Watchable Wednesday

Absent Minded Professor

Fred MacMurray stars in this silly tale of an inventor who creates some amazing rubber like substance that bounces super high. He coats the basketball team's sneakers and they begin winning.

In typical Disney form, a corrupt business man tries to steal the formula. This is a nice family friendly film from 1961. It's in black and white, but your kids will still like it.

Library: VHS; Bandon, Coos Bay, Myrtle Point & Powers. DVD; Bandon

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054594/

Amazon: The Absent-Minded Professor (Widescreen Edition)

Dragnet

Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks pay homage to the classic TV series with this madcap comedy film. A straight laced detective, Sgt. Joe Friday, tries to break up a mysterious cult looking for a virgin to sacrifice.

He and his scroungy partner find the girl, but the cult captures her. Sure they took a drama and made a comedy out of it, but that's alright. No one is really as stuff as the original Joe Friday.

The library system has several copies of the original series. They're quite watchable too. Look for the film at the branch below.

Library: Bandon

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092925/

Amazon: Dragnet

Elf

Not really a huge Will Ferrell fan, but I LOVE Bob Newhart. Buddy finds out he's not a true elf and he goes to find his real father. How far wrong can you go watching Ferrell sit on Newhart's lap.

In general the cast just makes for a laugh party. Look for Edward Asner as Santa and James Caan, Mary Steenburgen and Zooey Deschanel will charm you with their comedy antics.

Library: VHS; Powers. DVD; Bandon, Dora & North Bend

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319343/

Amazon: Elf : Widescreen Edition

Wallace & Gromit. The Curse of the Were-rabbit

Quite an entertaining pun filled romp about a pair of kindly exterminators who take all the animals and put them on the farm of their lady friend. One of them pair gets exposed to a Were-rabbit (like a were-wolf only in bunny form.) He then goes around terrorizing the town until his partner figures out it's him.

It might take a couple of watches to catch all the pun goodness. Many of them go by so fast. Husband Murry liked it more than I did, but I laughed enough to give this the watchable rank.

Library: Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille, Myrtle Point and Powers.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312004/

Amazon:Wallace & Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (Widescreen Edition)

Kiddie Dogs

Fairly Oddparents
the Movie

Definitely for kiddies, I hated this so much. Too much flash and fast speak to understand the words. Maybe little kids would like it but I don't know. A 10-year-old boy with working parents makes wishes and gets fairy godparents who take care of him. I got bored and switched it off after that.

Library: Coquille

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363600/

Amazon: The Fairly OddParents: Abra-catastrophe! The Movie

The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave

More like the extreme adventures of stupid Dave. Where Jim Varney's Ernest P. Worrell character charms with his ridiculous antics Super Dave Osborne bores me to tears.

I don't like how he crashes through everything and doesn't seem to suffer any consequences. One moment of almost funny when blind Ray Charles drives a bus through the streets of Las Vegas, but nothing can make up for all the terrible acting and dumb plot. Use your judgement, but I wouldn't let my kids or grandkids watch this.

Library: Bandon

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144096/

Amazon: The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave

Watch List

Dreamer

In the world of horse racing one false move or one injury puts you out of the game. Second chances are rare. Ben Crane played by Kurt Russell doesn't believe in second chances anymore. Luckily for racehorse Dreamer, his daughter Cale, Dakota Fanning, still has hope.

Cale begs her father to let her keep the broken down horse to sire her to another champion, but they soon find she cannot reproduce. While exercising, the horse gets spooked and takes off running and Ben notices the injuries that put her to pasture have healed.

The family plots to get her entered into a high stakes race. Sometimes a little hope goes a long way.

I can't help but think there are much better horse films with much better plots, but this nice piece of family fluff is a sweet way to spend a couple hours.

Library: Dora, Lakeside, North Bend & Powers.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418647/

Amazon: Dreamer - Inspired By a True Story (Widescreen Edition)

Drumline

A talented, yet undisciplined young man goes to college on a band scholarship. When he gets there, he's convinced he's the greatest drummer in the universe and the band leader has to take him down a couple of pegs.

We've seen this plot played out in many films and it's nice to see music and choreography that isn't "like everything else." Pick it up from this fine library.

Library: Bandon

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303933/

Amazon: Drumline (Special Edition)

Eight Below

Dog sled expert, Jerry Shepard, has better relationships with his canine friends than he does with people. He fails to see that his lady friend still loves him and he sometimes treats other men like misbehaving dogs. He fails to understand social interaction on a human level.

