"these Days wickedness is on the rise", sings Linett in a little red riding hood. those words couldn't ring more true. especially these days.
this movie was pretty indicative of Cannon Movietales to put out a polished movie musical on a next to nothing budget and with very little resources.
too bad Isabella Rosellini, Amelia Shankley, Craig T. Nelson, and Rocco Sisto are so wooden in this. it's pretty typical of Cannon Movietales to acquire top name actors of quality to appear within their limited budgets. in this case the quest for name, quality actors actually compromises this production somewhat. it probably would have been best to find lesser known performers who could actually sing.
shame because Isabella Rosellini and 'Dreamchild' Amelia shankley are normally so good. in 'Dreamchild', Shankley showed so much depth and insight as a child actress it's a little surprising her acting here is so wooden and rigid and cold. but Shankley seems warm and animated compared to Rosellini who's performance as the mother comes off like a block of ice. main problem is neither actress is capable of singing in a musical. their voices are wispy and weak and do the charming songs by Stephen Lawrence very little justice. this could be the reason for their self conscious woodenness. the performances aren't bad from lack of trying, you get the feeling these two accomplished actresses are trying their best and are very sincere. they just seem uncomfortable with so much of the singing demands. and Isabella Rosellini is no more a wholesome 'G' rated mother type than say, Natasia Kinski.
but at least Shankley and Roselini try and are sincere. the performance by Rocco Sista is almost a gyp. you get the feeling he could deliver a better showing as the wolf, but he chooses not to. it feels like he holds back giving a better performance because he wants to be in a bigger production. thats no excuse for such snobbishness. he should have relaxed, let go, and given over to the charming potential of the songs and story.
Craig T. Nelson is just bad. for one thing the role is not right for such a contemporary actor. the star of 'Coach' looks and feels out of place in eighteenth century clothes. his performance reminds me a little of Harvey Korman playing Richard the III. probably not Nelson's intention. it's too bad the performance isn't better because he has one of the film's best musical songs.
strangely, none of this sinks the production. it's still typical of Cannon Movietales and still very good. as stiff as the performances by Shankley and Roselini are, they are still excellent, big name actresses and it's interesting to see them in this. and even though their acting is wooden, they still come off as sincere and professional.
Cannon Movietales are great and one of my fondest memories of film watching in the 80's.
this movie was pretty indicative of Cannon Movietales to put out a polished movie musical on a next to nothing budget and with very little resources.
too bad Isabella Rosellini, Amelia Shankley, Craig T. Nelson, and Rocco Sisto are so wooden in this. it's pretty typical of Cannon Movietales to acquire top name actors of quality to appear within their limited budgets. in this case the quest for name, quality actors actually compromises this production somewhat. it probably would have been best to find lesser known performers who could actually sing.
shame because Isabella Rosellini and 'Dreamchild' Amelia shankley are normally so good. in 'Dreamchild', Shankley showed so much depth and insight as a child actress it's a little surprising her acting here is so wooden and rigid and cold. but Shankley seems warm and animated compared to Rosellini who's performance as the mother comes off like a block of ice. main problem is neither actress is capable of singing in a musical. their voices are wispy and weak and do the charming songs by Stephen Lawrence very little justice. this could be the reason for their self conscious woodenness. the performances aren't bad from lack of trying, you get the feeling these two accomplished actresses are trying their best and are very sincere. they just seem uncomfortable with so much of the singing demands. and Isabella Rosellini is no more a wholesome 'G' rated mother type than say, Natasia Kinski.
but at least Shankley and Roselini try and are sincere. the performance by Rocco Sista is almost a gyp. you get the feeling he could deliver a better showing as the wolf, but he chooses not to. it feels like he holds back giving a better performance because he wants to be in a bigger production. thats no excuse for such snobbishness. he should have relaxed, let go, and given over to the charming potential of the songs and story.
Craig T. Nelson is just bad. for one thing the role is not right for such a contemporary actor. the star of 'Coach' looks and feels out of place in eighteenth century clothes. his performance reminds me a little of Harvey Korman playing Richard the III. probably not Nelson's intention. it's too bad the performance isn't better because he has one of the film's best musical songs.
strangely, none of this sinks the production. it's still typical of Cannon Movietales and still very good. as stiff as the performances by Shankley and Roselini are, they are still excellent, big name actresses and it's interesting to see them in this. and even though their acting is wooden, they still come off as sincere and professional.
Cannon Movietales are great and one of my fondest memories of film watching in the 80's.