Snowglobe

This 2007 tv movie is fantasy Christmas drama directed by Ron Lagomarsino. The stars includes Christina Milian, Erin Karpluk and Hilda Doherty. 

A young woman named Angela lives in an apartment where she keeps getting disturbed by relatives who invade her personal space without permission. She finds solace in a Christmas snowglobe with a tiny town inside that seems enchanted. She turns the dial to play music on the snowglobe and finds herself transported into the magical town where everyone is happy.

While this is a family film, with some pretty Christmas scenes and nice atmosphere, it can be silly in places. The family such as the unemployed brother-in-law, are so ridiculous they're funny instead of annoying. There's a lot of humour and interesting likeable characters, which makes it a fun film for the seasonal cheer. The added romance gives it a modern fairy tale feel. I rate this one a 7/10.

My personal likes about the film is that fantastic oven making food appear out of nowhere. It would look nice in my kitchen. 

My personal dislikes about the film is Angela's awful overbearing and judgemental family. Their behaviour wouldn't be tolerated here by me if they turned up.

Blood Strawberry 

El Dorado: Temple of the Sun

 

This is a 2010 adventure tv mini series, also combined into full length film, starring Shane West and Luke Goss. 

An archaeologist is given a diary of a friend that reveals notes about the mysterious city of gold, El Dorado. He goes off to track down the whereabouts of El Dorado using the diary as source, when he locates it buried in a mountain. There are traps and hidden artifacts waiting to be discovered, however all doesn't end well.

Bring in 80's teenaged girls favourite pin-up Luke Goss, who plays the villain really well and also determined to find the same city. Plenty of nice scenery but terrible storyline, emphasising the evil colonial power destroying a world heritage site. While many believe El Dorado is just a legend, this film keeps it that way by having beautiful (not real) structures bombed. 

This was filmed in Lima, Peru. I rate this a dusty 3/10 due to the way it was done, like it was home made. Often compared to Indiana Jones but it isn't, because this feels empty, little adventure and none of the magic. Honestly I can't remember how it ended. A possible watch again if very bored.

Blood Strawberry 

Just Another Dream

"Just Another Dream" is a 2021 fantasy drama, low budget made by Blue Bird Productions and Rock Solid Creative Studios. It was directed by Paul Schneider and the cast includes Kristy Swanson, Dean Cain, Eugene Brave Rock and Kayden Bryce.

A teenaged girl named Anna keeps waking up screaming after having nightmares. When she realises that her dreams are prophetic and happen later on, she becomes traumatised and is taken to a clinic to get better. Her best friend, named Joshua, is still coping with the death of his sister while he blames himself. In the hospital, Anna meets Takota, a member of staff who's the only person to understand what she's experiencing. He gives her a dreamcatcher. 

This is nothing like the eerie dark "Eyes of Laura Mars" type of film, if this is what some are expecting but this film is was quite sweet and vanilla that tells the story as a fairy tale. Anna finds a way to learn the meaning of her visions and tries to undo them from happening. A lot more including time travel and mysticism.  

This was a nice rounded drama fantasy and it was satisfying from start to end. Some may like it and there will be others who don't. I rate this a 8/10 for afternoon tea entertaining and that library looks so cool. 

Blood Strawberry

Love Across Time

Sorry everyone! I've been on a long respite and haven't posted for several months! I shall begin by giving a review of a different sort of film than I usually review on this blog. Blood Strawberry shall review all genres. 

"Love Across Time" is a 2024 romance fantasy film directed by Brian Bough. The stars includes Aubrey Reynolds and Toby-Alexander Smith. It was made by Silver Peak Productions, and filmed at a real manor house in England.

Chelsea is a young American real estate agent who visits England to help sell properties. Among them is a very old and beautiful manor house with a huge gorgeous garden, many rococo rooms and gorgeous ornate statues. There's a small room with a magic mirror that becomes a window during the lunar phase, and Chelsea can see a handsome man named Charles, who is from the 18th century. 

Some of the details are overlooked, including the fact when Charles appears in the modern era and somehow avoids becoming seriously ill with all manner of illnesses, because he isn't vaccinated. His teeth are immaculate, despite being from the 18th century. Modern technology of course doesn't scare him at all, and he's never put off by any of the moving motor engines. They discussed planes, but not one flew over and if so it didn't bother 18th century Charles. 

A very nice wholesome romance story with a happy ending. I would like to have seen more on Charles being culture shocked by modern 21st century life. I rate this film a pleasant oatmeal biscuit 6/10. 

Blood Strawberry