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sherryp-14911
Reviews
Mister Ed: Ed's Mother (1961)
nostalgic reminder of simpler days
I love watching Mr. Ed and forgetting life in 2024 for a little while. You must suspend all reality when watching this. Like: How could it be possible for a small shaggy horse with small ears to be the mother of a stately Palomino Stallion? It makes you wonder what breed Ed's 'mother' could be? I had hoped to find out from another's review, but there aren't any other reviews! Doesn't anyone love "Mr. Ed" like I do? I know it's a cliche' to say, but truths become cliches'. At 69, I have become a dinosaur, so to speak. I find it relaxing to suspend all belief and just become a kid again. Forgetting all cares and worries.
The Presence of Love (2022)
Lovely and has possibilities
This movie is lovely. I love classic poetry. Breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. But it didn't make me happy. Sad rather than hopeful. Even though it ended on a note of hope, it seemed sad. The note of hope was too rushed to seem real. Instead it left me confused and sad. I had to keep the sound low, so I will watch it again to give a fair judgement, maybe I'm just feeling low right now. IMDB gave it a higher rating. Probably because of Samantha Bond, whose acting was genuine and excellent. Julian Morris' character wasn't fully formed, so that was lacking. Eloise Mumford was sweet and sad, but she did a fine job. The little girl, Amy Sharp, is a very good actress and articulate, it was always nice to see her.
Just One Kiss (2022)
Fantastical or not?
You watch 50 Hallmark movies and they range from duds to just okay. Today I hit the Hallmark jackpot! I loved this movie- from the characters and their passions, to the singing and songs. This movie is the reason I watch Hallmark movies: 1. Escapism 2. Finding the diamond in the rough.
Santino Fontana, and Krysta Rodriguez can really sing beautifully! I was so surprised and delighted. And apparently it was their real singing voices. All the acting was great and the chemistry seemed genuine. And the sweet 'twist' revealed at the end was extraordinary!
Loved Brooklyn, New York. Magical, moving...
Napa Ever After (2023)
Genuine and real feeling
I got this from my library on a Hallmark Channel/ 6 movie Collection DVD. I am surprised that this was the best movie out of the 6. I didn't expect to like it, the rest were mostly duds, but this movie is really very good. The actors were very good and convincing. There was a real chemistry between Denise Boutte and Colin Lawrence. And I liked the ending. So often these Hallmark movies just end on a note of very good 'friends'. This one didn't beat around the bush.
The problems encountered in reviving the vineyard, the wedding venue, and house were very realistic. The scenery, and the house are beautiful. I didn't care for the background music much though. I found it intrusive.
Mr Johnson (2020)
Amazing
This is an amazing movie. After just one viewing, there's still things I don't understand. I found this at the library on dvd with cc, no special features, or scene index. I've never heard of the actor: Paul Slabolepszy. But his acting was so fantastic for what the character had been through. At first I thought it might be like "Forever Young", but it's so much more than that. It's also psychological. It emphasizes the mental state of the character, Mr. Johnson. I don't understand it all. So much to explain in a short movie. But it was very gripping and draws you into the story. It held my full attention the entire movie. Technology has made startling advances and multiplied in just the last 40 years. Awe inspiring to ponder.
The Irresistible Blueberry Farm (2016)
Retro romantic comedy
This is the kind of romantic comedy in the genre of Doris Day and Rock Hudson. The first time I watched this movie and Ellen backed up on the dock to take a picture, I thought to myself, she reminds me of Doris Day. If it was Doris Day, she would break through the railing and fall into the water. And then she did just that! And the story line is so intriguing. The tying in of all the loose ends: like Roy being Chet's nephew. The house Roy is trying to acquire, is the same house in Ellen's grandmother's paintings. The similarities go on. Is that why her grandmother wanted Ellen to hand deliver the letter? So Ellen would meet Roy?
And Shirley Jones was delightful as always! I love this movie and have watched it many times and will watch it many more times.
Leave It to Beaver: The Party Spoiler (1962)
Ward's Sound Advice and Guidance
I know it sounds very childish and immature for Beaver to react the way he did. But at least it was harmless. Kids were more innocent and immature in those days. I could see my 14 year old brother doing that in 1962. He always did pranks like that. But he died in a traffic accident when he was 14, so he never grew up.
