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teakie75
Reviews
Bob the Butler (2005)
Feel good movie for the inept among us
Whether one likes a movie or not is totally dependent upon what one is looking for. If you're looking for superb production or a totally realistic story line this wouldn't be the one for you. (Aren't movies supposed to take us away from reality for a time?) If you liked "Hook" "Jumanji" or "Lemony Snicket's A series of Unfortunate Events" you will definitely like this one. Though I missed the very beginning it was an easy plot to pick up on, moves along well enough and has redeeming value. I immediately recognized Simon Callow from "Room With a View", and "The Woman in White" among others, so I figured it was worth staying and seeing what it was about and it was on the Disney channel so it was safe for my child to watch. I found the movie entertaining, funny, not overly cheesy, and felt good when it was over. What more could we ask for?
Plainsong (2004)
Somewhat safe family viewing, standard Hallmark
I will almost always watch ANYTHING Hallmark because of it's inherently safe family viewing qualities and middle of the road quality of production. I didn't read the book so I had no other prior expectations. It seemed like we picked up the story (in an unknown time era unless I missed it at the very beginning) of the main family, the Guthries, in the middle of the story, with no flashbacks to clear up how they had gotten to where we find them. The continuity to the other story thread, the pregnant teenager, was through Mr Guthrie's work. Another comment mentioned, as I also noticed, there seemed to be some pieces not mentioned, but able to be figured out that may have been omitted for time sake. The main thrust of the story seems to be how the characters deal with and overcome their problems with an emphasis on how friends and community were involved in helping dealing with these problems. The story stops much as it started, at a logical stopping point with only some of the issues resolved. This method of storytelling may be normal, I just wish there had been MORE story! All of the portions shown were good quality, well acted, and not overdone. I would love to see it again and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in "period dramas". Thanks again to Hallmark for funding such endeavors.
Hook (1991)
The critics are not always right.
Though railed by the "critics" our family has found this movie to be one we watch over and over again. It possesses the classic ingredients good family films are made of: good triumphs over evil, a little romance, parents are good role models, some action, some humor, and some imagination. (Remember "The Wizard of Oz" or more modern, "The Mask of Zorro) Depending upon your standards there may be a few questionable words but this movie is our all time favorites.