mmka1 Reviews

ParaNorman (2012)

Don't be fooled by the naysayers.

[29 December 2012]

From the makers of "Coraline" (which I absolutely hated) comes "ParaNorman".

This odd offering is the latest step forward in the art of stop-motion animation. The sets and characters have been carefully crafted as well as the nifty little story (something akin this happened in my own family line, see "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller), which I will admit should have received an PG rating.

The film actually teaches a very important moral which (judging from some of the outlandish, judgmental criticisms) will most likely go right over the heads of the very people who most need to take the lesson to heart.

I Am Number Four (2011)

Disney messed up another one!

[17 September 2011]

I recently finished the book "I Am Number Four", I just now finished watching the film. I have not been so disappointed in a movie since "Timeline" (2003). http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0300556/combined

Why do film makers change scenarios that the original authors work so hard to construct - are their egos really that fragile? If the film writers are just going to re-write why even claim association with a book? The actors, stunt people, cinematographers and special effects did a fine job, it is the re-writing of story that really stinks! Why do these people try to Disneyfy everything they touch? They would repaint La Gioconda, re-cut Michelangelo's Moses, rebuild the Taj Mahal. Let us hope if someone ever films "The Power of Six" that they FOLLOW THE BOOK !!!

The Boy Friend (1971)

A waste of talent

[14 August 2009]

I know that I am quite late adding my comments here, but, for those who are truly interested: I was performing this musical on stage at a time when the film project was announced, and I saw the film as soon as it was released. I was completely shocked that Ken Russell had the nerve to use the title as he has hacked the plot into unrecognizable pieces.

I will never understand people (like Mr. Russell) who think that they have the talent to rewrite a piece that has been so loved by millions of theater buffs. If you truly want to see the musical "The Boy Friend", then steer clear of this film!!! That being said, I will add that the failure of this project is not the fault of the cast, they perform brilliantly with what they were given. If Hollywood had bothered to film Sandy Wilson's musical that would have been truly memorable; this was just a waste of talent.

Treasure Island (1972)

Disappionting

[24 March 2009]

So far as I've seen, this is the most commendable of all interpretations of Robert Lewis Stevenson's stirring book; yet, still a great disappointment.

Most of the cast did well enough in their rolls, with the exception of, believe it or not, Orson Welles. Mr. Welles so severely under played the part of Long John Silver he made the character completely uninteresting; that and his unintelligible mumbling fatally scuttles what should have been a great and memorable film.

The music of Natale Massara, another problem, while expertly orchestrated, is derivative of other works and does nothing to convey the feeling of a thrilling tale of the sea. It would have been better suited to an episode of "Little House On The Prairie" with it's ocean of grass.

I certainly won't say that it is a waste of time to watch this version, but if it were not for Wolf Mankowitz writing the screenplay, this might well have been a complete failure.

For a real treat, go see "Muppet Treasure Island". You won't be sorry! More information at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117110/ .

The King and I (1999)

Unbelievably Offensive Film

[15 March 2009]

I could not believe my eyes when I saw that WXMI (a FOX station) would be showing this horrible creation! yet here it is, noon, 15 March 2009, and it is actually being shown.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is brilliant theatre, but is still revisionist history at best. The musical was based on Margaret Landon's novel "Anna and the King of Siam" (1944), a work of fiction.

This animated piece of c*@P is not only an insult to anyone with a brain that can read a history book, it pours mud on the work of a talented team that created the original musical.

Anna Leon-Owens was a shameless self-promoter and outright liar (I read all her disrespectful error filled books). Perhaps the producers of this monstrosity thought that they would simply carry-on her outrageous flights of fantasy.

Angel on Abbey Street (1999)

Not heartwarming....Disturbing

[13 November 2008]

I did attempt to like this film. At first I did not recall ever seeing it but by the end I remembered it and why I had banned it from memory. No, I do not have a heart of coal but lying to children is despicable.

The world would be a much better place with tooth-fairies and toy building elves but misleading children with these stories, however "well meaning", is disgraceful. Honesty and compassion is always best - as demonstrated by the grocery store owner; who by the way was the only believable character in the film.

This story is highly contrived and has a tragic end. I do not find this movie inspiring or wonderful.

The Adventures of Robin Hood: Secret Mission (1956) Season 1, Episode 32

An Insulting Script

[24 September 2008]

I have not commented on the other presentations in this interesting series thus far because as they go it is rather standard fare. I do try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but if one works with an on-going project at least do a modicum of research. This script is without doubt an insult to the viewer. Barely two months earlier the character of "Peregrinus/King Richard", played by Patrick Barr, was presented. Here Peregrinus appears again and we are expected to believe that Robin and the band do not recognize the King that they have already clearly seen! Shame! One wonders if actors at that time were even allowed to object to such idiocy in the characters they regularly portrayed.

The Engineer's Daughter; or, Iron Minnie's Revenge (1932)

You will not believe it was released in 1932.

