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| Jack Frost |
| Whatever you do, don't confuse this Jack Frost with the 1997
comedic horror flick of the same name (its tagline: "He's chillin... and
killin'"). This family film stars Michael Keaton as Jack Frost, an aspiring musician,
loving husband, and occasionally absent father. Frost's life is unexpectedly cut short by
a car accident, and a year after his death he comes back as--you guessed it--a snowman, to
help his family heal (Kelly Preston and Joseph Cross as wife and son Gabby and Charlie,
respectively). The sudden death may affect sensitive younger viewers, but by the time
Frost returns the movie is more light-hearted, and the film's message is a worthy one.
There's an underlying theme that supports independence, and Gabby isn't saddled with a new
dude by the film's end. There's also a good rapport developed between father and
son, and especially mother and son. If an audience can take that huge leap of faith to
accept the premise (as youthful audiences will no doubt be able to do), this is
entertaining family fare. |
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Jack Frost From Amazon.com |
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| Jack Frost
(animated) |
| "Jack Frost" tells the story of how the wintry
sprite is transformed by his love for someone very special to him! And the great voice
actor Paul Frees (best known as the voice of Boris Badenov in "The Adventures of
Rocky and Bullwinkle") does an amazing job as the voice of the villain, Kubla Kraus.
Don't miss him singing the "Rub-a-Dub" song! (Which is usually cut from TV
broadcasts of this film.) "Jack Frost" is another extraordinary film by Romeo
Muller, who also wrote the classic Animagic, Rankin/Bass Christmas films, "Rudolph,
the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman," among many other
enchanting tales. |
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The Animated Version Of Jack Frost From Amazon.com |
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| The
Lemon Drop Kid |
| It's not your classic Christmas movie but they used to show it
at Christmas every year. It stars Bob Hope and part of it takes place at
Christmas. It shows everyone can learn to give at Christmas. Very heart
warming and funny movie. |
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The Lemon Drop Kid From Amazon.com |
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| The Life
and Adventures of Santa Claus |
| This bizarre, pagan take on the Santa Claus legend, which is
based on a story by L. Frank Baum (The Wizard of Oz), was produced and directed by Rankin
and Bass, the reigning kings of the Christmas special (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer),
using their brand of puppet animation. In the forest of Burzee, the immortals gather to
discuss the fate of Santa Claus. Found when he was an abandoned baby by the Great Ak (a
wizard with big wooden horns on his head), the boy was named Claus because that means
"little one" in the language of the forest. Raised by immortals and knowing
nothing but peace and harmony, the adolescent Claus is taken on a tour of the mortal world
by the Great Ak, and he discovers the world is rife with misery and injustice. This is
when he decides he will dedicate his life to making kids happy, and he learns the best way
to do this is to give them toys. After years of service, the immortals must decide whether
or not to give him eternal life. Indeed, this is a very strange Christmas tale. |
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The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus From Amazon.com |
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| The Little
Drummer Boy |
| The model animation techniques in this 1968 Rankin and Bass TV
chestnut are primitive by today's standards, and picky kids may reject them out of hand.
The story, however, which elaborates on the popular Christmas song about a shepherd boy
who plays his drum for the baby Jesus and makes the animals dance, is a little more
tough-minded than you might expect. The kid begins the story as what we'd now call a
neglected child, a surly urchin who says he hates all people. He's pulled back from the
brink, first by learning to make music, and then by his encounter with the Christ child.
The underlying message alone--that everybody has something worth contributing--qualifies
the show for holiday-perennial status. The big-name voice performers, Jose Ferrer and
Greer Garson (who narrates), may be a little too ponderous for the occasion, but the
familiar cartoony tones of Paul Frees (aka Boris Badenov) and June Forey (aka Rocket J.
Squirrel) help liven up the proceedings. It's only 23 minutes long, so it's worth a
shot for younger children. |
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The Little Drummer Boy From Amazon.com |
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| The
Littlest Angel |
| Although today the Chromakey is used with higher quality and
not so many streaks. For it's time it was wonderful!! Plus it was filled with
some of the greatest stars of the 60's. Of course Fred Gwynne (Herman Munster) did a
superb job. |
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The Littlest Angel From Amazon.com |
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| Miracle
on 34th Street |
| There are two film versions of the Christmas fantasy about a
Macy's Santa Claus who insists he's really Kriss Kringle. This movie goes back to
the time when 34th Street was Uptown! The 1947 version is the better of the two,
starring Edmund Gwen as Santa Claus ( for which he won an Oscar) and the young Natalie
Wood as the girl who comes to believe in him. Maureen O'Hara also stars. A
family classic. |
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Miracle On 34th Street From Amazon.com |
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| Miracle
on 34th Street - 1994 |
| The 1994 version pales by comparison, its highlight an
engaging performance by Sir Richard Attenborough as Santa Claus. Mara Wilson takes
on the Natalie Wood role, with Elizabeth Perkins as an uptight store manager. The
talented Dylan McDermott (now starring on television in ABC's fine drama, "The
Practice") is the wealthy neighbor in love with Perkins, but his character is
lifeless as written and painfully 90's. Stick with the original. |
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Miracle On 34th Street From Amazon.com |
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| Mixed
Nuts |
| Must-see movie with Steve Martin & Adam Sandler.
Writer-director Nora Ephron hit a low point with this disappointingly dreary comedy set in
a suicide clinic on Christmas Eve. The joke is supposed to be that all of the crisis
counselors are themselves a pack of lovable losers, led by a badly toupeed Steve Martin. |
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Mixed Nuts From Amazon.com |
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| Mrs
Santa Claus |
| Here is a wonderful film that can be watched at any time of
the year. The magnificent Angela Lansbury is at the top of her form in this delightful
production. She proves once again why she is one of the top stars in any branch of
entertainment. Most people do not realize that she is a wonderful singer. Not only does
she sing beautifully, but unlike a lot of singers, she acts the song giving each one a
special added dimension. She is a national treasure!!!! |
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| The story is not complicated and it is obvious that all the
loose ends will be tied up happily by the end of the film. Anyone looking for a
"meaningful" story line should remember this is a family Christmas confection.
It was never meant to be anything but a fun, happy music filled show and it succeeds
admirably on all counts. Even if Charles Durning (a wonderful actor) is not a good singer,
the whole cast is great. Jerry Herman provides his signature "can't get them
out of your mind" songs. "Avenue A" makes you want to dance around the room
with the performers. Pop a bowl of popcorn, grab a soft drink, forget the
"real" word and enter the fantasy land of Christmas and Mrs. Santa Claus. Unless
you are really a Scrooge, you won't regret it. |
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Mrs. Santa Claus From Amazon.com |
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