wikkedladi Reviews

Baby Bob (2002–2003)

Yikes!

[19 March 2002]

I just can't believe that such talented actors would star in such an awful sitcom! If this lasts more than a few episodes, I will be shocked. I just hope that such a stupid endeavor doesn't ruin their careers. Honestly, this show is reminiscent of something like "My Mother the Car."

My So-Called Life (1994–1995)

Superbly written

[4 December 2001]

I totally disagree that you had to be a teenager when this show was new to be able relate to it. The slang and fashions may change, but the Jordan Catalanos, Rayannes and Angelas have been around for years. I graduated 20 years ago. What was termed "grunge" in 1994 was called "burnout" when I was in school. (And the late 70s/early 80s burnout attire wasn't much different than the grunge look - burnout guys wore thermal shirts under flannel, chains in their pockets, work boots and had unruly longish hair.) I, too, had a major crush on the "Jordan Catalano" of my time. I used to think he was "quiet and deep", but realize now he probably just didn't have much to say.

This show made me realize that although teenagers appear to be so much different today, perhaps that isn't really true - that they obviously face the same type of angst, pressure and problems that I faced. It gave me major flashbacks in that it reminded me of teenaged feelings and traumas I hadn't thought about since high school (and would never want to face again!)

Angela reminded me of me at her age - naive and a goody two shoes who wants to break out of that shell. I even had the friend "Sharon" (who coincidentally was also named Sharon!) who doesn't understand about wanting to change or preferring Rayanne's company over hers, or no longer wanting to belong to the yearbook committee.

It was a wonderfully written and extremely well acted drama. There were only a little more than a dozen shows, I think, but every one of them is a gem.

An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)

An oldie but goodie

[7 November 2001]

I have seen this movie many times, the first time being on Christmas

night 1982. I was 19 years old, and with someone I was very in love

with. Perhaps that is part of the nostalgia of this movie for me. I

am still (almost) as riveted by it as I was then. Yes, the movie is

dated, at times improbable, and definitely predictable. However, all

these years and countless viewings later, I still hate Lynette for

tricking Sid, I still cry when Zack looks for and finds Sid, and I still

get goosebumps as Zack is walking through the factory looking for Paula.

Admittedly, I think Zack carrying Paula all the way through the factory

doors is hokey --- especially when her mother hugs her as she's going

by!

It's still a great movie though, with excellent acting by everyone

involved, and definitely in my "top 10" of favorite movies.

The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963)

A heartwarming movie...

[15 December 2000]

I disagree that this movie is sexist at all. In fact, I believe that the character of Tom Corbett is quite different (in a good way) from the fathers of that time. I continue to find this movie extremely entertaining (while ertainly more "fluff" than depth) and nostalgic, due in most part to Ron Howard's superb and engaging performance. The parts where Eddie tells his dad at summer camp that he is in love, and the end of the movie, where Eddie is "practicing" with this dad on what to say to the neighbor to ask her out on a date, are absolutely priceless. Watching Ron Howard in this movie makes you realize why he was sought after as a child actor.

Mommie Dearest (1981)

Yikes!!!!!

[16 July 2000]

What a dreadful adaptation of Christina Crawford's riveting, well-written book. It's just awful from start to finish - the actress who plays Christina - well, she plays her from around age 14 to almost age 40 - a ridiculous thing that Hollywood often does that I just can't understand - and I don't know if it was that she was an awful actress, or if it's the way the part was written, or a lot of both - but it's just embarrassing. Of course, Faye Dunaway is absolutely terrific - she does the most with what she's got - an awful screenplay - but she runs away with the movie, without a doubt. (By the way, I never doubted Christina's story. I don't believe she ever imagined the huge bestseller that her book would be, and she had many, many witnesses who confirmed most of her stories. Her mother was known as the wicked witch of Hollywood - why would she be different at home - in fact, wouldn't she have been much worse at home?

Cheers (1982–1993)

The funniest sitcom EVER!

[6 July 2000]

What made this show great was its ensemble cast - no one was necessarily the "star", and I believe the occasional departures and arrivals of cast members actually helped it remain "fresh".

The writing was phenomenal throughout its run - it never got boring or tired. I couldn't possibly think of the "best episode", but 2 stand out in my mind from the final season: Woody's wedding, and the one where Sam shows Carla his bald spot. To this day, I wonder if Ted Dansen "ad libbed" peeling off the toupee, because the look of shock and hysteria on Rhea Perlman's face seemed too realistic

Happy Days (1974–1984)

Better in the beginning

[12 May 2000]

When Happy Days aired, I was in grade school, and like all the kids in my day, I loved "The Fonz" and his "cool" image and what it represented. Of course, ratings are ratings, and the Fonzie became the dominant figure in the show.

Now, as I've watched the reruns on "Nickelodean", I have to admit that the show was of much better quality in its early episodes. It truly was a "family" show with a moral at the end of each episode, without being preachy. It seems that in those early episodes (the first year or year and a half), the show truly did capture the 50's suburban lifestyle.

Once Fonzie became the focus, it does seem now that the show got kind of silly and unbelieveable, and saturated by "Fonzie." Of course, it's not quality of writing that keeps shows alive, unfortunately, and I realize that the show wouldn't have survived as long as it had if it had kept its earlier format. Still, I do greatly enjoy those early episodes when I watch them.