The 10th Kingdom
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Movie Reviews of The 10th Kingdom
Movie Review: A Magical Journey for all!! Don't leave your pets behind..
Summary: 5 Stars
I was sitting at home in the dark thinking about how the muppets from the Dark Crystal were after me, and that Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) would be there to save me. Help! Help! When a knock on my door shattered the darkness. I thought it was it another door to door sales man trying to sell re-runs of Stargate SG-1 the series. Thank god it wasn't! It was my girlfriend holding a movie she bought. It was called The 10th Kingdom. I never heard about this mini-series before, until my girlfriend showed it to me. At first I was only going to watch the first disc, but I found myself taken in by the first ten mins. The 10th Kingdom is a great DVD to own.
Its got all the things you loved about those classic fairy tales. Snow White, Cinderella, Bean Stalks, Wolves, Bo-peep and her sheep, and much more. From the openning, I could tell this was a work of magic. Watching New York City change into a world where anything is possible. The CG work is very excellent. Its easy to get behind all the characters. Who ever thought that Dianne Wiest (from Parenthood, Lost Boys, etc.) could play such a evil wicked lady. I always thought she was so nice and frail till I seen her in this movie. John Larroquette is hilarious! Janitor? Criminal? Father? He definetly brings his touch of gold to this film.
And Scott Cohen and Kimberly Williams...can you say chemistry? Can you say...WOOF! WOOF! And Ed O'Neil can't seem to get away from being the father of troll children. And Rutger Hauer is terrifying as hell as the Huntsman. A man that lives in the forrest, that never misses his target.
The writing is funny, yet serious at times. A very great blend. Such so, it reminds me a bit of Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
There really isn't enough words that can express how much I enjoyed this movie. It was worth the wait. If you loved all those Fairy Tales as a kid and wish to see what it would be like if in some universe or other planet...like Pluto. Those stories really were true, and they really did live happily ever after. The 10th Kingdom shows us were they got those stories from. A place were dreams are reality, reality is a nightmare. I give two thumbs up to Simon Moore (EXCELLENT DUDE!). If you don't have this in your private collection of movies next to David Bowie in spandix singing "Dance Magic Dance." I'll send you a basket of apples from the evil Swamp Lady...har har har!!
Movie Review: Not the best fantasy epic ever portrayed...
Summary: 5 Stars
...but it certainly kept me riveted to my seat for 7 hours straight. The 10th Kingdom is something I remember seeing in the video store over and over again when it first came out, but it was never enough to tempt me to watch it. Honestly, I believed it would be a little sub-par on every level, and was biased because it was made-for-TV. Even now, after finally deciding to watch it, I was looking at the case and having second thoughts. Finally, last night, I decided to watch one episode, and if it was no good, I could just turn it off and never look at it again. And you know what? I never turned it off. Not until it was done, and then I wished it had gone on forever. I was hooked almost immediately.
I've adore mythology, fairy and folk tales, so it was nice to see so many winks at those stories of old. Especially some of the more original, non-Disney tellings of the better known ones. Like the wicked queen poisoning Snow White three times, with the corset and comb. Not to mention how they weaved in so many others, such as Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. Plus, I'm every bit the sentimental romantic, and the story of Virginia and Wolf was pitch perfect the whole time. the
A small word of caution on how this will "enchant audiences of all ages": I ended up watching this with my 11-year-old sister, and even though it's from Hallmark and was classified as family entertainment, there were more than a few moments that were clearly meant for adult audiences. The evil villains are truly evil, and there is a good deal of violence and a smattering of language, and the story took the opportunity to explore the wolf's legendary identity in fairy tales as a lecherous predator (see Neil Jordan's film, The Company of Wolves). I adore gritty, violent, lusty fairy tales, and these not-so-family-friendly aspects surprised and delighted me, but I still think it's worth noting before you sit down for a family viewing with the little ones.
So, in the end, if you are ever in a situation similar to mine, and don't know whether or not to pick this up...do yourself a favor, and just watch the darn thing!
