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Reviews
The Comeback (2005)
Finding its voice--finally!
I was initially unimpressed with The Comeback. Never having been a fan of Friends, I didn't feel any particular connection with Lisa Kudrow. But since I watch Entourage and it is the lead-in show, I kept the TV on. The first few shows had me wondering why Lisa Kudrow would want to do such a crappy show...but for some unexplainable reason, I kept watching. I feel like, now at nearly the end of the first season, that I "get" the show. I am glad that I stuck it out. There have been some very funny moments on the show. In fact I decided to watch the season over again with a different perspective and have gained more from the second viewing, (with On-Demand). The Palm Springs episode really did it for me. Since then the show has only gotten better. There are a lot of long pauses to the show. I think this is indicative of the character's inability to say what is really on her mind, but usually ends up putting her foot in her mouth anyway. The premise of the show seemed a little confusing at first, but it's not hard to put it all together. Valerie Cherish is a washed up TV actress trying to gracefully get back in the groove, but she really isn't all that graceful. At the same time a reality show is being made to follow her on her comeback trail. The characters grow on you--Valerie Cherish, her husband, step-daughter and text- messaging friends; Valerie's young cast-mates on her TV show Room and Bored, and the humorless writers; her longtime gay hairstylist who is still only half-way out of the closet; her always present reality crew waiting for something awful to happen so they can boost ratings on the possibly-dying reality TV genre. It is subtle comedy and it just needed a little bit of a chance to find its ground. Without the irritating laugh-tracks and corny music of most TV comedies, the quiet pauses on the show are not the negative, uncomfortable ones that I first disliked--now it is off and running. And I really do look forward to the show!
Arrested Development (2003)
The Funniest Show Ever!
I love this show!! It has top-quality writing, superb acting and producing and it shows directly in the end product. The casting was so right-on for the characters, it is inconceivable that any other actors could carry this off. The lack of a "laugh track" is the icing on the cake-it makes it that much better than other network shows. Your life will seem mundane after seeing the Bluth family at their absolute, very best. Or maybe at their worst-even funnier! Wacky, funny and quick, it never fails to get the entire room laughing uncontrollably. You have to watch each episode multiple times to appreciate it ( especially when the laughing causes you to miss the next line!). I thank Mitch Hurwitz for bringing this show to us. Can't wait for next season to begin!!!!
Finding Neverland (2004)
Mildly entertaining
I really wanted to like Finding Neverland. I just didn't connect to the characters. They were remote and unconnected. Also I felt that not enough background information was given that it did not allow me to get emotionally involved in the storyline. This was a personal story that never got very personal. Mr. Barrie (Johnny Depp) was not demonstrative in his emotions towards the fatherless boys that he befriends, with their mother (Kate Winslet) or his wife. He was very into his fictional tales, but it was not enough to keep the story interesting. Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet are great actors, they have had some very memorable and impressive roles, but I didn't think these particular roles were exceptional. Additionally the arc of the movie was so familiar and predictable I knew what was going to happen long before it did. The movie seemed to move slowly. A very family oriented movie with no offensive language or violence. I gave Finding Neverland 6 out of 10 stars.