Movie Review: Lego Batman the Movie DC Super Heroes Unite

December 4, 2015, 4:21 am

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Lego Batman the Movie DC Super Heroes Unite

DC Comics, The LEGO Group, Traveller's Tales, Warner Premiere Digital, USA, UK, Denmark, 2013.

Based on the video game Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes.

Lex Luthor (Clancy Brown) is annoyed when Bruce Wayne (Troy Baker) wins the Man of the Year prize. The Joker (Christopher Corey Smith) and the other supervillains crash the party. Batman (Troy Baker) and Robin (Charlie Schlatter) catch Joker after a chase. Superman (Travis Willingham) arrives and playfully mocks Batman about causing collateral damage.

Lex Luthor

Bruce Wayne and his fans

Robin and Batman

Lex plans to team up with Joker to win presidential election. The supervillains escape the Arkham Asylum using Lex's new weapon. Stubborn Batman does not want help from anyone. But as the new weapon can destroy Batman's equipment he has to ask help from Superman. Lex steals a stash of  Kryptonite that makes Superman powerless. Justice League comes to help.

Superman

The Joker

Justice League

The title sequence already tells that this movie is more close to Tim Burton's gothic Batman-films than Christopher Nolan's versions. Also the humoristic approach makes it fun as the 60s TV-Batman and The Joker is like Cesar Romero's comical villain. The use of Lego-bricks makes the visual style cheery and tongue-in-cheek, and it never gets too serious. Also the animation looks great with some spectacular action scenes. In the Lego-world the superheroes have a new power: to repair the damaged items using the detached bricks. As Robin is still young kid, his attempts to build vehicles often fail. Batman and Superman are polar opposites and they have fun dialogue.

Poor Alfred

The DVD has also good extras with short films and episodes of TV-animations.

"Building Batman"

Animator Garrett Barati teaches kids' how to make Lego- stop motion films.

Two episodes of series "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" (2011)

Triumvirate of Terror

First story shows epic baseball match between Justice League International and Legion of Doom. In the main story Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman foil the foolproof plots of their arch enemies. Joker, Lex Luthor and Cheetah decide to attack different heroes than usually.

Superman vs Cheetah

Scorn of the Star Sapphire

First story: Baroness Von Gunther has captured Batman and Steve Trevor. Wonder Woman to the rescue! In the main story Green Lantern's enemy Star Sapphire kidnaps Green Lantern's girlfriend Carol Ferris.

Star Sapphire

One episode of "Teen Titans" (2005)

Overdrive

Cyborg has lots of things he wants to do but there are only 24 hours in the day. New chip makes him more efficient but there are some serious side effects. Americanime.

Cyborg

There are also six award winning short animations from Lego DC Universe Super Heroes with short film "Lego Batman Jumps into Action" advertising the contest.

"Black Friday"

Batman tries to buy Lego-kit.

"Prison Brick-Out"

Lex Luthor notices that the prison is made of Lego-bricks and escapes.

"Superman"

Superman and Wonderwoman fight against Lex Luthor's giant robot.

"Plastic Justice"

Batman stops crime wave of Two-Face, Joker and Catwoman and Riddler.

"Wicked Surprise"

Villains have kidnapped Robin. Batman gets a birthday surprise.

All in all a very entertaining package.

Rating: Very good

Voice Actors: Clancy Brown, Troy Baker, Christopher Corey Smith, Charlie Schlatter, Travis Willingham, Townsend Coleman, Laura Bailey, Steve Blum, Rob Paulsen, Brian Bloom, Cam Clarke, Katherine Von Till, Erin Shanagher

Director: Jon Burton

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Movie Review: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes Justice League vs. Bizarro League

December 5, 2015, 9:02 am

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Lego DC Comics Super Heroes Justice League vs. Bizarro League 

Warner Bros. Animation, USA, 2015. 

Superman's (Nolan North) failed clone Bizarro (Nolan North) arrives in Metropolis. He wants to be heroic but does everything in a wrong way and causes damage. Superman helps him find new home in planet that has weird physics. There Bizarro creates a rough version of Metropolis that he can protect.

Superman and Bizarro

Later Giganta (April Winchell) and Gorilla Grodd (Kevin Michael Richardson) create havoc. Justice League stops the villains. Batman has just joined the Justice League and he is secretly suspicious of Superman carrying a box of Kryptonite just in case. 

Giganta

When Darkseid (Tony Todd) ties to steal the stone citizens of Bizarro's planet (it is kinda long story) Bizarro needs more friends to protect his planet. Bizarro steals Lex Luthor's duplicator gun and creates second-class clones of Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern Guy Gardner and Cyborg: Batzarro, Greenzarro, Cyzarro and Bizarra. 

Lex Luthor says hello

Vote Lex!

Justice League tries to help but the goofy Bizarro League makes it hard. However in their weird planet they have some useful skills and finally the Justice League learns to appreciate them as friends although they are different. Also Batman loses some of his prejudices against Superman.

Darkseid

Bizarro wants to help

It is fun but not quite as riotous as Lego Batman the Movie DC Super Heroes Unite (LBMDCSHU from now on). This is not a direct sequel of Lego Batman the Movie and also the production team was different. This one takes the adventure to still more comedic direction. The members of Bizarro team are lovably stupid. Whereas LBMDCSHU had more humorous references to Batman's and Superman's live-action films or series satisfying also older DC Comics fans, this one's jokes seem to be aimed at slightly younger audience.

Many of the visual jokes involve chickens

The film itself is short (only 47 minutes) but the DVD contains featurette "Me am Bizarro!" and extra film "Batman Be-Leagured" with a blooper reel. 

Batman Be-Leagured (prequel of the main film)

Manbat,  Penguin and The Joker (this Joker looks like Jack Nicholson's version) try to steal World's largest gem and Batman tries to stop them. Superman wants to recruit Batman to Justice League but Batman likes to work alone. Superman vanishes and Batman has to call Justice League. This is a fun film that has lone wolf  Batman admitting that sometimes friends are needed.

The Joker

I can't work under these conditions

Rating (both films) : Good

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes Justice League vs. Bizarro League

Voice actors: Diedrich Bader, Troy Baker, John DiMaggio, Tom Kenny, Phil Morris, Nolan North, Khary Payton, Kevin Michael Richardson, James Arnold Taylor, Tony Todd, Kari Wahlgren, April Winchell
Director: Brandon Vietti

Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered
Voice actors: Dee Bradley Baker, Troy Baker, John DiMaggio, Grey Griffin, Tom Kenny, Nolan North, Khary Payton, James Arnold Taylor, Paul Reubens, Kevin Michael Richardson
Director: Rick Morales 

Finnish Independence Day Special 2: Tali-Ihantala 1944

December 5, 2015, 9:00 pm

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Tali-Ihantala 1944 a.k.a 1944: The Final Defence

Åke Lindman Film-Productions, Finland, 2007.

The Continuation War, June 1944. Germany has been defeated on the eastern front. The Soviet Union is launching a massive offensive against Finland. The Finns are retreating in the Karelian Isthmus. General Lagus (Marcus Groth) orders a counter-attack. Anti-tank squadron is sent first. The Russians are numerically superior with 450000 Russians agains 75000 Finns. Tanks are scarce and Finns have to seize every opportunity to capture damaged enemy tanks.

In the initial battle general's son Olof Lagus (Onni Thulesius) destroys four Russian tanks in less than a minute. However the troops must retreat. Field Marshal Mannerheim (Asko Sarkola) orders Lieutenant General Karl Oesch (Jukka Puotila) to command the troops in Isthmus. Lieutenant General Aksel Airo (Pirkka-Pekka Petelius) orders fortification of  Viipuri-Kuparsaari-Taipale defensive line.

Lieutenant General Aksel Airo

-Why are there swastikas on the tanks, because of Hitler? -Bollocks. We used it first. Hitler stole it from us and made the cross crooked.

