“Treasure Island” (1972)

Treasure Island 

Brief Description:

Young Jim Hawkins has an unforgettable encounter with pirate Captain Long John Silver and his murderous mates.

Date: 1972

Genre: historical adventure film

Running time: 1 hour 34 minutes 

Cast: 

Orson Welles as Long John Silver

Kim Burfield as Jim Hawkins

Lionel Stander as Billy Bones

Walter Slezak as Squire Trelawney

Ángel del Pozo as Doctor Livesey

Rik Battaglia as Captain Smollett

Jean Lefebvre as Ben Gunn

Maria Rohm as Mrs. Hawkins

Paul Muller as Blind Pew

Michel Garland as George Merry

Aldo Sambrell as Israel Hands

Director: John Hough

Production company: National General Pictures

Based on: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Wikipedia page

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5

Having loved the book, I was eager to try this film and see what I thought of it. The aesthetic and setting was on point—I really enjoyed the island and the ship! 

Characters: 4/5

Jim Hawkins was adorable (I hadn't realized what a little kid he was!). I loved Dr. Livesay in the book, and I loved him here. I liked the Squire most of the time, though he also drove me crazy; but I was surprised by how much I loved the captain! As for Silver, I struggled a lot. Though Tubi has captions, they weren't very good, and I only got about 1 in 10 words he said thanks to his mumbling, so I missed out on a good deal since he's the main character. Ben Gumm was well done though, and so were the other sailors. 

Plot: 4/5

I honestly don't remember the book's plot very well, but what little I did meshed well with the film's plot. I really enjoyed the adventure/swashbuckling aspect and it certainly had my adrenaline and my heart going. I had to take a few breaks towards the end!! 

Content: 3/5 (medium)

Some language; drinking.

Violence: 3/5 (medium)

On-screen murder; habitual violence. 

Overall: 4/5

While probably okay for older kids, it's not quite as family friendly as I expected. But I enjoyed it; it made me want to reread the book; and I'm sure I will rewatch this! 

“The Woman in Green” (1945)

The Woman in Green 

Brief Description:

When several young women turn up dead, each with a missing finger, the trail leads Holmes to a society of hypnotists and a mysterious temptress.

Date: 1945

Genre: American horror mystery film

Running time: 1 hour 8 minutes 

Cast: 

Basil Rathbone (Sherlock Holmes)

Nigel Bruce (Dr. Watson)

Hillary Brooke (Lydia Marlowe)

Henry Daniell (Prof. Moriarty)

Paul Cavanagh (Sir George Fenwick)

Matthew Boulton (Insp. Gregson)

Eve Amber (Maude Fenwick)

Frederick Worlock (Dr. Onslow)

Tom Bryson (Cpl. Williams)

Sally Shepherd (Crandon)

Mary Gordon (Mrs. Hudson)

Percival Vivian (Dr. Simnell)

Fred Aldrich (detective)

Leslie Denison (barman)

Olaf Hytten (butler)

Boyd Irwin  (detective)

Harold De Becker (shoelace seller)

Alec Harford (Commissioner of the CID)

Director: Roy William Neill

Production company: Universal Pictures

Inspired by: The Final Problem & The Adventure of the Cardboard Box by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5

I believe this is a pattern with the Basil Rathbone SH films, though I've only seen four; but anyways, these are set in the then-contemporary world of the 1940s—an interesting and enjoyable change. It actually reminded me somewhat of “Lured” (1947) in the setting. 

Characters: 4/5

Basil Rathbone does the cool, efficient, somewhat brusque side of Holmes so well. I'm not a fan of Nigel Bruce as Watson—the doctor isn't stupid, fat, or old. And Henry Daniell is a most un-frightening Moriarty. The Fenwicks, and Lydia Marlowe, are interesting characters, however. I would have liked to see Crandon have a storyline; it almost seemed to me at times as if the dialogue was building up to that. 

Plot: 4/5

It's an intense beginning (once again reminding me of “Lured”) as random girls are found murdered throughout London, minus a digit. The hypnotism angle honestly feels a bit cliché, and I don't like Nigel Bruce's humiliation at the Mesmer Club, but the ending is pretty dramatic, there was some good humour, and I enjoyed the elements from The Final Problem.  Holmes has a spectacular quote at the end, too... 

Holmes: I'm thinking of all the women who can come and go in safety in the streets of London tonight. Stars keep watch in their heavens, and in our own little way, we too, old friend, are privileged to watch over our city. 

Content: 4/5 (low)

Smoking, drinking. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Off-screen murder & death. 

