Movie Review: The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

Hello, everyone!

Christmas is less than 10 days away! How is that even possible? This is the time of year where everyone starts watching Christmas movies, so I had better get reviewing some of them! For my first review for this Christmas season I will be talking about a movie about the writing of one of the most famous Christmas stories of all!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017):

Based on: a true story & The Man Who Invented Christmas - by Les Standiford.
"I will finish on time."
The famous writer Charles Dickens needs money and has to write a story in six weeks. He wants it to be meaningful and represent Christmas, but he isn't sure how. After hearing a story that a young nurse tells his children about fairies and spirits coming alive on Christmas Eve, he gets an idea. He struggles with getting it exactly as he wants it with illustrations and everything and on top of that his father comes to stay. Charles is battling his own past while he is trying to answer the question of, how does this story end?
"Christmas should be a time when men and women open up their hearts." (paraphrase)

Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama.
Length: approx. 105 minutes.
Costumes: 8, there are some interesting costumes that fit the time period, but nothing extravagant.
Costumes by: Leonie Prendergast.
Script: 9, only one bad word.
"Nonsense, you just like a good cry."
Crew:
Directed by: Bharat Nalluri.
Written by: Les Standiford, & Susan Coyne.
Starring:
Dan Stevens as Charles Dickens.

Christopher Plummer as Scrooge.

Morfydd Clark as Kate Dickens.
Justin Edwards as John Forster & the Ghost of Christmas Present.

Anna Murphy as Tara & the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Jonathan Pryce as Mr. John Dickens.

Miles Jupp as Thackeray.
Ely Solan as Young Charles.
Jasper Hughes-Cotter as Walter Dickens.
James Heffernan as Charley Dickens.
Aleah Lennon as Mamie Dickens.
Ella Mai Delaney as Katey Dickens.
Katie McGuinness as Fanny Dickens & Mrs. Cratchit.
Marcus Lamb as Rev. Henry Burnett & Bob Cratchit.
Pearse Kearney as Henry Jr. & Tiny Tim.
John Henshaw as Butcher & Mr. Fezziwig.
Annette Badland as Butcher's Wife & Mrs. Fezziwig.
Pat Mooney as Garrick Club Waiter.
Ger Ryan as Mrs. Dickens.
Donald Sumpter as Haddock & Ghost of Marley.
Simon Callow as Leech.
Aideen Wylde as Charlotte Wigmore.
Adam Dolan as Warren's Factory Boy.
Amelia Crowley as Mrs. Grimsby.
Bill Paterson as Mr. Grimsby.

Cinematography: 9, it was really neat how they did some things!
Cinematography by: Ben Smithard.
Music: 7, I can't recall what it was.
Music by: Mychael Danna.
Notes: This movie is based on the writing process of Charles Dickens's famous work, A Christmas Carol. Because of this, there are a lot of spoilers for A Christmas Carol, so if you haven't read that or seen a movie version of it, you'll want to wait to see this movie until after you have done that.

Quotes: 7, "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another."
Content: 9, there is only some mild drinking, and that's it!
Originality: 7, I love how they showed the writing process and as a writer myself (well, sort of one) there were a lot of things that I have done! You definitely look for inspiration everywhere, your characters follow you around, and you hate it when people disturb you! Though, it is not the first story that I have experienced like this. I have read a fictional book before about how Charles Dickens came up with the story.

Good For: fans of A Christmas Carol, writers, and fans of Charles Dickens.
Age Range: It is perfectly clean and fine for any age, but as I said, only watch this after reading or watching A Christmas Carol!
Overall Score: 8!

Bonus thoughts:

"I say a lot of things that are nonsense when I'm working."
I was looking forward to watching this ever since I had heard that it was coming out! I knew that Dan Stevens would be a fabulous Charles Dickens. My younger sister saw it in April of last year and I couldn't believe it because I kept telling her that you can only watch Christmas movies in December and January! Oh well.
The title implies that Charles Dickens made up Christmas, though in the movie it never claims that and as a Catholic I know the real story of Christmas, but this movie shows the creation of one of the best Christmas books ever written. A Christmas Carol shows the joy we need to have during Christmas, and always! There were a few random things that I would have liked to have been tied in better, but overall this is a very sweet movie, and I look forward to watching it again.

Sorry, I meant to have this post up yesterday, but at the time when I usually write my posts I realized that it was Jane Austen's birthday so of course I had to watch one of the movies based on her books.

Have any of you seen this movie? Do you love A Christmas Carol as much as I do? Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic

The Fantastical and Felicitous Fictional Character Blog Tag

Hello, everyone!

Way back in May, Hamlette tagged me for The Fantastical and Felicitous Fictional Character Blog Tag, I thought that it was an awesome idea and was excited for it but over the summer, kind of forgot about it. Whoops. Any way, about a week ago Anna tagged me again and I remembered all of the fantastic ideas that I had come up with! Because of this, I will finally be filling this tag out. A huge thank you to both of those ladies for including me!

