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20 Reasons to Love Stardust- feat. Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes, Robert De Niro & Charlie Cox

Posted on January 22, 2010 Written by ripitup

Stardust starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro. Image via amazon.

Stardust is- hats off- one of the most entertaining, beautiful, fun and impressive movies I have ever seen. The story is based on a novel by Neil Gaiman. It is an advanced fairy-tale for adults which children can enjoy as well. It is complicated, original, life-like and lovely. Complete with witches, kings, throne-thirsty princes, stars, pirates…The whole works. Yes, I am extremely positively biased because I love absolutely everything about the movie. Hang around and see if you agree.

1. The Novel: Neil Gaiman

The story is based on Neil Gaiman’s novel.

2. The Story: Jane Goldman – Matthew Vaughn

Little English village Wall is bordering next to a magical kingdom called Stormhold. While Wall is a typical English town with typical humans, Stormhold has witches and weird stuff going on. Right now, the main question for the King and the remaining sons (3 sons have been murdered by their brothers) is who will own the crown. The king-to-be is supposed to acquire the jewel, which flies out the window and into the sky. The sons start chasing the star while trying to get rid of each other.

The jewel causes a massive reaction in the sky, causing a star (Yvaine) to fall down- in the form of Claire Danes, wearing the jewel.

Tristan Thorn is young man has to get the star to show to his beloved Victoria. Victoria is a spoiled young woman who is merely using him. Tristan and Yvaine have to start an unwilling alliance, since she needs Tristan’s magical candle to go back home. How Tristan came to possess the candle has a beautiful story of its own.

But of course things are more complicated: 3 sister witches need to get the star. One of them goes out to get it- they need to cut out the star’s heart and eat it, to restore beauty and youth. The journey is full of adventure, surprises, interesting characters, dangers, romance and fun.

3. Direction: Matthew Vaughn

Vaughn is a British director who previously directed Layer Cake with Daniel Craig. Haven’t seen it yet, but I fully intend to. Of course has nothing in common with Stardust, apart from Vaughn himself. But I don’t care if he doesn’t direct anything I like ever again. Stardust is perfect and Vaughn deserves a lot of credit for that.

4. The whole movie crew: Especially production, cinematography, effects and make-up.

Amazing. If you saw the movie, you know what I mean. If you haven’t, wait till I go over the cast members.

5. The Score:

Just right. Adds to the magic, action and romance.

THE CAST

6. Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer in Stardust. No worries, we see both versions in the movie. Image credit: People.com

She is the witch out after our star. She is just breath-takingly beautiful and cunning. Michelle Pfeiffer is brilliant as the main villain. She has always been my favorite actresses and one of the women I find truly gorgeous. She is a woman to be envied and admired.

7. Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro in Stardust. If you thought Jack Sparrow was interesting…

You have never seen him De Niro this. I watched tens of movies of him and I thought I had seen all his faces. I was wrong. His performance as the captain of a lightning- catching pirate ship (now, that sounds like a great job) is just hilarious. Without him, the movie would just not be half as good.

8. Charlie Cox

Charlie Cox in Stardust — Charlie plays Tristan. And I thought all the good looking men were born in the 60s…Shame on me.

Cox Plays our male lead Tristan. He makes a perfect transition from the naive boy to the smart guy- getting only more handsome with the captain’ touches to his image. He grows wiser but remains nice and romantic. The result? Eye candy and lovable character all in one. Cox is growing up nicely. I previously watched him in Casanova. Period pieces and swords just become him…

9. Claire Danes

Stardust- Claire Danes with Charlie Cox — Claire Danes is lovely as Yvaine.

She is just adorable as the star Yvaine. She shines (both literally & metaphorically) throughout the movie. She has the truest observations about mankind. She is pretty and I totally forgave her for boring me to bits in Romeo + Juliet (I dislike the movies as a whole, not just her as Juliet)

10. Ben Barnes

Ben Barnes has a small part as Tristan’s father’s youth. He conveys innocence, curiosity and fascination perfectly. I wish he had a bigger part but hey, the film-makers worldwide seemed to agree with me that Ben is a great actor so he went on to get leading parts in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Kasbian, as Prince Kasbian and Easy Virtue. They also seem to agree that Ben is just as beautiful as a man can get since they cast him as Dorian Gray in Dorian Gray.

11. Mark Strong

Mark Strong in Stardust — Mark strong rocks as the ambitious prince after the jewel.

I had first seen Mark Strong in Body of Lies starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo di Caprio. He played his accent so perfectly; I could swear he wasn’t a native English speaker. He is English however and he is a marvelous actor. He can make you forget you saw him in any other role. He truly becomes his character. He is perfect as the King’s smartest, most cunning and charismatic son. He also makes one badass villain in Sherlock Holmes.

12. Henry Cavill

When I found out that the guy playing Victoria (Sienna Miller)’s arrogant jerk of a boyfriend- who also seemed really awfully blond and stupid- was the same gorgeous Henry Cavill who stars in The Tudors next to Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Wow! Kudos to making department for making Henry repelling. That takes talent.

