Reviews

I, as a rabid "Trekker" who really liked all of Gene Roddenberry's work, really hated this show. It was truly bottom of the barrel. I was amazed it lasted 5 years, though here in the DC area we only saw it for three, as it got dropped due to low ratings, I guess. The spaceship looked like a toy, the acting was, well not even acting, and the writing was set for 10 year old's. Kevin Sorbo, who I understand is as nice a guy as there is, must have done strictly for the money. I doubt we'll see this show pop up again in furhter syndication here in the states, though it will probably make it's way over to Europe where it will be a bit hit, due to the strange taste's over there.

In this movie Bill's character is very similar to his "Lost in Translation" role. A late middle age guy who's losing touch with himself. I think this role was written especially for Bill, as LIT showcased his transformation from comic actor to a serious dramatic role guy. While I can't say I loved this movie (as it really left things hanging at the end) I liked it a lot. Sharon Stone and Jessica Lange acted their small supporting roles with grace, while Tilda Swindon's spot was the exact opposite, and fleeting as well. Julie Delpy's talents were wasted as well. If a little more time had been spent on the script and wound up the story to some closure it would have been a truly superior film. As presented, it was good, but not great. Still I liked it enough to see it twice.

I remember going to see this movie as an afterthought one night in 1988 when I was on a business trip to San Diego. I thought at first it was going to stink, as I couldn't imagine Don Johnson handling a thoughtful adult role. I was shocklingly surprised at his, and the always superior Jeff Daniels acting in this film. These two guys played off each other with such chemistry it was hard not to imagine them as best friends. As a guy who hasn't had much luck in the relationship department, I could so relate to both Don and Jeff's romance problems with, respectively; Susan Sarandon, and the babe-a-licious (I still have the hots for her) Elizabeth Perkins. In addition to the outstanding acting, the movie was written and directed with a great deal of heart. Its such a shame this fine film was ignored at the box office.

Pity Harry Ford, he's done a string of good (not great) big-budget movies that have tanked at the box office. H-Squared is one of them. I liked this movie a lot. Just enough balance between light comedy (Josh Hartnett and Harry yuck it up), and semi-serious drama. Harry and Josh play, respectivley; a lifer on the LAPD who moonlites selling (or trying to) real estate, and a young detective who really wants to be an actor. Fortunately both are far better cops than they are at their "second careers". Both investigate a triple homicide that takes them into the world of the hip-hop/rap music business, where the competition for $$$ is high and dangerous. After a lot of action on and off the job (both men have gorgeous women after them) they crack the case, get the bad guys (Frank Sinatra Jr puts in a nice supporting role as a baddie), and in Harry's case gets Internal Affairs off his back. A good movie that deserved to have done better at the box office.

Breaking Away had the unfortunate luck too have been scheduled for the Fall 1980 season, which just happened to coincide with the writers guild strike. As a result, it didn't make it to the airwaves until late NOV '80. I think only 8 episodes were produced before the show got the Axe. It's a shame, as it was wonderfully filmed in and around Athens GA, acted (by a young Shaun Cassidy and Jackie Earl Haley, as well as veteran Barbara Barrie), written and directed. The show in many ways picks up where the movie left off. The guys are out of High School, and are trying to find out what they are going to do with their lives. Its hard to understand what ABC was thinking when they axed this one! This show is truly a gem, and I hope it makes it way to DVD one day soon.

Before I found out Tom Hanks donated to ex-Prez Clinton's legal defense fund, I was a fan of his. Several of his past movies (Private Ryan, You've Got Mail, Splash) are some of my favorites. Now however, I take a critical eye toward his work. This movie has its "cute" moments, but tries too hard. Mr. Speilberg (Steve you're one of the best directors out there, but romantic comedies just aren't your forte) couldn't even save this stinker! C-Z Jones, truly the worst actress and most un-deserving Oscar winner of all time, shows us once again (when is she going to fade away?) that outside of an interesting smile she should give up acting, and stick to those obnoxious cell-phone commercials.

