Rating: 
Summary: Another 5 star Christmas film!
Review: I guess you're all wondering, "What's this gal doing? Here it is June and all she can rate are Christmas films." And I know I said you couldn't go through Christmas without White Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street, but here's another one for you. It's a Wonderful Life is a wonderful classic about what life would be like if you were never born. Now I know everybody out there probably wishes at one time or another that they'd never been born. "Why, if I'd never been born, I wouldn't be going through all this heartache and pain." Heartache and pain, or not, life is always worth living. If you were never born, what would have happened to your mom and dad, your brothers and sisters, your husband or wife. You would never have had the wonderful children that you hold so dear. Maybe you did something in your life that saved the life of someone precious to you. If you'd never been born, you could not have done that.If George Bailey had never been born, his little brother Harry would have died when he broke through the ice when he was a child. He would not have grown up to save his entire regimen from the enemy during World War II. If George Bailey were never born, his mother would have had to start a boarding house just to make ends meet. If George Bailey were never born, his wife Mary would have become an old maid, afraid of her own shadow and ever shy. If George Bailey were never born, he would never have had his beautiful children, and there would have been no petals from his youngest daughter, Zuzu. If George Bailey were never born, there would have been no Clarence the angel to come to Earth to show George just how much he was needed. The entire town relied on George. If George had not been around, the whole town would have gone to old man Potter and it would not have been the nice little town it was with George. So you see, no matter how bad your life is, it would be worse if you'd never been born.
Rating:
Summary: Everytime a bell rings, an angel gets his wings...
Review: An underrated movie when first released, now one of America's best-loved films! -- When George Bailey wants to die, an angel appears in the shape of an old vagabund, granting George a special wish: To see life in his hometown the way it would have been, had there never been a George Bailey. George realizes that his life was indeed a wonderful one, and that he affected many people by being part of theirs. -- This is a wonderful film! You are not likely to view this movie for the first time, but you may be especially thrilled with this DVD version, adding many demensions to the film itself. There are trailers, commentary and much more. Too bad I can only give 5 stars to this gem of a movie! It has my highest recommendation!
Rating:
Summary: Among the Greatest Classics of All-Time.
Review: What to say? I have a Masters in Communications/Film/Rhetorical Analysis. I've studied enough films from a rhetorical/ideological perspective for three lifetimes. And I still would rather watch 'It's A Wonderful Life' than 'Citizen Kane' or any other 'intellectually-chic' bore. That's because, when it's all said and done, life is not what you know or own or have done. Rather, life is about WHO YOU ARE AND HAVE BECOME and WHO'S LIFE YOU HAVE CHANGED FOR THE POSITIVE. And 'It's A Wonderful Life' is all about that 'non-intellectual stuff' that 'critics' love to bash because deep-down they crave what the movie speaks about more than the air they breathe. Must I say more?
Rating:
Summary: Marvelous
Review: A classic that should be watched every Christmas. Great story and an incredible performance by arguably the best actor ever, James Steward.
Rating: 
Summary: A great film with a great transfer.
Review: To correct T Hinde of Sydney(in a below review)It's A Wonderful Life has been shown every Christmas in Australia for decades and a video,with documentary has been available there for years.I have seen it on TV a dozen times. The film is a classic feel-good movie and the documentary is also interesting.This film can be viewed over and over and is well worth getting.
Rating:
Summary: PRISTINE TRANSFER TO DVD
Review: A man is prevented form committing suicide by an elderly angel, who takes him back through his life to show him the good he's done. Undoubtedly one of the most popular movies ever made, this majestic, heartwarming fantasy is greeted with enthusiasm with each new generation. The public obviously adores Capra's "human touch" and the performances are all memorable down to Stewart's kids (Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings!) Beulah Bondi is typically natural as Ma Bailey, Lionel Barrymore hatefully crusty Mr. Potter; even the cameo by Sheldon Leonard stands out. As Mary Bailey, Donna Reed was never more lovely or appealing, and Gloria Grahame is fun as Violet the tart. The scenes we remember are many: young George getting smacked on the ear by the pharmacy owner, Mary and George falling into the pool; the victrola and "moonlight and rocks" scene. This holiday classic has the distinction of being the favourite work of both Capra and Stewart!
Rating:
Summary: Be careful what you wish for.
Review: There seems to be some sort of conspiracy in Australia to keep this film a secret. It is clear to me that "It's a Wonderful Life" is regarded as the standard Christmas eve broadcasting in the US. It seems that many Americans regard this film as worn out, in the same way as say "The sound of music" has been, through too many viewings. To the best of my knowledge it has only been broadcast once in the last ten years in OZ, (I've been informed that's not strictly true, but why spoil the story), and that time was not advertised. So perhaps I am in a better position to judge the true worth of this film, not having been overexposed. I regard it as one of my top ten of all time. The cast is fabulous. James Stewart was perfect in his central role as George Bailey. Although I would rate his performance in "Mr. Smith goes to Washington", slightly higher. The story is brilliant and the direction is immaculate.
