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It was a decent show !

I was at a phase where I was watching lots of shows filmed in Hawaii but I never got into lost because it supposed to represent another island or the jungle . Anyway , I liked Cheryl Ladd in this role and Richard Burgi who is better known to us as Carl , the former husband of Teri Hatcher's character Susan on Desperate Housewives . I liked the show for the scenery , story lines , and guest characters . I don't know why we don't utilize Hawaii's beauty to film television shows and movies . It was shown on Lifetime for awhile but it's gotten lost in the mix along the way . I still would love to go to Hawaii . I guess it's Paradise on earth and I would like to get there someday .

We Loved Flo !

Kiss my Grits ! was Flo's line to Mel on the Alice show . Let's face it , Flo was a much loved character who overshadowed the show's titled star . Yes , Linda Lavin was great as Alice but Polly Holliday as Flo was a scene stealer with the wise cracking chewing gum attitude and beehive hairstyle . Of course , the show was never meant to be a hit but Flo should have been . I think the show never regained it's moment . It was Alice who played the straight character to funny Flo . I barely remembered the series but I remember Flo as being my favorite . I was thrilled to see her on in her own show but it never got picked up and Alice re casted the third waitress with Diane Ladd and somebody else . Nobody could have replaced Flo , she was truly one of the best television female sidekicks .

A Fictional Account of a Plane Crash !

It's a television film with Cheryl Ladd as the pilot's wife . She is happily married but she and her husband want a child . Their only child died as an infant . In this film , her husband and airline pilot are carrying a load of passengers from Washington-Baltimore to Kansas City but something happens . Nobody knows quite for sure about the cause of the accident but the pilot , a passenger , and a golden retriever survive the crash . Diane , Ladd's character , is convinced that her husband shouldn't be blamed for the crash and is determined to set him free regardless of the press , airline , and the authorities seeking somebody to blame and fault for the loss of lives . It's not a bad film but it's not great and Cheryl gives it her all and proves that she's not just another pretty actress .

Could have been a lot better ?

Dr . Bean comes to America . They think he's an art scholar and historian but he's only a watcher at the British Royal Art Gallery . They would like to fire him but somebody higher won't let them so they send him to America with a valuable painting of Whistler's Mother costing somebody 50 million dollars . Rowan Atkinson is one of Britain's best loved comedians . He becomes Bean , this man-child , that nobody understands maybe except for Peter McNichol's character . I love them together . They had a great chemistry with their comedic talents . He plays the art curator whose wife played by Pamela Reed thinks Bean is a certified weird and strange and won't let him stay with the family . He thinks it would be a good idea to welcome Bean into the family home . I think it would have worked to see how Bean interacts with his teenage daughter and son . There could have been great more comment moments with Bean interacting with the family . We don't know much about Bean .

You can't afford it ! Suze offers wisdom and solid advice !

Okay , I'm the last person to discuss finances but Suze Orman whose college degree was in social work and not in finance goes to show that she is trying to make the world a better place by spitting out wisdom and advice in her books , radio , and television shows along with lectures , speeches , and guest appearances on talk show . Suze Orman wants you to show her the money before you go out and spend yourself further into debt . Her advice is solid but goes to waste when people don't know how to save for emergencies . For example , a mother wants to send her son to Spain on a class trip but she's deep in debt . The mother is considering taking a loan but it's ridiculous because it will further deepen your loans . Suze's smart , brassy , has great white teeth , and could sell toothpaste . She knows about money and how to make it from her personal experiences long before she was a financial adviser . Before you go out and spend on some silly purchases , take the time to think if you need it rather than want it or will it sink you further in debt .

A Cute Sitcom of the 1980s !

This show was never meant to be a hit but it was with a stellar cast including a young Rick Shroeder as the spoiled but likable rich kid . Who could forget the train in the house ? His grandfather was played by legendary actor , John Houseman , and his father was well-played by Joel Grey . His stepmother and father's secretary was played by Erin Gray better known for her female role in the short-lived series , Buck Rogers . Everybody knew that they would get together . Anyway the Strattons live in Long Island , we also got to see Jason Bateman before he became famous . I liked Christina Belford who played the mother and former wife , Mrs . Stratton . She left an unforgettable impression on me that I always remembered her name . Well , the series had a nice five year run during the sitcom explosion of the 1980s .

As Creepy As It Gets !

The female cop in a small police headquarters is to spend the night with two male police officers , Mattingly and Miller . Don't forget the serial killer and cannibal who has killed as many as 32 victims is held up in the holding cell upstairs being guarded by one of her male counterparts . Strange things start happening once she looks at his file of terror regarding scenes of a young woman being tortured . This serial killer is as close to a monster as you can get . Lights go out and there seems to be trouble . The doors are locked to get outside the police station . Mattingly and Miller are acting stranger and the monster under the black blanket appears to be either dead or has run away . The female police officer must deal with the department's sexism and her superior's doubts about the strange ongoings at the police station . She faces her fear of the monster by doing something both admirable and destructive at the end .

Kaminski's attempt at film-making !

Janusz Kaminski is better known as Steven Spielberg's cinematographer in films like Schindler's List . In this film which aired late last night , this story is about Ben Chaplin , a psychologist Peter Kelson , and Winona Ryder , a French Catholic School teacher named Mia Larkin . Mia arrives and asks him about true evil . Slowly , the film does unravel to explain why she meets with him in the first place . I don't want to ruin the story but Peter Kelson's life is about to take a turn for the worse . Unexplainable things begin to happen to him and slowly a truth about his parentage comes up . There are lot of questions that are left unanswered . Maybe it's because it was edited for television . I would have liked to have seen more in the final scene in the church before the end of the film . I think the lack of explanation doesn't help the movie and the ending is rushed to finish the story .

Don't Lose Your Temper !

Since Fran's untimely death , Bubba moves into the room and posts a poster of his favorite rock band , Twisted Sister , much to the chagrin of his grandmother . Vint and Naomi are upset that they didn't get Fran's bedroom since it's across from Thelma's own room . Upon discovery , Fran left a will and information to contact her attorney . She was worth $35 , 000 in total . Everybody would be happy if Thelma followed not losing her temper for two weeks or forfeit and go the Little Sisters of Saint Ray orphanage or wayward home for girls . Vint , Naomi , and Bubba try to make everything comfortable for Thelma's two weeks so she can inherit her sister's fortune . With the inheritance , Vint and Naomi could purchase their own home and move out but things don't always go according to plan , do they ?

Like America's Most Wanted !

There is a large reward out for catching one of the Tri-State area's most wanted criminals who looks like the newcomer , Leslie LeMoygne , played wonderfully by Robert Mandan in this episode as the director at the Pepperpot Playhouse in charming Raytown . While the Harpers especially Vint and Naomi and even Bubba are out trying to catch the guy on Tri-State's Most Wanted for monetary gain , Mama Harper is trying to be persuaded by Iola to allow the playhouse to use some of their furniture as props . Mama believes that Leslie LeMoynge is the real criminal at large and does her best to apprehend him . It's a typical misunderstanding episode and worth enjoying if they put this show back on the air in syndication again .

Who really wants to be a Dame anyway ?

There are organizations in America that have women as Dames . Thelma desperately wants to join this snobbish organization maybe to make her snobby daughter , Ellen , jealous or green with envy . The three dames are expected to stop by Harper house and they are stunned to find out that Bubba is dressed as a woman for fraternity show . While Vinton and Naomi have finally found an affordable home which is a mobile home that needs some cleaning . They have a spot in the mobile home park where they planned to move just as soon as they can but their home isn't running properly and the dames have arrived . Thelma has cooked them a meal from a magazine that the dames complain that they eat too much . Well , Mama lets the dames finally have what they have coming to them anyway .

Stupid Inventions ! One slick con-man !

Vinton and Iola both have inventions . Vinton has a lock family home with a mama lock , papa lock , and baby boy lock in a silly lock house . After all , Vinton is a professional and proud locksmith . When he tries to sell his idea , Mama puts him in his place until a potential investor claims that he can make money off of his invention or stupidity or silliness . But that is before Mama gets involved in helping law enforcement out like a local police cop who is old enough to be her grandson gets her involved to stop the latest swindler in Raytown . I surely remember Vinton's invention as one of the funniest if not most ridiculous things in a long time . IOla has a more practical invention where she developed by helping her bed-ridden mother who we never see .

The Big Wheel is all about the Lottery !

When Thelma offers her children's birthdays for Iola's ticket for the lottery , she wins but there is a reason and Thelma believes that they should split the money . Regardless , huge amounts of money could wreck the friendship between Iola and Thelma . The silly lottery scheme aired on local television has the family after finally making mends and resolving their issue to settle before the chicken makes the decision . Yes , the lottery chicken , rooster , or hen is responsible for helping determine whether they win a million dollars in the drawing . Let's face it , if the Harpers or Iola ever won a million dollars then the show would never be the same but would their friendship survive after the big wheel is drawn ?

Mama Gets a Job at Food Circus besides Naomi !

When Mama goes shopping at Food Circus , she annoys her daughter-in-law Naomi and she gives advice to the store manager . Anyway , he decides to hire Mama as Ask Thelma , somebody you can go to advice regarding products . Of course , Naomi is devastated to learn that her workplace is being invaded by her mother-in-law . When Thelma makes rude comments about Naomi's easy job , the store manager insists that Thelma learn the job of a cashier while Naomi is demoted to bagger . Humiliated , Naomi goes through with helping Thelma out but she learns it's not that easy to be a cashier at a supermarket . It's not an easy job since you have to deal with the public on a regular basis .

One-way ticket to Bump !

There is a bus stop called Bump at the Raytown Bus Station Terminal . Iola's pearls go missing after her jewelry box is repaired by Vint . She starts making accusations against Bubba who wants money for a drum set . He gets a drum set right after her pearls go missing . Mama defends Bubba and sends Iola home . After Iola departs , she suspects Bubba of stealing her best friend's pearls . Frustrated with being treated as a thief in his own home and giving a story that is quite shaky at best . Bubba runs away from home to the Bus Station where Thelma goes to persuade him to come home after she apologizes for jumping to the wrong conclusions . The ending conclusion wraps everything up nicely .

