Much Ado About Nothing, which Branagh adapted, directed and starred in in 1993, is my favorite film of all time. So I thought I'd like the film he made one year earlier. Boy, was I wrong. While the directing was excellent, the film itself was terrible, and all because of the script. You would think that a cast like this would be great, and you'd be right - pretty much everyone does the best they can with the characters - almost every one of which is unbearable, with Brian perhaps winning the crown as the most annoying (although my wife would give the crown to Carol). Watch Henry V, watch Dead Again, DEFINITELY watch Much Ado About Nothing, but skip over this Big Chill wanna-be.
Reviews
18 Reviews
I wonder if it happened this way . . .
23 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I have this idea that Gordon Clapp went into the writer's room and reminded them that this was his eleventh season on the show. He then pointed out that every other detective who had been on the show had had sexual encounters, some of them with multiple partners. Meanwhile he had not had any sexual relationships with anyone in all that time, and could they please correct that situation.
The writers then apologized, told him that he was right and said that they'd write a storyline for his character to have a sexual relationship. They then proceeded to hook him up with a sixty-plus year old woman.
The moral of this (imagined) story - don't mess with the writers.
The writers then apologized, told him that he was right and said that they'd write a storyline for his character to have a sexual relationship. They then proceeded to hook him up with a sixty-plus year old woman.
The moral of this (imagined) story - don't mess with the writers.
Hope the show isn't getting ridiculous
4 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
While cases over the last ten years have included some that were unusual, that's what made them interesting and we're not here to see boring stories. But this episode struck me as way over the top.
*Spoilers Ahead* A guy walks into the squad room and handcuffs himself to the pregnant detective and they're all going to be blown up if a Russian mobster isn't released from prison in the next hour? I'm sorry, but that seems a little convoluted and far-fetched to me. Not knocking the acting by any of the cast, it was all top notch as usual. I just hope that we're not going to see more and more outlandish situations going forward. (I want to joke about a future plot line with a guy who has a machine to control the weather.) The grounding in reality - both the sour and the sweet - is what's made me love the show so far.
*Spoilers Ahead* A guy walks into the squad room and handcuffs himself to the pregnant detective and they're all going to be blown up if a Russian mobster isn't released from prison in the next hour? I'm sorry, but that seems a little convoluted and far-fetched to me. Not knocking the acting by any of the cast, it was all top notch as usual. I just hope that we're not going to see more and more outlandish situations going forward. (I want to joke about a future plot line with a guy who has a machine to control the weather.) The grounding in reality - both the sour and the sweet - is what's made me love the show so far.
Best Episode of a Fine Series
15 October 2018
I have loved this episode for over thirty-three years now. Last night I showed it to my 23 year old daughter (who had never seen an episode of Family Ties) and she also loved it. Funnier than I remembered, romantic, sweet and very touching at the end of both parts.
Episode TV doesn't get much better than this. Kudos to the actors and, especially, the writer, Michael J. Weithorn.
Downsizing
(2017)
This film has a serious schizophrenia problem
15 October 2018
The first half of the film deals with the concept advertised - people are 'downsized' to improve their lifestyles. But once Matt Damon is established in the town for the downsized that he's living in, the fact that all of these people are only five inches tall has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MOVIE. Everything is scaled to them, so you can go through large parts of the film without remember that the people you're watching are allegedly less than a half foot tall. The plot, meanwhile, goes completely off the rails and wanders from one boring situation with annoying characters to another. Colossal waste of time.
I knew that the character of John was boring . . .
19 July 2018
. . . but the writers on the show didn't have to give us 'The Great Line' just to prove me right.
I watched this series when it was first on in the late 70s - early 80s and decided to watch it again now on. I was tempted to skip the first season since it only had Christopher Lloyd in one episode, and I remembered the character of John as being pretty bland. Boy, did this episode prove my point. Not a funny story, and very few of the few laughs provided by John, who's the focal point of this story.
