This is the story of Cinderella, retold in one of the most unique ways I have seen so far. I think if you are a strong, willful Princess who likes to take control of her life and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty you will really enjoy this story! Myself, I couldn’t identify with Ella quite as well as in some other adaptions of the tale, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.

Just Ella, by Margaret Peterson Haddix, finds our heroine at the Palace after the legendary slipper scene. She is trying to adjust to Palace life and the traditions and protocol that accompany it, but can’t seem to fit in. Being told off for lighting her own fireplace is just the start. She struggles with her tutors and ladies in waiting, but manages to make a couple of real friends. Meanwhile a rumour is being spread about pumpkins and fairy godmothers, while the royal family tries to cover up her past by claiming she is a foreign Princess. Ella reveals to us the true tale of how she made it to the ball, without any magic but a bit of luck and her own determination. The story takes an interesting turn when Prince Charming, and the Ball itself turn out to be.. not quite what they seem.

Its a light little read for lovers of fairytales retold, and the hardcover edition is beautiful with elegant designs at the top of each page. Just Ella is about making your own ‘happy ever afters’ and how sometimes they turn out a little different than we expected.

Usually when choosing books I spend hours in the library or bookstore, going over each shelf, reading blurbs and trying to find something new and interesting. However sometimes, I walk up to a shelf and a book almost jumps in to my hands, even if I’m not sure why, I feel compelled to take it home with me. It is the latter type of the discovery which turns up the most special finds, of which Annette Vallon by James Tipton is one.

Annette Vallon is a historical novel based on the life of a French Woman who survived the Revolution and shared a romance with the English poet William Wordsworth. The book covers her life in its entirity and paints an image of a beautiful, brave and very loving character that I can not help but completely admire. Whether dancing in the ballrooms of pre-revolutionary France, defying her Mother by loving a foreigner, raising his child on her own, outwitting the tyrants who failed to run her country or rescuing prisoners and hiding outlaws, she is a fascinating character and her story quite incredible. As with many historical novels based on the life of a little-known figure, I am sure the author took much liscence and filled in the gaps himself. However, the message still comes through so clearly you can’t help but feel touched by how she managed to survive the Terror of the French Revolution and still believe in love and beauty and the joys of every day life.

I can not express to you how beautiful I found this book, so I shall leave you with a small excerpt I found particularly special.

‘The third task is, the poet must teach. He is either teacher, or nothing. And to teach anything worthwhile, one must know the language of the heart’
‘I thought only children and lovers knew that?’
‘The poet is a child, or sees with the child’s eyes, and he is always in love.’
‘With what, Monsieur? For surely you do not mean the poet is a libertine.’
‘With his life, with woods, with mountains.’
‘What about people - does he love them?’
‘He see’s the ones whom other’s don’t see, the beggar under the bridge, the orphan in the doorway, the widow by the window.’

I haven’t shared a musical inspiration in a little while so today I will talk about one of my favourite artists, Kahimi Karie. She was born in japan, and sings in Japanese, English, French and occaisionally other languages. I find her sweet whisper-like voice very beautiful and soothing, many of her songs remind me of lullabies, although she has some more up-beat singles as well!

Some of my favourite songs by her include - Dilly Dally Dolly, The Seventh Wife of Henry VIII, Melt the Snow, Lolitapop Dollhouse (with very Lolita-esque lyrics might I add!) and my favourite, her rendition of Habanera from Bizet’s Carmen, it gives me shivers whenever I hear it! Her albums are such a curious and eclectic mix that listening to them never gets boring. Going from futuristic electronica to cutsey j-pop, from French ballads to other styles altogether unclassifiable. I love finding new works by Kahimi because I am always in for a surprise!

Kahimi Karie spent part of her life in Paris, and is now living in Tokyo with her black French Bulldog “Gomes.” You can visit her official site here.

There is also a new short essay in the writings section of Princess Portal, On Love & Beauty. I hope you will like it.

I had actually never seen this movie before, the renaissance and Elizabeth’s reign not being my particular area of historical interest (though I do think she was an incredible woman!) but I wanted to see it before watching the sequel which has just come out on DVD, Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

Knowing as little as I do about the period, I still have to say my overall impression of the film was that it was shockingly inaccurate on so many accounts. I still enjoyed it, much as I did Marie Antoinette, for the acting, costumes and scenery but I would not recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about the famous queen! I think they also over simplified the factions at the time, vilifying the Catholic church and making a mockery of the French. I lost a bit of respect for the filmmakers on both accounts.

My favourite part of the film was actually the first few scenes of Elizabeth while she is still living in the country with her ladies. The pastoral landscape is breathtaking and I love her little stone tower. They all wear beautiful dresses in rich colours (this photo is of Elizabeth from that scene) and dance in the meadows to the playing of a minstrel. The Princess Elizabeth comes up laughing and riding upon her horse. The whole setting was just so utopian for me, I wished the whole story could remain there.

