Penelope (2008)

superb and fantastic!
A modern-day fairytale with a great message for everyone, but young girls in particular. This is a movie that will be enjoyed over and over again. Do yourself a favor: give this gem a chance.

Simple and innocent does not a bad movie make.
I just don't get it. Actually I do. I understand perfectly why a gem of a movie like this is not well liked by many critics. Gone are the days when a nice story that let you escape from the crazy world was okay. Now days if a movie isn't "realistic" enough then it's not worth seeing. What is up with that? I don't know about others but I like to go to movies to ESCAPE reality for awhile. Leave behind the stresses in my own life and let a story of some little happily ever after take me on a journey that will leave me with a smile.

This wonderful movie and it's many reviews only reaffirms what I've long ago discovered and accepted. If the critics thinks it's not worth the film it's recorded on then I'll probably love it. Such is the case with Penelope. In fact, the less than rave reviews by many only made me want to see it more and I wasn't disappointed.

Not only do I pretty much never agree with the critics but I now more than every have very little faith in the profession as a whole. It really comes down to the fact that a movie review is merely an opinion. An opinion that not everyone shares and therefore only counts for so much. A critic does not necessarily like all genre's of movies in which case if they aren't a chick flick kind of person then of course their review is going to be less than stellar. Whatever.

In a wonderful *Fantasy* world (fantasy being the key word, people) that's reminiscent of Pushing Daisies (thought technically this one came first) a young woman named Penelope finds happiness and peace with the trials life has dealt her and when it's all said and done she learns loving yourself as you are is enough, but you can still get your prince in tarnished armor in the end as well.

I thought this movie was everything wonderful. The story, the sets, the costumes and the performances by an amazing cast left me grinning like a fool every time I left the theater. I'm growing less tolerant for a lot of the garbage floating around these days so when I find a movie like this or Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium that has a wonderful story and remains refreshingly clean I can't help but love it and want to see it again and again. I love the soundtrack, I can't wait for the DVD and I suppose those who don't like it, it's just their loss. I myself can't stand horror flicks. So to each his or her own.

A Very Cute Girl- uh, I Mean Film. Cute Film
I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, as I entered it with zero expectation for enjoyment. As a guy, I am not inclined to fantasy/romances.

However, this movie was well cast, making the characters very enjoyable.(Especially Penelope's mom, played brilliantly by Catherine O'Hara.) And despite the pig snout, cute Christina Ricci alone made it worth the money. James McAvoy also turned in a nice performance. (Special note to the scene when he sings "You Are My Sunshine.") And Reese Witherspoon was awesome!

Sure it got cheesy at times, but what else can we expect from a PG love movie? I definately recommend seeing this film. It'll be worth your time and money.