Movie Review: Heart of the Beast

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C

An okay survival flick. 

In this film a former solider and a combat dog he befriended, crash and end up stranded in the wild.

This is a very typical survival movie with nothing to make it actually stand out. There is nothing more to the story than these two characters surviving in the wilderness. This leads to what is essentially a bunch of suspense set pieces. Some of these set pieces are very well done, while others revolve around poor CGI. All of them are boosted by beautiful location shooting, a good performance by Brad Pitt and an even better performance by the dog. 

I know it sounds sacrilegious to say that I was not moved by a dog movie. However, I found myself completely unaffected by the scenes that were obvious supposed to pull at my heartstrings. However, I felt no connection to the human character and everything with the dog felt like something I have seen a million times before. 

Despite strong performances, great location shooting and some good set pieces, this movie leaves one cold when it tries to pull on the heartstrings. The result is a film that is technically well made but empty.    

Cowboy Church #287

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

 Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing In the Sweet By and By. This song came about because of a friendship between composer, Joseph Webster and poet, Dr. Sanford Fillmore Bennett. One day Webster was depressed and Dr. Bennett recognized this. Dr. Bennett asked his friend what was wrong. Webster replied, "Oh nothing. Everything will be alright by and by." These words brought up an idea in Bennett and he wrote down three verses and a chorus to this song as soon as he could. He handed it to his friend saying, “Here is your prescription, Joe.” Webster loved the lyrics and wrote music for them in practically no time at all. Dr. Bennett later said, “It was not over thirty minutes from the time I took my pen to write the words before two friends with Webster and myself were singing the hymn.” The hymn was first published in 1868 and went on to great fame since. This version of the song comes from Roy and Dale's 1973 gospel album, In the Sweet By and By.

This is followed by the Marshall Family with You Never Mentioned Jesus to Me.

After this comes Nickel Creek with The Hand Song, from their 2000 self-titled debut album. The song was co-written by the band's own Sean Watkins (with David Puckett). His sister and bandmate Sara Watkins takes lead vocal. The album was produced by bluegrass great Alison Krauss.

Speaking of Alison Krauss, next comes her with In the Palm of Your Hand.  

Then comes Carrie Underwood and CeCe Winans with Great is Thy Faithfulness. When Thomas Obadiah Chisolm was on a mission trip, he and his good friend William Runyan would write letters together. These letters often included poems that they would write. Chisolm was so moved by one of Runyan's poems that he would write a musical score to accompany it. This became the hymn you hear here. Great is Thy Faithfulness was first published in 1923. 

This is followed by The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Power in the Blood. This is probably my favorite version of this old gospel song, especially with how well it captures the pure joy of the lyrics. This recording was made during the time when Roy Rogers was still a member of The Sons of the Pioneers before beginning his solo career in the movies and his voice can be heard very prominently on this track. 

Today's musical selection ends with Johnny Cash with It Was Jesus. The song was written by John himself and comes from his 1959 gospel album, Hymns By Johnny Cash. This was John's second album for Columbia records.  John would state that his main reason for leaving Sun Records and moving to Columbia is because producer Sam Phillips would not allow him to record a gospel album. This was especially important to John because he never set out to be a country singer or a rock and roll singer, but a gospel singer. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that as soon as he left Sun he would set out to make a gospel record. Hymns By Johnny Cash became his first of many gospel albums and proved to be a success with his fans.

Now for the 28th episode of The Lone Ranger TV series.

Now for a message from the reverend Billy Graham

Psalm 89

A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

1 I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;

    with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known

    through all generations.

2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,

    that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

    I have sworn to David my servant,

4 ‘I will establish your line forever

    and make your throne firm through all generations.’”

5 The heavens praise your wonders, Lord,

    your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.

6 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?

    Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?

7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;

    he is more awesome than all who surround him.

8 Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?

    You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

9 You rule over the surging sea;

    when its waves mount up, you still them.

10 You crushed Rahab like one of the slain;

    with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.

11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;

    you founded the world and all that is in it.

12 You created the north and the south;

    Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.

13 Your arm is endowed with power;

    your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;

    love and faithfulness go before you.

15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,

    who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

16 They rejoice in your name all day long;

    they celebrate your righteousness.

17 For you are their glory and strength,

    and by your favor you exalt our horn.