Henry Cavill in the Tudors — Henry in The Tudors. Now, that’s the Henry Cavill we are used to.

13. Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller in Stardust — Sienna Miller as Victoria. Tristan’s journey starts because of her.

I don’t know why people think she can’t act. I think she gives whatever the role requires. She plays the beautiful and superficial Victoria just right. I also loved her as Casanova’s true love in Casanova.

14. Kate Magowan

Well, Tristan owes his existence to her. Literally. She is one of the key characters. I can’t imagine anyone else for the part. She is pretty, strong and determined.

WITH

15. Peter O’ Toole

He has only about 5 minutes as the king but who cares? He is Peter O’Toole and we love to see him on the screen.

16. Rupert Everett

Same 5 minutes goes for Rupert, but he really is good for an idiotic prince.

17. Nathaniel Parker

He play’s Tristan’ s father. Aside from the best father figure one can have, I think he is a good choice for Ben Barnes’ grown-up version. However I can’t see Ben turning into him in 18 years. Maybe 36? But hey- I guess it was tough being a single dad during those times…

18. Ricky Gervais

Always funny to see him. I especially enjoyed his part this time I saw Stardust- having recently watched The Invention of Lying and Ghost Town.

19. Ian McKellen

How is that for a narrator?

20. Seriously? You need more reasons? You have got to be kidding me!!!

7.9 from IMDB, voted by over 87.000 people. Not bad, but I voted it a 9, just for the record. What are you waiting for? Let the magic begin. I think I saw it 4 times already. And no, I am not done with the movie yet.

The trailer is below.

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6_gBg4XjWk[/pro-player]

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10 Things I Hate About You starring Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julia Stiles & Larisa Oleynik

Posted on January 15, 2010 Written by ripitup

10 things I hate about you, starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. Yep, they look soooo into each other.

This probably has to the best, teen movie ever- because it is just not exactly a teen movie. Sure it takes place in a high school and between high school students, but it is based on Shakespeare comedy “Taming of The Shrew” –which I fully intend to read.

Let’s talk about the movie.

When Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) starts at his new school, he immediately develops a friendship with one of the outcasts named Michael (David Krumholtz)and falls for Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik) at first sight. Michael immediately warns Cameron that Bianca is way out of his league and he is not exaggerating. She is more into Joey (Andrew Keegan), a self-centered popular guy who gets modeling gigs. Joey is only into Bianca because she is a virgin. What really challenges him though is that Bianca’s father (Larry Miller) is not letting her date.

As Cameron tries to get closer to Bianca while he tutors her French (a language he is trying to master only to be able to spend time with her), Bianca informs him that his father has made a new rule: she can date when her older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) dates. The problem is her sister (also at her high school) is against every thing Bianca ever believes in. She loves punk and rock, she is anti-fashion, is all for individuality and she’d rather die than date an idiot at her school.

This is when Cameron and his friend come up with a great plan. Michael makes a deal with Joey- they’ll find a guy to date Kat- Joey will pay the guy. Then he will be able to date Bianca. Of course the real plan is for Cameron to be able to B himself. Then they make a deal with Patrick (Heath Ledger) whose reputation is bad as Kat’s. Cameron and Michael help Patrick to get to Kat. Of course things get complicated as Bianca only seems to be using Cam and Patrick starts falling for Kat….

It is really funny and romantic. Heath Ledger is awesome as usual and the casting just seems right. I love how Michael uses this opportunity to get back at his old best friends who excluded him and Kat’s father (Larry Miller) is just a riot. He cracks me up every time. Then there is the headmaster who is writing an erotic novel and the English teacher who seems to hate all of his students. And any soundtrack that involves Joan Jett is fine by me. Do watch it. After all how many other “teen” movies did you see that was rated 6.9 on imdb, voted by 56.799 people? Exactly!!!

Enjoy the trailer

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWmjzCZr0Jw[/pro-player]

Also featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt:

500 Days of Summer

3 TV Series About Aliens: Roswell, 3rd Rock From The Sun and V (2009)

Inception starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

P.S. I Love You starring Gerard Butler, Hilary Swank and Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Posted on December 29, 2009 Written by ripitup

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GNxdc-wlw4[/pro-player]

P.S. I love you, starring Gerard Butler and Hillary Swank

It occurred to me I never got to write about this sweetheart of a flick. I wrote a lot about Gerard Butler and while I included pictures from the movie before , I never wrote a proper movie review. Shame on me. So here we go:
Gerry (Gerard Butler) is an adorable Irish guy married to the American Holly. Though they have been married for some time now, they are still crazy about each other. Sure, they have problems; but nothing they can’t get over. So Holly’s world comes crashing down when Gerry suddenly dies. It has been love at first sight. And after a great marriage of 9 years, Holly just doesn’t know how to cope. But the sweet man that he is, Gerry has thought ahead. He has written letters and arranged them to arrive to Holly at certain times after his death. He speaks to her through the letters, instructing and guiding her, in an attempt to help her cope with his death and life. The letters will take Holly to both fun and emotional journeys in the past, present and the future…

The movie is based on the book of the same name by Cecelia Ahern. I read the book before I saw the movie and though I appreciated the sensitivity of the book, I enjoyed the movie much, much more. Hillary Swank is lovely as Holly and Gerard Butler makes an excellent Gerry. I am also a fan of movies that cast actors that I got to like from previous projects. Friends’ Phoebe Lisa Kudrow plays one of Holly’s best friends and Buffy’s Spike James Marsters plays Gerry’s best friend. Singer/actor Harry Connick Jr., plays the bartender.

