Anne hathaway

  • Review: ‘The Witches’ is high-gloss, but still amusing (Includes first-hand account)

    While witches flying on broomsticks are an iconic symbol of Halloween, one has to wonder what they do for the other 364 days a year. Also, if they look as hideous as the holiday’s decorations suggest, how do they go unnoticed for all that time? In 1983, Roald Dahl wrote a story about a heinous group of witches with a sinister plan and an alternative family who will do everything in their power to stop them. The book was first adapted in 1990 with the help of Jim Henson, and now director Robert Zemeckis — who is no stranger to special effects-heavy pictures — has taken a turn. Roald Dahl’s The Witches is a relatively faithful adaptation of Dahl’s tale, though it’s been transported to 1968 Alabama.

  • Review: ‘Serenity’ is working towards the unexpected (and unnecessary?) (Includes first-hand account)

    Living in a small town is great – except when it’s not. With fewer people populating the area, you’re more likely to know your neighbours but must also be more careful not to make too many enemies. It can be annoying when everyone knows everyone else’s business… but occasionally beneficial. On the one hand, busybodies inquire about things that don’t concern them; on the other, news travels so fast you can act on an opportunity or avoid something harmful before it’s even decided. Serenity is about a fisherman who’s been looking for peace for a long time, but a carefully watched series of events is about to push him further from its embrace.

  • Review: ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ is still an actor’s playground (Includes first-hand account)

    When certain fiction properties are already well-known, it can seem limiting to stay too close to the source material when reviving them on the screen. Instead, while remaining as true as possible to the original characters, creators can hope to be forgiven – or even commended – for applying some ingenuity and adding their own angle to a classic narrative. Lewis Carroll’s sequel to Alice in Wonderland wasn’t nearly as adventurous as the cinematic follow-up, having revolved around a unique game of chess; however, filmmakers have opted to spice up Alice Through the Looking Glass with some time travel and a clock that threatens to tick its last tock.