dirtybeatles Reviews

Big Love (2006–2011)

I love, you love, we all love Big Love

[10/10 · 14 July 2007]

Family. In today's world, family has become a hotly debated issue. Do we stick with the traditional model, or do we evolve and expand our definition? With divorce rates steady at 50% and same-sex marriage on the table of nearly every state legislature, what makes a family a family? This show provides the answer in it's title: Big Love.

This show does not rely on the crutches of violence, sex, drugs, or profanity (although they do rear their heads from time to time). If you're looking for shock value, there isn't much here. The central theme of this show is love. Bill Hendrickson (played impeccably by Bill Paxton) is a competent, kind, and for the most part, honest, man. His wives host a festival of idiosyncrasies, but deep down their actions are based in love for the unconventional family unit they've created. Even the kids, although they partake in the usual teenage activities, have strong morals. This show is about the struggle, by all eleven Hendricksons to be a family.

Even though the show is tame, it still manages to be far more provocative than anything else on television (and with TV programming's rising quality, this is saying something). Most people will never have first-hand experience with plural marriage, and Big Love provides insight to the jealousy, guilt, secrets, and lies that multiplies with each new addition to the family. A large portion of the show also deals with the polygamous compound that Bill and his 2nd wife are from (among other things, the marriage of a 15 year old to the 76 year old "prophet"). It manages to be heartfelt and hilarious. It can make you cry, turn red in embarrassment, or burst out laughing.

HBO has really stepped up to the plate here. Each episode is far more action packed and fast-moving than Six Feet Under or The Sopranos (not that these shows weren't fabulous too). With so many interesting characters, there is never a dull moment. It does require a little time to understand/untangle the web of narratives, but once you do you will be astonished by the complexity and relatability of Big Love

The Wonder Years (1988–1993)

I'll get by with a little help from The Wonder Years

[10/10 · 6 August 2006]

The Wonder Years brings back nostalgia of an era which I did not live. Few people have lives as perfect and ordinary as Kevin Arnold: the nerdy best friend, the gorgeous girl-next-door, the hippie sister, the obnoxious brother. Though this is a television family, with all it's stereotypes in place, The Wonder Years perfectly encapsulates both the changing times of the late 60's/early 70's, and the painful awkwardness of adolescence.

This show will likely never be released on DVD. And if it is, it will be without the original music (liscensing for the huge amount of popular music would be astronomically expensive). This is unfortunate, because The Wonder Years is one of the best TV shows ever to be put on television. If you have a chance to, watch it!

Grey's Anatomy (2005– )

great ensemble show....WATCH

[4 January 2006]

If you're here, you probably already know that Grey's Anatomy is one of the best shows on television. It may be melodramatic and unrealistic at times, but it is also warm, fantastic, and human.

At first I wrote off this show as an Ally McBeal meets ER, but after watching only one episode I was hooked. The entire cast is extraordinary and the episodes are constantly fresh. Even in the midst of tender moments the show is always filled with excitement. It does something that so few shows do: create characters you care about. Inside yourself is a piece of every character.

Although the main plot, between depressed but sharp intern Meredith Grey and her charming boss Dr. Shepard is the main focus of the show, the relationships between the interns and attendings, both friendly, romantic, and otherwise drive the show. Particularly the callous Cristina and her softening at the hands of the cocky but brilliant Dr. Burke. You will find yourself rooting for the bumbling George, and pitying Alex Karev for his inability to cope with emotion. It feels so real. The dialogue is fresh but natural, and the medical cases are surprisingly accurate and always intriguing.

Watch this show, it's great and will suck you in, no matter who you are.

My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)

delightful and sweet

[12 September 2005]

My Best Friend's Wedding is and isn't your typical romantic comedy fare. It has far more feeling, and has a plot that may seem familiar to many of us out there, who don't realize what we have until it is too late.