18 Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord,

    our king to the Holy One of Israel.

19 Once you spoke in a vision,

    to your faithful people you said:

“I have bestowed strength on a warrior;

    I have raised up a young man from among the people.

20 I have found David my servant;

    with my sacred oil I have anointed him.

21 My hand will sustain him;

    surely my arm will strengthen him.

22 The enemy will not get the better of him;

    the wicked will not oppress him.

23 I will crush his foes before him

    and strike down his adversaries.

24 My faithful love will be with him,

    and through my name his horn will be exalted.

25 I will set his hand over the sea,

    his right hand over the rivers.

26 He will call out to me, ‘You are my Father,

    my God, the Rock my Savior.’

27 And I will appoint him to be my firstborn,

    the most exalted of the kings of the earth.

28 I will maintain my love to him forever,

    and my covenant with him will never fail.

29 I will establish his line forever,

    his throne as long as the heavens endure.

30 “If his sons forsake my law

    and do not follow my statutes,

31 if they violate my decrees

    and fail to keep my commands,

32 I will punish their sin with the rod,

    their iniquity with flogging;

33 but I will not take my love from him,

    nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.

34 I will not violate my covenant

    or alter what my lips have uttered.

35 Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness—

    and I will not lie to David—

36 that his line will continue forever

    and his throne endure before me like the sun;

37 it will be established forever like the moon,

    the faithful witness in the sky.”

38 But you have rejected, you have spurned,

    you have been very angry with your anointed one.

39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant

    and have defiled his crown in the dust.

40 You have broken through all his walls

    and reduced his strongholds to ruins.

41 All who pass by have plundered him;

    he has become the scorn of his neighbors.

42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes;

    you have made all his enemies rejoice.

43 Indeed, you have turned back the edge of his sword

    and have not supported him in battle.

44 You have put an end to his splendor

    and cast his throne to the ground.

45 You have cut short the days of his youth;

    you have covered him with a mantle of shame.

46 How long, Lord? Will you hide yourself forever?

    How long will your wrath burn like fire?

47 Remember how fleeting is my life.

    For what futility you have created all humanity!

48 Who can live and not see death,

    or who can escape the power of the grave?

49 Lord, where is your former great love,

    which in your faithfulness you swore to David?

50 Remember, Lord, how your servant has been mocked,

    how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,

51 the taunts with which your enemies, Lord, have mocked,

    with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.

52 Praise be to the Lord forever!

Amen and Amen.

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 #297

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

Today's cartoon selection starts with a delightful short from the Disney studio, Suzie the Little Blue Coop (1952). This cartoon is a perfect example of what Disney could do better than nearly any other animation studio. It not only humanizes an inanimate object, but it makes us truly emotionally connect with this little blue car. This is a sweet and charming film that never fails to make me smile. This short film would make its TV debut on the Disneyland TV show episode, Adventures in Fantasy (1957), only five years after this film hit theaters.  

We continue with a real classic, Gold Diggers of '49 (1935). This short film was directed by the one and only Tex Avery. It was the first film, he directed for Warner Brothers and much of his famous style is already here. This cartoon does not feel like the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts that came before it. Instead, this cartoon has a faster pace and wackier sense of humor. While there is no doubt that Tex would have timed some of these gags even faster later in his career, you can clearly see the inklings of what would become his signature style. This is also the first black and white Looney Tune to feature Porky Pig (though the character had appeared in a color Merrie Melody beforehand). This is important as Porky would soon become the main star of the black and white Looney Tunes series. Yet in this film he is a supporting character. The real star is Beans the Cat. Both of these characters had made their debut in the color Merrie Melodies short; I Haven't Got a Hat (1935). Beans would remain the star of the Looney Tunes series for short while until Porky took over the series. 

Next comes Gandy Goose in The Frog and the Princess (1944). This short film follows a typical Gandy Goose pattern with its story. Gandy falls asleep and dreams of some elaborate fantasy world. 

Now for another Terry Toons cartoon, Fanny's Wedding Day (1933). This cartoon features a human villain named Oil Can Harry, years before Mighty Mouse fought a feline villain with the same name. Many cartoon fans believe these to be the same character. This human Oil Can Harry did not only appear in this character but in a series of melodrama spoofs. 

Now it is time for a commercial break.

Now for the silent cartoon short, Koko the Knight (1927). 

