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mfemyer
Reviews
The Goldbergs: Vacation (2019)
This episode sorely missing cast and writing credits on this page.
I'm an old person, so I remember what would happen when radio and tv programs used too much of a famous film, or other show, to satirize. Can you say: lawsuits? That's what went through my head as I watch The Goldberg's episode Vacation, "How similar this show was to a certain movie" ... 1.) Family takes a vacation out west to a famous theme park, 2.) The family car is a station wagon filled with a mother, father, children and an old person., 3.) Short pieces of two songs from that film were used., 4.) A cute blonde, from the original movie, driving a sporty red convertible., 5.) Family car gets totaled in the desert., and 6.) Family stopped at park entrance by a security guard ...oddly enough played by a member of the original movie.
I don't remember seeing any end credits, so I do not know if the original author was credited, or thanked, for the original idea. I didn't see any credit for the two songs lifted from the original film. I also missed the first minute or so of the show, so I do not know if any credits were given there.
This is also the first time I've watched this show during its run. I only watched because of a promotional announcement at the end of ABC's World News Tonight. Therefore, I do not know if this is their usual way of telling a story. (Lifting ideas from other places.)
In conclusion, I am in shock that this episode used so much material from a motion picture without so much as a proper screen credit/thank you anywhere in that time slot. In today's world where using somebody else's ideas, songs, and written words in another work need to be properly credited and paid for.
The preceding was my humble opinion. If I stepped on any toes ... don't put your feet out where I might step on them.
The Sea of Trees (2015)
I liked it.
Something I say here might be a spoiler. You might want to read this AFTER you've seen the movie.
I thought the film was put together very well. I don't know why the Cannes audience filled the theater with boos. Maybe the audience in the theater was filled with booze. (That was opinion and/or bad joke.)
I watched the movie using my limited knowledge of Japanese folklore, Buddhism, and conventional American religion. I was watching Matthew's character dealing with Japanese beliefs. Comparing his beliefs with those of a Japanese. Even though he said that as a scientist he looked at things differently.
I have two or three different thoughts as to what he went through with the Ken Watanabe character. So, I will not offer my opinion here. However, each of my thoughts could be the right answer.
I do know I was not bored with the film. The frustration he had contributed to where he ended up. What he didn't know became clear.
I liked the film. Will I sit through it again? Maybe not. Will I buy the DVD? Maybe not. Will I try to find "Behind the Scenes" videos for this film? Yes. I love to watch those.
Therefore, I gave the film an excellent rating. Your thoughts may vary.
Rajio no jikan (1997)
A great comedy
If it were possible I'd give this film a higher score.
When I visited Japan in 1997 I saw a TV program that previewed this movie. I had always remembered what the film was about, but I had long forgotten the title of the film and I had never seen it in the United States as the big city I live in isn't big enough for films like this.
Fast forward to late 2009 when my wife and I decided to go to our local library to borrow films to watch. We were looking for Japanese films that we hadn't seen, and this was one of them. I couldn't believe I had finally found the film I was searching for.
This is a great film and is laugh out loud from start to finish. I had to look at some scenes a second and third time to catch the action I had missed from laughing. Of course, for the week I had it I watched it several more times!
The fact that this is a screwball comedy means that action takes place in the background as well as directly in front of the camera. Therefore, it is necessary to look fast and catch all the action, or rewind and watch it again and again and again.
If you like to laugh this film fills the bill very nicely. Not many people can pull off the high quality of this type of film. This film is my new all time favorite movie.
I wish I hadn't had to wait so long to find it. In my opinion, on a scale of 1 to 100 I proudly give this film 1,000,000! (I'm not paid to say this.)
Happy viewing, and don't eat or drink anything while watching this film...you'll choke.