Movie Review: Stardust

This movie is based on a novel that was in turned inspired by a DC Comics mini-series. It involves a poor young English villager, Tristan, who is on a quest to retrieve a falling star in order to win the hand of the prettiest local girl. Upon falling to earth, the falling star, Yvaine, takes on human form. She falls in the mythical land of Stormhold. Yvaine is also pursued by the evil witch, Lamia (played by Michelle Pfeiffer), who wants to cut out her heart in order to become immortal. Rivals for the empty throne of Stormhold join the pursuit as well. Robert DeNiro makes a semi-cameo appearance as the comical Captain Shakespeare.

The story starts slowly. The other worldly Yvaine and hero Tristan slowly learn the meaning of love. The movie is a delightful mix of comedy and suspense. The musical score is reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean and the scenery of Lord of the Rings. The film finishes with a happy story book ending

Movie Review: Bourne Ultimatum

This is the 3rd installment of the Bourne series starring Matt Damon. Jason Bourne continues on his quest to find out who he really is. He is lured out of hiding to contact a journalist who is writing an exposé of a US government assassin network. CIA agent manager Noah Vosen is determined to assassinate Bourne. Pamela Landy is brought back in to the series to help lead the effort to capture or kill Jason Bourne. As usual, the movie has non-stop action in exotic locations. Some of the chase sequences are too long. US intelligence operatives are mostly treated as assassins and torturers whose end of protecting US interests justify any means- regardless of moral implications. This film was very entertaining, but lacked some of the tidy closure present in the first two films of the series.