Mrs. Lady Zedd and I - Zeddblidd the Movie Cartographer - welcome you to our movie challenge. We’ll watch and share our quirky stories on another 500 movies. The highlight of our plunky process - The Movie Algorithm Project (MAP), an innovative 4th Gen. “Enjoyment Meter” which renders an easy to understand, personalized score on a 100-metric. I’m going to switch it up a little this year as we’re planning a MAP overhaul, that’s going to take some time. Pull up a chair and get your *Movie On!*
2024-191 / MLZ MAP: 75.64 / Zedd MAP: 32.00 / Score Gap: 43.64
Wikipedia / IMDb / Official Trailer / Our Collection
IMDb Summary: The Brothers Grimm arrive at the home of a wealthy Grande Dame who speaks of the many legends surrounding the fable of the cinder girl before telling the "true" story of her ancestor.
Starring stars Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott, Jeanne Moreau, Megan Dodds, Melanie Lynskey, Patrick Godfrey, Lee Ingleby, Richard O'Brien, Timothy West, and Judy Parfitt.
This title was one of the films picked up on the pawn shop run and the disc was not playable. I was a little disappointed as I had wanted to watch it and Zedd being the sweetie that he is suggested that we pick it up. I grabbed it from the Disney Movie Club super cheap. I needed a bit of a pick up last night and Zedd popped this in for me.
Having never seen it, but being a lifelong fan of Drew Barrymore (stupid recent decisions notwithstanding) I was eager to see her as a version of Cinderella. Anjelica Houston being our wicked stepmother also sounded so fun. No idea who Dougray Scott was…
The story actually starts out good, with The Brothers Grimm being re-educated by an older noble lady, one who happens to have a set of glass slippers. But, from there, it slips.
Zedd is a huge fan of the MAP’ping right after watching plan and I do it, so we can discuss the film and its ups and downs after scoring. But I admit, sometimes I wish I had waited. The score is the score, though.
What I will tell you though, is that my score will be lower next time. Not as low as Zedd’s, I don’t think. But lower.
Why? Honestly, because of his opinions making me look at it through different eyes. When I read this out loud to him, he said “Oh I get that too sometimes.” He was right, the accents were awful! Why does Danielle have a half British accent anyway? They are in France! In fact, most of the accents were bad, or did not fit.
It also fell rather flat. I was not in love with a 10+ year older Dougray Scott as the Prince. Drew did ok at showing her feelings, but I saw that strongest at the end.
I have a complaint against myself, my friends, in that I did not realize that the gross old Monsieur Pierre Le Pieu was Richard O’Brien. I love him!
Also, the scene when the Prince is about to marry the Spanish Princess, her crying, if I could never hear that again, it would be way, way, way, too soon!
I give Drew all my love here, and as you can see, my score was right-on for a standard “enjoyable” movie. But when I compare it to Ella Enchanted, there is just no comparison.
2024-192 / MLZ MAP: 86.52 / Zedd MAP: 53.35 / Score Gap: 33.17
Wikipedia / IMDb / Official Trailer / Our Collection
IMDb Summary: Ella is under a spell to be constantly obedient, a fact she must hide from her new stepfamily in order to protect the prince of the land, her friend for whom she's falling.
Starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Steve Coogan, Eric Idle, Aidan McArdle, Jimi Mistry, Minnie Driver, Vivica A. Fox, Heidi Klum, and Parminder Nagra.
We happened upon this film when Little Miss Zedd was a kiddo and it was watched often. ((In the background “Way too often”)). I would say that Zedd may just have had more than his share of Ella. ((In the background, “Way, way, more than my share.”). He does appreciate the music, even though they are covers, they are still good songs.
I really, really, like this film, and found the twist of Ella’s “gift” to be a fresh take on an old story. Of course, Miss Hathaway is just as pretty as all get-out. Minnie Driver has been on my good list since forever herself. I also very much love Parminder Nagra, and have from the first time I saw her act. And then yeah, the music! It’s a musical!
Ella’s journey to return that “gift” that did not fit certainly rings true for everyone. She is just trying to find her way along. She has struggles, friends that help her along, and it has a happy ending.
This, my friends, is a proper fairy tale. All the better to Movie On with, my pretties!
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