It does not, of course, but instead loosely follows the events of her life with a strong emphasis on her relationship with Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes who also plays William Shakespeare in ‘Shakespeare in Love’) and her refusal to choose a husband. I don’t think the plot flowed very well, and ended a bit abruptly, but it was easy enough to keep up.

What saved the movie was some really superb acting. Cate Blanchett seized the role and made a stunning Elizabeth and Geoffery Rush was both charming and chilling as Walsingham. Despite the scripting, they were both passionate and believable. I’m really looking forward to seeing them in the sequel!

I think it was worth watching, and some of the beautiful scenes like the masquerade on the lake, made up for the story. Just take it with a grain of salt and read a good biography if you want to learn about the real Elizabeth.

This is not the usual sort of movie I review here, it’s not a sweeping historic romance, there are no beautiful costumes or elegant sets. It takes place in the real world and is about modern themes, yet it is probably the most magical film I’ve seen in years.

Neverwas is the story of Zach Riley, the son of a famous childrens author, who takes a job in a psychiatric institution where his father once stayed. There he meets the group of patients he is to work with including Gabriel an elderly man who has never uttered a word to any therapist. Gabriel, however, seems to recognize him and believe that he is a part of the fantasy world that forms his delsusions. After some time, Zach realises that Gabriel’s world is the same as the one his Father wrote about, the magical land of Neverwas, and it may not be so imaginary after all.

There is a lot more to the plot than that, but its hard to say without spoiling the film. The acting in Neverwas is superb, Ian McKellen is perfect as Gabriel and Aaron Eckhart plays a great contrast as Zach. All of the characters have so much emotional depth and are played without a hint of judgement for their parts. I really loved the way Gabriel is portrayed, not mocked or stereotyped but given real depth, leaving it up to you to judge what is real and what is not.

This film is about Fairy Tales, and the way we create them out of our own stories, how they can protect us and give us something to hold on to. What is real in the world, is sometimes not as important as what is real in our hearts. I thoroughly reccommend this rare gem of a movie, but warn you that it contains quite strong themes and is probably not suitable for younger viewers, its very intense and made me cry with both joy and empathy. It’s not often that a film moves me to that extent. A really beautiful, touching story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I think the first time I saw this film was back in Drama class is high school, its stuck with me ever since as the only screen adaption of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that really evokes the beauty of the play. I’ve even seen R&J on stage a couple of times and the performances were nothing to this. Since I am watching the Romeo x Juliet anime at the moment I decided to revisit this movie, and fell in love with it all over again.

Filmed in Italy, the streetscapes and stone buildings that form the backdrop to the story feel very authentic, the costuming is beautiful. Rich reds and golds for the Capulets, dark blues and antique silver for the Montagues. It is renaissance in style, with intricate beaded headdresses and slashed sleeves. I love the rich heavy fabrics and warmth of both the costumes and setting, it really captures the feel of both Shakespeare’s time and sunny Italy.

I found the casting superb. Mercutio, in his black humour is perfectly irritating but at the same time invokes pity as his followers still think it a joke even as he lays dying. The heads of both houses are an interesting contrast, the Capulets being loud and fiery and the Montagues more reserved and calm. Of course, it was the casting of two young unknown actors as the starcrossed lovers that really made this film what it is. They are untrained, and their performances so natural that you can’t help but believe in their plight. Juliet laughes like a child and Romeo cries like a young boy, they are both so hopelessly beautiful. Olivia Hussey (Juliet) who was 17 when she played this role, has the most enchanting eyes I’ve ever seen.

My lasting memory of this film, however, is always the theme song ‘What is a Youth’ performed by Nino Rota. It just echoes the tragedy and beauty of the tale and the refrain from it is played throughout the film. One of the most moving Shakespeare film adaptions of all time, you haven’t seen Romeo & Juliet until you’ve seen this movie.

IMDB page

When I originally heard about this film during production, I admit, I was not excited at all. There have been so many Shrek-esque films lately, with pop culture jokes put in to fairy tale worlds that they’re getting rather tiresome. Not to mention how disappointed I was in ‘Ella Enchanted’ which was a beautiful book and got turned in to a shocking parody of a movie (read the book, its completely different!) However, after Enchanted was released it received so many glowing accolades from my friends I decided to be a little more open minded.

Unfortunately I missed the film while it was in the Cinemas, during school holiday time here which does not make for enjoyable viewings, but I finally got to see it on DVD today! I really enjoyed it after all!

Enchanted is the tale of Giselle, a girl from an animated fairy-tale world called Andalasia who meets her Prince in true Disney style and is rushing off to her wedding when the evil Queen Narissa, disguised as an old woman, pushes her down a well. This well, as it turns out, is a portal to our world and the poor girl, still in her wedding dress, comes out a man-hole in to New York. A land, as the story says, where there are no ‘Happy Endings.’

The plot isn’t terribly inspired, though it is sweet, but what really makes this a lovely film is Giselle. I had fully expected an over-the-top parody performance of the silliest aspects of the Disney Princesses, and that’s exactly what she is however she manages somehow to make it seem sincere and charming. There were still points where I cringed, like the fish tank scene, but as the movie progresses she gets deeper while still keeping that joy and innocence. Her dresses (which she makes from curtains in a miracle of efficient sewing) are gorgeous and worth watching the film for alone! I doubt I’m the only princess sighing over the turquoise and pink gown she wears for the big dance number.

