The Muppet Christmas Carol - 1992

A Christmas Carol - 1951

Excellent adaptation of this classic story. This well known version has a great script that moves smoothly and even neatly fills in a few of the gaps in the Dickens story. Exceptional performances by both Alastair Sim as Scrooge, as well as a superb supporting cast, that gave great emotional depth to the changes in Scrooge. Excellent B&W filming that succeeded in enhancing the various emotional levels created in this film. Wonderful detail in both the sets and costuming. As a fan of “Christmas Carol” in all its various adaptations (including the cheesy ones), the holidays are not complete without viewing this particular one! Definitely one of my top two favorites! *****

A Christmas Carol - 1984

Exceptional adaptation of this classic story. Great script that moves smoothly with outstanding performances by George C. Scott as Scrooge as well as a superb supporting cast. The emotional levels of this story are wonderfully portrayed. Excellent filming and costuming. This version also has my favorite “Christmas Carol” endings with great final scenes between both Scrooge and Bob Cratchit (Bob's amazed shock in this version is superb) and Scrooge with his nephew, Fred, and his wife. As a fan of “Christmas Carol” in all its various adaptations (including the cheesy ones), the holidays are not complete without viewing this particular one! Definitely one of my top two favorites! *****

The Bishop's Wife - 1947

Charming holiday movie! This film is about a Bishop ( David Niven) and his wife (Loretta Young) and the struggles they are having in their marriage as the Bishop struggles to build a cathedral. As he prays for help, an angel (Cary Grant) comes to his aid. What follows is humorous, inspiring and fun as the angel maneuvers the Bishop into realizing what is really important. This movie has a great story with the plot being developed well. The characters are interesting and fun and well done by both the main characters and the supporting cast. This movie is definitely filmed in the old classic style for black and white movies but the story flows well without the need for color to put across the emotions. Definitely a favorite in our home.*****

The Storyteller - 1987

Wonderful collection of fantasy stories and myths produced by the masterful Jim Henson. Filmed more like stage productions, these are darker stories rather than your typical light-hearted fairy tales. Each episode is a wonderful blend of live action and mild puppetry, but one of their main strengths is really the talented narrative of John Hurt as the “Storyteller”. His "storytelling" is truly magical and will have you completely entranced. Definitely worth your time! On a side note, although family friendly, these would probably not appeal to a younger audience.  *****

Gaslight - 1944

Chilling classic mystery thriller! After getting married, Paula (Ingrid Bergman) reluctantly returns to her childhood home where a murder took place years before. This was a very suspenseful film that was so well crafted you will be on the edge of your seat from the first scene to the last. Although the mystery is somewhat altered from its 1940 predecessor, the changes were well written and actually helped flesh out the story. The talented cast gave exceptional performances, particularly Bergman who perfectly portrayed the despair and uncertainty of her character, while Charles Boyer was right on the mark as the charmingly cold and calculating husband. The story would struggle without its supporting cast, however, who were also right on the mark. The filming was superb with excellent sets and costuming, plus an eerie atmosphere that was perfectly balanced with the story. This one is not to be missed. *****

Gaslight - 1940

Chilling classic mystery thriller! A young woman (Diana Wynyard) is slowly being victimized by her husband (Anton Walbrook). This was a very suspenseful film that was so well crafted you will be on the edge of your seat from the first scene to the last. Although the mystery is somewhat different from the ‘44 film, this version was well written and is perhaps even more chilling than the later film. Wynyard gives a perfect portrayal of a deeply troubled and terrified young woman, while Walbrook expertly depicts a villainous husband whose cruelty is frightening. The supporting cast was excellent as well, although their roles do not seem as vital in this version. Excellent filming and costumes that fit well with both the time period and the story. This version is also definitely worth your time!  *****

The Devil's Brigade - 1968

This is a great action movie based on World War II's 1st Special Service Force. This unit was created from both American and Canadian troops and was used during the war for difficult missions. As with any movie of this type, the facts of the events depicted are not always accurate but they do accurately convey the courage and determination of the 1st Special Service Force. The film succeeds in drawing you into the lives of the men involved. As they face the dangers of war, you become involved emotionally and cheer for their success and cry for the loss of the men who fought and died for this country. This movie has plenty of action and moves along well. The acting is well done as is the filming. Some of the scenes would be too intense for young children but a good film for all. Not all war movies have stood the test of time but this is definitely one of them.  *****

