bobbadger-1 Reviews

Second Chances (2013 TV Movie)

Who are these reviewers?

[8/10 · 16 June 2015]

I have read all six reviews that appear before this one, and I find it almost unbelievable that the three someones who obviously don't care for "Hallmark style" television movies would take the time and effort to pan it on an internet forum. If you don't like it, just change the channel.

Yes, the movie is somewhat formulaic, but I challenge you to name me many movies that don't follow some formula. Intro, character and plot development, conflict, and resolution.

The devotion that Jenny shows for her children caused her to eschew Jeff's affections despite his obvious adoration for her entire family. Jeff was disappointed by her decision, but honored it despite his feelings for her and the children.

The children were well portrayed, but seemed a bit more precocious than was necessary. The ancillary characters were represented with believability with the exception of the Ed Asner "Buddy" character, who came across as too good to be true.

Nonetheless, the movie was enjoyable and I have watched it more than once, and will probably watch it again.

The Whole Nine Yards (2000)

award worthy

[9/10 · 6 February 2011]

After having seen Marisa Tomei win best supporting actress from "My cousin Vinny" (which I loved), I am surprised that Amanda Peet didn't get as many accolades for her performance as Jill in "Nine Yards".

Her facial expressions, her enthusiasm, and her zeal for what she is doing portrayed in the film really caught my attention. Yes, she is a beautiful girl, but the channel I watched the movie on didn't show the completely nude scenes, anyway, so all I can judge is the character she played and not my own fantasies.

The giddiness when meeting Tudeski for the first time, the arched eyebrows when asking Cynthia "you do?" when Cynthia says she loves Oz, the flip of her wrist when she summons the bank man back into his cubicle, the leg lock around Tudeski at the dock...how could anyone not like this girl? She seems so real and so happy with herself. I fell for the character she created, but I couldn't win in a fight with Tudeski for her affections.

Great job, Ms. Peet. You nailed the magic on that one.

Christmas in Canaan (2009 TV Movie)

Hooray for Emily!

[8/10 · 19 December 2009]

I saw what I considered to be a few inconsistencies in the movie. However, even though I grew up in a small town in Texas, it wasn't close Canaan because Taylor (the other town mentioned in the movie) is close to four hundred miles from my hometown. And I didn't grow up in rural Texas in the sixties. It was the fifties. So that probably explains the few scenes that I considered had strayed from historical and social accuracy because I was busy being a teenager in the sixties and wasn't paying close attention to society or history.

Those perceived anomalies notwithstanding, I was awed by the performance of Emily Tennant as Sarah/Sissy. Even though she played the character of a teenage girl quite convincingly, some of her more dramatic scenes perfectly depicted a young woman much older and more mature than her years. Her body language and facial expressions, especially during the scene on the porch with the father after Rodney's mother had come to claim him, made me think that she was, in fact, the "momma" of the family instead of merely being the eldest child. There was no doubt that she intended to protect all her family from any harm she could possibly thwart. During the film, the character nurtured every other character in the family, and Emily's portrayal was magnificently and convincingly accomplished.

The writer, all the actors, the director and crew deserve accolades for a wonderful story.

The Good Witch (2008 TV Movie)

You're not a witch, are you?

[3 June 2009]

Jake's question to Cassandra in the final scene seems to epitomize the premise of the movie. Is she? Or isn't she? A review of the events in the plot support the conclusion that most feats of "magic" were actually accomplished by the recipient of its benefit...Lori's monster removal, Brandon's "taming" of Kyle, George's decision to visit Ireland, and Nancy's pregnancy. The two episodes that was never explained to be other than supernatural was Cassandra's "conversation" with the enraged Doberman and the miraculous appearance of Cassandra's broom in the shop during the final scene.

Yes, Cassandra was involved in each of these events, but was it magic or merely the effect of her suggestions that caused the change? Was it the dream catcher, or was it the "prescribed" bunnies that chased Lori's monsters? Was it the purple rock or was it Cassandra's insistence on Brandon's closer contact with Kyle that changed their relationship? But isn't that what witches do? Don't they employ the various forces already existing in nature (and in people) to effect their "magic"? When Jake asked "You're not a witch, are you?", Cassandra merely replied "Silly!" She neither confirmed not denied the implication, leaving us to our own conclusions, but that last depiction of her with that half smile and those knowing eyes certainly cemented my own.

Kudoes to the entire cast and to the writers for an entrancing tale. Special applause should go to Catherine Bell for her sparkling performance as Cassandra and to the director(s) of this intriguing story which left me wanting to see more of and to be a part of this "magic" throughout several sequels.

Steel Magnolias (1989)

Oscar worthy?

[10/10 · 26 July 2008]

The repartee between Dukakis and Maclaine rivals any bit that Abbott and Costello ever created. The diabetic crisis scene that Roberts pulled off was as physically accurate as anything ever seen outside an actual emergency room. Hannah's religious fanaticism was as annoying as that which I find in real life here in the "Bible belt," but her soliloquy to Fields after the funeral about the "why" of Shelby's death redeemed her character forever in my heart. Parton's "down-home" humor and willingness to help anyone who needed her help was "spot-on". I married her (or somebody quite like that character) and remain quite ready to spend my life with her. My opinion is that Parton's line about there being no such thing as "natural beauty" is one of the most salient lines in the script. What would happen if we could see "on the inside" as easily? That's what this story is all about.