One of the best hours of television I've seen
1 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not really an Ally McBeal fan - I've only seen a handful of episodes - but this particular one really struck me. The intertwined storylines, between the prostitution case that Ally is forced to defend with John Cage and the heavy attorney who becomes smitten with Ally, both worked beautifully towards an emotional climax. I loved the honesty of Renee telling Ally 'You know, if this was in a movie, we'd be rooting for the girl to go out with him.' - when Ally wouldn't, and couldn't think of a friend who would, only because of his 'heft'. And a beautiful, bittersweet ending of the groom looking at Ally waving at him after she convinces him that he should indeed go through with the wedding even if his bride doesn't 'make his heart bounce'. (Try not to get emotional when he tells Ally 'And the promises that we make to ourselves when we're kids . . . they're pretty stupid anyway.') And, of course, the great scene when John Cage talks to Ally after they win their case (to Ally's frustration, in a way) when he tells her 'The world is not a romantic place. Some of its people, however, still are, and therein lies the Promise. Don't let the world get you down, Ally McBeal." Beautiful stuff. Kudos to the staff and especially the writers.
Not a great episode, but one very interesting part
23 March 2018
This episode is far from the best Twilight Zone - certainly in the bottom half of them - but it does have one fascinating scene. It is while Roswell Flemington (John McGiver) is explaining to his wife how he had to act in his mother's house when growing up. He describes the whispering and silence imposed on him, and how he hated it. Now that he is a man and has his own home and business, he can be as loud as he wants to be. A very cool psychological look at what made the character the disagreeable man he became.
Rod Serling at his most didactic
23 March 2018
Rod Serling was a brilliant man, and a brilliant writer at times. When he let his preachiness get the better of him, though, you can get an episode which is continually hitting you over the head with its message without an ounce of subtlety.
In short, you get 'I am the Night - Color Me Black'.
Probably My Favorite From the Entire Series
15 March 2018
'Columbo' is my favorite 'cop' show, and one of my mot loved series of all time. My wife and I have gone through the entire series (including the later TV movie ones) a few times, and I think that there are only a handful of bad ones among the sixty-eight, and many, many terrific ones.
I think that this episode is my absolute favorite one, though (just beating out 'It's All in the Game' and 'Negative Reaction'). A great story with a twist that few will see coming, topped off by what I personally think is the greatest performance in the entire thirty-two year run of the series. Janet Leigh is wonderful and heartbreaking as Grace Wheeler, former star looking forward to a big comeback. Everyone in the cast is spot-on, and it was great to see John Payne again in his last role (I've always loved him in 'Miracle on 34th Street). Peter Falk, of course, simply IS Columbo, and I think he gives one of his best performances in the series as he closes in on the truth but feels ambivalence about how justice can best be served in this case - something that I've seen him struggle this hard with in only one other episode. The ending of this episode actually brought tears to my eyes.
If you haven't seen this episode, seek it out. If you have, treat yourself and see it again. I can't imagine that you'll be disappointed.
For Your Consideration
(2006)
Hugely disappointing
4 June 2007
Wow. I loved "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind", so I was really looking forward to this one. It was dreadful, though. I don't think I laughed once during the last half hour, and precious few times before that. I think the biggest problem was this: in "Best in Show", "A Mighty Wind" and "Waiting for Guffman", there was a certain sweetness of spirit. Even though the characters were the jokes, Guest never seemed to dislike them, or make us dislike them. There was always an underlying fondness of them. Not in this film, at least for me. A mean-spiritedness seemed prevalent, especially in the final scenes, with Fred Willard going to interview and make fun of the people who didn't get nominated. Unfunny, nasty, and not even keeping with the reality of the film. It was the first time I was glad that Christopher Guest's films were so short. I certainly hope with his next one he's back to form.
The Passion of the Christ
(2004)
Moving and very powerful
27 February 2004
I just saw this film last night (02/26/2004) and found it very moving and very powerful. This is the first Mel Gibson directed movie I've ever seen and I was very impressed with his storytelling and visual style.
Not everything is straight from the Bible, but I don't believe anything in the film contradicts the Bible. I did not see the film as anti-Semitic; the Roman guards are viewed as much crueler than the Jewish leaders. And, of course, Jesus, his mother and all of his friends and disciples are Jewish as well.