Kids today are too mature by age fourteen. No comparison between 2023 and 1962. Innocence is a fleeting thing nowadays, confined to toddlers.
I sure wish I had someone like Ward and June Cleaver to steer me the right direction when I was young.
I love the LITB show-imagining how things should've been.
Star Trek: Catspaw (1967)
For nostalgia and childlike wonder
I think what a lot of these nay-sayer reviewers overlook is that a lot of 10 years and up comprised the viewers of "Star Trek". I was 12. When re-watching the complete series now, I remembered before she did it that Sylvia would hold the small copy of the Enterprise over the candle's flame. Everything we see stays dormant in our subconscious mind. As a child, Halloween was my favorite holiday and I know I was thrilled with this episode. But aside from nostalgia, there really were some really interesting concepts introduced in this episode, about telekinesis. I think it's too easy to dismiss some episodes as stupid- when you aren't aware of the the hidden values of such episodes.
You Hurt My Feelings (2023)
Completely zero, nothing, boring
This was a nothing movie. Julia Luis Dreyfus is the only reason I didn't turn it off. It was benign and uneventful enough to put you to sleep. Nothing of any interest happened to anyone in the movie. Maybe Julia Louis Dreyfus is only good to watch in "Seinfeld". But I did find her movie, "Enough Said" entertaining. But this one is a big fat zero. The whole movie was just a series of "filler" scenes. Nothing in it mean anything. The movie had no plot, no story, no nothing. The (plot?) was not enough "to hang 90 minutes on" (as another reviewer said). It wasn't even an interesting idea, of white lies. I think Julia's character overreacted.
Leave It to Beaver: Beaver's House Guest (1960)
Barry Gordon
I really liked this episode. How it showed by contrast with Choppers family, how wonderful the Cleaver's family was being happily married with happy children. I love "Leave It To Beaver".
But it was neat to see Barry Gordon (Chopper). Five years later he was in a movie with Jason Robards. Gordon is really a fine actor. You can really tell in "A Thousand Clowns". His imitation of Peter Lorre was iconic. It's ironic- here he plays a child from a broken home. On "A Thousand Clowns" he wasn't only from a broken home, but a dysfunctional one. Being raised by an uncle. They ''communicated with his mother entirely by rumor!"
Jonathan Livingston Seagull (1973)
Horrendous.
This film lost me. After Jonathan was outcast and went through the desert and met a murderous hawk, then into freezing snowy mountains. Then when he went to sleep in the mountains I assumed he died. Because after that the atmosphere seemed a bit otherworldly, where he met his 'new' flock. And then the Maureen seagull began talking about different levels and lives. Like Jonathan had entered a new level. So if this is a film about reincarnation or something (new age), then he must've died in the snowy mountains. Then Jonathan meets the 'high lama' of seagulls. What is this about?! And it dragged out so long with low monotone voices. I could barely stay awake. This was one crazy flick. And I truly hope all the injured and killed birds were just remote controlled fakes.
Groundswell (2022)
Charming
Lacey Chabert is quite likeable and a good actress. Ektor Rivera is cute, in his own peculiar way. (I keep thinking Hector.) It is a tired script that HM has used time and time again, but the scenery was breathtaking. There's that and the brother was so nice and outgoing, I was thinking he would be her love interest, then they introduced his husband. Kind of ended that possibility real quick. So although it was a tried and true rehash of events , it still kept you guessing a little bit.
Another reviewer said Lacey Chabert reminded them of Jennifer Love Hewitt and I didn't think of it before, but it's true! She really does!
To sum it up, I'd say this was an okay film. I enjoyed it.
The Tomorrow Man (2019)
A nice change of pace in films
John Lithgow and Blythe Danner are excellent veteran actors of our time. For anyone who thinks this movie too boring and slow, I would say that these actors definitely save this film. I can't say why I like this movie so much. Maybe I identify, being on the wrong side of 60 myself. (I like the notion that there is no wrong side of 60). This film is a mixture of fantasy, and some real problems we face today, and conspiracy theory. This movie was made right before the Covid Pandemic. And some issues Ed predicted actually came about (for different reasons), like a shortage of items in grocery stores.
