Reviews

Ella enchanted should be incredibly average at best, from the synopsis of the film it would appear to use all the Hollywood clichés including many that a lot of viewers will have seen in the Shrek franchise.

But, Ella is actually a very charming movie, it sets out to entertain a pretty wide audience demographic and to a large degree it succeeds. It would be preposterous to suggest that any of the actors were stretched by the roles that they were asked to play; but Anne Hathaway remains easy to watch, with a confident style to her acting and looks gorgeous throughout.

Hugh Dancy plays the dashing, yet oblivious prince with ease- although for British viewers you may consistently be reminded of Will Young; they are uncannily similar.

The films budget doesn't always seem to stretch to the greatest special effects, perhaps best evinced by Anne's singing sequence with the giants; but at no point does this really take anything away from the film.

It is clear that the film has been crafted to appeal to a family audience, but for those with a background in sociology or media studies some of the issues raised by the 'imperialism; of Sir Edgar will seem very familiar. For instance the representation of the elves as reluctant entertainers, forced to put on shows at every opportunity could easily be equated to the idea of 'Emotional Labour' discussed by Hochschild or more broadly the 'Disneyization' of society discussed by Alan Bryman.

This film is destined to remain in the shadow of 'Shrek' in terms of it's depiction of 'fairy tales with a modern twist' but I truly believe that it is good enough to stand on it's own, it might be predictable but it is consistently amusing and always entertaining. Well worth purchasing on DVD in my opinion.

Film, as a medium, is often at it's best when it is not rushed. When it doesn't attempt to cram too many images and ideas into each frame.

The Station Agent is one of those films that will not be seen by the vast majority of film goers but will leave an indelible mark on those that do see it.

It is a charming study of friendship, life and dealing with the problems that life inevitably throws at us.

Despite the fact that the main protagonist is a dwarf, the film does not dwell on his dwarfism- yes the reactions of people to him are often used for comic relief-, but it deals more with how someone who believes that they want to be alone more than anything actually needs friends more.

It therefore deals with a theme that is instantly recognisable to a huge number of people including someone like me who has suffered from depression and wanted nothing but to be left alone, when what was needed was to open up to some friends.

Ultimately, we as the audience are confronted with 3 subtle performances that are created with attention to detail and a sense of reality that shames much modern cinema.

I can't recommend this film enough, the fact that it will only ever be seen by a limited audience is a crying shame.

Much better than most people give it credit for.

Probably the only really decent thing that Beckinsale has done in the last 5 years.

Don't rush out to buy it, but if it's on the TV then make an effort to watch it.

Beckinsale and Danes are both watchable and the story is actually quite interesting and moving at times.

It is reasonably gripping, and relatively realistic in that what happens to the main protagonists is not that uncommon amongst female backpackers especially Brits.

Worth a go in my opinion.