jr1963 Reviews

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006)

End Credit Disaster

[17 November 2006]

This was a story that sounded good on paper but got lost in translation as I think the actors forgot their basic character traits. What was great about the first film is that there is a real transformation between Scott Calvin and Santa Claus. You see it from the moment he catches the globe from his son. In the third film, he's dressed as Santa, but he's doing Tim Allen humor. He's not as magical here. What makes matters worse is that the director or the producer forgot who their audience was. It's families with kids. So, what's with the outtakes over the end credits? Some were actually quite racy. Don't they know that kids watching this movie actually believe Tim Allen could be Santa Claus? If they now see him breaking character and being a little "blue", then how do explain that to your kids who now question who Santa is. Or worse...if. If you have a 6 or 7 year old kid, then you understand. If you don't, then you never will.

Granted, it's not the end of the world. But for us parents who like to hold on to the idea of Santa Claus in our children's eyes as long as we can, this movie sure as hell didn't help!

Adventures of Superman (1952–1958)

Season Two

[16 January 2006]

For some reason, many people mark season one as the best. I think most Superman fans, I mean real fans, would disagree. Season two is by far the best season. Granted Phyllis Coates was a better Lois Lane for this version of the series because she was sexy, tough, and gave a little sexual tension between her and Superman. Noel Neill was the perfect Lois in the serials and was the obvious second choice when Coates became unavailable. Nobody is going to deny that fact. But we're not talking about The Adventures of Lois Lane. This is Superman and the show was far better in season two than in season one and all subsequent seasons. Here's why:

1. The stories hinged on the dramatic as well as human interest. This was before it became "too" kiddie. It also had enough warmth to make us care about the characters rather than just be extensions of a cartoon. 2. George Reeves looked more comfortable and actually acted much better in both roles (see "warmth") 3. Humor was used but just enough to be real. 4. George looked his absolute best in any of the Superman costumes. This was the only season in which he didn't look padded. He looked refreshed. 5. George's stunts were more acrobatic and there was less use of re-hashed stock footage with flying or leaps into the air. It seemed they actually shot take offs and landings for this season for those individual shows.

So this is why season two is must have out of all the seasons.