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Once Upon a Christmas, a review by addicted2dvd

Once Upon a Christmas Christmas is coming and Santa's house is buzzing with activity, but somehow the old boy's heart isn't in it this year. Disillusioned with all the selfishness and greed in the world, Santa is ready to throw in the towel but his daughter Kristin (Kathy Ireland) persuades him to give the mortals one last chance. If she can prove that even one family can change and become giving and caring again, Santa will put off his vacation in Hawaii and get back on the sleigh. Trouble is she's saddled with the Morgans, a family with a workaholic Dad (John Dye) and a couple of kids whose idea of good clean fun is putting peanut butter in the au pair's underwear and permaglue on the school coach's whistle. And with a sister who makes Cruella De Vil look like the cutest pup in the shop ready to wreck her plans, can Kristin teach them that what you give is what you get, and stop the spirit of Christmas from disappearing - forever?

My Thoughts:
This movie stars Kathy Ireland as Santa's daughter. I think she does a great job. This movie hit a special place for me... what with tragedy striking during the Holiday season. So I definitely enjoyed this one. Though I don't care to much for the ending. I mean the ending works... but it felt a little rushed. Next up I will be watching some more Kathy Ireland when I watch this movie's sequel... Twice Upon a Christmas.



(From Addicted2DVD's 25 Days of Christmas Marathon: 2010 on December 12th, 2010)

Ziegfeld Follies, a review by Danae Cassandra

Ziegfeld Follies
Year of Release: 1945
Directed By: Vincente Minnelli
Starring: Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Lucille Bremer, Fanny Brice, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly
Genre: Comedy, Musical

Overview:
Heaven's harps and wings are nice, but what showman extraordinaire Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. wants most now that he's no longer on Earth is to put on another extravaganza. It would have the brightest stars and creative talents. The most glamour, gams and optimism. In short, it would be like Ziegfeld Follies.

With a Who's Who of credited and uncredited Hollywood talents, this all-star revue is heaven to fans of musicals. Fred Astaire dazzles once, twice...four numbers in all. Red Skelton reprises his funny Guzzler's Gin skit. Esther Williams swims, Lena Horne sings and Judy Garland spoofs snobbery. There's Verdi opera and Fanny Brice vaudeville. Patter and pantomime. And The Babbitt and the Bromide, with Gene Kelly joining Astaire in their first-ever screen pairing. What a show! The man called Flo must be proud.

My Thoughts:
Sure, there's no story here, just musical numbers and skits held together on the premise of Florenz Ziegfeld staging one of his Follies in 1945, but it's still a lot of fun for fans of musicals.  Yes, the best treat is watching Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly dance together, but the rest of the numbers are still pretty good.  Okay, except for maybe the last one.  I wasn't too fond of Kathryn Grayson's singing.  I think it's just the style, though, she's too high and wavery for my taste.  Of the comedy bits, both mom and I laughed most at Red Skelton, though we also enjoyed Fanny Brice's bit as well. 

May I say also, that, while "Limehouse Blues" was a beautiful and creative number, and I love Fred Astaire and he does a great job with Lucille Bremer, it really would have been better with an Asian cast.  Yeah, 1940's and all that, but still, would have been better. 

Recommended if you enjoy old musicals, but know what you're getting into here.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

(From July Movie Marathon: Musicals (Yes... You read right!) on July 23rd, 2016)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete First Season marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

7. The Demon Hand

Not bad... definitely a decent episode... but for some reason I felt like I wanted more.

8. Vick's Chip

Pretty cool episode... I enjoyed the storyline this one has.

9. What He Beheld

Maybe not the best of season finales.... but I did enjoy it... and liked the cliffhanger they had.



(From Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete First Season marathon on January 22nd, 2009)