narfzort13 Reviews

Cellular (2004)

Great action flick making use of emerging technology

[9/10 · 15 February 2019]

I saw this movie way back in 2004 when it came out on DVD.

One of Chris Evans' first major films, co-starring with Kim Basinger, he really shines in this film. Chris Evans plays the lead, a young, handsome, irresponsible guy, trying to win back his girlfriend (Jessica Biel). He then gets a surprising, frightening call from a woman he has never met, and so begins the action.

Playing the villain is Jason Statham, who at this point in his career, had "The Transporter" and other major titles under his belt, and co-starring William H. Macy as the honest cop.

The movie is pure, non-stop action almost from the beginning. It borrows from the real life events of the Rampart police scandal in LA.

I particularly love the music in the Bank scene, when the dirty cops chase after the hero.

There is plenty of comic relief in the film, with Sherri Shepherd making an appearance, as well as then newcomer Rick Hoffman. We also learn that the major phone carrier of this fictional world is "457 Communications" LOL.

And let me tell you about Rick Hoffman: that dude is soooo funny. He plays the role of an obnoxious, self-centered LA lawyer perfectly!

The real star of the film, of course, is the Nokia cellphone that he receives the call on. I love how he spends almost the whole movie on the cellphone.

This was one of the first movies to feature the use of mobile phones as a main plot device, and it does so perfectly. And of course, let us not forget my favorite song of the movie: Nina Simone's "Sinnerman" (DJ Felix Da Housecat's remix).

Even though it has been 15 years, I highly recommend the film if you haven't seen it.

Family Matters (1989–1998)

Biggest pet peeve: networks canceling shows abruptly

[25 November 2005]

I have always been disappointed at how networks often cancel shows before allowing them to take their natural progression. If CBS was going to pick up the show, they should've committed to a final season. I understand that the ratings may not have been the same as the first few seasons, but I'm sure they would've picked up with a little promotion "Urkel and Laura, this is the season." Family Matters was an excellent show that deserved its final season; it was a staple of Friday nights on ABC, that if you compare, put its current Friday night line up to shame.

Laura and Steve were engaged, but we never get to see them finally marry (the last episode I saw was when Urkel was in space, kinda lost track when the show switched networks). Or at least, cancel the show, but allow for one or two final episodes to be made, to allow the show the conclude adequately.

A similar thing happened with the show "Quantum Leap," where the crew got last minute notice the show wasn't going to be renewed, and they had to do post production work to add black screens adding two sentences, one of which the most unsatisfactory "Sam NEVER leaped home." I'm pretty sure that same thing happened with "Perfect Strangers" too. I can understand canceling floundering shows abruptly, but not one that has been on for 9 years. At least that's what I think.