But the scene that hasn't been discussed nearly enough in this forum is when M'Lynn shows up at Aunt Fern's after Shelby's death to pick up Little Jack Junior. The way she held, cuddled and caressed that little boy was an act of everlasting love for him and for his now dead mother. It showed more in her gestures than in her face, but there was no question that she cherished that little boy and the memories he represented. Maybe she wasn't acting.

The rest of Fields' performance had several "supernovas" in it as well. Her obvious disapproval of Shelby's decision to have a child despite the risks to her own health is one example. THAT scene DID show in her face as well as in her gestures. The language of her "WHY?" lament at the cemetery at "Shelby's" funeral was written to evoke that kind of emotion and Fields delivered! No criticism of Roberts' performance, but, if only one Oscar nomination was available, maybe we ought to put Sally Fields on a pedestal of some sort so that she can be seen on a par with the statuesque Julia Roberts.

Finally, for those who have commented that the male characters were "wasted",... Pah! "Steel Magnolias" wasn't about the male characters. Skerritt, Shepard and the other male actors were effective in their roles and should be congratulated for being strong enough to stay out of the way of the juggernaut that was the "Steel Magnolias." Go watch Conan or Dirty Harry if you need a macho flick, but you would be advised to stay clear of Dukakis and Maclaine. They'll cut you to shreds and laugh gleefully all the while.

Thanks to the playwright for sharing his family's tragic story with us in such an endearing script.

Dave (1993)

Langella as villain

[24 May 2008]

I am a die-hard Kevin Kline fan. I could hardly believe the performance he gave in "Pirates of Penzance" with Linda Ronstadt. So, I was not surprised in the least when Kline gave us another sympathetic and accomplished character with "Dave". The entire cast was superb in delivering their respective characters into existence in my living room.

As I have read the foregoing comments, it seems to me that most people shy away from mentioning Frank Langella's performance. Those of us who remember Alexander Haig in the hours after the failed Reagan assassination attempt ("I'm in control here!") may have an inkling into the psyche of a power-hungry and ruthless political "wannabe" so aptly played by Frank Langella. His character gave the film the villainous conflict that is necessary in a successful story. I was thoroughly impressed with Mr. Langella's character's self-serving manipulations of "the situation" within the script.

That's the subplot that makes this movie so endearing to me...the "meanie" does his utmost to thwart righteousness, but is ultimately defeated by an innocent protagonist.

Shades of old "westerns" ("Liberty Valance"). I loved it.

Resurrection (1980)

Superb

[10/10 · 19 January 2008]

No spoiler here, but when Esco Brown lays his hand on Edna's head as he gives her his admonitions when she has barely met him (fairly early in the film), could anyone be surprised that the end of the movie shows her in that same scenario, ministering to those who need it as they happen in to the "service" station? The postcard that was shown in the last scene left no doubt that there was a connection between Esco and Edna. The inscription: "Hi, Edna. I made it!" (referring to Esco's stated dream of visiting an exotic locale in South America.) He had no doubts, and it was a beautiful culmination for Esco's character. The name of the station..."Last Chance" was oxymoronic.

Some commenters have cast aspersions on the Sam Shepard character (Cal) as being unnecessary. However, Burstyn's agnostic character fairly demanded a Bible quoting antagonist who was more connected to Edna Mae than his more vocal father character (Earl) could have ever been. Hence...Cal is integral to creating conflict in the plot because the disagreements between Edna and her father could not have realistically been developed to that same dramatic level.

The most unbelievable scene (to me) was when the hemophiliac girl's mother allowed Edna to hold the girl and unexpectedly heal the nosebleed despite the doctor's pronouncement that the little girl needed immediate transportation to treatment. This anomaly could have been dealt with by a mere juxtaposition of the timing of dialog, but the effect was dramatic as they left it.

Edna's gift? Where did it come from? She explained it as she saw it. She wasn't sure (hence my term "agnostic" in the first paragraph.) However, she consistently alluded to a "higher power" even though she couldn't or wouldn't ascribe a name to that power. All she would say is "I offer it to you in the name of Love." Is Esco's sign on the wall of the "Last Chance" ("God is love and versa vice") the theme of this movie? Hmmm.

Obviously I loved this movie. A spiritual uplifting. Perhaps it didn't receive popular acclaim is because it deals with phenomena that many of us have not seen with our own eyes.

Fiction? Maybe.

The Sandlot (1993)

dreaming

[10/10 · 8 April 2007]

I've read all the comments that preceded this one. Some folks liked the movie and some folks panned it. However, only one or two posts touched on what I thought was the most adult theme of the movie. After many comedic attempts to outwit The Beast, Scotty Small dreams about a giant baseball pile-driving him into the ground. However, Benny has a dream featuring the "great Bambino." When Babe Ruth visited Benny in his dream, he imparted the advice that Benny had to decide if he were going to face his fear or not. Benny could hardly wait. He was up early, urging Scotty to get dressed and get to the "sandlot." When the gang gathered, all the boys were trying to dissuade Benny from going into the Beast's yard to retrieve the autographed ball, but Benny looked at Scotty and said "I have to," whereupon he attempted and succeeded.

Don't' we all at some point in our lives have to make the decision to try or to give up? I thought the writers and directors made good use of conflict and resolution throughout the movie from Benny's rescue of Scotty Small's angst from being the nerdy "new kid" to the rescue of the Beast from beneath the fence.

We all had friends in our youth who are represented in part by the movie's characters. That's why it is and will remain a "feel good" movie. It reminds all of us of our own youth and of the good memories we have of those times.