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Reviews
The Nanny Express (2008)
Typical hallmark movie
What can I say; this is a typical Hallmark movie. It it's sugar sweet and "suitable for the whole family". However when I say it is a typical Hallmark movie, this is also the weak part of the movie. As with most Hallmark movies, people fall in love after meeting twice, the characters in the movie are almost flawless (for example: the main character: does charity work, watches after her sick father and works full time) and the range of emotions/desires is, shall we say "limited". Also being an American Hallmark film, the church is mentioned frequently and the main character is religious.
In such movies, every character is a stereotype with matching state of mind (sad, angry, etc) and things/situations that would make the viewer think or truly care for the characters are not included in the movie as it is "suitable for the whole family". The movie is predictable and cliché. Not even good actors such as Vanessa Marcil or Dean Stockwell can save this movie in my view without a serious change of the script: something it will never get.
Do not get me wrong: I love movies to be cliché and predictable to a certain point. At the end of the movie I want the main character to gain his or her love interest, have a bright looking future and the "bully/bad guy" to be punished or forgotten. But Hallmark takes this concept to a whole other level. It does not feature the real world but the world we would like it to be. And the way the nanny is winning over the children, just too easy to be believable. All nice, easy and neat. And that makes it impossible to relate to.
If you like your movies to have a shred of realism (even the average romantic comedy has more realism than the average Hallmark movie) this film is not for you as it is not a movie for me. However, if you are a typical American conservative and like your movies to be bright and devoid of anything controversial this is a movie for you. And in that category this is one of the better ones
Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)
Just an enjoyable family film...
For me it was one of those movies that even though it has much against it: Bad acting, bad script, sup-par special effects and an annoying kid (for me that is a very annoying thing while watching any movie!). But is is strangely enjoyable. Fun for the whole family. Yes the story is somewhat "unrealistic", but it is like a fairy tale and it should be approached in that fashion. Believe it or not, there are actually people that believe in the "Hollow Earth" theory that is central to the story.
For me it is somewhat comparable to "the Librarian (part 1)" in matters of quality and enjoyment. No controversies just enjoyment. It does not present itself as an Oscar nominee. It is what it is. A good family film...
Legend of the Seeker (2008)
For a younger audience
I really hoped Legend of the Seeker would be nothing like Hercules or Xena! As these series have the same director. Just that comparison makes me sick as I am a fan of (some) of the books this is based on. The acting in Xena and Hercules was terrible, the script pretty bad, historically nonsense and it never was really serious. Face it, it was perfect after a long night of drink and you are lying on your couch with a hangover (just like the shows of Bob Ross!). But i would like something i enjoyed as much as Wizards first rule to be made seriously. Good actors, serious acting, historically believable (do not use Hercules/Xena like clothing or the fake looking weapons) and please, please do not make it for children.
Alas, after seeing the first episode my fears were proved to be well founded. It is indeed (clothing and surroundings) like Xena and Hercules. The director just repeated the old trick again. Also i found it to be directed at a much younger audience than the books. On top of that, the guy playing Richard is just a boy with no charisma at all. Would you follow that man into death and beyond? Would you believe that man can inspire thousands (the Richard in the books could)? No i would ask if he needs his diaper changed. A great disappointment. The other actors that I have seen are all a great disappointment as well. All except Kahlan (played by Bridget Regan) and Zed (finally a good cast) and to a lesser degree Darken Rakl (played by Craig Parker). But it must be noted that my expectations were high. And i have a serious dislike for series with bad acting. But in defense of Legend of the Seeker: it is very hard to make a fantasy series without turning it into a children show. The series Merlin succeeded, its successor Merlin's apprentice did not.
So, this series is NOT for the hardcore fans of the books. I think the target audience is the 13-18 segment. Just like so many famous fantasy novels (except Lord of the Rings) this is not done with the love of the books in mind. Nor is it taken seriously. I think this series can best be described as a mix between Hercules and the second Merlin series (Merlin's apprentice). So it can entertain you if you do not take it seriously and do not expect it to be of great quality and have any high expectations.
Update: Because i am a fan of the books i did giver the series (grudgingly as is obvious from the above) a chance. The first two episodes were a complete disaster because I had the brilliant storyline of the book in mind in combination with the characters from the book. Now after watching more episodes somethings should be noted.
Once hardcore fans of the books realise the show is only based on the books, not follows it, it can be enjoyable. The characters in the series differ from the books as well. It just is that way and can not be changed anymore. Still a shame, but it can be acceptable for a large audience.
The overall "Herculis /Xena" feel of the show still annoys me. But the show does have some promise. Especially the actor playing Zed does a good job. Kahlan is not bad either. Good episodes still follow bad ones, but my verdict of the show has become a bit more mellow. At least I can understand why people can enjoy it. Especially if they are unfamiliar with the books