After helping a scientist out onto the snowy tundra, a huge storm forces him to leave his dogs behind for far longer than expected. When he finally does return, he expects to find them all dead. We see several break free from their chains and forage the frozen wasteland for food.

The dogs are cute and the story progresses nicely. Well worth a watch for dog lovers.

Library: Bandon, Myrtle Point & North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0397313/

Amazon:Eight Below (Full Screen Edition)

The Adventures of Milo and Otis
Japanese Title:
Koneko Monogatari

Cute little tale of a dog and kitty going on an adventure away from home. It's alright but I got bored. Might entertain a toddler for a couple of hours. Masanori Hata wrote and directed the film in Japanese, but they hired Dudley Moore to narrate the English version.

Library: VHS; Bandon & Coos Bay. DVD; Bandon, Coquille, Myrtle Point, North Bend & Powers

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097050/

Amazon: The Adventures of Milo and Otis

The Last Mimzy

This film tried real hard to be a kiddy science fiction flick, but came off too adult and too childish at the same time. They talked about dreams and the future and the past as if we're supposed to totally follow all the illogical logic.

While playing on the beach, two children find some rocks that spin and float. They hide them from their parents and take them back home. After some time passes and the rocks give the children mysterious powers and they build a weird device that blacks out half of Seattle.

Big bad government man, Michael Clarke Duncan, imprisons the kids for causing the black out but they escape and contact the boy's teacher, Rainn Wilson, to help them get back to the beach. Somehow the strange device opens a hole in time and nearly sucks the little girl into the future. Yeah, I'm confused and I saw it already.

Library: Dora, Myrtle Point & North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0768212/

Good Review: Escape to Witch Mountain

Escape to Witch Mountain

I dig this Disney classic for its weird alien kiddie plot. Tia and Tony exhibit telekinetic and other mental special powers as they traverse the countryside trying to make their way to get picked up by their space faring relatives.

They're being chased by a millionaire who noticed their powers and wants to use them for no good. Eddie Albert reluctantly helps them find their way to the mountain.

Yep, it's silly and campy and far fetched but for all these reasons I enjoyed it totally. Safe for the whole family. Bring back a memory from your own past and show your kids this cute little film DVD and VHS copies in Coos Bay and Myrtle Point. Never seen it yourself? All the more reason to pick it up.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072951/

Buy this DVD from Amazon: Escape to Witch Mountain Special Edition

Silly Soso List aboutr an Ernest Guy

Ernest goes to Jail

Library: VHS & DVD in Coos Bay
Amazon: Ernest Goes to Jail

Ernest in the Army

Library: North Bend
Amazon: Ernest in the Army

Ernest saves Christmas

Library: Myrtle Point
Amazon: Ernest Saves Christmas

OK, these are going to be basically the same exact film with Jim Varney playing the none too bright Ernest P. Worrell. Certainly watch if you like a lot of physical comedy and they're funny maybe once, but seen one, seen them all. Our hapless friend gets into strange situations he has no business doing and still he maintains his can do attitude. In a way that's admirable and charming, but a little bit goes a long way.

An Animated Empire of Soso

The Emperor's Treasure

Though I do like the idea of some South American fables coming to film, the execution of this animation didn't excite me. The crude drawings seemed amateurish and I wish they'd made the bad guys BAD, instead of oafish.

While exploring ancient Inca ruins with his father, a fare haired young man falls asleep inside a cave. A puma spirit mysteriously appears and transports him many years into the past. Once there, he discovers the Inca in all their glory.

Because of his blond hair he's mistaken for the sun god's son. In order to save a princess from a bad marriage he has to be her champion and of course he falls in love.

His opponent tries to cheat the contest, but of course our hero wins in the end.

It's not HARMFUL to little children to watch, but I think adults would be bored. Let them watch by themselves. It might spark some interest in a different ancient culture.

Bandon and Coquille each have a copy of this family friendly DVD.

IMDB: None for this film

Amazon: The Emperor's Treasure (Golden Films)

The Emperor's New Groove

Probably if they'd cast someone besides David Spade as the lead voice I might have liked this better, but I doubt it. Like the last film, I like that it's a story from a different cultural point of view. I do like John Goodman and Eartha Kitt so that's a plus.

An egotistically insensitive emperor abuses everyone and then expects them all to bow and scrape at his feet. When his adviser gets fired she turns him into a Llama. He tries to get help from Goodman's peasant character but can't stop his abusive ways.

