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Reviews
The Simpsons (1989)
Brilliant. Simply Brilliant.
Some people watch Cheers endlessly or it's spin off Frasier, others Friends, and others can't get enough of their favourite drama series such as Lost, 24, Hereos, and House MD. I like all these shows, but The Simpsons is my favourite TV Show ever.
In the UK, we have the Simpsons on every night, and Monday - Friday there are at least 3 episodes - 1 on Channel 4, and 2 on Sky 1. Sky 1 even shows 4 episodes on a Monday night, and 2 on each weekend day. Channel 4 show 2 episodes on a Sunday now too. So that means there are 23 episodes on per week... I do my best to watch everyone of them. I can get by without the Simpsons, even if i miss a new episode but if it's on - I'll watch it. It's that simple.
I love Homer. He's a unique character. Sure there are other bumbling TV Fathers out there, like Tim 'The Tool Man' Taylor on Home Improvement, but the fact is that Homer's sheer stupidity and innocence have made him a television legend. Perhaps to some extent, I don't find the rest of the Simspons family as funny, but they play a vital role to the show's dynamics.
The real reason I watch the Simspsons so much though is catching all the other characters, like Moe, Chief Wiggum, Apu and Ned Flanders, say quite sensationally funny things. They've improved Wiggum brilliantly in the last 10 seasons of the show.
Watch this show, you may not love it as much as I do, but make it a favourite because it is immense viewing. Watch Seasons 4-7. They're the funniest really.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse (1994)
Will Smith can act...
This is one of my favourite episodes of a great sit-com.
The episode does lack jokes, but it doesn't need them. The character of 'Will Smith' is fully exposed in this episode and it teaches the show's fans why Will desperately needed to go to Bel-Air. Uncle Phil has become the father figure, and by the conclusion of the 4th season, Will can easily be mistaken to be Phil's own son. Will just fits perfectly into the Banks family.
This episode over turns this, and we see that Will has conflicting emotions about who he really sees as the father-figure in his life. There is the shouting match between the Phil and Will and this in itself conveys that Will is leaving the Banks' home for the wrong reason. He hardly knows his father, and Phil makes the telling point that Lou couldn't even 'pick up the d*** phone' to contact his son.
What the episode really does though is prove Will Smith's ability as an actor. The final scene where Will firstly attempts to show Lou that he isn't bothered about Lou leaving is beautifully subtle, and then the emotions start to rise. When Will discusses how he 'doesn't need' his father, Smith builds up the tears, and perfectly holds them back until his final line. It's a great emotional scene for any sit-com, and the fans who are truly devoted to the show can only weep with Will. James Avery doesn't say much in this scene, Uncle Phil's input has been made in previous scenes. All Avery does is build up tears too, and look helplessly at Will, who only admits the frustrations and anger at his selfish father.
The episode is fantastic and puts the 'Fresh-Prince' in a different light. 'Will Smith' the character becomes three-dimensional, and the relationships between the characters are never more prominent than in this episode.
Batman Forever (1995)
Great Cast - Just went wrong...
This film had an amazing cast. All 5 lead roles had proved track records, seemed perfect for what would be such a popular film at the time.
Sadly, the film's target audience was wrong, trying to appeal to young teenagers and children, and ultimately the film flopped due to Tim Burton's two efforts.
Carrey's Riddler character can be considered too similar to the Joker due to their interest in laughter, whilst Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones)is similar to the Joker too as both men's faces lead to their madness and evilness.
Ultimately, the film is dark, yet not dark enough. Batman is made out to be a great hero in this and 'Batman and Robin' when he really is searching for revenge - shown by Burton in the first two films.
This is a good film, with Carrey's being the best performance. Kidman wasn't needed as the female role was just too simple. I guess, even if the film is a bit cheesy, and essentially a young person's film, big names are drawn to be Batman, the villains and the heroine. It's a disappointment, yet an enjoyable film.