This time it's Mama as teacher's pet !

We rarely see Mama go out on dates . Much like some widows , she was married once and probably doesn't want to do it again . In this episode , she is smitten with her teacher played by Joseph Campanella , another widower while Bubba is attracted to this nice girl , Amy . We watch Mama try to get his attention to ask her out on a dance or to the dance with help from Iola and Naomi . Mama Harper is smart but she lacks the confidence and we don't see much action between her and her teacher which is improper . Maybe that's why the episode is quite conservative . I have to say it's not one of my favorite episodes but it's the satisfactory fare of Mama's Family .

The Harpers are visited by a psychic !

Mama Harper suspects the psychic played wonderfully by Liz Torres is not who she appears to be so she does a little investigating and comes up with answers of her own . When the psychic visits the Harper House one night , the psychic is in for shock when she gets a taste of her own medicine in part and thanks to Mama Harper . This episode is quite harmless and Liz Torres is truly a gem of a comedic actress . Despite this one-time guest appearance , it was worth watching just for her to play a psychic who might be a con-artist but there is not much excitement or entertainment in Raytown anyway . Not that I don't love Raytown , I do . I would love to visit the real Raytown that inspired this comedy series in the first place .

Poor Sweet Iola !

Valentine's Day is supposed to be the most romantic night of the year thanks to Hallmark and other stores . In this episode , Iola claims that she has a date rather than explain to Naomi that she doesn't have a date on the most romantic night of the year . So Iola lies to protect herself . While Thelma also admits that she has a date rather than let her best friend stay with her and watch old movies on television as they usually do on St . Valentine's Day . Mama even goes so far as hiring from some escort service and is shocked by Mel who is more of a dancer and stripper than escort . Anyway , Mama and Iola have convinced the others that they have dates of their own anyway .

Presents Galore !

It was either Mother's day or Mama Harper's birthday or something of that nature . Since they don't air the episodes on television anymore nor is it on DVD , it's one of those holidays that presents are expected by Mama . For Vint , his boss , Mr . Carstairs , played wonderfully by the late Graham Jarvis asks Vint to hide a present for his wife at his house which is an expensive piece of jewelry . When Mama Harper finds the present hidden by accident , she assumes it's hers and exchanges it for something more practical . When Mr . Carstairs comes calling for his wife's present , Vint finds out and the mess has to get solved . How will Vint pay for an expensive present that he didn't buy in the first place ?

Not bad but not great !

Mama's silver is one of the most valuable items in their home . She is nervous when her own daughter , Ellen , borrows it for a dinner party and returns it home . In this episode , we get Aunt Fran and Ellen for a change together . Mama goes nuts when she discovers her silverware is missing . It turns out that her darling dim-witted son , Vint , has pawned them off to bail a friend out of jail . The same friend who landed him back at home with Mama and who thinks of ways to make a quick buck . Claude Cainmaker is back in Vint's life as his best friend . Desperate , Vint asks Ellen for the money but she says I never lend anybody money ever .

It's alright but it's not complete !

Kevin Spacey gives a command performance as Quoyle , the man who fears the water . The movie is rather surprising with Cate Blanchett as almost unrecognizable as Petal , his former wife . Quoyle is rather a tragic and sad figure of a man . He loves his daughter and his former wife but he has his own demons to battle like a father who had killed his wife and himself . His father phones and leaves a message about not having to depend on welfare . We get to learn more about his father from Aunt Agnes Hamm played by Dame Judi Dench . Aunt Agnes is rather very new to Quoyle . He probably was not aware of her existence . Dame Judi really knows how to speak with a Newfoundland accent without much help . What we don't know about Aunt Agnes ' past , we soon learn the horrible truth and why she detests her brother and seeks revenge on his remains . The casting includes Julianne Moore , who perfected the Newfoundland accent , as a native resident and widow with a small child . Julianne and Kevin have chemistry . In fact , Kevin also becomes part of the community by working on the paper . Pete Postlethwaite ( Spielberg considers him to be one of his favorite actors / OBE recipient ) plays Spacey's boss or fellow employee . Lass Hallstrom did a wonderful job but there are things I have trouble with this film . I feel that I don't understand what actually happened and the resolution . The movie leaves you asking more questions than answers and you want to see more and even dream about someplace like Newfoundland .

Mama goes after Bernice !

Mama Harper learns that her useless stock certificates may not be useless after all in thanks in part to her grandson Bubba's researching for his college class . At the same time , Vint learns that his locksmith shop might be sold to a company named Bernice who can turn it into a yogurt shop at the mall . Once Mama figures a connection in helping Vint solve her problem , she tries to save Kwik Keys from becoming another useless shop and save her son's job and need the money to the upcoming baby . Mama Harper does her best to help save Kwik Keys from becoming another casualty of corporation madness . This episode does touch a little on the corporation madness in our country then and now . A locksmith shop may not be the ideal lucrative business but it's a necessity since we all have keys .

Mama Gets a Job !

Mama Harper is upset because Aunt Effie has a job at the courthouse as a file clerk . Naomi suggests hobbies but then suggests that she gets a job herself . Thelma has not really had much of an education . She hasn't finished high school nor college experience . She has finished grade school which was not unusual in her generation . Anyway , she gets a job at the Raytown Travel Agency . Her first day is Saturday which would be fine if it wasn't for the constant interruptions of her family . Mama knows how to answer the phone and make coffee but she offends an elderly couple whose children are sending them to Tahiti . There are some hysterical lines and worth watching again .

Get ready to rumba !

When Naomi recognizes one of the wrestlers from the ladies of wrestling on television as an old friend , she gets her friend to come to dinner . It turns out that she might have to forfeit because her wrestling partner had an injury . Naomi resist but decides to help her friend out by being her wrestling partner . Naomi and her friend are fine until her friend suffers an injury and Mama comes in . You can imagine how Mama looks in the hideous costume and wrestles with the big girls from the wrestling . This episode is your typical Mama's Family fare with the family and Iola who are interested in the ladies ' wrestling . It was popular in syndication at the same time that Mama's Family was in syndication . I don't know the story behind this episode but I remember watching the ladies wrestling in Saturday afternoon and watching Mama's Family in the early evening on Saturday .

Another Burton & Depp Film !

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have worked together before in other films like Ed Wood and Edward Scissorhands . In this film , Depp plays the strange Willy Wonka who has perfect teeth and a strange personality . We learn in this film about his dentist father played by Christopher Lee CBE ( he should be Sir Christoper Lee ) but that's another story . Poor Willy Wonka who wear a head brace to make his teeth perfect . He puts five chocolate bars with gold certificates . The lucky winners include the obese and slob , German Augustus , the spoiled rotten Veruca and her father played by James Fox , another great British actor , the blue girl from Georgia who is a champion like her mother , the troubled boy , and Charlie Bucket and his grandpa Jones . Charlie is poor and it is obvious that his family is struggling . Helen Bonham Carter's teeth are as poor as Willy's is white and perfect . The Buckets live in a shack with other notable British actors and actresses like the great Liz Smith who is not a gossip columnist in New York City but one of Britain's most under-rated and gifted comedic actresses in her eighties and going strong . She should also be on the honors list .

Mama Goes to La Maze !

Can you imagine Mama Harper at La Maze class with her daughter-in-law , Naomi , when she rather be playing bingo with Iola at a big tournament in town ? It can be funny at times especially when Mama scares the class about the realities of birth and having children . She only goes to fill in for her son , Vint , who was called on a work emergency . This is a typical episode with Mama helping Naomi out for a change . I enjoyed Lynn Milgrim who played the la maze coach and who is a very good actress in general . When she insists , " don't wake her up , " she's talking about Mama Harper . The show was winding down and trying to maintain some humor about the upcoming blessed event which Mama but not in this episode .

If only it did exist

I loved Twin Peaks . There has never been a show like it since or before . It's just so unique and bizarre . I loved all the characters even the minor ones . Twin Peaks is for the paranormal audience who can appreciate its dynamic creation . I long for Twin Peaks again . I would love to move somewhere like Twin Peaks , Washington . Screw the rain and the lousy weather . I would move there tomorrow if I could . Enjoy Twin Peaks the series , it was a legend of the time . Nothing beats it now . After the first season and the solving of Laura Palmer's murder , the series went in a crazy direction for it's cast . Of course , there were problems because everybody was a suspect in Laura's murder but when it was solved . It was like the end of a great mystery and you didn't want to know the truth . When the case got solved , McLachlan's character stayed around and I don't know why the FBI ever got involved in the first place . Twin Peaks is the kind of town that I would not mind moving too . It's mysterious and filled with colorful characters like the log lady , the Sheriff , and so many other great and unique characters . It was a visual experience on television that you would only get to see on film .

Finally Luann Fayette !

Naomi's best friend , Luann Fayette , and co-worker from Food Circus had just gotten through a divorce . She lives in a trailer park in Raytown . Luann has been spending so much time at the Harpers since her divorce that she has become a guest at dinner by Naomi's invitation . Jennifer Richards who plays Luann Fayette creates a complicated lonely attractive divorcée . When Naomi sets her up with one of her husband's friends , he can't make it so they suggest having her young nephew Bubba go miniature golfing with them . Of course , Mama Harper is not too pleased with that idea and she tags along with Iola . I liked this episode because there is some attraction between young man , Bubba , and mature divorced Luann . It's still a charming memorable episode and played well by the cast .

Want a VCR ! You have to earn it ?

The Harpers want a VCR ( Video Cassette Recorder ) which was before DVD players and records but they don't have the money . They decide to hold a yard or garage sale and tries to unload some of Iola's handmade awful stuff off while she goes away to a wedding with her parents of town . When she returns unexpectedly early from the wedding , she learns that the Harpers are trying to sell her stuff . What they don't realize is that they place the money in her handmade tissue box cover and she takes it with her . Now the Harpers have to apologize to Iola and not only get their friendship back but the money as well . I felt this episode was quite the usual fare of Mama's Family in syndication .

