rd1102 Reviews

Dirt (2007–2008)

Ennnh, the jury is still out

[8/10 · 10 January 2007]

Don't get me wrong, the acting is good. Courtney Cox and Ian Hart are especially good. Hart is outstanding as a functional schizophrenic. He owns the screen whenever he is on. The problem with this series is that it makes you feel even worse than if you subscribed to every tabloid on the planet, and worse yet, believed every word. (Yes some people actually do believe everything that they read. Hi, Ellen!) The writing is good, and like the tabloids, it's of a sensational nature. Most of the characters are bottom feeders, and it's difficult to like them or have any sympathy for them. I did manage some sympathy for the young actor that was blackmailed into turning informant for the editor from hell. This series is seen almost entirely from the point of view of actors who want to eat the hand that feeds them. They need each other; they want and need publicity, but they want to control the publicity. When I first got a parrot, I was told to never pay it more attention than I was prepared to keep on giving it. That turned out to be really good advise for a lot of situations. Actors should avoid any more publicity than they want to have. If you put yourself in the public eye, you will have a certain level of intrusiveness, but if you don't go out of your way to seek it, and aren't out on the town every night, you probably won't suffer that much. Not everybody is Jackie O or Princess Diana, (who famously manipulated the press) and most won't and don't suffer that much intrusive pappi behavior. For the life of me I can't understand anyone wanting to know about Jennifer Anniston, but since she uses the press and then bitterly complains about it, I assume that is why Cox wanted to lend her talents to this series. I, for one, would be happy never to be assailed by yet another picture of the first American martyr when I pass the magazine kiosks. Since that isn't likely to happen, I will sometimes take vicious delight in watching this show! This probably isn't one that most people will want to watch every week unless they really enjoy people behaving badly. In general I don't have much sympathy for people who want a lot of publicity, and then bitch and moan about what they have willingly sought in the past. I also have not much sympathy for the magazine people. Approach this series with caution. It is probably best as an occasional "treat".

If You Believe (1999 TV Movie)

Loved this one

[9/10 · 4 December 2006]

The casting is excellent, the acting is excellent, at it's best,the writing sparkles. I have a short attention span, and I don't like to sit still for two hours, but this one makes it painless. I tried to stop watching, but the characters were charming and very likable. You will quickly get invested in these characters and care what happens to them. I loved the three main characters. I am a fan of Tom Amandes, and after this movie, of Ally Walker, and Hayden Panetierre as well. I know it's a holiday movie and comes with some clichés, but it's hard to let go of, once you start watching. Captivating, charming, and it felt almost real. Hayden Panetierre was brilliant in this movie. I'm not generally a fan of children in movies, but she made her character live, and she had such zest and joie de vivre, that it was impossible not to love her. She has a long and possibly award-filled career ahead of her.

Topper Returns (1941)

Not so hot

[3/10 · 7 September 2006]

I don't think this movie holds up well over time, and it certainly wasn't as good as the first two movies. I especially liked Topper Takes A Trip, and found myself laughing uncontrollably in several places. While I like Joan Blondell, and the other actors, I just found that this movie missed. I didn't find it funny at all, just annoying. Maybe it was a case of going to the well too often. In general, very few sequels are as good as the original movie. In this case, third time's a clunker. Roland Young and Billie Burke are always delightful, but even they couldn't save this movie. It could cure insomnia. The first two movies sparkled, and could stand alone on their own merits, and as part of a series. This one just seems out of place, and not worthy to be considered a sequel. Maybe my expectations were simply too high. Having thoroughly enjoyed the first two Toppers, I expected a laugh riot in this one. I don't remember laughing in this one at all, which surprised me. Maybe Topper's time had passed by the time this one was made. I would watch it again to see if it was just me or the movie, since I suspect it's a little of both.

Topper Takes a Trip (1938)

Absolutely enchanting

[10/10 · 18 March 2006]

Ahh, those screwball comedies from the 30's are still a delight, and it is hard to find anything better. The actors in this comedic tour de force are outstanding, and well cast. Roland Young and Billie Burke are pure comedy gold together. No one else could do vague, bemused, bewildered, bedevilled as well as these two. Pair them together, and you have a recipe for instant success. Constance Bennett was a gorgeous blonde in an era famous for gorgeous blondes. Unlike many of the others, she had talent, and was a delight in a comedy. I had seen the series as a child, but I didn't appreciate them until I was an adult. Roland Young's physical comedy, was a definite asset to the series, but his female co-stars, and their delivery was a sheer delight. I also enjoyed Alan Mowbray, who was the suave villain in a few of the Sherlock Holmes films, as the sympathique butler in this little gem of a movie. He was extraordinarily talented, but was woefully typecast as the heavy in many period pieces. I liked this kinder gentler side of the actor, and hope to find something similar from him again. There are no missteps in this one. If you like a nice unsophisticated bit of fluff and froth, you will love this movie. The only thing comparable to me, for entertainment value was "The Women", which came out the same year. Both of the films had me laughing out loud many times, and are films that I watch again and again. Spend some time with Topper, and you won't be sorry, but you will be holding your sides from laughter, and you will appreciate the brilliant comedic timing behind the zingers and barbs that fly in this film.