Spoilers for: Miss Potter (2006) and Harry Potter, so approach with caution.

The Fantastical and Felicitous Fictional Character Blog Tag:

RULES:

1. Answer every question honestly.

2. Use as many gifs and images as possible. (*cracks knuckles* Gifs are awesome, but not my forte, so please have patience with me. These gifs are going to have nothing to do with anything, besides the fact that I like them.)

3. Incorporate at least one YouTube video with a favorite scene of a character.

4. NO VAGUE ANSWERS ALLOWED. Explain why you chose that favorite character to fit that description. I love details, my friends.

5. If you can’t choose just one, that’s okay – give us a few answers and geek out if that’s what it takes.

6. Tag at least 3 people.

7. Use fictional characters from any fictional story.

8. If you get nominated and/or decide to participate in this tag, please put a link back to this original post in your post and credit Emily as the creator.

9. Have fun and obsess over fictional characters!

Ready?

ANSWERS:

Goody-two-shoes: A character who was just so morally good:

I salute all characters who are morally good. They are the best!

Atticus Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird. He is one of my favorite characters of. all. time. because he is so wonderful! He stands for what is good and isn't swayed by prejudices.

Heartbreaker: A character who made you cry:

Norman Warne from Miss Potter (2006).

To be honest, I can't watch this movie without bawling my eyes out, and Norman is the reason why. He is just the sweetest man ever, then...

Here is a video of my favorite scene with him:

Isn't it so beautiful??

Parrot: A character who won’t stop talking:

This is me, just listening to what everyone is saying.

Peter Parker, aka Spider-man, from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Peter is one of my fellow INFPs, so he is introverted, but whenever he puts his mask on he won't stop talking. Especially when he's fighting.

In Captain America: Civil War, Sam Wilson, aka Falcon, says to him, "I don't know if you've been in a fight before, but there's usually not this much talking."
Peter replies, "All right, sorry. My bad."

Devilish: Your favorite villain:

There are too many to choose from!! Since the rules say that I can choose a few if I can't decide, I'm going to do that.

Scar from The Lion King (1994). He has the most epic and chilling villain song in all of Disney history. 'Nuff said.

&

Rasputin from Anastasia (1997). This guy creeps me out like no other. He is scary and terrifying and yikes.

Love interest: A character who, if alive in reality, you would want to marry:

Me, except, you know, I'm a girl.
Elwood P. Dowd from Harvey (1950).

Everyone thinks that Elwood is crazy because he sees a giant rabbit whom he calls Harvey, but I think that Elwood is one of the sweetest characters ever! He is so kind to everyone, and I relate to him because people think that I'm crazy, too. Haha.

One of his famous quotes is:
"Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, 'In this world, Elwood, you must be' -- she always called me Elwood -- 'In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. And you may quote me."

And, he is played by Jimmy Stewart who is my favorite actor of all time.

Sidekick: A character who was always loyal no matter what:

Much from the BBC's Robin Hood.

Much stays by Robin's side no matter what. They go to the Holy Land together and experience nightmarish things. On returning home and finding that Robin's manor is taken over and the people are being treated terribly, Much stays with Robin in his decision to become an outlaw. He was a free man and could have walked away, but he never did. Even when Robin is mean to him, he is always there and when Robin won't listen to him he goes and gets help.

I don't know why this gif is here, it just is.

Complicated: A character you love and hate:

This was the hardest question of all, guys. Every time I thought that I got it, I realized "never mind."

I was trying to not use anyone from one of the books or movies that I've already used and I was about to give up until I consulted my sisters.

Boromir from The Lord of the Rings.

Okay, so in the books I hated Boromir and just couldn't stand him, but in the movies I loved him so much and I cried at everything he said and did. So yeah, I'm rather conflicted.

Oddity: A character who was strange, but you loved them that way:

Yoda from Star Wars is like as strange as you can get, but we all love him.

He talks in a funny way, but he has great advice! The ultimate jedi master! And he's hilarious, too.

King/Queen: A male/female character whom you admire and aspire to emulate:

Obviously not this kind of king. Anyway, I'll have one for both. Heehee.

Also, MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. If you haven't read or seen the Harry Potter series, don't read this next bit!

King: Neville Longbottom from the Harry Potter series. Man, I love Neville so much. He starts out scared of everything and is bullied at Hogwarts.

And at the end of the book we see him standing up for what he thinks is right.

"It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to one's enemies but a great deal more to stand up to one's friends."

That's just the beginning. We see him gradually getting more confident. He helps so much in the fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix, even though he is scared, he does everything he can. Then there is the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He stayed at school and was fighting against Voldemort in his own way. He always believes in his friends, especially Harry, and when Harry comes back he is key to the success. When he believes Harry to be dead he still continues, carrying out the last order that Harry gave him and is so brave as he kills Nagini (this was not included in the movie nearly enough and made me upset).

