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A Classic Reimagined With a Different Take

The Ugly Stepsister

Emilie Blichfeldt’s incredible The Ugly Stepsister should not be missed.  It would be easy to categorize The Ugly Stepsister as a Dark Comedy replete with Body Horror. If you like these type of films – see The Ugly Stepsister. If you do not care for these type of films, put your skepticism aside and take in The Ugly Stepsister.  Yes, The Ugly Stepsister is top drawer as a Dark Comedy and Body Horror film.  However, it offers so much more.

The Ugly Stepsister flips the Cinderella storyline on its head.  The view is from the eyes of the stepsister, not Cinderella.

The script (by Blichfelt) gives virtually every character and sub-plot some type of dimension. Therefore it is a pleasant surprise to see not a single supporting character in the film as a cardboard character. The actors seem to seize upon the opportunity. The implication is that The Ugly Stepsister offers more substance, sizzle, and change to a story than you might otherwise expect.

The lynch-pin to the film’s success lies with Leah Myren’s performance a Elvira: The Ugly Stepsister.  Myren is nothing short of stellar as Elvira. Elvira is at times a fairy tale day-dreamer, naive, demure, deferential and and all-together too trusting. At other times, she is focused, of single-purpose, and relentless.

Critical to this film’s success is that Myren is a performer who can adjust their face and body posture at a moments notice.  It is enhanced to almost perfection by the costuming from Manon Rasmussen, Makeup by Anne Cathrine Sauerberg, and Prosthetic Makeup by Thomas Foldberg. At points throughout the film Myren looks to be beautiful, a princess, clumsy and ungainly, a bit overweight, or the victim of the relentless pursuit of body perfection.

The Ugly Stepsister is rounded out nicely by high quality work in cinematography (Marcel Zyskind), Production Design (Sabine Hviid and Klaudia Klimka), and Music (John Erik Kaada and Vilde Tuv).  Each aspect was memorable as being additive to the film experience as a whole.

*** Jeff’s Thought’s and Other Worthless Trivia ***

The Ugly Stepsister is materially graphic in its depiction of the pursuit of the perfect body.  It presents sexual relations in the process of occurring.

I am not a fan of Body Horror type films.  I took in The Ugly Stepsister anyways,

The Amazing Story of The Italian Chapel, Yet Something Is Missing.

Chapel

The Amazing Italian Chapel in the Orkney Islands of Scotland

The Italian Chapel. A church built by Italian prisoners of war while constructing The Churchill Barriers

Amazing is the word I would use to describe The Italian Chapel in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. 

A visit to see The Italian Chapel was not a key part of the trip plan to Scotland. After the visit, I might conclude, The Italian Chapel, its story, and its history, have provided an unexpected impact on me.

I have spent the last number of weeks wanting to write something about The Italian Chapel.  The experience of the visit was a material surprise. Afterward, I have read about it extensively. The brochure is simple and dignified. I have a physical copy in hand. The Orkney Island’s official website (located here] is professional and respectful. Many of the websites on The Italian Chapel provide compelling background and detail.

However something is missing. It is something that is a big part of the onsite visit at The Italian Chapel that is not included in these materials. What is it?

It is the Stations of the Cross.  The Stations of the Cross take up a significant part of the Italian Chapel.  The wood carvings are as elegant as can be. Where are the Stations of the Cross in the brochure and websites? They do not appear, at least from what I can see.  Why would this be?

For me to guess as to the reasoning, would reveal my ignorance.

There is a historical, artistic, and spiritual aspect of the Stations. Which of these speak to you?

*** Jeff’s Thoughts and Other Worthless Trivia ***

I am raised and versed on the Bible. I am interested in religious history and the impact of religion on someone’s faith. I am Episcopalian. However, I am not a practicing member of a local parish.

I am intrigued with Houses of Faith and their history.  There is the religious and organized religion aspect to them. However, as mentioned previously, I am most interested on the role these buildings and its associated religion had on someone’s faith. 

There are many such buildings in Scotland.  For example: The Church of Scotland (Glasgow). It represents, One Cathedral, Three Churches, and possesses 16 distinct Chapels. My fortune, is I was able to see each of them first hand. The Post to My trip to Scotland is [here].

Foil Surfing, Dinner Time, and Flowering Trees

It is June and a lot is happening at the house in sleepy old-school Waimea Kauai, Hawaii.

Foil Drive Surfing

Foil Drive Surfing in the month of June in Waimea on Kauai?  You bet!  I know little to nothing about the sport.  However, Foil Drive Surfers seem to flock to the waters in front of my house to ride the waves.  They did so again this morning.

Foil Drive

Foil Drive Surfer makes a big turn.

 

Getting Ready for the next wave.

Dinner Time in the Front Yard

Linda and I normally have dinner outside on the Lanai. Often, we have a number of friends who stop by for a quick bite to eat at the same time.  Many are couples who have been our acquaintances for years.  Mating pairs of Myna, Red Crested Cardinal, Spotted Dove, White Eyed Mejiro, and White Rumped Shama hang together at the house.

Last night, the Red Crested Cardinal spots its next bite to eat.

Bring on The Flowers

During June of most years, the Shower and Plumeria trees in the backyard move to a full bloom.  This year is no exception.

Shower Tree in the backyard at the WaimeaBeachHouse this day. The sun sets on the flowering trees in the backyard.

 

Plumeria Tree Flowering in the backyard this day at the WaimeaBeachHouse.

*** Jeff’s Thought’s & Other Worthless Trivia ***

If you want a backgrounder on Foil Surfing look [here].