chrissyj84 Reviews

Popstar (2005)

Why all the haters?

[9/10 · 25 October 2009]

I don't understand why everyone hates this movie, aside from the fact that they're just jealous their music careers never took off like mega Popstar Aaron Carter. Like it or not Aaron has seen more success in his young life than most people could ever dream of having, so it only seemed natural for him to do a movie. Lou Pearlman and company have been known for over-exploiting their pop protégées, you remember Justin Timberlake's foray into TV movie Model Behavior? Granted this movie isn't big scale and impressive, but it's not supposed to be. It's not trying to impress people or be an Emmy award winner, it was released straight to DVD. It's just a cute little movie about an awkward teen who gets her dream of being with her favorite Popstar; I know a lot of you out there have had that dream at some point or another about you favorite singer, don't deny it. It's sweet and gentle and I applaud it for not stepping into the realm of sex, violence, and vulgar language that seem to be creeping into more and more of our movies today. Where's the decency? Where's the line? Teen dramas come in dozens these days because teens are a big market for companies, at least this one is more tolerable to me than Bratz (aka Slutz) with all the fake little girls running around going "Oh Mah Gawd!" in tank tops and mini skirts and is fathoms better than those gore fest movies like Saw. I feel for the main character girl because I was nerdy outcast girl in High School who loved Aaron Carter and NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys and other pop music and still do; and like Aaron's character would get crushing "testophobia", especially in Math. If you judge this movie solely based on the fact that you don't like or are jealous of Aaron Carter and his fame, then of course you're going to hate it and trash talk it in reviews. The only reason Britney Spears' dribble Crossroads got a higher score is because she has boobs. Accept this movie for what it is, not what you want it to be. I think this happy formulaic teen movie ends on a high note and makes you want to sing.

Drake & Josh: Really Big Shrimp (2007) Season 4, Episode 17

Makes Me Happy

[10/10 · 5 August 2007]

After a long hiatus of new half-hour episodes from the hit show, the bumbling (but always entertaining...and very cute) brothers return to the TV screen to excite their long time fans with an hour long made for TV movie, cleverly titled Drake and Josh: Really Big Shrimp. The shrimp (which is indeed very large) is a factor, but there's so much more going on. Of course, the rest of the lovable cast is back as well...my personal favorites are Craig and Eric, Helen, Crazy Steve, and Walter. Josh, as Drake's manager is trying to get him a record deal with Spin City records...but an executive from the company woos Josh into signing an exclusivity contract for Drake's song "Makes Me Happy" by tempting him with Really Big Shrimp. Helen (Josh's boss at the Premiere Movie Theatre) is getting married, but of course chaos ensues and now Josh also has to compete with ex-girlfriend Mindy who now has the much coveted assistant manager position at the theater. The "movie" is not long enough for my tastes,(although the weekend long marathon of favorite episodes was very satisfying) but incorporates all of the best Drake and Josh antics that I've come to love over the years. There's a rumor that this may be the last venture into the step sibling series, and that makes me sad, but getting to hear Drake perform one of my favorite songs from his album It's Only Time and reminiscing about all the laughs this show has brought me,definitely "Makes Me Happy."

Drake & Josh (2004–2007)

I like it, I love it, I want some more of it!

[10/10 · 14 July 2007]

Drake and Josh is comedy gold and one of Nickelodeon's only worthwhile and home run hit shows. I didn't really get into it at first because it was on such an obscure network, known only for its mindless cartoon shows like Spongebob (which after a few episodes I deemed highly inappropriate for the two children I babysit regularly)and I am in my mid-twenties. But after channel surfing a number of times, the 7 year old girl I was watching yelled "Stop! It's time for Drake and Josh!", on Nickelodeon. I decided to at least try it, and if I didn't approve, I could always change it. Well, after watching a few minutes of it with her, we were both cracking up. The fun begins when two polar-opposite boys in high school, end up becoming stepbrothers, when Josh's dad marries Drake's mother and thus creates an Odd Couple situation. The show's characters, mainly energetic Josh's crazy mannerisms and cartoon-like behavior (without going overboard) highly appealed to 7 year old Melanie (who kept giggling about how funny he was) and even managed to reach me on a different level, even though they are young men in high school. Josh's step-brother Drake (who is not too bright and very girl crazy) often gets into many crazy adventures and situations, and his poor brother Josh gets dragged along for the ride. The antics and dialogue that goes on between the two boys (who also share a room...and a bratty little sister)is often reminiscent of old comedy and sitcom routines, but with a fresh new face. Now I am even drawn to actor Drake Bell's (Drake Parker on the show) music and his career (He plays the title theme song "I Found A Way" which is an addicting catchy tune) Through whatever challenges and silly problems these boys face, they always manage to come out on top because they have each other to lean on. Great show for everyone!

Raise Your Voice (2004)

5th graders will love it!

[1/10 · 24 June 2007]

Hillary Duff (who else?)stars in this predictable, fluff piece, teen drama about a backwoods small town girl with an overprotective and over assertive father keeping his daughter with a singing dream from going to a prestigious music school (and experiencing all the evils of Los Angeles.) Family drama also ensues when her stupidity leads to the death of a family member. But of course she finds some way to get to the school and 'what a surprise!' She's too sweet and goodie goodie and no one likes her or has time to deal with her emotional wah wahs. Falls for cute foreign popular boy, has a run in with the school's resident biotch, and in the end becomes the most popular popstar wannabe there.

Ugh, there was so much mushy sugar on this thing it made my teeth hurt. waste your time on something more productive to society, like finding the cure for dumb teenage starlets.