jonathanrspalding's reviews
This page compiles all reviews jonathanrspalding has written, sharing their detailed thoughts about movies, TV shows, and more.
52 reviews
I want to congratulate Hallmark on this one. They have too many movies that are exactly the same. The time travel twist makes it unique. Ryan Peavey played the character so well. It was something different and fun. I was even in suspense at the end.
I have stated in other reviews Big Time Rush is my favorite nick disney prime product. This episode expalins why. It discusses the silliness of the music industry, its full use of gustavo and kelly. As a modern day monkees (though I think it is a much better show) this episode is true, silly, and funny all at the same time.
Having recently made its way back to air on teen nick I wanted to comment on the greatness that was big time rush (the show, not the band). The show is a not so subtle parody of the music business with extreme though not unreal characters to make the show work. Obvioulsy the band has talent, the younger sister, and most importantly the work of Gustavo Rocque make the show consistently funny, silly, while not being too much so to work. The show reminds me most of the Monkees, except alot better. Overshadowed by what was on disney, ICarly and Victorious on Nick, it was the best show of the golden age of Nick and Disney tween television. I had not watched the show in several years until the last couple of weeks and I can say it has aged well and is as good as I remember it. So, if you are reading this in 2020, give it a try.
This show while not as well known as bonanza, gunsmoke, rawhide, or the rifleman may be the best of the classic TV westerns. In fact, as much as I like Richard Boone as a show I believe Trackdown is superior to have gun will travel. In thirty minutes you generally have a complex story, well acted, with some moral ambiguity to it. Of course Robert Culp makes the show work in a way few others could, but all in all one of the few fifties shows that still holds up sixty years later.
I have been generally of the opinion that green acres kind of fell off as time went by. At first Lisa was quirky but not crazy. The neighbors as well.
However, this episode brought all the factors that made Green Acres work. When the agent comes to arrest Oliver and the hearing in front of the senate are hilarious. The eggs being thrown at the IRS building at the beginning is priceless. Truly the show's best work.
However, this episode brought all the factors that made Green Acres work. When the agent comes to arrest Oliver and the hearing in front of the senate are hilarious. The eggs being thrown at the IRS building at the beginning is priceless. Truly the show's best work.
I generally will defend the color episodes of TAGS. Many if you actually watch them are better than you are led to believe. However, at times they seem to grapple with what to do or have we been there before.
On other review lists there is debate of what is the best TAGS episode. I would contend this is the worst. Beyond being not what the show is about anyway, it is a story told so many times. The kids just want to be kids and they are no different, stuffy old adults hate them for no real reason, but then see the light when reasoned with. With few redeeming qualities I rank this as the worst episode.
On other review lists there is debate of what is the best TAGS episode. I would contend this is the worst. Beyond being not what the show is about anyway, it is a story told so many times. The kids just want to be kids and they are no different, stuffy old adults hate them for no real reason, but then see the light when reasoned with. With few redeeming qualities I rank this as the worst episode.
First of all, I want to say I am a huge John Wayne movie fan with the Searchers, True Grit, and the Man who shot Liberty Valance three of my all-time favorite movies. However, when asked what is John Wayne's worts movie and which one I will not watch if on TV it is this one. John Wayne's best character is always the morally ambiguous but essentially good guy. This movie wasted John Wayne's talent and the movie itself is garbage.
I would like to point out that John Wayne is John Wayne in it and his acting is fine. The problem is the rest of the movie.
First, it is completely historically inaccurate. Other than the Comancheros being a real thing (accurately depicted in the Searchers) it is complete nonsense. Now, thouh I am kind of stickler it is okay if it is otherwise a good story, But the firearms used, the state of the politics, and the issues are a basketful of items that do not go together.
Second, its portrayal of the Native Population. Many John Wayne movies show sympathy though not an apology to the Native Americans. (Please see McClintock, Fort Apache, Rooster Cogburn, Big Jake, etc.)
Finally the plot itself is simply ridiculous and the main love story tedious and stupid. As stated an historically questionable movie is fine it is otherwise a good story, this is not.
While there are a few actually funny moments in it, the movie is a waste of time and only should be watched by John Wayne fans who have not seen it to say they have seen the worst John Wayne film (major release).
I would like to point out that John Wayne is John Wayne in it and his acting is fine. The problem is the rest of the movie.
