THE FALL

THE FALL CONQUERS GREAT HEIGHTS

Luigi: [reading from Evelyn's locket] My dearest daughter, never marry for money, fame, power or security. Always follow your heart.

Your ever loving father

Blue Bandit: It says all that on that little locket?

Luigi: Si

If you see one movie this year, I would ask that you chose this one. This is a golden fairy tale, along the likes of The Princess Bride with more sarcasm, dry humor more blood and death. The story follows an oh so sweet and heartbreaking little girl, Alexandria (Cantinca Untaru) , who is stuck in a hospital while waiting for her broken arm to heal. Curious as a bug, she wanders around, taking in all that she sees with her wide saucer-like eyes. She comes across a man, Roy Walker (Lee Pace) a stunt man who was injured while filming a movie. Thing is, his heart also broke and leaves him suicidal confused man. The two make a perfect odd combination. He tells her an adventure story, which introduces us to other characters, most having a place in the girl's real world, much like Wizard of Oz. The tale of the Blue Bandit begins, however, he makes her bring him things (like Morphine) so that he might be able to kill himself. It is cruel and so selfish of him, but she does not understand his ulterior motives and plays along to get more story. This film is magic. It is as visually stunning as it is full of life and adventure and love. It is NOT a predictable film and even makes light of that during the story telling. I was so enthralled by this film that I watched it again before returning it, which I rarely do. You will laugh and cry and hold your breath as I did toward the ending. The Fall covers a lot of territory and there are many ways the title fits the situations, as diverse as they are. A beautiful film; both visually and emotionally.

Big PICK: What a wondrous world this can be; to old and young alike. This movie broke my heart and reminded me how magical films can be.

STARDUST

STARDUST IS PURE MAGIC
Once upon a time, there was an incredibly well done fairy tale for adults. It was a magical and glorious story about the quest for power, the innocent versus the evil but above all, love. Although, as with every fairy tale for adults, there was tragedy. The worst most unthinkable tragedy possible; no one knew it was there. This spell of invisibility may have been cast by a misleading film trailer or simply a jaded, bitter world where only the raunchy and unclever humor resides. The film begins in a simple country village where a young man, curious for what lie in other villages escapes a well guarded wall only to find a land of enchantment and mystery he never fathomed. Later, this man's son, Tristan (so well pulled off by relatively unknown but well cast Charlie Cox) has the same inkling, but this time he vows to escape the wall to earn his love interest Victoria, so vapidly portrayed by Sienna Miller. What he sets off to find is not what he discovers, not only the "prize" for his Victoria, but real love and a place for himself in this magical world. The star-power in this film is amazing (pun intended). Ian McKellan narrates our journey in the proper way a fairy tale should be told. Michelle Pfieffer, Peter O'Toole, Rupert Everett, Ricky Gervais and the list goes on. All were fantastic and strong performances, except for two outstanding actors. Claire Danes was enchanting as Yvaine. In a role that could have made her look terribly silly, she embraced the comical and added spirit and an angelic aura. She was believable in an unbelievable world. The second most distinguished performance was by Robert De Niro as Captain Shakespeare. I wish you to discover for yourself how this tough guy, the evil Max Cady in Cape Fear, shows a new side to the viewer. Words fail me except that it was priceless. A combination of the Princess Bride, Witches of Eastwick, Tales of Narnia and all else in the film world that is precious and sincere. I loved this film.
Rating: A magical and adventurous fairy tale about love with an all star cast. Not to miss.