Reviews

If you're just checking in here to see if The Hiding Place is worth the watch (as I do sometimes, looking films up on IMDb to see if it has potential) then trust me you wont be disappointed. I was just flipping thru the channels today, and came across this film on a free preview of Showtime channel on the Dish...it was about 30 minutes into the film. I wish I would have seen it from the start, I'll have to watch for it playing again because this is a film most of us can relate to, or will be able to in the future. The ONLY reason I gave it a 9 instead of a 10 is that I cant vouch for the first part of the film because I discovered it well into the film. I have no reason to believe, however, that it is any less profound.

With the aging populations in many countries throughout the world, this film has the potential to touch people in every corner of the globe. It plays out like a foreshadow of something most of us will eventually experience to one degree or another, with only the details of our lives being interchangeable. All you have to do is imagine your aging loved ones (or even yourself) in this position, if you haven't experienced it already.

What an amazing, touching film...I'm not sure how to explain but this really has me thinking about the future with my mother, my family, and I'm sure you'll know what I mean if you have seen this. It does have that "tug at your heartstrings" mode to it, but has a valid and common reason for doing so. Great directing, great soundtrack that matches the mood of the film perfectly, and definitely great acting by all of the players. The crew and producers responsible for the sets and look of the home are to be praised. The set was perfect---like something out of ones' own memory---so hats off to them, who usually don't get enough credit for amazing backdrops like this, helping to create such a mood as found here. High praise all around for everyone involved in the The Hiding Place!

You might need some tissue while watching The Hiding Place, but for all the right reasons. I would highly recommend this for people of all ages and backgrounds, as it is something that can be discussed, understood, empathized with, even helpful and healing. However you do it---recording for later viewing, setting your Dish timer, purchasing on DVD or VHS so you can share this experience with others (and you WILL want to)---make sure you watch The Hiding Place!!

The most interesting aspect of this film (and something to keep in mind as you watch it) is the tone set early on, that this is a period in which, and a film made while the world still was not who would win the war!! It was filmed in 1941-2, while Nazi Germany still had a FIRM grasp over Europe, the Allies were behind in many aspects in the conflict, and it shows in the film! The insecurity of the people watching this film at the time about how things were going to turn out is the most fascinating part of watching Casablanca! Think about it: When this film was being made and even during its release, people were wondering daily if Europe was going to remain in the hold of the facists, and if the Americas (North and South American Continents) were going to be the last part of the world left as "free" nations! Whenever one of my friends asks me about this movie when they see it on my movie shelf, that is what I tell them---and it makes them all the more interested in seeing it. Just to be able to get a glimpse of the Insecurity the allied nations & citizens felt about the future, is perhaps the biggest reason for people to watch it.

So much is made about its perfect style, dialogue, acting, etc---which is true and certainly helps---but to me, the most important thing to keep in mind while watching Casablanca, is that at this time, people were really concerned that the Allies might not be able to 'totally' win the war. By totally I mean, being able to not just stop the Germans and Japanese, but be able to push them out of the tremendous areas of the world that they controlled when this film was made! Add to that, that at the time there was such an Isolationist movement in the US, that there were millions who felt the best that could be achieved was a stalemate which would keep the western hemisphere free, with the eastern hemisphere under the influence of Germany and Japan. Thats part of the reason why you hear the actors make comments about "Isolationism is no longer practical in todays world" etc.

Just watching Casablanca with that perspective, should make even the people who aren't thrilled with noir movies, at least view THIS film a little differently from a historical perspective---since it is literally a snapshot of the Allied uncertainty at the time. Just my two cents, but thats really the main reason I love watching this film, and why I repeat view it to watch for that feeling within it. If you haven't seen this film yet, you're missing a piece of history!

I love this movie, and consider it to be a classic animated film---bought this just today and was more than just pleasantly surprised---I was SO glad that I bought it!!!

It had my entire family laughing, from the oldest (72) to the youngest (4) from start to finish!! Just cant say enough about this movie, I am so glad that I got a chance to see it, and am Positive that I will be watching this film over and over! I would recommend this movie to EVERYONE!

It has everything for everyone:

Bill Murray: (One of his funniest movies--and thats saying a lot!) Great Animation: (More than just eye candy, it puts a hilarious spin on the inside of our bodies, and funny ideas about whats going on in there!) Chris Rock: (Great how well he fit this part) William Shatner: (Perfectly Cast as the Mayor of Bill Murrays Brain) Molly Shannon: (Plays great with Bill Murray as his poor daughters teacher) BUFFALO WINGS!! (There just is NO better finger food in the world!! :P)

This is one of the few films that really does live up to the billing "PERFECT FOR ALL AGES!" This was the ideal film for my family to watch this Sunday evening, and I'm lucky I heard about it. Go get this film! I'm going to watch it again, see ya! :)