Change Your Image
KlutzyGirl
Reviews
Jewish Matchmaking (2023)
"I'm a complicated guy."
Translation: "we" will do what *I* want. Some good lessons here on what not to look for in a partner. When something horrible happens during your marriage do you think it's going to matter whether your partner is cute or has blue eyes? Hopefully you will want, and be, a partner who helps the other one to get through the problem And come through it stronger than you were before. Has another reviewer said this is about the same level as Indian matchmaking, spoiled kids who never learned about compromise, selflessness, etc. They seem to be sincere in wanting to get married, just completely clueless on what that involves.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
I didn't like it BUT...
After five attempts to watch this movie I gave up and came here to write a negative review. Then I read the review which said it gets better in the second half, so I went back for a sixth time. After about 10 minutes I FF'd to try to find that part, but I give up. I'm not a fan of CGI in general and this had so much I just couldn't stand it. But let me tell you about the parts I did like: Ke Huy Quan's moving Oscar speech, and the interview of 94 year old James Hong on the red carpet. They both brought me to tears. I am 75, so I have seen Hong my whole life, mostly in bit parts. He talked about the Chinese Exclusion Act (a part of US history some people don't want you to know about), and how he felt when he could not get parts in films about Asians because they were given to white actors with taped up eyes. It was good to see Asian actors finally get the parts and appreciation they deserved, but for me that is the best part about this film.
The Oval (2019)
Fascinating...
...that a program with so many plot twists and so many problems for virtually every character can be so stultifyingly boring! I've never been a Tyler Perry fan, but I saw an ad for this show that featured the actress who plays the first lady. I thought both the actress and the character looked interesting so I decided to give the show a try. Wrong on both counts! Almost every character is one-dimensional, they have a certain behavior that they never deviate from. The acting is some of the worst I've ever seen, with the exception of the woman who plays the first daughter. Come on Tyler, with all the black actors yearning for work couldn't you find anyone better than this bunch?? Special mention for the guy who plays the butler's son. Special mention of the horrible writing. And another special mention for BET, which has more commercials and continuity interruptions than I've seen in years.
Night Court (2023)
Hmm.
I liked the original Night Court pretty well and I am a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory, so I'm willing to give this a chance. However, so much depends on the writers, and these writers really really need a lot of help. I barely made it through episode one, but I will give the next one or two a try. I really wish Internet Movie Database would stop requiring a certain number of characters in a review. I like to be succinct but they are requiring me to be overly loquacious. Even with all this I can't come up with enough words! Gives this show a chance, you might like it. Then again maybe you won't.
Fools for Scandal (1938)
Yuck
I am not Lombard's biggest fan but I do enjoy her films. I don't think I've seen them all, but this is by far the worst of the ones I've seen. I know that Gravey was a huge star in France, but for me it's kind of like Jerry Lewis being a huge star in France: why?? I found him particularly unappealing in every way. And although it was my second viewing, I never did figure out whether his character was playing her because she was rich or genuinely loved her. Nor did I care. I figured if she ended up with him she got what she deserved. There's a reason this film is not well known. As someone else said, only for diehard Lombard fans.
Yellowjackets (2021)
Addicting
I'm on episode three and so far I like it very much. One of my favorite things about it is it gives a large group of some of our best actresses, who have spent their entire work lives competing with each other for the same slim supply of roles, a chance to work together and create a terrific ensemble team. The storyline can get a bit convoluted at times, but that's what the rewind button is for.
The Flight Attendant (2020)
Became so tiresome
I found season one confusing, but season two was just boring. I am struggling through to the end of s2 so I can see what happens and who did what, but if that doesn't wrap it up I'll probably give up.
Good Girls (2018)
Damn!
I cannot believe this show hasn't been renewed for a fifth season. Why does crap get last forever but good stuff ends after a couple years? Anyway, upon learning this today I've started rewatching the entire series and enjoying it just as much as I did the first time. Everyone does a great job but I am especially impressed with Retta. She's such a natural, there is nothing "actorly" about her.
Marcella (2016)
Terrific!
I just completed season one without being able to stop. This show is completely binge worthy! My one complaint is the trite formulaic portrayal of the boss (who looks like a painted doll), who constantly puts down Marcella's and others' theories and prevents them from working on them. This is such an old standby character trait that I often wonder whether real cops act that way. Otherwise though, terrific show!
Glitch (2015)
I like it
Being in the US, I've not seen any Aussie shows until Netflix and Amazon made some available. I started watching "Glitch" because I liked Patrick Brammall in "Offspring." I've finished E2 and like it so far. {Spoiler}
I was kind of on the fence until I saw the reaction of the other cop when he found out what was going on. In most American shows, he'd scream and yell or insist on taking over or (usually) make things as hard on the protagonist as possible; but here, he just stands there numbly, which I think would be the normal reaction of most people. So, although the premise is silly, so far the behavior of the characters seems pretty realistic, which I appreciate. 7.5 stars.
