Cinderella: A Magically Moral Tale

MOVIE REVIEW
Classic Fairytale Reveals the Power of Kindness
 By EMILY VANDOMMELEN

"Have courage and be kind" is a deceivingly simple quote, yet it  embodies the nature of the live-action film Cinderella. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Cinderella conveys the comedy and spirit of the original animated film, all the while maintaining a creative elegance that is sure to make this film a classic for ages to come.

This heart-warming tale follows the life of Ella, a young woman well versed in the meaning of tragedy. Following the death of her mother when Ella is very young, her father marries a widow, and the gracious Ella is determined to make her new stepmother and stepsisters feel welcome. After the sudden death of her father, the management of the household falls on Ella's shoulders, and she sinks to the status of a slave in her stepmother's home. When the dashing prince invites all the ladies of the kingdom to a ball at the palace in hopes of finding his true love, a twist of fate and one magical night transforms Ella's world. With the help of her fairy godmother and a few animal friends, Ella must learn to be brave and kind, following her heart even when it seems impossible.

Lily James stars as Ella, the kind-hearted and generous protagonist of the story. With a soft voice and gentle demeanour, James endearingly depicts the genuine goodness of the character, unwavering in her conviction to follow her deceased mother's admonition to "have courage and be kind." Richard Madden acts as Prince Kit, the regal but sympathetic young hero of the tale, resolved to search the entire kingdom for Ella and pursue true love when a glass slipper is the only evidence of her hasty midnight departure.

Cate Blanchett assumes the role of Ella's foreboding and black-hearted stepmother, scheming to do whatever it takes to see her daughters crowned, no matter whom she tramples along the way. Nonso Anozie plays the captain of the king' s guard, his towering-but-steadfast presence dedicated to carrying out the prince's wish to find the owner of the glass slipper.

Ella's two stepsisters Drizella (Holliday Grainger) and Anastasia (Sophie McShera) provide a comic flair to the film, their lively antics and flirtatious behaviour adding a humorous element to the engaging plot, even to the point of adding 'Cinder' as the prefix to Ella's name, mocking her for all the soot she encounters while stoking the fireplace. Helena Bonham Carter is Ella's fairy godmother, bumbling yet mirthful while conspiring to send Ella to the ball with a 'bibbity-bobbity-boo' and flash of her magical wand.

An array of convincing animations are woven throughout Cinderella, transformations ranging from an old woman becoming a spirited fairy godmother to an oversized pumpkin becoming a golden carriage. The colourful and intricate dresses worn by the maidens of the kingdom  serve to accent the quality of the film.

This classic tale accurately mirrors multiple essential values upon which today's society can reflect. On her deathbed, Ella's mother entreats her to be brave and kind-hearted to all, no matter what the cost. Ella serves others selflessly, even when she is treated poorly, and likewise it is crucial for Christians in today's society to demonstrate the selfless love of Christ, despite persecution.  The film Cinderella highlights the importance of forgiveness and mercy towards others, even when they do not deserve it.

Cinderella is a film that truly captures the heart of the beloved tale, conveying intrinsic family values through brilliant acting and an engaging plot that closely follows the original story, revealing that anything is possible with a little kindness, a touch of bravery, and just a hint of magic.

                                                          

Kingsman: The Secret Service

MOVIE REVIEW
The Pride of the British
By CATHERINE GAY

Do the British finally have a spy thriller to be proud of? Kingsman: The Secret Service has all the appearances of a very suave and classy spy film filled with astute gadgets and cleverly coined phrases such as “manners maketh man.” However, has Matthew Vaughn created a movie to maketh his fellow Englishmen proud?

Based on a comic book by Mark Miller, Kingsman: The Secret Service narrates the dramatic transformation of Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin (Taron Egerton) from a hardened street kid to a slick spy fighting to save the world from Valentine (Samuel Jackson), who wishes to destroy the Earth’s population in a desperate attempt to save the environment. It also dabbles with the idea that anyone can be a hero if he sees himself as “a man with potential” despite one’s background and class. The themes, however, were cut short of their full potential to make way for the action sequences. 

