Reviews by PvtCaboose91

"Every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart."

Since its publication in 1843, Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol has been adapted across various mediums (including stage, opera, radio, television and film) to varying degrees of success and quality. One of the best versions to date is this 1971 animated television special, and unfortunately, it is also one of the most forgotten and underrated retellings of Dickens's classic novella. Helmed by Richard Williams (The Thief and the Cobbler) and produced by animation legend Chuck Jones (Looney Tunes, 1966's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!), 1971's A Christmas Carol was initially created as a television special but received a theatrical release due to the high animation quality, and it subsequently earned an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. As of 2024, it is the only cinematic rendering of Dickens's supernatural Christmas tale to win an Oscar, and it is highly deserving of this prestigious honour.

A Christmas Carol's story is well-known; therefore, a brief plot synopsis will suffice. Set in 19th-century London, the story concerns a bitter old miser more concerned with his own affluence than human compassion, Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim). On Christmas Eve, he receives a visit from his deceased former business partner, Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern), who warns Scrooge about the error of his ways and the need to atone for his wrongdoings. Although Scrooge tries to dismiss Marley's ghostly visit as a figment of his imagination, three more spirits visit him during the night: the Ghost of Christmas Past (Diana Quick), the Ghost of Christmas Present (Felix Felton), and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, all of whom offer grim visions and a chance at redemption.

Unlike the numerous feature-length retellings, this A Christmas Carol clocks in at a scant 25 minutes. Fortunately, its brevity is incredibly beneficial, as director Williams does not waste a single frame. The adaptation hews closely to Dickens' original vision (in fact, the film does not credit a screenwriter - only Dickens), briskly moving through the well-worn plot without ever growing dreary or monotonous. Furthermore, this concise short still packs a huge emotional punch and efficiently delivers all the thought-provoking messages audiences associate with this timeless morality tale. Admittedly, a few moments feel slightly rushed (perhaps an extra five minutes could have catapulted the film to perfection), but this was probably the best adaptation possible within a 25-minute timeframe.

For the engaging visual style, the animation team drew inspiration from the original 19th-century illustrations by John Leech and later drawings by Milo Winter for 1930s editions of the book. A Christmas Carol may look dated compared to contemporary animated features, but it remains impressive nevertheless, with innovative pans, zooms and scene transitions giving the director's vision a distinctive look. The skilled artists also use lighting to superb effect, capturing the elegiac austerity of London in the mid-1800s. Williams wanted his retelling of A Christmas Carol to be dark and gloomy, doing justice to the story's bleak supernatural elements. Consequently, Williams plays up the horror aspects, and this version is genuinely scary at times with its unsettling ghost designs and use of darkness. As a result, a title card prefaces the film to warn viewers that this is "A Ghost Story of Christmas." Reportedly, the film fell into obscurity because television stations deemed it "too scary for children," making them reluctant to purchase the broadcast rights.

Narrated with gripping passion by legendary British actor Sir Michael Redgrave, 1971's A Christmas Carol is notable for bringing back Alastair Sim and Michael Hordern, who starred in the acclaimed 1951 iteration of A Christmas Carol (a.k.a. Scrooge). As a result of his highly acclaimed performance as Scrooge in the 1951 picture, critics and viewers frequently regard the late Sim as the best big-screen Scrooge. Fortunately, Sim's work here is equally excellent, reprising the role with relish. With twenty years separating his two performances, Sim sounds older and more gravelly, giving the role more gravitas. The supporting actors also turn in wonderful performances, with Hordern giving Jacob Marley an unsettling edge to complement the spooky, ghostly visuals, while Diana Quick and Felix Felton are hugely engaging as their respective ghosts.

Over fifty years since its release, this incarnation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol remains one of the best and most visually distinctive to date. It is fast-paced and visually stunning, and it does a remarkable job of conveying the grim nature of Scrooge's journey and the uplifting disposition of his redemptive epiphany. Unfortunately, not many viewers are aware of this iteration despite its Academy Award win, making it ripe for rediscovery.

8.2/10

"Every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart."

For over a century, the general public has been inundated with countless film, television and stage adaptations of Charles Dickens' 19th Century novella A Christmas Carol. Amidst this uncountable glut of retellings, director Brian Desmond Hurst's 1951 film Scrooge (renamed A Christmas Carol for its American release) is typically considered one of the best - if not the best - screen rendering of the timeless tale. Although it's not perfect, this visualisation of Dickens' story is a strong effort, with screenwriter Noel Langley (Wizard of Oz) adhering closely to the source material's narrative trajectory while at the same time adding his own effective spin on the story. Indeed, Scrooge is now considered one of the most quintessential festive movies in history, right alongside such classics as It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street.

For those of you living under a rock, A Christmas Carol is a simple morality tale. Ebenezer Scrooge (Sim) is a man of little compassion who regards the festive season as a costly burden. Due to his vile attitude, he is one of the least liked citizens in his community. On the night of Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his deceased former business partner Jacob Marley (Hordern), who warns Scrooge about what's in store for him. As the night unfolds, Scrooge is visited by more spirits who take him on a journey of his tragic past, the bleak present and his depressing potential future, showing the bitter old curmudgeon that the path he has chosen may lead to an eternity of torment.

