BOOK REVIEW: We Can Be Who We Are: Movie Musicals from the '70s

This is a large book, but it's remarkably swift and "digestible" to read. I chose to read about the movies I liked best, but could not resist reading about the ones that were so-so. But author Lee Gambin writes with such enthusiasm and conviction, every chapter is fascinating and entertaining, whether the film is familiar of not. Some of the reviews are combined in a single section and others are given more lengthy examinations.

The obvious '70s films are here, like Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, even Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. What is truly marvelous is that a lot of films that are usually tossed aside or barely acknowledged in most film books are included--like Pufnstuf, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Journey Back to Oz, Raggedy Ann & Andy and Sherman Brothers musicals like Charlotte's Web, The Magic of Lassie, Snoopy Come Home, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn--and are discussed with a respect and sense of importance rarely if ever afforded to them.

Gambin also considers TV specials as valid musicals of the '70s and why not? He reviews several Rankin/Bass classics like Santa Claus is Comin' to Town and The Easter Bunny is Comin' To Town, plus TV versions of Broadway shows like Applause and It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Superman!. You'll even find the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special, The Paul Lynde Halloween Special and Hanna-Barbera's KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park!

Gambin often puts the subtexts and messages of the films under a microscope, much as a college professor would in a film class. It's his book and his valid opinion, but some might be taken aback by some of the things he interprets. The book covers material from A to Z and from G-rated to X-rated, so the reader will be exposed to very mature subject matter and politically incorrect verbiage inherent in films that are of their time.

The book does, however, have misspellings, errors and grammatical issues here and there. The interviews are presented unedited, which means that repetitions and extraneous phrases are intact. That's great from an historic point of view, but it makes the reading somewhat tedious and is not a favor to the interview subjects (from my experience, they don't mind a little gentle editing). It would have also been helpful if the table of contents included the titles of the films covered. However, the interviews are pure gold and the overall book is so thorough on so many points that it is still recommended.

 

DVD REVIEW: Miles from Tomorrowland

Miles from Tomorrowland (a very clever title, I must say) is a Disney Junior CG animated series about the futuristic Calistos family. A nuclear family with a mom, dad, son and daughter, they bring to mind several recent and classic TV shows. They remind me of The Jetsons, of course, to begin with, using phrases like “blastastic” and “astrolutely”. only they take a more active role in helping in the galaxy.

And as on Star Trek: Voyager, mom is the Captain (just like in my house). Like Thunderbirds, they receive assignments to assist and rescues, using their combined talents. Like Handy Manny, the family helps others and fixes things in their community of space. And like The Donna Reed Show’s Stone clan, they’re attractive, pleasant and free of serious dysfunction.

Olivia Munn voices Mom, Larry (Spongebob) voices Leo, the dad, with Cullen McCarthy as Miles and Fiona Bishop as Loretta, Miles’ sister. Miles rides around on a space ostrich named Merk (the amazing Dee Bradley Baker).

Each episode features two 11-minute stories, in which a mission is set up, or a fun activity, such as surfing in space, is explored. Kids are presented with role models in the form of adventurous, important Miles, and brilliant, problem solving Fiona. It’s a great concept that works well for boys and girls equally. Unlike many other Disney Junior shows, there are no songs, perhaps to skew the show a little older.

The DVD offers episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 from the first season. There are no bonus features, but the box contains a complimentary “Blastboard Flashlight”. Perhaps the tight budgets of DVDs nowadays means that premiums are more affordable than video extras, or quite simply these prizes have proven to have more appeal to consumers.