MAN ON FIRE

Oscar Award winning Denzel Washington is one of my favorite actors. The way he is able to take any role and shape it into something special is simply phenomenal. Thanks to him he lifts what would otherwise just have been yet another kidnapping-and-ransom-goes-wrong movie above the mere mediocre.

The story is nothing new and we have seen it all before. (Think of Ransom with Mel Gibson in 1996 and the more recent Taken franchise with Liam Neeson to name but two.) In this 2004 movie Washington is John Greasy, a down and out ex-special ops soldier, that gets hired as bodyguard for the daughter (excellently played by Dakota Fanning, as usual) of a wealthy Mexican business man. A special bond develops between Greasy and the girl so that, when she actually does get kidnapped on his watch, he turns into a one man army that swears revenge against all those involved, regardless of who they are...

Like I said, nothing new but Denzel sure makes it worth watching. At some point it starts to get a bit gory but despite that I still rate it three out of five stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4kLizDXLY0

   Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington
 

A KID IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT (1995)

Imagine one moment you are struck out in a game of baseball and the next you find yourself in the middle ages with kings and knights and villains and damsels in distress... Well, that is exactly what happens to our hero in this 1995 Disney movie. And along the way he also falls in love for the first time which makes it a coming of age story on top of it being of the fantasy genre. Like most Disney films, this one contains valuable life lessons as well.

In short, Calvin Fuller (portrayed by Thomas Ian Nicholas of Rookie of the Year fame) finds himself in Camelot with a King Arthur (very comically played by veteran English actor Josh Ackland) in despair after the death of his wife, Queen Gwenivier (...who else?). However, as usual, the kingdom is put at risk by a bad guy and it is up to young master Calvin to save the day.

Although it is all a bit formulaic and predictable one must keep in mind the audience it is intended for. And as such I thoroughly enjoyed it. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLtmLy1Vzkc

   Thomas Ian Nicholas and Josh Acland

LEAVE IT TO BEAVER (1997)

When the original series aired in the late fifties, early sixties, we did not have television in this country yet and 'politics' prevented us from seeing the 'New' series during the eighties. I was therefor delighted when I found the 1997 movie version based on the series on DVD on the internet. And I was not disappointed...

Nine year old Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver (ably played by Cameron Finley) finds himself in all sorts of awkward scraps and situations and then relies on older brother Wally (Erik von Detten) to come to the rescue despite having problems (mostly of the 'girl' kind) of his own.

The whole premise might seem a little dated and slow for today's technological minded and fast paced youth but it should still appeal to some, especially those who are looking for something more than video game inspired action and mayhem. I can therefor definitely recommend it and rated it three out of five stars. (Incidentally, Leonard Maltin rates it the same though his ratings are out of four stars which, I suppose, makes it even a little higher than mine!) Be that as it may, I sure am considering acquiring the entire original series if I can find it on DVD somewhere. Any ideas?

Like I said, I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZXVBHwFJy8

                          The cast

 

HACHIKO: A DOG'S STORY (2009)

Some references on the internet (including IMDB which rated it 8.2/10) call this movie Hachiko: A Dog's Tail but officially it is A Dog's Story. So now you know if you are looking to buy the DVD on line.

Based on true events, the story is about Hahci, a Japanese Akita Inu dog that, as a puppy, finds a master and companion in Professor Parker Wilson (very well played by Richard Gere) and their life long bond which continues even long after the death of the master.

This is truly a heart rendering story of not only the undying loyalty of man's best friend but also how one dog can influence so many people that come in contact with him. Even if you are not a dog lover per se, this movie will touch you and is therefor highly recommended. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6U7mAnPtw4

    Layla, Chico and Forrest, the three dogs that 'played' Hachi

 

POLLYANNA (1960)

In one of the interviews on the bonus disk that comes with the Vault Disney Collection DVD-set someone expresses the opinion that this film should be compulsory viewing for everyone. I tend to agree. Although it was first released in 1960 and based on the book by Eleanor Porter which was published in 1912, the central message thereof is even more true today than it was then.

The story takes place in the gloomy town of Harrington where everybody is under the thumb of wealthy aunt Polly Harrington (magnificently portrayed by Jane Wyman) and therefore basically miserable. But when orphaned Pollyanna comes to live with her aunt and starts spreading cheer all over with her glad-game, things start to change...

Young Hayley Mills is a real delight in the title roll. Although this was her screen debut on the American movie scene it was not her first acting role. And being the daughter of celebrated English actor, John Mills, she practically grew up in the UK film industry long before Disney discovered her.

Some may find it a bit too sentimental for today's thrill seeking moviegoer but if you are more into the classics and specific Disney (like I am) I can highly recommend this movie if you have not seen it yet. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars! 

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVtLP5tfpCA

    Hayley Mills...

    ... and her amazing blue eyes