The Christmas Candle is a movie the family can watch. It brings the spiritual side of Christmas back to Christmas movies.
The setting is the small town of Gladbury in England. At 25 year intervals, an angle touches a candle that the local candlemaker creates. Then on Christmas Eve when someone lights the candle he experiences a miracle. The enthralling legend may have an abrupt end in 1890 at the beginning of the electric age.
The candlemaker and the new pastor are thrown into a conflict of opposing ideas about miracles. The minister discovers an accomplice in a disbeliever. The special candle disappears. The ending is a surprise to the whole village.
Susan Boyle plays Eleanor Hopewell which is her first acting role. She sings two songs in the movie: "Miracle Hymn" and "O Come All Ye Faithful."
Rick Santorum is the CEO of Echolight. The film studio that produced the movie.
Posts about the arts and artists ...
Showing posts with label Christmas movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas movies. Show all posts
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Friday, December 6, 2013
Christmas Story (2007), Finnish Movie (Joulutarina)
This is the Finnish tale that tells how Santa Claus came to be the man that gives out toys to children at Christmas. The story unfolds that Nikolas is orphaned due to an accident. His village elders agree that one family will care for him one year, and he goes to another family the next and so forth.
To show his gratitude, Nikolas carves wooden toys for the family that helped him that year continuing to do this each year. One year a scourge hits his village. There isn't a family that can afford to feed him.
But a cranky reclusive carpenter gives him a home. He becomes an apprentice and has to work diligently. Nikolas is smart and becomes a good carpenter. The recluse begins to have affection for the boy as a son.
Nikolas' attention and heart are drawn further into the Christmas spirit of giving as time goes on. Thus, he transforms into Santa Claus when he is elderly. The film Christmas Story sparkles with the virtues of caring for other people and giving to others in a selfless manner.
Juha Wuolijoki directed this film. Marko Leino wrote the screenplay and the story was written by Aku Louhimies, Juha Wuolijoki, and Marko Leino.
There isn't a tomatometer rating for this film, but the audience gave it 58%. But don't let that stop you from seeing the movie and deciding for yourself.
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Christmas Story Finnish
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To show his gratitude, Nikolas carves wooden toys for the family that helped him that year continuing to do this each year. One year a scourge hits his village. There isn't a family that can afford to feed him.
But a cranky reclusive carpenter gives him a home. He becomes an apprentice and has to work diligently. Nikolas is smart and becomes a good carpenter. The recluse begins to have affection for the boy as a son.
Nikolas' attention and heart are drawn further into the Christmas spirit of giving as time goes on. Thus, he transforms into Santa Claus when he is elderly. The film Christmas Story sparkles with the virtues of caring for other people and giving to others in a selfless manner.
Juha Wuolijoki directed this film. Marko Leino wrote the screenplay and the story was written by Aku Louhimies, Juha Wuolijoki, and Marko Leino.
There isn't a tomatometer rating for this film, but the audience gave it 58%. But don't let that stop you from seeing the movie and deciding for yourself.
Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
Christmas Story Finnish
Shop Amazon - 40 or More Off Select Sports Collectibles
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Christmas in Connecticut, 1945: Christmas Movie: Barbara Stanwyck
The main character in Christmas in Connecticut writes a column for Smart Housekeeping that is a fabrication. Supposedly, Elizabeth Lane played by Barbara Stanwyck is married, resides in a Connecticut farmhouse, has children, is an excellent cook, and home decorator, but this is a farce.
Actually, Elizabeth is a single New Yorker and can't cook or decorate. She has invented this facade by using her Uncle's restaurant recipes for her column, and her boyfriend's home is the model for the house she supposedly lives in.
Her scheme is challenged for exposure when Dennis Morgan playing Jefferson Jones is used by a magazine publisher Alexander Yardley (Sydney Greensteet) for a publicity gimmick. He wants the war hero to be a guest at Elizabeth's home for a Christmas dinner which is a prize given by Yardley to Jones. How can she refuse a request by her boss?
Elizabeth uses her boyfriend's house and her Uncle's cooking expertise to try and pull off this feat of deception. She also keeps a baby and then a different baby from a woman that babysits for women working at a war plant.
