Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
Today I present for your consideration a Lifetime movie called Ring of Fire (2013, Available on DVD).
Some of you may recall the excellent bio-pic, Walk The Line, about Johnny Cash, including his great love affair with his second wife, June Carter Cash. Reese Witherspoon won the Best Actress Academy Award for playing June, and Joaquin Phoenix is excellent as Johnny. Both performers learned to sing and play instruments for the movie.
Now we have Ring of Fire, which purports to be a drama told from June's point of view about Johnny (Matt Ross) and June's (Jewel) very dramatic relationship, which was made even more dramatic by Johnny's drug addiction. The problem is that the movie isn't dramatic. In fact, it's pretty boring. Matt Ross (never heard of him before) makes a lousy Johnny Cash. Jewel isn't much better as June.
This movie not only lacks bite; it doesn't have any teeth. Ross and Jewel look especially ridiculous when they're made up to be the aging performers.
I don't watch Lifetime movies because they tend to be schmaltzy and dumb. I put Ring of Fire in my Netflix queue because it was nominated for some Emmy awards, winning none. But I hoped it would be better than the average Lifetime movie, and I love Johnny Cash–and June. I ended up disappointed.
Ring of Fire earns The Janie Junebug Seal of Don't Waste Your Time.
If you want to see a good movie, watch Walk The Line, which earns The Janie Junebug Highest Seal of Approval. If you've seen it before, it's worth watching a second time or even a third. I haven't viewed it in quite a while, so I think I'll check it out again. It will take the bad taste of Ring of Fire out of my brain (call me Mrs. Malaprop).
Happy Viewing of whatever you might choose!
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
We've seen Walk the Link several times and enjoy it, but never Ring of FIre. Thanks for saving us the time we would have wasted seeing it. Too bad- they could have really done something great with that subject-
ReplyDeleteA movie about the Carter family could be very good.
DeleteI won't waste my time. RIght on.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. We have better things to do. Uh, what are they?
DeleteThanks for recommending ring of fire. Also love your Christmas shopping tips:)
ReplyDeletewww.thoughtsofpaps.com
Thanks, PAPS, but I DON'T recommend Ring of Fire.
DeleteHi Janie .. well that solves that problem - not one for me to worry about!!
ReplyDeleteI went to see Philomena yesterday .. and that is brilliant - really good and I thoroughly enjoyed it .. very informative too ... cheers Hilary
I haven't heard of Philomena. I'll look into it. Thanks.
DeleteThanks for this warning. I just love that Ring of Fire song, I may have been interested in this film. I enjoyed Walk the Line a lot. Hope all is well in your world.
ReplyDeleteI love that song, too.
DeleteNow I'm wondering why it was nominated for Emmy awards.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know, too. I can certainly see why it didn't win any.
DeleteI LOVED "Walk the Line" so I think I'll pass on this one!!
ReplyDeleteA wise decision, Madam Fishducky.
DeleteThanks for the warning on what sounds like a dud. Too bad. Johnny deserves better.
ReplyDeleteJohnny already got better with Walk The Line. I think it's probably going to be considered the definitive Cash movie for years to come.
DeleteThe seal of Don't Waste Your Time. You crack me up, woman.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually enjoy biographical movies anyhow (I think Lincoln is the only one I've enjoyed in a long time), and now I know to definitely stay away from this one.
No Franklin today?
Franklin gave up his today so I can write Post # 1,000 on Monday.
DeleteNicki said it well. You crack me up, too. Gotcha. Won't waste my time,
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend, kiddo.
Happy Weekend, Great And Mighty Writer.
ReplyDeleteQuite agree. Walk The Line, was nothing short of spectacular! And thus I have seen it countless times :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched it in a while. I think I need to so I can get Ring of Fire out of my brain.
DeleteI recognized him right away from Big Love!! He played a horrible, villainous man in that series. I am not a fan of the schmaltzy Lifetime movies, either. I did like Walk The Line, though. :)
ReplyDeleteWas he Albert Grant on Big Love?
DeleteI remember the movie with Reese and Joaquin. None to shabby. But the other one? I'll be guided by The Janie Junebug Seal of Don't Waste Your Time.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
A wise decision, I assure you. I appreciate your trust in me.
DeleteI still haven't seen Walk the Line. So many movies...so little time....
ReplyDelete-andi
At least you know you shouldn't waste your time on Ring of Fire.
Delete