Majors Jouko Hynninen (Tarmo Ruubel) and Eero Leppänen (Kari Ketonen) are ordered to take back the lost area. Major Leppänen dies in the battle. Initial Russian counter-attacks are pushed back. Despite being wounded Sergeant Reino Lehväslaiho (Marc Gassot) destroys a Russian infantry company using Suomi-submachine gun. After the War Lehväslaiho became a popular war novelist with 45 published novels.

Majors Hynninen and Leppänen

Sergeant Lehväslaiho

In 25 June 1944 Russians start break-through attack near Tali parish village. Volunteer Swedish soldiers arrive to help defending the area. Language barrier makes their Panzerfaust-training dangerous to themselves as they do not understand the warning about rocket launcher's backblast.

Major Heikki Mikkola (Taisto Oksanen) and Second Lieutenant Erkki Teppo (Aleksi Sariola)

The Soviet resistance is heavy and Lagus' troops are getting exhausted. Olof is wounded. In 28 June Lagus' troops are given chance for rest when Major General Vihma (Olli Ikonen) takes charge.

Lance Corporal Olof Lagus (Onni Thulesius)

Radio reconnaissance intercepts Russian message about crucial attack on Ihantala in 3 July. The Finnish have time for countermeasures. Massive artillery barrage and Messerschmitt attacks stop the attack of Soviet troops.

The defensive victory in Battle of Tali-Ihantala and other Finnish victories convinced the Soviets that conquering Finland was not worth the cost. The stakes were high. If the Finns had lost it would have meant occupation of Finland by Soviet Union, the fate of Baltic countries and East European countries. Although the costs as lost men, war reparations and lost areas were high Finland maintained its independence

Rather than being a plot-driven movie, this has the feel of documentary or historical re-enactment. The health of director Lindman did not allow finishing the movie so Sakari Kirjavainen continued. Lindman wanted the film to be realistic and show the sacrifices of Finnish war veterans. Historically it is accurate and honours the war veterans. However the dramatical impact is lessened as there is less focus on plot or characters, rather we follow the operations of small groups of men. Most drama we get from Hynninen and Leppänen arc and also general Lagus is worried about his son, who he had to sent to front line so that he would not be accused of favouritism.

Everyone from lowest ranking soldiers to generals does his duty. Familiar faces from Finnish TV and films get their brief moments to portray soldiers that are based on real-life war heroes. Lots of real museum tanks and airplanes from WW2 were used in filming and also some archive material is used. Maps show the front lines, making the advancement of troops more easier to see.

Some individual acts of courage are shown as when 29 June 1944 Lance Corporal Ville Väisänen (Markku Hyvönen) destroys eight Soviet tanks with Panzerfausts. Also some moments of compassion about the enemy are shown as when Russian soldier carries injured Finnish soldier to safety.

Recommended for its historically accurate portrayal of an important part of Finnish history. 

Rating: Good

Starring: Rauno Ahonen, Mikko Bredenberg, Riko Eklundh, Marc Gassot, Marcus Groth, Johan Hallström, Kari Hevossaari, Markku Hyvönen, Janne Hyytiäinen, Viggo Idman, Olli Ikonen, Tapani Kalliomäki, Jarkko Nyman, Janne Kallioniemi, Kari Ketonen, Pete Lattu, Mika Nuojua, Tommi Liski, Jesper Malm, Taisto Oksanen, Teemu Palosaari, Jukka-Pekka Pentikäinen, Pirkka-Pekka Petelius, Jukka Puotila, Taisto Reimaluoto, Tuomas Rinta-Panttila, Tarmo Ruubel, Christian Sandström, Aleksi Sariola, Asko Sarkola, Fabian Silén, Robin Svartström, Jan-Christian Söderholm, Onni Thulesius, Jarkko Tiainen, Antti Timonen, Timo Torikka, Timo Tuominen, Kasperi Nordman, Riku Korhonen, Ilkka Villi, Tomi Etelävuori, Aku Hirviniemi, Joonas Saartamo, Santtu Karvonen, Matti Laine, Harri Liuksiala, Jussi Nikkilä, Antti Launonen, Janne Vakio, Timo Mann

Directors: Åke Lindman, Sakari Kirjavainen

Movie Review: Lego DC Super Heroes: Justice League - Attack of the Legion of Doom!

December 8, 2015, 1:10 pm

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Lego DC Super Heroes: Justice League - Attack of the Legion of Doom! a.k.a LEGO DC Super Heroes: Justice League vs Legion of Doom

DC Entertainment, The LEGO Group, Warner Bros. Animation, USA, 2015.

Justice League has made life hard for the supercriminals. Superman (Nolan North), Wonder Woman (Grey Griffin), Cyborg (Khary Payton), Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Josh Keaton) and The Flash (James Arnold Taylor) vote Batman (Troy Baker) to be their leader for now. 

Justice League

Lex Luthor (John DiMaggio) and Darkseid (Tony Todd) have a new plan. They form an alliance of supercriminals, the Legion of Doom! Many candidates appear but only the most skilled criminals can join. They must survive Sasuke-style obstacle course first. 

Jury of Doom

The new members

The Legion of Doom combines the forces of Lex Luthor, Black Manta, Sinestro, Captain Cold (Kevin Michael Richardson), Gorilla Grodd (Kevin Michael Richardson) and Cheetah (Cree Summer). They plan to steal secret alien weapons from Area 52. They find a capsule containing an alien creature, something that General Sam Lane (James Arnold Taylor) would like to keep hidden. 

Cyborg is the weakest of the team and blundering makes him lose faith in himself. Also League of Doom tricks the heroes and angry people banish them. Maybe Cyborg's technical skills can help revealing the conspiracy and saving the day. Also Martian Manhunter (Dee Bradley Baker) appears.

Angry world leaders

Martian Manhunter

The plot is more traditional superhero adventure than in previous LEGO DC Super Heroes movie and also the relationships of the group are better defined. The Flash and Green Lantern are constantly competing. Superman is a country boy who admires Batman. Wonder Woman is the common sense and mother figure. Batman is moody as always. Cyborg is the youngest and he has not yet found his position in the team. There are some lessons about finding your own abilities and also not fearing something just because it is different.

As a fun detail the mug shots of the heroes reveal that their Lego-height is about 1.5". Although these Lego DC Super Heroes are more clearly aimed at kids than for example Lego Batman, there are now more jokes referencing the DC universe. Mark Hamill voices Trickster and in one scene says that he is not the Joker (which is funny because he also voices Joker). There are good amount of visual jokes and puns. The animation looks nice and colourful with some cool spaceship battles in the end. If you like Lego-movies you will also like this.

The only DVD Extra is a featurette telling about the making of sound effects. It has some fun information about work of foley-artists.

Rating: Good

Voice actors: Dee Bradley Baker, Troy Baker, John DiMaggio, Grey Griffin, Mark Hamill, Tom Kenny, Nolan North, Josh Keaton, Khary Payton, Kevin Michael Richardson, Cree Summer, James Arnold Taylor, Tony Todd

Director: Rick Morales

Movie Review: Lego Star Wars The Empire Strikes Out

December 9, 2015, 10:49 am

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Lego Star Wars The Empire Strikes Out 

CGCG, Lucasfilm Television, Threshold Animation Studios, USA, 2012. 

Not recommended for those who regard "Star Wars"- movies as holy scriptures!

Deathstar has been destroyed. The Rebels are retreating to Hoth. Leia (Lisa Fuson) sends Luke (Lloyd Floyd) to Naboo to find secret Imperial base. Luke gets in trouble with group of female fans. Meanwhile Leia and Han (John Armstrong) recruit Gungans.

