Mary Poppins (1964)

I never cared for Mary Poppins as a kid, which is why I never watched the film before. I loved Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music though and I'm kind of interested in seeing Mary Poppins Returns, the sequel starring Emily Blunt, so I checked this one out. 

Set in Edwardian London, the film tells the story of the Banks family. The parents, George (David Tomlison) and Winifred (Glynis Johns), advertise for a new nanny for their rowdy, neglected children, Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael (Matthew Garber). The children, not happy with the previous nannies, write their own advertisement for a kind and sweet nanny. All of a sudden, Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) arrives and, with the help of Bert (Dick Van Dyke), a chimney sweep and performer, uses music and adventure to improve the family's dynamic.

The plot is very simple so it's very easy for kids to understand but I didn't find it compelling enough to keep me, an adult, engaged or interested. Truth to be told, I was bored, so bored that's a miracle I finished the film. Sure, it's a story that delivers several messages, like the importance of family and imagination, especially at such a young age, but it was tedious. 

Not even the characters were able to make me enjoy this. I'm blaming the plot again as the characters are pretty awesome and memorable. Though I was not a fan of the kids as they looked stupid from start to finish and they were kind of annoying too, I loved Mary Poppins. She is such a lovable governess and Julie Andrews gives such a sweet and charming performance, it's impossible not to like her. The standout, however, has to be Dick Van Dyke and his Bert. I wasn't crazy about his Cockney accent but he is so cheerful and fun, he brings so much energy and enthusiasm into the film, and his dancing and singing are fantastic. 

Buena Vista Distribution

What I also liked about Mary Poppins is how the filmmakers were able to combine live-action and animation. They are combined wonderfully, especially considering this film was made in the 1960s. It does look old today but it still is quite charming and kind of magical. 

As for the soundtrack, some songs are so catchy and memorable, but some, I just didn't care for them. Not to mention that some songs are completely unrelated to the story. 

Spaced Gets the Axe, Dick Spared, Garcia Smolders

Well, it looks like The Dick Van Dyke Show's absence from streaming was only temporary. The series is officially back online. That means if you still haven't managed to check out this always funny and engaging program, you've got another chance to see what made it so special and such an integral part of TV history.

But before you catch up on the shenanigans of Rob and Laura Petrie & Co., take a few hours to check out the equally groundbreaking (if not as universally known) British comedy Spaced, scheduled to expire from Instant at midnight on the 17th (that's one minute past 11:59 P.M. on the 16th, for those who get confused by such things). As I wrote back in April, Spaced is far from your average britcom, and not only helped spawn the current era of post-modern television comedy (think 30 Rock and Arrested Development), it introduced the world to the talents of Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright, and Nick Frost, who went on to make Shaun of the Dead and this year's The World's End (among many others). Less well-known but equally praiseworthy is their partner-in-crime, Jessica Stevenson, who co-wrote and co-starred with Pegg and offers a brand of endearing daffiness all her own. Made up of only 14 episodes spread over two seasons, Spaced is perfect for a binge watch before it takes its leave.

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More November Expirations (2013)

It doesn't look like I'll have a chance to write a proper post extolling the virtues of the titles expiring before month's end, but be sure to take a look at the list at the top of the page to see what's on the cutting block. Most notable is The Dick Van Dyke Show, which, despite being over 50 years old and in black-and-white, achieved a humor and freshness that keep it virtually ageless. Creator Carl Reiner made a point of not referencing the era's events or pop culture, and that�along with believable, archetypal characters, solid writing, and funny, grounded performances�make this series as entertaining today as it was in the early 1960s. All five seasons of the show expire at 12:01am on 11/29 [Update: since renewed]. If you're one of the few who have never seen it, and you enjoy traditional sitcoms, you should definitely check out a few episodes before they're gone.

Also of note: two '70s classics�Carrie and Saturday Night Fever�both of which have been mentioned here before and both featuring John Travolta�along with the tense, borderline exploitative Larry Clark thriller, Bully, which is based on a true story and, despite its tossed-off, documentary feel and casual, underage violence and sexuality, sneaks up on you by building some genuine, nail-biting tension by the time it's over.

That's all for now. Other titles worth a look can be found on the Expiring Soon list. Here's wishing you a happy, movie-filled Thanksgiving!

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