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Reviews
Christmas Grace (2013)
A Miracle on 34th Street for our depraved generation
Keith Perna has accomplished a Christmas miracle in his directorial debut. "Christmas Grace" presents an incredible story of loss and redemption at the holidays. One cannot finish this movie without a deep sense of wonder at Gary the toy store owner, brilliantly portrayed by Ryan-Iver Klann. We all remember Klann from his unforgettable role as a tether-ball player in the 2010 blockbuster "Tetherball: The Movie." Here he finally gets the part he was born to play: a kindly toy store owner whose livelihood is threatened by the malevolent Mr. Tollman, played with pathological precision by the incomparable Tim Kaiser, who brought new life to an aging franchise as Admiral Gardner in "Star Trek: Horizon." Move over Ebenezer Scrooge; a new Christmas villain has been born. Buttressing the all-star cast with a performance ranging from pathos to exultation as Gary's wife Michelle, Rebekah Cook delivers as matriarch of the underdog toy purveyor's family.
Samuel Joshua has assembled a musical score worthy of Max Steiner's classic work at Warner Brothers. The music plunges the viewer into the abyss of despair as Gary faces the conniving Mr. Tollman, only to bring forth the joy of redemption. Not since Bernard Herrmann's haunting score for Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" (1960) have we seem such a meaningful score.
Filmed on site in suburban Detroit, "Christmas Grace" delivers a heartwarming story of love conquering greed at Christmas. Joy to the world; a classic is born!
The Wedding Pact (2014)
Cinema magic; Haylie Duff does it again
I think we all remember what our reaction was at the news that Haylie Duff would be starring in a romantic comedy opposite the multifaceted Chris Soldevilla: who the %$#! is Chris Soldevilla? All joking aside, of course we remember him from his stellar performance in the 2000 classic "Coyote Ugly" and eagerly anticipated his performance as Mitch in this film. We were not disappointed. Through forceful performances like this movie, Soldevilla has quietly built a reputation as a major player in the comedy genre, even as he has expanded his range in drama through such vehicles as "7 Minutes" (2014). We all eagerly anticipate future entries in the Soldevilla oeuvre.
But as flawless and nuanced as Soldevilla is in "The Wedding Pact," the real acting tour de force in this film comes from Haylie Duff. We all see in Duff the depth and range of a young Meryl Streep and the wit and witticisms of a youthful Joan Blondell. She doesn't disappoint in this outing. As Elizabeth, Duff has solidified her position as the grand dame of romantic comedies, rivaling the comedic talents of such actresses as Carole Lombard and Edna Purviance.
And who can forget Matt Berman, the wunderkind writer/producer who made this all possible. We all know him from the 2000 masterpiece "F.A.R.T.: The Movie," which the AMPAS shocking passed over in its nominations for a Best Director Oscar. Sam Mendes got lucky with "American Beauty" that year and we all know it. Travesties aside, the Academy will simply not be able to look the other way at Berman's brilliance in "The Wedding Pact" and maintain itself as a legitimate organization.
One cannot find a more scrumptrulescent outing than "The Wedding Pact." Watch and be amazed; talent like this doesn't come along often.
The Perfect Assistant (2008)
An excellent film
If you haven't seen it already, avail yourself of the opportunity to see "The Perfect Assistant" on Lifetime. This movie combines an excellent cast with a taut and fast-paced script. Josie Davis is sparkling in this movie, and Rachel Hunter gives a solid performance. And Chris Potter's tender, nuanced performance as David Wescott may well garner an Emmy. Potter has established himself as one of the premier leading men in Lifetime TV movies. With this film, director Douglas Jackson has established himself as a leader in made-for-TV suspense. Under his able direction, the actors turn in brilliant performances and Christine Conradt's script translates beautifully onto the screen. And the climax is the most thrilling ten minutes in made-for-TV cinema. I can say confidently that this is the best Lifetime movie I've seen in years. Don't miss this one!