This film is escapist fare. A diversion of the mind into a purely imaginative state. Rather relaxing to watch, and a sweet story too.
Ruby Sparks (2012)
"One Touch of Ruby"
Paul Dano is a really good actor. From ''Love and Mercy" to "There Will Be Blood".
This movie, a sweet romantic comedy, was very creative and cute. But I have a different take on it than most people. Did anybody see the similarity between it and the old romantic comedy classic, "OneTouch of Venus"? Also a completely impossible fantasy, starring Robert Walker (played the nerd to perfection) and the beautiful Ava Gardner. At the end she had to return to her home in Roman mythology. He was left alone and sad, hopelessly in love with Venus. So as he goes through the motions of his life and his job, he meets another Venus played by Ava Gardner. And that is the hopeful ending to a lovely story.
Leave It to Beaver: Beaver's Library Book (1960)
What's spontaneous?
"What's spontaneous?" -Beaver "It's like when some old rags in a closet burst into flames."-Wally "What's that got to do with a library book?"-Beaver The things they say are so funny. You understand 'spontaneous' meaning talking more naturally. But 'spontaneous combustion' is another story. And when June tells Beaver he can talk to his father anytime so Beaver tells her that (in that case) he'll wait till tomorrow!
I thought this episode was great. Beaver tells Wally that his friend Eddie Haskell is a real creep. Wally says "Is that something new?" Or words to that effect. This is just a funny episode. But all the episodes are good. But this one really made me laugh.
Hazel: The Baby Came C.O.D. (1963)
"Hazel" series is therapeutic, plus entertaining and escapist fare
"Hazel" is my 'go to' when life's struggles become too difficult and I don't know what to do. "Hazel" is set in a time when there was a calm over everything in life. A simple time, before the cares in this world became magnified to an unmanageable size. "Hazel" is the town where nothing much happens.
I love to see which guest star will be in each episode. In this one, James Stacy of "Lancer " fame starred. While he was still young, before his life changed him. In this story, David Merrick and his wife Maria are going to have a baby. I liked to see Dorothy's concern and input in the situation. Dorothy and Hazel convince Mr. B to help the couple financially. Always a happy ending!
Bewitched: Samantha's Magic Mirror (1971)
Magic Mirror
What separates this from the similar episode in season two, "Aunt Clara's Old Flame" is the new story line of beautifying Esmerelda. Aunt Clara's (Marion Lorne) old boyfriend, Hedley Partridge (Charlie Ruggles) was coming to visit and she wanted to hide her dilapidating powers, not knowing he had the same problem.
Esmerelda isn't Aunt Clara, but she has some endearing qualities of her own. It was a bit excessive for her to believe she could be the beautiful reflection in the mirror.
It was nice to see Tom Bosley again. However, I think both Esmerelda and Ferdy were too young to have that problem.
Emily (2022)
A Complete Travestry and Historically Inaccurate
I gave this movie 4 stars. 1 for Emma Mackey's performance. 1 for Frances O'Connor's directorial debut. 1 for the beautiful on location photography. And 1 for the haunting instrumental music. Emily Bronte's reclusive nature made her an enigmatic subject and and we long to try to fathom how she wrote "Wuthering Heights". Instead, this movie gives us a vapid account of an invented and contrived love affair with a nonexistent William Weightman. Emily Bronte' did not have friends outside her family, except Ellen Nussey. Her best friend was her sister, Anne, not even hinted at in the movie. That would've been an interesting subject to expand upon! In the movie Emily and Anne barely looked or spoke to each other! This movie was a great disappointment!
Hazel: Hazel's Luck (1963)
Hazel's good luck
I am surprised that no one reviews "Hazel". It is such a feel-good show. This episode is so clever and funny. And guest stars from the forgotten movies of the 1940's should not be overlooked. Eddie Quillan was the 'attendant' in this "Hazel episode. I admit I didn't recognize him. Was the attendant the man who helped them when they ran out of gas? I remember him from 1944's "Dark Mountain". A film noir (term used very loosely) / part comedy- included in "Dark Film Mysteries III". Eddie Quillan was the comic relief in that movie. He had parts in many, many movies since 1926.