Romeo & Juliet of Raytown !

The Harpers and their neighbors , the Gebhardts , have never gotten along when Carl Harper and Mrs . Gebhardt were alive so why should things be different after their deaths . Mama Harper and Mr . Gebhardt argue and bicker as old neighbors with a grudge between them . When Mama orders her grandson , Bubba , to clean up the front yard as does Mr . Gebhardt orders his grand-daughter , Teri to clean up his front yard do we see sparks when they both all in love with each other . I love Iola's remark . " It's like the Montagues and Capulets " and Vint replies " Do they live on our street too ? " The questions arise when both Teri and Bubba want to date each other despite their families ' disapproval . How will it work out like Romeo & Juliet or Maria and Tony in West Side Story ? Well , don't worry , it won't get bloody in the end .

A Mother's Day Affair !

When the Harper house gets a letter from a woman seeking her son about Vint's age , Vint begins to inquire about his actual birth . Thelma assures him that he was born on a farm and the birth certificate is actually wrong . He was born without red hair while both Eunice and Ellen were naturally red-headed . All this happens as the mother and son perform for an upcoming MOther's Day banquet at the church . When the Mrs . Minter comes to verify that Vint is actually her son , she is thrilled because she can move in with him and his wife . Her motives are not that clear until the final scene . After all they got the idea from watching a Donahue episode which the mother was reunited with a wealthy son . Bibi Osterwald gives a memorable performance as Mrs . Minter looking for her son .

They've Had Enough !

Iola helps the family in a difficult situation . She suggests that Vint and Naomi switch rooms with Bubba . Being outvoted , Mama doesn't think it's a good idea but they go through with it anyway . We meet Bubba's friends , Dwayne , and T-Boy in this episode . Boys will be boys since they want to have a band of their own while Vint and Naomi find the upstairs is not entirely what they expected themselves . When Mama flees the nest for a bit , Iola and the Harpers have come to realize that Mama was right along but how do you confront the situation . This episode was fine because it examined the friction between the family and house mates in Mama's house . After all , she owns the house and she can put anybody anywhere .

Out of Order Completely !

This episode was aired after Vint and Naomi's wedding . Regardless , Vint is divorced , broke , and living with Mama Harper and his old maid , Aunt Fran , and his two kids in the basement of their home . Vint's friend , Claude Cainmaker , hatches a plan . He's also the same man that helped get Vint lose his home and move back home with Mama . Some friend , huh ? He speaks with a Portugeuse man who wants his niece Zaida to get married so she can get a green card . Claude thinks of nothing better than asking Vint . When Vint goes home , he doesn't tell Mama about his upcoming nuptials . He soon realizes that he's been had by Claude when the plan goes awry thanks to Mama .

Not Keeping the Faith !

Okay , the premise of this whole is about two men in love with the same woman . The only problem is that one man is a Catholic priest and the other is a Jewish Rabbi . I liked some moments in the film when Brian tries to explain why he is a priest and the whole celibacy vow that you have to take to become a Catholic Priest . It's like he's trying to rationalize why he doesn't have sex as his choice or vocation in life . Men don't become priests for the glory , the high income , or the power . Men who become priests do it as a service to their communities , their families , etc . Sorry but priests get a bad rap lately because of all the scandals and politics but the personal rewards are so much greater than money , power , or popularity . There are priests and rabbis who do so much services to their communities whether handling funerals , counseling distraught families , dealing with poverty , AIDS , homelessness , etc . that they don't have time to think about the celibacy vow . Maybe if we didn't live in this age where sex is counted , we could have lived in an age where deeds , services , contributions , and generosity counts . So , I'm not crazy about Jenna Elfman who is a Scientologist . Technically , Ben Stiller is Half-Jewish but his mother Anne Meara is Irish Catholic herself so technically he's not . Edward Norton is cast as Father Brian . The other cast members including the divine Anne Bancroft as Jake's mom is worth watching . The friendship between Jake , Brian , and Anna are enduring but the whole sexuality just messes it up for all of them . It might have been nicer to have just Jake and Brian's relationship despite their different religions which are not so much different . People are so fascinated with the whole celibacy that society practically dictates that if you're not getting any , there's something wrong with you . Maybe there is or maybe there is such a fuss about sex in the general , you wonder what's so great about it in the first place . Of course , love makes the world of difference after all .

Silly Film but what a cast !

Film director , Dorothy Arzner , was perhaps one of the first women directors in male Hollywood . Maybe her lesbianism helped in others forgetting that she was a female . Anyway this cast included Maureen O'Hara , Lucille Ball , Ralph Bellamy , and others who would have fabulous careers in Hollywood at the time . Dance , Girl , Dance is nothing more than a comedy and melodrama . Of course , Arzner's direction is not inspiring because she has such a wonderful cast . Who would have thought that Lucille Ball could have had a dramatic role for a change before her own hit show on television ? Maureen O'Hara is truly an Irish beauty who is still with us for now while most of the cast have gone to a better place . Dorothy Arzner paved the way for other women directors , lesbian or not , to put their stamp on Hollywood . Sadly , this film is not the greatest or worst film of all time but you can still watch it and debate on whether women have come so far in Hollywood .

Mama Goes to Her Class Reunion !

Mama Harper would surprise many people about the truth about her past . When Vint and Naomi get a catering job for her school reunion , she is mortified and tells a humiliating story to Iola , her confidante and best friend that she was known as Hot Pants . Anyway , Thelma gets the courage to attend her high school reunion and even eat some of Naomi's catering as well . This episode has a guest appearance by Pat Crawford Brown who is better recognized from various roles especially on Desperate Housewives recently and even Days of Our Lives . This episode will make you crack more than a smile and laugh at Mama Harper who gets the courage to fight back at her reunion and set the record straight .

Not so Bad !

Okay , this show is not so bad . When you have Stockard Channing , Henry Winkler , and Jennifer Tilly in the cast , you have to like it , I guess . It grows on you . I didn't care much for the three adult children-two male doctors and a lesbian which seems to be more of running joke but they do handle that carefully as to not alienate the viewers . I don't care that it's set in New York City . Since I'm pretty familiar , I think New York City has been done to death in sitcoms . They could have picked Chicago , Seattle , San Francisco , etc . for a change of setting . The writing is average . Still no matter what , Channing and Winkler's characters are the attraction to this mediocre show . I don't care for the adult children . They're not up to par or on the same level as the people who play their parents are . Even the father's mistress or girlfriend , Jennifer Tilly ( I hope I got the right Tilly sister ) manages to hold her own . It's a shame that the networks feel that they must put younger characters in the spotlight and keep the true stars in the shadows . That is Winkler , Channing , and Tilly .

Give This Show a Chance Please !

I saw last night's episode . While I have to admit , I was hoping for more . I just love John Lithgow and Jeffrey Tambor . I can't believe they never worked before . I am hoping that NBC will allow this show to evolve because I think it has a lot of promise especially with first rate cast . I believe that Tambor and Lithgow's relationship on screen mirrors off-screen . I wish the writing was better but I hope that the show will improve if given a full season . I prefer John in 3rd Rock from the Sun but I'll take him whenever he comes on television . Jeffrey Tambor is also a brilliant actor . They could have made it the Golden Boys of this decade . With Lithgow and Tambor , you can't go wrong . I hope they plan on getting stars like Dame Eileen Atkins , Jessica Walter , Jason Bateman , Jane Curtin , and anybody else they worked with in the past . Lithgow and Tambor could be the new comedy team of this century so please let this show developed into something that can last for years .

It should have been Sir Roddy McDowall !

It should have been Sir Roddy McDowall in my opinion . Why he never got knighted for his contributions to acting and drama , I will never know . This episode also feature Ida Lupino , another legendary actress , writer and director herself . Sir Roddy as I will call him plays a genius character who wants too much from his stepfather who played the evil Vice Presidential candidate in the original Manchurian Candidate . His plan is ingenious but there are exceptions being that Sir Roddy's character is still no match for Lieutenant COlumbo's genius . You have to laugh with him at the end of the film . Like most COlumbo episodes , you have to pay attention . We know who kills the character but how does Columbo catch him or her in some cases is just as fascinating as the episodes themselves .

Silly but necessary sequel !

Ever since the Gods must be crazy premiered ten years earlier , there was a need for a sequel because the film generated a buzz not seen in years . With a native bushman in a starring role in the original , he returns . This time , his two sons go missing or on an adventurous journey through Africa . The cast also includes a female doctor , a white lady , who gets into the same mischief as in the first film . The cast and crew are alright . The story is not much different as African tribal people get introduced to modern society . In the original , the bushman thought it was an animal and not a car . The story is still heartwarming and entertaining as well .

COuld have had a better title ?

Robert Culp has appeared in several Columbo episodes . This time , he is again at it as the chief suspect in an unusual murder . Watching Columbo catch him is always fun . Dean Stockwell plays the victim who is a married cad . The woman who plays his wife is best known for her role on Dallas as one of the wives . Anyway , the plot is thin but the murder is quite complicated and not simple to explain here . I think you have to believe in Columbo's genius in figuring it out . I like the idea of ice cream truck which makes it interesting . The death is more unusual than normal but it's fun watching Peter Falk and Robert Culp together in another typical episode .

Don't Take this Film Too Seriously ! Don't recast Bethany !

