filmclassics44 Reviews

Cinderella (I) (2015)

Disney's Most Beautiful and Crucial Live-Action Adaptation

[10/10 · 23 June 2017]

There are SO MANY adaptations of the most iconic fairy tale of all time, whether it takes place in modern time and stars Hilary Duff or Selena Gomez, and of course everyone knows the original 1950 animated Disney classic. Disney is bringing many, MANY of their most iconic animated films to life on the big screen, and I'll say this: if they can all be as good as Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella (2015), then please, Disney, continue making them.

Cinderella (2015) stars somewhat newcomer Lily James, who could not have been more perfect as Cinderella (Ella); Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine (Wicked Stepmother); Richard Madden as the Prince (Kit); Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother; Derek Jacobi as The King; Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera as Anastasia and Drisella; and Ben Chaplin and Hayley Atwell as Ella's parents.

This movie, and I cannot emphasize this enough, truly brought to the screen the MAGIC of 1950's masterpiece. I truly don't believe that any other actress could have been more charming in the title role as Lily James. This really was the first time I've seen her in a movie, and I became an instant fan. Her voice (singing and speaking), mannerisms, charm and beauty make you wonder if she really is born into a family of royalty. She was everything Cinderella is supposed to be, and definitely a wonderful role model to young ones. The chemistry between Lily James and Richard Madden was like Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, well, a family version, they were so perfect for each other. Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter were so wonderful (of course), the whole cast gave tremendous performances. I loved how we learned and sympathized a bit more with Lady Tremaine overall.

Now, the highlight of course of any Cinderella movie is the ball, or maybe the transformation. I can't even describe how beautifully the movie executed Ella's dress transformation, you feel like you're in the air, dancing along as her moment of freedom grabs her. And Sandy Powell, wow, that blue dress, I hope that she continues working more and more on the best films, which she mainly does; that dress was literally another character in this movie, that's how magnificent it is; I have never seen a more beautiful dress in my life, this dress is going to be a major part of film history.

This is (in my opinion), Disney's best live-action adaptation of their classics, some may argue The Jungle Book (2016) is, but I'm going with Cinderella (2015), it has such great messages, especially for kids about having courage and being kind even during the worst of your sufferings. Why is this such a spectacular movie? Because anybody with a heart will want to commit an act of kindness after watching this movie.

Billy Elliot (2014)

You'll Wish You Took Ballet

[10/10 · 23 June 2017]

Seeing this musical makes me incredibly sad, why? Because I never got the opportunity to see the amazingly skilled and talented dancers portraying Billy Elliot live! I never got the chance to see this specific performance in theaters either. Let me say this: Billy Elliot is so much more than a SPECTACULAR show!

The first time I watched this performance, I couldn't help but believe every single moment, making it even more impressive since it was a live performance, and there were no second takes. Elliott Hanna, oh my goodness, this guy was born to be a star! He was 11 when playing Billy here! And he is perfect! His smile is so genuine, his personality is so love-able, and don't even get me started on his dancing. I'll just say this, Elliott is going places! The other members of this cast are just as brilliant, including Ruthie Henshall (Fantine from the 10th anniversary of Les Misérables) as Mrs. Wilkinson, Deka Walmsley as Jackie Elliott, Chris Grahamson as Tony Elliott, Liam Mower (one of the ORIGINAL Billy's), Zach Atkinson (AMAZING) as Michael, and Ann Emery as Billy's Grandma (HILARIOUS).

This musical take on the just as touching 2000 film really brings Billy's dreams to life through the brilliance of Elton John's music; You truly root for the characters, you feel for Billy during "Angry Dance" and feel his passion in "Electricity." You also feel Jackie's pain during "Deep Into the Ground." I still cannot believe this was a filmed live show, and of course I'm envious of everyone who was able to see it! There's so much happiness, sadness, excitement, and hilarity that's so perfect in this show.

And also, the finale of this show seriously took my breath away from excitement! The original masterful Billy's: Liam Mower, George Maguire, and James Lomas appear along with the other magnificent Billy's: Scott McKenzie, Aaron Watson, Rhys Yeomans, Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider- Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming), Ollie Gardner, Fox Jackson-Keen, Ryan Collinson, Matthew Koon, Josh Fedrick, Kaine Ward, Dean McCarthy, Layton Williams, Harris Beattie, Harrison Dowzell, Josh Baker, Leon Cooke, Redmand Rance, Ali Rasul, Ollie Joachim, and Matteo Zecca! These guys will literally make you jump for joy as you cheer them on, they really know how to fly, literally!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hands down, one of the best Broadway shows ever, it will transform your bad day into a good one, and you will wish you took ballet after you watch it!

Carrie (1976)

Carrie (1976): The Horror Film that Requires a Box of Kleenex

[10/10 · 23 June 2017]

Carrie (1976) is a cult classic that inspires many filmmakers to this day (such as Quentin Tarantino). This is also the first film that got me interested in horror movies. What is intriguing about this film, is that it does not play like a classical horror story.

There is a lot of heart to the story of Carrie, with this version especially, thanks to Sissy Spacek's more than well-deserving Oscar nomination for "Best Actress." Thinking about the other actresses considered for Carrie White gives me the same feeling as if Shirley Temple played Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" instead of Judy Garland. Sissy Spacek truly defines the role of Carrie White. She portrayed everything that the audience needed to root for her and sympathize with her; she was extremely sweet when treated with kindness, fearful whenever somebody approached her, and justifiably ANGRY when pushed too far. Carrie (1976) is what told the world that one of Hollywood's greatest actresses existed. Piper Laurie, another unbelievably well- deserved Oscars nominated performance as Carrie's psychotic mother, Margaret. Because of Piper Laurie's extremely frightening performance, the audience loves Carrie even more, feels her frustration and despair, and it's because of her mother that her life is, literally, Hell. Margaret White is an example of a horror movie character that is even scarier than a monster like Michael Myers or Freddy Krueger; and that is because of how real she is.

The supporting cast is also extremely memorable, many in their first major roles, or even debut roles (like John Travolta). Amy Irving as the compassionate Sue Snell, William Katt as her hunky, love-able boyfriend Tommy Ross, Nancy Allen as the purely evil Chris Hargensen, John Travolta as her psychotic and goofy boyfriend, PJ Soles as Chris' malicious bff (the one with the red baseball cap), and of course, Betty Buckley as Carrie's PE teacher, aka "fairy godmother," Miss Collins. The whole supporting cast truly made this movie what it needed to be, the pillars for Carrie, and the shoulder weights for Carrie.

The prom scene, one of the most memorable and jaw-dropping moments in horror (or just) cinema history. I have seen this film approximately 150 times, and each of those times, I really do believe the bucket will miss as I'm watching Carrie having her only Heavenly Cinderella moment. And there's never a time I've watched it and not told her to get off the stage. That is the brilliance of Brian De Palma, and the cast/crew of Carrie (1976). The cinematography (Mario Tosi) brings you right into the film, and the both beautiful and haunting melodies of Pino Donaggio bring joy, fright, and extreme sorrow to this picture.

Overall, Carrie (1976) is such a beautifully disturbing, tragic motion picture that brought a whole new level to the genre of horror. Carrie White is arguably the most loved horror movie "monster" because of Sissy Spacek's surreal portrayal as a broken girl, who wants nothing but a life of happiness that she never gets, even when she gets super, super, SUPER close. This is a movie that deserves to live on and on, especially to show what could happen when you push somebody to the edge; after watching Carrie (1976), you'll never want to pick on another person again.