Reviews of Classic and Modern Movies in a Flash!
A lonely old woman longs for a child and her wish is granted in the form of a tiny girl named Thumbelina (Jodi Benson). She is happy enough, but doesn’t quite fit in. Then one night, a fairy prince sees her and her world is changed forever.
Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of a (literally) “little girl” who has one Big adventure is brought to the animated screen by Don Bluth, with songs by Barry Manilow
1hr. 26min.
This animated classic traces a fateful year in the life of young orphan Arthur. It’s the year when he encounters Merlin, who will change the boys life forever. Merlin shows Arthur many fantastic things in order to educate him about the world (and himself). Eventually leading him to the legendary moment where Arthur pulls the sword from the stone.
1hr. 19min.
Starting on Christmas Eve, the story tells of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) who is seriously contemplating suicide when he is rescued by an angel named Clarence (Henry Travers). Clarence has been shown George’s life from boyhood to the present and how George is seemingly plagued by bad breaks all his life. So much so that now George doesn’t realize all the peoples lives he has touched and made better. That is, until he tells Clarence that he wished he’d never been born. His wish is granted and he is then shown what his world would be like with out him.
The idea of one person making a difference is driven home by Frank Capra’s superb direction of this timeless classic.
2hr. 12min.
After running from some bullies, young Bastian (Barrett Oliver) finds himself in a used bookstore, where he encounters the mysterious owner who shows him a book, The NeverEnding Story. He takes it to the attic of his school, where he becomes lost in the exploits of young warrior Atreyu (Noah Hathaway), as he must find a way to save the land of Fantasia from the mysterious Nothing. It is only when he is too far to “turn back” that Bastian realizes that somehow the fate of Fantasia lies in his hands alone.
Featuring eye-popping practical special effects, this film was Germany’s highest budgeted film at the time.
1hr. 33min.
The adventures of Bilbo Baggins are given the animated treatment in this classic film. Bilbo is a food and peace loving hobbit, who is thrown into an epic quest for treasure that ultimately becomes so much more. Along the way, he learns invaluable lessons about his world and himself.
This film was animated by Topcraft, which was a precursor to Studio Ghibli.
1hr. 17min.
Young Charlie Bucket doesn’t have time to dream much, with going to school and working to help his mother make ends meet. But when he does, it’s about the mysterious Wonka Factory, that appears dormant and yet produces the most delicious candies. So, when a contest is announced involving finding golden tickets in Wonka candy and being able to see inside the factory itself, Charlie dreams of finding one. And when he does, it’s just the beginning of a strange and amazing adventure that will change his life.
The original score, that features the classic “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination” was nominated for the Academy Award.
1hr. 39min.
Animated Giselle (Amy Adams) is following the “fairytale formula”, of meeting a prince (James Marsden) and getting married the next day, when his stepmother Narissa (Susan Sarandon) sends her to a place “where there are no happy endings”; the human world of NYC. There she meets divorce attorney Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his daughter Morgan. While she learns about the problems of the real world, Giselle teaches them that sometimes ‘happily ever afters’ do happen.
Three of the songs were nominated for the Academy Award.
1hr. 47min.
Starring Lily James in the title role, this film follows the classic tale of Cinderella, as she patiently endures the spiteful treatment of her stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her stepsisters after her fathers death. Through a chance encounter in the woods she meets a charming and handsome young man (the prince! but she doesn’t know that). With the help of her fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter) she arrives at the ball where the prince (Richard Madden) will choose his bride, but she only has ’til midnight.
The sets and costumes are eye-popping, the music sweeping and the story beautifully but simply told.
1hr. 45min.
Based on the classic fairytale and set to the stunning music of Tchaikovsky, this animated feature tells the story of an innocent princess and the vengeful fairy who curses her to an eternal sleep, that can only be broken by ‘true loves kiss’.
This epic film took an unheard of (at the time) 6 years and 6 million dollars to make, but was well worth it.
1hr. 15min.
Set in 14th Century Europe, this fairytale focuses on the star-crossed lovers Navarre (Rutger Hauer) and Isabeau (Michelle Pfeiffer) who are cursed by the insanely jealous Bishop to be ‘always together, eternally apart’; Navarre is a wolf by night and Isabeau a hawk by day.
On their travels they meet the thief Philippe ‘The Mouse’ (Mathew Broderick), that comes up with the scheme to break the spell and unite the two.
2hr. 1min.