TV DVD Review: "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm": The Complete Series

Synopsis: Tori, Shane, and Dustin are three normal teenagers with a penchant for extreme sports, and who also attend a dojo.  One day, when they're late to their karate class, they find that aliens have destroyed the dojo, captured all the other ninjas, and their sensei has been turned into a guinea pig.  With the help of his son, Cam, the sensei bestows on them ancient powers; they are now the Power Rangers! The evil alien Lothor and his allies will stop at nothing to overtake Earth; will the combined powers of the three Rangers be enough to save our planet?
As seen on ABC, ABC Family, and Jetix.

The Good: The Power Rangers almost always deliver good, clean fun, and that's what you get here.  Tori, Shane, and Dustin are likable characters, as are their various allies; Lothor and his goons are utterly despicable.  The action sequences are spot-on, and the special effects were great.

The Bad: The downsides are minor, but, still present.  First off, I didn't like the fact that Tori was the only female Ranger.  Second off, though she was cute, Tori could be a bit annoying.  Third off, the finale was a bit anticlimactic.  Lastly, the wardrobe of both Tori and other female characters could have been a bit more modest; it seems like they were trying to make her eye candy for young males watching this, which isn't right.

Conclusion: Ever since giving the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers a whirl a few years ago, I have been watching one episode after another of the Rangers.  It was actually my personal goal to get through both this season and the Time Force one, as well as A.D.: The Bible Continues, this month; I finished with a day to spare.  Since I haven't seen anywhere near all the seasons, I can't comment as to where this ranks among the others; what I can say is that, despite its flaws, I found it to be fun and entertaining.  What more can you expect from a kiddie superhero series?

Score: 4/5

DVD Review: "Laughter from the Rafters"

Synopsis: Christian comedian Dennis Swanberg has a gift of humor and a heart for God.  He'll both entertain you and make you think.  Between his stories about both his own kids and other children he has known throughout his time in the church, telling about his parents, and his uncanny imitations of celebrities of yesteryear, "The Swan" will have you smiling...and pondering!
Filmed live in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Good: I grew up on Christian comedy; I'm one of the few people I know of--both inside and outside the church--who has any idea who Mark Lowry, Dennis Swanberg, or Taylor Mason even are.  So, as both a follower of the Way and a lover of morally positive entertainment, you'd probably think I'd like this...and, I pretty much did.  "The Swan" definitely has a gift, and it's great to see him using it for the Lord.  His impersonations are spot-on; close your eyes and see if you don't see Ronald Reagan or Jimmy Stewart talking!

The Bad: Minor complaints here: Mr. Swanberg repeats himself a little bit, though not as badly as in some of his other comedy DVDs.  Also, a lack of closed captions or subtitles may frustrate deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers.  The video quality could have used some remastering, though "The Swan" is so entertaining, most viewers won't care.

Conclusion: Fans of Christian comedy, rejoice! Dennis Swanberg hits it out of the park with this one.  Saying more would ruin the fun, so, I'll just say: If you like clean, uplifting comedy, and you see this DVD somewhere, grab it and don't let it go.

Score: 4.5/5

Movie Review: "Raise Your Voice"

Synopsis: Teresa "Terri" Fletcher (Hilary Duff, Lizzie McGuire) has a talent for singing.  Her brother knows it better than anyone else, and sends a DVD about her to a summer program at a prestigious music school...just before being killed in a drunk driving accident on the way back from a concert Terri invited him to.  Terri is devastated, and blames herself...but, soon gets an acceptance letter from the music school! While she would love to attend, her uptight father doesn't want her moving to L.A., so, her mother (Rita Wilson, Jingle All the Way) hatches a scheme for Terri to go to the school, while duping Daddy-O into thinking his daughter is staying with her aunt.  Terri has a blast at the school...but, the recent tragedy is still fresh on her mind.  Will she be able to overcome it, and win the much-sought-after scholarship prize?
From Brookwell McNamara Entertainment (That's So Raven, Soul Surfer).

