Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, 2011

Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry, Kelly Reilly







Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and Watson (Law) go up against Holmes' arch enemy, Professor Moriarty (Harris), trying to thwart an assassination attempt on an important head of state. I don't really want to say much about it because you've just got to see it, and there isn't a ton to say about it anyway, except that it's entertaining and has lots of action and Robert Downey Jr. What more do you require, really?

Stephen Fry was so wonderful as Mycroft Holmes! What a pleasant surprise!

If you're a Holmes fan, you won't be disappointed! The music is just as brilliant as in the first film. Hans Zimmer is definitely a genius.

The Muppets, 2011

Director: James Bobin
Stars: Amy Adams, Jason Segal, Chris Cooper, Peter Linz, Steve Whitmire, David Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Bill Barretta







Is it crazy that I did not expect this to be a musical? I guess it is! But when they started singing, I was honestly surprised.

It's very funny, and very amusing. The story is that they need to get The Muppets back together and put on a special of The Muppet Show in the old Muppet theater, or they will lose the theater forever to an evil oil tycoon!

They also make fun of Hollywood and silly movies, "travelling by map", at one point when they all have to travel to Paris to find Miss Piggy. Or suggesting they do a "montage" to save time when finding all the Muppets.

And, as in all Muppet movies, there are quite a few cameo appearances, including Mickey Rooney! Very good stuff!

I love Kermit!

Last Reviews of 2011

For my final two reviews of 2011, I will share my views on the two movies I have seen in theaters this December. I'm not a big movie-goer, obviously. I like to get movies cheap, not pay an arm and a leg to see them on the big screen. Well, usually. I still like going to see movies on the big screen! Who doesn't? I just save it for the movies I think will be totally amazing!

And these two were great!





The Muppets, 2011 (directed by James Bobin)











Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, 2011 (directed by Guy Ritchie)

Grease, 1978

Director: Randal Kleiser

Stars: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Jeff Conaway, Stockard Channing

'Grease' is the word, it's the word that you heard.....

I swear my sister and I have seen this movie 50 times! We used to watch it so much! I haven't seen it in years and didn't actually know how dirty it was until now. I never got those jokes/lines before! Oops.

Danny (Travolta) and Sandy (Newton-John) meet over the summer at the beach, and then say goodbye, thinking that they won't see each other again, since Sandy's family is going back to Australia. But Sandy ends up staying, and then they find out they attend the same school. But Danny has a reputation to protect, so he's a jerk to her at first. And everyone sings and dances and races cars. It's really great.

You have to see Grease at least once!

The Music Man, 1962

Director: Morton DaCosta (Auntie Mame, Island of Love)

Written by: Meredith Wilson

Stars: Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Ron Howard (as "Ronny Howard")

"He's a music man!"

"He's a what--he's a what?"

"He's a music man! And he sells trombones and clarinets to the kids in the town...."

That's a wee bit of the first tune in the film. I love some of the sequences in this movie/story. The first scene takes place inside a train car, with several travelling salesmen talking- and singing, of course- about the legendary con-man "Professor" Harold Hill, who travels around selling instruments and band uniforms to the boys in town, and then skips out before teaching them how to play their instruments, since he "doesn't know one note from another", as one of the salesmen declaims.

I've seen it on the stage, and I have to say that that first scene is my favorite. It's amazing the way it comes to life, especially on stage. They're in a train car! Just watch the beginning, and you will see what I mean.

So that's basically the story. Harold Hill (Preston) was on that train in the beginning, and he hops off at the next stop- River City, to the surprise of the other salesmen, because they were declaring he was too smart to stop there, in that little conservative town.

But stop he does, and proceeds to convince the people of the good town that they need a boy's band to give their boys something to do besides playing pool. (Oh no! Not pool!) And, in the middle of all this, there's the single music teacher and librarian, Marion (Jones), who sees through him, but eventually, they like each other.

Songs include:

-"The Wells Fargo Wagon" (in which Ron Howard has quite a solo- he was so cute!!),

-"Til There Was You" (yes, that one- it came from here),

-"Trouble" (very funny- and very adaptable to real life. I quite often somebody or something is "trouble with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool". All the time),

-"Shipoopi" (which makes me hate Buddy Hackett. I think you either like his voice or hate it- he plays the seagull in The Little Mermaid, among other roles. Anyway, I kinda hate it.)

-"Seventy-Six Trombones" (which very easily gets stuck in my head),

-"Marion" (which takes place in the library, where Hill is professing his love to Marion, who isn't convinced-- this one is my second favorite of all the sequences).

Note: I get so bored in this movie, though! I mean, it is so entertaining, but holy cow! It's so long! Two hours and 45 minutes! But if you like musicals, you must see it at least once.

NOTE: I checked out the director, and surprisingly he only directed 3 movies. Literally! This one and the ones I listed next to his name above. Considering how everyone knows The Music Man (at least has heard of it), that surprises me.

White Christmas, 1954

Director: Michael Curtiz (We're No Angels, Casablanca)
Stars: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen




Bob (Crosby) and Phil (Kaye), a duo of famous entertainers who met and started their act during the war, follow their new friends Betty (Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen) to Vermont for the holidays. "Vermont must be beautiful this time of year, all that snow..."

Except there's no snow, and no guests at the lovely Inn where the girls are booked to sing. Business is bad for the owner, whom the guys discover is their company's former general, General Waverly. To help out the General, Bob and Phil decide to bring their whole show up to Vermont and rehearse everything up there.

This is a wonderful movie! It's brilliant and heart-warming! I always cry at the end. Anything referring to war always makes me cry- especially World War 2.

You'll love it.

We're No Angels, 1955

Director: Michael Curtiz (White Christmas, Casablanca)
Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, Aldo Ray,






"We came here to rob them, and that's what we're going to do: beat their heads in, gouge their eyes out, cut their throats....... as soon as we wash the dishes."


