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The Heart of Christmas, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Heart of Christmas
Year of Release: 2011
Directed By: Gary Wheeler
Starring: Candace Cameron Bure, Jeanne Neilson, Christopher Shone, Nicholas Shone, Eric Beck
Genre: Drama

Overview:
Based on a true story of hope and compassion, The Heart Of Christmas will touch your heart and bring home the spirit of the holidays. Austin and Julie Locke are devastated when they learn that their young son, Dax, has been diagnosed with cancer. But with courage, determination and faith, they decide to give Dax a one last Christmas, even if it has to be in October. When the community sees the holiday decorations and learns the heartbreaking truth, what happens next is a miraculous outpouring of caring and support. Starring Candace Cameron Bure (Make It or Break It), Jeanne Neilson (Faith Like Potatoes), George Newbern (Father of the Bride), Erin Bethea (Fireproof), Anita Renfroe (Bless This Mess), and Matthew West (Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter). The Heart Of Christmas is the greatest gift of all.

My Thoughts:
This is a good story with a great message, done with competent actors who do their best with what they've been given. You can tell everyone had their heart in making the film, and really had a lot of empathy for Dax's story. It's quite the tearjerker, but it's also a heartwarming story, as all these people come together to support this family.

I just wish it was a better movie. I had some issues with the filmmaking choices. That's not to say that the film is bad ... but the technique could have been better. When I was working on my creative writing, I was always told "show, don't tell." Well, this film does a lot of telling. Most of the film is in flashback, and it has a framing story of a career mom reading the blog Dax's mom writes. I would have rather seen the film told linear, as the story of the family with their son. While I understand what they're going for with it, I really felt it was unnecessary. The message of cherishing each moment, and how the lives of one family can influence others, could come through just fine without the frame.

Still, I enjoyed the film and would recommend it if it sounds like one you'd enjoy. Be prepared for some tears, and some Christianity. I won't say it's a faith film, but it's close. It wasn't preachy, so it didn't offend this non-Christian. Your milage may vary.

I did like the film's message, so I had to go listen to "Another Day" from Rent after watching this film. There is no future / There is no past / I live this moment as my last / There's only us / There's only this / Forget regret / Or life is yours to miss / No other road / No other way / No day but today

Bechdel Test: Pass
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

(From Christmas 2016 on December 21st, 2016)

Alien, a review by dfmorgan

Alien

Part of

Alien Anthology

Year: 1979
Director: Ridley Scott,
Cast: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, John Hurt
Overview: The massive space-tug Nostromo glides silently through space. Back from the outer reaches of the galaxy, it's taking its seven-member crew back to Earth. But when the ship's computer receives a distress signal from a nearby planetary system, it rouses the crew from their cryo-sleep. It isn't until after the 'Nostromo' has landed on a barren planet named LV-426 and three crewmembers have gone out to investigate a huge derelict spacecraft that the signal is deciphered and found to be a warning. But one crewmember has already experienced a shocking face-to-face encounter with an alien creature while inspecting an egg-shaped pod. And so the horror begins - a horror which will end the lives of six crewmembers and alter the life of the seventh forever.

Watched: 30th. Oct 2010
My Thoughts: Decide to end my October 2010 Horror Marathon on a high. I've seen this film at the cinema and many times on VHS, Laserdisc and DVD in both Theatrical and Director's Cuts. Now I get to see it in Blu.

I chose the original Theatrical Cut to watch and have to say that the transfer of this film is magnificent. It was like going back to seeing it again on a big-screen, if a 40" 1080p TV counts for that. Colours, depth everything just looked superb even when it was dark on screen. I have to say that I didn't notice any strange effects or grain in this.

My Rating: A magnificent 5

Dave

(From 2010 October Horror Marathon (Discussion thread) on October 31st, 2010)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Sherlock: Series One (2010/United Kingdom) IMDb | Wikipedia 2 entertain Video (United Kingdom) Length: 266 min. Video: Widescreen 1.78 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: English

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Plot:
The world's favourite detective has emerged from the fog... this is Sherlock for a new generation.

Sherlock
1.01 A Study in Pink
Writer: Steven Moffat (Writer), Steven Moffat (Created By), Mark Gatiss (Created By), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Original Material By)
Director: Paul McGuigan
Cast

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on March 25th, 2012)