[4 August 2008]

I thought that I was having a boring bad day, and then I saw this as an "fill out the rest of the hour" piece at the end of a local television movie feature, and this was far more interesting.

An offering from Radio Pictures, it is bizarrely over acted, yet here it works and with good reason. It is a cleverly crafted comedy short that twists an old familiar story. I just can not understand how this parody of old morality plays complete with "Simon Legree" type villain, has escaped cult film status!

No, it's not a knee-slapper, but should you get a chance, do see it. You really will not believe it was released in 1932.

The Slowest Gun in the West (1960 TV Movie)

The bloom is off the rose

[26 March 2008]

I have never liked canned laughter and it certainly did not help here. Yes, I do like "Gilligan's Island".

Like viewing the burlesque skits of old Vaudeville, one can intellectually understand that something should be funny, once was, but today it will just miss the mark. I wanted to like this as so many well rounded performers took part in the effort. After viewing this made for TV film I remember seeing it when it originally aired, I did not then find it funny, yet I appreciate why it should elicit a smile. I watched because I recall, as a child, some of the humour of the "Phil Silvers Show" - that was the 1950's, it is now 2008 and the bloom is off the rose.

The Terror of Tiny Town (1938)

Not the most horrible thing on screen.

[21 March 2008]

Reading the postings here it does appear that one will either hate this offering as insulting and/or laughable or come to appreciate it as something quite unique.

Admittedly the dialog and much of its delivery is B movie tedious, yet examining other scripts and performances of the time we find that this is rather standard fare. The acting could certainly have been much more refined (Billy Rhodes, the villain, looked uncomfortable through most of the film), but I have traveled all through the United States, seen plays and musicals put on by more trained actors that were so much worse than this. Some version of this script could have easily found its way into Roy Rogers weekly show.

The worst part, for me, was the second musical number in the saloon; sung by Johnnie Fern as Diamond Dolly. I had seen it as a separate clip long before seeing the entire movie - feel free to fast forward here - it is truly embarrassing.

Charles Becker as Otto the cook, is a joy to watch.

Bill Platt as Jim 'Tex' Preston, was the senior of this group and had been performing for several decades before being well cast as the wealthy loving uncle.

Billy Curtis as the hero Buck Lawson, cuts quite a dashing figure, especially during the stagecoach chase; which is dangerous for even a larger stunt man.

Two things I found distasteful. First, Yvonne Moray as Nancy Preston running under the desk out of the jail. Second, the swinging doors at the saloon. The top of the doors were placed at the usual height for the period, but length had been reduced (obviously on purpose) to half. These are insults to both the viewer and the players.

Not the most horrible thing on screen. I will watch "The Terror of Tiny Town" rather than that audio-visual vomit, "Moulin Rouge!" (2001), any time. What ever your personal opinion of this film please allow that everyone should see it at least once. The greatest question here may not be "who thought that this movie would be a good idea?", but, "why is there a penguin in a barber shop of the old west?"

Evan Almighty (2007)

Don't miss this one.

[1 November 2007]

Except for the last five minutes (when the credits run) this is an excellent film; and this is coming from a person who is not a great fan of Steve Carell.

John Goodman is terrific as the corrupt senator (he has so many current examples from which to form the character).

Morgan Freeman is perfect as God's avatar.

Lauren Graham, Graham Phillips, Johnny Simmons and Jimmy Bennett are completely believable as Evan Baxter's (Carell's) family.

The graphically produced animals and special effects are wonderful.

The ending will definitely make one stop to think.

The Cart Boy (1995)

This was a comedy?

[28 September 2007]

Nothing humorous or even slightly interesting here.

I would rate this "R" for language. If this film really had writers, someone should buy them a dictionary. Every other word is "f***", not a trait of articulate people.

A sad, pointless film; yet, unfortunately I have dealt with people like these in my own life.

Frankly, I did not see anything creative here. I only suffered through it because it was listed as a "short" (which seemed to plod on forever), I could hardly wait for it to end. Depressing - uninspiring - a waste of time.

Fritz the Cat (1972)

Don't bother unless you have time to kill.

[11 September 2007]

What a waste of talent.

An adage applies to this film - Just because you can do something, does not mean that you should.

I was seventeen when this came out. As I recall the only reason that anyone went to see it was because of the "X" rating. It appears only to have been produced for it's shock value.

I did not bother with it until 2007 when I accidentally came across a copy on-line. It may have been state of the art animation but the script has no point other than to feed Ralph Bakshi's ego. The director's attempt to satirize the culture of the time is only insulting.

If you watch this it will be 1:15:11 that I you can't get back.

Rent (2005)

Comes down to a personal preference

[12 January 2007]

The setting : 1980's New York, based on Henry Murger's story and G. Puccini's opera 'La Boheme'.

You will notice a rather bizarre discrepancy between the rating and this review. This is also a surprise to me. The explanation may perhaps come down to simply personal preference.

