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ampersandranch
Reviews
The Last Brickmaker in America (2001)
Predictable, schlocky embarrassment.
My apologies to Mr. Poitier, who must have seen something worthwhile in this terrible script. In fact, he is the only (barely) redeeming quality of this pile of sugar-coated poop. If I had written anything this bad in a high-school level composition course, I would have failed. Thirteen-year-old Danny speaks as if he's been in therapy for years -- he has a better self awareness than people twice his age. Therefore, it is impossible to believe for even a moment that he isn't reading from a script. Danny's parents, of course, are portrayed as Mean and Selfish, while Mr. Cobb (Sidney Poitier) is the Kindly Local Gentleman With Self Respect and the obligatory Haunted Past. If I hadn't been trapped on an airplane, I would never have watched this through to the end (which was made clear within the first 10 minutes of the movie, anyway).
Texas (1994)
Not awful; just really, really bad.
I should have realized that any two-video set being sold for only $6 would be bad. I even read the reviews before watching this film, and that still didn't sway me. I loved the book, and I knew it couldn't be as bad as people said.
Yeah, it is.
A patchwork of film, video, and what appears to be stock footage combine to make a three-hour tour of one chapter of James A. Michener's epic novel. Well, the time period covered was one chapter, but I don't remember many of the situations actually occurring in the book. The packaging on my copy of the movie gives Maria Conchita Alonso top billing - though it turns out that she is only in one speaking scene. On the second tape.
The actors are to be commended for playing their roles well, despite a smarmy, overwrought script. They are to be insulted, though, for accepting the roles in the first place.
Hooves of Fire (1999)
Serendipity!
I was winding up my weekend, doing house-y errands with my television humming in the background......but I had to drop everything when this came on. A 30-year-old adult, watching this alone, and I was laughing out loud. I'd never heard of it before, but I'll be sure to tell everyone I know to add this to the list of Christmas "must-see" classics. Great voices, great animation, and a feel-good story as well.