The “Secret Service” is a creative play off of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. "Arthur" (Michael Caine) leads this significantly richer and more technologically advanced version of the band as they fight for peace and harmony in bulletproof suits between bouts of champagne and gin.  

Egerton makes his stellar international debut as the protege of Harry Hart (Colin Firth), an esteemed ‘knight’ in ‘Arthur’s’ company. Together they add the much-needed comic relief. Each displays comedic talent at different times as one thanks Valentine for a “happy” happy meal from McDonald’s while the other cannot come to grips that he has chosen a pug as his companion-in-training, thinking it to be a guard dog. 

Jackson and his evil henchwoman, Gazelle (Sofia Boutella), are the complementary, deadly duo. Jackson provides some humour as he professes abhorrence for the sight of blood while contemplating letting the world tear itself to pieces. Boutella does his dirty work admirably by slicing people in half and then “cleaning up” so her boss will not become queasy. 

For the most part, the technical aspects of Kingsman: The Secret Service add an artistic flair that enhances the film. The rubble from a building creatively constructs the beginning credits and the flurries from a snowglobe introduces the movie title. Nonetheless, the heads being blown off shoulders for comedic effect and the massacre in the Church are excessive and taint the overall production. 

Graphic violence, excessive coarse language and unnecessary sexual innuendo should make Christian audiences cringe. While the film’s plot has great potential, Matthew Vaughn fails to effectively deliver as his emphasis is on gory detail instead of plot enhancement. 

Despite portraying some less than admirable characteristics, Kingsman: The Secret Service will charm audiences worldwide with its witty humour and undoubtedly English style.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

MOVIE REVIEW

The Battle of Within 

By: ELIZABETH GAY

The dragon is awakening. Evil is growing in the shadows. The battle for Middle Earth is coming! The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, the long anticipated conclusion to Peter Jackson’s trilogy, tells the story of hobbit Bilbo Baggins and his friends, who are on a quest to regain their homeland and who discover along the way a ravaging force that threatens to destroy their world. 

The original novel, The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien, was wildly popular at its release in 1937 and was recently divided into three movies. The final film, The Battle of the Five Armies, begins with the dragon Smaug’s death during the his attack on Lake Town. Bard, the dragon slayer, saves the town with a legendary black arrow, which had previously been hidden in his spice cupboard. Meanwhile Thorin wallows in the wealth of the mountain, searching for his precious Arkenstone, and falls prey to the legendary dwarfish obsession with treasure. Refusing to honour his agreement with the people of Lake Town, he forces them to ally with the army of Mirkwood elves, who also desire a share in the gold. The greed of the elves and the desperation of the people of Lake Town drive them to plan an attack on the mountain. Orc and goblin forces are gathering and a war will certainly not be long in coming.

Free will, the unifying motif throughout The Hobbit, gives focus to the story. The film portrays the main characters in a realistic light by revealing that they too give in to temptation, greed and selfishness. Thorin betrays the people of Lake Town, and Bilbo must then sacrifice his friendship with Thorin to restore peace. In contrast to Thorin, Bilbo reveals his brave, selfless nature and emphasises his consistent love and good will. On the other hand, the selfish, stubborn nature of the dwarves causes mayhem and the orcs embody the literal ugliness of evil. The film is consistent with the Christian worldview because it shows that everyone can choose salvation, despite their past actions. 

The entire film is presented with vigour and animated acting. Unfortunately, much of the movie portrays unrealistic battle scenes in which many of the orcs die grotesquely while the “good guys” flaunt their talented swordsmanship and hardly receive a scratch. Despite this, lead characters Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and Bard (Luke Evans) are portrayed with amazing energy and skill throughout both the emotional and action-based scenes. Featured actor Ryan Gage plays the cowardly Alfrid with ease and brings comical relief after the dark and intense moments.

