Search Results for: blog rigoletto 1993

Rigoletto (1993)

A musical fantasy in the perfect tradition of a modern fairy tale, “Rigoletto” is the story of a man named Ribaldi (Joseph Paur) who moves into the town of Castle Gate. The townspeople are suspicious of him for two reasons –first, he’s able to purchase the largest mansion in town, even though it’s the Depression and money is tight. Second, he’s rumored to be a monster. He never leaves his house and it’s said that he’s horribly disfigured. When eviction notices start to flood the town, it’s suspected that Ribaldi is behind it. He does own the mortgage on the … Continue reading →

Judging the Overweight

For those of you who have seen the movie, “Shallow Hal” you will understand what I am talking about. For those of you who have not seen this movie, it is a good pick to watch. The movie begins something like this. This bachelor is looking for the perfect girl, but his attempts are in vain. He chooses the girls who are a “10” in the looks category, but there is not much upstairs, if you know what I mean. He judges these women solely on their outward beauty. He is told by a motivational speaker while riding in an … Continue reading →

Beauty and the Beast: A Latter-day Tale (2007)

I like to support the LDS film industry as they strive to make family friendly and yet entertaining films. With the release of “Beauty and the Beast: A Latter-day Tale,” another installment has been added to the everlasting drama that seems to be the LDS film market. Summer Naomi Smart stars as Belle, a young woman who lives with her father, little sister, and little brother. Her mother passed away a few years previously, forcing her to return home from college to help care for the family. Her father has struggled to find work and at last, has landed a … Continue reading →

The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)

I first saw “The Journey of Natty Gann” not long after its release and it made such an impact on me, I’ve never forgotten it. Natty (Meredith Salenger) is in her mid-teens, the only child of her parents, and for now, living on her own. Her mother passed away, and her father had to go west to find work. It’s the Depression, and work is scarce in Natty’s hometown of Chicago, so he went to Washington to work in the lumber industry. The job is hard and treacherous, but he knows no other way to support his daughter. Meanwhile, Natty’s … Continue reading →

Happily N’ever After (2007)

I have looked forward to seeing this movie ever since it was first advertised. I love spoofs on fairy tales. I must say, though, that while this one was moderately cute, it wasn’t as cute as I’d hoped. Fairy Tale Land is the place where all the fairy tale characters live. It is run by The Wizard (George Carlin) whose job it is to keep the balance between good and evil. He is assisted by Munk (Wallace Shawn) and Mambo (Andy Dick) When it’s time for the Wizard to take a golf vacation in Scotland, he leaves the two in … Continue reading →