Thursday, May 29, 2014

Maleficent - B

 
Good evening, my beautiful Beasties...

Went to 'Maleficent' with the WHOLE family tonight for a really fun double feature of 'X-Men: Days of Futures Past (A-) and 'Maleficent.'  We missed the 3D of 'X-Men,' so I can't speak of it, but we caught the opening of the 3D 'Maleficent.'  Woot!

'Maleficent,' like 'Wicked,' explores the behind the scenes of Disney's iconic villain from the classic 'Sleeping Beauty' and her betrayal that ultimately fuels her revenge.  Princess Aurora, the King's daughter, is caught between the forest kingdom, the human kingdom and a magic curse.


 
Is Maleficent ultimately evil?  Is Aurora the key to peace in the land?  Is there such thing as 'true love's kiss?  I will not spoil the film for you.  It takes some wonderful twists from the original story and overall, I really enjoyed the ride.  Think 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,' and ignore the critics that will say it's 'Wicked'-like...it has more humour and Angelina Jolie looks like she is having a grand time!

Pros:
- Angelina Freaking Jolie!!!
- Beautiful Effects - The moors are believable and hold up to the 3D.  The flying scenes are exceptional, even though I must admit that I like my 3D with some cheese factor.
- Sam Riley as Diaval the Raven.  My favourite character in the film.  He was fun, sarcastic, and stole every scene.  He was the opposite of my main Con, the King.
- Soundtrack - Watch the video below...breathtaking song.  This is coming from a non-Lana Del Ray fan.



Cons:
- The King SUCKS!!!  If you are going to stand toe-to-toe with Jolie, grow a pair!  What happened to you between 'District 9' and 'Maleficent?'  Awful, awful, awful!!!
- The Fairy Godmothers - the only bad effects...
- Voice-Over - It works, but I still hate them.
- Scary for younger children.

Pagan Content - This film will make you proud to be Pagan, Witch, etc.  I had many knowing smiles.  Also, a great conversation starter for kids just beginning down the path.  Good lessons, but spoilers abound, so I will leave the details out.

Night, night, wee Beasties;)

Monday, May 26, 2014

Jafar, The Evil Queen and Cruella de Vil Cast in Disney’s TV Film ‘Descendants’

Slash Films
by
Descendants

Not to be confused with Oscar-winner The Descendants, Disney’s Descendants is the latest live-action Disney Channel movie that’s turning Disney tradition on its head. The film, directed by Kenny Ortega, is about the offspring of several imprisoned Disney villains. A new prince gives the children of Sleeping Beauty‘s Maleficent, Aladdin‘s Jafar, Snow White‘s Evil Queen and 101 Dalmatians’ Cruella de Vil a chance to choose a path different from their parents. It’ll air on Disney Channel in 2015.

Kristin Chenoweth was recently cast as Maleficent and now the other three supporting baddies have been cast. Comedian Maz Jobrani is Jafar, whose son Jay is played by X-Men: Days of Future Past co-star Booboo Stewart. Sister Act actress Kathy Najimy is the Evil Queen and her daughter Evie is a newcomer named Sofia Carson. Then Steve Harvey Show star Wendy Raquel Robinson is Cruella de Vil. Her son is named Carlos and he’s played by Disney Channel star Cameron Boyce.
Variety broke the news of these new additions to the Disney Descendants cast.

Here’s the original press release that details the story.

In a present day idyllic kingdom, the benevolent teenaged son of the King and Queen (Beast and Belle from Disney’s iconic Beauty and the Beast) is poised to take the throne. His first proclamation: offer a chance at redemption to the trouble-making offspring of Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, the Evil Queen and Jafar who have been imprisoned on a forbidden island with all the other villains, sidekicks, evil step-mothers and step-sisters. These villainous descendants (Carlos, Mal, Evvie and Jay, respectively) are allowed into the kingdom to attend prep school alongside the offspring of iconic Disney heroes including Fairy Godmother, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and Mulan. However, the evil teens face a dilemma. Should they follow in their nefarious parents’ footsteps and help all the villains regain power or embrace their innate goodness and save the kingdom?

Kenny Ortega, the Emmy Award-winning director and choreographer of Disney’s record-settingHigh School Musical TV movies and feature film, returns to Disney Channel to direct Descendants.
The script was written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott (creators and Emmy Award and WGA Award nominees for their writing on The Starter Wife, also writers of Runaway Bride and onDesperate Housewives). The production design will be by Mark Hofeling (Teen Beach Movie, High School Musical). The wardrobe design will be by Kara Saun (Project Runway, America’s Best Dance Crew).