I give this movie and 7 because it's a little out there and unrealistic about Catholicism and religion in general . I am entertained by this film and have seen it repeatedly . This film is not for the religious at all , so don't take it seriously . I also gave it an 7 because I think Kevin Smith could have done a better job . First , he has an excellent cast of actors like Linda Florentino , Ben Affleck , Matt Damon , Alan Rickman ( he deserves something in England for all his wonderful work like an O . B . E . or Officer of the British Empire ) , Kevin Smith , atheist George Carlin , Janeane Garofalo , Chris Rock , etc . The plot is complicated . Bethany is chosen to save the earth by stopping 2 angels-Damon and Affleck from entering a church in Red Bank , New Jersey ( Kevin Smith's territory ) . I won't get into details about why or where but I am always intrigued to watch this film on Comedy Central repeatedly over the weekend . I loved Alan Rickman's role as the voice of God . While I won't reveal my own personal religious beliefs , I don't think God is that cruel or unforgiving as it is believed in this film . But I loved Affleck and Damon as the Bartleby and Loki . It's worth watching ! I was reading about Kevin Smith not getting along with Linda Fiorentino on the set . Supposedly , she is difficult person but she admits it herself . The role of Bethany is wonderfully performed by Linda Fiorentino . Her best scenes are with Affleck and Rickman . Linda is the kind of person who doesn't take stuff from anybody especially directors and some male costars like Kevin Smith . Maybe Linda is the kind of person who prefers control over her own life especially on the set . Women in this business are never treated fairly . It's still a man's game in Hollywood . A game she won't play by their rules . I'm glad that Linda isn't on the cover of some tabloid with her own problems . Anyway last night I did research on Linda Fiorentino . Despite rumors , the director from Last Seduction would like to work with her again . She was in a film directed by Anthony Edwards and acted with him previously in another film as well . The rumors of her difficult personality might be the fact that she was also turned down for the Sharon Stone role in Basic Instinct because her breasts weren't big enough for them . Same thing happened with Kevin Smith , he cared more about her breasts and put a double in her place . How come there are male doubles out there of Ben Affleck or Matt Damon ? Sorry but I have to side with Linda . She is beautiful , talented , and intelligent . Regarding the Tommy Lee Jones rumor that he wouldn't do Men in Black II if Fiorentino was in it . THe director said that he offered the part to Linda but it was too small and her character was going to be killed off . She didn't want the role and didn't do it . Maybe jones and smith didn't want a woman like Linda Fiorentino to take away their thunder in the sequel as she did in the first movie . Sorry , I just thought I might try to defend Linda since she won't defend herself publicly . She is too cool for that . SHe is happy being a loving aunt , photographer , and living in New York City . I wish her the best . She said that she just doesn't suck up to people like directors like Kevin Smith .

It May Be Set in Paradise ! But It's not Paradise !

Watching Dog is quite interesting . I have to admit that I don't find him attractive in the least . Maybe it's the tattoos and the hair , he does act more like a professional wrestler . His wife and partner , Beth Smith , is his perfect match . His sons also help in bringing runaway bail breakers to justice . If these people were smart , they would realize that breaking bail is a serious offense anyway . I can't believe that this is all happening on the beautiful , idyllic Hawaiian Islands . Obviously , I have never been to Hawaii but long to go . They show a side of Hawaii that's not in the tour books because life in Hawaii does have a price in itself . It has crime , poverty , unemployment , and drugs as well . As a tourist , we would only see what the tour books write about . But at least Dog and his gang are showing us that even in paradise , crime occurs . They could do this anywhere but the fact that they are based in Hawaii shows us that even in paradise , you can't escape the pitfalls of life .

Not so Bad , not so Great but worth watching !

I have to say that I watched some episodes of this show . I grew to like it . I didn't at the beginning . The family seem pretty ordinary and a bit dysfunctional but what family isn't . It is interesting that the parents have an interfaith marriage but religion does not seem utilized unless they have a special episode . The child actors on this show are satisfactory . The writing could be better but it's not so bad . You have to take what you get with situation comedies especially with family centered-comedies because there are little or none out there . Most sitcoms today are centered around the workplace environment . I rather watch the sitcom than the world series but I think that I am in the minority on that one .

One of the duller episodes !

I am sad to say that I disagree with other people on this Columbo episode . Death Lends a Hand is frankly kind of a boring Columbo to me . After a few times , I get bored and changed the channel . I still love Robert Culp and Patricia Crowley and Ray Milland in their roles but the story was weaker in this episode than in the others . First , Robert Culp plays an investigator for Ray Milland's character . He hires him to investigate his young pretty wife played by Patricia Crowley to see if she is having an affair . In return , Culp's character blackmails the cheating wife who plans to expose his scheme to her husband ruining his career . Out of anger , Culp kills her by striking her in the face and setting the up the body elsewhere . I don't know . Maybe I just didn't care for this one at all . Of course , Columbo gets him in the end . It's just the question of how .

Meant Well but still kind of disappointing !

Cate Blanchett is becoming one of Australia's best known actresses worldwide and with good reason . She has the class , style , and appearance of a female movie star from the golden era of Hollywood . She is still a classic beauty but conveys intelligence , wit , and seriousness about her roles as a work of art . In the title role of Charlotte Grey , she plays a British woman who goes looking for the man she loves in the midst of World War II . He was a member of the Royal Air Force and his plane was shot down . Determined to find out his fate regardless of all the dangerous consequences , Charlotte assumes a new name and is taken in by a French family . They filmed the village scenes in Toulouse with locals as extras . Some remember when the Germans invaded France with great pain and anguish even to this day . The film is quietly strong but not for the cinema . It might have gotten better reception on Masterpiece Theater . The scenery , art direction , costumes are all first rate but the writing lacked something in my opinion .

A Stork Pays A Visit to Harper House !

Naomi Oates Harper is not feeling well lately . She has all the symptoms of being pregnant and of course , she and Vint have been practicing but there are not ready to have a baby since they live with Vint's mother and Aunt Fran and his two teenage kids , Buzz and Sonja . In this episode , Naomi thinks she's pregnant and Mama assures her that she is because of a silly test . She asks the right questions and suggests her own baby doctor who is deceased . Naomi insists on getting her own doctor . Once Naomi's news becomes known to the family without the actual test results , questions arise as to whose room will be turned into a nursery . The family starts fighting amongst themselves and it turns ugly . Naomi can't believe she married into a selfish family , that can't be news to her . In the end , it's resolved but it's still memorable .

Odd Placement of Episode !

In this episode , we don't know what has happened to Fran , Ellen , Buzz , or Sonja , you have to see the next episode regarding their situations ? Anyway Bubba Higgins played by Alan Kayser , Ed and Eunice's son , is spending a typical Saturday at Harper house with his Aunt Naomi and Uncle Vint . Mama Harper and her best friend and neighbor Iola Boyland played by Beverly Archer are working on getting a cookbook together for their church . They argue over who has the best chili and then there is chili cook-off between Iola , Mama , and Naomi herself who gets involved . Who has the best chili according to Vint and Bubba ? I am just glad that the show resurfaced again but I don't understand how this episode was placed first instead of second . Regardless , I am a fan and was just as happy to have them back in any form .

You don't have to spend so much money to have a memorable episode !

I haven't been a fan of MacMillan & Wife . I prefer Columbo anyday but the local station airs a weekly episode of Mac and wife , Sally . Of course , movie star Rock Hudson takes the role as San Francisco Police Commissioner who is married to young Sally played by Susan Saint James , a model turned actress . In this episode , they are believable about a serial killer known as the asylum murderer who enjoys watching his victims die . In this episode , the murderer has a masterful plan in which his victims die while their home is being fumigated . The killer has already sent his mother-in-law away as well as the Police Commissioner's trustful assistant who would know something is up . This episode is memorable if not because the actors make it memorable .

From a True South Amboy Girl !

I was born in Amboy , Perth Amboy , right across the river from South Amboy where the girl , Violet Sanford , was supposed to be from . I was there the day that the film came to town to shoot the opening scene . They all ordered pizza from the pizzeria , Delios , right across the street whose owners are truly Sicilian born and bred who have been making pizza since before I was born . I met some of the crew members . The filming only lasted a couple of days but I remember it like yesterday . South Amboy is not so far away from New York City that Violet could have made the trek on her own like the hundreds who do from the South Amboy train station which goes directly to Penn Station . I really became a fan of Piper while watching the film last night on television as well as Maria Bello who plays bar owner , Lil . My family are huge admirers of Melanie Lynskey mostly from her role as Rose on Two and Half Men but she's good here except she plays the accent just a little too thick . Nobody in South Amboy talks like that . You can't help but love John Goodman . Anyway the film's alright with a story of Violet Sanford who wishes to become a songwriter .

If you are really into Terms of Endearment !

I was kind of disappointed . I was expected the same from the sequel with the role of Aurora Greenway played by Academy Award Winner Shirley Maclaine again . Of course , Jack Nicholson won his second Oscar for his role as her lover . In this film , Aurora deals with troubled grandchildren who she helped raise because the father was absentee . One grandson is in prison and her granddaughter is as stubborn as her daughter Emma played by Debra Winger was . Also Miranda Richardson plays a Texan friend that wanted to raise Emma . Also Marion Ross is cast in the role as Rosie Dunlop , Aurora's maid or housekeeper . There were some changes like ROsie lived at the house but Marion Ross earned a Golden Globe nomination and probably would have earned her Academy Award nomination if the film got better reviews . Marion does an excellent job in making us care so much for Rosie .

This Show was a Turkey !

Turkey Television was a spin-off of the hugely popular " You Can't Do That on Television , " another Canadian show from Ottawa , Ontario , Canada . Turkey Television or Turkey TV didn't last as long as it could have been . They would take skits , cartoons , and sketches that featured popular Christine McGlade and other alums of " You Can't Do That on Television " but without the green slime . Turkey Television was fine but it wasn't great as I remembered it . I don't miss it as much as I miss " You Can't Do That on Television " because there was really no cast of regular characters . The sketches and cartoons if I remember came from all over the world . They allowed cartoons and sketches and skits that the audience wouldn't normally see without it on Turkey Television . We could use some Turkey Television today with the increased animation industry and computer generated cartoons that we can watch and enjoy whether we are kids or adults .

Good Movie for Popcorn Eating !

