To Save the Children (1994)

Often, when I read a book that has been made into a movie, I hunt down the movie as well. This was the case with “To Save the Children.” Immediately after finishing the book “When Angels Intervene to Save the Children,” I went to Netflix and put the movie in queue. Richard Thomas plays David Young, a man with startling intellect and wild ideas. David believes that if he kills himself along with several children, they will all be reincarnated and he will become their god in the next life. His wife, Dorsie, has always gone along with his schemes, … Continue reading →

The Boy With Green Hair (1948)

I admit to being a fan of Pat O’Brien and he was the reason we initially watched this film. In Australia the ABC channel often shows old black and white movies late at night. The film starts with a child, played by Dean Stockwell, who refuses to speak and will not even give his name when he is brought into the police station. After a time Dr Evans played by Robert Ryan, elicits the story of why the shaven headed child, has run away. From there it goes back to events leading up to his flight. Peter is an orphan … Continue reading →

Thicker than Water (2005)

“Thicker than Water” was originally a made-for-television movie produced by Hallmark. Natalie (Melissa Gilbert) is a leading lawyer in a high-powered firm. Her father is a judge, and a long tradition of honor and respectability runs in their family. When her father passes away, Natalie doesn’t expect skeletons to come tumbling out of the closet, but they do. He left a box full of letters and pictures from his first wife, a wife Natalie didn’t know he’d had. To make matters worse, her name was Maggie May and she was a rodeo queen. Natalie’s not sure what to do with … Continue reading →

Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer (2002)

“Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer” was a made-for-television documentary that first aired in 2002. Now available to watch and own, I pounced on it like a starving bird on a worm – I’m sure you’ve noticed my deep and abiding love for that man. The film was a fascinating look behind the scenes at what made Gene great. He was born into a family of dancers. His mother opened a dance studio and for years, that’s how the Kellys earned their living. As a principle teacher in that studio, Gene realized at an early age what a contribution he … Continue reading →

Kids’ Entertainers Celebrate the Real Meaning of Christmas

It’s an increasingly rare joy nowadays to find popular-culture entertainers making a children’s video that really celebrates the meaning of Christmas—showing great reverence for the religious aspect while still including plenty of silly fun. The Wiggles are a four-man singing group from Australia who are familiar to many young children from TV, videos and concert tours. A few of their early songs were rather repetitive for adult ears (that’s why kids love them), but I myself truly enjoy many of their songs. (Much easier on the ears than Barney, in my opinion.) The Christmas videos “Santa’s Rockin” and “Yule Be … Continue reading →

A Perfect Day (2006)

When I reviewed Richard Paul Evans’ book “A Perfect Day,” I didn’t realize that book had been filmed as a made-for-TV movie, nor did I know that movie would be released on DVD this very week. Life is just cool that way sometimes. What if you knew you were going to die on Christmas Day, and that’s only a few weeks off? Would you try to make amends for past wrongs, spend a little more time with loved ones? This is the question Robert Harlan must face. Suddenly famous with the sale of his first novel, Robert (Rob Lowe) goes … Continue reading →

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983)

Yesterday, Lauri reviewed the book “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” by Barbara Robinson. Today I’m reviewing the made-for-TV movie of that book, which is a must-see for me each and every holiday season. Our narrator is Beth Bradley, a serious-minded young lady who has a wide-eyed view of life and is learning to be a little cynical. She’s the daughter of Grace (Loretta Swit) and Bob (Jackson Davies) devout members of their local church. She and her brother Charlie attend Sunday School every week and are looking forward to the Christmas pageant, although Charlie really doesn’t want to be a … Continue reading →

Grey’s Anatomy – Season 3 (2007)

Grey’s Anatomy is a super smash of a hit that is known more for the scandals backstage involving Isaiah Washington and T.R. Knight than the storylines from Season 3. This may be due to the fact that a show that delivered measurable doses of hope, angst, humor and tragedy needed a stomach pump to clear some of the bad medicine delivered in Season 3. Tragedies Abound The season opened with the aftermath of Denny Duquette’s death. Katherine Heigl played Izzy’s grief well and it was a journey to see her begin to put back the shattered pieces of her life … Continue reading →

Santa Baby

Rating: NR, Made for TV- momentary language Starring: Jenny McCarthy, Ivan Sergei, George Wendt, Kandyce McClure Mary Class (McCarthy) is a smart, hardworking business woman in New York City. It’s all about what’s new, what’s hot and how you can make it better. She owns her own consulting firm and is great at what she does, but she’s got a little secret. Her father is Santa, and her last name is really Claus. Mary’s just landed a huge new project when she gets a phone call from her mother telling her her father has had a heart attack. Mary immediate … Continue reading →

Snow

Rating: NR, Made for TV Starring: Tom Cavanagh, Ashley Williams, Bobb’e J. Thompson When a hunter captures one of Santa’s reindeer three days before Christmas, young Nick Snowden (Cavanagh), the latest incarnation of the jolly old elf, must travel via magical means to a zoo in California where the reindeer, Buddy, is being held. Nick takes up residence in a boarding house near the zoo and gets to know the eccentric inhabitants. Sandy (Williams), the young woman who owns the house, also works at the zoo. He not only falls in love with her, but must figure out a way … Continue reading →