Casting is underway for Disney’s Descendants, a contemporary live-action adventure-comedy that taps into Disney’s heritage characters—notably its most evil villains–to introduce their progeny, a modern day generation of teenagers who ultimately question the evil that’s always been in their hearts. Disney’s Descendants is scheduled to begin production next spring for a 2015 premiere on Disney Channel. The casting directors are Natalie Hart and Jason La Padura, C.S.A. (High School Musical TV movies and film, Camp Rock).

Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, “We mined Disney’s treasure trove of stories and developed a new, comedic approach to the fabled characters everyone knows and loves. The result is a modern and unexpected re-interpretation of classic heritage characters utilizing contemporary, relatable settings and themes.”

Friday, May 23, 2014

Iranian Actress Could Face Public Flogging Over Kiss

IMDB


Iranian actress Leila Hatami, star of Oscar-winning film “A Separation,” is causing a stir in her home country after publicly kissing Cannes president Gilles Jacob.

Unrelated men and women, according to Iran’s strict Islamic regime, are not allowed to touch or kiss in public.

The kiss, a simple peck on the cheek, took place at the world premiere of “Grace of Monaco” last Wednesday, May 14. It was also the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival in France.

Hizbullah Students, a group of university students linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, have since filed a complaint over the incident.

She must be flogged for “kissing a strange man,” they said in the petition.

The petition adds, “We, the undersigned, who are a group of student Muslim brothers and sisters, ask the cultural and media branch of the judiciary to prosecute Leila Hatami for her sinful act of kissing a strange man in public, »


- Variety Staff

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Mistress of elegance! Angelina Jolie stuns in black lace mini dress and horned heels as she attends Maleficent photocall

Daily Mail

She may be playing 'Mistress of Evil' in her new Disney epic, Maleficent, but Angelina Jolie proved she is the queen of chic as she attended a photocall in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
 
The 38-year-old actress kept things simple but classy as she wore an A-line black mini dress with lace detailing.
 
With her famous beauty highlighted with a hint of make-up, the actress completed her ensemble with black Christina Louboutin shoes with curved horn heels reminiscent of her character's two-horned appearance.
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Natural beauty: Angelina Jolie proved she is the queen of chic as she attended a Maleficent photocall in Los Angeles on Wednesday

The shoes have been a staple feature as she promotes the film which is an 'reimagining' of the classic 1959 Disney cartoon film exploring the untold story of the iconic villain incorporating elements of the betrayal which turned her heart to stone.
 
Her brunette locks were styled into natural waves and she accesorised with a few small items of jewelry.
Her demure ensemble is a far cry from the more racy styles she used to wear when she was seen as the wild child of cinema.
Stunning: The 38-year-old actress kept things simple but classy as she wore an A-line black mini dress with lace detailing
 
Elegance: Angelina's famous features were highlighted with a hint of make-up
And the actress revealed that it is only now that, as she releases her family friendly film, that she realised just how racy her movie history is.
Speaking to the MailOnline, she admitted: ‘I didn’t realise how many films I made that my kids can’t see until I did this!’
‘Now I realise which ones but yes it’s been so much fun to have something like this coming out where the kids are so excited and can come see it and they loved to be on set and they played in the fairy mound and they loved meeting Elle (Fanning) and Prince Charming and hanging out and Diaval.’
Bashful: The actress' brunette locks were styled into natural waves and she accesorised with a few small items of jewellery
Gothic glam: Angelina kept the dark theme with a black manicure

She added: ‘So it was like just sharing this play time, which is of course what I do for a living but when it comes down to this level and this world, you can really share it with your kids and it was the greatest.‘
Maleficent, which portrays the story of Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the antagonist, is extra special for Angelina as it stars her daughter Vivienne as a young Aurora. 
True to character: Angelina completed her ensemble with black Christina Louboutin shoes with curved horn heels reminiscent of her character's two-horned appearance
Alter-ego: Angelina plays the wicked 'Mistress of Evil' in Maleficent
Alter-ego: Angelina plays the wicked 'Mistress of Evil' in Maleficent

Speaking to the MailOnline about starring alongside one of her children, she shared: ‘It was great. 
'I only put her in the film because the other children her age would be scared of me because I looked quite scary dressed as Maleficent and in the scene little Aurora has to really want to be near me and be loving to me and I have to be quite mean.
‘So Vivienne and I practised it a few times. I was actually shocked at how well she did.'
Giggling beauty: Elle Fanning stars alongside Angelina playing the role of Sleeping Beauty
Giggling beauty: Elle Fanning stars alongside Angelina playing the role of Sleeping Beauty


Aurora and her prince: Elle posed at the photocall, as did Sam Riley who plays Prince Charming
Aurora and her prince: Elle posed at the photocall, as did Sam Riley who plays Prince Charming
Aurora and her prince: Elle posed at the photocall, as did Sam Riley who plays Prince Charming