| Synopsis of Two Major Film Screenings Ella Enchanted and The Punisher |
ELLA ENCHANTED
A comic-fantasy-adventure filled with magic and music, ogres and elves, giants
and wicked stepsisters, ELLA ENCHANTED revisits a classic fairy-tale world with a
distinctly 21st century twist. The film, directed by Tommy O’ Haver (“Get Over It”) is
based on the best-selling, Newbery Honor-winning novel by Gail Carson Levine.
It all begins when Ella of Frell (Anne Hathaway of “The Princess Diaries”) is given a
fairy’s “gift” at birth - the gift of perfect obedience. Forced to do anything she is
commanded - no matter how silly or dangerous - Ella’s life hardly seems to be in her
own control. Things only get worse when Ella’s father (Patrick Bergin) remarries,
bringing into her life a stepmother, the dastardly Dame Olga (Joanna Lumley of
“Absolutely Fabulous”), and two sinister stepsisters, Hattie (Lucy Punch) and Olive
(Jennifer Higham), who get a kick out of watching Ella obey their every request at the
“Frell Galleria.” Now, Ella is newly determined to gain her independence and break free
of the spell that binds her once and for all. She sets off on a quest of discovery that will
take her through the Kingdom’s most dangerous and darkest forests - where she finds
a fellow traveler in a go-getting Elf (Aidan McArdle) -- to the King’s spectacular castle.
Along the way she crosses paths with the idolized Prince Char (Hugh Dancy), who so
often graces the cover of Medieval Teen, only to turn the tables on fairy tale history
and rescue him with true love. But most of all, Ella will discover her own power to fight
for what’s in her heart.
ELLA ENCHANTED is directed by Tommy O’Haver from a screenplay by Laurie
Craig, Karen McCullah Lutz & Kirsten Smith, and Jennifer Heath & Michele J. Wolff.
The producer is Jane Startz and the executive producers are Su Armstrong, Bob
Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein and Julie Goldstein.
Link to our review.
THE PUNISHER
The story of FBI undercover agent, Frank Castle, who until now has beat considerable
odds. A former Special Forces operative, he is finally moving out of the field and into a
desk job -- and a normal life with his wife and son. Then Castle's world is shaken to its
core by a nightmare he has longed feared: his family is executed as a repercussion from
his final undercover assignment. With unparalleled intensity, ferocious intelligence and
fearless actions, Castle seeks to punish the murderers -- and finds the one thing he
least expected: redemption.
Marvel Comics' "The Punisher" made his first appearance over 25 years ago as a
supporting character. The hero proved so popular with readers that he could not be
contained in a peripheral role and by the 1990's he was starring in as many as three
titles a month. In 2000, "The Punisher" reemerged as one of Marvel Comics' highest
selling solo books and remains a top seller for the Company.
This film is action filled and probably will do well. We will have a review later.
Link to our review.
A comic-fantasy-adventure filled with magic and music, ogres and elves, giants
and wicked stepsisters, ELLA ENCHANTED revisits a classic fairy-tale world with a
distinctly 21st century twist. The film, directed by Tommy O’ Haver (“Get Over It”) is
based on the best-selling, Newbery Honor-winning novel by Gail Carson Levine.
It all begins when Ella of Frell (Anne Hathaway of “The Princess Diaries”) is given a
fairy’s “gift” at birth - the gift of perfect obedience. Forced to do anything she is
commanded - no matter how silly or dangerous - Ella’s life hardly seems to be in her
own control. Things only get worse when Ella’s father (Patrick Bergin) remarries,
bringing into her life a stepmother, the dastardly Dame Olga (Joanna Lumley of
“Absolutely Fabulous”), and two sinister stepsisters, Hattie (Lucy Punch) and Olive
(Jennifer Higham), who get a kick out of watching Ella obey their every request at the
“Frell Galleria.” Now, Ella is newly determined to gain her independence and break free
of the spell that binds her once and for all. She sets off on a quest of discovery that will
take her through the Kingdom’s most dangerous and darkest forests - where she finds
a fellow traveler in a go-getting Elf (Aidan McArdle) -- to the King’s spectacular castle.
Along the way she crosses paths with the idolized Prince Char (Hugh Dancy), who so
often graces the cover of Medieval Teen, only to turn the tables on fairy tale history
and rescue him with true love. But most of all, Ella will discover her own power to fight
for what’s in her heart.
ELLA ENCHANTED is directed by Tommy O’Haver from a screenplay by Laurie
Craig, Karen McCullah Lutz & Kirsten Smith, and Jennifer Heath & Michele J. Wolff.
The producer is Jane Startz and the executive producers are Su Armstrong, Bob
Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein and Julie Goldstein.
Link to our review.
THE PUNISHER
The story of FBI undercover agent, Frank Castle, who until now has beat considerable
odds. A former Special Forces operative, he is finally moving out of the field and into a
desk job -- and a normal life with his wife and son. Then Castle's world is shaken to its
core by a nightmare he has longed feared: his family is executed as a repercussion from
his final undercover assignment. With unparalleled intensity, ferocious intelligence and
fearless actions, Castle seeks to punish the murderers -- and finds the one thing he
least expected: redemption.
Marvel Comics' "The Punisher" made his first appearance over 25 years ago as a
supporting character. The hero proved so popular with readers that he could not be
contained in a peripheral role and by the 1990's he was starring in as many as three
titles a month. In 2000, "The Punisher" reemerged as one of Marvel Comics' highest
selling solo books and remains a top seller for the Company.
This film is action filled and probably will do well. We will have a review later.
Link to our review.
| Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy Photographer: David Appleby. Courtesy of Miramax Films. |
Vegas' Arts & Entertainment Corner
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