gregar Reviews

I Love Lucy (1951–1957)

Greatest situation comedy ever!

[26 October 2000]

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that "I Love Lucy" is the best and funniest television comedy ever made. Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley were an ingenious quartet on screen, bringing out the best in each other's performance. The show combined all the elements that are missing from most of today's tv comedy without being vulgar or embarrassing. Lucy, and most of the time Ethel too were always getting into some kind of trouble or cooking up a scheme. Ricky and Fred were always one step ahead or one step behind their wives. The show was simple and that's what made it fun. Ricky and Lucy were a married couple renting an apartment in the building ran by Fred and his wife Ethel. Of course, Lucy and Ethel were the best of friends and were always getting themselves in trouble... this is where most of the show's appeal came from. Anyone who hasn't watched I Love Lucy is missing a true gem of a comedy. Black and white may be a turn off to a lot of today's young digital audience, but put aside modern technology, sit down and get ready to laugh yourself silly!

The Beach (I) (2000)

Something's not quite right with this film...

[15 September 2000]

This is one of those movies that I'm glad I waited for on DVD. When I first saw the previews for it, I thought it was some kind of action/adventure flick... whoa, buddy... was I wrong! The actual film is confusing from the start, with no obvious direction until you get about half way into it. There's a sense up to that point that you want something -- ANYTHING -- to happen, and when it doesn't you want to give up on it. But, if you sit through it... it just seems to get worse. Leonardo DiCaprio's monotonous narrative quickly gets annoying. And, without giving anything away, Leo's character seems to cause an awful lot of problems for the people around him without ever accepting any responsibility for being a lame, whining, loser! A good premise, but a bad film. Watch it though and try to figure out just where the writers took a detour into someone's hemped-up nightmare!

Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

Annoying...

[11 September 2000]

This installment in the Trek feature series annoyed me. It should have been produced for the small screen, as it was nothing but a bloated tv episode with suggestions of sitcom humor. The story was okay, but not something I'd suggest wasting money to see in a theater. Should have waited for the video/dvd release, or better yet... waited til it hit broadcast television. Nothing will be edited, because there is nothing to edit out! The plot revolves around Picard and crew trying to protect the inhabitants of a world where life is pleasant and a ring of radiation around the planet keeps them young and content. But someone in the Federation wants to change things... Like I said, wait for it on tv.

Star Trek: Generations (1994)

Not much good to say...

[11 September 2000]

DONT READ THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS!! I have to admit, when I heard about the plan to kill Captain Kirk in this film, I instantly hated it. But, I went to see it and wished I hadn't. Nothing made sense. Not the silly cgi Nexus-thingy, nor the wasteful way in which Kirk was killed. And just whose idea was it to destroy the Enterprise anyway??? The whole movie was slow, dull and uninteresting. Even the acting was bad, except maybe for Brent Spiner's portrayal of Data discovering his emotions... Skip it and watch First Contact instead...

Dynasty (1981–1989)

Dynasty... a REAL soapy opera

[11 September 2000]

Dynasty concerned the goings-on of a wealthy Denver, Colorado family, the Carringtons. While it was surreal, campy, and wayyyy out to the left of reality, it was still FUN. It still caught and kept your attention and left you wanting much more. John Forsythe's Blake Carrington was the family's patriarch, always seeming a little bit confused about what was going on. His lovely young wife, Linda Evan's Crystal, was always getting stuck in some kind of trouble. Joan Collins as Alexis was sheer delight! A campy witch who was always causing trouble. The cast was large and the stories grand and fun. I never missed an episode of Dynasty during it's original run. Not until I went to college during the 1987-88 season... What I wouldn't give to see it all again!

Star Trek (1966–1969)

JUST Star Trek... not classic, not the original...

[11 September 2000]

What can be said about Star Trek that hasn't been said before? Although this show was produced thirty plus years ago, the stories and the special effects still stand up well today. As a fan of all Trek, I hate picking one over another. But, this is THE Star Trek... no other title additions are necessary. This show was not only solid action/adventure/drama at a time when TV offered little more than westerns and sitcoms, but it was also educational in a way that some people of the era didn't like. A multiracial crew on a UNITED Earth spaceship?! But more than that, it sparked the imagination of many and gave others the drive to succeed. Star Trek caused me to become fascinated with science and learning and to respect people of different backgrounds and beliefs. Yeah, it did. More than a TV show, it's a part of my life. And, despite the latter shows attempts at damaging the characters from the 60's... Kirk will live forever!!!

NewsRadio (1995–1999)

NewsRadio reminds me of the crew where I work!

[19 July 2000]

NewsRadio is a seriously underrated, overlooked comedy about the staff of an all-news radio station in NYC. From the station's wacked-out multi-millionaire owner Jimmy James, to the not-sure-what-his-job-description-is Matthew, the cast is full of talented, funny and enjoyable performers. I've watched perhaps half the series now (it's running twice a night on my satellite dish) and it has become one of those shows I never miss. It ran for five years on NBC before being cancelled -- apparently for low ratings. Phil Hartman was a regular before his death in 1998. He was replaced by Jon Lovits for the show's final year. Every character on the show is fun. I just wish that Khandi Alexander had remained with the show for it's entire run. All in all, NewsRadio will make you laugh yourself silly and is the perfect antidote for the blues of any kind...

Scary Movie (2000)

Let's Hope We Don't Have a Sequel!

