I wanted to love this movie. The cast is stellar. Dick van Dyke and Angela Lansbury are outstanding (still vibrant in their 90s!). Alivia Clark's voice is lovely. The costumes and locations are first-rate. It's "Pollyanna" meets "Annie" and "Oliver," but unfortunately "Les Miserables" is thrown into the mix. The stories told are uneven, with missteps throughout. By the way, Annabelle gets the nickname "Buttons," but that has nothing to do with the story. A much better title would be "Emily's Wish." Furthermore, because the sound is out of sync, it feels oddly inauthentic. It's mostly very depressing, and barely about Christmas. I wouldn't show this to anyone under 10, as it's way too scary and depressing -- even with the fun songs and heartwarming, uplifting message. "Mary Poppins" is a 10. This movie is no 10!
Reviews
3 Reviews
Aloha
(I) (2015)
Don't listen to jaded critics; "Aloha" has the top quality of "Say Anything"
28 August 2015
Yesterday I watched "Aloha," and loved it. I've watched it twice, and I want to watch it again. I don't understand how it could have been panned repeatedly by the critics. "Aloha" is quirky, often funny, sweet, and endearing, even though it's a sprawling, rambling, story with intentionally cinema-verite-flavored camera work at times. Unpredictable, it's not your typical romcom!
Set in the magnificent and mystical landscapes of Hawaii, with the soothing backdrop of lilting Hawaiian music, it's simply unforgettable! And, the cast is stellar: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, John Krasinski, Alec Baldwin, Bill Murray, and so many other top performances. We need more films that demand our attention and our intelligence, which show us characters who struggle with ambiguity, recognize life's joys, mysteries, and heartbreaks, and yet still manage to keep their integrity intact. This film will have you talking afterwards ~ and at the least, it will make you happy! Thank you, Cameron Crowe.
Set in the magnificent and mystical landscapes of Hawaii, with the soothing backdrop of lilting Hawaiian music, it's simply unforgettable! And, the cast is stellar: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, John Krasinski, Alec Baldwin, Bill Murray, and so many other top performances. We need more films that demand our attention and our intelligence, which show us characters who struggle with ambiguity, recognize life's joys, mysteries, and heartbreaks, and yet still manage to keep their integrity intact. This film will have you talking afterwards ~ and at the least, it will make you happy! Thank you, Cameron Crowe.
Kingsman: The Secret Service
(2014)
A Sickening Disappointment
20 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This movie starts out feeling just like what I'd expect from a spy movie with Colin Firth and Michael Caine in the cast. The story line and characters in this comic-book film are interesting enough. All the spectacular special effects, high tech, and newfangled spy gadgets are great fun. Even the villain with the crazy knife feet is intriguing. The psychological thrills that play out as the next new Kingsman is chosen are also well done. But then the unspeakable gratuitous violence takes over. I usually very much enjoy spy films; I expected this one to be entertaining a la Men In Black, Mission: Impossible, or James Bond. Instead, it quickly becomes Pulp Fiction ~ for no reason whatsoever ~ a huge betrayal. Pornographic violence. Vapid female characters. An inappropriate sexual scene. All utterly unnecessary and truly disgusting. All attempts at humor or artistry fall flat. Shame on Colin Firth and Michael Caine for being in this movie, from whom I expect so much more. Should be rated X.
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