Oscar winner Nicholas Cage is the leading role about a descendant of one of Ben Franklin's closest friends . Cage's character , Gates , is seeking the treasure that his family has been searching for . The movie begins with the wonderful Christopher Plummer ( one of today's finest actors on stage , film or television ) as his grandfather and Oscar winner Jon Voight as his father . Gates believes that there is a conspiracy to steal the original declaration of independence from Washington D . C . by thieves who seek the treasure . He decides to take it before they do . They are hot on his trail and he takes a female love interest and antique document restorer along for the ride with a trusty male sidekick . They uncover one clue which leads to another . I love the location scenery like in Washington D . C . and Philadelphia . It's a great thrill ride to watch but not take literally .

Never Given a Chance to Shine !

Before she was doing movies , Tea Leoni was coming alive in situation comedies . In this comedy , she plays Alicia which is quite artistic and lives in the artistic section of New York City . Corey Parker plays her boyfriend who I remember having a crush at the time . He comes from the suburbs and falls head in heels in love with her . They live together with Alicia's friends always dropping by her loft like Clea Lewis and others . The show was quite entertaining at times and I liked it a lot for Sunday sitcom fare . Unlike Friends , I thought Flying Blind was quite more realistic and entertaining without being condescending to the audience .

A must see movie

I believe Sarafina is a tremendous effort of Whoopi Goldberg . Besides her , there are no other stars in the film and her role is smaller than the title character , Sarafina . Since I work in a high school with urban children , I think this is an important film to show South African history of apartheid . Sarafina is a movie about education and a teacher's relationship with her student , Sarafina . I bought the video for practically nothing at a videostore . I watched it and fast forwarded through the musical numbers . But I strongly recommend this film to educators and their students to understand . Now while I don't know the other actors and actresses in the film , I assume that they are very popular in South Africa and I am glad that they filmed with a South African cast and crew with the exception of Goldberg in a small role but if it gets people to see this movie , than Whoopi reaches worldwide appeal .

Could Have Been a Bigger Hit !

I don't know why ABC wanted the Ropers spun off into their own sitcom . They were crucial to the success of Three's Company . They were succeeded by the amazing Don Knott as Mr . Furley . Anyway , this show wasn't the greatest or the worst television that I ever saw but I did enjoy watching the Ropers try to settle and deal with Jeffrey Tambor's snobbish character and neighbor . Helen and Stanley Roper will always be better known for their roles as the nosy landlords downstairs who were suspicious of Jack Tripper's sexual orientation . How ironic ? Anyway , the Ropers only lasted a season which was just too short . The audience loved the Ropers and they could have returned as tenants on Three's Company after not lasting in their own series . Regardless , Norman Fell and Audra Lindley as the Ropers left quite a legacy in television history that won't be forgotten . Too bad , it didn't last longer in their own show . I don't think ABC gave it a fair chance .

The French Notes of a Scandal !

I have to say that I don't like this film . I love French films because I think they are more in depth , thought-provoking , and spend more time developing relationships between the characters . Unfortunately , Tatie Danielle is cruel and mean . She criticizes everybody but herself . She makes everybody else's life worse than hers by her actions . The way she treats people including the old woman who cared for her in the beginning of the film is exceptionally cruel when it causes her death . She moves in with unsuspecting relatives who have two young sons . One son is obviously homosexual but the parents either ignore it just turned a blind eye to it . Not Tatie Danielle ! You can imagine what she has to say and do . Just look what she does to the family pet dog . Anyway , she finally meets her match in the caretaker assigned to her when the family takes a much-needed Greek vacation for a month . If only Americans could take month-long vacations , how I envy the French . Anyway , they get along until she has to leave her . Then Tatie Danielle gets famous for her poor treatment by getting national sympathy . When she's not in the old folks home after that incident , she is away with her caretaker somewhere . I don't know . I think Tatie's cruelty is just too much for me or anyone .

Another Crime Drama with a Twist !

Okay , there are just way too many crime dramas on television these days . I prefer sitcoms . I think the partnership of Simon Baker and Robin Tunney is interesting . They have a lot of chemistry on screen . Apart from the actual crime solving on the shows , Simon's character is a mentalist or a fake psychic or fraud charlatan before he became an investigator and working on the right side instead of the wrong side . The mentalists are not exactly psychics but people who are very in tuned with details almost obsessively . While there are people out there who are skeptics about psychics and paranormal , there are legitimate psychics who don't exactly make a living from their gift but share with others . The mentalist doesn't believe in psychics exist but I disagree . I think there are some things that are just beyond explanation . I wish well for the Mentalist but it has too much competition already .

What happened to the kittens ?

Iola's beloved cat , Midnight , is sick . Naomi describes him as the meanest cat ever . He is so mean that Midnight attacks the postman . When Iola's cat dies , she gets him freeze-dried or preserved . The family decides to bet on one of the abandoned trunks at an auction sale . When Midnight is on the porch freeze-dried , Vint thinks he's killed him again so he buried him in the yard . Mama Harper knows that Midnight is already dead and makes the family get him out of the grave for Iola's sake . In the end , cats are all the rage but since the Harpers have adopted them . We never see them again and then there is the unopened trunk with so many possibilities about having a fortune .

A Solid Funny Show !

To tell you the truth , I was never a fan of " I Dream of Jeannie " but I did see the reruns as a child when they showed reruns on local stations . I love Barbara Eden as Jeannie and Larry Hagman as her master . Although now several years later , I felt the show degrades Jeannie in the power of a man . I don't think it was ever meant to be sexist since it was over forty years ago . Still , the marvelous Sidney Sheldon did a fantastic job in writing the series which only lasted five years maybe it was because of the women's liberation movement . Regardless , I did enjoy the on screen chemistry between Hagman and Eden . Nobody could ever fill Eden's shoes as Jeannie . While there is production for an updated movie version , nobody could fill Jeannie's shoes like Barbara Eden .

Where ever he goes , murder follows should be his motto !

Columbo is on vacation in Mexico and he is a stranger to this country . Guest stars Ricardo Montalban stars as a celebrity matador who kills the man who knows his deepest secret . A . Martinez from L . A . Law , Santa Barbara , and General Hospital has a memorable role as the son of the victim . Anyway , it's typical Columbo with a usual formula . He gets entangled with his own problems . They mention a previous crime solved in another episode entitled " Troubled Waters . " Well anyway , this Columbo episode doesn't rank up there as one of my personal favorites but it is worth watching great actors like Falk and Montalban have exchanges and A . Martinez perform in a supporting role . Even today , Mexicans are rarely seen on mainstream television shows and it gave a very different exposure rather than everybody in the country crossing the border . Nobody seemed in this episode to be racing to get over the Border . Keep that in mind and nobody was smuggled in Columbo's car .

Double Exposed !

Columbo has to match wits with Robert Culp again in this episode . I don't know offhand how many episodes that featured Robert Culp but I remember this one . He is a scientist who specializes in mental manipulation . I couldn't think of another way to explain it . Anyway , Columbo has met his match in this episode . Robert Culp's character kills somebody who wants to destroy his professional reputation as a top scientist who helps improves sales in grocery stores and other ways . Anyway , you have to watch how Columbo catches him . Like a typical episode , he becomes interested in his line of work but does not forget the victim or the crime . It's worth noting that it's pretty sophisticated in 1973 and I would watch it again if I have too but it's not my favorite episode of his or with Robert Culp .

An interesting twist in crime !

A Stitch in Crime is a typical Columbo episode with it's usual twists . We know who did it from the every beginning . Leonard Nimoy is superb as the unlikable surgeon who is very vain and conceited in my opinion but I love Leonard Nimoy as an actor anyway . The story is better written than most . They don't spend that much time in the hospital which is nice . Of course , Columbo buts heads with Nimoy's surgeon character quite often enough to irritate him but you can't help but love Columbo . When he catches his man or woman in some cases , it's always the least likely way . He has a good supporting cast but forgettable since I can't remember any of their names .

Could have been better !

Columbo's Most Dangerous Match is about chess . An unlikely subject or motive for murder in my opinion . The star is Manchurian Candidate's Lawrence Harvey who plays a deaf chess champion . He is terrified of losing and will do anything to maintain his status as world chess champion . His competitor is a Russian chess champion who unlike Lawrence Harvey's character is well-regarded and loved instead . He lures him into an unusual trap to prevent him from defeating . Columbo always knows how to work a prime suspect and does it by being fascinated in their work particularly chess . One of Columbo's trademarks is that he gets interested in the character's passion and in this one , it's chess . He finds it a hell of game with a lot to lose on each side . You have to know that it's kind of hard watching Columbo catch this one . You almost feel sorry for him and in that , Lawrence Harvey gives a memorable performance since his role in the Manchurian Candidate .

Updated Version of a Classic Thriller !

The cast is largely unknown at least to me but they do a superb and unforgettable job bringing this story to life about a kidnapping that goes horribly wrong from the first instant . The three kidnappers , two men and a woman who are somewhat a love triangle , kidnap an eight year old boy named David SAnborn but not just any eight year old boy . David acts bizarre , drawing disturbing images , whispering evil into their ears , and creating a sense of fear among his own kidnappers . The tragedy is what happens to the kidnappers who don't deserve their fate . David is like Damien from the Omen but we're not really sure if he is the angel or demon or son of the Devil but he does act like one . The film is a good thriller but leaves some flaws in it . I kind of liked the film overall .

Great Cast ! Great Ride !

I happened to catch this film today on a cable channel . It was worth watching again . Unlike other disaster films , this film was an original set on a train with a plague ridden passenger . Aboard this Paris bound train , it's changed to a place in Poland which was a concentration camp to quarantine the passengers . What the passengers don't know is that they have to cross " The Cassandra Crossing " which is poorly constructed bridge in Poland that can't handle the train's weight . Even the former residents have left living there because of the bridge's danger . I thought this film has a lot of thrilling sequences even with the seventies music and score by Jerry Goldsmith . The cast is first rate with the late Richard Harris ( who should have been knighted ) , Sophia Loren , Martin Sheen , Ava Gardner , Lee Strasberg , even O . J . Simpson is cast in an unusual role . I haven't watched anything with Simpson since 1994 . I thought Lee Strasberg was brilliant as was Burt Lancaster and Ingrid Thulin as well .

