Penelope

It seems counterintuitive to label a movie about a pig girl as beautiful, but that is exactly what it is. The world that you are invited to enter in Penelope is visually stunning, whimsical, and decadent. I found myself aching to be able to walk through this magical city, even though the only thing magical is Penelope herself. Despite the premise, the story line is believable and real. Every frame and line of this film shows the immense care and craftsmanship that was taken, from the writing to the acting. It is both storytelling and moviemaking at its best. While at first glance, the lesson or moral of this fable may seem trite, it is illustrated in a new and imaginative way, and is still a lesson that so many of us have yet to mastered for ourselves. From the first viewing, Penelope worked its way into my top ten movies. It is one that I will watch again and again, both when I am cozily happy on a rainy day and when I am sad and need to see the brighter, more hopeful side of life. Perfectly crafted, perfectly acted, perfect. Read more

This is basically a long time coming for me to be fair this is not really an old movie well as old as most of my comparative films of choice. At least the ones that aren't based on comic book movies. I'm a huge Christina Ricci fan but even I feel wrong for saying that because I haven't seen every film of hers but I've always liked that if not loved her. Ever since Adam's family which I will talk about that one very soon. Either way this just something about this film that just stuck with me and I think was stuck with me the most about it is just the pure story of finding someone that love you for you but even then all it is is Christina Ricci with a pig about. She looks beautiful even with it on. I just happened to like some of its characters as well as the story. It's good enough for me to go out my way and own it. It's on DVD but though the case is a bit off and clearly show that it's been used it seems like a fairly decent disc. I'm happy to finally have it. Read more

Poor Penelope is cursed. Not only was she born with the face of a pig but she also must suffer through a seemingly endless parade of prospective suitors who flee in fear at the very sight of her. Of course, according to the legend, she supposedly needs a "worthy" groom to stick around long enough to break the curse but that is beginning to seem rather hopeless. What I liked... -Being that Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales the storyline really caught my attention. Penelope is an enjoyable re-telling of a classic story with some cute plot twists. -The setting is quirky with retro and modern elements. I found the sets and locations to be charming, imaginative, and worth examining. -The cast was great! Sometimes I regret casting choices but that could hardly be said for this film. Christina Ricci and Reese Witherspoon were fabulous and that is only the half of it! -Aside from the fact that this is, at face value, a really charming tale there is a moral to the story. What I didn't like... Honestly, I could not come up with anything I did not like. In summary... Really, this is a very cute film and I highly recommend it. There are scenes with gambling and alcohol but I think most people would feel comfortable sharing Penelope with their children. The content is very family friendly and it is rated PG. Overall, I think is a great film for romantics of all ages and I believe you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was! Read more

I like good clean movies (or as clean as you can get nowadays). Penelope was really quite clean. There was a few utterances of mild crude language; drinking in a few scenes including at a bar; gambling; smoking; kissing; mild clevage; a reference to ancestors in which a woman had cheated on her husband; and a couple of double entendres and sexual innuendos. It is rated PG and the Dove Foundation approved it for 12+. I really enjoyed the movie and will definitely watch it again. Most people would skip it because they think it is too predictable or "lame", but I like movies like that because I know I will be watching something that won't make me feel like I have just been "slimed". Yes I have to admit that for looking like a pig....well, she doesn't. You only see her nose. But really, would anyone want to watch this movie if she really looked like a pig and was "scary" or "ugly. Also, the suitors screaming and running and jumping out the window to get away...again...really??? It makes for a funny, cute movie though. The story was about the girl learning to like herself for who she is. Finding out who she really is. To love and value herself. She also found a great guy who loved her, despite her "looks" but wants to see her happy, even if it isn't with him. She even makes him realize that he wants to be better. Of course she finds out that she can only be happy with him. And after the spell is broken and she looks "normal", oddly enough no one recognizes her. :) Overall, love this movie and will watch it again. Read more

I was surprised by this movie in a good way. Having never once heard of it in the theatres I saw a preview for it on a DVD I had purchased and kept my eyes open for it after that. I was not sure what to expect, but the story line was original, funny and well-played by al the actors, especially Catherine O'Hara as Penelope's mother who you wanted to slap more than sympathize with. The tale moved between the fantastical and the ordinary so well that you felt it was possible for this to actually happen and wonder why you'd never heard of it before. Christina Ricci gave Penelope a wide-eyed innocence while never seeming fake and ingenuine, and James McAvoy (a lot scruffier than I feel he needed to be), displayed a range of emotions just in his eyes that made you root for his character despite the obvious flaws. Give this movie a chance to surprise and enchant you; I don't believe you'll be sorry. Read more

Cute moview with a great message. Great actors. We watch it once a year. Read more

No issue Read more