The Pink Panther began his animated career appearing in the opening credits of Blake Edwards' great live action feature, The Pink Panther (1964). Blake Edwards contacted animation producers Friz Freleng and David DePatie to create an animated Pink Panther for this title sequence. They created many different panthers, but when Blake saw the various drawings, he immediately knew which one he wanted in his film. The title sequence was a smash hit, and the character was spun off into a series of theatrical cartoon shorts (at a time when those were on their way out). Today we will look at the first and possibly best of these cartoons, The Pink Phink (1964). This cartoon set a template for many more shorts to come. The basic storyline involves a formula that would be often used. The Pink Panther wants to turn everything pink much to the annoyance of a little man (who may look a little like Friz). The gags come fast and furious and the design work is lovely. All in all, this cartoon was a delight and the best way to start this series possible.

Now for the Terry Toons cartoon, Jesse and James (1931). 

Now to 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

Pink Panther: The Ultimate Guide to the Coolest Cat in Town! by Jerry Beck

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

  

Movie Review: Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A delightful new Shaun the Sheep movie. 

 In this third Shaun feature film, Shaun is disappointed when the pumpkins he has been growing for him and the other sheep to crave are accidentally destroyed before Halloween. He takes to creating science experiments to make a new batch of pumpkins grow extra quickly. At the same time the farmer wants to ask the pretty vet out to the Halloween Hoedown but is nervous because of his receding hairline. Unfortunately for both Shaun and the farmer, these two stories collide. 

While it may not have the moving emotional moments of the first Shaun movie (the scene with all the sheep singing Feels Like Summer to little Timmy is both funny and touching), this movie makes up for it by simply being a lot of fun. The storyline is at once simple and delightfully clever. There is so much creativity going on here that it is hard not to appreciate it. Not only is the story very clever but the gags are quite clever as well. I saw this in a theater with no kids and most of the audience was laughing at quite a few of the jokes. This whole film is full of the gentle but clever slapstick that fans from this franchise already love. Every gag involving little Timmy put a smile on my face immediately. However, even funnier are the pop culture references. The references to Thriller and Psycho specially made me laugh out loud. Though this movie may not tug at your heart strings like the first film, you still care about the characters. This makes you still have an emotional connection to what is a very silly story. There is one scene where I felt very sorry for Shaun and wanted to give him a big hug. 

For those of you unfamiliar with the franchise, there is no spoken dialogue here, though all the characters do make sounds when they "speak." Because of the lack of dialogue music is of course very important. This is the first time Natalie Holt has done the music for Shaun, and she is a perfect fit. She knows just when to be playful with the music and when to play it straight. And when she does get playful, she never overdoes it. The music also helps add a fun Halloween-y atmosphere to this film, while still fitting the lighthearted tone. 

A shear delight. 

Movie Review: Practical Magic 2

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C

An okay belated sequel. 

For those of you unfamiliar with the first movie, a family of witches has a curse where when any female members fall in love, the person they fall for dies a premature death. In this sequel Sally tries to hide that they are witches and have a curse from her daughters. When one of her daughters gets a boyfriend though it looks like things might be too late. 

This movie works best when it focuses on the Owens sisters from the first film. These two are still a delight to spend time with. The bickering and interplay between them are easily the highlight of the movie. Whether funny or sweet it is great to simply watch these two characters share the screen. The wonderful chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman only adds to the enjoyment here. Other returning characters are also fun to see again and get their time to shine. 

However, this film falls into the same trap that so many sequels to movies multiple decades earlier do. That is that the new characters are simply boring. We do not care about the daughters or the boyfriend or even Sally's new love interest. These new characters are devoid of any personality whatsoever. This proves to be a major flaw because the emotional center is focused on these new characters. The emotional center is in fact focused on one of the daughters and her boyfriend. Not only are these two characters completely bland but they hardly get enough screentime together for us to have any investment in their relationship. 

Though the movie can be fun, since the emotional center focuses on such underdeveloped characters we don't actually care about what happens. 