Luke & Han

Darth Vader

The Emperor wants to build a new Death Star, but the boys Darth Vader (Matt Sloan) and Darth Maul (Sam Witwer) are more interested in fighting each other. Can Luke escape the overeager fans? Why does Darth Maul need so many red bricks for the New Death Star? Does Vader spoil the surprise revelation about Luke's father before the events of "The Empire Strikes Back"?

Imperial stormtroopers

Epic duel

Han & Leia

This is short film (21 min) parody of "Star Wars" that is in the vein of "Spaceballs."  The style of humour is a bit different than in the later Lego-movies. In the later Lego superhero movies the characters are more comical than their original versions, but at least they follow the logic of their own Legofied universe. Here instead the characters act more as parody versions of themselves and the events can not be taken seriously. As the story is short it entertains without the joke going overlong. 

Many of the jokes seem to be on the goofy aspects of the "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace." Also other films of the series get their share of jokes. There is even a joke where Han shoots first. Also George Bush Jr's "Mission Accomplished" banner makes its appearance. The cities are filled with billboards where familiar characters advertise for their side businesses.

There are no extras on the DVD (boo!)

Wedge's Sandwiches

Rating: Good

Voice actors: Anthony Daniels, Kenneth Colley, Brian Blessed, Julian Glover, Lloyd Floyd, Matt Sloan, Ahmed Best, Lisa Fuson, John Armstrong, Andy Secombe, Tom Kane, Sam Witwer, Robert Dennis, Jason Canning, Yazmin Monet Watkins, Dennis Edwards 

Director: Guy Vasilovich

Movie Review: Lego Star Wars The Padawan Menace

December 10, 2015, 4:15 am

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Lego Star Wars The Padawan Menace

Animal Logic, LEGO, Lucasfilm, USA, Australia, 2011.

Group of young Jedis or Padawans and Yoda (Tom Kane) return from field trip. They plan to visit the Senate. C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 are left to babysit the kids while Yoda goes to fight a threat to the Republic. New orphan kid "Ian" (Katie Leigh) disguises himself as Padawan. Evil Sith Asajj Ventress (Nika Futterman) has a secret battle plan and she tries to bomb the Senate.

Yoda and the kids

Padawans

Ian, Yoda and Commander Cody (Rob Paulsen) end up in Hoth to get the secret plans. C-3PO, R2-D2 and the Padawans go to Tatooine where they cause disorder in Mos Eisley Cantina Bar. Does Yoda find the secret plans? Can C3PO be a hero? Who is this Ian guy anyway? Can the film be finished before George Lucas fires Darth Vader?

Asajj Ventress attacks

C-3PO, R2-D2

Yoda and Ian

This is a short 21 minute non-canon film. The film makes fun parody about the Star Wars characters but does not go quite as over-the-top as "The Empire Strikes Out." There are plenty of SW references, visual gags and there is funny stuff going on in the background. George Lucas gives directions to Darth Vader who appears in wrong scenes. There are some funny posters where Star Wars characters advertise some services such as Mace's Windu Washing. Holy smoke, check out the neck of Yarael Poof!

Mace's Windu Washing

Darth Vader and Lego-George Lucas

Hey, there are some fun DVD extras!

"The Quest for R2-D2"

During the Clone Wars R2-D2 is lost in space. Anakin and Ahsoka try to find him before the separatists get him. Also Indiana Jones can be seen buying stuff from Jawa garage sale.

Nice find

"Bombad Bounty"

(this one has crazy opening texts, watch them in slow motion if you can)

Boss Nass Cleaners: scrubbing the galaxy clean, one system at a time....

The opening of "New Hope" is altered by Boss Nass Cleaners mopping the floor. Darth Vader breaks his leg and sends Boba Fett after Jar Jar Binks. Jar Jar travels through the original trilogy. Indiana Jones appears also here in couple of scenes.

Jar Jar's cleaning career

"Star Wars in 2 Minutes (Part 1)"

Exactly as the name says. Fast forward of the original trilogy.

"Star Wars in 2 Minutes (Part 2)"

Fast forward of the prequel trilogy.

Obi-Wan with Baby Leia and Luke

"The Clone Wars Animated Comics"

4 Short episodes of the series. Captain Rex and his clone troopers battle the droid army.

Rating: Good

Voice actors: Anthony Daniels, Nika Futterman, Phil LaMarr, Tom Kane, Katie Leigh, R. Martin Klein, Rob Paulsen, Tim Gaul, David Scott

Director: David Scott

Movie Review: Fred Claus

December 11, 2015, 4:08 am

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Fred Claus

Warner Bros., Silver Pictures, David Dobkin Productions, Jessie Nelson Productions, USA, 2007.

Nicholas 'Santa' Claus has older brother Fred. When they are kids Nick is always better than Fred and their parents (Kathy Bates and Trevor Peacock) pamper Nick. As Nick knocks down a fir tree where Fred's pet bird lives that is the last straw. Nick (Paul Giamatti) grows up to be Santa Claus. Fred (Vince Vaughn) becomes bitter and he hates Christmas.

Fred

Nick

Hundreds of years later in the modern day (apparently members of the Claus family do not age).  Fred has almost forgotten girlfriend Wanda's (Rachel Weisz) birthday. Fred is planning to open a casino but he lacks money so he tries swindle some money as a fake fundraiser. Angry Salvation Army Santas beat him up. Fred calls from the slammer to Nick to get bail money. Wanda leaves Nick for ignoring her birthday.

Wanda

There is quite a big stylistic mismatch with the beginning. Fred seems to be too nice guy despite being bitter towards Nick for centuries. Sure he is slightly cynical but you would expect him to be more like Grinch. Fred even takes care of orphaned kid Slam (Bobb'e J. Thompson).

Nick is in stressful situation. The production of toys is dropping and efficiency expert is coming for inspection. Nick promises money if Fred comes to visit North Pole and help with the Christmas rush. Santa sends Willie the Elf (John Michael Higgins) and sleigh to pick up Fred. Willie has crush on Santa's Little Helper Charlene (Elizabeth Banks). 

Willie introduces North Pole

Charlene

Fred must sort kids to naughty or nice. Listening same Christmas carols over and over makes him lose his nerve (I feel you bro). Maybe listening some remixed Elvis-songs helps. 

Northcutt

Recession has hit even the mythic Holiday characters. Efficiency expert Lex Luthor Clyde Northcutt (Kevin Spacey) threatens to shut down Santa's workshop. Everything starts to go wrong. Slam gets on the naughty list. Northcutt fires Santa and Christmas is cancelled. Game Over.

(something...)
(something...)
(something...)

Fred meets Bill Clinton's brother Roger Jr. in group therapy. Fred finds his brotherly love again and saves Christmas. Happy Ending!

The story is quite traditional "jaded guy finds the Christmas spirit." This has something for whole family, goofy slapstick for kids and some holiday family / business drama for adults but the different styles do not quite work. And there are ninja-elves. However there is long brother therapy session that is fun for adults but probably bores kids.

The actors are good but underused and Vaughn seems to be toned down as a family-friendly version of himself. Considering the setting there could have been more anarchistic approach. Now the film is harmless family entertainment with sentimental lesson about values of Christmas. Some cameos are included: rapper Ludacris appears as tiny DJ Donnie. Frank Stallone, Roger Clinton Jr. (Bill's brother) and Stephen Baldwin appear as themselves.

