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Reviews
NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: Power Down (2009)
Full of Flaws but still fun episode.
"Dinosaurs" like Gibbs and others of our generation know this episode is full of holes and technical flaws, but that's the fun of it!
Mimeograph machines that work without special fluid (it normally dries up after months of non-use, let alone 'years') and makes copies using a plain paper "master" (not specialized mimeo masters, that also dried up when past their "best buy" date, yet still produces the normal blue colored copy?!! Or Polaroid film that makes an instantly viewable print (instead of 60-second wait to develop) that doesn't need that stick of goop rolled over it to set the picture (not to mention outdated film seldom made good prints)!! That's just for starters. Many other goofs and flaws but again, that was the fun.
Episode also highlighted difference between the two generations in a pleasant non-confrontational way. Don't get me wrong, couldn't live now without my microwave and laptop (but I still resist/grumble cellphone usage).
Power Down is pure escapism as long as you don't get bogged down in the details.
A Cozy Christmas Inn (2022)
REAL snow!
Typical Hallmark movie and holiday premise. What was most refreshing was recognizing a local Huntsville, UT business standing in for the Inn. What was even better was seeing real snow (as far as the eye can see and not just in the immediate view of camera), real snow accumulation (and not phony blankets of some white material laid down on sidewalks, shrubs and stairsm etc,), real snowfall (not the Hollywood 'snow' flakes descending from above; I mean really, what does southern Cali know about real snow?) and must admit Sweetin is growing better at the adult roles she plays. 4 star movie that got and extra star for filming during winter and not in summer pretending to be winter.
Three Wise Men and a Baby (2022)
great change of pace "Christmas Movie"
Wonderful holiday twist on the original three men and wee one movie. This one starred three of my favorite Hallmark actors and actress (Margaret Colin) from the original.1987 movie. While I was hoping for some feel-good escapism in the time watching, this movie far exceeded that expectation. Don't often give out 10 stars but the movie earned each one. Terrific comedy with just enough drama mixed in to keep it kinda, sorta, grounded - all in a fun way.
Found myself laughing out loud many, many times. Paul C & Kimberly S are terrific writing partners and they certainly delivered on this one. From the long-haired baby (oops!) to the Nutcracker 'dance' to elf costumer just to name a few.
Glad to see this early in the season and thus have plenty of opportunities to watch it again and again and....
Oh, and that little baby boy wasn't bad either; stole the show a few times!
Christmas by Starlight (2020)
best 2020 Hallmark Christmas movie
This HCM (Hallmark Christmas Movie) was a delight from the beginning and kept us glued to the tv the entire time. Not every HCM makes it beyond the 10-minute mark in this household. Great chemistry in the two leads and great humor in the story that also conspicuously avoided so many of the HCM cliches. This one will get additional viewings this year (thank you DVR!).
Third Finger, Left Hand (1940)
fun
Viewing this for the first time in Nov. 2020. Always liked the chemistry between Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas in Mr Blandings Builds His Dreamhouse, but about halfway thru movie realized it could be placed in a Hallmark Movie lineup and fit in perfectly but has better actors. Don't get me wrong, this is a great film and lots of fun.
Magnum, P.I.: Did You See the Sunrise? (1982)
most discussed episode in our office
The day after this episode aired the 'water cooler talk' in our office was more fast and furious than normal, but mostly asked the same question: "Can you believe what Magnum did at the end of the episode?!" We were all stunned.
American Bistro (2019)
4-letter fest
With a TV-14 rating (via On Demand) we thought this would be okay to watch with our family. WRONG!! Within the first 5 minutes it became obvious it was not a family movie, especially for families trying to teach wholesome values. Come on, real dialogue would have been nice instead of using four-letter words to fill up space and time. Hoping that the beginning language loss was just for shock value we were wrong and turned it off a few minutes later.