Movie Review - A Christmas Promise

A Christmas Promise

AKA:  A Horse Tail

2015

The Cast

I have to admit the reason I watched this little film was for Charisma Carpenter - I've been a fan since she was in Buffy and especially when her character was allowed to grow in Angel. I thought that we may have seen more of her than we have. So every time I see she's in a movie I give a look see... and I wasn't disappointed here.

It's Christmastime and the stables are suffering. Less and less people are coming for riding lessons and the ones that do who are too poor to pay get them free. The riders who stable their horses are being tempted away. Things are looking bleak, so they bring in an accountant to try and help them out of the hole, which has started to grow after the death of the mother and wife. Enter Michael (Muldoon) and his troubled daughter Chloe (Carlson). Michael is the accountant come to help the family out, however, he is soon butting heads with Samantha (Carpenter) who is a strong single minded woman who has stepped in to run the stables while her father gets better after his fall.

Though you know where the relationship is going it's nice to have a little friction between them to spice up the story and add conflicts. This romance is on bumpy ground right from the start... and that is a nice thing as it's more realistic.

One thing that lets the story down is the ending; I really do dislike coincidental happenings that make everything okay - this is not too realistic or believable. As for the acting, Samantha is supposed to be hard-nosed though I thought she wasn't powerful enough in getting her messages across, she was meant to be a fearsome woman but it just didn't quite come across right. As for Muldoon, I've never been too much of a fan of his. For me he's a little two dimensional at times, which weakens the characters he's portraying. The strongest actors and actresses in the cast are Carlson who plays Chloe, Lewison who plays Jackson, Swain who plays Sydney, and though he's not on screen that often, Tilk who plays Ben. It's because they portray the family so well that it adds to the strength and enjoyability of the film.

This is worth a watch, though it may be a few years before I look at it again... if at all.  I give this a high in the saddle and average 5.75 out of 10

The Trailer

Movie Review - London Road

London Road

2015

BBC Films / Cuba Pictures

BBC Two

5.25 / 10

This musical is based on the National Theatre stage production which is based on actual events that took place in London Road Ipswich.

In 2006, London Road had a problem with prostitutes who had moved into their street.  Not only were the working girls touting for business but they were having sex in view of the residents.  Then five of the women's bodies were found and one of their neighbours was charged and convicted of the offence.  This is the story of the residents' thoughts and feelings during the incident and their attempt to recover from the stigmatism which was caused.

Musicals aren't my favourite type of movie though I did like the classics.  Though the music and songs are more contemporary in this film.  Unfortunately, it's that same music and songs that injure the film.  I liked the idea of the songs encompassing and including the tenants' actual comments, however, there just isn't enough of them and the lyrics end up being repeated too much.  This repetition is very annoying and nearly had me turning it off a couple of times.  It would have been nice if Adam Cork, who composed the music, had spread his wings a little more as most of the songs are very similar and add to the monotonous feel.

Luckily the filming by director Rufus Norris is interesting and well crafted to suit the music and songs, as well as the narrative when you have the residents speaking.  It's also these acting sequences that hold the film together as the are very well skilled at their craft.  It's these elements and not the musical ones that make you relate to the characters and understand just what they were going through.

If it hadn't been a musical then I believe this would have been a much greater film.

If you like contemporary musicals this may be for you.  If you're thinking about watching this for members of the cast - Olivia Coleman or Tom Hardy, be aware that they are not in this film for long.  In fact, none of the cast is, and I like the movie more because of this.  Each actors playing the residents appear to have the same screen time.  Though, if you're a studying filmmaker or you're just interested in well-made and shot movies then I'd recommend this for you.

Movie Review - Signed Sealed Delivered: The Impossible Dream

Signed Sealed Delivered

The Impossible Dream

2015

Moon Water Productions / Muse Entertainment Enterprises : The Hallmark Channel / Muse Distribution International

8 / 10

This movie is the apotheosis of what the series represents.  In the film, not only are the issues of hope when things appear blackest are addressed but so are the concepts of sacrifice, love, obsession, and truth above all else.  All of this is Signed Sealed Delivered in the usual heartwarming package that leaves you with a warm feeling and thinking that everything is right with the world.

The writers, Matha Williamson (the stories creator) and Brandi Harkonen do another wonderful job as intertwining a myriad of events into an enjoyable show.  This is actually a continuation and conclusion of the story from "Truth Be Told" as the Postables are taken before a Closed Senate Committee regarding national security.  As they tell their story, in a roundabout fashion of information that's come into their possession concerning the whereabouts of Lieutenant Randilynn Amidon; the missing mother of  Pheobe from the last film.  Their testimonies are interspersed with scenes of Lieutenant Amidon in Afghanistan.  All of this coincides with the Postal Pageant to find the next Miss Special Delivery, in which Rita is enrolled.  If this isn't enough then Steve, Shane's old love, is back and helping the team to find the missing Lieutenant.