Noel Langley's screenplay mines a lot of material from Dickens' original novella, including large portions of dialogue and various story beats. At the same time, though, Langley made considerable revisions to the source material which gives Scrooge its own life. A rote page-to-screen adaptation rarely works, so Langley either erased or streamlined certain scenes, and introduced his own slant on Scrooge's back-story. For instance, he conceived of an emotionally raw scene in which Scrooge mourns the death of his sister. Furthermore, dialogue was altered for better effect, making the dry 19th Century talk more involving and concise. It all comes together remarkably, allowing Scrooge to stand as both a great standalone film and a well-judged adaptation of classic source material.

Looking back on the film in the 21st Century, Scrooge is not an extravagant production, but it does encapsulate the flavour and ambience of London in the 1800s. And unlike most motion pictures of the same vintage, the special effects have held up rather well, with simple but effective optical effects bringing life to the ghosts. However, Scrooge is not perfect, mostly because it's pretty lax from time to time. The ghosts are not overly frightening, which is especially troublesome when the ghost of Jacob Marley appears to Ebenezer. Marley's appearance should have been a scary, intense scene which conveys the pain and suffering that Scrooge's soul may one day endure. Instead, it's not sinister at all; in fact Michael Hordern's performance is almost comical at times. Moreover, while Alastair Sim is a terrific Ebenezer Scrooge for the most part, his emoting is at times too histrionic, and he seems to begin repenting a bit too soon. Consequently, it doesn't feel like Scrooge went through many genuinely trying things throughout his time-travelling adventure. These flaws probably could have been rectified with stronger direction. Don't get me wrong, though - despite this, director Brian Desmond Hurst's handling of the material is fairly competent, yielding a number of strong scenes and some effective staging.

Over the decades, countless actors have played the inimitable Ebenezer Scrooge, including George C. Scott (1984's A Christmas Carol), Michael Caine (The Muppet Christmas Carol), Bill Murray (Scrooged), Albert Finney (1970's Scrooge), Jim Carrey (2009's A Christmas Carol) and even Scrooge McDuck. It's quite something, then, that Alastair Sim is widely considered to be the best and most definitive Scrooge. Since the direction is such a mixed bag, Sim is the one who carries the film for the most part, and he's easily the best thing in this adaptation. Sim nailed all of the demeanours the role demanded - he emanates the right amount of humbug-ness in early scenes, and at the climax his maniacal zest for life is spot-on. Furthermore, Sim conveys genuine anguish when confronted with humiliating scenes from his past, begging for the visions to cease as he suffers honest-to-goodness emotional distress. Because of Sim's efforts, Scrooge comes across as a three-dimensional human being even at his nastiest. Due to the acclaim that Sim received for his performance here, he eventually went on to play Scrooge again in a 1971 animated TV special that won an Oscar.

Despite its shortcomings and dated nature, there's no denying that Scrooge is a Yuletide classic; a picture which both demands annual viewings and stands up to them. It's not the definitive version of A Christmas Carol, nor is it the best, but that's because it's difficult to call something "definitive" or "the best" when there are far too many screen reiterations of the story to count (there are certainly many more than this reviewer will ever have the time to check out). Let's put it like this: If you prefer Christmas films with heart - a quality lacking in most modern festive movies - then Scrooge is definitely one to check out.

7.9/10

"My name would become legend..."

The character of Puss in Boots has been a show-stealer ever since he was first introduced in Shrek 2 back in 2004, and he became the increasingly lacklustre franchise's sole highlight throughout the misfires of Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After. Spiritedly voiced by Antonio Banderas, Puss is a stroke of screenwriting genius; a swashbuckling action hero in the Zorro mould distinguished by his typical feline instincts and adorable look. Puss' popularity guaranteed a solo starring vehicle for the adventurous kitty, which has now arrived in the form of 2011's Puss in Boots after years of rumours (it was originally planned as a direct-to-DVD adventure). It's always a risk to promote a supporting character to a protagonist, but this picture proves that Puss is more than capable of carrying his own feature. Although the storytelling is a bit leaden, Puss in Boots is full of hilarious isolated antics, making this easily superior to the latter three films of the Shrek franchise.

Set many years before he met Shrek and Donkey, Puss in Boots (Banderas) is an outlaw constantly on the move, romancing feminine felines and getting into trouble everywhere he goes. Learning that fugitives Jack (Thornton) and Jill (Sedaris) are in possession of the mythical "magic beans", Puss investigates, only to find that childhood friend Humpty Dumpty (Galifianakis) and infamous cat burglar Kitty Softpaws (Hayek) are after the same prize. With the magic beans holding the key to the golden egg-laying goose, Puss agrees to team up with the shady pair, thus giving Humpty a way for him to atone for his past misdeeds. Hence, the unlikely trio set off across the dusty desert landscape in hot pursuit of Jack and Jill.