I've always enjoyed disaster flicks, and this is no exception. That being said, the acting by accomplished veterans Beau Bridges, Fred Ward and Kim Delaney is plain awful!! John Schnieder; as the estranged husband of the CA Govenor is the only one trying here and Dule Hill is woefully miscast (as he is too young, and just unbelievable) as a LA surgeon. The supporting cast is a bunch of no-names that were probably an economy move, as they have little to say or do other than to look bewildered. The FX though; are pretty darn good with the Space Needle in Seattle, and the Golden Gate Bridge both come tumbling down. I would guess Mr. Ward and Mr. Bridges are not glad they accepted these roles!!

I really LIKED this film. Kevin Smith's past efforts have all been favorites of mine, though they have been fairly crude in language, and of shallow content. This film is a total 180. It has depth, charm, and a touching story. Ben Affleck, who I have always considered a lightweight really steps up to the plate and delivers. Liv Tyler, and George Carlin (in his first, I think semi-dramatic role) shine as well. I have to make mention of unheralded Steve Root (a funny guy from his "NewsRadio" days) who contributes in a nice supporting role as well. The script is great and Kevin's directing (as usual) is top notch. The cameos by Wil Smith, and Matt Damon were fun as well. I don't wear hats, but if I did, my hat would be off to Kevin and co. Great job!!!

Save a noble supporting effort from Charlie Sheen, this movie was awful! Too bad, as "Get Shorty" another Leonard film, is one of my favorites. Hard to say where this one went wrong, as the cast; Owen Wilson, Sheen and co. is a good and solid one. The humour of the previously mentioned "Shorty" is completely missing. Owen Wilson is in many ways an underated and funny actor, as he has saved many a bomb (I-Spy, Shanghi's) but not this time. I think he still has a promising future though. The movie was more than adequately hyped and promoted, and I have been told the film is very much like is very true to E. Leonards vision. I guess no matter how hard you try, you just can't always succeed!!!

This movie is one of my favorites, so much I saw it three times! It combines tight direction from Mimi Leder (not bad for her first outing after ER), really good acting from G. Clooney (only his Perfect Storm effort is superior), Nicole Kidman (funny in that before this movie I wasn't a fan of hers) and support from Michael Boatman. A really good story, and very well written, that unfortunately is a very true danger now, nee SEPT 11 stuff. Loved the location filming thru Europe and NYC as well. Getting back to Clooney; this as I said, was a superior effort on his part, and he manages quite well to carry this film. The particular role of his in this film is worthy of a sequel, and as the chemistry was there between he and Nicole she should be there as well. I remember reading somewhere how the producers felt the film "underperformed" at the box office. Hard to understand that thought as the film made over $100M world wide.

I REALLY liked this movie. It's a shame more people didn't see it. I didn't think much about seeing it until I saw a TODAY Show interview with Michael Nouri and his discussion about how he was reluctant to do it at first. He had said he didn't what to do a sci-fi movie, but after reading the script, and talking with the production team he was sold. This movie played out as a straight police-caper type movie for the first half, and then it moves into the sci-fi stuff later. The movie is kind of funny in that Mike N. plays it completely straight as a homicide detective, and can't believe his ears, or know what to make of Kyle's spacey FBI Agent character for the first 45 minutes or so. They soon grow into a team, once it is realized what their up against. I have rented it from time to time over the years, and it holds up well. In all; a great movie!!

There are not enough words to truely describe how much I liked this movie. Bill Murray shines, and if he doesn't win an Oscar for this, it will confirm my suspicions that Hollywood is full of airheads. While I haven't seen any other of Ms Coppola's films, based on this movie I'm going to go out and rent them. This movie is what making movies is all about. In no way can I think that a better film has ever been made. This one has it all: superb acting from Bill and Ms. Johanssen, a great screenplay (deep, thoughtful and REAL), and the same in directing. I urge everyone out there to see this movie!!!!!

