Ted_Parkinson Reviews

The Firm (2012)

moderately interesting, plot too convoluted

[4/10 · 16 June 2013]

This show had moments of intrigue and the whole 'conspiracy' thing is pretty interesting. Some episodes managed to build a good story arch that kept me interested for a while. The biggest problem is with the lead character Mitch McDeere. For a supposed smart lawyer he is dumber than a post. Every other episode requires him to get into some situation that everyone knows is very stupid but he "just has to do it" and ignores everyone's advice. And this is really the main plot driver: Mitch's bullheaded stupidity. If this were pulled out every 6th episode they might get away with it, but time after time it wears thin very quickly. The mixing of 'current' cases with the overall conspiracy theme is also awkwardly handled. We are not sure if it's a regular lawyer show, or a conspiracy show. It's BOTH and neither really work. The attraction and tension between Mitch and his wife is also pretty artificial. I was happy when this was canceled.

The Man Who Envied Women (1985)

Very funny movie, if you like feminist deconstruction

[8/10 · 20 August 2010]

I really enjoyed this movie when we took it in film class, and saw it at least two more times at various film festivals. I was into French deconstruction at the time, and liked experimental films and found it humorous and smart at the same time.

There is not a great deal of plot, and two actors play a misogynist male university prof, so you have to get used to that. The film is overtly dry and intellectual. There are a lot of "talking heads" and obviously it is not a film for everyone. If you haven't read any Foucault or Derrida or Kristeva, then you may well not enjoy this. However, why shouldn't intellectuals get their films like the rest of the poor and uninformed out there? Yvonne Rainer has a complex artistic background in dance and other mediums.

Captain Star (1997–1998)

great cartoon appealed to all with a sense of irony

[9/10 · 31 July 2006]

A really funny (and ironic) show. Kind of poked fun at Star Trek and many other shows of that ilk. Captain Star was an ego-centric self-promoter not very interested in running the ship, but great at taking credit for everything that might be discovered. His crew was wonderfully idiosyncratic and the episodes mildly crazy but always entertaining. I think "witty and ironic" are the best ways of describing it.

There was only one season produced (I think) so anyone viewing these episodes should write to whomever they can and demand more. It's too bad that bright little lights like this get dimmed and then burn out. The writing was much sharper than most of what is around today.

By Love Possessed (1961)

mediocre certainly, but not without its merits

[5/10 · 5 August 2005]

It is certainly not a great movie, but it makes enjoyable television watching. The cinematography is great. It's fun just watching the marvelous rooms with the elaborate woodwork, sweeping hallways. These folks live very well. The camera is quite static so it is a visually appealing, quiet movie with very literate characters. It is fun just watching these drab folks live among such rich colors. Their lives may not be a rich tapestry, but their backgrounds sure are.

OK, the plot is very melodramatic and a bit contrived. Folks have very big problems (infidelity, crimes, court drama, family break ups) but nothing much really seems to happen. They sure talk a lot. Oh well, but late at night, when you don't want to go to sleep, this is almost perfect.

Jawbreaker (1999)

bad movie, good soundtrack

[26 September 2004]

This movie is certainly bad. But watching it on a Sunday afternoon, with nothing much else to do, it was passible entertainment. The dialog was not great, but the idea of the "makeover" perhaps preceded the current rash of reality shows (e.g. "The Swan") by many years. And it's thoughtful too: isn't "fern" a reference to a plant, and then it grows into a "violet"?

The highschool theme was mush better in Heathers, and it's really a very similar plot. But without the dark edge.

However, the soundtrack is great. I loved the girl band at the prom and many other songs are rocking. So listen to the music and don't worry too much about the cliché-ridden script.

Unsub (1989)

great show

[22 March 2002]

My wife and I really loved this show when it was on, but it was cancelled far too soon. Only 8 episodes ran. It was too intelligent, too "ahead of its time," and too spooky. It basically turned Mann's "Manhunter" into a tv series. Now we get "special victims unit" which deals with similar crimes, but with less atmosphere.

My wife and I really like CSI now, which is a very good show, but it's basically "Unsub-lite".

3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)

weird, violent, sometimes funny long rock video

[26 February 2002]

Yes, the movie is overly violent (there must be over 2 dozen private and public law enforcement officers killed) and the plot is not much. But from an "eye-candy" post-modern perspective, it's a fun treat. The rock-video montage scenes, combined with the loopy Elvis connections, make it quite enjoyable. Kevin Costner is fun to watch playing such an out-of-charter low life (I mean, this almost redeems his sad performance in "Message in a Bottle"). Kirk Russell is a tough crook with a "heart of gold". Courteney Cox is good enough that I couldn't really figure out who she was throughout the film. So it's a fun romp. A bit bloody, so be prepared.

Double Bang (2001)

amusing though not completely convincing

[7/10 · 30 August 2001]

Certainly a fun film. A bit silly at points, and guilty of the "big co-incidence," but much of the dialog is very good. Jon Seda has the best lines, and is wonderful, and Elizabeth Mitchell spends the whole movie with her eyes half closed in a very enticing way. Baldwin is kinda the straight man throughout, but he does a good job of it.