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Jade-16
Reviews
Bundle of Joy (1956)
What would I do without TCM?
I saw this movie on Turner Classic Movies quite accidentally. I was just channel surfing and then I heard that corny announcer (not Robert Osborne) say to stay tuned for "Bundle of Joy" starring Debbie Reynolds. Well, being a Debbie Reynolds fan, I stayed tuned! I became even more interested in seeing this film when I realized that Eddie Fisher also starred. I had never seen a film of his, and I was curious to see the former couple on screen together. Well, I thought this film was very entertaining and funny. Debbie Reynolds was wonderful as usual, and even though I was determined to not like Fisher (because he left not only Debbie Reynolds with two children, but also Connie Stevens!), he was charming as well. His songs were great, and, I hate to admit it, but he was awfully cute too.
If you get the chance, try to catch this film on TCM. It is one of the funnier musicals I've ever seen (and I have seen just about all of them!).
The Out-of-Towners (1999)
Funny one-liners
Typically I don't like movies where Murphy's Law rules supremely and EVERYTHING goes wrong... but, I like this one. Hawn and Martin's reactions alone make every chase, mugging, snubbing, and arrest worth it. As a laughable "Ohioan" myself, I can see why the main characters remain ever uncomfortable and ever out-of-place, which makes every joke where New York is the brunt doubly funny. This film also sends a useful message in the end. It teaches people not to give up, turn around, and head for home because of people "that don't want you", but to beat them at their own game.
"Only in New York". . . no, not really, but let them think that if it means winning in the end.
Three Guys Named Mike (1951)
How did she pick?
Honestly, there was no way I couldn't like this movie. As soon as I started watching it, I was hooked. Naturally, it was cheesy and unrealistic (IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE AND YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHICH MIKE SHE PICKS, DON'T READ ON!). Look, I wasn't expecting a surprise ending. Van Johnson was the first of the "Mikes" in the credits, so naturally my money was on him. I was just hoping for a better explanation of why he got the girl. He didn't do anything the other two Mikes didn't do. Through out the entire movie, Jane Wyman never even showed any favoritism toward him. I hate to say it, but this was an obvious case of "the biggest star" gets the girl. But don't get me wrong. I just think that with a little bit of better writing, they could have pulled it off better. But don't think this movie wasn't worth watching. I loved it!
Personally, I would have picked Howard Keel =P
Disneyland: The Prince and the Pauper: The Pauper King (1962)
Very Cute
I've never read Twain's story, but I wanted to see this particularly because of Guy Williams, best known for his hit TV series "Zorro". I don't know if this is an accurate portrayal of the book, but I liked it and was glad I stayed up until four in the morning to watch it on the Disney Channel!
Merton of the Movies (1947)
I don't care what Leonard Maltin says
Today as part of a Red Skelton tribute on his birthday TCM showed this among many of his other movies, and I'd like to say that even though I only tuned in in time to see only half of this movie, Merton was no disappointment! You're not exactly splitting your sides, but you are entertained and amused as long as you are watching it. Skelton makes it look so easy, but achieving what he was able to while keeping his comedy clean as a whistle is pure genius and well worth watching!
Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000)
Maybe somebody should have told them L.M. Montgomery finished the series. . .
For twelve years "Anne Fans" such as myself have been eagerly awaiting the third installment of the this much-loved series. Like many fans, I grew impatient and simply read the books. . .yes, all seven of them, just to find out what happened after they left us all hanging at "the bridge".
"Anne of Green Gables" was nearly perfectly faithful to the book, just as "Anne of Avonlea" ALMOST was, but where did they pull "The Continuing Story" out of? I think we all know where. . . but I think most of us still want to know why!
Lucy Maud Montgomery's original material would have been such a beautiful conclusion to the Anne/Gilbert love story. They married after he finished med school, they lived in pretty little cottage until he set up a practice in a place called Ingleside, where they raised seven children (not including Anne's first child who died in infancy). Montgomery even went on to write a book about Rilla, Anne's youngest daughter.
Speaking of her daughter, factually Rilla's boyfriend served in World War I! What an unnecessary leap in time!
Perhaps Kevin Sullivan can still fix the mess he made. I think it is possible to still go on with the story as it was intended to be told. . .I just don't see why they didn't do so to begin with.
There has been no closure in the "Anne of Green Gables" series. Anne and Gilbert's future life and family still remain a mystery to we who assumed that "The Continuing Story" would bring finality to the story that should have been a peaceful, satisfying classic just as it's predecessors were.
Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000)
Maybe somebody should have told them L.M. Montgomery finished the series. . .
For twelve years "Anne Fans" such as myself have been eagerly awaiting the third installment of the this much-loved series. Like many fans, I grew impatient and simply read the books. . .yes, all seven of them, just to find out what happened after they left us all hanging at "the bridge".
"Anne of Green Gables" was nearly perfectly faithful to the book, just as "Anne of Avonlea" ALMOST was, but where did they pull "The Continuing Story" out of? I think we all know where. . . but I think most of us still want to know why!
Lucy Maud Montgomery's original material would have been such a beautiful conclusion to the Anne/Gilbert love story. They married after he finished med school, they lived in pretty little cottage until he set up a practice in a place called Ingleside, where they raised seven children (not including Anne's first child who died in infancy). Montgomery even went on to write a book about Rilla, Anne's youngest daughter.
Speaking of her daughter, factually Rilla's boyfriend served in World War I! What an unnecessary leap in time!