On Christmas Eve, three escaped convicts (Bogart, Ray, and Ustinov) come upon a store which they intend to rob, but soon find out how much financial trouble the store manager, Felix, is in. And then the store's owner, Cousin Andre, comes for a surprise Christmas visit to take inventory and check Felix's accounts. The convicts take it upon themselves to protect Felix, his wife, and daughter from this horrid cousin. But it turns out they don't have to do much....

This is a black comedy, but SOOOOOOO cute! If you haven't seen it, DO watch it. You are in for a treat. I especially love Peter Ustinov in it. Actually, I really can't pick a favorite!! They each have their moments.

A Christmas Story, 1983

Director: Bob Clark

Stars: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin

"Some men are Baptists, others Catholics. My father was an Oldsmobile man."

This one is a classic! And if you are one of those people who hasn't seen it, you are seriously missing out!

It's based on the novel In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd, and the narration is actually done by Shepherd. He tells the story of one Christmastime of his childhood, and how he longed for a Red Rider BB gun. It's a little mix of stories during Christmas time, but they all come together just beautifully, and the narration is absolutely hysterical.

Holiday Affair, 1949

Director: Don Hartman
Stars: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey




Connie Ennis (Leigh) works as a competitive shopper to support herself and her son Timmy. While out doing some holiday shopping, Connie buys a train, and when she returns it the next day, the salesman Steve (Mitchum) doesn't turn her in for what he knows she is. He loses his job because of it, finds her leaving the store, and takes her out to lunch. They have a great time, and then he helps her shop, loses her in a crowd, and later finds her house and stops by to drop off her things. He walks in on her and her gentleman friend Carl (Corey), decorating the Christmas tree.

Suddenly, Connie has two men who want to marry her for Christmas! Who will she choose??

This is so sweet! I love Robert Mitchum in it. :)

The 10th Kingdom, 2000

Director: David Carson, Herbert Wise
Stars: Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Scott Cohen, John Larroquette, Daniel Lapaine, Ann-Margaret, Ed O'Neil, Dianne West






Okay, so this isn't a Christmas movie. Not at all. In fact, it's technically a mini-series. But it IS a fairy tale. And it IS about 7 hours long, and what other day of the year do you have all that time to watch such a long movie? My sister and I spent a few Christmases this way.

How to describe this one without taking forever????? That is the question....

Prince Wendell (Lapaine) is forced by his step-mother the Evil Queen (West) to switch places with a golden retriever! He does escape from her, however, and accidentally falls through a travelling mirror into New York, a completely foreign and unknown Kingdom. The Queen sends 3 trolls and a half-wolf named Wolf (Cohen) after the dog. The dog runs into Virginia Lewis (Williams-Paisley), and that's how she and her father Tony (Larroquette) come into the story, taking the dog in and discovering he is not at all what he seems.

When they all get back into the other 9 Kingdoms, the mission is to get Wendell the dog back to his castle for his coronation, and somehow to turn him back into a human. But, naturally, there's much more to the story than that! Wolf's growing feelings for Virginia, Virginia's desperate search for the magic mirror to get them home, Tony's uncanny ability to get into lots of trouble make this quite an adventure!

It's really cheesy, so I'm not making any guarantees. But, personally, I love it!

The Velveteen Rabbit, 2009

Director: Michael Landon Jr
Stars: Matthew Harbour, Tom Skerrit, Ellen Burstyn, Kevin Jubinville, Una Kay, Jane Seymour,







Toby (Harbour) is a lonely, neglected child. His workaholic father John (Jubinville) sends him to his grandmother Ellen's (Kay) home for the holidays. When Toby discovers his grandmother's attic is full of toys, he is delighted. And then he finds a box with his name on it and inside is gift from his long-dead mother- a stuffed Rabbit. This rabbit immediately becomes Toby's best friend, and then Toby makes a delightful discovery: his toys are real! They come to life when he plays with them!

As Toby enjoys his make-believe world (which is demonstrated in the movie by being animation, which I think is very neat!), his real world gets better as well, when his grandmother begins to truly love him. She tries to make Christmas a wonderful experience for him, but all Toby wants is his father at home with him on Christmas.

This movie makes me cry SO much! It's so beautiful! If you haven't seen it, you are in for a treat. And don't forget the tissues!

A Charlie Brown Christmas, 1965

Director: Bill Melendez
Writer: Charles M. Shulz
Stars: Peter Robbins, Tracy Stratford, Christopher Shea, Bill Melendez, (all uncredited)





Christmas time is here. Happiness and Cheer!

Charlie Brown (Robbins) is depressed because it's Christmas time again, and he hasn't received any Christmas cards and he doesn't know what Christmas is all about. Oddly enough, it is Lucy (Stratford) who gives him a little bit of purpose by asking him to direct their Christmas program at school. Charlie Brown excitedly takes the job, but soon gets frustrated that it isn't going well, and has a little tantrum on stage, wondering if ANYBODY knows what Christmas is all about!!!!

That's when Linus (Shea) takes center stage and recites a bit of Luke 2, stating that Jesus' birth is what Christmas is really about. Obviously, that's wonderful! But it is one of those movies that otherwise doesn't have a point. It was a tv special, so it's short. I like it.

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!!

Beauty and the Beast, 1991

Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Stars: Page O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, Angela Lansbury,




The classic story of a girl who goes to live in an enchanted castle with a Beast, in order to save her father's life. And because it's Disney, it's got a bunch of songs that will get stuck in your head and heart.

(This one mostly takes place in winter so it has always sort of been a Christmas movie to me.)

Apparently, I saw this in theaters with my aunt (I was 4!), and I was so terrified of the Beast that I was on her lap, freaking out, blocking her view of the movie. Well, this January, I will get a second chance to see my favorite Disney film in theaters!! Beauty and the Beast is coming to theaters and it will be in 3D! (I'm so glad they are doing this with Disney movies now! SO cool!!) I don't like 3D, but I can't wait to see this anyway!! I will be taking my own niece and nephew. It should be a lovely time!

