MMcDonaldFan Reviews

Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006)

Delightful, Brilliant and Surprisingly Sophisticated

[10/10 · 10 November 2009]

I have only recently discovered this show, after years of having ignored it when flipping through channels, having written it off as "a silly kids' show." Now I consider it up there with "Seinfeld" and "Scrubs" in terms of its superb writing, creativity and savvy.

Things I like about this show: it is consistently funny; no laugh-track; it doesn't hit you over the head with an annoying "message" at the end of the episode, but instead there is usually is an implied message; the family is loud and brash but still loving; although wacky and cartoonish in style, the show feels highly realistic; for a show with kids, these kids are very funny; the show has "edge"—it deals with topics like sex that other family sitcoms either wouldn't touch or would treat with stupidity; excellent cast, with witty verbal and physical humor. 10/10

Cellular (2004)

Laughably awful -- spoilers

[5 July 2006]

I found this movie while channel surfing, and it only held my interest in that it was so bad. It's just plain trash. It has more holes in it than a mountain of Swiss cheese. There is no suspense, because you already know what's going to happen from a mile away.

The characters look like total idiots, and it's an insult to the viewer.

Here we have a desperate Kim Basinger: can she play any other roles besides the crying, hysterical, fragile, helpless victim? She is trapped in an attic because, basically, her husband did something really stupid and decided to withhold evidence of police corruption in a safety-deposit box. Uh-huh.

William H. Macy, the only cop who catches on to anything and isn't corrupt, is busy during most of the film deciding on how to open a day-spa.

Nobody has a clue in the movie.

Sideways (2004)

piece of crap

[1/10 · 13 March 2006]

this movie stunk. a comedy? really? i was so bored i had to fast forward through the end. paul giamatti...what a pathetic loser. i could hardly look at him, he gave me the creeps. thomas haden church i loved from "wings," but what a scumbag. i wanted to like it, but this film was so unbelievable. the metaphors of wine = characters --Virginia Madsen talking to Giamatti about her passion for wine (how they reach their peak and are different with time)-- were like a hammer hitting my head. and who the hell uses the word "extricate" in a sentence...esp. when talking about a prior relationship? this movie is up there with "Welcome to the Dollhouse."

Match Point (2005)

Disappointing (...but looks pretty!)

[7/10 · 25 January 2006]

The whole movie looked like a fashion magazine ad...the clothes, then the apartments and country homes and restaurants, making love in the rain in the countryside...taking trips to Ralph Lauren. I really saw this movie as a let down, however, because it's almost like nothing really happens. There are no real surprises. You know what's going to happen next. When you think they could've done something clever, they don't. We've seen this story a million times (wasn't this basically Allen's "Crimes & Misdemeanors," just set in England instead?) Nola seemed fascinating in the beginning, a juicy part for Scarlett J. You think she is one step ahead of everyone (so confident, but why can't she get the acting part?) It turns out she's just another pretty white chick. She smoldered w/sexuality at the beginning, and then it's just gone.

I'm sorry, Woody Allen, but did you have to make the movie so arty? How about a twist or turn...something unexpected? What are Chris's true motives/intentions...why would he try to protect a family he is so utterly bored with? And why does he get so bored of Nola?

Arrested Development (2003–2019)

shines like a diamond

[31 December 2005]

this is one of the most creative shows i've seen on television since Seinfeld. there are so many ironic twists and turns. the music, the cast, the stories, the references and wit, the miscommunication, the absurdities, the documentary film-style, Ron Howard's delightful narration...the show is an absolute delight. so many other sitcoms corner themselves (i.e. "Everybody Loves Raymond"), yet this sitcom breaks boundaries and conventions w/out being pretentious (i.e. "Frasier"). it is fresh and gives you a central character you can actually admire: Michael Bluth. he is funny and warm and genuinely caring and can make mistakes and be a jerk without pushing viewers away (something even the cast of Seinfeld couldn't do).

Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)

Welcome to pain...should be listed as a horror film

[1/10 · 15 June 2005]

I thought this movie was awful on so many levels, I can't even list them all. This is the story of Dawn Wiener, the biggest loser in 7th grade, whom everyone picks on. She is abused by her classmates, her parents, her teachers, her brother, her sister...basically the whole world hates her. She pretty much hates herself, too. She does not change, nor can any change for Dawn be hoped for. She dresses unattractively (and like a 6 year-old), wears ugly glasses, and acts really annoying and nerdy. Anybody thought of giving this poor girl a makeover and therapist? How about just some contact lenses? No, because that would alleviate the suck-fest.

The really awful thing here is the degree of negativity of this film, and the way Dawn just "takes it." For instance, when the class bully, Brandon, tells her he's going to "rape her"...she accepts it. WHY? You want to pity Dawn, but it's also kind of like feeling sorry for a homeless alcoholic person. On one level, it's a tragedy. On the other level, it's hopeless.

Where is the justice in this film? When is this character going to change? Otherwise, why should we care about her? Turns out, the world is nasty. And Dawn can be pretty nasty, too.

The movie has an unusually blatant disrespect for its characters, I think, in this way. It's a lot like watching a punching bag getting used. What is the point here? That junior high school is miserable and life is unfair? WE ALREADY KNOW THAT, HELLO! Do we need it rubbed in our faces. And then the movie tries to be funny? Where's the lesson? Otherwise, just give me some pathetic family's home videos and call it "Welcome to the Dollhouse," which is basically the equivalent of watching this film.

And since when was a little girl's kidnapping funny? (I'm referring to the mother drama-queening her way at the dinner table while "Swan Lake" plays in the background). And then, turns out the kid enjoyed her kidnapping. Much of this film is disturbing.

At least in a film like "Napoleon Dynamite," which looks like a cousin to this film, you have some satisfying redemption. It's not even revenge, but at least it's a character earning some respect, even on his own terms. We think Napoleon is funny in his own quirky, harmless way. That's a movie that actually cares about its characters, even if they're not ready to change.

Mad TV (1995–2016)

Brilliant! This show really gets it!

[6 June 2005]

I only started watching this show about six months ago on Comedy Central, and I have been hooked since. SNL doesn't even come close to this show's originality and creativity. One of the real main differences between this show and SNL is the way this show "lets loose" and isn't so political, pretentious, and self-conscious. It lets its actors breathe and get comfortable, making for some really hilarious skits and recurring characters. SNL is so tight-laced and "lets all make fun of the President again"...and "this constitutional bill just got passed," and now the musical guest is gonna be in the skits, and the celebrity host needs to make a huge entrance and make the skits about "them." With MadTV, you get to really know the actors more, and it makes things that much funnier. Plus the show is just plain hilarious!! My absolute favorite person on the show is Michael McDonald. My favorite sketches are Ms. Swan ("I tell you every-TING!")...Stuart ("I found it on the floor!")...Lorraine ("my husband Carl's got gas real bad")...the "Literally" couple...Debra Wilson as Oprah...and Reality Check (i just watched the one with "Richard Simmons," and I was crying it was so funny). The TV show parodies are a riot, like "The Queen of Queens," Will & Grace, I Love Lucy, and Laverne & Shirley. I can't believe these actors aren't getting their own sitcoms or becoming big movie stars like Will Ferrell, who--ya know what?--really isn't that funny. Literally.