Darlawood80 Reviews

The Ren & Stimpy Show (1991–1996)

Oh Boy Ren! SLAP!

[3 July 2005]

This show cracks me up every time!! It's so hilarious!!! This show used to be on Nick on Saturday nights. In my own opinion, this show outranks The Simpsons and Beavis and Butthead any day. I'd get a kick when Ren would slap Stimpy especially when Stimpy would say "Oh boy Ren!" SLAP. I can agree the show was a little too violent, but I say the adorableness of the characters outranks that as well. It is hardly shown on Nickelodean anymore, but maybe on Cartoon Network. I'm glad that Nickelodeon is finally coming out with their old vintage shows on DVD. Now us adults who grew up in the 1980's and 1990's can finally watch a show that reminds us of those good SNICK years!

The Beniker Gang (1984)

Utterly Charming and moving

[21 February 2004]

These are one of the 1980's movies that aren't pointless. This movie I like because the actors and actresses portray themselves with real feelings. They really have to fight for themselves in order to keep together. Of course Edmond may get into his fights, Ben eats his paper, and Cassie feels unpopular, but that is what makes the movie real. Whoever says this movie is boring, they need to look again. Sticking together isn't pointless at all!

In the Best Interest of the Children (1992 TV Movie)

A good plain tearjerker!

[11 December 2003]

This movie makes me cry everytime. I truly wish the children's court would look beyond "for the best interest of the children" and look from a child's point of view. I know people who were in child protective custodies as children and who have not fully recovered from being shipped from home to home. Some who ended up with messed up lives, and some who came clean. This movie I think was very good. It reminds me alot of the book "Homecomming" which about four children trying to run away from the system and end up living in their grandmother's home, but this movie has a sad ending. If I were the kids, I'd keep on running to that loving home that every child dreams about.

The Elizabeth Smart Story (2003 TV Movie)

The movie that told it all!

[10 November 2003]

This movie I have thought has been a great movie. It heartwarming yet touching. The characters who portrayed in the movie did a way beyond excellent job. I could feel the pain and suffering of the family, and the intenseness Elizabeth must of felt from her captors.The girl who played Elizabeth did a superb job and so did the girl who portrayed Elizabeth's sister. The couple who portrayed her parents did an awesome job. I like the man who portrayed Ed Smart. You could really feel his pain in the movie. Though I firmly believe the filmed was filmed too close after Elizabeth's return, I worry about how Elizabeth may feel now that this movie was shown. She has gone through as some of us may know, beyond torture then what was shown in the movie. Or maybe her seeing this movie is a healing process. We will never know what Elizabeth personally went through, but at least we know she is safe and warm with her family, with still a long struggle ahead.

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979)

Beyond the Boring Adventure!

[29 August 2003]

I remember watching this film about eight years ago. It was completely boring yet somewhat interesting with its characters. I liked all of them except for Salvalas, who's character and his terroristic men shouldn't of been there in the first place. I didn't like seeing Hannah Meredith die in the shaft, it was too painful for me to watch, and Frank Mazzeti's death was meaningless. What fool would go in a middle of the room to get himself killed?! To be honest, the movie shouldn't of been made at all. Although I am a huge Poseidon adventure fan, the film should of been about the other survivors who were trapped and some civilians like Caine and Fields as the heroes. That would of made the movie a lot better to watch. Still in general it's good film, but it could of been better.

Zelly and Me (1988)

A deep but sad movie

[10 August 2003]

I watched this movie once, but to me it's so sad. A strict grandmother who's only duty is to prevent her grandaughter from being rebellious like the girl's mother, never seems to provide enough love for her. When Zelly notices Phoebe burnt herself, CoCo fires Zelly, and pushes Phoebe into her parents bedroom because "she's now a big girl" and throws Phoebe's toys including her Teddy bear away. Zelly tries to rescue Phoebe, but at the last minute she and her boyfriend who attempted to kidnap knows it's wrong, and sends her back. Phoebe, must face the fact of living with her strict Grandmother, and with a pair of white socks makes a doll for herself. I do see some good parts in this movie, but it's way too sad for me to watch.

Amen (1986–1991)

One of the most hilarious African American comedies ever!

[2 July 2003]

I remember seeing this show about the age of six. Never watched it much until the show ended. The characters in the show crack me up! For a 1980's comedy gives me back real good hilarious memories. I wish the show was still on. I'd be laughing forever.

Smallville (2001–2017)

A show that makes you want to know more about Clark's earlier life.

[10 January 2003]

I haven't been that much of a Superman fan before Smallville came. I have all the Superman movies, but just seeing Superman fly is not enough for me. I want to know more about Clark's earlier life, even before he was a teenager. When I first saw this show in October 2001, just after the terror attacks, I thought, "Now this is a show that may bring hope". It has brought hope in my life. Something to believe in. Clark's life I also could relate to. I wasn't popular in school and like Clark, I was weird. I like all the characters in the show, and the guest stars that appear in the show. I like to see the newest episodes and whenever I can, and I glue myself to the television to watch the show. To see what Lex Luthor is going to do, and to see how Lana Lang's life is going to turn out, makes me excited. And to know that there's a brand new Superman movie comming out in 2004 makes me want to see it already! So watch out! The Superman craze has begun!

Adventures of the Queen (1975 TV Movie)

Good and Plenty, but boring

[5/10 · 27 December 2002]

I don't know exactly why Irwin Allen produced this movie. It's like a repeat of his first sea disaster film but with more of gun violence in it. I would also believe that he wanted to make it into a TV series as well, but I guess that flopped. The characters are very good in this TV movie, and the storyline fitted perfectly with the current events of the 70's without over dramatizing it. Like The Poseidon Adventure, the film was filmed aboard the Queen Mary but in more extensive areas like the lounge and the Royal Suite Cabin. Although the movie is good in general, the special effects are some to laugh at for a 70's movie. If you are a disaster freak like I am, try watching the movie. You just may like it.