This film is NOT for children but is masterfully done; an important film that will become a Good Friday tradition for millions of people when the film is available on DVD. 10/10 from me.
Not everything is straight from the Bible, but I don't believe anything in the film contradicts the Bible. I did not see the film as anti-Semitic; the Roman guards are viewed as much crueler than the Jewish leaders. And, of course, Jesus, his mother and all of his friends and disciples are Jewish as well.
This film is NOT for children but is masterfully done; an important film that will become a Good Friday tradition for millions of people when the film is available on DVD. 10/10 from me.
The Hotel New Hampshire
(1984)
Wow, was this film bad!
11 February 2004
After seeing and loving "The World According To Garp" - maybe the only film I've seen in the last twenty-five years that I thought was better than the book after having read the book first - I was looking forward to seeing "The Hotel New Hampshire", another John Irving book I had enjoyed.
What a disappointment. This film was so bad I left the theater hating the book as well as the movie - a unique experience for me! Once your main casting choices involve Nastassja Kinski as a young lady so ugly that she walks around with a bear's head on so people won't see her, and Rob Lowe as anything, you're on pretty thin ice. It didn't take long for Tony Richardson and everyone else to then break through that ice. Sorrow might float (to paraphrase the movie), but this film sank like a stone.
What a disappointment. This film was so bad I left the theater hating the book as well as the movie - a unique experience for me! Once your main casting choices involve Nastassja Kinski as a young lady so ugly that she walks around with a bear's head on so people won't see her, and Rob Lowe as anything, you're on pretty thin ice. It didn't take long for Tony Richardson and everyone else to then break through that ice. Sorrow might float (to paraphrase the movie), but this film sank like a stone.
Carrotblanca
(1995)
A Wonderful Cartoon
6 August 2003
In an inspired decision, this cartoon was included on the new two-disc special edition of Casablance that was released in August 2003. It's worth more than just one look as many of your old favorites - Bugs, Daffy, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn and others - stop by for cameos or larger roles. I thought the best casting was Pepe LePew in the Claude Rains role, though Tweety's Peter Lorre impression is priceless. (These are two characters, incidentally, whom I usually have little use for.) A very worthy successor to the great Warner Bros. cartoons of the 40s and 50s, and a great homage to one of the greatest movies ever made.
Star in the Night
(1945)
A Beautifully Done Christmas Short
24 June 2003
Warning: Spoilers
***Spoilers***
I caught this on Turner Classic Movies and taped most of it in 2001, then on Christmas Day 2002 I was lucky enough to get the whole thing on tape. A wonderfully written and acted treat, especially by J. Carrol Naish as Nick, the motel owner who learns that there is good in people after all. Some might find this short a little corny, but when Nick sees all of his formerly complaining renters come to the aid of the woman about to have a baby it's actually very moving. When the short is ending on a last show of generosity (which I had listed earlier but am now deleting so as not to ruin it for people) there isn't a dry eye in my house. It's a shame that this isn't better known; it's a classic.
I caught this on Turner Classic Movies and taped most of it in 2001, then on Christmas Day 2002 I was lucky enough to get the whole thing on tape. A wonderfully written and acted treat, especially by J. Carrol Naish as Nick, the motel owner who learns that there is good in people after all. Some might find this short a little corny, but when Nick sees all of his formerly complaining renters come to the aid of the woman about to have a baby it's actually very moving. When the short is ending on a last show of generosity (which I had listed earlier but am now deleting so as not to ruin it for people) there isn't a dry eye in my house. It's a shame that this isn't better known; it's a classic.
Johnny Tremain
(1957)
A Good Adaptation of a Great Book
27 May 2003
I've loved this book since I was a boy, and still think it's a wonderful way to get children reading about the birth of our nation. The movie does a good job of keeping the important historical facts front and center. Unfortunately, much of the book's richness, and darker shades, are cut away to make this more of a film for the entire family, five year olds included. As is often the case, entire characters are omitted in the interest of time and simplicity. On its own terms, though, a fine film and worth seeing.
