A-Ron-2 Reviews

Threshold (2005–2006)

This show is not that bad...

[16 September 2005]

I will agree that the end of the two-hour pilot (which I sense that the last reviewer only saw the first half of) was a bit lame, but I think that this show has some possibilities... but only if they accept the limitations of a one-trick-pony show. Unlike the X-Files, this show doesn't seem to have the potential to broaden its fundamental premise, or explore alternatives to the show's main narrative. Now, I could be wrong, and the producers may well intend that each season (much like Buffy) contains some kind of apocalyptic arc that will be developed and resolved, leaving room for the next apocalypse to creep up... or perhaps the Threshold team will be encountering multiple apocalypses at once and running parallel story lines (this would seem to be a bit harder to do)... I must say that the pilot did not inspire a sense that the creators of the show recognized the limitations that they have imposed on themselves, and thus will likely self-destruct by mid-season... As I have pointed out before, the only successful formulae for sci-fi/fantasy shows are demonstrated by the Twilight Zone (single shots, no continuity), Buffy (single season continuity with some running themes), and the X- Files (multi-season continuity, but with individual show plot diversity). This show, sadly, does not appear to embrace ANY of these formulae and so, regardless of the writing, the interest, or the acting... it will unlikely maintain a solid fan base (especially on Friday night... darn, I just realized I missed the new Battlestar Galactica!). Hopefully the creators will recognize these limitations and work to ameliorate them, because I think that the cast, the writing, the special affects, and the 'feel' of the show are worth attempting to preserve... however, they won't be able to pull of a weekly chronology of a single alien invasion for multiple seasons with no side-stories...

The concept of the Threshold Group seems to be open to multiple plot options and a flexible story system, but I am concerned after seeing the pilot that the creators may focus too much on this single alien threat and tread water until cancellation...

In other words, decent enough show... hope the guys making it don't muck it up.

Supernatural (2005–2020)

Not too shabby...

[13 September 2005]

It kind of reminds me of the first season of the X-Files (the sloppy writing, awkward acting, etc.), but in a good way. I think that if the WB gives the show a chance, it could develop into something worthwhile... the acting was decent... good visuals... the writing needs to be a bit crisper, and they should probably not rely too heavily on 'stock' monsters (i.e. the Lady in White in the first episode)... they should aim to make each creature they encounter unique (or to take a unique spin on an old idea, again like the X-Files)...

If they manage to get few seasons under their belt, I am sure that there is some 'conspiracy' or 'mythology' that will develop in the various stories, but here is where the main problem lies... if this is to be an X-Files clone (and I have no real problem with that, per se), it needs to have a strong hook and the problem with supernatural themed shows is that such hooks tend to boil down to a sort of manichaean battle between the forces of Good and the forces of Darkness... whereas, in the X-Files, an alien invasion is something that could, conceivably, be affected by human actions in a meaningful way, such supernatural struggles between God and Satan (or whatever the show is going to call them) really leave the characters in a lurch... the show will either embrace some kind of religious theme (which would be cool, but unlikely), or it will aim toward some kind of Apocalypse... if the creators are smart, they will aim for a more Buffy-style story arc with lots of little Apocalypses leading up to something major... and perhaps introduce some extraneous characters (to be killed off at opportune times, of course)... otherwise, it runs the danger of becoming another Millennium, which would be a very bad thing (sad that so much creative energy went into such a mediocre show).

Anyway, getting back to Supernatural... the show has promise... it could build some kind of fan base if given an opportunity (although, I am not sure that The Gilmore Girls is exactly the right lead in... maybe Smallville or something... grab that teen and geek audience)... I am not sure that the Gilmore Girls audience will stick around, and I am not sure the buzz is good enough for people to jump over from other channels just to see it. I will definitely watch the next few episodes, but I have a measured expectation of the shows potential... it will definitely need to pick up from the pilot, which was OK, but not fantastic.

Bones (2005–2017)

Well, I gave David Boreanaz the benefit of the doubt...

