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490,695 | 33,913 | 109,445 | 8 |
What you don't expect is how good and true this can be ?
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Clerks is by far one of the most innovative films for the nineties . Before Sopranos claimed New Jersey , Clerks shows another side to the Garden State . The convenience store is one of thousands in our state . You can't go for a mile without seeing one of them or another . This convenience store has quirky cast of regular characters and two clerks bored out of their mind to work a Saturday with breaks for a hockey game on the roof and a break for a wake of an ex-girlfriend . The cast is charming and interesting to watch anyway . I admire Marilyn Ghigliotti's performance as memorable . She is a Jersey Girl through and through . Clerks shows a Jersey kind of life to the world .
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490,128 | 33,913 | 280,277 | 8 |
A Great Children's Version !
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I love Rowan Atkinson as Mr . Bean who I always felt was more of a cartoon character than an actual human being . Mr . Bean is quite childlike in his nature . We don't know where he come from or who is his parents or anything else . We see him constantly try to handle life on earth without guidance unless you count his teddy bear as his true companion . He seems clueless yet he continues to drive around his little yellow car and act quite naive . We barely here him talk . The character could remind me of a Samuel Beckett character or play where he is quite minimal . The character of Mr . Bean is one to study . He appeals to a wide audience who may not get British humor . The show is more done without scripting but direction just like the show itself .
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490,482 | 33,913 | 85,048 | 8 |
It could have had a future !
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Of all the television shows that I have seen , good or bad , I remember Lottery for some strange reason . It was never the hit that should have been . It taught us that life can change for the better or worse with wealth . It was interesting that these two men always had $5 , 000 with them and a check to unsuspecting people . I never bought that part of the story . I remember when Mabel King was a church organist and she was awarded her lottery winnings . I remember when a couple threw the money and check out into the garbage only to get another check but no 5 , 000 grand . I never understood why the amounts were different from week to week but I didn't care . It was one of the few shows that I remember from the 1980s that never gained enough fans to keep it on the air longer . IT was a decent melodrama with all the elements of watching guest stars become millionaires when they worried about money . If only Lottery was that true .
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489,939 | 33,913 | 80,801 | 8 |
An African Masterpiece !
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is about a bushman played by a real life bushman from Africa . He comes across a Coke bottle which is something that he has never seen before . Paddy Byrne , a Briton or Irishman , narrates the background of the bush tribes in Africa . The story is set in Botswana where a young female teacher comes to teach in an African village . The story of her getting there is an adventure . She is greeted by a driver who is an African biologist and his translator has seven wives which is customary in some African societies . She doesn't believe about the rhino stomping out the fire . The casting is excellent especially that of the bushman who I can't remember his name but he steals the film .
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489,997 | 33,913 | 1,183,579 | 8 |
It's not great but it's getting better !
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Okay , I was a fan of the Australian show but there a lot of obvious differences between the American version . First , I have to say that the pilot opened with Kim leaving her husband Craig of six weeks of marriage because over her selfishness-vanity behavior . You see it in this episode more clearly . Kim is a self-obsessed narcissist I think who is too concern about herself than about others . In this episode , the show belongs to Molly Shannon who can break your heart as a home-based hairdresser . I don't remember if Australian Kath was one but it doesn't matter . In this episode , Molly Shannon's performance can make just feel for her after her client tells her that her daughter is going to a real salon for her prom night . You could just tell that Kath was really hurt and tries to pretend it doesn't hurt . In this episode , she tries to get herself known at the mall promenade show featuring mall-based businesses . Her fiancé Phil gets her in but they get the worst spot in the mall . It's her daughter that can save the day if she's not distracting her estranged husband from his job in electronics at the mall . The self-described trophy wife gets banned from the mall just as her mother needs her the most for the show . The final scenes are little out there .
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490,257 | 33,913 | 165,854 | 8 |
A Delight Surprise !
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Terence Stamp who should be knighted for his services to drama , plays Wilson , a British convict newly released from prison . He gets a newspaper article in the mail about his daughter Jennifer's demise . Unsure of the actual cause of her death , he travels from Britain to Los Angeles to investigate . He meets a male friend of Jenny who sent the letter played beautifully by Luis Guzman . He also comes in contact with Lesley Ann Warren who was his daughter's voice coach and personal friend . He believes that Terry Valentine played by Peter Fonda is responsible for his daughter's death and he wants answers . This movie is slick in every way possible with a top notch acting cast . Don't miss Nancy Lenahan as the passenger on the airplane at the end . The film quite surprised me . I was expected something completely different and I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it .
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490,584 | 33,913 | 577,394 | 8 |
A Surprising Guest Appearance by one of America's Acting Treasures !
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Let's face it , getting Julie Harris to appear in an episode of Family Ties must have been a hoot . She plays an older mature woman returning to college and is one of Mallory's classmates . Of course , the woman befriends Mallory and tries to bond with her despite Mallory's resistance and reservations about being linked to an older woman . When Margaret Hollings ' gets a little too close to Mallory , she backs off seeking the relationship of her peers . Mallory's still at that stage where you are still seeking acceptance of your peers . Anyway Freshman Mallory feels bad about the situation and rectifies it in her own way . We love Julie Harris and we can't imagine another actress playing this small role that remains to be one of it's better episodes . Anyway , it could have been written better but the cast was always outstanding on this show .
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490,551 | 33,913 | 80,761 | 8 |
Today is Friday the Thirteenth !
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This film was low budget with cast members such as Betsy Palmer as Mrs . Voorhees and an unknown young actor named Kevin Bacon . The plot is simple . A bunch of young adults go to the campsite to set up a summer camp . They filmed this in Blairstown , New Jersey which is on the border of Pennsylvania and still pretty much country and rural rather than urban or suburban . Anyway , this film was a low budget much like Halloween . It all takes place there . It's funny and will scare you silly . The cast is decent . The scenery is picturesque and the story is interesting enough to keep you watching . You hope that they always air this film on Friday the Thirteenth which is today and in October . Only 18 days before Halloween , another frightening holiday , anyway , I think the film is worth watching if you are into the horror stuff . Even now , I have seen this film several times and the sequels never could compare to the original . It's really Betsy Palmer's film . She's best known for her role as Mrs . Voorhees still to this day .
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489,754 | 33,913 | 642,419 | 8 |
A Diet to Die For !
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Thanks her new neighbors and friends , Peggy gets inspired to take a diet program called Thinnergy . The problem is that all she wants is attention from her husband and being on the diet alone isn't going to work out . Once Al is on the diet , he can persuade to get her off . This is the first episode after the pilot . It's not as funny as others but Al is a meat and potatoes man and the idea of fruits and vegetables isn't up for his taste buds . If it wasn't for his new neighbor and sudden friend , Steve Rhoades , he encourages him to go on the diet with his wife so they can get off together . All Peggy wants is a little attention and love from her husband . Still , it's not a bad episode overall .
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490,236 | 33,913 | 276,751 | 8 |
Marcus & Will-An odd couple !
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Will played by the dashing Hugh Grant is a single bachelor looking for love in all the wrong places including a single parents ' support group where all the other members are women who are not as attractive as he would have liked them to be . One member , Susie , draws his attention even though he falsifies being a divorced parent . Susie brings Marcus , a 12 year old boy played wonderfully by the young actor , Nicholas something , for a day at Regents ' Park in London , England . The day ends with his mother's near suicide attempt . His mother is played by the unrecognizable Toni Colette in this role as Fiona , a music therapist who dresses quite like she shopped at the charity shop for her wardrobe . She is always sad , crying , and depressed over the divorce and state of her life . Her only bright spot is the love that she has for her son , Marcus who is afraid to walk in again . Marcus decides to bring Will and Fiona together . It doesn't work out that way and Will has met his match in Marcus , who is an outsider . He comes by daily to watch the show , Countdown , and leaves to go home . He has few friends at school and is taunted and harassed by his classmates . Will sees more than his mother does because she has her own problems . Marcus also becomes the shining light in Will's life as well .
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490,026 | 33,913 | 70,016 | 8 |
A Childhood Classic Brought To Life !
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As a child , I fondly remembered Charlotte's Web , the animated version . I have no desire to see the live version . Debbie Reynolds will always be Charlotte , the creative brilliant spider , who befriends Wilbur . I remember Fern saving Wilbur from his own death and raising him as a baby . Once the runt grows a little , Fern is devastated to send him to a farm where he can with other animals . Although Fern does visit him , it's not the same as she cared for him like her baby . The animation is not brilliant because this film was done long before computers but it still holds up to the story and it always worth watching with young ones and even old ones . The animation is not first rate but it's not bad neither . It's not on par with animation today and don't expect it too . But it's not about how computers can brilliantly animate where we don't need live actors or actresses , the story here is faithful to the E . B . White's novel classic and it is respected here . You can't help but tear up at the end .
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490,736 | 33,913 | 1,408,764 | 8 |
Well , they asked for it , didn't they ?
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Ramona and Mario have been trying to get Jill in a tennis re-match for whatever reasons . Finally , Jill has a pro-tennis player who gets injured so she gets a replacement , Simon , after Bethenny suggests him . Jill and Simon practice once but Simon's still flu-ridden but still plays okay . The look on Ramona's face is truly priceless as Simon takes the court . It was a well-kept secret until that moment . Ramona and Mario had been had by Jill and they felt cheated . For several episodes now , Mario and Ramona have been goading Jill into a silly rematch . Why not pick the one person that Ramona has a beef with in the first place ? Okay , I won't say who played badly but it was a hollow victory as Jill points out .
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489,871 | 33,913 | 98,760 | 8 |
Capital City should be on DV
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I agree that Capital City should be on DVD . I watched this show only by accident in 1994 and fell in love with Rolf Saxon as Hudson Talbot . It was nice to see Americans who work abroad in London in the financial industry for a change . I loved Rolf in this role and loved every other role that he has been in . I can't believe the show only lasted 13 episodes . I liked William Armstrong as Hudson's flamboyant charming friend in the series . When they aired this show in the New York City area , it was always late at night or at off times . The show is less than an hour long . I felt this show should have gone on longer but the casting changes in the second season really made the show a little less interesting . I didn't care for Sylvia but missed the actress , Julia Phillips-Lane in the previous season . I felt this show took chances and often it worked . It showed Americans who loved and chose to live in London . The American characters were not arrogant or tried to outdo their British counterparts . I also liked the fact that they had tried to internationalize the cast rather than make them all British . I liked watching Julia Ormond in an early role . I felt this show should have lasted longer . I felt at times that the previews lasted as long as the show in less than an hour . They could have transferred the cast to New York City and it would have been a hit in America .
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490,850 | 33,913 | 91,763 | 8 |
Not Stone's Best Film to Date !
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I don't think this is Stone's best film to date . In fact , I loved JFK and consider it to be a masterpiece . Platoon is a war film and I'm not crazy about war films in general but Stone's direction and personal experience with Vietnam is clearly an effective tool in this film's brilliance . It's raw , ugly , dirty , and filthy but then what war isn't any of those things ? As far as Vietnam films , I preferred the Deer Hunter but I am going to say that Platoon goes further where other films have not gone before . It's different when the director has been there and done it himself as a Vietnam veteran like Roman Polanski who survived World War II POland as a child . There is nothing that they are not afraid to show as if they are holding something back . This film is about war and the young men who go only to return home differently . As far as I know , this film is still important today as it was twenty years ago . First rate cast include Charlie Sheen , Tom Berenger , and other young men .
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490,256 | 33,913 | 93,940 | 8 |
A Quiet Classic of a Film !
