Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella — that’s an authorship you never thought you’d hear, eh? — poses a fundamental question: Will today’s audiences, raised on Shrek and Enchanted and Tangled and, most recently, Into the Woods, respond to a straightforward rendering of a vintage fairy tale? Because this version of ‘Ella is nothing if not straightforward. It’s inescapably square, you … [Read more...]
‘Artist’ Cinderella story continues into Oscar nominations
OK, Academy Awards presenters, start practicing pronouncing the name Michel Hazanavicius. Who says there are no surprises anymore in the movie industry? If anyone had predicted a year ago that a black-and-white, virtually silent film without name stars would be released in 2011, earn 10 Oscar nominations including best picture and be the favorite to win, that person would be … [Read more...]