littlenicola Reviews

Hollywood (1980)

Why can't I find this?!?!

[9/10 · 21 December 2007]

My hometown video store had Hollywood available for rent, and I must've rented the whole thing at least three times. I was blown away at the quality of the information, the interviews, the footage... I even did a paper on the general history of silent film for a high school history class and used the tapes as a reference, revisiting them when I did my senior composition paper on the public backlash from D.W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation and how that led him to film Intolerance the following year. I was recently reminded of the title once again in a conversation. Naturally, I wanted to see it again - and, although IMDb has a cover picture of a DVD release of the miniseries, it's nowhere to be found! This needs to be released on DVD so that future generations can enjoy this wonderfully thorough series.

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)

Really, people...it's not *that* bad.

[12 November 2004]

I went in with high expectations, and although the movie lacked some of the heart of the first one, I wasn't disappointed. There are plenty of madcap and sappy moments to keep you interested...and seeing two grown men fighting is once again hysterical. Don't worry about feeling lost if you haven't seen the first movie; I only noticed a couple minor instances where one might be a little confused, but not so much as to interfere with enjoying the movie.

The three leads keep the story going...Colin, Hugh and Renee are all great actors, and by now have these characters down pat...although I must admit, the smarmy Daniel Cleaver steals the show. I can't recall how much it strays from the book...must re-read the second one.

Underneath Acoustic Live (2004 Video)

Hanson doubters, look no further...

[2 August 2004]

If you still think that Hanson consists of fourteen-year-old girls, you might want to get a reality check...and the perfect place to start is this DVD. Filmed live at Chicago's House of Blues in November 2003 (yes, I was there, but up in the dark balcony), it's a near-flawless concert showcasing the brothers' incredible musicianship. Covers of classic songs (CSN's "Teach Your Children", Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Little Richard's "Rip It Up") break up the chunks of Hanson originals. The picture and sound are wonderful as well.

I can't praise this thing enough; do yourself a favor and check it out for yourself.

1776 (1972)

a semi-forgotten gem

[3 June 2004]

I checked this out at my local library. It wasn't the first time I've seen the movie, thankfully. I'd forgotten just how catchy the songs are, how much the plot draws you in, and my goodness, the double entendres (and not-so-double ones as well)! I'm sure most things are faithful to history, so the movie does serve as a good, entertaining history lesson. This viewing brings my film viewings to three, and my musical viewings to two (both of which my father was in)...and I know it won't be the last.

Also, make sure you have the director's cut, restoring the "Cool, Considerate Men" song that Tricky Dick made the filmmaker cut.

The Beatles (1965–1969)

when will we be able to buy this?

[22 January 2004]

I remember watching episodes of this on Sunday mornings on KPLR, channel 11 in St. Louis in the late 1970s or early 1980s. The one that sticks out in my mind for some reason was "Ticket to Ride". I loved the singalongs, and as my father only had the later Beatles albums, it got me familiar with their earlier work. All I've seen is crummy copies of copies sold on Ebay and at Beatlefest...when will this actually be released on video/DVD, good quality copies? You know there's a market for it...there's even a wonderful book about the cartoon series!

The Music Man (2003 TV Movie)

unfortunately unimpressive, with one exception

[17 February 2003]

I had been looking forward to the TV adaptation of The Music Man for months, which might explain my disappointment that it didn't meet my lofty expectations. Kristin Chenoweth was wonderful, as always, but Matthew Broderick came across as dull and lifeless overall. Victor Garber was either horribly miscast as Mayor Shinn or he didn't get the character he was supposed to be playing. The school board barbershop quartet was, for me, the other big disappointment (besides Matthew Broderick's performance). How hard would it have been for the producers to get a real, SPEBSQSA-registered, champion quartet (like the Buffalo Bills were)? The four guys they cast came off as four too-young-for-the-parts actors who happened to be able to sing, and did nothing remotely resembling good barbershop singing. As a barbershopper myself, I am extremely disappointed with the producers and director of this TV movie. But oh well...if it gets more people to like barbershop, I guess some good will have come out if it.

Frank McKlusky, C.I. (2002)

why does everyone hate this movie?

[29 December 2002]

Sure, it's funny in a leave-your-brain-at-the-door sort of way, but so was Ace Ventura and Tommy Boy, and sometimes it's nice to watch those movies. I'm a pop-culture junkie, so any movie that can bring together Gary Owens, R. Lee Ermey, Scott Baio and Hanson is a winner in my book. Granted, this movie isn't gonna win any awards, but the group of friends I rented it with agreed that it was pretty funny. If you can get past handicapped, gay and fart jokes (or if you just find them amusing), rent this movie. One of the reviewers below is right--the scene with the handicapped guys at the Hanson concert is pretty much the funniest scene in the movie.

The Letter People (1974–1976)

ah, the memories...

[6 March 2002]

I grew up watching the Letter People, and, even though I was scared of "Mr. M" for a time (long story), I loved the simple and effective explanations of how letters can form words...pity that the "new" Letter People (in school curriculum programs only) have been altered to be more politically correct, and lack the personality of the original 26...I'm fortunate to have taped some episodes many, many years ago, but I would love for my children to see this show--RELEASE THIS ON VIDEO/DVD, please!!!

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

I'm gonna have to see it twice...

[25 August 2001]

I was laughing so hard, I missed jokes! Granted, there are quite a few expletives coming from Jay's mouth, and what else would we expect? But overall, the movie is hysterical, and all the View Askew family (well, almost all) is back...that's one thing, though, if you're not at least familiar with the New Jersey trilogy & Dogma, you may get lost and miss quite a few of the "in-jokes" that Kevin Smith throws in. So if you want the full View Askew experience, go to your local video store, rent the other movies, and then go see Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back.