Middle earth is brought to life in the production of The Hobbit. Mirkwood, Lake Town, Dale and the lonely mountain are realistically portrayed and well used by the actors in the action and battle scenes that occur there. Hair-raising music, composed by Howard Shore, accompanies these sets and adds greatly to the film.

The Hobbit is an impressive production that celebrates honour and redemption, emphasizing the free will of all people and their ability to choose the good in every situation.

                                       

The Theory of Everything and the Limits of Humankind

 MOVIE REVIEW 

An Equation for Life?
By ABIGAIL K.

“Wouldn’t that be nice … One simple, elegant equation that explains everything.” This is Stephen Hawking’s self-proposed intention in The Theory of Everything, a movie celebrating perseverance against all odds, including life-threatening diseases and hard relationships.

Following a brilliant Cambridge student on his way to receiving a PhD in physics, The Theory of Everything relates the story of Stephen Hawking’s search for Truth, particularly as it relates to Time. Jane Wilde, a literature student also studying at Cambridge, soon becomes romantically involved in Stephen’s life, and the two embark on a bittersweet journey as they attempt to cope with Stephen’s physically debilitating motor neuron disease that he is diagnosed with at just twenty-one. Despite his disease, Stephen continues indefatigably to press the boundaries of human knowledge while Jane struggles to hold on to a normal life.

The movie offered a particular challenge in that many of the characters portrayed are still alive. Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones held a distinct responsibility to deliver an accurate representation of Stephen and Jane. The entire cast settled into their roles with brilliance resulting in a lifelike retelling of Stephen and Jane’s story.

Depicting Stephen Hawking is Eddie Redmayne; with inspired acting, Redmayne successfully inhabits the character of the renowned physicist. He portrays Hawking’s personal and professional life with a studied ease that has already won him Hollywood’s best breakout performance award at the Hollywood Film Awards. Felicity Jones plays Stephen’s wife, Jane Wilde. She depicts Jane’s perseverance in caring for Stephen and their three children with an incredible raw emotion.

Acting alongside Redmayne and Jones are Charlie Cox and Maxine Peake. While at times their performances seem slightly over-affected, they succeed in providing strong foils to the main characters by aptly displaying the facets of a relationship that Stephen and Jane miss.

Sparse but aptly-timed moments of visual effects allow viewers a glimpse into Stephen’s brain as he jaunts from the Beginning to the End in seconds. In addition, the musical score by Jóhann Jóhannsson helps to amplify the emotional elements of the film.

A prominent theme in this movie is that every person can overcome the challenges at hand through perseverance. This is shown in Stephen’s life as despite suffering from a serious disease, he persists in his field and makes several breakthroughs. While this is admirable and inspiring, it creates the idea that humankind has only to persevere, and eventually it will be able to explain everything. This same theme is seen in Stephen and Jane’s relationship. They struggle through life with Stephen’s disease and the trials that entails with determination, and they try to do the best with what life puts before them. Tragically, the two end up having separate affairs and divorcing. Despite this, however, both are able to look at the long marriage they had and the offspring they produced knowing that they fulfilled their biological duty, and the movie closes on the happy thought that both Stephen and Jane are blissfully married, just not to one another.

The Theory of Everything is an inspiring movie celebrating human achievement and encouraging perseverance, yet it shows that, though it would indeed be “nice,” humankind on its own cannot overcome everything.

Frozen: A Magical Masterpiece

Throughout this long, cold winter we have needed many heart warming laughs to cheer our hearts. Once again Disney has made us all smile and fill the days of winter cheer with the captivating and adorable film Frozen. This spectacular motion picture has just become available on DVD and Blu-ray.
-The Editors

MOVIE REVIEW
Disney's Latest Musical Commiserates with Winter Woes
By TASYA L.

What would you do if you had the magical ability to turn summer into winter? For Princess Elsa, the solution to this curse is to hide herself from the rest of her kingdom.