Jesus' Son (1999)

A low rated film but good to see if you want to.

[13 December 2002]

This movie is apparently not the best, especially with the drugs and alcohol and sex, but one thing I am proud of is this film was filmed in a small town called Riverside New Jersey which I used to live one mile from there. Of course no one knows that, but the many lives in Riverside portrays FH's character particularly because the town has a bar or tavern at every corner, and also is about 11 miles north of Philadelphia where in Philly it's drug dealing central, along with Camden, New Jersey. Unless you are into stuff like this, watch the movie, I know you'll like it, because personally I don't.

Christmas Vacation (1989)

A must see funny comedy!

[13 December 2002]

National Lapoon's Christmas Vacation is the most ultimate funny Christmas movie ever. I've seen it only twice, but even seeing it twice makes me laugh at some of sad but silliest parts in the movie. I like the characters in it too except for one thing, in every National Lapoon's movie, they put in a different Griswold daughter, but not the son until Vegas Vacation. Cousin Eddie and Cousin Catherine and their family are funny as the family grows larger and larger with screaming kids. My favorite part is when the cat gets electricuted and turns into ashes, now that's a scene to crack up about if you have a chance to look at it. As for National Lapoon, they should keep on making some more films with the Griswolds in it.

Daylight (1996)

A come together work together movie

[12 December 2002]

Daylight is a movie of somewhat actual events. During the late 1940's, a truck with toxic chemicals ran head on into traffic in the Holland Tunnel which the fire only sealed one end of the tunnel and not the other. This movie is pretty much a movie about courage and togetherness. Though most of the film was not filmed in New York, some of it was actually filmed in my home state of New Jersey, which everytime I watch it I get thrilled to see my own state. I like all the characters in the movie. The movie has somewhat of a New York style in it, and especially heavy on the accent. These are one of the movies that keep you on the edge.

Back Home (1989 TV Movie)

As close to the book as you can get!

[12 December 2002]

I saw this movie a couple of times and read the book too. The movie I would say is generally sad. It seems no one understands or listens to Virginia except for this one boy that she is not allowed to see because she is in boarding school, and I can entirely relate to her expieriences, though not during that time. To me the girl shouldn't of been sent to the states in the first place because back in 1940 there were plenty of resources for children besides sailing abroad. This movie is a real tear crying movie, unless you can bear with it.

The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

The movie that started it all!

[10/10 · 10 December 2002]

I tend not to be a spoiler, but this to me is the movie that started all disaster movies. I love this movie to no end! The Poseidon Adventure is based on a novel by Paul Gallico. Of course the book version and the movie version are completely different but some based on fact. Paul Gallico during World War 2, witnessed the Queen Mary almost capsizing and that inspired him to write the book. The characters in the movie are very good. The special effects are awesome. Though this movie is fictional, this tops all sea disaster films. The movie has a lot of realism in it, and a variety of characters. If you are a disaster film lover, this is the one movie for you! You will find out later on that you'll keep on going back and forth between scenes, and then before you know it, you are addicted to it just as I am, and you'll probably watch it so much you may know every line by heart!

S.O.S. Titanic (1979 TV Movie)

Lack of special effects, but overall good.

[30 October 2002]

This Titanic movie that came out had the lack of special effects, but had a wonderful, but fictional cast. Lawrence Beesley who was played by David Warner was my number one favorite character of the movie, more of the hero type of man. The movie shows the lives of all three classes, not just only a certain portion. Though rarely seen on cable television anymore, SOS Titanic was general a good movie to watch. Most of the filming was took aboard the Queen Mary, which I think that was nice too. This film should be good for all viewers to see.

The Baby-Sitters Club (1995)

Good for young girls to see, but not for anyone older.

[5/10 · 29 October 2002]

I saw this movie a couple times after reading the book. The characters in the movie look way too young, but they fit the storyline well so all young girls in the audience could relate. Some plots in the movie don't make sense at all, especially when an unlikely figure comes into Kristy Thomas' life. I like the fun the girls have with the day camp they run and how Cokie the girls rival always put on a prank. I also like how this is not only an all girl movie, that the parents of the girls do get involved in their lives, more so of Stacy's and Kristy's families, which I feel brings warmth into a movie like this, and gives any young girl a sense of security to come to their parents when any situation occurs.

Though I must say, this is not a fairy tale movie with all happiness in it. There are problems each of the seven girls are facing, some that each girl in the audience could probably relate to, especially with bullying. This is a movie that all girls could relate to, and I highly recommend for girls between the ages of nine and twelve years old to watch this film. They will realize that no girl is alone when facing their problems.

The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank (1988 TV Movie)

The most accurate Anne Frank movie ever seen.

[29 October 2002]

With all the Anne Frank movies and documentaries out there "Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank" is the most accurate movie I have ever seen. Eleanor Bron (who portrays Edith Frank) and Mary Steenburgen (who portrays the selfless and sacrificial Miep Gies) portrayed themselves very much close to their characters in real life. Although most of the actors and actresses are indeed American, the first half of the shooting of the film took place in the River Quarter of South Amsterdam, the actual neighborhood and square that the Frank family lived in. The movie portrays the lives of the Frank family before hiding and during hiding. Some of the movie really explains the tension in such confined quarters, the fear of discovery, and the yearning for the war to get over with. Although this is a made for television movie, and hardly even seen anymore, this movie is good for any Anne Frank fan too see!