jc-osms

(2013-05-16 23:41:18)

Christmas crash

With some decent star power in the acting stakes I expected more fromthis confused mish-mash of a Christmas movie. The idea of entwiningdifferent individual stories into one isn't original but I thought thatwith a Yule-tide twist it might have come together better than it did.As usual, in the timeworn trail of George Bailey, we get a bunch of sadpeople at Christmas time needing a seasonal miracle to get them happilyinto the holiday spirit. However some of the stories are so slight andtrite, they barely register, like the young man who deliberately getshimself hospitalised because he remembers a happy childhood Christmasthere, away from his selfish parents, while in another bizarre episode,Alan Arkin is wasted as an old widower who tries to connect with ayoung cop, (Cruz's fiancé) telling him he's the reincarnation of hislate wife.The main stories of lonely divorcée Susan Sarandon, with herAlzheimer's suffering mother meeting up with Robin Williams defrockedpriest and Penelope Cruz as a young bride-to-be struggling with thejealousy of her fiancé, just about pass muster, but the movie falterswhen the stories shift focus, plus the editing is very poor. To givejust one example, after Sarandon and Cruz fortuitously hook up early onin the piece, they opt out of the latter's family Christmas dinner,head to a café for what you'd expect to be a heart-to-heart chat, butwhich we actually never see happen and in fact they don't even meet upagain. Indeed, the film doesn't really bring the five stories together at all,so that despite some decent acting by the principals it fails to gelland really transport the viewer into the Christmas spirit, even withsome nice wintry New York city-scapes in the background.

(2013-05-16 13:39:07)

great movie!

This review is from: Noel (DVD) this is a beautiful, touching story that is especially meaningful during the Christmas holidays. i have watched it a couple times--what a great message.

(2013-05-09 23:41:26)

Flexplay Disaster!

I loved this movie watching it on TNT the other weekend. It was amazing. What a shame that a person needs to spend approx. 7 dollars on this movie (that's with shipping included) and it will terminate itself in maybe 48 hrs (it could be sooner 30-48 according to what i read). You can't even buy an acutal dvd of it, and i also discovered that it is only playing in 12 movie theaters in the country. No offense, but if you were to see this movie, you would ultimately wonder why. I just hope something changes this stupid flexplay or at least apply it to bad movies. Its to bad that a lot of people won't be able to see this movie, since it's next to impossible to see it unless you were just lucky enough to come upon it on tnt last weekend (mind you, it's not playing again on tv anymore also).

(2013-05-09 10:53:04)

Pie in the Sky, By and By

Susan Sarandon, Penelope Cruz, Paul Walker, and Alan Arkin are what hold this movie together. NOEL presents the true spirit of the holiday season in an inspiring, contemporary story of hope, forgiveness, love and redemption. It's Christmas Eve in New York City, and with a little help from each other, five people discover new meaning on Christmas Day. The message of the film is about hope; it is a movie about miracles that touches people of all ages, from all walks of life and in all circumstances. The problem is that it is too much "pie in the sky, by and by" for my taste. I kept expecting the story lines to merge, but they kept following their own course, however ridiculous and unbelievable that might be, and then it was over.

David Sterritt

(2013-04-19 07:01:46)

Santa Claus's bag couldn't hold as many clichés as the screenplay dishes out.

(2013-04-19 01:36:49)

what am I missing?

I haven't seen the movie, and not sure I want to. But I do think this idea is pretty cool. All I see is more convenience...I'm missing how these things will overfill our landfills. Comparing apples to apples, we should be more concerned about the waste much more common consumers goods create if we want to make a difference. Furthermore, I worked in advertising and we used to ship out CD-ROM and DVD based direct mailers (strictly by request...nothing like AOL's approach). There was more than 4x's the weight of plastic (and subsequent waste) in the DVD packaging than in the actual disc. These flexplay things come in cardboard wrappers, which may be made of recycled paper as far as we know. In the grand scheme, you guys are making a mountain out of a mole hill. I'm all for the environment, but let's call a spade a spade. And if you're that concerned...recycle them. My office building has a "techno trash" box where you drop of disc media for recycling - which is the only way we dispose of non-rewritable CD-ROMs that we've accumulated over the years.