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Woody Allen directed this film which is more character driven with six leading roles starring his then-partner in life , Mia Farrow , Oscar winner Dianne Wiest , Jack Warden , Emmy Winner Elaine Stritch , before Law & Order Sam Waterson and the late Denholm Elliott CBE . Amazingly , Allen doesn't have to go far to film this movie about a summer home in Vermont . It was all filmed at the Kaufman-Astoria Studios in Queens , New York . Regardless , the film is entirely believable and the setting is quite quaint in nature . It really looks like an authentic country home . It begins with Weist and Elliott conversing in French in Lane's living room played by Farrow . Weist's character is a married mother and an unhappy housewife from Philadelphia but Lane's best friend . Lane falls in love with Peter ( Waterson ) but he's in love with Weist's character , Stephanie . Lane is also upset by her mother , Diane Frazer's visit with her current husband played by Warden . Stritch is dynamic as Lane's mom in an unforgettable role . Elliott's character , a friend and neighbor of Lane , is in love with her but she is not in love with him . Except for the real estate agent played by Rosemary Murphy and a city couple who want to purchase the home , the cast is relatively balanced like that in a good theatrical production . There are some surprises but we always knew that Stritch is brilliant in anything that she does .
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490,242 | 33,913 | 89,510 | 8 |
Excellent Television Movie !
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Mare Winningham is really one of the great unsung American actresses of our generation . She is exceptionally talented whether she is playing the daughter of a deaf couple who must sign language to communicate with her parents . She is the their ears to the world and often must translate between her parents and the hearing world . One memorable scene is her at the funeral home translating for her parents and the undertaker as a child for her brother's unfortunate death . Winningham's performance is award-winning as is the mother played by deaf actress , Phyllis Frelich . Her character seeks to be independent and hopes that her parents can adjust to the hearing world .
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490,716 | 33,913 | 98,801 | 8 |
James Earl Jones is terrific in this role !
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I remember when this show came on the air and how it ended . It was a terrible shame because James Earl Jones is one of our country's finest actors . Finally , he gets a series of his own but the show never really gained a large following after a season and was canceled by the network . It did have a terrific cast and won Emmys for James Earl Jones and others but the show never truly caught on because it was more character based than action based . For those of us who don't care about action packed movies , I prefer a good drama with characters that you can identify with and sympathize . The series was serious and too sophisticated for most audiences today who prefer to escape from their daily troubles . Of course , good drama can still effective without car chases , violence , etc . Gabriel's Fire based on my memory was a decent show with a purpose but the network felt the audiences weren't enough for it to continue in another season .
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490,841 | 33,913 | 642,345 | 8 |
Peggy Works at a Department Store
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All Peggy wants is a VCR which everybody was getting back in the day but Al refuses to buy one . Marcy has a good idea that Peggy gets a job . To Peggy , that's a bad idea . She gets a job working in the clock department at a large department store with guest star and boss played by Ernie Sabella . It's not a bad episode . The reasoning for Peggy to get a VCR is because she wants to watch Oprah and tape Phil . Peggy was not made to work and that's why she got married to lounge around all day and watch television . It's up to Al and the family to convince Peggy to quit her job or lose it . For Al , he's happy that somebody else is bringing in the income to help cut costs around the house .
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489,800 | 33,913 | 95,889 | 8 |
In Memory of Heather O'Rourke !
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This film would have been tossed away if it wasn't for the fact that this film was Heather O'Rourke's last appearance before her tragic death . Heather will always be remembered as Carol Anne Freeling despite her many roles on television and film . The movie is dedicated in her memory because she was the heart and soul of the Poltergeist trilogy . This movie was a weak sequel but the last in a series . Carol Anne is sent to live in Chicago with her uncle played by Tom Skerritt and aunt played by Nancy Allen . She also has a cousin played by Lara Flynn Boyle who was unknown at the time of this film . I remember watching the director discuss for a documentary about the making of Poltergeist III . I think Heather's death overshadowed the movie's goal . He said he will never forget being a pallbearer at her funeral . We can only imagine what might have been for Heather's career . I can't forget Zelda Rubenstein as the psychic who travels to Chicago to save Carol Anne .
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490,019 | 33,913 | 923,297 | 8 |
What a Mess of a Dress !
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Aunt Fran played memorably and unforgettably by Rue McClanahan is tightly wound up since she was nominated for a local award for her article on a crossing guard . She writes for a local paper which her sister regards as a throw away paper since it's free . She begs her to iron her new dress from the evening that she got from Niedermeyer's department store in Raytown . At the same time , Mama is bugged to wash Vint's lucky t-shirt and Ellen has arranged an appointment for her mother at the beauty salon . I loved Betty White as Ellen from the series . In a rush , Mama has destroyed Fran's new dress . Since they know Fran's reaction , they go and replace the dress which is almost exact but not quite . Fran and Thelma have a bonding moment in this episode at the end regarding their relationship and Mama wonders if she's losing it .
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489,740 | 33,913 | 83,415 | 8 |
It should have been a huge success !
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For some strange reason , I always remembered this show . Maybe it was the outrageousness of it all or the fact that parodied Dallas . Anyway , I loved Dixie Carter , Ann Wedgeworth , Nedra Volz , and Delta Burke here more than I liked Dixie and Delta on Designing Women . I love parodies and this show should have been huge but again the demographics probably did not meet with network requirements like they did with Mama's Family and other shows that never made the cut . After all , they wanted a younger , hipper audiences . Now who is getting the last laugh since Blue Collar Comedy is back and in demand more than ever . That was the appeal of Filthy Rich was all the outrageousness about money and social classes . Too bad there were only fifteen episodes , we could have had more .
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489,931 | 33,913 | 241,303 | 8 |
Choco-Boring Not !
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Okay , the film has a first rate cast including the wonderful Oscar Winner Juliette Binoche who plays a single mother who comes to a small village in La Belle France where the rules are governed by a small-minded mayor . Anyway , Lena Olin plays a battered wife who is taken in by Binoche's character . Dame Judi Dench plays a 70 year old widow full of life and she earns an academy award nomination no matter what she does in the film industry . Anyway , British Alfred Molina plays the French mayor . Scandinavian Lena Olin plays a key role as well . American Johnny Dep plays a rogue pirate who he and his gang of vagabonds wash up on the riverbanks and entice Binoche's character . The film is alright and somewhat above average . OF course , some of it at times can be absurd . My favorite moment is the housewife who remarks about her husband's lack of interest in intimacy and she was played by a French actress as well . The film is done well by Lasse Hallstrom but I don't think it's Oscar worthy . American Carrie Anne Moss also has a role playing Dench's daughter who forbids her son from knowing his grandmother . You can figure what happens .
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490,526 | 33,913 | 369,179 | 8 |
Something to replace the Monday Blues !
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Actually my mother was a fan before I became one of this show . I can't wait to see it regularly in syndication . The chemistry between CHarlie Sheen and Jon Cryer is absolutely perfect . The Harper brothers are both opposites . The casting of Angus Jones as Charlie's son Jake is quite brilliant . He is so naturally funny to watch on the show . I love seeing Holland Taylor but we don't see enough of her as their domineering , critical mother who could put Marie Barone to shame . She's not that kind of mother who will bake cookies and take her grandson to the zoo . She's a more contemporary grandmother . Anyway it's great to see Conchetta Farrell as the maid , Bert . She's more than just the maid , her timing is just about perfect . I love seeing Melanie Lynskey who I didn't recognize from Heavenly Creatures as lovesick stalker of Alan Harper and neighbor . Her role of Rose is not to be ignored at all . She is quite the up and coming actress . I would have never guessed that she was a New Zealander herself . There is no trace of a Kiwi accent . The show itself has come along way from the beginning and I hope to see more in the future .
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490,167 | 33,913 | 1,376,353 | 8 |
The Girls Are Back in Town or the Hamptons !
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They should rename the show , Housewives of the Hamptons , because the first few episodes are mostly filmed in the Hamptons area where celebrities and the super-rich live and spend during the summer months . Personally , I would prefer to live in the Hamptons year round than to live in New York City because I love the beach . This summer , Alex and Simon have a rented a modest house in the Hamptons with their sons . The other ladies already have Hamptons estates like Jill , Ramona , LuAnn ( I forgot the Countess ) , and Bethenny is staying with Jill which is a good idea since they have so much room and fun together . In the beginning , Jill has been naughty in talking to gossip gal , Cindy Adams , from the New York Post who published some unflattering comments about Simon but they make up . Ramona is another issue altogether . She leaves the party just because Alex and Simon are there to avoid a confrontation . Personally , I think she's more likely to be the most volatile person at Jill's party . Even last season , I thought Ramona was a bid odd , too self-centered , etc . There's more but don't get me started about Ramona .
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490,475 | 33,913 | 791,273 | 8 |
A good refreshing talk show
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After only two years , they were canceled . I only got glimpses of the show on the E Daily Soup which I loved . I like Charlie Chase and Lorraine Crook and I think they did a fairly good job at not being Regis and Kathie Lee or Regis and Kelly with a good country sense . They reached out to an audience that was down home and country and southern or Midwestern . It was sad to say goodbye after a short time on the air but the Nashville Network no longer exists anyway . It's become the Spike channel , the lifetime channel for men , and shows like Crook and Chase were canceled . Still it was refreshing to see a show like Crook and Chase that was not in New York or Los Angeles . The Nashville Network is sorely missed even by me because it was different from the other cable channels . I don't have Country Music Television on my cable system which is a shame but then I think I would just watch more television and I don't need to see anymore . Anyway , Crook and Chase had their moments . They were better than Mike and Matty and seemed more real .
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490,223 | 33,913 | 138,959 | 8 |
Canadian CSI : Vancouver Edition !
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Okay , I watched the Cold Squad a few times . Expect for the fact that we have so many CSI and Law and Order shows on the air , Cold Squad would have been a great stand out . I applaud Canadian actress , Julie Stewart , who plays the lead cop , Ali McCormick , in all 7 seasons . She is on par with Dame Helen Mirren in the Prime Suspect series in England . Of course , her hairstyle reminds me of American mystery writer , Patricia Cornwell at times . The show's strength is on the location in beautiful Vancouver as Vancouver . Of course , the show has weaknesses with trying to maintain originality and uniqueness from the American shows like CSI and Law & Order . I appreciate that it is a Canadian show and I love Canadian television but I'm tired of these crime shows trying to outdo each other . There are just too many of them and they begin to resemble each other .
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490,138 | 33,913 | 95,953 | 8 |
Hoffman and Cruise ! A Sweet Dream Come True !
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This film was the first time that I heard of autism . Dustin Hoffman is brilliant as autistic Raymond Babbitt who was kept away from his younger brother , Charlie , played brilliantly by Tom Cruise . The film is about the brothers who travel to Los Angeles from Ohio and how they bond over the journey despite Raymond's complete need for structure including a schedule including People's Court , The Price is Right , and his genius for numbers which gives his younger brother a better idea . I don't know much about autism so I'm not going to criticize Hoffman's portrayal which has been joked around a bit much like the repetition of his speech . The film won Best Picture at the Academy Awards along with director Barry Levinson and Dustin Hoffman for his second Best Actor Oscar . I still think the film's superior but I'm not crazy about it .
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490,147 | 33,913 | 661,159 | 8 |
You'll Never Look at a Paper Bag again !
