desmondorama Reviews

Get Smart (2008)

Missed it by THAT much!

[2/10 · 28 June 2008]

Why the producers decided to call this predictable and poorly written film "Get Smart" is a mystery to me.

I saw this film with no pre-conceptions of what they would do to make me enjoy this film and I was totally disappointed.

I'm a great fan and admirer who's always enjoyed Mel Brooks' comedic writing and actors Don Adams and Barbara Feldon, who had a wonderful rapport and relationship in the TV series; so why were there so few laughs in the script(if any at all)?

In all honesty, I laughed twice, and they weren't specifically about the movie itself, just the reference to ABBA's "Take A Chance on Me" on the iPod and Steve Carell's cute bum. I really wanted to give this movie a chance to succeed, but it just didn't.

I went to see this movie on the first day of opening in Australia nationally. The cinema was half-full and hardly anyone laughed for the entire duration of the film. The silence in the cinema was surreal.

The relationship between Agents 86 and 99 is appalling; 99 spends more time on-screen abusing and insulting 86 and there is absolutely no chemistry until the predictable end scenes and even that didn't work for them!

There were many irritating characters as well; in fact, all of them! I'm not knocking the actors playing the roles, but Agent 23, Siegfried, the Chief, Larabee, Bruce, Lloyd, Dalip, etc, were just simply annoying characters.

The final appearance of Patrick Warburton's 'Hymie' was the only saving grace character and he was only on-screen for less than a minute.

I couldn't wait for this film to end, especially after seeing what was a brilliant concept of "Get Smart" re-written so badly in the 'updated' version.

So many tag lines from the original series were simply tacked on almost as a last minute reference to the series, including the shoe-phone.

I can't believe this film "missed it by THAT much"?

Gay Sex in the 70s (2005)

The Good Ol' Bad Ol' Days of Sex in the 70's

[8/10 · 23 February 2008]

It was almost deja vu for me, watching what lifestyle was like in those heady days of Gay sex in the 70's.

The thing about it was that it really happened just like that - not only in NYC but around the world! I lived in Perth, Australia and it was all happening here as well! This is a very good archive of a time in history and valuable in today's world.

It was fun to see all the pretty young things in their heyday who are all past middle age, yet knowing that they'd come a long way to get here.

I enjoyed it and highly recommend it to anyone who was around at the time.

Dan in Real Life (I) (2007)

Heart-warming, predictable. Why they they make it?

[4/10 · 14 February 2008]

Can a Steve Carell movie really be this predictable and boring?

Well I discovered that today when I went to see this supposedly romantic comedy and ended up feeling so sorry for the adult cast and crew in their attempt to make a reasonably good movie surrounded by all those screaming kids.

Please don't let my opinions stop you from going to see this mundane and typically modern American comedy.

The film seemed to portray ordinary-everyday, hard-working, down-to-earth, happy, real people with lots of screaming, blonde, predominantly female children who are always playing family games, eating, and dressed so badly that I really have to question the wardrobe and make-up budget! The wedding was the only well-costumed scene in the entire movie.

Steve Carell is brilliant playing totally over-the top comedic characters, but in this heart-warming, family movie, he is just wasted and miscast.

Juliette Binoche, a stunningly attractive and accomplished French actress, playing an American with a dubious accent? Diane Wiest - whatever happened to Diane's interesting roles she is famous for? She is now regularly cast as frumpy grandmothers with bad hairstyles.

John Mahoney reminded me I was not watching "Fraser" any more, although he was dressed as his previous character as well.

I enjoyed the performance of Emily Blunt as Ruthie 'Pig-Face' Draper - she looked great, was costumed well and played a 'realistic' character who also danced well.

My favourite scene was when Marie had to pretend to take a shower while Dan was hiding behind the shower-curtain - the expression on Juliette Binoche's face is priceless.

All up, I enjoyed a few laughs and the very good cinematography, but can't say I was impressed with the movie - but as I say, don't let my review stop you from viewing this movie yourself - you may think it's wonderful!

The Protectors (1972–1974)

Stylish, Sexy and Fun to relive the 70's

[8/10 · 24 September 2007]

How could you not resist singing along to Tony Christie's wonderful rendition of "Avenues & Alleyways"? I love this series not for the plots that went nowhere, but for the great cast of Robert Vaughan, Nyree Dawn Porter (deceased) in a pseudo-Italian accent and the very handsome Tony Anholt (deceased) who looked decorative, spoke with a French accent and was always elegantly attired). A special mention needs to be made for Yasuko Nagazumi who plays Harry Rule's talented and elegant personal assistant. Check out her hairstyles and creative costumes!

This series epitomised the stylish early 70's when men wore fitted suits, silk neck-scarves and sexy shoes, when women wore outrageous dresses, make-up and very high, creative hairstyles.

Another Gerry Anderson production (I'm a fan of his work, especially UFO), this series was very much like "The Persuaders", set all over continental Europe and featuring some interesting guest stars of the day. The locations alone are worth watching for.

Watch this series just for the fun and the retro memories. Don't take the story lines too seriously - it was just the early 70's; and that's what mattered!

The Girl Most Likely to... (1973 TV Movie)

This Is Obviously A Cult Movie

[9/10 · 11 August 2002]

What else can I add to say how wonderful this made-for-TV film is!

I saw it years ago when I was very young one late night - like most of the other reviewers.

I had no idea who the cast was except for Stockard Channing and that's because her name is so unusual.

Over the years, as an adult, I desperately tried to tell my friends who adored Ms Channing in "Grease" that I remembered her in this most unusual film; yet no one had seen it before.

I am ecstatic to see that it is all documented here and by the fan list that's growing, that hopefully this fabulous cult movie co-written by the divine Ms Joan Rivers will be released on Video and DVD for a new generation of fans.

Hats off to the leading lady and for the credit she deserves for her talent

Tales of the Unexpected (1979–1988)

Wonderful Kitsch from The 70's

[9/10 · 5 August 2002]

Regardless of what some viewers may think, I had a great time watching this series as a young adult late in the evenings and before the station screening it closed for the night.

It was brilliantly written by the fabulous Mr Roald Dahl and the theme soundtrack was worth the wait for 'the Unexpected Tale' with a usually camp and fascinating end to unfold.

The series starred many budding and now household names from the British Theatre world and yes, the costumes, sets and furnishings were glam and stylish for the period when the world was a more innocent and romantic place to be.

I wish it could be screened again in Australia for older and even newer audiences to enjoy again; especially now that the 70's are hip and back!