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mindcatcher7
Reviews
Johnny's Girl (1995)
A fine portrait of father and daughter
There's a truthful chord between father and daughter that raises this film above the time and place.
Nuanced acting from the 2 leads as well as some delightful turns from minor characters - the lawyer in particular.
Alaska never really comes into focus - instead the small moments star.
If authentic character and relationship studies appeal - this one is worth your time.
Gary and His Demons (2018)
Criminally neglected - amazing show
How did this not get more seasons....
funnier than Final Space with a darker more adult sensibility
Upload (2020)
Upload - more than just The Good Place 2.0
If you skim the surface, the parallel to this afterlife comedy-drama is obvious.
But what makes Upload worth watching is the mystery arc that provides a narrative drive different to the Good Place.
Empathetic characterisations and writing that - while a little leaden initially - really starts to find its feet in later episodes, round out an enjoyable if slightly minor key first season.
But there is room to grow and characters to grow with.
Looking forward to Season 2.
Aladdin (2019)
Smith brings the happyness for brown Buffy
It may have been the monk Tripitaka who asked: if musicals are back, shouldn't we expect stars who can sing?
Smith retains some magical charms and our brown Buffy heroine hinted that an entertaining girl powah adventure lies somewhere in her future once her narrative shackles are gone - but the sum was somehow short of the parts in this technicolour revisiting of a classic story.
A wonderful centrepiece number and a strong turn from our villainous grand vizier are other attractions.
But lazy direction and the indifferent acting chops of the youthful lead left the feeling of having watched the longest Hallmark card ever.
Long Shot (2019)
Enjoyable if uneven rom-com
(alert: mild spoiler)
There's enough imagination and subtlety in much of this script to bring out some of the best both leads have to offer.
One or two laugh out loud moments, some genuine pathos - and Rogen is supported by one of the most enjoyable sidekicks I;ve encountered in recent times.
My only strong critiicism was an uneven tone as the film takes a turn toward a very conventional 'rom com' happy ending (youll get that pun later) - when it settled back into 2nd gear and cruised to the finish line.
Theron is formidable - Rogen gives the impression of real whit - and there's enough intellectual chemistry that it would have carried the conceit if not for some rather confected setup sequences.
Though the visually fixated won;t get past the aesthetic difference - but then that's almost the entire point.
If they;d managed to keep it tonally more original....and left Theron's character with a more spineful way - i think they'd have stuck the landing.
But at least it has a semi-brain... unlike crazy rich asians
Whoops - looks like i did it again.
Hit and Run (2012)
Excellent popcorn fare
A great popcorn flick. The leads have strong chemistry, tom arnold is terrific as always - an underutilised talent in my view, ever since True Lies - and a plot line that - while no epic - is actually quite different from anything i've seen before.
Brad Cooper's ethical debate on the merits of dog food and dick hansen's (word up Neptune) back flip are high lights.
Might become a slight cult film just because of all those small edit flaws - but it never gets in the way of a highly enjoyable hours of entertainment.
Humour, pathos, action.
Veronica Mars (2004)
Looks even better in the rearview
Re-runs of this show are playing - I missed most of it when the show was live.
Simply put - the best teen dramedy I recall viewing. The precocious mix of worldly insight and teen insecurity - its addictive.
Special props to the casting people - the nuance and non verbal work among the 'teens' is easily the best I recall seeing. Its great, set against the almost charicaturish broad strokes of the 'adults' - which is exactly what everything feels like at that age.
Great work.
My only concern might be that Kristen Bell never again finds a role this good - or that she can imprint as her own unique snow flake.
Would be terrible for anyone to have peaked so early.
But what a peak.
And as Dick says ' 'the dude abides'. Each to their portion, each in its season.