Tried my damnedest to like this show because of the involvement of the normally hilarious Josh Robert Thompson but sadly, the simplistic game play, gimmicky editing, and Janelle James' complete and totally unfunniness (here and everywhere else) will no doubt doom this show to a short run. Hard to imagine that ABC has a worse current show than "Claim To Fame" but this is it.
Reviews
5 Reviews
The Rising Son
(2009)
Criminal!
27 April 2009
While the premise, the life of Jesus as sitcom, should provide ample material, this show just limps along, which is saying something as it is only 15 minutes long. Bad scripting, worst acting and $2 sets take this show from "it's so bad, it's bad" down to "it's so bad, someone, perhaps multiple someones, should be publicly stoned for it." The "gag" of Mary Magdalene as Siamese twins "Mary" and "Magdalene" alone is worthy of this punishment.
Adult Swim knew they had a dog on their hands and plugged this in at 5 AM on Sunday morning and not promoting beyond a brief tiny mention in their "bumps." Of course, soon enough, churchgoers (of which I'm not) and those who hate crimes against intelligence (of which I am) will find out about this and it will be swiftly canceled or so I hope.
Adult Swim knew they had a dog on their hands and plugged this in at 5 AM on Sunday morning and not promoting beyond a brief tiny mention in their "bumps." Of course, soon enough, churchgoers (of which I'm not) and those who hate crimes against intelligence (of which I am) will find out about this and it will be swiftly canceled or so I hope.
Keeping Up Appearances
(1990–1995)
The Worse The Brits Have To Offer
23 June 2006
It seems the Brits have two types of comedies: the strange, off the wall inventive type, like "Monty Python" or the Goodies or the dull repetitive type like "Are You Being Served" and this one, "Keeping Up Appearances." I have to admit to being mystified as to why Americans would like this show, as Hyacinth is just the sort of person your average American would just as soon run over with their car as deal with on a regular basis. Personally, I'd build a fence or move if she were my neighbor.
The idea that she can impose her will simply by being nice and ignoring whatever anyone else says is unsustainable. So it has to be proved over and over again in every episode, as she batters around the milkman, the mailman, the vicar or whoever crosses her path. It becomes tiresome after watching a single episode.
As for the rest of the characters, Rose the aging bimbo is completely tiresome as are Daddy's mostly unseen antics. The only bright point in the show is Onslow & Daisy. Any time they're on screen is good, because, although they claim to be just as scared of Hyacinth as anyone else, they unfailingly manage to deflate her ambitions simply by being real people.
My recommendation if you're looking for a British comedy with an older cast, you'd be better off watching "As Time Goes By" or "Waiting For God" rather than this trite, repetitive, overexposed show.
The idea that she can impose her will simply by being nice and ignoring whatever anyone else says is unsustainable. So it has to be proved over and over again in every episode, as she batters around the milkman, the mailman, the vicar or whoever crosses her path. It becomes tiresome after watching a single episode.
As for the rest of the characters, Rose the aging bimbo is completely tiresome as are Daddy's mostly unseen antics. The only bright point in the show is Onslow & Daisy. Any time they're on screen is good, because, although they claim to be just as scared of Hyacinth as anyone else, they unfailingly manage to deflate her ambitions simply by being real people.
My recommendation if you're looking for a British comedy with an older cast, you'd be better off watching "As Time Goes By" or "Waiting For God" rather than this trite, repetitive, overexposed show.
The Brotherhood III: Young Demons
(2002 Video)
Bad, Just Awful
14 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I'd heard good things about David DeCouteau's movies going into this. Campy, guilty pleasures to be sure, but fun to watch and leer at. However, this fails on every level. Terrible acting, awful scripting and little worth leering at.
I got dizzy watching as the "actors" wandered through the sole three sets, rarely encountering one another and seemingly unable to spot the "dungeon master," despite their being in the same room as him.
Also, as a gamer, both live action and tabletop, I was upset that no true role playing game elements were used. I found myself wondering just what the players were supposed to accomplish, besides just dressing up and wandering around in the dark. If I mounted a campaign as dull and pointless as this, my players would tar and feather me and I'd deserve it! :)
You would do well to avoid this at all cost. If you really want to see a good campy movie with role playing game elements watch "Mazes & Monsters" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084314/) instead.
I got dizzy watching as the "actors" wandered through the sole three sets, rarely encountering one another and seemingly unable to spot the "dungeon master," despite their being in the same room as him.
Also, as a gamer, both live action and tabletop, I was upset that no true role playing game elements were used. I found myself wondering just what the players were supposed to accomplish, besides just dressing up and wandering around in the dark. If I mounted a campaign as dull and pointless as this, my players would tar and feather me and I'd deserve it! :)
You would do well to avoid this at all cost. If you really want to see a good campy movie with role playing game elements watch "Mazes & Monsters" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084314/) instead.
Titanic
(1953)
If you must watch a fictionalization of the sinking of the Titanic...
15 December 2002
...this is the one to see.
As fictionalizations of the sinking of the Titanic go, this is the best one. While very much a product of its times, it scores over Cameron's travesty on every point save scenery, so if you prefer a superior story over $1000 replicas of dinner plates, you will enjoy this film.
Webb & Stanwyck's faltering marriage makes for a more engaging story than DiCaprio & Winslet's barely breathing crush. The sense of loss is felt every time the couple appear on screen together.
No phony suspense is added here, as none is needed. The sinking itself is enough.
As fictionalizations of the sinking of the Titanic go, this is the best one. While very much a product of its times, it scores over Cameron's travesty on every point save scenery, so if you prefer a superior story over $1000 replicas of dinner plates, you will enjoy this film.
Webb & Stanwyck's faltering marriage makes for a more engaging story than DiCaprio & Winslet's barely breathing crush. The sense of loss is felt every time the couple appear on screen together.
No phony suspense is added here, as none is needed. The sinking itself is enough.
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