Reviews
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Redemption on the IMDB.
I have just finished watching this movie for about the sixth time and I still feel the inspiration of hope in my heart from the movie's glorious ending. I give this movie a 10 out of 10 and yes this is my favourite movie. I'm sure there's others which tie in my taste for best picture I just can't bring them to mind right now. (Actually, come to think of it The Breakfast Club ranks pretty high up there as well.)I just wanted to say that this movie is very well done all the way from the acting, the storyline, to the musical track it wins on all three fronts for me. And I also wanted to say that it may have been robbed at the Oscars or almost passed through unrecognized by the public in its theatrical release, or may have even made not that much money it seems to have been redeemed itself on the IMDB with a well deserved #2 ranking among the favourites IMDB voters voted for. A must see.
EZ Streets (1996)
I don't know where this show went wrong.
Like I said before, "I don't know where this show went wrong!". In my opinion (and to the opinion of many others by the voting statistics) this show was phenomenal! A 10/10! Quality t.v. for me next to the first season of Murder One and NYPD Blue. I thought Jason Gedrick had all the right moves first doing Murder One and then signing on to do EZ Streets, intelligent, realistic intriguing and compelling writing well executed by the the actors! From show one I was hooked! Not a single show in my opinion of this short lived series was boring or predictable. I don't know for the life of me why this show didn't catch on. A few hypotheses, one: the show was more a less one big story (for who knows to be the life of the series or for one season) which I guess audiences didn't have the patience for (like Murder One it took a chance, one big quality story for the long hall, at least for one season. But I believe unlike Murder One it didn't have brief preview summaries in which potential audiences who haven't seen the previous episodes could see to catch up on) two: it was in a competitive time slot with another popular t.v. series (although I don't recall any) and three: it didn't advertise itself correctly or frequently enough to get any significant attention, at least enough where a significant enough popluation could give it a chance. I thought this story rocked so hard my interest and curiousity that I am begging anyone to give me information where I can see the unaired episodes (which network) buy them (on video) and although I'm not a huge fan on reading if it is out in book format or script is for sale. Please help me if you can, I'm dying to know if that cop gets his revenge, wether Jason Gedrick gets back with his wife and makes a decent living, what happens to the beautiful seductress who's playing on both sides of the law, or the junkie mayor and the gambling contract, bring it on! Charlie.
Quantum Leap (1989)
Ambivalence and hope.
When I think of this series two emotions come to mind, ambivalence and hope. I'm not sure how many years it survived on air or exactly how many episodes there were but I saw a majority of them on syndication on the SPACE network. The idea was original, but the episodes got quickly formulaic. There were great intriguing episodes, and there were lame ones. Most of the shows ended in hopeful, optimistic, changes for the better in the people he represented but there were loopholes in the logic of him changing history (even in the most insignificant non-famous individual) not effecting in anyway his own life. My personal opinion, it was great as a kid, but more predictable and mediocre as an adult. Its concoxion made for an idealistic happy-medium in which young families or older people could enjoy. And now for the hopeful part, I believe QL will come back as a t.v. series again, a t.v. movie (to tie up loose ends like the Homicide movie, but I think its too late for that too many years have gone by) or a feature film or film series (look at Star Trek, Batman, Superman, The Untouchables, Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Beverly Hill Billies, The Avengers, Flash Gordon, possibly the A-Team and Battlestar Galactica and more or etc (there are a hell of a lot more I just can't think of them all)). The reason for a feature film (which I would believe would use the same idea but not be a continuance of the series because the younger generation wouldn't be able to relate) is for the very same reason why they've done it before for previous former t.v. sereies, because they know they have an initial fan base and in a sense the idea of the movie could sell itself giving a head start and incentive for potential producers and marketing execs in the film industry. Oh, and by the way I remember someone telling me the reason they ended the series was not because it was pulled off the air but because the writers ran out of ideas (someone please correct