The Good: First and foremost, I must say that the musical numbers were outstanding; these young stars have some amazing musical talent! Between the singing, the piano playing, and the drumming, this movie is a feast for the ears! Don't ever watch this on mute! It's also great to see a mainstream film--especially one featuring a then-"it" girl like Hilary Duff--showcase the Christian faith; Terri and her family are seen in church on multiple occasions, and, at the school, they do a choral performance of the "Hallelujah Chorus".  The whole cast does well in their roles, and the plot kept me involved.

The Bad: The profanity was a bit excessive; though I expected an expletive or two, there were too many d-words, misuses of God's name, and crude euphemisms like "screw," some of which came from Christian characters.  Some female characters' outfits, including Terri's, can be immodest, and one kid at the school gets drunk.  However, the biggest qualm comes from the situational ethics featured: Were Terri and her mother right in duping her father about the whole thing? Sure, he comes off as a jerk for most of the film...but, does that make the deceit okay? Some discerning viewers, especially parents of disobedient children, may take issue with that.

Conclusion: Despite being a huge Hilary Duff fanatic from 2002 to 2005, this is my first time seeing this film; I have no idea why I never got around to watching it back in the day.  Frankly, I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it for the right reasons back then; when I watched it earlier this week, I mostly did...but, I can see why some people had qualms with it.  Sure, it wasn't a chore to watch like The Lizzie McGuire Movie, and didn't have the crudity of Agent Cody Banks, and gave Hilary more screen time than Cheaper By the Dozen...but, it still had its issues.  Still, I have to agree with the critic who said that this is Ms. Duff's best film...but, that's not saying much; nothing she could ever do will ever top Lizzie McGuire.

Score: 3.5/5

Movie Review: "Me & You, Us, Forever"

Synopsis: After his divorce, Dave is heartbroken...until he remembers Mary, his high school sweetheart, who he broke things off with thirty years ago, which he seriously regrets now.  He decides to fly to New York to visit her, against the wishes of his friends--co-worker Paul, secretary Sue, and new friend and fellow divorcée Carla--who warn him that he shouldn't be visiting someone else's wife, even if they were an item back in the day.  Will Dave succeed in meeting his old flame? If he does, what will she say?
Based on a true story.

The Good: In this social media generation, this actually makes a great point: Reconnecting with old flames when they and/or you are married is a bad idea! Dave's friends actually give him wise counsel; something we need more of in this time of tawdry affairs and rampant adultery.

The Bad: If only he followed it.  If Dave is based on a real person, I hope I never meet him; his interaction with Mary comes off as creepy and disturbing.  You wonder why Mary didn't just ask him to leave, or why she even invited him in while her husband was apparently out of the house.  I can imagine those who make fun of Christian movies would have a field day with this.

Conclusion: Despite the drubbing it tends to get, I'm a fan of the Christian film genre.  When done right--Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie, Do You Believe?, Courageous, etc.--it can be a treat.  However, sometimes, the filmmakers, despite their best efforts, get it wrong; such was the case with Hollow, The List, and especially C Me Dance, by far the worst movie I've ever seen within the genre.  Me & You, Us, Forever doesn't rob that flick of its title...but, it's still pretty dreadful.  This may be a true story, but, it's not one that needs to be told.  Fans of "inspirational" movies can do better...much better!

Score: 1.5/5

Movie Review: "A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits"

Synopsis: Tessa (Disney Channel star Sofia Carson) is a young woman with big dreams; she wants to be the star of her own musical.  However, after the death of her father, she is stuck being a slave to her wicked stepmother (Jennifer Tilly) and annoying stepsisters.  When Tessa's unfortunate family members get a VIP stay at a hotel, and a chance to star in a production of Cinderella with British singing sensation Reed West (Thomas Law), she knows this is her chance...but, her stepmother would never allow her to audition! With the help of a makeup artist, Tessa disguises herself as Bella, auditions for the play, and becomes Reed's leading lady! However, with her stepmother and stepsisters watching her every move, the facade is going to be hard to keep up.  Will she win Reed's heart and make it to stardom?

The Good: Despite this being the fourth installment in a largely direct-to-video series, I found it to be rather enjoyable.  Tessa is a likable heroine, and her stepmother and stepsisters are appropriately despicable.  The musical numbers were great, and the performances were outstanding, especially from leading lady Sofia Carson.  Sure, the wicked stepmother and stepsisters were a bit over-the-top at times, but, that lends to the humor of the film.