Overall: 4/5

Overall, it's not the best SH film I ever saw, but it's entertaining. 

“Sodor’s Legend of the Lost Treasure” (2015)

Sodor’s Legend of the Lost Treasure

Brief Description:

Thomas is caught in a conspiracy to steal recently discovered pirate treasure as he tries everything to regain his position as Sir Topham Hatt's number one engine.

(from Wikipedia)

Date: 2015

Genre: British animated fantasy adventure film

Running time: 1 hour

Cast:

 Keith Wickham as Salty, Bert, Sir Topham Hatt, Bertie, & additional roles

Eddie Redmayne as Ryan

Jamie Campbell Bower as Skiff

John Hurt as Sailor John

Steven Kynman as Duck

Joe Mills as Donald, Douglas, Oliver, & Toad

Olivia Colman as Marion

Tim Whitnall as Mike & Oliver the Excavator

Teresa Gallagher as Daisy, Annie, Clarabel, & some children

Tom Stourton as Rex

Jonathan Broadbent as Bill & Ben

Nathan Clarke as Alfie

David Bedella as Victor

John Hasler as Thomas

Keith Wickham as Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, & Percy

Rob Rackstraw as Toby

Teresa Gallagher as Emily

Matt Wilkinson as Cranky, & Kevin

Steven Kynman as Jack

Director: David Stoten

Production company: HIT Entertainment

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5

It's pretty enough, and I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sunset/sunrise backdrop in a film. 

Characters: 2/5

Thomas drives me crazy; I hate Sir Topham Hatt; and Marion is a ninny. No one else really stands out, except Skiff, who's nice enough.  

Plot: 2.5/5

I watched this in the past and remembered it enough to hunt it down and watch it a few years ago. I decided to rewatch it to review here, and ended up hardly watching it at all because it's so stupid. The only remotely enjoyable part was the treasure hunt and chase, which only takes up about 1/4th of the film.  

Theme/Message/Topics: 1/5

I can't put my finger on the message of this film but seems awfully performative (do this and that and you'll be worth liking). 

Content: 4/5 (low)

A mention of ghosts; Marion believes the little engines are magic and can grant wishes. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Mild violence by Sailor John towards Skiff and the others. 

Overall: 2.5/5

I don't think I'll watch this again, even to review it more properly. 

“The Great Mouse Detective” (1986)

The Great Mouse Detective 

Also known as: Basil the Great Mouse Detective; The Adventures of the Great Mouse Detective

Brief Description:

Basil of Baker Street undertakes to help a young mouse find and save her father from the criminal mastermind Professor Ratigan.

(from Wikipedia)

Date: 1986

Genre: American animated mystery adventure film

Running time: 1 hour 14 minutes

Cast: 

Vincent Price: Ratigan

Barrie Ingham: Basil/Bartholomew

Val Bettin: Dr. Dawson/thug guard

Susanne Pollatschek: Olivia

Candy Candido: Fidget/reprobate in the pub

Diana Chesney: Mrs. Judson

Eve Brenner: Mouse Queen

Alan Young: Mr. Flaversham

Basil Rathbone: Sherlock Holmes

Laurie Main: Dr. Watson

Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo, Walker Edmiston: Ratigan's thug guards

Melissa Manchester: Miss Mouse

Director: John Musker, Ron Clements, Dave Michener, & Burny Mattinson

Production company: Walt Disney Feature Animation

Based on: The Basil of Baker Street Series by Eve Titus & Paul Galdone

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

I love the classic Sherlock Holmes London vibes of this film! It's so deliciously creepy and gloomy. There's still a Disney atmosphere with the couple of party/musical scenes, but overall it feels pretty mysterious.

Characters: 5/5

Ratigan is so over-the-top and not very Moriarty at all, but he's fun to hate. Basil is perfect—he's so Sherlocky, right down to his eccentricity and little running commentary. Olivia is adorable; Dawson, while way stupider than the real Watson, is stereotypically film Watson and a great sidekick. Fidget is awful but also fun to hate; and Miss Mouse fascinates me (someone needs to write her story, and also, I confuse her terribly with Red from Tom & Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes). 

Plot: 4/5

It's extremely fast-paced, with sweet, sad, funny, and anxious moments. Some of my siblings found it too much, others enjoyed it. I've always enjoyed it, no matter how often I watch it! So much of the story parodies Sherlock Holmes stories, and the Big Ben fight is iconic.

