PretoriaDZ Reviews

Mr. Malcolm's List (2022)

Main Feature is Stunt Casting

[2/10 · 21 April 2024]

The story is mildly amusing and entertaining. However, the stunt casting (using people of color) is distracting as one may find oneself wondering whether a cast member is Black, Spanish, or White. And as such a succession of characters would never be found in actual history, it seems to be another case of looking for diversity in the wrong places. It's like when they remade Ghostbusters with female actors. There was no need to do that but this current 'trend' to provide females and/or people of color roles is the impetus. One must ask why Hollywood is not able to create new stories, new ideas, and new roles for females or people of color instead of 'riding piggyback' on previous or similar storylines. Black Panther is an excellent example of this idea. It stood on its own instead of trying to depend on favor from previous films.

Vicious (2013–2016)

With Derek Jacobi and Ian McKellen as the leads, how could you lose?

[8/10 · 8 December 2023]

This show is pretty funny. Lots of witty one liners and attitude, expertly delivered by Jacobi and McKellen. Iwan Rheon is also funny as their cute but straight upstairs neighbor. I do wonder, though, watching the show how he can keep his eyes so wide open without them drying out.

A lot of the humor isn't based on sexuality but on the harsh realities of being elderly and trying to still be 'hip'. And their insistence on keeping an elderly 20 year old one eyed dog that does nothing but sleep in a basket all day is familiar to anyone who has a friend that does not understand it would be a kindness to 'let the dog go'.

I don't personally believe that someone can have true spiritual peace if they do not follow Biblical law but that does not mean that I condemn my homosexual friends. They know my opinions and kindly accept me as a person, as I accept them. We just agree to disagree. If only the world could do that.

Bewitched: Serena's Youth Pill (1972) Season 8, Episode 19

David White was a Hoot

[9/10 · 8 August 2023]

Season 8 was pretty downright dismal except for a couple of highlights, one of which was this episode. First, watching 'Larry' flirt with but then run from 'Serena' when he realizes he could get into some serious trouble as 'Serena' seems serious in her flirting. Second, watching David White, as 'Larry', leap out of his Stingray in youthful exuberance and shock 'Louise' with his now reddish hair. Third, David White was so good at playing 'Larry', the ever promising but rarely delivering promise of promotions to 'Darrin'. The episode demonstrates that Screen Gems executives missed a bet by not developing and starring David White in his own series.

The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1957–1960)

Still Love to See the 'Gang of Four'

[10/10 · 18 July 2023]

It's true that the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, even with the weekly celebrity guest star, was not as good as 'I Love Lucy'. However, it's still better than the vast array of shows that are on today.

The episode with Fred MacMurray and the prospecting had me laughing pretty hard. When Ethel is behind the wheel of the runaway junk car with Fred chasing her and Ricky says 'Look! She's even trying to leave Fred!', it was a hoot.

Or the scene in 'Lucy Goes to Havana' and she and Ann Southern are drunk in a cell and Ann Southern puts a glass of (unknown to them) spiked water in her purse and says 'I wan' my mudder to taste this' (an improvised spot), it's funnier than the stupid so-called comedies of today.

And the last episode, Lucy Meets the Mustache. Where Edie Adams sings 'That's All', a song about everlasting love, it's so heartbreaking, knowing the back story about Lucy and Desi. Edie said that Lucy's eyes were red all the time though Edie and Ernie Kovacs didn't know the complete situation.

Is there anything on today that can move an audience like that? I don't think so.

Waiting to Exhale (1995)

I Enjoyed It

[8/10 · 8 July 2023]

I am a White woman but I liked the movie. It's funny how, for years, all White cast movies were supposed to be 'for everyvbody' but when an all-Black cast is used, it is regarded as 'for Black audiences'.

Worries about working with a husband to build a business and then have him, later, try to walk off with the business with his 'new love' have happened too often. It should be a warning that, no matter how 'in love' you are, you need to protect your own interests when setting up the business. And you see a married man at your own risk; how much are you going to believe his promises that he will divorce or are you willing to accept it for what it is while it's happening? And how much are you willing to 'lower your standards' just to get a hold on a guy, any guy, so that you are not alone (or should you be strong enough to go it alone if that right man doesn't come along?) And if you're insecure about your looks, can you believe it when a man comes along that truly finds you attractive just the way you are? The problems the women face are universal for women, whatever color you are.

There's been talk about making the premise into a series but now are in doubt because of Whitney Houston's death. They should either make the character's demise part of the story or recast because it could be an interesting series for today.

