bjmatchett Reviews

Snow White: The Fairest of Them All (2001 TV Movie)

A vastly different interpretation of the Brothers Grimm Classic

[7/10 · 9 March 2003]

I just finished watching this movie on video and had to comment on it. This version is so vastly different than the classic Disney version that I found myself wondering if it was indeed the same story. There are some clever and original twists in this version such as the wicked witch using her hand-held mirror as a deadly weapon. Miranda Richardson is just wonderful as the wicked stepmother and was a terrific choice, as she is very beautiful, but yet menacing enough to be scary. Kristin Kreuk (of WB's "Smallville) was a perfect choice for the title character and looks exactly as one would expect Snow White to look. Tom Irwin is also perfectly cast as her father although his talents as an actor are not really taken full advantage of in this limited role. There are no dwarves named Dopey or Sleepy, etc. in this version of the Brother's Grimm tale, but the characters that are used to portray the equivalent parts are very well acted by Warwick Davis, Michael J. Anderson, and the other actors. Overall I think this is a very different but interesting interpretation of the classic tale although somewhat more dark and moody than I expected.

The Matthew Shepard Story (2002 TV Movie)

Heartbreaking tale of hate and murder

[24 February 2003]

I found this to be a very touching and moving movie with wonderful performances by all, however, I felt it would have been much better without all the grainy and artistic camera shots, and that the movie would have been more effective if told from the beginning to the end rather than jumping forward, back, forward, and showing so many flashbacks. It was beautiful and brave to show the kiss between Matthew and his friend, but they could have explored that relationship a bit more so that we could feel a little more like we knew something of Matthew's life. Overall, I think it was a very sad and scary tale of what hate and discrimination and prejudice can do to everyone when they get out of control. I seriously hope everyone will learn from the tragic tale of Matthew Sheppard's life and this movie.

Calm at Sunset (1996 TV Movie)

Wonderfully photographed film

[7 November 2002]

A wonderfully photographed film set in the world of sea fishing. The performances are top-notch, especially that of Peter Facinelli, as the idealistic young man that wants to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors to become a fisherman, even though everyone around him tries to discourage this dream. Wonderful performances exude from everyone throughout this heart-warming tale.