Foolin' Around (1980) Review

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(More customer reviews)This 1979 movie, "Foolin' Around", is definitely a feel-good romantic comedy, and it's got a lot going for it. This is certainly not the most realistic movie you're ever going to see--often, it's downright outrageous in a very cartoonish sort of way--but it's often hilarious, and also, it has its moments of smile-inducing tenderness. The pairing of Gary Busey and Annette O'Toole is uncanny--both of them are undeniably charming and they deliver uniquely down-to-earth performances. Eddie Albert also does a great job as the veteran president of a construction company and has a wonderfully dramatic and surprisingly suspenseful 'coming-of-age'-type scene with Busey 50 stories up. With its blend of poignancy and over-the-top humor, "Foolin' Around" makes for a highly entertaining movie that's a pleasure to see. Also of note, Seals & Crofts contribute 2 tunes to the soundtrack which I'm quite sure were both written specifically for the movie (they aren't on any S & C album): the solid, easy-going, country-flavored title track (which sounds a lot like the Eagles' "Peaceful Easy Feeling"); and the decent ballad "These Moments Never Live Again".

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Sign of the Beaver (1997) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm not sure if some of the other reviewers either a) work for the movie company and are thus biased, or b) just haven't read the book. I have a very different perspective on this movie and I will be happy to tell you why.
Here's the deal: I'm a 3rd grade teacher and we've just finished reading the book as a class. The kids LOVED it. We are heading into the final days before Christmas and my thinking is: this movie would make a perfect "finale" to completing the book! I just finished watching it and I am disappointed to say the least. The movie is EXTREMELY different from the book, in ways that are both baffling and unnecessary. Here's the laundry list:
-Matt starts the movie in Springfield (why not Quincy?), Mass., with his family. We get a lot of time-wasting backstory on how Matt and his father get to Maine. His mother somehow has a prominent role in the movie and the actress that plays her overacts her lines constantly. There are numerous breaks in the movie away from Matt's life in which we see all the reasons his family gets delayed in their travels to Maine. This does not add to the movie.
-Ben, Ben, Ben! In the book he is present for 1 chapter, steals Matt's gun and is never heard from again. In the MOVIE, we see him half a dozen times and, in the end, he leads Matt's family to Matt!!! Talk about a bogus, bizarre, happy Disney ending.
-Matt & Attean's story arc from enemies to brothers is VERY quick and lacks the real development (and events) necessary to justify it. Maybe if we didn't have to keep cutting away to see all the mommy/daddy drama, this movie would do Elizabeth George Speare's book some justice!
-No bear (this is the only difference I can accept: based on the low budget I can see why this would get dropped) and thus no big bear feast.
-No focus on THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER - and this is the BIGGIE - the title phrase is just not addressed in the movie at all. No visit to a beaver dam, talk of beavers, or any acknowledgement that Attean's tribe is of the beaver variety.
-Lots of little things that just degrade the "class" Mrs. Speare had throughout her text. In the end, Matt gives Attean "Robinson Crusoe" instead of his watch. Matt's mother and father have a tasteless zoomed in make-out session. In a sad and pointless scene, Matt's father kills the family horse when it goes lame. Matt's mother starts the movie with her baby born, rather than pregnant, Attean's dog is completely marginalized, etc. etc. etc.!!!
I'll end my rant there. Despite all the negatives I have listed, I will still show the movie to my kids because I want them to exercise their comparison/contrast skills and catch all differences I have. This is a big lesson they can learn: movies are all too often NOTHING like the books they are "based on". I fear they will also find this out with the Despereaux movie coming out over Christmas (we also read that book earlier in the year). Better they learn this lesson early, right?!
It's just such a shame that there are so many differences that really dilute the high quality of Speare's work. I'm giving it 2 stars because the production level is decent, but hopefully anyone else interested in this movie is aware of how much it truly diverges from the book it is named after.


