The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


While this is the original movie everyone thinks of when they think of Dorothy and the Emerald City, in a lot of ways, it's been eclipsed in recent years by Wicked. They both take place in the same land, but are based on book series by different authors. The Wizard of Oz takes after L. Frank Baum's series, while Wicked is based on the prequel spinoff series written by Gregory Maguire. Due to this there are many similarities, but also some differences between the series. For example, Wicked the movie has chosen to stay true to the original silver slippers from the books rather than the ruby slippers of the movie and the stage adaptation (originally changed because red appeared better on screen). This original movie also combines Glinda with the Witch of the North, who is a different witch in Baum's book series (Locasta or Tattypoo). In the books, Glinda is originally the Witch of the South. Due to Glinda the Good introducing herself to Dorothy as "The Witch of the North" in this film though, this is the title she keeps in Maguire's adaptation as well. 

There is also a lot of perspective that isn't really thought of unless you come back and watch this movie after reading some of the books or seeing Wicked. For example, if Glinda and Elphaba were friends, why does Glinda give away her sister's shoes? That would have been a very simple and easy way to help her friend. If Glinda is so "good" as her name implies too, why did she use the entire movie to teach Dorothy a lesson and drive her to kill her friend rather than just helping her home to start with? Dorothy wouldn't have believed that she had the power to go home herself after just meeting both Glinda and the Wicked Witch of the West, or the munchkins? Realizing she's in another world isn't enough of a surprise to swallow that magic would be that difficult too? It also would have played off better had the entire thing not been written off as a dream at the end of the movie, though it's understandable why given the medium and the audience of the time when this was produced.

While this original tale is still a classic and well known for many reasons, it does fall just a tad short once you really dive into the world and what the backstory may be for all of these characters. That also applies just with the L. Frank Baum books alone, let alone adding in the mythos from Maguire's storytelling to add to the mix. All in all, if you enjoy this world, there's no shortage of material to entertain with.  

Red One

Red One (2024)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I'll admit I haven't used my Prime account very often for movies as most things we're interested in watching we have on Fandango at Home (previously Vudu). In this case though, Red One is currently exclusively on Amazon or in theaters, so why not take advantage of the Prime benefits we're already paying for and stream the movie from the comfort of our own home. Online reviews aren't very kind to this one, but more than a few call out that critics may a bit off on their ratings as those who give it a chance seem to genuinely enjoy the film. While there's a fair amount of action and monsters, it's done in fair humor and played up to be different and yet a lot of fun. This is a very different take on your more traditional Christmas movies, even those that focus on Santa himself. Here Santa (aka "Red One") is kidnapped on Christmas Eve. Now it's up to ELF (Enforcement, Logistics, and Fortification) and MORA (Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority) to find Nicholas and restore order in the North Pole in time for Christmas. While most of the myths we see come to life are understandably from winter lore, including Krampus and Gryla, we do see other creatures and hear about a few others along the way as well. Especially with this being live action and the amount of material out there, it's rather impressive how they managed to create something entirely unique and fun. Even the acronyms are right on the nose, lending to more than a few one-liners that earn a chuckle along the way.

Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider (2018)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This was an interesting movie. Very different than the originals, and inconsistent as well, so it cannot be seen as a true prequel. Still, if just watched as a stand alone film with no tie to any of the other media or releases for the character thus far, it's entertaining. Not my favorite of the Tom Raider films so far, but not bad.

The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream

The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream (2008)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This time, the star skater is actually Zack, who's partner is out of commission following an accident on the ice during training. When Zack finds his new partner in Alex, who spends her time on the ice playing hockey with her brother. Alex used to dream of figure skating, so her family pushes her to take this chance on Zack, though Zack himself might develop some reservations as it becomes clear to him that he's a magnet for accidents and the last thing he wants is Alex getting hurt. Unfortunately those around him aren't so considerate and will stoop to just about anything, including using Alex's own fledgling emotions against her, to stop the pair from climbing to the top. Lucky for them, they have Jackie for their trainer, and Jackie doesn't know when to quit, even going so far as to teach the pair the same move that her parent's made famous and no one has ever been able to replicate since.