[2/10 · 15 July 2000]

Okay, I went to see this movie instead of the X-Men. I wish I hadn't. On a very sophomoric level, Scary Movie was funny. But the sex jokes got old really fast and I got bored. Funny, but not something I'd take Grandma to see. Some of the sex-themed scenes were almost pornographic. And there was atleast one scene where movie patrons attack a noisy woman that shocked me. Yeah, it's a comedy, but it went overboard. My best advice... wait til it comes out on video!

Doctor Who (1963– )

All the Doctors Who...

[6 July 2000]

Like many American fans of this show, I was introduced to it in the early 80s. A very VERY British science fiction show, I was struck by how different and fun the show was. Excellent story telling without taking itself too seriously, Doctor Who just kind of grew on me.

The Doctor, the title character, is a Timelord from the planet Gallifrey. He is capable of traveling through space and time in his TARDIS, a shape-shifting time machine trapped in the shape of a British Police Call Box (Phone Booth). The show was the longest running science fiction show in TV history. From 1963 until 1989, seven different actors portrayed the Doctor in his adventures through time and space. It seems that the Timelords can regenerate their bodies twelve times, thus having thirteen different physical forms/personalities.An extraordinary number of companions traveled with the Doctor over the years, giving him someone to protect and the audience someone to sympathize with. Doctor Who is not hard science fiction, nor is it great drama. But it is fun for those who have some imagination and don't need huge special effects budgets to enjoy a TV show. Translated that means the special effects are often cheesy-looking, so don't come in expecting to be blasted out of your seat by flashy effects! From my point-of-view, the best introduction is the 1983 story entitled "The Five Doctors." At that time, there had been five actors in the role of the Doctor. In the story, all five of the Doctors come together to deal with an emergency in time. One recast was necessary as the First Doctor, William Hartnell, had passed away some years before the episode. The Fourth Doctor appears courtesy of unused footage from an incomplete story. A number of the Doctors companions also appear, giving a new viewer an introduction to the series and a way to pick a direction... It's all here, from adventures filmed in black and white, to stories with high end CGI effects, there is something for every one...

V (1983)

Comments on First V Mini-Series!

[4 July 2000]

In general, I LOVED the mini-series V which aired in May, 1983. I was spell-bound by the huge cast, the great special effects and a solid, gripping script. The whole concept of alien invasions has, of course, been done to death. But, creator/writer Kenneth Johnson came at it from a refreshing angle. The first four hours (and 15 minutes?) were superb. Characters were introduced that were fascinating and multi-dimensional. Like Faye Grant's Julie Parrish, the female leader of the human resistance and a character well ahead of her time. Mike Donovan, the video journalist who knows too much about the alien invaders. And, of course, the evil alien scientist, Diana, played by Jane Badler. I remember tv guide reporting that the mini-series had over 90 speaking roles, including Robert Englund who went on to Freddie Kruger fame. As a side note, after the enormous success of the mini-series, NBC ordered a follow-up. Originally, Kenneth Johnson had hoped to go forward with a weekly series, but NBC dropped the concept for fear of the explosive costs involved in such a project. They wanted a SIX hour mini-series that would tie up all the loose ends, and end on a happy, heroic note. Johnson disagreed and left the project. Other producers finished what he had started. So many of the fine characters from the first mini-series were thrown away in favor of a tidy ending. Again, the mini-series scored huge numbers for NBC. Finally, a regular series was given the go ahead. I won't say much at all about it as I can't think of anything GOOD to say. I found it boring, plodding, badly-written and not worthy of the name "V".

Resurrection Blvd. (2000–2002)

At last! A solid family drama that seems real!

[1 July 2000]

I enjoyed Resurrection Blvd's first episode a great deal! Not only is it a rare drama about a Latino family, but it seems so real and refreshing! Yes, it contains all the soap-opera/drama elements, but there's more... a darker/more truthful side. No details here, as it could spoil the show for someone. There's a whole family of interesting, realistic men and women who just seem to grow on you too quickly. The production values are excellent, the acting above average and the casting is out of sight! A little patience may be necessary as it will certainly take a little while for the actors to iron out all the wrinkles in their characters, but it will be a reward to see this show grow!

Space: 1999 (1975–1977)

Twenty-five years and continuing to grow on me!

[1 July 2000]

Over the years I've heard many terrible comments about this show. From how bland it was, to how much of a rip-off of 'Star Trek' it was to how completely un-scientific... Oh well. To each his or her own... When I was six or seven, my nephews sat me down and literally made me watch the show. I screamed that it was awful... at the time the only show in the world was Star Trek! But, after 1999 finally worked it's way into my mind, I LOVED it! The sets, the special effects, the music! No, I didn't mention the writing or the acting, but you can't always have it all. There were two very divergent seasons of Space: 1999. After all these years, I have finally come to the conclusion that the first season was the best. Space: 1999 was filmed in the UK and was created by a notable British producer, Gerry Anderson. His approach to the show was so wonderfully different than what an American producer would have done. The pacing was slower, more detailed, less rushed. The camera angles, lighting and audio effects were awesome, almost surreal. A few recommended episodes would be: "Breakaway", "Another Time, Another Place", "Dragon's Domain", "Mission of the Darians", "War Games", "The Troubled Spirit", and "The Testament of Arkadia". Many times mysterious and always hypnotic, Space: 1999 (Year One) is not for everyone!

While I like the second season, I have always felt that it was "Americanized" by it's producer, Fred Frieberger. He was responsible for Star Trek's third season and was brought in to 1999 to "fix" it. More action, less surrealism! Not quite as good in my book, but still worth the time!