Set in the fictional land of Arendelle, Frozen is the coming-of-age story of two princess sisters, Elsa and Anna. Anna, a vivacious, charming, and independent girl who lacks the expected elegance and poise of a princess, struggles with loneliness her entire childhood, owing to her parents and sister’s decision to forbid visitors from entering the castle. However, on her older sister Elsa’s coronation day, the joyful Anna finally has the opportunity to socialize with others and quickly becomes engaged to Prince Hans of the Southern Isles. Elsa refuses to bless the marriage, causing an argument to erupt between the sisters in which Elsa accidentally reveals her dark secret:  an ability to change summer into a relentless winter. Knowing nothing of the profound and unceasing love for which her younger sister has for her, Elsa runs away in distress, only to be followed by her loyal younger sister.

As the fifty-third installment in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, Frozen is sure to capture the hearts of the whole family through its unforgettable soundtrack, thrilling plot twists, humorous characters, and its valuable messages of love and redemption.

Lending her voice to the character of Princess Anna was Kristen Bell, who demonstrates the liveliness and innocence of her character in all her lines. Older sister Elsa, loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's antagonist from The Snow Queen, was voiced with sensitivity and vulnerability by Idina Menzel.

Notable supporting characters included Olaf, a snowman magically created by Elsa, who will cause viewers, young and old, to laugh with delight. Kristoff, an ice harvester who helps Anna on her journey, is portrayed with a soft voice, indicating his gentle and compassionate nature. Sven, his lovable reindeer, has facial expressions will bring a smile to everyone, despite being completely animated.

The film’s memorable soundtrack showcases the musical talents of the voice cast and the giftedness of the songwriters, with the popular song Let it Go recently winning an Academy Award. The animation in this film was also strong, particularly with regard to the portrayal of light on snow.

Frozen is a story of love, hope, and redemption. The sacrificial actions of Anna, who is prepared to die for her older sister, should be admired by those in the audience. Anna’s consistent faithfulness and hope in Elsa’s redemption, despite the pain she experiences  from her actions, provides an exemplary model of sisterly love. Several characters throughout the film put themselves at risk for the well-being for their friends, including Olaf the snowman, who explains that: “Some people are worth melting for”.

Frozen’s theme, that love can change the world, may perhaps be archetypical, but the film’s finale is fresh and completely redeems the typical theme. Frozen is an excellent family-oriented film that will leave the audience with a warm heart and a smile on their face.

Loving Marilyn

In this post, our goal is to show God's love for everyone on earth and encourage the same love in the hearts of all. We are attempting to inspire a sense of compassion for all of God's creatures and to shed light on the overwhelmingly difficult life that one of those creations, Marilyn Monroe, experienced. To read an article of this sort and not extend our hearts to the woman in question would be directly disregarding Christ's direction and intent for His people: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12).

Sincerely,
The Editors

Love, Marilyn
By: RACHEL H.


As of today, I am alone. Always alone. I’m tormented going from low to low, it’s like a never-ending spiral of loneliness. Yes, me. I, the “great” film actress, have nothing but my own thoughts to keep company. As a child I was always different: different clothes, different hair, a totally different family. I thought I had what everyone wanted: the dream. But here I am, sitting on the floor by myself looking at my reflection in the mirror.

Everyday I look in that mirror and ask myself, “Who are you?” and everyday I don’t know. I smile at this reflection, but all I see are tears and too-puffy lips. I try to fix all the imperfections I see, but it never turns out right. I am never right. No matter how much I try to fight these feelings welling up inside of me. I’m always inferior. Inferiority is practically my middle name. I tried medicines and classes, and everytime they told me I would get better, but I never did. I see a psychiatrist who gives me round, white pills and tells me not to take them with alcohol, but what do I care? It’s not like they work. I took a class to try to save myself with the only thing that could: my craft. Everyday I tried to tap into my emotions and let go, but it’s so hard when no one will take you seriously. I’m a joke. That’s all. Nothing but a pretty face in a tight white dress, with platinum curls and too much makeup. I’m not real. I can’t act worth my whole life. How many times have I heard, “Sweetheart, you’re nothing but a blonde bombshell”?

