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Reviews
Little House on the Prairie: A Most Precious Gift (1978)
Another baby
It's really no surprise that Caroline will have a girl . That's the history. Males don't survive in the Ingalls line . More recent research has shown genetic reasons for it but back then it was just a matter of fact. It's also because we know Grace has been missing.
The plot with Caroline's fixation with having a boy instead is something that would indicate therapy was needed. She recovers pretty quickly when she realizes Charles is right all along and nothing but the healthy baby matters.
That's the thing they never had any healthy male children Caroline , Laura and Laura's own daughter Rose all had infant male babies that died.
I guess they wanted to center the pregnancy on something dramatic .
Unfrosted (2024)
Painfully unfunny
I agree the little girl is the best part of the movie . I just wish she had a better script and better acting around her.
You would think one or two of them would've made a better run of it.
Melissa McCarthy I like and she might be the one who came closest to making it work a little better.
The premise could have worked it could have been a great parody or a satire. It could have been a dark comedy . Jerry Seinfeld seems to be into nostalgia these days whether it makes sense or not. He complains that comedy has become unfunny and gives us this movie to prove it. Pop tarts are no Barbie . Jerry is no Greta Gerwig.
Midsomer Murders: A Worm in the Bud (2002)
Love the kids!
I like children involved in the plots but sometimes there is something about it that doesn't work.
They are mistreated or they are sullen or dull . Sometimes they are abused or bullied . Then there are the ones that are geniuses . We don't get many just typical sweet children who are curious. Here we get Julie and her younger brother getting involved without having them too involved and in danger. Barnaby and his wife Joyce are quite good with them and their parents start to understand they are not just fanciful thinking kids but actually contribute to the investigation.
The ending is good. I like how the matter of fact way of the killer. I know it's not a good thing to admire a killer but something about how it's handled I thought was well written and acted.
The usual intrigue that comes with the mysteries of this show. Always hidden affairs and blackmail and such fun stuff!
Butter (2011)
So underrated!
One of my favorite movies . It's almost criminally underrated.
Is it a satire, a parody a dark comedy or something else ? It doesn't really matter but it is something along those lines as it pokes fun at people who think they're pillars of the community but are actually among the most phony.
Yes it's all about sculpting butter but it's also saying something about how people choose to live and treat others.
Jennifer Garner is actually very good at playing bad . She plays a Karen to the hilt but she can't beat Destiny!
The relationship are young shero develops with her foster and eventually true parents is endearing and funny especially with her new dad.
It's a lot of fun but I wouldn't really say it's for very young children it has some adult themes and language that could be a bit much for the very young. I only say that because it can appear to be more child friendly than it is.
It's still a very entertaining film.
Cold Case: Blood on the Tracks (2007)
The most interesting episode
It's not that it's perfect it has some issues but this is the episode I can't get enough of.
The set up is six college friends have a past of both activism and shady actions.
Over 25 years after a ten year reunion it's discovered that two of them were murdered a married couple Jack and Johanna Kimball. One of the others Roger McBride has been dead much longer from a bomb blast that was meant as a protest. Taking an extreme step to protest the Vietnam war. McBride's father has been trying to talk to Jack he needs answers. Jack's guilt is preying on him he wants to turn them all in.
Jack and Johanna were killed in what appeared to be an accidental explosion at their home. It's discovered that it was no accident and the three survivors are the suspects.
The twist is Johanna made a deal with the guy who wanted her( one of the group) but she chose Jack . He set the bomb and it actually killed Jack and the other female member of the group Sara . She and Johana are so similar looking Johanna steals Sara's identity for over 25 years and has the family and money and garden she always wanted.
Only Sara is in agreement with Jack to turn themselves in ( she actually had no part in the bombing) the only one that didn't but she was in love with McBride and never got over any of it.
Johanna is the only one who doesn't come from money and doesn't want to give up the money and comforts she had and Jack have achieved. She had an alcoholic father too so probably easily left her old life behind. It's less clear if Sara had any family left nor just inherited wealth . It's the hardest part actually to be clear on .She has a family , we see a daughter and Kat interviewed family but we don't see that part. So it's a little confusing if it was just husband and children or if there were other relatives.