[13 September 2005]

I personally did NOT care much for this show... I didn't care about the characters, the crime was lame, and the resolution contained no pay off... however, I also hate all the CSIs, most of the Law and Orders, and nearly every other procedural crime drama that involves 'characters' (I don't watch the show for characters, I watch it for the crimes... duh!)... but I am, apparently, in a minority as all the shows I just mentioned are immensely popular, so I figure this show has a 50/50 chance of success... it might be just enough to tantalize the bored housewives and forensics geeks that it was clearly designed to appeal to... it didn't do much for me, though... so I will leave a more specific review to more capable (and interested) hands.

Best in Show (2000)

Great Film...

[7/10 · 4 January 2002]

Man, I really enjoyed this, if only for Fred Willard's commentary at the dog show. There are some dead spots and some gags that don't work, but overall the film works very well. When I was younger, my parents bred dogs and the people that I met at those shows were not significantly less bizarre that the freaks at this show, I can assure you.

I enjoyed this film for its artistry and for its commentary about how we tend to take frivolous things far too seriously... I enjoyed the acting for its accuracy (most of the accents were flawless) and its subtlety (I loved the way each person walked their dogs)...

Rent this film if you have any appreciation for the strangeness of human existence.

American Movie (1999)

Good Lord!! I know these people...

[8/10 · 4 January 2002]

Well, maybe not these people in particular, but people very much like them. The ones who spent way too much time smoking dope and dreaming, and not enough time developing any sort of understanding of the things they claim to love. Uggghh.

This movie was, at times, painful to watch, because I really do know people like this, and I understand their frustrations; however, their frustrations are all self-made and it is sometimes difficult to empathize. In fact, most often you end up holding these people in contempt (or at least I do) and that may not be entirely fair.

As Ed Wood showed us, it is possible to love film without really understanding it; more often than not, though, these people are simply dodging reality by occupying themselves with pipe-dreams.

I felt that American Movie did a great job of portraying the life of such a person accurately... it was sometimes funny, but always tempered by a certain desperation.

See this movie, it was great film-making... but don't assume it will be the laugh riot that you may have heard about... it is a bit more serious than that.

The Lord of the Rings (1978)

A nice film, but now overshadowed...

[7/10 · 4 January 2002]

Well, finally it has been done... LOTR is on the big screen and will be completed; however, I have always been a fan of Bakshi and his vision of Middle Earth (in fact, I get the feeling that Jackson is as well). It was a noble effort, but, in the end, it failed in many ways.

I really do like it, and I am happy to see that the film has been released on DVD, but all the same it cannot compete with Jackson's vision of Tolkien's books.

I would still advise people to go and rent it (or buy it), especially if you have kids who want to see it (Jackson's versions is a bit too intense for many younger kids), because it is still enchanting and wonderful (although a bit dark in some places).

You can always rent Return of the King to fill in the end for young viewers.

For us older viewers, though, rent it for the pure joy of the animation... it was truly beautiful and still holds up in many ways. Bakshi clearly loved the story and had a strong vision for the look of the film.

If you have not seen it, check it out...

The Banana Splits Adventure Hour (1968–1970)

Cool Show...

[4 January 2002]

I really loved this show when I was kid, because it exposed me to all kinds of genres of story... pirates, musketeers, etc. It is a great all-around show and I hope that Cartoon Network brings it back more often in re-runs (I have seen it on Saturday Morning Flashback with my step-son several times).

I wish that there were more shows like this one the air for kids... innocuous little adventure shows with a certain innocence to them.

Spider-Man (1967–1970)

I loved this show when I was little...

[4 January 2002]

The problem with comic books today, is that they are waaayy too sophisticated for most kids to comprehend... I read Spiderman when I was 6 and 7 years old (I read it when I was older as well, but I will get to that) and I could follow the stories to some exent, but mostly I read it because the cartoon was soooo cool (much cooler than any later Spiderman incarnations)... the animation was quirky, the voices were very Shatnerian (I think I just invented a word, and I will now use it frequently), but it was fun and it made sense to a young mind.

Now, don't get me wrong about comic books, I really appreciated the more sophisticated stories when I was a teenager, but I have no idea how the medium will gain new fans when you cannot hope to get involved with them until you are at least a teenager (when such things are uncool)... and a lot of the material is too intense for young eyes anyway... maybe a line of comics for younger fans would be good. I dunno, but I feel bad that my kid will likely not have comic book heroes in his life to any meaningful degree... I just wish that cool shows like Bakshi's Spiderman were still on the air to fill in the gaps.

