mbyrd624 Reviews

A Biltmore Christmas (2023 TV Movie)

Where did this come from?

[9/10 · 30 November 2023]

I don't know what I was expecting going into this film, and I almost bypassed it, due to the lackluster ads I'd seen. But this turned out to be far and away the best Hallmark film I've seen this year. It's a little short on the "Christmas" part of the equation, and the ending is a little on the messy side, but this is a thoroughly enjoyable movie on many different levels. Don't miss this one!

I recommend Biltmore Christmas to anyone who is a little burned-out on "the Hallmark formula", no matter how much you love the usual Hallmark Christmas offerings. Set design, production, the acting gets a special shout-out here, and a few surprise guest appearances really keep you glued to the screen. I'm a sucker for a good time-bending story, and this one is good.

On another note, there was an ad during the film that showed one of the actresses pulling off a flawless Katherine Hepburn impression, and that may have been my favorite part of the experience, watching this the first time, so shout out to her.

Mystic Christmas (2023 TV Movie)

Low-key but enjoyable

[7/10 · 13 November 2023]

I enjoyed watching this one, even though I had read the reviews before diving in. Jessy Schram and Chandler Massey are both decent actors, have good chemistry, and I was drawn-in by the tour of Mystic, CT.

The story is lacking, to be sure, but the leads and the scenery make this one an enjoyable watch. The seal isn't the star, but does steal a scene or two. The "made-up Canadian proverb" should become a new trope of this genre.

There is a recent trend where these Christmas movies have basically no stakes. The characters start off liking each other, have very little competition for each others attention or affection, and we are left with kind of a waiting game until they finally get together. It works in this film because the real roadblock is their own awkwardness.

The "big argument" here felt like a missed opportunity to bring the characters together through some heightened emotions, and showing that conflict doesn't always have to be a scary or uncomfortable experience.

All in all, I'd recommend this one. It kept me watching, so it has something going for it.

Surveillance (I) (2008)

Could have been much better

[6/10 · 25 June 2009]

I should start by saying that this isn't a bad film. It's worth watching simply to see this set of characters in action. But the list of problems starts early, and grows quickly.

David Lynch's influence is evident throughout the film. That works both for and against Jennifer, as she carries-on a few bad habits from her father. Surrealistic elements would have been appropriate in some places, but not where they're used here. Less telegraphing would have been a huge bonus. A little more time in the editing suite would have helped this film greatly. Acting-wise, if Pullman and Ormond had played their roles a little more "straight", that would have made the twist much more effective. Both the script and story fail the audience in the end. The audience is rooting for the "civilians" in this film, and to have them turn the tables somehow would have made this film much more satisfying, overall. The character of Stephanie was written very intelligently, and it would have been great to see her engineer the "unmasking" and possibly the villains' downfall.

There are things that work here, though. Pell James was actually wonderful in her role, and I hope to see more of her in the future. Ryan Simpkins may turn into the next Jodie Foster, and her abilities are on full display here.

The cinematography is solid, and the visual direction of the film is good. Where the direction fails is mostly in character-portrayal and in the handling of the story/script. If a little more effort had been put into these areas, this could have been a great film. As it is, it is an interesting piece of work, but there's not a lot to recommend about it.

Dev.D (2009)

Different from typical Bollywood, but overrated here

[6/10 · 3 March 2009]

Dev D is certainly a unique take on the Devdas story, but that alone is not enough to warrant this film getting more than 7 stars, tops. It is brash, explicit, and shows Indian youth in a way not often portrayed in Indian cinema (rude, obnoxious, disrespectful). But that doesn't make this a good film. Just different.

The acting is passable. I don't think that anyone is grossly miscast, but at the same time, there is very little call for real acting in this film. The biggest problem lies in the script, which never creates any emotional connection between the characters. The only character we develop any sympathy for at all is Chanda. Frankly, making the film from Chanda's point of view, and discarding the ties to the Devdas story, might have been a better direction to go with this.

Technically, it is decent work. The use of the Snorricam is unique in Bollywood, but it doesn't break any new ground. Same with the underwater shots. The lighting is excellent, but the direction and cinematography aren't memorable. Most of the songs are forgettable, although one theme is used very well. The songs are not well-integrated, often rendering them an annoying distraction.

Overall, this can only be rated an above-average film, at best. I don't think I'd watch it more than twice.