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The Awakening (1995)
get the name right (very SLIGHT spoiler)
One thing that drives me nuts is the inability to edit or question someone else's reviews. So blanche2, if you are reading this, it has been a year since you wrote your review, and you still have yet to clue in the name of the actress playing ***the lead*** in this movie? I'll give you a hint: It's Cynthia GEARY, not Cynthia GIBB. Apparently this was no typo, as you made the same error numerous times and my writing another review is the only way to (maybe) get your attention. (I was stunned that you took the time to write over a thousand reviews. It implies you look yours over at least once.)
OK, now for my review of the actual film (yawn):
The movie was blah and boring for the most part, and quite frankly, poorly acted. There are no filming locations so I am not sure if it was a Canadian film (Sheila McCarthy usually gives it away) and the best part of it was the incredibly real hockey dialogue between the brothers talking about the early 90s Montreal Canadians (my team) and how accurate that talk would have been at that time. The dialogue seems forced between other characters, the actions are far-fetched and the lead actress would have as likely got herself killed in real life (if not merely arrested) if she tried to interfere with the workings of a bounty hunter the way she did.
I gave the movie a VERY generous 6 (take away the hockey discussion and it becomes a 3).
Last Call (1999)
ending? (all spoilers)
Although barely able to follow the hackneyed plot because of some atrocious acting and poor writing, I don't understand the point in the ending. Sure, I can see one guy giving up his life to save his friend as well as reward the nun who was like a mother to them both. But it appears he did NOT do this. He left the money in the room where hew was hiding; he ditched the gun when he saw he was being followed WITH the money; he hopped into a car with an unknown driver just to get "out of Dodge"; and yet the godfather who he admitted has contacts all over the world has no reason NOT to track him down or spare his life even if he DOES get his money back (pleas from the daughter notwithstanding). So again, I ask:" what the hell was the point of this ending, which seems to be a dead end (pun intended)? What did I miss?
Happily Divorced: Pillow Talk (2011)
"the guy playing the father"???
For actual TV watchers over 30, the previous "reviewer" has never heard of Robert Walden, who was brilliant on the series Lou Grant (probably before s/he was born). I will admit I am not a Fran Drescher fan, although I have a ton of respect for her as a person, from the rape survivor to the pitch-your-TV-show-to-an-exec-on-the-plane chutzpah, to the I-also-married-a-gay-guy divorcée. I am very impressed with TV Land as every single show (Retired at 35, Hot In Cleveland, and this one) is either funny or extremely well-written and acted. Occasionally both. Drescher is rather one note but John Michael Higgins, who quietly dominates every scene he is in, the fantastic 80 year old Rita Moreno (for whom not enough good things can be said), and the quiet-but-present Robert Walden, ALL chip in to make this show quirky, different, and very watchable. Unlike many other sitcoms, there is no character you truly dislike, at least not in the first two episodes. Since I do not know as of this writing whether DW Moffett will be a regular, I will leave that for viewers to decide at a future date. Strangely enough, the TV Land "channel" WE get is markedly different from the one you Americans receive. None of the above shows are airing on that channel currently, and we fans are forced to hunt online for it. It is well worth the effort! (To be fair, for drama, Men of A Certain Age also does not air up here. And it is, along with Mad Men and Breaking Bad, Must-See TV as well.)