Content: 3/5 (medium)

In a kids' film, I'm not the biggest fan of the musical scene in the beginning where the thugs are drunk and champagne flows, but I suspect most kids wouldn't know what's up and it is accurate. However, there's a scene further in the film where Miss Mouse sings, which is much more adult. It takes place in a tavern, and she dances (can-can?) with a couple other girls while singing a song about "let your baby be good to you," dresses in a garter and bodysuit. All the guys are obsessed, naturally; meanwhile, someone tries to drug Basil & Dawson's beer. This scene can be skipped, though you miss a bit of the storyline. 

Violence: 3/5 (medium) 

Some physical violence, including Ratigan feeding one of his mice to his cat. 

Overall: 4.5/5

I love it, and it's honestly a real comfort film for me. It's funny, sweet, mysterious, and Londony—what's not to love?! 

“A Little Princess” (1986–1987)

A Little Princess 

Brief Description:

Sara Crewe enters a London boarding school a wealthy lady when she bids her father farewell as he enters the British Army, but her lifestyle quickly vanishes when her father suddenly dies, and Sara must endure a life of servitude.

Date: 1986–1987

Genre: British-American period drama adapatation

Running time: 2 hours 43 minutes

Cast: 

Maureen Lipman as Miss Minchin

Amelia Shankley as Sara Crewe

Miriam Margolyes as Miss Amelia Minchin

Annette Badland as Cook

Natalie Abbott as Becky

Alison Reynolds as Ermengarde

Katrina Heath as Lavinia

Joanna Dukes as Jessie

Johanna Hargreaves as Henrietta

Jessica Simpson as Lottie

Nigel Havers as Carrisford

David Yelland as Ralph Crewe

John Bird as Mr Carmichael

Annie Lambert as Mrs Carmichael

Antony Zaki as Ram Dass

Meera Syal as Anna

Director: Carol Wiseman

Production company: LWT

Based on: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 3.5/5

I grew up reading and rereading (and copying down) A Little Princess, so I am a tough critic. I think the book got the setting pretty well. I don't think it did very well getting the feel/vibe of the book, and I personally think the filming is terrible (everything is so yellow?!). 

Characters: 3.5/5

While the characters are somewhat accurate to the book's portrayal, they become their own new thing. Sara is not a storyteller, for example, and seems more 14 than 12. Ermengarde isn't bad, but Lottie isn't much herself, and Becky's more of a comic side character than the sweet, pathetic book character. Miss Minchin is both worse and better than she is in the book, at alternate times, and Miss Amelia is much more sympathetic, while the cook is horrid (accurate, but so grating!). Ram Das is fun, if wholly redone; Captain Crewe is horrid (way too old); the Carmichaels are pretty good, though the father's a bit too old; Lavinia & Jessie are both worse and dumber (Jessie is much less nice than she is in the book); and the Aya is a whole new invention. I was really confused by her position in the Crewe household—she seemed to be almost the mother/wife figure, and Captain Crewe treated her more like he owed an account to than a servant. 

Plot: 4/5

The plot follows the book's plot somewhat. Obviously it condenses/removes some things and other it stretches out into a whole new thing, which I suppose is to be expected. I felt it really skimped on the message/feel of the book and just delivered a drama instead of a sweet, encouraging story. At certain points it got harder to handle because of the injustice and cruelty, which is easier to read than to see. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 2/5

Literally none, unless it's be kind because you don't know when you'll need the kindness of others... 

Content: 1/5 (low)

A mention of "magic" and "magicians" when Sara tries to figure out how her room got redone; a few liberties of the imagination about heaven. 

Violence: 2/5 (low)

Mild violence (slapping); mild verbal violence; a scene where the girls twist Ermengarde's arm behind her back until she says mean things about Sara.

Overall: 3.5/5

It's not the worst thing ever, but to be honest I don't think I'll be rewatching it simply because it's so long and I don't like it enough to spend all that time on it. My little sisters liked it though.  

“The Great Discovery” (2008)

The Great Discovery

Brief Description:

Thomas rediscovers the long lost original station which in its day was called Great Waterton and he also becomes jealous of a new tank engine called Stanley.

(from IMDb)

Date: 2008

Genre: family animation 

Running time: 1 hour

Narrator: Pierce Brosnan

Director: Steve Asquith

Production company: 

Based on: the Railway Series by the Rev. W. Awdry

IMDb page

Watch on Archive

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5

I have to admit, Sodor is super cute. And I love railways, and the English countryside and houses. And everything is so old-timey and cute. <3

Characters: 3/5

Thomas is an idiot. Except he’s meant to be a kid, so he’s realistic. He’s still an idiot though. Sir Topham Hat has no excuse. He’s also an idiot. Why on earth did he think he was making good decisions, putting and removing the trains in charge?? Like how did he not realise this was gonna make problems between Thomas and Stanley??? Anyways. I love Stanley. He’s so sweet.  

