Change Your Image
rhiannon_hoffman
Reviews
Drive Me Crazy (1999)
Don't judge by the title
Don't judge this by the title. Spears was at her popularity peak, and she did a promo video featuring the two stars Grenier and Hart-they wanted teen butts in the seats, that's the reason!
A few needed tweaks were made to the original material- Chase has a moment of unasked for groping, Nicole is more of a calculated social climber, Brad falls for Dulcie and then takes Alicia (who's less of a you know what in the book) when that falls apart. Aside from the changes, this is a really good updated take on the story.
This is veered toward a more John Huges feel overall, and one of the writers is the man who created the show Veronica Mars, who knows how to infect a high school set up with some much appreciated grit.
The set up of a girl making over the guy to be a perfect prom date is a nice take on the makeover story. The slow burn of the love story feels real-these actors had chemistry! It has some nice alternative moments going on, a good jolt on my nostalgia button when they go to the club and dance to The Donna's. A few dated moments, but you know, this was stuff that happened back then.
This film is cute and sweet, but not saccharine. The actors look like teens, and you may find yourself reminiscing the late 90's if you were lucky enough to be there.
Urban Legend: The Creep in the Walls (2022)
CALL THE COPS!
This was way yell at the screen time. Notice a strange smell? Have city inspectors in who will check the floor plans and would have had this solved right up. Not something you are aware of? Well, here's a thought, when you find a secret room that appears to have been lived in, and you have a phone, like RIGHT IN YOUR HAND, call the cops! Don't ask your sister to do it. Also, don't go exploring! GET OUT! I mean, seriously, these girls were so dumb! It took me right out of the action. I have been liking this show okay, exaggerations to stories notwithstanding, but this really got to me. They called once and now they had the proof for a more thorough walk through.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2019)
While good, there are some issues here...
After seeing all three current seasons on Paramont, I have come to find some issues here with this Reboot. This is not like the original in one very significant way - the original was an anthology series and had a different story each episode - save for a few times they did a 2-parter - and except for the 3 part bridge mini series of tale of the Silver Sight; That episode is also the first to go outside the Midnight Societies firepit setting for storymaking and have the Society involved in a true supernatural tale of there own.
So, why do I say this is an issue? While the stories are fine, the actors definetly up to snuff and the effects improved on from the original, the original had the many stories. Having the many different stories, being something of the teens own making as well as providing an entertaining show, gave two fold a creepy fun time and sub-conciously a push to kids who maybe had a story brewing in them to not give up but to get it out, written down and maybe a future carrer even. It had that find line on being something beyond its own self. And, sorry, the new show just don't got it.
Oh, it's fun, but that's all. None of these kids have stories, there just fighting and winning against a force. There is nothing wrong with that, but you really don't need the MIdnight Society reference as this could just be a regular group of kids doing a teen AHS-a different story each season encompassing a supsernatural story(with much much less sex and violence). But that is my issue, I went in wanting Afraid of the Dark and didnt get that. It's not bad, but it makes me feel a bit jilted to it. Should have gone with "Tales from the Dark" and left out the MIdnight Society framing. Also, how many Midnight Societies are there supposed to be-it's a secret society and it's Canadian - Hu-lo-o!
Private School (1983)
I don't know why but I love this
The actors are almost too good for the writing here, but they were teen actors at the time. Now, why do I love such a generic teen sex comedy? It's very cheesiness, the facepalming stupidness of some of the characters-particularly Bubba, who has what must be zero self-awareness. The fact that all the boys are so twitchy they seem to be in a near constant state of nearing orgasm simply from the site of naked skin. No one's facial expression carry any smidge of self-control-it's like the director was shouting at them off camera "Ok, so you see someone naked. Now your excited cause their hot! No, really excited! Pretend that you're in a porno!" Some of the girls are just as bad-how does Jordan not get kicked out of the school? And the "excercise class" scene? I'm suprised they had the self control to not have the girls soaping each other in the shower, or walking around naked through the dorms like it was no big thing. So, anyway, this movie is ridiculous, sometimes hilarious, and so outlandish (I mean, you know this was written by a man still in his emotional teens) It had to be made in the 80's.
Tomboy (1985)
What can I say as a woman fan
I can't help but love this film! I love the very badness of this movie. I mean, the acting is movie of the week quality, but so is the script- so I don't blame the actors. Also, the fashion, most of the sets are for crap, even for the 80's. I lived through the 80's. And the nudity is kind of ridiculous, the situations for it...the male and female changing rooms and shower are attached by an open walkway? Girls at a party will fling their clothes off and do elaborate gymnastics routines because this will get them the attention to be considered for acting jobs(hope you like your porno career) and when Tommy falls in the water, she takes off her top i front of male lead Randy, and she's not even wearing a bra? I know it wasn't Betsy Russell really on the bike, but even if you can maybe let it go that a fall like that and no cuts or bruising, just a bit damp there, thanks, but no bra? On a bike over a rocky road with that rack? Face. Palm.
