Review #076: Scrooge.
Cast
Alastair Sim (Ebenezer Scrooge), Kathleen Harrison (Mrs. Dilber), Mervyn Johns (Bob Cratchit), and Hermione Baddeley (Mrs. Cratchit). Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst.
Review
This may not be the first film based on A Christmas Carol, but it is the first one I've seen (There will be a review of another adaptation) This movie is a grim tale that tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his greed. It's a story that is entertaining and saddening too. This film has good acting, a story that entertains you and frightens you with brilliant pacing and a classic story that will make you cry with tears of joy at the end.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
November 30, 2011
Movie Night: Scrooged.
Review #075: Scrooged.
Cast
Bill Murray (Francis Xavier "Frank" Cross), Karen Allen (Claire Phillips), John Forsythe (Lew Hayward), John Glover (Brice Cummings), Alfre Woodard (Grace Cooley), Bobcat Goldthwait (Eliot Loudermilk), David Johansen (the Ghost of Christmas Past), Carol Kane (the Ghost of Christmas Present), Robert Mitchum (Preston Rhinelander), Nicholas Phillips (Calvin Cooley), and Michael J. Pollard (Herman) Directed by Richard Donner.
Review
This film is a humorous take on the classic Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol. It is a decent flick that makes sure that it doesn't do bad in its job. Murray does a good preformance. This film isn't exactly a good film in the sense that it doesn't really do much other then what it's supposed to do (It decides to pick this theme rather then another), but it at least tried to be entertaining, and while it may not have been as funny as it could've been, it at least tried.
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Bill Murray (Francis Xavier "Frank" Cross), Karen Allen (Claire Phillips), John Forsythe (Lew Hayward), John Glover (Brice Cummings), Alfre Woodard (Grace Cooley), Bobcat Goldthwait (Eliot Loudermilk), David Johansen (the Ghost of Christmas Past), Carol Kane (the Ghost of Christmas Present), Robert Mitchum (Preston Rhinelander), Nicholas Phillips (Calvin Cooley), and Michael J. Pollard (Herman) Directed by Richard Donner.
Review
This film is a humorous take on the classic Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol. It is a decent flick that makes sure that it doesn't do bad in its job. Murray does a good preformance. This film isn't exactly a good film in the sense that it doesn't really do much other then what it's supposed to do (It decides to pick this theme rather then another), but it at least tried to be entertaining, and while it may not have been as funny as it could've been, it at least tried.
Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.
November 25, 2011
Movie Night: Monsters, Inc.
Review #074: Monsters, Inc.
Cast
John Goodman (Sully), Billy Crystal (Mike), Steve Buscemi (Randall), Jennifer Tilly (Celia), and James Coburn (Mr. Waternoose) Directed by Pete Docter, David Silverman, and Lee Unkrich.
Review
This is one of many gems of Pixar Animation (Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Cars, #153 - The Incredibles, #155 - Finding Nemo, #222 - WALL-E, #288 - Up), as this film succeeds in telling a story with good animation, good acting, and of course a story that sells you the premise. It truly is one those films that will make you scared/laugh/cry...I recommend it for anybody, especially if you need a scare. Or two...
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Cast
John Goodman (Sully), Billy Crystal (Mike), Steve Buscemi (Randall), Jennifer Tilly (Celia), and James Coburn (Mr. Waternoose) Directed by Pete Docter, David Silverman, and Lee Unkrich.
Review
This is one of many gems of Pixar Animation (Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Cars, #153 - The Incredibles, #155 - Finding Nemo, #222 - WALL-E, #288 - Up), as this film succeeds in telling a story with good animation, good acting, and of course a story that sells you the premise. It truly is one those films that will make you scared/laugh/cry...I recommend it for anybody, especially if you need a scare. Or two...
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: The Lion King.
Review #073: The Lion King.
Cast
Matthew Broderick (Simba), James Earl Jones (Mufasa), Jeremy Irons (Scar), Moira Kelly (Nala), Nathan Lane (Timon), Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa), Rowan Atkinson (Zazu), with Whoopie Goldberg and Cheech Marin. Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.
