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Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog (2021)
Horrible...
I usually love straight to video Scooby titles, even most of the crossovers. I liked the Courage cartoon. But this was not good. The art was bad. It was one continuous, bad-gag, chase scene with little that made Scooby & Courage good shows.
Gang Related (2014)
Started Strong...
This show hit the ground running. They had it looking like a hit. Then a few episodes in, they faltered. It should've been less of the Ryan Lopez show & more of an ensemble, good cast being wasted. The problem with villains is that they either need to be utterly, almost cartoonishly bad or have something we can sympathize with, these are neither. Carlos is a rabid dog, Anyone who trusts Javier is a fool. We're also bad to the old stand by of dirty cop. It's really getting old. The show's becoming fairly predictable. Ryan does something good as a cop & Javier asks him not to let it stand. There is no way that Lopez can continue like this & not be forced to choose a side or get caught. There's so much to disdain here & very little to like.
Top Design (2007)
This makes HGTV look fantastic
Alright, fans of other Bravo reality shows get ready to put on the breaks. I was really hoping to like TD as well as Project Runway, but was completely disappointed. The show had promise but never delivered. Only the concept had any chance of actually succeeding. Most of the contestants were weak and the bias for the gay contestants was blatant. Don't go crying foul, I say that and I am gay. The host was nothing more than Big Brother's Chin-Bot in boy drag. The judges were sub par. First off, you have the alleged designer Adler who's most clever thing to do is sit there dressed like Paul Lynde and say "See ya Later Decorator." LAME. Then another women who deserves a choice word or two from Elle. Please send the Elle ladies packing from all shows. The best judge is that walking mop. Not even rockers from 1980's hair-bands had frizz that big. In addition, using the chef from Top Chef was just cheap. One of my biggest complaints about the challenges is that the judges obviously had a very specific thing or theme in mind for each challenge but kept to themselves. If they aren't going to communicate their hopes for the outcomes of these designs then they are just sabotaging the designers' chances of success. Overall HGTV's contest for the next great designer beat this show out of the water and I am so over HGTV. I would say better luck next season but i think I'll just stick to Project Runway. For bravo shows it goes, Runway, always a yes. Top Chef, so far just first season. A run for the hills NO for Top Desig. However, the new show Shear Genius looks promising thus far.
Charlotte's Web (2006)
So Many Memories
We live in a time with very little originality reaching the mass media. Most of the music is covered or sampled and the movies are sequels, prequels or remakes. For the most part this is usually a recipe for very poor entertainment. Charlotte's Web 2006 is not in that category. It was witty and practical, just like the book. It celebrated the normal aspects of life with just a dusting of the extraordinary and less than ordinary, such as a spider that can spell and a runty piglet. E. B. White was a fabulous children's writer. The 1970's animated version was wonderful for the time, but all the singing made it come like a musical, which somewhat took away from the story's simple charm. Don't think this is a different story, because it isn't. The things that crushed us as children watching the animation are still in there. Those silly songs did soften that blow a bit. But the ending is still the ending, even if it does mean there is some languishing to be witnessed. There are some points I wish would've been addressed more. This story was as much about the other animals and Fern as much as WIlbur. Fern's growing up is more implied than shown, her brother was less involved, and Gussy the goose's spelling of terrific, I believe it went something like T, double E, double R, and so on. Overall I thought the voice overs were down well with the exception of the geese, Oprah was no Agnes Moorehead. Buscemi did a good job with Templeton considering how much I loved Paul Lynde's snide rat. I know a lot of people dislike Julia Roberts, but i thought she gave a good performance even compared Debbie Reynold's Charlotte. Overall this film was fun, nostalgic, joyful and heart-wrenching. I hope you go see it. Enjoy.
The Prestige (2006)
Waste of Talent
Bale, Jackman, and Caine, now that sounded like it should've been the best movie one could've wanted to see at theatre. I give you at first I kept thinking it was sort of like Batman versus Wolverine. This movie had the potential to be a great film but at best it was a mediocre attempt at a mysterious period piece. The two main characters were unsympathetic and the others were merely window dressings for their obsessions. I am not really all that much of a Caine fan but I can easily say that he did the best performance of these actors. Even though most of the acting was barely on par, the script and editing were far worse. The timing and movement of this piece took it from a passable film to dreadfully long one. The problem with its length is that it gives you so much time that you figured out all the twists and after that what's the point? I felt mislead with this film as well, it was far more of a revenge flick than a historical fiction. If you are interested in magicians and period pieces try the Illusionist. It was a much better constructed film.