On the whole, all of this is handled superbly, and I particularly loved the opening titles with the Postables marching side by side into the Committee meeting, the bit with Norman brought a smile to my face and a laugh to my throat.  Director Kevin Fair does some nice shots and segues, however, there are some sections which let the film down a little and these are mainly confined to the outdoor Afghanistan scenes.  If it weren't for these then I may have given the film a Ten.

The cast once again is impeccable and right on target with their characters and their portrayals.  Mark Valley gives off the right sense of power and swarthiness that you can understand what Shane saw in him.  Zak Santiago is back as the brilliant Ramon Rodriguez.  Christina Bianco is great as Mindy, one of the contestants in the pageant, and boy does she can wail.

Do I recommend watching this movie, I do and strongly.  However, because of the characters and their back stories, I think you would get better enjoyment from this movie if you had watched the series and previous movies.  It's well worth it.

Movie Review - Signed Sealed Delivered: Truth Be Told

Signed Sealed Delivered

Truth Be Told

2015

Moon Water Productions / Muse Entertainment Enterprises : The Hallmark Channel

9.25 / 10

I am pleased to say that the writing team of Martha Williamson and Brandi Harkonen are back on track after the previous episode, which resolved Oliver's estranged marriage.

They have managed to put the series back on track as they revert to the tried and true structure.  The main story is that of the lost letter, with the postables lives taking second place.  In this movie, the lost letter comes from a military officer stationed in Afghanistan.  The letter is to her daughter...

The story does a very good job of telling a story of loss, hope, and heartbreaking truth.  Back on the home front, we learn more about Oliver and his past as his father comes home to visit with some shocking and groundbreaking news.  It also seems that Oliver's wife is not the only family member he's estranged from.  There's so much going on in this episode that it should keep you entertained.

The direction is up to par with the previous episodes as Kevin Fair is still in the Directors chair and the resident cast is consistently good and builds their characters and ongoing relationships well.  The extra cast of Gregory Harrison as Oliver's Father, Joe O'Toole; Megan Charpentier as Phoebe Amidon, and William B Davis as Harper, Pheobe's Grandfather; are very good in their roles, especially Charpentier. 

If you've watched the previous episodes of the movies and series then you should like this one, though if you're not familiar with Signed Sealed Delivered then I would recommend watching from the start as it's the best way to relate to the characters... and it's worth it.

 

Movie Review - Signed Sealed Delivered: From Paris With Love

Signed Sealed Delivered

From Paris With Love

2015

Moon Water Productions / Muse Entertainment Enterprises / Muse Entertainment LLC : Hallmark Movies & Mysteries / Muse Distribution International

6.75 / 10

I was looking forward to this episode in the Signed Sealed Delivered series as soon as I read the title, "From Paris With Love" ... at last Oliver will have to deal with his estranged wife and their future together... or not!

I was right, but I was so wrong.

There are three stories in this movie, not only does Oliver (Eric Mabius) have to choose his future but his and his wife Holly's outcome affects Shane (Kristin Booth) in a way that she had perfidiously told herself wasn't real; so she has to face up to the truth of her feelings.  Them there's the story of a husband and wife going through tough times and whose marriage was on the rocks.  Could trouble be waiting around the corner when The Postables deliver the divorce papers he signed years earlier?

There's quite a bit to be resolved in this episode and though the creator Martha Williamson wrote the story with Brandi Harkonen (both have strong stories in the TV series, and Williamson's were always the best of the bunch) this film feels as flat as Lassie - run over by a Steamroller.  I even found one of the characters rather irksome.  Holly O'Toole (played by Poppy Montgomery) is a very two-dimensional character when compared to all the others in the cast.  Though I am uncertain if this is the writers' or director's fault or their vision of the character or that Montgomery couldn't portray the character correctly.

Then there's the plainly obvious fact that there's NO chemistry between Holly and Oliver.  This is as shame as it would have added an interesting dynamic to the story.  It's actually hard to believe why they married each other, even with the flashbacks there's just not enough between them.

I wouldn't believe it could have been either the writers' fault or the director's because of the strength of previous stories, however, the story of the husband and wife isn't as deep or as strong as it should have been.  We, the audience, should have felt for them as we have felt for previous dead letter receivers.  Except for this time, instead of this being the main story it actually feels more like an aside, it's told and resolved so fast that no drama or tension is created.  This in itself is highly unusual for the series.

So with just these three problems the usually happy and warm atmosphere is quite diminished and verges on nonexistent.  Thank God for Rita (Crystal Lowe) and Norman (Geoff Gustafson) as they keep this atmosphere ticking over.  Poor Norman may have an opponent in the affections for Rita, in the shape and sound of heavily accented Ramon Rodriguez (joyously portrayed by Zak Santiago who keeps the character teetering on the edge of over-the-top).

So I will hope and pray this movie is the exception to the rule and that the next instalment will have me smiling with joy... through the tears.

If you've watched the other episodes then give this a watch to tie-up loose ends.  Though if you've not watched any then I'd stay clear of this one until you've caught up.  It's not really a stand-alone episode, and not reflective of how good the series is.