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Reviews
Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Three's Company' (2003)
The Joyce DeWitt point of view
"Three's company" was on my favorite shows as a young kid ,although now I think that so many misunderstandings make the situations unbelievable and grotesque. Also, over the years I had the chance to watch the much better and much subtle original - "Man about the house" Any how, this film presents the behind-the-scenes happenings on the "Three's company" set, from what I believe to be a Joyce DeWitt point of view. True, Suzanne Somers was hired for her looks and not her talent/brains (not to say that she doesn't have one or the other or both), and it seems as though she did manage to drive everyone crazy, but lets face it - she only did what many other TV stars do - take advantage of their success while it is still there (and TV success usually lasts only a few years). Actually, I believe the one member of the cast without whom there would have been no show is John Ritter. Both girls could have been easily replaced by other actress'. This film shows to little of Ritters' talent.
Ha-Shoter Azulai (1971)
Superb acting by Shaike Ophir
Constable Abraham Azulai, of the jaffa police department, is at the end of his contract, and hoping for a renewal and promotion, both of which which his superiors, frustrated by his incompetence, are determined not to grant him. Azulai's incompetence is not a result of lack of skill, but rather that of a soft heart and kindness. When he stops a driver for some kind of traffic violation, he writes him up, but its not the driver who ends up paying the fine but Azulai himself. Obviously, have such a cop around is very very good for the crime business, and once word gets around that they are about to retire Azulai, an emergency meeting of the jaffa criminals' "board of directors" is called. The "board" decides that keeping Azulai on the force is essential if they want their businesses to keep on thriving, and decide to stage a big-time robbery that will be carried out so clumsily that even Azuali will catch the robbers. The plan is carried out , however, even though they have to promote Azulai, they still do not renew his contract. Superb acting by Shaike Ophir, who gives an excellent interpretation to the character written by Efraim Kishon. Great movie THUMBS UP.
The Brothers (1972)
Somewhat forgotten - but should not be!
I remember vividly how "The brothers" were an integral part of my family's life in the late 70's - Our town's public library held 50 copies of the book which followed the series, yet it was always out of copies! Jean Anderson was very good as the mother, cultivating her children's guilt feelings for "not paying enough attention to her". Patrick Occonnel is Edward, the oldest son which always tries to please her, Robin Chadwick is her youngest who handles the problem by running away from it, and Richard Easton is the sandwich kid trying desperately to remain calm. Naturally, in the midst of all these family bickering, the company, which is the reason they supposedly stick together despite it all, falls into the hands of others, led by the unforgettable Paul Merrony (Colin Baker). I wish there was more stuff about this show available on the web - Unfortunately I was unable to find any. It seems as though this show was undeservingly set aside and forgotten.
THUMBS UP!!!
300 mil do nieba (1989)
Thumbs up
A very good portraiting of the absurdity of life under communism in poland. I particularly liked Jadwiga Jankowska-Cieslak's preformence as Mrs Kviatkovsky. I first saw this movie in the Jerusalem film festival of 1990 or 1991, and it is just as good now as it was back then.
Thumbs up.
Sans famille (1981)
They don't make them like this anymore
I saw this series as I child, and insisted that my parents tape it - as a matter of fact I gave them hell when they once forgot to program it - and for a good reason!
The first time I encountered "Sans famille" or as it is known in Israel "Be'eiyien mishpacha" was when Israel radio turned it into a radio series in the late 70's. I loved the performance so I read the book, which was every bit as good.
So when Israel Television decide to screen the TV show in the early 80s I went through the roof! And let me tell that the TV show had lived up to my very high expectations.
Fabrice Josso is excellent and so are Jean Franval and Gerrard Derrieu. Petula Clark is simply.... marvellous. I still have the tapes, and I watch them whenever I can - my family thinks I'm crazy.
THUMBS WAY WAY WAY UP!!!!
Ha-Shu'al B'Lool Hatarnagalot (1978)
Read the book!
This is not a bad movie, as a matter of fact its even quite good, but unlike the rest of Ephraim Kishon's films, this one was originally written as a book, and would have to say that in the process of transferring it into a movie - well - something was lost. I can't really point out what but something is missing.
Thumbs half-way - only see it if you haven't read the book
I, Claudius (1976)
Masterpiece theatre!
"I, Claudius" is probably one the best TV series ever made. Not only does it present us with fine acting by Sir Derek Jacobi, Sian Phillips, George Baker and particularly in my opinion John Hurt, but it is also, as is most unlikely in TV, historically accurate. Sex, crime, passion - you name it - its all there.
Ha-Krav Al HaVa'ad (1986)
Israeli politics in a nutshell
This film is a very good humoristic depiction of Israeli politics. Shaike, Poli & Gavri demonstrate their full humorisitc capabilities in this Assy Dayan film. Unfortunately this film is very hard to come by these days, anyhow - THUMBS UP!