Reviews

Two Disney Channel shows break the mold of typical Disney fare--that is it does not look canned, packaged, and wrapped in the same box (with many of the same actors (duh) and scripts).

Life With Derek breaks the Disney mold (as does Phil of the Future). The show has plausible situations, like step-siblings involved in sneaky plots, or real relationship troubles.

Life With Derek does not have the stars always winning, having fabulous careers at the age of 12, or moving into the White House. The stars aren't always in new clothes, the house isn't in perfect order (or in the best neighborhood) and the kids cry and complain like people in real life.

What bothers me about the Disney Channel is personified by such candy trash as High School Musical (or anything with Cordon Bleu). What I like about Disney is Derek and Phil.

Devon Werkheiser plays the very Ned-Like Noland Byrd/Shredderman, in a school that is very much like James K. Polk Middle School. The only missing links in this story are Moze and Cookie. Susie's character is played by a young lady who looks just like Susie, but is not the same person.

The whole thing seems to be part of a Devon Werkheiser promo weekend in which he is joined by Cookie and Moze, but Susie and the Shredderman female costar is absent (HMM). For some reason, Amanda Cosgrove and some other Nick-Stars join the "party." Cookie has a few lines in the canned viewing party, but Moze and Amanda keep silent. Must be a contractual thing.

Overall, without spoiling the plot, this was a funny movie without being overly sappy. It is somewhat predictable--any Nick or Diz teen movie is--but the plot skips through unscathed by blurred lines, but full of holes.

Good movie for teens or those of us who work with them for a living.

My daughter and I argue about plants--shills--who are hired by Simon and Company to provide comic relief. For example, there was someone on the New York Auditions (a large white female) who was taped before the show (or maybe since) playing guitar and singing. Why else would she be followed if she was not a plant? I would also argue that Chinchilla Boy, the first one at the New York audition was a plant. How could someone so obnoxious even think they are the Next American Idol? It is like the Gong Show. Many of the contestants were professional comedians and singers hired to be awful. I think this is the case with many Idol contestants. The truly atrocious must be hired, why else would someone want to make such large Donkeys out of themselves?

This was a classic case of "What did they expect?" You were going there to work, not play. The crew--especially the kitchen crew (including the French chef)--was full of whiners. So what if the Family did not have to speak to you? Haven't you worked at a job where management acted like class snobs? What's the difference? I had a boss a lot like the chef (really, I did). There were times when I turned my head and cried, and times when I yelled back at him (I will note he always won the arguments). But overall, I knew what the person expected, and no matter what a victim I was, I did things how they wanted them done.

Anyway, I like this series. I thought it was very well done and not scripted. People are used to soft lives and not expressing their emotions. In real life, people get mad. People don't always like their jobs. However, complaining and not doing your job because you don't like something is no solution.

As SuperChicken used to tell Fred, "You knew the job was dangerous when you took it!"

The colonists, especially Mrs. Vorhees seemed focused on living as 21st Century folks without modern conveniences, instead of acting as period people. For example, if she had gotten to know the lay-preacher better, she would have seen he was play-acting as a Bible thumper. He may have even been willing to explore some of her views. Instead, she saw this as a forum for her opinion, rather than playing along with the experiment.

If I were in charge I would have applied post-industrial revolution division of labor. I would have found the best sawyer, and had him cut it all--firewood, marine spars, etc. The field work would have been divided also, and I would have bucked the rules and plowed in rows instead of mounds. And speaking of farming, would not goat dung have acted as a viable fertilizer?

Okay, back to the people. I thought the people should have been more focused on the economic part more than on personal comforts. Jeff seemed too concerned about his leadership rather than the economics. He should have taken the trade with the indians, and not stonewalled them. Also, as someone suggested on this website, it was a waste of time and talent to build the separate house for the new family. That could have waited (or been done along side the production of spars). The divided labor could have said "Ten spars, ten beams for a house . . ."

Overall, I liked this one better than the others--the worst being Manor House (which was also filled with whiners, especially the chef and kitchen crew). Anyway, I think I could adapt to the circumstances of these shows if I was single. However, with a family it would be very difficult.

Bruce

Why does Louie's older brother appear, but never has any lines? (in other words, why do we only see his younger brother and occasionally his older sister? Is Glenn Glenn a pet name, or is his last name really Glenn? How does Andy Anderson know all of the heroes of WWII, including Ike? (I know this is explained in the episodes). Where does Louie live? Is it in Wisconsin or Minnesota (where Louie is really from) What does Andy do for a living? Does he work with Jim Anderson of Father Knows Best fame, and Ward Cleaver? (What did they do--I think Jim Anderson sold insurance). What happens to the deer that the Anderson family adopts? Does he eventually end up as spaghetti sauce, barbecued deer ribs, and venison bologna?

Just some thoughts Bruce

I viewed Episode 1, tuning in as our company of heroes arrive under the care of John Jarndyce. I found the characters to be true to the book (which I finished the day before), even to the austere temperament of Mr. Tulkinghorn. True to the book--mostly, that is. Esther seems more wise and serious in the teleplay, and in the book she is more sentimental. In the book Jo is far more ragged than on Masterpiece theatre, and was the only character who did not look the same (so to speak) as in the book. The first "Masterpiece Theatre" installment has left me wanting more, even to the point of wanting to buy the DVD (alhtough I probably won't).