Review
This film is gem among Disney flicks (ironically the animators thought Pocahontas would be the better flick). It delivers a story with good acting, top notch animation, and a little humor (Not too much thankfully) added in. It's a film that's also useful for any teachers wanting to use it to teach about science (and how the living turn into the grass). Anyway, this is a good film with music in there that helps the story and does not ruin anything, unlike some other "musicals" It's no wonder they made a musical adaptation a few years after the film. It's a recommended film that makes you love animation. Oh and Disney. A little...
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Matthew Broderick (Simba), James Earl Jones (Mufasa), Jeremy Irons (Scar), Moira Kelly (Nala), Nathan Lane (Timon), Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa), Rowan Atkinson (Zazu), with Whoopie Goldberg and Cheech Marin. Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.
Review
This film is gem among Disney flicks (ironically the animators thought Pocahontas would be the better flick). It delivers a story with good acting, top notch animation, and a little humor (Not too much thankfully) added in. It's a film that's also useful for any teachers wanting to use it to teach about science (and how the living turn into the grass). Anyway, this is a good film with music in there that helps the story and does not ruin anything, unlike some other "musicals" It's no wonder they made a musical adaptation a few years after the film. It's a recommended film that makes you love animation. Oh and Disney. A little...
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
November 17, 2011
Movie Night: Frankenstein (1931)
Review #072: Frankenstein.
Cast
Colin Clive (Henry Frankenstein), Mae Clarke (Elizabeth Lavenza), John Boles (Victor Moritz), Boris Karloff (Frankenstein's monster), Edward Van Sloan (Dr. Waldman), Frederick Kerr (Baron Frankenstein), Dwight Frye (Fritz), and Lionel Belmore (Herr Vogel, the Burgomaster) Directed by James Whale (#069 - The Invisible Man)
Review
This film is the first (feature length) adaption of the Mary Shelley book, Frankenstein. It was released in November 1931, the same year as Dracula, so these films are essentially a double feature (separated by months, but still connected nonetheless) Anyway, this film is great. It has good atmosphere, especially the lab and the opening sequence. This film would have many adaptations from many places, from Hammer (Which would make many sequels to it) to Kenneth Branagh's version. The acting is great, especially from Colin Clive. I of course will mention the Monster's design by Jack Pearce. It looks terrifying and menacing, especially with Karloff in the role. A good film that spawned a franchise...
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Colin Clive (Henry Frankenstein), Mae Clarke (Elizabeth Lavenza), John Boles (Victor Moritz), Boris Karloff (Frankenstein's monster), Edward Van Sloan (Dr. Waldman), Frederick Kerr (Baron Frankenstein), Dwight Frye (Fritz), and Lionel Belmore (Herr Vogel, the Burgomaster) Directed by James Whale (#069 - The Invisible Man)
Review
This film is the first (feature length) adaption of the Mary Shelley book, Frankenstein. It was released in November 1931, the same year as Dracula, so these films are essentially a double feature (separated by months, but still connected nonetheless) Anyway, this film is great. It has good atmosphere, especially the lab and the opening sequence. This film would have many adaptations from many places, from Hammer (Which would make many sequels to it) to Kenneth Branagh's version. The acting is great, especially from Colin Clive. I of course will mention the Monster's design by Jack Pearce. It looks terrifying and menacing, especially with Karloff in the role. A good film that spawned a franchise...
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
Movie Night: Dracula (1931).
Hello, if you see this, you should check out the updated review of this film, complete with a review of the Spanish film!
Cast
Bela Lugosi (Count Dracula), Helen Chandler (Mina Seward), David Manners (John Harker), Dwight Frye (Renfield), Edward Van Sloan (Van Helsing), Herbert Bunston (Dr. Seward), Frances Dade (Lucy Weston), and Joan Standing (Nurse Briggs) Directed by Tod Browning.