In the end her boss finds out that he and the public have been duped and he fires her. When Jones finds out she isn't married, they decide to be joined in holy matrimony.
The tomatometer gives it 88% and the audience 78%.
Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
Actually, Elizabeth is a single New Yorker and can't cook or decorate. She has invented this facade by using her Uncle's restaurant recipes for her column, and her boyfriend's home is the model for the house she supposedly lives in.
Her scheme is challenged for exposure when Dennis Morgan playing Jefferson Jones is used by a magazine publisher Alexander Yardley (Sydney Greensteet) for a publicity gimmick. He wants the war hero to be a guest at Elizabeth's home for a Christmas dinner which is a prize given by Yardley to Jones. How can she refuse a request by her boss?
Elizabeth uses her boyfriend's house and her Uncle's cooking expertise to try and pull off this feat of deception. She also keeps a baby and then a different baby from a woman that babysits for women working at a war plant.
In the end her boss finds out that he and the public have been duped and he fires her. When Jones finds out she isn't married, they decide to be joined in holy matrimony.
The tomatometer gives it 88% and the audience 78%.
Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
The Nutcracker, Ballet, Movie
The Nutcracker is a time-honored story originally written by E. T. A. Hoffman in 1816. He called it "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King". Authored as a short story it has been adapted into an opera and two movies. Alexander Dumus adapted the story to stage and Tchaikovsky composed the music. The original choreography was done by Marius Petipa. It's premiere in 1892 came one week afore Christmas in Russia.
In 1934, it was performed in Great Britain and it came to the U.S.A. in 1944.
Act I
In the opening act, the house is festooned with mistletoe, stockings, wreaths and such. The Stahlbaum family has a party. They dance jubilantly. A toymaker arrives and gives the children gifts. Clara receives a Nutcracker, her sibling Fritz grabs her gift and starts a game of keep away with the other boys. The Nutcracker is mangled, but Drosselmeyer, the godfather, repairs the toy.
The party ends and Clara goes to sleep with the nutcracker beneath the Christmas tree. At midnight the toys come alive and become bigger. The Nutcracker battles the Mouse King. Clara defeats the mouse King with her slipper, and his army takes him away.
Then the illusion begins when Clara falls onto the Nutcracker's bed. He comes to life as a real prince. The bed becomes a sleigh.
Act II
They go through a forest and snowflakes become dancing maidens. They end up in the Land of Sweets and meet the Sugarplum Fairy. When she hears their story, she is galvanized and brings them into the Candy Castle and throws a extravagant party for them. They see flowers dancing and dewdrops floating overhead. The Sugarplum Fairy and a Cavalier dance in the middle of the great room.
Next, everyone gathers in the court and tells Clara and the Nutcracker goodbye. She says to the Nutcracker that she doesn't want this experience to end. He tells her that it won't end for her because she has the heart to envision it.
It became a movie in 1986 and another movie version came out in 1993. The Mobile Ballet will present this classic story on 12/ 15/13.
The Nutcracker
Movie
Kurt Adler 16-Inch Wooden and Polyresin Gingerbread Nutcracker
In 1934, it was performed in Great Britain and it came to the U.S.A. in 1944.
Act I
In the opening act, the house is festooned with mistletoe, stockings, wreaths and such. The Stahlbaum family has a party. They dance jubilantly. A toymaker arrives and gives the children gifts. Clara receives a Nutcracker, her sibling Fritz grabs her gift and starts a game of keep away with the other boys. The Nutcracker is mangled, but Drosselmeyer, the godfather, repairs the toy.
The party ends and Clara goes to sleep with the nutcracker beneath the Christmas tree. At midnight the toys come alive and become bigger. The Nutcracker battles the Mouse King. Clara defeats the mouse King with her slipper, and his army takes him away.
Then the illusion begins when Clara falls onto the Nutcracker's bed. He comes to life as a real prince. The bed becomes a sleigh.
Act II
They go through a forest and snowflakes become dancing maidens. They end up in the Land of Sweets and meet the Sugarplum Fairy. When she hears their story, she is galvanized and brings them into the Candy Castle and throws a extravagant party for them. They see flowers dancing and dewdrops floating overhead. The Sugarplum Fairy and a Cavalier dance in the middle of the great room.