While Puss in Boots is technically a prequel to Shrek 2, the picture stands alone from Shrek's world in just about every imaginable way. Shrek the Third director Chris Miller was in the driving seat here, but this flick has a completely different tone and vibe, making it a fresh-feeling spin-off to a stale series. The picture is more stylistically similar to Rango, an earlier 2011 animated movie which called for Spaghetti Western clichés to be played out by desert creatures. Likewise, Puss in Boots is a fairly Zorro-esque action-adventure populated by cartoon fairytale characters. And on top of the swashbuckler/Zorro vibe, the picture contains a hint of Robert Rodriguez's Mariachi movies (an early scene in a bar recalls Banderas' introductions in those films, and Salma Hayek was the love interest). Heck, even a smidge of Sergio Leone influence appears to be present here, with Henry Jackson's Morricone-inspired score and some extreme close-ups. Nevertheless, Puss in Boots has its flaws. The storytelling feels fairly direct-to-DVD, and it should have given Puss a bit more room to cut loose. Not to mention, this is the very definition of shallow entertainment: there's not a lot of heart here.

It has become a cliché to state how visually magnificent big-budget animated movies are, so here's the token appraisal for Puss in Boots: it's a richly-detailed visual delight with a well-judged colour palette. This reviewer didn't view the film in 3-D, but several big action set-pieces would look spectacular with an extra dimension. Speaking of the action, the set-pieces are indeed terrific. Puss in Boots is more of a Saturday afternoon matinee adventure yarn than an outright comedy, so the pace is quick and the action is both satisfying and plentiful. There are a lot of laughs to be had, too. No gags here will make you laugh till you cry, but there are several belly-laughs nevertheless, and the flick never stoops to infantile humour or potty jokes. Heck, the script is even mostly free of stale pop culture jokes (though there's a baffling Fight Club reference). The comedy is mainly derived from observations of cat behaviour. For instance, the flick highlights a cat's ability to lure people into submission by looking adorable and innocent. It's also side-splitting to watch Puss as he goes from sophisticated to primitive when caught off-guard by a beam of light. Indeed, cat people will adore Puss in Boots and all of its inside jokes about their favourite domestic animal.

As he proved in the Shrek movies, Antonio Banderas was born to voice this character. With his Spanish-flavoured accent and charismatic line deliveries, Banderas is perfectly-suited for the cat version of Zorro, and was not shy about parodying his past performances in the Zorro pictures and the Mariachi series. Meanwhile, Salma Hayek effortlessly reignites her chemistry with Banderas from their prior films together, and is a perfect fit for Puss' skilled lady love. In an unusually restrained performance, Zach Galifianakis is also surprisingly good as the hapless Humpty Dumpty. Unfortunately, though, the villainous Jack and Jill are incredibly underused - Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris barely register in the roles, which is a bit of a shame. Interestingly, executive producer Guillermo del Toro (a.k.a. director of Pan's Labyrinth and other big movies) has a cameo role here, as well.

Puss in Boots has its flaws, but this slice of DreamWorks animation is head-over-heels better than Pixar's 2011 project, Cars 2. Truth is, Cars 2 was drab, heartless and uncreative, while Puss in Boots is fun, funny, entertaining, exciting and visually spectacular. Perhaps the failure of Cars 2 and the triumph of Puss in Boots is a good thing, as it shows that DreamWorks is getting better, and it may motivate Pixar to work harder to retain their place at the top of the animation ladder. Sure, a more carefree approach might have permitted Puss in Boots to become a full-blown laugh riot, but it's hard to walk away unsatisfied with Puss' first solo adventure. A huge improvement over Shrek Forever After, the movie shows just how far DreamWorks has come in terms of raising their own personal bar.

7.2/10

"I want you to get married. I want you to have nine children. And if you only spend five minutes a day with each kid, that's forty-five minutes, and I'd at least have time to go out and get a massage or something."

Vehemently a '50s musical, White Christmas is one of those perennial Christmas favourites that's gratuitously aired by TV stations across the world for annual Yuletide viewing. And why not? It's such an esteemed seasonal film because it's a completely harmless, inoffensive, sweet-natured and charming illustration of the un-cynical filmmaking mindset of yesteryear. All of the characters are jolly, there's no profanity, and romance doesn't give way to exploitative sex scenes. Yes, it's very idealistic, sentimental and treacly, and its plot is simplistic, but it's nevertheless a warm feel-good movie drenched in charm. Sometimes it's refreshing to immerse yourself in an inoffensive bath of good feeling and terrific song & dance numbers.

After WWII comes to an end, army buddies Bob (Crosby) and Phil (Kaye) form a successful two-man show, and subsequently enjoy fame and fortune as highly sought-after entertainers. The pair begin to grow weary of one another, though, and Phil becomes convinced that Bob needs a wife. When they meet sister performers Betty (Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Allen), Phil senses an opportunity for Bob to find love. Thus, Phil attaches both himself and Bob to the sisters by any means necessary, and the quartet end up in Vermont. Upon arriving at the local inn, Bob and Phil are stunned to find out that the proprietor is their beloved former general (Jagger). Unfortunately, their old general is in bad shape: he's fallen on hard financial times, with the military no longer wanting him and with lack of snow in Vermont limiting his profits. Wanting to help any way they can, Bob and Phil hatch a plan with the girls to save the inn by putting on a Christmas Eve show and inviting the members of their former platoon.

