Mulan

Length: 88 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Based on a poem. And there are quite a few differences.

Best character: Mulan! Title character for the win! She is strong, clever, brave, kind, and... based off a real person? Apparently, though legend might be a better term.

But is it art? The scope of this sucker is amazing. Several sequences are outstanding, but the scene of the Huns coming over the mountain ridge is chill-inducing. And the score? Tops.

Major Flaws: The sequel. Who thought that was a good idea? Also the official soundtrack doesn't have the movie version of 'Mulan's Decision', soundtrack people... you messed up.

Much Ado About Nothing

If you ever watched Harry Potter thinking... "Hmm... Professors Lockhart and Trelawney would make a good couple." This is your big day.

Length: 111 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? It's Shakespeare being performed by Shakespearean actors, so... All I'm saying is that the script was literally the easiest part to adapt. BAM! Done.

Best character: I think Benedick and Beatrice are hilarious... but Claudio will always hold a special place in my heart since I had him in my English class. :)

But is it art? YES. One doesn't perform 400 year old plays because they are out of new material.

Major Flaws: It is hard impossible to believe that Denzel Washington and Keanu Reeves are half-brothers. Both are great in their role but I cannot fathom how they thought we wouldn't notice...

The Magic School Bus

Length:  20 Minute Episodes (Nearly Complete set, missing Disc 1)

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Although the TV series and the (original) book series don't sync up perfectly the series is very definitely in the spirit of the books and is one of the better 'for TV' adaptations.

Best character: Uh, hello. Miss Frizzle, she is one of my teacher inspirations. Take Chances! Make Mistakes! Get Messy!

But is it art? Fairly high-quality animation for syndicated children's television combined with a witty script make this a show that can be enjoyed by almost anyone.

Major Flaws: Really for what this show was trying to be there are no major flaws to speak of. Being a show about science it does have a couple episodes where the ill-effects of being a couple decades old show through. (Personally I also get kind of sick of Phoebe.)

Love Comes Softly

Length: 88 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Have not read the book.

Best character: I love all three primary characters. They play their parts pitch perfectly.

But is it art? So very, very predictable... except admittedly that bit at the beginning. But this is the only true romance (series) I love so it must have hit the right note in there somewhere.

Major Flaws: Like I said, predictable.

The Lorax

Length: 86 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Artistically, yes. Narratively, not as much.

Best character: The Once-ler. Who has shades of grey in this fairly heavy-handed story. That is until...

Neon subtlety.

But is it art? Such. Catchy. Songs. It definitely looks like a Dr. Seuss work. But the story is not entirely... Seussical.

Major Flaws: Subtlety does not exist here. Nor do moral shades of grey.

Little House on the Prairie Seasons 1 and 3

Length: 50 Minute Episodes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...... Sometimes?

Best character: Pa Ingalls. Because he is well-rounded, well-written, morally upright, and... ah, hell. He's played by Michael Landon. Who physically is my ideal man. The characters he play are also ideal.

I'm posting a picture of Little Joe from Bonanza... because after that confession of my undying crush for M-Lan I thought a picture of the middle-aged man that starred in Little House might raise a few eyebrows. So here is, pictured a decade or so closer to my current age.

But is it art? In the way that all family-friendly, pioneer soap-operas are art. Yes.

Major Flaws: Well... occasionally it can be filled with smarmy feel-good fluffiness. But at the time you like it.

The King and I

Length: 133 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? I have not read the books. It is worth noting that even though it appears to be loyal to the books... well the books probably definitely aren't loyal to history.

Best character: Hmmm... I love the King, flawed as he is. He has a very different sort of redemption story than one often finds in a movie, etc., etc., etc.

But is it art? It's a musical! I love big Broadway style musicals and this one comes from the masters Rodgers and Hammerstein! I'm sure you've heard some of them in your life, if you haven't it is never too late! However, only one song truely stands out in a can't-get-it-out-of-my-head sort of way:

Major Flaws: Let me tell you a story history. It is about a wonderful white woman who bravely moved to another country (one where people are not white). She saw that they had horrible not-white ways and set forth to change that... That may be an over simplification, but the sentiment is certainly there, and it was the '50s so they didn't really bother trying to hide it, unlike the remakes that have occurred. But, in a way, it's the honesty that makes it watchable. It is a gorgeous film and, while watching, it can be hard to not get swept up in the story.

Legend of the Viking Cross

Length: 94 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Haven't read the book. Christmas present anyone? lol

Best character: Awasis, I loved him in the first film and I still love him. If he isn't a well-rounded character than I don't know who is.

But is it art? So not only does this one have the made-for-TV vibe but it also has the sequel vibe, and as both o those things go, it isn't bad. I prefer the first, but this is still a good option for movie night at my place.

Major Flaws: Seriously, do archeologists often become obsessed to the point of craziness? It seems to be a theme.

Legend of the Guardians

Length: 97 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. No. It is supposedly an adaptation of the first three books in the series, but you get an entirely different story if you want.

Best character: Ezylryb, Soren, Twilight, Gylfie, Digger, I can't decide, just like in the books!

But is it art? It is gorgeous, if they'd have stayed true to the movies I might have gotten more, but noooooo. If you missed this in theatres in 3D I feel bad for you. Even my mother, who normally is meh about effects, was oohing and awing over how gorgeous this film was in 3D. The owls are so lovely and someone obviously did their research, just look at the way they move!!! And the music - chills. There is also a lot of social commentary going on (though it was pretty heavy-handed compared to the books).

LOOK.

AT.

IT.

Major Flaws: Like I said, I could have gotten more movies if they had stayed true to the books, I'm sure of it.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

Length: 110 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Based on comics I believe, but I haven't read them.