Again, this would be fine and safe for little kids. Maybe make a double feature and pop them a nice bowl of popcorn. Pick up the VHS in Bandon along with a DVD copy. North Bend also has the disk.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120917/

Amazon: The Emperor's New Groove - The Ultimate Groove (2-Disc Collector's Edition)

Gem Review: Enter the Lone Ranger

Enter the Lone Ranger

Okay, so Clayton Moore's acting leaves something to be desired, but I found myself on the edge of my seat. If an old black and white TV series can do that, it deserves my kudos.

This encompasses the first three episodes of the series telling us of the Texas Rangers and how a group of six were betrayed by a dastardly villain. How one survived and makes a mask out of his dead brother's vest. He sets about righting the wrongs done tio him. We learn how he meets his Indian friend Tonto. Jay Silverheels shines as the faithful nondescript native American. He looked great fighting too.

Moore looked a little stiff all around, but I believed him anyway. It's amazing watching all the horse action too. We learn why the ranger decides to use silver bullets and where he finds his horse silver.

Maybe a bit violent for little little kids, but real decent all around. Maybe I'm just a big kid, but I had fun. Pop some popcorn and return to the glory days of the old west.

Look for DVDs under either "Enter the Lone Ranger" or just "Lone Ranger" in Bandon, Coquille or Powers. It's only a few episodes, so if you want to see more, check Netflix or some other source.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0635481/

Buy this fine DVD from Amazon: The Lone Ranger, 4 Full Length Episodes

Dog Review: A Dog's Tale

A Dog's Tale

This lame fantasy film might charm a child, but I kind of doubt it. Gordon Jump tells a boy that if he wishes upon a super nova in the sky, he'll get his wish. He wishes for a pet dog and turns into one himself.

It's a Christmas time film but I don't think that element really matters. None of them are much for the acting talent and the scenery wouldn't inspire anyone. I'd say just all around avoid it.

Myrtle Point has the DVD.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0331997/

Amazon: A Dog's Tale

Watchable Review: Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted

Sometimes the blessing of a fairy godmother can make your life miserable. Annoyed with her infant ways Ella's enchanted benefactor decides to give her the gift of doing whatever anyone tells her to do.

She has to hide her obedience from those around her to keep from being taken advantage of, but naturally someone with unfriendly intentions finds out and makes her do whatever they want. Ella tries to just take this all in stride and find ways to get along in her fanciful world.

Anne Hathaway positively charms the pants off the most grizzled cynic in this film. Look for nice performances by Minnie Driver and Vivica A. Fox too.

Since this follows a standard fantasy plot line, naturally the prince of the land falls in love with Ella. She tries desperately to avoid giving away her nature and he's confused but still loves her.

From the library summery, "In a bid to regain control of her life, Ella goes on a quest to free herself from this mysterious "gift". Ella must outwit a kingdom filled with ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, talking books and other various evil plots."

Look in Bandon and Coquille for this sweet DVD. Plenty of entertainment for the whole family.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327679/

Buy this DVD from Amazon: Ella Enchanted (Widescreen Edition)

Gem Review: Eragon

Eragon

I always have a look at IMDB before I write a review. I'm looking for tidbits to add that might spark an idea or something I didn't realize. I found out many MANY fans of the novel were so disappointed they dropped the rating pretty low.

I went back and forth between calling this a good or gem. I chose gem because like a film a few months back, Stardust, it held my interest all the way through.

I LOVE science fiction but sword and sorcery runs a close second. We come upon the story of a kingdom where dragons and their riders used to be every day occurrences. But a power grabbing rider killed his fellow dragon riders and began ruling with an iron fist.

A farm boy finds a dragon's egg and it hatches into a blue dragon. He has to grow up fast as the evil king sends out his sorcerer to kill the boy and his dragon.

He hooks up with a strange fellow on town, Jeremy Irons, who helps him find the people who resist the king and hope to bring goodness back to the land.

It sure did seem like pieces were left out and from what I read, that's likely the case. I understand that a director has only so much he can do. If you're a fan of the novels, most likely you wont like the film. Lots of computer graphics effects of flying dragons and magic incantations.

I found it charming and mostly family friendly. It wouldn't appeal to young children, but if you let them see Harry Potter, they can see this too.

Look in Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille, Dora, North Bend and Powers for the DVD.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449010/

Buy it on Amazon: Eragon (Widescreen Edition)

Good Review: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

A young boy finds a strange little alien in this backyard and he hides it in his bedroom. Soon his siblings and he figure out the alien wants to fix his ship and go home. "E.T. phone home." became a huge catch phrase for the early 1980s.