In order to enjoy the film, you'll need to be able to accept a great deal of contrivances and some TV sitcom-level conflict. For instance, Betty wrongly suspects that Bob's plan to help the general is more about self-promotion. One of the general's employees makes this deduction, but abruptly forgets all about it by the next scene. Added to this, White Christmas is incredibly corny; in fact it has enough corn to put most farms to shame. Taken as feel-good family fun, though, the film succeeds marvellously. It even delivers a heart-warming message about the value of family and friends, and the merit of selfless deeds for the sake of others. The way the characters become determined to help their former commanding officer in his time of need (despite the fact that the war is over) is uplifting and poignant. The Christmastime setting is not necessarily pivotal to the plot, but it works to reinforce the picture's underlying themes.

White Christmas was conceived as a pseudo-sequel to 1942's Holiday Inn, hence it was primarily constructed to incorporate as many Irving Belin tunes as possible. Expectedly, Bing Crosby's White Christmas song is the material's backbone, but the screenplay by Norman Krasna, Melvin Frank and Norman Panama allows the flick to be more than just a song vehicle. The script is full of intelligent, razor-sharp, witty dialogue, and there's a real sense of camaraderie between the main characters. Best of all, a lot of humour is scattered throughout this sentimental tale. White Christmas is also an attractive picture, with colourful production design and costumes making it a terrific feast for the eyes from start to finish. This was the first film to be produced in VistaVision; a process which yields a far more attractive, sharper image. The results are magnificent. Another benefit is Michael Curtiz's energetic direction. Curtiz has a gift for pacing as seen in films like The Adventures of Robin Hood and Casablanca, making him perfect for such an extravagant musical. Bob Fosse's musical numbers are often enjoyable, too. On top of the obvious title song, White Christmas contains a handful of additional tunes, including Sisters (which is at one stage hilariously performed by Crosby and Kaye), The Best Things Happen When You're Dancing, and Snow, among others.

The performances are solid from top to bottom. As well as being a competent singer, Bing Crosby is a strong thespian, playing the role of Bob with sincerity and charisma. Danny Kaye is equally charming as Phil, mixing genuine singing expertise with acting talent. Both Crosby and Kaye have a gift for comedy, and they share great chemistry. Meanwhile, both Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen are great companions for the boys. Interestingly, Vera-Allen couldn't sing and Clooney couldn't dance. Thus, Vera-Allen's singing was mostly dubbed by Trudy Stevens. They couldn't exactly dub Clooney's dancing, but director Curtiz admirably dealt with the problem, and the girls' performance drawbacks are never obvious. The acting standout of White Christmas is Dean Jagger as Major General Waverly; his performance is the most nuanced in the film. When the plan to help the general comes to fruition, the raw emotion on Jagger's face is extremely affecting and believable.

The highest-grossing film of 1954, White Christmas is one of the most quintessential Christmas movies that's not necessarily about the festive season. But while the holiday is merely a backdrop, the spirit of Christmas permeates the picture. With its plethora of heart, comedy and catchy songs, the film overcomes its syrupy overtones and contrived nature, making it perfect for family consumption. They really don't make movies like this anymore.

8.0/10

"I expect we're the first white people he's seen."

Enthralling at surface level but challenging underneath, Walkabout is a movie that's more than the sum of its parts. It adheres to a few recognisable subgenres (one could contend it's a mix of a road movie and a coming-of-age tale), yet such distractions are not what this picture is truly about. Director Nicolas Roeg has crafted a deceptively simple film which is primarily about how technology is starting to overwhelm natural beauty, about both the simplicity and difficulty of communication between different cultures, and about how human experiences with unbridled nature have become corrupted by their inherent need for man-made barriers.

While on a picnic in the desert with his children, an unnamed father (Meillon) has a homicidal and suicidal breakdown, shooting at his teenage daughter (Agutter) and young son (Roeg) with a pistol before setting their car on fire and killing himself. Physically unharmed, the teenage girl - known simply as Girl - shields the truth of his father's madness from her younger brother, and they set out into the harsh, desolate landscape of the Australian outback with limited supplies. The future seem bleak for the pair until they run into an Aboriginal boy (Gulpilil) on his "walkabout" (that is, a rite of passage for the Aborigines wherein an adolescent is sent to live in the wilderness and forced to live off the land by himself). Although unable to verbally communicate, the three form an unlikely trio, and the Aboriginal boy shows the naïve city folk how to live off the land while guiding them back to civilisation.

Walkabout is not a film concerned with solid plotting. The minimalist script was a scant 14 pages long, as the movie's predominantly improvised midsection simply follows the trio of protagonists as they aimlessly wander through the Australian outback. Director Nicolas Roeg used this simple premise to construct a mediation on several issues. Most notably, Walkabout is a discourse about mankind's industrial supremacy over nature, as Roeg contrasts shots of animals and nature against areas of Australia overwhelmed by technology and industry. Roeg also highlights that primitive Aboriginal traditions and customs have no place in modern culture due to the rapidly-expanding nature of urban development. Such advancements may make life easier, but life in the wild can sometimes be preferable to the bleakness of modern society. Walkabout additionally points out that city dwellers are ill-equipped when it comes to living off the land. Humans would be utterly lost without technology, so what would happen in the event of technology being relinquished? It's provocative themes like this which make Roeg's movie such a keeper. Surely a technological meltdown is imminent, meaning that Walkabout will never be thematically outdated.

