Mirror Mirror And Cut Before It Ends

With the ensuing boredom that comes with having nothing to do; I've taken it upon myself to watch Netflix. That's right, I have appointed myself the task of watching movies when I cannot be bothered with doing other things. It started when I was waiting for the paint on my nails to dry. Now I am stuck! I started with those classics that people judge me for not having watched. I then progressed to holiday classics that I do not happen to own on DVD. Whilst perusing for another flick to continue my duty with, I found a selection of newly added recent releases. Among those releases was "Mirror Mirror."
I must now say that I was more pleased with it than I had expected to be. The only thing I'd heard about it after its initial previews, was that it was a good role for Julia Roberts. That didn't lend itself to much though. However, as far as that goes. I agree that she was excellent in it. As far as the rest of the cast goes; the dwarves were very good. But I'm not convinced everyone was right. I'm not saying that any of them were wrong, I just think that Julia Roberts casting was Oh So Good! that the rust were just short of par.
Visually, I truly liked it. I think the sets and costumes were brilliant and spoke volumes about the lifestyles of the characters. It may have been a little extreme, but this wasn't a hum-drum-drama, so I believe that the extremities were justifiable and only helped the story along. Which may have needed doing. The effects were almost seamless too. So much so that I almost forgot that they were effects and thus; almost forgot to say anything about them.
After the initial waxed people story telling (Which was fun, new and lovely in my view) the story felt a little forced. Though that may be because I know the story of Snow White and this was a retelling of it. Then again, forced is too harsh of a term, and therefore inaccurate. It may have been predictable and uninspiring. On second thought; I just didn't care for the end. I enjoyed the rest of the film as I watched it... I should probably clarify, when I say the end; The song and dance alongside the credits left a bad taste in my mouth and has me not wanting to talk about the rest of the film in a good light.
My actual review and recommendation of this film is this: Yes, it is good, and Julia Roberts was great in it. Do NOT expect much at the end when the credits start. Actually, after the dwarves thing, just stop watching all together.

Ye Olde Modern Day Legend

After about an hour of pondering, thinking, and musing; I've decided it's high time to talk about my most recent read. Stephen R. Lawhead's rendition of the tale of King Arthur was not was I was expecting. This simple fact was laid out plain in the first few pages. At first, when I started the prologue I thought: perhaps this is JUST the prologue, perhaps the actual chapters will be set in Arthurian England. But as the words progressed and the pages turned; it was not to be so. Intrigued that I was completely unprepared for a modern day novel, I pressed on both excited and directly apprehensive to what the book would actually be about. In my humble opinion, I do believe Lawhead has a distinctly curious and enticing imagination.
Not only did he bring together a cast of likable (and Unlikeable) characters to play their specific parts accordingly, he also tied it very well into the well known legend. Though, my first choice would not be to have reincarnation type visions, they lent themselves well to the story development. One thing for sure is if he'd leaked these 'visions' to the press, he would have not been king for long. So it was in the best interest that something like that not be written in. But then again; that's just my mind stirring up controversy.
Much like with his book Hood, Lawhead's use of a bard character was duly enjoyed. However, in this case, questions were raised on this bards own age and whatnot, yet that triviality seems unimportant with the rest of the fantastical events and occurrences of the story. One event in particular drew me in more than I thought it would. Nearer to the end of the book, when I was already looking for a way for events to start wrapping up, and they continued to develop. I was waiting for something immensely dramatic to happen and throw me off guard so that I would throw my copy across the room, then storm off and swear to never read a Lawhead novel again. Here again, I was genuinely surprised that I was both appeased and denied in my want for drama. I was not angered by the dramatic events, but instead; drawn further into the story and what was happening. I could not and would not set down the book and leave the story. The great detail given to the action taking place in later chapters quickened my reading pace. I saw all of the pieces of the puzzle coming together nicely and didn't feel that any of the parts were specifically rushed too much or drawn out too far. As soon as I started to think "come on, move on already." The story gave some pretty little details that, had I been skimming through due to boredom, I would have missed. I am glad I took the time to devour this book over time and chew all of the pieces. It was a good read and did not subtract in any way shape or form from Arthurian Legends of Old. I do recommend Avalon: The Return of King Arthur if you enjoy a bit of fantasy and/or even historical fiction., even though it wasn't actually historical.