Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Movie Review: Snack Shack

 



Michael’s Movie Grade: F

A painful to sit through teen comedy. 

This film has a premise that sounds perfect for a teen comedy, two teenage boys are constantly getting in trouble with schemes to make money buy a snack shack at a pool with the intentions of making tons of money. However this premise is completely wasted. The main problem with this movie is that despite being a comedy I did not laugh once during the whole film (and neither did anyone in the theater with me). Most of the humor revolves around the main characters being obnoxious foul mouthed jerks. None of this is funny for even a second. In fact rather than funny this comes off as simply annoying. While these types of characters can be funny if done right, them simply being obnoxious and foul mouthed is not funny in and of itself. As bad as this is when the movie is trying to be funny, it is even worse when the film asks you to take it seriously. Towards the last act this movie drifts into being more serious, despite it just being a silly comedy beforehand. Not only does this shift from comedy to drama feel forced but it is impossible to care about the drama when we truly hate these characters. 


I came into this not expecting much but I was still disappointed in every level by this train wreck of a movie. Avoid at all costs. 


Movie Review: Unsung Hero

 



Michael's Movie Grade: B

Very conventional storytelling can't ruin an incredible true story.  

This movie is the first feature film directed by Joel Smallbone (of the Christian pop-duo For King and Country). For his first film as director, he tells the story of his own family moving to the U.S. from Australia and winding up there without the job his dad was promised in this new country. This movie specifically focuses on his parents and his big sister (Christian singer Rebecca St. James). As well as directing Smallbone also plays his own father in this film. 

The true story this film is told is wonderful. It is a very touching story about how a family with all the odds against them survive in a strange new country and without money, thanks to their faith in God and love for each other. Yet it also delves into the difficultly of accepting help because of our own pride. Much of the heart of the movie comes from the father learning this simple but difficult lesson. The Proformances are wonderful all around with Smallbone as the dad standing out. This film also boasts quite a few really well-done emotional moments, especially involving the parents. Much of this is due to how much we truly care about the parents and Rebecca. 

However, this movie is told in a very familiar way and there are many times when the film can feel a bit too much like many other movies you have seen. The film is also told in too fast a pace, often hoping from one story point to another. This often lead the supporting characters and even some of the kids in the family to not being very fleshed out. We don't ever feel like we truly get to know some of these characters. 

While not perfect this movie does tell a good story and has many emotionally effective scenes. 
 



Monday, March 25, 2024

Movie Review: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

 



Michael's Movie Grade: B

A good addition to the Ghostbusters franchise, even if it doesn't reach the heights of the first film or Afterlife

Gil Kenan is a strong director with some very good movies to his name (Monster House (2006), City of Ember (2008), A Boy Called Christmas (2021)), however he is not a director that is known for comedy. This personally explains a lot about this movie. While there are some really funny moments here, there are not as many as you might expect from a Ghostbusters film. This was a bit disappointing as I went into a Ghostbusters film expecting to laugh more than I did (though there still were times when I laughed quite a bit). However, this film certainly did a great job in other areas. 

This is a very atmospheric movie. This is felt from the very first scene. The opening scene is legitimately creepy and could have easily been in a horror movie. The whole film in fact has a darker and more sinister feel to it than the previous movies and this works perfectly. This is especially well captured in the scenes in the nighttime and with the ghost girl that Pheobe befriends. From how the scenes are shot and lit, there is a real feeling of foreboding and dread. The scenes with New York are filling up with ice are equally well done and create a sense of suspense. The villain is one of the franchise's best. His design is legitimately creepy and memorable. He also feels like an incredible threat to our experienced ghostbuster heroes. 

While I could almost always see just where the story was going, it was still very well told. Pheobe's character arc is well done, and we always feel an emotional connection with her that makes even the most predictable parts work. 

Of course, this film benefits from a wonderful cast. Everyone in this film is wonderful in their roles from the original Ghostbusters to the new generation of characters. Special praise must be given though to both Dan Akroyd and Mckenna Grace. Mckenna Grace is the real heart of this movie, and she does a wonderful job. Dan Akroyd is simply having the time of his life making this film and that can be felt in every scene he is in. Ernie Hudson also does a great job here with finally not just being the other ghostbuster. Admittedly though this film has too many characters and not all of them on the time to shine that they should have (unfortunately including Bill Murray). 

Also I will say that Slimer feels forced into this movie simply for fanservice. His scenes are neither that funny nor do they add anything to the film. 

While this may not be the best Ghostbuster film, it is still a delightful movie. 

