“Enchanted”

Hands down my favorite Amy Adams movie. In fact, she carries “Enchanted” with an unbelievably believable performance as a fairytale princess who finds herself stranded in the very unenchanted New York City. Once in the city, Giselle (Ms Adams) retains her pluck along with the rose-colored view of the world of someone who believes in happy endings. She’s rescued and reluctantly taken in by Robert Philip (Patrick Dempsey), a jaded divorce attorney who has no reason to believe in happy endings. But, surprise! there is a happy ending. However, this modern twist on the classic Disney fairytale from Disney itself is a knowing, post-modern update. Prince Edward (James Marsden) is Giselle’s vacuous sword-wielding suitor, unable to decipher modern New York. The evil Queen’s (Susan Sarandon) henchman Nathaniel, (Timothy Spall) obediently does the Queen’s bidding but, according to a call he places to a talk-radio psychologist, he feels unappreciated. And when Giselle calls for the local critters to help with her cleaning chores, she’s greeted by New York’s own pigeons, cockroaches and sewer rats. This particular event leads to one of the film’s musical numbers and, critters aside, it’s the kind you’d expect from Disney. There are also plenty of references to other films in the Disney catalog for Disney-philes. But even if you’re not, there’s a lot to like in “Enchanted.” It may be a little “Shalit-esque,” but I found it enchanting. My tweet: Enchanted-When an evil stepmother strands her in New York City, Disney Princess Amy Adams makes it her own magic kingdom. 8.5 (out of 10)

Other Amy Adams movies worth a look: Julie & Julia, Doubt

“Enchanted”

Released: 2007

Rating: PG

Length: 108 minutes

Cast: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel

Director: Kevin Lima

Genre(s): Comedy, Romance, Adventure

"Across the Universe"

This isn’t the first film to use the Lennon/McCartney songbook as the basis for a narrative. Let’s not forget 1978’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band starring Peter Frampton, the Bee Gees and such other musical luminaries as Steve Martin and George Burns. On second thought, let’s forget it. “Across the Universe” tells the love story of Jude (Jim Sturgess), a dockworker from Liverpool, and Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), the affluent American girl he falls for, set amidst the political events and social upheaval of the 1960s. The music is more than familiar to anyone with a radio. But director Julie Taymor switches it up in some interesting and surprising ways. When you hear Prudence (T.V. Carpio) sing “I Want to Hold Your Hand” as a wistful ballad about her unprofessed love for a fellow cheerleader, you know you’re in for something different. The art direction and staging are equally creative. The draft office and Vietnam sequences are appropriately trippy. So while I might have tweeted Characters who express themselves in Beatles tunes prove that all you need is love & a really great soundtrack. 8.5 (out of 10) “Across the Universe” delivers much more than just that.

"Across the Universe"

Released: 2007

Rating: PG-13

Length: 133 minutes

Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, T.V. Carpio, Dana Fuchs, Jim Sturgess

Director: Julie Taymor

Genre(s): Romance, Period, Political