A Pagan's Life (For Me)

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 Germain Lussier

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.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

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.

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.’

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.

Angelina on her kids & how many of her films they CAN'T watch

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

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

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Good News - Superhero Window Washers Swoop In To Brighten Up Kids' Day At Lurie Children's Hospital

Window washers at Chicago's Lurie Children's Hospital this week continued what is fast becoming a popular tradition to help put a smile on the faces of sick children.

The Chicago Tribune reports that three Lurie window washers donned superhero costumes -- Captain America, Spider-Man and Batman -- on Tuesday in an effort to cheer up and surprise the young patients at Lurie while they went about their work. Nurses call the new tradition, which started last year, "Superhero Day."

While it's hard to say which hospital started the trend a few years back, many children's hospitals have taken to asking their window washers if they wouldn't mind sporting tights, capes and masks for a day to surprise patients.

Window-washing crews in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Alabama, California and elsewhere have all joined the fun.

While Lurie neuro-oncologist Dr. Stewart Goldman told the Tribune he has no scientific research to back it up, he feels the "Superhero Day" event and the positive feelings it inspires can help the hospital's young patients heal.

“There is power in laughter and joy and excitement," Goldman said.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Fancy seeing you here: Tom Baker meets an old enemy at Doctor Who launch... as he admits he 'won't rule out return to series'

Fourth Doctor Who, Tom Baker, was in good spirits on Monday, especially as he came face-to-face with a dreaded Dalek while attending a launch for the show.

The actor, who played the Time Lord from 1974 to 1981, blew kisses and even stood with his arm around his sworn enemy outside the Ivy Club in London.

The 80-year-old was in town to celebrate the news that The Horror Channel will begin airing 30 of the best classic Doctor Who episodes from Friday, April 18 at 7pm.

New friends: Tom Baker posed with a Dalek outside the Ivy Club in London on Monday at a Doctor Who launch

The launch comes as Tom admits he wouldn't rule out a return to the iconic series which he last starred in to celebrate its 50th anniversary special in November 2013.

He told Digital Spy: 'I wouldn't rule anything out. If it was a nice part, with some good lines, I might deign to appear.

'I greatly admire [Twelfth Doctor Peter] Capaldi. He's lovely and apparently he's a great fan of Doctor Who - he might ask for me.'

But he told The Mirror that he didn't get on too well with certain members of the BBC. He said: 'The monsters on Doctor Who were never so amazing as the monsters on the sixth floor of the BBC.

'There were some improbable looking people there.'

Speaking earlier to members of the press, the actor admitted that he felt 'uneasy' about his Who return, having previously turned down a role in 20th anniversary special The Five Doctors in 1983.

Tom played the Fourth Doctor in the BBC series

'Going to Cardiff on a winter's morning at 4 o'clock couldn't possibly be fun,' he said. 'I was a bit uneasy, but Matt Smith was a charming young man. We did this little scene which people liked a lot.

'I turned down The Five Doctors because it wasn't long since I'd left - I had left Doctor Who because I think I'd run my course. Also, I didn't want to play 20% [of the part] - I didn't fancy being a feed for other Doctors. In fact, it filled me with horror!

'Now, of course, if someone asked me to do a scene with some other Doctors, I think, if they let me tamper with the script, it would probably be quite droll.'

Will he, won't he? The actor admitted that he felt 'uneasy' about his Who return, having previously turned down a role in 20th anniversary special in 1983

Sunday, April 13, 2014

World News - KSA facing increased cases of witchcraft

Arab News

Residents in the Kingdom are reporting a dramatic increase in the incidents of black magic, said to be practiced by mostly expats.
The phenomenon is rampant in the Western Province, which records higher numbers in comparison with the other parts in the Kingdom, according to officials. Makkah and Madinah have recorded the highest number of cases, sources have said.

More than 85 percent of witchcraft-related cases registered in Makkah’s courts involve expats, according to statistics issued by the Ministry of Justice.

The increase in the number of witchcraft-related cases has prompted authorities at the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (known in Arabic as the “Haia“) to use social networking sites to spread awareness and close in on sorcerers. In fact, the Haia has an exclusive section on its web site that addresses cases related to witchcraft.

The commission also recently introduced training programs for field employees in Makkah on how to deal with sorcerers.
“We have implemented certain procedures and systems to deal with cases pertaining to sorcery across the Kingdom,” Ahmed Al-Janard, a spokesman at the commission, told Arab News.

“The Haia recently apprehended a resident in the Eastern Province who was involved in the promotion of witchcraft through his Twitter account,” he said. “He was caught selling a stone that he claimed has the power to eliminate evil, reduce envoy and foster feelings of love.”

A Jeddah court recently sentenced an Asian Qur’an teacher to a four-year prison term and a hundred lashes, in addition to deportation upon completing his sentence, for practicing witchcraft and contacting potential clients on their mobile phones.

Several uninhabited flats and buildings, meanwhile, are said to possessed by jinn, according to residents who claim to have personally witnessed the supernatural creatures.

“I have frequently witnessed jinn attacks,” said Issa, an imam who cures residents affected by the supernatural creatures. “People come to me saying they had seen a ghost or had experienced strange incidents.”

“The Qur’an states that jinn have the ability to scare people,” he said. “They are supernatural beings that reside in parallel to our world.”

“I had rented out a flat in this area even though the structure of the building was outdated because it was affordable,” said Syed Arif, an expat who recently moved onto the Arbaeen district in Jeddah.

“My younger son started to talk to what we thought was an imaginary friend,” he said. “He never wanted to leave the house and stayed in his room for hours. We used to hear him laughing and talking to himself all the time.”

“When the situation got worse, we consulted a sheikh, who told us our son plays with a jinn,” he said. “He had advised us to move houses if the situation continued.” Amena Ali, a Jeddah residents, told Arab News of her experience with the unseen.

“We use to live in the Bab Makkah area and my daughter once complained that she saw a shadow in the house,” said Amena. “We didn’t pay attention to her, thinking it was her imagination, until my husband encountered the same shadow.”

Ejaz Hamed, a resident in the Rehab district, said that the government has closed off a local building said to be inhabited by jinn, which has not been rented out in years.

Ahlam Hafez from Riyadh said she paid a sheikh more than SR10,000 to get rid of jinn in a neighboring flat.

“There are believers and non-believers among jinn,” said Mohammed Mukhtar, a sheikh. “Preachers who earn their living by exorcizing spirits should charge affordable fees.”