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First , I got started watching this show because of Vanessa Redgrave . I was not too crazy about it and later I returned when they had the slicer terrorizing poor Miami . Anyway , Abby Mays is not unattractive but according to society and Christian , she is because beauty is in the eye of the beholder or fashion magazines . Anyway , the actress Rebecca Metz gives a brilliant performance as poor Abby May who displays a cruel side to Christian's behavior during a dark time when Kimber has disappeared or is out of the picture . Anyway , the paper bag is used in this episode but I won't tell you how . All I can say is that it is degrading to Abby's character .
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489,910 | 33,913 | 254,602 | 8 |
Groundbreaking ! Tyson and Wyatt steal the show !
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Cicely Tyson is one of the best actresses ever . In this staged drama , she plays Vickie Ives Gunther , former singer turned housewife and mother . Vickie doesn't cook or clean because she has a full-time housekeeper . She does nothing because she's tough and stubborn . She and her husband come from Harlem to the Riverdale section of the Bronx which is a very posh section of the city to this day much less in 1971 . Jane Wyatt plays the role of veteran suburban housewife , Mary Robinson , perfectly on par with Cicely Tyson who you can't take your eyes off of because she's brilliant . Th two couples are as different as you can imagine . Wyatt and her husband are white while Tyson and her husband are black . They're selling their suburban home for $98 , 200 and the younger couple are interested in buying it . They come for the visit despite the misgivings on both sides . The acting is first rate and the writing is somewhat needs to come alive more . It's only an hour but it does pack punches .
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490,149 | 33,913 | 661,170 | 8 |
A Must for Vanessa Redgrave fans !
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Erica Noughton is played by the fabulously talented Vanessa Redgrave who believe it or not turned down Damehood in 1999 . She should have been made a Dame years ago but that's another story . Here she is sexy , sensual , and believe it or not is extremely beautiful at her age far more than women half her age . Anyway , she plays child psychologist and is Julia's mother ( what a coup in casting ? ) because she is Joely's real life mother . The scene in the gym between mother and daughter is quite interesting . I love Vanessa Redgrave and I think she is one of the most talented and gifted actresses of our generation . She makes it look so easy . Of course , this episode was the first for me watching Nip / Tuck and I left the show with mixed feelings . Then I returned and realized it's brilliance and have never left it . The scene between her and Christian is unforgettable . You forget that she's old enough to be his mother too .
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490,839 | 33,913 | 793,145 | 8 |
The Dream Queen !
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While Steve's away , Marcy almost gets into a scam about the driveway being repaved but the guys only use something that washes away in the rain . It was Al that warned her that if it's too good to be true then it's a scam . After Marcy realizes that she was almost had and Al was right , how was she going to tell Al ? Peggy tells her that you don't want to tell Al that he was right for whatever reasons . So Marcy hides the truth , she starts having dreams that Al is Steve and is going to make it better . The first dream is one thing but two dreams in a row is another according to Peggy . Marcy replies " I was up throwing last night . " Peggy replies " You do at first and then you get over it . " Then when the real Steve comes home , Marcy has to confront Al with the truth about him being right for a change .
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489,750 | 33,913 | 364,812 | 8 |
It's worth a watch !
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It took me awhile to warm up to John Larroquette and Christine Baranski , they're both professional and veteran of the sitcom world . Between them , they have about six or seven Emmys maybe more between them . Both John and Christine are wonderful and believable as a veteran married couple to watch even with mediocre material . They are trying and the relationship between Maggie and young Tim is kind of cute and appropriate nowadays . With 8 time Emmy Winner Cloris Leachman casted as Peter's mother , the show is on its way for improvement . Give it a chance or two . If you want to watch two professionals , tune in on Tuesday nights !
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490,837 | 33,913 | 793,144 | 8 |
Johnny Be Lately !
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Al and Peggy get tickets thanks to Bud spending a night at Johnny Be Good's for it's final night . Johnny Be Good's was Al and Peggy's place growing up and it probably was a symbol of a dying breed of restaurants at the time . Anyway , Al and Peggy think they have it easy but Kelly doesn't get invited to a cool party and Bud has something that Al has to fit together . Also , Steve and Marcy come over and try to help console Kelly that she might not be cool anymore . While Al and Peggy are solving their kids ' problems , the clock at Johnny Be Good's is clicking away . Will Al and Peggy get there before it's too late where Al set records on how many French fries he could eat or something like that .
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490,569 | 33,913 | 793,139 | 8 |
Slightly Out of Order of Sequence !
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Vinton Harper has fallen head over heels over his next door neighbor , Food Circus Cashier-Naomi Oates ( played beautifully by All My Children star Dorothy Lyman ) . Naomi has just sold her home and got $5 , 000 . They go to the Bigger Jigger , the local hangout in Raytown where the show is set . After a few drinks and they return to the Harper House , Naomi and Vinton finally give in to their mutual attraction to each other . They were one of the most affectionate couples on television . Vint and Naomi spend the night in the basement where he shows her his TV Guide Collection . Of course , Mama Harper would blow the roof off when she learns that Vint had a woman over much less Naomi Oates , her neighbor who often gives her trouble . Rather than give up the relationship , they decide to get married .
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489,751 | 33,913 | 793,143 | 8 |
Al and Steve buy a Car !
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Al and Steve bond while restoring a car that they bought from one of Kelly's dates who she dumps when she learns that he sold his car . Al and Steve restore the car and they become obsessed with it much to the dismay of their wives , Peg and Marcy . While Peggy recalls her days in the backseats , Marcy confesses that she never done it in the back seat of a car . " We put our groceries there " she tells Peg . When Steve and Marcy do get to do it , they are found out by the Bundys . Resentful of their obsession with their lost youth and the car , Peg and Marcy are quite tolerable until as always things don't go for Steve and Al as well with their new toy .
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489,901 | 33,913 | 83,377 | 8 |
Great cast but average writing !
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The sitcom version was far different from the film version . I remember Sally Struthers coming into the role . During the 1980s , there was so many sitcom on television that some like this one were canceled because of average ratings but gained a following . Four years later , they reappeared in syndication where they had success and last about 3 seasons . Anyway , a lot of sitcoms like " It's a Living , " " Charles in Charge , " and " Mama's Family " all were on networks before being canceled and often replaced by something inferior . When they did return to syndication , cast changes were made because the original cast members had moved on to other projects . Anyway , I vaguely remembered watching this show on Saturday afternoons as a kid . I won't say it's a great show but it is far superior to today's television sitcoms with cast members like Valerie Curtin and Sally Struthers , they showed the office as it was and maybe as it is . Too bad , no local stations do reruns of the sitcoms anymore .
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490,225 | 33,913 | 94,027 | 8 |
Stood and Delivered Well !
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Stand and Deliver is another movie about life in the classroom and the politics of school . Edward James Olmos earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance as the over-dedicated , overworked teacher who chooses to do so much and get so little . The movie shows how his class of mostly Latino students from South Central Los Angeles has changed from kids who just wanted to get through to students who hoped to go to college and have a better life . I'm not much of a math student myself but I admire the character's dedication to keeping students on Saturdays and summer breaks , winter breaks , spring breaks , before and after school to help them achieve . Most teachers won't do that despite it all he does it . The outcome is interesting and he is rewarded despite everything . He is a teacher who cares about his students and does everything possible to get them to achieve the unthinkable . We all like stories about the underdog and this is one of him . UNfortunately in real life , this teacher went back to South America and the politics of the school system is the reason that he left . ALl the red tape and politics in the public school system is enough to make you vomit , I know because i am trying to become a licensed and certified secondary education teacher in English .
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490,420 | 33,913 | 68,069 | 8 |
If you go to England , you should watch British Soaps !
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I like Emmerdale . Since I live in America , it is hard for me to get shows like East Enders , COronation Street , Emmerdale and other British soaps . Emmerdale has been around as long I have been alive . I have watched it a couple times . But I am an avid American soap watcher , the main difference between British and American soaps is that British soaps look more realistic with people that look like they are your neighbors . The show could use better writing but I can't say much more since I only watched a few episodes . When you go to England , you should watch Emmerdale , East Enders , and Coronation Street which are the main soaps known to me . Emmerdale is set in Northern England around Leeds . The cast especially the Tates and Patsy Kensit playing a vixen is worth watching . The soaps are only 25 minutes . Unlike American soaps , where are actors and actresses looked like they were plucked from modeling catalogs . British actors and actresses look the role . In fact , Sir Ian McKellen appeared in Coronation Street for 10 episodes last year by his choice . Emmerdale is worth watching along with Corrie and East Enders . My big problem with the shows is the lack of attention to the veteran actors and actresses who have been on for years . Except for Patsy Kensit , I wasn't sure about the others in the show but it's worth watching anyway .
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489,970 | 33,913 | 102,741 | 8 |
Lovely Linda Fiorentino and Cast !
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After watching Dogma for the umpteenth time on Comedy Central , I became a Linda Fiorentino fan along with others out there who wondered what happened to this promising actress since 2002 . I have seen other films . This one shows that she can play a desperate housewife who can be both strong and vulnerable to her husband played by Joe Mantegna . Jamie Lee Curtis is underused in this role . Fiorentino and Chloe Webb's characters form a believable friendship on screen that I wonder why Linda hasn't worked in five years is a mystery to me . Anyway , it's an all star cast featuring besides Webb , Mantegna , and Fiorentino but also Kevin Bacon , Ken Olin , John Malkovich , and Jamie Lee Curtis . The storyline needs some work . I loved the scene where Carla steals the guys ' clothes while they are skinny dipping in a pool . The movie is about a reunion of friends who get together for a wedding that may or may not happen anyway . I plead that Linda gets work soon again because she is really one of the best actresses out there playing strong women rather than weak and superficial .
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489,730 | 33,913 | 397,306 | 8 |
Don't Count This Show Out !
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Okay , I am off of Desperate Housewives and have switched to Fox's comedy line-up . Personally , I don't miss the women on ABC . I love the fact that the best sitcoms today are animated which cuts away the politics of the shows . You don't have to worry about kids getting older or at all . American Dad is a pretty good show considering it's about an American intelligence agent who wants to protect his family and country at the same time . The show airs Sunday nights which is the best time to liven up your week ahead if you only work Mondays through Fridays trying to protect and provide for your families . It's still worth watching .
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490,169 | 33,913 | 371,246 | 8 |
Not as Bad As It Looked !
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Spanglish was a surprise because the commercials on television made it look so unappealing when it has a first rate cast and maybe a second rate script . The stars include Adam Sandler , Tea Leoni , and the always fabulous Cloris Leachman . The characters in this clash of cultures and classes are about the wealthy Los Angelenos who live in the canyon and the mother and daughter immigrants from Mexico . While the wife played by Leoni tries to help the daughter and treats her as almost as if she was her own is resented by her own mother . The Spanish daughter has gone from translator because her mother doesn't speak English enough to being between two worlds where she excels in a private school on scholarship thanks to Leoni's character and befriends their lonely daughter . She becomes one of the family much to the resentment of her own mother who opts out of the environment . I thought this film was a lot better than the commercials I saw for it . Cloris always shines through in her role .
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490,814 | 33,913 | 94,137 | 8 |
Not bad ! Quite funny !
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It turned out to be a good idea after all . I actually liked this movie since I have seen it years ago . I can't remember until now the appeal . It's actually cute and well-done without any real nonsense . It actually makes sense when you watch it . It is actually entertaining without overdoing it . It's a great family movie too . There are hilarious moments between the men and baby Mary . I only wished she had a better name than Mary . The cast is first rate with Tom Selleck , Ted Danson , and Steve Gutenberg as the three fathers and Nancy Travis as British Sylvia . I love seeing Celeste Holm playing grandmother to baby Mary even if it was for only a moment . They have quite a ball with baby Mary in their lives even though she was a surprise beyond belief . Baby Mary usually steals the scene because of her beauty . Babies are beautiful and fun but lots of work for one parent , much less two or three or four parents . I won't give away the ending but I think they should have filmed it in New York City rather in Toronto but that's just my opinion .