I just saw this movie on the plane flying back from London, and it was great. Scott Baio puts in a very good showing as a guy with a heart the size of Texas, and he really shows without a doubt that he can act and carry a movie. This film was location shot entirley in Pittsburg, and makes the best of a city that is, frankly, the pits. That being said, however its nice to see other cities besides LA and NYC featured in a movie for a change. This film was written, produced, directed and acted (the whole cast really shines) with a great deal of heart, and I can give it an "A". I hope the airlines continue to dig out and show these small films, as they do not often get promoted or even distributed for that matter.

Wow; what a movie! This is the first intelligent persons scare fest since the first "Terminator" film in 1985. You are truly on the edge of your seat for all 110 minutes of this film. As a frequent traveler to the UK, it was great seeing all of these spots on film (London and the Lake District), and thinking to myself that I've walked down that street, or thru that tunnel! Another great point of this movie is how it was made (shot on digital cameras and then transfered to film) giving a very gritty look to it. The only sore point I have is that there were no recognizable actors. Not a big deal, but it would have been nice to have someone in there that was a know actor. I'll give this a solid A!!

Watching the ridiculous, but funny "Keen Eddie: (on Fox) last night made me think about D&M and how wonderful it was. We got to see 20 of the 29 episodes produced and they ran as a syndicated show during the fall of 1985. Unfortunately the remaining shows didn't make it over here. Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber had tremendous on-screen chemistry (which eventually carried off-screen as they got married), and the writing, location shooting, directing, and acting were top notch. Dempsey's character was an no-nonsence action guy, who often had a hard time with the stiff rigid ways of Scotland Yard. Makepeace, on the other hand, though by the book on the job, was a wild society dame after hours, which took Dempsey a while to adjust too. I would like to see the final 9 episodes to see if D&M's sexual tension finally resulted in them "closing the deal"!!! I wonder if this marvelous show will ever show up in re-runs?

Back in 1985 there was a show called "Dempsey and Makepeace", which starred Michael Brandon as a NYPD detective who screwed up a drug sting, and was given a choice to go to London and work with Scotland Yard, or be investigated/censured by NYPD. His partner in London: a beautiful blonde female detective played by Glynnis Barber. In Keen Eddie a disgraced NYPD detective is shipped off to London, and while is partner is not a gorgeous blonde female, his apartment mate is, and kind of reminds me of Glynnis Barber! K.E. is an OK show, but its certainly not an original idea. Dempsey and Makepeace was by far better written, acted, and directed, but unfortunately only lasted 36 episodes. K.E. while funny, seems to be just on the edge of being too fowl in its language and acting. That being said I guess I could say I like it!

This made for TV movie was the first pilot for the "Harry-O" tv series, but didn't sell the show. Another pilot was commissioned (Smile Jenny, You're Dead) and aired a year later and it got "Harry-O" picked up as a weekly series. "Such Dust..." introduced Harry Orwell (PI, womanizer and curmundgeon) that we liked so much during the series; a guy you wanted to go out and have a beer with. Like in the TV show, Harry's little Austin-Healy sports car was perpetually broken down, and Harry used the bus to get around LA to solve his cases. In this instance Harry meets up with Harlan Garrison (Martin Sheen), the fellow who shot him (and caused Harry to have to retire from the police force) several years earlier. Harlan wants Harry's help to find the other fellow (played by Sal Mineo) who was involved in the shooting, who is also trying to kill him. Sounds sort of complicated, but it made for an interesting plot. This movie was far more dark than the second pilot, and the series for that matter, which may explain the second pilot with its retooling. I like it alot, and try to catch it when it is shown from time to time on sunday afternoons. Last note; it was originally a two hour movie, but was edited down to 1 1/2 hours for syndication.