Everybody Loves Raymond: The Cult (2002) Season 7, Episode 1

Another Great Episode

[9/10 · 20 June 2023]

'Robert', at the suggestion of his lamebrain cousin Gerard, joins a group that suspiciously resembles a real life group (with a name that means 'science-field of study'). If you experience one of their 'meetings', you will receive the same wide-eyed welcome and joyous greetings. The feeling of belonging is one of their biggest come-ons. 'Robert' is feeling lost because of his family fighting and vulnerability is exactly what such a group preys upon. When 'Robert' realizes that the group leader is much more interested in 'Raymond' and his celebrity, the dawning of understanding spreads over 'Robert's' crestfallen face. How 'Raymond' uses the situation to try and get 'Debra' and 'Marie' to stop fighting is fun to see.

Everybody Loves Raymond: Snow Day (2002) Season 6, Episode 14

Best Episode of the Whole Series

[10/10 · 20 June 2023]

It was hilarious. The sets certainly made you feel like it really was a frozen, snowy night and that the people were 'camping out' without electricity. 'Ray Barone's' description of each member of his family was exactly right. Brad Garrett's dancing was a highlight. And 'Frank's' old-fashioned dancing was enjoyable, too. 'Marie's delicatessen' will make you hungry and 'Frank's liquid ear plugs' will top it off. If you ever have to be stuck in a situation such as this, this is the kind of refuge that you would want to have. The 'family' may fight a lot but when the 'chips are down', they stick together!

That '90s Show (2023– )

The More the Old Cast Shows Up, the Better

[5/10 · 22 May 2023]

The writers seem to be having a little trouble coming up with '1990's' cultural references and humor. Red and Kitty are just a naturally funny couple and the chemistry is so believable that they have been married for many years. So far, with the 'new' kids, the producers seemed to spend more time trying to come up with a 'diverse' cast than they did on developing the individual characters. It was amusing to see that Jackie and Kelso did end up getting married. I once wrote a 'fan episode' and I had Jackie and Fez never actually 'doing it' but coming to the realization that they were not 'meant to be' and Jackie reconnecting with Kelso. In the last show of Season 1, having Fenton show up as a landlord was hilarious. They need to bring him and the Fez/Fenton feud back often.

Mame (1974)

WHAT Were They Thinking?

[2/10 · 1 May 2023]

After Rosalind Russell did the definitive Auntie Mame, why did anyone think it was a good idea to do it again? It had only been 15 years since Russell blew the wheels off with her tour de force interpretation. So spending 12 million dollars to serve up this tepid version was, as box office returns showed, not a good idea.

If you want to see Auntie Mame, recommend you watch the 1958 Rosalind Russell version. I get the idea that the only reason the movie was remade was that Lucille Ball still had enough power to get her desire to play the role fulfilled. Ball was phenomenal in her I Love Lucy Days and hilarious in The Long Long Trailer but, at this stage, it was a poor choice to try and follow in Russell's footsteps. I suspect that part of the problem was that Ball no longer had Desi Arnaz's guiding hand. He has never been given enough credit for Ball's success. It was his unerring vision regarding Ball's performances that made the chemistry that was Lucy.

Is Paris Burning? (1966)

Excellent Movie About Ordinary People's Extraordinary Actions

[8/10 · 22 February 2023]

I am fascinated with WWII. I'm amazed by how so many people, ordinary people (not professional soldiers) came together to defeat the Nazi war machine. I have seen and enjoyed the slicker 'The Longest Day' but 'Is Paris Burning' has more of a feeling of immediacy, of being part of the event. That Paris was saved, whether by the actions of French partisans or the skills of the Swedish diplomat or the German general's perhaps calculated decision on whether to spare Paris or not, adds to understanding of the chaos that was happening as Hitler's grip on his prize city was weakening. I have been to over 80 countries in the world and I have to say that Paris is the most beautiful. I'm so glad it was spared.

Movie 43 (2013)

Every Bad Pitch since 1962

[1/10 · 17 February 2023]

If the 'producers' and 'director' wanted to make the worst movie ever, they pretty much succeeded. The problem is NOT that there is a lot of offensive stuff in the scenes. The problem is that very little of it is FUNNY. The best segment was near the end where Terrence Howard as coach keeps telling his team (playing against a White team) that his team is going to win because they're Black. That's playing on the trope that Black basketball players are better because they are physically built better. That's supposedly (or is it proven) not true. All I can think of is the list of World Marathon point winners. Since 2006, all the top points are male African runners (and all those Kenya except for one for Ethiopia). And since 2010, all female African runners (and all those Kenya except one for Ethiopia). So the trope may not be true but it sure feels true!

