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 Lion King

Length: 97 Minutes

I've seen this one... on occasion.

Is it loyal to the book? Not based on a book per se... Influenced quite a bit by Kimba (regardless of what Disney says), Disney's own movie Bambi, and Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Best character: HFIHRBNG

But is it art? YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES. So it turns out that this is my favorite movie. You may borrow it but if it is damaged you will be buying me a brand-new copy. Capishe? I was too young for this movie's original theatrical run, but I was first in line for the 3D re-release.

Major Flaws: ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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.

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.

Independence Day

Length: 145 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: Several characters get a moment. We'll leave it at that.

But is it art? Guilty pleasures. Everybody has a few. This is a film that has problems, I know it has them, yet I don't care. 

Major Flaws: Come one, Boomer!

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.

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.

Francis of Assisi

I can find the whole movie but not a trailer... suffice to say he is an awesome saint and I expect him to have an awesome movie.

Length:  105 Minutes

I haven't seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? ?

Best character: ?

But is it art? ?

Major Flaws: ?

Demetrius and the Gladiators

Length:  101 Minutes

I've seen this one. Sort of... but I'm not sure which one is which. See The Robe.

Is it loyal to the book? I don't know.

Best character: ?

But is it art? Another BDEM! These BDEMs are creeping up!

Major Flaws: Very similar to another movie and they are hard to separate when you are on exceptionally good pneumonia medication.

The Bible... in the Beginning

Length: 94 Minutes

I've seen this one, with my parents, and I don't remember a thing.

Is it loyal to the book? Slightly abridged. Plus the entire bit with Jonah's Ark was overplayed. This is a purposeful mistake.

Best character: Thank the man upstairs.

But is it art? It has all the qualities required of a BDEM.

Major Flaws: ?

Australia

Length: 165 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: ...must say I'm a little biased towards any Hugh Jackman character.

But is it art? EPIC in the truest sense, it tries to recapture the feel of old Hollywood epics and succeeds spectacularly. I am of the opinion that this film needs the biggest screen you can find to properly enjoy.

Major Flaws: The first twenty minutes are necessary plot development the first time you see it. But I skip them after that. Also the first viewing will make you think that you've reached the ending a few times before you actually do.

Annie Get Your Gun

Length: 107 Minutes

I have definitely seen this film. I had a high school love affair with this film. I think that the library probably believed I owned the film and simply let it spend the night every three weeks.

Is it loyal to the book? No book. But history... ahem. Oh boy, this seemed like a love story until I researched the living daylights out of Annie Oakley. The Frank in this film is a total jerk compared to the real Frank, who is one of my top ten romantic historic gentlemen.

Best character: Not Frank. Though I do love me some Howard Keel. Annie comes off as just a little too much of a 'hick'. Well shoot. I might need to rewatch.

But is it art? Yes. A musical masterpiece to be sure, and it approaches BDEM territory.

Major Flaws: The romance mentioned above. 

The Agony and the Ecstacy

Length: 138 Minutes

I've never seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? There is a book, but I haven't read it.

Best character: ?

But is it art? Certainly looks like a BDEM.

Major Flaws: ?

Have a link.