His journey and growth is really inspiring to me.

Queen: Ella from Cinderella (2015).

"Have courage and be kind." 

Ella is so sweet and loving and caring even through all what is done to her. I want to be like her!

Savior: A character who oddly reminds you of Christ:

Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia. Obvious, right?

And I tag:
Danielle at Snapper
Ceci at Ceci Creates
Lila at The Red-Hooded Writer

Here are the questions for easy access:
Goody-two-shoes: A character who was just so morally good
Heartbreaker: A character who made you cry
Parrot: A character who won’t stop talking
Devilish: Your favorite villain
Love interest: A character who, if alive in reality, you would want to marry
Sidekick: A character who was always loyal no matter what
Complicated: A character you love and hate
Oddity: A character who was strange, but you loved them that way
King/Queen: A male/female character whom you admire and aspire to emulate
Savior: A character who oddly reminds you of Christ

And, I'm done!

Thank you so much for reading! What do you think of all of my thoughts on these characters?

MovieCritic

Movie Review: WALL-E (2008)

H-ELLO everyone!

Today I will be reviewing a movie far out of this world about an adorable robot! Enjoy!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.


WALL•E (2008):

"We are celebrating the 700th anniversary of our five year cruise."
The planet has become too filthy for humans to live on, so the plan was that they would go on a cruise in space while robots cleaned up earth. That was hundreds of years ago, and now WALL-E is the only robot still working. He is happy with his life and his job. One day a strange ship lands and WALL-E forms a crush on the robot that came with the ship. When he shows her his treasures she shuts down and he follows her on a wild ride into space and around a cruise ship there. WALL-E doesn't know how to communicate his feelings for her, and he wonders, when can they go home?
"I don't want to survive, I want to live!"

Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Family, Animated.
Length: approx. 98 minutes.
Script: 10, there are no bad words, but there also aren't a lot of words as all. That's not bad, in fact the opposite! It is amazing that they can tell such a detailed story with such little script!
"Space is the final fun-tier!"
Crew:
Directed by: Andrew Stanton.
Written by: Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, & Jim Reardon.
Starring the voices of:
Ben Burtt as WALL·E and as M-O and as other robots.

Elissa Knight as EVE.

Jeff Garlin as Captain.

Fred Willard as Shelby Forthright.
MacInTalk as AUTO.
John Ratzenberger as John.

Kathy Najimy as Mary. "I didn't know we had a pool."
Sigourney Weaver as Ship's Computer. (Note: this is really hilarious because it is a reference to the movie Galaxy Quest)
Teddy Newton as Steward Bots.
Pete Docter as Lifeguard Bot.
Lori Richardson as PR-T robot.
Jim Ward as Billboard Announcer.
Animation: 10! Ah, I could scream about this for such a long time!!! Pixar does such an incredible job with animation, and this film is no exception! The colors are gorgeous and the differences between space and earth are so vivid! Love it!

Isn't this so gorgeous and magical??

Animation by: Pixar Studios.
Music: 10! Eeep! Once again, I love it! It is so happy and cheery and sounds like robots at the same time! They also use a lot of music from the musical Hello Dolly.
Music by: Thomas Newman.
Notes: As I already said, Hello Dolly is a big part of this movie (which is so awesome, by the way), and Galaxy Quest is in there, too. We also have a lot of references to 2001: A Space Odyssey and a few to Star Wars. Knowing that it is Pixar there are probably Easter eggs, but I haven't really spotted any.
Quotes: 9, as I said, there aren't a lot of words to be able to quote, but there's nothing wrong with that! Even besides that there are so many things to quote, especially imitating WALL-E trying to say his name!
"I know that song! They're, uh, uh, dancing!"
Oscars won: 1: Best Animated Feature Film.
Content: 10, this movie is 100% clean! Some robots get badly hurt and so explosions but that's it.

Originality: 10! I love it! Who would ever have thought of a cruise in space while robots cleaned the earth? WALL-E is the sweetest robot ever!
Good For: Families, everyone!
Age Range: This movie's official rating is G, so it is perfect for everyone! It is so sweet that all ages would find something to love about it, namely WALL-E.
"Come and get it blinky!"
Overall Score: 9.5!

Bonus thoughts:
Ah, I love this movie so much! I'm going to try not to repeat anything that I've already said before, but when I get excited about one of my favorite movies I can't stop saying "I love it!". WALL-E is such a precious robot. I love the character that the creators gave him, and how all of the other characters are so "fleshed out", too! The animation and music are gorgeous, and they use live-action movie clips, too, which is so awesome! It is so funny and heartfelt, definitely one of my favorite Pixar movies. Go watch it if you haven't!


Have any of you seen this movie? Do you love it as much as I do? If not, do you want to see it now? Thank you so much for reading!

MOVIE-CRITIC