(2013-04-10 10:42:32)

Reflections (a year later) on "Noel"

For those who prefer nutshell versions, here's a review of Noel for you: a good Christmas movie that will appeal to viewers that find themselves in the "middle zone" during the holiday season. By "middle zone" I'm referring to those that aren't fanatically overjoyed by Christmas to surreal heights, but also not loathing December 1 every year. The subject matter is "middle" as well...it's neither a fairy tale nor a depressing drama. It's a slice-of-life look into the lives of what probably represents a good 75% of the population at Christmas time.The movie stars Susan Sarandon, Paul Walker, and Penelope Cruz, and includes a supporting cast with some well-known names as well. It was a surprise to me to discover how large a role Robin Williams (uncredited) plays in this movie. I happened to stumble onto this movie because of three main factors: its composer, its marketing, and its technological introduction.Alan Menken is my favorite composer, so long before the movie was released, I knew it was coming out. It was a surprise to me, then, when I visited my local theater last Thanksgiving to see "The Incredibles," and nested within the lid of my soda was a promotional CD containing a trailer and the title song for "Noel." Being curious, I visited the official website to find that it was also the first title being released on a new DVD format called "Flexpay," a new process whereby a DVD (once exposed to air) would become unplayable after approximately 48 hours. This alone peaked my curiosity and, along with the other two points of interest this movie generated, prompted me to order the Flexpay DVD from Amazon.com.What I found was a movie I could relate to more closely than I would normally have anticipated. Being one who generally looks forward to the holiday season, I found myself quickly relating to Sarandon's character--a middle-aged executive type living alone AND (with the exception of visiting her mother in a hospice) spending the holidays alone. Her only true desire being to see Alzheimer's release the grip it has on her ailing mother for just one moment, she tends to miss some of the things around her many would label fortunate. "The hot guy at work" wants to date her, but she freezes up; yet, her genuine character shines through as she shows a little extra love to a patient across the hall from her mother--a patient she knows NOTHING about. Her story showcases a kind-hearted, sympathetic, and genuine woman you'd find more often than not at Christmas time.Meanwhile, two separate (but eventually interconnected) strories are running in parallel: one of a man whose greatest Christmas party memory was when he spent Christmas as a child in the hospital. Finding that times have changed, his measures turn desperate as he tries to find some way to duplicate the experience and relive the childhood memory once more. Doing so uncovers a painful past and an answer to newly uncovered emotions.The other story involves a typical dating couple (Cruz and Walker) with a seemingly picture-perfect holiday life and a storybook romance. This dreamland is threatened, however, by an overpowering jealousy Walker's character has for any male that comes in contact with his girlfriend. Already hanging on by a thread, the relationship takes an indefinite pause after Walker walks in on Cruz decorating a Christmas tree with a coworker (as a gift for Walker) and violently erupts in a fistful of anger. Along the way, Walker's character crosses path with a restaurant waiter (Alan Arkin) who believes Walker is his dead wife, reincarnated. Arkin's character becomes a realtime test for Walker as he learns the fine line of balancing jealousy, skepticism, and realization.I enjoyed the movie for it's lighthearted presentation of what could be considered hefty subject matter. Because of this, the movie is not dragged down as a depressing melodrama; rather, it presents a look at how life is for most of us in some way or another. Nobody wants to be alone...we want to be understood...and we want to feel a part of something. Sometimes situations we might consider as enormous may seem trivial to others. Sometimes we don't realize how blessed we may be. "Noel" objectively presents all facets of life during the Christmas season, and leaves a couple of surprises for the viewer--all of this without leaving you with an in-your-face solution for how the holiday blues should be handled. In my opinion, I was more excited about trying out Flexpay and hearing new music from Alan Menken--other than that, I didn't expect much. What I received, instead, was a rather enjoyable film that dared to present Christmas as a reality that some may be too hesitant to acknowledge...all of this while leaving the viewer with a warm, positive feeling instead of depression or cynicism. I found myself watching it more than once, and inviting others to watch the DVD as well (as long as the Flexpay system would allow the data to remain intact)."Noel" may not be THE holiday movie for everyone, but it certainly is something new, entertaining, and unexpected. I recommend this movie to anyone looking for something different yet introspective during the holidays--especially those who, deep down inside, really DO believe that miracles can come true.

(2013-04-09 16:46:05)

What??

I just didnt' get this movie. It is so discreet in what you are suppose to be understanding that I never did. I bought it thinking it was going to a movie of Christmas hope like the previews said but instead it was just weird.

(2013-04-05 19:25:16)

holiday movie

This review is from: Noel (Amazon Instant Video) It was moderately interesting with some slower parts at times. It was in the spirit of the holiday and had a hopeful ending.