The big bad military finds out about E. T. and want to dissect him, but the kid and his friends help him. In later copies director Steven Spielberg had the guns the military used digitally changed into walkie talkies. Some think it's a big deal, I really don't care. It's his film, he can do what he likes.

The boy and alien develop a friendship that can't help but charm all but the most hardened heart. Mostly safe for kiddies, but if you have any doubts, view it yourself first. There's a little funny juvenile language that you might not want them picking up.

Find the DVD in Coos Bay (though in mending), North Bend and SWOCC. So far I've seen VHS tapes in Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille, Dora, Lakeside and North Bend. It's an old movie so don't depend on them being in good shape.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083866/

E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial (Widescreen Edition)

Good Review: Enchanted.

Enchanted

I'm a happy person. I like stories that inspire and tickle my senses. I don't see the world as a scary foreboding place. Some say that *I* live in fantasy land, but I think life is just what you decide it is.

Amy Adams plays an animated fairy princess who finds her prince then his evil queen step mom tosses her into reality. Life goes pretty well for her and she keeps some of her fairy powers, but has to deal with the realities of dodging cars and having no place to stay.

Enter reality prince. Patrick Dempsey has a little girl and a girlfriend he likes and he happens upon our damsel in distress trying to knock on the door of a billboard castle. He brings her to his New York apartment and she ends up charming her way into staying the night.

In the morning she sings to all her woodland creature friends (rats, pigeons and roaches) and they show up to help her clean the apartment. Then she makes a dress for herself out of curtains. It's priceless seeing the pattern holes in the draperies.

Finally her prince shows up into reality. Her chipmunk friend, Pip, told him she fell down there. When Pip joins the prince he can no longer talk. When the evil step queen's assistant shows up he can't get through to the prince.

I enjoy how fantasy bleeds into reality. I didn't think Adams quite pulled off the singing and dancing role with as much style as someone else might have. And none of the songs stuck in my head.

The end sequence looked neat but kinda brought me out of the exuberance of the film. Susan Sarandon materializes into reality as the evil step queen who turns herself into a giant dragon.

You'll find this good film suitable for the whole family. Girls, young and old, will apprecaite it more than men. Look in Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille and Myrtle Point for the DVD.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0461770/

Amazon: Enchanted (Widescreen Edition)

I'm posting this without an edit, so if you see a flaw leave a comment and I'll fix it.

Movie Review: Duma

Duma

A kindly father and his little boy find a baby cheetah on the roadside. They take it home and raise it as their pet. When the cat gets big, the dad says they need to return it to the wild. When he passes away suddenly, the boy sets out on a journey to take the animal to its wild home.

He runs away and meets an interesting fellow traveler in the desert. They battle elements and nature watching for signs the cat has learned to be a wild creature. We're not sure if the guy is a bad or good.

I have some concerns about the film from the perspective of it's probably not a good idea to take a wild animal into your house. Plus, once you have, it's probably not a good idea to let a little boy try and return him to the wild. It IS a movie though. So I let a lot of that go.

You'll learn a few things without having anything shoved down your throat. Love animals and like Africa? You'll dig this sweet family film. Look for the DVD from Coos Bay, Dora or Myrtle Point.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361715/

Buy this DVD from Amazon: Duma (Widescreen Edition)

A couple of Watchables about Dogs

Dogs and More Dogs

John Lithgow narrates an episode of Nova outlining the evolution of dogs from wolves. The PBS show examines how over time, wolves who were tame got closer and closer to people through foraging their trash piles. Researchers found markers for tameness in the canine DNA. Quite interesting, if you like that sort of thing.

Library: Bandon

Not a lot of info but here's the link anyway
I'MDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0982374/

Amazon: NOVA: Dogs and More Dogs

Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan

I do really like Millan's methods for training dogs. Really he trains people. What I don't like are some of his sexist attitudes toward women. He gets out of it when he comes across a woman who learns his technique, but he acts like a bit of a jerk if the lady doesn't get him quickly.

It gets a bit repetitive, so if you watch full season, mix some other program in between every few shows. You'll learn a lot about dog and people interaction. Though with anything, it's much easier to see than to do.

Library: Full season one in Coos Bay, if you want to just get a taste try the part DVD in Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423642/

Amazon: Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan - The Complete First Season

Movie Review: Dumbo!

Dumbo!

Love who you are! And you'll love this story of a baby elephant learning to be himself. His mouse friend helps him realize his greatest potential as a flying act in the circus. Use what you have to the fullest. His enormous ears at first are considered a drawback but turn out to be his greatest asset.