Is that enough exclamation points for you?

It's A Wonderful Life, 1946

Director: Frank Capra
Stars: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore







George Bailey (Stewart) has grown up in Bedford Falls, NY, and despite his many tries to leave this small town and "make something of himself", something always changes his plans and holds him back.

Then on Christmas Eve, through someone else's mistake, and another's greed and dishonesty, it appears that George may be bankrupt and guilty of losing all the money from his father's Savings and Loan. With the police on his tail, and desperate, he's on a bridge, thinking about jumping and ending it all, when suddenly, he sees someone dive in before him and struggle in the water. He immediately jumps in and saves the drowning man. the man he saved, Clarence, is actually an angel trying to earn his wings. And he proves it to a disbelieving George by giving him the chance to see what it would be like if he had never been born.

So George and Clarence wander around a completely transformed Bedford Falls, George's horror mounting at every turn. How could one person have made such a difference in so many lives in that small town?

I always cry at the end of this movie. The toast at the end gets me every time: "To my big brother, George, the richest man in town!"

You can't not love it. James Stewart is wonderful, and I LOVE the story! And check out the names of the cop and cab driver: Bert and Ernie! According to Wikipedia, this is just a coincidence. ;)

The Muppet Christmas Carol, 1992

Director: Brian Henson

Stars: Michael Caine, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzy Bear, Rizzo the Rat, and Gonzo the Great as Charles Dickens (also David Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, and Frank Oz)

Yes, the Muppets take on the Dickens classic like you've never seen it before! Come to think of it, this has got to be one of the most used Christmas stories EVER! Everyone has a version of this!

Anyway, the Muppets version has always been my favorite, and soon it will be your favorite, as well. Ebenezer Scrooge (Caine) hates Christmas and everything to do with it, but after he is visited by 3 ghosts (actually 5 because there are two Marleys in this version, and they show up first to warn him about the other ghosts- and they are HILARIOUS), and is shown what Christmas is really about, he begins to rethink his ways. I guarantee it will warm your heart!

I love how the credits in the beginning don't mention the actors, but the Muppets. Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchett, Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchett, Rizzo the Rat as Himself, etc. I love the Muppets!

Three Wishes for Cinderella, 1973

Director: Vaclav Vorlicek

Stars: Libuse Safrakova, Pavel Travnicek, Carola Braunbock

This is a classic Czech film. A friend from Norway told me about it last year, and I only now remembered it and finally looked it up.

It is a Cinderella story (but not the usual one) which takes place during winter, but according to my friend, it is a Christmas classic. I liked it. The version I watched was spoken in Czech but narrated in English, which I thought was a nice touch. You could still hear the actors speaking, and there were a few subtitles.

It's extremely cheesy and had a low budget. And I keep thinking everyone must be freezing to death. But it was cute! I'd definitely watch it again and let it become one of my Christmas regulars.

A Child's Christmas in Wales, 1987

Director: Don McBrearty

Stars: Denholm Elliot, Mathonwy Reeves, Glynis Davies, Jesse McBrearty,

An old man (Elliot) celebrating Christmas with his grandson Thomas (Reeves) tells him all about a certain Christmas from his childhood back in the early 1900's- I can't tell just when. But it is lovely, and very funny! It's a bit like A Christmas Story, only Welsh, of course! I love this one, and it's on my "to buy" list.

Borrowed Hearts, 1997

Director: Ted Kotcheff

Stars: Roma Downey, Eric McCormack, Hector Elizondo, Sarah Rosen Fruitman

Kathleen Russell (Downey), is a single mom who works at the factory owned by Sam Field (McCormack). While trying to sell his factory, Sam has the buyer, Del Campo (Elizondo) come to stay in his beautiful home. But before he arrives, Sam's assistant admits to having lied to Del Campo- he told him Sam had a wife and family.

So, Sam "rents" Kathleen and her daughter Zoe for the holidays! And they have to convince Del Campo that they are a family. Yes, it's really that good, folks!

I love this movie. It's completely cheesy, but very enjoyable!

Miracle on 34th Street, 1994

Director: Les Mayfield

Stars: Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, Richard Attenborough, Mara Wilson

A wonderful remake of the 1947 classic! And don't worry- it's really the exact same story. I like this one better, personally, since it goes into the romance between Dorey (Perkins) and Bryan (McDermott) a little deeper. Otherwise, same story; which is not a bad thing! You'll love it!

Miracle on 34th Street, 1947

Director: George Seaton

Stars: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn

Kris Kringle (Gwenn) gets a job at Macy's department store as their Santa Claus. The problem is: he thinks he's the real Santa Claus. And when he hits someone with his cane, he is taken to court, and soon the issue becomes whether or not there really is a Santa Claus.

It's absolutely charming. You'll love it!

Since You Went Away, 1944

Director: John Cromwell

Stars: Claudette Colbert, Joseph Cotten, Jennifer Jones, Shirley Temple

(This is a re-post from June 9, 2011. It's definitely a Christmas movie, so it has to go here as well!)

Anne Hilton (Colbert) tries to hold down the fort at home when her husband Tim goes off to war. She and her daughters try to continue with life as normal. Jane (Jones) finishes high school, becomes a nurse's aide for the army hospital in town, and falls in love with a soldier. Bridget (a teenage Shirley Temple) helps her mother at home and befriends the retired Colonel the family takes in as a boarder for the extra money. Anne and Tim's dear friend Tony (Cotten) comes to visit a couple times, cheering the family in this uncertain time; especially when a telegram comes informing the family that Tim is missing in action.

I really like old movies about World War II, the ones that focus on the home front and the wife and kids. When those telegrams come, I find myself about to cry, unsure what they will say! I get really emotional during war movies.

I loved this one!

