The magic rainbow ball is a fascinating toy that has captivated both children and adults for decades. It is a small, translucent sphere that contains a liquid filled with colorful glitter and a tiny floating object, often a plastic figure or shape. When the ball is shaken, the glitter swirls and the object appears to float within the liquid. The magic rainbow ball is commonly enjoyed for its visual appeal and soothing effect. Watching the glittery particles dance within the ball can be mesmerizing and calming, making it a popular tool to alleviate stress and anxiety. Its visual stimulation also makes it a great distraction for individuals with attention disorders, as it provides a focal point to help concentrate and relax.
"The Magic of Belle Isle" is getting an on-demand video release before a limited theatrical run in July, reflecting a belief that a small scale film like this -- driven by character and actual conversation -- has a better chance of finding its audience in the comfort of home than in theatres during the sound and fury and 3D of the summer movie season. "Belle Isle" is all about the comforts of home and its simplest of pleasures may be best appreciated within the confines of a smaller screen.
In addition to Freeman The Bucket List and Madsen Ghosts of Mississippi , the cast includes Madeline Carroll the underseen Flipped as Madsen s oldest daughter, Willow yes, Willow. But Reiner has always worked wonders with child actors, and Emma Fuhrmann, especially, as middle daughter Finnegan yes, Finnegan , admirably holds her own in her pivotal scenes in which she asks Monte teach her how to write stories.
Its visual stimulation also makes it a great distraction for individuals with attention disorders, as it provides a focal point to help concentrate and relax. However, the magic rainbow ball is not just a toy of visual delight. It also offers an element of mystique and entertainment.
View the magic of Belle Isle
"The Magic of Belle Isle" (109 minutes) is available via iTunes, Amazon, Comcast, DirecTV, VUDU and other outlets. A limited theatrical release begins July 1.
Rob Reiner's "The Magic of Belle Isle" is an Easy Button of a film, as generic and conventional as its title. If you ever wondered what a Hallmark Channel original movie would be like if you threw some A-list talent at it -- namely Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen instead of, say, Jeffrey Nordling and Kristy Swanson -- here's your answer.
AdvertisementFreeman stars as Monte Wildhorn, an alcoholic in a wheelchair and "writer (of westerns) nobody reads." His books, once popular, are now out of print. Monte's nephew (Keenan Thompson) deposits him in the idyllic lakeside town of Belle Isle to housesit. Nephew's ulterior motive, of course, is that he will be inspired to stop drinking and start writing again, but the embittered Monte is a hard case. "Toss it in the garbage," he says of his typewriter. "She's a black-hearted whore, and I'm done with her."
So what will it take to turn this curmudgeon into a softie? Guy Thomas' simplistic script leaves nothing to chance. How about saddling Monte with a lazy old dog named Ringo (yes, Ringo) that has a penchant for licking itself? No? Well then, how about introducing a single mother (Madsen) who is going through a divorce with three -- count 'em -- daughters: one adorable, one precocious, and one sullen? Still not enough? Well then how about adding to the mix a mentally challenged boy who hops around the neighborhood and whom Monte takes under his wing as his "sidekick?"
Monte's transformation does not exactly require a spoiler alert (especially if you see the trailer), but Freeman, the consummate character actor, can wring the bathos out of such dialogue as "That lady has a way of making me sit taller in the saddle."
W. C. Fields is credited with the quote that adult actors should never work with children or dogs. "The Magic of Belle Isle" puts these scene-stealers on notice: They should think twice about working with Morgan Freeman. But Reiner has always worked wonders with child actors, and Emma Fuhrmann, especially, as middle daughter Finnegan (yes, Finnegan), admirably holds her own in her pivotal scenes in which she asks Monte teach her how to write stories.
AdvertisementScreenwriter Thomas' lone big-screen credit was the excruciating 1980 comedy "Wholly Moses!" To have Reiner agree to direct this modest addition to the "summer that changed our lives" genre, must have been the answer to a prayer. Reiner, like Garry Marshall, but without the one-liner gag reflex, is an old-school crowd-pleaser who knows how to get the laugh and jerk the tear, sometimes shamelessly. At one point, Monte, being kissed in a dream, awakens to that dog licking his face.
