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anamariamicheli
Reviews
Upgraded (2024)
Wrong Message
I'm sorry, but refuse to condone more lying and lying. It would appear that for Hallmark (they are some Christian thing, right?) it is ok to lie, pretend you are someone else, break rules in order to achieve your dreams an never suffer legal consequences of your actions.
It probably fits their religion view of the law: so long as you eventually apologize, all is forgiven. No lawsuits, no liability, no prison time for fraud or impersonation.
Lazy script done at nauseam. Embarrassing. Shameful.
Acting slightly better than the usual for this kind of "movies".
I would not accept a role in a movie that encourages cheating.
Night Court (2023)
So, So, So Bad and Beyond
After watching the first season and trying hard to watch the few episodes from the second season, I decided to go back to the source.
Harry and company were such a treat! All the cast were first class comedians. The characters in the original show were multifaceted, complex characters who showed depth of a wide range of feelings and emotions. The "defendants" and other characters going through the court represented society as a whole portraying social issues, conflicts and triumphs.
Dialogues were smart and lines were delivered meaningfully in a comedy pace, seasoned with unobtrusive real laughter.
The current version: NONE of the above. None of anything.
Melissa Rauch is just not funny. The other characters are one layered, empty, boring, totally irrelevant. The prosecutor lady is just annoying, irritating.
Two stars for Larroquette who tries his best.
The show is embarrassing, shameful.
Update after season 2, episode 8. Changed my 2 stars to 1. Guest stars will not save this sinking ship.
Newhart (1982)
If Only New Shows Had This Quality!
I was doubtful whether to review a 40 year old show bu I think it is worth it.
I never saw the show in the past; actually, had never even heard of it. The name Bob Newhart rang a bell so I started watching it.
Oh my! Such a good script! Such good acting! Such excellence at delivering lines and the attractiveness of stage presence and performance!
The live audience helps the pace. The actors are actually acting for people and have immediate feedback. (Those new sitcoms that use a track of recorded laughter miss the point.)
Bob Newhart and Tom Poston are master comedians. Their tempo, body language, facial expressions are the epitome of stage acting. If only there were young comedians of such greatness today!
I've read other reviews in which they criticize Kirk and Leslie for different reasons and commended Stephanie's and Michael's addition to the show. I can't agree on that. Not only do I find the bimbo's personality irritating bu she never drew even a smile from me. Kirk, however, in his psychopathic manner did get some laughters, mainly because his witty, expressionless come backs.
Larry and his brothers Darryl and Darryl are a comedy in themselves!
The theme song is another pearl, by the Maestro Henry Mancini!
I would recommend everyone looking for some good quality light comedy to watch Newhart!
A Christmas Reunion (2015)
Too much Botox
It's painful to watch! The lead actress and her girl friend (and some others in the cast) have so much Botox that their faces are completely expressionless, making their lines senseless. But the acting is awful even from the opening scene and the cooking contest prices. Bad, bad, bad.
No wonder most of the reviews speak about lack of chemistry. How can you see chemistry when they are mummies parroting lines?
Not much sense in reviewing the plot. Does anyone expect any creativity in these Christmas movies?
I cannot help wondering if the cast gets paid or if they pay to be in the movie. Skip.!
Almost Paradise (2020)
Burn Notice, Leverage and Paradise!
This is my kind of entertainment. Silly action and violence, comedy, run-of the-mill corrupt charlatans that defy the comedic stereotyping and make us think of many "real" characters who populate local and foreign politics and the business world. That "chief" is so corrupt!
The fact that the show is filmed in the Philippines with a cast of local actors and extras makes it even more appealing!
Samantha Richelle and Arthur Acuña are both amazing in their roles!
The episodes run smoothly, fast-paced, with quick resolution within the same episode. (I am only at episode 5 of the first season, so I hope hey keep it like his in the episodes to come).
And the best is Cristian Kane. Eliot was/is my very favorite character in Leverage and Leverage Redemption. And, although Alex recreates some of Eliot's trait, he has blended such delightful, refreshing comedy characteristics to Alex.
Tribunal Justice: Outrageous Prank (2023)
Disgusting Plaintiff and Defendant (not sure who is who)
I do enjoy the show, in general. I appreciate how the judges explain the cases, the law, and admonish the parties. I like that they approach the cases in their own fashion and how, ultimately, one of them always has an ace up their sleeve. And I mostly agree with their verdict.
This episode, however, although I did thoroughly agreed with the judjes' verdict, was beyond disgusting. The parties, two females in their early twenties, spoke like five years old and had shown (judging from texts and videos) like thugs.