The Bad: Like many live-action "PG" films intended for the Disney Channel audience, this movie suffers from a bit of a wardrobe problem.  Tessa's clothes stay pretty modest, but, other women, especially the rather buxom wicked stepmother, show more skin than some discerning viewers would like, and could serve as inappropriate eye candy for males that happen to be watching.  Adding to that aspect is the fact that the aforementioned stepparent wears gaudy jewelry that says "SEXY" on it.  Also--and this is a spoiler, so, be warned!--the ending just shows Tessa and Reed jetting off into the sunset; him saying, "Where do you want to go?", and her replying with "Everywhere!" Though intended to be a happy ending, that smacks too much of an illicit relationship; couldn't they have at least gotten engaged by the time the credits rolled?

Conclusion: Until they make another one--and, knowing Tinseltown, they probably will--I can now say that I have seen all of the Cinderella Story movies.  It started as a theatrically released film starring Hilary Duff; later Cinderellas have been Selena Gomez, Lucy Hale, and, now, Sofia Carson.  I was interested to see this film because of Ms. Carson's performance in the Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs for short) Adventures in Babysitting and Descendants, in both of which she was excellent.  This is a much different role, but, she does it very well.  However, unless you're fanatical about this film's star, I don't think this is worth watching again and again.  It was fun for what it was, but, it's not likely to be remembered in the years to come, and the trouble spots muddled things for me a bit.  If you love Disney-Channel-esque productions, give this a rental; everyone else should probably find something else to watch.

Score: 3.5/5

Movie Review: "Scooby-Doo!: Wrestlemania Mystery"

Synopsis: After Scooby-Doo earns a perfect score in his and Shaggy's WWE video game, the Mystery, Inc., gang is headed to WWE City, where it's all World Wrestling Entertainment, all the time! Unfortunately, their fun is cut short by the Ghost Bear, a large creature that is bent on destroying the city and the WWE franchise.  It's up to Scooby and the gang to figure out who's behind it and why.  The stars of WWE are more than willing to lend a hand...but, even with their combined strength, this mystery may be too much for them to handle.
Features the voice of Matthew Lillard, who portrayed Shaggy in the theatrical live-action Scooby-Doo films.

The Good: As a longtime fan of that insane Great Dane, how could I not enjoy this? At its core, it was a great whodunit with plenty of action and a convoluted plot.  The voice actors all did pretty well, though Matthew Lillard is no Casey Kasem.  I found the animation enthralling; it blended traditional hand-drawn animation with computer-generated graphics, and did so quite well.  The usual clean content--no sex, no profanity, etc.--was a plus.

The Bad: Unfortunately, the focus on wrestling made this discerning viewer uncomfortable.  Between the intense violence during the matches, the objectification of the women, and the basis around a "sport" that is well-known to be fake, it didn't fit too well with the things for which Scooby-Doo is known.  Also, some scary moments, including a flashback montage with implied violence, may be too much for some kids.

Conclusion: When I was in sixth grade, my two favorite things in the entire universe were Scooby-Doo and Pokémon.  Even though they're from completely different planets, I combined them, such as drawing Fred, Velma, and Daphne being Pokémon trainers, or doodling the "pocket monsters" beating up on the Mystery, Inc., gang.  Looking back, I agree with the people who said that was an odd pairing...but, so is this movie.  If you're a fan of both franchises, you'll have a blast with this; however, for those who are only keen on one or the other, this is a mixture that won't gel too well.

Score: 3/5

Movie Review: "Run On"

Synopsis: David A.R. White, Tommy Blaze, and Brad Stine.  You've probably heard of them before, but do you know their stories? In this live stand-up performance, watch as Mr. White tells of finding his way in Hollywood, Mr. Blaze recalls a divorce that was providentially hindered, and Mr. Stine shares his Jonah moment.
A live recording.  From Pure Flix, the studio behind Jerusalem Countdown, The Book of Daniel, and the God's Not Dead movies.

