Tangled=Disney Greatness

Who would have thought that Disney could create, yet another, princess...but they did it with Tangled.

This story, which is loosely based on the story of Rapunzel, is fun, sweet, and really good.  Unlike Disney's last princess story, The Princess and the Frog, Tangled is based in pure fairytale and I think that's what I really liked about it (and disliked about The Princess and the Frog).  Maybe I liked it so much because it is similar to the old Disney princess films, but with a modern twist--like the princess is a strong woman, and doesn't need to be rescued.

Tangled is a must see!

Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Last weekend I watched the first two Narnia films to get ready for the new installment that opened Friday.  I am really glad that I did, as there was one part, at the beginning of Dawn Treader, where Edmund receives something and if I hadn't just watched the films I may have forgotten why he was given that.  So I do highly suggest that you see the first two again, before seeing the new film.

I haven't read these books, so I can't tell you how well it follows that story.  I can tell you that this film is pretty good, especially if you enjoyed the first two--though Prince Caspian is widely disliked, I honestly liked it more than the first--I think the final battle scene is pretty awesome.  This film is very different than the first two, really.  The entire story takes place at sea.  The plot is a quest to find 7 swords.  I will be honest, I found it rushed in some parts, but alas, I understand, as they have to fit the story into an allotted amount of time.

Edmund and Lucy return to Narnia, without Susan and Peter (who make extremely brief appearances in the film--though I understand it's a part of the story that they aren't in it, it was like they were missing from the adventure).  The fall up into the ocean, and are met by the Dawn Treader.  Their mission is to help to find the swords and get them to Aslan's table before evil takes over, or I should say the evil green mist.

We are introduced to a brat cousin of Edmund and Lucy's that ends up accidentally, on purpose, following them to Narnia.  At first, he really was annoying, and the fellow playing him, did a great job of making him that way, but then he becomes a hero (I will not tell you how, as it will ruin it for you, if you don't know the story--which happened to me), and somewhat likable.

There are a few returning characters: Reepicheep, the Head Mouse of Narnia, who is a delight on the screen and Prince, now King, Caspian, who seems to have changed his accent from Spanish to British--interesting--though I was disappointed that the Caspian character is rather flat in this film.

I guess that with never reading the books, or following the media around the films, I never really realized all the Christian undertones in this series.  Yes, I get it in the first film, Aslan sacrificed himself for the sinner, and then was resurrected--but I never put the pieces together (I must be slow minded, or the first movie was so well done it wasn't obvious).  But in this film's ending, it's kinda thrown at you, and frankly, it caught me off guard, and it pulled me out of the fantasy of the film, so that was a disappointment.  Yet, then again, knowing this now, it answers the question of why Aslan doesn't just fix the problems of Narnia himself...the "people" of the world must learn their lessons as they live their lives.

Overall, Dawn Treader is a great fantasy, adventure film; and I really hope that they continue to make the rest of the series (though first Disney dropped it, and now I've heard that Fox has too)...though I am saddened that since Edmund and Lucy have now learned their lessons, they will not be returning to Narnia, like their older siblings.  I know that's part of the story of the book, but honestly, I don't like it.  I have grown to love Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy...I would like to see what happens to them.  Though in the last scene of the film, we do hear a bit of an epilogue about them, I feel that it won't be the same without them.

This is a definite see, especially if you are a Narnia film fan...but honestly, there is no need to waste the extra money for 3D...don't see a lot of 3D in it; plus it wasn't filmed in 3D, it was added afterward with the CGI. 

Merlin Series 3 Episode 13: The Coming of Arthur Pt. 2--The Series Finale

After last week's episode of Merlin, I have been chomping at the bit to see the happenings of this week.  Just the preview got me pumped--Arthur's Knights of the Round Table coming together (including the return of Lancelot), Excalibur, The Lady of the Lake, the actual Round Table...WOW!!!  Oh and maybe the end of Morgana's evil smirks...since everyone knows she's a baddie now!

When we last saw Camelot, Morgause and Morgana used Cenred to create an invincible army--too bad he wasn't invincible.  Camelot had no chance.  Arthur, Merlin, and Gwaine (future knight of the Round Table, and friend of Merlin's) were left for dead, in the forest, by said army.  When they return to Camelot, they find that the town is over run.  They find Elyan (future knight of the Round Table, and Gwen's brother) in Gwen's house; she btw, has stated her loyalty to Morgana, but by the look on her face, it was just to survive.  They also find Gaius, hiding out in the closet of his chambers.  When they find King Uther, Arthur watches as Morgana is crowned queen, and announces her father is no other than Uther!  Good thing Arthur and Morgana never hooked up!

Here are my thoughts about part 2 (OMG, I'm so excited!):

- The suspense of the first moments is high!  I love Sir Leon (future knight of the Round Table)..."Long live the King!" so ready to stand for what he believes--and man has he been loyal through all 3 series.  Here Morgana truly shows she cares not for her people, but only the power that being Queen holds! 

- You can almost see Uther's heart breaking as Morgana tells him how much she hates him.

