist accused of the 1963 assassination of civil rights activist Medgar Evers.
5. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) is atmospheric and Southern Gothic in tone, depicting a wide range of eccentric Savannah personalities. The story surrounds the killing of Danny Hansford, a local male prostitute. Respected antique dealer Jim Williams is accused of the murder, said to be a result of a lovers' quarrel. The death took place in Williams' home, originally built by an ancestor of songwriter and Savannah native Johnny Mercer.
6. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) During the Great Depression, Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron) tries to recover her family's lost fortune by holding an exhibition match between the best golfers of the era, with a grand prize of $10,000. But Adele needs someone to generate local interest, so she asks her estranged love, Junuh, to play. Junuh is approached by a mysterious traveler who identifies himself as Bagger Vance (Will Smith), a caddy who helps Junuh to come to grips with his personal demons.
7. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002) The film opens in 1937 Louisiana and follows four little girls who invent a secret order called the "Ya-Ya Sisterhood." The film then moves to New York City in 2002, where Viviane Walker's daughter, playwright Siddalee (Sandra Bullock), gives an interview with a reporter from Time, mentioning her unhappy childhood as a major source of inspiration for her work. The reporter sensationalizes Sidda's complaint, implying abuse and deep, dark family secrets.
8. Sweet Home Alabama (2002) The film opens on an Alabama beach with two children chasing each other. The characters, Melanie Smooter and Jake Perry, kiss, and Jake says they will be married one day. The movie shifts to present day, in which Melanie (Reese Witherspoon) has changed her last name to Carmichael. She now is a successful fashion designer in New York City. After becoming engaged to the mayor's son, Andrew (Patrick Dempsey), Melanie announces that she has to go back home alone to Alabama to tell her parents. She has not told Andrew that she is still married to Jake (Josh Lucas).
9. Because of Winn-Dixie (2005) India Opal Buloni is a 10-year-old girl who encounters a scruffy dog wreaking havoc in the Winn-Dixie supermarket. She claims the dog is hers to save it from going to the pound and names it Winn-Dixie. Opal also befriends the very wealthy librarian and Southern belle Miss Franny Block, who shares great stories about her past, including a tale about her great-grandfather, whose family members died while he fought for the South in the Civil War.
10. The Secret Life of Bees (2008) Set in South Carolina in 1964, this is the tale of Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning), a 14-year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother Deborah Owens. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father T-Ray, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters —Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping.
What do you think about this "Top Ten?" What are your favorite recent movies that feature Southern belles?
Wasn't that great!? I think this was a fabulous "Top Ten" and I think I've probably seen almost half including Steel Magnolias (Wonderful cast and story), Forrest Gump (A tear jerker, seriously it gets me every time), Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Just a fun film, great story), and Sweet Home Alabama (Well, I have seen this one quite a few times; one of my favorite Southern films, most definitely). Anyways, join in the conversation, and here is the link to the other Tour Stops (once you click on the link, scroll down).
Author Bio:
Lauren Clark writes contemporary novels set in the Deep South; stories sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets.
A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local book stores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends. Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.
Thank you so very much for the compliment on the guest post! When I saw the name of your blog ... I HAD to do something with movies :) And who doesn't like an awesome Southern film???
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the opportunity to showcase Dancing Naked in Dixie!! All the best, Lauren
Thank you so much! I really enjoyed your guest blog; I'll definitely be looking into some of the films you mentioned that I have not seen yet. Thanks again! :)
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