Mighty Heroes (1966–1967)

I forgot that this show even existed!!!

[4 January 2002]

On the one hand, I forgot that this show even existed, but on the other hand I cannot believe that I am the first person to comment on it...

Bakshi was absolutely brilliant and created what (probably) the best satire of the superhero genre ever attempted. I remember this show to be amazingly humorous and insightful (and more than a bit goofy). I hope that Rhino picks these up and puts them out like they have all the other old kids' shows.

A great memory... I love IMDB...

Invaders from Mars (1986)

Not as good as the original, but OK

[5/10 · 7 August 2001]

Now, I am not a huge fan of this film, but I think that Tobe Hooper

has brought about a pleasant re-imagining of the original film with

updated special effects... the main problem is that this film is a bit

too graphic for the child audience at which it is aimed. I respect

Hooper's odd desire to make a sci-fi film for kids, but I think that he

compromised this vision by aiming the action scenes at older

kids... the only people I think that will really like this movie are

those who saw the original film as children and loved it, and those

older kids who are really into special effects and can ignore the

lame acting and plot...

Aside from that, I think that most older kids will find this film to be

lame and most younger kids would be too scared by the aliens

and some of the violence... overall, I would recommend showing

your younger kids the original film (as I think that it really plays to

the fears of children in a non-threatening manner) and maybe

turning them onto this film when they get a bit older... as a sort of

initiation into more sophisticated action/horror films.

Jurassic Park III (2001)

This was a popcorn film, plain and simple

[6/10 · 2 August 2001]

Is this a bad thing... no way. I really enjoyed this film, even though

it was not the deepest or most reflective film I have seen...

sometimes you just want to see big-ass dinosaurs mess stuff up.

Sometimes you just want to see some serious carnage (a higher

body count might have been nice, but what the hell). The

dinosaurs did not look as good as they did in the first two films...

they did not 'breathe' for me, but the menacing ones were scary

and the 'Peter-Pan-clock-(or cell phone)-in-the-belly trick was kind

of cute.

Overall, not a huge amount to say about the film, but it is worth

sitting through if you have want to kill some time.

Planet of the Apes (2001)

Reasonable re-imagining of a classic tale

[6/10 · 2 August 2001]

I liked this film... it was not a great film, but it was a good film. I felt that it entertained me for the 2 hours or so that it was on and I did

not feel screwed out of 6 bucks... however, this film did not MOVE

me the way the original film did... it danced with certain issues

without ever really delving into them... it used the image of slaver

without addressing the substance (and so had to rely on deus ex

machina resolution rather than the more cerebral ending of the

original...)

Overall, I think that the ending of this film would have been better at

the end of the original movie, reminding us that WE were the apes

and bringing home the point of the film a clear way. However,

since this film only used racism a slavery as a plot device the

ending simply seemed to say 'boo' rather than to make one think

or reflect.

This is not to say that I disliked Tim Burton's version in any way,

but simply to point out that it does not have the same resonance

as the original... worth seeing, but make sure you give the 1968

one a read as well.

Shrek (2001)

Now this film I enjoyed...

[8/10 · 2 August 2001]

As I must now sit through many hours of children's films I must

point out that I am very happy when a GOOD one is made... most

children's films condescend to children and treat them as though

they are fools... however, a good one aims slightly over their heads

so they will get the sense that there is something more and can

actually grow into the films rather than abandon them to childhood

memories...

Shrek is one of those movies... it does not condescend to its

audience (children) and thus is entertaining for the adults who

were dragged along as well. I really enjoyed this spin on the old

fairy tales and was not even particularly put off by the PC 'lesson'

that we learn (look deeper than people's appearances?). I thought

that it was a beautiful looking film and really worked hard to

entertain both children and adults... I look forward to buying this

one for home viewing.

Ridicule (1996)

Good film, strong cast

[7/10 · 2 August 2001]

I really enjoyed this film... I found it to be deeply engrossing and

witty. I have never been a huge fan of French cinema, but I

occasionally something very wonderful spoken with no consonants.