Plot: 3/5

Well, it’s a cute film. Kinda. It’s just really boring and drawn out, and very one-track (pun intended). It’s for kids, I get it… but… it’s still pretty boring for a kids’ film. My siblings liked it better than I did though, so I don’t know. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I got annoyed at Thomas’s brattiness and the conductor’s stupidity too much to enjoy everything else, maybe. I liked the little songs scattered throughout though. They use nice, big words. ;) 

Theme/Message/Topics: 4/5

Good themes of actions have consequences, letting go of being in charge, not getting jealous, not worrying about your place being filled by someone else, and making friends.  

Content: 5/5 (low to none)

Some music I didn’t care for; maybe a euphemism or two? 

Overall: 3/5

I don’t know, I feel disappointed. I thought I’d like this more. I’ll give it another shot though, and see what I think that time. 

“The Little Bear Movie” (2001)

The Little Bear Movie

Also known as: Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear: The Little Bear Movie; Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear: The Movie; and Little Bear: The Movie.

Brief Description:

Little Bear meets a wild bear cub named Cub during a camping trip. Upon learning that Cub got separated from his parents, Little Bear and his friends embark on a journey to help him reunite with his parents while coming face-to-face with a ferocious mountain lion along the way.

(from Wikipedia)

Date: 2001

Genre: Canadian-American direct-to-video children’s animated adventure film

Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes 

Cast: 

Kristin Fairlie (Little Bear)

Kyle Fairlie (Cub)

Amos Crawley (Owl)

Tracy Ryan (Duck)

Andrew Sabiston (Cat)

Elizabeth Hanna (Hen)

Wayne Best (Mountain Lion)

Ray Landry (Moose)

Janet Laine-Green (Mother Bear)

Dan Hennessey (Father Bear)

Max Morrow (Little Moose)

Catherine Disher (Mother Moose)

Cole Caplan & Ada Perlman (Poppy & Pete)

Maurice Dean Wint (Cub’s Father)

Alison Sealy-Smith (Cub’s Mother

Director: Raymond Jafelice

Production company: Nelvana Limited, Wild Things Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, & Alliance Atlantis.

Based on: The Little Bear series by Else Holmelund Minarik & Maurice Sendak

Wikipedia page

Watch on YouTube

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5

If you’ve watched the Little Bear TV Show, this film fits perfectly into that world and setting. I love the portrayal of the Canadian-American wilderness. It’s all so nostalgic and simple, but also realistic. 

Characters: 4/5

Little Bear is a cutie, and Cub—well, I always love the “wild ones.” Duck is, as always, an adorable idiot; Owl is a hoot (no pun intended); Cat is highly amusing; and well, Hen is all right. She never was my favourite… I love Mother & Father Bear—they’re so lovely! And Moose from the show got a cameo! Little Moose reminds me of Franklin’s friend Moose. xD Poppy & Pete are cute, too. 

Plot: 4/5

I love how the film starts with Little Bear & his father heading out to Pudding Hill for a camping trip, harking back to a couple episodes in the show. The scene where he learns about the dangers of the wilderness, courtesy of the mountain lion and Cub, is pretty cool. I love the return home, and the patience of Mother & Father Bear with Cub. The children all play so nicely together—and I love the search party! There’s some anxious moments, but everything wraps up perfectly. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 4/5

Kids being separated from parents seems to be a small theme; otherwise, kindness, playing nicely, working together, and sensitivity are low-key messages. 

Violence: 5/5 (low)

Storms, threat of being eaten by the mountain lion. 

Overall: 4/5

A very cute and well done little film! 

“Curious George: Go West, Go Wild” (2020)

 Curious George: 

Go West, Go Wild

Brief Description:

 George and Ted travel to cousin Ginny's farm for a relaxing outdoor weekend, but plans take a turn when her farm animals escape.

(from IMDb)

Date: 2020

Genre: American children's fantasy 

Running time: 1 hour 25 minutes 

Cast: 

Frank Welker (Curious George)

Jeff Bennett (Ted / Conductor)

Max Mittelman (Emmett)

April Stewart (Ginny)

Phil Morris (Frank)

Adrienne Barbeau (Ginny's mom)

Dee Bradley Baker (Billy / Frick / Frack / Ricochet / Prairie Dog / Sadie / Spittoon)

Director: Michael LaBash

Production company: Imagine Entertainment & Universal Animation Studios 

Based on: the Curious George books by H.A. & Margret Ray

IMDb page

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 3/5

There was definitely a prairie/Wild West/farm feel, which was quite nice. I'm not a fan of over-bright animations but I didn't mind this too much. Also, watching characters cross the country always makes me wanna travel so badly!!

