josey412 Reviews

The Year Without a Santa Claus (2006 TV Movie)

Despicable

[1/10 · 10 December 2007]

We rented this movie based on the title and the comment on the movie, "Family Favorite Based on the Holiday Classic"; however, this movie is FAR from the original.

We made it through about 12 minutes of the movie before shutting it off and taking it back to the rental business.

Within those twelve minutes, there is a scene previewing toys, games, etc. where it showed guys chopping heads off with blood spewing from the neck. Then there was a song sung by a teenager where he sang, "Santa, you suck." I am highly disappointed that our family sat down to watch this with expectations of the sweet Christmas story from Rankin/Bass. Rather, in that 12 minutes they were exposed to things I try to avoid exposing my kids to all year long.

Ladies in Lavender (2004)

Still thinking about this movie...

[9/10 · 23 June 2005]

It is unusual for me to still be thinking about a movie I've seen in the ways I am thinking about this movie. I saw it last night and was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I'm thinking character studies, backgrounds, futures, etc. Dame Judi Densh and Dame Maggie Smith were brilliant. I could feel what they were making the characters feel and could feel the tension between them. Dame Judi was superb as the simple, lonely sister who never got to experience some of life as her sister did. The setting and scenery were breathtaking, makes me want to travel! The music was beautiful as were the violin scenes. I didn't think the ending was predictable as stated in one review. Most films go for the predictable, tightly wrapped ending. You expected Andrea to run back and hug them goodbye in the hallway, but he never came. Not to the surprise or disappointment of the women, they had let him go. Such a wonderful story!

Scrooge (1970)

Unbeatable!

[10/10 · 20 December 2004]

I have just read a negative comment about this movie. I believe it's the first I've ever encountered. Yes, I was a bit scared when I was young, but I had reassuring parents and saw that in the end, it was upbeat and fun.

One favorite part is while Bob Crachit and his kids are getting last minute things for Christmas Eve (During Christmas Children), there is such an obvious display of the differences between the rich and the poorer classes. The rich pick up their things and he, a poorer man, picks up what he can with his 15 schillings - yet stays upbeat, thankful and loving. It's really a beautiful scene.

I love to watch this movie at any time of the year. Albert Finney really nails this character. It's hard to believe that he was only 34 when he made this film. My kids (4 and 7) could not believe that was really him in the Christmas Past scenes.

The rest of the cast indeed are incredible. Bob Crachit was outstanding and so tender and the ghost of Christmas Present was so fun.

I attempted to watch the latest musical version with Kelsey Grammar, I really tried. It was a painful 15 minutes. You just can't create another musical version of this story that tops this one!