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Reviews
Apron Strings (2008)
Family and food transcend cultural barriers.
Mothers from two different cultures and generations share the same problem: Letting go of the past do their sons can discover the truth about the men they have become. "Apron Strings" skillfully deals with issues of racism, homophobia, and denial without preaching or turning sappy. Primarily this is a film about motherly love, and the disguises such affections wear. Barry is on a self destructive path because, embroiled in debt and a gambling addiction and his mother, owner of the local cake shop, can't help but bail him out of trouble over and over again, until Barry's pregnant sister shows up to shine a little perspective on things. Despite her culinary skill, Barry refuses to eat any of his mothers home cooked meals, opting instead to score freebies from the local curry shop. Inside the curry shop, however drama bubbles under the surface as Michael, a student working part time, hides more than one secret from his new employer. Not only is he gay, but his mother Anite is his new bosses estranged sister, who bitterly refuses to reconnect with her Indian roots despite her sons desperation for approval.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Unaired Pilot (2002)
Miracles happen
So the only real difference between this and the series debut "Welcome To The Hellmouth" was the time format. This pilot, which never made it to the TV screen, is only roughly 24 minutes long, and this is it's main downfall. Things kind of just... happen, and the set up really isn't there. The 44 minute episode format which the show adopted after it was picked up for production works much better in a universe in which there is a lot of explaining to do. Obviously re-casting the role of Willow was a good step, as Riff Regans acting ability was very, very underdeveloped when this pilot was made. One thing I wish the production team had kept was the original library set from this episode. Through the course of the first three years of "Buffy" the main characters tackle many hours of lengthly exposition in the school library, and the grand set from this episode would have allowed for some more interesting visual combinations in the familiar space. Totally worth watching, despite the "incomplete" feel of the editing. After watching this, it's kind of a miracle the show got made. A beautiful miracle.
Æon Flux (1991)
The most original television of the 90's
The original animated series is definitely worth purchasing, regardless of how you feel about last years big-screen live action remake. Conceptually, this is the most complex show you'll ever see, it is beautifully drawn and offers insights and critiques into the human condition... And despite all this, it's main character dresses like a dominatrix and kicks the crap out of people. Where's the bad here people? Sometimes the lines between spirituality, science-fiction, and sociology are a little confused at times, but the series creator Peter Chung should be utilized a lot more by Hollywood than he is. Also, he should be closely monitored because someone who can invent and execute a show like this can't be playing with a full deck. Just as well, these people seem to make the best entertainment.
The L Word (2004)
Really really... hot.
"The L Word" is pretty amazing television. It's worth getting the DVD box sets, as the seasons aren't exhaustively long, but still pack enough punch to make them really, really worthwhile. Although "The L Word" is pretty much what it says it is, but anyone who runs screaming for the hills based on the subject matter is going to miss some of the best writing, cinematography, and acting on the small screen. The show is it's the perfect excuse to get some of the best looking women in Hollywood together on screen and give them something other than dicks and diapers to talk about. It's in no way a Gay 'Sex and the City'. It's more realistic, artistic, and original than 'Sex and the City' could ever have hoped to be. Perhaps the best thing about "The L Word" is not only does it give us a chance to see Pros like Jennifer Beals and Pam Grier do their thing, but it has cracked the careers of Katherine Moennig and Mia Kirshner wide open. Lets hope these girls show up everywhere from now on. Lesbians love the show. Straight men love the show (hot girl hookups left, right, and center). Uber-Conservatives will probably wet themselves and cut out their own eyes, but it's there loss.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Great overall but acting was a letdown
This film is pretty good and kids will absolutely love it. Especially if they have read the Narnia books as I did ten years ago. Andrew Adamson did extremely well for his debut feature, but he did make a huge, huge mistake in casting chidren with no acting experience. The role of Lucy Pevinsey is really important to the film, so why would Adamson and co. not cast one of the thousands of child actors around who've been in front of cameras since they were in diapers? Georgie Henley is a cute kid, sure, but any kid can be a cute. The same can be said for William Moseley, he was a little too limp to really carry off a role like Peter. Tilda Swinton is absolutely perfect though. I'd have had nightmares about her if I'd seen this as a kid and thats the biggest compliment I can think of. There is some really good CGI going on here as well. Despite a whiff of unfulfilled potential, the first in the chronicles is definitely worth a trip to the theater.