Cowboy Church #286

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing, It is No Secret. This song was written by cowboy singer and actor Stuart Hamblen. Before turning to God, this man's life could hardly be considered Godly. He often drank and fought, and this often landed him in jail. When in 1949 Hamblin went to a Billy Graham crusade, he turned his life over to God. The drinking and fighting were put behind him and his whole life changing. One day he was talking about this change to his good friend John Wayne (yes that John Wayne) and that it was no secret what God had done for him. John Wayne said, that he should write a song with those lyrics.  Stuart Hamblen had also had a brief movie career and appeared in the Roy Rogers movie, The Arizona Kid (1939).

This is followed by Jim and Jesse's 1960 recording of Destination in Heaven.  

Afterwards is The Chuck Wagon Gang with their 1948 recording of Echoes from the Burning Bush. The Chuck Wagon Gang which in their original incarnation consisted of D.P. Carter, his Son, Jim (Ernest) Carter and his daughters, Rose (Lola) Carter Karnes and Anna (Effie) Carter Gordon Davis. The group recorded mostly old gospel songs. Incredibly the group is still around today (though with completely new members). Because of another country music family with the same last name, they have been referred to as "the other Carter Family."   

Then comes Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard with Sing Me Back Home on a 1969 episode of TV's The Johnny Cash Show. This song was written by Merle and was based off a true story that happened while he was in San Quentin State Prison for attempted robbery. It was the title track of his 1968 album. 

Next is Ralph Stanley with Children Go Where I Send Thee. This comes from his 1975 gospel album, Let Me Rest On A Peaceful Mountain.

Next is The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of The Touch of God's Hand. This song was written by one of the group's founding members (and one of my favorite songwriters), Bob Nolan. Bob also provides lead vocals on this song. This is also one of the earliest Sons of the Pioneers recordings with bass player Pat Brady, who replaced Roy Rogers, when Roy followed a movie career. Brady would later play Roy's sidekick on TV. 

Today's musical selection ends with Porter Wagoner with a live recording of I Thought of God. This comes from his 1964 live album, In Person. 

Now for a message from the Reverand Martin Luther King Jr. 

Now for the 27th episode of TV's The Lone Ranger. 

Psalm 72

Of Solomon.

1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,

    the royal son with your righteousness.

2 May he judge your people in righteousness,

    your afflicted ones with justice.

3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,

    the hills the fruit of righteousness.

4 May he defend the afflicted among the people

    and save the children of the needy;

    may he crush the oppressor.

5 May he endure as long as the sun,

    as long as the moon, through all generations.

6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field,

    like showers watering the earth.

7 In his days may the righteous flourish

    and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

8 May he rule from sea to sea

    and from the River to the ends of the earth.

9 May the desert tribes bow before him

    and his enemies lick the dust.

10 May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores

    bring tribute to him.

May the kings of Sheba and Seba

    present him gifts.

11 May all kings bow down to him

    and all nations serve him.

12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,

    the afflicted who have no one to help.

13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy

    and save the needy from death.

14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,

    for precious is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live!

    May gold from Sheba be given him.

May people ever pray for him

    and bless him all day long.

16 May grain abound throughout the land;

    on the tops of the hills may it sway.

May the crops flourish like Lebanon

    and thrive like the grass of the field.

17 May his name endure forever;

    may it continue as long as the sun.

Then all nations will be blessed through him,

    and they will call him blessed.

18 Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,

    who alone does marvelous deeds.

19 Praise be to his glorious name forever;

    may the whole earth be filled with his glory.

Amen and Amen.

20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

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

Video Link: How Disney's Reign of Dragons Started with This Oddball - West of Neverland

 

Video Link: The Legend Who Quietly Built Disney’s Golden Age - West of Neverland

 

Some Cartoons For Saturday Morning #296

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

Today's cartoon selection begins with a classic Frank Tashlin Porky Pig cartoon, Porky's Railroad (1937). This is one of the many cartoons of this time that used the formula of Porky being placed in a different job. In fact, earlier the same year Tashlin had directed a very similar Porky Pig cartoon, called Porky's Building (1937). That film like this one featured Porky up against a rival for his job. This cartoon opens up using of Tashlin's favorite types of gags that of words appearing on the screen to introduce the action. Often times he would do this in the form of a "disclaimer", but here he simply introduces the two trains. Also notice the ship that Porky picks up is the SS Leon named after the cartoon's producer Leon Schlesinger.

Now for a lesser-known cartoon from the Fleischer Studio, Zero the Hound (1941). This is part of the studio's Animated Antics series. This series lasted from 1940 to 1941 and included 11 cartoons. Some of these cartoons starred miscellaneous characters while others featured characters from the studio's feature film, Gulliver's Travels (1939).  