Star Trek: The Trouble with Tribbles (1967)
not the best, but entertaining (and corrections)
As a Trekspert and long-time TOS fan, I can't say this is my favourite episode, but since it was written for comic relief, while still tweaking the eternal bureaucratic pinhead mentality that persists into this century and beyond, it was extremely entertaining. Most reviewers get this. Gary does not. Trek writing is actually quite decent, if only because it still holds up in 90% of episodes after 40 years. And this episode is intentionally funny, if a bit slapstick, making it a nice diversion from the usual serious plots of TOS. {To correct tsf1962: It is not the first episode to introduce Chekov. (Whose name you misspelled.) There are two correct answers to that question depending on whether you go by air date or production date (hint: In Catspaw, Chekov defends himself saying "I'm not that green"). There is no consensus as to the most popular TOS Klingon but I will wager many votes will go to Canada's own John Colicos as Kor, menacing and threatening yet utterly fascinating to watch ("Errand of Mercy"). And who is Stephen Dorn? The character of Worf was played by MICHAEL Dorn. Comparing tribbles to rats is unfair and inaccurate; although people keep rats as pets, the tribbles were disruptive but not dirty or disease-ridden. I can forgive the misspelling of Lurry's name, but actor William SCHALLERT's name is listed in the credits. And it's Nilz BARIS, not Barrett (no relation to Majel). You got Nichelle Nichols' first name (difficult to spell) right but inexplicably botched her last name??? And as for Chekov's Beatles haircut, again, please try to watch the episodes in order before asking these kinds of questions. The Klingons were "explained" (very poorly) in Enterprise as to how they accidentally lost their foreheads.} Overall, a very enjoyable episode, with some delightfully cringe-worthy moments.
Waking Up Wally: The Walter Gretzky Story (2005)
more than I expected
Although I figured this would be an ordinary biography, I found the Gretzky story to be entertaining, and moving to the point where I cried more than once. McCamus should win a Genie for his portrayal of Walter Gretzky, and the characters were believable and real. I found myself caring more and more as the film went on, which is more than I can say for 90% of the films I watch (both Canadian and American) and cheering for Walter every time he makes progress or remembers something from his past. Since the story isn't over (as the real Walter Gretzky is still recovering) it naturally leaves you a bit unsatisfied at the end with respect to how far he needs to go, but it still stands out as one of the great films (not just documentaries) of the year. Since it just aired on CBC this week, I would be interested to hear what other Canadians (and even Americans) think of this very sensitive story of a kind, compassionate family and their struggle to bring their patriarch back from the void.
========================Slight spoiler follows==============
Well, not really a spoiler but at the very end, they show footage of the real Walter Gretzky meeting the cast and crew and watching the film, and that set the tears flowing freely. It was such a beautiful ending to an already wonderful movie that I am revising my earlier review of 9 and giving it a 10. I mean, what more can you ask for if a movie brings smiles AND tears?
Intimacy (2001)
chatty, sexy naked girl
I tend to note nude scenes of either explicit nature or featuring well-known actresses in films. Although it was easy to place Kerry Fox, there is another cute nude scene with a girl (and Jay) about 2/3 of the way through the movie, where (although she is completely and beautifully naked) she doesn't stop talking inanities about her apartment and her roommate etc. I found this to be a charming and funny aspect and would like to maybe buy this movie for that scene (and, of course, the nude ones with Kerry Fox). But the cast list does not seem to help me. Does anyone know who this actress is, her name or character? I watched the movie twice and didn't pick up on it.
And as to "censorship"...I watched this movie on Canada's Movie Network. I do not recall seeing any explicit oral sex. Was it censored here? Or is it so subtle that you can miss the sex in the shadowy lighting?
Showgirls (1995)
not enough nudity and sex
Although Showgirls offered a great deal of breasts, and a few buttocks, there was actually a comparative dearth of full frontal nudity, and more explicit sex scenes. It did not deserve the panning most North Americans gave it, although admittedly the storyline was a little weak. I just read that Jenny McCarthy auditioned for the lead; as weak an actress as she is, I would have loved to see her in it. But I respect Elizabeth Berkeley for doing the role because in our still-uptight society, it takes courage for a woman to do nude scenes in a movie about nudity. This genre should be celebrated, not vilified. And I, personally, would love to see a sequel, except that the reviews were so awful I don't know that anyone would do it---even WITH Jenny McCarthy! My main criticism of the movie is that it depicts strippers as unwilling participants who have nothing else they can do. Many strippers choose to do what they do because they love it, and not just for the money. Most are NOT drug addicts; many are students, single mothers, and regular women who just happen to take their clothes off for a living. I personally know of a couple who actually met their husbands at work. I wish this other, "normal" viewpoint was more explored in this film. I have seen Showgirls about six times, and allowing for some weak writing, it is still an entertaining and enjoyable film. We need more of those. Who out there has the courage to produce one now?