ewiddison Reviews

The Elizabeth Smart Story (2003 TV Movie)

Based on a true story

[6/10 · 10 November 2003]

I live in Utah, and was around for most of the events depicted in the film. I was even recruited for search parties. Having seen everything first hand and then seeing it on the small screen, I realized that this version took various liberties with the story, especially in terms of Elizabeth's reactions to her captors and her rescue (it was Elizabeth who asked a police officer, "You think I'm that Elizabeth Smart girl everyone's looking for, don't you?", not the other way around).

Was it a good movie? Perhaps. I think it did a good job at capturing some of the emotions of the family (it almost entirely skips any depiction of the emotions of the entire state, who were all united in their concern for Elizabeth). I think that the movie was terribly unfair to the local police (who were handling the case as they had to, even if it wasn't to the satisfaction of the Smart family), and that it skewed enough events so that I can't accept anything from the movie as fact. The movie also failed to address the traumas that Elizabeth must have suffered in captivity, but I agree with the producers that it would not have been right to do so.

It's an okay movie, just don't base your opinions or perceptions of Elizabeth Smart's abduction, captivity, and return on what you saw in this movie.

Tales from the Crypt (1989–1996)

Campy for the Creepy

[1 June 2003]

I saw a few episodes on video, and while I am not a particular fan of the genre, I was quite impressed. It was like the Twilight Zone, but with a strong horror theme (although not all the time), and without the pretentious feel. What really impressed me was the cheesy lines the crypt keeper had. They were so bad that the writers had to have tried for that effect. It was like listening to the worst spook alley script you've ever seen. That's the heart and soul of campy TV. It goes a long way toward helping you appreciate the carefully crafted tales that are being introduced.

The other stand out thing about the show is the actors they get. They don't just dredge up whatever they can get from the local playhouses. They get some top names. On top of that, you get the feeling that these big stars are having a lot of fun telling a ghost story (not that they're about ghosts, but you get the idea).

So, if you thought Rod Sterling didn't include enough dismemberments, or you just like clever stories with deliberately awful introductions, and you aren't squeamish, then this is the show for you.

UHF (1989)

When imagination gets all mixed-up

[5/10 · 26 July 2001]

I am a big fan of Al, and so are my friends. Most of them are also big fans of this movie, and so I had it built up quite a bit before I finally saw it. Wow, what a disappointment. The humor was sophomoric, the jokes were crude, and the ending was childish. I never wanted to see it again.

Fortunately, it played on cable at school, and so I ended up watching it during several long nights of homework. Once I had lost sight of the glorious hopes of a quintessential work of comedy, I was able to see this movie for what it really was. Particularly, it is Weird Al doing what he does best: spoofing pop culture and giving fractured takes on the simple things in life. From his take on Indiana Jones (perhaps one of the truest, funniest parodies of another movie found in film, with the crowning irony of reaching for the Oscar that Al and this film could never win), to Stanley's love of his mop, this movie is full of the kind of parody of art and life that has been Al's trademark. Only Al would use a twinkie as a hot dog bun. Only he could include the remorseless sketch about launching animals out of the window.

Still, the movie also had its dull moments. Most irritating of those was his dream/music video about the Beverly Hillbillies. While the computer graphics were pretty good for a low-budget film of its day, it was a pretty lame song to include. That brings up another of my frustrations with the movie. The soundtrack included "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota," which is perhaps my all-time favorite song by Weird Al, but it was not found anywhere in the movie (I listened to the end of the credits for it). The fact that I wasn't listening for it any more was probably a key reason why I could enjoy the movie the second time. And, of course, it was entertaining to see such well-known performers as Michael Richards and Fran Dresher in this early role.

After all else is said and done, Al Yankovic delivered a movie that was just good, clean fun. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll buy a spatula ("Nothing says 'I love you' like the gift of a spatula").

America's Sweethearts (2001)

A Crystal movie

[7/10 · 22 July 2001]

This movie is advertised as a romantic comedy. I expected to see just that, and instead was treated to a funny movie about a faltered relationship that almost completely avoided the paint-by-numbers format of a romantic comedy. Billy Crystal's script is alive with wit and playful manipulation which had the audience completely caught up in the hilarity of the story (although I did feel that the crotch jokes were a bit overused, even if it was very cleverly done). Not only does Crystal shine as the writer, but also as the star (I don't care who got top billing or the girl at the end, the movie is his). His character's masterful manipulation and adroit handling of apparent crises was the high point of the movie for me.

In the end, I felt that this movie really had something to offer as perspective on relationships. Questions could be raised like, "Why do people put up with abusively domineering partners?" or, "Who is the victim when a relationship turns sour?" These questions are never dealt with in the movie (few movies really tackle issues like this anyway, preferring to settle with a neatly wrapped ending that merely skirts the issues and pretends that they are resolved). Yet, somehow in the grandiose pageant that is played out in the lives of these celebrity characters, I found insight to the passion play that I face on a much smaller level.

Would I recommend this movie? The cast is stellar. The script is clever. The part of it that was the romantic comedy was weakly contrived and unconvincing (not to mention a little bit repetitive for Ms. Roberts's fans). The movie was good. I hope that it raises peoples' expectations of what a romantic comedy, or even just a comedy, can be. I hope that Billy Crystal writes again for us. Oh, and I also hope that John Cusack gets a good dramatic role sometime. He did a really good job playing a man battling his neuroses.