More Christmas/Holiday Movies

***Kung Fu Panda Holidays (2010)  This is a made-for-tv short animated feature about the importance of family and friends for the holidays.  It concludes with those dignitaries joining the family celebration and learning something in turn.  This show includes the voice talents of all the Kung Fu Panda regulars including, Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Lucy Liu and Jackie Chan.  This is available on Netflix

***Journey Back to Christmas (2016)  In this movie a WWII nurse gets sent back in time somehow by a comet.  She helps people in the modern era remember some of the things about Christmas, like caroling.  She does meet a couple old acquaintances, who give her hope.  This movie would have been better if the plot had been more believable.  Hallmark

**** Christmas Harmony (2018)  This easily is one of my favorite in this genre because of the music.  Harmony (Kelley Jakle) returns home after a bad breakup.  She has been pursuing music, writing for someone else (her jerk boyfriend) but in returning home she reacquaints with her father (she hadn’t been home since her mother passed away) and a new man in town, Luke (Adam Mayfield).  Together they make some beautiful music, with only one momentary fly in the ointment.  These shows always have that fly someplace.  I really enjoyed this film. 

***^ Sons of Mistletoe  (2001)  This is a story about a man (George Newbern) who grew up in a boys home, and has taken over the running of the home.  However their benefactor, and landlord passes away.  Everything passes to his daughter (Roma Downey), who is more interested in getting away than continuing the family interest in the home, and the family mercantile business.  A large conglomerate from “the city” is willing to pay big bucks.  So while the young man is struggling to save the home, it seems his benefactress is sabotaging his efforts.  But what is she were to become attached to the boys? BYUtv

Movie Review: ****Maleficent (2014)

This is a different take on the Sleeping Beauty story; at least from a different angle.  This is great Halloween fare.  It gives some idea of where Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) comes from, and tells the story from her perspective.  I really enjoyed the young Maleficents Isobelle Molloy and Ella Purnell), who were still happy.  Maleficent became bitter after her wings were removed.  Maleficent's crow (Sam Riley), who becomes human, is also a very interesting character.  Turns out the Sleeping Beauty, Aurora (Elle Fanning) is able to melt all hearts.  This includes Maleficent's.  As a result it is Maleficent who grows and changes and this leads for a good story. 

Movie Review: ****Maleficent (2014

Maleficent 

This is a very good presentation and work by Angelina Jolie as Maleficent.  However I am not sure if it is OK for Disney to change the movie, from Maleficent being an evil character, to a misunderstood character who was wronged with the removal of her wings, and is determined to get even with the king through his daughter Snow White.  However, Maleficent's curse, though she will grow in grace a beauty, loved by all she meets, she will prick her finger and sleep, only to be restored by love's true kiss.  And she did grow in beauty and grace, and all were bound to love her, including Maleficent.  She was able to turn this love into a power which saved herself in the end.  Elle Fanning does a good job as Snow White.  It is she who finds the wings and restores them to Maleficent.  Cameos by Angelina’s daughter Vivienne Jolie-Pitt as a young Snow White, as well as Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge) as one of the good fairies. 

Movie Review: ***Kung Fu Panda II.

Movie Review: ***Kung Fu Panda II.  I don't remember being very impressed with the first Kung Fu, but this is a case of me liking the sequel more than the original.  I was actually entertained.  There was a good deal of character development, and explaining where the Panda came from and to be raised by a goose.  There was action throughout, and my only complaint is maybe there was too much going on.  The peacock was so rotten, he made a good bad guy.  Bad to the end.  I really like the way the Panda took the fire being shot at them, and throwing it back at the shooters.  Such is the Kung Fu way.  The relationship between the panda and his adoptive father was very nice.  Tony really enjoyed this movie, and he could relate to the Panda being raised by an adoptive father.

Movie Review: **^Salt

**^"Salt" is an action spy movie with Angela Jolie.  I must admit, I wanted to dislike it because of the whole Jolie/Penn thing.  I don't want to like her.  However the movie was entertaining.  Jolie looks like she could kick my butt.  The plot was also very intriguing.  The question throughout is whether Salt is on the good side or the bad. I am not sure if I ever figured the answer.