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ivytheplant
Reviews
The Laramie Project (2002)
Moving, though not the real Laramie
(warning, there could be spoilers).
First of all, let it be said that I do appreciate what this film is doing for the gay rights movement. Homophobia and hate crimes against homosexuals are something still very much ignored by our society and that needs to change.
However, I am somewhat disappointed at the filmmaker's portrayal of Laramie, both the physical setting and the residents. There were copious amounts of railroad track shots and the busiest shopping center in town was somehow made to look like it was in the middle of the plains. Misrepresentation of the very basic nature of the town does not help do Matthew Shepherd justice.
I take issue with the way the Laramie residents were portrayed. When a documentary is made, even a docudrama such as this, there should at least be some attempt made at showing the real people behind the story. Some of the actors, such as Matt Shepherd's mother, are Laramie residents but are not credited. We should have seen the real people behind the scenes and the movie would have been far more powerful including real interviews from real residents. Staying true to the play would also have made this far more powerful.
Clea DuVall's character gets outraged at the words of a "local" minister and seems to rant generalizing the whole town. It's one man's opinion. Don't condemn the entire town because of one man's opinion or the sick actions of a couple of equally sick people. Laramie could be any town or city in the US; hate crimes against LGBT persons happen everywhere, even in the heart of gay friendly communities. Presenting Laramie as an other, a place outside the norm, does a great disservice to stopping hate crime by removing the "it can happen anywhere" reality.
I'm not saying any of this as a lifetime resident; I moved here after living all over the US, from rural Arkansas to urban Washington D.C. I'm also not saying any of this as a conservative or homophobic person, as later reviews state. I'm a liberal and an LGBT person. So this issue is very personal for me, as both a resident of Laramie and a member of the LGBT community.
The Invisible Man: Pilot (2000)
It had potential but failed to use it
I liked this show. I really did. It had potential for so many interesting stories. Unfortunately, the stories became dull, predictable, and now the show is cancelled. I don't know all the reasons behind the cancellation, but I have a very strong feeling that the terrible plots were a big part of it.
If they had just taken the risk to make the stories as intriguing and as good as they had been in the first season I would still be a loyal fan. Now, nearing the end of the second (and last) season I find myself tuning into other shows that dared to be risky. Shows like Buffy and Stargate that excel in all areas. Those shows are on their 5+ season with (hopefully) no signs of stopping. Even Andromeda is better than what Invisible Man has become. (I really like Andromeda as well and hope it doesn't pull an I-Man on me).
I know there are many loyal fans still out there. I am not insulting them, nor the show. I just think I-Man could have been so much better on so many levels. After a while, the same old plot made me wince, the terrible (and dull) characters made me want to cry, and the obnoxiously skewed relationships (Claire is supposed to be Darien's Keeper, not his best buddy, remember?) made me turn the tv off before the end of the hour.
*Raises a glass to toast*. To what could of been. May it not be horribly roasted in the future.
P.S. And no, I do not think the addition of the Alex Monroe character killed the show. If anything, she made it more bearable to watch until I realized there was no saving the show from certain stagnation.
The Tribe (1999)
Wonderfully addictive show (the good kind of addiction)
I admit I was worried when my friend dragged me in front of the TV to watch this show on WAM of all things. It's a kid's channel of course! I expected silliness along the lines of Power Rangers but what I got was an intense drama with complicated plotlines, fabulous actors, and an overall intriguingly addictive show.
It's post-apocalyptic which adds many points in its favor with me, seeing as how I love these type of shows.
The actors do a wonderful job and I have seen only few instances of indicatory acting. They are truly blessed both in their talents and being involved with The Tribe and I am anxiously awaiting season 4 so I can see where the Mallrats go.