anchor-9 Reviews

A Mrs. Miracle Christmas (2021 TV Movie)

The Right Mix

[8/10 · 24 November 2021]

This Mrs. Miracle episode is just the right mix of Christmas, optimism, and the bittersweet of life. A great treat for this season... for that matter, any season. Caroline Rhea is excellent as the "new Mrs. Merkle" as is all of the rest of the cast.

Miracles don't happen in a flash. They work their way into lives.

Enola Holmes (2020)

In a Word - Fantstical

[9/10 · 28 September 2020]

When a movie story unfolds through the use of fourth wall, with a setting that isn't quite real but wanders around like a dream unfolding, and contains a great message of morals and staying true to oneself. Of course it isn't drama, or comedy, or documentary. It is what used to be called "Fantastical". Maybe those reviewers who scored this concoction poorly have forgotten, or were never exposed to the genre. The last film of this genre with an A list cast that I liked as much was "Big Fish". Allow yourself to dream and be surprised by what you see.

The Other Half (I) (2016)

Not Everything is Pretty Pictures

[8/10 · 17 May 2018]

Face it. Not everything is pretty pictures. This is a difficult story - but one that deserves watching. The feel is gritty. The story is told in it's own time. You won't find a Hollywood tale here. The portrayal of life outside of the frames of the pretty happy, works of Emily is engrossing. Don't look for something simple here.

The Greatest Showman (2017)

Uplifting Entertainment for Millennial Age.

[9/10 · 29 December 2017]

Face it, the La La Land comparisons will be made. Well, this is La La Land without the disappointment factor. A new age musical in the Broadway show style ( I can see this moving to stage at the drop of a ringmasters hat!) We attended The Greatest Showman last evening and loved every minute. As was stated here else where, from the toe tapping opening, through the story of loss, love and redemption all the way to the uplifting ending this is entertainment as old as the circus and as new as the 21st Century. This is a movie for the whole family with stories at many levels for different age groups. And with music to remember.

The Way of the West (2011)

Really more of an opera without music

[9/10 · 18 October 2017]

What? You know that something went wrong in marketing a movie if it has 3 titles on an internet search. The Mountie, the Lawman, Way of the West. Perhaps the first is the best.. but there goes any chance of a US audience. Maybe it would have been better to keep that title and market it with subtitles to a world audience.

Comments from others indicate they were expecting an American Western which it is not. Some can't get the mix of cultures. Well, the film is set shortly after Alaska was acquired from Russia; and guess what- the land was sparsely populated. FYI Yukon almost 150 years on still has a total population under 40,000 in a land area approaching that of Texas.

Awful poetry read by a child? Well, the words are those of Robert Service, the unofficial poet of historical Yukon. If I had expected a "Western" I would have been disappointed. But thankfully I had a review from The Toronto Globe and Mail appear thanks to Google which was intriguing. Google it under "The Mountie".

Looking for an "operatic" theme movie more in the tradition of Quebec cinema. This is it.

Into the Woods (2014)

Just don't go into the woods looking for Disney

[9/10 · 10 October 2015]

Into The Woods suffers from a misconception that it is a Disney fairytale. What it is, is a film adaptation of a Sondheim stage musical.

Modern, dark and ironic would be more accurate descriptors. But it stands up on its own. Its tale is hectic; an interwoven musical performance with each character from separate fairy tales venturing into the woods ready to clash. While they see their wishes come true,the adage "be careful what you wish for" holds true as well.The adaptation fails to set the same tone between light granting of wishes and dark dystopia achieved by the musical's break between acts - my only real complaint.

The cast is excellent; some of the musical numbers probably wear thin for Disney trained ears but the more mainstream ones are great. Kudos to Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen (Prince Charming and Rapunzel's Prince) for a very satirical rendition of 'Agony' that sees the brothers beating on their chests trying to one-up each other repeatedly. And of course to Meryl Streep is THE the witch of all ages.

Definitely to be enjoyed if you have any idea of what you are looking for in the woods.

Space Station 76 (2014)

For survivors of the 70's or anyone who has dealt with them

[8/10 · 12 March 2015]

Definitely cult material a la Galaxy Quest. Space station with recreation room panelling, shag carpets, video phones,super graphics a Logan's Run bio deck. Plot straight out of creative writing school. Todd Rundgren and Neil Sedaka soundtrack. Casting has to be seen to be believed. "A fun romp" as they used to say.

Patrick Wilson and Liv Tyler lead a crew defining the expression " Lost in Space". Multi layered references to 70s culture that are so nuanced you'll miss them if on a second glass of Kir. All in an avocado and harvest gold paradise. For survivors of the 70's.Definitely not for the uninitiated. Post groovy.

Don't believe the low reviews. Don't take anything too seriously. Live in the VHS or Beta format moment.

When in Rome (2010)

Give it a break!