Next, everyone gathers in the court and tells Clara and the Nutcracker goodbye. She says to the Nutcracker that she doesn't want this experience to end. He tells her that it won't end for her because she has the heart to envision it.
It became a movie in 1986 and another movie version came out in 1993. The Mobile Ballet will present this classic story on 12/ 15/13.
The Nutcracker
Movie
Kurt Adler 16-Inch Wooden and Polyresin Gingerbread Nutcracker
Sunday, November 24, 2013
It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas, 2002: Kids, Children's Movies
Its a Very Merry Muppet Christmas is a Christmas movie for the family. It's a story for the young at heart. The idea is similar to the concept in It's a Wonderful Life , though not strictly so.
The Bitterman Bank owns the loan for the Muppet Theater. The bank owner passes away and his wife takes over. She alters the loan's terms and puts Kermit and the gang in a bind. Then the money for the last payment is lost. The Muppets seek their leader's help, but he is too depressed to fix the problem.
An angel comes to Kermit's aid, revealing to him the Muppet world without his presence. Kermit comes back to save the theater for his pals.
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
The Bitterman Bank owns the loan for the Muppet Theater. The bank owner passes away and his wife takes over. She alters the loan's terms and puts Kermit and the gang in a bind. Then the money for the last payment is lost. The Muppets seek their leader's help, but he is too depressed to fix the problem.
An angel comes to Kermit's aid, revealing to him the Muppet world without his presence. Kermit comes back to save the theater for his pals.
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
Monday, November 18, 2013
(Scrooge) A Christmas Carol, 1951: Christmas Movies
There are many Christmas movies, but the ones that show a change of heart to goodness definitely bring out the message of Christmas.
A Christmas Carol of 1951 adapted from Charles Dickens novel delineates the change of heart that Scrooge experiences. It is in tune with the Bible speaking of the heart as the spiritual center of mankind. Of course, it doesn't mean the physical heart, but the seat of emotion. The movie is entertaining, fun, heartbreaking at times and ultimately shows a redemption of Scrooge.
Sims portrays a snobbish and selfish Scrooge with a grim sense of humor that is unique to his portrayal. He is a tightwad that regards Bob Cratchit, his assistant as beneath him. When Scrooge looks back to his youth, we see him as kinder and able to love, but those traits are overrun by greed, and he becomes hard and mean. The three ghostly visits nudge him towards a change for the good. Ebenezer changes becoming kind, friendly, and generous.
It is a British version of the classic tale. Alistar Sim plays Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge. In the United Kingdom it premiered as Scrooge. It was directed by Brian Desmond Hurst; Noel Langley wrote the screenplay,
It gets a tomatometer reading of 85% and the the audience rated it at 73%.
A Christmas Carol
Paperback
A Christmas Carol (2012 release)
Alistar Sim Version
Best Selling DVD's
A Christmas Carol of 1951 adapted from Charles Dickens novel delineates the change of heart that Scrooge experiences. It is in tune with the Bible speaking of the heart as the spiritual center of mankind. Of course, it doesn't mean the physical heart, but the seat of emotion. The movie is entertaining, fun, heartbreaking at times and ultimately shows a redemption of Scrooge.
Sims portrays a snobbish and selfish Scrooge with a grim sense of humor that is unique to his portrayal. He is a tightwad that regards Bob Cratchit, his assistant as beneath him. When Scrooge looks back to his youth, we see him as kinder and able to love, but those traits are overrun by greed, and he becomes hard and mean. The three ghostly visits nudge him towards a change for the good. Ebenezer changes becoming kind, friendly, and generous.
It is a British version of the classic tale. Alistar Sim plays Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge. In the United Kingdom it premiered as Scrooge. It was directed by Brian Desmond Hurst; Noel Langley wrote the screenplay,
It gets a tomatometer reading of 85% and the the audience rated it at 73%.
A Christmas Carol
Paperback
A Christmas Carol (2012 release)
Alistar Sim Version
Best Selling DVD's
The Gift of the Magi: O' Henry: Christmas Story
"The Gift of the Magi" is a Christmas story by O. Henry. The American writer's real name is William Sydney Porter. In the story two people sacrifice to give each other a Christmas present.
