summersglow Reviews

War Flowers (2012)

Soft and Muted Romance with a Strong Girl Character

[6/10 · 9 June 2014]

If you are looking for a CIVIL WAR extravaganza (The Patriot) with all kinds of CGI battle scenes, or an overblown romance (Gone With the Wind), this won't be the movie for you. It is a simple family romance with a Civil War backdrop. I found it touching, especially the little girl, seven year old Melody played by Gabrielle Popa. The cinematography and story are beautifully muted. For whatever reason I got the same feeling from the movie that I do from early Little House on the Prairie episodes.

One or more of the reviews complains that the acting by Cristina Ricci and the little girl Gabrielle Popa was horrible. For the first ten minutes or so I might have agreed but as I became comfortable with movement of the plot I found that I loved Melody's character. She was a smart, strong little girl character and as far away from many of today's glitzy charismatic child stars as can be. I loved her plainness, her questions, and the sadness she felt while hiding the sadness she felt.

Anyway, I have a feeling that if you like family drama/romance and remember Little House on the Prairie fondly, War Flowers will be a soft, enjoyable hour and a half.

Jericho (2006–2008)

Pilot a work of genius, but Episode 2 the children have vanished

[11 May 2014]

OK it is 2014 and as far as I can see Jericho is forgotten, although (hurry) still barely available on your favorite torrent site. I have watched Episode One, the pilot and E02 so far. Episode One is a work of genius. It introduces all the main characters and sets up numerous unresolved conflicts. Especially poignant are the children in danger themes. For example, Stephanie who can't breathe after her school bus gets into a serious accident... the children in danger theme in the pilot is a major hook, touching.

Episode 02 well the children have completely disappeared from the story. Its almost, in my imagination, as if alien nukers have levitated them off the story. Still a good story and has the same sort of addictive quality of House MD and 24... but darn it can't the writer keep the children in danger theme in the series instead of just making every child who I started to care about in the pilot disappear?

I would rate the pilot as 10 stars... the second episode maybe about 6 1/2...

Believe (2014)

A beautiful, expressive, intelligent and kind child protected by caring adults.

[10/10 · 20 April 2014]

One of my favorite movies, and books, of all time was Firestarter. The father/daughter relationship in face of the murderous might of the American fascination with WMD's was both scary and touching. I remember wishing it would never end. Finally, after maybe twenty years, a story which is just as scary and touching, BELIEVE.

Generally speaking I don't bother to watch TV at all, much less a series. I tuned into House, MD until it got bogged down in mushy hospital romance. 24 had amazing hooks but was so violent that it made me sick. Mostly I find TV series plain too stupid, sexually icky and/or violent to waste my time looking at.

BELIEVE, I have been tuning into with increased interest and anticipation from the very first episode (Thanks to the IMDb top trailer). Now, after six episodes, I won't miss it! No icky romance or sex, relatively little violence. Instead we have a good "child in danger from the over powerful government" story, a beautiful, expressive, intelligent and kind child who cares for those around her and is surrounded by intriguing and caring adults who will die to protect her. I can't help but caring about what happens to Bo, and Tate and Milton and am hoping for a "Kick-Ass" end to the evil generals.

I should add that the cinematography is stunningly beautiful, beautiful colors and closeups of the characters. As I did with Firestarter, ten stars for Believe.

Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985 TV Movie)

Ten for the kids - Five for the Grownups

[10/10 · 24 April 2006]

I agree the first Ewok movie sucked...it was so bad that I didn't even want to try the Battle of Endor until the kids demanded to see it and watched it twenty or thirty times laughing their heads off with their friends (the girls are 8-11). Finely, I sat down and watched it. I can see why this would rate 10 stars with little girls... all the cute teddy bear creatures and super fast Tweek or Tweet or whatever his name is and the guy that looks like Santa Claus are all cute and cuddly for little Cindel and our kids who watch her and imagine to be her.

When I first saw this I thought Cindel, played by Aubree Miller, was either Drew Barrymore at six, or Shirley Temple...she is a dumpling of a curly blonde, rather not the best actress around... if you want to see girls this age who can act I suggest Hayflower and Quiltshoe (A Finnish Movie).

I think when you review a movie that is for kids that we should see them through their eyes and not be so picky about cardboard rocket ships that would be impossible to fly. Thus, I give this a 10 star rating because my kids and their friends loved it.

Samantha: An American Girl Holiday (2004 TV Movie)

A Great Child Actress at Her Best

[10/10 · 24 April 2006]

I became an AnnaSophia Robb fan when she starred in Because of Winn Dixie. I didn't even know she had played Samantha earlier in her career, so when I found the DVD I was thrilled. OK, so I am a nut for Victorian period little girl/orphan movies: I may have watched A Little Princess, Annie and The Secret Garden fifty or more times each. And they still make me cry. Samantha had the same effect and should probably be included with my small list of Victorian little girl/orphan genre classics.

I would like to rave about AnnaSophia's acting, her big eyes and timid smile are unmatched since the days of Ann E. Todd. OK, so Dakota Fanning sometimes gets it. Its rare IMO to find an actress as talented as AnnaSophia, and I am looking forward to seeing all of her movies.