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Reviews
Monk: Mr. Monk Goes Home Again (2005)
Ambrose Monk, my hero
It was a real treat to see John Turturro as Adrian Monk's brother. They play beautifully off each other, and I hope we will get to see more of Ambrose. These guys have two of my favorite profiles, by the way.
Being rather OCD myself, I love watching Adrian bull ahead in spite of the things that make him squirm. There's no way that his brother could have the same problems as Adrian--that would be a bad decision. By now just about everyone knows that Adrian was really always obsessive/compulsive. It's just the stress of his loss that has messed him up.
But what could Ambrose have going on that could possibly be a match for Adrian's tics and twitches? Certainly his brother must have come in for some of what made Adrian what he is today, but there's only one Adrian Monk. I can't deny that I like what they did with Ambrose.
BTW--the trick-or-treat theme was grand, and when the "bad guy" was introduced, well--it was just great casting. I would happily watch this episode again and again.
This is one of my favorite episodes because the atmosphere is very well drawn and moody in its way, with lots of tension, but a great opportunity to watch this coolest of casts work their magic. Since I don't have cable I have to wait to see "Monk" for times when I house-sit for a friend, but I don't have a problem with that, because now and then USA has Monk marathons.
Great episode. Bring them on.
Les triplettes de Belleville (2003)
I hope this is only the first of many....
I will see "Triplets of Belleville" again, because there's so much to it. Visually, it is a jewel. And the characters are some of the best I've ever seen animated--the obsequious maitre-d' is absolutely amazing--I've been around a couple, and he's not really all that overdone. I don't know what to say about cartoon characters like these--I almost expected a couple of minutes of outtakes and blunders at the end, because there were times I almost forgot that someone had drawn them. What they do and how they look has nothing to do with a realistic style of portrayal, yet you get the feel that in order to make this film they did a lot of research on the people they were portraying. Each character is very human (or dog), from the tiniest smile on Champion's face, to Madame's eyes behind her glasses, to the low-decibel whine of Bruno's frustrations. And the triplets are stunning, both in the opening and later, when they are again performing.
It's so hard to know what to say--I am still sort of reeling from the experience. It's sort of like living through a storm at sea--no one will know what you are talking about until they have experienced it for themselves.
See it. Just see it.
Monk: Mr. Monk and the Candidate (2002)
A true revelation-I laughed like a fool at some of the same quirks I exhibit myself!
On New Year's Day I lucked onto a Monk marathon, and spent the next several hours in Monk heaven. I don't have cable, but was fortunate enough to discover Adrian Monk anyway, while house-sitting for a friend. We both know I do it so I can suck up some cable for a few days. Every chance I get, I watch the show. I love Adrian Monk-as a character, as a person, as an image of someone less than perfect who inspires such loyalty in a sidekick like Sharona. Some of the things he does that make him so great to watch are quirks shared by many of us out there, and we love to see him succeed. It's just good TV, and I would love to see it continue for years, then go into syndication so those who don't have cable can enjoy it too.