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Cowboy Church #169

 Hello my friends and welcome back to another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Have You Read the Bible Today. It is important for each of us to read our Bible each and every day. The Bible is not just some book, it is the living breathing word of God. It is easy for our faith and Christian walk to become idle and stagnant and the easiest way for this to happen is to simply not read our Bible. Taking some time each day to read the Bible is the best way for our faith and our walk with God to continue growing and maturing.  This recording is the B-side of a 1955 Little Golden Record by Roy and Dale. The A-side was The Bible Tells Me So

This is followed by Red Foley's 1951 recording of Peace in the Valley. On September 19, 1968, Red Foley was doing a show in Fort Wayne, Indiana with Billy Walker and Hank Williams Jr. Billy Walker took the time they had together and share his faith in Christ. Red asked Billy, “Do you think God could ever forgive a sinner like me?” Billy told his friend, "Red, if God can forgive me, He can forgive you." The two then prayed together. Red ended that night's set with Peace in the Valley. After his set was over Red said to Billy, "Billy, I’ve never sung that song and feel the way I do tonight.” Later that night Red died in his sleep of respiratory failure. Hank Jr. would write a song about this last day entitled I Was With Red Foley (The Night He Passed Away).

Afterwards is Billy Walker with Do Lord

Then comes Hank Locklin with Today Has Already Come to Pass

Next is Carrie Underwood with Oh How I Love Jesus. This hymn was based off a poem by Frederick Whitfield. This poem was entitled The Name of Jesus and originally appeared in 1855 in hymn-sheets and leaflets. It would appear in 1861's Sacred Poems and Prose, which was a collection by Whitfield himself. This recording of the hymn comes from Carrie's 2021 gospel album, My Savior

Now for The Blue Sky Boys with their 1947 recording of The Chapel in the Hills. This song was written by Karl Davis and Harty Taylor, who also wrote such songs as I'm Just Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail and When the Atom Bomb Fell

Afterwards is The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1941 recording of What Wonderful Joy


Next comes Johnny Cash performing Where the Soul of Man Never Dies from his 2003 album My Mother's Hymn Book. In the liner notes John stated, "That's another one of those gospel quartet things - a very infectious melody and a song I always loved. When I was picking out songs for this album, that one felt so good I had to use it. I didn't talk to Rick [producer Rick Rubin] about making a gospel record. He just kept asking me, what I would like to sing, so I started singing some gospel and he liked them. He said, 'Let's find one that fits, that feels really good to you, and we'll record it,' so we kept working towards that end." 

Today's musical selection ends with The Carver Boys with their 1929 recording of I'm Anchored in Love Divine
































Now for the Gene Autry movie, Public Cowboy No.1 (1937). The film is directed by Joseph Kane, who directed many B-westerns starring such great cowboy stars as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and John Wayne. He may not be a well-remembered director, but his movies were always fast paced and a lot of fun. This movie also stars Smiley Burnette (who gets to sing a few fun songs that he wrote himself) and Ann Rutherford (who had also appeared in the Gene Autry movies, Melody Trail (1935), The Singing Vagabond (1935) and Coming Around the Mountain (1936). 




Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin, 1937


Next comes the C.S. Lewis essay, Myth Became Fact

 



Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Jeremiah 17:14

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 1 John 16:22 

 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Proverbs 12:15

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 













Saturday, March 23, 2024

Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #269

 Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning. Once again it is time for some classic cartoons.

Today's cartoon selection begins with Little Lulu in The Baby Sitter (1947). This is the next to last entry in the original run of short films starring Little Lulu. However, Lulu would appear in two more theatrical shorts in the early 60's. The following is from a 1945 issue of Showman's Trade Review, "Genral national promotions have been set that will provide new showmanship values for Paramount's cartoon character, Little Lulu, in key towns all over the country. Prominent in the promotional campaign is a series of elaborate window displays ranging in cost from $250 to $2500 each in which Little Lulu will be featured by department stores in many parts of the country to enliven the Christmas atmosphere."  




Up next is a classic Terrytoon short, The Clock Maker's Dog (1956). 




Now we join Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in Teacher's Pests (1932). I have a real love of the Oswald cartoons of this era. At this time the Oswald films were made by Walter Lantz Studio. They brought such creativity and a certain surrealistic feel to this films that I simply find irresistible. 





Now for a classic early black and white Silly Symphony, The Clock Store (1931). Like many of the early Silly Symphonies, this movie doesn't have much in the way of plot but instead focuses mainly as a mood piece. This allows the Disney studio to do what they did best, with wonderful animation, beautiful artwork and an incredible sense of atmosphere. No other Hollywood cartoon studio of the time could have done a cartoon like this and make it turn out so well. This film is heavily helped by a truly wonderful group of artists. Johnny Cannon animates the lamplighter. Our first peek inside the clock store is animated by Cecil Surrey. Chuck Couch, an underrated Disney animator and also a cartoon writer for Disney, Walter Lantz and Hanna-Barbera, animates the cuckoo clocks. Harry Reeves, who would work as a Disney animator and story writer into the 1950's, animates the four alarm clocks. Hardie Gramatky animates the timepieces. Frenchy de Trémaudan animates the wristwatches and the dancing alarm clocks. Dan Tattenham animates the Swiss clock with the chimes. Albert Hunter animates the wonderful scene with the minuet figures. Ben Sharpsteen, who would later be supervising director on the Disney features Pinocchio (1940), Fantasia (1940) and Dumbo (1941), animates the grandfather and grandmother clocks. Charles Byrne animates the Dutch windmill clock. Jack King, later director for both Warner Brothers and Disney (at Disney he directed some of the finest Donald Duck cartoons), animates the Dutch dance. Rudy Zamora, who had previously been a major animator at the Fleischer Studios and would later animate on the Charlie Brown TV specials as well directing various TV cartoons for Hanna-Barbera, animates the alarm clocks fighting and the clock on the wall. Joe D'Igalo animates the crowd cheering for the fight. This film made its TV debut on an episode of The Mickey Mouse Club that aired on December 1, 1955. 