I don't think there was much reason at the time to doubt who died no one knew Sara spent the weekend with Jack and Johanna and after the explosion Johanna took on Sara's identity.
We also don't have any flashback scenes of McBride unfortunately so he remains a ghost.
Vera gets testy about peace protesters but Jefferies takes everything in stride . Just love Jefferies.
No real major subplot on this one except Captain Finn takes care of his grandson while his daughter sees if her marriage can be salvaged. Funny scene when Finn can't open a juice box and needs Kat's help.
The show ends with the remaining three being arrested for their various crimes. Three dead, three arrested. Quite the ending to one of the most fascinating episodes of the series.
I Love Lucy: The Benefit (1952)
Under the bamboo tree
Ethel wants Ricky to appear for a benefit for her women's club ( before the Wednesday afternoon fine arts league) .
Initially he won't but then decides and gives Lucy the music for their musical number. The number makes Lucy's part sound like a seal ! She won't do it . Ricky says it's the only song that fits her voice!
Lucy and Ethel try to put an act together wearing a horse costume! Ethel doesn't like being the back end of a horse especially when Fred recognizes her ? What costume he says? Lol
Fred brings her sheet music for Under the Bamboo Tree and jokes . It's really a cute, fun song and the jokes especially the way Lucy fixes it!
I Love Lucy: The Amateur Hour (1952)
Adventures in babysitting
Lucy takes on an unlikely job to keep a dress she bought.
She ends up babysitting for twin brothers who seem more like four kids.
The mother of the twins is getting her hair done to appear in a show her club is putting on . I don't know why she needs her hair done. Held up at the hairdresser's she calls and asks Lucy to take her place at the show and keep the prize money ( $100 dollars) if she wins .Lucy does and a mishap with one of the twins frog puts Lucy on the spot but she gives such an amazing performance they win and Lucy can pay for her dress !
The down side of the episode is very little of Ricky and Ethel and none of Fred .
It's also an episode many don't like the twins are pretty destructive and scary.
I Love Lucy: Bullfight Dance (1955)
Underrated
Lucy gets an assignment to write an article about what it's like being married to Ricky. This makes Ricky nervous! Ricky also is to host a telethon and guess who wants to be in it !
The two plot lines come together for this funny and most enjoyable episode.
Lucy is funny acting out what she is typing about Ricky's snoring! Really good work on her part.
Lucy's senses are on fire here too! She hears Ricky breathing and the Mertz's walking in while she argues with Ricky.
She finds a way into the show but nothing goes right when she hears what her part is she explodes! She also finds the most entertaining way to get back at Ricky. I just love her playing the Bull !
Murder, She Wrote: Hit, Run and Homicide (1984)
Pure fun!
My favorite of the very early episodes of Murder She Wrote.
The early seasons are the best at using the stars of Hollywood's golden era of course the later seasons more of them were unable or had passed away .
This one had frequent co stars June Allyson and Van Johnson who add so much to the episode.
This is one of the early lighthearted entries the mystery is interesting and holds our attention but never gets too dark.
Johnson plays an inventor with a heart and can see the possibilities in the future.
We even get the driverless car long before it seemed possible to most and the bugs in it are more intentional by the wrong people.
We also get a better idea of why Jessica didn't drive.
Early character Ethan is kind of fun here . Amos is clueless but willing to bring in Jessica for help.
The killer is more obvious if you go back over the episode and something doesn't quite add up early on. The motive though is what adds some layers.
The ending has a sweetness to it for our special guest stars .
A most enjoyable episode.
I Love Lucy: The Ricardos Visit Cuba (1956)
Terrible episode
It's not often that I find an I Love Lucy episode unwatchable.
An episode in Cuba Ricky's home country should be much better. Nothing much happens. We get a lot of machismo from the obnoxious Uncle Alberto . Lucy is persona non grata until Little Ricky performs. Give me a break!
Ethel and Fred are relegated to being extras .
They seemed to have no real ideas for this episode.
