100 and counting

Here we are...my 100th blog entry. Not surprisingly, it's about a movie.

Stardust is the movie adaptation of Neil Gaiman's book/graphic novel. I loved the book, but it's been a few years since I've read it. To me, Stardust was always an adult fairy tale. And by adult I don't mean wacka-jah-wownn (uh...that would be may way of spelling the sound of a '70's porno guitar), I mean a story full of fantasy and other worldliness that isn't so sickly sweet you can't stomach it.

Tristian, played by relative newcomer Charlie Cox, works in a shop in his small English village. He desperately wants to impress one particular girl, who, of course, doesn't want anything to do with him. After he makes a really romantic gesture, she decides to have a bit of fun and agrees to marry him if he brings back a fallen star that they have just seen shoot across the heavens. To get the star, he must cross The Wall and go into parts unknown. Parts that have been protected 24/7 forever.

The star manifests itself into the form of a young woman, Claire Danes, upon falling to Stronghold (that would be parts unknown). Tristian selfishly attempts to bring her back with him and the adventure begins. We have sky pirates, witches, unicorns, you name it. Just enough fantasy to take you out of where you are, but not so much to become too cutesy. We also have romance, humor, and action--and not just the swashbuckling kind.

I'll admit it. My major problem with fantasy is the idea that cats talk and act like people. There is at least one series of books at the store where the cats date and shit. That's just too messed up for me.

Anyway, Matthew Vaughn, who directed Layer Cake (which you should definitely rent, even with Sienna Miller in it), handles the demands of both telling a rich story and working with loads of special effects. To me though, the best effect was the English landscape. Of course, now that I've said this it'll end up it was filmed in Bulgaria or something. I should take time to look things up now and again.

Cox and Danes work very well together. Robert De Niro ends up coming just this short of camp with his performance, which is a good thing. And, Michelle P. (seriously, I don't know how to spell her name...sorry) is deliciously wicked. I also enjoyed the bevy of British talent appearing throughout the film. I kept thinking, oooo, I've seen him in Spaced....look, it's Inspector Lynley...damn, Rupert Everett's face looks funny flat.

I think this would be a great movie to see for adult date night, or with the family. Some younger kids (10 or younger) may be put off by some parts and it is over 2 hours long, so take that into consideration. Still, you can't beat a movie that features Mr. Weasley as a former goat, who can only go "bahhh" and jump onto the top of the bar with no effort.

FYI:

Vacation week starts tomorrow. And, for those of you thinking, holy crap how much vacation time does she get anyway...let me just say, I earn every freakin' second of it.

I'm planning on going to see Superbad (McLovin!!!!) and watch some rented stuff too so I will hopefully have something to blog about. Obviously, my usual well of store bitching will be temporarily dried up. Till number 101, good night.

EDITING NOTE: I have tried 3 times to get spacing between my paragraphs and so far it hasn't worked. Don't be surprised if the 4th try fails too. Sorry.