16mm Sound Films, 1956

Now it is time for a commercial break. 























Now for silent movie time with Alice's Little Parade (1926). This short film is part of Walt Disney's series of Alice Comedies, which featured a live action little girl in an animated world. Over the course of 57 short films the live action little girl was played by four different actresses. Here she is played by Margie Gay, the second actress to take the role. 




Next comes a black and white Looney Tunes short that I have always had a real fondness for, Porky's Bear Facts (1941). This cartoon was directed by Friz Freleng and while it is not as completely crazy as the black and white Looney Tunes directed by Tex Avery, Bob Clampett or Frank Tashlin it does certainly have moments that show what was quickly becoming the studio's signature sense of humor. Characters break the fourth wall and silly visual gags certainly find their way in at times. Yet at the same time the film feels more grounded, and story driven than some of the studio's other efforts at this time. The story itself is somewhat of a takeoff on The Grasshopper and the Ants (which Disney had made a Silly Symphony based around in 1934). In typical Warner style the ending here goes completely against the moral of the story. Like many Porky cartoons of this era, Porky's role is very minimized. The truth was most of the directors were getting tired of working with the pig and this made him become a supporting character in his own cartoons for a while. A reviewer in The Film Daily was not that impressed with this cartoon stating, "Rate it just as fair." A reviewer in the Motion Picture Daily found the true main character of the film quite likable stating, "An engaging character that shiftless bear." The following is an exhibitor's review from The Motion Picture Herald, "PORKY'S BEAR FACTS: Looney Tunes — Fine. Vitaphone is our best bet for good cartoon fare. Running time, nine minutes. —Fred C. Allen, Princess Theatre, Piedmont, Ala. Small town patronage."




Now we join our good friend Popeye in Gopher Spinach (1954). 




Now to end with a song we all know by heart. 




Thanks for joining me. Be sure to come back next week for more animated treasures. Until then may all your tunes be looney and your melodies merry. 

Resources Used

Of Mice and Magic: A History of the American Animated Cartoon by Leonard Maltin

Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies: A Companion to the Classic Cartoon Series by Russel Merrit and J.B. Kaufman 

https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/alices-little-parade-struts-with-restoration-and-new-music-score/

















Thursday, March 21, 2024

Movie Review: Problemista

 




Michael’s Movie Grade: C

A very uneven dramedy but with moments of greatness. 

It is obvious that this is a very personal film for director/writer/star Julio Torres. Much of the movie is based off of his own experiences immigrating to the U.S. It is this personal feel that provides the movie with its best moments. There are some very emotionally effective moments as we watch the main character trying to survive despite so much being stacked against him. There was even one scene that I found very hard to watch because I cared about him and didn’t want to see him have to go through this. This movie has many surreal images but one stands out as kind of brilliant. This has our hero finding his way through a maze of rooms that seems impossible. This is such a cinematic and intelligent way to show the ridiculousness of the red tape he must cut though. I truly wish the rest of the film could have been as great as this moment.  Even during many of the moments that really don’t work are kept from ruining this film because you can tell this is from a filmmaker who cares deeply about the story he is telling. Even the messiest movies are often worth watching if they have this passion. 

What also works in this movie is the relationship between our main character and his hopefully sponsor. At first these characters seem to have nothing in common (his sponsor can be incredibly unlikable) but you truly believe the relationship that grows between them, and you can see how they truly get each other. The great chemistry between Julio Torres and Tilda Swinton doesn't hurt at all. 

The main problem with this film is that for a movie that is just as much a drama as it is a comedy, it is for the most part not funny. It gets worse when some of the least funny comedic moments sadly become running jokes. Our main character’s depressing ideas for children’s toys or his sponsor’s rants at everyone she comes in contact with where not funny in the first place and they become even less funny each time they are repeated. This film also will mistake being weird or surreal for being funny, but they are simply not the same thing. The craigslist scenes were simply painful to sit through. They only thing that really made me laugh here was Isabella Rossellini's narration, which was actually often really funny. 

This movie also suffers from bland and forgettable side characters and the more surreal elements not always being well incorporated into the film.  

This movie is very messy at times, but there is enough that really worked that I am glad I watched it.