"Oliver!" 1968 Movie Review

Even as a young child, I had an interest in Charles Dickens. My grandmother knew that, and she took me to a production of the musical "Oliver!" at a local theatre. I remember it started and becoming instantly perplexed and enthralled. The first scene I can picture quite distinctly: the orphans running around the stage, singing "food, glorious food!". However, I had forgotten that this indeed was that musical; until I started watching. When I heard the song, it brought me back to that theatre and I became all the more excited about watching this movie. What is better than a movie adaptation of a Broadway musical based on a Charles Dickens novel that I saw as a child? Not much, in my opinion, although I was hoping for more recollections similar to that first one. What a shame. You probably know the plot of this tale but I will tell it anyway: After young orphan Oliver Twist dares to ask for more gruel at an English workhouse, he is punished, runs away, and finds himself among young pickpockets in the great city of London. They are all cared for by a jolly man named Fagin. But Fagin's boss, Bill Sikes, is not so jolly. His whole goal seems to be making the lives of the boys, his wife, and Fagin more difficult. The musical is a fun and enchanting way to tell this otherwise dark tale. The songs are upbeat, though, in my opinion, not super memorable or catchy. The highlight was Ron Moody as the peacemaker Fagin. All in all, a fun way to experience the Dickens classic.

8/10

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"Clue" Movie Review

I grew up playing Clue, Jr. It was probably my favorite board game as a kid. Figuring out who did what (of course, it was quite a bit different than the adult version, as all we were figuring out was who ate the cake), was so much fun, I remember. So naturally, I have wanted to see this film for quite a while. And I finally got around to it. As far as I remember, all of the characters are here: Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Professor Plum, Mr. Green, Colonel Mustard, and Miss Scarlet. And, the idea is the same: who did it, where, and with what. All of the actors do a fine job playing their characters, particularly Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, and Eileen Brennan. The movie is a fun blend of comedy and suspense; nothing too special or perfect but it serves its purpose. I like the choice of 3 endings.

6/10

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"Shadowlands" 1993 Movie Review

Pain is unavoidable. For anyone, even a child, who wasn't allowed dessert that night. Now, that may not seem like a big deal, but to a child, not having ones dessert could truly cause grief. However, have truly loved the Narnia books by Clive Staples Lewis since I was 7. I have a memory of staying up late in bed, reading the last few chapters of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" before seeing the movie the next day. Little did I know of C. S. Lewis' (Jack) personal life. He was a very reserved man as is shown here, and he doesn't have much of a life outside of teaching and writing. That is, until he meets Joy Gresham, an American woman living a hard life with her abusive husband and young son. Jack takes them in and for the first time, begins to love like he never thought he could. There is much more to this film than what meets the eye. It it is a story of compassion, love, loss, grief, and faith. As a Christian, it is wonderful to see a film with such deep and moral messages that revolve and even feel aimed, at me specifically. Anthony Hopkins does a magnificent job in portraying the famous and troubled writer. This is a movie worth watching again and again.

10/10

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