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Thursday, January 24, 2008

"STARDUST" A Review

I'd heard of the movie, Stardust, when it came into theatres. But for some reason, though I see many films before their DVD release, I put this one off.

Recently I bought the film and, excepting a few lines and gestures, it is a good movie. I prefer to look at the positive side of a thing, when possible. And the love story is one of the most romantic I have ever seen. The actors did a superb job (the witches were disgusting, but, I think, effectively so). I would not recommend this for young teens and younger, but this is a good movie for, say, seventeen and up. There seems to be hints of homosexuality with the captain, and at one point the witch, seeking to regain her youthful appearance, ruins her figure. So there are unnecessary parts, but I think the message of true love far outshone the negative elements.

After seeing the movie and watching the special features, wherein the author, Neil Gaiman, spoke of his writing the novel, I decided to check out the book. I purchased my paperback copy at Borders the other day, started reading last night, and finished its 250 pages this afternoon.
It was a fascinating literary work, full of lyrical prose. A fresh look into Faerie, somewhat akin to Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson. There is little continuity with the book, as far as the movie was concerned, so reading the book proved more interesting because one cannot be certain of the tale's outcome.
But, be warned, this was targeted for adult readers. There is a curse word, and two sex scenes. The hero was honorable in the story, chivalrous. And the end was written with such elegance that I felt I could see the star standing in that lonesome tower, gazing into the heavens she once occupied.




4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the review. We saw the preview for Stardust and thought it looked interesting, but we didn't know anybody who'd seen it or even heard how it was. Keep up the reviews. :) Have you heard of the movie 'Jumper' that just came out or is coming out? (Colleen has a trailor section on her computer so we check them out once in awhile.) It "looks" good, but I don't know if it WILL be good. :)
Kelley

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the review. We saw the preview for Stardust and thought it looked interesting, but we didn't know anybody who'd seen it or even heard how it was. Keep up the reviews. :) Have you heard of the movie 'Jumper' that just came out or is coming out? (Colleen has a trailor section on her computer so we check them out once in awhile.) It "looks" good, but I don't know if it WILL be good. :)
Kelley

Author Scott Appleton said...

No I have not heard of "Jumper". What is it? Fantasy? I think it is really fascinating to see how technology is allowing even mid-budget films to come out impressive, and believeable.

Anonymous said...

"Jumper" seems to be an action-type movie, but not. Okay, that made no sense. Sorry, I'd have to see the preview again. It's about a young guy who finds out that he can "jump" from place to place (through things, etc.). At one point in the movie it skips a few years and the "older" guy is Hayden Christenson (Anakin Skywalker). I don't know if any of that was understandable, but I only saw the preview once.
Kelley

WELCOME TO THE WRITING SITE OF SCOTT APPLETON

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." -Proverbs 16:24

In a world where morality is forsaken and Christ neglected, wholesome books are uncommon. The themes of my writing are love, self-sacrifice, and honor.

I see my generation turning from God to the gods of this world. I see homes torn apart in the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification. Children are murdered by the millions every year . . . without ever seeing the world outside their mothers' wombs. Through fiction I strive to encourage those who are willing, to stand against these things and be heroes and heroines; chivalrous, gentle, full of righteous indignation, and the fear and love of their Creator.