The Good: The stories contained withing this live recording are very touching.  Funny at times, heartbreaking at others, this one will definitely touch your soul! All of the performers are entertaining, and it features great use of the old song "Run On for a Long Time".

The Bad: As good as this is, I do have some complaints.  The biggest one is that Mr. Blaze uses the term "pi--y" twice, which will likely make some discerning viewers uncomfortable.  Occasional mild crude humor is present as well.  There's a scene where a phone rings, but the woman holding it looks like some sort of Goth girl, which was just weird.  Also, deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers, take note: The closed captions don't match up at all, and the subtitles have some weird errors, such as saying "&j" instead of a musical note.

Conclusion: I'm a longtime fan of Christian comedy; I grew up hearing performances by Mark Lowry and Dennis Swanberg.  Unfortunately, sometimes, entries in that genre veer into crude territory, which was the case with Thou Shalt Laugh 3.  (If you think it's okay for Christian comedy to be that way, I suggest you read Ephesians 5:4.)  While this wasn't as dirty as that, it had some moments that I think some Christians, especially older folks, may find uncomfortable.  So, you'll probably want to screen this before showing it at a church movie night or to your parents or grandparents.  It's a shame, because these stories need to be heard.

Score: 3/5

TV DVD Review: "The Librarians": Season One

Synopsis: In this follow-up to the TNT telefilm trilogy, Librarian Flynn Carsen (Noah Wyle, ER) enlists the help of three would-be Librarians--cancer-stricken math genius Cassandra Cillian (Lindy Booth), master thief Ezekiel Jones (John Harlan Kim), and super-smart art expert Jacob Stone (Christian Kane)--to keep the villainous Serpent Brotherhood from ruling the world via magic.  Along for the ride is their new Guardian, former miliary colonel Eve Baird (Rebecca Romijn).  Together, they will meet Santa Claus, experience fairy tales come to life, and attend a high school science fair that isn't all it seems to be.  Will they be able to save the day using their smarts and strength?
As seen on TNT.  Also features an appearance by screen legend Bob Newhart.

The Good: At its core, this is a fun, action-packed serial with plenty of fantastically convoluted plots.  The actors all do amazingly well, especially when the story forces them to go beyond their normal character, which happens quite often.  For the most part, the violence isn't graphic, and the profanity is kept to a minimum.  Cassandra is rather attractive, and it's awesome to see a disabled character portrayed as not only likable, but über intelligent as well.

The Bad: As much as I liked this, it did have some troublesome moments.  While all of the episodes had at least a profanity or two, the eighth episode ("Heart of Darkness") had more than I was comfortable with, and was a bit scary as well.  Also, the final episode contains misuses of Jesus' name, as well as a bloody sequence that is repeated several times.  Though the wardrobe is mostly modest, Cassandra and a female villainess are seen in immodest garb at times.  Some discerning viewers may quibble with the usage of magic throughout the series.

Conclusion: I requested this from the library because I had a feeling I'd like it...and, for the most part, I did.  Not only was it full of action and fantasy elements, but the character of Cassandra was awesome, and the profanity was kept to a minimum, which is a surprise for a cable series on a non-kiddie network.  While the concerns listed above may keep some viewers away, I'm curious as to where the series goes from here, particularly after the events of the finale, which won't be described here.  In short: If you like action/fantasy series, check this out.

Score: 4/5

Movie Review: "My Friend Flicka"

Synopsis: Young Ken is in a rut.  His report card is so abysmal, he'll have to repeat the fifth grade.  While his dad tells him to study every day, his mother convinces his father to pick out a young horse from their farm to train and for Ken to make his own.  When he sees a female pony, he quickly names her Flicka, and adores her...only for her to get injured on a fence.  Will Flicka recover?
Based on the book by Mary O'Hara.

The Good: This movie does have a lot of old-school charm going for it.  Also, the content is rather clean; the language never gets any worse than "gee whiz".  The ending was different than I expected, which was great, because I wasn't looking forward to the finale at first.