[8/10 · 12 January 2014]

Honestly this is what Rom Coms are about. Romance comedy and a thread that connects the story. It met all those expectations and more. Good A list actors hitting main and cameo parts. Romance=Rome=NYC. Comedy= the entire cast. Sit back and enjoy. Enjoy the magic and the premise that there is free will when it comes to love. Kristen Bell is as entertaining as ever. Josh Duhamal does a good job as a leading man. Dax Shephard a great character actor as always. Maybe a bit too much spark with Kristen Bell. Anjelica Huston and Danny DeVito round out the cast. Why rate it less than a B+?? Can't see why some people are rating this low on the Rom Com scale.

Chasing Liberty (2004)

Underrated

[8/10 · 24 October 2013]

If you had asked me 8 years ago I would have rated this movie as average. But now, with a world full of films falling under a rom-com banner and filled with so-so performances.. This one is underrated. It would definitely rate closer to 8 in todays light. Looking back,the performances are quirky and bright. There are some enjoyable subplots with the second set of agents and the travelling Brit.The actors for the most part have moved onto much bigger roles. The scenes in Europe were accurate. None of blatant clichés that plague post card movies. Of course there is some un-believability and type- casting..but to great effect. The sound track is one of the better ones around, and the vistas were well captured on film. What have you got to lose? Go enjoy it

Temple Grandin (2010 TV Movie)

Overflowing with emotion

[10/10 · 6 February 2010]

That this production is near onto perfect can readily be documented by the votes cast. That it touches intimately on subjects so personal and universal through a story documenting a case of autism can only be appreciated by viewing it. It is an amazing effort on the part of so many persons bringing this story forward so vividly. Maybe Temple was lucky that doors were not kept out of her reach at times of incredible change; maybe her gifts would not have been realized had she not been strong enough to open the doors herself or been strong enough allow others to help. But luck has nothing to do with the quality of this vision shared. This production is something to which all should aspire.

He's Just Not That Into You (2009)

Can you rate a movie if you saw it on a plane?

[9/10 · 3 June 2009]

OK. How can you rate a movie if it has been thrust on you at 30,000 ft? Usually you compare on the basis of -would you have actually spent money to see it at the movie plex? Video on Demand? Rented? The experience was actually enjoyable. I think that I would like to watch it on a more regular sized screen and with better audio. Having to actually focus on the characters probably helped maintain my interest- but I have a sneaking suspicion this would stand up to any of the better date movies out there.

Definitely a rent it or buy it rating. As for the comparisons to Love Actually; this has a much darker and realistic presentation of social interaction. Watch Love Actually if you want to feel good - watch this if you want a bit of pang.

A Town Without Christmas (2001 TV Movie)

Gets better with time

[10/10 · 15 December 2008]

This is not "A Wonderful Life", but like it , it has a special heart. Unlike it, it has not yet found that niche audience. This story deserves your attention. Peter Falk puts in an understated performance worth the price of admission. The story is simple - not so much formula as stretching belief.

The setting is contemporary and likely more meaningful to a younger audience than Bedford Falls and its Depression and War era references.The characters -save for Max are everyday but experiencing the out ordinary.

Enjoy it for the Christmas treat that it is.

Life on Mars (2008–2009)

Not a version or a copy, Call it a translation

[6/10 · 10 October 2008]

Why would anyone want to remake something like the UK edition of "Life on Mars". Hopefully only to pay tribute to such a great creative endeavour and to translate it to an audience that might not understand bobbies, Cortinas and other idioms of UK life in the 1970's.

Maybe a visual translation was needed for a larger ( ie world) audience that can relate to American culture of the past more than it can relate to UK culture of the past. Time is a distancing factor. Add to that the cultural distancing and perhaps the majority of people would not "get it" or worse relegate it to something quirky and/or cute.

Of course the American production it is not as good as the original. But thankfully not everything has been lost in the translation.

Brideshead Revisited (2008)

A very flawed but valiant attempt

[4/10 · 9 September 2008]

Attempting to convey even one of the themes of Waugh's definitive work in a condensed 2 hour story may seem foolhardy – but kudos for the effort. Never has "based upon" so aptly described the work or acted so well as a warning flag. At times this almost seemed like a complete re- write. For those who savoured the 13 HOURS – just get the DVD set of the series and find the time to enjoy one of the definitive translations of the last century. For those who have not had the occasion to enjoy the overriding narrative of that translation- experience this 21st century version. Even though it risks becoming an extremely odd sort of action movie and/or Brideshead for Dummies desperately trying to get a tale told.

Catch and Release (II) (2006)

Surprisingly good

[9/10 · 10 November 2007]

Some of the posted comments were disconcerting - but I'm glad that I opted to try the movie out. Really good character studies and some nuanced performances. It won't be to everyone's taste, but the atmosphere,settings and the portrayals of the messiness of lives were spot on. You really wonder who this fiancé was- and how he fit into all of the other character's lives. Garner gives a very good performance of a woman who is "widowed" but not who's legal status does not give her any of the benefits of that title. Her getting to discover her fiancé -and in turn herself - are only a part of the web that is presented. Funky, not really a slacker movie, but definitely a set of characters needing to move on. Roll'em