Note: I really did love it, but Hitch almost ruined it for me! Two of the main guys, who are GREAT guys in this film, were the evil, crazy bad guys in 2 of Hitch's movies! Good thing they can act, so I soon forgot that I thought they were evil and about to strangle someone. Joseph Cotten was the murderer in Shadow of a Doubt, and Robert Walker was the insane Bruno in Strangers on a Train. And they were very convincing in those roles! But it was nice to see them in something else. Well done, boys!

Christmas in Connecticut, 1945

Director: Peter Godfrey

Stars: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet

Elizabeth Lane (Stanwyck), a single writer living in a crowded New York apartment, has created the perfect woman: Mrs. Lane, who lives on a farm in Connecticut, with a husband and baby; an exemplary mother, wife, cook-- everything! And Ms. Lane makes "Mrs. Lane" come to life in the articles she writes for a magazine.

But when the owner of the magazine, Mr. Yardely, decides to invite himself and war hero, Lieutenant Jones (Morgan), for a lovely Christmas in Connecticut, Ms. Lane is in trouble. It turns out Yardely doesn't like it when people lie in their articles. So if she wants a job, Ms. Lane must somehow come up with a husband, a farm, a baby, and the ability to flip a perfect flapjack!

Well, luckily, she's got a friend, Mr. Sloan, who keeps proposing to her, who has a farm in Connecticut. And an uncle who's also a restaurant owner, Felix, whose recipes always find their way into "Mrs. Lane's" kitchen. And after agreeing to marry Mr. Sloan, she heads to Connecticut with the whole gang!

But it just sucks for her, when Lieutenant Jones walks into "her" farmhouse, and it's pretty much love at first sight.

NOTE: If you can look at it as a cute comedy and ignore the fact that they both want to commit adultery, even though it isn't really adultery (it isn't on her side since she knows she's not really married, but Jones doesn't), then this is a sweet movie. I have to say it like that; though it is a movie, it's still awful that Jones falls in love with someone he believes to be married. And otherwise, Jones is the cutest EVER! And a war hero, as well. Did I mention the uniform?

Swoon!

Little Women, 1994

Director: Gillian Armstrong

Stars: Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Gabriel Byrne, Christian Bale, Kirsten Dunst, Trini Alvarado, Claire Danes, Mary Wickes

The story of the March sisters- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy- and how they grow up through the hard times of the Civil War. The story follows them for quite a few years, through the good and bad, weddings and funerals, many friends, and many adventures. It's based on the book by Louisa May Alcott, and it's one the most beautiful films EVER. Seriously, if you haven't seen it, you'll love it. And the music is SO wonderful! An all-star cast too!

It's not strictly Christmas, but it begins at Christmas time, and has that lovely Christmas feeling throughout. I have always thought of it as a Christmas/winter movie.

While You Were Sleeping, 1995

Director: Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure, Cool Runnings)

Stars: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Jack Warden, Peter Boyle, Monica Keena

How did 1995 get to me 16 years ago? What happened?

Lucy (Bullock), single and without any family in the big city of Chicago, agrees to work Christmas day at the subway because everyone else has family obligations. But her Christmas suddenly changes when a handsome passenger whose eye she's been trying to catch is pushed onto the tracks-- and she saves his life.

At the hospital she meets his family, the Callahans, and by some crazy mistake, they are told that she is his- Peter's (Gallagher)- fiancee. He can't argue about it because he's in a coma, and because of Peter's grandmother's heart condition, Lucy is afraid to tell his family the truth. And when they invite her to Christmas dinner and she experiences being in a family again, she has another reason not to tell them. But things get complicated when she meets Peter's brother Jack (Pullman), and they end up liking each other.

Totally hilarious and sweet!

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, 2006

Director: Michael Lembeck

Stars: Tim Allen, Martin Short, Elizabeth Mitchell, Spencer Breslin, Abigail Breslin, Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold, Eric Lloyd, Ann-Margaret, Alan Arkin, Liliana Mumy

Santa (Tim Allen) and Mrs. Clause (Mitchell) have been living at the North Pole for a while, and now Mrs. Clause is expecting, and she wants some human company. Scott decides that a visit from the in-laws (Alan Arkin and Ann-Margaret) are in order, so he and the elves disguise the North Pole as Canada and continue the lie that Scott is a Canadian toy-maker, to protect the "Secret of Santa".

In the meantime, more stress is added to everyone's lives when trouble-maker Jack Frost (Short) learns about the "escape clause", a way for Santa to escape from being Santa. It will make it as if Santa never became Santa at all.

And yes, that's exactly what happens. Now Scott must fight to become Santa in the first place! And also to save Christmas itself, which has lost all of its magic with Jack Frost in charge. This one very cleverly refers back to The Santa Clause, with a few scenes from that movie, when Scott first finds the Santa suit.

Very good stuff, though cheesy of course. Martin Short and Tim Allen are absolutely hilarious together. And, as you can see from above, an all-star cast joins them.

The Santa Clause 2, 2002

Director: Michael Lembeck

Stars: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Eric Lloyd, Wendy Crewson, Elizabeth Mitchell, David Krumholtz, Spencer Breslin

Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has been enjoying being Santa Claus for almost 10 years now, but back home Charlie (Lloyd) is acting up in school, probably needing more attention from his dad. On top of that, Scott has a huge new problem: he has to get married! Apparently, the elves forgot about the "Mrs. Clause", and now Scott has only 28 days (until Christmas Eve) to get married or he will stop being Santa Claus.

In order to go back home and be there for Charlie (now on the naughty list) and also stay at the North Pole and get ready for Christmas, a toy Santa is developed and given Santa's memories, and elves Bernard (Krumholtz) and Curtis (Breslin) take over the job of teaching the new toy Santa how to be Santa.

So, it's back home he goes, to be there for Charlie and help deal with the problems that arise, especially with Charlie's school Principal, Carol Newman (Mitchell). Over the next few weeks, Scott decides that maybe Carol is the one, and starts to romance her. But Scott only has a certain amount of magic to use, and he uses it all to impress her.

