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Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny (1972)
There Are No Words
**Spoiler below, I guess**
Now, I hope you all know that I'm not jumping on any bandwagons in bothering to post a review saying that this is probably the worst film I have ever seen, and that I really, truly mean it. I even keep an eye out for movies that look bad because sometimes they're so darn entertaining, you know? This one is sort of on the fence in that department. Yes, I laughed a few times. But I was also utterly horrified at others. And there I'm only talking about the Santa segments. The Thumbelina story was so numbing that I had to sit down and rewatch Don Bluth's Thumbelina just to regain full use of all my brain cells (I happen to like Bluth's Thumbelina, I know lots of people don't, but that's not the point). Thing is, we now actually own a copy of this thing, but I'm not so sure I ever want to see it again. Maybe I'll just pop it in for a minute or two to prove to visitors that such a thing was actually produced.
I have to say though that the ending, where the sleigh for absolutely no reason teleports back to the North Pole or whatever, has been stuck firmly in my head since my viewing of this movie. If the sleigh had the ability to teleport, why didn't Santa just...hit that button to get back? Or if it was on a timer, does that mean that if Santa had just waited TWO more minutes, he would have been teleported back too? Or if the sleigh automatically teleports back to the North Pole if Santa leaves it, then, as another reviewer pointed out, why didn't Santa take a plane as suggested by the little girl, or at least do *something* else? This movie is like an aneurysm on film. Seriously. It frightens me that little children were subjected to this at one point in our nation's history. At least give us a decent stupid kid's Santa movie like The Christmas That Almost Wasn't for crying out loud! (Actually, I worship TCTAW but again, that's not the point.)
What's Up, Hideous Sun Demon (1989)
Better Than I Expected
I found this on DVD at a local store and (after some delay at checkout because it wasn't in their system, resulting in me getting it at half the marked price) gave it a spin. The DVD cover and disc do identify the title as "Revenge of the Sun Demon", but the on-screen title is "What's Up, Hideous Sun Demon?" Title confusion aside, it's a pretty enjoyable film. I was rather fearing it would be poorly-done when I read the description on the back of the DVD but had bought it anyways being a massive fan of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (plus my brother and I used to turn the sound off on bad movies when we were kids and did our own dialog). Also the DVD cover described the film as quite raunchy, with the main character on a quest for sex the entire movie (I guess I'm a prude but I don't like "sexy" movies). While the guy was interested in sex, I don't feel that that dominated the movie, and the raunchiest moment was the very brief appearance of a huge sex toy, as mentioned by another reviewer, in a piece of new footage spliced into the original film.
If you are a fan of B-movies and more importantly, making fun of B-movies, this movie is for you!
Buster and Me (1977)
I will never forget this show
This program was an intrinsic part of my childhood and I am sad there isn't much info on it here. It was about a lady named Robin who had adopted two chimpanzee siblings (both puppets), Buster and his little sister Vanilla. Buster's best friend Russel (an orangutan puppet) was also a main character. I remember the show dealt with the issue of adoption a bit as well as various other life lessons. Buster and Russel were always getting into trouble and Vanilla was always doing typical little sister things like tattling or crying to Robin that the boys wouldn't let her play, etc. Anyways either the same puppet that "played" Buster or a look-a-like was used in the movie "Mrs. Doubtfire" at the end, in the children's program where Mrs. Doubtfire is the host, and her co-host is a chimpanzee puppet. That puppet looks *just* like Buster, and that movie always brings back memories of "Buster and Me". If this show ever surfaced on DVD I would buy it in an instant.
Casper (1996)
I loved this show
I absolutely adored the 1995 film and was very excited that there was going to be an animated version. This cartoon was made by many of the same people who worked on the movie, and it showed. Now, I'm an old lady, and I grew up on the classic Harvey cartoons; but I found this version of the Casper cartoon a refreshing change. How cleverly they integrated some of the classic supporting characters! The Trio were some of my favorite characters growing up, and ordinarily I might be miffed at them being altered so drastically - but I wasn't. The new Trio are now also among my favorite animated characters of all time, alongside the old. This show aired while I was in college and I was unable to catch even half of the episodes. I wish they would re-air it, so I could actually see it. I have all 6 of the commercially-released tapes and it is nowhere near enough!
The Willies (1990)
You can basically take or leave this one
I was about 20 when I first saw this, and I recently hunted down an old used rental VHS online because I wanted to see it again. Out of the short skits at the beginning I especially enjoy the old man's performance in the one about the "Haunted Mansion" ride, though the skit itself is rather lackluster. And something about the poodle skit bothers me: the dog was wearing a collar with a metal tag, why didn't that react to the microwaves? Have *you* ever put something with even a tiny trace of metal in a microwave? It starts flashing and sparking and catching fire instantly and there's this awful smell...Yeah I know, I probably wasn't supposed to even think about that. Nevermind the fact that the dog was *dry* after the lady supposedly just gave it a bath.
