Oliver & Company

Who: Bill and Melanie
What: Oliver & Company
Where: DVR recording from The Disney Channel
Why: Bill had never seen it.

The classic Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist” has been adapted to film numerous times, both as a drama and even as a musical-- 1968’s Oliver!, which itself was adapted from a musical play in England and on Broadway. In 1988, Walt Disney Pictures gave the story a contemporary animated “twist” set in the gritty streets of New York City and featuring all-star vocal talent.

Oliver (Joey Lawrence) is an abandoned kitten who is befriended by a group of street-smart dogs led by Dodger (Billy Joel). The pack‘s owner, bumbling but good-hearted Fagin (Dom DeLuise), owes a huge debt to a powerful loan shark named Sykes (Robert Loggia) and in danger of losing his life if Fagin can‘t come up with the needed funds. Meanwhile, Oliver is soon befriended by a sweet young girl named Jenny much to the chagrin of her spoiled prize-winning poodle Georgette (Bette Midler). The kitten unexpectedly departs his new friends, but they haven’t forgotten about Oliver and manage to get him back in the pack. But Fagin plans to hold Oliver for ransom once realizing the wealthy nature of Jenny’s family. This being a Disney movie, of course there has to be a happy ending for all involved… but maybe not.

Disney animation was on the verge of a second “golden age” of highly successful features when Oliver & Company came out in 1988. In addition to Billy Joel and Bette Midler, musical contributions are provided by Huey Lewis, Barry Manilow, Ruth Pointer (from The Pointer Sisters) and lyricist Howard Ashman. Other characters in the film are voiced by Cheech Marin, Richard Mulligan, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Roscoe Lee Browne and the versatile Frank Welker. And for the first time, CGI effects were put to extensive use in supplementing the hand-drawn animation. Yet while an entertaining movie, Oliver & Company is lacking as an overall engaging story. Certainly Oliver the kitten is cute enough, but none of the other characters are especially lovable. The music is well-done, but ultimately forgettable. Still, its worth recommending as fine family entertainment and possible musical nostalgia for children of the 80’s. For fans of Disney’s animated classics, look for cameos from dogs seen in Lady and the Tramp and the original One Hundred and One Dalmatians.

Mamma Mia!

Who:  Amber, Jonathan and friends
What:  Mamma Mia!
Where:  Leu Gardens, Orlando FL
Why:  It was outdoor movie date night!

I've always been curious about this movie, but I know Jonathan would never want to see it. Thankfully, his work friends were all going to a local garden to watch their monthly "date night" outdoor movie - and it was Mamma Mia!

20-year-old Sophie lives with her mother Donna (Meryl Streep) in Greece Donna runs a a cute and rundown hotel. Sophie is about to get married and wants her father to give her away. The problem, she has no clue who her father is. After reading her mother's diary, she discovers that she "got busy" with 3 guys the same month 20 years ago. One of them must be her father!

So, what does any bonehead 20 year old do - invite all 3 of them to the wedding. The moment she sees "her dad", she'll just know ... right?

Wrong! All 3 guys are pretty cool, and she has no idea. The 3 guys finally figure out what is going on, and they all 3 assume they are her father. Donna is mortified all 3 of these guys are staying at her hotel.

Hilarity ensues, Sophie's fiance is getting jittery, but the wedding goes off with out a hitch. Not! Come on, this is the movies remember?

The entire time I was dying to find out which guy is Sophie's dad is! It was such a suspenseful movie! Is it cutie Pierce Brosnen (sp?). Some crazy hippy guy with eye tattoos on his knees and butt (yes, we see some old man butt). Or the business suit guy who just might be gay.

Did I mention that every 10 minutes, somebody would break out into singing an ABBA song? It was pretty clever how all these random songs fit together to make a movie musical.

If you like cheese ball weddings and cheese ball music, then I recommend this movie. It was fun, cheesy and the location was gorgeous!

The Muppet Movie

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  The Muppet Movie
Where:  @ home - Jonathan owns it
Why:  I felt like watching it

Even though this movie was made in the 70s, it seems so timeless.  I mean, besides the 70s fashions.

This story chronicles how all the Muppets became friends and became movie stars!  Kermit meets a Hollywood agent in his swamp and decides to go to Hollywood to audition for a part.  On the road he meets Fozzie Bear (after Fozzie bombs at a comedy club).  Luckily Fozzie has a car, so off they go!

They run in the the Electric Mayhem band (Zoot is my favorite!), Gonzo & Camilla (a chicken), Miss Piggy and Rolf.  They also run into Doc Hopper, who is opening a chain of french fried frog leg restaurants, and he wants Kermit to be the spokesman.  Of course, Kermit is not interested, but Doc Hopper is obsessed!

Throw in a TON of 70s stars (honestly, I didn't recognize most of them - except Steve Martin and Richard Pryer) and a ton of classic songs ("Someday I'll find it, the rainbow connection ...") and you have a classic movie!

Muppet Christmas Carol

Who:  Amber & Jonathan
What:  Muppet Christmas Carol
Where:  on DVD
Why:  We love Muppets!