New Faces (1954)
Be very grateful for Eartha Kitt
It's no wonder she was called "the most exciting woman in the world"-- she's certainly the most exciting person in this revue! As others have said, Alice Ghostley also shines and Paul Lynde has a couple of good moments; but the rest of the cast is either mediocre or downright awful, especially Clary and Graham. A big part of the problem is the dearth of good songs; most are forgettable or worse. The choreography is uninspired too, although the vaguely Latin number with Carol Lawrence is pretty good. I usually enjoy shows like this, so I was surprised as well as disappointed. How this became a big Broadway hit is a mystery.
Dancing on the Ceiling (1937)
Ugh.
The one weak part of the lovely "Myrna Loy and William Powell Collection" (Manhattan Melodrama / Evelyn Prentice / Double Wedding / I Love You Again / Love Crazy) is the special features of each disc. Most feature a bad cartoon and a Pete Smith short (I can't stand Pete Smith's voice or sense of "humor"). Double Wedding has this short instead. I watched hoping for something akin to Astaire in Royal Wedding, but this was done long before the technique was developed and just flips the film upside down. The plot is basically a whorehouse of dentistry, and done badly at that. Pete Smith would have been preferable!
Bookmark: Rumer Godden: An Indian Affair (1995)
Stunning, moving, fascinating.
This is included in the DVD of "The River," and in my and my friend's opinions it is far better than that film, which we enjoyed. With her daughter, who was born there, Rumer Godden at age 86 journeys back to India, where she spent the first approximately 35 years of her life. She visits the places she lived and talks very movingly about her life there. She has a genuine love for and understanding of India, which comes across in her books. The cinematography alone makes it worth seeing, it is so extraordinarily beautiful; and her story is enthralling. Even if you've never read any of her books or seen any of the films based on them, you will enjoy this film. Very very highly recommended!
The Farmer's Wife (1928)
Charming glimpse into a time gone by
I've always been a huge fan of Hitchcock's early works, especially "The 39 Steps" and "The Lady Vanishes." I especially love the glimpses of country life--the cruel Calvinist husband, the Swiss speaking Romansche. But I hadn't realized that even earlier he made comedies. Now with new DVD releases I can discover them, and I recommend you do too. So far I've also seen "Rich and Strange," which was slow, but a fun precursor to "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."
The Farmer's Wife is my favorite so far. The opening...was there ever a more idyllic farm? A more amusing death scene? Cuter puppies? A more curmudgeonly farm hand? These little touches set the scene and kept me interested in the progression of a story whose ending we know from the start. It can be slow, and I really appreciated having it on DVD so I could FF x2 through the long scenes, but overall I enjoyed the whole package very much. My enjoyment was often overwhelmed by the sad story of Lillian Hall-Davis's tragic death and her son's involvement. Very sad. She was perfect in this role. Jameson Thomas (King Westley in "It Happened One Night") was very good, and all the supporting players were terrific. 8/10.
The First Three Lives of Stuart Hornsley (2004)
"If only I'd......"
I've been a fan of Tunde Adebimpe ever since I saw the delightful short film "Jorge" (1998) on IFC several years ago. He is able to convey a shy, adorable nerdiness like few others. I wish Hollywood would catch on to this underutilized actor! He was in "Rachel Getting Married," which I enjoyed, but only had a few lines.
This film is about a man obsessed with trying to invent a time-travel machine to go to back to the past so he can change the present. About how a seemingly innocuous decision can affect our whole lives. It is available on a DVD called "The Film Movement Series," a collection of award-winning indie short films that is available at Netflix and which I was able to find at my local library.
Cidade de Deus (2002)
DVD has even better doc!
As riveting as the film is, the documentary on the DVD reveals a world that is even sadder and crueler. We get the history behind the madness and why nothing will ever change. There is so much evil in the world it boggles the mind sometimes. I'm so privileged to be able to turn this off and go back to my safe little life. I know I'd never survive in the horrible environments some people must live in.
I really wish IMDb would eliminate the 10 line minimum. I have said all I want to say! Do yourself a favor and rent the DVD to see the doc, even if you can't bear to watch the film again. Not to be missed. Okay, last line!
A Dog's Life: A Dogamentary (2004)
Rent it for the music video!
I have to agree with many of the negative comments. Gayle Kirschenbaum is incredibly self-absorbed, and this is really driven home when you look at the credits and no one else is given any! She is one of the pet people I cannot stand--dressing them up, interacting through them, constantly asking "isn't my baby the cutest?", not allowing them to be what they are--animals--and spending small fortunes on pet clothes, jewelry, beauty parlors, etc, while humans starve in front of them. (Trust me, ladies, this is NOT the way to attract a man!) But 9/11 does bring somewhat of a change for the better in her, and it is an interesting contrast. I'd give it a lower rating but for a couple of things. There are some very funny moments; one involving a husband who's given up is absolutely priceless. Then there is the music, including a separate video on the DVD. The jazz group Dave's True Story performing "A Dog's Life" is worth the price of rental. Bravo to them!