Thanks for the tip for a heartwarming movie. Perehaps the Japanese get it right.
Here's an unusual movie for everyone's consideration:
Dance of A Dream (HK 2001): A flawed film meant to evoke the Christmas spirit that fails despite the snappy dancing and good intentions. Directed by Andrew Lau and starring Andy Lau, Anita Mui, and Sandra Ng doing the tango, cha-cha, and waltz. Edison Chen and a strong supporting cast of well-known HK actors add to the festivities. DofaD is a decent enough song and dance movie -- good production values, nice cinematography and choreography but misses as far as its message goes. I recommend viewing it and arrive at your own conclusion.
This is must-see viewing for Andy, Anita and Sandra's performances - acting, singing, and dancing. It was also Anita's next to last film appearance and is memorable for that fact.
Although Christmas appears as a holiday event in many HK movies, none of the films seem to successfully capture the goodwill and spirit of the season. In view of that fact, and since we are talking song & dance, I recommend:
Scrooge (UK 1970): As far as I know, Dicken's classic has never been adapted as an HK film but I know it has been done several years ago as a Noh style stage play in San Francisco. The particular movie here is a big budget musical adaptation that preceded the Kelsey Grammer 2004 cable version (I am not counting the Muppet version or the Mr. Magoo version here even though both include plenty of songs).
If you've never seen this musical before, it is well worth a look. Featuring a cast of very fine British actors that include Albert Finney as Scrooge, Kenneth More as Spirit of Christmas Present, and Laurence Naismith as Fezziwig. Marley's Ghost is none other than Alec Guiness (Obi-Wan Kenobi) in one of his best roles. This is one Jacob Marley you have got to see.
The songs are good enough. Scrooge's signature theme at the beginning is "I Hate People" but by the end of the film he has changed his tune to "I Like Life."
High production values. Splendid acting, costuming, and set decoration all beautifully filmed. The ghostly elements of the story and the message of transformation and redemption was believable. Then 33 year old Albert Finney delivers a tour-de-force performance. Not pure Dickens but good enough. A holiday tradition every year for me.
Here's an unusual movie for everyone's consideration:
Dance of A Dream (HK 2001): A flawed film meant to evoke the Christmas spirit that fails despite the snappy dancing and good intentions. Directed by Andrew Lau and starring Andy Lau, Anita Mui, and Sandra Ng doing the tango, cha-cha, and waltz. Edison Chen and a strong supporting cast of well-known HK actors add to the festivities. DofaD is a decent enough song and dance movie -- good production values, nice cinematography and choreography but misses as far as its message goes. I recommend viewing it and arrive at your own conclusion.
This is must-see viewing for Andy, Anita and Sandra's performances - acting, singing, and dancing. It was also Anita's next to last film appearance and is memorable for that fact.
Although Christmas appears as a holiday event in many HK movies, none of the films seem to successfully capture the goodwill and spirit of the season. In view of that fact, and since we are talking song & dance, I recommend:
Scrooge (UK 1970): As far as I know, Dicken's classic has never been adapted as an HK film but I know it has been done several years ago as a Noh style stage play in San Francisco. The particular movie here is a big budget musical adaptation that preceded the Kelsey Grammer 2004 cable version (I am not counting the Muppet version or the Mr. Magoo version here even though both include plenty of songs).
If you've never seen this musical before, it is well worth a look. Featuring a cast of very fine British actors that include Albert Finney as Scrooge, Kenneth More as Spirit of Christmas Present, and Laurence Naismith as Fezziwig. Marley's Ghost is none other than Alec Guiness (Obi-Wan Kenobi) in one of his best roles. This is one Jacob Marley you have got to see.
The songs are good enough. Scrooge's signature theme at the beginning is "I Hate People" but by the end of the film he has changed his tune to "I Like Life."
High production values. Splendid acting, costuming, and set decoration all beautifully filmed. The ghostly elements of the story and the message of transformation and redemption was believable. Then 33 year old Albert Finney delivers a tour-de-force performance. Not pure Dickens but good enough. A holiday tradition every year for me.
I only own it cause the DVD was cheap and the previously mentioned love. However, it's definitely dark "holiday" viewing. 