At first the mouse convinces Dumbo that he holds a magic feather that allows him to fly. When the feather is lost, he has to realize his true abilities.

With some typical Disney sadness at the start, some little kiddies might be frightened at first. Great for the whole family. Though some teens might roll their eyes.

Lots of copies of this film all over the library system. Lets start with DVDs in Bandon and Coos Bay. Bandon, Coquille, Coos Bay, and North Bend have VHS copies.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033563/

Buy this fine family DVD from Amazon: Dumbo (Big Top Edition)

Movie Review: Happy Feet

Happy Feet

Robin Williams and Elijah Wood voice a pair of penguins who lead a rag tag (fugitive fleet?? no no wrong different story.. wait.. where was I.. ) Two groups of penguins find their food supply reduced and one oddball dancing emperor penguin figures out it's people that he thinks are aliens.

He goes on a quest to ask them why they're messin with the food chain and he gets captured and stuffed into a zoo. I'll stop there because to go further would be to spoil. Parent's might want to view this before showing their kids. It seems a little mature here and there.

One thing that bugs me about this whole thing is the magical thinking. Animal's can talk to each other but not to people. Plus the preachy we're ruining the planet stuff, while true, needs a better venue. I remember bugging my mother about only buying white toilet paper when I was a kid. Now you don't even see any other kind. Things CAN change, but the message here didn't make it clear what us alien humans can DO.

It's a cute musical animated story. Worth a couple hours of your time. Look for the DVD in Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille, Dora, Lakeside, Myrtle Point, North Bend and Powers.

IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0366548/

Buy the DVD from Amazon:
Happy Feet (Widescreen Edition)

Movie Review: National Treasure 1 and 2

National Treasure

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets

Both films feature Nicolas Cage as a treasure hunter who searches for a stash of artifacts set aside by the American founding fathers. It plays up their Masonic connections and involves secrets and intrigue.

Mostly fluff and silliness, but it's fun enough to hold someone's interest for a few hours. I liked the intrigue and hacking in the first film better. Though the second featured some interesting international travels and interaction with the president. I'm sure they were setting things up for a third film.

Powers has a copy of the first film on VHS and look for the DVD for that in Bandon, Myrtle Point, Coos Bay and North Bend. Coos Bay, Bandon, Myrtle Point and North Bend also have copies of the DVD for Book of Secrets.

IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368891/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465234/

Buy these DVDs from Amazon:
National Treasure (Widescreen Edition)
National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets (Widescreen)

A break from Tuesday Tradition

Normally I review soso films on Tuesday, but I decided to do add a Gem to the week. I might do the same thing on Thursday too. We'll just play that by ear.

Babe

They subtitle this the "gallant pig" and while I didn't put that up in the top, it fits nicely. If you're not charmed by this little tail (spelling intentional) of a big hearted pig who learns to manage sheep. He makes friends easily and finds himself at a competition going against world renowned sheep dogs.

James Cromwell plays the farmer with an understated air of confidence. Lots of people voice the animals and for the most part the film depicts live animals. I avoided seeing this thinking it would be silly and hokey. I just loved it.

Check out Bandon for the DVD and Bandon, Coos Bay, Dora and North Bend for the VHS.

IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112431/

Buy this DVBabe (Widescreen Special Edition)
D from Amazon:

Movie Review: A Dog of Flanders

A Dog of Flanders

The library has a more recent version of this film that I have not seen, but this 1959 film held my interest throughout. I'm a sucker for dogs maybe.

An artistic boy and his milk delivering grandfather find a dog badly beaten along the side of the road. They bring him home and though they have barely enough to eat themselves, they nurse the poor thing back to health.

The boy dreams of being an artist and names his dog after the pet of his favorite artist. It feels like a true story but apparently it's from a novel. A grouchy struggling artist sees the boy and takes him under his wing. Giving him paints and a knife to begin creating paintings.

Though his grandfather partly thinks painting is a wasted profession, he loves the boy enough to let him be himself. Eventually selling some of his things to help the boy buy some art supplies.

The whole family should enjoy this film about a dog, a boy and having a burning desire to be who you are. The film stars a young David Ladd with his artistic mentor played by Theodore Bikel. Donald Crisp plays the boy's kindly grandfather.

The library has one DVD from Bandon, and VHS tapes in Coos Bay and North Bend. There's also a 1999 remake that I haven't yet seen.

IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052745/

Buy this DVD from Amazon:
A Dog of Flanders