The characters breathed and lived for me... the atmosphere was

tense and palpable... and the camera work was phenomenal

(really evoking that feeling that we all have when we have said

something truly stupid, or over-the-line).

The plot did not particularly interest me and the strange asides

with the SCUBA gear were a little distracting (although I am sure

they must parallel the action of the main plot somehow, but I am

unsure how). However, the rest of the film was nearly flawless...

Definitely worth a rental... especially if you enjoy verbal repartee.

The Court Jester (1955)

I don't give out a lot of 10s, but this is a great film

[10/10 · 2 August 2001]

What a fantastic spoof... a spoof that does not forget how great the

material is that it is spoofing. I love The Court Jester, BECAUSE it

takes itself (and its source material) so seriously. This film is an

often overlooked gem that skewers Robin Hood and the conventions of the adventure film in a way that few other movies

are able to do (perhaps Blazing Saddles)... and it does it with such

earnestness that one cannot help but to laugh...

Not only is a great spoof, it is a great film in its own right... and a

great family movie. Danny Kaye and Basil Rathbone turn in

fantastic performances... and the midget fight at the end is

fantastic...

Also, where many spoofs fail, it maintained the quality of it source

material... whereas The Adventures of Robin Hood had the best

sword-fight, the Court Jester spared no expense and gave us the

funniest.

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

One of the greatest adventure films ever made

[10/10 · 2 August 2001]

This film is simply flawless... casting, direction, dialogue...

everything... and it has the greatest sword-fight ever filmed (making a sword-fight look real is apparently very difficult, since most such fights look like the participants are attempting to hit each other's swords rather than each other)... I love Erol Flynn... I love Basil Rathbone.

I cannot express the heights of extacy that watching this film bring me... I love every scene, every piece of dialogue, every set, every costume... it is a complete fantasy and makes absolutely no bones about that fact; however, it never really 'feels' fantastic...

everything has a certain inner-logic and the film plays effectively by its own rules.

Also, and most importantly for those of us with children, it is a very benign film, but not antiseptic... while I do not want my children being over-exposed to violent material, I also want them to gain an appreciation of the aesthetics of screen violence... we can never (even if we wanted to) shield our children from violent films forever, but we can prepare them for it using films like this... I don't think that kids who grew up on Scharzenegger have the same appreciation for such films as kids who grew up on the classic films...

In short, The Adventures of Robin Hood is a film that has transcended its time and become a true classic.

The Stepfather (1987)

Surprisingly good little thriller.

[6/10 · 21 August 2000]

I must admit that I have avoided seeing this movie for years. I simply was NOT interested in the premise (even though I LOVE slasher flicks), mostly because the film was recomended to me by dolts and imbeciles. However, I caved in to temptation last night and rented The Stepfather, and you know what? It's actually pretty good.

I mean, this is NOT a great film... in fact there is one point in the movie where I am convinced that I saw absolutely the WORST acting in a major film outside of Battlefield Earth... but it is fun. Terry O'Quinn is decent as the title character. The rest of the cast works relatively well and the story is somewhat engaging. The plot works right up until the end, it maintains a certain engaging quality that keeps you from nodding off inappropriately. The end is not that great, but I have seen worse.

Overall, I enjoyed myself, which is alot more than I thought I would do. While I can't recommend this film for everyone, I can say with honesty that it will be well worth whatever 1/5 of a 5-pack is in your local video store. Enjoy.

Tom Horn (1980)

A mediocre film with great potential

[5/10 · 21 August 2000]

Now, I do not want to infer that I did not enjoy Tom Horn... I love pretty much anything with Steve McQueen in it, he truly IS the "King of Cool." However, this film really did not ding my bells in any particular manner. It was beautifully filmed, well-acted and reasonably well scripted, but for some reason I simply did not feel that the overall experience of viewing the movie was particularly worthwhile. I would probably watch it again, and I would probably enjoy it about the same amount, but there really isn't all that much to recomend it.

Richard Farnsworth turns in a decent performance as Horn's only friend. McQueen is good, but you can really tell that he is ill at this point and deteriorating rapidly.