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Item Name: The Sign of the Beaver; Studio:Questar

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The Christmas Box (1995) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a big fan of Richard Paul Evans, and the news that his classic "Christmas Box" had been made into a movie was enough to send me scurrying. As they do with his books, video snobs will dismiss this movie for its spiritual and emotional message, but I say pooey to them. This is one of the best movies I've ever seen.
The ever-loved Richard Thomas ("Good night, John boy!") plays Richard Evans, a young man with a wife and preschool daughter who is overworking himself, because "I want you [wife Keri] and Jenna to have EVERYTHING!" As a result, he is always late and always preoccupied with his ski-supply store and impending expansion.
Tired of being the apartment manager, Keri convinces him to answer an ad, placed by an old woman with an enormous house. The old lady, Mary Anne Parkin, gives them a trial period in her home (Keri does some cooking and cleaning, and Richard does a bit of yardwork) and soon befriends Jenna and Keri. Richard, however, finds her weird, cryptic, and rigid. He's also having strange dreams abou an angel beckoning to him. But as Christmas approaches, changes for the family and for Mary will alter their lives forever, with the secrets of Mary's past and the underlying question, "What was the first gift of Christmas?"
Every scene of this movie is excellent scripted and filmed; scenes ring extremely true, such as the scene where Mary finds Richard drinking straight from a pitcher of orange juice--their expressions are priceless. Richard Thomas perfectly fits the overachiever yuppie who shies away from certain questions and concepts--perhaps because he's afraid of them. Annette O'Toole is equally great as his wife, who is sick of their personal lives playing second-fiddle to business; Kelsey Mulrooney is remarkably good as Jenna, occasionally experiencing flat moments (such as times when Jenna's ashamed) but overall above-average for child actors. Maureen O'Hara is pure gold, playing Mary to perfection; you can see the shell melt away during crucial moments, her eyes shining with warmth.
The camerawork is excellent: the apartment looks cramped and overcrowded, compared to the airy spaciousness of Mary's house. Which, BTW, is gorgeous--I'd love to know where they shot it, because the house is truly beautiful, old and ornate, but with just the right amount of lived-in atmosphere.
I don't watch this movie just at Christmastime--it's far too good to be restricted. If you're in the mood for a beautiful movie, this is truly for you.
(My only questions: When will they put this out on DVD, and when will they also put out the sequel?! I'm waiting for a copy of "Timepiece" people!)

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The Girl Most Likely To . . . (1973) Review

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(More customer reviews)This movie has been a long time coming!
In a nutshell... after a traumatic experience, an ugly duckling is transformed into a ravishing beauty.
By putting theory (from the numerous college courses she has taken) into practice, Miriam Knight exacts revenge on all those who were cruel and unkind.
Stockard Channing's breakthrough role.
It will be great to view this dark comedy on DVD. A welcome addition to my collection. There's a spot waiting for it between Kill Bill and Carrie, in other words, the REVENGE section.

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The Outer Limits (The New Series) - Season One (1995) (1995) Review

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(More customer reviews)Thanks MGM for finally releasing The Outer Limits on DVD in seasons - starting with season one, instead of only offering collections by various themes. I was not alone in holding out for DVD by seasons, and refusing to start collecting by the theme collections they are offering.
This is a must have for any serious collector of The Outer Limits! Many of the episodes from season one I had not seen in quite awhile, and a couple I can't remember at all.
Although there is nothing really spectacular in the format of the DVD menus, or in the special features, I did find the special features informative. The episodes themselves are what make the collection a good one.
When I used to watch these on TV, I got used to hearing the words "Please Stand By" at the end of the opening where it says "...You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the deepest inner mind to the Outer Limits - Please Stand By." - Somehow I still expect to hear that "Please Stand By", but it is a small thing, and obviously Standing By is not necessary for very long when watching on DVD :)
It was great to see some of the actors and actresses that played in some of the episodes, such as Leonard Nimoy in I, Robot - And Robert Patrick in Quality of Mercy. Fans of the Dead Zone, will also recognize Nicole DeBor (Sarah Bannerman on the Dead Zone) from the same episode. Fans of La Femme Nikita, will recognize Alberta Watson (Madeline) from the episode, "If these Walls could Talk"
If you are only interested in time travel or in aliens or another single theme, you may be best off getting just that theme, but if you are a fan of The Outer Limits in general, I recommend getting season one of the New Series on DVD.

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