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490,047 | 33,913 | 454,921 | 8 |
The True Pursuit of Happiness !
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Chris Gardner's inspirational story is brought to life by Oscar nominee Will Smith . His son , Jaden Smith , plays Chris ' son Christopher in the film . In this story , Chris Gardner is a man who wants to be a broker at Dean Witter . Unfortunately , Dean Witter internships don't pay a salary for six months . I hope they changed that since 1981 when the story takes place . Chris Gardner must deal with his broken marriage and fights to keep his son . They move to a motel after they can't afford to live or pay the rent . Christopher is what keeps Chris going despite losing his apartment , his marriage , his car , but he also has six scanners which he tries to sell . They are bone density scanners sold to doctors . The cast is first rate with James Karen as one of the bosses . Chris Gardner is a man who would do anything and does . It's an inspirational story of father and son in the toughest of times .
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490,158 | 33,913 | 165,598 | 8 |
A great sitcom the old fashioned way !
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There are too many new styles of the sitcom but the one that works best is the old fashioned way with an audience and indoor set . That 70's Show is a great example . When the show came on the air , nobody really heard of Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp much less the adolescents played wonderfully by Topher Grace and Ashton Kushton ( both of them are leaving the show this year to pursue other interests ) I wish Topher would stay around because the show began about his character , Eric , and his close circle of friends . Ashton is already the John Travolta of our time . Remember when John was in love with Diana Hyland from Eight Is Enough , think of Ashton with Demi Moore . The cast of actors were never known to us which is a good thing because a celebrity cast member can spoil it . I miss Mo Gaffney who played Don's girlfriend Joanne . I miss Lisa Robin Kelly as the original Laurie , the replacement could not match her and I am sorry about that . I liked the casting of Tommy Chong as the wasted but beloved father figure to Steven Hyde . I loved watching Tanya Roberts besides Charlie's Angels . I loved Brooke Shields playing Jackie's mom . She really showed her acting talent before heading to Broadway . This show has been a delight with many surprises . I hope this show lasts longer even though 2 of their cast members are leaving but I hope they don't stay too far away too long . I wish the show's creators , Bonnie and Terry Turner , who also created my other favorite show , Third Rock from The Sun , is more successful on Fox than they were on NBC which sabotaged their show . The Turners are not dummies and I hope they create more shows like this in the future .
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490,352 | 33,913 | 91,920 | 8 |
Robin's touching performance !
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I remember this movie because I took a junior college course entitled literature and film . One of the books was Saul Bellow's novel , Seize the Day . I don't remember much about the story but I remember the film . It's set in New York City about a poor man played to perfection by the one and only Robin Williams . It's not a laughing matter with him in the starring role as the Jewish salesman . The final scene leaves more questions than answers . I remember the film was faithful to the author's version . After all , Saul Bellow is a Nobel Prize winner for literature . Robin's performance is no laughing matter because his character can never catch a break in New York City . You just realize that he is one of thousands who are more or less suffering from society's neglect . In the end , society can be hell after all .
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489,743 | 33,913 | 243,664 | 8 |
It's worth watching once !
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Emma Thompson really blossoms as an actress in this very difficult and moving portrayal of middle aged college English professor . It was based on a play but I can't imagine anyone playing Vivian Bearing than Emma . She plays a woman with ovarian cancer . Her battle with cancer is long and difficult and not short of pain . She becomes bald and the film flashes back to her childhood with Harold Pinter playing her father . The most heartbreaking moment comes when her mentor played by Dame Eileen Atkins visits her . We never really get to know much else about Vivian's personal life . She was married to her work and Jonathan Donne . This film was directed by the great Mike Nichols and is worth watching . It's no TV movie of the week . It is a well-written , entertaining and heartbreaking film .
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490,516 | 33,913 | 106,179 | 8 |
X-way !
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One of the great things about the X-Files was that the show had two strong leading characters Scully and Mulder played by Gillian Anderson and David ( I forget his last name , sorry ) who should have got together but they wisely played it safe keeping them apart . I loved the relationship in the beginning but the show went off-track with conspiracies and craziness that the show became famous for . The cast is great and I loved the show when it was on location in Vancouver . I think the weather and environment was also a great addition . Then they moved it to Los Angeles , maybe that's when I lost track . The episodes in the beginning were truly high quality and first rate . I think they tried so hard to keep the momentum going that they lost the show somewhere along the years . I know that two stars wanted out to pursue other interests but I didn't think that was wise anyway . Anyway , I still wish them the best and hope to see a reunion film .
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490,463 | 33,913 | 16,544 | 8 |
Nothing like the 1939 classic version !
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I didn't read the book by L . Frank Baum so I can't say if this adaptation is faithful but it was adapted by his son for a screenplay . In this silent film version , everything is minimal but still it is entertaining at times . The cast stars Dorothy Dwan as Dorothy . The supporting cast has Oliver Hard from Laurel and Hardy as the Tin woodsman . The film has retained Dorothy , the scarecrow , the tin man , and the lion in it's cast . There are no special effects but there are large crowd scenes . The story is about Dorothy who is the rightful heir to the kingdom of Oz but the Wizard of Oz is doing everything he can to keep her from gaining the throne . There is no tornado or wicked witches but the wicked wizard . This film would be good for die-hard Wizard of Oz fans as well as silent film-buffs but for not much else .
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490,635 | 33,913 | 96,580 | 8 |
It Wasn't Amazing but It was Good !
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This show had legs and an interesting plot . Jon Cryer plays Teddy Z , a guy who doesn't want to work in the family business , a Greek bakery . Instead , he would rather work in show business . he gets a job in the mail room and gets the attention of a film star who wants him as his agent . With little or no experience , Teddy Z gets the most unlikely promotion . I remember Alex Rocco as the old time agent without a heart or conscience who is Teddy's mentor . I remember Jane Sibbett as the cold , ruthless woman working to get to where Teddy is . Teddy got there by being himself and not some determined , egotistical college graduate who start by working in the mailroom and hope to be secretaries with a promotion to agents . Too bad , they cancelled it after a year .
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490,314 | 33,913 | 76,988 | 8 |
Solid Comedy Starring Arthur Lowe !
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I bought the DVD series because I was desired to see it . None of the local PBS stations in the New York City area bothered to show it in recent years , I found Arthur Lowe to be the heart and soul of this show as Father Duddleswell . The young actor , Daniel A . , plays a young priest named Father Neil Boyd . I have to say the comic humor is dryer than Father Ted . The show explores the elder father's flaws such as his gambling habit and the younger priest's naivety . Also , I love Gabrielle Daye as Mrs . Pring who may not always be approving of Father Duddleswell but she's great as their opinionated housekeeper . I have only seen a few episodes but the writing and acting are solid . Guest stars like Peter Bowles and Sheila Keith make it worth watching . I don't know why people don't think priests or sisters are interesting worthy to be treated as a subject . If I was born a male , I would probably have been a priest myself .
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490,497 | 33,913 | 90,270 | 8 |
You're on a Vision Quest !
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Linda Fiorentino pretty much debuted as the love interest to Matthew Modine in this film , Vision Quest , which is an odd title for a film anyway . It was also entitled Crazy for You based on Madonna's song for the movie . Both Madonna and Fiorentino were still new at the time . The writing for this story is bit predictable . Matthew plays a wrestler and Linda plays the object of his affections . The film is directed by Harold Becker who also has a great soundtrack to the movie . I love the music which are perfect choices and the sounds of the music keep playing in her your ears . It's predictable but worthy to watch over and over again . Keep watching it and you'll learn to become nostalgic for a time that MTV played music videos and you were young again . They filmed where they set the story in Spokane , Washington . They don't do that anymore . They film elsewhere you know and say it's the real thing . Anyway , Linda's role of Carla was a drifter from New Jersey . It turns out that Linda herself is from the same area of New Jersey herself . Matthew Modine seems a bit older to play a teenager but then again it always seemed like older people playing young like Beverly Hills 90210 . Also it was nice to see Forest Whitaker in a very small role as one of the other wrestlers on the team . He should get an Oscar nomination this year . Harold Sylvester plays the English teacher who befriends Carla and he is better known for his role as the shoe salesman sidekick on Married with Children . Ronny Cox plays Louden's dad . A funny name , Louden Swain , but anyway the film has great music . They filmed on location in Spokane , and for a film debut , Linda was good . We miss you and we're waiting for your comeback .
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489,980 | 33,913 | 48,860 | 8 |
On the edge of your seat ! Another longtime soap bites the dust !
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The Edge of Night to me now is a distant memory . I do remember it being canceled which I thought was a terrible shame . There is only 1 half hour soap on television today . So I am going to write about the importance of daytime drama to the New York City entertainment community . It was the backbone and a place for actors and actresses to work their days at a show and work evenings on stage doing theater . Sadly , the New York City entertainment community is not growing as it once did before . Most people can't afford to live in the area to begin with and opt to work in Los Angeles or Toronto . I wish New York City Film and television would pay attention to these soaps cancellation as a warning that they shouldn't be happening . The Edge of Night was a brief memory . I remember coming home and it would be on at 4 : 00 P . M . and now it's Oprah . I do not mind talk shows but I do the growing choices of daytime dramas . I still think these shows have produced some of the finest actors and actresses today . At 28 years , the network yanked it off the screen and replaced it with Loving which would be canceled in less than 10 years later . Maybe they should have kept Edge of Night on along with the others . Every time a soap gets canceled , I just feel like losing a member of my family . I don't remember much about Edge of Night but the last episode . Now NYC only produces 4 soaps , the youngest soap of theirs being All My Children at 35 . At least L . A . has 5 and it's youngest is 7 years old . I don't care where American soaps are made but that they are made .
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490,571 | 33,913 | 1,170,244 | 8 |
Not Imus ! But still refreshing !
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Morning Joe came out of the Don Imus-Rutgers fiasco . After several different co-hosts like Stephanie Miller , Jim Cramer , etc . , Joe Scarborough who was a congressman from Florida turned broadcaster along with his sidekicks such as Mika Brezinski whose father is Zbignew Brezinski worked for the Carter Administration . She also has two brothers-one works for the Obama campaign while the other works for the McCain campaign . I wasn't happy with Mika regarding her treatment of Hillary Clinton during her bid for the democratic nomination . Never mind that Hillary was robbed of the nomination , Mika's eyes always appear to roll when ever she mentioned Hillary's chances with Terry McAuliffe who was head of the Clinton campaign . Willie Geist is the son of Bill Geist , a veteran television broadcaster who got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . Regardless of their relations , Willie and Mika are quite refreshing to Morning Joe . They go over headlines in major newspapers like they do in London , England . They have several guest hosts like the late Tim Russert , Tiki Barber , Joe Ridley , Pat Buchanan , etc . They get people with a lot of different opinions . What got me was a couple of weeks ago that Alan Cumming , Tony Award winner and flamboyant homosexual starwith an Obama shirt , was on television and Pat Buchanan was also in the studio . I would have given anything to have Pat interview Alan over Willie and Mika . It would have been a television moment to remember and I would still be laughing about it even now or years from now .