The Scarlet Pimpernel
(1982 TV Movie)
Romance, Action, Adventure, Comedy - It's All Here
13 May 2003
Warning: Spoilers
**Contains Spoilers**
Although made for television, this film ranks in my top five of all time for any movie. It's funny, romantic and exciting. Anthony Andrews is wonderful as both the dashing Scarlet Pimpernel and the foppish, foolish Sir Percy. Jane Seymour is beautiful as Marguerite, whom he woos and wins from Chauvelin. The chemistry between Andrews and Seymour is remarkable; they seem to have to catch their breath when they see each other because they're so swept away. I don't think I've seen more believable chemistry between leads in a film that we see here. Toss is the always great Sir Ian McKellen as the villain Chauvelin and you've got movie magic. I've seen the 1934 version with Leslie Howard, Merle Oberon and Raymond Massey and while that's certainly enjoyable I think this one is better. The production values are obviously superior, but another big reason is that this version gives you so much more background - the romance and wedding between Percy and Marguerite, Armand's journey from working for Chauvelin to secretly working against him with the Pimpernel, Percy believing that Marguerite is responsible for a family's trip to the guillotine and his subsequent pulling away from her. In the 1934 version these have already happened by the time the movie begins, and it's more fun to get to see them play out. Ian McKellen is truly wonderful as the tormented Chauvelin; though we root against him we can feel some sympathy for him at times as we see his pain in losing Marguerite - especially in losing him to a man he thinks is brainless and unworthy of her. A wonderful, hugely entertaining film.
Although made for television, this film ranks in my top five of all time for any movie. It's funny, romantic and exciting. Anthony Andrews is wonderful as both the dashing Scarlet Pimpernel and the foppish, foolish Sir Percy. Jane Seymour is beautiful as Marguerite, whom he woos and wins from Chauvelin. The chemistry between Andrews and Seymour is remarkable; they seem to have to catch their breath when they see each other because they're so swept away. I don't think I've seen more believable chemistry between leads in a film that we see here. Toss is the always great Sir Ian McKellen as the villain Chauvelin and you've got movie magic. I've seen the 1934 version with Leslie Howard, Merle Oberon and Raymond Massey and while that's certainly enjoyable I think this one is better. The production values are obviously superior, but another big reason is that this version gives you so much more background - the romance and wedding between Percy and Marguerite, Armand's journey from working for Chauvelin to secretly working against him with the Pimpernel, Percy believing that Marguerite is responsible for a family's trip to the guillotine and his subsequent pulling away from her. In the 1934 version these have already happened by the time the movie begins, and it's more fun to get to see them play out. Ian McKellen is truly wonderful as the tormented Chauvelin; though we root against him we can feel some sympathy for him at times as we see his pain in losing Marguerite - especially in losing him to a man he thinks is brainless and unworthy of her. A wonderful, hugely entertaining film.
Waiting for Godot
(1977 TV Movie)
Twenty-five Years Ago I Thought It Was Great . . .
8 May 2003
Does anyone else remember this TV adaption of Samuel Beckett's famous existentialist work? This version of "Waiting for Godot" was my introduction to this challenging play and I remember it as excellent. My twin brother and I (sixteen at the time) came across it accidentally and got drawn into the story - or the lack of story, if you know what I mean. It was like nothing either of us had ever seen. It was repeated on New York City's PBS station within the week, which gave us a chance to see it from the beginning. (We actually had the foresight to tape it on audio tape, VCRs not being around yet, but I'm afraid those tapes wore out and are long gone.) Since then, however, it seems to have vanished down the memory hole. Does anyone know if it available on video or DVD anywhere? I would love to see if it still seemed as good to me after all this time. The only actor I remember in it was Ralph Waite as Pozzo and he did an excellent job. PBS is notoriously lousy at getting around to making their older works available, but "The Good Doctor" and "Steambath" are finally out, so I'm holding out hope that "Waiting for Godot" might join them.
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