Best character: Another that I haven't seen in a while. But I do recall liking Tom Sawyer. And Captain Nemo, him too.

But is it art? I thought this was a fun action flick, but I wouldn't call it a great film. Good explosions though.

Major Flaws: I'm aware that there must have been a plot... I can remember some details but the big picture is alluding me.

The Last Unicorn

Length: 93 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? This book is on my TBR pile.

Best character: Molly Grue and that cat that I'm not sure had a name, but he is the most realistic cat portrayal in film, I'm certain.

But is it art? YES! Just look at that animation, inspired by medieval art and tapestries it looks exactly the way something set in that era should look. Also this may be animated but it is waaaaaaay darker than your average kids film. Hint: it isn't meant to be for kids. A word of caution, NOT for the immature audience there is a) a naked lady (but with the bits covered), b) an anthropomorphic tree with uncomfortably large breasts, and c) a harpy - a female harpy with three breasts. I mean I totally watched this as a little kid, probably through 5th or 6th grade even, and never noticed part c (granted the harpy terrified me and I usually made excuses to not be watching that part). Then in college I watched it again and, well, noticed. Three of them, just being anatomically all there and not afraid of the world.

Major Flaws: The song Now That I'm a Woman. It. Is. Grating.

The Jungle Book

Length: 78 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No. Disney famously had people that hadn't read the book write the script after he didn't like the first one.

Best character: Bagheera is my favorite in both the book and the movie. In fact pretty much every incarnation of Bagheera rocks.

But is it art? It hardly gets any more classic than this. The backgrounds are gorgeous, the characters are memorable, and if you hear the songs and forget them forever you are an atonal robot.

Major Flaws: Not enough Shere Khan? Although maybe he is made more menacing by being the non-present.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Length: 92 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? So not true to the book. Has some elements from it but that is about it.

Best character: No preferences.

But is it art? Not too shabby, the story holds up fairly well on its own.

Major Flaws: This was the very beginning of the 3D craze. THEY MILKED IT. There are so many gimmicky distracting shots. Also, there is a dinosaur in this film that is almost forgettable, dinosaurs shouldn't be forgettable.

Joseph King of Dreams

Length: 74 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Fairly loyal to the source material in the book of Genesis.

Best character: Joseph - I do love it when the title character turns out to be awesome.

But is it art? The animation is gorgeous in this film. The story is a great one and well executed - the songs are sometimes unnecessary though.

Major Flaws: Tried to be the Prince of Egypt but missed. Too bad, because I feel if it had done a little better maybe Dreamworks would put out more hand-drawn animation they had an amazing style.

The Hunger Games

Length: 142 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Fairly loyal.

Best character: Peeta

But is it art? Does an excellent job of making you think about things in a different way.

Major Flaws: The stupid shaking camera. I don't get motion sick on a vehicle, but this movie did it for me.

Hugo

Length: 126 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Yes, the book was practically made to be filmed.

Best character: The loveable Hugo.

But is it art? This film looks stunning. Even though it is technically a children's film it was nominated for Best Picture... that doesn't happen to just any film. If you've read the book you'll understand why this is the perfect story for film.

Major Flaws: I'm not sure why they chose a comic to play the inspector but whatever, he pulled it off. I wish that his backstory had been fleshed out a teensy bit more.

Horton Hears a Who

Length: 86 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? They've embellished a bit to make enough for a feature film.

Best character: I think the mayor is hilarious. But Morton the mouse is awesome as well. Ohmigosh I forgot about that vulture!!! Igor? Ivan? Somin' like that.

But is it art? Certainly went to prove that animated Dr. Seuss will always be better than live action *shudder*. Still has some really goofy moments that comes from having full-length movie based of a picture book.

Major Flaws: Nothing terribly major stands out as awful. I do think that the city council was a little unkind.

Homeward Bound

Length: 84 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? I haven't read the book.

Best character: When I was little it was Sassy all the way. Now that I'm older I appreciate all three animals but really love the gentle wisdom from Shadow.

But is it art? Hmmm... the scenery is beautiful and the animals are superbly trained. Some people are annoyed by talking animal narration and they'd be wise to avoid this movie. I don't mind except when the dialogue tries too hard to be hip.

Major Flaws: The aforementioned hipness.

Harry Potter and the Everything

This actually has nothing to do with the movies... it just has been stuck in my head.

Length:  1179 Minutes 
SS: 152 Minutes
CS: 160 Minutes
PA: 142 Minutes
GF: 157 Minutes
OP: 139 Minutes
HP: 153 Minutes
DH1: 146 Minutes
DH2: 130 Minutes

I've seen all of these... in one day even.

Is it loyal to the book? Remarkably so for a series of its size.

Best character: Hermione Granger is my spirit animal.

But is it art? YES! YES! YES! If you ever indulge in a Harry Potter Binge Fest... an event I like to refer to as the Magical Mega Movie Marathon, it is fun to create lists... some of which I need to start writing down because I find them greatly amusing at the time. Such as my list of The Most Awkward Moments for Everyone in the Audience.

Major Flaws: The freeze frame ending for HP&PA comes straight to mind. Really though this series nailed it right on the head pretty nicely.

Gnomeo and Juliet

Length: 84 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? It is inspired by Romeo and Juliet... if you hadn't figured that out then you need a lesson in wordplay. Anyhow it somehow manages to not be entirely faithful. Weird.

Best character: Featherstone the lovesick flamingo. He is the funniest and the most sentimental character in the whole movie.

But is it art? This movie was a labor of love from Elton John and it shows. While not as technically polished as movies from the big name companies it has all the heart.

Major Flaws: That gnome in a g-string or whatever it is called will never cease to be painful.