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Reviews
Monday Mornings (2013)
Catch it before it's gone....
With the exception of Jethro Gibbs, Harding Hooten is the only real man in a current TV series (at least, that I've seen). He is an anachronism, sorry to say, in a feminized, P.C. world that features characters who struggle with relatively unimportant character flaws and never have to be grown-ups. Hooten is relentlessly truthful and unapologetically portrays the guy at the head of the table that used to be a normal feature of American life, making the hard decisions and not worrying over how well he will be received. (It is not at all surprising that he is called "Hardly Human" behind his back, since his peers have been raised in the play-pens of public education and mainstream media where anything difficult is dismissed as "mean-spirited). For me, Dr. Hooten IS the reason to savor this show.
Sorry to those who find Dr. Park to be a condescending caricature. One of the deficits in the show is a shortage of comic relief, but Dr. Park's verbal shorthand is not only damn funny, but it is not in the least condescending-His meaning is always understood, begging the question of whether all those pesky articles and adjectives are really necessary to effective communication.
I had a little trouble with Gato at first, but have come to find him believable and engaging as the show progressed. Also, the requisite workplace romance scenario. But that too has been handled well and is at least not distracting.
My concern is that the TV viewership is not ready or willing to enjoy the Monday Morning routine, and may reject a good show for it's lack of "compassion" when there is no shortage of genuine warm feeling.
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972)
"My Heart is Full!"
How does one organism survive, even thrive, constantly bombarded by toxins while another wilts? The mechanics of ego and family dysfunction are the foci of this beautifully simple but devastating character study; the metaphor is a science project. Why Paul Newman seemed to be ashamed of this skillfully-directed and numbingly well-acted opus is beyond comprehension. Woodward's and Wallach's performances should have at least been Oscar-nominated; Nell Potts' stoic determination should have won one. If anyone ever has a chance to see or own this small, grimy masterpiece, wait for the "heart is full" line, read it's meaning, and prepare to sob uncontrollably.