harleypassion Reviews

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Bloody Brilliant!

[6 November 2002]

The Chamber of Secrets is my favourite book, and now it's also my favourite movie! I am glad that the essence of this story was not diluted or altered in any way. Thanks to the great Chris Columbus :)

Lucius Malfoy's character was every bit as vicious as I'd envisioned from the book, and Jason Isaacs seems perfect as Draco's father. Dobby couldn't be more creepy and pathetic looking, and Kenneth Branagh as Lockhart couldn't be more supercilious! I'm glad to see the increased attention on the Weasley twins, and especially Peeves. But to get every detail from the book into a movie is challenge enough...there's just too many intricate details to include!

Great movie...a definite MUST-SEE! I know I booked my seats waaay beforehand, and the preview came out on my birthday! How great is that??

Now and Forever (1934)

Early movie showing Shirley's talent

[16 April 2002]

This movie has a warm feel to it, and with Shirley as the child, she brings out the sweetness. Though there isn't much song and dance routine in this movie as in all her rest, she still charms us with the song "The World Owes Me A Living". The tale of a lil girl wanting her daddy to be honest is a sure-win family movie. However, the ending is a lil sad... This movie shows how much the father loves his daughter, and the sacrifice he's willing to make. A good movie to watch, with your family would be best :) Let children have fun after all! Not just plain discipline!

Heidi (1965)

Wonderful!

[27 September 2001]

This was one of the better Heidi productions I've seen, and believe me, I've seen quite a few. Though the movie I saw was dubbed into English, it was enjoyable. The scenary is beautiful, filmed on the mountains...and the vast difference with the busy city of Frankfurt. The score is amazingly effective, with the sweet theme "Heidi", and the fast paced music to match the bustling Frankfurt streets.

All in all, a great movie! :)

The Yarn Princess (1994 TV Movie)

Touching family drama

[18 July 2001]

A mother and father with '6 golden children', both loving parents, a simple yet warm environment...except the mother is on the slow side. Kind of like the female version of Forrest Gump. Nevertheless, she loves her children and does her best in raising them. Until the day her husband falls ill, becomes incapable of caring for the family, and their happy home is turned upside down. She has to fend for the family but can hardly read or cook. A social worker tries helping, but 2 of the older boys are dissatisfied with their home situation. They opt for foster care, breaking their mother's heart. She struggles to keep the rest of her family together. In the end, she gets a lawyer who fights her case, and wins her back custody of all her children, and even gets welfare to give them a new home (they'd lived in poor conditions). The 2 sons: Jimmy and Daniel, who were fostered to wealthy folks, miss their family in the end. Jimmy was the difficult son, who resented his old life and wanted out. In the end, he finds his own mother is the best, and only true mom. Touching movie, and showing the true meaning of what a parent should be.

De suikerpot (1997)

A great short film

[20 May 2001]

I caught this by accident, and I'm glad I did. The plot summary explains the storyline well so I shan't go into the details. Basically, it showcases a little girl trying to win her mother's affection, with drastic results. This short film is engaging, with realistic portrayal by the little girl, Aline Cornelissen.

Thicker Than Blood: The Larry McLinden Story (1994 TV Movie)

Another family struggle

[20 May 2001]

Pretty sad story with the dad trying to gain custody of his youngest son. Later he finds out that the boy isn't really his, but he still fights for him. This is tough for the kid as he gets confused, and his mother gets married again and complicates matters. With such a title, it should be based on a true story. I hope the real Larry Jr. has come out from this ordeal, STRONG.

A Part of the Family (1994 TV Movie)

Pretty intriguing

[14 March 2001]

Quite intense family drama about a New Yorker couple who visit the wife's home town. At 1st all seems well, then her brother's relationship is sabotaged by the father. The brother ends up committing suicide but is saved by his sister.

Meanwhile, hubby Ted is frustrated cos he suspects his father-in-law is scheming to keep them both there. He sabotages Ted's new job, and even suggests they move into a house nearby, and arranges for Ted to be employed by the town's newspaper press. Wendy doesn't believe her husband when he tells her that, and their marriage is threatened.

Finally, Ted convinces Wendy to recollect her past as to why she'd left home in the 1st place, and gets her to eavesdrop on the conversation he has with her dad. She finally believes Ted, and remembers her past. At 1st I thought maybe it was incest, but it wasn't. Wendy had loved playing the piano but her dad disapproved as he wanted her to be a doctor like him. So he had scared her by 'breaking' her talent. Watch it to understand what I mean.

A so-so drama...unusual ending compared with all the incest dramas.

A Mother's Revenge (1993 TV Movie)

Another engaging plot?

[14 March 2001]

Not too bad drama about mother finding justice for her youngest daughter. What more to say about the plot? it's pretty much summarised in the Plot outline above. Lesley Warren puts up a gd act, and so does annette o'toole.

