Snow White as you've never seen her before...

I had been looking forward to seeing Snow White and the Huntsman for some time. The trailers grasped my attention and I hoped that we would finally get a good film that re-imagines a classic tale. However, like many I was hesitant, a little worried that it would go where so many had gone before, into a world where great imaginative films go to die with stunning visual effects and no soul. Well I am delighted to say that Snow White and the Huntsman has no place in that dark forsaken place.

The first thing you will notice about this film is that it is in fact visually stunning. The cinematographer for this film is Greig Fraser. I am not familiar with his work but will definitely be keeping an eye out for him. Cinematographers paint with light, and this is evident throughout the film. The use of colour is beautiful with some scenes reminiscent of Ridley Scott's Gladiator, whose cinematographer was John Mathieson. I love the use of deep reds in films that have darker tones. I found myself captivated by the early scene where the soldiers run to battle Ravenna's army. With its moody shadows, bursts of flame and red flags blowing in the wind the frame is nothing less than art. The most beautiful scenes are those with Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron). Her outfits are incredible and the use of these materials on frame are spectacular. I particularly loved her outfits that were designed around the raven.

Now the reason this film doesn't go to that sad place where stunning films go to die is because this film also has a soul. This is an original take on a very well known tale. I have never heard the story of Snow White told in this way, and therefore had no idea what to expect. To be honest my limited knowledge of the tale begins and ends with Disney. This is no disney tale however. Our Snow White may be a prisoner but she's quite capable of rescuing herself.

The premise of the film is that Snow White (Kristen Stewart) is imprisoned by her step mother, Ravenna, who kills Snow White's father and takes over the kingdom. When Snow White comes of age Ravenna is horrified to discover that she is no longer the fairest of them all, Snow White is. I have to add a side note here, the re-imagination of the mirror was incredible. Ravenna finds out however that if she consumes Snow White's heart she will be immortal and forever young. She asks her brother to bring Snow White to him but she manages to escape and runs into an ominous forest. Ravenna then demands that the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) who knows the forest go in after her. She says that if he brings Snow White back she will bring his dead wife back to life.

I think many people were confused when Kristen Stewart was cast to play Snow White. Her films till now have not highlighted any of her acting skills, many claiming that she appears wooden on screen. I wasn't  expecting a great performance from her but was pleasantly surprised to discover that the girl can act. Her American accent is transformed into a more British lilt in this film and she doesn't do any of those annoying hand to hair gestures common in the Twilight films. She breathes a new life into Snow White, who in this tale is not some lost Princess looking for a Prince, rather a strong, pure-hearted young woman looking to heal a land long ravaged by desperation and despair. I read a review where the critic claimed that it was ridiculous for Stewart to be cast opposite the gorgeous Theron, when Snow White is supposed to be more beautiful. Firstly I think it's appalling that this critic went as fair as to mock the state of Stewart's teeth, secondly I like that the film focusses more on inner beauty than outer. I found that Stewart looked lovely on film, but more than that I found the way they portrayed her inner beauty to be refreshing. This is a woman whose heart can heal your wounds, take away your pain. She breathes light into dark and that is where her beauty comes from.

The Huntsman in this tale is not simply the muscles of the mission. In fact we learn early on that there are some tasks Snow White can do better than he can. The Huntsman is in a state of deep grief over the loss of his wife and has chosen to fill the void with alcohol. We see a great and subtle change with the Huntsman throughout the film. The Prince is part of the mission also, and we know from the traditional tale that it is the Prince whose kiss will bring Snow White back to life. But this is not the traditional tale.

I have read reviews where people stated their unhappiness with the ending, with it's vague romance between Snow White and the Huntsman. I didn't have any problem with the ending. I thought it suited the film perfectly. As for the romance aspect, I enjoyed the subtlety of it. I can't really imagine how declarations of undying love or excessive displays of affection would have placed in this film. I have always been a fan of longing looks, slight touches and charged energy on film. It's harder to act and therefore much more affective.

I have to make mention here of the seven dwarves. I liked their portrayal in this film. They were more heroic than comedic, with a back story, some humour, but mostly they provided a different insight into the world this film is based around. There has been some controversy over the use of regular sized actors, as opposed to casting little people. I can understand the frustration of those who feel this encroached upon roles that should be reserved for a people who feel they already have such limited choices. But I also understand why execs wanted to cast well known actors like Bob Hoskins, Ian McShane and Nick Frost. Either way the actors did well and brought a new twist to the seven dwarves.

Snow White and the Huntsman is an imaginative film that unlike other fairy tale films (I'm looking at Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland here) takes time with plot and gives a heart beat to the film. The visuals are superb, the acting genuinely good, and the story intriguing. All in all it's a great "once upon a time" that leads us to a "happily ever after"...or at least hints at it.