Review
This film is the second adaption of the Bram Stoker novel, Dracula (Nosferatu being the first, though it was unauthorized). Anyway, this film is the first Universal horror film, released in February 1931. The film has great atmosphere, with shots of the castle, shots of spiders, shots of...Armadillos help give the film's touch. The acting is good, especially from Lugosi. He has that stare that gives you the feel he is Dracula. The others do great, especially Renfield. The movie may not be all accurate to the book, but it is still a great horror film.
Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.
November 16, 2011
Movie Night: Sweet 15 (1990).
Review #070: Sweet 15.
Cast
Karla Montana (Marta de la Cruz), Panchito Gómez (Ramón), Jerry Stiller (Mr. Waterman), Tony Plana (Samuel Dela Cruz), Robert Covarrubias (Jorge), Laura P. Vega (Gabrielle 'Gaby' Corea), and Giselle Anthony (Jackie) Directed by Victoria Hochberg.
Review
Here is a rarity: a television film reviewed on Movie Night.
This (TV) film is being reviewed for the reason I got to watch it at my Spanish class. The film is noted for being watched by many Spanish classes, and I can see why. It shows the heart of Mexican-American culture, more or less. It shows the troubles of a family with a teenager growing to be 15. The acting may be off a little, and the "love interest" is 30 (when he's supposed to be 20-25), but the film is still recommended for any Spanish class.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Karla Montana (Marta de la Cruz), Panchito Gómez (Ramón), Jerry Stiller (Mr. Waterman), Tony Plana (Samuel Dela Cruz), Robert Covarrubias (Jorge), Laura P. Vega (Gabrielle 'Gaby' Corea), and Giselle Anthony (Jackie) Directed by Victoria Hochberg.
Review
Here is a rarity: a television film reviewed on Movie Night.
This (TV) film is being reviewed for the reason I got to watch it at my Spanish class. The film is noted for being watched by many Spanish classes, and I can see why. It shows the heart of Mexican-American culture, more or less. It shows the troubles of a family with a teenager growing to be 15. The acting may be off a little, and the "love interest" is 30 (when he's supposed to be 20-25), but the film is still recommended for any Spanish class.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
November 4, 2011
Movie Night: The Invisible Man.
Review #069: The Invisible Man.
Cast
Claude Rains (Dr. Jack Griffin / The Invisible Man), Gloria Stuart (Flora Cranley), William Harrigan (Dr. Arthur Kemp), Henry Travers (Dr. Cranley), Una O'Connor (Jenny Hall), Forrester Harvey (Herbert Hall), Dudley Digges (Chief Detective), and E. E. Clive (Constable Jaffers) Directed by James Whale.
Review
This is the first film I've covered from the 1930s, and it is a good one to cover. This film is a good adaptation (by H.G Wells) of the book and it entertains the viewer in a 71 minute span. The acting is good (save for Una O'Conner, who screams just a bit too much for my taste) for 1933. Rains is a fine main character. The special effects are great for its time. Actually, they still look great, even for today. The film is dramatic, smart, and a bit cunning. On the whole, this is a fairly capable horror film.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
Cast
Claude Rains (Dr. Jack Griffin / The Invisible Man), Gloria Stuart (Flora Cranley), William Harrigan (Dr. Arthur Kemp), Henry Travers (Dr. Cranley), Una O'Connor (Jenny Hall), Forrester Harvey (Herbert Hall), Dudley Digges (Chief Detective), and E. E. Clive (Constable Jaffers) Directed by James Whale.
Review
This is the first film I've covered from the 1930s, and it is a good one to cover. This film is a good adaptation (by H.G Wells) of the book and it entertains the viewer in a 71 minute span. The acting is good (save for Una O'Conner, who screams just a bit too much for my taste) for 1933. Rains is a fine main character. The special effects are great for its time. Actually, they still look great, even for today. The film is dramatic, smart, and a bit cunning. On the whole, this is a fairly capable horror film.
Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.
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