Video Link: Why Walt Loaned His Best Artist to MGM - West of Neverland

 

Movie Review: The Sheep Detectives

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

An excellent family film. 

In this movie, a flock of sheep love their shepherd dearly. The shepherd reads them murder mysteries every night, so when the shepherd is murdered, they feel that they can solve the murder themselves. 

While this could just simply rely on its already charming premise, it does so much more than that. This is a surprisingly heartfelt story. The movie actually has some real depth to it as it takes a look at some fairly weighty subjects such as dealing with death, the importance of remembering the bad along with the good and how what is painful can also be beautiful. Though this movie has plenty of silly sheep antics for kids watching, there is also some moments that may emotionally move adults watching it. Like many of the best family movies, there are some truly sad moments among all the silliness, and these sad moments are very effective. Of course this is heavily due to the characters themselves. Each of the sheep are very well thought out characters. There are a lot of them but each still has their own personality. These sheep feel so real to us that we form our own emotional bond to them. As well as being an emotionally effective film, the murder mystery elements are very well done with some great twists and turns. Yet the final reveal makes perfect sense. If you pay close attention to a very early scene, it perfectly foreshadows the reveal at the end. 

The humor in this film can be a bit hit and miss. There are some truly laugh out loud moments along with gags that fall completely flat. 

While the sheep are very well-defined characters, the human characters (with the exception of the shepherd (though of course being played by Hugh Jackman helps)) are entertaining but lack the depth that the sheep have. They are very basic two-dimensional characters. 

A highly recommended movie for the whole family. 

Cowboy Church #267

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing Sweet Hour of Prayer on their 1957 album of the same name. This hymn was written by William Walford. Walford was a wood craver who had little to no formal education. However, what he did have was a very close relationship with God. Those who knew him said that he knew the bible by heart and this man was even asked to share sermons at his church. One day around 1845 Pastor Thomas Salmon visited William Walford. Walford asked Salmon to write down a poem he had in his head. Salmon was so amazed by this poem that he right away sought to get it published. After Walford's death, William Bradbury wrote music for this poem and the hymn as we know it first appeared in the 1859 hymnal, Church Melodies. Bradbury had also composed music for such hymns as Just as I Am and He Leadeth Me. 

This is followed by Ricky Skaggs with Lead Me to the Rock. This comes from his 1999 gospel album, Solider of the Cross. 

Then comes Merle Haggard and The Cater Family with On the Jerico Road. This comes from Merle's 1971 gospel album, The Land of Many Churches. 

Afterwards is Skeeter Davis with Child of the King. This comes from her 1967 gospel album, Hand in Hand with Jesus. 

Next comes Johnny Cash with God is Not Dead. This is not the Newsboys song that spawned a series of movies, but rather an original song written by John himself. This song comes from John's 1969 album, The Holy Land, an album inspired by when he and his wife, June Carter Cash, took a trip to Israel. The background vocals on this song are provided by The Carter Family and The Statler Brothers, while early rock and roll star, Carl Perkins plays guitar.

Then is Nat Stuckey and Connie Smith with His Love Takes Good Care of Me. 

Today's musical selection closes with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of Rounded Up in Glory. In a 1972 interview Ken Griffis asked Sons of the Pioneers front man, Bob Nolan, "Well, OK. As you progressed as a group, did you use the older type songs as the basis for your programs? Or did you try to blend in more the newer things? Did you try staying with the older things?" Bob responded, "Yeah, we tried to stick strictly to the old ones and, of course, I had an idea or I felt that my songs—the ones that I was writing at the time—were authentic. I tried to keep them authentic. Western." This applied not only to the songs Bob wrote, but the songs the group recorded written by others. There was always a real cowboy feel to nearly all the songs they recorded. That is definitely true here, as this song sounds like something that would feel completely natural in an old west setting. 

Now for a message from S.M. Lockridge. 

Now for the 10th episode of The Lone Ranger TV show.

Psalm 85

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land;

    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the iniquity of your people

    and covered all their sins.

3 You set aside all your wrath

    and turned from your fierce anger.

4 Restore us again, God our Savior,

    and put away your displeasure toward us.

5 Will you be angry with us forever?

    Will you prolong your anger through all generations?

6 Will you not revive us again,

    that your people may rejoice in you?

7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,

    and grant us your salvation.

8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;

    he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—

    but let them not turn to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,

    that his glory may dwell in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness meet together;

    righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,

    and righteousness looks down from heaven.

12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,

    and our land will yield its harvest.

13 Righteousness goes before him

    and prepares the way for his steps.

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

Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #280

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

Today's cartoon selection begins with Porky's Pooch (1941). Though all the classic Charlie Dog cartoons would be directed by Chuck Jones, this Bob Clampett short clearly sets up the template that all of those later cartoons would follow. In fact the first Charlie Dog cartoon, Little Orphan Airedale (1947), would be a remake of this film. The backgrounds in this film are live action photographs. A year later Bob would use a live action opening for Eatin' on the Cuff or The Moth Who Came to Dinner (1942). The following is an exhibitor's review from Motion Picture Herald, "PORKY'S POOCH: Looney Tunes Cartoons—Right up my alley for my patronage. Running time, 7 minutes. —Vic Stephano, Grove Theatre, Groveton, Tex. Small Town Patronage." A review in The Motion Picture Daily called the film, "Good for a few laughs." The Showman's Trade Review gave advice to movie theater owners on how to advertise this cartoon, "Play it up to all Porky fans and make some new fans to win over some of the dog lovers in your community by staging a pet show, prize contest for best snapshot of a pet or prize contest for a brief essay on 'why my dog is the best in town.'" 

