Change Your Image
cmlawson725
Reviews
The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited (2004)
A sad farewell
I finally watched it with mixed feelings. The only parts I found funny were the "clips" from the classic show. The laughter from the "present" felt forced and after a while the applause got a little annoying. It was really nice to see the cast-why was Ray Romano there?-but the storyline could've been done so much better! It lacked the spark and genius that made the show so successful from 1961-1966.
The Call of the Wild (2020)
I loved it!
A charming little movie that will tug at the heartstrings for an hour and a half!
A Christmas Visitor (2002)
Beautiful little movie!
First saw this on TV, then got it on DVD for my mom. I still love it! Just have to remember the tissues.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
A beautiful day in this neighborhood, if you let it!
Having finally viewed this film last night, after months, weeks, and days of anticipation, hoping it would live up to the hype surrounding Tom Hanks's much lauded performance and Matthew Rhys's role as a composite of different people, including Tom Junot, whose article in Esquire magazine was the major impetus and starting point for the film, I can safely say it definitely lived up to it, and then some! Indeed, there were moments when I wasn't seeing Tom Hanks, but Fred Rogers, himself. Certainly, there have been people who have complained, commented, argued that Tom Hanks does not "look" like Fred Rogers, doesn't have the same speech inflection, and appears very little in the film. The main thing to keep in mind is that they were not going for an all out biopic of Fred Rogers. Rather, they were showing us the impact he has had on other people, including our main character, played brilliantly by Rhys. The essence, the spirit, and the presence of Fred Rogers was what was important: who cares if Tom Hanks didn't look or sound like Rogers? They captured his spirit, his humanity, and his presence! Tom Hanks is, without a doubt, the finest actor of modern cinema. He makes you believe the characters he plays, even with the little flaws. Case in point: Jim Lovell is left-handed, and Tom is right-handed; who cares? He took you on the Apollo 13 with the rest of the crew and he captured the essence of what it was like on that ill-fated mission!
Okay, rant over.
This movie moved me to tears, sometimes laughter, and then tears again. I really believe the real Fred Rogers would have just been tickled being played by Tom Hanks, having said Forrest Gump was one of his favorite movies, having seen it 40 times, and Tom Hanks was his favorite actor. Only Tom Hanks could make the little moments work, commanding his screen presence and asking of you, dear viewer, to for one minute, think of all the people who have touched your life and made you who you are today. Can you think of any other actor who would ask this and you do as asked? Probably not. It is his sincerity, looking straight at you. You are completely mesmerized and if you're caught up in the movie, you will follow suit.
As for Matthew Rhys. He was truly remarkable as Lloyd Vogel. Yes, it is his movie, in spite of Tom Hanks figuring most prominently in the movie posters, trailers, etc. Yet, Tom allowed Matthew to shine, not stealing scenes away from him, but allowing Matthew to bring the movie together. He is, in so many ways, the audience. The audience watching Mr. Rogers. And the same audience has no choice but to acknowledge there have been people in our lives who have wronged us, deserted us, and hurt us, but there are also people who have loved us, shared themselves with us, grew up with us, nurtured us, and encouraged us.
The rest of the supporting cast were just that, supporting. They helped move the story along and you cheer for them, weep for them, understand them, and ultimately, you feel as if they are your own family, friends, or associates.
So while you may feel duped, instead, take the time to allow yourself to appreciate the beautiful story. Do not be cynical. There could be much worse ways of spending the hour and fifty minutes it takes to watch the movie. Yes, I know some would be bored. And that's okay. But if you like good stories with a positive spin, even fantastic at times, just take some deep breaths and allow yourself to be taken. And in a good way!
I hope Fred would've said, "I appreciate your point of view." If you took the time to read this, I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you.
So, who has loved you into being, made you the best you you can be??? Take a minute of silence and think of them. Then when that minute is over, be assured how glad those people will be that you remember them!
Before I Go to Sleep (2014)
What exciting is going to happen today?
I absolutely enjoyed the novel, so I was slightly hesitant for a while to watch the film. Then the opportunity came to see it, so I tried not to think too much about the book while watching. It was actually a really good adaptation, I thought. Nicole Kidman played the role with a heartbreaking reality, Mark Strong was great as Dr. Nash, and Colin Firth was good as Ben. Yes, Memento may be the better movie, but for genuine emotion, this one really broke my heart, in a good way. :-)