I am especially fond of the "Hazel" series. It takes me back to innocent, simpler days, when the world was sane.
Hazel: Hazel Sounds Her 'A' (1963)
It was nice to see Torin Thatcher again.
I love to see old famous Hollywood actors in sit-coms from the 60's. Like "Bewitched": Charlie Ruggles, Cecil Kellaway, and Reginald Owen (and many more). "Mr. Ed": Clint Eastwood, Mae West, and a cameo of Sharon Tate (among others). "Family Affair": Dana Andrews, and John Hubbard (from the Hal Roach Forgotten Comedies DVD-VCI Entertainment). Torin Thatcher was in "Houdini" with Tony Curtis, and made appesrances in many more movies from Hollywood. Thatcher was always an impressive figure.
I have always loved watching "Hazel". Shirley Booth and Don DeFore were famous actors in their own right. Whitney Blake was Meredith Baxter's mother; I can see the resemblance. Hazel is vivacious, very clever, and a joy to watch. I love Hazel. Three cheers for Hazel!!!
Feeling Butterflies (2022)
Unreal
I don't believe all the '10' ratings. Over done CGI. The need to outdo her competition next door at the little girl's birthday party, was so childish. And the 'adult' lady with the other butterfly business was like a spiteful teenybopper. The two leads rolling in the mud, and having a mud fight was stupid. Ridiculous and super childish. Not impressed at all. The movie couldn't hold my attention very long. I also cannot believe the main actors source of income. Even their chemistry left much to be desired. The whole thing was unbelievable. There have been some Hallmark movies I have liked, but mostly their movies are duds. Am I waiting in vain to be delightfully surprised again? Other reviewers have said at least it had some educational info on butterflies. But another reviewer said the information on butterflies is all untrue. So to sum up my review: misleading and childish with few redeeming qualities.
That Girl: She Never Had the Vegas Notion (1969)
1969 fashions
It was fun seeing the clothes they wore then. Both the men and the girls. Wasn't Don's outfit wild (at the airport on the first day to Vegas)? And were the girls dresses short enough? I love Marlo Thomas and "That Girl". It's fun watching Ann run everywhere she goes. She's so enthusiastic, it's hard to identify with her but it's just fun to watch her. Nostalgia and escapism for me.
Did anyone recognize Hope Holiday? She played Mrs. Margie MacDougall in "The Apartment" with Jack Lemmon. The woman Jack Lemmon met in a bar on Christmas Eve. When talking about her husband, a jockey, she said, "He looks just like a little Chihuahua!"
A Kiss Before Christmas (2021)
Wow! What a surprise for a Hallmark film!
Even what I consider good Hallmark movies only deserve a 7 or 8 rating. But this one stands out from other Hallmark movies. I was pleasantly surprised at the performances of James Denton and Terri Hatcher. I never saw "Desperate Housewives" so I wasn't prepared for their very genuine acting. There was a very heartfelt chemistry between the two leads. At first "A Kiss Before Christmas" reminded me of "Family Man" starring Nicholas Cage and Tea Leoni. Only this movie was the other way around, from a family man to a single, very rich, and alone man, and the lady a lawyer in both. So I watched that movie again, and now I think this one is even better! This movie is more reminiscent of "It's a Wonderful Life."
Borrowed Hearts (1997)
Sweet and clever film.
Shawn Thompson and Eric McCormack were good comedic actors and had a rapport between them. Roma Downey is very beautiful and a fine actress. There was a pleasant chemistry between McCormack and Downey. The characters seemed authentic. Except for Kevin Hicks as Jerry Russell, his performance wasn't very convincing as Zoey's father. Zoey was a very realistic and sweet child (most of the time), good acting for an 8 year old. I thought the story was original (to me). I enjoyed it and the clever banter among the characters. It was a nice distraction from the cares of life. I liked Hector Elizondo's performance of a mixture of kindness and honesty. Reviewers: give credit where credit is due!!