Nicolas Roeg initially worked on motion pictures as a cinematographer. Putting his considerable talents to good use, Roeg both directed and photographed Walkabout. This is very much a picture about nature, as Roeg's shots linger on the varied and vivid landscapes of Australia, highlighting the beauty of a sunset or observing the exotic nature of creatures which are found in the Aussie outback. Additionally, Roeg did not baulk at capturing the harsher, more dangerous side of the desert, and the photography doesn't always paint a pretty picture. Thanks to Roeg's visual instincts, Walkabout could easily work as a silent film, and therefore dialogue is fairly minimal. John Barry's engaging score also represents a strong accompaniment to the visuals.

As Roger Ebert noted in his various writings about Walkabout, this is a movie about communication and human behaviour. By showing that the trio of protagonists for the most part get along despite communicative barriers, Roeg appears to underline that people can live together in harmony without the influence of industrialisation. Such concepts are upheld extraordinarily well by the actors, all of whom submitted strong, intuitive performances. Jenny Agutter and Luc Roeg (the director's son) interact like real siblings, while David Gulpilil's performance has an assured charm to it despite the fact that Gulpilil recited dialogue in his native language without the aid of subtitles. For the record, this has to be one of the most inappropriately-watched arthouse movies in history thanks to Agutter's full-frontal nudity. Yet, none of the nudity feels gratuitous; it shows how comfortable Girl and her brother become with both their Aboriginal companion and the natural environment.

If anything is to be criticised, it's that some of Walkabout's narrative material is difficult to swallow. For example, the father's breakdown seems unmotivated, and it seems odd that the Aboriginal would agree to let two strangers tag along with him. The ending, meanwhile, is dangerously undercut, with missing bridge material. Not to mention, a few cinematic techniques are overdone and intrusive. Such techniques don't enhance the imagery or story in any effective way, so they merely come across as the product of tacky '70s moviemaking styles. Flaws aside, Walkabout is a masterful treatise on communication, culture clashes and the evils of technology. This may be a picture about children, but it feels genuinely adult. Although the pacing is not always immaculate, Walkabout's countless moments of brilliance make it a true must-see.

8.2/10

"You end up being a jaded, cynical asshole, just like me."

The Ides of March represents George Clooney's entry in the 2011 Oscar race. For his third directorial outing, Clooney has adapted Beau Willimon's play Farragut North, recruiting frequent collaborator Grant Heslov and even Willimon himself to help construct this somewhat derivative examination of the today's political zeitgeist. An old-fashioned type of thriller, The Ides of March ostensibly appears to be just another flick about innocence lost in the tumultuous world of politics, but at its heart this is a multilayered exploration of honour and integrity in the face of a career which demands dishonesty. Such messages are nothing new, but Clooney has delivered the material with genuine passion and style, incorporating strong performances and intuitive filmmaking to make this admittedly flawed picture worthy of your attention.

In Ohio, a heated political battle is unfolding to determine who will be the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. Favoured candidate Mike Morris (Clooney) is being guided in his campaign by seasoned pro Paul Zara (Hoffman) and idealistic young hotshot Stephen Meyers (Gosling). As Paul scrambles to secure local support, Stephen is invited to a lunch meeting with Tom Duffy (Giamatti), the campaign manager for Morris' rival. Intrigued, Stephen attends the meeting only to be offered a job in Duffy's crew. Stephen declines due to his established allegiances, but word of the meeting soon reaches New York Times reporter Ida Horowicz (Tomei) who threatens to release the story. Stephen's paranoia begins going into overdrive, and the situation soon becomes exacerbated by his affair with 20-year-old intern Molly Stearns (Wood) who holds secrets that could potentially bring down Morris' campaign.

The first act of The Ides of March is static and talky, with the reams of complicated political jargon rendering it rather uninvolving. The dry dialogue may be true to the way these people talk behind-the-scenes, but it leaves the rest of us on the outside looking in. It's not that writers Clooney, Heslov and Willimon should've dumbed everything down to Twitter speak - it's that they expected too much of viewers, who are given so many intricate, vaguely-explained political machinations to process and not enough time for them to sink in. Thus, the pace is quick but the film is often unengaging. However, things thankfully heat up once Molly's conundrum is revealed. From there, the proceedings are enthralling and easier to follow. Once the finish line enters the flick's sights, though, The Ides of March falters. The narrative is such a rich tapestry of subplots and intrigue, stacking the deck against the writers who were saddled with the responsibility of resolving everything without senselessly dragging things out. To their credit, they conceived of a neat resolution and the final shot is sublime, but the specifics are too hazy.

Throughout his motion picture career as a director, actor and producer, George Clooney has been part of the creative school who yearn for a comeback of patient, pre-blockbuster cinema. Thus, Clooney enjoys participating in visually sophisticated films more concerned with storytelling and challenging ideas than explosions for maximum box office. Thus, The Ides of March is technically handsome, and was clearly created by consummate professionals from top to bottom. Clooney's direction is also astute. His efforts are especially commendable during the picture's final shot which studies Stephen's eyes as his integrity and soul becomes permanently replaced by dishonesty and rugged political ambition.