It also makes me wonder why we never got an episode or two in Spain when they were in Europe Lucy mentioned at least twice they were scheduled to go there.
It's also disappointing Ricky's mother isn't more prominently featured in this one.
I Love Lucy: Desert Island (1956)
Boat rides and beauty contests
The second half works better for me than the first half. The set up for this episode is pretty basic the old jealousy thing.
Still in Miami the guys are invited to judge a beauty contest. Ethel wants to stop it but Lucy is uncharacteristically understanding - until she meets the young women.
Lucy plans to sabotage it in a way that ultimately strands them all on a desert island. Lucy thinks she's accomplished her goal but it backfires big time.
On one had Lucy's antics do get them all invited to a big luau ( sounds fun) but the guys still get to judge the contest. It's one of the time I think it's kind of deserved it just seemed like an overreaction by Lucy and Ethel.
I Love Lucy: No Children Allowed (1953)
Babysitting
The first time I saw this one . I thought the episode was going in a completely different direction. It starts off with a fussy baby who can't fall asleep easily. Lucy and Ethel struggled to get him to sleep while Fred and Ricky succeeded. I thought this was going to be a battle of the sexes .
Instead it quickly turned out to be the episode that gives us Mrs . Trumble who will be the one to take care of Little Ricky so there is always someone around although Ethel, Fred and Ricky will do a fair amount too.
This one leads to a temporary standoff between Ethel and Lucy over Ethel's constant retelling of her defense of the Ricardo's and Lucy growing tired of it. However it's the little battle that eventually leads them to Mrs . Trumble to find the baby alone and brings out her tenderness.
It's actually a pretty funny way Lucy and Ethel fight at the Bridge luncheon and since it doesn't last too long it's just funny to watch.
I Love Lucy: The Black Wig (1954)
Black wig episode
This is a strange and very dated episode. Strange because honestly Lucy doesn't look as different as they try to portray. I know it has to be exaggerated but it feels a little forced.
Dated because of Ricky dictating Lucy's hairstyle. Honestly she would have looked not drastically than one of her later hairstyles especially with her signature red hair. Of course at that point they weren't going to change her signature style so this is more about Lucy putting Ricky to the test than anything else.
Most of the laughs in this episode come from Fred and Ethel. Fred recognizing Ethel in her disguise, Ethel not wanting to show just how many different styles her costume has!
It's still fairly funny but not a classic.
I Love Lucy: The Fashion Show (1955)
Fashion episode
Not a bad episode but not particularly funny either.
Lucy wants a designer dress and Ricky relents on the promise it won't cost more than a hundred dollars. Lucy finds an opportunity to be in a fashion with the wives of movie stars but in the meantime the plainest dress she can find at Don Loper's ends up costing five hundred dollars . She doesn't know the cost until she and Ethel return from the salon and by then it's been altered and therefore can't be returned. In effort to make Ricky sympathetic she is going to get slightly sunburned! But it's far worse she's burned to a crisp. Ricky isn't nearly that sympathetic upon learning the cost of the dress. She learns if she wears a new dress by Loper she can have her dress for free.
In terrible pain she does it with Ethel there to cheer her on and for moral support. She makes it and then finds a check waiting from Ricky to buy the already attained dress. Question is will she return the check ? She's not so sure!
Unlike the Paris Gown episode that stood on its own this one would have greatly benefited from being in color. The dresses shown by the wives were described as to having vivid colors .
Daria: Lucky Strike (2001)
Classic episode
A teachers strike at Lawndale High has Daria replacing an inappropriate teacher ( Helen makes sure he's removed) , Jane recruited to help with the slogans for the picket line and Trent recruited to write an anthem for the teachers. Mr. DeMartino locked into tense negotiations with Ms. Li .
Quinn is initially horrified to have Daria as a teacher but finds herself enjoying and learning , she's also growing fed up with Sandi's remarks about her and Daria and finally reclaims her sister to the entire class. Sandi tries to make an issue of it but gets schooled by Stacy and Tiffany .