Game of Thrones Season Two

Unless you've been living under a rather large rock these past few months then you know all about the excitement surrounding Game of Thrones season two. I fell in love with this series when it premiered in April 2011. It's like a much darker, more sexual Lord of the Rings. I have not yet read the books but my husband has and so he became a guide of sorts during this season.

Season one left us with heartbreak, death, hope and exciting new beginnings. The much adored Ned Stark had been killed thanks to Joffrey who had claimed the throne at Kings Landing. The Stark children were scattered. Arya was hiding under disguise as a boy, Sansa was a prisoner of Kings Landing and soon-to-be bride to Joffrey, Bran and his younger brother were left at Winter Fell, Robb was preparing for battle, and Jon Snow was at the wall. Dany however had discovered her true calling as the mother of dragons when she and her 'children' emerged from the fire untouched.

At the start of Season two things are in complete disarray. Arya is on the run, Robb is at battle, Bran is a child making the decisions of men, Sansa is doing her best to play dutiful princess in waiting, and Jon is learning the hard way in the Night's Watch. Theon Greyjoy reunites with his father and sister years after being taken prisoner at Winterfell. The meeting does not go as he planned and he spends the rest of the season trying, unsuccessfully, to earn respect of the men of the Iron Islands. Dany is having a tough time. Most of her men abandoned her after the death of Drogo. Those that remain are starving and exhausted. When she comes upon the city of Quarth she knows it is her last hope. She doesn't have the easiest time in Quarth, many try to take advantage of her, but they are foolish to underestimate the mother of dragons.

I found Dany's story to be the least exciting of the series, up until the last episode when she finds her strength. My husband tells me that she has a great storyline in the third book so I look forward to seeing that. I really enjoyed the character arc of Dany in season one. She went from being a woman sold for a throne, to a woman in love, a widow, and then finally a dragon lord. In season two the focus around her character was primarily on her love for her dragons. At the moment they are still babies but once they have grown I feel as though Dany will hold more power than the seven kingdoms combined.

I enjoyed Arya's storyline in season two. She's a clever girl who knows how to survive. She saves a man named Jaqen H'ghar who makes her a promise that he will kill three people for her. She gives the first two names but realises that she needs more than just three. And so she gives Jaqen H'ghar his own name, forcing him to help her further until she unnames him. He proves to be a handy person to have around in a sticky situation. Along her journey Arya met up with Gendry, who is the bastard first born son of Robert Baratheon, the former king of Westeros. His 'son' Joffrey now sits on the throne, but we know that Joffrey is actually the son of Cersei and her brother Jaime. Therefore Gendry has more power in his blood than he truly realises. It's not surprising then that all the children of Robert were ordered killed in order to keep Joffrey on the throne. At the end of season two Arya is on the run again with Gendry after Jaqen H'ghar helps her escape from Harrenhal.

Sansa has an interesting season also. She is becoming a woman more and more. She is much less annoying in this season, many of her childish tantrums replaced by fear and survival instincts. We see some wonderful moments between her and the hound who seems to go out of his way to ensure her safety. At the end of season two Sansa is happy to find out that Joffrey has replaced her as his future bride. The happiness is short lived when she is told by littlefinger that this doesn't mean her freedom, she will always be one of Joffrey's toys.

Robb himself grows up a lot in this season. He fights, reaching many victories, and he meets and falls in love with a woman. At the end of the season Robb loses his virginity and marries her even though he is promised to another. This will no doubt cause many problems for Robb in season three.

Jon has quite an adventure when he is ordered to kill Ygritte, a wildling. He chooses not to kill her and ends up being captured by the wildlings. Another guard of the Night's Watch is taken prisoner with them and he chooses to let Jon kill him in order to gain the respect of the wildlings. The season ends with Jon a prisoner.

Jaime Lannister is not in the season much but is a prisoner of Robb's army for most of the season. Then one day Catelyn sends Brienne, an incredible female warrior, to take Jaime, much to Robb's anger. The season ends with Brienne and Jaime on the road and we get to see some of the strength Brienne possesses. I look forward to seeing more of both characters next season.

The true star of season two is of course Tyrion who uses his wit and intelligence to take control of King's Landing. In the penultimate episode of the season there is a huge battle at King's Landing and Tyrion proves himself as a leader. Unfortunately the arrival of his father does not bode well for Tyrion. We last see him injured in bed, hidden away at the request of his father, his lover Shae vowing to stay with him. The only good thing about seeing Tyrion at the bottom is that I know he will have one epic rise to the top. He is by far the best character of this series and a fan favourite. I can't wait to see where he goes in the next season.

I am of course missing many other plot points in this summary as there are just too many to write about. I thought this season was excellent. We got to see a new side to all the characters, plans were made, schemes plotted, battles fought, lost and won, heroes killed, villains too. My only complaint would be that I wish we got to see more of the dire wolves. They were such an important part of season one but have all but disappeared in season two. Here's hoping the make a grand return in season three. I have no idea where season three will go, everything has changed for all the characters, but I for one am counting down the days till it gets here.