Movie Review: *****Princess Bride (1987)

Sometimes somethings works, and this is a movie that works for me.  I have watched it countless times, and it is still fresh.  Some of the movie I can quote.  My favorite is "Anybody want a peanut."  This movie (told as a story by grandfather Peter Falk to his grandson, Fred Savage, who is home sick.  The story features Andre the Giant as Fezzik, Cary Elwes as Westley, Robin Wright as the princess, Mandy Patinkin as Inigo, Wallace Shawn as Vizzini, Billy Crystal as Miracle Max and Chris Sarandon as Prince Humperdinck.  The story is such that you just have to see it.  Bottom line is Prince Humperdinck wants to start a ware by killing his pride, and blaming it on others.  However his bride is the true love of Westley, who previously was taken captive by pirates.  The Prince's plan involves the kidnapping of the Princess by Vizzini, Fessik and Inigo--brains, muscle and sword.  However they are bested by Westley, now the Dread Pirate Roberts.  This movie includes torture, kissing, true love, marriage, miracles, sword play, wrestling and boulder throwing, eels, a castle, and any number of fun adventures.
 

Movie Review: ***Ella Enchanted (2004)

This fantasy asks the questions, what would life be like if you were compelled to always obey whatever others told you to do.  That is the situation Ella (Anne Hathaway) finds herself in.   What was meant to be a gift from a fairy, is more a curse.  However, even with this blessing she meets the prince (Hugh Dancy) and they fall in love.  She is talks about equal representation among races, elves, giants and ogres and humans and convinces him to look at things when he is king, taking over for his uncle (Cary Elwes).  The Prince's father died.  However the uncle has other things in mind.  He likes being king.  This film has a snake, much like hiss in the Disney Robin Hood.

Movie Review: The Cat's Meow

This is an interesting movie, with a very good cast of characters.  It tells a version of events aboard the boat of William Randolph Hearst (Edward Herrmann).  His wife Marion Davies (Kirsten Dunst) is thought to be involved in an affair with Charlie Chaplin (Eddie Izzard).  She is not, but Charlie is in love with her.  Thomas Ince (Cary Elwes) is hoping for a business deal with Heart to keep his career going, and for some reason flames the rumors of the illicit relationship between Chaplin and Davies.  This has terrible consequences for him.  The best part of movie is watching the jealousy of Hearst.  It finally blooms out of control.  A gossip reporter, Louella Parsons (Jennifer Tilly) is also on board, and observes the events.  Herrmann does an excellent job with the part.  Dunst is always good, and this case her bubbly personality comes through.
This movie is enjoyable, and it also is a good study of misperceptions and jealousy.  At times it is just a bit too busy; but since it is based on a party on a cruise, maybe the director intended it to be that way.

TV Review: Granite Flats Season 2

This is the second year the BYUtv has sponsored this series.  It just keeps getting better and better, with more and more spies involved.  This year we have CIA vs FBI vs KGB vs out trio of young people, and perhaps even more intrigue.  Arthur Milligan (Jonathan Morgan Heit) goes off on his own with his investigation of the local spy ring, because Madeline (Malia Tyler) and Tim Sanders (Charlie Plummer) develop a romance, and seem less interested.  They become more interested in a different mystery, the real story of Madeline's adoption.  Mrs. Milligan (Annie Tedesco) is working with a behavior experiment on people using drugs and hypnosis.  She works with Madeline's parents.  Tim's father (Richard Gunn) is the chief of police, and active in the hunt for the spies.
There are two new characters this year, teacher Professor Hargraves (Christopher Lloyd) and CIA spy Ashmeade (Cary Elwes)

This is a good time with this series.  It keeps you entertained and has enough suspense.  It seems every episode there is a new problem to solve; and sometimes old issues are resolved.  I also like it because it reminds me of my youth.  Great fun.  You can still see seasons 1 and 2 through BYUtv.  Season 3 has been announced.
http://www.byutv.org/show/0aea4804-47dc-470f-b80a-35c8f23d0f27/granite-flats

Christmas Movie Review: ***^A Chrstmas Carol 2009: Jim Carrey

This is the Disney version of "A Christmas Carol" with Jim Carrey.  The characters are so real with their animation, which is their strength and down fall.  It is just too much over done with the new animations.  It makes the characters scary, much to scary for children, and sometimes for me.  I cannot watch this with Tony.  Gary Oldman plays Bob Cratchit and Colin Firth the nephew, Fred.