An Enjoyable Grisham Flick !

Matt Damon plays a young , inexperienced lawyer in the South . It's a typical Grisham story of a young male lawyer who seeks to win his case . His case involves a young man who dies awaiting a bone marrow transplant . He is fighting the insurance company , Great Benefits . It must be fictitious but this book and story was out long before Michael Moore's Sicko and it's still relevant in today's world . Mary Kay Place plays the bereaved mother . Roy Scheider plays the Great Benefits CEO . Virginia Madsen plays the single mother who was also a claims adjuster who helped explain the insides of the company . While people lay dying , claims go unanswered and unpaid . It's your typical Grisham and relevant more as time goes on .

It's called sexual harassment , Naomi !

Mama's Family did take on some serious issues like homelessness , pornography , ageism , sexism , and sexual harassment in this episode . Naomi gets a new boss at Food Circus , the local supermarket , where she has worked her bones from bagger to checker to the express lane . Finally , she could get a management position if her sleazy boss played well by Jeff Silverman puts the moves on her . After the incident in his office , she is terrified to go back to work and feels ashamed . When she finally confides in Thelma and Iola of all people about how her new boss has told her to put up or get out like a previous female employee . Mama has plans of her own . Thelma and Iola watched a Donahue episode where they discussed the matter of sexual harassment . The episode is quite tame by today's standards .

An Unforgettable Crime in a Forgettable Movie !

Okay , the film was not that great but the story of the preppy murderer , Robert Chambers , played by William Baldwin in a chilling performance . Lara Flynn Boyle plays Jennifer Levin , the victim of the crime . Chambers was the son of a New York City nanny / housekeeper of prominent East Side families who wanted her son to have the same advantages as John F . Kennedy Jr . and Jennifer Levin was a true New Yorker from a family who was well-to-do . He was from the wrong side of the tracks while she was from the right side of the tracks . Her life would end tragically one night in Central Park . Joanna Kerns took a break from her role as Maggie Malone Seaver on Growing Pains to play Linda Fairstein , the prosecutor , and I believe she did a service to the role . The case itself was on the cover People magazine and the New York City tabloids . Of course , Robert Chambers was a good looking man and too nice to be a killer but I think that was why the case brought so much attention . If you have attractive people like Chambers and Levin , you want to know why . If they were unattractive , I think that we would not care for it .

Groovy and Out of Sight !

Okay , I'm glad that they made a sequel to the original film . In this film , Carol's first husband , Roy Martin , supposedly returns to reunite with his beautiful wife and three blonde daughters . Unfortunately , he's not who or what he appears to be . He seems trapped in Brady's world where cable television is far too out there for them and where dysfunctional seems to be the norm . Greg and Marcia get new digs in the attic with creepy sexual tension between them while Jan fakes a new boyfriend . I love the coffee house scene where Greg and Marcia are double dating and where Jan and her fake boyfriend show up . Well , the fake first husband is only after Carol to get a horse that could pay him 20 million dollars to Hawaii to the anxious buyer . Yes , the plane ride to Hawaii is one to remember . There's singing and dancing and those Bradys are at it again . It's just a fun film to watch over and over . Nothing serious !

Too bad , Mr . Wizard is gone !

The real Mr . Wizard is gone now but during his years on Canadian Broadcasting Company , he was really the science guy of my generation . Episodes of the show were aired frequently and on Nickelodeon in it's hey day or when I was growing up . Nickelodon looked to the North for children's programming . Since they stopped showing Canadian shows , the network has never been the same . Mr . Wizard played by Don Herbert made science fun without being intimidating or without being a snob . Mr . Wizard was one of those shows that allowed science to be fun but it was not as entertaining as Bill Nye . It didn't have to be because we still watched the show anyway . I believed the show was film in Calgary or somewhere in Canada . I still desire to visit there since the 1988 Winter Olympics . Today's Mr . Wizard is Bill Nye but still I do miss Don Herbert's Mr . Wizard and the kids who made science fun for thirty minutes .

You can't buy what you wish for !

You can survive Surviving Christmas . I thought the television version was a bit edited way down . I like Ben Afleck . He plays Drew Johnson , a family-less adult , who is willing to pay complete strangers . The Valcos starring James Gandolfini and Catherine O'Hara as the parents and Christina Applegate as Lisa Valco , the daughter . Drew is lonely around the holidays because he doesn't have a family of his own so he rents out a family in the Chicago suburbs for a quarter million dollars . Bill Macy who I best remember for playing Maude's husband Arthur is hired to play Duda , the grandfather . When the whole situation comes crashing down , the truth can be painful . The Valcos household is crumbling apart from the Drew situation . Drew's rich girlfriend and her parents make a surprising visit . You can't buy what you wish for ! The acting and writing is mediocre but the first rate cast pulls it through to the final scene .

It had Agnes Nixon all over it !

When Loving first premiered , it was big on television . After all , this was the child of two great and creative geniuses , Agnes Nixon and Douglas Marland . It had great potential and lasted for as long as it could . It never recovered from Ryan's Hope as a lead in show . I remember the cast . The actors and actresses were pretty and the set always looked like you could put it on All My Children . But sadly , the show never maintained or garnered a large audience like All My Children . There is no question that there were great actors on the show like Wesley Addy , Celeste Holm , Christine Tudor , Larkin Malloy , Lisa Peluso , Nada Rowand , and more that I have forgotten . I haven't seen the show in years but it never got much recognition like it's sister shows , All My CHildren and One Life to Live . Maybe if Douglas Marland had stayed on as head writer , the show would have become more like AS the World TUrns . But the truth is that it was worth watching when soaps ruled daytime . Now , there is only 1 30 minute show on the air .

Not so much a Miracle as a Sequel !

I barely remember Blythe Danner playing the Annie Sullivan role . It's Mare Winningham's performance as the legendary blind-deaf Helen Keller that I remember most because of how she approached the role . Winningham's performance as Keller is unforgettable and only a slight indication of her talent as an actress . I'll never forget Helen typing away on a braille typewriter . After Keller discovers how to sign into the hands of her lifelong teacher , Annie Sullivan , she continues to write and communicate with the world through her writings . Keller is one of those legendary American figures that must be handled with care and Winningham approaches her with that gentle understanding .

It does have a happy ending !

Okay , Baby Mama won't be a front-runner for next year's Oscars . It is not why I wanted to see it . I love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler from Saturday Night Live . Fey plays 37 year old successful single childless woman who realizes her time clock is running out . She tries infertility treatments and adoption before she turns to a surrogate agency run by Oscar nominee Sigourney Weaver who is popping babies naturally without a surrogate for her . Fey's character Kate Holbrook hires poor white trash Angie O . to be her surrogate . Poehler plays her to the hilt with both laughs and even sympathy . You really feel for Angie at some moments in the film despite that she is not really a sympathetic character but a smart con artist . Angie's common-law husband Carl dumps her and Angie moves in with Kate where the real fun starts . The film has a first rate cast featuring the great James Rebhorn as a judge , the dynamic Holland Taylor as Kate's mother , Greg Kinnear as the possible love interest , Steve Martin as the bizarre boss , Maura Tierney as Kate's married sister and mother , Saturday Night Live Alums like Siobhan Fallon Hogan as the birthing coach ; Fred Armisen as the seller of baby strollers ; Will Forte as Scott , Kate's one-time boyfriend .

A Polish Story !

My Polish is not very good . I picked up this tape at a thrift store . There were no subtitles so it was difficult for me . The story is set in two parts . In 1874 , Krakow which wasn't Poland at the time , the series centered around upper class single women trying to get married and live happily ever after . The beginning is quite slow and reminds me a lot of British period piece dramas where there is a lot of talking than action . When there is action at a silly dance where eligible men arrive , the actions between the men and women are bit peculiar . In taking to an account that this series was filmed in Communist era Poland before martial law , you have to take that this film was done with the idea to entertain and provide a soap opera style . In the second part of the story takes place twelve years later in 1886 Krakow and the mountainous region where the more interesting and clearly established plot line is explained . One of the women at the party who gets married and bears a son . She suffers from an illness and is recommended to spend time in the mountains by her doctor . There she meets another doctor , who she is attracted too .

A Crack at Taking God's Job !

Bruce Nolan was an aspiring journalist who wanted nothing more than the local anchorman job in Buffalo , New York instead of doing funny bits of news like the introduction where he is at Polish bakery celebrating the city's largest chocolate chip cookie . It starts off smart but it wears thin overall . Bruce is played by the unforgettable Jim Carrey who is brilliant at physical comedy much like John Ritter , Don Knotts , and Jerry Lewis in this film . Morgan Freeman plays God who transfers his powers to him to see what it would be like to be God . So Bruce is now God and he must hear prayers and confessions of everybody . God's job is not easy if you are believer . He has a lot of work but I take this comedy as is rather than serious drama . Jennifer Aniston plays his girlfriend ( how did Brad Pitt trade her for Angelina is beyond me ? ) . She is equally superb in the straight woman role . There are supporting players like Steve Carrell , Nora Dunn , and Sally Kirkland to name only a few .

One of the best Christmas movies in recent years !

I just love this movie . It is funny and heartwarming . It has a happy ending . Laurie Metcalf is unforgettable along with a stellar cast . It may not be the best movie but it is fun to watch and enjoy . Tim Conway is unbelievable as a burned out postman . Laurie Metcalf as a burned out lawyer . Greg Kinnear who joins this zany group of people who are ordinary and do something to make themselves extraordinary people . It gives you a warm feeling by the end of the movie . Please rent or buy this movie . It's fun for the whole family . I love watching Rue McClanahan and Jack Klugman . The story might be flawed but it's always worth watching especially around the holidays when you need a little cheering up to do . Greg Kinnear is a good actor who is working at being a good film actor .

