By: preme | On: 30 Dec, 2009
Amazon.com
This 1962 special marked the last hurrah of Mr. Magoo, who starred in 43 cartoon shorts, including two Oscar® winners, from the UPA Studio between 1949 and 1959. Magoo appears as Scrooge in a Broadway production of “A Christmas Carol” in this minimally animated hour. The play-within-the-show features forgettable songs by Jules Styne and Bob Merrill: Tiny Tim (“played” by the animated character Gerald McBoing-Boing) sings, oddly, of “razzle berry dressing” and “woofle jelly cake.” This retelling of Dickens’s holiday standard is much tamer than Richard Williams’s Oscar-winning adaptation: the ghosts aren’t scary, nor does Magoo confront the specters of Ignorance and Want. Small children who might be frightened by more dramatic versions of the story will enjoy this mild program. And the self-satisfied chuckles and bromides Jim Backus gives Magoo in his lighter moments remain as delightful as ever. This film is suitable for ages 6 and older. –Charles Solomon
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By: preme | On: 23 Dec, 2009
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1938) Reginald Owen portrays Charles Dickens’ holiday humbug Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser’s miser who has a huge change of heart after spirits whisk him into the past, present and future. From sets to stars to story, this triumphant adaptation adds a glow to the season. Like Tiny Tim’s benediction, it blesses us – every one. CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945) A magazine columnist totally devoid of the homemaking skills espoused in her column had better get some fast: her boss has invited himself and a recently returned war hero to her home for Christmas. Laughs, romance, holiday cheer: that’s the recipe Barbara Stanwyck and a stellar company follow in this perennial favorite. IT HAPPENED ON 5TH AVENUE Home for the holidays! GI families hit by the post-World War II housing crunch take over an abandoned New York City mansion. THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER In the third of their four screen pairings, Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart engage in re (more…)
By: preme | On: 17 Dec, 2009
Amazon.com
Brian Henson directs his late father’s creations in the Charles Dickens classic, the best known (and most oft-filmed) Christmas story of all time. Michael Caine plays the old miser Scrooge with Kermit as his long-suffering but ever-hopeful employee Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Cratchit’s wife, and a host of Muppets (including the Great Gonzo as an unlikely Charles Dickens) taking other primary roles in this bright, playful adaptation of the somber tale. Or at least it starts brightly enough–the anarchic humor soon settles into mirthful memories and a sense of melancholy as the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future take Scrooge on a journey of his lonely, wasted life. Michael Caine makes a wonderful Scrooge, delightfully rediscovering the meaning of life as fantastic creations from Henson’s Creature Shop (developed specially for this film) take the reins as the three ghosts. While the odd mix of offbeat humor and somber drama undercuts the power of Dic (more…)
By: preme | On: 06 Sep, 2009
2007 is drawing near for us to greet and along with the coming of the year, major film companies are also set to bring more excitement in cinematic experience as numbers of blockbuster, highly-anticipated film features have neatly been lined up for moviegoers to enjoy and cherish on throughout.
The first to lead the pack starting in May on date 4, “Spider-Man 3″ still sees Tobey Maguire as the web-swinging superhero who this time has to face the battle of his life against two of the most feared villains ever, Venom and Sandman. Exactly two weeks from it, arrives CG animated “Shrek the Third” which finds the titular character (Mike Myers) and his wife Fiona (Cameron Diaz) getting involved in the search of an heir to rule the kingdom of Far, Far Away. Near the end of the month on date 25 comes “Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End” that once again unites Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann for one last decisive battle in a titanic showdown against Lord Cutler Beckett, Davy Jones, and Admiral James Norrington.
Proceeding to the month of June, date 15 will witness the return of our four unique heroes namely Mr. Fantastic, the Human Torch, Invisible Woman, and The Thing in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” to meet their greatest challenge yet in the form of the enigmatic, intergalactic herald The Silver Surfer. Meanwhile, less than one month on July 13, teen wizard Harry Potter is back to lead his peers defend themselves against the dark forces threatening them and the entire wizarding community upon the rise of the evil Lord Voldemort in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.”
While those sequels mentioned above undoubtedly will draw most attention from the audience, sure there are a lot of new titles worth to be checked out during the year. From epic genre, Zack Snyder’s “300″ certainly is one picture hard to miss out as it opens in cinemas on March 9. Featuring ensemble cast consisting of Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, and David Wenham, this adaptation of Frank Miller’s popular graphic novel is going to bring amazement with its stunning depiction of the ancient Battle of Thermopylae. From animated field, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, the first all CG animated movie in the history of the franchise, and Disney/Pixar’s “Ratatouille” obviously will be two good options to spend more time in theaters when they arrive on March 23 and June 29, respectively.
For those who rather prefer sci-fi adventure genre, do take a look at DreamWorks’ “Transformers” which will unspool in cinemas exactly on the fourth day of July as Americans celebrate their Independence Day. Presenting young cast like Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, and Rachael Taylor in leading roles under the direction of renowned filmmaker Michael Bay, this fact only has given the picture a fresh take along with a promise of full-packed action scenes to make a great combination for an enjoyable cinematic work. As for the fantasy-genre fans, no need to be disappointed for New Line Cinema will bring up another potential trilogy after the huge success of “Lord of the Rings” series. Based on Philip Pullman’s books “His Dark Materials”, the first of the adaptations, “His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass”, indeed is a must-see feature as it hits the theaters on December 7 judging from its engaging story and stellar cast comprised of Nicole Kidman, Eva Green, and Daniel Craig.
By: preme | On: 22 Oct, 2008
Basically all comic book movie fans know that part of Marvel Studio’s and Paramount Pictures line-up includes an adaptation of Thor. Over the last several months there has been plenty of rumors for a lead star. From Triple H (WWE) to Kevin McKidd but there hasn’t been any more than that.
On Monday, IESB.net confirmed with Daniel Craig that he was offered the part of Thor. IESB said that they heard he was on a short list for the character but “Craig said yes they [Marvel] did approach him but he turned it down. He added jokingly, it would have been too much of a power trip, both Bond and Thor, and running around with long hair and a hammer.”
Umm… I love Craig but I’m glad he turned down Thor. The part just didn’t fit him. That’s something I respect about some big time actors. They’ll turn down roles because they know it’s just not right.
Hopfully they’ll find someone who’ll be perfect for Thor.
-Phil