Ok, all that is true, but these are some of the reasons I love it. I live watching it and cracking up on the so bad it's good aspect. Looking at scenes open mouthed. I love the fact that Betsy Russell never felt this need that actors of generation wuss feel now to apologize for their nudity. They had a good bod, they showed it off, there is nothing wrong with that. It's sexist to show the female form to titillate teen boys? Well, I'm a girl and I watched it too, it was naughty and was that little rebellion of my parents , and I thought it was just funny and didn't feel like it was exploitive. I watched at parties and sleepovers and in mixed company and thought nothing uncomfortable about it. If you went to this and expected Shakespeare, or even John Hughes , you seriously need to really think from the opening scene and the fact of R rating of this should have been a movie you want to watch. You can get where the quality of the film is centered from the go.
Just a fun, stupid movie. Ridiculous, cheesy as hell. And what's wrong with that? Nothing.
How I Met Your Mother: Last Forever: Part Two (2014)
So, was it perfect...
Life isn't perfect people! Ok, so I did not read all 200 reviews, but from what I did read, love it and hate it are both wrong. Love it says Ted's true love is Robin, only Robin, Tracey is a footnote-WRONG! Hate it, don't like that Robin and Barney didn't work, don't like that Ted and Robin ended up together, also feeling this made the mother a footnote-WRONG!
I'll explain...
So, to those who are unaware-it is possible to love more then one person, Fully love them! This finale has been in place since season 2. Ted is a widow, so, you want to become fully attached to the mother by seeing her every week for 9 years and then have her die? NO! And it is not needed. You see, the children knew their mom nearly as long as Ted himself(remember, she had the babies before they finally got married!) so, they did not need the backstory of their relationship, just the first year. And they got it. As we know, he was also trying to prepare them that he was ready now to take the next step with Aunt Robin finally, so tells the kids why she is the OTHER love of his life-you know, besides their mother. They even knew it better then he did when he finished.
Also, Barney and Robin would never work, but they did love each other. They were attracted, yes, but they were too alike. They were better as friend, and you can't be committed to a person so like you that way. Friends are agreeable and like minded, but romantic and relationship partners need to have push and pull, you saw that with Marshall and Lilly. Put them side by side with Ted and Robin. It's reflective in the most base way of the give and take that they both reflect on each other.
Plus-Barney and the baby girl! How much did you tear up? As much as me? That is his first, never stray, committed relationship, and the first one to make him a better man overall
So, was this perfect, maybe not, but I LOVED IT! You can love more then one person. You can think you are ready to commit to someone, but it turns out you were reaching for a fairytale ending but then found out what happened after Ever After. You find your puzzle piece, and sometimes you do more then one puzzle in your life. It's about life, love, learning over time. It's real. And it's not perfect.
But you'll always remember that Blue French Horns are incredible!
Snow Day (2000)
A joy of Entertainment, only one minor flaw
This film is the definition of family film fun. There is nothing here that is truly offensive to younger viewers, or the parents of younger viewers(watch the more recent Nick Film "Fun Size" to see where Nick can go completely off their target demographic). Yet, while not being offensive it is anything but boring. Their are great kid, teen and adult stars here for everyone to see someone they will recognize. There are also tons of guest shots that adults(and maybe some teens) will get a real kick out of(Iggy Pop as a lover of mellow music anyone?).
The main plot of the kids trying to stop the snowplow man to get a 2nd snowday is completely haywire and entertaining. You groan whenever they fail to take down the plow, you worry for Wayne when he gets snatched, you laugh over the terse exchange of ransom demands-largely as this is a kid and an adult, but the kid seems to be the more intelligent and has the upper hand here.
The subplots : The father, a weatherman, trying to show he is the true best in town over a slick new guy trying to win his demographic over is a nice bit of slapstick old school humor. The mom, a workaholic unable to get to the office and coming to realize that some funtime spent with her young son is some of the best times she has had in a while is totally sweet. And the romantic teen story, cute and truly hitting a nostalgia note-think "Some Kind of Wonderful" all you 30-40 somethings out their like me.
Finally, the only flaw.
This was originally planned as a Pete & Pete movie. I am a huge fan of that show, and I am not nearly the only one. The show was wholly original, truly bizarre and hilarious and touching all at once. Everyone I show who is new to it loves it, immediate fans, all ages. So, while Jena Grey and Mark Webber are fine actors(Jena here an obvious mix of Little Pete and Nona) I do wonder what it would have been like with Danny Tamberelli (doing his gravelly yet loud bit in delivery) or Michael C. Maronna (Mark Webber and him are pretty evenly matched, but I think Michael pulls off so bling to what is right in front of him just a little bit better). Also, while they go a bit zany on this, I wonder what Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi would have had with the Wellsville P&P setting, allowing the full wack-a-do the show could go for
Like I said, it is a minor flaw. The movie pulls off cute, zany fun for everyone, on all ages.