Last but not least, Grey’s Anatomy’s Denny Duquette and Watchmen’s The Comedian Jeffrey Dean Morgan has a small but important role.

The only thing I didn’t like about the movie was Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s part. Developments concerning his character just feels rushed. And after watching a story that makes us love Gerry, it feels like you are betraying him. Other than this, director/co-writer Richard LaGravenese has done a decent job.

You should take this lovely journey with Holly. It is romantic, funny and emotional.

The Lake House starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock

Posted on December 6, 2009 Written by ripitup

The Lake House with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyywIEg0vrI&feature=related[/pro-player]

2006. Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock) moves out of the lake house she has been living in. She moves back to the city and writes a note to the next owner, mentioning that there were paw prints before she moved in and there was a box in the attic- so he will know they are not her doing.

2004. Architect Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves) moves into the lake house. The house has been empty for years so Alex is surprised to find a letter in the mail box from the previous owner, Kate Forster. And there are no paw prints to speak of. So Alex responds by saying that she might be mistaken since no one lived there before him.

2006. Now, Kate is a little annoyed. Plus Alex has dated his letter 2004. When they start writing to each other, each determined to prove the other wrong, weird things start happening. For one, the paw prints are formed by a dog just as Alex is working outside. Second, anything Kate says has happened that winter happens.

As far-fetched and impossible as it might seem – through some sort of time lapse or whatever – they are corresponding through the same mailbox. The minute one puts the letter in, the other picks it up. Yet in time, there are 2 years apart. So Alex and Kate decide to make the most of this strange occurrence and write in detail. They get to know each other and share bits from their lives. They make little but truly meaningful gestures for each other that other doesn’t have due to their own time. Through the letters, they start to fall in love. They both know it is ridiculous and they how no idea how on earth this is happening but the connection and emotions they share are unique and intense.

At one point, Kate asks Alex to do a favor for her. She has forgotten her much cherished Persuasion copy (a novel by Jane Austen) at the train station two years ago. Alex goes to pick it up and sees Kate for the first time- though Kate two years ago is already on the train and doesn’t know him.

He promises to give it to her. And through a chance encounter, he meets Kate’s then boyfriend and is invited to her birthday party. Kate and Alex get to meet face to face- of course he can’t explain Kate who he is. But yet in those few minutes, they connect. Kate of 2006, she remembers him. She remembers the stranger she has kissed two years ago and hasn’t seen again.

So in that moment lost in the movie, you do believe in “soul mates”, “the one”, “meant to be” and fate – all the cliché concepts that we tend to believe in our romantic/emotional moments and tend to reject when we are feeling cynical. Because there in a beautiful story, you realize the two people corresponding and ceasing to be strangers with their letters, were not really strangers to begin with. They were two people who met at the wrong time, at the wrong place – hence the references to the novel Persuasion (don’t worry, Kate fills you in on that, no need to have read the book- though I’m seriously tempted to). So realizing he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity, they decide to meet for real. But then again, time difference or not, life is complicated…

If you have seen the movie, please comment and I’ll be happy to get into all the beautiful details of this heart-warming and sincere film. Yes, you might be tempted to find logical flaws. Don’t try. I mean the movie does have the surreal element in the first place and since this is simply romance and doesn’t include any other “fantastic” elements, let it go. You either will enjoy the story, the acting, the setting, or you won’t. I love both Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. I am not that big of a fan of Sweet November so don’t accuse me of loving everything with Keanu in it. I don’t (Feeling Minnesota was average and I am not a Matrix saga fan- although I admire its effects). Somehow, Lake House isn’t cheesy or sappy or stupid. It is emotional, intense, sincere and sweet. I actually do think Keanu Reeves is a good actor. And no – I don’t believe the point of the movie is possible in real life. That “fate” helps you in getting together with that special person? That love can exist between a man and a woman in its true form? And moreover “the one” can look like Keanu Reeves? Please, no. But I want to believe it. And for the duration of 99 minutes, I believe it. With all my heart. So can you.

P.S: For a bittersweet reality shot, watch 500 Days of Summer. Lake House involves no comedy and is less original (it is based on a foreign film). But to see a love story, don’t miss this. IMDB rating: 6.8. voted by over 30,000. See? I told you cynicism gets on hold with this flick.

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