First, it is completely historically inaccurate. Other than the Comancheros being a real thing (accurately depicted in the Searchers) it is complete nonsense. Now, thouh I am kind of stickler it is okay if it is otherwise a good story, But the firearms used, the state of the politics, and the issues are a basketful of items that do not go together.
Second, its portrayal of the Native Population. Many John Wayne movies show sympathy though not an apology to the Native Americans. (Please see McClintock, Fort Apache, Rooster Cogburn, Big Jake, etc.)
Finally the plot itself is simply ridiculous and the main love story tedious and stupid. As stated an historically questionable movie is fine it is otherwise a good story, this is not.
While there are a few actually funny moments in it, the movie is a waste of time and only should be watched by John Wayne fans who have not seen it to say they have seen the worst John Wayne film (major release).
I think Alicia Witte is the Cinderalla to the Hallmark Christmas sisters of Mckellar, Bure, and Chabert. While hard working and really good at these roles, she usually gets the Hallmark movie work equivalent to mopping the floor while the sisters go to the ball. However, despite generally being given lower grade material to work with she usually make the movie better than it deserves.
She has done that again with this movie except this movie actually had some depth to it. Despite being shunted off to Movies and Mysteries this is one of the best Hallmark's of this year. The plot is believable, the acting credible, and the romance seemed unforced. While there is some dead time in the movie it still was enjoyable and interesting. I would recommend a watch.
She has done that again with this movie except this movie actually had some depth to it. Despite being shunted off to Movies and Mysteries this is one of the best Hallmark's of this year. The plot is believable, the acting credible, and the romance seemed unforced. While there is some dead time in the movie it still was enjoyable and interesting. I would recommend a watch.
As a season pass holder for dollywood I was very interested in this movie. First of all, this move is not about the theme park, which was to be expected. It was the standard hallmark movie made in Canada. It has the usual career conflict. The party planner from the big city meets the local hero who wants more. Also all the town scenes were not in Tennessee. There was too much snow, not enough moutains, and no tourists to be pigeon forge. There are no western bars to which the locals go line dancing.
It was okay. The romance was fine. It was not very funny, but did have a few moments. Dolly Parton had a very minor role at the very end. The movie did not do the park's Christmas celebrarion justice as it was filmed on a very small portion of it.
I was hoping that the plot would center around the individuals who work in dollywood's shows and have a litte more real and human story. Somthing a little different. Even if had all been shot on site or in the area immediately around the park. This was not different at all. I think that is why it dissapointed me. In summary while it was okay, it could have been better.
It was okay. The romance was fine. It was not very funny, but did have a few moments. Dolly Parton had a very minor role at the very end. The movie did not do the park's Christmas celebrarion justice as it was filmed on a very small portion of it.
I was hoping that the plot would center around the individuals who work in dollywood's shows and have a litte more real and human story. Somthing a little different. Even if had all been shot on site or in the area immediately around the park. This was not different at all. I think that is why it dissapointed me. In summary while it was okay, it could have been better.
Its not fair to judge an entire series by the first episode. Sometimes it is really good and you think the series will be great but its not, and some times it is the opposite. Here I feel it could go either way.
It is funny that the series has flashbacks to 1992. Because the feel of the show is the kind of show that would appear in 1992. It is not dynamic. It does not have a gimmic. Most Disney shows have had a gimmick of some sorts. It will have to depend on liking the characters and telling stories,
Compare this show to Lizzie Mcquire. Both begin with 7th graders. Both begin with a key friendship. However, Lizzie was fresher, edgier, and seemed more real, even though it kind of lost that at the end. This is clearly a TV show and does not feel real. That does not mean it won't be funny or even a good TV show (I mean who had a high school like Saved by the Bell) but it will not be new or ground breaking.
My prediction is that this show will not be remembered. It will take its three years and 65 episodes and be done with an 8th or 9th grade graduation. Not hated, not loved, it just existed.
It is funny that the series has flashbacks to 1992. Because the feel of the show is the kind of show that would appear in 1992. It is not dynamic. It does not have a gimmic. Most Disney shows have had a gimmick of some sorts. It will have to depend on liking the characters and telling stories,
Compare this show to Lizzie Mcquire. Both begin with 7th graders. Both begin with a key friendship. However, Lizzie was fresher, edgier, and seemed more real, even though it kind of lost that at the end. This is clearly a TV show and does not feel real. That does not mean it won't be funny or even a good TV show (I mean who had a high school like Saved by the Bell) but it will not be new or ground breaking.
