Ever After

Ever After: A Cinderella Story
$14.98
Cinderella stands squarely among the most re-told stories. Dozens of variations exist, but nearly all stay close to the basics: poor but hardworking girl, cruel step-family, and a magical boost into the prince's affections. This time, however, we skip the magic and see a lot of hard work on Cinderella's part, plus a little righteous collusion by the housekeepers still loyal to her and her late father. I like that - instead of magic, we see intelligence and determination; instead of a magical fairy godmother, we're treated to larcenous devotion by the staff that she has treated honorably. The conclusion means that much more when it comes from personal strength (and a strong throwing arm) rather than an effortless wave of a wand.

Huston does her usual spectacular job as wicked stepmother, and Megan Dodds does beautifully as the stepsister you love to hate. Barrymore really makes this movie, though, with just the right Charlie's Angel edge to the dutiful daughter. Not every movie can be one for the ages, though. Still, this one pulls well away from the pack through careful choice of which conventions need to be followed, and which need thorough flouting.

-- wiredweird

Ever After - A Cinderella Story
$14.98
Cinderella stands squarely among the most re-told stories. Dozens of variations exist, but nearly all stay close to the basics: poor but hardworking girl, cruel step-family, and a magical boost into the prince's affections. This time, however, we skip the magic and see a lot of hard work on Cinderella's part, plus a little righteous collusion by the housekeepers still loyal to her and her late father. I like that - instead of magic, we see intelligence and determination; instead of a magical fairy godmother, we're treated to larcenous devotion by the staff that she has treated honorably. The conclusion means that much more when it comes from personal strength (and a strong throwing arm) rather than an effortless wave of a wand.

Huston does her usual spectacular job as wicked stepmother, and Megan Dodds does beautifully as the stepsister you love to hate. Barrymore really makes this movie, though, with just the right Charlie's Angel edge to the dutiful daughter. Not every movie can be one for the ages, though. Still, this one pulls well away from the pack through careful choice of which conventions need to be followed, and which need thorough flouting.

-- wiredweird

Ever After
$14.98
This is a chick flick. It's a wonderful Cinderella story that tweaks the historical imagination! The cinematography is beautiful! I'd recommend to everyone, even though I'm pretty certain that the guys won't be interested.

Ever After (Thorndike Press Large Print Christian Fiction)
$30.95
"Ever After" continues the story of Shane and Lauren that began in "Even Now." They love each other, but are having a hard time reconciling their major differences of opinion about the military and war. But actually, Shane and Lauren seem like secondary characters in this book.
The central characters in "Ever After" are Emily Anderson and her soldier boyfriend, Justin Baker. Now here's where my only real problem with the book comes in. Karen Kingsbury makes Justin so perfect that he's not realistic. Justin is handsome, intelligent, romantic, courageous, devout and patriotic. He and Emily basically fall in love at first sight and he treats her like a princess. Oh, and Justin spends most of his free time doing charity work, but he's so humble about it that his parents aren't even aware of everything he does. Can somebody say, "Prince Charming?" Okay, Kingsbury gives Justin one fault--he keeps his room messy--but that doesn't make him much more believable.
I also thought that how Emily handles everything after she receives the tragic news was quite atypical of how most 20 year old girls would be.
But having said all that, the ending of "Ever After" is bittersweet but satisfying.