A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2020) – Christmas Carol-A-Thon 2021 comes to a close with this review of the criminally underrated version of A Christmas Carol that was released last year. This production is easily one of the most beautiful adaptations of the Dickens classic.
The director was Jaqui Morris and the screenplay was crafted by David Morris utilizing almost nothing but Dickens’ own words from the novel. In this boldly creative non-musical presentation each character had their dancing performed by a professional dancer while their dialogue was voiced by professional thespians.
And what thespians! The voice of Andy Serkis is heard, in addition to those of Sian Phillips, who apparently will never die, and Leslie Caron, whom I thought had already died. Serkis provides the dialogue for Marley’s Ghost and Old Joe. Phillips is the narrator whose wonderful performance ties it all together and Caron provides the voice for the Ghost of Christmas Past.
A Christmas Carol is presented here as if it will be a puppet show put on by a family of entertainers but instead of actual puppets, professional dancers act out the story. In the same way that a ballet features superb dancing set to music, this dancing is set to narration and dialogue from the Dickens novel. Continue reading
LATITUDE ZERO (1969) – My review of the long unavailable Japanese monster/ sci fi movie 
AMERICA: PART OF THE DUNE SERIES – In the spirit of my blog post America: Part of the Alien Series. Click 
Balladeer’s Blog’s year-end retrospective comes to a close with this look at November’s best. Hunker down with some Iron Smoke Bourbon to help you ring in the new year. 
THE THIN MAN (1934) – My review of Dashiell Hammett’s final novel, a murder mystery set between Christmas and New Year’s. Click 
SIX-HUNDRED & SIXTY SIX (1972) – A combination science fiction/ post-apocalypse/ horror/ religious flick starring cult actor Joe Turkel, best known for his role as Lloyd the Bartender in The Shining. Click 
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