The Bad: Despite this being a "classic," it didn't withstand the test of time for me.  For one, it was entirely too pokey; I struggled to finish it.  Also, some viewers may be bothered by the scene where Flicka gets injured--it's a bit bloody--and the emotional intensity throughout.  Though it had its moments, overall, I felt this one was a dud.

Conclusion: I know many people love them, but, I have never been a fan of horses.  Still, just like with sports films, I can appreciate a piece of entertainment that centers around something I'm not into if it's well made...but, this one wasn't.  If you have a little equine fanatic around your house, this would make a great gift; otherwise, I'd suggest buying or renting something else...unless you're in dire need of a nice long nap.

Score: 2/5

TV DVD Review: "Power Rangers: Time Force"

Synopsis: It's the year 3000, and Jen (Erin Cahill, Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2) couldn't be happier.  Alex, her longtime significant other, has just proposed marriage to her, and she is overjoyed.  Unfortunately, that elation is cut short when the villainous Ransik (Vernon Wells) kills Alex in the line of duty, and proceeds to head back to the year 2001.  Jen and the other Time Force Rangers head back in time themselves to arrest Ransik and put an end to his dastardly deeds...but, with plenty of mutants at Ransik's disposal, the fight may prove far too difficult.

(Warning! Spoilers throughout!)

The Good: What I've liked about other incarnations of the Rangers, I liked about this one.  The heroes are admirable, the villains are despicable, there's plenty of action, and the content is kept rather clean: no profanity or sexual content.  This season actually ended on a high note, with Ransik and his daughter Nadira learning the errors of their ways; that was a surprise, but a nice one.  It's easy to see why this is among the most beloved seasons of Saban's long-running franchise.

The Bad: My biggest complaint was the wardrobe; both Nadira and Katie, the Yellow Ranger, often wear bare-midriff tops, and Jen, the Pink Ranger, wears low-cut ones from time to time.  Some may find that to be inappropriate eye candy, especially for teenage boys.  Also, the DVD edition I had contained the post-9/11 versions of the episodes.  While I noticed plenty of destruction and action, would it have killed Shout! Factory to release the originals?

Conclusion: The Power Rangers franchise and I have an interesting history; one I won't bore you with, but, let's just say I've gone back and forth about my love for it.  Thanks to Shout! Factory's deal with Saban, I've been able to watch various incarnations of the show, and have been having a blast with it.  Sure, many people deride it, but, the kid in me gets a thrill from these episodes.  If you're a fan of Saban's superhero franchise, and haven't seen this season yet...what are you waiting for? Go and find it!

Score: 4.5/5

TV DVD Review: "A.D.: The Bible Continues"

Synopsis: We all know the story of how Jesus came to earth, died, and rose again...but, what happened after that? Based on the Biblical book of Acts, watch as Jesus ascends to heaven, and his followers face persecution at every turn.  With government officials stopping at nothing to put an end to the followers of the Nazarene, the apostles have to watch their backs...all the while staying true to Christ's teachings.  Can they do it?
Produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, the team behind The Bible miniseries and the film Son of God.

The Good: Not since The Gospel of John have I seen the New Testament brought to life in such amazing detail! If you're tired of dry Biblical dramas, you should check this out; it can get very intense at times! The production values are top-notch, and all of the actors do rather amazing performances.  Of particular note is the story of the conversion of Saul; their version of it is really convincing.

The Bad: The violence can get rather bloody at times, which may disturb younger or discerning viewers.  Also, like most celluloid interpretations of the Bible, this one takes liberties with the Scriptures; there are many scenes here you won't find in the book of Acts or anywhere else in God's Word.  For me, though, the weakest point was that the last episode ends on a cliffhanger, which will never be resolved, as the series was cancelled after its first--and only--season.

Conclusion: On this blog--which has recently been revamped; did you notice?--I have reviewed many movies and TV shows based on the Bible, ranging from VeggieTales adaptations to old-school feature films.  I've also given my thoughts on audio versions of God's Word, including two of the Word of Promise recordings.  I have to say that A.D.: The Bible Continues is the best entry in this genre I've seen in a while production-wise; I just wish it had stayed truer to the Good Book.  Still, for Biblical or even Christian cinema, you could do worse; trust me, I've seen it.

Score: 4/5