Calamity Jane (1953) - M7.8/E8

This a fun family film. This movie is probably the main reason I’ve never really enjoyed Doris Day in other movies; her character in this movie is just ingrained in my mind as who she must really be. The music is good and the comedy keeps coming. The relationships are believable and true, almost standard; yet at the same time fresh interpretations of love and friendship.

The majority of the movie takes place in a bar/gentleman’s club, which isn’t the best setting for a family film. I had to explain to my daughter what it was that every one kept drinking (is telling her that it’s juice bad? In reality I doubt they had real alcohol on the set...) She knows that drinking alcohol isn’t good for us, but at her age it doesn’t matter who the person is, that person is a bad person if they’re doing something that my daughter is told not to do. So for the sake of allowing her to enjoy the movie, we fibbed. She’ll figure it out soon enough.

The movie focuses a lot on the female image. Calamity is a rough, saloon-frequenting, stage-protecting woman who is often confused for a man. It isn’t until she begins to understand what it is men actually want to see in a woman (and her own growing gender-awareness) that she feels that it’s time for her to change if she ever hopes of winning the heart of her Danny.

To some, this idea of femininity may seem appalling. However, I think it’s important for women to focus on their own natural characteristics instead of trying to become and do everything that a man is and does. Men and women are different for a reason, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Sure, the world tends to paint the picture as man being “better” just because they tend to be stronger and bigger, but if you rely on the world for your definition of man and woman and don’t have a strong understanding of your own individual self-worth and identity, it’s easier to give in and clamor for equality.

At any rate, this is a great show for the whole family. Music, Indians chasing a stage, gun fire, drinking, dancing, you name it... Check it out while you still can on Netflix Instant.

The Muppets (2011) - M7.8/E7

I know it's bad to go into a movie with any expectations.  Doing so can ruin the overall experience and limit the ability to fairly assess it.  I had seen most of the older Muppet movies and remember enjoying them.  From what I heard this was the Muppet of all Muppet movies, and I probably agree.  I enjoyed the movie, but was anticipating something a little more amazing than it actually was.  For one, it wasn't meant to be amazing, it was meant to be entertaining, and it was.

Thinking on back on some of the random songs sung through out (Muppet of a Man/Manly Muppet was great) and the interactive humor with the audience (pretty well done, considering that it wasn't performed live!) make me smile.  Though, my younger preschool age kids didn't seem to enjoy it as much as I did, I think there was enough slapstick humor and music for them to at least not dislike the film.

The overall plot of the movie (trying to bring the Muppets out of obscurity and back into the 21st century) seemed a little contrived, but from what I remember from other Muppet movies, not too far off from previous stories.

One interesting element in the story was the relationship difficulties between Gary and Mary and Kermit and Piggy - definitely over the head of preschoolers, and possibly a little too sentimental/emotional for my liking.  The film does try to do a decent job showing that when you know you love someone, it's foolish to let them leave your life.  Staying together means sacrificing some of your interests and desires and putting the interests and desires of your loved one above yours.  Interestingly, you don't lose your identity by doing this, you put faith in someone else to do it for you, which can do nothing but increase their love and concern for you.

Beyond romantic relationships, friendship is also brought up as we see Kermit and Walter try to round up the old Muppet gang and find out that they all wanted to be back together again, they just needed someone to initiate the process. 

I'm not sure how much longer this will be in the theater, but I definitely recommend looking for it to come out on DVD, and then make an effort to at least rent it, it's 98 minutes of well spent time.

State Fair (1945) - M7.0/E6

Entertainment Rating: 6 of 10

This was world’s better than Rodger and Hammerstein’s Carousel, though not terribly entertaining for kids under 5 or 6 - not enough goofiness (with exception to the pickle judging, which our kids loved) or action or dancing. If you’re in the mood for a nice musical, this one’s worth a watch.

Moral Rating: 7.0

Margy doesn’t get stuck with her nerdy admirer, but ends up with the ever more experienced and worldly news reporter, who has decided to stop all his gallivanting around because he’s actually fallen in love this time. I find this rather lame and if anything, morally degrading, because this is not how love or relationships really work out in the real world. Young women should avoid the likes of the journalist, no matter how much they swear the young woman has made them re-think their life. Marriage is too long a commitment to not have both people fully prepared for it, before saying “I do.”

