I mean Kitty. In the scene outside the Long Branch, Kitty looks about as beautiful as a woman can look. The episode itself? Didn't much care for it, especially after the scene with Kitty was over.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Being Frank
(2018)
Frankly my Dear, I did give a damn
4 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This film was a bit of a mess. An enjoyable mess, but a mess nonetheless. And as often is the case with messes, the director (Miranda Bailey) was trying to do too much. At times this was a coming of age film. At other times, a family drama. For awhile, it was all about a father and son bonding. Then towards the end, it turned into a screwball comedy. (they wound up sharing the same table, really?) Look, I don't mind a little mixing of the genres, it can be great when it's done well, but maybe next time, consider limiting it to just a couple.
Logan Miller (Philip) was very good here, though at times, thought his witty comebacks were a little too good and came a little too easily for a 17 year old. Jim Gaffigan (Frank), best known for his stand up comedy, got better as the film went along. He didn't sell me in the early part of the movie as the distant, demanding father, but as we got to know him better, his performance grew on me. Isabelle Phillips, had a fairly big role for a first timer. And while story-wise, she didn't have much to do, she did offer up a good deal of on-screen charm.
The film worked best when after the secret was out, Philip and Frank shared a scene. There was some genuineness to Frank after that. Perhaps because for the first time in 20 years, he didn't have to lie. And it was during this part of the film that I found myself starting to care. Imperfect as he was, Frank wasn't a monster and with the curtain down, Philip was, at long last, finally getting to know his father. When was the movie at its worst? When the Kramer-like stoner uncle was injected into things. I know it was done for laughs, but because it was so much less clever than the rest of the film's humor, it wound up being painful. (and where did he get the speedboat?) I was, however, pleased by the story's ending. For awhile there, it was looking as though Frank might not face any consequences for his actions, but ultimately, there was a piper to pay. There had to be or the film's wild premise would have lost all touch with reality.
On the overall, some good laughs, plenty of wit, nice scenery, and a story that kept moving. Frankly, you could do a lot worse.
Logan Miller (Philip) was very good here, though at times, thought his witty comebacks were a little too good and came a little too easily for a 17 year old. Jim Gaffigan (Frank), best known for his stand up comedy, got better as the film went along. He didn't sell me in the early part of the movie as the distant, demanding father, but as we got to know him better, his performance grew on me. Isabelle Phillips, had a fairly big role for a first timer. And while story-wise, she didn't have much to do, she did offer up a good deal of on-screen charm.
The film worked best when after the secret was out, Philip and Frank shared a scene. There was some genuineness to Frank after that. Perhaps because for the first time in 20 years, he didn't have to lie. And it was during this part of the film that I found myself starting to care. Imperfect as he was, Frank wasn't a monster and with the curtain down, Philip was, at long last, finally getting to know his father. When was the movie at its worst? When the Kramer-like stoner uncle was injected into things. I know it was done for laughs, but because it was so much less clever than the rest of the film's humor, it wound up being painful. (and where did he get the speedboat?) I was, however, pleased by the story's ending. For awhile there, it was looking as though Frank might not face any consequences for his actions, but ultimately, there was a piper to pay. There had to be or the film's wild premise would have lost all touch with reality.
On the overall, some good laughs, plenty of wit, nice scenery, and a story that kept moving. Frankly, you could do a lot worse.
American Ride
(2011– )
Kick a leg over, let's take a ride.
22 August 2018
Let me sum this series up quickly ~ I've learned more about American history from this show than I did in all my years in school. How nice it is to finally get some real detail about the events and people that formed, and ultimately built this country. Host Stan Ellsworth doesn't stop at quotes, dates, and important events, he gives a level of background and context to things in a way your high school history class never could. And while there's no doubt how much he loves his country, make no mistake about it, our host doesn't give in to the temptation of spin or manipulation. Whatever the subject, you come away feeling you've gotten an unbiased view of things. With 'American Ride', you're getting it the way it was, warts and all. For instance, there's no sugarcoating of slavery here, nor with any of the other black marks in our history Stan takes us to. Good and bad, it's all here.
