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ansonia85
Reviews
It Happened One Christmas (1977)
Surely the worst, most audacious remake of all time!
Mr. Truesmith and ColinBaker are the only sane reviewers of this film. Who could possibly never have seen the original? Who, having seen the original, could possibly give any credibility to this preposterous remake? Has everyone gone loony? I just watched my video copy of "It's a Wonderful Life," and am even more impressed with it today, in 2006, than I was when I first saw it a zillion years ago. Yes, it is sentimental, as are some of the greatest novels, but it offers a wonderful message about gratitude. What's more sentimental than "A Christmas Carol," yet its message is still timeless.
I never heard of this remake until I stumbled across it on some obscure TV channel. I found myself wondering if all the heirs to Frank Capra were dead, since I figured this was the only way the producers of this version would dare mimic his original. Thanks, Mr. Truesmith, for clearing this up -- the copyright has run out, hence, what you call this "crime against film history." And crime it is, indeed. Surely, Marlo Thomas is embarrassed by the very existence of any prints of this film! Oh, and I add to the list of sane reviewers, who know the difference between a classic and junk when they see it: digibox2, Leone, frankfob, Clement. Thanks for your insights and tidbits of history.
To the rest, all I can say is, Oh, my God, are you kidding?!
Spy Game (2001)
A rare, intelligent film
I think someone called this an "intellectual action film," and that description fits it. It is the first film I've seen where dialogue alone kept me breathlessly waiting to discover what happens next. I first came upon this film on a cable channel when it had been on for about 10 minutes. There was Redford sitting at that table with his CIA confederates, and I could tell this was going to be a very different kind of movie. I knew that I would have to follow every word spoken. So, I shut it off, checked when it would be on again, which was three hours later, and watched it from the beginning. It's that kind of story line; you can't afford to miss the nuances that accompany the dialogue.
I thought it was fantastic, and watched it again the next night. And if I ever break down and buy a DVD player, it will be the first film I purchase. Operation Dinner Out.