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Entertainment Rating: 4 of 5

This musical had a fun story and great music. The two main actors did a great job, and you can’t go wrong with a classic.

Moral Rating: 4 of 5

It’s rather ridiculous for a man to go down from the country into town one day, get married, and move back out to the country, not expecting much to change except getting some home cooked meals and laundry done. It’s also a bit of a stretch that a girl thinks that a man can just whisk her away from all her troubles and that married life will be loads better than what she was dealing with.

This exaggeration makes it fun to see the compromises that come with being married. The selfishness we experience while being single (though not bad selfishness, but we don’t have to worry about others) needs to give in to selflessness in order for happiness to exist at home. Husband and wife have to learn to communicate their needs and expectations and at the same time have to be willing to listen to the others needs and concerns.

Even though one of our kids mentioned that it was a long movie only 20 minutes into it, I think the whole family enjoyed it.

In The Good Old Summertime

Synopsis

Two bickering co-workers (Van Johnson and Judy Garland) have secret penpals, from whom they keep any personal details. The tables turn when the true identity of their penpals are discovered.

Entertainment Value - A

This movie didn't seem to have a whole lot to do with the summer time, in fact the only scenes in the summer time were the opening few minutes and the ending few minutes (the setting for the title song). Maybe it had to do with the fact that good things happen in the summer time and we need to wade patiently through the autumns and winters of life.

A lot of the scenes were identical to the Shop Around the Corner. The main difference is that the setting is a music store instead of a department store, and because of the setting a few songs are inserted into the story (or vice versa). There are also less mature themes presented in this version, making it a little more appropriate for young children (no suicide attempts or extramarital affairs). I may like the Shop Around the Corner better just because I really like Jimmy Stewart, though In the Good Old Summertime did a better job at developing the relationship between the two pen-pals. My all time favorite version, though, is You've Got Mail.

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate? - 3

The moral themes from Shop Around the Corner are pretty much repeated here. Because of the fewer serious themes, we're given an entertaining show with a happy ending, and not a whole lot to discuss.

Chicago

Synopsis

Two ladies on death row must compete for the hearts of the corrupt Chicago people in order to gain their freedom.

Entertainment Value - A

Great music that was more than just song and dance, it cleverly moved the story forward. All the performances were well done, the plot was great.

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate? - 4

At first glance I was rather leery of what this movie would portray. I had already walked out of Moulin Rouge, and this didn't seem like it would be terribly different. What changed my mind about seeing this was Orson Scott Card's short reviews of the movie. The reasons for this not getting a higher moral rating from us is that it is not a show for young kids; the themes presented are for a more mature audience. Be aware that there is some language, sexuality, and a lot of revealing clothing presented in the movie (and no ClearPlay filter available at the date of this posting, and I'm not sure how they could create one without mutilating the musical numbers in the film). This content, however, adds to the overall message of the movie; and by the end it is quite clear that this film is a commentary on our social and legal system, not a promotion of murder, sex, and greed.

One of the biggest ironies in the film is seen in the character of Roxie's husband, Amos. He seems to be the only moral character in the film, portrayed as being both an innocent and a faithful husband, but gets trampled on as if honesty is going out of style. In addition to his goodness not being accepted/noticed, he's portrayed as a rather dim-witted person, clueless to how the "real-world" works. This juxtaposition strengthened the satire of the film through the mockery of moral values.

The scene I enjoyed most was the puppeteer number. It displayed how easily the media can be swayed one way or another if the facts are manipulated just right. All of a sudden a criminal becomes a hero because of the background he or she came from (always blaming the current conditions of the person on someone else other than him/herself.)

The movie makes you wonder if truth really matters to some people, or if the world is only always looking for fame and fortune. Nothing in this world comes easy. Those who rely on the world for their emotional support will never be happy. The press loved Velma one day, then Roxie the next, and then someone else, and then back to Roxie, and on and on. The world cannot ever provide the emotional stability needed to live a genuinely happy life, it gives you a false sense of worth and then drops you flat on your face (sounds similar to a scripture in the Book of Mormon.

