Though it tackles a fairly common social issue, Augusta, Gone is one of the few Lifetime movies that actually depicts teenage rebellion in a seemingly unadorned, unaffected way. One thing I sensed most from this film was integrity; that is, the director didn't try too hard to copy or counter other teen-oriented movies on Lifetime. Unlike like those other Lifetime movies, this film doesn't waste time on examining the ins & outs of youth culture--the clothes, the music, the attitudes--or anything else better suited for a sociology project. Instead, Augusta, Gone focuses on one girl's descent into the dark side of life and her eventual recovery through the aid of friends, doctors, and family. Ultimately, this is the kind of movie that teens can relate to without the glitzy teens or preachy parents found in other Lifetime films.
Reviews
12 Reviews
Invisible Child
(1999 TV Movie)
Good movie, bad message
15 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Although the movie itself is fairly decent, the message behind "Invisible Child" is profoundly defective.
While it attempts to garner sympathy for the mentally ill, this movie actually degrades them. For the writers to imply that psychosis is on par with cultural myths like Santa Claus is not only inane but insensitive.
The movie further degrades the mentally ill by suggesting that psychosis has benefits. The family convinced themselves that enabling the mother's illness strengthen them as a whole. But that idea in itself is a fantasy, fortifying my belief that the father and children were not only enablers of the illness, but victims of it as well.
Despite the family's proclaimed love for the mother, I felt that their reasons for evading psychiatric aid were selfish. If the issue at hand were truly the mother's wellbeing, the family would've sought help immediately. But since they did not, I suspect that their personal desires were the real motives in not seeking help.
Overall, this movie was presented sufficiently. But its message of "family before self" in regards to mental illness is highly insensitive to those who are sick but fight to get better, not worse.
While it attempts to garner sympathy for the mentally ill, this movie actually degrades them. For the writers to imply that psychosis is on par with cultural myths like Santa Claus is not only inane but insensitive.
The movie further degrades the mentally ill by suggesting that psychosis has benefits. The family convinced themselves that enabling the mother's illness strengthen them as a whole. But that idea in itself is a fantasy, fortifying my belief that the father and children were not only enablers of the illness, but victims of it as well.
Despite the family's proclaimed love for the mother, I felt that their reasons for evading psychiatric aid were selfish. If the issue at hand were truly the mother's wellbeing, the family would've sought help immediately. But since they did not, I suspect that their personal desires were the real motives in not seeking help.
Overall, this movie was presented sufficiently. But its message of "family before self" in regards to mental illness is highly insensitive to those who are sick but fight to get better, not worse.
Diary of a Mad Black Woman
(2005)
Better suited for a night at bible study
19 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This film is better suited for a night at bible study rather than a night at the movies. Not only is the plot a brow-beaten cliché, it is virtually unrealistic. The idea that a woman would console a man who threw her out of her own house, had an extra-marital affair that resulted in two children, and left her completely broke is simply ridiculous. While the movie zealously preaches religious virtue, it completely fails to capture the reality of human nature.
This movie may have been successful with some audiences, but I wholeheartedly dismiss it. Diary of a Mad Black Woman is merely an assemblage of clichéd, run-of-the-mill story lines tossed into one lackluster film. Its mediocre actors, constant use of poetic justice and religious moralizing are much too weak. Tyler Perry just should have left this one on the stage.
This movie may have been successful with some audiences, but I wholeheartedly dismiss it. Diary of a Mad Black Woman is merely an assemblage of clichéd, run-of-the-mill story lines tossed into one lackluster film. Its mediocre actors, constant use of poetic justice and religious moralizing are much too weak. Tyler Perry just should have left this one on the stage.
Mean Girls
(2004)
The comedy separates it from the rest
15 October 2004
The comedy in this movie is the only thing that saves it from being thrown into the same category as the teen movies that dominated the box office in the 90's. It has all the preppy themes of movies like "Clueless", "American Pie", and "Never Been Kissed", except "Mean Girls" seems to make fun of the elementary behavior associated with high school cliques. While laughing your head off, you can easily ignore the clichéd characters and school environment, and might even find these girls attractive.
Basically, "Mean Girls" really isn't different from any other teen flick you're used to seeing; but the hilarious mockery of the school's myopic culture is definitely worth a watch.
Basically, "Mean Girls" really isn't different from any other teen flick you're used to seeing; but the hilarious mockery of the school's myopic culture is definitely worth a watch.
Save the Last Dance
(2001)
An Excellent Film for Dreamers
10 March 2004
I love the positive message of Save the Last Dance: that no matter what happens, you can overcome your obstacles and your dreams can always be achieved. The chemistry between Stiles and Thomas is beautiful and provide an enchanting insight into interracial dating.