Next comes the silent Out of the Inkwell short, Koko's Tattoo (1928). This has all the surreal charm and creativity that I love about these shorts. 

Next comes the Terry Toons short, Sour Grapes (1950). This cartoon was directed by Mannie Davis and marks the last of five theatrical shorts to star Dingbat. Dingbat is a yellow bird who was often adversarial to Slyvester the Fox. 

Next comes Donald Duck in Contrary Condor (1944). This short film was directed by Jack King, who directed most of the Donald Duck cartoons at this time. For a while in the community of cartoon and Disney lovers, the Jack King Donald Duck cartoons were rarely given the accolades they deserve because more attention was paid to the later Donald shorts that Jack Hannah directed. However luckily today many Disney fans are reevaluating this and realizes what wonderful films, the Jack King Donald cartoons are. Contrary Condor is just one of the many examples of how great of a cartoon director Jack King was. However, this film also works because of a wonderful team of animators. John McManus animates the opening moments as well as Donald tossing the dummy and the mom diving after it. Judge Whitaker animates Donald yodeling while climbing the mountain, Donald's first meeting with the mother, Duck applauding the small bird's flight, the small bird gliding and landing, Donald's landing and Donald contemplating a new plan. Nick Nichols animates Donald discovering the nest and hiding in the egg, the hatching sequence, the small bird being jealous, the little bird snaping Donald off the limb, Donald's "flight," the mother applauding, the mother missing the dummy as it falls into the water and the closing sequence. Paul Allen animates the mother pushing the small bird off the limb, the mother encouraging Donald to fly and Donald trying to escape with the egg until the small bird intercepts it. George Nicholas animates the small bird falling and trying to fly. Don Townsley animates the small bird lowering its legs like landing gear and the mother's card trick. Hal King animates the mother attempting to push Donald off the limb and Donald faking a bad wing, Marvin Woodward animates the mother trying to trick Donald with the berry. The working titles for this film were Contrary Condors, Egg Collector and The Colombian Condor. The following is a review from The Film Daily, "Donald Duck provides plenty of laughs in his attempt to swipe an egg from a condor's nest. When Donald emerges from his hiding place in an empty egg shell which a mother condor mistakes for an unhatched egg she accepts our fine feathered hero as one of her own. Her attempts to get Donald to fly are extremely humorous. The Technicolor cartoon is aces." 

Now for a commercial break. 

Now for the Mickey Mouse Works cartoon, Purple Pluto (1999). This cartoon would later be used in the House of Mouse episode, Ladies Night (2002). 

Next is the New Three Stooges cartoon, The Littlest Martian (1965). This series of TV cartoons features the voices of the real Stooges who also appear in the opening and closing live action segments. The live action segments would often be repeated even when the cartoon was new. Curly Joe DeRita felt that this hurt the show. He thought that people would see a live action segment they had seen before and assume the show was a rerun and change the channel not knowing the cartoon was new. 

Then comes Mighty Mouse in Winning the West (1946). 

Let us close with a song.

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

Resources Used

South of the Border with Disney by J.B. Kaufman.

Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to Warner Brothers Cartoons by Jerry Beck and Will Friedwald

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

Movie Review: Mortal Kombat II

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C+ 

An enjoyable video game adaptation.

Like the video game franchise, it is based on, the story is hard from this movie's focus. The storyline is as cliché as can be and feels very rushed as if the filmmakers can't wait to get to the next action scene. This can sadly lead to many character arcs feeling like they happen way too hastily. 

 Lucky the action scenes are fantastic. They are very well choreographed, paced and filled with delightfully over the top gore. This is the type of gore that is so over the top that instead of repulsive it comes off as fun. There is even a certain amount of creativity that goes into these violent deaths. 

Adding to the fun is Karl Urban as Johnny Cage. Karl Urban gives his all to this role and he is very entertaining to watch. It of course doesn't hurt that this character is given some of the best lines and funniest moments. 

 Adeline Rudolph also stands out as fan favorite Kitana, even if her storyline is underdeveloped and again rushed. 

This may be far from a great movie but it is fun and should delight fans of the video game franchise. 

Video Link: Why Did Disney’s Three Little Pigs Go to Mexico? - West of Neverland

 

Movie Review: Devil Wears Prada 2

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A fun, if fluffy sequel. 

This movie may not break any new ground but frankly that is not what anyone is going to a sequel to The Devil Wears Prada for. People seeing this just simply want a fun time at the movies and that is exactly what this film provides. The fun of this (now) series comes from a great cast (I mean Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci) and the fun characters they play. Writer Aline Brosh McKenna and director David Frankel (both of whom worked on the first film) know this. The movie is less about the story than it is about these characters and their interactions. The way this cast plays off each other is fantastic and simply a delight to watch all the way. I particularly enjoyed the interactions between the two Emilies. 

This movie also gives you all the style you could hope for. We see beautiful cities, beautiful clothes and beautiful people every second. 

The humor in this movie is often more charming than actually funny. There are a few moments that will really make you laugh. However, for the most part, the film is more likely to make you smile than actually laugh. 

The storyline here meanders a bit too often. The basic story is rather slim and because of this there seems to be quite a bit of padding here. This is most clear in the excursions into Andy's (Anne Hathaway) romantic life. Her romantic story has no direct impact on the rest of the plot. If the romance wasn't here no one would feel that anything was missing. At the same time the romance and especially the object of her romantic interest are underdeveloped and not even remotely interesting. This romance should have been left out entirely or been given more depth or had more of a direct impact on the plot. As it is, these romantic scenes simply feel like an unnecessary interruption to the story. 

This may not be a masterpiece, but it provides a fun trip to the movies, which is exactly what its audience wants.