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Reviews
The Divide (2015)
Interesting But Disjointed
This was a great premise that I felt wasn't fulfilled. There were several instances where things were very unclear to me. For example, the couple who had moved into the gated community had a scene where the wife said her children were ostracized at the playground. I couldn't figure out why that happened -- did they look "poor" and the rich neighbors found them repulsive? They didn't seem to like the neighborhood at all, so I didn't understand why they didn't move to a different area if the culture was such a bad fit. A real estate agent showed them some homes, but it wasn't explained why they didn't move.
Also, the guy in prison -- why was he related to "the divide" of rich and poor? The audience wasn't told what his first two strikes were, but the third strike was drug possession, which wasn't necessarily due to his being of a lower socioeconomic class.
I did like "The Divide" enough to watch all of it.
Naked on the Inside (2007)
I watched this last night and I'm still thinking about it today
The blurb on my cable TV guide made this sound like it was about people with body dysmorphia or eating disorders, but this film was so much more than that. Six vastly different types of people from all over the world bared their souls (and skin) to talk about their lives. My favorite two subjects were Dave (dancer from England) and Jose (former gang member), but all of the stories were fascinating. I think Dave's wonderful mother had a lot to do with her son's matter- of-fact view of his challenges and positive take on life.
I would have loved to have seen this at the Sundance Film Fest with a Q&A with the filmmaker and participants after the movie. If anyone was there for that, I'd love to hear your comments on the experience.
Empty Cradle (1993)
Kate Camps It Up (possible spoilers)
Kate Jackson is a hoot as a crazy white-trash nurse who schemes to steal babies from pregnant women so she can lure her married boyfriend into being with her and their "family." She goes from kindly nurse to psycho baby-stealer in the blink of an eye -- great job, Kate; who knew you were such a comedienne?!
The serious segments with Lori Loughlin are typical Lifetime melodrama, but the over-the-top scenes with Kate and her teenage son, played by Jonah Blechman, are pure Lifetime cheese (and I mean that in a good way!) Eriq LaSalle (Dr. Peter Benton on "ER") shows up in the last 30 minutes as an inquisitive detective.
Very entertaining in a campy sort of way.
Reckless Behavior: Caught on Tape (2007)
This Movie Was Terrible
When my husband makes fun of my Lifetime movie addiction, most of the time I laugh off his comments. But his mocking comments on this movie were right on target: it was really awful.
I thought the plot had promise: the dangers of going wild on Spring Break trips, and how what seems fun while you're drunk can seem trashy and tawdry the next day. But instead we got a really clichéd story of a woman/girl who made some really terrible choices, then, beyond all odds, got her "revenge" in the last five minutes of the movie. What a waste of two hours. Bad acting and even worse writing, and I hated the voice-over lecture at the end.
I completely agree with Kimberly's review (above), so read her review on why you should steer clear of this piece of junk.
The Office (2005)
This show is brilliant!!!
I had seen a few episodes of the British version and enjoyed it, but something about the new American version really hits home. I watched the episode about Dwight choosing new a health care plan last night, and I was laughing uncontrollably several times. "Count Chockulitis??" Steve Carrell is excellent, as always, but I think the breakout star of The Office is Rainn Wilson. I had seen him as Arthur on "Six Feet Under," but he really proves that he has comic talent here. The supporting cast is uniformly excellent, as well. Viewers who think that this is a lame rip-off of the British show, please give it a chance! From what I've read, only the first episode was a copy of the British version; all of the other scripts are original. A+!! I sincerely hope it sticks around.