History class gets what seems to be a retired first grade teacher. As she is telling the class "and so the people asked George Washington will you be our king ( Jane meanwhile enters the room and the substitute says young lady you're tardy " Brittany " Gee , he wasn't very focused!" Good one Brittany!
Mr. DeMartino gets the deal they have been after but he still has to deal with Kevin in class!
Definitely one of the best episode of the series.
Daria: Fizz Ed (2001)
Fizzle out
Lawndale High can't afford basic school supplies but naturally Ms. Li doesn't care until it affects the football team and their need for new equipment. Never mind they are running out of basics in art and history.
Ms. Li signs a deal for a corporate sponsorship cola to be specific that will supply numerous soda machines in the school.
No one but Daria is bothered by this initially not even Jane or Jodie but ultimately Daria is proven right. This episode also highlights the conflicting ways of Daria. On one hand she expresses her opposition but doesn't want to get involved. This is brought up in different ways by Helen ( gently) and Jodie and the scholars superintendent ( not so gently) .
Finally so much soda affects the football team and Ms Li and the superintendent sees it all for himself.
The cola sponsorship remains but considerably less obvious- except on the roof!
One thing that is slowly coming out is Daria doesn't like feeling like an outsider or outcast as much as she seemed to early on.
I Love Lucy: Lucy Gets a Paris Gown (1956)
Lucy's other dress
I think the dress Lucy is wearing when Ricky brings her the first Jaque Marscell dress is one of the prettiest dresses she ever wore on the show. She also wore it at the beginning of the Paris At Last episode . Certainly better than the designer dresses shown.
Still it's such a funny episode . Lucy wants an expensive dress ( five hundred dollars!) nothing to sneeze at now but a small fortune back then .
I'm also not sure I buy that Lucy would spend three days in a hotel room when she's in Paris or another two days moping around for having the first dress returned by Ricky . All that for a dress seems excessive. Lucy's priorities here seem exaggerated. Yet that's Lucy .
Going on a hunger strike for a dress ? I would be more with Ethel on this one but I love the places Lucy had the food hidden!
The revenge plot Ricky came up with was hilarious! One I actually didn't mind. They kind of evened out but why Lucy and Ethel were so quick to burn the dresses ? Did they ever get others?
The Zookeeper's Wife (2017)
Millions of stories to tell
The Second World War has seemingly endless stories to be told. This is one such story with a twist. A true story of a family that sheltered briefly or for the duration three hundred Jews. Two ultimately were shot and that's incredibly sad and tragic but amazingly the rest made it through.
All the movies about wars I doubt will ever stop but I would hope that more like this one would be told more . War is on the battlefield but it's in the home, the backyard and the streets , the workplace and everywhere. We must know these things everyday people did to survive and help others.
Jessica Chastain proves again it's all about the character. She's about the role and finding their truth and less about having a particular persona .
Daria: Fat Like Me (2001)
Too much fashion club
One of the weakest episodes of the series .
Daria and Jane become side characters in this one in favor of the fashion club as Sandi breaks her leg and gains weight! In maybe the dumbest thing Quinn has ever done she helps Sandi return to form and lets Sandi return to her merciless dictatorship of the club. We all so know once and for all Tiffany is a waste of space and only Quinn and Stacey should have been friends .
There really isn't much to say about this one but it does show the order of things in high school . The irony is some of this can be avoided and Quinn could have made a difference . Her blind loyalty to Sandi is still an annoyance but eventually she gets past it.
Call the Midwife: Episode #13.4 (2024)
How old is Jonty ?????!!!!!
Matthew and Trixie are an annoying couple. I just don't care about their problems. There are other things going on around them that are far more important. Trixie didn't even stay at her post as long as she should have. Matthew who I have liked is becoming elitist again. Shouldn't that kid of his be bigger and older by now?
I like the new training midwives and how they support each other. The focus onTB was so heartbreaking. The family is so kind and humble . You just want the best for them .
Love that Nancy got the answers she needed.
The focus on the moon landing added an uplifting element to the episode. I love how much they were all excited about it.
This episode would be ranked a 10 if not for the Trixie and Mathew nonsense.
