Change Your Image
famtherapy
Reviews
The Road Dance (2021)
Wonderful... until the last 40 seconds
This movie was gut wrenching, emotionally evocative, cast with wonderful actors, and then they had to go and ruin it at the end. I won't spoil it by saying what happens, but it felt as if the wrap was far too trite.
The lyrical Scottish music was haunting. The thatched cottages used for filming looked realistic..I wondered if they were, in fact, real. The filming of the coastline and powerful sea waves crashing against the shore: all very dramatic
You go ahead and watch it and see what you think, but I have watched movies galore over the decades, and I think the writer could've done a better, more creative job with his closing.
A Christmas Star (2017)
For adults, the review would be 2 stars; for kids a 5 because the film is blessedly CLEAN!
Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan must have lent their fame to this film because they love children and families. Beyond their notoriety, this movie's script has no real hook.
The pottery town of Pottersglen is about to be purchased to make way for a casino and golf course. Coincidence with the name Potter being used (as in "Its a Wonderful Life" with Mr. Potter as the antagonist?) Maybe so, but even top stars couldn't save this oft repeated "save the town from a greedy, villainous corporate executive" theme. Liam Neeson's narration and his easily recognizable gravely voice add any magic. Cute kids. Good acting. Bad script.
2nd Chance for Christmas (2019)
Ok, maybe not an Oscar but I thought these kids did great
Brittany Underwood co-wrote this script which shows even more talent in her court. This movie has the old-fashioned right vs wrong...good vs evil theme of Dickens original novel. The key player learns her lesson in the last few minutes and the story is gleefully wrapped up. I might've like them to spend a little more time on the repentance part of the story versus us seeing all the characters's wrongs.
This movie could be shown to preteens and teenagers. It is safe for viewing as there is no profanity or promiscuous behavior. Kids get enough of that from Netflix (which our family cancelled). I have to say, as my first Christmas movie of the Season, I found it lighthearted and pleasant to watch.
When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story (2010)
As relevant today as 13 yrs ago when it was filmed
Congratulations to Hallmark for making an incredibly important movie for all the families of alcohol addicted loved ones. 95% of the movies on the Hallmark Channel always seem to be saccharine stories of couples in love, and they usually take place in some make believe perfect little town. This story is raw and real. It gives hope to those who may want to quit believing for the best in others, while illustrating what a devil of a disease alcohol addiction is.
I wish Hallmark would make more true biographies. They were common in the movies 50 years ago, and serve to enlighten and educate viewers, young and old.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)
I never give 10 Stars, but here's why...
If you're tired of hearing the F-word in Amazon and Netflix productions, if you still hold the name of Christ holy and are disgusted with its use in every mainstream production on the last few years, if you've had enough of the gratuitous violence and bloody gore, if you've had it with every screenplay being "sexed up," if you appreciate the fine fabrics and exquisite craftsmanship of days gone by, then you'll love this charming movie.
By the end of "Mrs. Harris Girs to Paris," I felt I'd had a satisfying meal that left me smiling. We'll done, cast and crew. May your team make more uplifting films that the whole family can enjoy.
Finally, the shots of the streets of Paris filled with trash were a touch of fairytale dispersing reality true both decades ago, as well as today. Parisians just finished enduring yet another recent garbage workers' strike with piles of filthy, bug infested trash up to 12' high in the streets and rats running about in the light of day. I thought it an amusing touch in the script.
Though None Go with Me (2006)
What's wrong with Cheryl Ladd's face in her "old age" period of life?
Either Ms. Ladd was going through a chemical peel or the lights were hot, making her make up peel off. Either way, only 10 minutes into the movie I was fixated on her skin wishing they'd taken a good look at the early clips before releasing the movie with such a lovely face destroyed by poor make-up skills.
The frazzled wig they popped on her head in an attempt to age her character was stunningly cheap and artificial looking. In her middle years, they affixed a longer hairpiece to her crown. That would have worked, but it was DARK brown and her real hair was lighter making the contrast obvious.
The premise of this movie...love lost, new love found, old love returning was solid. The acting was excellent all around. The music fit well. The period costuming well done. I never realized until now how really important an experienced make up artist is to a movie.
Christmas Catch (2018)
Not as obvious as mundane Hallmark movies
Good acting. No over-acting. Good plot twist at the end so it wasn't 100% predictable. It's been stated over$200k was spent on set decorations. It showed; many looked either real or nearly real. That's important bc viewers don't want formulaic, false scenery. Only thing lacking was a better wardrobe for the female lead who's meant to be clothing clueless. Perhaps, but her wardrobe was super cheap looking. Her beauty made the clothes passable.
Also, perhaps a bit more reality in the staging would have helped. Cops in a stake-out don't park directly across from the suspect's home in an all white van! Good entertainment.
The Old Man and the Pond (2020)
I don't normally give such high marks, but...
The sign of an excellent movie at least in my opinion, is that it should give you pause, cause you to think, leave you with something you might not have felt so strongly before you "met."
Tobin Bell and Jason Mac give excellent performances as the crusty old man living the life of a recluse whose world is interrupted by the younger, desperate man high tailing it from the sheriff after his first robbery.
Both men are grieve their emotional pasts and evolve with a shared love for one another. Mac's acting had ME tearing up in the next to last scene it was so well played.