Rating: Average

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, John Michael Higgins, Miranda Richardson, Rachel Weisz, Kathy Bates, Trevor Peacock, Ludacris (as Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges), Elizabeth Banks, Jeremy Swift, Elizabeth Berrington, Kevin Spacey, Rio Hackford, Bobb'e J. Thompson, Allan Corduner, Jordon Hull, Liam James, Theo Stevenson, Allison Sparrow, Fred Zimmerman, Danny McCarthy, Keith Kupferer, Craig J. Harris, Peter McCabe, Jonathan Cullen, Wesley Chu, Claudia Michelle Wallace, Guy Massey, Gabriel Pimentel, Hassan Chikhaoui, Vitalie Babara, Morgane Monjauze, Justin Butler, Angela Curran, Celia Henebury, Justin McEwen, Tyler Kelley, Dylan Minnette, Anne White, Patrick Zielinski, William Dick, Frank Stallone, Roger Clinton, Stephen Baldwin, Jean-Yves Tual ,Jorge Rodero, Michael Mbhele, Burn Gorman, Orlando Seale, Charlie Condou, Melody Hollis, Mike Bacarella, Bert Matias, Rusty Goffe, Peter Bonner + other actors playing elves,  singers and etc.

Director: David Dobkin

Movie Review: A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa

December 12, 2015, 11:54 am

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A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa 

Muppets Studio, Walt Disney Studios, USA, 2008. 

Christmas is coming and the Muppets are busy. They want to travel to holiday. Miss Piggy (Eric Jacobson) wants to travel with Kermit (Steve Whitmire) to Caribbean. The Muppets are trying to mail last minute Christmas cards. Gonzo (Dave Goelz) causes accident in post office and acquires unmailed letters to Santa. 

Muppets in post office

Gonzo and Claire's family

Beaker, you dawg

One of the letters is from little girl Claire (Madison Pettis) who lives next door to the Muppets with her mother (Jane Krakowski). Fozzie Bear (Eric Jacobson) and Gonzo try to return to the post office but it is already closed. After trying various unsuccessful solutions to deliver the letters, Kermit, Fozzie, Rizzo the Rat, Pepe the Prawn and Gonzo must travel to North Pole to meet Santa. Piggy is not happy. 

This is a fun Holiday special (53 min) with feel-good Muppet humour and cheesy songs. Several familiar Muppet characters appear although many only briefly for duration of one joke or so. The story is simple and fairly generic but serves as vehicle for gags with some sentimental Christmas spirit. Cameos include Uma Thurman, Whoopi Goldberg, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Jesse L. Martin and also Sopranos stars Steve Schirripa and Tony Sirico. 

Christmas joke from Fozzie: 

Who delivers Christmas presents to baby sharks? Santa Jaws!

Rating: Good 

Starring: Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, Eric Jacobson, Michael Bloomberg, Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Griffiths, Jane Krakowski, Nathan Lane, Jesse L. Martin, Petra Nemcova, Madison Pettis, Steve Schirripa, Tony Sirico, Uma Thurman, Paul Williams, Pam Arciero, Heather Asch, Tyler Bunch, Leslie Carrara, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, James Godwin, James J. Kroupa, Matt Vogel, Tim Lagasse, Peter Linz, Noel MacNeal, Jim Martin, Paul McGinnis, Martin P. Robinson, David Rudman, Nadine Ellis, Kevin Sateri, Douglas Caldwell, Mary Ann Lamb, Terrance Reddick, Warren Adams, Paul Becker, Peter Conboy, Paul T. Gosselin, Bill Timoney, Guy Veryzer 

Director: Kirk R. Thatcher

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Movie Review: Scrooge (1935)

December 13, 2015, 6:55 am

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Scrooge (1935)

Julius Hagen Productions, United Kingdom, 1935.

Based on the novel "Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.

This review is based on CCV Christmas Classics (colour) version but applies also to Mill Creek's (black and white) version.

Ebenezer Scrooge (Seymour Hicks) is a notorious miser. He does not value Christmas. Nephew Fred (Robert Cochran) tries to cheer up him and invites Scrooge for Christmas party with his family. Bah, humbug! says Scrooge.

Ebenezer Scrooge

Fred

Bob Cratchit

On Christmas Eve ghost of Scrooge's dead business partner Jacob Marley (who is not shown but is rumoured to be Claude Rains, "The Invisible Man!"). Marley is cursed because he cared only about money and not the people. Spirits of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future will soon visit Scrooge. 

Spirit of Christmas Present (Oscar Asche)

Spirit of Christmas Past shows him the woman he once loved Belle (Mary Glynne). Belle left him because of his cruelty, married another man and got about dozen children.

Cook making a delicious cake

Spirits of Christmas Present shows how Scrooge's poor clerk Bob Cratchit (Donald Calthrop) spends Christmas. Cratchit has crippled but optimistic son Tiny Tim (Philip Frost) who can sing beautifully. The family is happy although they are poor. Then Scrooge meets the most terrible spirit, Spirit of Christmas Future and decides to change his habits before it is too late.

Tiny Tim

Spirit of Christmas Future is bleak

This is one of the many versions of Dickens' tale, also one with the Muppets ("The Muppet Christmas Carol"). One of the modern versions is "Scrooged." This is the first sound version of the story. It is not the best adaptation but has good moments. It is very simplified version and omits many characters of the original story, but has good acting and nice use of light shadows creating a creepy atmosphere. Seymour Hicks does a good job as Scrooge transforming from unpleasant person to benefactor and also the Cratchit family are good. Ghosts are not shown except the ghost of Christmas Present (Oscar Asche). 

CCV Christmas Classics Three Movies in Color box has a coloured and shortened version (57 min). I have this film also in Mill Creek Entertainment "Historic Classics 50 Movie Box" but it is also the same 60 minute version (2 minute difference because of PAL/NTSC conversion) in black & white although it is listed as the full 78 minute version. Repeat: The version in Mill Creek collections is not the full 78 min version! Mill Creek version sees to be transferred from VHS. Here's some of images from Mill Creek version.

Rating: Good 

Starring: Seymour Hicks, Donald Calthrop, Robert Cochran, Mary Glynne, Garry Marsh, Oscar Asche, Marie Ney, C.V. France, Athene Seyler, Maurice Evans, Mary Lawson, Barbara Everest, Eve Gray, Morris Harvey, Philip Frost, D.J. Williams, Margaret Yarde, Hugh E. Wright, Charles Carson, Hubert Harben, Robert Morley, Claude Rains(?) 

Director: Henry Edwards

Movie Review: The Muppet Christmas Carol

December 14, 2015, 1:24 pm

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The Muppet Christmas Carol
Walt Disney Pictures, Jim Henson Productions, USA, 1992.

Based on the novel "Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.

Charles Dickens (The Great Gonzo) and Rizzo the Rat tell the story of mean moneylender Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) works as his clerk. Scrooge's nephew Fred (Steven Mackintosh) is his complete opposite, poor but cheerful. He invites Scrooge to spend Christmas with him and his wife Clara (Robin Weaver).

Charles Dickens (Gonzo) & Rizzo

Scrooge

Two gentlemen (Dr. Bunsen & Beaker) come to collect money for charity but Scrooge drives them out. Not even cute bunny can melt Scrooge's heart. Begrudgingly he allows the office to stay closed on Christmas Day so Bob can spend Christmas with his family.

Dr. Bunsen & Beaker

Bean Bunny

Cratchit family

Scrooge's deceased business partners Jacob and Robert Marley (Statler and Waldorf) appear as chained ghosts. Soon three other ghosts will visit Scrooge. Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge's lonely childhood and his first job in Fozziewig's (Fozzie Bear) rubber chicken factory.  Scrooge sees how he lost lovely Belle (Meredith Braun). 

Jacob and Robert Marley (Statler and Waldorf)

Fozziewig

Ghost of Christmas Present shows how Cratchit-family spends Christmas. Bob is married to Emily (Miss Piggy) and they have two pigs and two frogs. Tiny Tim (Robin the Frog) is ill and will probably die if the family continues to live in poverty. 

Choir kids

Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge the terrible future that will happen if he continues to be stingy and cruel.
Rizzo the Rat: Boy, that's scary stuff! Should we be worried about the kids in the audience?
Gonzo: Nah, it's all right. This is culture!