Meanwhile, the Toy Santa has decided that everyone in the world is getting coal for Christmas, because they have all been naughty. Now, Scott must get back to the North Pole--- to save Christmas, of course!

Did I give too much away? I hope not. This one is very cute, though the first will alwyas be my favorite.

The Santa Clause, 1994

Director: John Pasquin (Home Improvement)

Stars: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Eric Lloyd, David Krumholtz

Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has partial custody of his son Charlie (Lloyd), who comes over for Christmas Eve, not looking forward to it very much. But after they startle Santa Claus and cause him to fall from the roof, Charlie starts to enjoy himself as he and his dad take over Santa's job for the night. Scott, of course, thinks he has gone crazy, especially after they reach the North Pole and he is told by the elves that he is the new Santa Claus.

The next morning, he wakes up in his home, thinking it was all a dream, until Charlie talks about it excitedly and tells everyone his father is Santa Claus. It takes Scott a while to realize it all really happened. He gains a lot of weight, his hair turns white, he gets a beard he cannot get rid of no matter how much he shaves, and children begin to follow him in the street and tell him what they want for Christmas.

All this begins to scare his ex-wife and her psychologist husband Neil (Reinhold), and she wonders if seeing Scott is the right thing for Charlie.

I love this movie. It is my favorite of all Santa Claus movies; Tim Allen definitely makes a great Santa, and the story is sweet. This one is a little cheesy, but you deal with it, because it's Christmas!

Elf, 2003

Director: Jon Favreau (Iron Man)

Stars: Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan, Edward Asner, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen

Buddy (Ferrell), a human who was raised by an elves at the North Pole, finds out he is actually a human (he never knew). When his Papa (Newhart) tells him the truth, he sets out to find his father Walter (Caan) in the magical land of New York City.

Buddy explores New York, accidentally acquires a job at a department store, and finds Walter and his wife Emily (Steenburgen) and son Michael. Buddy's ways are unconventional, but everybody loves him. He even gets himself a girlfriend, (Deschanel), one of his coworkers.

Then, on Christmas Eve, Santa crashes in Central Park, because not enough people believe in Santa anymore! If Buddy and his friends don't find a way to get more people to believe in Santa, the sleigh will never get off the ground again.

A wonderful, hilarious Christmas adventure! I love it!

The Shop Around the Corner, 1940

Director: Ernst Lubitsch

Stars: James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, Frank Morgan, Felix Bressart

If you recognize the name from You've Got Mail, and wonder if they're connected, the answer is yes! You've Got Mail is the modern remake of this one.

Klara (Sullavan) walks into Matuchek's shop, desperate for a job, and proving herself an able salesperson, lands one. In doing so, she gets on Alfred's (Stewart) bad side. The two bicker and compete at work, and Klara struggles with the fact that Alfred is her boss.

But they also each have an anonymous pen pal with whom they are corresponding about anything and everything. And what they don't know is that they are writing to each other!!

Finally, Alfred decides he must meet his pen pal friend, as he is falling in love with her. He and his coworker Pirovitch (Bressart) go to the restaurant where they are scheduled to meet. And behold, it's Klara!!

It's so sweet! And not nearly as long as You've Got Mail, though I do like You've Got Mail even more. But Pirovitch has a wonderful character and lots of lines that will just crack you up. :)

The Cutting Edge, 1992

Director: Paul Michael Glaser

Stars: D.B Sweeney, Moira Kelly, Terry O'Quinn

When hockey player Doug Dorsey (Sweeney), gets hit in the head one too many times, his hopes of going pro are over. Meanwhile, figure skater Kate Moseley (Kelly) falls while skating at the Olympics and is now looking for a new partner for the next winter Olympics. Her coach finds Dorsey, a wonderful skater, and brings him in to audition for the part.

Doug and Kate clash instantly, but he's her last hope for a partner. She's run out of time. They begin to skate together, and Doug struggles through the transition from hockey skating to figure skating. And Kate doesn't make it easier for him. They make through Nationals and then onto France for the winter Olympics. And somewhere along the way, they fall in love.

I LOVE this one. Here's a crazy thing about it: whenever I watch it, I never think of Sweeney and Kelly having stunt doubles. I don't think you can tell, they made it so well!

It's not the cleanest movie, but not dirty. There's no sex, just implied sex. It's not exactly a Christmas movie, but most of it takes place in winter, and there's ice, of course.

25 Christmas Movies!

For December, I am doing what everybody does, really. I am havign a marathon of Christmas movies! Hopefully, you will come across a "new" gem you've never seen before and add it to their Christmas collection!

Starts today! And ends the 25th, of course. And after that, musicals will take up the rest of the year. Bet you can't wait!

The World's Fastest Indian, 2005

Director: Roger Donaldson

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Aaron Murphey

Burt Munro (Hopkins) has been restoring his 1920's Indian motorcycle, in order to race it during Speed Week in 1967 at the salt flats in Utah. It's the story of his journey from Inver Cargill, New Zealand, to the salt flats.

It's an absolutely wonderful film, and I don't want to give anything away! Watch it! I actually cheered when he passed though motorcyclists in the first race in the beginning. It had only been 20 minutes, but his character is so lovable, I couldn't help it.

Her Alibi, 1989

Director: Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy, Double Jeopardy)

Stars: Tom Selleck, Paulina Porizkova, William Daniels,

I adore Tom Selleck because of Three Men and a Little Lady, so when I found this movie for $3 on Black Friday, I thought I would take a chance. And it's all right. Definitely cute enough for me to recommend to watch at least once, for Tom Selleck fans.

Phil (Selleck) is a mystery writer with writer's block, whose agent (Daniels-- probably best-known as Mr. Feeny from Boy Meets World, or to an earlier generation as the voice of K.I.T.T., the talking 1982 Pontiac Trans Am in Knight Rider) tries to get him to start writing again.

Phil goes to court, where he apparently sits in on cases to get ideas for writing (which is a great idea!), and that's where he see Nina (Poriskova), a Romanian beauty accused of murder. On a whim, he decides to be her alibi.

