Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Making sense of Reviews for TV and Movies can be Unsettling.

First I should say I have been a movie and TV buff my entire life.. and at one time I had an overwhelming amount of VHS movies but over the years they degraded and now I just rely on media streaming sites (such as Netflix, Amazon and Hulu) along with cable to keep me on point.  However like many other people the amount of choices can be overwhelming and if your anything like me what you watch as far as movies or TV largely depends on what you have heard about it (such as media coverage and of course there are other avenues such as promotional trailers or Internet sites such as Rotten Tomatoes)

Ultimately the reason I chose to write this movie and TV blog was to offer a little more insight on my interpretations of movies and TV that can for lack of other words be TIMELESS, MEMORABLE and THOUGHT PROVOKING.  Most sites have reviews that often seem off pudding (i.e. disconcerting or in my opinion doesn't always show the movies ability to captivate) I have read some movie and TV reviews with high scores that I lost interest in early on and some that were rated much less that were not only thought-provoking but had real entertainment value, and worthy of higher ratings in my opinion.

Now I am not saying I have any accolades as a reviewer and I welcome any responses you may care to give on my reviews, but try to keep an open mind.. I only hope to give a non biased review from an ordinary person with a deep passion for movies and TV.  This blog is not intended to be rocket science but only heart-felt reviews from someone who escapes the everyday grind by watching movies and TV shows regularly. As well as, strives only to share my thoughts with my readers.

Lets call this my first one..  Timeless Kids

1. Beauty and the Beast - 1991 Disney version or 2017 Disney remake version

While there have been many variations of Beauty and the Beast movies through the years in my opinion Disney perfected the movies interpretation back in 1991 and then released a 2017 live action version both in many ways equally mesmerizing.  I can remember how drawn my kids were when they were young to the 1991 version with its story of Belle falling in love with the Beast. Mind you I had 3 girls all of which longed to be a princess when they grew up.

The 2017 version was even more captivating with all the live action grandeur and stand out performances.  I can remember catching my breath as the Gaston attacks the Beast. Keep in mind I am grown woman who still eagerly watches Disney releases and now my grandchildren (all mini versions of their mommies) are the ones longing to be princesses.

Lets just say you can't go wrong with either version, the 1991 animated version is a classic but if you want to see the movie in all its glory the 2017 version I do believe is truly memorable.

2.  Willy Wonka came out in 1971 when I was only 11 years of age and I remember all too well watching it as a child.  How did this place with all its candy and a man named Willy Wonka (played by Gene Wilder) even exist and poor Charlie who was encouraged to steal by Slugworth, ultimately though Mr Wonka awards Charlie the factory and made him an heir to his fortune with a happily ever after ending for him and his family.  This was one of those movies I watched as a child that I eagerly shared with my own children and holds a special place in my heart.

In 2005 a remake was made of the timeless film titled Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  starring Johnny Depp.  The story could be described as a darker fantasy version than that of the earlier version for many reasons but overall they both have many teachable moments throughout the movies (such as restraint, rudeness, gluttony).  In the end I loved both for the rawness of fantasy driven comedy at its best and I respectfully can only hope both children classics will be around for many more generations to enjoy and learn from.

3. Frozen released in 2013 is another note worth Disney timeless classic..  I have to be honest this animated movie holds a very personal spot in my heart because upon moving to Tennessee in 2014 before my little granddaughter Jordy turned 3 years old she could bring me to tears as she tried desperately to vocalize and act out every sequence within the film.  It is definitely something I will always remember and cherish and I have some hysterical video clips of Jordy as she swayed and did an awesome job pretending to be both Elsa and Anna... of course Nana (that is what she calls me) will never forget watching this pint size little one as she pretended to untie and flip her hair while trying to be Elsa singing Let It Go.  Disney will always have many noteworthy films but this one will always hold special memories I hope to share with her as she continues to grow.  Frozen 2 is coming out in  Nov 22 2019 Disney Trailer 


4. Moana likewise is a Disney animated movie released in 2016 depicting a little Polynesian island princess who is driven to see what lies beyond her island and when her island is threatened bravely sets sail to save her people becoming a hero. Moana has like many other Disney movies a truly captivating storyline  along with a great soundtrack.  I loved that Dewayne Johnson (otherwise known as The Rock) who is paying the price for his earlier actions, sets sail along with Moana to restore things as they were.

5. Maleficent  was released in 2014 and stars one of my favorite actresses (Angelina Jolie) and is basically a dark live action fantasy action movie inspired by Disney's Sleeping Beauty fairy tale originally released in 1959.  Maleficent tells the story of a fairy who was betrayed by someone she  trusted and has her wings taken, which in turn Maleficent places a curse on Aurora the baby of the king (and the princess known as Sleeping Beauty).  Over time though the story develops and Maleficent and Aurora grow close resulting in a climactic ending.  I have to admit I enjoyed this movie greatly and I am looking forward to Maleficent 2 that I think is not scheduled to be released until 2020.