me if I'm wrong.) AND FINALLY, A SPOILER WARNING ABOUT THE LAST EPISODE. THE REASON I POST THIS IS BECAUSE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THE SPACE (CANADIAN) NETWORK HAS DISCONTINUED AIRING QL AND HAS REPLACED IT WITH DEEP SPACE 9. And because I read a review in which someone complained about missing the last episode, so if that someone never sees it at least they can know what its about. The final episode of QL is very abstract and symbolic and you'd have to had follow the series pretty religiously to identify the familiar characters and faces he meets (which were obviously from previous episodes). In the final episode, Sam leaps into himself (for a change) and is in a bar (before I go any further I'd like to say I didn't totally understand the show and like many before have said it was wierd and depressing I also don't have a perfect memory its been a year since I've seen it so I'll do the best I can but don't expect a totally lucid explanation). The bartender was his commanding officer in the pilot episode (If you see this episode pay very close attention to the bartender, hang on to every word he says, he's the character which is the only one who explains EVERYTHING, or closest if you don't understand what he's saying). Another familiar face was the man who took care of the kid with down syndrome (there were probably more, I didn't see every episode, if someone could fill in the holes of my summary for those who haven't seen the episode I'd be much obliged). These characters are played by the same actors but are different people from the characters they've played before but Sam recognizes them as the people he's helped in representing other people in the past. This is where I get a little muddy, the main story is about a union of miners who are working in a very precarious, unstable, volitile caverns and it is very dangerous for them to work there. Sam, throughout the episode acts and behaves according to plan (just like every time he leaps) to figure out what is wrong, fix it and leap again. Unfortuantely, and unconvieniently Al is never present (until technically at the end) so the only person who gives him any help or direction is the bartender (who speaks in riddles like the dungeon master on that cartoon "D&D" remember that?). Then a minor (I think this is right) supposedly dies and the regular crew of minors at the bar are in an uproar. Sam is in confusion and depression that he failed his mission until another person walks in with the supposedly dead person and ends up being the hero. Sam is relieved but still confused why he wasn't the one to rescue him, then he sees the rescuer leap. Sam is of course by the bartender and he's shocked that he's not the only leaper in the room. Then the bartender says something like "We're all leapers, all are lives are not are own, they are dedicated to helping the lives of others." And then he says something astronomically clarvoyent or insightful about Sam (I believe the clincher was he proved through his statements that he was responsible for Sam's leapings) and Sam responds or asks "Are you God?" and the bartender replies "No." and then he says something to the effect that we do God's work. Then Sam asks in a desperate attempt to make sense of all his adventures, trials, tribulations and tragedies he's witnessed and lived "Out of all my leaps, why didn't I ever leap into anyone significant, why wasn't I ever put into a position to save more lives, do more good." And then the bartender replies (hold on tight I'm not sure if you could swallow this as an explanation) "You have changed lives and saved lives and no matter how insignificant they may be they effect the lives of others and the effect spreads radially out to everyone who associates with those lives you've positively effected. You have made a difference and the change is slow but working and you will continue to do so (I know this may sound like a lame excuse to you but I found this statement inspirational because what I believe the writers' hidden message may be is to the general poplulation that watch the show how they can make a differnece no matter how small that can have a positive ripple effect in the world population!) And then finally, in the last 10-15 minutes of the show Al finally gets in. Then he says something as almost always "Ziggy couldn't find you! And when we did we couldn't get in!" and then Sam replies "Al, I think I finally know what I'm here to do. I'm to leap the rest of my lifetime making others peoples lives better for them." and Al says something to the effect of "Are you sure you want this?" and then he leaves. Sam goes back into the bar and talks to the bartender. His last leap is to Al's first wife and he ends up saving Al's first marriage. And the series finally ends with a text page, that Al is still happily married to his first wife and they have kids and Sam is still leaping. The End.
The Way of the Gun (2000)
A pleasant, unexpected surprise.
