I've seen almost all the iterations of this classic novel's film adaptations. The acting is solid by the cast. The screenwriting and direction is compelling. The only reason I have marked down the rating is because I feel there is not enough of it. I don't know if it was written that way or if too much was left on the cutting room floor. It's 69 minute run time is apparently not enough to do justice to the tale. It almost feels like it's rushed and cannot wait to get to the ending credits, particularly in the visitations of the spirits and their education of Scrooge. Scrooge seems to flip from "Bah Humbug" to "Merry Christmas" like an on/off light switch when his conversion should be more gradual. Maybe it's just picking at nits, but that aspect of the movie really bothered me. Hence, the 6 rating.
Reviews
3 Reviews
Click
(2006)
It's a Wonderful Life redux
13 April 2007
This is really just a remake of the Capra classic with a modern technological twist. This is not meant as a criticism, just an observation. I found the movie touching and delightful. And as a previous commenter observed, it's pleasing to see Sandler in a not-entirely comedic role that he can pull off. I don't know if I'll watch this again, but I'm certainly not sorry for having experienced it, and I don't think you will be sorry either. I'm just not personally fond of remakes. And yes, like the man says in the movie, the wife's smoking hot body does not hinder the enjoyment process. Why can't we have these wonderful gadgets without the drawbacks? LOL!
To End All Wars
(2001)
Solid drama taken from real life experience
9 June 2006
"Bridge Over the River Kwai" meets "Stalag 17" meets "Dead Poets Society". Gripping performance worthy of the heroism of the real-life experience. Challenging on many levels. Like the best of dramas it poses more questions than answers. Probes the human condition on the most basic levels from "Why are we here?" to "What is justice?". Not for every audience. I would caution viewers from exposing the film to younger audiences because of the graphic depiction of the cruelty of the Bushido captors. Nonetheless, as the viewers come of age, it is an important historical lesson that answers many questions as to the whys and wherefores that precipitated the Second World War.
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