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Reviews
A Friend of the Family (2022)
Unbelievable
Both Colin Hanks and Anna Paquin are talented and qualified actors, and it is unclear whether their self-consciousness was an authentic portrayal of the Brobergs or something else. Jake Lacy was equally unbelievable in his role. How can someone, who looks and acts so creepy from the outset, charm SO many people into buying his ridiculous act? I realize the Brobergs were true innocents. Their faith and quiet lifestyle left them vulnerable to a predator, and it was a more innocent time in our society as well. Even with those things being said, telling the story in 9 episodes was unnecessary. Although Jan herself introduces the saga and we know it really happened to her, we are somehow kept at arm's length and are unable to identify with the characters. All the key players are wooden and are obviously "acting."
Further, it is unclear whether Mrs. Berchtold was just another victim, or if she was equally complicit in his schemes at any point. There are many other questions left unanswered: how was "B" able to afford the RV, the youth camp, private school tuition for Jan, and all the gifts he gave her while also traveling and supporting another family? We never see him "working" on anything. Did Jan ever fully reconcile with her family? What happened once he was arrested?
The tale just ends and we are left wondering.
The Watchman's Canoe (2017)
Big Disappointment
Although the synopsis sounded interesting and I believed the story held promise, it proved to be a rather bitter disappointment.
I recognized Adam Beach's name, having seen him in a couple of other Native American-themed stories. His earlier performances always seem forced and unnatural, and this time was no different. The other actors were less familiar to me, and even less believable in their roles. The story was disjointed at best. Some of the photography/cinematography was good - it was filmed in Coo's Bay, Oregon after all - and the music neither enhanced nor interfered with the production.
The young girl who Is, presumably, poised to become her generation's "watchman," is bullied relentlessly. The scenes that should help us to understand her destiny are shot in semi-darkness; they come across as inauthentic and unnecessarily vague.
I would truly love to give this a higher rating, but, alas, I cannot.
Take Me Home: The John Denver Story (2000)
An insult to the man and his fans
Some reviewers stated this was based on Denver's own autobiography, and I find that really hard to accept. His contributions to conservation efforts were hardly mentioned, and were presented as superficial gestures. I believe he was far more passionate and involved than this little flick would demonstrate.
While his (former) wife, Annie may have been his muse, and their life together provided much of his inspiration, the movie was rather out of balance in its presentation. She remains a strong presence in this telling of his story, and a subsequent marriage/relationship is presented almost as an afterthought. "Oh, by the way John is now married to someone else, but we're still gonna stay focused on Annie for a bit."
Gerald McRaney is a fine actor, and the one-dimensional characterization of "Dutch" appears to be the result of both bad script-writing and bad direction. And Chad Lowe's continuing to wear that awful wig for the ENTIRE picture is unforgivable.
John Denver was a talented musician, a poet and composer whose music is still beloved by many. Regardless whether his work is considered mediocre by so-called experts, this "bio-pic" does a disservice to his memory, to his fans, and to his musical and personal legacy.
Pioneer Quest: A Year in the Real West (2000)
As Unreal as any other "reality tv"
The first episode or two made the premise seem quite promising, indeed: Viewers are introduced to the concept, and the selection of participants/contestants is explained. The producers expect to put 2 couples into a primitive situation where they'll build a homestead using the materials, tools, resources, and techniques in common use in the late 19th century.
Things get off to a less than promising start, however, as the first couple chosen is forced out of the competition before it even gets fully under way. The alternates join the production, and seem from the outset to be a poor match for the pair already hard at work and committed to living the pioneer way of life. Let the audience manipulation and manufactured conflict begin.
The foursome are required to share supplies, even sleeping quarters, and appear to have signed on to the project for very different reasons. That is, the younger couple are anxious to learn, grow, and to arrive at a deeper understanding of what life must have been like for those who originally settled the land. The replacements appear to view the quest as a social experiment. They spend a lot of time socializing with neighbors, and even discussing their sex life with the production crew.
The production crew are always present. The couples produce nightly video journal entries, and the 21st century with all its electronics, conveniences, tools and trappings is in evidence 'round the clock. These 4 are doing anything but living in the 1870s.
They don't travel to the village to purchase or barter for supplies. They (and their film crew) travel to a crossroads where they meet others from the crew & collect supplies, necessities, and sundries.
The sound and lighting are much too sharp to ever let the viewer believe we've re-entered an earlier way of life.
Run, Simon, Run (1970)
Was My Introduction to Burt Reynolds
And my crush continued for long after.
The story was rather typical of the era in which it was shot, and Reynolds' dark hair, intense brown eyes, and lithe frame all lent themselves to his ideal casting as the wrongfully accused "redskin."
It was rather a formula movie-he's on a mission to avenge his brother's murder- and the production values were quite obviously small screen. Reynolds' performance was a preview of what he was capable of as his career progressed.
Many others among the cast went on to healthy careers as well, and even the casual movie fan will appreciate the familiar faces.
Night Skies (2007)
Truly Silly
I guess you could say "fact-based" alien abduction flicks are a guilty pleasure for me. That being said. . .The story opens slowly, and with little of substance to keep viewers interested, unless those viewers are closet voyeurs, that is. Lots of cleavage shots and adolescent sexual references.
There's a knife injury that's overtly telegraphed, and is as unrealistic as the rest of this tale.
The alien visitors are able to travel across who-knows-how-many galaxies and cover an equally indeterminant number of light years to get to Middle of Nowhere, yet we are asked to believe a wooden table against a cabin door will keep them out. Okay.
Then we are asked to accept that they are able to perform ultrasounds and/or 3D medical scans with their naked eyes and perform "surgery" with their bare hands, all while their human subjects are suspend with what looks an awful lot like snot-covered silly string. The movie closed with those end-credit explanations that, I suppose, help to lend credibility.
Although The Arizona Lights were/are a documented phenomenon, this little picture did a really poor job of telling the stories of the individuals who witnessed them.