Even though the urban school scenes in the movie create identities for the urban characters, I felt that they were a bit too stereotypical and undynamic. The ebonics, the wiggerish girl, and the gangsters were way too overrated.
But despite that, this is an excellent film for people who don't mind a little hip-hop flavor and a lot of soul-searching with their movie. Definitely a tear-jerker for dreamers.
Even though the urban school scenes in the movie create identities for the urban characters, I felt that they were a bit too stereotypical and undynamic. The ebonics, the wiggerish girl, and the gangsters were way too overrated.
But despite that, this is an excellent film for people who don't mind a little hip-hop flavor and a lot of soul-searching with their movie. Definitely a tear-jerker for dreamers.
We Were the Mulvaneys
(2002 TV Movie)
It is just amazing to see how one single event can change and affect the entire outcome of your life.
23 October 2003
Warning: Spoilers
The Mulvaneys were the ideal, story-book family and every one seemed to have high hopes for his or her future ahead--but then tragedy struck one family member, forever altering the lives of the Mulvaney family.
This movie is a real tear-jerker and its emotional impact can last throughout its entire run, from the time of the rape and that explosive car scene where Marianne has an apparent anxiety attack, to the ending (spoiler) when the father dies. I just love how this movie made you feel the compassion and empathy for the characters through the great acting and the writing.
This movie also shows how a personal tragedy like rape can actually evolve to be not so personal after all. That single event created a chain of other tragedies that occur to the rest of the family.
Rating: 8.5/10
This movie is a real tear-jerker and its emotional impact can last throughout its entire run, from the time of the rape and that explosive car scene where Marianne has an apparent anxiety attack, to the ending (spoiler) when the father dies. I just love how this movie made you feel the compassion and empathy for the characters through the great acting and the writing.
This movie also shows how a personal tragedy like rape can actually evolve to be not so personal after all. That single event created a chain of other tragedies that occur to the rest of the family.
Rating: 8.5/10
Bring It On
(2000)
One of few movies that try to positively portray cheerleading
2 September 2003
When I first saw trailers of "Bring it On", I thought it would be the typical preppy/sex-oriented teen flick. But after I sat down and watched it on USA tv, I realized that the movie is a lot better than most people would expect.
I felt that this movie revealed the positive characteristics of cheerleading as a sport and the cheerleaders themselves, instead of portraying them as pretentious, upper-middle class snobs. While some of those traits are presented in variations throughout the film, the movie does not rely on them to establish purpose and meaning for the film. The supposedly gay male cheerleaders, the rebellious look of Missy and the kind, determination of Torrance reveal the dynamic and diverse aspects of true cheerleaders.
In all, this movie does a great job of depicting the true exertion of cheerleading without overdoing the preppy and sexual innuendoes of other mainstream teen flicks. It also makes you realize that cheerleading can be more than football jocks and popularity.
Rating: 8/10
I felt that this movie revealed the positive characteristics of cheerleading as a sport and the cheerleaders themselves, instead of portraying them as pretentious, upper-middle class snobs. While some of those traits are presented in variations throughout the film, the movie does not rely on them to establish purpose and meaning for the film. The supposedly gay male cheerleaders, the rebellious look of Missy and the kind, determination of Torrance reveal the dynamic and diverse aspects of true cheerleaders.
In all, this movie does a great job of depicting the true exertion of cheerleading without overdoing the preppy and sexual innuendoes of other mainstream teen flicks. It also makes you realize that cheerleading can be more than football jocks and popularity.
Rating: 8/10
Lizzie McGuire
(2001–2004)
Pretty Good When Nothing Else is On
10 August 2003
This is one of those shows I watch when nothing else is on. Normally I wouldn't dare watch any subject matter so preppy and puerile, but it was for preteens so I guess that's makes it ok The kid-friendly series surrounds a girl and her two friends basically dealing with trivial teenage dilemmas.
The acting was ugh, but I guess I speak for myself since Hillary Duff's popularity is growing within the pop community. Her glitzy, always-made-up appearance on the show was a bit overdone for a middle schooler. Gordo was extremely pathetic in character and social status. Miranda I think was the coolest character with her glam-punk/rock look.
This show was much better than any of the tween shows I've seen even though it wasn't as liberal and unconventional as `Degrassi'(which is a total failure in itself.) I think it's better to keep a simple, optimistic image on a show of young teen life if the audience is preteen, just like `Lizzie Mcguire' does. Dwelling too much on the negative and adult issues (like Degrassi does) can have a confusing affect on younger kids.
