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Reviews
Les Misérables (1935)
Great Version Unspoiled by Musical Hogwash
I will never understand why people insist on ruining a perfectly wonderful story by making it into some indecipherable and mostly unwatchable musical. Those who do such should be sentenced to 20 years hard labor. This movie is wonderful, and portrayed the story as Hugo intended, I am sure.
There are many versions of Les Misérables. This is definitely one worth watching. If you have ever wondered what the entire story is, read the entire Hugo writing; second best, watch this movie. Charles Laughton is wonderful in his same pudgy sissy/bully role that he usually plays. Frederick March is, indeed, a star.
A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story (1992)
Good Movie, Bad Murderer
Betty Broderick is a cold-blooded greedy murderer. I don't care if what she thinks happened, happened. She can play the victim all she wants, but the fact remains that she shot her ex-husband and his wife and left them to die lying in pools of blood.
She confessed to her friend, "I finally shot him." Is that supposed to be payback for being a bad husband? What a sad rationalization that is. I hate to think what she would do her children if they turned on her. Oh, wait. At least one did. Is she safe now, or will Betty say that this child ruined her life by testifying against her and go after her with a gun? Meredith Baxter does a spectacular job of portraying BB. The follow-up movie is even better. These are movies I can watch over and over whenever they are on.
I hope this woman never sees the outside of prison walls. She is a lying, manipulative witch who deserves to die in prison.
Vanished Without a Trace (1999)
Have to Wonder
I always wonder when someone gives a review and hones in on some obscure actor. Looking at the reviews made by another poster about the kid who plays the young son, well .. he is from the same area of Canada and mentions the child in almost every review he has written on IMDb. Coincidence? I think not.
As for this movie, I'm only 20 minutes into it and I've already figured out who "done it." Shelly Long's career sure went into the dumpster, didn't it? I think I'll switch over to the news.
Why must we write 10 lines of text? Some movies don't deserve one line.
The best thing so far about this movie is the house.
United 93 (2006)
Nothing New or Different
If you saw the movie on A&E, Flight 93, there was nothing new or different in this film. Why pay to see this movie when you can see the first one for free? I walked out about a half an hour before the movie ended because I felt like I'd already been there.
I did recognize some of the actors from television and commercials. In a movie like this, that can be distracting: David Rasche from "An Innocent Man" and Polly Adams from a rheumatoid arthritis commercial - "I know you..." All in all, I was disappointed in the film. I probably should have known there wouldn't or couldn't be anything new. Save your money and see Flight 93 on cable.
Out of Practice (2005)
Disappointing
We are usually out on Monday nights, and we Tivo King of Queens and Two and a Half Men. My guess was that the fillers they stuck into the other half-hour slots this season would be stinkers.
I guessed correctly, at least with Out of Practice. (I haven't seen the other new show they have squeezed in, and I don't intend to.) This was "New Year's Eve", and did it ever stink. And why is it listed as a medical show and not a comedy? Oh, because it isn't funny, I guess.
There are some talented actors in Henry Winkler, Jennifer Tilly, and Stockard Channing. Sadly, you'd never know it by watching them in this.
The older son looks like he should be one of the parents. His birth year is listed as 1967, which would make him 38 now. He must have had a hard life. His line delivery reminds me of Malcolm Gets from Caroline in the City, but without the wit and dry humor that made him endearing.
The daughter and younger son are forgettable. The rest of the cast was just a distraction.
The canned laughter is too obvious. I can usually roll with the punches, but the fake laughs are very noticeable. I don't like that.
The actors seem to be yelling, as if they are doing a play. Bad move.
Kelsey Grammar, Christopher Lloyd, and James Widdoes are not amateurs, by any stretch. I would expect better from them.
Ambulance Girl (2005)
Wooly Bully
That song was "Wooly Bully," by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs.
I hope this is a pilot that turns into a series. Kathy Bates is always good, and this TV movie is no exception.
I could identify with her throwing herself whole-heartedly into whatever she chose, especially the medical things. Some of us do that. Finding something that feels like your life has purpose is important, but so is not taking yourself too seriously.
This was a good Lifetime movie, worth watching. It won't keep you riveted to your seat, but it will take you nicely along a comfortable path with great scenery.
Reba (2001)
Her Face!
I can't get past Reba's facelift. Van is a snooze. Everyone talks loudly as if they are in a play. The kids are your basic sitcom kids, but should be relegated to the background. I've seen this 3 times now and my opinion hasn't changed. I don't see the attraction at all. Why do we have to do 10 llnes for a review? Sometimes there just isn't much to be said for a show - like this one. Oh, one kid looks like she has snakes on her head. Barbara Jean is the only funny thing I have seen. The husband/ex-husband could be played by anyone. Ok, still need more lines. Reba's face doesn't move. Actresses should leave well enough alone. I like her as a singer, but not on this show. These accents are too southern - fake.
The Shield (2002)
TV for Adults, Yes!
This is an excellent show, full of drama and grit. I applaud FX for creating and sticking by a show that doesn't cater to the lowest age and IQ. It has been renewed for next year - there must be many people who agree with me.
This show isn't for everyone, but what is? I enjoy the ambiguity of right/wrong and the thin line some must teeter on daily. I find myself with mouth hanging open after nearly every episode and I don't dare glance away like I can safely do while other shows are on.
If you are tired of the same old formula that the other networks spoon out to us over and over, check this one out. You just might find yourself looking forward to the next show like we used to do when there was good programming.