Overall, the main problem that I have with the film is the attempt at disjointed storytelling that begins when Horn is jail at the end of the film. It doesn't really work and becomes a little too distracting. I don't mind the ambiguity of the end of the film, but I would expect that the ambiguity was to some greater purpose... if it was, I did not see it.

Again, this is a reasonable western, and I think that it has been unfairly attacked by many. It is worth seeing for fans of Westerns, and fans of McQueen...if you are niether then I suggest you avoid this film.

The Producers (1967)

A fantastic jab at all that is good and holy... ;)

[7/10 · 21 August 2000]

I love this movie. It is not the greatest comedy in the world, but it IS something that must be seen to be beleived. Overall, the first 3/4 of the movie is absolutely fantastic, and the final 1/4 approaches the sublime. However, the movie does miss a few spots here and there and there are quite a few jokes that were probably a lot funnier in '68 than they are now (this film does not translate as well as Blazing Saddles, but is still a damn funny movie).

Ultimately, none of that stuff really matters, as the only truly important part could justify the rest of the film being a blank screen... the performance of Springtime for Hitler is, quite simply, one of the most beautifully absurd things that the world has ever been witness to. This one single scene was so vulgar and hilarious and offensive that many were paralyzed over how to react to it when it was released (much like the audience in the film itself). You may find yourself having to rewind it several times in order to catch all of the wonderfully obscene lyrics (not South Park obscene, just obscene), but you will find it worth your while.

Unfortunately, Brooks seems to back down from his initial premise and softens the blow of the play a bit with some cheap shots at the 60s counter-culture (not that there is really anything but cheap shots to take at hippies, but he does it anyway). The film achieves truly sublime humor for a few minutes and then falls back into a pretty standard (if inspired and somewhat brilliant) comedy.

This film is definitely worth seeing, perhaps several times.

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

This is the ultimate Vietnam Western

[9/10 · 18 August 2000]

Eastwood truly outdid himself with this movie. He attempted to do something that few other directors were willing to deal with during this period... he attempted to offer America closure... for Vietnam. The film was made in the final days of the American participation in the conflict and is a pastiche of types that we should be familiar with from American life during Vietnam. Wales is the bitter veteran, tired of war, who comes to protect this band of innocents from the savagery of war. However, he comes to the conclusion that, in the end, it is better to sue for peace and allow all sides to live together (something that is opposed by the American gov't in this film, who are more concerned with vengeance than justice). His symbolic marriage to the 'flower child' (Laura Turner, played by Sondra Locke) is the final signal that America MUST heal itself, the hawks and the doves are not, in the end, enemies, but must reconcile.

The Outlaw Josey Wales is, simply, a fantastic and beautiful movie, one that must be seen and experienced repeatedly by anyone who claims to be a fan of the genre. While it may have functioned as a symbolic closure for Vietnam, it continues to have meaning today... it continues to have validity in its comentary about America and and our way of life. In much the same manner that Fight Club comments on where America has gone wrong, TOLJW directs toward where America can go right.

Eastwood has tackled these issues before and since, but never so well and never so beautifully. The Outlaw Josey Wales is a film for the ages, and I hope that more people get a chance to watch it. I know that a lot of people my age have an aversion to watching older films, and I find that to be a great tragedy, so I hope that the fact that I, as a 28 year old male, can appreciate these films might possibly influence others to make an effort. There are a lot of great films, enjoy as many as you can.

Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

A truly beautiful film, well worth viewing

[7/10 · 18 August 2000]

Jeremiah Johnson is NOT a great narrative, instead it is a beautiful foray into the mind of the frontier. Rather than simply tell a story about men who live precarious existences on the far-flung frontiers of human habitation, it tries to show us what those men were like. This is not a perfect film, it has flaws... but it is a beautiful film and one that should be seen.

Perhaps Robert Redford was not the perfect choice to play Jeremiah, perhaps his soft good-looks do not complement what we would like to see in this semi-mythic character, perhaps he undermines just a tad of our credibility... but irregardless, he comes to embody Johnson. I find his gradual transformation from inexperienced explorer into savage force of nature to be entirely beleivable, if perhaps a bit strained.