Next, we go out west with our friend Gandy Goose with Wide Open Spaces (1950). This was nearing the end of the Gandy series. He would only have three more theatrical cartoons after this.

Now for a true Mickey Mouse classic, Thru the Mirror (1936). Well before the Disney Studios feature length adaption of Alice in Wonderland (1951), this short film adapts Lewis Carrol's Alice Through the Looking Glass. It is a very loose adaption, but it captures the spirit better than most feature length versions of Carrol's Alice books do. I have always loved Disney cartoons that or not afraid to be silly. This is one of the perfect examples of that. One of the highlights is a sequence with Mickey do a Fred Astaire type dance which was animated by Dick Lundy, who specialized in dancing animation. Dick Lundy would later direct some great cartoons for Walter Lantz and MGM. Elements of this short would play a major role in the video game Epic Mickey.

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

Next is Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in The Toy Shoppe (1934). Like many Oswald films of this era, the rabbit becomes a supporting character in his own cartoon. 

Next is the Terry Toons cartoon, Sage Struck (1951). This is the first of only two cartoons to star the forgotten character Half Pint. 

Up next comes an early example of Disney's Silly Symphonies cartoons with The Bird Store (1932). This short film is similar to many of the Silly Symphonies of the time period. The movie starts out with simply a bunch of cute little gags involving a bird store and then a villain enters and many of the characters team up to stop this villain. The cartoon is directed by Wilfred Jackson, who would later co-direct such Disney features as Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), Peter Pan (1953) and Lady and the Tramp (1955). The movie also features an all-star cast of Disney animators. David Hand, who would later be the supervising director for such Disney features as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Bambi (1942), animates the opening scene. Future Donald Duck director, Jack King animated the lovebirds, the canaries being excited and the baby being returned to its parents. Frenchy de Tremaudan, who worked as an uncredited animator on many of Disney best short films, animates the bird sharpening its beak and the parrot with the cash register. Johnny Cannon animated the jalopy birds and the canaries pecking at the cat. Clyde Geronimi, who would be a co-director on Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), Peter Pan (1953) and Lady and the Tramp (1955) and the supervising director for Sleeping Beauty (1959), animates the horn birds and the cat in the cage. Norm Ferguson, whose animation would later help define the character of Pluto, animates the parrot with both the mirror and the typewriter. Future Woody Woodpecker and Barney Bear director Dick Lundy animates the whooping birds and the cat stalking the canaries. Future Hanna-Barbera director, Rudy Zamora animates the Marx Birds. Future Looney Tunes and Van Beuren director, Tom Palmer animates the baby canary taking on a singing lesson. Albert Hunter animates the birds watching with excitement. Master Mickey Mouse animator, Les Clark animates the baby canary running from the cat and the scene with the dogs. Ben Sharpsteen, who would later be the supervising director for such Disney features as Pinocchio (1940), Fantasia (1940) and Dumbo (1941), heads a whole crew of animators including Chuck Couch, Marvin Woodward, Hardie Gramatky, Harry Reeves and Dick Williams. 

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

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

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

Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History by J.B. Kaufman and David Gerstein

Movie Review: The Uprising

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C+

An okay historical epic. 

This film involves a band of peasants standing up against a corrupt system and a child king who are overtaxing them. That is really all there is to the story. 

This film is incredibly light on both story and characterization. However, it is filled with action and spectacle. On these two levels this film works very well. The action scenes are very well handled and can feel larger than life in scale. They look truly epic on the big screen. Meanwhile the visual landscape is amazing here. This is as handsome of a movie as you could hope for from a historical epic. While the characters are undeveloped, the performances from Andrew Garfeild and Woody Norman are fantastic and somewhat make up for this flaw. 

However, with the lack of characterization and story and the overreliance on action and spectacle, this film can feel overly repetitive at times. There are moments when it struggles to maintain interest for the whole 2-hour runtime. 

This may not be the great film, it is obviously yearning to be but it still makes for a decent trip to the movies. 

Movie Review: Onslaught

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C+

An enjoyable but instantly forgettable action/horror flick. 

