Shrek Forever After Characters: Who’s Your Favorite?

OK, so who’s your favorite Shrek Forever After character? Cast your vote here and tell us here in the comments section at The Scribe’s Desk why that character is your fave!

Shrek himself.

Shrek_AllMoviePhoto

Princess Fiona

Princess Fiona

Donkey

Donkey_AllMoviePhoto

Puss In Boots

Puss In Boots_AllMoviePhoto

OR

Gingy

Gingy_AllMoviePhoto

Can you guess which one is my fave? Which character is my Youngling’s fave? Good luck and have fun!

Tags: movie, Shrek, Shrek Forever After, vote, Youngling

Robin Hood Reboot!

Russell Crowe in Robin Hood

Is anyone else saying, “Yay!”? Well, I remember the old Robin Hood (yikes! that was many moons ago!). You know the one with Kevin Costner and that catchy Bryan Adams song. (Loved that song! So did everyone else who got married that year.) Even though I loved that film, not everybody else did. In fact, in some circles, Kevin Costner was panned for everything from his hood to his higgledy piggledy English accent. Unfortunately, his credibility as a top box office draw went into decline with Waterworld and The Postman. No Dances with Wolves either of them, though The Postman was waaay better than Waterworld. Sorry, KC.

Kevin Costner in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves 1991

I also remember thinking KC’s version of the man in tights (remember that spoof flick with Carey Elwes, Robin Hood Men In Tights? LOL’s!) was really good. I mean, what was there not to love? You had Robin of the Hood himself, his merry men and a love story between Robin Hood and the fabled Maid Marian. It was a movie about the complicated relationships we have with the people in our lives, and how events in our lives can lead to one defining moment. It had a killer soundtrack (I still like to write to that score), and great actors, and more than a few good laughs. It was a movie about bravery, courage, sacrifice, swashbuckling action, fable, myth and lore. You got some back story on how Robert Locksley became champion of the poor — which was very intriguing because Robin Hood’s origins were shrouded in mystery. Even now there is intense scrutiny as to whether or not Robin Hood actually existed. The movie spawned a whole bevy of documentaries about Who really was Robin Hood? Those docs spoke of an actual real Robert of Locksley and pointed to the fact that the bandit of Sherwood Forest could in actual fact be real. For me, a history buff, it just didn’t get any better than that. AND, Costner’s Robin Hood movie was romantic! I was 15 and I still existed in a dreamy fog where love conquers all.

Cary Elwes in Robin Hood Men in Tights 1993

Yet even back then in the tenderness of my youth, I felt that there was something missing. There was a part of me that I am only familiar with now that wanted more. How can I not get more when my dream cast is in this reboot of Robin Hood? I get some serious shivers of thrilled delight and anticipation at the thought of watching the synergy these talented people will create on screen! I believe Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe and

Cate Blanchett as Marion Loxley in Robin Hood

Cate Blanchett (everything she touches turns to gold!) will give me the rush and satisfaction I’ve been yearning for in a Robin Hood movie. Why do I have faith? Let’s just say it’s because   Gladiator fit the bill for me in every way, which is another Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe collaboration. Was I not entertained? Oh, hell yes! Gladiator was gritty and honest and fierce, even excruciating at times, so I am hopeful for the same experience with this version of Robin of the Hood. I couldn’t define what I wanted when I was a kid, but I can definitely give voice to it now. History was a brutal place, humans fought hard for the civility we have now. When I step into my time machine and go to the movies, I want some truth in my epic historical fantasy depictions. I want to see the struggle, feel the pain and endure the sacrifice. I want to taste the triumph and revel in the glory. I want to feel like I was there. If we’re going to do a movie about rising up against tyranny, and the oppressed fighting for justice and equality, let’s do it then. Will I get what I’m looking for in this version? If I was a betting woman, I’d bet that this movie will be a kick a** Robin Hood flick! Not to say, however, that KC’s version doesn’t still hold a very fond place in my heart.

Anyhoo, that is my essay on my excitement to see Robin Hood. And to prove my point that there is still an intense interest in just who was this hooded hero?, History TV is airing a 2 hour documentary exploring the Robin Hood legend. Case closed. Robin Hood rocks. Can’t wait to see Russell Crowe’s Robin Hood break out that famous bow! Long live the outlaw! This is your Brighter Scribe signing off to watch the History Channel!

~”Rise and rise again until lambs become lions.” ~ Russell Crowe in Robin Hood

Tags: Brighter Scribe, Bryan Adams, Cary Elwes, Cate Blanchett, gladiator, Kevin Costner, Marion Loxley, movie, origins, reboot, Ridley Scott, Robin Hood, Russell Crowe, soundtrack, swashbuckling

Robin Hood & Russell Crowe Week At The Scribe’s Desk!

Russell Crowe In the Ridley Scott Film Robin Hood

Can you tell I’m a big Robin Hood/Russell Crowe fan?

Ever notice how before a huge movie is about to come out in theaters, TV stations play all the movies that the star of the highly anticipated upcoming feature film is in? If that star happens to be one of your faves, then you could be in for quite the thrilling marathon. I guess this week is good for me then!