Little People, Big World (2006)
Mommy's alright, Daddy's Alright...
When I first saw this I thought this was either going to be educational or exploitive. Turned out it wasn't really either. I assumed that a documentary about anyone's life would be any more informative than one made about anyone else's life. There are interesting points, like the medical and the fact these people are just as messed up as the rest of us. The youngest boy is normal sized, typical kid. The girl is normal sized and just wants to please her parents. There are the mixed twins, one small. The father is loud and controlling in every aspect except his kids, unless it reflects on him, such as the one's child inability to pass the driver's test. The Mom is just as dominating in her children's life. She is a vicariously living control freak. She flips on the smallest things, be good flips or bad ones A problem with is their lack of understanding of their eldest normal sized son. The Roloffs teach others how to cope with a small person. It's obvious they have no clue about racing a normal sized kid. Their eldest boy is a typical teen, he dislikes school, he's more interested in his friends than his family, and takes a lot of things with usual teen casualness. They try to make him feel like he's the one who is different. If he gets an opportunity the other twin's size prohibits and isn't ecstatic, he's a brat. They forget it isn't his fault they're small and he shouldn't be the one the worker tallees, he isn't Gulliver. What is up with that house? It's such a pig sty.
Gekijô-ban hagane no renkinjutsushi: Shanbara wo yuku mono (2005)
A Respectable Conclusion
For those of you left unsatisfied with the ending to the 50 some odd run of The Fullmetal Alchemist. FA The Movie gives a believable, if not entirely desirable, conclusion to the Elric brothers alchemical journey. For those unfamiliar with Fullmetal Alchemist, knowledge of the series isn't necessary to enjoy the movie. Come see what happens when the Black Gate is thrown wide open and what the brothers will have to do shut it once and for all. This is very much a look through the dark side of the looking glass. The more everything seems the same, the more it differs from what the Elrics knew to be true. In the end, all may not be as it should be, but it is just and acceptable by the laws of alchemy.
Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)
Long Lasting Creepiness
I saw this movie when I was little and admit a lot of the movie is a blur to me now. However, I only saw this movie once and I was well under eight years old and this freaky movie left an extremely strong impact on me. Over 25 years later I can still remember how traumatized Jessica was in the film. This film isn't a gore fest and if that is what you consider horror, then look elsewhere. This movie is about the odd, cold sensation you get when you know something is going on but you're not quite sure what. It's when you're positive there's absolutely nothing you can do about about whatever is about to occur. I've tried for years to find this flick to show to some of my friends and now its finally on DVD.
Little People, Big Dreams (2005)
Not what I expected
When I first saw this I thought this was either going to be educational or exploitive. Turned out it wasn't really either. I assumed that a documentary about anyone's life would be any more informative than one made about anyone else's life. There are interesting points, like the medical and the fact these people are just as messed up as the rest of us. The youngest boy is normal sized, typical kid. The girl is normal sized and just wants to please her parents. There are the mixed twins, one small. The father is loud and controlling in every aspect except his kids, unless it reflects on him, such as the one's child inability to pass the driver's test. The Mom is just as dominating in her children's life. She is a vicariously living control freak. She flips on the smallest things, be good flips or bad ones A problem with is their lack of understanding of their eldest normal sized son. The Roloffs teach others how to cope with a small person. It's obvious they have no clue about racing a normal sized kid. Their eldest boy is a typical teen, he dislikes school, he's more interested in his friends than his family, and takes a lot of things with usual teen casualness. They try to make him feel like he's the one who is different. If he gets an opportunity the other twin's size prohibits and isn't ecstatic, he's a brat. They forget it isn't his fault they're small and he shouldn't be the one the worker tallees, he isn't Gulliver. What is up with that house? It's such a pig sty.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Okay but not great
I loved the first film and thought the trailers were showing some good points for this one. However, it never lived up to the first movie. I think this one had three problems. It dragged a lot of the time. The story wasn't as strong as that in the first film. Orlando Bloom, didn't hold his own with the other actors. HIgh points for this film, Kiera Knightley did very well and held her own with Depp. The set and scenery were great. It was a pirate movie. Then of course there was Johnny Depp. This movie is worth seeing, it just isn't the first one. However, I usually don't like the second movie in a trilogy setting and I think third installment has already been shot. I am definitely looking forward to that film. Again, an enjoyable movie, but if you have to wait and rent it on DVD, don't sweat it, you won't miss anything.