Weekend at Bernie's (1989)

A Matter of Taste

[6/10 · 9 October 2022]

Some people might find the idea of two guys dragging a corpse around all weekend very distasteful. Others might find it hilarious. I kind of landed in the middle, where I found parts unsavory but moments of hilarity, too. Of interest was the casting. At the time of the movie, Andrew McCarthy was mostly thought of as 'the cute guy who gets the girl' and Jonathan Silverman (who vaguely resembles Jerry Lewis) was seen as comedy relief. But it turned out to work well with Silverman as 'the guy who gets the girl' and McCarthy as the 'slob comedy relief'. At the time of release, it made 30 million on a 15 million dollar budget, not a bad return but would be called a middling success. Yet, it has had staying power as a cult film, even bringing about a VERY BAD sequel, and still talk of a 'Bernie's III'!

Route 66 (1960–1964)

Unusual for It's Time and Still Is

[26 August 2022]

Some episodes are terrific, others are just fair but probably still better writing than most shows ever on television. I enjoyed it but, after a while, it got a little tiresome, as if it was two traveling social workers out to help the oddballs of the country with their personal problems. The series showcased places that probably most of the viewing audience of the time never thought of or saw.

I favored the Tod character, played by Martin Milner, so got annoyed when several second season episodes seemed to reduce 'Tod' to nothing more than chauffeur to 'Buzz'. So I was glad when 'Buzz' buzzed off (who trolls bathrooms, anyway?) and 'Tod' traveled on. I especially enjoyed the 2-part ending of the series with Barbara Eden.

Route 66: Where There's a Will, There's a Way: Part One (1964) Season 4, Episode 21

Satisfying End of the Road

[10/10 · 17 August 2022]

The episode is amusing, if a little silly with how convoluted it becomes with all the siblings assuming other nationalities. However, I found it very satisfying for a series character, particularly Martin Milner's Tod, to actually find true love and marry without his true love either being killed or dying of a dreaded disease. During the 1950's and 60's, that always happened with lead series regulars (to keep them single for future love stories). On Bonanza, it was practically a death sentence to fall in love with one of the Cartwright boys or Pa! Also, I enjoyed seeing Milner and Barbara Eden have a conversation and a kiss while riding up the 'Stairway to the Stars', a huge escalator that used to take tourists up to the top of the. Anheuser Busch brewery (before you walked down on a tour of the brewery). The brewery and the escalator are long gone but not forgotten by long time Tampa natives.

Money Madness (1948)

Could See This Plot Happening

[6/10 · 6 July 2021]

With the coarsening of society and people seeming to plot all kinds of stupid stuff in real life these days with no thought to morality, it seems plausible. It is interesting that Hugh Beaumont, the lead, actually was a Methodist minister that started 'acting on the side' to get money for his little downtown, underfunded church. And here he's playing a character who is completely amoral. He did what he could with the dialogue but the female lead does not have enough acting experience to save her side of the conversations.

The Girl He Left Behind (1956)

Rather be Out (of the Movie?)

[2/10 · 4 May 2021]

It is quite amazing that a film with this many good actors could be as dull as it turns out to be. The only really passionate moment seems to be when Tab Hunter kisses his movie mother Jessie Royce Landis 'goodbye' as he heads out to go into the Army (not, as you would expect, when he has his arms around adorable Natalie Wood). Since David Janssen and James Garner were actually Army vets, they must have been astounded at the way Hunter's character is portrayed as being allowed to mouth off to superiors without consequence. Even I, when I worked for the Department of the Army as a civilian, if I had shown such an attitude to the ranking officers, would have had my behind bouncing down the sidewalk to the unemployment office. The theme seems to be about what does it take to make a boy become a man but it's done in such a perfunctory manner, it is, as the vernacular of the late 1950's would say, Dullsville.

Senior Moment (2021)

Funny and Refreshing

[7/10 · 9 April 2021]

It's kind of amazing to see that William Shatner, 86 years old at the time of filming, can pull off a leading man with romantic intentions, but he does do it. And Jean Smart has always been under-appreciated for her talents that she shows yet again in the movie. It's just gentle entertainment about people still learning about life and themselves even at a late date but I'll take it over what John Wayne pointed out long ago. Wayne objected to 'a trend in certain quarters in Hollywood to glorify all that is degrading in a small percentage of disreputable human beings'.