In this movie the American government is creating genetically modified super soldiers. When these soldiers get loose, they wreak havoc on a trailer park trying to kill everyone there. A former solider mom must protect her young daughter from these dangerous super soldiers.   

There is quite a bit to enjoy about this film. Adria Arjona is very strong in the lead role. She gives a lot of action star charisma that is perfect for a movie like this. Though the storyline is simplistic, the character's relationship with her daughter does bring some heart into it. There are some actually sweet moments between them tossed in there with all the gore. The action scenes themselves are a lot of fun. They are over the top and gory in the best way possible. The over-the-top gore is taken to such an extreme at times, that is just simply fun to watch. This is just simple gory fun. 

Unfortunately, the film does have its problems. The pacing is pretty flawed. The set-up definitely takes too long for what is a simple story with no real depth. Despite being an action/horror flick, it is definitely lacking in the horror department. There is not a single moment that is actually scary at all, even for the biggest fraidy cats. The soldiers themselves, while threatening are bland and forgettable. This especially hurts because villains are probably the most important element in any horror film.

The main problem with the movie though is that the story simply too similar to so many other films. This can make it easy to forget. 

The end result is an enjoyable trip to the movies but hardly a great film. 

Movie Review: Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass

 

Michael's Movie Grade: D

A rather lame Tom and Jerry movie from China. 

 It starts out promising enough with Tom and Jerry chasing each other around a museum. There are some decent gags here and Tom and Jerry are the characters we all love. Even this though is not perfect with some obnoxious sound effects and vocal acting for Tom and Jerry (they don't talk only make vocal sounds). After this an ancient artifact transports them to a fantasy world inspired by Chinese mythology. This is where the film really goes downhill. There are some promising ideas here like Tom being hailed as a god and that going to his head. 

However, for much of the rest of the movie Tom and Jerry sadly feel like afterthoughts. Instead, we focus on a new group of characters. Unfortunately, these new characters are as bland and forgettable as can be, as well as being obnoxious and annoying. It is impossible to relate to or care about these new characters. Even the design work for these characters is quite ugly. Yet as the film goes on, they continue to get more screen time while Tom and Jerry get less. As the film focuses more on these characters, the story gets messier too. Even for a movie based off a cartoon, this story makes no sense. The whole climax is especially a mess of half-baked plot ideas. 

Being a fan of Tom and Jerry, I really wanted to like this movie. Instead, this is a disappointment on every level. 

Cowboy Church #285

 Hello my friends and welcome back for 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 Ralph Stanley with Gloryland. 

Afterwards is The Marshall Family with Waiting for the Master to Come.

Next comes Johnny Cash with He'll Be A Friend. The song was written by John himself and comes from his 1959 gospel album, Hymns By Johnny Cash. This was John's second album for Columbia records.  John would state that his main reason for leaving Sun Records and moving to Columbia is because producer Sam Phillips would not allow him to record a gospel album. This was especially important to John because he never set out to be a country singer or a rock and roll singer, but a gospel singer. Therefore it should come as no surprise that as soon as he left Sun he would set out to make a gospel record. Hymns By Johnny Cash became his first of many gospel albums and proved to be a success with his fans.

Then is Jim and Jessie with Sing Unto Him a New Song. This is the title track of the bluegrass duo's 1966 gospel album. 

Now for a new song from Anne Wilson, Who I Am to You.

Today's musical selection concludes with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1947 recording of The Sea Walker. This song was written by Tim Spencer, one of the group's founding members. Music was a major part of Tim's life from very early on. In fact when he was only 3 years old he was already singing at the church he grew up in. His love of things cowboy and western related also began very early as he had grown in awe of western movies and screen cowboys like Tom Mix, Hoot Gibson, William S. Hart and others were his boyhood heroes. With this it is no surprise that in 1931, he went to California to see how his talents could be used in Hollywood. Yet music always remained a major passion for him. As he worked in a warehouse, he would spend his weekends and time after working going around to all the country music radio shows, getting to know all the people he could. This is how he met fellow founding members of the Sons of the Pioneers, Bob Nolan and Leonard Slye (later Roy Rogers). The Sea Walker as well as being written by Tim also features him as the lead singer. The great Bass vocals in this song are courtesy of Hugh Farr.

Now for a message from the reverend Billy Graham. 

Now for the 26th episode of The Lone Ranger TV series. 

2 John

1 The elder,

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.

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