I watched The Kid with X-ray Eyes with Justin in it, just because it was Justin, but also because some 'official' reviewers apparently liked this movie. I thought it was laughably bad, with tasteless jokes and a really terribly handled plot only believable to 6-year-olds I guess, but even that may be an insult to this particular age group.
Miracle in Lane 2 was one I liked mainly for Frankie's acting, but as a movie it was too clichéd for me, which is a pity, because it could have been treated with a little more spunk and edginess. It had a bit too much Disney written over it - it was a Disney release.
I finally watched My Dog Skip today because we had a cable blackout, and I couldn't watch TV, use my phone or the Internet!
Now, there's an example how sentimentality, well-worn gasp-and-tearjerker effects and gushing romantic music can actually add up to something very watchable and moving, when the subject is treated lovingly with a clear empathy and vision. Great acting from the whole cast, subtle and very convincing playing by Kevin Bacon and Diane Lane as the parents, but Frankie and the Jack Russell terrier(s) from Frasier really steal the show here. Beautiful, fluent, crisp and glowing cinematography, a great musical score and a wonderful sense of period detail. The two commentary tracks on the DVD, one by the director, and one shared by Frankie and the animal trainer, are very interesting.
Director Jay Russell (not a terrier) convincingly conveys how much he liked the book and how it was his pet project, and it shows! A labour of love as they say.
I have yet to see Big Fat Liar, which is sitting on my hard disk.
Rich
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