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Reviews
Pugwall (1989)
Still remembered after all these years!!
I loved this show when it first came out, about 14 years ago. I thought the name "The Orange Organics" was the best name ever for a band, and although Pugwall himself wasn't the hottest boy on TV, he was a decent bloke. I remember Jenny was supposed to be a spunk too, but my recollection of the character is that she whined a lot. There was also a rival for Pugwall's love (I think her name may have been Allison?) who at one point sang "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" at a school carnival. Nice.
My (27 year-old) sister started humming one of the songs from Pugwall at our Mother's Day dinner last night (what a treat for Mum!), and I had the music from this show in my head all night. The number she was singing was one of their instrumental pieces, which included some hand-claps in the middle of it, but there are so many others I thought of: "We're all Gonna Have a Party", "Morning to Midnight"...and a couple of other ones I can't quite remember at the moment (but they were damn good). Aaaah, Pugwall, rock on!
Mannequin (1987)
Comedy genius - is there none finer than Mr. McCarthy?
In years to come, Andrew McCarthy will be remembered as the star of several significant contributions to American, nay, World cinema, and "Mannequin" surely stands at the apex of his achievements. A salute to the golden comedies of the thirties, this film weaves love, adventure, mysticism and hijinx into a cloak of hilarity. Andrew McCarthy plays Jonathan Switcher, a young artist who can't seem to find a job that will let him express his talents. After rescuing the owner of a failing department store from almost certain death, he winds up assisting the flamboyant Hollywood (Meshach Taylor) to put together the store's window displays. While working late one night, he comes across a mannequin he created in one of his earlier jobs...and magically, she comes alive before his eyes. He falls in love with the strange, enchanting Emmy (Kim Cattrall), but their love seems doomed for several reasons, not least because Jonathan is the only person who can see her in her human form. Throw in a rival department store, a jealous ex-girlfriend, a thrilling car chase, and a crazed night-watchman, and you have a recipe for fun. Amidst a brilliant soundtrack and wonderful costumes, the performances at the centre of the movie (most notably, Estelle Getty, James Spader, Kim Cattrall, and the afore-mentioned Mr. McCarthy) genuinely sparkle. "Mannequin" could quite possibly be the best comedy of the 80s.
Glitter (2001)
All that Glitters is stupid...
Having seen Crossroads the week before, a film that was so bad it was good, I rented Glitter with a friend to enjoy another trashy "diva" film. However, we didn't bank on the fact that Glitter has no plot, completely anachronistic costuming, and a really terrible lead. The viewer can actually see when Mariah is thinking "Okay, I have to act sad in this scene" and so on. I was thoroughly disappointed that although it was supposedly set in the 80s, there was not one single mullet in the entire film - the "love interest" had a hair style that was more late 90s than anything - and Mariah is clothed in the most unflattering attire throughout the movie. They kept making her wear her hair in a side pony tail, which gave her a pained expression, and she had this weird silver streak of make up that moved from her left shoulder to her decolletage to her right arm, and even onto her lower back. What's with that? Maybe it's some pop culture reference that I completely missed, I don't know.
But all these flaws could be forgiven if there was a semblance of a plot. But there wasn't. Even though I'd been watching the clock after the first fifteen minutes, when the film actually ended, it was completely abrupt. I think that the producers (including Mariah herself) thought that if they assembled the cast and crew on the day, then the plot would look after itself.
The best thing about Glitter was that I rented it free from a friend who works at Blockbuster.
Melissa (1997)
Brilliant mystery series!
This was an engaging and enthralling mystery series, with many unexpected developments along the way. Jennifer Ehle was excellent in the title role, and provided the program with a lot of momentum. The entire cast was good, with perhaps the exception of Adrian Dunbar, and the material that they had to work with was first class. Anyone looking for a screen adaptation of the novel will be disappointed, as Alan Beasdale has taken major liberties with his source material - but in my opinion, his version is better than the original. A worthwhile experience - hang in for the whole of the series for an enjoyable time!
Mannequin: On the Move (1991)
Admirable effort, but...
The first 'Mannequin' film was a brilliant piece of cinema, and those fans hoping for a repeat dose of the action, romance, and comedy of the original may be disappointed by this sequel. William Ragsdale, of "Herman's Head" fame is believable in the lead role, but, to be honest, cannot hold a candle to Andrew McCarthy, while Kirsty Swanson does not have the same vim and vigour as Kim Cattrell. Meshach Taylor, reprising his comical role of Hollywood, provides relief from a plot that is, to say the least, crazy. Terry Kaiser, recognisable from that other Andrew McCarthy classic, "Weekend At Bernie's", tries his hardest, but with the material he is given to work with, his efforts seem a little wasted. A tip? Go past this film and rent the original, and relive one of the best films of the 1980s.
Off the Mark (1987)
What a great movie!!
I was browsing in the video shop with some friends when one of us came across this movie. It was called "Crazylegs", which you have to agree, is a much better name than "Off The Mark". The cover of the video was so enchanting that we snapped it up there and then and rushed home to watch it. Displaying all the hallmarks of classic '86 humour, and the acting to go with it, this is a fun movie with a touching storyline. An extremely underrated movie with heart.