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490,382 | 33,913 | 40,098 | 8 |
Didn't read the book but the movie is quite good !
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Vivien Leigh was one of the great actresses of her day despite her own personal difficulties . Her film career was shorter than most of her peers but she still earned two Oscars for unforgettable performances in classics as Scarlett O'Hara and Blanche Dubois . This film could have easily earned her an Academy Award as the title character . Really , Vivien Leigh knew how to play leading actress in films . She is quite attractive and appears to be vulnerable and gentle on screen in her roles . This role is no exception . She steals the film as Anna Karenina . The supporting cast includes Sir Ralph Richardson , Michael Medwin OBE , Leslie Phillips CBE OBE , Maxine Audley , and Martitia Hunt as well . The film adaptation from Leo Tolstoy's novel of the same name was probably adapted and changed to fit Leigh's role . Regardless , I haven't read Tolstoy's classic novel but this film is one of dozens where female leading actresses can sink their teeth into like Vivien Leigh and Greta Garbo .
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490,412 | 33,913 | 1,125,849 | 8 |
Mickey Rourke the Wrestler both make comebacks !
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Who would have thought that washed up and notorious Mickey Rourke would be the front-runner for an Academy Award for playing Randy Ram Robinson , a veteran professional wrestler and celebrity in the wrestling entertainment world . First , I am not a wrestling fan in the least and this film shows the bruises , damage , and the non glorious side of the sport . Rourke is beautiful as the bruised , damaged self-proclaimed " piece of meat . " The beginning of the film shows him as the washed up Ram after an appearance and his life where he lives alone in a trailer park where he hasn't paid his rent . He works days at the Acme supermarket and nights where he goes to a strip club and befriends Cassidy played by Marisa Tomei . If people thought her first Oscar win was a shock , she should get her second Academy Award for this performance as the stripper and single mom who wins Ram's heart . Ram has a daughter , Stephanie , played well by Evan Rachel Wood but her character never is fleshed out as more than just his lesbian daughter living with her girlfriend but it's never said . He just suspects and we don't know much about Stephanie's history in the first place . We don't have that connection between them which would help explain their wounded relationship . Maybe Stephanie is more her father's daughter than she pretends not to be . I didn't like the ending but I won't spoil it for anybody else except that it's not clear . Regardless , the film was shot on a very low budget but it's still inspiring and Mickey Rourke's performance is well alone worth the effort in watching him despite the pain and blood that comes with wrestling . If you didn't have any respect for wrestlers or strippers before the film , the film will make you look at wrestlers and strippers a little differently . Tomei's character , Cassidy , shows a different side of a stripper about aging in a profession where they don't want you too and where you're nothing but a piece of meat . In reality , Cassidy and Ram can both share in professions where they use their bodies . For both , it is not only a way of life but a living . For Cassidy and others in the profession , they make more money than working as secretaries in reality . Ram's whole life is wrestling . If you take that away from him , you take away his life's meaning .
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490,369 | 33,913 | 476,916 | 8 |
Suddenly Griffin !
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It's no wonder that Kathy Griffin has become a star since her days on the show , Suddenly Susan . She was one of the best parts about that show and her relationship between Brooke Shields on screen and off-screen was of great affection . Shields was maid of honor at Griffin's wedding . Now , Kathy is the star of her own reality show on the D-List on Bravo Television . There are moments like her show going to Iraq to entertain the troops with beloved MAD-TV's Michael McDonald along and her former husband . I love watching Kathy on BRavo as herself . She is far more entertaining than most people who have reality television shows . KAthy's pilgrimage to her parents ' ancestral homeland of Ireland was a treat especially to say goodbye to her father who passed away . Kathy is realistic and believable as she hurts , so do we . You can't help but like Kathy even though there are times that she can be annoying .
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489,859 | 33,913 | 204,824 | 8 |
Preferred the Older One !
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I would have liked to have seen this version of George Orwell's classic , Animal Farm , to be animated rather than a live action film . I am not saying that the film is not worthy but I liked the older one with animation . I think anything with animals would be better off animated in the first place . They have a first rate cast including Kelsey Grammar , Julie Ormond , Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Peter Postlethwaite as Mr . Jones in a noteworthy performance . I can see why Spielberg claims that Postlethwaite is one of his favorite actors or one of the best under-rated actors around . The film is satisfactory and updated enough for today's audiences .
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489,993 | 33,913 | 441,051 | 8 |
Overall , it's funny now scream your heads off !
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One British woman , Catherine Tate , is multi-talented enough to play several roles in her titled show including the woman is not drunk enough to find her date attractive enough , or the woman who screams at anything because she is easily scared , then there is the couple of new parents with a sleeping baby who won't get out of the car for the mother's birthday party because the baby has finally fallen asleep and don't want to risk the sound of waking her up . Also , there is the couple of women who work in an office cubicle where she keeps asking her to guess how much whether it's weight or money . Catherine Tate might be a new face but she is somebody to watch out for in the future . She's very talented and capable of maintaining a sense of humor throughout the program even being unrecognizable . She does a fabulous job at showing off her craft of British comedy . Now if we can only get it in America .
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490,563 | 33,913 | 144,141 | 8 |
A charming episode of one of America's best detective programs !
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There is no doubt that Columbo's star Peter Falk loves this character . He always takes him out of the closet in a manner of speaking . Peter Falk would be knighted if he was a British actor but since he is an American actor and icon , we'll take him the way he is . I remember watching this episode with Golden Girls ' star Rue McClanahan as the gossip columnist Verity Chandler . Of course , Patrick McGoohan has often been associated with Columbo whether he is directing , writing or starring . There is something addictive about Columbo . He doesn't dumb down the role or the characters . He learns just as well as we do . He is quite the detective . He always gets his man or woman and I just adore Columbo . He is always worth watching . He mixes humor and seriousness with the most serious crime of murder . His job might be murder but it sure is fun watching him get the man or woman to be caught . Even then , you kind of feel sorry for the criminal for his actions . It ' the Columbo touch that you pity the criminal and love the detective .
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490,766 | 33,913 | 86,793 | 8 |
When it was good , it was great but when it was bad , it got worse !
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Santa Barbara came on with the hopes of changing the daytime industry and it did to many respects . THe Dobsons should be applauded for their soap . Sadly , Santa Barbara was on NBC which does not care for it's daytime audience . As an Another WOrld fan , I can say that network does not show the respect of daytime drama audiences by canceling one of it's soaps . Santa Barbara tried to be like other soaps just when it came out but it didn't work . Then , they brought together Cruz and Eden played by A Martinez and Marcy Walker . They were very good together . The casting was beyond to describe . The cast included Dame Judith Anderson , Janis Paige , Nicolas Coaster ( a soap vet to say the least ) , Sydney Penney , Nancy Lee Grahn , Louise Sorel , Jed Allan , Jane McConnell , and the list just goes on . When you are a favorite of Jill Farren Phelps , you become quite active on the show . Just to say that Grahn and Allan both joined General HOspital since Santa Barbara . The writing was witty and weird , brilliant and sometimes sloppy at the height of Santa Barbara's fame . But sadly , this show became a casualty of daytime's losing audience . Most people don't stay at home during the days like they used too . There are daytime audiences like me willing to tape while at work . I'll just wonder what it might have been if Santa Barbara had been allowed to grow old and gracefully . Santa Barbara won't be forgotten anytime soon . We still have a bit of it on General HOspital .
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490,372 | 33,913 | 86,800 | 8 |
Three and an Elephant !
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Sharon , Lois and Bram could be easily Canada's answer to America's Peter , Paul , and Mary but with an elephant and children's songs . I remember watching this on Nickelodeon as a kid . I remember them singing their songs included the famous elephant song and their on location in lovely Canada . I love Canada thanks to Nickelodeon who in it's early days imported lots of Canadian children shows . Sharon , Lois , and Bram always sang in harmony and they were genuinely fond of each other and children whether in Canada or the world . They treated it's fans which were mostly children with parents as people rather than little kids . I miss those days of my childhood and I wished that the children today can appreciate and enjoy Sharon , Lois , and Bram and the Elephant Show hopefully on DVD today .
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490,574 | 33,913 | 1,257,689 | 8 |
Heaven's Gain is Our Loss !
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It seems like only yesterday that Heath Ledger left us . His death was sudden and unexpected . As somebody once said , when it's your time it's your time to go . With the death of Heath Ledger by an accident of over-medication , Heath is finally getting the rest that he desperately was seeking for in heaven than on earth . This one hour is a loving tribute with cast members like mini-me's Verne Troyer showing genuine tears as he talked about his friend , Heath . In fact , nobody says anything negative about Heath's life except that he was taken too soon . There are some moments like the sex scenes between him and Jake Gyllenhall in Brokeback Mountain that could have been left on the cutting room floor . Other than that in a short hour , Heath is fondly remembered by co-stars , friends , and colleagues as a warm-hearted wonderful human being . In fact , I wish that there were more men like Heath around . Nobody has forgotten the daughter that he left behind too .
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490,791 | 33,913 | 346,869 | 8 |
Finally the Untold Story !
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We all knew about Different Strokes mostly about the kids of Different Strokes . Dana Plato's fade into obscurity did not help her substance abuse problems or her alcoholism . She lost custody of her son or relinquished him because she couldn't take care of him . She couldn't take care of herself . So it was no surprised that she would die so young . It was heartbreaking when Conrad Bain said that Dana was happy to have a baby because then she wouldn't be alone anymore . She wasn't alone . Everybody who was a fan loved her as Kimberly Drummond , the pretty , smart , girl from the show but her real life was from perfect or close to it . For Todd Bridges , he nearly went to prison for a crime that he didn't commit . Luckily , Johnnie Cochrane defended him and he was released . Todd has his own share of problems including an abusive father and his own substance abuse problems . Gary Coleman who became the most famous probably fared the best in comparison to Todd and Dana . Gary never recovered from his Arnold Jackson image to gain more acting jobs . His publicized legal fights with his own parents is heartbreaking because they need each other as a family . Even now , the Colemans are still together but without Gary in the picture . I hate seeing working as a security guard . It just seems unreal . Hollywood must not forget the children like Dana , Todd , and Gary and stop tossing them aside like garbage . There were questions that I would have liked answered like why they switched MRs . Drummonds from Dixie Carter to Mary Ann Mobley ( I liked them both ) but didn't see the need for it or the maids . We know that Charlotte Rae took Mrs . Edna Garrett to Facts of Life . Then there was Nedra Volz and Mary Jo Catlett who took over that job .
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490,205 | 33,913 | 496,343 | 8 |
Mixed Feelings !
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I have to say that I was really excited for this show to appear last night but I have to say that I have mixed feelings about the whole premise of Gypsy Travelers roaming the American South in prey of loot on us buffers . I think Eddie Izzard is brilliant as Wayne and I like Minnie Driver as Dahlia . As a couple , they have a lot of chemistry . I just love Eddie Izzard now . He can make me believe anything but somehow it's all hard to swallow . For example , he cons his way into a class reunion with his teen daughter and young son who likes dressing his older sister's clothes . Didn't anybody notice that he brought his kids while nobody else did . After all , it's kind of hard to believe that buffers are that dumb in general or they wouldn't have more . After almost getting busted by a cop on the road , they head to pick up Dahlia for a family reunion and a celebration of her release from prison . Anyway , Wayne steals from the Godfather of the Gypsy Travelers's safe because the heir has already fixed his teen daughter up to be married to a slightly slow relative for marriage in the fall . The Malloys take off after running into relatives . Dahlia is considered Gypsy royalty whatever that means and Wayne is not . They are fortunate to witness a terrible car accident who takes the lives of Mr . and Mrs . Rich who were on their way to their new home in a gated community . Wayne or Doug has a plan to move his family into the new digs . Will they fit in ? No , but they plan on trying to live a normal life whatever that means . I just have trouble believing that the producers didn't have a character with some moral conscience . Of course , it's only a show and it is to be entertaining but I was hoping for so much more but I love Eddie Izzard now .