I was lucky enough to get one of the 45th anniversary copies of the re-mastered laser disc and it is a beautiful transfer. If you ever want to add this film to your collection, this is the copy to get. If you are not crying through at least half of this film, both in joy and anguish, then I think there is something wrong with you. I certainly got more out of this film than any rendition of Dickens', "A Christmas Tale". After all how many of us can empathize with a penny pinching self centered old grouch versus a good man faced with letting his family and friends down.
That is the basic story after all. George Bailey has been dealt a savage blow and is contemplating suicide at his lowest ebb. It takes an apprentice angel to put it all in perspective and remind him that joy in life should never be eclipsed by any setback. Maybe those Americans out there that have not taken the time to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" in the last ten years should stop and try to recall the story. If you can't, then you should make the time to give it another chance. You may be surprised at the power it still has to move you.
Rating:
Summary: This is the one. Possibly the best movie of all time.
Review: I'm a real movie buff and I own many VHS movies but this one "It's a Wonderful Life" is my number one favorite. Every Christmas the fam gathers 'round the TV and we watch this flick. In fact, I usually watch it two or three times during the year. I have yet to watch this movie without weeping tears of joy. It touches me deeply because the message is so very powerful and the movie is so well done. We all *yearn* to think the world - even our little corner of it - would be the poorer had we not been born. But this movie paints a dramatic picture of the power of one life to do good and lift up others and the power of others to lift up one soul who's lost his way. The history in this movie is also good. It shows life in the first 40 years of this century in a very accurate way. And in the rush on the bank, George Bailey gives the best definition of a mortgage I've ever read or heard in any medium. Interestingly, Hollywood censors had several concerns with the movie - the villan - Mr. Potter got away with theft with no serious consequences and when George said "nuts to you" that was considered an unnecessary ugliness. I could write on and on about this movie. Like a beautiful gem, it has many facets and the more you watch this flick, the more you see all it's beautiful sides. I suppose the most important message I got out of the movie is that no circumstance - no matter how dark it may appear - is ever hopeless. I loved it.
Rating: 
Summary: What`s So Great About This Movie
Review: There is virtually no plot to this story and it there are numerous examples of overacting. Also, what content there is to the story is quite implausible. For example, the viewer is expected to believe that the capitalist, big businessman, Mr. Potter, is nothing but a mean-spirited, selfish old codger that wants nothing more than to obtain total control over the livelihood of the people of Bedford Falls. His chief foil to his schemes is the Bailey Building & Loan; run first by George Bailey`s father and then by George himself. The Bailey`s run their business altruistically and as a result they are continually on the edge of bankruptcy. It finally appears that this will finally happen when George`s feeble-minded uncle inadvertently left $8000 of the bank`s money in a folded up newspaper that he gave to Mr. Potter. While in is most definitely wrong for Mr. Potter to have kept the money knowing that it wasn`t his it seems rather odd that a properly conducted investigation would have revealed these facts. Plus, there is also the question as to why anyone would allow someone to remain employed in their own business beyond that employee`s ability. that is no way to run any business. There is also a serious flaw in this movie`s other message of giving of yourself without reward. Throughout the entire story there are examples people either expecting or accepting rewards for their good deeds. For example, George`s brother Harry is honored for saving people`s lives during World War 2, George`s wife Mary, after the $8000 is discovered missing, calls in any favors that they have done for people over the years expecting a bailout, and finally, the angel Clarence accepts the assignment of helping George Bailey because he want to earn his wings. The point is that no one ever really does anything expecting nothing in return. That is just as true in heaven as it is on earth.
Rating:
Summary: What's So Bad About Never Having Been Born
Review: One major misconception about It's a Wonderful Life is the nature of exactly what it is George Bailey learns that turns him from death. It's blatantly obvious to us and to him how important he is to Bedford Falls. We are made increasingly aware of this as the film progresses. Clarence the angel in trying to convince George Bailey how important he is to everyone, exactly misses the point. What George finally needs to realize is how important Bedford Falls, his friends, his wife and family are to him. This is something in all his fantasies of travel and fame he has never allowed himself to acknowledge. Home sickness was not an option. I believe this one of the main reasons the story of George Bailey is so powerful. Self sacrifice alone is not enough. I have also always been impressed at just how dark all the undercurrents of this film are, despite the "CapriCorn". In the end Disaster is averted (for now), but one imagines Potter will get to keep the money that was the source of George Bailey's most recent woes, and will remain the threat he ever was. Attempts to create Light without Dark have spawned the worst kinds of sentimental trash, but It's a Wonderful Life is decidedly not in that category.
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