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A Charlie Brown Christmas, a review by Danae Cassandra

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Year of Release: 1965
Directed By: Bill Melendez
Starring: Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Tracy Stratford, Bill Melendez, Chris Doran
Genre: Comedy, Animation, Television

Overview:
Christmastime is here. Happiness and cheer. And for Peanuts fans everywhere, it just wouldn't be Christmas without this classic holiday delight. Lights may twinkle red and green, but Charlie Brown has the Yuletide blues. To get in the holiday spirit, he takes Lucy's advice and directs the Christmas play. And what's a Christmas play without a Christmas tree? But everyone makes fun of the short, spindly neverMy Thoughts:
One of the few true pieces of Christmas perfection.  Everything about this little special is made of win.  The music is now part of the canon.  We can see a bit of us in each of the kids.  Who hasn't been depressed about this time of year, wondering with all the commercialism what the true meaning is?  Who hasn't been upset that they don't get what they want?  Or that they aren't going to get their fair share? 

It's also the innocence of childhood that makes this a perfect piece of Christmas.  Dancing just for the joy of it, catching snowflakes on your tongue, ice skating.  Snoopy is the embodiment of this.  He celebrates every moment, has fun and enjoys himself, and only stops when the others eye him disapprovingly (dancing on the piano).  We should all be more like Snoopy.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 5/5

(From Christmas 2016 on December 26th, 2016)

Xanadu, a review by Danae Cassandra

Xanadu
Year of Release: 1980
Directed By: Robert Greenwald
Starring: Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, Michael Beck
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Musical

Overview:
Step into a magical world with superstars Olivia Newton-John (Grease) and Gene Kelly (Singin' in the Rain) as they take you through one of the most extraordinary musicals in the beloved film, Xanadu! A beautiful muse is sent from up above to inspire a struggling artist and help motivate him to open a roller-disco. The dazzling soundtrack includes the hit songs "Magic," "I'm Alive," "All Over the World," "Suddenly" and the title song "Xanadu." Throw on your roller-skates, turn up the volume and enjoy this sparkling out-of-this-world fantasy!

My Thoughts:
This isn't as bad as lot of reviews give it, and certainly isn't one of the worst films of all time (despite being the inspiration for the Razzies). There's quite a bit to like here - the dance numbers are lots of fun, though the camera doesn't capture them as well it could. The soundtrack is great. Gene Kelly is wonderful as usual - he has the best dancing, the best lines, and the best character here. Actually, all round he is the best thing in the film. I could probably watch Gene Kelly in anything.

On the other hand, while Olivia Newton-John is pretty, she's not a particularly great actress. She's leaps and bounds over Michael Beck, however. His performance reminds me of the lead in a high school play. He has zero charisma and zero acting ability. Which is a problem for the plot, as it's hard to believe that a Greek muse would fall in love with this boring-ass chump. Actually, the plot could use a lot more development - the romance seems forced and we don't learn nearly enough about the mythology.

Still, I enjoyed it more of it than I didn't. Or maybe I like Gene Kelly rollerskating that much.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 2.75/5

(From July Movie Marathon: Musicals (Yes... You read right!) on July 10th, 2016)

Pete's Pilots, a review by addicted2dvd

Bewitched


I, Darrin, Take This Witch, Samantha
This magical 1960s series begins when Darrin and Samantha first bump into each other. They realize that they have real feelings for each other and they decide to get married. What Darrin doesn't know is that Samantha is a witch. On their honeymoon, Endora visits Samantha and tells her that she mad a big mistake marrying a mortal.

My Thoughts:
I am all the time hearing the question... which do you prefer... Bewitched or I Dream of Jeanie. For me... that answer has always been Bewitched. And the good times definitely starts with the pilot episode. The pilot consists of the honeymoon and a dinner party they go to once they get back from the honeymoon. And both parts are hilarious. This is another show I watched that I really wanted to continue watching. I am so far behind on collecting this series though. As I only have the first 3 seasons.

My Rating:

(From Pete's Pilots on November 2nd, 2009)