To avoid the horrible future Scrooge decides to spread Christmas joy to the whole city.

Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

This follows surprisingly faithfully the quite dark Dickens' story but with added cheer from the Muppets. Except for Gonzo and Rizzo the Muppets mayhem is toned down as it takes the story seriously. The ghosts look freaky, especially Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come who looks like Harry Potter's Dementor. Ghost of Christmas Present on the other hand is a jolly giant dwarf. The scary scenes are balanced by cheerful crowds of familiar Muppets and fourth-wall breaking narration by Gonzo. The songs are funny and many even touching. The Muppet-singers are great fun to watch, there are even singing vegetables. Sadly DVD-versions lack "When Love is Gone" sung by Belle. Michael Caine had it hard time getting good roles in the early 1990s so his role as Scrooge brought a welcome lift to his career.

Rating: Very good

Starring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Don Austen, Jessica Fox, Robert Tygner, Steven Mackintosh, Meredith Braun, Robin Weaver, Raymond Coulthard, Russell Martin, Theo Sanders, Kristopher Milnes, Edward Sanders, Anthony Hamblin, Fergus Brazier, William Todd-Jones, Mike Quinn, Karen Prell, Louise Gold
Director: Brian Henson

Movie Review: Santa with Muscles

December 16, 2015, 1:33 pm

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Santa with Muscles

Cabin Fever Entertainment, Hit Entertainment, USA, 1996.

Naughty millionaire Ebner Frost (Ed Begley Jr.) bullies people of Lakeville. He tries to take away local orphanage. Another millionaire Blake Thorne (Hulk Hogan) is marketing his bodybuilding protein powders. First he practices his wrestling kills and then he goes to play paintball with his crew. Cop Hinkley (Clint Howard, Ron's brother) mistakes them for terrorists.

Ebner Frost

Blake Thorne

Hinkley. Bad, heartbreaker, troublemaker.

Blake hides in local mall and disguises in Santa costume. He hits his head and elf Lenny (Don Stark from "That 70s Show") steals his wallet. When he wakes up has lost his memory and Lenny convinces that he is the real Santa Claus. After listening kids' Christmas wishes, Santa beats up two crooks who try to steal charity money.

Ho, ho, ho!

Lenny

Frost blackmails people to give him their businesses. Frost has three enforcers: Dr. Blight M.D. (Steve Valentine), chemist Dr. Vial (Kai Ephron), electrician Dr. Watt (Diane Robin) and geologist Dr. Flint (Kevin West). They drive an ice cream van although they are neither Justified nor Ancient.

Frost's henchmen

When the villains harass the orphanage Santa saves the day using his strength. Orphanage managers Leslie (Robin Curtis) and Clayton (Garrett Morris) invite Santa and Lenny for dinner. Another "That 70s Show" star Mila Kunis appears as one of the kids Sarah and also Adam Wylie of "Picket Fences" fame appears as Taylor. Third kid is Elizabeth (Aria Noelle Curzon). The kids give Santa's suit to more continental look. Santa with muscles becomes a local hero.

Leslie and the kids

Clayton

Santa with muscles

Although the idea sounds fun, it is not as funny as it could be. This is a stupid movie, not necessary a bad thing but it is also dull and the jokes seem forced. With more enthusiastic direction and better jokes this might have worked. Some kudos must be given to the demented B-movie adventure story that has so far-fetched twists and preposterous characters that they have to be seen to be believed. It is often listed as one of the worst Christmas movies. It is often painful to watch so it is hard to recommend to even most hardcore Hulkamaniacs. Hulk Hogan puts on Santa's suit and prepares a Christmas turkey.

He knows if you've been bad or good

Rating: Bad

Starring: Hulk Hogan, Don Stark, Robin Curtis, Garrett Morris, Aria Noelle Curzon, Adam Wylie, Mila Kunis, Jennifer Paz, Clint Howard, William Newman, Robert Apisa, Pierre Dulat, Steve Valentine, Ed Begley Jr., Kai Ephron, Diane Robin, Kevin West, Eddy Donno, Andre Kinney, Bentley Shuster, Troy Robinson, Pete Apisa, Brenda Song, Malone Brinton, Bridget Michele, Ed Leslie, Blake Shuster, Neill Calabro, Emmy Cicierega, Melody Clark-Curzon, Brian J. Williams

Director: John Murlowski

Movie Review: Reindeer Games

December 17, 2015, 11:32 am

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Reindeer Games 

Dimension Films, Marty Katz Productions, USA, 2000.

Rudy Duncan (Ben Affleck) and Nick Cassidy (James Frain) are released from prison. Nick is going to meet pen-pal girlfriend Ashley (Charlize Theron). Prisoner stabs Nick so that he dies. Because Ashley has not seen Nick in real life, Rudy decides to meet Ashley. Bow chicka wow wow. Hot romance follows. Rudy decides to tell the truth after Christmas.

Rudy and Nick

Ashley

Things get complicated when group of criminals come to search for Nick. Violent thug Monster (Gary Sinise) happens to be Ashley's brother. Danny Trejo appears as Jumpy, Monster's business savvy goon. Monster plans to rob casino where Nick worked. Casino Boss Jack Bangs (Dennis Farina) is rumoured to have a hidden safe full of money.  Rudy/Nick has no chance to but to partake in the robbery or Gabriel will kill him. 

Gabriel's gang puts Rudy in a tight spot

Bad Santas

The gang robs the casino wearing Santa Claus costumes. Coincidence or not but in the movie "3000 Miles to Graceland" released next year (2001) Elvis impersonators tried to rob a casino. This is John Frankenheimer's last theatrical movie and not one of his best. However it is a tight crime thriller about a small crook who gets into a bad situation. Noirish twists keep on coming and there is some subtle dark humour. It works well as "leave the brain in the cloakroom" entertainment. The Michigan snow and slush looks like Finnish winter.

Rating: Good 

Starring: Ben Affleck, James Frain, Dana Stubblefield, Mark Acheson, Tom Heaton, Isaac Hayes, Michael Sunczyk, Douglas Arthurs, Dean Wray, Ron Sauvé, Ron Jeremy, Hrothgar Mathews, Charlize Theron, Clarence Williams III, Donal Logue, Danny Trejo, Gary Sinise, Dennis Farina, Gordon Tootoosis, Lee Jay Bamberry, Franklin Dennis Jones, Jimmy Herman, John B. Destry, Ashton Kutcher, Ana Paula Piedade, Enuka Okuma, Eva De Viveiros, Ron Perkins, Joanna Piros, Robyn Driscoll, Lonny Chapman, Alonso Oyarzun, Rod Wolfe, Marcus Hondro, Sam Bob, Jacob Rupp, David Jacox, Anna Hagan, Ken Camroux, Terry O'Sullivan, Michael Puttonen, Paula Shaw, Don S. Williams, Jenafor Ryane, James Hutson, Wendy Noel, Blair Slater, Larry Lam, Govindini Murty 

Director: John Frankenheimer

Movie Review: Silent Night, Deadly Night

December 19, 2015, 11:34 am

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Silent Night, Deadly Night 

TriStar Pictures, Slayride, USA, 1984. 

If you are looking for fun Christmas movie for the whole family skip this one! 

Billy (Robert Brian Wilson) had a troubled childhood. In 1971 grandpa (Will Hare) who is in mental hospital scares young Billy (Jonathan Best). Santa Claus will punish Billy! Soon robber dressed in Santa's costume murders Billy's parents (Tara Buckman and Jeff Hansen). 

Grandpa

Billy and his family

Three years later Billy (Danny Wagner) and his brother Ricky (Max Broadhead) are in orphanage. Traumatized Billy draws violent pictures and gets in trouble with fanatically strict Mother Superior (Lilyan Chauvin). Harsh upbringing methods only make Billy feel worse. 