Maleficent 2  scheduled to premier May 29 2020  Disney Trailer 
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Noteworthy - While I will not list every Disney movie as a timeless classic,  I will say that not only did I grow up with Disney movies, Mickey Mouse, and the Wonderful World of Disney but Disney has been a staple in many homes and lives (such as my own) over the years.. I remember watching Walt Disney appear on the television show.  I remember watching specials on the Disney theme parks being built and the Mickey Mouse Club TV show including old footage featuring Annette Funicello one of the original Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeers.  I also have fond memories of when I was very young my grandfather telling me how he knew Mickey Mouse, even going so far as to tell me stories about how he would visit him from time to time.. My grandfather was not only a great storyteller but did many of the cartoon character voices.. I can remember being convinced he was there with us but he didn't want to come out after all there were rules.. Life growing up back then was a much easier time but Disney is still around and I will continue to believe Disney will always be a big part of children's lives. Movies that I grew up with and are still timeless classics are Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi, Song of the South, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Lady and the Tramp, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin,  The Lion King, Pocahontas, Toy Story (To Infinity and Beyond), Mulan, Tarzan, Finding Nemo, Up and so so many others. Please forgive me if I leave any out of the list.. there are just too many classic movies that have continued to charm generations just as they did me as a small child.   

Disney will be releasing The Lion King in live action which is already getting media buzz and my whole family can't wait.  The Lion King July 19 2019 Disney Trailer 

Disney is also schedule to release Toy Story 4.. June 21 2019 Disney Trailer 
and Aladdin live action is schedule to be released   May 24 2019 Disney Trailer 

Disney to release live action Dumbo directed by Tim Burton. March 29 2019 Disney Trailer 
I know all Disney fans including my whole family cannot wait for any of these movies to debut

Mulan live action is scheduled to premier March 27 2020 Disney Trailer

I know that there are many movies Disney has made over the years that can not be considered timeless classics but that is the way with all TV and movies in general, however I can with all honesty say that you don't have to look very hard to see that Disney has done more than their fair share in making children happy all over the world and will I am certain will continue to do so..

Not long ago when Toys R Us announced their closure and our local Toys R Us shut its doors. I was I have to say a little tearful after all I can remember making special trips during holidays and birthdays to load up on all the trendy toys for my little ones, even going there to shop for my grandchildren and now I was there watching the store dwindle to nothing as they prepared to shut their doors.  I can remember thinking what is this world coming to.. all those memories that can not be shared to new generations.. after all someday people will only tell stories of places such as Toys R Us where you could go and see isles and isles of toys any day throughout the year.  Just as I had remembered when Sears Wish Books ceased to exist.  I can remember getting them every year to place orders. However I did hear that Sears as of 2017 revived their Wish Book and even offered an online version to order from, however nothing will ever compare to those iconic ones we all circled things in when I was a child..

The sad reality is all things change.. life changes as we age.. the world changes and so do toy stores and shopping in general .. now there is online shopping, you can place an order and most of the time it can be received next day .. there are even some things you can literally order and have delivered on the same day.

All of this being a part of the world we now live in.. technology has changed our world in ways most of us never could have believed..

Don't get me wrong I am sure over the course of things I will talk about this again.. but it is the truth.. life changes and someday we may have replicators in our homes that just give us whatever we want with the simple request placed .. ( Star Trek here we come) .. Hey do not laugh it most likely will happen some time in the future.. you never know.. The only thing I do know is that things are not as they were,  a lot has changed over the years .. Just look at me I am on this laptop at 1:00 am in the morning because I can't sleep typing away on a blog that is most like becoming obsolete the longer I sit here .. Let us be real .. as soon as something comes on the scene it eventually peaks than dies off .. the going hip thing now is Instagram, and You Tube videos (both of which you can make real money on if you have enough brands and followers to market to).. Don't laugh .. I am old but I get it.. lets say you are doing videos picturing using say a certain item ( i.e. a toy) ...  it makes you money by showing this item because if it is cool and you have plenty of subscribers the idea is you make that product soar off the shelves ..their sales go up and you get money for the marketing of that item.. (this is just an example, and I am certain that is just highlighting one way).

Anyway before I head off to bed.. just wanted to say again times change.. I've changed a lot actually and for now the blogging thing keeps me busy.. not to mention people might see my blog and who knows right!.. All it takes is one person to notice that what you are saying is worth listening to and before you know it .. you're a Kardashian.. LOL.. Gotta admit that was funny

The End..

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