This Christmas special is a classic!  It's the same old story of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, but Muppets play all the characters, except Ebenezer Scrooge.  He's played by Michael Kane.  I don't know what it is about Michael Kane, but I really feel bad for him.  He's an angry old Scrooge, but he's so alone, and so lonely (and pretty old).  I always have a big lump in my throat when I see him, sitting in the dark, eating his cheese and crackers all alone.

Anyways - Scrooge's loyal and underpaid assistant is Kermit the frog.  Mrs. Cracket (Kermit's wife) is Miss Piggy.  Tiny Tim is that little frog - Kermit's nephew ... and I forgot his name.  Grrrr!  Oh, Robin, that's it!  Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat (who is hilarious!) are the narrators.

Scrooge is visited first by the ghost of Christmas past - played by a freaky looking CGI 5 year old.  It's not a Muppet either, just an odd little girl.

The ghost of Christmas present is played by a new Muppet - a giant red haired fellow.  Unlike the little girl, this Muppet is adorable!

The ghost of Christmas future is just a 8' tall black hooded guy.  There's also a giant Muppet spider who is quite disturbing.

Throw in a bunch of original songs, and a host of townspeople who are random Muppets, and you've got yourself a classic!

Music and Lyrics

Who:  Amber
What:  Music and Lyrics
Where:  @ home - free HBO
Why:  Bill already Movie Yak'ed about it, and he made me want to see it

This movie was super cute!!!  I highly recommend it.  It combined 2 things I really enjoy:  '80's music and Drew Berrymore.  (I think I spelled her name wrong).

The movie starts out with a cheese-ball music video by everybody's (fake) '80's band POP!  "Pop goes my heart"  It's a duo of 2 guys - like Wham.  And just like Wham, one of them continues on to fame, and the other one pretty much seems to die.

This movie is about the 'dead' member of Pop.  His name is Alex, and he's living comfortably in NYC.  He's fully aware that he's an 80's has been, and it's ok with him.  He does shows at little state fairs, at some 1987 high school reuinion, etc.  The ladies still love him and his sexy hip action!

The problem, the Brittney Spears-like singer of this time, named Cora, wants a to collaborate with an '80s had been.  Whom ever can write a song in 3 days gets the job and gets to tour with Cora!  Alex is all over this challenge - he could become an UN-has been!

Drew Barrymore (Sophie) is at Alex's house, watering his plants or something.  Alex is trying to write a song and play a tune on the piano.  Alex says some lyrics, and Sophie opens her big mouth and whips out some genius lyrics.  She's a natural song writer.  3 straight days of Alex writing music and Sophie writing lyrics and wha-la - a hit song!

I wont' give away the rest to you, but it ends pretty much how you would expect it to.  It's a super cute movie, with some super groovy songs.  Make sure you pay attention to the Pop Up Video during the credits.  Man, I could watch Pop Up Videos all day long ...

The Sweetest Thing

Who: Amber
What: The Sweetest Thing
Where: @ home (I own it on DVD)
Why: It's hilarious!!!

I am so glad my roommate James introducted me to this movie. It is so funny, and so girly.

Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate are best friends, with super quick witty banter and throwing guys away like yesterdays trash.  Selma Blair is thrown in the mix, for apparantly no reason, but she's great regardless.

A cute guy comes into play, a roadtrip ensues, their is a montage of horrible dresses being tried on, etc ... Throw in some Jason Bateman (this was before having Jason Bateman in a movie was cool!) and yourselves have a kick butt movie!!!

I highly recommend renting the "unrated version".  You will have the Penis Song stuck in your head for the rest of your life!!!  And "unrated" back in 2002 didn't mean actually seeing any private parts (cough *Walk Hard* cough), it just meant singing about them.  It's one of my all time favorite movies.

Mamma Mia

Who: Joanne and Mom
What: Mamma Mia
Where: the mall theater
Why: I have to admit, I love Abba!

I never went to see the theatrical version of this because I felt that building a musical around music that already existed was hokey. And you know what, it was. However, if you let yourself be drawn into the hokiness of it all, you, like me, may find yourself laughing and singing, getting choked up and dancing in your seat. I went to see Meryl Streep sing. And her performance did not disappoint. She has a lovely voice. And I bought into her free-spirited hippiness. Christine Baranski has a number called "Does Your Mother Know" that made me smile through the whole thing!

I loved the juxtaposition of the daughter (adorably played by Amanda Seyfried) and her friends and the Mother's (Streep) and hers. And there are some lovely touching scenes about mom letting go of her daughter. Yep, I teared up! The "dads" in this movie played by Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard definitely do NOT have great singing voices but oh are they entertaining!!

Also notable was the stunning location and very well done lighting in this movie. Made me want to go to Greece!!

My advice is to go to this movie to enjoy the feeling that you get from it. It is silly; it is campy and at times over the top, but it is thoroughly entertaining. You leave the theater with a HUGE smile on your face. I have to look for my ABBA's Greatest Hits CD while I anxiously await the DVD release.

P.S. Stay for the credits!! :-)

Mary Poppins

Who: Amber & Jonathan
What: Mary Poppins
Where: @ home on DVD
Why: Jonathan picked it out

I've seen Mary Poppins about 100 times (it used to be my favorite Disney movie - recently beat out by Bedknobs and Broomsticks), but I realized something. Mary Poppins is kind-of a jerk!