"Smile Jenny.." was the second pilot for the "Harry-O" TV series (the first pilot, shown almost a year earlier was "Harry-O: Such Dust as Dreams are Made On"), and convinced ABC to pick up Harry-O as weekly show. A lot of economies were taken on this 2nd outing; less location shooting at the north Santa Monica (its funny the producers then set the show for most of the first season in San Diego, and then moved it back to LA for the last 6 first season episodes, and all of the second season) beach hut, fewer "name" guest stars, save Clu Gallagher (who seemed to pop up everywhere in the 70's), and a simple plot: keeping a young woman alive. This 2nd pilot was far inferior to the first, as it really doesn't delve into Harry's character (he was a likeable curmundgeon in the first pilot, as well as the show) to the degree of the first movie. This is more of a simple good guy-bad guy story. That being said, it must have done something to change the minds of ABC exec's, who then green-lited the show (truely the best TV PI show ever) which appeared in the fall of '74, and ran until August '76.

I don't know why, but I liked this movie alot, so much so I saw it three times. I was surprised to find it was barely distributed, as I told a few friends in other parts of the country to go see it, but it wasn't showing in their towns. Liam Neeson (who I feel is terribly underated) takes the lead as an incredibly screwed up special agent, and Sandy B. (along with a shrink) tries to show him life's better sides. I saw this movie again recently on TV, and while the best parts were cut, the movie still shines.

This was a spring 1986 installment of ABC's "Afterschool Special". It was about a young woman (Beth Miller) whose mother had become mentally ill and according to her father (Michael York) was deceased. The young woman discovers the truth, confronts her father, and then sets off to see mom. To her shock, she finds mom is so far gone mentally to even try to talk to. Much of the show is taken up with discussions with her father on mom's condition and why dad chose to hide it. (I remember thinking this particular installment was pretty dark for a young person to see) Well acted by York (as is everything he does), and well written/directed. Its a shame these Afterschool Specials are no longer being produced.

Harry-O was truely one of the greatest shows to ever grace the television medium. It combined superb acting (Janssen, Zerbe-who won an EMMY, Darrow, and guests), writing (Howard Rodman, Robert Dozier and others), direction (Jerry London, Russ Mayberry, Jerry Thorpe) and a brilliantly photographed San Diego and Los Angeles. Janssen took to this role like no others, and made Harry Orwell and understandable and beleivable character, someone you wanted to go out and have a beer with. This show lasted but two short years, (though it did have two pilot movies shown during the 1973/1974 season) and was cancelled in favor of "Charlie's Angels", a travesty of the greatest kind. Without a doubt TV's greatest detective, Harry O's adventures ended far too soon.

One of the several ABC "After School Specials" that Scott Baio acted in is also interesting as it is the directoral debut of Henry (the Fonz) Winkler. This installment deals with peer pressure that all high scool age kids go thru, and Baio handles it well, though at 24 he's a bit old to play a part like this despite his youth ful looks. All of these afterschool specials gave new comers and under employed veteran character actors work, and they were well written, acted and produced.

This is one of a few (three I think) ABC "After School Specials" that Scott acted in. While his acting in this one is not as good as "Stoned", he plays a similar character spiraling down, due to drinking, not drugs. This is a hard hitting story, as most of the specials were meant to be, so show young people the pitfalls of doing things they shouldn't.

This one one of a couple of "ABC After School Specials" that Scott acted in, and it was probably the best. While not an Emmy caliber actor Scott handles his roles very credibly, as this installment of the ABC A.S.S. showed. Drugs were as big a problem with the young then, as they are now, and this show attempted to show how a promising young student (Baio) messed himself, and others around him up. Its unfortunate these afterschool specials (which appeared from 1972-1998)are no longer being produced, as I read somewhere that Okrah Winfrey has swallowed up the rights and no more further installments will come to bear. Too bad, as these specials were well produced, and featured many up-and-coming actors (Baio, Helen Hunt, Charlie Sheen, among them) that went on to make it successfully in Hollywood. Also many veteran actors (Lucielle Ball, Michael York, Dee Wallace Stone; to name a few) pitched in and appeared in several. These shows should be re-run on Nicklodeon, ABC family, or FOX Kids as the messages they deliver are timeless.