eggman404 Reviews

Unauthorized: Brady Bunch - The Final Days (2000 TV Movie)

Purely exploitive dreck.

[2/10 · 10 September 2023]

As a long time fan of the original series and its cast, this "bio" is pure nonsense. Yes, it tells you at the beginning that it has changed the timing of events... but come on.

This flick starts off as filming of the last episode of the Brady Bunch is filmed. Then it tries to cram in over 5 years worth of off-air events that have been chronicled in other forums and mediums much better, and pretend they ALL happened over the span of a week.

Don't waste your time... even if you're a die hard fan of the bunch. Seriously, this "unauthorized" look at the series is probably the worst of any of the many "unauthorized biographies" that chronical other television series.

Coming Out (2022– )

It delivers, despite its obstacles

[7/10 · 10 August 2022]

Signal23 continues to improve in its attempts to deliver solid storytelling. Look, the sound editing is terrible, there are never any "background extras" in any scene to enhance authenticity, and all the sets are much too tight and lacking in realistic detail (Josiah's mom's apartment is way too clean and tidy to be taken seriously for her character). That said... there is a wonderful story here. One filled with the realities of figuring out one's sexual orientation, the realities of how black people experience the life in America, and the realities of being forced to accept the cards that life deals.

The fight scenes and effects (oh that awful catsup blood!) are subpar. And worse yet, it seems that filming was delayed at times because the main actor changed his dreads during the filming so he literally leaves a room with one scalp style, and re-enters another room seconds later with a completely different hairstyle and length, and this continues to alternate throughout the movie. The reality seems to be that there was not much of a budget. And that's ok. Hopefully series like this will provide Signal23 with increased funds so that it can increase quality as it grows.

If you can put aside that this series was obviously made with a low budget... you will discover that its story is beautiful and haunting. This series has a real story to tell, and it delivers. It doesn't hold back on the realities of being a black teen struggling to find his place in the world that exists. It also doesn't become squeamish when portraying the realities of sex and abuse.

With better funding, this series could have ranked a 10. I commend Henderson Maddox for telling this tale as he was able to with the funds he had. And I'm hopeful that he has a vision of continuing to unveil human journeys that are unique, yet still shared. Well done.

Rainbow (1978 TV Movie)

A showcase for Andrea McArdle with a script that reflects the era it was produced.

[8/10 · 9 January 2020]

If you are looking for an in-depth, warts and all, look at Judy Garland. this is not your film. This 1978 bio pic is extremely sugar coated. Her father being a homosexual is merely hinted at through dialogue because that wasn't a subject that could be spoken of at the time. Her drug abuse is played about as deeply as an episode of Saved by the Bell.

This is a light film that walks one through the highlights of the life of Judy Garland from the point of being part of the Gumm Sisters singing group through her being cast in the Wizard of Oz. Andrea McArdle is slightly miscast since her voice is much bolder and Broadway than the real Judy Garland. (Thus a few of the undeserved reviews here about how loud she is)

McArdle was the original Annie on Broadway, and she has appeared in other regional, off-Broadway and more Broadway productions for over 40 years. So I find it humorous that there is a review here saying she can't sing!

I love the 30's music that Ms. McArdle sings throughout the production. The songs stick with you long after viewing. The supporting cast is great and it's a nice saccharin view of the days of yesterday and the Movie Studio system of the 30's.