I have read all the reviews up to date and agree with all of them in what they had to say they all had a ring of truth to them (once you see the film you'll know what I mean). And I myself was slightly ambivalent after I saw the movie but when it comes down to making a judgement call I give this movie a 9/10, although what I saw was unexpected it worked for me. I won't give any key parts of the film away but I'd like to say this (and this won't come as a surprise to any avid movie fan or for people in their late teens and up) but this movie like tragically many was misadvertised.
And because of this, I believe this is the reason the movie hasn't done as successful as it deserves to do, after all I personally found it to be an engrossing story with all sorts of plot twists, strategizing, backstabbing, doublecrossing, set-ups, presenting knowledge and wisdom of the life of a bagman on top of the well choreographed shoot-outs. This movie is a hell of a lot more cerebral than it is a mindless simple action movie, with two comedic (at least their backgrounds) antiheros. And that's where the trailer for this movie fails to do it justice or deliver or represent accurately what the movie is about to potential viewers. Its like the old sales trick called bait and switch, they front what they think is going to sell the movie (generically sex and violence and some comedy) and what you get is totally different. I'm 26 years old and even I know the sales and marketing people's predictability when it comes to advertising. They should quit insulting the intelligence of the general population and be more honest with the way they present there product so a masterpiece of film like this doesn't paradoxically leave people disappointed because that wasn't what they were expecting. Anyways, I digress a little (but I had to get that out of my system!). Getting to the point the trailer, makes it looks like these two yahoos rip off a pregnant surrogate mother and hold her for ransom to the rich potential foster parents. This is true, but what the preview doesn't show you is the significance of the other players involved (don't get me wrong, the preveiw should by no means give away the movie but provide a more accurate view of what's in store). The so called principals (lead characters) of this movie are only in it for about 35-40 minutes. I found this movie to represent I believe the sum total of 8 characters involved or effected by this situation in an almost uniformally, even-handed, balanced representation of screen time and dialogue. After the first 15-20 minutes through the film the principals fade into the background (now if you were like most people you'd expect them to be in the majority of the movie, let's say 3/4?). But what they end up becoming are players to the situation, the situation becomes the center of attention and not the principals. I guess a better preview for this movie would be to show all 8 charaters involved, briefly show how they are involved and show a little conversation (because the film is 85-90% dialogue and not mostly shooting) and change the title (I knew some marketing genius came up with that one to sell the movie!). I humbly confess I can't think of a better one, but once you see the film you'll know what I mean.
Murder One (1995)
The best, next to the first season of NYPD Blue.
Hello all. I agree and augment the already glowing reviews and positive compliments and comments of this show. The story and characters are both intelligent and believable, the red herrings will also throw you for a loop (I remember when the show first aired there was an official internet Murder One website which took a poll as to who the people thought the killer was, and trust me the percentage that got it right was minimal (I believe 2%))! Whoever did the casting did a hell of a job, the actors fit there respective rolls like a glove, I know the two actors who get the highest praise are the ones who played Hoffman and Cross. But I'd also like to take a hat's off to assitant district attorney Miriam Grasso and although a smaller roll I really liked Dylan Baker as the by the numbers L.A. Detective (I hope he plays another good cop sometime soon, I was impressed.) The story and plot were full of twists and suspense and the characters (most) were well educated and articulate (I actually improved and increased my vocabulary watching the show!). Although I have to say I wasn't very impressed with the second season, the fact that Ted Hoffman wasn't present didn't help, it just seemed like quality was sacrificed for some kind of rush job to get a story and plot out (actually multiple plots) to ride the sucess and reputation of the first season. Granted, there were some moments but it didn't even measure up to a quarter of the quality of the first season, you could tell the first season's writing and production took more time and effort and thought. Someone mentioned in one of the previous reviews that they didn't know the origin of the first season's story, well I can tell you this much I saw Steven Bocho on Larry King and he said the idea or story line came from an unused idea for L.A. Law when that was on the air. Hopefully the syndication of Murder One's first season will spark enough ratings and fan mail to give Steven Bocho enough incentive to produce if not another Murder One a show and well written storyline and characters like Murder One. P.S. Please encourage your friends and family to watch Murder One (last time I checked it was on A&E)!