Al Leads Steve Astray !

Al invites Steve to a poker game with him and his male buddies . Garrett Morris plays one of them and the same guys usually appear later on in other episodes . In this episode , Steve thinks he's got the game down so he joins when one of the guys has to leave to take his wife to the ballet . Then the armpit noises come and some crude jokes , anyway Steve plays the game and loses his mortgage payment in the process to Al who wants to buy an expensive fishing pole . When Steve has to explain to Marcy , he has to do it all night along . When he finally tells her , it's up to Al to help his friend out in a tight situation . What would Al do if had kept or returned the money ? It's the principal of gambling . If you can't afford to lose it , you shouldn't gamble in the first place .

A Decent Thriller !

My favorite scene is Angie Dickinson's character in the film being murdered . It was strange maybe that is why I liked it not to sound morbid or bizarre but it was one of the most interesting and unforgettable scenes . They have stellar cast including Sir Michael Caine , Keith Gordon , Nancy Allen who was married to director Brian De Palma , Dennis Franz , and of course , Angie Dickinson . The writing could have been better but the acting was stellar . There are enough twists and turns to make you watch this film until it's conclusion . By the end , you want more too . I loved Keith Gordon and had a crush on him since I saw him in Christine . Anyway , the film is overall good not excellent but worth watching during the Halloween season . In fact , if you watch it with those election commercials , you wonder what is more frightening ? the commercials or the film . If you say the commercials , well you are probably right because nothing is more frightening than political commercials during a horror festival of films .

Nothing's been proved

Scandal is not the best film of the eighties . It is rather a risqué raunchy and daring way to tell a sex scandal story in the sixties British politics . John Hurt is terrific as always and surprisingly Bridget Fonda does a great job as a British scandalous singer / actress . The best part of the film is during the credits at the end of the film with Dusty Springfield singing " nothing has been proved . " It is also great to see Jean Alexander on the screen again . I never heard about the Profumo Affair until I got this tape . I was surprised to see Bridget Fonda in another London based film . Maybe she was trying to get away from being a Fonda back home , she does do her job . With Dusty Springield singing with the Pet Shop Boys , this movie is must for Dusty fans . I think Jean Alexander deserves an honor by now . After all , last year she was voted greatest British soap actress of all time . Almost 20 years after she departed Coronation Street , isn't time for her to get honor .

At war with Canada , sounds like a bad joke !

Can you just imagine the U . S . at war with the nicest country in the world ? Yes , I can . It would be outrageously fun and it is fun watching this comedy with a great cast . There are light moments and Rhea Perlman shines as Hostage Honey . There are plenty of hilarious scenes when Honey builds a version of CN tower like Richard Dreyfuss in Close Encounters of the Third Kind . When this small group of people do invade Canada to pollute it ? They are stopped by Dan Ackroyd as a Royal Mountie who encourage more graffiti in French on their truck . Of course , only somebody like Michael Moore could make this movie . He could have made it brilliant but he did it well . I especially love Rhea Perlman as Honey who must tolerate the over politeness of Canadians . And that anti-Canadian mood , it was hysterical to watch . After all , America and Canada are such great allies .

A True Tear-Jerker !

While I love Mare Winningham and Jennifer Jason Leigh , I felt terrible for the lead character of Sadie Flood who longs for the same success as her older married , conventional sister Georgia . The film earned nominations for Winningham who plays the role with understanding and grace like most of her performances . I just find it so sad for Sadie who is genuinely a tragic figure of a character who loves and is at loss about her relationship with Axel , a quiet pizza guy , who falls in love with her . I remember them hitch-hiking rather than ride in a car with Georgia and her husband . It is a sad , thoughtful movie about sibling rivalry and relationships .

You wonder why were in a recession !

I have to say that watching the Housewives of Atlanta can be both entertaining at times and quite sad too . For five very different housewives and I use that term loosely , the series opens up with newly divorced Sheree Whitfield . She is planning a lavish birthday party with bouncers , 100 invited guests , a cake shaped as a fancy purse , and a guest list that omits one of the wives , Nene , who is easily offended by this minor oversight . Instead of getting out of the wine cellar to correct the mistake , Sheree continues to party while Nene and Kim , another housewife , return home . I can see why Sheree is divorced to a former professional athlete from his point of view . Sheree is quite vain , conceited , and self-obsessed but so are the other wives . Kim is the blonde aspiring country singer who is only 29 years old divorced mother of two daughters . She is dating somebody known as Big Papa because he wants his privacy but I want to know if he has all this money then why does he waste it on her . Kim is equally spoiled by him . She only gets the top of the line bags . For her daughter Brielle's 11th birthday party , she hires a party planner for $5 , 000 who was an hour late . Brielle gets her own Luis Vitton handbag which costs about $1 , 610 from her mother . They go to a children's store for a fashion show . They go to a pastry place for a $2 , 000 cake which doesn't take so good and end up at a nearby hotel . There is Nene who is married to Greg and has two sons . At first , I didn't like her but she grew on me . I think because she's nothing like Sheree . Nene doesn't seem to need to spend so much money but I could be wrong . She embarrasses her older son , Brice , at a trip to Clark Atlanta University . Nene learns some difficult revelations about her own parentage . I think she becomes the most human of all the housewives . DeShawn is somewhat delusional . She has this huge estate and is married mother to another professional athlete . She formed a foundation to help self-esteem in young girls but DeShawn has illusions about her life . OUtside Atlanta , I don't know anything about sports . When she tries to hire an estate manager or personal assistant , the interviews are quite uncomfortable to watch . The real-estate broker is a young married mother of a 9 month infant . She won't do anything unless it makes money . She shows a spectacular home to music producer which it even includes a garage for your golf cart . The show is better than the New York series because of the Nene and Sheree friction . After seeing the series , you also get a feel for the high society of Atlanta .

It's Vera Prescott who steals the show !

Okay , Michael J . Fox stars as a Midwestern college graduate who moves to New York City to conquer the business world . He is completely unprepared as Brantley Foster . He is so desperate that he contacts a distant cousin , Richard Prescott , for help breaking in to the business world of New York City . Along the way , he meets his aunt Vera Prescott , played by the delicious Margaret Whitton who really steals the show in this role . He also falls in love with Christy Wills who works there and is played admirably by Helen Slater . John Pankow plays the guy in the mail room who helps Brantley . The cast is first rate but the writing is somewhat mediocre material . It's a good entertainment with a first rate cast and the scenes in the country are quite beautiful .

Back from the Hamptons !

While the gang of New York housewives split their time between New York City and the Hamptons , we get to know more of the gang . My favorite moment was when I saw Alex and Simon in one of those inflatable swimming pools that you can get anywhere in their backyard lounging around . They are not Hamptonites and don't want to be . Too much partying and little relaxing in the Hamptons with the New York City crowd . Well , Bethenny is finally becoming a strong independent woman who is looking for a man . I think the countess should get off her high horse and stop the nonsense of being aristocracy . We don't care in America and they don't care that much in Europe unless you're the Queen or King . Now , Luann is writing a book on etiquette which is supposedly something she knows about but I don't think so . I think she can be rude , mean , obnoxious , and cruel to those of us who aren't on her privileged level . I'll give her respect when the countess deserves it . But last season , I didn't care for Alex and Simon and I'm beginning to now . Maybe they are bit snobs but isn't Luann the biggest of all . Jill calls them weird when she's got gay husband Brad ala Will and Grace in her life . Bethenny has become more real as time goes on in this series . Maybe the break-up with Jason has really matured her , she doesn't need him or anybody else . I don't think he really wanted to marry and have kids all over again . I didn't care for the new housewife and I certainly don't care for Ramona who's becoming more impossible over time . She insulted Luann at a charity even when she was giving dating advice to Bethenny . Luann nearly flipped and almost lost her cool . I won't get any further but I thought it was nice to see that even the countess can get mad .

A Fine Show !

When I first watched this show , I was little disappointed but after watching it again . I could see this is a fine show about two real life actors like Dame Judi Dench and Michael Williams ( who did receive a papal knighthood ) playing two odd characters like a linguist and a landscaper . Judi plays Laura , the intellectual linguist , and Michael plays Mike , the quiet shy landscaper . At first , this is an unlikely pairing but you know if you know anything about the great Dame Judi Dench ( even though she prefer you call her just Judi , no Dame Judi or Ms . Dench ) . This is their romance . While Dame Judi receives a lot of attention , Michael is the wind beneath her wings . I paid a lot more attention to his role in this show . I can see why she fell in love with him . When Judi asked about her longtime marriage to Michael , she responded that " they just enjoyed being in the same room together . " Now that is a sign of a fine romance and an excellent relationship . Michael never did receive the fame or accolades as his wife but I know he was proud of her even now as she earns one of Britain's top honor , Companion of Honor , only 65 living people at a time can receive this honor . When Dame Judi earned her O . B . E . ( Officer of the British Empire ) in 1970 , Michael was not there in her life . When she became Dame Judi , Mike and her daughter , Finty was there at the palace . Now , she has her grandson , Sam , and Finty for this special occasion . I will say the writing of this show could be better . The humor is much dryer than normal , it is very cerebral and intellectual . Susan Penhaligon and Richard Warwick are just fine as Laura's sister Helen and brother-in-law Phil . It really is the story of Mike and Judi's great relationship . I bet you that Judi loved doing this show with Mike . It gave them a chance for both of them to shine .

Somewhat decent but not as good as the book !