Julianne is a bitter, cocky, sarcastic food critic. Uncomfortable with love, her only real relationship is with her gay best friend George, who provides the outlandish, flamboyant yin to her yang. When her college ex-boyfriend who she refused to commit to calls her up, she is sure it is to cash in on their backup-marriage plan. However he has other news. He has met someone, who happens to be the polar opposite of Julianne. Kimmy is well...perfect. As his wedding date draws nearer, she begins to fall in love with him. Instead of cutting her losses, Julianne decides not to let the man of her dreams get away without a fight, and her plans to win back his heart become increasingly more outrageous.

Julia Roberts really isn't that great of an actress, but this role highlights exactly what she does best: whine and act like a spoiled, but lovesick puppy. I can't think of any other actress who could capture the desperation and jealousy as well as Roberts. Dermot Mulroney is charming as her love interest, and Rupert Everett takes George to a whole new level. He provides many a warm, funny moment. Cameron Diaz, who is also really not that great is wonderful here, exuding lovable charm and optimism.

The best part of this film though is it's unconventionality. It's not a standard boy and girl meet, fall in love despite obstacles story. And even though Julianne is the main role, you can't help but root for Kimmy when you see the dirty, underhanded deeds Julianne performs. It's laugh out loud funny, but at the same time incredibly touching and warm. It's an adorable film, and one I highly recommend to anyone who has ever loved the one they can't have.

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)

A Buddy Comedy for Girls

[9/10 · 28 August 2005]

Screw Legally Blonde or clueless, this is the only stupid-girl comedy you need! Romy and Michele were losers and high school, and not much has changed in the ten years since. They live in a trashyment, with no jobs, no boyfriends, and no sense of fashion.

The ten year reunion is coming up, and Romy is ashamed of their life. She forces Michele to join her in a maniacal plan to lose weight and find boyfriends and great jobs. However with the reunion looming, she decides that with no prospects, they'll have to improvise. Armed with business suits, cell phones, and a cock-a-mamy story about inventing post-its, they take the reunion by storm. But as all movie lies are, they are exposed, and learn that the most important thing is that they are true to themselves.

This is an adorable movie about two clueless best friends. It's great alone or with your best gal pal, and is just enjoyable and outlandish from start to finish. However, between all the crazy costumes, lies, and hilarious characters of the people you knew in high school, there is a great message that will make you smile.

Sex and the City (1998–2004)

love it, lock it, stick it in my pocket

[25 June 2005]

I really didn't want to like this show. It's made for girls and gay men, and I just couldn't see myself identifying with it.

However I watched a few episodes and I was sucked in.

The characters are lovable, and you can see pieces of yourself in all of them. There's Miranda, the sarcastic hardened lawyer, Charlotte, the prim, proper, and sensitive Southern Belle type. Samantha the wild child of the bunch. And Carrie, who seems so real you could have met her on the street. It's not your everyday romantic comedy with a bunch of "i love you"s and romantic deeds, but it's a acerbic look at trying to find love for women in the city.

Give this show a try, and I promise you will fall in love with it like I did.

Deep Impact (1998)

I love this movie.

[10/10 · 12 June 2005]

Deep Impact has always had a soft spot in my heart. Man vs. Nature films almost always crash and burn (though I still love them), and I feel that Deep Impact is one of the elite few (Jurassic Park being the only other I can think of) that realizes it's true potential, and is a great film in it's own right.

The plot seems fairly straightforward. Comet is discovered by Leo, a young kid, and astronomers confirm that it is on a trajectory to earth. In order to prevent a panic the government plans in secret. Jennie, an ambitious reporter covering an adulterous scandal stumbles upon evidence of the comet, and bullies the president into going public.