-Arthur looks lost and beaten down...poor guy, he's lost everything and on top of that, finding out that his dad has lied to him his whole life, again, and that he has a sister, who is also turned against the family.

-What does Gwen have up her sleeve??  Love that she is telling Morgana how she hates Uther because he killed her father, in order to meet with Sir Leon to convince him to support her...Go Gwen!

-Uh, no...maybe not...And again we see that Morgana has no heart at all, and she could careless about anyone else--even those that once stood by her side!  This is a flaw, I feel, I understand her coldness to Uther, but to all the other people that she grew up with and had been around her entire life??  There is nothing of the Morgana that was once there.  As much as I love the storyline here, I feel like this is rather unbelieveable.

-At this point, why isn't Merlin showing Arthur and Gwaine that he has magic?!  Wouldn't it help in this fight?!  It's not like Uther will have him killed now!

-Remember, Gwen's dad was a blacksmith.

-Freya!!!!  Or should I say the Lady of the Lake, perhaps??

-Man I love when the Great Dragon is on this show!

-Colin Morgan is amazing with showing emotion...I felt all that on the lake with him.

-Purple is a lovely color on Sir Leon! Hehehe!

-Great...we're not done with the Morgana evil smirks :(

-WHOA!!  Merlin with Excalibur can kick some ass!

-LANCELOT!!!!!!  Oh and he's brought a friend, Percival (future Knight of the Round Table) along with him!!

-The Round Table...man, seriously...the legend elements showing up like this is just exciting!  I do like the explanation that Arthur gives of the table...though we all know why it was round (so all are equal, and no man is in charge of the other), it's good to see Arthur becoming the King Arthur of the legends.

-Wow, to the scene where they all stand up to support Arthur, touching, really.  You can see the Knights of the Round Table coming together to become the grandness that we all know they will be.

-Tearing up to the knighting scene...rather powerful!

-Love that Lancelot knows Merlin's secret, and all he's done for Camelot.

-Aww...poor Lancelot.

-Loving the plan, the fighting, all of it!  Well, except that Merlin is the only one that can kill these immortal soldiers...so why can't he tell the others?  Why do they split up and not stay together, and put Merlin and Excalibur in the forefront of the fighting, so that they can win?

-Uther is a broken man.

-Why is Morgause SO much more powerful than Merlin?  Time?  Practice?

-"For the love of Camelot"  Go Arthur!

-Love seeing the Knights (most once commoners) riding into the courtyard with their flowing cloaks!

-Powerful to see Merlin put the sword in the stone!

WOW!!!  One of the best episodes!  I cannot wait to see what happens next season...so much has been set up to align with the legends!  Plus, with Merlin and Gaius chatting about how they couldn't find any trace of Morgana or Morgause in the rubble, we know that they will more than likely return to cause more trouble for Camelot--hopefully no more evil Morgana smirks.  Maybe Mordred will make another appearance--though that little boy probably isn't so little anymore!

Torchline.com: Facebook Recaps: The Coming of Arthur Pt. 2

Merlin Series 3 will begin airing in the States on SyFy on Jan. 7th, 2011 at 10p--why it's on so late, I do not know.  Odd really, since it is more of a family show, you'd think they'd get more viewers if it was on at 8p or 9p.  I'm excited because I get to watch this series on a large television screen, as opposed to my laptop screen!  I am guessing that Series 4 will begin airing on BBC sometime in the fall of 2011...there have also been talks of specials and a series 5!  So happy, as I LOVE this show! :)

Eclipse DVD

On Saturday, December 4th at midnight, people will be flocking to stores to get the most recent movie in the Twilight Saga...

Personally, I was all about the Twilight series when the first film came out.  I saw the movie numerous times (more than I'd like to admit) and was subsequently excited for the 2 films following...yet, that excitement began to diminish after the first film.

Though the 3rd film, Eclipse is arguably the best of the bunch (though it lacked the wonderful campiness that the first film had), so far, I have to say that it coming out on DVD doesn't excite me much at all.  In fact, I find that I feel I have to purchase the DVD so that I can have a complete set of DVDs, not because of the film itself--call it my OCD or something.

I think that after the craziness of the Twilight Saga, it has lost all luster for me.  It is far too hyped!  The cruises, the conventions, the stars pimping themselves out for a buck--though I tip my hat at those that are pimping themselves out for charity, it's all too much.  The stars of Twilight have been everywhere for the past few years (especially Kristen, Rob, and Taylor)--though most, if not all, has not been their fault, it's just overwhelming, and makes me feel bombarded.

Will I purchase a DVD?  Yes, and honestly, since I have 2 (2 different versions) of the first 2, I very well may purchase 2 of the 3rd installment...will I watch it?  Probably not, though if the commentary is anything like the one on Twilight, it will be worth a watch!  Rob and Kristen were hilarious...

**Don't get me started on the Breaking Dawn films...

**And just to make it clear...Harry Potter is a far better book series, film series, and all around story.  It is timeless and magical.  The characters are deep and multidimensional, the story has so many layers it keeps you interested and enthralled throughout.  Yes, I enjoyed the Twilight series, but it's not even close to being comparable to Harry Potter.