In this little constructed alibi, they are having an affair, so she must come to live with him for a while, which she does, though only because there are people trying to kill her. Phil, sort of a wimpy writer who lives vicariously through his recurring character Peter Swift, now writes about his experiences with Nina, adjusting things to make them more exciting for the book, which is a very cute touch- and all the while he wonders if she is really a killer.

It's definitely cute enough to watch at least once. I liked how Tom Selleck didn't play Magnum. He played a wimp, so afraid of the woman he was providing with an alibi that he had to move a dresser in front of his door at night so she wouldn't come in to kill him.

Gaslight, 1944

Director: George Cukor (My Fair Lady, The Philadelphia Story, Adam's Rib)

Stars: Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, Angela Lansbury

When her aunt is murdered in London in the apartment they share, young Paula (Bergman) moves to Italy, and lives there for many years before she meets Gregory (Boyer) who sweeps her off her feet. After the wedding, he wants to move to London, and she finally feels ready after all these years to face the apartment, which was left to her, and all the feelings that go with the unsolved murder that happened there. As long as her husband is with her, how can she not be safe?

But in that house, she starts to hear things when her husband is gone for the night at work. And the gaslight in her room always goes down a little as if someone has turned on the gas in another part of the house, but no one has. She finds a letter addressed to her aunt, but later her husband tells her she had only imagined finding it. Is she losing her mind?

I thought it was excellent! I didn't know beforehand that Joseph Cotten was in it, and I am a fan, so that was a nice surprise. And then the rude chambermaid also surprised me: unmistakably Angela Lansbury! She's great!

The scene at the end that Paula shares with her husband is probably my favorite. Chilling!

Black Friday Movies!

Every Black Friday, and the week leading up to it, I always pay attention to the movie sales around town. Target, Walmart, and Big Lots, especially.

I love Target's deals. In the past I have been able to get seasons of my favorite tv shows for $12! Now that is a great price! Usually the price is above $30, and here I get it for $12!

Plus, some movie deals are absolutely brilliant: last year I bought "17 Again" (shut up- I LOVE LOVE LOVE Zac Efron) for $1.99.

This year, here's my list of deals:

Monday:

Target: I found "It Happened to Jane" for $4.99! I love this movie, and reviewed it a couple months ago. It is completely worth owning, and I was very happy to get it for such a great price.

Big Lots: "Ocean's Eleven" for $5! YAY!! See my review of this one a few months ago to see just how excited about this deal I really am!!!!!!!!!!

Black Friday:

Target: "Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian" for only $3.99! I really like these movies, and this one is a gift. I also found "The Princess Bride" for $3.99, and though I own it already, I bought it because mine has a scratch and I miss some of it every time I watch. And this is a better deal than my other deal last year!

Big Lots: "Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer" for $3. Shut up, I am a fan. Probably my biggest celebrity crush of all time- that's Gene Kelly. I know he's dead, but I still dream about him sweeping me off my feet, sometimes....

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" for $1.88. For it being such a classic, I think that was probably the best deal of the day! Or maybe not, since people are not watching classics anymore, it seems.

"Her Alibi" for $3. Okay, I did something I have NEVER done before. I bought a movie I have never seen before. I didn't take that much of a risk, so it's fine if I hate it. It's starring Tom Selleck and some girl I've never heard of, and I have a crush on Tom Selleck, so I hope I like it.

Time to knit Christmas presents and watch movies. :)

Twelve Angry Men, 1957

Director: Sidney Lumet

Stars" Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Klugman

The story is simple. It starts in a courtroom, where the trial has just ended, and the judge tells the jury to carefully consider the case, and that whatever they decide, it must be unanimous.

So the twelve jurors adjourn to a room where the rest of the movie takes place. The entire movie is just the 12 men discussing the case and arguing. In the beginning on Juror #8 (Fonda) believes that the young boy on trial could be innocent of his father's murder. He proceeds to convince the rest of the guys.

I really liked it! You would think it might be boring because of how little action there is, but I thought it was fantastic!

Picnic, 1955

Director: Joshua Logan

Stars: William Holden, Kim Novak

I felt like this was a little like "The Long Hot Summer", except not as good. Holden is a drifter who comes into town, and everyone is smitten with him. And then they all go on a picnic.

And it's pretty dramatic for looking like a happy-ish movie in the beginning. My advice is to watch "The Long Hot Summer instead! It had Paul Newman! Although, I admit, William Holden did look great with his shirt off.

The Fugitive, 1993

Director: Andrew Davis

Stars: Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward

Dr. Richard Kimble (Ford) comes home to find his wife (Ward) murdered, and fights off an intruder in his house. But no one believes him about the intruder and he gets sent to prison for her murder.

While being transferred to another prison, another prisoner tries to escape, causing the bus to go off the road and onto a train track, where it gets hit by a train. (What are the chances?) Anyway, the Federal Marshals arrive (including Jones) and the manhunt begins. They are to search every "warehouse, farmhouse, hen house, doghouse, and outhouse" until their fugitive is found!

But Kimble puzzles them all by heading right back into Chicago, rather than escaping, and investigating his wife's murder himself, since no one else believes him.

I am weird about this movie. It's not like I love it, I just can never look away from it. I think yesterday was the first time I had ever watched it from the beginning. Usually I come across accidentally on tv, and then I just have to watch it!

The Accidental Husband, 2008

Director: Griffin Dunne

Stars: Uma Thurman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Colin Firth, Sam Shepard

Dr. Emily Lloyd (Thurman) is a radio talk show host, and her specialty is love and relationships. When she gives advice to a young woman about her upcoming wedding, the woman ends up calling it off, which changes her fiance, Patrick's (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), life forever. Heartbroken, Patrick swears that he will have revenge on Lloyd, and soon gets his chance, when his young hacker friend hacks into public records. They change Emily's marital status, so suddenly it appears that she is married to Patrick.

