Le sauveur de Noël

One of the worst made for anything movies... Unless it was made by a film student at a community college, thank goodness mini DV tapes are so inexpensive. So sad to see some respectable actors making a movie such as this. The location (SoCal) chosen to represent Connecticut, couldn't have been any worse. Sun Valley, Angeles Crest Highway, representing the East Coast, really?? Palm trees (not to mention chaparral, and evergreen tree lined streets, replacing snow, just doesn't cut it, on any level. The voice over acting or should I really blame the sound editors... In the same room, one actor's voice sounding like its in a can, while the other is respectable. How about wardrobe and props. The thieves were more than dusted with flour, however they were amazingly flour free. The house which was multiple level, I'll give the viewer that, would have the actors on one level... then on another level without taking the stairs. I can't go on... I'll let the viewer get a kick out of ripping this move apart!!

The Bannisters, George (Gary Valentine) and Belinda (Elisa Donovan) and their two kids have just moved into a new home! Its very large and beautiful so Belinda gets worried about burglars, especially when she sees a notice that a house nearby was robbed. This lady wants a home-security system but George suggests they get a fine watch dog. Wow, do the children love to hear this, but Belinda is skeptical. On his own, George goes to the pound and adopts Zeus (voiced by Mario Lopez) who was once a police dog and who is much like the dog George has as a child. Belinda is not happy he went behind her back! Not only this, Zeus doesn't bark so how can he be a good protector of the house? Yet, George and the kids just love this pooch. Also, they work on a gingerbread house to take to Grandmas, the one thing she really wants. Wouldn't you know, Zeus gets jumpy at the wrong moment and destroys the house? Therefore, Belinda says the dog will have to stay home from the trip to G-ma's and will be returned to the pound when they get back! Poor Zeus. Yet, two bumbling burglars (Dean Cain and Joey Diaz) are prowling the neighborhood and like the Bannisters house, with Zeus "home alone". Can Zeus redeem himself? This funny, wooferific film will delight families with its darling dog, affable actors, and crazy antics! Anyone would love to receive it in their stocking hung with care!

I tend to take a movie at face value. If retelling an old story in another way was a problem, then "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" would not have been such a hit.

I liked this movie. It was cute, the characters interesting and colorful without being too far over the top.

Dog movies appeal to me. I've had a dog since I was 3 years old (she was a rough collie named Lassie), and she saved me from being hit and killed by an oncoming car when I was 7. I am 69, and still love having a dog (I prefer rescues).

I find if I go into a movie with an expectation of being entertained in some way, then I am not looking for a way to criticize or be disappointed. I enjoyed this movie a lot, perhaps in part because I am a dog person.

They'd have to tie me down, clamp my eyes open, and I would still avert my eyes from this loser. Totally boring, and, frankly, I am sick to death of seeing Dean Cain as the bad guy. He just doesn't suit the part. Unfortunately, he did suit the part of that creep that killed Stacey Peterson and her unborn child ... which pretty much destroyed his career.

The acting is OK, when thinking about the other parts ... but the movie is, as already mentioned, a rip-off of Home Alone, and not even a good rip-off. And, actually, the dog was not that great either. So, walk away and find something better to do with your time. Unless you like being bored. Bottom line is ... nothing special here excepting for the holiday decorations, and one other part mentioned below ... and whom among us want to watch a movie just to see a few good decoration?

Now, let us get to the part that infuriated me ... which is the part played by Elisa Donovan ... shame, shame! Why any woman would consider taking a part, such as this one, where a woman towers over the man, and basically treats him like a child ... well, shame, shame. However, seeing Adrienne Barbeau, as the cat lady, tickled me greatly. Adrienne usually plays the Hard Hearted Hanna roles, and to see her in this role was a lovely Christmas Surprise. We can use seeing more of her in the future ... she has been greatly missed!

Oy, vey! Another talking dog movie!

At least, except for the scenes in the pound, there's only one of them.

Lana, as barkless K-9 certified Zeus, has to be one of the most docile dogs in the business. Her main talents seem to be the ability to open unlocked doors (while the family is away) and to stick her head under a closed toilet lid to drink from the commode.

On the plus side, the human stars include one of my favorite TV-movie actors, Elisa Donovan, married here to Kevin James' look-alike and "King of Queens" brother, Gary Valentine. TV's Superman, Dean Cain, plays the head crook, while forever-sexy Adrienne Barbeau is the neighbor lady with, OMG, a talking cat!

Oh, and have I mentioned the talking mice?