Ann Rules ' books including the Stranger Beside Me offers a detailed complex and complicated version of the events around Ted Bundy . Who would have thought that even a seasoned policewoman turned writer would be sitting next to a serial killer on Tuesdays nights for a Suicide hotline . There is no wonder that Ted Bundy got away with so much . He was brilliant and conscious . He graduated college and was attending law school . But there was a dark side behind the image of a charming , intelligent political promising young man and that is what Ann Rule tries to bring forth to the public in her book and in her movie . Sadly , the movie does touch on some bit of his past including the possible connection with a young girl's disappearance and the horrifying crimes against the women in the film . Not all of the victims were shown but the film can scare anybody from hitchhiking away for sure . Ann Rule was a lot stronger than the portrayal . She has three other children which are not at all mentioned . Barbara Hershey did a favorable job in playing Ann Rule . The actor , Billy Baldwin , played Ted Bundy was absolutely chilling and tragic all at once . You just cringed with sadness when you heard the judge's remarks about him and if he had only chosen another way to live .

Sweet Sentimental and a Lesson to Be Learned for the Living !

In this film , you have four very different characters including a single African American mother , Penny Washington , played by the fabulous Alfre Woodard , a country girl , Julia , who comes to the city to find herself and has to choose a life between being with her beloved boyfriend and his 75 acres in the country played by Kyra Sedgwick , Harrison , a classically trained singer who fails to sing at auditions because of his fear of failure played nicely by Charles Grodin , and criminal Milo Peck who wants to correct one of his stolen properties to it's rightful owner . They all board a bus driven by David Paymer and the bus crashes killing all of them while at the same time there is a baby boy , Thomas Riley , born into the world . The boy spends his early years talking and playing with the walls but he really is playing with the spirits who talk and interact with him . They don't know why they are with them . After thirty years , they have to go to their next assignment but they have make amends . First , they have to convince Thomas Riley played by Robert Downey Jr . as an adult that he's not going crazy or seeing things but they are actually real .

Another Holocaust Movie !

Another Holocaust Movie starring Law & Order Sam Waterston ( yes , he can do more ) and Mia Farrow as a Danish couple who help and assist Danish Jews to flee the country to Sweden . Of course , everybody knows the history of the holocaust and those few who assisted . In this story , the Christian Kosters help aid the Danish Jews . It's another story about good Christians who helped the Jews in Europe during a dark time in it's history . I don't think the German Nazis and Gestapo in this film is accurately portrayed . Believe me , they were much more vicious . Denmark was one of the few countries that helped their Jews because they didn't have the same anti-Semitism that other countries including Germany , Austria , POland , Czech , and Russia had at the time according to this film . Denmark should be applauded for it's behavior but the majority of the population were not Jewish or Catholic but Christians . I'm not knocking the story but this film was shown to middle school American children . While it's just another Holocaust movie , it's not as good as Schindler's List or others . It was shown because it was not rated but the children could see it because it lacked the viciousness of usual Holocaust films .

A Good Thriller !

The film really should have earned Tilda Swinton , an Oscar nomination for Best Actress , as Margaret Hall , mother of three whose military husband is away at sea . Her gay musician adolescent son gets mixed up with this guy , Darby . He ends up dead and his body is dumped in the deep end of Lake Tahoe . I have to say the scenery is authentic and beautiful . Anyway , Darby's accidental death brings a series of unfortunate events plaguing Margaret's conscious . She is blackmailed by Gorjan's character who is working for a crooked , corrupt extortionist . Gorjan's role turns out to be quite decent after he saves Margaret's father-in-law's life while she is on her way to see him at the post office . He is blackmailing her for fifty thousand . So nice of a guy , he doesn't take his share for the sex tape between Darby and Margaret's son . The film is not so bad . I don't care for the gay son who I think doesn't take his responsibility for his crimes or actions that put his mother in such turmoil . It should be him and not her .

The Room with a View !

The Rhoades decide either to spend their tax refund on a trip to Paris where Al reminds them that the French hate Americans . The Rhoades had considered a new room extension to the house but they would need the Bundys permission for the extension . Peggy persuades Marcy to build an exercise room instead of bumming off her friend for a pass at the local gym . Al persuades Steve to build a billiard room instead . It's war of the couples as Steve and Marcy battle it out with Al and Peggy also battling it out as well . It's in this episode how the show is going to work with Al and Peggy trying to be more dominant in their persuasion . As for Kelly and Bud , I don't remember them much in the early episodes .

Mama's Inheritance !

Mama Harper may get another chance at being rich from a dead relative . This time , it's her Uncle who played pirate and ran a boating business on the Ray River . He was quite in his prime in his nineties who was active right until his death . When the family returns from the funeral , Mama Harper is scheduled to go to the will reading on the following day . Her uncle was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Ray River but interuppted by a jet-ski-ing woman who at least wore black as she road down the Ray River . Mama gets Petey , her Uncle's beloved bird . He annoys her and the other Harpers as well with his constant babble . When he starts talking about lucky bars of gold , Mama and the gang begin wrecking the house to find their treasure which she felt her uncle could have at least owed her . You can only imagine how this ends up .

Vicki is both Mama and Grandma in this episode !

Mama finds her beloved mother's jewelry piece which could be worth a lot of money but she is suddenly haunted by her mother's presence in her life . Her mother criticizes her like the way Mama Harper criticizes Eunice . Mama Crowley was never very nice and death hasn't changed her one bit . Mama sees her dead mother's ghost in the kitchen and living room with sound advice . She warns her not to sell the jewelry or that she would never talk to Thelma again . When Thelma speaks up to her mother , she informs her that she has worn pants , earned her driver's license , and her high school diploma . When Vint and Naomi learn the jewelry is not as valuable as previously thought but worth enough to send Bubba on a trip to Oswald Caverns , Mama has to choose between her dead mother's ghost and her living family . Vicki Lawrence does a very good job playing both Thelma and her mother in this episode .

Not as Good as the First !

First , I thought the lesbian twist towards the end was a bit much and I didn't see it coming because it wasn't so important . Anyway , why is Bridget Jones who is every woman in my opinion torn between two men played by Hugh Grant and Colin Firth . Both men are well-known and respected talented British actors with stage , television , and film experience . Why are they drawn to Bridget as is the lesbian surprise in the end which goes off so badly in my opinion ? Bridget is chunky , unpredictable , and often annoying in this film . She is still the every woman in my opinion because not all women can look and act great . Bridget again is alone looking for love but the choice is always obvious . I loved the Thailand scenes since I was there in October . It's a great location but the storyline and plotting was sort of inferior to the original film . I love Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones return as Bridget's parents . I'm waiting for Colin , Hugh and Gemma to make the British honors list . Jim has already declined the honor .

A Great Promise with great cast and crew !

Most Britons prefer to spend their summer vacations in Spain , Florida , or elsewhere . In this series , a mixed group of families spend time at an unusual resort in Alicante , Spain . I only caught one episode on a flight so I don't have the luxury of seeing the other episodes . It appears to be the second season opener with the same family arriving to the Spain resort , a couple who allows her husband to carry all the luggage and makes a gruesome discovery about her parents . I love Janine Duvitsky and remember her fondly from Waiting for God as plain Jane Edwards . Here , she is the complete opposite . Sheila Reid plays the grandmother with a new boyfriend who prefers to wear short and tight bathing suit . Anyway , the families arrive and remember what happened last year . While the premise needs work , the cast appear to be having a ball away in sunny Spain .

Bronco Beverlee ! ! !

The only reason that I got this film was to see Beverlee McKinsey as the rich New York society lady and stepmother to Sondra Locke's character . She is a wealthy heiress who runs away to join the circus . Clint Eastwood can do wrong and is probably America's best loved director . In this small comedic film , he has a stellar cast including himself as Bronco Billy , Sondra Locke as the heiress and his real-life girlfriend at the time , Beverlee McKinsey , Scatman Crothers , and others . They filmed all over the place including New York City . The story of a wealthy heiress who rejects her New York City lifestyle including her wealth to see what life is like outside only to find love is not something that you can buy or purchase at a store .

fascinatingly bizarre

I watched this movie about five years ago in Women and Film class at Rutgers . Disappointed with the class itself and the lecturer . I was not disappointed by the wide array of films including the Riddles by Laura Mulvey . THe film is bizarre to describe . But I still am drawn to it somehow . I wish it was on video . I even felt the smell from the screen like purple at me . I never smelled a film before . I still would like to see it again for a better perspective . Whether you are interested in the bizarre and unusual aspect of film-making , this film might be for you . It doesn't really have much of a storyline . A woman wants to seek independence from her marriage but is still a mother . I never understood it and still don't but I would love to see it again if I had the opportunity . Laura Mulvey is an acquired taste that we grow accustomed too .

Shelley Long is Underrated !

Some actresses are truly under-rated and under-appreciated and Shelley Long is one of them . She is truly a gifted comedic actress who can make you cry at one moment and make you laugh in the next . She didn't leave Cheers because she wanted a film career . She wanted to have a normal family life . Rather she was subjected to be treated like a leper on the set of Cheers . Anyway , I always hoped the best for Shelley . I still think she is one of the best talents out there today but in Hollywood , youth sells and women over 50 or 60 might as well be a hundred years old . Anyway the casting in this film is first rate with Shelley Long and Craig T . Nelson are the divorcing parents . Stephanie Beacham is always a pleasure to watch as one of her friends . Betty Thomas is delicious as the evil foe who tries to outsmart Beverly Hills Troop . Mary Gross is sweet as the unlikely ally in both parties . Audra Lindley is always a treat as well .

It's well worth my five dollars !

I bought the video for less than five bucks at a liquidators store . I wanted the video for one of my favorite actors , Rolf Saxon . HE has a minor part and only two scenes . But in between them , the film is filled with solid performances by Kathy Bates , Natasha Richardson , Ciaran Hinds , Colin Firth , and Harry Dean Stanton . It can also be recommended for educational purposes to discuss the years when Iran and the U . S . were enemies . Besides the red tape , we learn the horror and the reasons for it . It can be a very deep movie . You almost feel sympathy for their captors too . We know that they were not all evil entirely . THey had their reasons too . While the treatment was cruel and harsh , the hostage crisis was forced to pay the world's attention to the other Israeli-held hostages !