Ultimately, the real problem lies in the film's narrative structure... it tends to meander too much and to never resolve itself in a meaningful manner. The story turns violent, but we don't really get a sense of why this violence is significant, or germaine to the plot. There are too many false endings, and the movie seems to end abruptly and without real closure.

However, even with all of these problems in mind, Jeremiah Johnson is an experience. It may not be a film that you want to rent with a bunch of friends, but rather a film to watch by yourself, when you are in sort of a contemplative mood. This is a film to relax to, to allow to happen rather than to actively engage it. There are a lot of things to think about and to reflect on, and the film is truly beautiful to watch. This may not be a film that you will watch often, but it is a film that you will value having watched.

Radioactive Dreams (1984)

Post-Apocalypse meets Film Noir.... very strange

[5/10 · 29 July 2000]

I have been a sort-of fan of this film for a long time, as it was an attempt (no matter how misdirected) to like two of my favorite genres of film. This is a strange movie, but about as good as it could have been, given the budget. However, I must warn any potential viewers that you MUST be prepared to suspend a significant amount of disbelief...

The ultimate problem is that it cannot seem to decide if it is a comedy, or more serious film. It begins with sort of a comedic premise, it works well as a strange sort of slapstick comedy (with Michael 'American Ninja' Dudikoff turning a surprisingly good performance). It is two kids who were locked in a fall-out shelter by their 'fathers' the day of the nuclear war. All they are left with is pulp detective books and so they model themselves on the characters therein. They then enter the world after the bomb and thier innocence is confronted by a series of unpleasant challenges and betrayals (some that are surprisingly un-funny, but not bad). They then become 'real' film noir style, jaded anti-heroes and confront the baddies.

Then the film ends in a dance number...

OK, it's wierd, but I honestly believe that anyone who has an appreciation for strange film will really enjoy this movie. It is cute and kind of innocent and relatively entertaining. It is worth at least a watch.

Titus (2000–2002)

Here is a show that I can relate to...

[19 July 2000]

In one of the episodes of Titus, Christopher Titus tells us that the LA Times has announced that 70% of American families are dysfunctional. I wonder why the networks have never noticed this before.

Coming from a family of alcoholism and mental illness myself, I must say that Titus is probably the most accurate and intelligent portrayal of the American family in quite some time. I don't watch sit-coms, because their sugar-coated family life and staged, lame humor do not appeal to me. Titus gets through all that, he tells jokes and presents situations in the way that most people from my economic background do. You have to be able to laugh at the horrors of the world you end up.... well, you just don't end up.

Yes, at times it seems mean-spirited, but I must be honest I find the show cathartic. To see that someone else had as lousy a childhood as myself, and can laugh at it (like myself) just makes me all warm and toasty inside. I love this show, and hope to see it for years to come (although I doubt it). The show is intelligent, funny and, at times, touchingly poignant.

Angel (1999–2004)

A spin-off from a show based on a B-movie...

[19 July 2000]

With that in mind, this is an excellent show. While I do not feel that Angel has necessarily bested Forever Knight yet, I think that it very well might. The show manages to balance the fearsomeness of the supernatural undertones with a certain exuberance and delight that I am definitely impressed with. The show can be truly funny.

Angel is not a typical horror show, as it deals much more with human relations than it deals with the supernatural. And it deals with human relations in a much more mature and intelligent manner than most so-called dramas on TV. I must admit that I was skeptical when I heard all the praise being heaped on this show by critics before it started, but they were right. Between Angel and Buffy, I don't really think that any other network touches the WB for pure creative output.

I am impressed with the direction that this station has taken, and hope that they continue in the future.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

A surprisingly good show, all things considered

[19 July 2000]

I don't really know how to describe this show. I don't think that I have ever seen a show based on a film (except perhaps MASH) that was ever any good. I stayed away from Buffy for quite awhile, because I figured that it could not concievably be worth watching. I was wrong.

This is one of the most intelligent, well-written, well-acted shows that has ever graced the small screen. I still find myself amazed at the complexity of the storylines and the intelligent sensibility of the screen-writing and direction. I do not mean to overpraise the show, as it is, for the most part, teeny-bopper fiction. However, it so thoroughly exploits and transcends the conventions of teeny-bopper fiction that one wonders if it is still in the same category at all.

Great show.