Well, Robin Hood is out this week — Friday to be exact — and it seems that this weekend was the weekend of Russell Crowe. I loved it. It was a crazy movie fest up in my house! All of RC’s movies are up on my Awesome Movies Playlist. I find I am answering a resounding “YES!” in answer to the question, “Are you not entertained?”

Since I am and have always been a lover of anything Robin Hood, all week at The Scribe’s Desk is Robin Hood and Russell Crowe Week! So as you can see, I’m certainly getting psyched up for Robin Hood. Are you?

Tags: Awesome Movies Playlist, marathon, movie, Robin Hood, Russell Crowe, TV

Anne McCaffrey Built Me A World of Magic

Moreta Dragonlady of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

How many of you remember Anne McCaffrey? I do. I discovered AM’s books when I was in grade 4. Grade 4 for me was the year I discovered the true magic of books. I don’t remember much of library time for grades 1 to 3. Grade 3 for me was the Year of the Writer. It’s when I discovered I wanted to be writer. But grade 4, oh grade 4! Grade 4 was the Year of the Great Books. I felt like an explorer discovering a whole new world and all the many possibilities that abounded within that new world. I discovered C.S. Lewis and Anne McCaffrey. Her magical world of Pern and the stories of the Dragonriders were for me an ethereal escape. Those books made a huge impression on me. I devoured the books as soon as I could get my hands on them. It was one of the many books that inspired the love of libraries and reading in me. Oh, to see Anne McCaffrey’s world of Pern with its Dragonriders on the big screen would be a treat indeed.

Even thinking about it now, I’m transported back to a magical world of Weyrfolk and dragons, Holders and Holds, Crafthalls, the Holdless and Thread. Even now I wish I was one of the Weyrfolk, a Dragonrider who will soon form a bond by Impression with a new Gold Queen dragon hatchling.

With movies like DragonHeart, Eragon and How To Train Your Dragon, now would be the perfect time to adapt a novel of Pern into a movie! With the amazing advances in CGI and 3D technology it’s totally do - able!

~P.S.~ I wonder if Christopher Paolini, the author of Eragon, got his telepathy idea from AM. Or is it just a given part of Dragon Lore? Either way, I like it. I like it a lot.

Tags: Anne McCaffrey, book, dragon, dragonriders, movie, Pern

Jake Sully Gets Dissed!

Dr Grace Augustine

Did you ever notice how every time Jake extends his hand to shake

Eytukan

in friendship and greeting he gets dissed? First Dr. Augustine pshaws his olive branch and then the Na’vi freak out when he dares to try and lay hands upon their leader. Sheesh! Can’t a guy get a break!

~P.S.~ Check out this really cool Wiki!

Tags: Avatar, James Cameron, movie, wiki

Thor Movie!

Thor

Holy Marvel Comics Batman! The Marvel Universe is blowing up on screen! Enter the Thor movie! It will be directed by Kenneth Branagh (remember him from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing?) This should be interesting. I, however, am totally down with this kind of movie fare, so you know I’ll be watching it! Even the Norse gods want a piece of Hollywood!

~P.S~ Batman is not in the Marvel Universe. He is in the DC Universe. I bet you guys didn’t know I knew that!

~P.P.S.~ I think Alexander Skarsgard would have rocked in this role.

Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth is set to play the title role. I’ll give him a chance. Look how much we love Andy Whitfield as Spartacus. Andy Whitfield is Spartacus. Maybe Chris Hemsworth will go down in Pop Culture history as the Thor. Who knows? What do you think about casting fresh faces in big lead roles? (Ok, maybe Chris Hemsworth is familiar. He did play James T. Kirk’s dad in last year’s Star Trek afterall. And do you notice all these severely fresh actors from Australia all of a sudden? I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely diggin’ it! Love that accent!)

Tags: Alexander Skarsgard, Andy Whitfield, Australia, Batman, Chris Hemsworth, DC Comics, DC Universe, Hollywood, Marvel Comics, Marvel Universe, movie, Norse Gods, Pop Culture, Shakespeare, Spartacus, Star Trek, Thor

Youngling’s Pick of the Week!

I Recommend It!

This week it’s a double whammy! The Youngling recommends How To Train Your Dragon the movie and the books! She really liked them both. The movie was really engaging, funny and heartwarming. It really captured my Youngling’s imagination. Ever since she saw the movie, she can’t stop drawing, painting and pretending to be a “baby” dragon. Her favorite dragon was of course Toothless, the Night Fury.

The I Can Read series of books from Harper are great for kids. My Youngling was very eager to get the book after seeing the movie.

She gives both the big thumbs up!

Tags: dragon, Harper, How To Train Your Dragon, I Can Read, imagination, movie, Night Fury, Pop Culture, recommend, thumbs up, Toothless, Youngling

The Tale of Despereaux In Theaters Tomorrow

The Tale of Despereaux_Amazon.com

There is more Universal movie magic coming your way for the holiday season. The Tale of Despereaux is out in theaters tomorrow,featuring the talented vocal stylings of Emma Watson of Harry Potter fame, and the low pro Mr. Parker himself, Matthew Broderick ( we love him in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ). This is a classic, well loved children’s story come to life, just another example of literature leaping to the silver screen. I wonder if it will be great? Will you take your youngling to see it? I probably will.

Tags: Harry Potter, movie, the tale of despereaux