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Reviews
A Christmas Carol (2004)
Looking for a musical Christmas Carol ?
Well, you might want to look further.
This one pales in comparison to the 1970's "Scrooge" with Albert Finney. The musical numbers are big and well-produced, but in most cases seem out of place. Surprisingly, the singing, by a cast most of whom are not known for their musical abilities, isn't bad. The acting could be better: Kelsey Grammar scowls and hunches throughout. As ghosts of Christmas past and present, Jane Krakowski and Jesse L. Martin both miss the mark. Geraldine Chaplin, as the mute ghost of Christmas Future, is just creepy. Jennifer Love Hewitt is fine but only in two brief scenes.
Talent for the Game (1991)
starts off well but can't go the distance
What stood out for me was the first half of the film, which has collected a number of apocryphal baseball scouting stories (read "Prophet of the Sandlots" and "Dollar Sign on the Muscle" where some of them appear in print). Edward James Olmos is quietly effective as veteran scout Virgil Sweet, traveling across the country evaluating prospects in an assortment of the usual and unusual places. But the story becomes formulaic as Sweet finds the Holy Grail of scouting: a heretofore unknown pitcher with all the tools to become a superstar in the big leagues. Although Sweet is employed by the Anaheim Angels, the ending is all Hollywood. While not in the pantheon of great baseball movies, it is an enjoyable way to spend 90 minutes.