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Film & BooksIssue: Virgo 07

Stardust

Director Matthew Vaughn brings off color humor and originality to the fairy tale/love story “Stardust.” Having worked on the English gangster movies “Layer Cake,” “Snatch,” and one of my personal favorites, “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” Vaughn is able to mix a sinister brew with some peppery English wit to make this a very entertaining film.

The story begins in an English countryside town that borders on a magical land. Tristan (Charlie Cox) is conceived after his dad crosses over into the forbidden land of “Stormhold” and has a liaison with a witch’s slave. Eighteen years later, Tristan crosses the wall himself to fetch a fallen star for his beloved. To his surprise, the fallen star has arrived in the form of a young woman, Yvaine (Claire Danes). Three wicked witches and three competitive princes are also compelled to capture Yvaine in order to use her magic to gain eternal beauty and ascension to the role of king.

This fantasy journey has the epic feel and special effects of a “Harry Potter” or “Lord of the Rings” movie with the off-beat humor of a subdued Terry Gilliam (of Monty Python fame) film. The product is surprisingly entertaining and refreshingly unpredictable − and very much worth seeing at the theater. In addition, Robert De Niro plays a cross-dressing ship’s captain, a role so far flung for him that even though it doesn’t quite work, it is a joy to watch!

And for those who love a love story, this one is nicely embedded into the sardonic tale with heart-felt sweetness. I saw several couples hug at the end of the film. dots

by Ann Janda

Film & Books Archives (total entries: 36)

Aquarius 10

Burma Chronicles

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Aries 08

Three Cups of Tea

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Cancer 10

A Few Good Reads

Now that school is out and summer is here, I cannot wait to relax in the sunshine and enjoy a few good reads. Here is my summer list:

Sagittarius 09

Wild Chickens and Petty Tyrants

This witty, accessible, and concise book will raise the mindfulness of the most stressed out person in mere seconds.

Virgo 09 - The Climate Change Issue

Julie & Julia

Meryl Streep is absolutely mesmerizing in Nora Ephron’s film, Julie & Julia. I was blissfully swept away by her portrayal of Julia Child and the story of her supportive and adoring husband, Paul Child, played by Stanley Tucci.

Taurus 09 - The Garden Issue

Edible Green Mountains

My new favorite food magazine is Edible Green Mountains. Filled with beautiful images and interesting articles about local Vermont growers, retailers, chefs, and food artisans, Edible Green Mountains is a feast for the eyes with plenty of food for thought!

Pisces 2009 - The Movie Issue

Frozen River

A struggling, single mother of two has only one wish for Christmas – to move her family out of a broken-down trailer and into a new double-wide.

Aquarius 09 - The Change Issue

WALL-E

Adorable, funny, and eerily post-apocalyptic, WALL-E is, in short, brilliant, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you must rent this fabulous film made by the Pixar division of Disney.

Capricorn 08 - The Career Issue

Dispatches from the Edge

Though Anderson Cooper has reported on many natural and political disasters across the globe, his response to Hurricane Katrina is what made him famous.

Sagittarius 08 & Honest Self Expression

Rachel Getting Married

Like real life-families who have a member struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, the focus of “Rachel Getting Married” isn’t on Rachel, even though it should be. It is on her narcissistic sister, Kym, who is out of rehab for the weekend to attend Rachel’s wedding.