December 31, 2012

"Doctor Who: The TV Movie"

What could go wrong?
Directed by Geoffrey Sax
Written by Matthew Jacobs
Doctor Who Review/New Years Review: Doctor Who: The TV Movie.

Cast
Paul McGann (8th Doctor), Eric Roberts (The Master), Daphne Ashbrook (Grace Holloway), Yee Jee Tso (Chang Lee), and Sylvester McCoy (7th Doctor) Directed by Geoffrey Sax.

Review
This film tried to restart Doctor Who after it was cancelled in 1989 after 26 years. Needless to say, it did not happen. The reason was low ratings in the US (Broadcast on Fox) Anyway, the acting from McGann is good, compared to Roberts', which isn't worth the makeup on him, which reminds me of the Terminator, probably unintentional. The plot is average fare, as its shorter then a usual serial, so it's easy thin to solve. "I'm half human, on my mother's side," Wait, earlier in the film, the Doctor (7th) said he wasn't human, he wasn't like you. Of course then he died, so yea...Anyway, I'd recommend the film for continuation at least, even if it isn't that good.

Overall, I give it a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.



"She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown"

Directed by Phil Roman.
Review: She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown.

Cast
Patricia Patts as Peppermint Patty, Arrin Skelley as Charlie Brown and Bully, Casey Carlson as Marcie and Teacher, Bill Melendez as Snoopy and Announcer, Jason Victor Serinus as Woodstock.

Review
Ah, a non holiday Peanuts special (By the 1980's, they had used most of the holidays for their specials, even...Arbor Day.) for once, and without Charlie Brown for a majority, instead its Peppermint Patty, who is either a decent character (Probably the only character not named Charlie Brown, Linus, or Snoopy to have any usefulness or good personality) or an odd kind of person. I pick the middle, but at least the special is good, right? While seeming absurd at times, it does boast some fine animaton, especially with some real looking skating, and it does have some enjoyment, like Peanuts should do.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

December 30, 2012

"Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!"

Directed by Bill Melendez and Written by Charles M. Schulz.
Review: Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!

Cast
Chad Allen as Charlie Brown, Jeremy Miller as Linus van Pelt, Melissa Guzzi as Lucy van Pelt, Kristie Baker as Peppermint Patty, Elizabeth Lyn Fraser as Sally Brown, Bill Melendez as Snoopy and Woodstock, Aron Mandelbaum as Schroeder, and Jason Mendelson as Marcie.

Review
Once again I'm reviewing a special, and revolving around Peanuts once again. While this isn't as great as A Charlie Brown Christmas or even A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, it is at least somewhat interesting and it does have some fun with its premise, on New Year's Eve, no less! It has fine animation and my favorite, Snoopy, along with Woodstock, the little...bird. It's a useful special, for what its worth. Happy New Years everyone.

Overall, I give it 4 out of 10 stars.

December 29, 2012

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

Directed by Chuck Jones. With Songs by Thurl Ravenscroft.
Review: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Cast
Boris Karloff as the Grinch and Narrator. Title song by Thurl Ravenscroft.

Review
This classic is adapted for the also classic book by Dr. Seuss, and it still holds up, even after nearly 50 years. The voice performance by Karloff is excellent, as he voices the Grinch with an wretched voice of evil. It has a message beneath all of its warmness, that Christmas doesn't come from a store, and that Christmas means a little bit more. This is truly a good special, that I would recommend for all...(And please don't watch the film based off it, I've reviewed it on Movie Night:

http://officalmovienight.blogspot.com/2012/12/movie-night-how-grinch-stole-christmas.html

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Christmas/Frosty Review: Frosty Returns.

Made by Bill Melendez & Evert Brown

Christmas Review: Frosty Returns.

Cast
Voice Starring John Goodman as Frosty.

Review
This "sequel" to the classic Frosty the Snowman is...Well okay. I think it's one of those specials in which it just is mediocre. The animation reminds so much of the Charlie Brown specials, in fact Bill Mendelez was involved in this, so yea you could say it's "A Frosty Brown Christmas". Frosty's got a new look (It's as new as you can get with a living snowman) with a different hat, and a cool bow tie to round it all off. The plot is okay, even if it is a little...different. I just feel they tried to make it all 90'sish, but it's just a little off. I would recommend it if you want to see John Goodman voice acting, or if you love to see the environment...Or you could just watch...Frosty Returns. It's just okay at best.

Overall, I give it a rating a 3 out of 5 stars.














"Frosty the Snowman"

Made by Rankin Bass.
Review: Frosty the Snowman.