2011 is truly a banner year for Ryan Gosling, with The Ides of March marking his third sublime performance in a matter of months. With Crazy, Stupid, Love. and Drive now under his belt, the actor is becoming richer and more exciting, and his performance as Stephen Meyers here is truly superb. His dialogue may be occasionally dry, but Gosling's focus is unbreakable and riveting. Alongside Gosling is an equally impressive supporting cast. As the in-over-her-head Molly, Evan Rachel Wood truly shines in a performance that's both vivacious and affecting. She's a strong companion for Gosling; they share great chemistry, and their exchanges are often a highlight. Meanwhile, both Paul Giamatti and Phillip Seymour Hoffman shine as the campaign managers of the rival parties, and George Clooney is spot-on as Governor Morris. This is not a case of a director filling a part for the sake of his ego; Clooney is genuinely perfect in the role. Rounding out the cast is Marisa Tomei and Jeffrey Wright, both of whom sparkle. Indeed, it's doubtful you will see a more finely-tuned acting machine this year.

The Ides of March does not tell us anything innovative about politicians, and its story is nothing new. Instead of a shocking revelation about modern politics, it concerns itself with the same type of sex scandal plot we've seen done before. Still, this type of stuff does actually happen (Bill Clinton, anyone?), so maybe such criticisms are just nitpicking. The Ides of March is indeed flawed from a script perspective and you'll be left with a very bleak feeling once it ends, but this is the type of movie that you appreciate the more you ponder it.

6.0/10

"Why am I such a misfit? I am not just a nitwit. Just because my nose glows... why don't I fit in?"

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer was the first Rankin/Bass animated television special to grace airwaves across the world, and it's definitely one of the greatest works of the since-retired studio. A feature-length adaptation of Johnny Marks' 1949 Christmas song of the same name, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer still remains a cherished part of annual Yuletide traditions for countless families, and it's easy to see why. From its relevant messages and colourful characters to its memorable tunes, this classic TV special is an eternally charming hour of pure Christmas magic.

Warmly narrated by Burt Ives as Sam the Snowman, the plot of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer is pretty straightforward. The titular Rudolph (Richards) is the son of Santa's lead reindeer Donner (Kligman), and is born with a shiny red nose. However, when the other reindeer see Rudolph's nose, they laugh and make fun of him, so the humiliated reindeer decides to run away from home. During his travels, he meets an elf named Hermey (Soles); a similar misfit who'd rather be a dentist than a toy-maker. As they cross the arctic wilderness, the pair also meet a prospector named Yukon (Mann), and encounter an abominable snow monster on top of happening upon the Island of Misfit Toys. But Rudolph soon realises that he cannot keep running away from his problems...

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer is chock full of lovably quirky characters. The designs of such characters as Yukon and Hermey are endearing, and the vocal performances are spot-on right down the line. There are also lots of quirks and pieces of tender humour throughout the picture. For instance, a running subplot has Mrs. Claus struggling to fatten Santa up before his big night. Added to this, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer remains as relevant as ever. Sure, several decades have passed since its 1964 debut, but the movie reinforces a timeless message about misfits and nonconformists. To this day, young children still struggle with the same feelings of inadequacy that Rudolph and Hermey face. The misfit/nonconformist metaphor is extremely malleable, too - you can interpret it however you want (children with disabilities, obese people, homosexuals, etc).

With its tremendous allure and an infectious sense of adventure, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer is still special even by today's filmmaking standards. The animation is admittedly dated and a bit jerky, but the visuals are nevertheless vibrant and endearing, with creative character designs and sets magnificently bringing life to the flights of stop-motion fancy which were conjured up by writer Romeo Muller. The pacing is immaculate, with the story rarely lagging as it throttles towards the climax without crumbling under the weight of its various subplots. Also excellent is the festive-soaked music; a mix of Johnny Marks' score and various wonderful Christmas songs (also written by Marks). Sure, the movie is exceedingly simple, but directors Kizo Nagashima and Larry Roemer handled the tale with enough sincerity to make it work.

While some moments uncomfortably emphasise that the picture is predominantly aimed at kids (an ostensible character death during the climax feels awkward) and while it does feel a tad dated, this 60-minute television special is brimming with charm. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer deserves to continue enjoying its reputation as a tried-and-true staple of the Christmas season that parents share with their offspring on an annual basis.

8.1/10

"Happy birthday! Hey, I said my first words. But... But snowmen can't talk. Ha ha ha, come on now, what's the joke? Could I really be alive?"

Although general perception of 1969's Frosty the Snowman seems to suggest that it's a beloved Christmas classic, this 30-minute TV special is astonishingly undeserving of such a reputation. It's a moderately clever expansion of the song of the same name, but this Rankin/Bass-produced slice of Yuletide animation lacks the suitable qualities to make it a holiday mainstay. Frosty the Snowman is dangerously drab, occasionally awkward, without a worthwhile message, and lacking in worthwhile heart and comedy. It has a few charms, but it has not aged gracefully.

As the story opens, it's Christmas Eve and several children are building a snowman together. The kids affectionately name the snowman Frosty (Vernon), and he comes alive when the hat of incompetent magician Professor Hinkle (De Wolfe) is placed atop Frosty's head. But when Hinkle realises the hat's true power, he seeks to reclaim his property. Meanwhile, the weather starts to warm up, so Frosty needs to reach a cold climate before he melts. Thus, Frosty and his friend Karen (Foray) set off to the North Pole, with wacky bunny rabbit Hocus Pocus also in tow.