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490,432 | 33,913 | 86,822 | 8 |
A Series that could have lasted longer !
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I'll never understand why the aliens had to be lizards or iguanas underneath their human form skin . Regardless , they return after they were liberated by smart humans on earth who finally got together to defeat them . This series was much like the two mini-series which preceded it . The aliens should realize that earth and it's billions of inhabitants don't want to become food for them . In the series , Elizabeth ( hybrid of human and iguana ) has a metamorphosis . She becomes an adult which I don't understand . Many of the original cast members from the mini-series return for the series like bad Diana played brilliantly by Jane Badler with both evil and sensuality to seduce Marc Singer's character and others before eating them . There is Fay Grant , the female character , who is involved in defeating the aliens . Unfortunately in the series , the aliens are here to stay on earth and they must find a way to cope .
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489,978 | 33,913 | 289,431 | 8 |
Not surprised at all !
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It seems that America and Britain and everybody else knew that the Japanese were up to something long before that infamous day in history . Could it have been prevented ? Why didn't they listen ? Who knows now ? Much like the events of September 11 , 2001 , people in power appeared to have ignored or misplaced their suspicions about any such attack . Why don't people in power listen ? Why didn't we ? We will never know the truth . Maybe American politicians thought it wouldn't happen but I disagree . They rather it happened then not at all . It was the middle of the great depression and America wasn't involved in World War II . Had America got involved sooner ? How many lives would have been saved ? We will never know the truth . This BBC documentary offers the interviews and depicts the FDR administration as having some knowledge of a possible attack . Why am I not surprised at all ? Maybe it's because the same thing happened on September 11 , 2001 . Of course thousands died needlessly and tragically . Many others suffered the loss of their relatives , friends , colleagues , and neighbors . Unless we learn from attacks on Pearl Harbor and September 11 , 2001 , we will never prevent another attack . It's sad and tragic . Maybe that's why this documentary shows another side beside the loss and that's that it could have prevented in the first place .
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489,967 | 33,913 | 445,934 | 8 |
You'll laugh yourself seriously !
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Will Ferrell can do almost anything and here is play a sex addicted ( heterosexual ) American men's single figure skater , Chaz Michael Michales . His main competition is played by John Heder from Napoleon Dynamite as James McElroy who is adopted by a rich billionaire who takes talented orphans and makes them superstars . He's played by the great character actor , William Fichtner ( I remember him from As the World Turns ) . Heder can actually hold his own playing this gifted , sexually naive , effeminate skater . Both skaters get booted from men's single competition after a fight . So after three and half years of doing ice shows and working at a sports store , McElroy's longtime coach played by Craig T . Nelson reunites them to do pairs skating . Unfortunately , the top American pairs skating is played by the funny Amy Poehler from Saturday Night Live and her real-life husband Will Arnett as Fairchild and Stranz Von Wallenburg . They are like Kitty and Peter Carruthers of their time , another brother-sister team from the United States . The Office's Jenna Fischer plays Kate Von Wallenburg , the younger sister and assistant to her siblings ' obsessive quest for the gold . In the meantime , Kate and Jimmy fall for each other but Kate's sister Fairchild has other plans for her sister . The Von Wallenberg siblings are always blaming Kate for their parents death in a car accident as they were driving her to ice skating practice . Of course , there are cameos by Olympic Gold Medalists , Peggy Fleming , Scott Hamilton who plays a commentator and Britan Boitano , and Olympic Silver & Bronze medalist Nancy Kerrigan at the National Skaters ASsociation . Of course , the writers have worked around not setting it around the United States Figure Skating Association and their Olympics is the Wintersports in Montreal , Quebec , Canada . It's a funny movie despite some flaws . If only ice skating was about art instead of about how many triple jumps that a person can do in four minutes . Most of the music , costumes , and actions in the figure skating world shown here wouldn't pass the world skating league .
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489,775 | 33,913 | 92,312 | 8 |
Jump for Jump Street
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This was Fox's first serious drama . It was aimed at a young audience . 21 Jump Street had a great cast including a young Johnny Depp , Peter DeLuise , and Holly Robinson among the cast members , good writing , and innovative plot about young cops posing as high school students to capture a wide variety of criminals in the school system . The show lasted a few seasons on Fox without network infiltration like other major networks . It lasted long enough to leave its mark on the baby network . Now there are a dozen shows like 21 Jump Street without the cleverness and the strive to be better than just the average shows on TV . In fact , the show was probably the first American drama on Fox to be filmed on location in Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada to cut costs . In the beginning of the Fox network lineup , 21 Jump Street launched a unique way of looking at secondary schools with a great cast . It was never awarded an Emmy which it should have been even nominated for Best Drama .
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490,730 | 33,913 | 123,179 | 8 |
A Great Version of the Classic Tale
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I loved Mr . Magoo growing up . We don't see him much anymore on television or this special around the holiday times . We see less and less television programming devoted to the Christmas holidays . Jim Backus uses his voice as Mr . Magoo , the four eyed actor , in this special where he plays Ebenezer Scrooge , the Charles Dickens character , forever immortalized in all sorts of holiday tales . Just like the story of a Christmas Carol , there are three ghosts and Marley , the predecessor who warns Scrooge to change his ways . Okay , this version is not the best out there but it's timely and good for kids and adults and fans of classic animation . I bought the tape years ago and just played it around the holidays . It's a treat to watch every year .
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490,654 | 33,913 | 265,343 | 8 |
And they all lived happily ever after !
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I was skeptical at first about seeing this movie . I'm not into Bollywood movies at all . I saw this film with a high school senior class in Newark , New Jersey and they were captivated by the film as well as myself . Mira Nair is becoming one of the world's best known film directors as I write this review with Namesake on it's way to release . The characters were fully fleshed out rather than just caricatures . Who didn't love the wedding planner who curses like a sailor and the servant who succumbed to his charm and spell ? Who didn't love the actual couple based on arrangement between families ? The bride has a secret that could have destroyed or stopped the marriage . My sister's friend is probably going to be married in New Delhi herself . I wonder how similar and different the wedding and reception will be . From what I know about Indian weddings , I can invite you which means you , your family , friends , and neighbors . They appear to have a really good time at weddings in India . There was a serious topic that could have dampened or ruined the movie but it was well-orchestrated by the director .
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489,865 | 33,913 | 280,754 | 8 |
Pour Some Sugar On Me !
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When Def Leppard returned to MTV with Hysteria , it was a revolution . The band members were adolescent friends who aspired to leave their Sheffield lives behind them . Instead , they became a leader in the music industry . Hysteria's legacy still lives on to those of us who remember it . The film reminded me of their ability to triumph over tragedy . They were all young when they rose to success . Of course , they hit obstacles like alcohol , drugs , and money . When Rick loses his arm in a car accident , he is determined to return to the band . I admire the band for not turning their backs on their friend . When Steve Clark is battling alcoholism , his friends are there for him as well . The film is not great but I bet it could have been better . I liked the flashbacks in the end to show the change in their appearances . They have grown older , wiser , and better for it . The road to Hysteria was marked by tragedy and triumph at once . The song " Pour Some Sugar On Me ! " was a hit video on MTV . I must have seen it a hundred times or more . In the 1980s , musicians and bands like Def Leppard created lyrics with music . Today , all there is vulgarity , sexual references , obscenity , and violence in the most popular music today . Gone are the music videos that inhabited MTV all those years . It was once a music station . I saw this film on VH-1 which was also begun as an alternative to MTV . Both now dedicate themselves to reality shows and other programming . I miss MTV and the videos like Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me , Hysteria , Photograph , Love Hurts , Animal , etc . Of course , young actors who play larger than life band members do a superb job in portraying . For a minute , I believed the band was actually playing themselves . I had to see the credits . I bet they could have marketed and released this film in the theaters and they would be rocking to the sound of Def Leppard . Too bad they placed it on television as documentary . To Def Leppard , keep rocking on .
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489,776 | 33,913 | 92,346 | 8 |
well done !
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Duet was a wonderful program . It was cute without being sappy or saccharine . Who could forget their first date with a married couple in the middle of an argument ? The cause of their argument was about family life . In the middle of it all , the dates try to compose themselves while the other couple are ready for combat at each other . They try to compose some normal conversation . In the end of their first date , the younger couple sit in the first seat while the older couple reunite the passion . It was all about passion and discovering one another . It was better than Mad about You then and is now . Duet was Fox's first show about relationships . I loved the casting of Alison LaPlaca and Chris Lemmon ( Jack Lemmon's son ) as the arguing couple . Jodi Thelen has a great role as Mary Page Keller's sister in the series . Mary Page Keller and her co-star Matthew / Mitchell Lawrence ( They're identical twins and actors ) . Lawrence plays a struggling writer while Keller plays a caterer . They meet at a wedding of course in the first episode . They had a great opening segment . It's a shame that shows do not have the quality it once had like it did then .
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490,592 | 33,913 | 86,681 | 8 |
It was better on network television !
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I hate to say this but I preferred the first family , the Pembrokes to the Powells , but beggars can't be choosers . I remember when the show first aired on CBS television . Again after a year , the show had a large following but there was not enough room in the prime time schedule for an average sitcom in the age of Cosby Show's success . If you think about , Charles In Charge paralleled Mama's Family on NBC which attracted probably not the kind of audience that the network wanted for their demographics . Like Charles in Charge , Mama's Family was cancelled after 2 seasons . It resurfaced over a year later on Saturday evening television in something called syndication . The same for Charles in Charge , there was the audience for the comedy . Unlike Mama's Family , Charles in Charge replaced an entire family . The Powells were prettier than the Pembrokes but I liked the first family better . Sandra Kerns who played Mrs . Powell disappeared even though her name and face were in the credits , she left sometime during the production to raise her own family sadly . We never caught much of her again . It was more about Skippy , Charles , and the new kids . So I still watched the episodes but I thought the show got weaker with Ellen Travolta playing Charles ' mother . James Callahan's role as the grandfather got bigger as well .
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489,890 | 33,913 | 90,570 | 8 |
Next time , I'm in London !
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84 Charing Cross Road is a wonderful enchanting film about the differences and similarities between the Brits and the New Yorkers over the years . Helene Hanff really was a special writer . She gave an identity to 84 Charing Cross Road to last a lifetime . Her letter writing relationship between a bookstore and herself is one of legendary stories to become part of London and New York . Sadly , she died 5 years ago . I am sure that 84 Charing Cross Road will always remember the writer , Helene Hanff , who inspired such a legacy . Anyway the film has a wonderful cast like Anne Bancroft who is ageless in the role . Sir Anthony Hopkins as the bookseller . Dame Judi Dench as his wife and Maurice Denham in a supporting role . Also , I have been to London three more times since I wrote this review and sadly this time , I made the effort to visit 84 Charing Cross Road , sorry folks , it's a Pizza Hut and I had dinner there tonight anyway . THere is no plaque . I still think Anne Bancroft was superb now that she's gone . So has Maurice Denham since I last wrote this review . God Bless them wherever they are .
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490,599 | 33,913 | 115,376 | 8 |
I miss Suddenly Susan still !
