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Film and Book

Recommendations

FILMS

"Ladyhawke" (1985) Rutger Hauer; Matthew Broderick; Michelle Pfeiffer

A pickpocket encounters a strange knight and a watchful hawk who are on a mysterious quest and he is reluctantly drawn into a dangerous adventure. It has a wolf, but not the kind you'd think. A lush, lyrical, and immensely entertaining film.

"Ever After" (1998) Drew Barrymore; Dougray Scott; Angelica Huston

Interesting take on the traditional story of Cinderella with Drew Barrymore as the put-upon lass destined to win the heart of the prince. A much more take charge Cinderella than previously seen. And Prince Charming is interesting in this one. Funny too. Not only that, but it begins with a cameo from the Brother's Grimm. I'm assuming it takes place shortly after their escape from the Nine Kingdoms. But don't quote me on that. Very enjoyable flick.

"Legend" (1986) Tom Cruise; Mia Sara; Tim Curry

This film has unicorns, magic swamps, dwarves, a lovely maiden, a young man with a heroic heart, and Tim Curry as the Prince of Darkness. Everything a fantasy buff looks for in their cinema escapes. Beautiful cinemtography. Has a lyrical feel to it. Tom Cruise's only excursion into this genre.

"Willow" (1988) Val Kilmer; Warwick Davis; Joanne Whalley

A dwarf named Willow Ufgood rescues an infant that is destined to overthrow the evil queen Bavmorda and rule in her place. You can guess how the Queen feels about this. Willow is given the task to take the child to her people for safekeeping. He is (somewhat) aided in this by a pair of Brownies, a disreputable warrior named Mad Martigan, and a witch whose powers are not what they used to be. A funny and exciting romp. I'd like to say that when I re-watch this cool flick it's for the amazing special effects or the epic scope of the storyline. But that ain't true . It's for Mad Martigan. Watch it and you'll know why.

"Princess Bride"(1987) Carey Elwes; Robin Wright; Mandy Patinkin

This film includes a fair damsel, a handsome Prince, and an infamous pirate. It also includes a deliciously wild sense of humor and one of the best swordfighting scenes ever captured on film. Gleefully crammed full of fairy tale cliches. Disliking this film would be inconceivable.

"Labyrinth" (1986) Jennifer Connelly; David Bowie

What would you do if you were forced to babysit your little brother? The one who ALWAYS gets ALL the attention. Would you wish for the Goblin King to come and take him? Probably not. But Sarah does. When she realizes what she's done she goes on a exciting journey to get him back. Dwarves, fairies, goblins, musical numbers, it's got it all. Definitely worth watching. Thanks to everyone out there that helped me figure out that 'one of us always lies, one of us always tells the truth' part. I appreciate it.

BOOKS

"Sword of Maiden's Tears" by Rosemary Edghill

A stolen sword draws an elphen lord on a quest to save New York City from a monster more hideous than any legend....

The story opens with Ruth Marlowe stumbling across what appears to be the medievally-dressed body of a mugging victim. Then again, he could have been a mad ax-murder lying in wait. She would have just kept going for safety's sake if it hadn't been for his style of dress and his eyes. They had decided her with an odd sort of logic: 'If a mad axe-murderer pretending to be an elf has gone to all the trouble of getting mirrored tinted contact lenses, why don't I let him get away with it?' And it begins.

This is Book One of the Twelve Treasures and my absolute favorite book. Funny, Romantic, exciting and an extremely addictive read. Ok, so it's not a fairy tale, but it has elves. They were in "10th Kingdom." I am going to say that counts.

"Princess Bride" abridged by William Goldman

The truly twisted book the movie was based on. Called the 'Good Parts Version'. Has numerous asides from the author. Hilarious. I still crack-up every time I read it. This book added the term GPV to my vocabulary in reference to just watching, or reading, the best bits of a film or book.

"Beauty" by Robin McKinley

Excellent retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Technically a young adult book, but don't let that stop you from reading it if you're a little older. Beauty is a very likeable character that is easy to identify with. Wonderfully done. I prefer it to her other version of this tale - "Rose Daughter."

"Blue Sword" by Robin McKinley

Another great McKinley book. It's about a girl named Harry who finds adventure and romance in the Kingdom of Damar. It's not a fairy tale, more of a fantasy adventure. And it really doesn't remind me of "10th Kingdom". But I love it so I had to put it in here somewhere. So, go on, read it. Make me happy ; )

"Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold" by Terry Brooks

I haven't read this myself yet, but it's been highly recommended. It's about a guy named Ben Holiday who buys the kingdom of Landover out of a Rosen's Wishbook for a million dollars. He discovers afterwards that there were a few things that the ad failed to mention. Like taxes, dragons, witches, and some ugly and terrible lord of the demons that has challenged him to a duel to the death - a duel which no human could hope to win.

"The Neverending Story" by Michael Ende

This novel is a great fantasy story that is similar to 10K... It starts out with a little boy named Bastian who, hiding from some local bullies,  finds  himself in an antique book store. Well, it was fate because he finds a book called "The Neverending Story". Bastian is transported, and I mean physically  transported, into the magical world of Fantastica. Fantasica is under great danger, and Bastian is the only one who can save the kingdoms of this magical world. Filled with dragons and queens, dwarves and magical forests...even a very special wolf and a very enchanted mirror, The Neverending Story  is a great novel that anyone can love. ~Review by [email protected]

~new~ "Harper Hall Trilogy" by Anne McCaffrey

The trilogy includes the books: Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, and Dragondrums. All three are very good books. The first two books follow the adventures of a young girl named Menolly who goes on a quest to become the first female harper in Pern. If you're wondering about whether there are actually dragons in these books, there are. There are two kinds of dragons- the large dragons that fight Thread (a serious threat to the lives of the Pernians) and their miniature cousins the fire lizards. The third book follows the adventures of a boy named Piemur who is a drum apprentice and a friend of Menolly's. If you enjoy these books, there are more Anne McCaffrey books set in Pern. ~Review by JAWS5286

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