Characters: 3/5

The characters were pretty one-dimensional and shallow. Emmett was way too clumsy at first. But I guess for a kids' film they were okay. 

Plot: 3/5

Some stuff was wildly inaccurate, but overall it was a fun, simply film with some quite funny moments. Even the inaccurate stuff was quite amusing. I enjoyed watching the vacation and the search for the animals, and the climax was enjoyable... yeah, overall, it was a fun film. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 4/5

I enjoyed the message of believing in yourself and trying new things over and over. 

Content: 4/5 (low)

Possibly some mild euphemisms.

Overall: 3/5

Not the greatest kids' film or the best George movie, but it was a fun time well spent with my siblings. 

“Home Alone 3” (1997)

 Home Alone 3

Brief Description:

8-year-old Alex Pruitt defends his home from a dangerous band of international criminals working for a terrorist organization.

(from Wikipedia)

Date: 1997

Genre: American family comedy 

Running time: 1 hour 42 minutes 

Cast: 

Alex D. Linz (Alex)

Haviland Morris (Mrs. Pruitt)

Kevin Kilner (Mr. Pruitt)

Olek Krupa (Beaupré)

Rya Kihlstedt (Alice)

Lenny Von Dohlen (Jernigan)

David Thornton (Unger)

James Saito (the Mob Boss)

Seth Smith (Stan)

Marian Seldes (Mrs. Hess)

Christopher Curry (FBI Agent Stuckey)

Pat Healy (FBI Agent Rogers)

Baxter Harris (Police Captain Jackson)

Neil Flynn, Nick Jantz, Tony Mockus Jr., & James Chisem (Police Officers)

Freeman Coffey (USAF Recruiting Officer)

Adrianne Duncan (Flight Attendant)

Jennifer A. Daley (Police Photographer)

Darren T. Knaus (the Parrot)

Director: Raja Gosnell

Production company: Hughes Entertainment & Fox Family Films

Wikipedia page

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5

A quiet neighbourhood of old Tudor-style homes with everybody gone during the day. Nice enough setting. 

Characters: 4/5

I liked these characters better than those from Home Alone 1 & 2. Alex is much less of a brat (and more 8-year-old-ish). His parents are quite nice; and his siblings are much more loving, and their picking on him is much more fair and teasing than hateful. Mrs. Hess was such a nice surprise, and the villains were fun because they could be taken more seriously. 

Plot: 4/5

I enjoyed this much more than the first two films. It’s more of a series of misunderstandings than deliberate unkindness, and Alex isn’t forgotten at home, but forced to stay behind by a series of circumstances (aka his parents are much more responsible). I also liked the extra issue of his parents’ lack of money. And I was pleasantly surprised by how the 911 calls were handled. I enjoyed how the film played out with the microchip and where + how it got to Alex, and the build of suspense as the robbers try to retrieve it. The showdown is less violent than HA 1&2, but just as fun, and I liked the little snippets that reminded me of the original films! And I really liked the ending :) Also, love how the parrot played into all this! Made me laugh out loud. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 3/5

There actually wasn’t much of one at all, unless it was to trust your kids, lol. Christmas is really a totally incidental thing... it's basically just set in December.  

Content: 2/5 (high)

Alex’s brother has a picture of an unclothed model with her chest area and hips covered in sticky-notes, & Alex removes a few of the sticky-notes but nothing is really revealed. Later a villain opens the bathroom and you can dimly sees a female form in the shower; he opens it and finds the picture hanging there sans sticky-notes (side chest can be seen, and the image cuts off above her bellybutton). There’s a picture of a girl in a bikini in Alex’s brother’s room as well. A scene where Alex undresses in the bathroom; his family hears him scream and say he “slammed the toilet seat on his thing again.” A scene where Alex watches a recording of women exercising and shoots a dart at a woman’s behind. A scene where a mouse climbs out of a man’s suit near the groin and a woman tries to kill the mouse (“you smacked my winky”). Language: OMG.

Violence: 3/5 (medium)

A little less violent than HA 1&2 but along the same lines. 

Overall: 3/5

I wasn’t a fan of the content at all, but it is centered in a few specific scenes, and easy to skip. And I loved the rest of the film. If it wasn’t for the content, this would definitely get 4 stars!