Emily only becomes aware of this when she applies for a marriage license with her fiance Richard (Firth). Horrified, she sets off to meet this stranger who is apparently her husband. What follows is a mix of mistaken identity and situations where it looks like Patrick really is Emily's husband.

I think I would have liked it better if it hadn't been Uma Thurman. I don't like her. The only scene I really liked her in was the very last one, in which she is pregnant. Of course, I won't tell you who the father is so I didn't spoil it too much. Oh, whatever, you know who she ends up with anyway.

Speaking of that, holy cow, Jeffrey Dean Morgan has this ruggedly handsome--- something-ness that makes me swoon.

Cars 2, 2011

Director: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis

Stars: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine, Eddie Izzard, Bruce Campbell

I loved Cars so much! It was basically the story of Doc Hollywood (starring Michael J. Fox-- there's another movie I need to review) except with cars instead of people- and with an absolutely wonderful soundtrack! That soundtrack was half the charm, I swear.

Cars 2 is about the friendship between Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) and Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson). When they all head to Asia and Europe for the World Grand Prix, Mater accidentally stumbles into an international espionage mission, involving the new fuel all the racers are using, which was created by Sir Miles Axelrod (Eddie Izzard), and a plot to destroy Lightning McQueen!

In this one, I was more interested and amused in recognizing and enjoying the voices of the actors. I had no idea that Michael Caine voiced the main spy car (until I heard him utter one word, of course); and when I heard a few insults coming from one of the good spies while he was basically being tortured, I instantly recognized Bruce Campbell! But the best moment was when I realized that Eddie Izzard was the voice of Sir Axelrod! I just love that.

Don't get me wrong- it was totally entertaining!

Back to the Future, 1985

Director: Robert Zemeckis (Romancing the Stone, Forrest Gump, Cast Away)

Stars: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson

My favorite.

In 1985, Marty McFly (Fox) hops in a DeLorean to escape from terrorists, and he accidentally gets sent back in time to November 5, 1955. His friend "Doc"- Dr. Emmet Brown- (Lloyd) had converted the DeLorean into a time machine. Marty finds Doc in 1955, and together they have to repair the broken time machine and get Marty back to the future!

But a wrench is thrown into their plans when Marty bumps into his high school age father and mother, and interferes with their first meeting, which was pivotal in their relationship. Marty has to convince his wimpy father that Lorraine (Thompson) is the girl for him. Extra complications arise when Lorraine apparently has a crush on Marty, her future son!

This movie is brilliant, and I could watch it over and over again. I think my favorite part is when Marty plays Johnny B. Goode at the dance. Michael J Fox didn't actually play it, but wanting to be accurate, he learned all the correct fingerings on the guitar. He probably could have played it!

I have watched these movies (parts 2 and 3, as well) with commentaries a few times. They have so much information and insights for geeks like me! I loved it.

Sherlock Holmes, 2009

Director: Guy Ritchie

Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong

I love pretty much everything in this movie. Okay, so maybe not the gross stuff and the appearance of Satanic practices..... but I do love the music! You can't not love this music. Hans Zimmer is brilliant!

So Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and Watson (Law), bring down Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), who is behind a string of murders and apparent sacrifices of young women. Blackwood is hanged, but before that, his last request is to see Holmes, when he warns him that more will die and Holmes won't be able to stop them. He seems to have a much bigger plan in mind, which is odd, since he'll be dead in an hour....

Then Blackwood has been seen "risen from the dead", apparently, and as Holmes investigates the bodies begin to pile up. And don't worry, though it is quite dark, Holmes proves that none of the events are supernatural- all have a sensible explanation.

It is a very funny movie! Jude Law as Watson is absolutely brilliant, and he and Holmes are hilarious together.

Just watch it. You'll love it. Perfect Halloween movie. (Well, not really, but whatever!)

I especially love the credits at the end. Don't just turn it off- you have to watch them until The Rocky Road to Dublin starts. :)

Castle, tv series, 2009-

Creator: Andrew W. Marlowe

Stars: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic

Famous mystery writer Richard Castle (Fillion) uses his friendship with the Mayor of New York to tag along with Detective Kate Beckett (Katic), investigating murders and catching killers. In his time with Kate, he observes her ways in order to create his next character, Nikki Heat.

That's how it began, anyway. Three seasons and many dead bodies later, the two are still solving crimes together, and I love watching them do so!

Chuck, tv series, 2007-

Creator: Josh Schwartz, Chris Fedak

Stars: Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski, Adam Baldwin, Joshua Gomez

Chuck (Levi) is a "nerd-herder" at the Buy More, a very green-and-khaki electronics store in Burbank, California. One day, Chuck opens up an email, and suddenly all kinds of government information in downloaded into his brain! Now when he hears a name or sees a picture or person, the subconscious information suddenly "flashes" upon him.

Because of this unique ability, he becomes a government asset, and the CIA and NSA each send an agent to protect him and also use his abilities on "missions". The NSA agent, John Casey (Baldwin), works alongside Chuck at the Buy More, which is always entertaining, since Casey isn't the best with customer service, and would rather be shooting something.

Sarah Walker (Strahovski) is Chuck's CIA handler, and her cover is as his girlfriend, which makes Chuck's life even more interesting.

I am not crazy about television comedies, but with Chuck I make an exception! It is now on season 5, and I'm only disappointed that I am all caught up and can't watch them all in one go, like I could with the first 4 seasons. Chuck is a fun show, and I highly recommend it.

Murdoch Mysteries, 2008-

Creator: Maureen Jennings

Stars: Yannick Bisson, Helene Joy, Thomas Craig, Jonny Harris

I found this lovely Canadian gem on Netflix! Detective William Murdoch (Bisson) investigates murders in 1890's Toronto, with the help of his medical examiner Dr. Julia Ogden (Joy), Inspector Brackenreid (Craig), and Constable Crabtree (Harris).