My first exposure to 'Rent' was a recording of the Broadway cast and orchestra. I found the sound so irritating that I never made it through the first act - personal preference.

I already knew the the story of the creator, Jonathan Larson. I do not recall if I ever met Mr. Larson as he worked toward an Equity card at the Barn Theatre (I knew the stage manager). Recently, seeing "No Day But Today: The Story of 'Rent'", I learned of the Larson family's heroic effort to keep Jonathan's vision alive.

25 December 2006. My niece receives a holiday gift from her parents, a two disc widescreen special edition of 'RENT'. We talk about her love of the music and my lack of appreciation, coming to the conclusion that I may have a different experience by actually watching the play. I watched it, twice. My opinion does not change. This reaction is strange because through my life I have known people who mirror, often eerily, the characters of this vibrant and moving story. Yet, I still find that I just do not like 'Rent'. I don't hate it. Everyone should see it at least once. I just don't care for it - personal preference.

That said, let me now confess that to date this is the best adaptation of a stage musical ever filmed! Congratulations Chris Columbus. The terms "BRILLIANT" or "EXTRAORDINARY" just can not cover it. If the voices of the performers could be enshrined in platinum, I say let us spare no expense! If there is a hall of fame for cinematography, then Stephen Goldblat must be hailed as the gold-standard. The special effect used during the title song is bold, breathtaking and it works. Keith Young's risk taking idea of letting the actors natural inclination to movement guide the choreography turned out to be genius. Still, I just can not seem to connect to the piece - personal preference.

If you are one who avoids MTV, you will likely never be a "Renthead". Sondheim it's not, yet one can not help but ponder what wonders might have been created if Jonathan Larson had been allowed to stay with us a bit longer.

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

What A Horror

[11 January 2007]

I sat through this monstrosity nearly three times, desperately searching for some redeeming quality. Not even half way through the third showing I had to have the film stopped because my search was obviously hopeless and I simply could not take it any longer.

No, I was not expecting the wonderful 1952 film by John Huston, based on the novel of Pierre La Mure's fictional account of French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, yet that is what I suggest you see instead of this.

I like generally enjoy musicals, and I like the individual cast members in other things, but everyone involved this piece of trash should be soundly slapped! It is an insult to the eyes and ears.

I do not usually condone extreme measures, such as book burning, but in this case I'll make an exception.

I have seen hundreds of films in my fifty plus years, including "The Terror of Tiny Town" (1938) but even that is Oscar material next to this audio-visual vomit. I only wish that I could have issued a score lower than a single star.

Timeline (2003)

Not what anyone expected

[11 January 2007]

I found Michael Crichton's novel "Timeline" to be one of those - can't put it down - experiences.

One of my acoustic music jam buddies worked post-production (computer) on this film, so I REALLY wanted to like it. No such luck. So much of the plot and characters have been changed, persons familiar with the novel are not going to accept this as the "Timeline" that they know.

I am confused; if the film writers are going to tamper with EVERYTHING why even claim association with the book.

Like "Sphere" this is a classic example of a good idea gone very wrong.

Watch it if you like, but don't say that you were not warned.

Peter Pan (1953)

Yech!

[10 January 2007]

Despite the wonderful animation, I have always disliked this rendition and from what I have gathered from Disney insiders Walt Disney did not exactly care for it either.

None of J.M. Barrie's work is in evidence here. When I saw this as a child, it was my first clue that there was a serious problem with Disney productions writers; which continues to this day.

Racist, sexist (need I go on?), claiming that this reflected the "attitudes of the times" is not only wrong - it is just a convenient cop-out. The only reason this was ever added to the family collection is because my mother insisted. I much prefer the 2003 production directed by P.J. Hogan, it is much closer to what Mr. Barrie actually wrote.

Oliver! (1968)

Almost a ten!

[10 January 2007]

I feel terrible about where I had to rate this film because over all I really love this musical.

Costumes, music, choreography, cinematography - all first rate! The cast was truly engaging. Ron Moody and Jack Wild deserved all their awards and will always be looked to as the models for those characters. However, the choice of casting Mark Lester as Oliver Twist was a disastrous miscalculation. Beautiful to look at, perhaps a very nice guy, but in this part had the personality of seaweed. He did not make me care about Oliver and the voice could not even be considered sweet - just annoyingly weak (Yes, I know that it was dubbed). He really brought the high quality of this whole production down.

Cats (1998 Video)

What a let-down.

[5 January 2007]

I know that most others will strongly disagree with my comments, and I have waited quite some time to to express them.

Very poor camera work. (Always a problem with musicals on film.) I expected far more from this cast. Despite the most welcome presence of Elaine Paige and John Mills, there are some truly disappointing performances.

The intentional omission of some pieces was a deplorable decision. (As was re-working the score.)

Having seen other staging and casts I am shocked at this presentation by Andrew Lloyd Webber.