Change Your Image
patrickharman
Reviews
Shower of Stars: A Christmas Carol (1954)
an uninspired, lackluster bomb made only to sell cars.
My wife's uncle gave us this clunker. It is by far the worst video adaptation of the Dickens classic we have ever experienced! From a visual storytelling perspective, there is far too much wasted screen time that advances the story not a whit; vapid songs about the "Spirit of Christmas" contribute only a "spirit of ennui" to the production, which bears little resemblance to the powerful tale of a soul's miraculous conversion and redemption that comes through the printed word and many fine films. If this video vehicle has any value at all, it could only be as a snapshot of the crass, commercialized America at mid-century that mistook drivel like this for high culture.
The 1984 TV movie with George C. Scott delivers a far more satisfying experience.
My Dog Skip (2000)
Do not believe positive reviews of this movie!
A good movie conveys a message or a story with purpose and clarity, and hopefully entertains in the process; this film does none of those things. When it mercifully ended, I asked my wife, "What was this movie trying to say?" She replied, "I have absolutely no idea!" The "race problem" in the Southern US in the 40's lurked around the edges, but did not really affect the story, which is nominally a "coming of age" reminiscence. It does have a couple things going for it: a cute dog, a cloying kid, period props, and a 1940's era Flxible intercity bus, which probably would not have transported servicemen from the prominent railroad town of Yazoo City in 1942. This film feels phoney from the get-go; the emotions are contrived, and the plot line concerning the dog's injury and recovery is utterly predictable. Ultimately, I felt it was a total waste of 95 minutes (and seven million dollars). It sucks.
The Adventures of Robin Hood: A Change of Heart (1957)
Robin helps aboriginals; favors diplomacy over warfare.
wife & I are watching all 143 episodes sequentially; this is the worst episode we have yet seen! Credibility=0. The "Gaslight" plot centers around convincing a nobleman that he is one of a tribe of stone-age Celts living on his property. This ghastly device appears to be an attempt to link Robin Hood's philanthropy with the plight of American Indians and other aboriginals. Absolutely Awful! I thought for sure that Dalton Trumbo had written the screenplay. The previous episode was critical of capitalism and profiteering, but in a much less heavy-handed way. Friar Tuck's involvement was superfluous, at best, and served little in the way of plot development.
Do not much care for third season's Maid Marian (Patricia Driscoll?). Bernadette O'Farrell was much better in the role.