The book became one of my top three Dickens books (I have read about seven or eight in the past two years). Let us say that in my view, "Bleak House," "Hard Times" and "Great Expectations" form a triumvirate at the top of the heap ("Great Expectations" a slight third among the three). The characters in these books stand out, although many characters repeat themselves from book to book (it can be said that Smallweed is a form of Ebenezer Scrooge, Jarndyce a form of the Cheeryable Brothers, etc). Esther's Narratives move the quickest of almost any of Dicken's writing, as I have read them so far. The movie, at least the first installment, does a good job handling the jump between Esther's story, and the Storyteller's narrations.

This movie looks to be a good one--as good as Nicholas Nickleby--and much better acted than the 1972 version of David Copperfield we picked up for a buck at the Big W.

Since first seeing 24 on DVD, I cannot put it down. On the other hand, the show really is an insult to any intelligent viewer who, like me, cannot suspend disbelief while watching this show.

Think about the typical plot-- A group of terrorists has unleashed a heinous plot to kill millions of innocent U. S. citizens. While this is going on, life seems to carry on without a hitch. People get on and off trains, drive around the canyon areas of the Santa Clarita Valley, and otherwise go about their business while all of this counter terrorism, espionage stuff is going on around them.

And what about Jack Bauer? How does he do it? Singlehandedly killing 25 terrorist guards, while springing Sect. of Defense and Daughter from their captivity, while thwarting a terrorist plot in the meantime? What a guy. What about his love life? The man has no morals, whatsoever, does he? Always carrying on with a woman involved in the scheme (as accomplice or victim). Maybe K. Sutherland is trying to show the amoral nature of the spy business.

Okay. Enough of that on those topics--on to Dave Palmer.

His psycho wife is involved in all of these plots to overthrow the U. S. and bring her estranged husband down. At the same time, he teeters between being the last honest politician on Earth, and being as corrupt as his handlers. Alas, he gives in to the evil side--almost--and announces he won't run for another term (a-la-LBJ). All of this after surviving an attempt on his life, which he survives (scars and all) only to live another season.

What an amazing guy, all financed and backed by a corrupt L. A. businessman who "made him." And what is up with his 10-20? Why is Palmer always in L. A. or Air Force One? It would be more plausible if he was seen at the White House on occasion. Well, he's gone now and a new president has taken his place.

All of this does not matter, as I am an addict. We are a season behind because we have no cable or satellite TV, so we get what we can on DVD. We have seen episodes 4-7 of Season 4. Gee, could the Mole's ID have been any more obvious? And poor Chloe. There must be a salary cap on FOX, and Kiefer had to go with cheaper actors, which would explain the firings, arrests, and deaths of the Season 3 cast.

These classic cartoons were (and I think still are) my favorite all-time TV show (I have to admit I do not watch TV on a regular basis, as TV has recently returned to our family after an extended absence--but we watch a plethora of DVD's).

I remember waking up for the 7 AM Central Time showing as a part of my pre-game ritual as a pee-wee football player (and later the 8 AM Eastern Time in Virginia).

The funniest will always be Bugs Bunnie, followed by Daffy Duck. The RR/Coyote was okay, but the dialogue created by Mel Blanc for Bugs/Daffy is the heart of the show.

Later attempts at revival are not the same. The higher frame per second, 1950's animation was the best. The fewer frame drawing of the more recent episodes (along with Bugs' toned down demeanor) are not the same. On the other hand, the 40's episodes are funny, but Bugs doesn't really come into his own until the 50's.

My dad liked Bugs and said he was like Groucho Marx--and I think this is a good analogy. Today's cartoons just ain't the same. NickToons have some good comedy, and so does Dexter's Lab on Cartoon Network. However, the bathroom humor is often carried too far by Nickelodian.

Sit-Com cartoons were okay--I watched a lot of the Flintstones and Jetsons.

After WB, I also liked Bullwinkle (and his co-stars Dudley Dooright, Sherman and Peabody). Roger Ramjet was also hilarious, as well as Beanie and Cecil (especially if one understands the sarcasm).

Bruce

This movie has been a part of my life since I first saw it in 1985. When HBO showed it, I must have seen bits and pieces of it at least ten times. It has become my second favorite movie after Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

What makes this movie funny is not so much the situations, but how they are done in a grandiosely exaggerated fashion. We've all seen department store Santa Clauses, but how many were perched on a gilded throne? The sarcasm and wit are an acquired taste--sort of like Lux.

This movie takes everyday monotony's, such as eating meatloaf, and turns them into comedy.

Far From Groovin is the rating I give to "Herbie--Fully Loaded." This is a combination of the same gags and plot as the original Love Bug, except Herbie is discovered at a junk yard instead of a used car dealer.