The Cutting Edge 2: Going for the Gold

The Cutting Edge 2: Going for the Gold (2006)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jackie is Kate and Doug's daughter, previously a star in singles and now switching to pairs due to an injury on the ice limiting her jumps. In her search for the right partner, she meets Alex, a professional skater of the type on wheels rather than blades. Like her parents, they fight as much as they get along, but they manage to make magic on the ice. While they don't try to the same move that made her parent's famous, they do up the stakes when it comes to pair jumps, Alex laying down the law that he's only doing triples, the very type of jump Jackie was told she would never do again as she left singles.

The Cutting Edge

The Cutting Edge (1992)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Kate has a bit of a chip on her shoulder, being the wealthy only child with her own private ice rink certainly hasn't helped with her sense of entitlement, nor has her previous success on the ice short of casting off all of her partners. Her unlikely salvation comes from past hockey star, Doug, who suffers a head injury in the previous Olympics and has permanent damage to his peripheral vision. Turned down by all the hockey coaches possible, learning to pair skate may be his only way back on the ice. Fortunately for Doug, he's not afraid to try to give as much as he gets, making for more than a few humorous encounters as well as some more cutting ones. In the end, it takes a lot of trust as they both finally decide what they want on and off the ice, performing a never before seen move their coach had created and they nearly may have killed each other trying to learn.

Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


It's been a long time since I saw this in either movie or musical form. Seeing as it is this year's L.O. Stake Play that I'm in, I figured it was time to refresh my memory. The music is catchy and funny at the same time, so it will stick in your head. For example, I've had Tradition and Anatevka playing on a fairly constant loop the last 3 days, and I've only practice each of them once so far. The main character acts like a drunk, religious loon half the time with his constant "on the other hand" thinking aloud to himself. Come to find out, the actor who played Tevye was indeed drunk most of the time. Go figure. Taking place during the Russian Revolution, there's an interesting mix of politics, religion, social traditions, and family loyalty that all come into play. Overall an interesting story as this family evolves... and occasionally disappoints, trying to adapt to a new world they aren't sure they either want or need.

The Hobbit 3: The Battle of the Five Armies

The Hobbit 3: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I can't say I understand why The Hobbit took 3 separate movies when each of the LOTR books is much longer as was fit in one film each (even if the extended editions are beyond epic and the final movie had about 3 "conclusions" in it). If anything, it made it feel like it was drawn out more than it should have been, especially since this last film is little more than dwarf stubbornness and a lot of fighting. Seems like a silly reason to die after everything else that they've been through. Also did get some amusement out of the elf, Thranduil, riding the Elven Elk (which looked more like a huge moose).

A Day At The Races

A Day At The Races (1937)

My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars


While there is some fancy music and silly humor involved, it really doesn't strike me as a "day at the races" show despite the climax of the film being the horse race. Everything else is just so random and off the wall silly that it's almost hard to follow and does not seem to focus on the horses in the least. An odd addition as a gift for a "horse movie" collection.

Prancer

Prancer (1989)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I loved this movie as a child myself. I have fond memories of watching this with my own father when it was a much newer film. A young girl discovers Prancer is hurt and needs help, though she just may be the only one to believe the injured reindeer is in fact Santa's mythical friend. Family will be torn apart only to learn of their true importance to each other and come back stronger than before as one girl's Christmas dream comes true.

The Hobbit 2: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit 2: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


I will admit, despite Legolas and Tauriel being additions that weren't in the book, I'm glad they were added. Seeing Legolas in action brings a little bit of thrill and a nice tie in besides Gandalf to the original LotR series. Bilbo just wasn't in the original movies enough to really consider him a tie-in, especially with the vast differences between young Bilbo and his elderly self. There were a couple of humorous reference drops about future characters (like Gimli), that added a little extra thrill as well. There was some annoyance over Bard appearing very much like Aragorn (who I applaud for refusing to be in this film given the vast character age difference if he were to show). Overall it dragged a bit as it was largely running from one danger to another. The cut off point is a huge hanger that draws you straight to the third and final film.