I really liked the soundtrack as well, there were some subtle jokes slipped in to the lyrics but the music was still well orchestrated and both Amy Adams and James Marsden had good voices for the musical style. One of my favourite features was how they managed to merge parts of different fairytales together in the storyline, there’s Sleeping Beauty’s Dragon, Cinderella’s Ball, Snow White’s Apples and they even play music from the Little Mermaid in the background of the fish tank scene. A very sweet film with a true touch of Disney magic. Now I’m even more excited about Rapunzel!

Tonight I rewatched an animated film that was a childhood favourite of mine, it was one of the few non-Disney animated films that came out during the 90’s and is based off the tale of Swan Lake I discussed before. I find it an interesting and charming adaption of the story, though it has a lot of humour as well! The scene with the Musicians dressed as animals always makes me laugh.

The introduction to the story is very cute, it shows how the young Prince and Princess, betrothed from birth are forced to spend every summer together, much to their displeasure! They tease and mock eachother through childhood, but this is a welcome change to other tales where the Hero and Heroine fall in love at first sight, having no history between them. However when they have grown and finally fallen in love, the Prince (who’s name is Derek, not Siegfreid) makes the fatal error of being unable to express why he loves Odette, all he can say is that she is beautiful and for this she turns him down.

The rest of the tale plays out as in the Ballet, though with a sweeter ending. It is visually a beautiful film, the painted backgrounds in particular are vivid and I adore Odette’s swan form. Some of the musical numbers are lovely, such as ‘Far Longer than Forever’ which is also the theme to the film. However I find a few of the more jazz-like numbers towards the end a bit over the top, verging on the ridiculous. They may be humorous to others though.

In all, it is a beautiful and mostly faithful adaption of the tale, with its own individuality and sense of humour. I think I love it even more than when I first saw it. It is every bit as romantic and sweet as the more famous Disney Princess films.

Dreamhunter is a very unsual and beautiful tale. It takes place in a place called Southland, a fairly undefined sort of world possibly set after the turn of the century somewhere in colonised Australia or New Zealand, although it could just as well be a world of its own. Within Southland there is a strange phenomena, known as The Place, it is an area of land that when some people walk in to, transports them to a strange dull landscape that seems far larger than the actual external area it covers. Within The Place are dreams, and these can be caught by Dreamhunters who fall asleep in the location of a dream and then leave The Place with the dream inside them.

Over the last twenty years since The Place was discovered, a trade in Dreams has sprung up. Healing dreams are performed at hospitals and more entertaining or pleasant dreams in large opera-like Dream Palaces. These beautiful buildings consist of elegant bedrooms where wealthy and fashionable folk may come (dressed in silk pajamas) to enjoy the dreams carried from the Place. It really is a fascinating concept and cleverly realised world.

The story centres around two young cousins, Laura Hame and Rose Tiebold, both from famous Dreamhunting families. They are about to undertake their ‘Try’ in which they will discover if they can enter The Place or not. One will and one won’t, but The Place and the dreams they discover within will change their lives forever. It is a very clever and moving story and so well written as to draw you in with curiousity and enchant you with dreams come to life. Elizabeth Knox has to be one of the most talented new authors I have discovered of late, her work is both beautiful and profound.

I have actually just finished the sequel to this book, Dreamquake, and I feel that I have been in sharing a dream myself!

This is a really delicious book, what I mean by that is that its the sort of story you just want more and more of. I found myself reading it while waiting for the bus, on the bus, and then when I got home I just wanted to keep reading! Sharon Shinn has been one of my favourite authors for a long time, I adore her Angel series and have been trying to track down some of her fantasy works to read.

Summers at Castle Auburn is the story of Coriel Halsing, a young woman born as the bastard daughter of the second most noble house in the kingdom. She spends her winters at her Grandmother’s cottage in the country, learning about herbs and medicine and then travels to the royal ‘Castle Auburn’ to spend her summers at court with her beautiful half-sister Elisandra, a dashing and dangerous Prince, his level headed cousin and the mysterious Aliora, faerie like beings who are slaves and servants at the castle. This world is full of court intrigue, feasts, balls and hunts and of course romance, which is Sharon Shinn’s special talent as a writer.

I must admit I found the plot a little predictable, but that made it no less enjoyable. It is an interesting story and Coriel is a likeable heroine and especially easy for me to associate with as I’ve also studied herbal medicine for a long time. I found Elisandra a beautiful character too, an example of how a demure ladylike presence can mask an inner strength, sometimes it’s the quiet ones who are actually the strongest. Finally the theme of Slavery was well handled, I thought the Aliora were a truly amazing race.

This book left me wanting to spend my summer at a far away castle too! Listening to musicians, reading, doing embroidery during the day and then having an evening ride (I miss horseriding soo much! I should go again soon) before getting dressed for a glittering feast! I think I need a vacation.