Rating: 5/10
The acting was ugh, but I guess I speak for myself since Hillary Duff's popularity is growing within the pop community. Her glitzy, always-made-up appearance on the show was a bit overdone for a middle schooler. Gordo was extremely pathetic in character and social status. Miranda I think was the coolest character with her glam-punk/rock look.
This show was much better than any of the tween shows I've seen even though it wasn't as liberal and unconventional as `Degrassi'(which is a total failure in itself.) I think it's better to keep a simple, optimistic image on a show of young teen life if the audience is preteen, just like `Lizzie Mcguire' does. Dwelling too much on the negative and adult issues (like Degrassi does) can have a confusing affect on younger kids.
Rating: 5/10
Our Guys: Outrage at Glen Ridge
(1999 TV Movie)
Great film about a rape by jocks in a close-nit town
8 August 2003
This is one of best movies about rape that I have ever seen. I usually do not watch movies about rape since Lifetime shows the same, typically-scripted ones with predictable endings. But this one was quite exceptional. Heather was outstanding in her performance, and the writers were firm at portraying the snobby, reckless, middle-class boys as the gods of the sports-oriented school; then there's that outcasted punk-looking guy that supported Ally's character in understanding the town's fascination with the jocks; and the African-American boy whose honesty was twisted into betrayal, leaving him socially and racially outcasted in the town.
I really enjoy the small-town suburbia chemistry because there are places like that around the country, so this movie makes you more aware of that, and that no matter how bad people turn against you, it's always best to stick to the truth and to fight for justice.
Rating: 9/10
I really enjoy the small-town suburbia chemistry because there are places like that around the country, so this movie makes you more aware of that, and that no matter how bad people turn against you, it's always best to stick to the truth and to fight for justice.
Rating: 9/10
The Wonder Years
(1988–1993)
One of the best shows about growing up in the suburbs
8 August 2003
With all the hype of reality shows these days, "The Wonder Years" remains one of my favorite "reality-like" shows about growing up. With today's meaningless sex and money-driven reality shows, there are no solid, relevant ones for people who just want to be able to sit back and reminisce what it was like growing up in the suburbs.
The best thing about this show was its remarkable ability to depict all aspects of a teen's everyday life--friends, relationships, family, and self, and how these things can change your entire outlook on yourself and your relationships with others. Even the simplest things make a big difference in life--and this show proves it.
Another wonderful thing about this show is that everybody--no matter how "different" you are--can relate to it. Even though the show surrounded 60's and 70's pop culture, still you can always find some problem or conflict within each episode that correlates with your own life.
Shows like "The Wonder Years" will always outstand the cornucopia of boring reality shows of the ages. It's too bad more shows like this one aren't made these days.
The best thing about this show was its remarkable ability to depict all aspects of a teen's everyday life--friends, relationships, family, and self, and how these things can change your entire outlook on yourself and your relationships with others. Even the simplest things make a big difference in life--and this show proves it.
Another wonderful thing about this show is that everybody--no matter how "different" you are--can relate to it. Even though the show surrounded 60's and 70's pop culture, still you can always find some problem or conflict within each episode that correlates with your own life.
Shows like "The Wonder Years" will always outstand the cornucopia of boring reality shows of the ages. It's too bad more shows like this one aren't made these days.
The Golden Girls
(1985–1992)
An Everlasting Comedy
19 July 2003
The Golden Girls is definitely one of a kind, posessing a unique blend of comedy and charm. It brought great gags while still tackling social issues of the time. Most of the comedy and jests derive from the character's personalities; Dorothy's sardonic wit, Rose's naive yet benign nature, Blanche's over-sexed promiscuous ways, and Sophia's funny and old world wisdom...all conspire to make this show everlastingly hilarious from generation to generation.
The Virgin Suicides
(1999)
Tastefully done
5 July 2003
The Virgin Suicides is a daunting tale about 5 sisters in 1970's suburbia. This movie is poetically incline, even with its morbid ending. The sisters are very interesting, as Cecilia seems to be the most out-of-place of the five, and Lux seems to be the most adored.
The only problem I have with this film is the many actions made my the characters that are never explained. Instead of being left with suspense, you're left confused with their oblivious motions. But I guess that's to add wonder and for the movie to be thought-provoking.
At any rate, the acting is great and the ending is tastefully mysterious...which makes the movie tastefully done.
Rating: 9/10
The only problem I have with this film is the many actions made my the characters that are never explained. Instead of being left with suspense, you're left confused with their oblivious motions. But I guess that's to add wonder and for the movie to be thought-provoking.
At any rate, the acting is great and the ending is tastefully mysterious...which makes the movie tastefully done.
Rating: 9/10
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