jayson_b Reviews

Tracey Takes On... (1996–1999)

Promising but ultimately disappointing.

[17 July 2001]

American comedy series in which British-born Ullman `takes on' a particular subject each episode and parodies it through various characters.

Tracey Ullman is, without doubt, a very talented performer. Accomplished actress, singer (with some hit singles to her name), dancer, comedienne, television personality - she can do it all. Assuming countless guises in this show (all convincing and some completely unrecognizable), she proves that if you were casting a film, one only need cast Ullman for ninety percent of the characters.

Unfortunately, it's the material which lets her down. Lame jokes, unfunny skits and poor writing sink what could have been a terrific series. Understandably, it's geared for an American audience, with in-jokes and a very American point of view - most of which fell completely flat in front of this Australian. In addition, her likeable characters seem to feature much less than the loud-mouthed, obnoxious ones.

Had Tracey enlisted some better writers, the show would've been a winner. Still, she performs admirably given what she's got and the show is tolerable, simply to watch Ullman's ability to portray so many characters believably.

Dante's Peak (1997)

A Small Winner

[12 May 2001]

Dante's Peak is one of those action films that doesn't have a lot going for it, but at the same time, doesn't have a lot going against it.

Pierce Brosnan plays a volcanologist who is sent to a picturesque mountain town at the base of a huge dormant volcano. He teams up with equally picturesque female mayor (Linda Hamilton) as he examines the various warning signs, alerts the appropriate authorities, is consequently disregarded and then ultimately proved correct when the mountain blows her top.

The script won't knock you over but the effects are very good and the leading characters, likeable enough. The setting is enjoyable also. And why Linda Hamilton is not a HUGE name like the likes of Julia Roberts, Demi Moore, Sandra Bullock etc., I will never know. She's always likeable, is attractive and can act. Perhaps she is typecast too much as the tough Sarah Connor-type heroine? Pity.

Overall, the film is an all-round, small winner. For an hour or two of harmless action entertainment, it's worth a go.

As Time Goes By (1992–2005)

A real charm

[18 April 2001]

A lovely show centered around a middle-aged couple who spent years apart after a brief courtship and are reunited in mid-life.

It is Dench and Palmer (Jean & Lionel) who really make the show. Palmer's pleasant dry wit is particularly likeable, but it is without doubt a combined effort.

The supporting characters are all great and very engaging, particularly Lionel's free-wheeling dad, Rocky (whose catch-cry is "rock on") and his quirky house-maid, Mrs Bale who insists on serving meals at bizarre, but precise times like 12:23 and knows exactly what the weather in the English Channel is like at any given time!

How can anyone not like a show with characters like these?

When they next play the re-runs....do yourself a favour.

Schindler's List (1993)

Spielberg's most powerful film.

[8 April 2001]

Schindler's List is a long and tough movie to watch. But it pays dividends.

We're all pretty familiar with the story - a German businessman enlists Jews to work in his factory. At first, I believe, as an opportunist, for the Jews are cheap, readily available labour. He does, however, become gradually aware that his factory means the difference between life and death.

And so his 'list' is born. A list of Jews that he requires to 'work' for him. It is, in reality, a list of life and Schindler knows it.

Liam Neeson fills Schindler's boots well. You soon forget he is Neeson at all. Ben Kingsley is, ofcourse, his ever-reliable brilliant self. And Ralph Fiennes easily creates one of the screens most hateful villians (sadly, a villian who actually existed).

There are some tough scenes (most notably, the liquidation of the ghetto, Goeth's (Fiennes) brutality in the camp) and it's all filmed in beautiful black & white - except for the highlighted girl in the red dress, which has a brilliant symbolic meaning later in the film.

A terrible chapter in humanity's history but one told so well by Spielberg and co.

It has a powerful and lasting effect - just as it should.

French Connection II (1975)

Not a shadow on the first film

[1 April 2001]

The French Connection II is a decent flick - the problem lies in the fact that the first film was so damn good that it was always going to be very hard to match, let alone beat.

Gene Hackman reprises 'Popeye' Doyle. He travels to Marseilles in pursuit of 'Frog One' - Alain Charnier, who eluded him in the 1971 original. He encounters indifference from French coppers, language difficulties and forced drug addiction/withdrawl. More of a drama than an action film, although his final foot chase is gripping.

Roy Scheider is sorely missed. He can be excused though - he was making Jaws in '75! :-)

All round - a decent film but don't expect the same highs it's predecessor provided.