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THE DARK TOWER (Dir: Nicolaj Arcel, 2017).
THE DARK TOWER (Dir: Nicolaj Arcel, 2017).
A kind of sci-fi/western/fantasy mashup based on Stephen King’s popular series of novels.
In alternate universe Mid-World, Gunslinger Roland (Idris Elba) battles bad guy Walter (Matthew McConaughey) for dominance over the Dark Tower, which Walter plans to use for evil means. After stumbling through a portal in abandoned house, troubled New York teenager Jake (Tom Tyler) teams up with the Gunslinger to assist him in his quest.
Read the full review on my blog JINGLE BONES MOVIE TIME! Link below.
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THE MIRACLE OF THE BELLS (Dir: Irving Pichel, 1948).
The Miracle of the Bells is a sentimental RKO drama with an A list cast.
Via a series of flashbacks, the story of aspiring actress Olga Treskovna (Alida Valli - billed here as simply Valli) is told through voice-over narration by Hollywood press agent Bill Dunnigan (Fred MacMurray). Following her early death, Dunning fulfulls her final wish by returning with the body to the small coal-mining town of her childhood. Here she is to receive a modest burial at the struggling St Michael's church, conducted by Father Paul (Frank Sinatra). We learn of Dunnigan's unrequited love of Olga as he concocts a publicity stunt to secure the release of her only film, a starring role as Joan of Ark, which producer Marcus Harris (Lee J Cobb) has held back, due to her death.
The decision to tell the story in flashback was probably a mistake and does little to help an already weak narrative. Its 120 minutes feels epically long and structuring the movie in this way only serves to delay the inevitable conclusion. When it finally arrives, the treatment of the so called 'miracle' is mawkish in the extreme. Despite its themes of faith and belief, The Miracle of the Bells feels patently fake. Nothing about the movie rings true, from its skewed ideas about the workings of Hollywood to the reaction of the world to the death of the previously unheard of 'star'. Even the miracle of the title is called into question by the St Michael's priest.
Faith can be a tricky subject to pull off on film, but it can be done; festive favourites such as It's a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946) and The Bishop's Wife (Henry Koster, 1947) are testament to this. Yet where those movies were successful in presenting spiritual themes in engaging, credible manner to a secular audience, The Miracle of the Bells is not. It feels outdated, corny and preachy. But its biggest sin of all is that it is so dull.
With its star-studded cast, The Miracle of the Bells is not entirely unwatchable, but I cannot honestly recommend it. Give it go if you must; it will be a miracle if you make it until the end.
For a longer, more in-depth review of THE MIRACLE OF THE BELLS visit my blog JINGLE BONES MOVIE TIME! Link below.
CAREFREE (Dir: Mark Sandrich, 1938).
A frothy RKO romance; the 8th pairing of the incomparable Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
This one has Fred as a psychiatrist and Ginger as his patient and fiancee of his best pal (Ralph Bellamy). Things get complicated when she falls for him and he hypnotizes her to remain faithful to the groom. The movie's outcome is clearly signposted from early on, but there is considerable fun to be had on the journey, nonetheless.
With only four full-blown song and dance numbers Carefree is less a musical than a screwball comedy with the occasional break for a song. The Irving Berlin score is pleasant enough, but by the composer’s own high standards is not especially memorable. 'Change Partners' and 'I Used to Be Color Blind' are the possible exceptions; both are considerably enhanced by Ginger and Fred's fabulous footwork. The highlight is undoubtedly Astaire's solo 'Since They Turned Loch Lomand into Swing' in which he ditches Rogers to partner a golf-club, proving as adept on the fairway as he is the dance-floor.
Allan Scott and Ernest Pagnos screenplay, while implausible, does include a fair amount of humorous moments. While director Mark Sandrich, by now a veteran of the Astaire-Rogers movies, handles the comedy and the dance numbers with equal aplomb. It is all a lot of nonsense, but all is forgiven when Fred and Ginger take the dance floor. There was never a classier screen couple than Mr Astaire and Ms Rogers and support is offered by a particularly distinguished cast, notably Ralph Bellamy and Jack Carson. Unbilled and underused in one of her many domestic help roles is the great Hattie McDaniel.