It has a Sherlock Holmes-style of solving crimes, using new forensic evidence to catch the killers. The introduction of modern items also comes into play, such as periscopes, motorcycles, lie-detectors, wireless communication, finger-printing, and other things in forensic police shows that you wouldn't expect to see in this era.

It's too bad only one season is on Netflix. But I'm really enjoying this season 1. I wonder when Murdoch and Julia are going to get together?!

I Was a Male War Bride, 1949

Director: Howard Hawks

Stars: Cary Grant, Ann Sheridan

French Captain Henri Rochard (Grant) and American Lieutenant Catherine Gates (Sheridan) go on military missions together in Germany, and eventually fall in love. But they soon find out that getting married and travelling together as a married couple is rather difficult. Captain Rochard has retired so Gates is the military member. And usually only "brides" travel with the army.

It's like a cute romantic comedy til they get married and then it's just silly because when they are travelling (not together) Rochard can't find anywhere to sleep. He isn't a woman so he can't sleep in the spouse's quarters and he can't sleep with the officers because he isn't one anymore. It's a little ridiculous. But it was definitely ok, and Cary Grant was very entertaining, as always!

In a Day, 2006

Director: Evan Richards

Stars: Lorraine Pilkington, Finlay Robertson

I don't know how I found this. Netflix is so great! This is one of those indie-dramas, and usually I am not into those, but anything that takes place in the UK I have a bit of interest in, and then as it went on, I found I really liked it!

Ashley (Pilkington) is having a very bad day (I almost turned it off when a guy started using the most awful language toward her, and then threw his hot coffee on her! Actually, I did turn off at the language part, and then just as it turned off he threw his coffee, and I was curious as to how she was going to react so I turned it back on, and after that I watched the whole thing.). Then a stranger, Michael (Robertson), offers to buy her a drink, then they go shopping, then lunch, then she gets her hair done. Michael tells her that someone wants her to have a great day, and that is why he's doing all this.

Besides the language- which for England is normal, I suppose- I loved it. So I don't want to say anything else about it. I will say, though, that I liked how they weren't super famous people, and they were very normal-looking. I mostly watched it because Michael was so sweet and real. I could imagine him as my own friend.

Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School, 2005

Director: Randall Miller

Stars: Robert Carlyle, Marisa Tomei, John Goodman, Mary Steenburgen, Sean Astin

This is one of those slow-moving stories; the kind that makes you feel like you are with them.

Frank (Carlyle) is driving home when he comes across a car accident. He calls the police and stays with the driver (Goodman) who begins to talk about where he was headed- to Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School to meet Lisa, his childhood sweetheart. They had agreed to meet there 40 years ago. Now, as he's bleeding and dying, he urges Frank to go in his place.

Frank, still suffering from his wife's suicide, goes to the school, and doesn't find Lisa, but ends up finding his own life again.

The story bounces around from Frank's time at the school, and back to the accident, then to the 60's as the dying man tells Frank about the Charm school and Lisa.

I liked it!

The Italian Job, 2003

Director: F. Gary Gray

Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Donald Sutherland, Edward Norton, Jason Statham, Seth Green, Mos Def

Charlie (Wahlberg) brings master-thief safe-cracker John (Sutherland) out of retirement for one last job- to steal over $30 million in gold bricks. It all goes off without a hitch, until afterwards when Steve (Norton) turns on his friends and kills John. The others fake their own deaths, and Steve changes his name and starts to spend his money.

A year later, Charlie and the gang find Steve in Los Angeles, and after recruiting John's daughter Stella (Theron), who has inherited her father's ability to crack safes, they set out to get back their money. For John's sake; it's not about the money, of course!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: it's crazy how Hollywood can get you to cheer for the thieves! We're not supposed to be on their side! But we totally are.

This one is pure fun! Mini Cooper car chases, lots of explosives, Jason Statham being all charming, what more could you want?

Midsomer Murders, tv series, 1997-

3. Midsomer Murders

I love this show. It has run since 1997, with Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby (John Nettles, right) as its main character. His Detective Sergeant has changed a few times, but the one in the picture is Gavin Troy (Daniel Casey), my favorite, and he stayed on til series 8. (Just so you know: the British call seasons "series".)

My dear friend Holly introduced me to Midsomer and all its murders years ago! And now Netflix has them all as "watch instantly", which perfectly suits me when I'm in the mood for a quiet, English countryside murder.

Holly and I usually have the worst luck when we pick one of these to watch together though. We usually pick ones where the kids are the killers, or there is a seriously messed up, dirty relationship, or something like that. A lot of the episodes involve sexual relationships and scandals though. This is not a kid's show! But I do like how it isn't too gruesome. When the bodies are too gross, they don't show it. Unlike in Bones, which I love but can't watch while I eat.

But otherwise, I like this show. Barnaby is a totally lovable Inspector, and the episodes are long enough (100 minutes) so that you are very confused and it keeps you guessing til the very end. Actually, the other day I watched one and was proud of myself that I knew who the killer was right off the bat! But I just didn't like the way she looked. I didn't really solve anything.

Hawaii Five-0, tv series, 2010-

my new favorite show!

2. Hawaii Five-0

Hawaii Five-O ran from 1968-1980, and was a police action drama starring Jack Lord and James MacArthur (yes, that would be Fritz from Disney's Swiss Family Robinson, folks!). I'm sure it was great- it did run for 12 seasons after all. But now, 30 years later, it's back!

Now starring Alex O'Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, and Grace Park. It reminds me of NCIS: Los Angeles, except the guys are better looking (HAVE YOU SEEN THAT PICTURE? <<<<<<<<------), and of course, it takes place in Hawaii. I would probably never want to visit Hawaii, but it sure is pretty on tv!

I've started season 2 because that's where the show is now and I can watch full episodes on CBS.com. But I'm excited to watch season 1 through Netflix. I really love Netflix, and right now especially. I can even watch all 12 seasons of the old version of Five-O on Netflix- instantly! I might give it a go.