What Classics did you see last week? (August 13-19)

Hello, Beastie...

Well, well...let's tell an old story anew is what this film intends to do, as we learn via the rather intrusive constantly annoying voice-over (too much narration). Trailers for this film led me to believe it would be quite a dark retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story, and even when it began rather lightheartedly, bright and cheerful, I thought surely the darkness would eventually come. So, it was somewhat disappointing that this interpretation never did actually get all that dark (although there are some dark moments). Angelina Jolie, without a doubt, MAKES this film. She's so good in it that you forget you're watching Angelina Jolie, rather you're just watching the character of Maleficent herself. This retelling of Sleeping Beauty twists events around to show things from her perspective. Jolie, as obvious as it may sound, is magnificent in the role. The evil smile combined with the words "There is evil in this world, hatred and revenge..." followed by her fake pout and "...oh." before letting out an evil laugh at the end of one of the first trailers released showed how perfect for the iconic role Angelina was. Her chilling laugh and eerie smile are really something to behold. She looks dangerous, beautiful and evil all at once with her horns, glowing eyes, raised cheekbones (which you just can't stop looking at), long black cloak, high collar and staff. We have Jolie to be thankful for that, as apparently she insisted on maintaining the scary/menacing look of the animated incarnation.



We first meet young Maleficent, played by Isobelle Molloy, as a fairy cheerily greeting the various inhabitants of the forest whilst flying about. Molloy does a good job of playing the character before she changes. What brings about the personality shift is her encounter with young Stefan. They quickly become friends, but he eventually leaves and doesn't return until Maleficent is Angelina Jolie size, now an extremely powerful freedom-fighter type for the magical beings of her world against man. It is here where she suffers a ruthless betrayal, as grown-up Stefan (Sharlto Copley, adopting a dubious Scottish accent) slips her a sleeping potion, under the guise of friendship, only to cut off/steal her beloved wings and take them back to the King who wanted her dead. While one could interpret Stefan's actions as him trying to save her life the only way he knew how, he clearly intended to kill her, but was just too weak-stomached to go through with it/chickened out at the last minute (their characters really should've shared a scene where they discussed his violation of her). Angelina is heartbreaking in the scene where Maleficent discovers a part of her has been taken. You can't help but feel for her from this point on. Here her character is fleshed out, we are given context to her 'evil' and she is presented as not so much a straight-up ‘villain’, but instead someone we can sympathise with. While this might upset some, the movie is its own unique spin on the tale, allowing for more depth.

Jolie herself admitted her look scared kids on the set and that her daughter, Vivienne, was the only one NOT scared of her, so it makes sense she was chosen to play young Aurora. It definitely helps. The scene between her and her real life mother is certainly a memorable one. One of the best aspects of Angie's performance is her deadpan delivery of lines. Maleficent's attitude towards Aurora (whom she calls 'Beastie') as an infant, and later as a child, allows for some darkly amusing comments from her (which is needed, given how bright/chipper Aurora's character is once she's grown up to be Elle Fanning). There's not a whole lot to Aurora’s character, but Fanning plays the part of the naïve innocent princess well enough (there's a funny moment where she thinks Maleficent is her fairy godmother). Despite cursing Aurora on her christening to prick her finger and fall into a death-like sleep, Maleficent finds herself softening towards her as she gets to know her more (going so far as attempting to revoke her curse). When she's not tugging the unconscious floating Sleeping Beauty through the air like a balloon on an invisible string, she's getting into mud-slinging fights with her and other forest critters. Speaking of, the creatures designed for the movie are quite creative-looking and add to the sense of wonder.

Maleficent's trusty crow sidekick, Diaval, who she changes into a man (as well as a wolf, horse and dragon) is an interesting character played by Sam Riley. They have a interesting/fun dynamic, and he serves as a sort of 'conscience' for her. He's even better at taking care of infant Aurora than the three exceedingly annoying fairies/pixies who are tasked with keeping her safe. The less said about them, the better. Aurora and Prince Phillip's 'love story' isn't really much of one. They share a single scene together, then their next encounter is him kissing her to wake her from her cursed sleep at the behest of the annoying trio. At least he voices some reservations about kissing a girl in her sleep he hardly knows, but once he does kiss her, it doesn't work anyway. Instead, it's Maleficent's maternal bond/friendship with Aurora that does it. Like the movie as a whole, things don't end how you might expect, though I thought it fine. The movie looks great, the score is suitably moody, and best of all, it's not drawn-out/overlong. Lana Del Rey's haunting new version of 'Once Upon a Dream' during the end credits make them worth sitting through. Her voice suits this film perfectly. It's as if Jolie (as Maleficent) herself is singing the song. Like the movie, it feels as if it's from Maleficent's point of view, therefore reflecting her darker/sinister intentions. Again we have Jolie to thank, as she apparently picked Del Rey herself to sing a version of the 1959 Sleeping Beauty's 'Once Upon a Dream' for the film. It gave me chills/goosebumps.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) Some weird scenes. Decent remake though. Can not match up to the 50s version.

Stagecoach (1939) My 2nd viewing. Just as great as the first time.

Terror by Night (1946) A mini Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes mystery on a train

The Blue Gardenia (1953) Quite good for a cheap quality movie about a young woman fear for being caught for her crime. Excellent Anne Baxter in leading role.