Movie Review: A Surprisingly Sleeping 'Beauty'
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this miniseries on a whim. For less than $13, what's to lose? Absolutely nothing -- this is a totally engaging and wonderful tale.From the hilarious predicament brought on by the magical dragon dung wishing bean, to discovering an escape clue in a dungeon written by one of the Grimm Brothers, to the heart-wrenching gift of Snow White's rosebud, this movie is a constant delight for lovers of fairytales and for those who still want to believe that no trollish trial, sorcerous snare or mortal misjudgement exists that can't lead an unlikely hero -- or heroine -- to a "happily ever after." With a little luck, that is, and a helping hand from some unlikely friends. Like a repentant "wolf" who must frequently fight his urge to eat toothsome children or shepherdesses. Or a pampered prince who learns how to be a king thanks to a spell that turns him into a golden retriever.
It is perhaps not surprising that this film was more popular in Great Britain than in some other locales. It's witty without being boringly slapstick, whimsical without being maudlin, mature without being embarassingly crude, wise without being conceited or preachy. Like the old fairy tales, it offers levels of appreciation and enjoyment that go beyond the instant gratification of seat-shaking special effects or in-your-face social moralising. This film, little spoken of and available at an incredibly low price, is in my opinion a genuine "Sleeping Beauty." If you love fairy tales, I suspect you'll find yourself enthralled with this "continuation" of the old stories. Consider doing yourself the favour -- you'll be as safe with this one as you would be in a "uh...uh... a brick pig house."
"Ratings" Caveat: There are two or three examples of mildly "grown-up" language and situations in the course of the film. It's not an infantile "children's story" to bemuse the very young. But then it's not "Snow White: A Tale of Terror" either.
Movie Review: the greatest fantasy miniseries ever
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first saw this one as a teenager, I thought it was really lame. But, man oh man, has it grown on me. It's actually quite daring in the fact that it doesn't shy away from the violent brutality and sometimes-grotesque sexuality of fairy tales, that is, the fact that fairy tales were written for adults. In a very Jungian and Campbell like way, the miniseries reminds us that fairy tales were once culture's way of dealing with human psychology and behavior, and even helping us to grow. Here is the true human drama of the fairy tale. Virginia, our heroine, is an amalgum of Cinderella, Red-Ridding Hood, and Snow White, and yet is distinctly modern. She doesn't have faith in herself to do great things, nor is she trusting enough to fall in love (particularly with an animal-like creature, our ambiguous Prince Charming/Big Bad Wolf). My favorite character of all is the delicious Wolf (played amazingly by Scott Cohen). He absolutely embodies the folk tale male (the male version of the witch, the werewolf)--the animal, id creature, the trickster, the creature of appetite. He's a perfect blending of both the sexual appetite and the food appetite ("I don't know if I want to marry her or eat her."). That's the Big Bad Wolf of the Red Ridding Hood tale. Most of all, I love that he goes through PMS, which is ironic for a character of animal masculinity (a juxtaposition of the female forces of the civilization as presented in the shepardesses). It is so refreshing to see a film that really understands the complexities of folk and fairy tales, but to do it in--well, frankly--just a very *fun* way. Not only is this film very well-written, but the acting and special effects and scenery all are wonderful. I love this miniseries. If you like fantasy films and folk tales, you'll really enjoy this funny, clever, complex, and deeply imaginative miniseries.Movie Review: You wouldn't believe how many times I've watched this!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is such a great mini series, I am so glad that it came out on DVD! It's about a young waitress who never thinks that anything interesting will ever happen in her life...little did she know that her life was about to change as she knew it. She enters a magical fairy tale world, and she must learn to adapt to it because she and her father are stuck there until they can figure out a way to get home again. Along the way they meet a friendly half wolf half human friend, lovingly named Wolf.
I have watched this many, many times. The story is excellent, the action is great, holds you on the edge of your seat, and the acting is just brilliant. This is one of Scott Cohen's first big acting jobs, but you can't tell! He plays the part of Wolf and is just wonderful. This is what got his career kicked up, and you can see why!
I loved the characters in this movie, they were all just so great. And the relationship between Wolf and Virginia is just excellently put together!
It was made as a mini-series, and because of this fact, I thought that the movie quality, the acting, and all in all the entire film would be poor...but boy was I wrong! I fell in love with it the first time I ever saw it, and have even become a bit obsessed with it!
I must admit, though, that the first few minutes of the film are kind of slow. It doesn't start to get really good until around the time that the character "Wolf" is introduced. But, the rest of the movie completely makes up for this slower beginning.
This is truly one of the greatest fairy tale stories out there. It's a little more for the adults than the children, but children will love it just as much as the adults! Better than 5/5!