Hear the Short Story
The 1917 movie version was written by Katherine S. Reed and directed by Brinsley Shaw. It is a silent movie in black and white produced by Vitagraph Company of America. It starred William R. Dunn, Patsy De Forest, and Claire McCormack.
The Gift of the Magi as the 2010 version has revised O. Henry's story. Sticking to the original would have been better. They couldn't outdo the master storyteller. In the original the couple made sacrifices to buy Christmas gifts, they weren't trying to buy expensive presents. That said, it is basically a wholesome family movie, but the original point of the story is obscured.
It was directed by Lisa Mulcahy, and it stars Marla Sokoloff and Mark Webber.
It doesn't have a tomatometer reading. The audience at Rotten Tomatoes gave it 50%.
The 2010 Movie
Gift Of The Magi (Hallmark)
O. Henry Short Story
The Gift of the Magi
Bert and Ernie-Gift of the Magi
What Song Surgeon Can Do For You
Hear the Short Story
The 1917 movie version was written by Katherine S. Reed and directed by Brinsley Shaw. It is a silent movie in black and white produced by Vitagraph Company of America. It starred William R. Dunn, Patsy De Forest, and Claire McCormack.
The Gift of the Magi as the 2010 version has revised O. Henry's story. Sticking to the original would have been better. They couldn't outdo the master storyteller. In the original the couple made sacrifices to buy Christmas gifts, they weren't trying to buy expensive presents. That said, it is basically a wholesome family movie, but the original point of the story is obscured.
It was directed by Lisa Mulcahy, and it stars Marla Sokoloff and Mark Webber.
It doesn't have a tomatometer reading. The audience at Rotten Tomatoes gave it 50%.
The 2010 Movie
Gift Of The Magi (Hallmark)
O. Henry Short Story
Bert and Ernie-Gift of the Magi
What Song Surgeon Can Do For You
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The Christmas Shoes, 2002: Christmas Movies Inspirational
The Christmas Shoes is about a boy trying urgently to get a pair of red shoes for his mother. She is battling a serious heart condition, and he wants to get them for a final Christmas present. It also concerns an attorney coping with his marriage disintegration. The lawyer isn't concerned with Christmas and is a workhorse mindful of material gain.
The attorney begins to touch base with the boy and his mother causing a turning point in the man's life wherein he understands that life is meaningful. He learns to value it.
The TV movie was adapted from Donna VanLiere's novel which took its title from the tune by NewSong. The boy Nathan Andrews is played by Max Morrow. Kimberly Williams does the role of his mother, Maggie, and Robert Layton (lawyer) is played by Robert Lowe.
It was directed Andy Wolk. The teleplay was written by Wesley Bishop.
The audience at Rotten Tomatoes gives it 84%. The tomatometer hasn't registered any percentage yet.
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The attorney begins to touch base with the boy and his mother causing a turning point in the man's life wherein he understands that life is meaningful. He learns to value it.
The TV movie was adapted from Donna VanLiere's novel which took its title from the tune by NewSong. The boy Nathan Andrews is played by Max Morrow. Kimberly Williams does the role of his mother, Maggie, and Robert Layton (lawyer) is played by Robert Lowe.
It was directed Andy Wolk. The teleplay was written by Wesley Bishop.
The audience at Rotten Tomatoes gives it 84%. The tomatometer hasn't registered any percentage yet.
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Shop Amazon - MP3 Players, Portable Speakers
Hello Kitty Head Shaped Pendant Charm Necklace Chain
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Holiday Inn, 1942: Christmas Movie: Musical: Irving Berlin
Holiday Inn is a Christmas movie for those that like musicals. Jim played by Bing Crosby is part of a prominent musical act in New York. His partners are played by Fred Astaire as Ted, and Virginia Dale as Lila. She informs Jim that she loves Ted, though she is engaged to Jim.
Jim and Lila were suppose to do a farewell performance and then go to a farming life in
Connecticut. Jim is left with his heartache and the farm. Lila stays with Ted and keeps performing.
A year passes, and Jim quits farming and has a recuperation period in a sanitarium. Once he feels better, Jim starts a business, an inn named Holiday Inn because it is closed except for holidays. It is a country toned lodge with a live entertainment specialty.
Linda Masons is played by Marjorie Reynolds; the character is determined to break into show business and buttonholes agent Danny Reed played by Walter Abel while he is buying flowers. He points her to Jim at the Holiday Inn .