007 23: Skyfall

007 23: Skyfall (2012)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


As Bond movies go, it's fairly typical, though this time the main woman in the film is 007's boss, M, rather than his recent lady conquest. Fairly typical of Bond, he faces impossible odds, barely seems to even bat an eyelash, and gets the job done. My husband made the reference at one point during the early part of the film that it was "very 24-esque." Sometimes the lack of emotion and reaction bothers me, though on the other hand it plays well to Bond's profession. Overall an enjoyable film added to the collection of very long James Bond/007 movies.

Walking Tall

Walking Tall (2004)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


Returning home from the service, our lead character lands himself in trouble pretty quickly with his extensive training and quick temper. Proving he's just as slick in a very beating you over the head with his own mentality sort of way, he gets off free of charge for the trouble and continues causing mayhem as he tries to re-teach the people to "walk tall" - a standard that bites him back a few times through the course of the movie. Not the best acting, but decently entertaining.

The Brothers Grimm

The Brothers Grimm (2005)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Yet another take on the Brothers Grimm and the stories they're known for. While I thoroughly enjoy the TV series Grimm, this movie wasn't as enthralling in it's rendition of the tales. Still it's amusing to identify the parts of different stories and how they all intertwine to make this story come to life.

The Call of the Wild

The Call of the Wild (1972)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Follow Buck, an older and rather large domestic dog as he's dragged from his comfortable life as a pet and companion only to be thrown into a viscous world of dog sledding. If you're lucky enough to get a good master, you still might find competition on your dog team, if not from the local wolf pack. Maybe it's not always so easy being a dog.

The Black Stallion Returns

The Black Stallion Returns (1983)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Anyone who knows me knows one rather obvious piece of information: I love horses. This has been true for as long as I can remember and doesn't show any signs of changing. As such, series like the Black Stallion are almost immediate hits with me. Proven even more so as I can recall memories of grade school recesses sequestered away in the library as I devoured the books for this same great series. It's little wonder than that I love the movies as well.

A rare sequel that can stand alone, 1983's The Black Stallion Returns is both a fun follow-up to the 1979 Carroll Ballard/Francis Ford Coppola film and a fine adventure in its own right. Kelly Reno returns as the now adolescent, deceptively ordinary Alec Ramsay, who stows away on a plane for Casablanca after the titular horse is kidnapped by Arabs. Getting him back pitches Alec into the middle of tribal rivalries and all sorts of complicated, dangerous intrigue. The cast includes Teri Garr, Vincent Spano, and Woody Strode, but the real star here may be cinematographer Carlo Di Palma, a veteran of several Woody Allen films and a master of color, light, and framing. Director Robert Dalva edited the previous film and happily executes countless ideas he appears to have stored up from his first stallion outing. But it's Reno's resourceful hero that finally takes hold of viewers.

- source: listal

Return of the Black Stallion

Return of the Black Stallion (2005)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


This is actually a collection of episodes from the TV series, starting just when they get registration for The Black so he can be licensed to race in the U.S. after having been transported to France in a botched horse-napping. Get the full seasons on DVD instead if you like the series as you won't want to miss out on the rest of the story!

The New Adventures of the Black Stallion

The New Adventures of the Black Stallion (1990)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Having grown up a fan of the Black Stallion books, I was thrilled to find this old TV series which gave me even more goodies for the series. The few movies out are good entertainment, but I still wish they'd continued this show. Every episode is something a little different with a whole lot of horse.

The Black Stallion

The Black Stallion (1979)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


I'm sensing a theme as I go through my movies here. Apparently it's the horse film kick at the moment. This is another story that has been re-told in so many different forms by different medias that most people seem to have some idea about it even if they aren't necessarily into the genre. For those of us who love horses however, this series has always been a big hit. I have very fond memories of hiding in the library during recess and reading the books rather than hitting the playground like the other kids. Of course this had to be an early addition to my movie collection that is watched time and time again. Something about a beautiful horse that I just never get enough of.

National Velvet

National Velvet (1944)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


If you love horses or older films, this is right up your alley. Headstrong adolescent Velvet Brown is in love... with horses. Enter the Pie and Mi Taylor, an unruly gelding an a wandering ex-jockey. Put the three together and you have the most unexpected team set out to win the Grand National. At the time women weren't allowed to be jockeys on top of the Grand National being considered a pipe dream to most. Not only does the Pie enter the race, but he wins it with Velvet on his back. A wonderful tale of dreams, determination, and horse fun.