As for the two main stories: I greatly dislike the Monster in the Bathroom. It *may* have made a decent short story if written right, but on screen it's just deplorable, in my opinion. All of the adult actors give a decent enough performance, but every single child in that skit couldn't act his way out of a wet paper bag. *Especially* the completely unlikable main character, which makes it even more sad. I did however enjoy the kids' nickname for Miss Titmarsh: "Miss Breastswamp," I believe it was.
However, I have a big soft spot for the Tale of Gordy Belcher. Now *that's* good stuff. Great storyline, and good acting all around (with the possible exception of that blonde girl at Gordy's school). Love the manure guy, and Gordy's dad is so real, with his harping on his son to stop being "weird". Watch the dinner scene, and see if you can relate. I definitely could.
The "bookend" storyline, with the three kids in the tent, was a big yawn-fest though (with the notable exception of the excellent Goonies reference.) I *do* recommend this film, though mostly for the Tale of Gordy Belcher.
Pin (1988)
Not terrific perhaps, but not a bad film
When I was very young I have dim memories of my family visiting some of my parents' friends and, being bored, I went looking for something to read. I wound up with a copy of the novel Pin. I really was quite young and I didn't understand it at the time (and I ought to try to find a copy to read now, at 31), but I do remember reading scenes where Leon is talking to Pin, and therefore I assumed that this character Pin was a living being, because that's how he was represented, at least in those scenes. I didn't get to read much that day, and left with the idea that the novel was about a boy and his friend who was a person, or magical being, or *something* alive, named Pin. In adulthood I heard of the movie and assumed the same thing, that it was about some kind of plastic android, or something else that could actually speak. I learned that it was a horror story for the first time then, and I assumed that Pin went on a killing rampage or something (I told you I didn't understand what it was about!).
Well I saw the movie last night and of course I was surprised that that *wasn't* the plot at at all. As a young child I never would have comprehended what the movie is really about, and I appreciated the film though I did find it campy and even disappointing in places. Still, the scene with the nurse is good, as is the scene in the car, and I agree that the ending scene (which ties in with the opening scene) is effective.
The Plague Dogs (1982)
*Finally* saw this film last night
After trying to get ahold of a copy - any copy - of this film since childhood (just never could find one!) I finally saw that it had been released in the US on DVD and snagged a copy. I've read the book I can't tell you how many times, and I was thrilled to finally get to see the film.
My feelings on the film version are a bit mixed, although I do agree with other reviewers that it is a bold film, going where most animation refuses to go, and that children *should* see it, although not the little ones, and perhaps with an adult nearby.
My biggest complaint is that I feel they ruined the Tod's character. Since when would the Tod endanger himself to help the dogs, or anyone other than himself? The way the Tod met his end in the book was more satisfying to me.
I was also disappointed that when Snitter was in the barn with the drain in the floor that he was envisioning his old home - in the book, he thought he was inside his own head and that the barn windows were his eyes. I know he did tell Rowf in the movie that he was inside his own head but I felt him actually thinking he was *physically* inside his own skull, and seeing his "eyes" all covered in cobwebs which he then tried to clear off, was more effective, especially going along with what Dr. Powell said about the experiment being done on him.
Lastly, the ending. I'm still not sure I like that they tampered with the ending, but I guess it's just as well. Another reviewer even mentioned the US release has a few crucial seconds shaved off the end of the film, where the dogs actually *are* seen to drown, rather than the one I saw, where I had to imply it. If they were going to drown we should have seen it, *especially* since during the end credits we are treated to a view of an island in the distance, as if we are supposed to conclude that the dogs made it after all (even with Time and Tide playing!). I may have to get ahold of a British release after all.
~Sparky
Il Natale che quasi non fu (1966)
The Best Holiday Movie Ever
For reasons that cannot be explained in their entirety, this film is the absolute standard in holiday entertainment in my household. The music *must* be played (I burned a CD) while we decorate the tree, and the film *must* be watched (my brother burned a DVD) before going to bed on Christmas Eve. Either of course is subject to being played again in the background the following morning while presents are unwrapped. Why? We don't know! It's just...it's *funny*, I guess. My brother and I always cheer (we're both around 30 years old now) whenever Prune gets thwarted, and we always boo when it looks like he's going to destroy Christmas (again!). There's just something about this film that *is* Christmas, at least to us. The characters are all very entertaining, and we enjoy the songs. Seriously, it just never gets old. Obviously I'm highly recommending this film, as silly, harmless entertainment for the whole family.