Jim hires her, and they are attracted one to the other. Meanwhile Ted is discarded by Lila for a rich Texan. Ted wants to secure Linda for a new dance cohort. Jim is in love with Linda and tries to stop the partnership. Ted and Jim contend for Linda, and Ted gets her, but Jim gets her back and the movie ends with Ted again with Lila.
The song "White Christmas" won an Oscar. The movie is full of song and dance. The holidays that are featured with performances in the movie are New Year's Eve, Lincoln's Birthday, Valentine's Day, Washington's Birthday, Easter, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving.
Martha Mears dubbed the singing for Marjorie Reynolds. The actual Holiday Inn motel franchise that began in 1952 was given the name because of the movie.
The tomatometer gives it 100% and the audience 86%. You have to enjoy musical, romance, comedy combinations to dig, like and value this movie.
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Jim and Lila were suppose to do a farewell performance and then go to a farming life in
Connecticut. Jim is left with his heartache and the farm. Lila stays with Ted and keeps performing.
A year passes, and Jim quits farming and has a recuperation period in a sanitarium. Once he feels better, Jim starts a business, an inn named Holiday Inn because it is closed except for holidays. It is a country toned lodge with a live entertainment specialty.
Linda Masons is played by Marjorie Reynolds; the character is determined to break into show business and buttonholes agent Danny Reed played by Walter Abel while he is buying flowers. He points her to Jim at the Holiday Inn .
Jim hires her, and they are attracted one to the other. Meanwhile Ted is discarded by Lila for a rich Texan. Ted wants to secure Linda for a new dance cohort. Jim is in love with Linda and tries to stop the partnership. Ted and Jim contend for Linda, and Ted gets her, but Jim gets her back and the movie ends with Ted again with Lila.
The song "White Christmas" won an Oscar. The movie is full of song and dance. The holidays that are featured with performances in the movie are New Year's Eve, Lincoln's Birthday, Valentine's Day, Washington's Birthday, Easter, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving.
Martha Mears dubbed the singing for Marjorie Reynolds. The actual Holiday Inn motel franchise that began in 1952 was given the name because of the movie.
The tomatometer gives it 100% and the audience 86%. You have to enjoy musical, romance, comedy combinations to dig, like and value this movie.
Shop Amazon - Countdown to Black Friday Deals in Musical Instruments
Friday, November 8, 2013
Christmas Movies: Miracle On 34th Street: 1947
This delightful Christmas movie is a classic that many people recognize. It is a perfect flick to watch for those that like to bring back a traditional feeling to the holiday season.
The original title was The Big Heart upon release in Britain. Valentine Davies penned the story for the movie and wrote a novella based on his idea. He won an Academy Award for his story. The flick is directed by George Seaton. The producer is William Perlburg.
The movie centers around a little girl that doesn't believe in Santa Claus. Her mother is a single parent and the event director for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kris Kringle informs the director that the Santa for the event is drunk, and she persuades Kris to take the job. Afterwards, he becomes the Santa for Macy's on 34th street.
Kris becomes concerned that the director's little girl doesn't believe in Santa, but in the end she does. Her mother softens her attitude about Santa too.
The Rotten Tomatoe meter give Miracle on 34th Street 94% and the audience 82%.
The Stars of Miracle on 34th Street
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The original title was The Big Heart upon release in Britain. Valentine Davies penned the story for the movie and wrote a novella based on his idea. He won an Academy Award for his story. The flick is directed by George Seaton. The producer is William Perlburg.
The movie centers around a little girl that doesn't believe in Santa Claus. Her mother is a single parent and the event director for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kris Kringle informs the director that the Santa for the event is drunk, and she persuades Kris to take the job. Afterwards, he becomes the Santa for Macy's on 34th street.
Kris becomes concerned that the director's little girl doesn't believe in Santa, but in the end she does. Her mother softens her attitude about Santa too.
The Rotten Tomatoe meter give Miracle on 34th Street 94% and the audience 82%.
The Stars of Miracle on 34th Street
- Gene Lockhart
- Maureen O'Hara
- Natalie Wood
- John Payne
- Porter Hall
- Edmund Gwenn
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