CINDERELLA

This is the latest fairy tale that came to the big screen.

Starring Lily James as Cinderella (Ella), Cate Blanchett as the wicked Stepmother (Lady Tremaine), Richard Madden as Prince Charming (Kit) and Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother. This 2 hours long movie followed true to the storyline, unlike the many such as "Into the Woods" which were screened of late.

To me, the best part of the movie wasn't the romance between Prince Kit and Ella, which was saccharine sweet, but the fantastic portrayal by Cate as the stepmother. She proved to be my screen goddess once again. Every role she steps into, she does it so naturally and convincingly. In this movie, she was every bit the much hated and wicked Stepmother everybody will grow to loathe.

Oh, I am beginning to see a trend in society where every young girl wants to become a princess. Who would eventually emerge as the real princess(es) where courage and kindness triumph all the hardships?

Ella's first encounter with Kit, the "apprentice"

Cinderella going to the ball in her pumpkin carriage

Helena Bonham Carter as the strange Fairy Godmother

Lady Tremaine and her two loathsome and shallow daughters

if only looks could kill, Cinderella would definitely be dead

a side profile of the two leads

Nonso as the Prince's aide

OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

Starring James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams, this movie adapted from a fairy tale is mainly for the kids, I felt. Having said that, I love the landscape, which was a magical setting with many magical and out of this world plants. I was thrilled by the amazing plants and forest creatures. That much I really enjoyed.

There was the familiar yellow brick road but that was where the magical experience ended. There wasn't the familiar Dorothy, Scarecrow, Lion and Doggy anywhere. Some movie critics commented that James Franco was the weakest link in the movie but I begged to differ. He was humourously funny and I thought he did well playing the self-centred magician turned hero. Rachel Weisz was as usual, looking ever so pretty as one of the wicked witches. Mila Kunis was alright. I personally didn't like Michelle William's portrayal of the good witch though.

I wonder if there will be any sequels to introduce the original characters of the fairy tale although I seriously doubt so.