Does the fact that these two murderesses got off Scott-free make this a less moral movie ("You can like the life you live and live the life you like.")? I don't think so, partially because the way the trial at the end was portrayed (like a circus, with a tap dance able to pull off the unthinkable) I found myself laughing at the absurdness of it all.

The Princess and the Frog

Synopsis

A lazy prince turns into a frog and must get a princess to kiss him before he remains one permanently. When the frog mistakenly kisses a servant girl dressed up as a princess, she too becomes a frog, and together they must find a princess for him to kiss.

Entertainment Value - B

Great jazz music and humor; an all around fun story. Definitely different from all of Disney's other princess stories.

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate? - 3

The message presented isn't very strong. We're somewhat shown the importance of a good work ethic and gaining an education. There's quite a contrast between the work ethic of Tiana and Prince Naveen, the former works too hard and the latter plays too much. The two learn that there must be a balance between work and play.

We see a good model for friendship between Tiana and Charlotte. This relationship is important in not only overlooking racial barriers, but also class barriers which can sometimes be hard to overlook without the rich person becoming too condescending or the poorer one too covetous.

Tiana and Prince Naveen fell in love way too quick, even for a fairy tale. In less than a day they go from having nothing in common to falling in love. Maybe some relationships don't need years (or even a year) to mature before feeling ready to take the plunge into marriage, but a day is ridiculous. (This would be a fault in many princess movies - Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Cinderella; but there are some good examples of developed relationships with Beauty and the Beast and Enchanted, to name a few.)

The Shadow man (villain) was a little dark with all the voodoo and communicating with "the other side" (not sure if this meant just those dead, or more likely dealing with the dark, shadowy side with the devil and his minions). Though dark, it did seem rather fitting with the setting being New Orleans, but might be a little scary for kids afraid of shadows.

Once

Rating: 5

Disclaimer: Our moral rating and comments only apply to the edited version of the film.

Brilliant! I wish I had watched this in the theaters, or at least with a better quality sound system. I loved every minute of the music and story. What's even more amazing to find out is that the lead actor wrote and performed all the songs himself.

This was a very simple story about characters who lead anything but simple lives. It is inspiring to see how they grow close together and decide to face their challenges instead of run from them. The girl's choice to try and repair her marriage was admirable for two reasons. First, with divorce running rampant these days, it would appear that fewer people are willing to try and make things work. Second, it is even more rare to see such a courageous decision depicted in modern film.

We whole-heartedly recommend this film if you have some way to filter out the language (which is what we understand is behind the R-rating of this film).

Guys and Dolls

Luke

Rating: 5

I had never sat through this entire movie. The last time I attempted (or rather, my family attempted) I fell asleep halfway through it. This time I was wide awake through the whole thing and enjoyed all the music, dancing, and great story.

I was kind of wondering where the movie was going with Sky Masterson's initial outlook on women as "toys." He harped on Nathan Detroit and his 14-year relationship with a single woman and boasted that he could get any woman he wanted. Nathan takes him up on his bet, desperate for some dough to fund his floating crap game and selects a woman from a religious group who preaches against such gamblers as Sky and Nathan.

Through a series of wonderful musical scenes, including Marlon Brando singing and dancing, you see a very realistic change of heart for his character, Sky. He sees that women really are more than just toys and feels something stronger than he's ever felt before. In today's movies he would have made that realization and still slept with the girl claiming he found "true love"; but he doesn't. While in Cuba, he realizes the drunken state he's lured his victim into and respectfully flies her home in the middle of the night.

The only possible qualm that could exist on the morality of the movie is the fact that gambling was shown as "saving" Sky's and Sarah's relationship; but it allowed Sky to keep his word (marker) which was another strong positive in the movie and outweighs the sin of gambling. Also, the idea of marriage was made light of throughout the film in the depiction of the relationship between Nathan and Adelaide. I believe this depiction actually helped strengthen the argument that marriage is essential between a man and a woman, Nathan just needed a stronger person to show him the importance of it, though there's no implication that he fully appreciated the end situation.