The Unit (2006)
Bad, Just Bad
I am usually willing to give a new show more of shot but this show just isn't worth another minute of my time. I originally thought the concept had "some" merit and I even like some of the actors. The only thing I can figure out is that CBS is just riding so high in the ratings right now that they got sloppy and boring. The story was poorly written. The pace was like plodding through thick mud. Everything about this episode was fairly typical and predictable. Let's top that off with the "lets leave the little woman at home" ala 1950's motif. And then it moves to being oppressive as well as unoriginal. Hope this show dies off soon so something better can take its place.
Invasion (2005)
So far, I'm yawning... Slight spoilage
I'm up in the air as to whether I'll continue watching this series. But that's normal for me, I rarely really like shows after the first few episodes. I've been tricked too often with great pilots then horrible follow-throughs. I'll break my comments up into segments I can get a grasp on from the first episode.
The actors were sub par at best. Which is fine because the characters weren't any better developed. William Fichtner's sheriff came off as a cross between Christopher Walkin and Lance Henriksen, a little high on the creep-o-meter. Ten years ago Eddie Cibrian's character would've been played by Dale Midkiff. The characters are flat and unoriginal, with the possible exception of Lisa Sheridan's portrayal of a descent step-mother. They've even tossed in a Bradyesque crush between the two teen characters, well at least on her part. If I had to give an award to anyone on this cast it would go to lovely kitty playing Carlita the wayward cat.
As for the story, it raced by so fast it unraveled as quickly as it moved to the next scene. The continuity was jarring and often the scenes were just too forced. The writers are taking a lot of easy ways out to handle some of there issues. A neurotic, overbearing ex-wife, and hick sheriff, and the cute daughter of the sheriff who is bound to be trouble. (BTW, Alexis Dziena can also be seen on the second season of Joan of Arcadia as Bonnie, and on Law & Order playing "Lena Parkova" in episode: "House Calls", not mention several other appearances.) The setting and effects were alright, the hurricane shots were the best, but weren't really anything to write home about. A lot of the time, it was let's just not show the shot so we don't have to handle the effects.
Overall, I guess I would have to rate Invasion as my least favorite of the three new sci-fi-ish series. My reasons behind that are I like the writing and character development on the two shows (Threshold and Surface) better. Also, Invasion just seemed to be a modern twist on Body-Snatchers, a movie I didn't particularly enjoy the first few times it was produced. It is difficult to write something really unique now, but at least Surface had their storyline going global and not just stuck away in some easily written off plot device of a swamp. Threshold introduces a much more intelligent ET assault. The concept of bio-forming may not be new but it's more intriguing than body snatching.
On a scale of one to ten I'd give Invasion a four. It isn't all that great, but could make for good TV fodder when there is nothing better to watch. It might even get better along the way, but I wouldn't count on it.
Man-Thing (2005)
Just plain awful
I'm a fan of horror and comic-based flicks. I'm a fairly intense fan of creature features. However, that didn't do a thing to boost my reaction to this piece of junk.
If its proverbial, it happens in this movie. I saw this waste of film when it debuted on Scifi Channel and they butchered the hell out of it. It isn't any wonder why it didn't open on the big screen. This movie isn't scary, it isn't suspenseful, it isn't even funny. Man-Thing was a boring waste of time. I'd say it was a waste of talent, but there wasn't any to be wasted.
If you have to watch something, pick anything else and you'll be better off for it.
Riding the Bullet (2004)
Subpar at best
OK, I'm a serious King fan and can forgive some otherwise pitiful movies just because they were based on his works. However, there are a series of horrid big screen conversions that just butcher King's work; Pet Semetary and Maximum Overdrive are good examples. As bad as the big screen is to King, TV is worse. The conversion of IT was tolerable, due to Curry's Pennywise, but other than that most of the TV productions of King's works aren't worth watching. Saying all of that, RIDING THE BULLET was far worse than any of the previous TV slaughterhouse fare. The acting was subpar, the screenplay was weak and predictable, and it was nearly as scary as a bad dream about rabid rubber duckies devouring your bath soap. To make the whole matter worse, this film was shown on USA Network which promptly squelched out every Nth word in the movie because of language. (Just another bad reaction to the FCC's over reactions) The amount of missing dialogue was a good chunk of the movie. Normally bleeping or editing for language isn't that noticeable but on this show it was very distracting. DVD renter won't have to deal with that. If I could this movie a Zero rating I would. If you like King, read a book.