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Reviews
Melinda and Melinda (2004)
Woody vs. Woody
Despite all the acusations, I still respect Woody Allen as one of the greatest filmmakers. I've seen many of his comedies multiple times, even some of the more recent ones. I even saw him do stand up a long time ago.
Perhaps he set such an incredibly high standard for humor that I cannot find much enthusiasm for his dramatic works, and this is no exception.
Here we have concept that the same story can be told as a comedy or a trajedy. It's two sides of the same coin. Unfortunatly, in this case, one side is far superior to the other. It's like Michael Joran playing basketball and Michecl Jordan playing baseball - you're not starting such a debate on even footing.
I enjoyed the comedy, especially from Will Farrell playing the Woody Allen role brilliantly - he had the tone, the voice , and the mannerisms of Woody down to a science. Even when Woody's not in his films someone is playing his part.
The tragic version seemed very forced - let's just focus on death and death again and poof we have a tragic story. Or not. There was nothing pulling at the heartstrings... possibly becaue we were back in the comedy in short order.
The balance of the two styles and how they were blended into one film was quite awkward and occassionally confusing.
Interesting experiment, nonetheless, but pitting funny Woody Allen against dramatic Woody Allen is not fair.
Election (1999)
Comedy doesn't mean what it used to
First, it's widely know in the world of comedy (real comedy) that the phrases "dark" comedy or "uncomfortable" comedy are used by people who are not inherently funny as a mask, or excuse, for unfunny movies. Perhaps getting stung by a bee on your eyelid is a lot funnier than it sounds. Oh wait - it's not.
Borat was dark comedy if you wan to use such a label - this film is just plain weak. Like him or not, Woody Allen is inhreently funny, as is Larry David, the Zuckers, the Farrelly Brothers and going back a bit Monty Python were inhreently funny. Alexander Payne is not - although Sideways was a terrific movie.
Then there are the issues with the story. First off, how do we accept this straightlaced, un-sexy, goody-good-teen Tracy, as someone who had an affair with her teacher? Nothing else in the movie even remotely puts her character in that light. Even Resse Witherspoon isn't that good an actress (and she is excellent).
And what's with the young lsbian - again it has nothing to do with the film or did it check the box Gay/Lesbian character?
There are also too many ome-dimentional characters in the film for no reason - all of the men working in the school offices are typically seen standing around as if they are waiting for someone to hand them their next lines in the film - which never come.
And on and on it goes.
Yes, the thin storyline will keep you watching but at the end you'll wonder why.
I respect the two stars so I give the move 5 out of 10 but this is not a "real" comedy, it's more of the freeze-dried type you have to put in the microwave and hope something funny pops out.
Mr. Mayor (2021)
I like Ted Danson and even Tina Fay, but....
This is simply bad television. Clearly Tina Fay worked hard on this show. After all, it takes a special skill to make both Ted Danson and Holly Hunter look like blithering idiots in one series - yes Tina you made that happen by using taking Mean Girls to the streets of Los Angeles with each and every character. The only saving grace of the show - and perhaps the only one Tina can truly write for is Kyla Kennedy as the teen gitl Orly. Sprinkled with occasional, misfired, attempts at humor, this show is a mess.
Las chicas del cable (2017)
Very good series until it's not
As a published author, I can attest to the fact that sometimes it's best to stop when you've done your best work. Too often creative people, especially those who've tasted success (and the monetary rewards) decide to continue with a project past its logical, and worthy conclusion. This explains why we get so many dreadful movie sequels, or, in this case, why TV producers insist on running a show too long - and unfortunately into the ground.
Through nearly three seasons the Cable Girls had everything going for it - likeable characters, good scripts, strong plotlines and quality acting. You couldn't help rooting for the cable girls - and coming back to see how they got out of so many predicaments. The pacing of the show was, like most soap operas, a mix of touching personal moments and big drama. It also touched on many important themes including gay and lesbian rights, abortion and so forth.
Somewhere in season three the writers decided to take an engaging soap opera and go off the rails a bit, jumping the shark as they say in TV, and blowing up the series. It was clearly losing touch with what made the stories engaging and going for over-the-top plot lines at a frantic pace.
After time off, my wife and I decided to give the show another chance and watched season four. Something must have clicked with the creative team behind the show's success and the series returned to intriguing stories within the scope of reason and actually ended season four at a clear and logical place for all the characters. They had redeemed themselves and if you have yet to watch the series, watch the first four seasons and you'll feel good about watching a quality program.
Warning if you watch season five - you're watching at your own risk.
The story shifts to the Spanish Civil war and suddenly we're watching Lidia on the front lines impeccably dressed with high heels and perfect makeup while dodging explosions and gunshots all around her. It's almost as comical as the constant heightening level of danger from one scene to the next as the show becomes a soap opera on steroids.
Seriously, how much can you pack into an episode without it becoming idiotic? And while Carmen, who should have died ten times over, becomes the evil leader of a brutal prion camp at the age of 110, it becomes impossible to take anything seriously as the show intends.
Then comes part two of this absurdly over-the-top soap-gone-bad with five final episodes that range from creepy to the point where you seriously want to bill Netflix for the hours you've spent watching this travesty. Yes, this is a soap opera that has morphed into an absurd action drama (on a mission) now moving too quickly for any level of common sense or logic.
In the end, you have three and a half good seasons and one that absolutely sucks, leaves a bad taste in your mouth. They should have stopped after season four. But no, they didn't. Creative folks sometimes can't help themselves - Remember, I warned you, stop at the end of Season 4.
Love & Other Drugs (2010)
Smart Movie for Smart People
It's funny reading the user reviews of this movie - and people are certainly entitled to their opinions. But it shows how so many people see only one thing, and can't wrap their mind around anything else. No, this is not an ad for Pfizer, nor are the people who are making jokes about their own disease disgusting. This is real life, happy, sad, sexy, vulnerable, competitive. lonely and ultimately human.
Both stars are excellent and the dichotomy of emotions works very well. They are both scared. and unable to commit for different reasons. A couple of unnecessary scenes not withstanding, the film works at so many levels - they change each other for the better. No, it's not your typical rom-com. There's more at stake, and the humor is a welcome distraction. There is a lot going on here, even a few shots at the pharmaceutical industry, but if you freak out over nudity or expect a one-note movie so you can absorb it, this isn't a movie for you. Sure, we know how it will end, we knew how Titanic would end and so many other films - but it's the journey you come to watch and this is a great ride. Good soundtrack to by the way.
Rough Night (2017)
It's Just Not Funny
Clearly someone must have had something on Scarlett Johansson, and Kate McKinnon to get them to do this movie - it had to be blackmail. And why in the world is Demi Moore in this?
There are very few laughs and nothing we haven't seen before.
The premise has been done, but they could have been much better than this weak clunker. The real rough night is watching this.
Super Troopers 2 (2018)
Beyond Lame
The people who gave this movie a 9 or 10 rating clearly have no idea what comedy is or even what movies actually are. A weak plot that drags on endlessly, a bunch of annoying characters, nothing clever, nothing funny, just lame, idiotic gags, police cars driving around and endlessly bad dialogue. This "movie" is several levels below lame. Perhaps it's for major stoners and folks who took five years to get through middle school.
A Swingers Weekend (2017)
What the heck?
Three couples have their own swinger's weekend, a first for all of them. A good premise, but it deteriorates quickly. We have defined characters, but the movie does not work as a comedy, as an erotic movie, as a romantic movie or as any other genre. It's a lot of dialogue between four angry, repressed people and one couple that shouldn't be stuck with them. There is nothing to see here. I agree, the rave reviews seem very bogus.