We'll Never Have Paris (2014)

Flat Flat Flat

[2/10 · 29 November 2020]

Maybe they were trying for realism but the story moves forward at such a slow pace that I kept reaching for the fast forward button on my control while muttering 'So get to it already!' P.S. I personally can find a plain looking man sexy if he has a great sense of humor but, in this case, no. At least some kind of charisma would seem to be needed in the leading man for a 'romcom' to work but, in this case, no. From the beginning, I couldn't see why the leading lady would be in love with him in the first place.

Joe (1970)

Progressive Hands in the Pocket

[7/10 · 1 March 2020]

Boyle seemed to always portray rigid, narrowminded characters but there is just something about the actor that is likeable, even when he's spouting too extreme a view. And when he and his buddy go searching for the hippies who stole from them, you root for them to win out. However, the end is too jarring to be believed.

Cats (2019)

Budget was NINETY-FIVE MILLION? Unbelievable.

[1/10 · 29 January 2020]

Just try and make it through just the trailer! Then think about how many people in the world could have been helped by that money. Think about how many people may need therapy if they manage to sit through this feline disaster. I always held 'Slime People' as my nominee for worst film ever made (budget was $56,000 in 1963) but this has replaced it.

Gilligan's Island (1964–1992)

Why Would They?

[7/10 · 24 November 2019]

The biggest plot hole in the series was the missing explanation of why these characters (other than the Skipper and Gilligan) would be on the boat for this rinky-dink 3-hour tour in the first place. Mary Ann could possibly be seen as a tourist taking the tour but why would Ginger, budding starlet, even be down at the docks. The professor can't reasonably seen as taking the time out of his research and studies for this 'cruise'. Finally, The Howells are reputed to be two of the richest people in the world. They would have had their own superyacht and that would not have been in a sloop anywhere near the Minnow.

Message in a Bottle (1999)

Knew This was a Waterlogged Mess Before I Watched It

[1/10 · 6 November 2019]

Woman reporter goes in search of 'romantic mystery man' (wasn't this done 6 years earlier with Sleepless in Seattle?) All of the endless mists, fogs, lapping waves, rain, and tears are not enough to wash away the treacle (contrived or unrestrained sentimentality) that is ladled out like molasses over everything, the scenery, the people, the events. Here is the formula, man loses love, woman loses love, man and woman find each other, weep all over each other blah blah blah. As has been noted in numerous reviews, Paul Newman stands out starkly in the movie as someone who is actually worth watching. Another reviewer remarked that it doesn't have the 'convenient happy ending'. I would have at least preferred that. There's enough unavoidable sadness in the world these days without fictional sadness.

Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York (1975)

Storyline Hard to Believe

[5/10 · 2 November 2019]

The part about the naïve young woman coming to New York looking for love and success is believable. The part where she finds success is believable. The part where 'Sam' dumps 'Kate' is believable. The part where 'Sam' decides he's in love with 'Sheila' is unbelievable. It's not because the actress Berlin is rather plain - it's unbelievable because 'Sheila's' personality is so obnoxious, what's to love?

Sin of Innocence (1986 TV Movie)

Okay Movie About an Odd Subject

[6/10 · 18 October 2019]

The idea of teenagers being thrown together because of a blended family setting is interesting. The kids are embarrassed by the attraction they feel for each other and therefore don't feel comfortable talking to their respective parents about it. This means that they have to try and handle a situation they are not prepared to do. A more thorough and detailed review is not possible without spoilers so I leave it at that. My biggest complaint about the movie would be the background music. I found it to be smarmy and intrusive. It's hard to watch scenes and listen to dialogue when violins keep threatening to overtake the action.

Dear Dictator (2017)

Michael Caine Could Read a Telephone Book

[5/10 · 25 August 2019]

The movie is mildly amusing. Mr. Caine probably did this for a couple of more reasons than the money. Considering the budget of the movie, he probably was only paid a fraction of what he normally gets these days. I suspect he is not offered a lot of roles these days as Hollywood lacks imagination to write roles for men his age and there is, as has always been, the continued ageism of Hollywood. Mr. Caine may also have been amused by the insight provided by the script into how revolutions are fomented and can even be used to get rid of the top clique in high school. Times change but that part of high school has not. There is ALWAYS a group that revels in making others feel inadequate and there is some voyeur satisfaction in seeing such a group taken down. Regarding my headline, I was expressing my love of Mr. Caine, both for his superb acting and the kind of man he is, intelligent and kind, one who has taken the time all his life to fight racism and other forms of inequality.