Ed's Review Dot Com

Sense and Sensibility Ventures,

James Cromwell, Bailee Madison, Jackson Rathbone, Alicia Witt, Andrew Sensenig, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Frankie Faison, Madison Burge, Louanne Stephens, Leslie-Anne Huff, Drew Waters

Ida (Bailee Madison) is a young girl growing up with her single Mom. She’s a very independent little girl, but she naturally has many questions about her father. Her Mom refuses to discuss it, so armed with just a name, and the info that her Dad is a rodeo rider, she heads out to try to find him. She bumps into “The Sweethearts of the Rodeo” a group of trick riding girls led by a famous ex-rodeo rider named Terrence Parker (James Cromwell).

You know there’s nothing like a good Country and Western movie! It seems there’s never enough of those. This story is probably a little too cutesy for some people. But the little girl (Bailee Madison) is really cute. She’s a pretty good little actress and she carries the lead role good enough. James Cromwell is always great. He’s one of the best of the crotchety old man actors who really revs it up in this movie. The trick riding is well done, and the shows are good. It’s like a sports movie that’s not so heavy on the “big game”. There are a couple back stories on some of the characters that makes it pretty good. I guess the only one who comes off badly is poor Mom, but she does appear to be somewhat of a pain! I’m talking child abandonment, as this poor kid is left alone night after night while Mom’s out dating and stuff. All that doesn’t matter though. Like a Disney “Wonderful World of Color” two part Sunday Night show, this nice little family film takes us through the challenges of a little girl dreaming about who her father is. Will she find him, or is he long gone? It doesn’t really matter in the end, as the story is about the adventure getting there and watching Bailee’s character grow up before our eyes.

Not a heavy story, it’s family fare, for sure, but it’s a worthwhile diversion, and a enjoyable story. I am glad I watched this.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Movie Rentals Releasing Tuesday November 13, 2012

• Brave [Click here for Ed’s Review]
• Savages [Click here for Ed’s Review]
• The Watch
• Nitro Circus: The Movie
• The Queen of Versailles
• 2 Days in New York

NGN Productions, Nasser Group, North,

Peter Benson, Michael Shanks, Michelle Creber, Erin Karpluk, Michelle Kim, Michael Patric, Rukiya Bernard

Mary (Erin Karpluk) wants to cheer up her ailing grandfather. Her Dad is about to send him off to a nursing home as he is getting weaker and weaker. On a trip to the country, she finds a little girl who needs help, only to find out that she lives in the “Christmas Lodge” where she and her family spent many wonderful Christmases when she was a child. Finding the lodge in bad shape, basically falling down, she enlists her family who are contractors to help her childhood friend Jack (Michael Shanks) who lives with his daughter in the lodge by doing the repairs to bring the old building back into shape. Her dream is to bring her grandfather here for one last family Christmas together to make memories that will last forever.

This is a beautiful Christian Christmas film. The scenery is spectacular, and the views take your breath away. The little girl and her dog are charming. So what’s wrong with this film?

Well, there are a couple problems. First and foremost, it’s a romance, but the chemistry between the two is really weak. They just don’t seem to really like each other so much. Finally, there is a pretty “in your face” Christian message to this film that will turn off some people. But did I mention the scenery is spectacular?

Essentially this is a typical lifetime type Christmas romance, and it works at that level if you can deal with the weaknesses. I didn’t hate this movie as some reviewers did. I actually enjoyed it, but there are certainly other films that are much better than this. But if you get a chance to see this film, I say go right ahead. It’s a good enough film to bring on the Christmas Spirit. And did I say the scenery is spectacular!

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Danjaq, Eon Productions,

Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory, Ola Rapace, Tonia Sotiropoulou, Rory Kinnear

James Bond (Daniel Craig) is in Turkey trying to retrieve a stolen hard drive with the names of all the MI6 operatives all over the world. Secrets from M’s (Judi Dench) past arrive trying to get even, putting a strain on the relationship between M and Bond in this 23rd film of the series. To what length will Bond go to protect M, even with MI6 is under attack, and it seems she has a lot to do with it.

This is another rousing James Bond film, just like all the others before it. It’s quite different though in a way, as Bond is older, and is looking closely at his life. This bad guy is not out to conquer the world, but it’s much more personal, as he is after revenge on those he felt did him wrong, and he’s got the tools and gadgets to do the job. It seems he’s always a step ahead of them. With spectacular explosions, car chases, fights, and an amazing showdown near the end at James’ boyhood home in Scotland, this is certainly a film to keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s typical Bond fare, but it’s a really entertaining story, and we really get to see into Bond’s personal life a lot more than before, and we see why he does what he does. M too is a very important character, and Judi Dench does a great job playing an aging M.

I must admit, I have always been a Bond fan. But this film is one of the best of recent years. The action is spectacular, but the depth of the story makes it a MUST SEE for sure. It’s in IMAX. If you can afford the few extra buck, it would be a very worthwhile investment. Enjoy this one on a BIG screen with a crowd. It’s all the excitement you could ask for and a fantastic hit.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Aardman Animations, Sony Pictures Animation,

James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Ashley Jensen, Ramona Marquez, Marc Wootton, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria, Michael Palin, Joan Cusack, Andy Serkis

This animated film explains about a super top secret toy making facility under the North Pole. Over the years, the technology has gotten very sophisticated. But somehow Santa manages to miss one gift, which means somewhere out in the world, one child was forgotten. Everyone says no one is perfect, and it’s no big deal, but Santa’s son Arthur believes that it’s important that no child is ever forgotten on Christmas, so he grabs his grandfather (the ex-Santa), an elf, and sets off on an impossible journey to make sure the gift is somehow delivered. The primary rule is that Santa must not be seen, but in the end there may be FOUR Santa’s

There is a lot of discussion about this film which was released in theaters last year. Somehow I missed it, so I’m happy it’s out on DVD this year. This was a good DVD feature. It’s done with CGI animation, but in the look and feel of the classic Claymation films from yesteryear which I think works very good here, even though the characters look a little odd, like they stepped out of a Dr. Seuss book. Well, maybe not that bad. This film was obviously inspired by the “Prep and Landing” short Christmas specials that have come out over the past few years. It features a super duper highly organized arm of elves who do all the real work, while the “Santa’s” seem to do nothing but screw things up. But it is a rather unique story and one that captures your attention.

There’s also a huge family dynamic as the Claus family is downright dysfunctional. Grandpa Santa like Arthur Claus, the younger son of the reigning Santa, but Dad like the older boy better, it’s pretty obvious. So there’s naturally a lot of competition between the brothers (Think Fred Claus for example). But it’s funny, and exciting, and certainly a hit with the younger folks. For those old folks like us, it’s nice to see something new.

Certainly it’s not sappy or syrupy sweet, like it could have been. In fact, it’s a little bit cutting edge and somewhat intense sometimes. But it’s certainly different, and quite unique in its own way, and well worth the trip to the video store (does anyone still do that?) to see.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog