You cannot treat Hollywood too seriously. At the end of the day, it's a business. Award-winning shows, gossip, scandals, blockbusters and flops, big money, bigger loves, even bigger falls, and sexual exploitation are the background for the hundreds of stories which are just stories with fictitious characters, decorations, and costumes. But what is great about it all is the fact that this business can actually laugh about itself in the way the best Hollywood magic allows. So can you make fun of all historical films, Robin Hood legends, Star Wars glory and the fear of Dracula? Of course, you can. With the naughtiness of a boy, who pokes fun at our naivety and far too serious creator's ideas. Mel Brooks had a gift for being such a naughty clever boy in the middle of Hollywood pompousness. History of the World, Part 1; Spaceballs, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and Dracula: Dead and Loving It. Honestly, so much fun!
If you seek another reason for why people are killing themselves mercilessly for centuries, don't look far. Think about your beliefs. Maybe you believe that after death you will be saved for following the rules of your religion, that your soul will be elevated and you will be awarded for all good deeds you committed. Well, that might be true. Eternal bliss seems to be a nice life motivation. The problem is that the same attitude is shared by a follower of a different religion. Different rules, different awards, and in their eyes, you might be a heretic. It's always about the perspective. Things haven't change that much over the years. Do you still think that you are right and they are wrong? Can you love despite religious differences? Can your enemy turn into your friend? What a ruthless massacre can stem from the game of power? And how many deaths can follow one small difference in religious beliefs? In divided France there was a royal family, breaking all social norms, there were marriages for truce, love affairs despite divisions and executions without reason. Based on Alexandre Dumas' novel, bloody and hypnotizing Queen Margot.
Were you fond of fairy tales as a child? Don't you think that they taught you the wrong lessons? Was your childhood obsessed with princesses, magic fairies, happy ever afters and you grew up surprised that happy endings are ultimately a figment of hopeful imagination? There is no fairy godmother who turns your mortgage into a lotto prize. Your prince charming would rather leave you for a younger model or simply grow old than offer you his castle, carriage, and horses. Is it better to find a magic wand which turns everything into gold than work hard on it and achieve it by yourself? Is it wiser to switch one dependence (parents' house) to another (husband's house) rather than individually decide on your life choices and preferences? Is it worth to devote everything for the sake of one dream, neither fully grasping its consequences nor entirely understanding its price? Why fairy tales have so little do to with reality and why some decide to break the stereotypes encoded in a childlike good night tale? Into the Woods.
There were times when cinema was there to take you to the land of knights, evil queens, blessed children and helpful little people who played a big part in fulfilling the destiny of a prophecy more eagerly than anyone else. There were stories which took you to beautiful countries and exciting circumstances, where castle were houses, dragons - house pets and wizards - a must. There were also adventures you would gladly take part in. What is the outcome if you put together a child, a dwarf, a slightly irresponsible knight, a beautiful lady, an evil queen and a whole lot of funny and unpredictable characters? Willow. A classic never to be missed and a fantasy that should be enjoyed by many over and over again.
We have needs of profane nature. We need food, water, shelter, warmth, we need people to surround us and interact with. We need jobs to make us feel important. Sometimes we desire power, success, the improvement of our financial status. But what can change all our priorities is one act of falling... in love. Then, the success, shelter, and occupation don't really matter. Then, the loyalty to a friend is no longer important. Then, your life goals seem to be overshadowed by time spent together with this one creature who takes your breath away.
It's a compelling love story which didn't lose any of its beauty, even though centuries passed, political systems were changed and global heroes are long buried under the ground. Find some beauty in one of the most tragic love stories ever written. For love is stronger than death. Tristan & Isolde.
Do you wish for adventure which will take you to a world of a bigger size? Do you want to be elevated to a sphere where knights, their swords, their horses and their code of arms mean surprisingly little? Do you want to take part in a battle between creatures bigger than yourself? Do you feel constrained in all the dresses and feminine types of work? If so, you will thoroughly enjoy this story. Some giants are beyond ugly, some princesses are beyond adventurous and some peasant boys have all the qualities of a knight. Entertainment at its best and a revival of one good English legend. Jack the Giant Slayer.




