COZI TV (channel 5.4 in central Iowa) came through with a winner last night. The movie was set in the Great Depression somewhere in the Midwest or southern United States. It was made in 2013. Fascinating little storyline that kept you intrigued. Large family, momma just died, medical bills from little Billy’s polio. The requisite school bully, Mean Mrs. Olson, the bitter widder lady (widow). Nice low-key acting. Dude must a had 6 kids. The premise was Dad had $1 entire dollar to split amongst the family to buy Christmas presents for each other (a dime back then bought more than it does today). But the funny thing was what occurred to me when it was over. Hallmark couldn’t have done this one on their best day. They have their formula and they’re sticking to it. It can be done. No budget. No big names. Just a little imagination with the writing, a little location shooting, throw in a horse and a crippled boy and you got yourself a movie!

[The comparison is like the movie they are playing this moment on TCM: A Matter of Life and Death (1946). I’d call it sort of an ‘avantgarde’ film. An intriguing premise, since “heaven” messed up when this WW II bomber crew crashed, should he really be dead? Or should he be given a second chance at life? Made in London, which explains the freshness. Hollywood was stale from nearly its inception (they pretty much shot their wad by the end of the 1940’s). What it comes down to, is that many many people have been given many many dollars to turn out shit. Its just rather staggering to think how much no talent hacks have wasted. Hollywood couldn’t have done this film on its best day. And I believe the reason movies like this are never played, is that it makes Hollywood look so inept.]