March of Penguins - 2004

Fascinating! This was an exceptional film on the cycle of the Emperor Penguin that will certainly become a classic in its genre. Although it really doesn’t have what you would refer to as a plot, this well written, thoughtful film still managed to have a beginning and an end, almost as if you were watching a family history. You certainly felt connected to the lives of these amazing creatures. The extraordinary cinematography captured the conditions of the Antarctica and you practically shivered along with the huddled penguins. The filming was so well done that I regret not having seen this on the big screen! Superbly narrated by Morgan Freeman, his mellow voice told the story without trying to become the star and/or focus of the film. Something narrators don’t always achieve. This is certainly a film not to be missed! *****

Steamboat Bill, Jr. - 1928

Remarkable silent comedy with the incomparable Buster Keaton. When a burly riverboat captain (Torrence) meets his son (Keaton) for the first time, both are somewhat disappointed. As one of Keaton's last great silent films, this is definitely one of his finest. The comedy is outstanding with some truly funny scenes. Watching Buster trying on hats, sneaking off the riverboat or attempting to get his father out of jail will really have you chuckling. Plus, nearly a third of the story involves a cyclone and is filled with the classic physical stunt work which was Keaton’s specialty. This is really some of the most spectacular and funny stunts Keaton ever executed on film. While the buildings are being destroyed around him, Keaton is tumbled and dragged from one scene to the next, including the famous scene of a 2-story house slamming to the ground and Keaton appearing unscathed through the window. His choreography was incredible. Silent films are not for everyone, but this incredible film is certainly not to be missed.  *****

Rebecca - 1940

Chilling adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s famous novel. Maxim DeWinter (Olivier) and his new wife (Fontaine) feel the shadow of his first wife, Rebecca, who died under unusual circumstances. A master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock created a mysterious film that keeps you riveted from beginning to end. Olivier gives an outstanding performance as the tortured DeWinter that pairs perfectly with the innocence portrayed by Fontaine as his new young wife. Great chemistry between them! As the chilling Mrs. Danvers, Judith Anderson will make you shudder! Incredible Black & White cinematography for which Hitchcock was so famous. One weakness, however, was the alteration from Du Maurier’s book concerning Rebecca’s death, which unfortunately lessened the impact of that event on the characters. Still, this is an outstanding and well done film that deserved the Oscar nominations it received. Definitely a favorite we've watched many times!  *****

That Darn Cat - 1965

Delightful Disney classic! After her cat shows up with a watch around its neck, Patti (Mills) is convinced it came from a recently kidnapped bank teller. When the FBI gets involved, one of their agents (Jones) sets up surveillance to follow the cat. This humorous story is well written with some witty dialog and comic situations. Great interactions between each of the main characters as well as the many supporting characters, from the nosy neighbors to the jealous boyfriend. Although mainly a comedy, there is also some good suspense. The kidnappers (Gorshin & Brand) are actually fairly chilling and you feel the fear of the bank teller. Performances were wonderful from everyone, including the cat! Especially loved the nosy neighbors, Lancaster and Demarest, who steal every scene they are in! It was also great fun, however brief, to see Ed Wynn as the jeweler. The filming was good and although the film included plenty of comic physical humor, this film managed to avoid the overdone silly slapstick of its ’97 remake. This is definitely a family favorite!  *****

Jane Eyre - 2006

Spectacular film! Exceptional Adaptation! Wonderful script! Beautiful cinematography! Superb acting! This is one of my all time favorite books and certainly my favorite movie adaptation of this book. This is Charlotte Bronte’s classic story of a poor governess who falls in love with her arrogant employer. Unfortunately, unknown to anyone, he is already married. When filming a book like Jane Eyre often so much has to be left out that the book is practically unrecognizable. Not so with this version. The length allows them to include a great deal that is usually cut. The two main actors, Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens, do an incredible job in their roles. While Stephens is the perfect mix of arrogant but handsome employer, Wilson portrays the perfect mix of the passion and vulnerability of Jane. They have wonderful chemistry on screen. Although there are several changes to the story, this one is definitely more true to the spirit of the book than many of its predecessors. Just be sure to set aside enough time to watch it straight through!  *****