The busiest member of the crew must have been the product placement coordinator, as the movie acts as a long commercial for various products. Pro Bass Shops, Tropicana Orange Juice, NASCAR, Nextel, ESPN and a multitude of other purveyors of goods and services seem to have as much camera time as the actors themselves. And don't forget Volkswagen. Gee, isn't it funny that Maggie's friend is driving a VW SUV after graduation, and Michael Keaton walks up and does a quick technical specifications overview? Or that Micheal Keaton's sponsor drives a New Beetle?

As was said before, the plot followed the same line as the original, the only difference being that Dean Jones' character was transformed into Lindsay Lohan's, and the love interest was a male instead of a woman. Okay, I'll say that my 11 year old liked the movie. I also must confess that I thought the original Love Bug was a real gas, especially Buddy Hacket, and Dean Jones dressing up as a hippie.

Speaking of Dean Jones, it would have been funnier if he was cast as Crazy Dave, or as Lindsay's grandfather (for continuity with the original).

The real question is how many times can Disney rehash the same plot with Herbie's antics? Of course, there has to be a sequel in which Herbie becomes infatuated with a GTI convertible, dumps the Yellow New Beetle, and goes off into the sunset.

Six given for visual effects. How about George Lucas for Rummy's replacement--now there's a guy who can "fight with the army he has." What is amazing is how the movie is put together. Lucas and his troops should be planning our military strategy.

It would have been better continuity with episodes 4, 5, and 6 to stick with "older" (70's style) costumes. Costumes and other styles too 21st century for a movie that takes place before (in sequence) with the 70's and 80's original three. Clones in ultra-modern suits become stormtroopers with worn-out looking garb in "later episodes."

Anakin's "conversion" is not dramatic enough. Palpatine should have brought him back from the dead or restored his hand--not just convinced him the Jedi were on the wrong side. Anyway, since we already knew this would happen, and that Palpatine was the hooded one all along,there is no surprise to all of this.

Padme's lines not sophisticated enough for the situation. She sounds like her boyfriend has revealed a drug habit when she says "you're going down (the wrong) path" rather than discovering that her beloved has become the E-villist being in the universe. She isn't terrorized enough by the events, and she is too cool when she confronts DV on the lava planet. Where is the raging emotion?

Ooh, surprise, Darth-V and Obi-Wan in a light saber fight. Gee, that should be written into episode IV.

The biggest trick is turning 34 year old Obi-Wan into Sir Alec Guinness in only twenty years. It must have been some "back of the desert experience" on Tattioon for 'Ol ObiWan.

The only way the full series could be convincing is if people born in 2005 never know the truth that the "last three" episodes were made in 1977-1980. In a sense, seeing 4, 5, and 6 "connected the dots" (as George Lucas says) rather than the other way.

Like my son says, the acting starts out bad, and gets worse. The only good actors are Frank Oz as Yoda and the Droids, C3PO and R2.

"Madagascar" gets a three based on the artwork and saving effect of the penguins. The movie is a string of Old School Pop mixed with parodies of Jungle Book, The Lion King, and even Dream Work's Shreck movies.

Alex's personal conflict will be analyzed on levels--Aristotlilian and Freudian. He seeks to be virtuous through deep personal reflection, while knowing at the same time his appetitive maintains control (hence the self-imprisonment by the sharpened sticks). The reasonable overcomes the extreme of eating his friends, and the Golden Mean is achieved through the eating of fish (which the savvy viewer can assert from the evidence. The Freudian is played out as his Id wants to devour Marty. The Super-Ego erects the fence of sharpened sticks to enclose the Id. Deep personal struggle ensues, even to the point of telling Marty not to come inside his self-imposed stockade. In the end, the Ego emerges and finds satisfaction through eating of fish. (We end up at the same place with Aristotle and Frued, don't we?)

Most of the animals are copies of characters from other movies. Marty is a direct knock of the Ol' Rock from Donkey Eddie Murphy in Shreck (which I am sure Chris Rock would consider a compliment). Melman is straight from the Wimpy T-Rex in Toy Story. Julian and Company are right off of King Louie and the Shrine Gang from Jungle Book--and the Bush Babies bear a striking resemblance to the pre-water Mogwies from Gremlins. The Hyenas are the bad guys, just like in Lion King.

Once the gang gets to Madagascar, the scenes look remarkably similar to those found in Lion King--Not Selling Enough Merchandise--(you know, "Special Edition" starring Timon and Puhmba) including an Edenesque waterfall.

One other comment about the scenes on the island--which add somewhat to an authenticity that only linguists would care about. Julian speaks with an Indian Accent (that's East Indian, or Dravidian) which reflects the fact that Madagascar is an African nation with strong Pacific and Indian cultural and language ties (Malayan and the aforementioned Dravidian).

The lack of a plot is resolved by characters outside of the main plot family, the Penguins. They come to the rescue as the stolen freighter comes to rest--by pure dumb luck-- on Madagascar. But it's out of gas! Thus leaving our heroes stranded and making scene one for the sequel, when the animals somehow find their way off of the island. Thus, assuring the continued sale of plush toys and trinkets for years to come.

Bruce