I mean, the kids are sad and ask her a question, and all she can answer with is "spit spot". And "Practically Perfect in every way"? She's kind-of full of herself!

Regardless, she still rules! And I could watch 2 straight hours of Dick Van Dyke doing his "Step In Time" song. And Mr. Banks (David Tomlinson - also from Bedknobs and Broomsticks) rules! I was very sad when he died a couple years ago.

If you haven't seen this movie (for shame!), or if you haven't seen it in a couple years, it's worth your 2 hours. If nothing else, just watch "Feed the Birds" and "Step in Time".

Beach Party

Who: Monica
What: Beach Party
Where: Home
Why: B/C I love old movies, musicals & it was $2 on sale

I love these old movies, any old movie. The Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon movies are fantastic. The music is so fun and if you like old stuff, this one wont disappoint. There are characters from the other ones, "Beach Blanket Bingo" for one. I hadn't seen this one before, but am glad I bought it and will put it with the fun old musical collection. Plot: Kids on the beach surfing, dancing, fighting with "bad" guys, singing and falling in love.

De- Lovely

Who: Monica
What: De-Lovely
Where: At Home
Why: B/C it was $2 at a movie sale and I saw it once and liked it.

Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd tell the story of composer Cole Porter. He wrote many songs & musicals in the 1920's, including "Kiss Me Kate" and "I've Got You, Under My Skin". He was rather eccentric and came from a wealthy family. He was married for 35 years to a lovely lady named Linda, whom he adored. They were more best friends than anything though, she was totally in love with him and he loved her. She knew going into their marriage that he was bisexual and he wasn't giving up his lifestyle on the side.

Natalie Cole, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morissette among others perform in this movie. It has great music, but wont rate anywhere up there in the list of favorite musicals. I enjoy the story and love Ashley Judd, but this is one I'll trade in for movie credit and buy another one.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Who: Kerri, Scott, & Emily
What:Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Where: Our Living Room
Why: Emily loves Tim Burton & Blood

Well Emily claims there wasn't nearly enough blood and gore. I think she needs to go see some flicks with Amber.

I'm not sure what I think of the whole movie. I liked that the main characters, (Johnny)Depp, (Helena Bonham)Carter, and (Alan)Rickman did their own singing. They obviously aren't professional singers, but they didn't make my ears bleed.

It's a tragic story of lost love and revenge, with murder and cannibalism thrown in for good fun, all while singing catchy little tunes.

I know, it's so cliche really.
There were a few times I had to turn my head, I do squirm at gore, and blood. Although it was much in the way of a "Kill Bill" movie, kind of over the top, but I'm wimpy. There were some nice plot twists in the film, and it did keep my interest.

You either love or hate Tim Burton. Yet I am still somewhere in the middle on pretty much all his movies. I think my favorite Burton film is probably Edward Scissorhands. But he's definately an acquired taste and this film is well done, I've not seen the stage play so I'm not sure what liberties they took or how it compares there. But I would guess if you were a Burton fan, or more importantly a Burton/Depp fan, you'll like it.

Feel free to Expound on my lame review.

Hairspray

Who: Monica
What: Hairspray
Where: Where do you think?
Why: Because I just bought it, I was busy working on stuff and needed something I could half tune in and listen to, a musical worked well.

Mom & I saw this at the theater. I LOVE musicals. Old, new, whatever.

I'm not in love with this movie. I think it has great new talent and the music is very good. I am still bothered by John Travolta playing the Mom, I just can't take it. Gives me the creeps. An overweight, over energetic teenager dreams of being on a local TV dance show. (think America BandStand, remember that?) Her dream comes true and she gets on, is hopelessly in love with the popular boy. She is friends with the "negro" (their words, not mine) kids and loves to dance with them, picks up new dances at detention. She finds ways to fight to integrate the TV dance show. I'm trying to love it.

On my 1-10 scale, I'm going with a 6. It just doesn't draw me in, I'm not into the characters, I don't love all the songs (I like a few).

Enchanted

Who: Amber (& Jonathan)
What: Enchanted
Where: at home - my husband bought the DVD
Why: LOVE IT!!!

It was a given that I would see the movie Enchanted in the theaters - but 4 times?!? Well, 2 times we saw the movie on the Disney Cruise Line's theaters, but that still counts right?

So of course we bought the movie the day it came out on DVD. It's such a cute movie. The story is happy and sappy - but not too sappy. The songs are cheesy and fun - but not too cheesy. And who knew that James Mardsen (sp?) was such a dream boat? I'm a sucker for any guy who can sing. I did find the talking chipmunk a tad annoying, but not enough to ruin the movie for me. And the dragon at the end - that was too cheesy for me, but again, not movie ruining.

And why is the girl from Bones (TV show) at the end. Very random.

After you see this movie and buy the sountrack (which you must!), look up Enchanted on Wikipedia. There is a HUGE list of 'hidden' Disney thnigs to find in the movie. Did you recognize the receptionist? How about the soap opera star?