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Page 6 January 11, 2018 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Entertainment
Film Review Check It Out
Ella Enchanted: Cinderella Story
Twist Makes for Classic Reading
Reviewed by Katrena Woodson,
Teen and Young Reader Librarian,
El Segundo Public Library
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is a
Newbery Honor book that was first published
20 years ago and has since been cherished
by millions of readers. From the first page, it
was clear to me why this book has been so
beloved by readers for the past two decades.
Levine presents the classic fairytale story
of Cinderella with a new twist. Ella, the
heroine, is a likable, kind, smart, witty and
spunky young lady. Just like in Cinderella,
Ella’s mother dies and her father remarries
a very unpleasant woman with particularly
horrid daughters. In addition, Ella is forced
to become a servant in her own home and
has to attend the Prince’s ball in secret with
the help of a fairy.
However where the story gets really
interesting is in the twist--because at birth,
Ella had the bad luck of being given the
“gift” (or curse) of obedience. This meant
that for her entire life, she has not had
free will. Instead she has been magically
compelled to never disobey a command or
order. This terrifying gift was given to her
by the fairy Lucinda, who has a reputation
for giving gifts that she thinks are wonderful
but that the recipient comes to loathe. Ella
wants nothing more than to break the curse
and gain her freedom! She embarks on a
quest to find the fairy Lucinda and begs her
to take the “gift” back.
Readers will relish in the alluring fantasy
realm Levine has created. Furthermore reader’s
will thoroughly enjoy the adventure that lies
ahead and they will delight in the memorable
characters that Ella meets along the way.
This is a classic that is sure to be the perfect
choice for readers ages eight to 12.
The El Segundo Public Library offers
access to its collection of titles in a variety
of formats, including traditional hardback,
e-books and books on CD. To check out,
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, or
any other title on your to-read list, please
visit the library to apply for your library
card, or please contact the reference staff
for further assistance. •
Golden Globe-Winner Oldman’s
Career Best as Winston Churchill
By H. Nelson Tracey
for www.cinemacy.com
In a very powerful opening shot, dropping
us into the world of 1941 British Parliament,
it’s clear that Joe Wright’s latest film will
not only be a showcase for the work of actor
Gary Oldman, but also a reminder of the great
cinematography of Bruno Delbonnel -- whose
keen eye previously brought life to Inside
Llewyn Davis and Amelie, among others. Like
in his previous films, Wright doesn’t miss any
opportunity to let the camera do the storytelling
and his collaboration with Delbonnel proves to
be a great combination right from the get-go.
Darkest Hour is foremost a biography film
about Winston Churchill, a leader who remains a
political hero across all party lines. The film takes
place in May 1941, with World War II and a
German invasion imminent. Through peculiar
circumstances, one man is at the helm of the island
based empire. Unconventional casting pays
off immensely. Gary Oldman, who in real life
looks or sounds nothing like Churchill, is given
one of the most hard-earned scene-chewing roles
in ages. The biography wisely focuses on a very
critical period of his career and world history,
and that helps the film itself remained focused.
Oldman is unrecognizable. It would take a
more trained eye to tell what is makeup and
what is weight gain. He completely disappears
into Churchill as a fully formed character. It
helps that he’s a bit of a caricature, especially
compared to the more ordinary supporting
characters in the cast, but there is never a
doubt of who we are watching on screen. It
goes without saying that this is the type of
performance that an awards season soaks up
(case in point, last Sunday night’s Golden
Globe win) and I expect many to come Oldman’s
way. Interestingly, Ben Mendelsohn
plays King George VI, a role that has already
been immortalized on film by Colin Firth,
yet Mendelsohn takes the opportunity to also
make his mark in this role. British royalty and
leadership are the Shakespearean characters of
our time, worthy of numerous portrayals and
character interpretations.
In today’s political climate, when American
politicians are nearly all bought and sold by
corporations, it’s unfortunately hard to imagine
a time when solutions to the great problems
were black and white and great minds could
disagree through discourse instead of stomping
their feet. This highlights the great void between
the many classic political films of yesteryear,
which makes it difficult to apply the lessons
of leaders like Churchill by today’s standards.
Regardless, there are lessons here we can apply
to our daily lives. Never surrender in the
face of adversity and reach out to the people
around us for wisdom, even if they are your
opponents. These are the qualities that make
Winston Churchill, and all those who portray
him, live on in the generations to come in the
event that we must face our own darkest hour.
Darkest Hour is rated PG-13 for some thematic
material. 125 minutes. Now playing at
most theaters, including ArcLight Beach Cities. •
H. Nelson Tracey.
Darkest Hour. Courtesy of Focus Features.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.
Katrena Woodson.
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