My prediction is that this show will not be remembered. It will take its three years and 65 episodes and be done with an 8th or 9th grade graduation. Not hated, not loved, it just existed.
I think it is unfortunate there are less than 10 small royal countires in Europe. This is because Hallmark really needs a lot of them to keep making this kind of movie.
Obviously, to a degree you have to watch this movie like a science fiction movie. If this was a real thing, this is how people would be.
However, in this movie the acting was better, the plots more defined, and the unreal characters more real than most of its royalty based movies. Also, the less used device of the princess probably helped as well.
All in all, an enjoyable experience and movie.
Obviously, to a degree you have to watch this movie like a science fiction movie. If this was a real thing, this is how people would be.
However, in this movie the acting was better, the plots more defined, and the unreal characters more real than most of its royalty based movies. Also, the less used device of the princess probably helped as well.
All in all, an enjoyable experience and movie.
Many sports movies get sports so wrong that they are not enjoyable for people who actually consider themselves fans. In this movie it did not happen.
The positives to this movie are the actors, Ford and Banecroft, are great. It has a quick paced story.
The down side is at times it was a little corny and the relationships too simplistic, but that is a true of alot of the docu dramas of this era.
It is certainly a good watch and would recommend it not only to golf fans, who would really enjoy it, but to classic movie fans.
The positives to this movie are the actors, Ford and Banecroft, are great. It has a quick paced story.
The down side is at times it was a little corny and the relationships too simplistic, but that is a true of alot of the docu dramas of this era.
It is certainly a good watch and would recommend it not only to golf fans, who would really enjoy it, but to classic movie fans.
At the time of this wrting, all the reivews of this movie are negative. While I think the criticisms were just I would recommend it to you to watch at least once.
I would agree on several things. First, the production values were lacking. Two, the plot was not really Christmas centric (this could have been a winter fest, spring fling, summer of fun, or fall harvest movie by simply mad libbing buzz words.
However, it had one thing most Hallmark Rom-Coms do not have. It had comedy. It was funny, with witty dialogue and situations. That carried the movie and made it stand out for me.
I would agree on several things. First, the production values were lacking. Two, the plot was not really Christmas centric (this could have been a winter fest, spring fling, summer of fun, or fall harvest movie by simply mad libbing buzz words.
However, it had one thing most Hallmark Rom-Coms do not have. It had comedy. It was funny, with witty dialogue and situations. That carried the movie and made it stand out for me.
In what I believe has been a rather lackluster season of Halmark Christmas, this movie was my favorit. I have three reasons that make it stand out.
First, the plot was deeper than most. The real issue in this matter is the female lead finding her relationship with what was expected of her. The best Halmark movies are those were the romance is part of the plot and not the whole story. It was more of a regular movie than a set piece Halmark Christmas Story
Two, it helps to have a little larcency in the heart of the story to make it funny. See Snow Bride for an example.
Three, it had good supporting actors and roles who rounded out the movie.
I would agree with some of the criticisms to the movie that the romance seemed forced to a point, but I see this movie more of the lead finding herself than finding love which is probably why I thought it stood out among the Halmark fare this year.
First, the plot was deeper than most. The real issue in this matter is the female lead finding her relationship with what was expected of her. The best Halmark movies are those were the romance is part of the plot and not the whole story. It was more of a regular movie than a set piece Halmark Christmas Story
Two, it helps to have a little larcency in the heart of the story to make it funny. See Snow Bride for an example.
Three, it had good supporting actors and roles who rounded out the movie.
I would agree with some of the criticisms to the movie that the romance seemed forced to a point, but I see this movie more of the lead finding herself than finding love which is probably why I thought it stood out among the Halmark fare this year.
When you do twenty plus movies for Christmas some are goind to the filler. This movie is one of the fillers. It was okay, but I did not see the Chemistry between the leads. I thought the plot was overly complicated but did appreciate the twist ( a very little twist) at the end. Though as a business decision that was a really poor one for the company because it could never work. I enjoyed watching it one time this year, but I will not be looking for its return in next year.