Even my own husband thinks I’m stupid. Illiterate. Nothing but a “pretty face”. I do have something under these clothes, but it’s not what you would think. It’s a person with hopes and dreams, and a soul.

I am frequently misunderstood.

No one knows who I really am.

Would you know, dear reader? Of course not, I am a shade of a colour never before seen. I am like an orchid, without a flower, a rose of thorns. This is who I am.

My attempts at anonymity are fruitless. No one respects a vulnerable heart.

Oh, I wish I could die and be rid of this pain inside of me!

No amount of pills and alcohol will solve my problems. In fact, I have been sent to a place full of crazy people, but I am not one of them. They are not like me! I have real thoughts; they are nothing but lunatics. I don’t belong here! No one should have to go through what I’m going through. I am kept under lock and key, with nothing but my thoughts and mirror. No wonder I’m going insane.

The silence of the night brings out the emotions in people that are locked up inside of them. I think of all the things I left unsaid; all the times I looking in the mirror and screamed. All the moments I missed, because I was too dumb. Comparisons can bring out the sorrow in a person; the great film actress who couldn’t act.

Why do things always end up the way they do? This is the question I have to ask myself. If I look back on my life, have I done what I was meant to do? I have to start at the beginning.

I was always different than the others, adopted and never wanted or needed. I was the one with the ugly clothes and the tattered raincoat. No friends, no laughter, and yet I always managed to find a smile to put on my face.Where is that smile now? It’s somewhere between the sun and the moon, in an unreachable place, high above the stars.

My life wasn’t all misery, was it? No, it can’t have been. No one’s life is complete misery and hopelessness. I find refuge in my craft. When I am on stage, I forget the world around me, and all that is in it. I play with the camera like a child plays with her doll. I embrace it, seduce it and show it the love it deserves. After all, I give it what should have been given to me.

Oh I fall so fast? I spiral from one love to the next. I can never find refuge in one man’s arms. I thought I had found a man who would always find me a bed to lie in, but all I was left with was recipes and empty promises. I try again and again, always wanting more. But all I ever find is a man who thinks I’m stupid, worthless, nothing more than company in bed. That’s all I’ve ever been to men. I’ve been used and I have used, just to get ahead. Is that all life is about, just getting ahead, going from paycheque to paycheque? I sure hope there is more to this like than this constant immobility.

But there must be hope somewhere in the darkness that is my life. Something that takes the pain, the anguish, the anxiety away. Poetry and knowledge are what I sought to find the light. I read books, pages upon pages. Freud, Nietzsche, Plato; nothing could fill the fruitless void that is my existence.

I must have been happy, even for the smallest second of my tormented existence, but when and why?

It was a day many years in my past. I wore a blue dress, which draped my curves like the night cloaks the day. It was Christmas, the saddest time of the year for a girl. The lights, the parties- I don’t care for them, just like a swine doesn’t care for pearls. I stood with my platinum curls and those ugly over-plump lips waiting for this night to be over and gone when he saw me. He was not like the others. For once in my life, I felt a warm glow tingling inside this hollow shell that is my body. And I was happy. He picked me up like a penny in a parking lot and showered me with more diamonds than there are stars in the sky. But what are diamonds if you can’t be who you are? Just when I had thought that I was of meaning to something, someone in this world, I am again “nothing but a pretty face” and a “good little housewife.”

I, the great actress, once again alone with diamonds in my hand, flowers in my hair and deadened eyes. Do I have no meaning to anyone in this world? Does respect not fall on those who give everything to what they love?

I sit in this prison, with nothing but my thoughts and a tabloid magazine reading “ The Beauty with No Brains”. These white walls bring out the ugly in me. I’m becoming what I most despise.