Reiner gets a little help from friends and former collaborators. In addition to Freeman ("The Bucket List") and Madsen ("Ghosts of Mississippi"), the cast includes Madeline Carroll (the underseen "Flipped") as Madsen's oldest daughter, Willow (yes, Willow). Kevin Pollack ("A Few Good Men," the short-lived TV series, "Morton & Hayes") as Monte's agent, who arrives in the third act with a proposal that could rescue Monty from obscurity, and Fred Willard as a glad-handing neighbor who is a fan of Monte's books.
Tony-winner and Oscar-nominated composer Marc Shaiman, in his ninth film with Reiner, wrote the banal score which features the requisite tinkling piano that signals life sea-changes in the offing. For the boomers ("Belle Island's" likeliest visitors), he includes a gratuitous Beach Boys classic, "Don't Worry Baby."
"The Magic of Belle Isle" is getting an on-demand video release before a limited theatrical run in July, reflecting a belief that a small scale film like this -- driven by character and actual conversation -- has a better chance of finding its audience in the comfort of home than in theatres during the sound and fury and 3D of the summer movie season. "Belle Isle" is all about the comforts of home and its simplest of pleasures may be best appreciated within the confines of a smaller screen.
Freeman, as ever, only makes it look simple. His sage voice is this film's sole special effect, as witness his oration at a neighbor's funeral, his mentoring of Finnegan to use her imagination to "see what isn't there," and his description of how Madsen's character walks into a room. In a summer of superheroes, he emerges as a true wizard. His performance is the real magic of "Belle Isle."
Donald Liebenson
Donald Liebenson is a Chicago-based film critic, entertainment writer and DVD reviewer. He has been published in The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, Printer's Row Journal, Los Angeles Times, Movieline and Entertainment Weekly.
Tony-winner and Oscar-nominated composer Marc Shaiman, in his ninth film with Reiner, wrote the banal score which features the requisite tinkling piano that signals life sea-changes in the offing. For the boomers ("Belle Island's" likeliest visitors), he includes a gratuitous Beach Boys classic, "Don't Worry Baby."
Some believe that the floating object within the ball holds mystical powers and can provide answers to questions or predict the future. This belief has led to the practice of asking the ball a question, shaking it vigorously, and then interpreting the position or movement of the object as a response. Despite its simple design, the magic rainbow ball can provide hours of entertainment and intrigue. It encourages creativity and imagination, as individuals can create stories and narratives based on the object inside the ball. It is also a great conversation starter, as people can share their interpretations and beliefs about the ball's mystical qualities. Overall, the magic rainbow ball is a versatile toy that appeals to a wide range of individuals. Whether used as a visual stimulant, a stress reliever, or a mystical oracle, it continues to delight and fascinate people of all ages..
Reviews for "Unlocking Your Subconscious with the Magic Rainbow Ball"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Magic Rainbow Ball. It looked fun and intriguing, but it turned out to be nothing more than a cheaply made plastic ball with a few colored tiles inside. The mechanism for solving the puzzle was finicky and didn't work smoothly. I also found the overall design to be flimsy and not very durable. I would not recommend this toy to anyone looking for a challenging and well-made puzzle.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - The Magic Rainbow Ball was a complete waste of my money. The instructions were incredibly vague and confusing, making it difficult to understand how to solve the puzzle. The colored tiles inside were also poorly constructed and kept getting stuck, which only added to my frustration. On top of that, the ball itself felt cheap and poorly made. Overall, this toy was a big disappointment and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for the Magic Rainbow Ball, but unfortunately, it fell short. The concept seemed interesting, but the execution was lacking. The puzzle was not challenging enough to keep me engaged for long, and the overall quality of the ball was subpar. The pieces didn't fit together smoothly and it felt cheaply made. I also found the color selection to be underwhelming. I was hoping for vibrant and vivid colors, but they were dull and uninspiring. All in all, I wouldn't recommend this toy unless you're looking for a brief distraction.