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One of the reasons that Suddenly Susan works for me is the ensemble cast of characters including Brooke Shields . Even though she is the star of the show , she manages to evolve her supporting cast of characters like the unbelievable Vicki and Judd Nelson as her boss Jack Richmond . The show is well-grouped with this cast of zany characters working at a fictional San Francisco newspaper . When tragedy struck the cast , the loss of David Strickland who played Todd was so catastrophic for the cast and crew for it to ever recover from his loss . David Strickland committed suicide in a Las Vegas hotel room . The cast was never the same again without him . The pairing of Vicki and Susan living together brought great laughs . These two should get together and spin off the characters into their own series . The show was never an Emmy winner or critically acclaimed . But from all reports , this show actually had a pleasant environment to grow and mature . Brooke Shields as a producer was not afraid to let her supporting cast branch out which is why I like this show .
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490,193 | 33,913 | 114,095 | 8 |
An Insightful , often hysterical and silly at times movie !
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I remember Parker Posey on " As The World Turns " before she became the Queen of the Independent movies . In this film , Posey shows her potential as a top fledged actress . In this film with supporting cast that includes Omar Townsend as Moustafa , a Lebanese immigrant who works as a falafel salesman on the street , who aspires to become a teacher . The supporting cast features a wonderful actress who plays her godmother and only family relative as Judy , the librarian who is old fashioned , dedicated and menopausal . Posey as Mary learns that she has to grow up and mature . Losing her librarian clerk position makes her realize how much she misses it as a place in her life . Mary's life is surrounded by friends in the Lower East Side Village of New York City before it became gentrified with yuppies . This film is quite good for an independent and I have come to enjoy Parker Posey as Mary as well as other characters in other films .
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490,045 | 33,913 | 461,770 | 8 |
Simply an Enchanting Movie ! Take it to Broadway !
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Amy Adams is simply delightful as Giselle , the engaged woman of Prince Edward , in a land called Anadalusia , a land where it lives in Animation . The beginning is a bit slow and typical . Once Giselle is tricked and pushed into the wishing well by a witch who is really Edward's evil stepmother . The cast is first rate with Amy Adams as Giselle , James Marsden as Prince Edward , Timothy Spall OBE as Nathaniel - the queen's henchman , Susan Sarandon as the wicked stepmother , Tony Winner Idina Menzel who won for playing Elfaba on Broadway's Wicked plays Nancy , the girlfriend , of PAtrick Dempsey's character , Robert . Robert takes Giselle in because his six year old motherless daughter , Morgan , insists that she is a princess . Of course , this is a Disney film . I'm sorry that one of the songs didn't win the Academy award for Best Original Song . I think this movie can be adapted into a Broadway musical since Disney pretty much dominates Broadway shows especially musicals .
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489,840 | 33,913 | 88,598 | 8 |
Sally , you are still missed ! ! !
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I miss Sally Jessy Raphael with her glasses and her mannerisms . She came before Oprah Winfrey's success in 1986 . I liked her and the show because she dealt with difficult teens and issues like Satanism , homosexuality , transgender , cannibalism , cults , etc . I was really upset that they canceled her show because she was one of the most genuine talk show hosts around who really cared about her guests and audiences . She always wore those red eyeglasses and showed genuine emotion . During the 1990s , the talk show craze included Sally who deserved a lot of praise for her performance . She wasn't Oprah nor did she try to be Phil Donahue . She was Sally and we still miss her show even five years later .
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490,637 | 33,913 | 86,704 | 8 |
Lot Going for It !
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Okay , this was the E / R show long before the drama on another network . It was a comedy and drama and a very good comedy too . The cast was first rate with Elliott Gould as the head doctor and Mary McDonnell playing the new doctor . If the show lasted longer , they would have probably gotten together and got married . George Clooney played the nephew to Conchata Farrell who is better known to audiences as the maid , Bertha , on Two and Half Men . She played a happily married childless nurse who doted on her nephew played by Clooney . The show had a mixed cast of characters and never really took off as it should have done . maybe there were just too many sitcoms on the air that even those above average got canceled after one season . It played on cable for a while only to be forgotten .
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490,631 | 33,913 | 1,133,084 | 8 |
A Complicated But Yet Intriguing Case !
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The cast of Law & Order : Criminal Intent features Mr . Big played by Chris Noth as Logan , a cast member of Law & Order , along with his female partner played by Cybil's Alicia Witt . In this law and order franchise , they do more investigative work and show the layers of depth and involvement in such crimes . The problem is that the crimes get more complicated but they are slicker than most criminals . In this case , it begins as Ukrainian mail-order bride is found murdered . Her husband is ruled out because of his alibi even though he had the motive . His wife , Anya , is a victim of the cruel blackmailing plan involving a lesbian murderer who also seduces men and controls one Iowa lady into playing the men for fools . I won't go more but it's worth watching again . Lola and Amanda Detmer ( from Saving Silverman ) is quite capable of doing dramatic as well as comedic work . This episode has some problems but it's worth watching and I'm surprised because I thought I was tired of Law & Order .
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490,639 | 33,913 | 102,106 | 8 |
Bone Chilling True Story !
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The names were changed but it's based on a true story of the events in Skidmore , Missouri and the real villain was Ken McElroy who was very much like John Gotti without the class , style , and grace of his demeanor . He had fathered children with two women who lived together . No , not because he's a polygamist . In this movie , the McElroy character is played chillingly by Brian Dennehy who is one of America's finest actors on stage , film or television . Oscar Winner Marcia Gay Harden plays one of his wives with a depth that is easily overlooked . Oscar Winner Cloris Leachman plays one of the man's many victims . No matter what this character did , the law and justice system failed to protect this small Missouri town so they took justice into their own hands . As Leachman's character states at the end " If you live by the sword , you die the sword . " The book entitled In Broad Daylight is equally riveting but adds another level of understanding of how a man like this can exist in the first place .
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490,078 | 33,913 | 64,381 | 8 |
Philip Roth at his best !
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I have been doing a lot of research on the author , Philip Roth , who wrote Goodbye , Columbus . Unfortunately , I am disappointed that it was set in the Bronx , New York and not Newark , New Jersey and that Westchester County replaced posh , upscale Livingston , New Jersey . What makes Roth special is that he really is a New Jersey writer even though he has lived in Connecticut for decades . Unfortunately , the story does not lose any of it's original impact as it was written in his novella . Richard Benjamin and Ali McGraw are excellent as Neil and Brenda . Neil Klugman , the Jewish librarian from the Bronx , and Brenda , the Jewish girl from Westchester , who get together . The relationship is believable at times while Neil is from the wrong side of the tracks so to speak while Brenda's family is upscale . Just because they are both Jewish doesn't mean that they don't have their share of problems . Jack Klugman and Nan Martin are perfect as Brenda's parents . The film would have been better or more authentic if it was set in Newark and Livingston rather than the Bronx and Westchester but what's done is done . I hope next time that they will take the time to film where it is set . It's not set that far from New York City anyway .
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489,944 | 33,913 | 300,298 | 8 |
An unforgettable journey across Canada !
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Mo and Willie are half-sisters that were raised by their loving grandmother , Nan . She dies in a nursing home across Canada . The granddaughters decide that she should be buried near her family homestead across country . Mo borrows an ice cream truck and the girls steal the corpse in a body bag from the funeral home or morgue one night . They travel and stop at a motel where they encounter Maury Chakin , a strange motel operator . Willie gets a date that night . Mo and Willie get back on the truck and head cross country but they get broke and need money . They act criminally to get their beloved Nan home and meet their relatives . It has a bittersweet ending but I never get where Sam fits into the family picture . The writer , director , and actress who plays Willie is remembered from her role on a popular Canadian show , Degrassi High . The actress who plays Mo does a believable and authentic job in making me care about her and Willie's relationship . There are some flaws but it's still a great film .
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489,794 | 33,913 | 496,424 | 8 |
Finally , Tina ' s Turn in the Spotlight !
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The show is not what I expected . I caught last night's episode with Tina Fey's character , Liz Lemon , set up by Alec Baldwin's character with Thomas . It turns out that Thomas is Gretchen Thomas ( a lesbian ) . Apparently , Liz gives the impression that she is gay to her new boss played by Baldwin . Anyway , she gave that impression playing herself on Saturday Night Live . Tina's a good sport because she used it to her advantage . If you don't know , Tina is married to producer Jeff Richmond and they have a baby daughter . I have always liked Tina Fey since she was writing for Saturday Night Live . I just wish that NBC would have placed the show a little later after I watched the Daily Show and Colbert Report . I only saw last night's episode because they had repeats . I wish Tina and the cast all the best .
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489,847 | 33,913 | 88,640 | 8 |
Hey hey what's happening now ?
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I was addicted to the first series so when syndication came up with the brilliant idea of bringing back the original gang . I was thrilled . The show came back with the same gang including Raj , Dwayne , Rerun , Dee , and Shirley . It was a shame that Mabel King who played Mama Thomas never returned to the show . I felt her departure from the first series left it a little emptier . She was a great character as Mama Thomas . I would have been thrilled to see her return to the second series . Anyway , you can only ask for so much . I was happy to see Ann Marie Johnson playing Raj's wife . She is an accomplished actress before this show and afterwards as well . Anyway , the show was never hard hitting . Of course , the renovation of Rob's Soda Shop was quite drastic to the original place . What's Happening Now remained the same about the group of friends who grew up together and the friendship among them . That was the glue that kept the show together was the friendship . Even now , I think about Shirley and the gang .
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490,308 | 33,913 | 90,501 | 8 |
Perfect Friday Night Fare !
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I have to admit that Balki and Larry were the male version of Laverne and Shirley . The show had a unique premise and it worked best with Bronson Pinchot as Balki who reminded me of Andy Kaufman on Taxi . Anyway , the show was never controversial or raised any eyebrows . It had it's moments including the relationship between Larry and Balki that emerged from complete strangers who were distant cousins to best of friends . The cast included the under-rated Ernie Sabella , JoMarie Payton France whose family would spin-off to more successful Family Matters . Friday nights on ABC were reserved for light family comedy fare . I just wish that they would bring sitcoms back . Bronson's role and performance was one of the best in a long time .
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490,455 | 33,913 | 329,575 | 8 |
Almost Perfect Film !
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I never thought that I would care about a movie about horse-racing . I saw this film by chance and I thought it was incredibly first rate and worthy of the Oscar nominations . Tobey McGuire is brilliant as is Jeff Bridges , the millionaire who loses his son in a car accident and his wife played by Valerie Mahoff in a divorce shortly later . The story about Seabiscuit is based on the true story about how America suffered through the Great Depression after the roaring 1920s . The film's art direction , costumes , and scenery is first rate . The narration by the wonderful David McCullough is somewhat appropriate but at times I felt that I was watching a documentary about the great depression which intrigued me more than the subject of horse-racing and how America survived the great depression . Tobey's character is an equestrian from a family who lost everything in the great depression . Before he would read Charles Dickens ' classics with his parents and siblings at the dinner table , after the crash is where his parents made the ultimate sacrifice in leaving him with a man who owned a home and horse-racing .
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489,835 | 33,913 | 49,366 | 8 |
Makes you scared to go to sleep ! ! ! !
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I remember this movie as a child and how frightened I was to fall asleep in case there were alien pods ready to possess my body . Demon and alien possession terrified me as a child . This movie has a strange plot in which alien pods from flowers become human replicas . I have a lot of questions as to how it is possible but the replacements are cold , mindless , unfeeling robots of humans . They become cult-like and frightening towards the humans that they attempt to control and conquer . I am sure that my fears are gone because it's just impossible but the film's cast including Kevin McCarthy , Dana Wynter Carolyn Jones , Larry Gates and others are great and believable in their roles .
