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: 29 Dec, 2009
Amazon.com
Kermit takes center stage in this hilarious, parody-laden celebration of Muppetry, pulsating with original music, a star-studded cast of human cameos, and a heartwarming story reminiscent of It’s a Wonderful Life. Joan Cusack plays the deliciously villainous Miss Bitterman, a ruthless banker who succeeds in foreclosing on the Muppet Theatre only days before Kermit’s Christmas extravaganza. As Kermit loses his livelihood, he plunges into the “I wish I’d never been born” mind-set instantly recognizable to George Bailey fans. It’s going to take some Divine intervention (Whoopi Goldberg is cast as God, no less), plus a little help from a heavenly “Clarence.” Despite some moments where the script seems adrift (how hard it must be to live up to the irresistible precedent set by the 1979 premier Muppet Movie) and some humor that borders on risqué, Fozzie and the gang are in fine form. The message is sweet: dreams are as vital to life as loyal friendships are to see (more…)
By: preme | On: 28 Dec, 2009
Elizabeth is the star of a successful cooking show and author of several cookbooks. But when her manager, Alexander, sees forest ranger Jefferson, who lost his cabin in a fire, comment on TV about wishing he could get a home-cooked Christmas dinner, he arranges for a special live show on Christmas, for Elizabeth to cook him Christmas Dinner. Only Elizabeth can’t cook, and trying to keep Jefferson and the viewing public from finding out on a live show may be a little difficult.
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By: preme | On: 25 Dec, 2009
Amazon.com
The classic Dickens’ tale A Christmas Carol gets a Barbie makeover in this animated holiday program about the evils of selfishness. As Barbie and Kelly are preparing for a Christmas Eve charity fundraiser, Kelly complains that the new event is interfering with the family’s Christmas Eve traditions. Barbie takes the opportunity to tell her sister an important Christmas story set in Victorian England. The story is in essence the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge, but with Eden Starling (Barbie) standing in for Scrooge, Catherine for Bob Cratchit, and young orphan Tammy for Tiny Tim. Eden is a self-centered star whose new stage show is about to open and who lives her life by the decree that “In a selfish world, the selfish succeed.” Completely lacking in Christmas spirit, Eden insists that her best friend and costume designer Catherine, as well as her other co-stars, cancel their holiday plans to work on Christmas day. Eden’s peaceful Christmas Eve s (more…)
By: preme | On: 24 Dec, 2009
Spend the most wonderful time of the year with your favorite purple pal in this “dino-mite” Christmas classic. Join Barney and friends as they take a musical journey to the North Pole where they are greeted as special guests at Santa’s Workshop. With music in the air and presents everywhere, it’s a dream come true as Santa unveils his secret toys for this year’s Christmas. Watch in wonderment as Mrs. Claus takes the kids on an enchanted train ride through Santa’s Toy Factory. Then it’s off to a gift-wrapping party where everyone helps Santa put the finishing touches on this year’s presents. Give the gift of music and laughter in this classic collection of Christmas treats!
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