Mother Superior

Ten years later friendly nun Margaret (Gilmer McCormick) gets Billy a job at toy store an for a while life smiles. He has a crush on Pamela (Toni Nero) who works also there. When Christmas approaches old traumas return. When Billy is forced to wear a Santa Claus costume, he snaps, grabs an axe and begins to slaughter folks. Naughty! Punish!

Billy

Santa and Pamela

Santa will punish!

As a slasher film it is not bad. Also the makers tried to add some psychological aspect to make Billy's mental detoriation more understandable. Billy seems even sympathetic before going into murderous mode. After that the film goes into standard psycho-killer mode with cruel and gory murders and some nudity. As a Holiday themed horror it is not bad and the backstory makes it a bit more interesting than regular masked killer- movie. When this was released it raised a moral panic although it was not the first or last Christmas-themed slasher film. Still the controversy helped to make it a cult video film followed by four sequels. 

Rating: Good 

Starring: Lilyan Chauvin, Gilmer McCormick, Toni Nero, Robert Brian Wilson, Britt Leach, Nancy Borgenicht, H.E.D. Redford, Danny Wagner, Linnea Quigley, Leo Geter, Randy Stumpf, Will Hare, Tara Buckman, Geoff Hansen, Charles Dierkop, Eric Hart, Jonathan Best, A. Madeline Smith, Amy Styvesant, Max Robinson, Vinc Massa, John Michael Alvarez , John Bishop, Richard C. Terry, Oscar Rowland, Richard D. Clark, Tip Boxell, Angela Montoya, Molly Cameron, Jayne Luke, Joan Forster, Betsy Nagel, Barbara Stafford, Paul Mulder, Spencer Ashby, J. Paul Broadhead, Alex Burton, Max Broadhead, Melissa Best, Dan Rogers, Spencer Alston, Kristi Ballard, Jacob Peterson, Jonathan Wilde, Susie Massa, Sarah Stuyvesant, Aron Kincaid, Judith Roberts, Jean-Paul Rodrigues, Micheline Rodrigues, Monique Rodrigues, Don Shanks 

Director: Charles E. Sellier Jr.

Movie Review: Silent Night, Deadly Night 2

December 20, 2015, 6:55 am

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Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 a.k.a Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2

Silent Night Releasing Corporation, USA, 1987.

The Killer Santa Billy got shot to death by police in the previous film. His little brother Ricky (Eric Freeman) is likewise insane. He is in mental hospital under the treatment of Dr. Henry Bloom (James Newman). The story of Ricky is shown using clips from the previous movie. Seriously, almost half of the running time consists of footage from "Silent Night, Deadly Night." Ricky blames sadistic Mother Superior (Jean Miller, Lilyan Chauvin in part 1) for death of Billy.

Dr. Bloom

Young Ricky (Brian Michael Henley) was adopted to surrogate family but he still feared nuns. When Ricky turned 15 (Darrel Guilbeau) his stepfather died. Seeing a scene of attempted sexual assault makes Ricky lose his mind and he commits his first murder. Later he continues punishing naughty evildoers. 

Ricky

Life starts to get better when Jennifer (Elizabeth Kaitan) hits Ricky's motorcycle with her car. Romance follows. Ricky and Jennifer go watch "Silent Night, Deadly Night" in the movies. That's a mistake. Jennifer's jerk ex-boyfriend Chip (Ken Weichert) finally pushes Ricky over the edge and he starts a vicious murder spree. Garbage Day!

Jennifer

Chip

Ricky as Psycho-Santa

Lazily done vigilante/serial killer horror that goes self-satirical. The first half is mostly redundant, basically showing the events of the first film in condensed form. Most of the film seems to occur in summertime and it only remembers in the end that oh yes, the movie's idea was about having a killer Santa Claus. The second half is pure cheesy horror campfest. Eric Freeman's over the top psychotic performance is what keeps the film interesting. Unintentional comedy, cheesy acting and some absurd death scenes have made this some kind of cult movie.

IMDB Trivia: Ricky's eyebrows move up and down 130 times.

Rating: Bad (First half) So bad it’s good (Second half)

Starring: Eric Freeman, James Newman, Elizabeth Kaitan, Jean Miller, Darrel Guilbeau, Brian Michael Henley, Corrine Gelfan, Michael Combatti, Ken Weichert, Ron Moriarty, Frank Novak, Randall Boffman, Joanne White, Lenny Rose, Nadya Wynd, Kenneth McCabe, J. Aubrey Island, Randy Post, Kent Koppase, Michael Marloe, Larry Kelman, Stephanie Babbit, Traci Odom, Jennie Webb, Janice Carlberg, Jher Turner, Jill K. Allen, Delia Lombardo, Stephen Parks, O.J. Ackson, Fred Griggs, Sally Bedding, Spud Plugman, Richard Levine, Dianne C. Weed, Amy Hamovitz, John Fitzgibbons, Scottie Simpfender, Erin Darini, Lara Davini, Brian Davini, Erika Lundquist, Harvey Genkins, Samurai Retz

Director: Lee Harry

Movie Review: Noel (2004)

December 21, 2015, 11:40 am

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Noel

The Convex Group, Neverland Films, Zvi Howard Rosenman Production, Code Entertainment, Red Rose Productions LLC, USA, Canada, 2004.

Rose Collins (Susan Sarandon) meets her old and successful friend Debbie Carmichael (Donna Hanover). Rose says that she is happily married and having a big family Christmas. In reality she is divorced and plans to spend the Christmas with her mother who is in hospital. Possibility for romance appears in the form of younger Latin lover Marco (Daniel Sunjata) but Rose is too tense to start a relationship.

Rose Collins

Mike Riley (Paul Walker) is a cop who proposes his girlfriend Nina Vasquez (Penélope Cruz). What casts a shadow over the romance is that Mike is jealous. Artie (Alan Arkin) is an old waiter who seems to know Mike from somewhere much to Mike's annoyance.

Mike Riley

Nina Vasquez

Artie

Jules (Marcus Thomas) wants to get in hospital so that he could enjoy hospital's Christmas party. He is poor and owes a lot of money to various people. Little by little the paths of Rose, Nina, Artie, Mike and Jules cross. Also Charlie Boyd (Robin Williams uncredited) has a small but important role.

Jules

This is a heartwarming Christmas drama about lonely people. The sentimental and quite melancholic approach makes it close to Frank Capra's Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life" with realistic people having real-life problems. Also "Noel" has a bit of Christmas magic in it. It is not a traditional cheery Christmas movie, but one with touching stories about people with tragic pasts. The cast is good with Sarandon doing the main work. Also Paul Walker does a good role as a macho cop who finds his soft side. Scenes of wintry New York City look nice.

Rating: Good

Starring: Susan Sarandon, Paul Walker, Penélope Cruz, Alan Arkin, Marcus Thomas, Sonny Marinelli, Daniel Sunjata, Chazz Palminteri, Rob Daly, John Doman, Billy Porter, Carmen Ejogo, Donna Hanover, Merwin Mondesir, Una Kay, Sonia Benezra, Marcia Bennett, Howard Rosenstein, Jane Wheeler, David Julian Hirsh, Marguerite Kinh, Arthur Holden, Maurizio Terrazzano, Rachelle Lefevre, Erika Rosenbaum, Charles Rosenblum, Victoria Sanchez, Scott Faulconbridge, Budd Mishkin, Carmen Echeverria, Gianpaolo Venuta, Nicholas Haze, Ruth Chiang, Kevin Ryder, Andy Bradshaw, Robert Newton Brown, Bill Corday, Jennifer Seguin, Lindsay Owen Pierre, David Schaap, Lynne Adams, Kathleen Mackey, Robin Williams Director: Chazz Palminteri

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Movie Review: Santa Claus

December 22, 2015, 12:55 pm

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Santa Claus a.k.a Santa Claus: The Movie 

Calash Corporation, GGG, Santa Claus Ltd., TriStar Pictures, UK, USA, 1985. 