However the story has far more facets. While Armageddon flew by with a typical romance, idiots in space comedy, and special effects, Deep Impact relies on it's characters to move the plot forward. Leo is forced to grow up far before he's ready, and abandon his childhood in order to make adult decisions and save those he loves. Jennie suffers from a strained relationship with her father, who has remarried a woman only two years her senior. Astronauts must sacrifice themselves for a higher cause. Though screen time on each of the stories is limited, just a few lines really get you inside each character's head. They're extremely easy to care about.

Morgan Freeman also happens to be the best movie president I've ever watched. His acting, along with the rest of the cast, is top notch. There won't be a dry eye in the house after this film. The director makes this feel almost like a Spielberg film. Plenty of action, but more than anything, heart.

High Tension (2003)

don't waste your money

[3/10 · 11 June 2005]

This movie has been extremely overrated.

After reading several reviews I decided to spend the ungodly ticket price and see this film, as I love horror, and gore. However I was very disappointed.

Two schoolmates leave town to spend a weekend of studying at Alex's parent's farmhouse. After heading to sleep, a sinister man enters their home, and proceeds to semi-gruesomely murder it's inhabitants. Marie is the only character with any brains whatsoever. The script conveniently gives several of the characters earplugs, in order to make it more plausible that they would not hear the screams emitting from just outside their door.

The madman takes Alex hostage, and Marie follows in an attempt to save her friend. This movie was touted as a gore fest, but it is not really any more gory than other movies that have come out recently.

And High Tension possesses a final "twist" that makes it all the more typical. It becomes exactly like every movie that has been released in the last few years, and takes away the shred of respect you might still have clinging to it by the final ten minutes.

In short, don't waste your money on this film. If you want gore, go to rotten.com.

American Beauty (1999)

An amazing, life changing, film

[10/10 · 4 June 2005]

The plot to 'Beauty' seems simple. Lester (Spacey) is bored with his life. His once solid marriage is now a complete charade. His teenage daughter despises him. And he's on the verge of losing his job. On the outside, his life seems like the perfect snapshot of an American family. But we learn quickly that Lester and everyone around him is far from happy. He goes through life in a daze, trying hard to care, and failing miserably.

However he is wrenched out of sedation when his daughter brings home her free-spirited best friend, Angela. Suddenly Lester's life is filled with new purpose, and he goes about trying to correct his life and reclaim the joyous and carefree ways of his youth. Along the way all those around him also embark of journeys of self discovery. However it doesn't take long for Lester to realize the beauty of the life he has now. This may sound like a typical self-actualization movie, but it is far from it.

American Beauty is, simply put, a phenomenal film. It's a family drama, a black comedy, a love story, and a mystery, all at the same time. it dares you to categorize it. It's impossible. Moments of side-splitting laughter are juxaposed with moments of despair so sad they are almost painful to watch. The script is an exercise in restraint, and each line seems carefully selected. You learn more about each character with a look than most movies can explain in their entirety.

The acting is also superb. From Lester himself, to the three roles played by teens, each one seems as real as your next-door neighbor. They are full fleshed out people. Even small roles seem as if they could walk right out of your television. You'll find pieces of yourself in each one.

This is a movie that can change your life. If you haven't seen it, open your mind and take a look, because this is a film that will touch your heart, soul, and mind. If you let it.

Along Came Polly (2004)

when there's nothing to rent, this isn't too bad

[5/10 · 9 January 2005]

This movie has some very obvious similarities to Something About Mary. Many of them have to do with Ben Stiller's inability to choose any role except the lovable klutz. And why should he? It works for him. He makes millions. We all know Aniston can act (see The Good Girl), but this role is about as close to Friends's Rachel as any will ever come.

However, somewhere between the formulaic plot, the awkward insertions of toilet humor into an otherwise benign romantic comedy, and Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller's lack of chemistry, this movie becomes funny, and dare I say, cute? It's not a great film by any means, but it's got a nice idea, some gross-out humor for the boys, and some overly adorable professions of love for the ladies. Shaken well, you come up with a mediocre romantic comedy that's worth a view if you can't find anything else to watch.