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Flash Movie Review: Inkheart
Based on the popular fantasy book trilogy, this story came to life in this fun movie. I actually read the book Inkheart and thought it was a wonderfully creative story. Only if you have read the book, would you be disappointed with this movie. But on the bright side; if you have not read the books, then you would be comfortable seeing this magical tale filled with action, drama and thrills. What made a big difference for me was the great cast. Brendan Fraser (Crash, Furry Vengeance) is the perfect go to guy for these types of roles–fatherly in a large teddy bear way with cartoonish facial expressions. Playing Mortimer aka Mo, he was believable as the gifted reader who could bring characters to life. Let me rephrase that: when Mo reads from a book, the characters really materialize in person. There is a down side to this special talent, however. Someone living in the current world has to take the story book character’s place. Mo with his daughter Meggie, played by Eliza Bennett (Nanny McPhee, Perfect Life) has been searching for the book he read years ago that trapped his wife into its story. With the addition of Paul Bettany (Margin Call, Legion) as Dustfinger and Helen Mirren (The Debt, The Last Station) as Elinor, the actors made this pleasant movie more exciting. I just wish the film had followed the book’s story better. Having said that, I would not have paid full price to see this film in the theaters; but on DVD, it was an enjoyable time.
2 1/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Farewell, My Queen
“Let them eat cake” is a famous quote that we attribute to Marie Antoinette. Actually there is no record of her really uttering those words, but the quote has come to symbolize the disconnect between the wealthy upper class and the impoverished lower class. Many of us were taught about the French Revolution in our high school European history class. This movie dealt with the final days of Louis XVI’s monarchy. What fascinated me about this wonderful film was how it was seen through the eyes of Marie Antoinette’s reader. This was way before there were electronic readers and books on tape. Sidonie Laborde, played by Lea Seydoux (Midnight in Paris, Robin Hood) was the servant assigned to read to Marie Antoinette, played by Diane Kruger (Unknown, Inglourious Basterds). I found the concept of a reader a bit odd, but I so enjoyed the way this version of the monarchy’s downfall unfolded. Diane was beautiful in this role as the remarkable queen holed up in the opulent Versailles castle, carrying out her daily desires, keeping her female confidant close by; while word of an uprising in Paris spread throughout the gossiping servants. With tension building among the members of the royal court, chaos sputtered into life through the castle. We had the beauty of Versailles on display, the consistent pacing and fine acting which made this film a fresh version of French history. No readers will be allowed into the theater; you will have to do your own reading, since the film was done in French with English subtitles.
3 stars
moviejoltz 