The perfect Tiny Tim:
It is so easy for "Christmas Carol" adaptations to reduce Tiny Tim to little more than a prop. "God bless us, Everyone!" He squeaks, and suddenly Scrooge, the original Grinch, falls to pieces over this kid he's known about for all of three minutes. This is the character that finally starts to cut through Scrooge's icy heart. Why? Because he's cute? Benjamin Bunny is cute...
"Catch!"
Because he's disabled? This is 19th century London. I'm sure Scrooge has seen a kid with rickets before. So why Tiny Tim? Well thanks to the masterful direction in "Muppet Christmas Carol", we can see the impact Tiny Tim has on Scrooge, his family, and the entire story.
Scrooge first sees Tim perched atop Bob's shoulder as they make their way home from church Christmas Eve. It's clear that they're as close as father and son can be. However, while the Ghost of Christmas Present is charmed, Tim doesn't make much of an impression on Scrooge. Not until Bob says a line straight from the original text:
"He told me that he hoped the people saw him in church because it might be pleasant for them to remember upon Christmas Day who made lame beggars walk and blind men see."
Scrooge is astonished. Despite his young age, Tim is spiritually mature and wise. And despite his disability, he keeps an upbeat, cheerful demeanor, giddy for Christmas and everything it brings. When his parents start to squabble, he defuses the situation with a positive attitude.
Scrooge is moved to tears as Tim leads his family in prayer. Because yes, "Bless Us All" isn't just a song, it's a prayer that God will bless this family and that they will always follow in His ways. Their goose is small, their house is a shack, but they consider themselves blessed. Scrooge has everything, but he's alone and miserable. The Crachits have little, but they have love. And Tim, through his joy and optimism, is a constant reminder of that.
When Scrooge inquires of Tiny Tim's future, the Ghost of Christmas Present answers, "I see a vacant seat by the chimney corner and a crutch without an owner. If these shadows remain unaltered, I believe the child will die."
"If these shadows remain unaltered..." For the first time, Scrooge is forced to confront how his own actions, his miserliness toward his fellow man, affect those around him.
HE is Bob's employer. HE has been keeping this family in poverty.
Scrooge could have paid Bob enough to buy a warmer house, more coal, better food. He could have paid him enough to buy medicine or a better doctor for Tim. Their fates rest in his pocket book. And yet Bob and Tim still toast him at the dinner table. Scrooge might not have done much, but for the little he has done, they're still grateful.
The Crachit house is a home of love. And Tiny Tim is its heart. If Scrooge doesn't change, they may lose him.
That's why "Muppet Christmas Carol's" Tiny Tim is the perfect version of the character. It allows us to see Tim not just as a guilt trip for Scrooge, but as a person who's important to his family. There are stakes to him dying. There are stakes to Scrooge not changing, aside from an eternity dragging chains.
At least he won't be lonely.
What else is there to say, except...
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@princesssarisa @softlytowardthesun @moonbeamelf
An Internet Archive playlist of Muppet Babies episodes, with better image and audio quality than the Youtube version.
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🎥 izi's Random Movie Reviews 🎞
Muppet Treasure Island 👤 dir. Brian Henson
This post contains spoilers.
"It was really neat seeing familiar Muppet faces, but it was also a nice surprise to see new faces added to the mix; some real pirates on this crew!"
A good classic Muppet film for sure! To see beloved Henson characters fill in the roles of these well-referenced characters gives the original story its homage while still playing into the performances and strengths of these puppets. Tim Curry was outstanding as John Silver and did not disappoint. It was really neat seeing familiar Muppet faces, but it was also a nice surprise to see new faces added to the mix; some real pirates on this crew!
Some of the storyline got lost from me. Yes, I understand this kid movie, but some lines made me confused especially at the beginning (maybe it was the pirate speak?). Very quick beginning/establishment, well paced middle and an outdrawn end.
I cannot express how annoyed I am at the trope of “young white boy who doesn’t actually bring anything to the story.” Him being Super British did not help his case either. Having Gonzo and Rizzo as his pals/family was a very cute dynamic though.
I thrifted this DVD so I wanted to take time to note that Gonzo and Rizzo meet you at the menu screen, chatting with you and asking you to hit buttons. I have not checked out bonus features yet, but as always, with physical media like DVDs, these little nuggets of behind-the-scenes and extra features are always a treat.
6/10
Read this review on Letterboxd!
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@amalthea9 @softlytowardthesun @princesssarisa @moonbeamelf
The Internet Archive playlist of episodes of Muppets Tonight, with slightly better image and audio quality.
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GUYS IM SO FUCKING HYPED FOR THE FNAF MOVIE IM SKKFKGKG
MATTHEW LILLARD AS WILLIAM AFTON?!
JOSH HUTCHERSON AS MICHAEL AFTON?!
BLUMHOUSE PRODUCTIONS IS IN CHARGE OF IT, AND JIM FUCKIN HENSON IS IN CHARGE OF MAKING THE ANIMATRONICS
JIM HENSON OF THE FUCKIN M U P P E T S!
IM SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS COME TOGETHER
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