dsp21953 Reviews

Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales (2002 TV Short)

Nice Little Peanuts Shorts

[8/10 · 25 December 2009]

I have noticed that a few people gave these "Peanuts Christmas Shorts" bad reviews. Perhaps far too many people compare this to "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Granted, I will say of all the Peanuts specials "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was the best of the bunch. However, each of the Peanuts Holiday specials were good in their own way, this one is no exception. Depite the fact Charles Schulz had since passed away when this debuted, I want to thank Mr. Schulz for the Peanuts Gang. It just would not be Christmas without Charlie Brown, the world's favorite underdog, and the rest of the Peanuts gang. I most certainly will not end this review without Snoopy, his short is the best of the bunch. Lucy, Linus, Sally, Charlie Brown, and Snoopy offer their takes on Christmas. As usual it is Snoopy who steals the show. Charles Schulz, Christmas just would not be the same if it wasn't for you. Thank you so very much for Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and all the Peanuts gang.

A Christmas Without Snow (1980 TV Movie)

Not a bad Christmas film

[8/10 · 22 December 2009]

I have to admit I wasn't expecting much from this 1980 TV movie. However, "A Christmas Without Snow" is a nice little film to put on in the mood for the Christmas holiday. It is about a church choir getting ready to sing Handle's "Messiah" for the Christmas concert at their church. There are some trials and tribulations along the way, but I'm not going to spoil the movie for others. I'll give you a hint, the hardships are overcome with the spirit of Christmas. There are two standouts in this movie. One is James Cromwell as Reverend Lohman. Mr. Cromwell makes one believe he truly is the pastor of this San Francisco church. The other standout is the late Ramon Bieri, he was typically cast in tough guy, villain, or corrupt official roles. In this film Mr. Bieri plays a "salt of the earth type of man." In fact, Mr. Bieri portrays a man one would like to have as his next door neighbor/friend. Clearly James Cromwell and Ramon Bieri stand out in this Christmas TV flick. Check it out and you will enjoy it.

It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown! (1974 TV Short)

It's not Easter without The Easter Beagle

[11 April 2009]

What else is there to say about the Easte Beagle. As usual Snoopy steals the show. Good Old Snoopy always steals the show in the Peanuts specials. However, not only would it not be Easter without Snoopy, we also need to include Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang. Who cannot love the misadventures of the Peanuts gang? Their specials are what makes the holidays of the year great. From Peppermint Patty struggle to teach Marcie to color Easter eggs. From Snoopy buying the perfect birdhouse for Woodstock. To Linus always having a way of words for the Easter Holiday. To Good Old Charlie Brown, as always, dreading the holiday. Snoopy as the Easter Beagle is a must for Easter and something generations of people can enjoy every year at Easter. The Easter Beagle is Easter.

Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (1975 TV Short)

Charlie Brown and Snoopy do Valentine's Day!

[9/10 · 14 February 2009]

"Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" may not be as sentimental as the other Peanuts specials; however, it is a nice tradition to watch on Valentine's Day. The underlying message of this Peanuts episode is aimed at how Valentine's Day should not be about all the commercialism it has turned into. Instead Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang reveal that one should have compassion for others on this day. Snoopy stealing the show making his "Valentine's Day music box" out of a sheet of red paper, priceless! Linus is much like any male person in the world, as a boy who didn't fall in love with a female teacher? Also, Charlie Brown's eventual Valentine, while done out of sympathy, is still a thoughtful gesture. Even more so in 1975 thousands of children mailed Charlie Brown a Valentine's card after seeing this special. Charles Schultz and his Peanuts strips and specials are an American institution itself. Thank you for everything Sparky!

My Fellow Americans (1996)

Great Comedy Team: Lemmon and Garner

[10/10 · 18 January 2009]

Well, its close to the time of changing presidents and this movie sprung to my mind to watch. "My Fellow Americans" is a great movie simply due to the team of Jack Lemmon and James Garner. As the two feuding ex-presidents they make this movie. Nothing is more comical than watching the two forced to sort through a recent scandal, along with an assassination plot on their lives, all the while a respect happens between the two, yet their disdain for each other adds to the hilarity of the movie. Lemmon and Garner not only carry the movie, you almost think of them as actually being former Presidents of the United States. It is a movie to just sit back and enjoy, a funny spin on American politics at it's best.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973 TV Short)

Today is Thanksgiving. "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" is a must see.

[27 November 2008]

Well, today is Thanksgiving and that means one thing to do, for certain that is. I must watch "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving." It has become a tradition for me for the last five years in a row and will continue for the rest of my life. You just can't go wrong with Good Old Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang. Watching this special brings the true meaning of Thanksgiving. As usually Snoopy steals the show. Thank you Mr. Charles Schulz for this and all the Peanuts holiday specials. Thanksgiving requires "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" year after year, it is simply tradition. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang on the holidays make the holidays more enjoyable.

The Long Way Home (1998 TV Movie)

Bridging Generational Gaps

[10/10 · 17 June 2008]

This movie is pure bliss to watch, Jack Lemmon makes it so. Such a shame we shall never see more of his films. I'm used to seeing Mr. Lemmon play old cranks, politicians, businessmen, etc but in this role he stands out as Tom Gerrin, a 75 year old retired carpenter. Mr. Lemmon not only looks like the retired carpenter you almost forget he is an actor.

The best part of this movie is it demonstrates how friendship knows no age limits. In fact friendship between two people from completely different generations can easily bridge the gap. I would know as one of my closest friends is an 82 year old former professor of mine. When I watch this movie I think of our times we meet and swap stories from out past.

What also contributes to the friendship and the bridging of the generational gaps is also the message of "the golden years should not mean a death sentence." This movie is about living one day at a time and enjoying life no matter what age you are.

In closing Jack Lemmon made this movie. Cheers to him and God rest his soul. Pick up this movie on DVD on amazon.com. It will make you glad for the friendships you will make with all sorts of people and give you and outlook for enjoying life.

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (1984 TV Movie)

good but forgotten by the networks

[8/10 · 24 December 2006]

It Came Upon The Midnight Clear is a wonderful television flick for the Christmas holiday that has vanished from television screens. In the 1980s this movie was on around Christmas but those days have ceased. Why? Nobody knows. This film is special for Mickey Rooney's performance. His relationship with his grandson, Scott Grimes, makes the movie flow. The most powerful part of the movie is Rooney's meeting with the priest from his youth, Lloyd Nolan. The singing of the church choir as Rooney gives his final confession before he must return to Heaven is powerful. The quest Rooney undertakes, to find the missing angel and to restore the Christmas spirit to New York makes this film one to see and only one can hope it will return to television screens in the years to come. The ending of the film is a bit of let down but the acting by Rooney makes you believe in the presence of Christmas angels. Mickey Rooney by far steals the show and It Came Upon The Midnight Clear is a Mickey Rooney and Christmas classic.