francesleegirl

Legally Blonde is a very fun movie! The lead is very good as Elle and there are a lot of laughs.

I won't defend the sequel, which is awful, or the musical version I saw, which was worse than awful... but they don't detract from the original movie for me, which in my opinion is still a very fun and very funny film. Elle is hilarious and even though she is somehow and somewhat objectionable as a snobby diva of a pampered rich "girly girl", you just have to root for her as she becomes a better person and a better lawyer.

It's no Citizen Kane or anything but if you're willing to just shut down your mind for a bit and laugh at some fun jokes, Legally Blonde is worth a watch or two.

I would give this movie a solid B+ but where it really shines is the performance of the lead, Gary Oldman as Sir Winston Churchill, who is absolutely brilliant. I had reservations about him playing this part at first, even though I've always been a big fan of his acting work. But after the very first scene I saw him in I was sold and believed him in the part. I think the Academy Awards better take notice this year and give him just his second acting nomination after all these years. There may be a better performance from this year in a movie I haven't seen yet, but from what I have seen I'd have to say Oldman definitely should finally win his first Oscar statue. The Golden Globes have already nominated him, I see. All right!

OK as for the movie as a whole, the pacing is good overall and usually nice and tight and creating tension and drama, but sometimes it drags just a little bit, especially considering we all know exactly what is going to happen and how the story ends up. Not too many surprises in how it unfolds which is too bad. That's the downside of being so close to historical fact, which I always love. I just wish it had a bit more tension and action. Lots of heart though, but again a lot of that is due to the great acting job of Oldman.

This Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special from back in the sixties is still must-watch material in our family's household every single Christmas season. It's a lot of fun for the whole family and even though the stop motion style animation is kind of jumpy nowadays and it is very dated the younger kids and tweens still love the story and the characters in it. It still has great jokes for them but some humor for the adults too so nobody gets bored, unlike with many other specials, including the newer "Rudolph" knock-off specials, animated movies and sequels. Some of those are good but don't confuse them for this, the one and only original.

The characters are lovable and the story is very sweet with good messages for everyone. The time flies by when we watch this and the kids usually are happy to watch it more than once, if you want to play it again and keep them occupied in the TV room while you have some grown-up visiting time or just some much needed peace and quiet - maybe to wrap your presents et cetera :-)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!