Hundreds of years ago woodcutter Claus (David Huddleston) and his wife Anya (Judy Cornwell) brought Christmas presents for kids with their reindeer Donner and Blitzen. One winter they got into a deadly blizzard. Magical beings named Vendegums (better known as elves) saved them. Elves transport them to new home. They will now live forever and bring presents for all the children in the world. Elves are always busy manufacturing toys. 

Anya and Claus

Elves

Santa's workshop

Elf Patch (Dudley Moore) takes care of reindeer. He is also an inventor. First Claus needs a proper work costume and he has to learn to drive the flying reindeer sleigh. Ancient Elf (Burgess Meredith) tells that Claus is the Chosen One who will bring gifts to all the children in the world in Christmas Eve. 

Patch

Ho, ho, ho!

Santa's workload increases through the centuries. In the 20th century elf Puffy (Anthony O'Donnell) wants to use the traditional toy-making techniques while Patch wants to modernize the factory. Patch wins but pushing the machine to its limit causes the toys to fall apart. 

Santa makes friends with two kids: poor kid Joe (Christian Fitzpatrick) and wealthy girl Cornelia (Carrie Kei Heim). The toy production problems however make the other kids hate Santa. Patch takes the responsibility and resigns. Meanwhile greedy toy-company boss B.Z. (John Lithgow) is neck-deep in lawsuits because of unsafe toys. Patch offers to save his business. However naughty B.Z. tries to run Santa out of business. Joe and Cornelia plan to stop B.Z.'s evil plan. 

Joe and Cornelia

B.Z.

This is a fun Santa Claus- origin story with 1980s aesthetics. The first half with Santa learning his business and adapting to changing times is good fantasy for the whole family. However the second half that is set in the modern times does not quite reach the magic of the first half and has a more traditional style adventure story. Still John Lithgow is fun villain. Dudley Moore as elf is fun also and his attempts to get Santa's acceptance through his inventions (although he already has it) gives the story some depth. The flying scenes look like 1980s "Superman" movies, that were also produced by the Salkinds. Also a worthwhile scene to see is when Santa's sleigh makes a full loop.

Rating: Good

Starring: Dudley Moore, John Lithgow, David Huddleston, Burgess Meredith, Judy Cornwell, Jeffrey Kramer, Christian Fitzpatrick, Carrie Kei Heim, John Barrard, Anthony O'Donnell, Melvyn Hayes, Don Estelle, Tim Stern, Peter O'Farrell, Christopher Ryan, Dickie Arnold, Aimée Delamain, Dorothea Phillips, John Hallam, Judith Morse, Jerry Harte, Paul Aspland, Sally Cranfield, Michael Drew, Walter Goodman, John Cassady, Ronald Fernee, Michael A. Ross, Morgan Deare, Roy Evans, Kevin Hudson, Caroline John, Stuart Milligan, Nancy Paul, Shannon Spruill, Fred Wood

Director: Jeannot Szwarc

Shameless Pile Keeps on Growing: Another Nice Mess Edition

December 23, 2015, 3:52 am

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Here are some additions to the Shameless Pile. Some parts of the trilogies I have owned for a longer time but gotten the missing parts just recently.

John Jakes' North and South book trilogy: "North and South", "Love and War" and "Heaven and Hell"

 and the same story in DVD-format: "North and South", "Love and War" and "Heaven and Hell"

Tig Thomas: "Vampyyrit ja hahmonvaihtajat"- anthology ("Classic Tales of Vampires and Shapeshifters")

Michael Adams: "Showgirls, Teen Wolves, and Astro Zombies: A Film Critic's Year-Long Quest to Find the Worst Movie Ever Made" 

Kari Salminen et al.: "Harlin on Harlin" (Renny Harlin's life story until 1991)

Tanabe Gou: "Ajokoira" (Lovecraft-manga)

These six books cost me less than two Euros so why not?

Constance M. Burge: "Charmed - Siskoni on noita"-series (6 of 8 books published in Finland). "Epäilysten verkko" (Survival of the Fittest), "Myrskyn silmässä" (Brewing Storm), "Vaarallinen valinta" (A Tale of Two Pipers), "Ystävyys koetuksella" (Inherit the Witch), "Onnen hylkäämät" (Luck be a Lady), "Luottamus punnitaan" (Truth and Consequences).

Peter Benchley: The Creature (also on DVD)

John A. Keel: "The Mothman Prophecies"

Dave Wolverton: Star Wars: "The Courtship of Princess Leia"

Thor Heyerdahl: "Aku-Aku" (Finnish edition)

William Gibson: "Neurovelho" (Neuromancer)

Peter O'Donnell: "Modesty Blaise: Sapelihammas" (Sabre-Tooth)

Jacqueline Simpson: "British Dragons"

Danny Trejo's Bad-Ass trilogy: "Bad Ass", "Bad Ass 2: Bad-Asses", "Bad Asses on the Bayou"

"Man Who Laughs", Laurel & Hardy: "Exclusive Collection" (contains "Great Guns", "A Haunting We Will Go", "Jitterbugs", "The Dancing Masters", "The Big Noise", "The Bullfighters", "Utopia", "Flying Deuces" + shorts

"Zu Warriors", "Ju-on 2", "Sommaren med Göran"

Some variation for listening the regular Christmas music:

"Kaunimad Jõululaulud" (Estonian Christmas songs)

New Kids on the Block "Merry, Merry Christmas"

Merry Christmas! / Hyvää joulua!

December 24, 2015, 2:30 am

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Shameless Pile of Stuff wishes Merry Christmas to all!

Movie Review: The Search for Santa Paws

December 25, 2015, 12:47 pm

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The Search for Santa Paws

Walt Disney Home Entertainment, Keystone Entertainment, Key Pix Productions, Santa Paws Productions, USA, 2010.

Santa Claus (Richard Riehle) gets sad news. His old friend Mr. Hucklebuckle has died. He had time to send a toy dog to Santa. James (John Ducey) and Kate (Bonnie Somerville) Huckle inherit Hucklebuckle's toy store. Lawyer Stewart (Bill Cobbs) tells that the Huckle's must manage the store at least for one Christmas.

Santa Claus

James and Kate

Little girl Quinn (Kaitlyn Maher) has to go to Ms. Stout's (Wendi McLendon-Covey) orphanage. Ms. Stout hates Christmas. The orphanage is not a nice place and Ms. Stout burns all toys. The oldest girl Willamina (Madison Pettis) is friend of all the other girls.

Ms. Stout

Willamina and Quinn

Christmas Icicle's magic turns the toy dog into a real dog named Paws (voiced by Zachary Gordon)! Paws becomes Santa's faithful helper. Christmas spirit of New York is waning. Santa visits NYC for PR-purposes but gets hit by a car and loses his memory. Also thief (Chris Coppola) steals his bag and magic necklace. Santa gets a job in Huckle's toy store as Santa.

Paws meets a pack of stray dogs: Haggis (voiced by Jason Connery), Rasta (Christopher Massey) and T-Money (Josh Flitter). The dog trio and some other people promise to help find Santa. Quinn wishes for toy dog and Paws arrives to orphanage to spread Christmas spirit. Without his necklace Santa gets sick and Paws turns into a toy dog (now that is one awkward situation). Also Eddy the Elf Dog (voiced by Richard Kind) and Eli the Elf (Danny Woodburn) travel to NYC to find Santa.

T-Money, Rasta, Haggis and Paws

Toy Paws

This is prequel to "Santa Buddies" with more focus on the human actors and without the Buddies. Musical numbers, cute dogs and cute kids should give adults a sugar overload. Still some scenes of toys going into Ms. Stout's incinerator might scare very small kids. Richard Riehle's Santa is a nice fellow but there is something uncanny about his make up. Also the Huckle couple and the kids were likable. For a doggy movie the dogs seem to have less screen time than in "Santa Buddies." Still the movie is quite enjoyable Christmas tale for kids, with message of Christmas spirit and some passable songs.