Frosty the Snowman's story is a tad difficult to get involved in. You see, Hinkle is portrayed as a two-dimensional villain, but the magic hat did rightfully belong to him, who purchased it and who therefore owned it. Thus, Frosty the Snowman seems to be advocating theft to its target audience of young children. Perhaps this is overanalysing what is essentially just a disposable cartoon to be watched and enjoyed at surface level, but the movie failed to work as simple entertainment for this reviewer. A big problem is that the picture tries too hard to pander to kids, leading to rushed, out-of-place emotional moments. For instance, Frosty ostensibly melts during the climax, but this fails to gel with the picture's established light-hearted tone. Not to mention, the emotional note is not allowed to sink in - instead, it's abruptly and jarringly broken. The result feels incredibly clumsy.

Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. were responsible for several classic Christmas television specials, most notably Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. But for Frosty the Snowman, the pair eschewed their stop-motion animation techniques in favour of traditional hand-drawn animation, and the results are disappointing. The animation is very dated, with noticeable jumps and jerks in character movement. Frosty the Snowman looks generally dull and ugly as well. While the character designs for Hocus and the titular Frosty are fairly good, the rest of the characters look rather crude and stiff. On the other hand, though, the vocal performances are uniformly good. Narration by Jimmy Durante (in his final role) provides a bit of quirky charm, while Billy De Wolfe and Jackie Vernon submitted lively, rich performances as Hinkle and Frosty (respectively). June Foray is also fine in the role of Karen, though she's not as memorable as her co-stars.

Perhaps the biggest problem with Frosty the Snowman is that it lacks a message. 1966's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! commented on the commercialism of Christmas and reiterated the true meaning of the season, while Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer delivered the perpetually relevant message that perceived societal misfits should not be discriminated against. Alas, there's nothing lying underneath Frosty the Snowman's cold exterior. It's baffling that this movie is held in such high regard.

4.0/10

"Three balls, two sticks, one corked nose. Snowman? No. Much, much more. I am the Wizard of Blizzard!"

Not to be confused with the straight-to-video slasher of the same name that preceded it, Jack Frost is an odd amalgam of Frosty the Snowman, Ghost and E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial. However, don't let the esteemed reputation of these aforementioned movies fool you into believing that this family fantasy is actually any good - on the contrary, Jack Frost is a stiff, aloof snoozer drenched in clichés that isn't overly funny or heart-warming. Perhaps children with low standards may enjoy the exceedingly limited charms of this flick, but it will test the patience of any mature-age viewer forced into watching it with their offspring.

Struggling middle-aged rock musician Jack Frost (Keaton) loves his wife Gabby (Preston) and son Charlie (Cross), but does not spend enough time with them. After years of unprofitable gigs, Jack and his band are at long last on the verge of a career breakthrough, but Jack is forced to cancel his planned family Christmas vacation in order to attend the audition. Jack has second thoughts during the drive to the audition, though, and decides to turn back to go spend Christmas with Gabby and Charlie. Unfortunately, Jack subsequently perishes in a car accident on the way, devastating his family. Fast forward a year, and Charlie is still affected by his father's passing: he no longer plays with his friends and his grades have plummeted. With Christmas approaching, Jack's spirit returns in the form of a wisecracking snowman, and he is given one last chance to spend some quality time with his son before he melts.

More than anything else, Jack Frost is hindered by the distinct lack of any substantial plot beyond the basic set-up. Oh sure, there are a few conventional story elements involving bullies and Charlie playing hockey, but they fail to offer satisfying substance to the flick, and are too quickly wrapped up (don't get me started on the neighbourhood bully...just don't go there). Thus, the premise is sporadically interrupted by snowball skirmishes (which are admittedly clever, as they're staged like war movie battles) and stupid chase scenes, but it's obvious that such set-pieces are mere distractions to pad out the runtime. Jack Frost's premise might have worked as a 30-minute short film or a television special, but as a feature it's low on momentum. Worse, it has barely any worthwhile humour - the dialogue is often worthy of facepalms and cringes.

The script is highly unfair towards the titular Jack. He's supposed to be one of those stereotypical neglectful fathers we see so often in family movies, but Jack is a fundamentally good dad who shouldn't have to redeem himself for anything. Life is cruel to Jack, plain and simple, and he's put in too many impossible positions. After all, he's a down-on-his-luck musician finally getting his big break, so why should his family begrudge him of this just because it causes him to miss a few events? Shouldn't they support him? Why not blame the people who are putting Jack in such a position? Why can't they understand Jack's perspective? Jack is not being selfish - he's always kind, respectful and loving to his family. Thus, Jack comes across as a good man, while Charlie seems mean-spirited.

On top of this, since Jack has been dead for a whole year, shouldn't Charlie have questions to ask his old man? For instance, "What happens when you die?", "What's it like being a snowman?", or "What did death feel like?". Alas, such queries are thrown by the wayside - the screenwriting committee were more focused on gimmicky action beats in a bid to keep us awake. The film's most humiliating failing, though, is that it doesn't pack any sort of emotional punch. The sappy, sentimental climax is ineffective and emotionally bereft, closing the proceedings on the flattest, most artificial note imaginable. Not to mention, Jack looks intrinsically creepy as a snowman. The special effects are serviceable, but there's no getting around the fact that this snowman looks ready to swallow your soul.