The Nanny (1993)
It hasn't been that long
I can't believe it has only been a few years since The Nanny went off the air. I didn't watch when it was on the network but have been watching the syndicated shows on cable. Funny stuff! Fran isn't afraid to fall on her face (her physical comedy is hilarious!) or let others have funny lines. That makes for a good show. Her occasional quick glance at the audience makes us feel as though we are "in on it" somehow.
Lifetime has announced that there will be a special "The Nanny Reunion" for the 2004-2005 season. Yea! I can't wait to see what has happened to Niles and C.C., Fran and Maxwell, Yetta and Sylvia. What kind of mother is Fran? How old will the twins be?
Bob and Margaret (1993)
Brilliant
This was brilliantly written and executed. Sadly, only the first two years were worth the effort. Someone had the not-so-great idea to move the characters and change the voice. Who's in charge? Dumb move. One of the best things about this series was the way they presented two professional childfree characters. As this becomes more and more the norm in our culture, it's a shame that there aren't more shows like this that can poke fun at both the childed and the childfree - and do it without being cruel to either. Two good seasons was not enough. This is a show that could be done again. I, too, would like to have the episodes on DVD. Let's hope they aren't lost forever.
If These Walls Could Talk (1996)
Should Be Required Viewing in High Schools
Lest we forget.
For all the folks who have no clue as to what a woman who finds herself pregnant goes through, this movie could be a great educational tool. Making a baby is easy and one doesn't need any degree of maturity to accomplish the task. Deciding to continue with a pregnancy or to termitate is a trying, sometimes heartrending decision - one that is very individual and very personal. Sometimes there are no right answers, only better choices.
There are now 2 generations of women (and men) who have no idea what life was like before women had access to reliable birth control and safe abortion. Because of birth control, fewer women are forced to make these life or death decisions. Because of legalized and safe abortion, fewer women are forced to go to less than qualified, back alley abortionists who more often than not rendered their clients barren. This movie showed the worst and the best. Bravo for having the guts to make this.
The Osbournes (2002)
Your Average Family
It's nice to see the human side of this family, that they aren't much different from anyone else. I didn't know much about them before the show, vaguely remember Ozzy back in the '80s. I expected not to like it, but it's strangely attractive. If you get the chance to watch without the bleeps, it's a much better viewing.
Win, Lose or Draw (1987)
This Pre-dated Pictionary
This game was one that Burt Reynolds used to play at home with his friends. It translated well to the T.V. show. This is one of the few game shows where the host didn't hog the screen time and let the players play. Bert Convey is a bit hard to take, but this is one of his better hosting gigs.
An Innocent Man (1989)
Great Tom Selleck Movie
Good movie with Tom Selleck as the lead. Strong supporting role by F. Murray Abraham as his prison mate. David Rasche is always good as a bad guy. This is one of the movies I watch whenever I catch it on tv. Give it a view if you get the chance. It will keep your attention.
Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
Annoying Sound
I can't get past the horrid sound editing on this movie. It's like they dubbed in all of the conversations and left out all of the normal background noises. The sound is a bit off. One shouldn't notice the sound in a movie - the editors should hang their heads in shame.
Yes, Dear (2000)
Hold Your Nose
Pee-U. The laughtrack is beyond annoying, not to mention that this show is not funny. A few cute quips, but nothing substantial. The in-laws are funnier than the "stars" and that's not saying much. Save yourself the bother, it won't be around for much longer. Old B&W reruns seem to be the best choice for Sundays - still.
A Case for Life (1996)
Sappy
I suppose after winding through the story, the moral is that a woman's body is her own. I did not enjoy the convoluted way we are taken to that moral through this tale. I guess pro-lifers will enjoy it, but probably won't see that woman's body, woman's choice is a good thing.
The Shield (2002)
TV for Adults, Yes!
This is an excellent show, full of drama and grit. I applaud FX for creating and sticking by a show that doesn't cater to the lowest age and IQ. It has been renewed for next year - there must be many people who agree with me.
This show isn't for everyone, but what is? I enjoy the ambiguity of right/wrong and the thin line some must teeter on daily. I find myself with mouth hanging open after nearly every episode and I don't dare glance away like I can safely do while other shows are on.
If you are tired of the same old formula that the other networks spoon out to us over and over, check this one out. You just might find yourself looking forward to the next show like we used to do when there was good programming.
24 (2001)
Finally, programming for adults!
The acting by Kiefer Sutherland (Bauer) and Dennis Haysbert (Palmer) is magnificent. I am surely going to miss the actors if the next 24 hours goes off in another direction and leaves the CTU members and Palmer and family behind. What will they do next year?
I'm amazed at how Sutherland manages to insert "sir" and "please" into his dialogue and have these words sound so sincere, as if he truly respects all of those he is speaking to. I was never a big fan of his, hadn't seen anything he had done before this. I'm a convert now.
Finally, we have something to look forward to each week. Pair it up with "The Shield" and you have 2 full hours of suspense and entertainment in the same night. Say YES to adult programming with decent plots and twists!
The Chris Isaak Show (2001)
I don't get it
I've tried to watch 2 shows tonight, but it's just not holding my attention. I'm usually in to "quirky" shows - loved American Gothic, Twin Peaks, Sopranos, and what was that show where the guy wanted to be Vice President of Acquisitions? Anyway, I'm obviously missing something. Hopefully I'll catch on soon.
Brigham City (2001)
Premiere
Having childhoods in the same hometown (Mt. Vernon, IL), Dutcher and I come from completely different worlds as adults. I was impressed with his direction in this film, the tension created and maintained. The characters show a refreshing honesty in looking at where they have been.