Oh help me from this disease that no amount of classes or cocktails can fix! All I want is to see the wind pass through the trees like a fading memory. Will I be there to see the light that I have been so desperate to find? I love for the day when I am more than what I have become.

Live everyday like it’s your last, they say, but I believe to live everyday like it’s your first time falling in love. That’s a moment they can't take away… on that day when for the first time in your entire life, you’re not alone.

Love, Marilyn

The Desolation of Smaug: Dark and Thematically Strong

When The Desolation of Smaug was release in theatres in December, it met high expectations from critics and casual filmgoers alike. As the DVD/Blu-ray version of the film is set to be released in April 2014, we hope that this artistic and spiritual review by our very own Emily V. will help you decide whether it is worth your time and money. (We think it is!)

Sincerely,
The Editors

MOVIE REVIEW
Riveting Sequel Reveals How Big Things Often Come in Small Packages
By: EMILY V.

What would you do if everything you held dear was stripped from you in a matter of moments? If you had one chance to reclaim it, despite the danger lurking around every corner, would you? The much-anticipated sequel The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, follows the journey of a brave hobbit who must muster all of his wit and courage to persevere against both man and beast to help his friends.

In this magical tale, the exiled dwarf king, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and his company of dwarves join forces with a wizard and a hobbit to reclaim his rightful place as King of the Lonely Mountain. Picking up almost exactly where the previous film ended, this sequel follows the adventure of a quick-witted hobbit named Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and his quest to aid his friends in taking back their homeland from the magnificent, yet terrible, dragon Smaug. From being relentlessly pursued by bloodthirsty orcs to being imprisoned by a heartless elf king, practically anything and everything hinders the company from reaching the hidden door in the Lonely Mountain and the ominous being that lies beyond it.

The breathtaking scenery, engaging plot, and superior acting succeed in making The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug a film well worth watching. Producer and director Peter Jackson outdoes himself in this retelling of the mythical story, presenting the importance of perseverance and lending a hand to others in need. With intense action sequences and a mesmerizing plot, this motion picture surpasses the exceptional first installment.

Freeman maintains the mildly awkward, yet determined, character of Bilbo with ease, his comedic expressions considerably lightening the atmosphere during some of the darker scenes.  Armitage, starring as Thorin Oakenshield, is often harsh and gruff, portraying Oakenshield’s icy personality to a tee.

The humorous band of dwarves interacts seamlessly, creating a kinship between them similar to that of close brothers. Voicing the all-powerful dragon Smaug, Benedict Cumberbatch’s dreadfully sinister vocals cast fear into the hearts of viewers, leaving them trembling in their seats. Canadian actress Evangeline Lilly, starring as Tauriel, the female captain of the Elf Guard, excels in depicting the struggle of a compassionate elf who is torn between her duty as a warrior and her moral obligation to help others.

The journey takes place in multiple locations, including a bustling village pub, a foreboding enchanted forest, and a breathtakingly beautiful elf kingdom. While the animation of the orcs at times appears a bit more suitable for a video game, the animation work on the dragon Smaug is both realistic and impressive. The background music played is marvelous, frequently varying from peaceful Celtic melodies to intense orchestra music in order to better suit the scenes throughout the picture.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is very relevant to Christians when examined from a closer perspective. Throughout the film, Bilbo struggles with his growing obsession with the ring of power, and Thorin wrestles with his desire for the Arkenstone, illustrating that greed has the power to consume you and destroy you if you let it. Unfortunately, an unnecessary amount of violence surrounds the movie, resulting in a fair amount of blood spilling and heads rolling. This violence, however, is partially redeemed in the consolation that good always prevails over evil in the end. An important positive message displayed in this movie is that it is important to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in, even when everything seems to stand against you.

Concluding with an agonizing cliff hanger preceding the final film of the trilogy, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is a riveting tale laced with wonder and adventure, conveying the message that helping others and doing what is right is more important than the sacrifices that will be made in the process.