TelrChic Reviews

Sin City Spectacular (1998–1999)

Magic, Music, Sex...and Talking Cutlery?!!?

[13 July 1999]

Magic, you say? Oh yes, there's plenty of that! Music, you mention? Yes, complete with Lou Reed and the rather well-chestily endowed Candye Kane! Sex, you whisper? Well, not much of it...but Teller does get some attention paid to his magic wand! Talking Cutlery?!!? Ja, complete with horrendous, horrendous German accents and silly stage-blocking!

Yup, you read right! Penn & Teller's SinCity Spectacular had it all! It debuted on August 10th, 1998 to rave reviews from many newspapers across the country, and online newswires as well. "Sinfully delightful" shouted one headline.

I agree! Penn & Teller set out to show it all, and that's what the average viewer saw: Variety at its' most unusual and most talented. I mean, where else on ANY program could you have seen a veteran performer like Frank Gorshin doing impressions and perhaps later in the show, see Tom Comet shoot bottle rockets out of his %$#&.

The only bad point I would give SCS was that, if you are a die-hard Penn & Teller fan, it sometimes put them in a rather embarrassing light. As the season went on, the musical numbers that Penn & Teller would appear in just became inane and drawn out, making them wear ridiculous costumes, and not using either of their skills as performers.

If I may tip my hat to sorely missed reviewer Gene Siskel, I give Penn & Teller's SinCity Spectacular a THUMBS UP!

54 (1998)

All I can say is Mike Myers!

[13 July 1999]

Disco. Many people hated it, many loved it. 54 told the story of the infamous New York nightclub, Studio 54. The stars hobnobbed, danced, drank, and even snorted there.

I liked 54. Very simple. The atmosphere of the film, the decade of the Seventies, always provides for some interesting plotlines. Ryan Phillippe played a young kid trying to make something of his otherwise dull life in Jersey. His style was convincing, yet he had this annoying habit of 'mugging' for the camera as if to say 'see how attractive I am'. Neve Campbell unfortunately didn't shine in her role as the soapstar boosting her career. She also overused her facial expressions, the ones she helped to sell 'Scream' with.

Mike Myers, I say with a huge breathtaking sigh. His performance as club owner and continuously high schmoozer Steve Rubell was incredible. He showed depth and brought light to an otherwise pathetic character. It's quite a shame that the other talent in this film couldn't have backed him up.

54. Just like the club itself has closed, so has this review. I give it a 'hustle-ing' THUMBS UP!

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Oompa Loompa doompaty do, I've got a pleasant comment or two!

[13 July 1999]

Who can take a movie, fill it with unknowns, create a kiddies' masterpiece and make a legend? Mel Stuart can.

The Chocolate Factory---every kid's dream. Well, mine too. This film is a sugary sweet, pure delight just like Wonka would create in his rather unusual factory.

The visuals of this 1971 masterpiece are just amazing, pretty neat special effects for its' time. Besides, is there ANY other children's movie where you can witness a chicken's head being chopped off?

Now, don't go running into the living room and shut off Junior's videotape! It's fun for the whole family! And what's more, there are literary references that can be explained to the kids and make them more well-rounded!

The music numbers are ones you'll remember for a long time, catchy snappy ones written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. "The Candy Man" made Sammy Davis, Jr. famous!

If only all kids movies could be this smart, and not play down to kids as if they were drones of society!

Gene Wilder ends the movie with his line: Such a good deed in a weary world. My good deed was to write this review, so when you're weary, pop in Willy Wonka. It's a sweet treat without making that trip to the convenience store!