Rating: Average

Starring: Reese Alexander, Diedrich Bader, Sahar Biniaz, Danny Woodburn, Jan Bos, Ameko Eks Mass Carroll, Melody B. Choi, Dawn Chubai, Jason Connery, Bill Cobbs, Chris Coppola, Michelle Creber, Patrika Darbo, Michael Deyermond, John Ducey, Josh Flitter, Pete Gardner, Zachary Gordon, Jen Halley, G. Hannelius, C. Ernst Harth, Eric Keenleyside, Richard Kind , Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Alex Kliner, Nicole Leduc, Amber Lewis, Kaitlyn Maher, Christopher Massey, Tom McBeath, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jonathan Morgan Heit, Mitchel Musso, Peter New, Nic Novicki, Adom Osei, Mark Parr, Madison Pettis, Mikey Post, Richard Riehle, Nathan Smith, Bonnie Somerville, Jakob Davies, James Ram Jattan, Megan Lee, Eddie Pepitone, Pia Mia Perez, Ian Thompson

Director: Robert Vince

The Trap Door

December 26, 2015, 12:17 pm

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The Trap Door (series)

CMTB Animation, Queensgate Productions, UK, 1984-86.

“Somewhere in the dark and nasty regions, where nobody goes, stands an ancient castle. Deep within this dank and uninviting place, lives Berk ('Allo!'), overworked servant of "the thing upstairs" ('Berk! Feed Me!') But that's nothing compared to the horrors that lurk beneath the trap door, for there is always something down there, in the dark, waiting to come out..."

"The Trap Door" is 1980s clay-animation created by British animators Terry Brain and Charlie Mills. Later Terry Brain went to work in Aardman to animate "Wallace & Gromit" and "Shaun the Sheep". There were also games "The Trap Door" and "Through the Trap Door" for 8-bit home computers.

Berk is a blue blob living in an ancient castle. He must cook food (from mostly worms and other crawling things) and send it upstairs fr the Thing using dumbwaiter. The Thing is a Lovecraftian monster that is never fully shown. Berk has two friends: talking and intelligent skull Boni and spidery-thing Drutt. There is a trap door Berk should not open but he does so anyway. Weird monsters rise from the trap door and Berk must get rid of them, often by bonking them on the head with a rolling pin. Sometimes also other monsters are useful for getting rid of unwanted things.

Berk

Boni and Drutt

Although "The Trap Door" was a show for kids' it was basically a horror comedy with often grotesque monsters and some dark comedy. The series contains 40  five minute episodes. Most of the characters were voiced by Willie Rushton, and Berk speaks with West Country dialect (with some double entendres: 'I loves a bit o' bonking') while the Thing uses Cockney dialect. Boni uses more upper class English and Rogg sounds like Gumby from Monty Python. The voice acting is funny and gives personality to the characters. The animation combines plasticine animation with some drawn animation, Although the models look quite crude, the animation was good and dynamic with something always squirming on the floor. The main characters adventuring down the trap door see weird and surreal monsters, some chaotic and shape shifting and some just weird. There are only a few places: the cellar and its surroundings, the upstairs, the swamp, battlements and the trap door. Although the plots of the stories have only few variations (Berk making food or running errands for the Thing, monsters causing mischief, someone going missing) there is always some new twist that keeps the show going on. The quirky humour and the easy-going characters are fun and the monsters are always strange and unpredictable.

Rating: Very good

Voice actors: Willie Rushton (most characters), Nick Shipley (Drutt)

Episode guide:

Season 1

Breakfast time

Yellow monster comes up from the trap door and eats the breakfast Berk was making. Also a big red monster appears.

Slither, Wriggle and Writhe

Berk tries to build shelves. Tentacle-monster comes through the trap door and throws Berk around.

Food for Thort

The Thing's huge carnivorous plant Thort is hungry. Trap door releases angry wasps.

Lurkings

Berk and Boni go fishing. Friendly but dimwitted monster named Rogg comes up from the trap door.

Gourmet's Delight

The Thing wants supper. After making gourmet dinner Berk must clean the messy kitchen. Invisible monster Bubo causes even greater mess.

Creepy Crawly

Giant spider spins a web and ties Berk up. Drutt saves the situation.

The Big Thing

Boni is bored. Rogg takes Boni to the battlements but then Boni bores Rogg with his stories.

Ghoulies

Berk finds a spell book. Spell summons ghostly ghoulies.

The Dose

The Thing is ill and Berk makes some medicine. Green slime from the trap door drinks the medicine.

The Thingy

Berk nails the trap door shut but a big monster breaks through and changes everyone's shape.

Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite

Berk goes to sleep. Something kidnaps Boni. Berk must go through the scary trap door to rescue him.

Fester Rancid

Bubo returns and uses Boni as a drum.

The Pain

The Thing has toothache. Berk goes upstairs to pull the tooth out. Drutt is almost eaten by giant slug.

The Little Thing

Noisy little blob must be captured before the Thing wakes up.

Don't Open That Trap Door

Berk listens to radio. The music summons all the monsters up from the trap door.

Junk Food

Rogg eats all the garbage. Then he trespasses the Things room.

Yechh!

Giant larva lays eggs. The eggs hatch but the larvae explode and fill the cellar with yellow goo.

Flyin' Wotsit Fingy

Berk tries to take photograph of Drutt and Boni. Bat-like thing flies around the cellar.

Strange Goings On

 The trio plans a picnic but tentacle-monster pulls Boni through the trap door.

Midnight Snack

At night three and a half greedy monsters eat all the food in the kitchen.

Nasty Stuff

Berk makes medicine for headache but turns into a monster.

Sniff That

Berk tries to unclog the drain. Something with lots of eyes comes through the trap door. Also a big nosed monster appears.

Vile Pile

Berk throws rubbish down the trap door. The garbage turns into a slime-spitting monster.

Slightly Weird

Berk hoes to find mushrooms, but the mushroom runs away.

Bye Bye Berk

Berk gets enough of his work and wants to leave the castle.

Season 2

Scunge

Bubo arrives again and throws slime around.

Oh Globbits

Pipe is leaking and Berk tries to repair it with a worm. Giant flying sponge comes trough the trap door.

 

Moany Boni

Boni is bored again and wants to play "I spy." Flying purple demon appears and casts weird spells. One spell gives Boni a body.

The Horrible Thing

The Thing goes on holiday. All are bored and play hide-and-seek. Yellow gooey monster appears.

Not Very Nice

The Thing's eyeball falls down the trap door and Berk has to go fetch it.

Bugs

Lots of crawling things come from the trap door.

Yum Yum

Berk throws Drutt down the trap door but decides to go get him back. He fishes up a cute small monster that is actually quite horrible.

Birthday Surprise

Berk is making Boni a birthday cake but Drutt is hiding. Drutt gets babies (although he is male).

The Stupid Thing

The Thing needs a bath. Drutt pulls a dinosaur-monster through the trap door.

Boo!

Berk fills the trap door with rubbish. Ghosts begins to haunt Berk.

The Lump

Bad smell is coming from the cellar. Pink and smelly Lump makes also a lot of noise.

The Splund

The Thing overeats and his pyjamas split. Big and annoying Splund comes out the trap door and decides to move in the cellar.

Nasty Beasty

It is winter and Berk has to repair the Things heater. Weird furry thing has stuck on Rogg's head.

What a Weirdo

Big worm eats Boni and Drutt's family. Berk must save them all.

The Big Red Thing

Big red monster returns. Rogg goes to fight him and dies. Or does he?