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SmallTownSim
I have a personal movie library that grew to the point of squeezing me out of and evicting me from my own bedroom and I now sleep on the sofa while my movies have the best room in the house!
Favorite Quote?
"Look at it. It shucks it right off the cob... just right off!"
Lists
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Reviews
Suicide Squad (2016)
Any movie that makes me laugh out loud and watch again-- gets a 10.
I honestly do not know why so much hate on this film. It astounds me. Is it because it comes from comics and didn't hold up? I don't know. I'm not into the comics and do not normally dig on movies like this. I saw a trailer. It looked interesting and so I gave it a chance.
It's campy. Which I like. Lots of movies are campy and popular. Hopefully that isn't the reason for the low score and bad reviews, etc. I don't know.
But as a story it is believable (in movie-verse) and compels the viewer to the end.
There are some parts/places in the movie that are, indeed, cheesy, but look past and listen to the soundtrack, watch the actors engage and be amazed by the incredible color and imagery of this film.
I could have done without Leto's take on the Joker, but it is what it is. I did like the Killer Croc and Harley Quinn characters and feel they steal the scenes they are in. My opinion.
It has even amount of suspense, drama, laughs and comics-magic. I encourage you to give it a shot with an open mind.
Enjoy~
Wisdom of the Crowd (2017)
Nothing like Persons of Interest -- WOTC judged on its own merits
This review 'may' contain spoilers but I will try to avoid that. I just finished watching the pilot episode and I have to say that I liked it. Firstly, Wisdom is NOTHING like the series of Persons of Interest. That was created and followed on a different premise entirely. This show (thus far) is about a case that is already underway but unsolved and uses a social media app created to allow for on-going tips, info, comments and input from anyone who is using the app and is then compiled and sorted using technology, etc and followed up with police detective. I have always enjoyed a good crime solving 'mystery' and that is delivered with Wisdom. Its not perfect- a show usually has to iron out its bumps along the way and discover what works, what doesn't and what the viewers respond to. That said, I will continue watching and giving it a good chance to impress me along the way. Other than that, my advise is to give it a shot and judge it on its own merits and not compare it to other shows.
The Flintstones: Christmas Flintstone (1964)
Fred's job as a Department Store Santa- and more!
"Just wait there Santa...I'll have the tree fixed in a jiffy!" With phrases like this, songs like 'Merry Christmas is my favorite time of year' and 'Dino, the Dinosaur' how could you miss creating a great, memorable Christmas treasure?
This animated short is a tradition at my house- It just isn't Christmas unless we watch the original Flinstone's Christmas episode.
Filled with songs, merriment and a special feeling of holiday cheer that no other Flintstone's episode had. Don't miss adding this Christmas title to your Holiday schedule this year- and every year. For kids? Huh- who said? Merry Christmas!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Horrible, Awful, Terrible- um, not funny, dark- um...Horrible, Awf-
My experience has been that re-makes seldom live up to the original. But this- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory could scarcely be considered a re-make. UGH! Time watched is time gone forever. It was dark and twisted. For kids? Not mine. They could hardly sit through it for constantly comparing it to the original and were sorely disappointed in it.
Disappointed? What an understatement. Once my children left the room I totally dissed this film but good. Johnny Depp is such an accomplished actor (IMO) I simply thought it was such a shame he did this film.
Boring? There were plenty of moments that seemed to drag by. Dark? From moment one to the excruciating end the film is filled with dark, eerie and uneasy dialog, sets and characters.
How it earned awards is beyond me; although the majority were for the film itself (i.e. costume, editing, hair, production and so-on). I do note there were awards for acting itself to a few actors (Depp and Highmore specifically). But the film was just plain NOT ANY GOOD.
I can only guess that in doing a re-make of such a children's classic with such popularity the challenge was to be "better" (why else a re-make), but how can you top or better something that was so perfectly tuned? You make the copy something that is so drastically different that it mostly competes on another level. With that- I give August & Burton Credit... it was defiantly on a different level.
The thing is I usually genuinely enjoy the work of Tim Burton. He is so creative and artistic and credit to his work-peers. But this movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory... WAS NOT ANY GOOD.
When I read stuff like: John August had never watched Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory until "after" he finished the script. (Which to me is hard to believe) but then to hear he said he was surprised at how much darker the 1971 version was as compared to his version??? Puh-leeze! Only if the lights are out and you're watching on an old b/w set! Darker? But, enough of this. I'm sure you understand by now how I felt about this alleged re-make. There are those who like and those who don't. I'm not trying to sway a vote here, simply giving you the impression of how awful it was so you don't have to actually go through the torture yourself and view it. Good luck! LOL.
Sweet Nothing in My Ear (2008)
Unique and eye-opening drama / Very enjoyable!
"Sweet nothing in my ear" is the story (told in retrospect) about a hearing man, his deaf wife and his deaf son and the controversial debate over what is normal and acceptable for all involved.
To tell you the truth, I had not planned to watch this film. Just as a fluke the channel ended up on Hallmark when the program began and as it progressed I was compelled and drawn into the story of hearing and deafness and family and differences and likeness.
I was impressed and appreciative of the way it was handled... with voices being heard for those signing instead of "speaking" as they sign- true to life.