To be fair, the performances are at least respectable enough. It's clear that Michael Keaton tried to lighten the film with his sublime comic touch (his work in Beetlejuice deserved an Oscar), but the script did Keaton no justice. At least he got off easy, though, since he's relegated to a vocal role after the first half-hour. The rest of the cast are decent, with Kelly Preston and Joseph Cross both believable as Jack's family, and with an amiable Mark Addy playing one of Jack's friends. Meanwhile, in the only subplot that actually works, Henry Rollins scores the film's only laughs as a hockey coach who becomes incredibly scared and paranoid after meeting Jack in snowman form.

A slapdash comic fantasy, Jack Frost wanted to be a Spielbergian fairytale that tugs on the heart, but it provides nothing to respond to, and it's doubtful that it will emotionally affect anyone of any age group. The picture might work for unfussy folks in desperate need of a Christmas flick fit for family consumption, but on the whole it lacks the magic to make it a long-lasting holiday classic. Not even the frequently-reliable Michael Keaton can save Jack Frost from meltdown.

4.0/10

"We will try to welcome her back in, like a civilized family might."

It's difficult to pinpoint all of the reasons why The Family Stone is such a disenchanting flick. With an ensemble of talented performers and a promising set-up for a solid dramedy, it had the potential to be a brilliant, poignant Christmas movie. Alas, the resulting flick is a far cry from what it should have been. The Family Stone wanted to be a funny, touching and relevant exploration of familial dynamics, but aspiration is not the same thing as achievement. Perhaps the film's biggest downfall is the tedious storytelling, or maybe it's the leaden pacing or the way it shamelessly manipulates for emotions... Nay, the most glaring thing about The Family Stone is that the characters are so fundamentally unlikeable, even intolerable. A dark comedy exploring the tension between seriously flawed people is fine, but this venture falls short because it's too contrived and too reliant on depthless caricatures to achieve its desired maturity.

Christmas is rapidly approaching, and businessman Everett Stone (Mulroney) intends to bring his girlfriend Meredith (Parker) back to his New England hometown to meet his family for the first time. The Stone family - including parents Sybil (Keaton) and Kelly (Nelson), and their children: the rebellious Amy (McAdams), openly deaf & gay Thad (Giordano), stoner Ben (Wilson), and the pregnant Susannah (Reaser) - take an immediate dislike to Meredith, believing her to be the wrong girl for Everett. As the festive season wears on, Meredith keeps falling deeper in over her head, continuously conflicting with the family. For support and reinforcement, Meredith decides to call in her sister Julie (Danes), further escalating the dramas of the household during what was intended to be a pleasant Christmas celebration.

The Family Stone immediately falters on account of the shallow, detestable characters. It's hard to say who's worse: the Stone family who are so callous towards Meredith, or Meredith herself, who seems to make an effort to justify their contempt. It appears that writer-director Thomas Bezucha specifically designed Meredith to ensure her every characteristic will clash with the family and elicit disdain from viewers, which is exactly why she never seems like a real human being. For instance, she has the innate ability to be offensive and not know it - we're supposed to believe she's accidentally racist, and that she accidentally insults homosexuals without realising how awful she's being. It's cheap, unbelievable characterisation. And when Meredith starts to loosen up a bit, the moment doesn't come naturally: it feels forced by the demands of the script to bring about a new plot point. Then there are the Stones, who are stubborn and arrogant. Who the hell are viewers supposed to root for or latch onto in such a situation? Well, nobody, unfortunately.

Throughout The Family Stone's first two acts, most every scene appears to have been awkwardly formulated to create contrived conflict. Sure, this type of stuff could have worked, but it's entirely ineffective without a sense of humanity. The characters never achieve any semblance of depth; they're all empty ciphers saddled with a stereotype as if Bezucha was working from a laundry list of characters to include. Take, for instance, Thad, who's easily the most likeable of the bunch, but who seems to have been born out of the writer-director's self-congratulatory attitude. After all, Thad is deaf and homosexual, and his life partner is an African American man. The two do not ring as authentic people; it feels as if they were included just so the director could just pat himself on the back. Making matters worse is how contrived most of the proceedings are. Most notably, the Stones instantly spit poison at Meredith but seem to immediately love Meredith's younger sister Julie. Before they even get to know Julie, the family seem fine with the notion of her getting involved with family members. Add to this mixture a major character suffering from a terminal illness for more tear-wringing, and The Family Stone feels far too calculated for its own good.

The ensemble cast is a mixed bag. Craig T. Nelson did a great job as the family's soft-spoken patriarch, while Luke Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Tyrone Giordano are all strong, but everyone else fails to make much of an impact (even Claire Danes is forgettable). To their credit, it looks like the predominantly talented cast gave it their best, but they're ultimately hamstrung by such a laboured screenplay.

Exacerbating the issue of the unlikeable characters is that writer-director Thomas Bezucha has a poor grasp on pacing and storytelling. The Family Stone doesn't ever come alive and engage with lively writing or a sense of genuine momentum; it just sits there on the screen, unfolding in a drab, routine manner. It has a handful of nice moments throughout, but as a whole the film fails to gel. The attempts at comedy often fall flat and the dramatic scenes simply aren't very powerful, while the shifts between these two competing tones are often jarring. As the end credits began to roll on The Family Stone, this reviewer was left with a very sour feeling indeed.

3.7/10