As its title suggests, Carefree is lighthearted, featherweight stuff. Often regarded as the weakest of the Astaire-Rogers partnership, it does pale in comparison to classics such as Top Hat (Mark Sandrich, 1935) and Shall We Dance (Mark Sandrich, 1937). Still, at a little over 80 minutes, it doesn't outstay its welcome. The old adage "they don't make 'em like that anymore" certainly applies here; fluff it may be, but it is consummately produced fluff, expertly performed by its legendary cast.
100+ movie reviews now available on my blog JINGLE BONES MOVIE TIME! Link below.
1917 (Dir: Sam Mendes, 2019).
A fact-based, fictionalised epic First World War drama from director Sam Mendes.
During WWI, Lance Corporals William Schofield (George MacKay) and Tom Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) must risk their lives crossing no man’s land in order to deliver a message to call off a planned attack on the German army. With field telephone lines down, news that the attack would jeopardise the lives of 1600 Brits, including Tom’s brother Lieutenant Joseph Blake (Richard Madden), must be relayed in person.
Read the full review on my blog JINGLE BONES MOVIE TIME! Link below.
‘TWAS THE NIGHT (Dir: Nick Castle, 2001).
The following review and 100+ more reviews are available on my blog JINGLE BONES MOVIE TIME! Link below.
Made for TV Christmas movies have become inexplicably popular in the last two decades. Seemingly hundreds of them litter the television schedules from September to January every year. This entry in the genre, a Disney Channel Original Movie, has become something of a festival staple on the Disney Channel and can usually be found in their December lineup.
On Christmas Eve, heavily in debt conman Nick Wrigley (Bryan Cranston) escapes his gangland creditors by hiding out in the home of his brother. After mistaking Santa for an intruder he knocks the fat man out cold, ties him up and steals his high-tech sleigh. Taking advantage of his close relationship with nephew Danny (Josh Zuckerman), the pair go on a burglary spree. Unbeknownst to Danny who believes the pair are helping the concussed Santa by delivering Christmas gifts.
There is a certain amount of cynicism mixed in with the inevitable sentiment in ‘Twas the Night, lending the movie a somewhat uneven tone. Its self-centered wise guy characters are a little hard to warm to. Their redemption, when it comes (as is always certain), is neither empathetic or particularly heartwarming, suggesting that the ending is there merely to placate viewers expectations of family Christmas movies.
The visual effects are above the usual TV movie standard, although it never quite overcomes the feel of an extended Disney Channel sitcom. The screenplay by Jim Lincoln, Dan Studley and Jenny Trip has its funny moments, but little in the movie really rings true. It has all the glitz one would expect of a Christmas movie but is oddly lacking in heart.
Bryan Cranston is the standout among the cast. His amiable performance here is the best reason to watch this passably entertaining but unexceptional movie.
While ‘Twas the Night is not exactly unmissable festive fare, it should appeal to tweens and younger teens who feel they are above sentimental Christmas movies. Younger children, meanwhile, may be a little upset seeing Santa hit over the head with a shovel! Not a Christmas classic but you may find its worth a watch if you come across it while flicking through cable.
ZOMBIES 2 (Dir: Paul Hoen, 2020).
The Zombies of Seabrook High return in the imaginatively titled Zombies 2. Now with extra added werewolves.
When werewolves pose a threat to the newly integrated communities of Seabrook and Zombie Town, monster lockdown is back on. Much to the chagrin of Zombie Zed (Milo Manheim) and his human gal pal Addison (Meg Donnelly). In an attempt to force change Zed runs for school president. Meanwhile Addison is courted by a band of werewolves banished from Seabrook since olden times!
Read the full review on my blog JINGLE BONES MOVIE TIME! Link below.