The story was freshly told in a way that allowed the viewer to see all sides of the issue of hearing versus deafness. I also frankly was mesmerized by how those who are deaf can be included and participate in so many experiences that I hadn't realized they could be included in such as going to the movies. The whole telephone set/video was so "Jetson's like" and the trivia of all of those in history who accomplished great and every-day things who were deaf.
At the same time allowing to see the side of the hearing father who mostly was immersed in the deaf world (i.e. his wife, son, in-laws...) and how it excluded him at times.
Truly, I think that if you enjoy family drama- you will enjoy this movie. If you enjoy Hallmark movies as a rule- you will enjoy this movie. If you enjoy films with emotional conflict and human struggle- you will enjoy this movie.
"Sweet nothing in my ear" is a great movie. I gave it a 9 because it not only dealt with such an issue we don't always get to see from every side and did it in a way that all sides can enjoy and appreciate.
Snowglobe (2007)
Bad out-weighs the Good
Where do I start? The stilted acting? The constant grouching and bickering? The inconsistent relationship between the family members?
There were some really good/funny parts, but too many moments that weren't. I don't think the writers could decide if this movie was a fantasy or a comedy/drama.
The only definite is the fact that it was released for Christmas- other than that, it seemed to bounce from dysfunctional family story, to romantic comedy to Christmas fantasy.
I really wouldn't encourage anyone to watch it. There are plenty of other sound, well-written and enjoyable Holiday movies to watch.
Bah Humduck!: A Looney Tunes Christmas (2006)
Funny, entertaining and enjoyable
This was so good. I admit- I was hesitant to watch. Sometimes when a "newer" rendition of the Looney Tunes is presented, it tends to let down. But this was true to the Looney style.
The re-telling of a Christmas Carol with the faithful characters of the Looney Tunes was great! Making Daffy the Scrooge was inspired and the twists that the writers added to give that Dickens flavor was refreshing.
Bottom-line: my young kids loved it, my teenager loved it, I loved it... even my hubby was laughing.
Grab the popcorn, wrangle the family in and get ready to enjoy a holiday moment with Bah Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas.
Davey & Goliath's Snowboard Christmas (2004)
A Christmas adventure with favorite characters from the past
Growing up watching Davey & Goliath was a special treat. Not being from a "religious" home, we still enjoyed watching the adventures and life-lessons that came from this program each week. The series lasted from 1960 to 1977 and can still be enjoyed by fans new and old in syndication.
Now- (in 2005) the writers/creators of this animated series have delighted us with a modern and updated version just in time for Christmas.
Still true to the puppet-like characters, we get to spend a unique Christmas in way of a snowboarding adventure.
Davey and Goliaths new friends. Yasmin is Muslim, while Sam is Jewish. The three find out that although they are different in the way they celebrate the holidays- they are also very much alike.
The movie is geared toward the young viewer, but can be very much enjoyed by parents as they watch together.
If you get an opportunity to watch this new adventure with some old friends- do so.
The Nanny: The Rosie Show (1996)
Filled to the brim with laughs and surprises!
This is one of my all-time favorite episodes of "The Nanny." There are so many surprise cameos, take-offs of other shows, twists and references to other shows that the cast has been in, it is simply great! Where do I begin?
Ann Morgan Guilbert played Milly Helper on the Dick Van Dyke Show and there is a scene where she "mistakes" members of the house as members of the Petrie house- including pointing out Milly Helper in the mirror. Funny!
BTW, the character of Yetta in series, The Nanny was a kick! Guilbert is a riot and stole every scene she was in! Later at the end of this episode, The Nanny cast do a take-off on The Dick Van Dyke Show (done in black and white), which ties in with this scene with Yetta and it is really cute! Charles Shaughnessy trying to talk like the character Robert Petrie- no kidding!
This episode is called, "The Rosie Show" therefore Rosie O'Donnell is on The Nanny. This of course is before any negative situations or publicity were mingled in her career and she was at the top. Fran becomes a temporary celeb because of her part on The Rosie Show, so C.C. becomes a temporary buddy to Fran- managing her and so-on. Also hilarious!
Hugh Grant is on this episode briefly. Donald Trump was on in a cameo appearance. His scene is actually funny and shows the side we seldom see from "The Don." At the end of this episode, Fran Dreschers real parents are on the show as well, as they did a few other times in the series. They did well in a quick but laughable bit.
The really excellent part of this episode is the re-enactment of the Dream Scene from Fiddler on the Roof.... Nanny style. It is awesome.
If you are a fan of The Nanny- you'll love this episode. If you are not a fan of The Nanny- chances are you'll still love this episode simply because of all of the extras that were crammed into this one 30-minute segment.
Gets a 9 from me!
Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)
Wonderfully captivating and fast paced fun.
Thought the movie was great. It was fast paced and a wonderful family movie. I took 14 children ranging from 4 to 13 and all of them loved it. Great moral and value lessons included in a fun and animated way. The songs and lessons through-out where terrific and memorable. The way it paused, reflected and continued was great and the way the movie connected the "story" part with the real-time part was great. Though the intention of the movie is to target children, myself and all of the adults that attended enjoyed it as well. The only negative thing I could think to add about the film, is the fact that it would have been nice if it went just a little longer! LOL.