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Reviews
The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971)
In the Beginning...
It's nice to know there was a time when TV movies weren't all about mega piranhas and avalanche sharks. 'The Homecoming' is the second film based on the novel, 'Spencer's Mountain', and it's not a bad effort at all. Despite its reputation, it's actually a lot less sickly than most Christmas movies, and the lack of background music makes it feel that much more real.
Our first glimpse of the Walton brood is pitched midway between the earlier 'Spencer's Mountain' film and the later TV series. Like the film, its outdoor scenes are shot in Wyoming, but the characters have been renamed and there are seven children rather than nine. If you've seen the series then you'll recognise most of the characters. Ep is a little less friendly than he will be later on, and we have Charlie Sneed in place of Yancy Tucker, but the rest are there or thereabouts. Other than Esther and the children, however, all the actors are different. It's a little strange at first, but you do get used to it.
The film falls neatly into two halves. The first half focuses on the Walton household and the dynamic between its members. I really enjoyed this. Patricia Neal is excellent as Olivia. Her take on the part is very different to Michael Learned's, but she creates a wonderful character. The children's scenes are also very good. Even at this early stage, a lot of the behaviour seems very familiar: Jason on his harmonica, Erin telling tales, Elizabeth saying things and getting laughed at. Top marks though go to Mary Ellen; she absolutely rocks in her sulky teen role.
It all goes a bit off the boil when John-boy is sent to search for his dad. He drives through the woods for a bit, spends aaaaaaages in a boring church service then sings songs with the Baldwins. When the search does at last get going, he finds the road blocked by a fallen tree and simply goes home. I'd much rather they'd spent the time showing what had happened to John.
There are a few other things that grate. Ben and Jim Bob have terrible seventies hair. Charlie and Hawthorne are set up as regular characters but then hardly appear again (though the actor who plays Hawthorne will later star in 'The Fighter'). I also don't get why John-boy's writing is such a big secret. Lots of people keep journals. The scene where he is sat on the bed explaining himself is very nicely done, but it stands apart from the rest of the film.
Gripes aside though, this is a great introduction to America's favourite family. I'm glad it got picked up as a series.
Pick of the bunch: Olivia Walton (Patricia Neal)
Alternate title: The Best Christmas
Score: 8.7
Dragon Hunter (2009)
OK, I'm just going to come out and say it. I really like this film.
I know it's not an epic, but for half a million quid you're never going to get Lord of the Rings. The acting is decent, the setting is believable and most of the cast do their old world accents very well. Yes, the dragon does look a little clunky but it only appears fleetingly so it hardly spoils the film.
The whole feature has a wonderful mellowness to it. It's so refreshing to see a film of this genre written about everyday folk: no kings, warlocks or dark lords. The script is plain but earnest and the characters are easy to relate to. Try to think of it as the journey of two brothers and their mates rather than a reptilian killing spree and you'll see what I mean.
Erik Denton and Maclain Nelson are great in the lead roles. Both characters are extremely likable and the actors are incredibly attractive. I love the contrast between the two brothers. Darius (played by Erik) is overburdened, distant and a little sad, while Kendrick (played by Maclain) is wide-eyed and eager to please. Nice work fellas! Credit also to the excellent Slate Holmgren, who really shines as sidekick Roland.
The shaky camera-work in the orc fight has come in for a lot of criticism. It worked fine for me: we all know why directors do this so there's no need to give them a hard time about it. My only gripe is that the side story whereby Oswin tries to tame the dragon was never given a chance to develop. I guess they ran out of time.
All in all, this is a touching tale about two blokes trying to do some good in the world. It is not an action adventure. Enjoy it for what it is.