Rebecca Redshaw
Sofa Cinema
Published on Wed, Dec 16, 2009 by Rebecca RedshawRead More Sofa Cinema
Rebecca Redshaw's "SOFA CINEMA: An Easy Guide to DVDs Volume 1" is available at your local bookstore, at the Sequim Gazette and online at www.rebeccaredshaw.com.
The movies selected for review are the choice of the reviewer. Suggestions for DVD titles are welcome. Enjoy the movies.
HIDDEN GEMS
"The Nightmare Before Christmas," rated PG
Although Tim Burton did not direct "The Nightmare Before Christmas," he did write the story and his influence is
felt throughout. This 1993 animated film could be classified as an oratorio, if that didn't turn off movie-goers.
Jack Skellington presides over Halloween celebrations
along with Oogie Boogie, Dr. Finkelstein and other assorted ghosts and ghouls. These Halloween creatures feel cheated by the quick onslaught of Christmas celebrations so Jack decides he'll hone in on Santa's action. What follows is fun for fans of Halloween or Christmas or both!
The Danny Elfin musical score benefits from his clever
lyrics that propel the action. "The Nightmare Before Christmas" may be too scary for little ones but preteens and older will get a kick out of the animation and the storyline. If you're an adult who appreciates good movies, don't dismiss this one as "something for the kids." It's too well done to miss.
"Look Who's Talking," rated PG-13
Little Mikey would be 20 years old now. That's how long it's been since Bruce Willis voiced his entrance as a newborn into the real/reel world in "Look Who's Talking." John Travolta and Kirstie Alley star in this lighthearted comedy about fairly serious subjects: cheating husbands, deadbeat fathers, single mothers and parental responsibilities. Somehow those issues get lost while watching the movie.
Amy Heckerling wrote and directed "Look Who's Talking" and the adage of "never working with animals or children" proves true. Baby Mikey (any one of four child actors) steals the show with his quick comebacks.
Travolta, not known as a great actor, oozes screen charisma whether wooing Alley or playing with the baby. Olympia Dukakis and Abe Vigoda check in briefly with fun cameos and George Segal plays a cheating cad convincingly.
"Guess Who's Talking" is silly fun and may have you looking at the baby at the next family gathering for the perfect response to the craziness.
CLASSIC
"Heidi"
Shirley Temple stars in "Heidi," the classic story of an orphaned girl who goes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. The village people are appalled that the old man (Jean Hersholt) is left in charge of the young girl and then amazed at her influence on him as she transforms him into a loving guardian after years of living as a recluse. Even with the most adverse challenges (and there are many), Heidi remains glowingly positive with her outlook on life.
Released in 1937, "Heidi" is a black and white film based on the novel by Johanna Spryi and directed by Allan Dwan. It is hard to imagine a film with Shirley Temple without a song and dance number and it is cleverly woven into a storytelling session early on. But beyond the musical interlude, the film has relevance that knows no time period.
Temple's film legacy remains unmatched by any other star to this day. Incredibly talented, the young moppet brought joy
to the screen in difficult days; all the more reason to enjoy any one of her films. "Heidi" is perfect for the holiday season.
Rebecca Redshaw can be reached at r2redshaw@hotmail.com.
The movies selected for review are the choice of the reviewer. Suggestions for DVD titles are welcome. Enjoy the movies.
HIDDEN GEMS
"The Nightmare Before Christmas," rated PG
Although Tim Burton did not direct "The Nightmare Before Christmas," he did write the story and his influence is
felt throughout. This 1993 animated film could be classified as an oratorio, if that didn't turn off movie-goers.
Jack Skellington presides over Halloween celebrations
along with Oogie Boogie, Dr. Finkelstein and other assorted ghosts and ghouls. These Halloween creatures feel cheated by the quick onslaught of Christmas celebrations so Jack decides he'll hone in on Santa's action. What follows is fun for fans of Halloween or Christmas or both!
The Danny Elfin musical score benefits from his clever
lyrics that propel the action. "The Nightmare Before Christmas" may be too scary for little ones but preteens and older will get a kick out of the animation and the storyline. If you're an adult who appreciates good movies, don't dismiss this one as "something for the kids." It's too well done to miss.
"Look Who's Talking," rated PG-13
Little Mikey would be 20 years old now. That's how long it's been since Bruce Willis voiced his entrance as a newborn into the real/reel world in "Look Who's Talking." John Travolta and Kirstie Alley star in this lighthearted comedy about fairly serious subjects: cheating husbands, deadbeat fathers, single mothers and parental responsibilities. Somehow those issues get lost while watching the movie.
Amy Heckerling wrote and directed "Look Who's Talking" and the adage of "never working with animals or children" proves true. Baby Mikey (any one of four child actors) steals the show with his quick comebacks.
Travolta, not known as a great actor, oozes screen charisma whether wooing Alley or playing with the baby. Olympia Dukakis and Abe Vigoda check in briefly with fun cameos and George Segal plays a cheating cad convincingly.
"Guess Who's Talking" is silly fun and may have you looking at the baby at the next family gathering for the perfect response to the craziness.
CLASSIC
"Heidi"
Shirley Temple stars in "Heidi," the classic story of an orphaned girl who goes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. The village people are appalled that the old man (Jean Hersholt) is left in charge of the young girl and then amazed at her influence on him as she transforms him into a loving guardian after years of living as a recluse. Even with the most adverse challenges (and there are many), Heidi remains glowingly positive with her outlook on life.
Released in 1937, "Heidi" is a black and white film based on the novel by Johanna Spryi and directed by Allan Dwan. It is hard to imagine a film with Shirley Temple without a song and dance number and it is cleverly woven into a storytelling session early on. But beyond the musical interlude, the film has relevance that knows no time period.
Temple's film legacy remains unmatched by any other star to this day. Incredibly talented, the young moppet brought joy
to the screen in difficult days; all the more reason to enjoy any one of her films. "Heidi" is perfect for the holiday season.
Rebecca Redshaw can be reached at r2redshaw@hotmail.com.
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