I have greatly enjoyed this months TCM spotlight of Glenda Farrell (11/18) In doing so I saw this movie the first time and I enjoyed this movie a great deal. This movie plot was made alot in the 30's, probably best with Walter Pigeon, (James Cagney did it well in the 50's). The shark lawyer making the living for a sharp crook and pulling all the strings to do so. A romantic interest begging the attorney to go strait and fly right. I enjoyed it because it was a fascinating social commentary of the time and history of views and opinions perseved in Amber.
I had been looking forward to this movie. However, the movie was different than I expected. I was expecting kind of a Dickens kind of Scrooge character instead of the put upon character that was played. I also was expecting something kind of funny and it was not.
ON the good side, it was seasonal and heartwarming, and Mrs. Bure was very good in it.
On the bad side there was no humor, it was too cliche, and the side characters and stories were not interesting.
I liked it, if you like this kind of movie you will too, but it is not the best Hallmark has done.
ON the good side, it was seasonal and heartwarming, and Mrs. Bure was very good in it.
On the bad side there was no humor, it was too cliche, and the side characters and stories were not interesting.
I liked it, if you like this kind of movie you will too, but it is not the best Hallmark has done.
Hallmark bills Christmas movies as romantic comedies. While many try hard at romance, most do not on the comedy aspect. What I liked about this movie is the rivalry between the teaches actually gave the movie a comedic aspect through out. I also enjoy a Hallmark style battle between the virtuous hero and the G rated vixen for the heart of the prince.
Now that being said you have to tolerate the usual Hallmark plot themes. An insignificant event or contest (in this case cookie baking) is made much more important and convoluted than needed. The father, usually, is a wonderful kind person whose career focuses on philantrapy, and has a great kid who tries to play matchmaker.
As a fan of the genre though I must say this is one of my favorites and enjoyable each time I see it.
Now that being said you have to tolerate the usual Hallmark plot themes. An insignificant event or contest (in this case cookie baking) is made much more important and convoluted than needed. The father, usually, is a wonderful kind person whose career focuses on philantrapy, and has a great kid who tries to play matchmaker.
As a fan of the genre though I must say this is one of my favorites and enjoyable each time I see it.
The hard question for Christian, Catholic, Mormon faith based TV is how do you create a show that is funny yet clean.
The answer is twofold. One, don't be religious. Studio C is wholesome and clean but is not religously themed. It will incorporate religious references but not hit you over the head with the meaning.
Two, let it be funny. In order to be funny sometimes you have to be mean or snarky. You do not have to be crude, abusive, or vulgar.
I have yet to see any other religious network find this mix with a show that could even be considered in this show's league.
Beyond that the writing is generally very clever, the acting good, and the jokes funny. Like any sketch comedy show, some sketches are better than others. However, consistently most are funny and some are out and out hilarious. The anthologoy of worst insert profession here is absolutey great. However, it think the best sketch was Shakesperean Therapy - if you have not seen it check it out.
The answer is twofold. One, don't be religious. Studio C is wholesome and clean but is not religously themed. It will incorporate religious references but not hit you over the head with the meaning.
Two, let it be funny. In order to be funny sometimes you have to be mean or snarky. You do not have to be crude, abusive, or vulgar.
I have yet to see any other religious network find this mix with a show that could even be considered in this show's league.
Beyond that the writing is generally very clever, the acting good, and the jokes funny. Like any sketch comedy show, some sketches are better than others. However, consistently most are funny and some are out and out hilarious. The anthologoy of worst insert profession here is absolutey great. However, it think the best sketch was Shakesperean Therapy - if you have not seen it check it out.
I have to say I enjoyed royal hearts. Is it stupid, yes. Has this been done before, yes. I know it is awful, but I could not help myself.
I would say the best way to describe the movie as King Ralph, mixed with the Princess Diaries II, and the Beverly Hillbillies episodes where Jed was an Earl.
One of my favorite part of the movie is the party scenes and how the extras looked and acted in the back ground. I also enjoyed the earnest of all the characters in light of the absolutely insipid plot and dialogue.
However, I would recommend to those of us who like the Hallmark genre to watch this once, you will enjoy it.
I would say the best way to describe the movie as King Ralph, mixed with the Princess Diaries II, and the Beverly Hillbillies episodes where Jed was an Earl.
One of my favorite part of the movie is the party scenes and how the extras looked and acted in the back ground. I also enjoyed the earnest of all the characters in light of the absolutely insipid plot and dialogue.
However, I would recommend to those of us who like the Hallmark genre to watch this once, you will enjoy it.