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490,124 | 33,913 | 465,551 | 8 |
Only Judi could have make me like Barbara !
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I have to say that I have mixed feelings about the wonderful Judi Dench playing such an unlikable character as Barbara . At first , we pity this spinster who has nobody to love or lover her back . Befriending her as a woman could be dangerous to your career but Judi shows how this older mature woman has become her worst enemy by being so possessive and destructive and envious of Sheba's fulfilled life even if it means being trapped in an unhappy marriage with children of her own . Barbara is all alone , unhappy , and miserable but that is partially her own doing . She has become this person because society has first ignored her presence and she is invisible . I see a lot of her Lady Macbeth performance here which is both wonderful and painful because Barbara's suffering is forced on others like Sheba .
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489,898 | 33,913 | 280,870 | 8 |
Come Back , Linda , We Miss You !
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Linda Fiorentino really steals the screen in this film . She holds her own with Wesley Snipes . The film has political message about guns , gun control , and violence . Of course , it must be written from a leftist liberal point of view . Wesley Snipes ' character has a grudge against guns . Along the film , we learn his motives and why he is so angry and vengeful but we never really know the whole story . There are lot more questions that go unanswered . I found the ending scene to be more confusing . I get the message that guns are bad . For the beginning part of the film until the television stations begin with K that I knew it was West Coast . I thought it was set in New York City but it turns out to be in Los Angeles and I later learned that the film was filmed in Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada which is often substituted for other cities . Anyway , Oliver Platt has a supporting role as Liberty's husband . Although we rarely see Liberty interact physically with Snipes or Platt's characters except on cell phones . This film was probably in production long before the events on September 11 , 2001 and I can see why it was not promoted . Anyway , I wish Linda Fiorentino would come back to acting . She can hold her own against anybody .
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489,731 | 33,913 | 111,945 | 8 |
Highly Under-rated by Critics !
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I have watched the Drew Carey show for years both on network and on television in syndication . I have to admit that it still holds up . Who could forget the fights between Mimi Bobek and Drew Carey played wonderfully by Kathy Kinney who should have been nominated for Emmys rather than being short-sighted by the television academy . I loved her relationship with Drew's cross dressing brother . Over the several seasons , the show peaked from modest and humble beginnings to success and then soured by critics and fans . Christa Miller's departure was upsetting but Cynthia Watros was equally interesting . Drew Carey Show was truly blue collar . This was not Friends nor did it appear to be and we didn't want another Friends where their biggest obstacles was their relationships with each other and the opposite sex . The Drew Carey Show was real to it's audience . The casting of Craig Ferguson as Drew and Mimi's boss was genius as was Nan Martin who plays the store owner . We loved Oswald and Lewis and their shenanigans with Drew and Kate as well . The show tried to be different and it succeeded but Drew doesn't give up his show easily to say it's over . Maybe the swan song took longer than it should but I believe Drew Carey show will live forever in reruns with audiences rediscovering it's humor and the genius of it . Too bad , the Academy never noticed the Drew Carey Show for it also had great guests like Shirley Jones , Marion Ross , etc .
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490,192 | 33,913 | 366,450 | 8 |
A Wonderful Children's Film based on a Classic Novel !
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Edith Nesbit was before our time . She wrote this novel in the early part of the last century . The casting is first rate with Freddie Highmore as one of the children ; the divine and future Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire Zoe Wanamaker CBE as the eccentric housekeeper of the castle ; the always fascinating Kenneth Branagh as Uncle Albert , and Eddie Izzard as the voice of It . Okay , the story is a bit eccentric and bizarre about five children who are sent to live with their writing uncle in a desolate castle in the country . During their summer in the country , they come across making wishes that they would soon regret . The film works and is worth for children to watch it as well as adults . It can be serious at times while the children's father is sent off to fight in World War I and fun at times like the missing October and Thursday when they arrive on Friday at the castle . It's a charming film overall .
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490,456 | 33,913 | 465,509 | 8 |
A Gem of an Independent Film !
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I first thought it was a Canadian film . I had no idea until I read the credits that it was filmed entirely on location in Austin , Texas . This film is quite a gem and treasure about the relationships between a father and son , Frank and Zak Nelson , after the suicide death of the family matriarch . Zak blames himself as does Frank for her death . The father and son moments in the film are alone worth watching . There is no glamor with this largely unknown cast . They do a brilliant job worthy of awards . Zak becomes withdrawn from his girlfriend and his friends as well as his father . He paints his room black to symbolize his mourning . It isn't until a life-changing experience that determines how to live after a family tragedy .
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490,292 | 33,913 | 133,413 | 8 |
A Beautiful film
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The Italian film , the Best Man , is very well acted and believable about the Bride who falls in love with her husband's brother who is older and an American success . I found the movie to be well-paced and well-acted and believable . I enjoyed this film very much and do recommend it as a change from other films . Maybe it's because I have been fascinated by the beauty of Italy and the Italian language all of a sudden . I love Italian movies including this one . It shows another time in Italian life where family and tradition was still important including having a large family . That's all changed in contemporary Italy , people still get married and maybe live together without raising an eyebrow . They have smaller families maybe just one child much less two or more as it has even in New Jersey . Families are smaller and everybody is so involved in themselves . It doesn't help that the long working days in the rural fields have been replaced by a cubicle and an office . But that's what I miss about the old world of Italy , it's charm and eternalness .
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490,510 | 33,913 | 104,387 | 8 |
Short , Sweet , and to the Point !
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I bought this because I'm doing Hamlet for my college class in teaching Shakespeare . It's only 30 minutes , brief , and to the point about the basics of Hamlet's story . I think the quality of the animation could have been a lot better which is why I gave it an 8 and it could have been a little more detailed in the storytelling . But if you're looking for something to keep the kids interested , I think this is effective in teaching Hamlet without overburdening them too much . Hamlet can be a difficult subject to teach at any levels . I applaud the animated Shakespeare tales and suggest that they improve their quality and animated figures to the quality of today's technology . There is so much that could have been improved and worthy of doing so . Tilda Swinton has the voice of Ophelia in this tale . So please there is so much that can be done with animation and Shakespeare .
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490,767 | 33,913 | 107,665 | 8 |
Has a few problems but is worth watching !
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The story of Needful Things comes from Stephen King , who else could it have come from . A store opens up in a small Maine town ( where else ? ) called Needful Things . The funny thing is that it's owned and operated by Christopher Plummer who appeared in Stephen King's DOlores Claiborne . Anyway , he is the devil in disguise . He coordinates trouble . The stories sometimes are problematic with me . I thought the Elvis mom who spends all day long playing Elvis Presley music and sleeping with a statue of him was pretty bizarre . I only saw the TNT version so I am sure there was editing going on . Ed HArris and Bonnie Bedelia are perfectly cast as a couple who try to escape the devil's lure but they are only the few who are able to escape . Valri Bromfield plays the hot-tempered local who seeks vengeance thanks to the devil . The story of Needful THings has a purpose . Be careful what you wish because it might happen and you wouldn't be able to control it . The town soon learns that they are messing with something inhuman . Anyway , it's worth watching for sheer entertainment . You can't get too caught up with it or you'll go crazy .
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490,333 | 33,913 | 320,053 | 8 |
Save Life with Bonnie !
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Life with Bonnie is a show worth saving from cancellation . It has a great cast with the great Bonnie Hunt , talented David Alan Grier , hunky Mark Derwin , and the wonderful Marianne Meulleruex . The other supporting cast members are also worth mentioning especially Holly . The supporting cast is an excellent ensemble . This show is an ensemble show with each actor doing excellent work . Like the show's theme , it is old fashioned wholesome comedy . It would be a terrible shame for ABC to allow this show to be cancelled after two seasons on the air . I hope some network will come and save this show from permanent cancellation . ABC does not know what it has until it's gone permanently . Until Hope & Faith came on , Bonnie's show was the Friday night anchor for wholesome family comedies . Bonnie Hunt is one of the nicest people in Hollywood . She has reunited with Mark and Marianne Meullereux who worked with her previously in other shows . I just can't understand why this show can't survive after all . Bonnie Hunt has been nominated for Golden Globe Award . While she is in the category with cast members of Sex in the City , she stands out for being wholesome , clean , wonderfully charming , and delightful to watch . Her show has garnered emmy nominations for Jonathan Winters and David Duchovny . She is a giving person . I have noticed she always sets her shows in Chicago as her main setting . I enjoyed the recent episodes with David Alan Grier living in the house with him . I am sorry that this show is going . I wish ABC reconsider ! My best wishes to Bonnie Hunt and to everybody else in the cast and crew !
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490,219 | 33,913 | 618,732 | 8 |
The Landlady ! !
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I have to say that this episode was probably a lot more groundbreaking because Kate and Allie are forced with a rent increase because their landlady rents the apartment to one family . First of all that apartment would be affordable only to millionaires now and maybe even then . Kate and Allie decide to say that they are a lesbian couple to keep the apartment . Fortunately , the landlady and her female partner are also a lesbian couple . They are played very well by Gloria Cromwell and Chevi Colton . There is a double standard here because Kate and Allie are forced to pretend to be a couple in Greenwich Village in New York City of all places . You wonder if they had just said that they were sisters rather than best friends or pretend to be gay that the landlady might be more understanding of their arrangement . The episode is painful when the landlady learns the truth . I remember this episode because it was well done although unrealistic . Greenwich Village is one of the most tolerant neighborhoods in the city , country , or parts of the world . I doubt that the landlady would have maintained the huge rent increase because they are two families . Kate and Allie's children are blended family of another kind . Two divorced heterosexual women with children living together after their divorces from their husbands . Kate and Allie were never couple nor it would have lasted as long as it did . The show's dynamic would have been all but lost . Maybe in today's world but in the 1980s , divorce was still new to audiences .
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490,845 | 33,913 | 77,097 | 8 |
A Great Show !
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WKRP in Cincinatti was a great show with a stellar cast including Gordon Jump who played the station's owner . Gary Sandy who played one of the disc jockeys . Of course , the unforgettable Howard Hesseman as another disc jockey . The guy who played Les Nessman was also memorable as the news guy . Frank Bonner who played sleazy Herb as the advertising salesman and of course the ladies played by Loni Anderson and I forget the other girl's name but she was good too . Anyway , the show was well-written , acted , and performed that it left a timeless impression on us . Of course , Tim Reid was also excellent as well . The show had a first rate cast which worked very well together comically and produced some of the finest moments on television .
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489,987 | 33,913 | 90,487 | 8 |
The Show was Cut Too Short !
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The premise with Pam Dawber , Samantha Russell , as a successful San Francisco photographer who is reunited with her younger sister , Patti Russell , played by the late Rebecca Schaeffer . Supporting cast members include the wonderful Jenny O'Hara as Dixie , Sam's assistant , and Joel Brooks . David Naughton as a friend and neighbor . The show only lasted two seasons on network television but I bet it could have done well in syndication if given the opportunity . The sadness comes when you realize that Schaeffer was killed by a deranged fan . The case was prosecuted by Marcia Clark . Sadly , the show never really peaked or risen to the occasion . It came across in the midst of a sitcom frenzy on television in the era of the sitcoms . The premise may have been light but the show worked for the time it was on television . The cast was first rate and the writing was second rate but the show always tried harder to succeed .
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