Perhaps Kevin Sullivan can still fix the mess he made. I think it is possible to still go on with the story as it was intended to be told. . .I just don't see why they didn't do so to begin with.
There has been no closure in the "Anne of Green Gables" series. Anne and Gilbert's future life and family still remain a mystery to we who assumed that "The Continuing Story" would bring finality to the story that should have been a peaceful, satisfying classic just as it's predecessors were.
Babes in Toyland (1961)
I still love it. . .
I can remember watching this movie over and over when I was little-- of course, as the years went by I eventually taped over it. Well, when I finally grew out of my "I'm too cool for this movie" phase, I regretted my hasty decision. Luckily, last night it was on in the middle of the night on the Disney Channel and I practically programmed the VCR with lightening speed. I still love it, and I always associate certain scenes with certain memories, and now that I'm older I understand what is going on a little bit better (not to mention some of the jokes that flew right over my head when I was four!)! If you don't watch it for yourself, you're kids'll love it. Believe me, I know!
Down to You (2000)
Disappointing. . .
Being an avid Freddie Prinze Jr. fan, I could hardly wait for this movie to come to the theaters. I saw it on the day of it's release and I had a completely open mind to the plot, (it being so totally different to all of Prinze's other movies I had seen), and though in my mind Freddie could do no wrong, I thought this movie was, to put it bluntly, horrible.
Like I said before, Freddie could do no wrong. This movie was technically much more "mature" than "She's All That", and he did a wonderful job handling the depth of his character. It's a shame I can't say that about Julia Stiles. She was embarrassingly miscast. This movie, though a romantic comedy, dealt with a couple that had a number of gliches in their relationship, and they both did their share of hurting each other. This was ALSO the type of movie where one was supposed to feel sympathetic for BOTH characters, and there were few, if any instances where I felt sorry for Stiles when she "done Freddie wrong" and he was reluctant to forgive her. She had a way of making you despise her. Maybe it was because when Freddie was emotionally hurt he was so much more believable than she was. Sorry, Miss Stiles, but you were a little bit out of your league...
It would be unfair to put all the blame on Julia Stiles for the "horribleness" of this movie. There was just a lot of, for lack of a better word, stupid stuff that went on in this plot: a seemingly idiotic pregnancy false alarm, the consumption of a bottle of shampoo, a cooking show that was based along the premise of the show "Cops", and my list could go on. It's a shame because this could have been made into such a good movie. I just hope Freddie Prinze Jr. doesn't get stuck doing banal movies like this. He is capable of so much more.
An American in Paris (1951)
Who Could Ask For Anything More?
Gene Kelly had made hit movies before this. He was well respected and his name was often found in the same sentence as the great Fred Astaire, but "An American in Paris" created a new Gene Kelly. A legend. A SUPERSTAR.
This movie was unlike anything ever attempted before. It was expensive. It was daring. It was extravagant. Luckily, Gene Kelly and director Vincent Minelli rose to the challenge. . . and made it work. In fact, it worked so well that Gene Kelly received an honorary Academy Award "for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film", as the movie itself was awarded several Oscars, including the honorable Best Picture award.
What makes this movie so out of the ordinary? What separates this film from the common backstage musical? No, I will not answer these interest-arousing questions, because I want you to find out for yourself. You wont be sorry.
She's All That (1999)
"She's All That" IS all that!
I remember one day I was talking to a friend at school, and she said to me "Hey, I got tickets to go see a sneak peak of 'She's All That', ya wanna come with?". I had no idea what I was getting into. . . . It ROCKED! Do you know what was so exceptional about this movie? It was about a jock who was actually smart and a pretty girl who actually had morals and standards. When it came out on video, MY MOM even LIKED IT! Freddie Prinze Jr. is gorgeous (some guys think he's weird looking, but they're just jealous. What guy wouldn't be ate up over a 6'1", latinian hottie? I mean, come on!). Anywayz, I'm so glad this movie was a hit because this teen flick was actually deserving! So what if the story has been done before? As long as it was done well. Ya know why some people didn't like this movie? Because they didn't use the F word every three seconds and there wasn't any disgusting bathroom humor like there was in "There's Something About Mary". A movie can be good with out being vulgar!
Zorro (1957)
An entertaining show for people of all ages!
One might say this is quite possibly the most entertaining TV show ever created. "Zorro" has a rare combination of action, adventure, suspense, music, and even comedy. Though Guy Williams is only one of many men who have donned the mask of Zorro, he is considered by many, including me, to be the one true Zorro. Williams, though the true highlight of the show, was just part of a great cast. Gene Sheldon is a convincing "deaf" mute and we can always rely on Sergeant Garcia (Henry Calvin) for a few laughs. This show also is unique because even though it holds enough action and plot for adults, it is still mild enough for even very young children to watch and enjoy.
When "Zorro" originally aired on ABC from 1957-1959, it was a smash hit, knocking 5 of the 7 shows airing at the same time off the air. Unfortunately, due to legal problems with the rights of the show, only two full seasons of the show and four one-hour episodes were completed. But, on the bright side, "Zorro" can still be seen nightly on the Disney Channel.
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
The greatest musical with some of the greatest performers ever!
"Singin' in the Rain" is one of, if not the greatest movie musical ever made. With the combined talents of co-director, Stanley Donen, co-stars Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'connor, great ballet dancer Cyd Charisse, and the star, co-director, and co-director of musical staging of the movie, Gene Kelly, came the production of a movie that took the world by "storm"! No matter how rainy "Singin' in the Rain" gets, it outshines some of the greatest movies still today. "Singin' in the Rain" is a TIMELESS classic!