I Love Lucy: Mr. and Mrs. T.V. Show (1954)
Reality tv ?
Similar to The Fan Magazine but that one had more laughs in it. They both have that feeling that people don't want to show their true selves to the public. Understandable in a way but both episodes come off as weird and phony. The fan magazine one was funnier overall this one was only funny at the end when Lucy walks out in that getup. It just felt like to little actual humor. The show within the show was absolutely cringing. Ricky's attempt to bring Lucy back into the show was annoying and completely self serving. The first scene all about the luncheon and Lucy talking up this big tv executive was dull and uninteresting. I think it could have been a strong episode but I have never cared for it.
I Love Lucy: Lucy Is Envious (1954)
One thing leads to another
Lucy's old school chum Cynthia Harcourt ( Mary Jane Croft in an earlier role) is in town and wants a charity donation from Lucy . This leads to a misunderstanding about the amount and with Ethel offering a donation as well it leads the two to the women from Mars stunt.
So many things I enjoy about this one . A rare opener with Ricky and Lucy reading in bed like any other couple except it's not just any other couple!
Lucy dealing with her old high society school mate. Ricky trying to gently bring Lucy down to earth.
Fred thinking they have been invaded by martians and ready for them! Ricky taking it for what it's worth.
Lucy and Ethel being scared by " martians " and Lucy's extra funny scream. Then finding out who the martians really are and getting back at them! At least they still got the needed money!
Daria: Fire! (2000)
More isolated than usual
Jake accidentally sets the house on fire . The damage is fixable but the family has to spend two weeks at a hotel.
It's this episode though that Tom and Daria started to make sense. Daria ditched the hotel to stay at Jane's and it takes her parents days to notice she's not around. Quinn is once again disowning Daria several times in just a short period of time and Jane is less than enthusiastic about Daria's presence. The only person who seems to care is Tom . Jane is sensing Daria and Tom are more on the same wavelength at the same time their relationship is not working out so well.
To be honest in this context the Tom and Daria thing makes more sense not handled in the best way when it happens but this situation building up to it I think I think an ignored, disowned, overlooked and lonely Daria needed someone.
The humor in this one comes mostly from Jake's aggravation and Quinn's gullibility stemming from her vanity.
I Love Lucy: The Ballet (1952)
Beautiful Vivian Vance
This might be the best example of Lucy trying desperately to get into showbiz .
She tries out first as a ballerina but that proves to be exhausting and painful! The classic scene where she gets stuck on the ballet bar is one of the funniest and most often shown in history.
The second attempt is to train as a burlesque comedian. That is even funnier and you can even hear Desi's laughter offscreen. Apparently he would only attend the first table reading then attend to business behind the scenes. This explains his frequent laughter upon seeing the finished product for the first time. The Slowly I turn routine is hilarious. This episode takes full advantage of Lucille Ball's physical talents.
Finally this was one of the episodes that showed how beautiful Vivian Vance was.
Sometimes they allowed that to happen. She even had a beautiful evening gown in the last segment.
Definitely one of the strongest episodes of the first season.
I Love Lucy: Lucy Cries Wolf (1954)
Lucy goes too far
Lucy gets the idea to test Ricky's willingness to be at her beck and call by pretending they were robbed like a couple in the newspaper. When Ethel and Fred race over to see if she's in trouble and Lucy learns Ricky won't come home she goes to more drastic measures to test him . Ricky, Fred and Ethel really start to worry about her when they can't find her. She messed up the living room and climbs out on the ledge! A neighbor across the street phones Ricky and clues him in . Ricky and the Mertz's are angry at being fooled and Lucy worrying them for nothing so they loudly claim Lucy is no longer their concern. Lucy makes herself known and Ricky scolds her for her selfish behavior.
Later she pouts in the hallway while the other three play cards. She leaves herself vulnerable and is kidnapped by the neighborhood robbers. Ricky and the Mertz's hear the commotion and think she's playing around again and ignore her. When she returns tied up and gagged they still ignore her . One of the times I think she really goes too far and Ricky is actually pretty restrained in his reaction.