Monday After the Miracle (1998 TV Movie)

A poignant movie...

[25 February 2001]

It was nice to see Roma Downey in another role besides her angelic Monica. In "Monday After the Miracle",her role of Annie is seen struggling between being a good and loving wife, or a devoted teacher to the other main character, Helen. Helen was born blind,deaf and dumb, and with Annie's help and care, grows to be a cultured and educated lady.Helen also deals with whether she can be in a real relationship with a man. And how the 2 lead stars then go on to help the similarly disabled.

Is this based on life? Yes, after Helen Keller, who founded the American Foundation for the Blind.

A beautiful movie...do give it a watch :)

L'albero delle pere (1998)

A beautiful movie...

[20 February 2001]

I've not seen a better foreign film than this! A touching story about a brother's concern for his naughty adorable half sister. When Domitilla gets hurt by their mom's syringe, Siddharta takes it into his own hands to bring her for a checkup. in doing so, he lies in registration etc, and goes thru all means to ensure noone finds out, especially their mother and 2 fathers(or Domitilla's dad would demand custody for her due to mother's negligence) It truly is a wonderful movie on sibling love, and i highly recommend "Shooting the Moon" :)

Blade in Hong Kong (1985 TV Movie)

So-so movie

[20 February 2001]

The movie is basically like some action flick..hero to save girl etc. Nancy Kwan is lovely in the role, but wasn't given a very dynamic role for her to showcase her acting skills. Ken Fagen was great as the money-minded sidekick, yet a vulnerable character as an orphan set upon finding his sister.

Not bad a movie for the early 80s, but would lose out now to other movies..

Daleko od siebie (1995)

A riveting story about the bond between father & son

[17 August 2000]

This movie is to me rather excellent in its sense. The story of how one young boy sees his own mother's rape & murder while travelling from Ukraine to Poland to visit his father(who he has never seen as his parents separated). The father must now care for 8 year old Michal as he goes through depression. This movie shows how the 2 strangers bond, becoming father and son. The father has trouble discipling Michal, but gets to know him better and love him. However, the father's girlfriend isn't happy and wants him to send the child back to Ukraine, or to an orphanage. When Michal overhears the conversation, he gets upset as he thinks his dad will send him away, thus he runs away planning to return to Ukraine himself. The father then realises how much he loves Michal, and chooses his son over his girlfriend, which to me is the best decision he's ever made. While he searches for Michal, we see Michal hitching rides, spotting the foursome who brutally murdered his mother and avenged her on his own by burning their vehicle. The boy is found later and sent back to Ukraine while his dad is at the border and spots him being taken away. Michal screams for his father and his father shouts back that he'll get Michal back no matter what.

That's how it ends, which is kinda like in the middle of nowhere. Will he get Michal back? Will he gain custody seeing he has no definite proof that he's Michal's father? Many questions swim in your head by this unfinished ending.

Yet, it is worth a watch. Mateusz Kosiorowski puts up an excellent performance as young Michal. This movie also shows how Ukrainians bad mouth the Polish, and how the young boy sees the Polish through his dad who he grows to adore.

Lovely movie...don't miss it!

Beauty and the Beast (1987)

My fantasy brought to life...

[4 May 2000]

This movie had a huge impact on me as a kid. I was about 10 when I first saw it..and since then I've watched it countless times. I would watch it everyday as a kid, memorised the entire script and lyrics and recite them, sing before while I lie in bed at night before sleeping. I loved, and still love this show. Just yesterday,I took it out to watch again, and I enjoyed it as much as before, and surprised myself I could remember the lines still. Rebecca has really surpassed being a great actress...being able to sing beautifully. I've adored her since then...and always will. She was the MAGIC in the entire movie. The songs are sweet and suited for this musical..it's no Mary Poppins, but it sure showed Rebecca's singing talent. Want a good fairytale? Forget Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Watch Cannon's Beauty and the Beast for a real treat.

My Little Pony: The Movie (1986)

A classic for MLP lovers!

[10 April 2000]

I loved this show...wait...i still LOVE it! I was a kid when i saw it and remembered being so scared of the flooze, getting all worried the ponies may not find any way to stop it. I loved seeing the way the stupid witch sisters argued and all...

I loved the bushwoolies MOST! They're so CUTE!!! I loved the way one said "Coming with you? Oh yeah yeah..good idea.." and when Shady was scolding herself, he would agree with all she said and she got upset and asked if he ever thought for himself, and he replied "Yeah...RUN!"

OK, enough on the characters...this movie is a real classic..so imagine my delight at finding the VCD recently! I had a recorded version of this movie on VHS, but it was old. So when I saw the vcd and such a reasonable price..of course i quickly bought it! Now i can enjoy the memories of my childhood...MY LITTLE PONIES was my favourite cartoon and toy of all time...