At times, there can be a little too much filler, mostly in the form of our host riding his motorcycle down the roads of American history, but by and large, the content of these programs is quite wonderful. In particular, in the treatment of the Revolution and Civil War periods. For us amateur history buffs, the depth and detail we get in these VERY easy to digest programs, is something we've been craving from television for a long, long time. And it doesn't end there. He does a series later in the show's run, profiling 'Presidents and Patriots'. Here we get to know some of the names we've heard about all our lives, finally, in some real depth. Not just learning what they did, but where they came from, and how exactly they got there.
It's a shame this series couldn't have gone on longer, but towards the end, repetition did start to rear its ugly head. Still, three cheers to Ellsworth, and a big thumbs up to the series. You'll enjoy watching them again and again.
At times, there can be a little too much filler, mostly in the form of our host riding his motorcycle down the roads of American history, but by and large, the content of these programs is quite wonderful. In particular, in the treatment of the Revolution and Civil War periods. For us amateur history buffs, the depth and detail we get in these VERY easy to digest programs, is something we've been craving from television for a long, long time. And it doesn't end there. He does a series later in the show's run, profiling 'Presidents and Patriots'. Here we get to know some of the names we've heard about all our lives, finally, in some real depth. Not just learning what they did, but where they came from, and how exactly they got there.
It's a shame this series couldn't have gone on longer, but towards the end, repetition did start to rear its ugly head. Still, three cheers to Ellsworth, and a big thumbs up to the series. You'll enjoy watching them again and again.
Incredible performance.
13 July 2018
Not here to review the entire two part episode, just wanted to comment on the performance of Annie Corley. Playing the mother of a murdered child, Ms Corley reaches a level of heart wrenching agony, more powerful and more realistic than anything I've ever seen on any screen, anywhere. Those few minutes we see her on the street where her child was found, is nothing short of stunning. I don't think she won an Emmy for this, probably wasn't even nominated, but I dare anyone to watch her and not be genuinely moved.
Tour de force by a pair of guest stars
2 July 2018
As the years rolled along with Gunsmoke, more and more episodes featured less and less of Matt. Festus would often be the featured character, or maybe Doc, or Kitty, or Newly. A little of this, of course, isn't so bad. It gives the other regulars a chance to show off a little and flush out their characters. But too much of it can leave a viewer feeling a little cheated. After all, if you tune into Gunsmoke, there's a good chance you're hoping to see Matt Dillon.
Which brings me to 'Gunfighter R. I. P.'. In this episode, we see very little of Matt. In fact, we don't see much of Festus or Kitty, either. Doc shows up a little more, but even he's just a bit player. No, this episode is about a couple of strangers to the Gunsmoke world; Darren McGavin's hired gun, Joe Bascome, and France Nuyen's looked down upon angel, Ching Lee. If either actor had turned in a great performance here, this would have been a fine episode, but we were lucky enough to get great work from both.
Doing my best not to spoil anything . . . . the initial script for the episode had called for a different ending, but the nature and quality of the ride these two take the viewer on, simply didn't allow it. So, the ending was altered to . . . . well, like I said, I don't want to spoil anything.
In the long, long run of this series, I can't think of a better episode in which the beloved regulars of Dodge play such small roles. Fortunately, with McGavin and Nuyen, we viewers are in very capable hands.
Which brings me to 'Gunfighter R. I. P.'. In this episode, we see very little of Matt. In fact, we don't see much of Festus or Kitty, either. Doc shows up a little more, but even he's just a bit player. No, this episode is about a couple of strangers to the Gunsmoke world; Darren McGavin's hired gun, Joe Bascome, and France Nuyen's looked down upon angel, Ching Lee. If either actor had turned in a great performance here, this would have been a fine episode, but we were lucky enough to get great work from both.
Doing my best not to spoil anything . . . . the initial script for the episode had called for a different ending, but the nature and quality of the ride these two take the viewer on, simply didn't allow it. So, the ending was altered to . . . . well, like I said, I don't want to spoil anything.