Cast
Jackie Vernon as Frosty.

Review
Well, this is a classic special made by Ranken Bass (Peter Cottentail, Rudolph) that aired on CBS. (Who ironically used to show Charlie Brown and Grinch, now on ABC...) Anyway, the special is simple enough for anyone to follow, and the special is at least a little heartwarming (even if the snowman is killed and then brought back to life...yeah), and I recommend it for anybody to watch this season. Don't wory, the Christmas reviews will end soon.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

December 28, 2012

"Rudolph's Shiny New Year"

Made by Rankin Bass.
Review: Rudolph's Shiny New Year.

Cast
Billie Mae Richards, Red Skelton, Frank Gorshin, and Paul Frees.

Review
This special tries to do a New Year's special, which isn't that easy, considering that not many are really made, as the holiday doesn't have that much to go with it. This succeeds. The special has good talents for the roles, with even Frank Gorshin and Red Skelton (Both cases of Old Fame, New Confusion). The special takes the story and rolls with it, being unique as a New Year's Special (Yet still refering to Christmas, of course). I'd recommend it for New Year's Day fun. Now there's one more New Year's thing left...And it's coming soon. He's back, and it's about time...

Overall, I give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Made by Rankin Bass.
Review: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Cast
Burt Ives (Sam Snowman and the Narrator) and Billy Mae Williams as Rudolph.

Review
This is a classic special from Rankin-Bass, this being their first special, and this one was based off a song, starting the song-story tradition. It's amazing how they can make a plot for a special from just a song. Then again, that's happened before in other things...Anyway, this special is recommended for anybody to watch, as it does have a lesson to never run away from your problems. Words of wisdom.

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.















"A Chalie Brown Christmas"

File:Charlie Brown Christmas.jpg
Written by Charles M. Schulz. Directed by Bill Melendez.
Review: A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Cast
Peter Robbins as Charlie Brown and Pig-Pen, Chris Shea as Linus van Pelt, Tracy Stratford as Lucy van Pelt, Kathy Steinberg as Sally Brown, Chris Doran as Schroeder and Shermy, Karen Mendelson as Patty, Sally Dryer as Violet Gray, Ann Altieri as Frieda, and Bill Melendez as Snoopy. 

Review
Based off the classic comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, this is a classic special, that can be watched over and over again and still be loved by everyone. The special has a serious and funny tone to it that tells the true meaning of Christmas, and it entertains everyone from ages 1 to immortal. I recommend this as the first special to watch, along with Rudolph. The first of many Peanuts tales and the best.

Overall, I give it  a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

"Doctor Who: The Snowmen"

Written by Steven Moffat; Directed by Saul Metzstein.
Cast
Matt Smith (Eleventh Doctor), Jenna-Louise Coleman (Clara Oswald), Richard E. Grant (Dr Simeon), Dan Starkey (Strax), Catrin Stewart (Jenny Flint), Neve McIntosh (Madame Vastra), Tom Ward (Captain Latimer), Liz White (Alice), Joseph Darcey-Alden (Digby), Ellie Darcey-Alden (Francesca), Sir Ian McKellen (The Great Intelligence), and Juliet Cadzow (Ice Governess)

Review
Doctor Who is a television series that orignally aired on the BBC from November 23, 1963, sadly being cancelled in 1989, temporary revived for a TV Movie in 1996 (that will be reviewed later), and being revived in 2005, with the show overall spanning almost 50 years, and 11 actors playing the main role of the Doctor. This is not the first time I've watched the show, and I decided that this review might the best to start this blog off. Woah, I got way too ahead of myself here. So, how is this episode? It's..allright. First off, I love the new TARDIS console (If you don't know what I mean, go and Google it), and the Doctor's new costume. It reminds me of the Eighth Doctor's attie, which is a nice touch. The story is allright, nothing too hard to follow. The acting is fine, even if Grant isn't in it enough. I like that it tries to be a fun tale with a new companion, trying to be (mostly) a new start for the show (New title sequence, new TARDIS, new costume, and a new companion) I sure hope that Clara is a good companion, and I'll be watching the show all throughout.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

December 27, 2012

Introduction.

This is a spinoff of Movie Night, with reviews of mostly anything, from TV specials to Doctor Who. It can span anywhere (Except movies), and go anywhere. The specials were written originally on a site called Star Pirates (As were the Movie Night reviews from about #001-#170), and so they'll be published here, hopefully for your enjoyment. Here is some of the things I'll guarantee will be shown here:

Doctor Who,
Christmas TV Specials,
Charlie Brown Specials,
and hopfully more.

The first post will be published soon.