(2013-04-05 08:28:55)

Noel

Last weekend I bought the movie "Noel" at Walmart. I thought it would be a good Christmas movie for my family to watch. We love to sit down together and watch movies but this one was a disappointment. It was rated PG but to me it was more like a PG-13 rating. It had alot of bad language and scenes about sex and pre-marital sex. After about 30 minutes of the movie I finally turned it off, because it was offensive for my family to watch. As far as I'm concerned it will be going in the garbage. I consider it a wasted $19.99. Wish I had known about it before I bought it. Oh well, maybe this review will help someone else not make the same mistake. That is, if you care about what your family watches. Hope this is a help! Kim

(2013-04-02 23:18:31)

Hard to beat

I've been collecting DVDs for quite some time. Out of the hundreds that I do have, I may have watched a dozen of them on more than one occasion. The rest of my collection collects dust or gets borrowed by friends who often don't return them. My point is, owning DVDs doesn't make sense for everyone. I've changed to renting more movies than buying but find often find myself without enough time to get my money's worth from an unlimited rental plan like I'm on at Blockbuster. If there were a way I could rent movies and keep them for as long as I want without a committment to rent a certain amount, I would be all for it. It's even better if I don't have to worry about returning the movie like with these flexplays. I see this technology serving that purpose. And in terms of cost, it's a bargain for $4.99. Especially when you think of the movie Noel. I noticed that the movies website says the Noel is (or was) in theaters this holiday season. So to think I get to watch a brand new movie on my schedule without committment for five bucks...makes it a good deal for me.

(2013-04-02 09:32:34)

Deserves a place in your stocking

This review is from: Noel (DVD) There are more than a few tugs on your heart strings but the melodies are mostly happy ones. Robin William's cameo appearance is a nice bonus. There's a bit of "magic" in the film but that's in keeping with Christmas. I'm glad I purchased this flm and I think the good feeling it leaves will make you happy if you do the same.

Ed Gonzalez

(2013-03-30 00:11:49)

Noel manages to get considerable mileage out of a series of unpredictable and nutty spiritual flights of fancy.

Ido

(2013-03-29 15:51:23)

Amazing movie, way much more then what I've thought.

I've seen the DVD of this movie 30 minutes before I've wrote this smallreview, and all I have to say is that this is one of the best moviesI've seen lately. This movie is full of start that ALL of them didwonderful job. The movies if actually a bunch of stories that mixtogether like in "Love Actually", there is the couple (Penelope Cruzand Paul Walker), lonely middle aged woman (Susan Sarandon), Lonely man(Marcus Thomas) and too more characters both "strange" (Robin Williamsand Alan Arkin). I, personally, like the part of Robin Williams andSusan Sarandon and how it's ended. As always Robin Williams is doingamazing job with this movie although he isn't credit anywhere as one ofthe stars. I must say that I wasn't sure what to expect from this moviebut now I can easily say: Amazing movie.9.5/10.

(2013-03-27 07:07:17)

A Good Christmas Movie

This review is from: Noel (DVD) My wife and I both really like this movie and watch it every year at Christmas, along with all our versions of A Christmas Carol.It's ironic and touching. People's chance encounters can have such a profound effect on the lives of others. We never know how a kind gesture or word could change the direction of a life or a mind.I really liked Penelope Cruz, especially dancing the Salsa (very sexy).The interconnected stories were pretty good although the old man in the reincarnation segment kind of got on my nerves. He acted as though this poor guy was supposed to accept his very weird beliefs/advances!Despite this, this was a pretty good movie and well worth watching. M Calcagno

Jeff Otto

(2013-03-26 15:08:23)

Desperate for warm and fuzzy holiday feelings, Noel is depressing and bland.

(2013-03-20 22:29:25)

Great actors who needed a better script...

This review is from: Noel (DVD) Every time I watch this movie - for 3 Christmases in a row now - I WANT to love it. It has such great acting talent in it: Sarandon, Arkin, and Robin Williams (in a strangely UNcredited supporting role), along with two attractive leads, Cruz and Walker. But the stories of 6 individuals: young couple with pre-marital difficulties; middle-aged woman in crisis (mother with Altzheimer's; older man with psychological problems over an earlier murder... do not fit well together, and that's because of severe script problems... made further problematic, but two OTHER plot lines which make NO sense of an ex-priest/ghost on his deathbed AND a young man in search of re-creating a wonderful childhood memory of a Christmas spent in an Emergency Room Christmas party! Actor/first-time Director Chazz Palminteri just hasn't thought out what kind of movie he wants to make here. I do like like the movie's orginal title song, sung by Rent's Adam Pascal.

(2013-03-20 11:13:30)

Skip it.

Alan Arkin thinks the main character is the reincarnation of his former lover...a little too gay for me; not something I considered in line with a Christmas movie.

(2013-03-20 10:45:49)

Best Holiday Picture I have ever seen

Penelope looked hotter than ever. The feel good nature of the film is perfect for the holidays. It was great to see Robin Williams in the film unexpectedly. My daughter thought Paul Walker was amazing.

Lou Lumenick

(2013-03-20 00:38:15)

Except for die-hard students of extremely bad movies, Noel isn't worth seeing.