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Release Date: November 30, 1999
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The 1947 holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street is transplanted to the 1990s with few changes in this family-oriented remake. The screenplay by the prolific John Hughes sticks close to the original outline, centering on Macy's executive Dorey Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) and her young daughter Susan (Mara Wilson), neither of whom much believes in the spirit of Christmas. Dorey is in charge of hiring Macy's Santas, including an old man named Kriss Kringle (Richard Attenborough). He does a remarkably convincing job, and he soon reveals that he actually believes himself to be Santa Claus. The authorities threaten to place the old man in an insane asylum, but a young lawyer comes to his defense. Meanwhile, Dorey and Susan find their own defenses melting and become reacquainted with the power of faith. Hughes and director Les Mayfield add a few modern touches, making Susan slightly more cynical and adding the requisite soulless corporate villains. Viewers familiar with the original may still prefer Edmund Gwenn's original Kris Kringle and consider the remake unnecessary, although the newer version reflects enough of the earlier film's spirit to prove entertaining to modern family audiences.~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
Starring:
Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, J.T. Walsh, James Remar, Jane Leeves, Simon Jones, William Windom, Mara Wilson, Robert Prosky
Directed by:
Les Mayfield
Rating: G
Genre: Drama, SciFi/Fantasy, Family
Runtime: 114 min
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The Twilight Saga: New Moon
You have to be living in a cave or a monastery to at least not know a little bit about this phenomenon. Here’s the second movie in the vampire saga, and this time the werewolves play more prominently in the plot – especially the constantly shirtless Taylor Lautner! Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart continue to excel in their performances as Edward and Bella.
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March 16th, 2010
The Princess and the Frog
Disney’s “return” to traditional, 2-D (two dimensional), hand drawn animation may not be a complete triumph – but is still pretty darn good. Story and song-wise, this one’s perhaps a little weak, but the animation is sumptuous! Not to mention, finally - an African-American princess for Disney!
Astro Boy
This computer animated cartoon feature is based on the 1960s cartoon TV series from Japan. A scientist loses his small son, and to help him deal with his grief he makes an exact replica of the boy as a robot. Thus is born “Astro Boy,” complete with the son’s personality. When you look at the theme of the story, it’s a sort of creepy take on the Pinocchio narrative – but hey, the kid-robot has machine guns that come out of his butt! How cool is that!? Watch this one with…say…any eight year old kid if you can. Freddie Highmore and Nicolas Cage, among others, provide the voices.
Did You Hear About the Morgans?
Clunker comedy starring Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker, cast as east coast urbanites that, after witnessing a murder, are whisked into the witness protection program and sent out to the country in Wyoming. A standard “fish-out-of-water” plot ensues, but sadly, the laughs do not.
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© 2010
