onthatnote Reviews

Believe in Me (2006)

One of the better "based on a true story" sport movie

[10/10 · 10 September 2009]

This is a great family movie and a great movie for teachers to see. It especially hits home for teachers, who are of course, coaches, but also those classroom teachers who have the same relational interactions as coaches like choir teachers (me), band directors, and the like.

The casting was excellent. I did not feel that I was watching actors, but actual people. Bruce Dern did his role so well, you really despised him. (I didn't realize he was THAT old already. I guess I'M that old already!) The girls were believable, the coach was well acted, the wife was a natural pairing for him--all very good acting. I, like you, can't stand cheesy "docudramas." You will want to watch the "making of" special features. You will have a pleasant surprise about the winning shot in the movie.

I highly, highly, recommend this movie. I have been encouraging my colleagues and all my students to rent it.

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007)

Apparently I'm in the minority: IT WAS A WONDERFUL MOVIE

[10/10 · 1 January 2009]

I watched this with my wife and daughter. We loved it. We thought that the casting was perfect. Hoffman was perfect in the role and brought it to life. Portman was equally perfect for the role. And the kid who played Eric was wonderful. I don't understand the many negative critics of the acting. I thought that the casting couldn't have been better.

The set was incredible. As was the CGI. The Emporium was truly magical. Made you wish it actually existed.

The writing was great. Thoroughly enjoyable story, characters, and humor.

Really don't know why this movie didn't get a higher rating.

Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical (2001 TV Movie)

Good, but not great

[6/10 · 11 July 2008]

This version of this musical is OK to watch once, but unlike other musicals I like, I will not watch it a second time. Hasselhoff's singing is OK, but not great. His acting was surprisingly good, though, in this difficult split personality character. Interesting to see the star of "Baywatch" and "Knight Rider" (never saw the former, always watched the latter as a kid) on the stage. He is better on the stage by far.

Coleen Sexton's singing as Lucy was terrific and energized. Andrea Rivette's singing as Emma was wonderful. The supporting cast was very good.

The music was great. The music was the reason why I rented this in the first place. I have a voice studio and several of my students have sung selections from this musical without me having seen it and knowing the context in which they were sung. Very memorable solos and the duet "In His Eyes" really showcases the two leading ladies.

I question the director's artistic interpretation of having people in a surreal or interpretive background. It seemed like it was just busy work with no contribution to the story. This happened five times and three of them really detracted from the scene rather than supplementing it, especially since it was always during a solo. Come on--let the character have the stage all to himself! Also, there was one rainy day scene and one had a red umbrella in the midst of all these black and dark blue umbrellas and dark lighting with a darker set. It really stuck out with no apparent artistic value.

The sets were excellent and I did enjoy the camera work, which was effective, I thought. Sometimes camera work of a live production can be distracting. The choreography many times didn't impress me, however, and I found it to be confusing to the eye.

Just a warning for you fellow conservative parents out there: There were a few times that the choice of language in the dialog and lyrics made me very uncomfortable. And for some of you, the portrayal of the prostitute house might make you fast forward. The murder scenes were done in good taste, however. They were quite effective, but did not contain any bloody gore.