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Reviews
Leave It to Beaver (1957)
Holds up surprisingly well
I started re-watching Leave it to Beaver a few weeks ago when I noticed it on Tubi. My first exposure to it was after school in the 70s and, and it was fun but not terribly memorable outside of the 10 year old boy, "Ward, you were rough on the Beaver last night," jokes.
But, after watching many years later, it holds up much better than I'd expected -- in fact, I find myself laughing out loud more often than I'd anticipated. The episode with Wally's hair comb was particularly hilarious.
Yes, it's full of the typical 1950's sanitized un-realism, but it's pretty well written and directed. What I've noticed as an adult is what awful people they're surrounded by, probably to magnify the uber niceness of the Cleavers. Larry obviously has an abusive father and mother who lives in fear of her husband, Eddie is a straight up jerk, and Fred Rutherford is a back stabbing climber --- but this is all served through a blurred and palatable lens.
Another thing I've noticed as an adult is how dang sexy Ward is, and he's no longer an old coot and he and June play off each other quite well. It's also fun watching a show that is almost completely through the eyes of children.
Not perfect, nowhere near reflective of real life, very white washed but still very enjoyable as a nostalgic look back to a era that framed an America that never really existed. Definitely a piece of American television history worthy of preservation, but we need to temper it with more honest conversations about the 1950's.
Judy Justice (2021)
A meaner take on the original
There are differences between this show and the previous Judge Judy, but they're either cosmetic or just baffling.
There's a lot of drama about not having Byrd back, but Judy's show, Judy's decision. Kevin, the new bailiff, is there but not particularly engaging nor does he add much by his presence. And Whitney, who acts as a court reporter -- no opinion one way or the other.
The two major differences are the addition of Sarah, Judy's granddaughter in life, and the general tone of the show.
First the tone. The cruel bent of the show is often uncomfortable to watch, the level of meanness has been ramped up to the point where Judy just looks unhinged and playing to the cameras with disregard for logic or even fairness. Much more "railroading" in this series, often a person isn't given any opportunity to defend themselves. We must remember this is binding arbitration, not actual law.
The addition of Sarah is questionable. On one hand she provides the rarely used service of assisting Judy with technology questions and access. But the little conferences at the end of each segment are flat out weird. Sarah is not a personality that comes across on camera and the wrap up conversations are forced and, again ... just weird. Strange. Odd. I'm baffled as to why this segment is even a thing. She's in law, but the way Judy acts seems to be of little benefit to her in the real world since she's just playing to be demeaning and cruel.
A hollow replication of the previous show, but probably $$ Bank $$ for Judy. Good for her, I guess, but one of life's great arts is to know when to leave the party.
June Bride (1948)
i love this for no great explainable reason
I have favorite Bette Davis performances and favorite Bette Davis movies, and they list doesn't always overlap. This falls into the latter category - not Bette's greatest turn on the screen, but this is a movie I can watch over and over and giggle for reasons I'm unable to fully comprehend. Robert Montgomery has a hilarious cider drinking scene that continues to make me laugh out loud and it's fun seeing Bette in something not so serious.
I watch this movie at least once a year and I can't critique my way to explaining why -- to put it simply, I just love it and I don't want to ruin it by overthinking why.