I understand that it is mediation but I do hope being exposed on TV has consequences that go beyond a TV show and one of the parties gets charged with for endangering the life of a person.
Rent-a-Groom (2023)
Hallmarkish
Typical Hallmark style movie but with better acting. A plot that has been used and abused far two many times. Girl needs to get married because of grandmother's mandate. No boyfriend, so she hires one. You can guess what the outcome will be.
Unfortunately, scriptwriters lack creativity and originality and resort to the also used and abused misunderstanding. Girl hears part of a conversation and assumes things, runs away and cries. Why would she ask for an explanation? Well, because that is the only conflict the writer could come up with. Of course, all's well that ends well.
The male lead was not very plausible at the beginning of the movie. The character became more solid towards the middle of the movie. The plump, long haired coworker was surreal and obnoxious.
Again, the acting, with a few exceptions, exceeds the average Hallmark movie.
Lights, Camera, Christmas! (2022)
Unusually Good!
This movie stands by itself as one of a kind among the forever cheesy, irrelevant plots, terribly written and equally terribly delivered lines and poor acting so characteristic of Hallmark movies.
For once, we face an original plot with, all in all, very good acting. Leading and supporting cast all contribute to an entertaining, good quality flow. The lead actor is superb in the comedy passes, great facial expressions!
Believable, fun, multi-sided characters who can deliver lines and make good use of humor. Great settings, unobtrusive music appropriately used and good costumes.
I could have rated it 10 but for a couple of very cheesy scenes (one of them being the final scene).
Christmas with Felicity (2021)
Actually, Zero
I am pretty sure the reviews that gave this movie a ten are friends and family of the cast and production.
The movie is beyond bad. The plot, the acting, the costumes are of the worst possible quality.
I cannot help wondering, when watching these hallmarkish movies, if the actors offer to work for free. There is no other explanation for these people to be cast. As for the costumes, they were right off the racks of a thrift store and it showed.
The last scene in which everyone is dancing, they are obviously dancing to a tune totally different from what we actually hear or... they are also awful dancers.
Love in the Villa (2022)
Worse than Bad
Whoever cast that woman for a lead? From the opening scene the acting is so bad she makes her character a 13 year old caricature. Shakespeare's Juliet was 13 years old but behaved more maturely than this middle aged entitled brat.
I decided to watch a little longer only because the action would take us to Italy. I should not have. As an Italian, I was offended by the gross stereotypical portrayal of Italians and Italian life. There exists good satire in the movie-making world and then there is this...
The British character had some potential but not enough to make me endure the female lead. When she body shamed him because of his height I knew I could not watch further.
What a waste of money flying the cast to Verona!
Troppo (2022)
Excellent!
What a great surprise! The production shows it was done with a low budget which makes it so much more praiseworthy! The acting is superb! The characters have complex, deep personalities that keep our interest throughout their evolution and interrelationships.
The plot is admirable as well. So well written and paced. A striking opening scene captures the viewers' attention and the writers, directors and cast hold that attention through the successive episodes.
The theme music is great. The photography, the settings, everything is top notch.
I would give it more than a ten if I could. Looking forward to a season 2!
Deck the Heart (2021)
Awful acting!
One does not usually expect much from a soap-operish Christmas movie other than kill some time and escape reality. This movie did not achieve even that. The plot is the usual boy girl meet and fall in love in a few days. We know that so there are no expectations, no surprises in that department.
On top of that, the acting is so bad that it cannot save Ana equally terribly written script. The lines are empty, filled with "really?", "do you think so?" "whys" asked in the most awkward situations. The delivery of the lines is free of feeling, free of meaning. Amateurs?
After writing my review I think the four stars I gave it are too generous.
Metro (1997)
Comedy???
Who on earth labeled this movie a comedy???!!! If you hope to see comedy, stay away. If you want action and blood, then go ahead. Eddy Murphy is great no matter what he does, so the movie is worth watching just to see him and the streets of San Francisco.
Cats (2019)
The Music!
The music is the only good thing about this movie... but then again, it's the original music. All the beauty in the characters, the settings, the costumes, the choreography, the feelings conveyed by the original cast and production are totally absent in this 2019 version. Whoever had the idea of turning one of the most beautiful, touching musicals into this horrific semi animated "thing" should go back to anime or find a new career. I found it impossible to relate to any of the characters, even acknowledging how talented many in the cast actually are. The expression on the faces of the actors is completely distorted by the ridiculous effects used.
I would love to see a new version with real person like cats!
Love & Where to Find It (2021)
Such Bad Acting
The plot has been used and abused over the years. Staple plot for Hallmark movies. Add to this, the awful acting. "Actors" just utter badly written lines. The supporting male character is slightly better than the others.