The Preemptive Critic - "Cinderella"

Soo... I guess Disney is making the live-action remakes of their animated movies a thing now? Well, if Maleficent does well (which, I've avoided passing judgement on until I actually see the movie - it's a risky move that could pay off huge if it does well, but it could also backfire big time if it bombs) - maybe Cinderella will be good too. I'm not opposed to the idea by any means - Cinderella was one of my favorite Disney movies growing up (and the Once Upon a Time episode dealing with that particular story is another one of my favorites - which, I wish they'd revisit those characters. But that's another blog post. Possibly. *spoilers*)

Let me say this - if they can make this something unique and not just a step-by-step retread of the classic animated film, I'm game (homages and in-movie nods are good, though). Plus, Kenneth Branagh's directing, which is never a bad thing.

I preemptively like this movie. And I hope it's a success.

This Little Part of My Life is Called Happyness

I`m just here watching "The Pursuit of Happyness," which I had never seen before. I`m at the part where they go to the 49ers game with the bigwig CEO. And - they just keep having troubles and getting into roadblocks, even though there are small victories. And I get to thinking (that`s what these movies do, you know) that life does that - like a carrot on a stick. It dangles, then you think you have it, but then it pulls back like "ha ha - pull the other one!"

Sometimes, it seems like we are only allowed so much bliss and joy - for about a day. Then life sends you packing back to reality. Like Cinderella at midnight. "The ball`s over, go back to the kitchen."

But then, you know, the magic let her keep her glass slipper. I like to think of it as a "tender mercy," letting her know that it really did happen - she really did dance with the prince and she was the princess for the evening. And she held onto it and it led her back to the prince to live happily ever after.

(witness my ramblings - think anything will ever come of it?)