In the long, long run of this series, I can't think of a better episode in which the beloved regulars of Dodge play such small roles. Fortunately, with McGavin and Nuyen, we viewers are in very capable hands.
Brave New Jersey
(2016)
Opportunity Lost
21 June 2018
Had fairly high hopes for this film. Thought it might be one of those little diamonds in the rough you come across every so often. At least the story seemed to offer potential, but alas, in the end, there was little to feel good about except the well disciplined 1:26 run time.
I suppose there were a few bright spots, though certainly not in the drawing out of the characters. Instead of this small town being populated with a few delightful, original odd-balls, what we get instead are mostly unlikeable, two-dimensional cardboard cut outs. I mean, when the character whose scenes you're most looking forward to is a kid (Grace Kaufman), that tells you a lot.
Maybe I should have gone 4 stars, but the film was easy enough to look at, and like I said earlier, they did at least keep it short.
I suppose there were a few bright spots, though certainly not in the drawing out of the characters. Instead of this small town being populated with a few delightful, original odd-balls, what we get instead are mostly unlikeable, two-dimensional cardboard cut outs. I mean, when the character whose scenes you're most looking forward to is a kid (Grace Kaufman), that tells you a lot.
Maybe I should have gone 4 stars, but the film was easy enough to look at, and like I said earlier, they did at least keep it short.
All Nighter
(2017)
Decent little film.
14 June 2018
I admit it. I've become a sucker for J.K. Simmons. I like him in just about everything he's in. And that's nice, because he does a lot of 'smaller' films, and I really like smaller films. 'All Nighter', is one of those. There's nothing 'big' happening here, just the story of two (mostly) unconnected people, who unexpectedly come together to go looking for someone. That someone is Ginnie; the daughter of one, and the former girlfriend of the other.
So what is 'All Nighter'? A comedy? A quest? A buddy movie? A heart tugger? Yes . . . . kinda. I suppose it's all those things but, then again, not really any of them. Like I said earlier, it's one of those 'small' movies about a small event in the lives of a few (mostly) ordinary people. No Super-Heroes, no special effects, and ultimately, nothing all that life-altering. At least on the surface. In the end, 'All Nighter' is really just a story about the need for connections in life. How being involved with those around us is the only meaningful currency to measure our own wealth.
Hirsch or Simmons, and usually both together, are onscreen for almost the entire film, and their evolving relationship was enough to keep me interested. It's not the most original of stories, but that's okay. Sometimes a film doesn't need to be, so long as you enjoy spending the next 90 minutes with the people in question. And in this case, it worked out well enough.
So what is 'All Nighter'? A comedy? A quest? A buddy movie? A heart tugger? Yes . . . . kinda. I suppose it's all those things but, then again, not really any of them. Like I said earlier, it's one of those 'small' movies about a small event in the lives of a few (mostly) ordinary people. No Super-Heroes, no special effects, and ultimately, nothing all that life-altering. At least on the surface. In the end, 'All Nighter' is really just a story about the need for connections in life. How being involved with those around us is the only meaningful currency to measure our own wealth.
Hirsch or Simmons, and usually both together, are onscreen for almost the entire film, and their evolving relationship was enough to keep me interested. It's not the most original of stories, but that's okay. Sometimes a film doesn't need to be, so long as you enjoy spending the next 90 minutes with the people in question. And in this case, it worked out well enough.
Ending didn't ring true
7 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Enjoyed just about everything about this episode but the end. Look, I understand why it was done, given the framework of the show, but there was nothing in Ms. Mike's character that had me believing she would have ridden away from Matt the way she did. She was a strong independent woman who had fallen for Matt. That Mike would have simply turned her back the way she did seemed hollow to me. Of course, there was only about 30 seconds left in the show, so yeah, I get it.
Still, though, a very well acted episode. In particular, by the reliable Mr. French and the often under-appreciated Michael Learned.
Still, though, a very well acted episode. In particular, by the reliable Mr. French and the often under-appreciated Michael Learned.
Tell Your Friends