DreamyUnicorn Reviews

Web of Lies (2014–2021)

Must Watch Show!

[10/10 · 11 May 2018]

I started watching this true crime show a few years back. It immediately caught my attention because all the crimes were perpetrated by someone online in some way or another.

"Web of Lies" does a great job when it comes to narration, presentation, re-actments, interviews, and tying everything together in the end. There are no loop holes and everything is explained in a thorough and coherent manner.

We also get to hear from family members, friends, and law enforcement. Once in a while, a victim is extremely lucky to survive his or her horrifying ordeal and is able to recount what happened. Unfortunately, these episodes do not occur often.

Sometimes the crimes are committed by complete strangers while other times, they are committed by someone the victim knows and trusts. The victims range in age from teens to older adults.

Both the internet and social media give accesses to a wide variety of information and connections. But with them, there can be unthinkable consequences. It's easy for anyone to hide behind a computer screen or cell phone screen and pretend to be someone he or she is not.

"Web of Lies" is a show definitely worth checking out. This show is very informative and teaches a valuable lesson. It's important for adults and kids to watch this show and be aware of what is going on out there. Do you really know who your kid is talking to?

E! True Hollywood Story: Dominique Dunne: An American Tragedy (1997) Season 1, Episode 6

Truly an American Tragedy

[10/10 · 6 February 2018]

I came across Dominique Dunne's last photo ever taken of her online a few years back. I was intrigued to know more about her as an actress and was saddened to learn her life was tragically cut short by the hands of her former boyfriend.

I watched a few of her tv shows, made for tv movies, and Poltergeist. I could tell she was quite talented and had a promising future as an actress both in television and movies alike. The camera loved her.

When I first started watching this "E! True Hollywood Story" episode, I could tell right away the sharp contrast between Dominique and her former boyfriend, John Sweeney. Dominique had a beautiful smile, a cheerful and friendly disposition, and was full of life. She also belonged to a loving and well to do family. Sweeney on the other hand was possessive, controlling, abusive, short-tempered, and had a very jealous personality. He belonged to the wrong side of the tracks and came from a poor, broken, and abusive household.

This "E!" True Hollywood Story" shows Dominique's childhood, upbringing, and short-lived acting career. It also addresses her meeting Sweeney at a party, dating, moving in together, and their turbulent relationship. It also includes her tragic murder, trial, and aftermath of an outcry of complete injustice.

Re-actments are also included like when Dominique is stalked by Sweeney at acting rehearsals and she receives threatening phone calls from him. Another one is when she is in the middle of a phone call with a friend and the line gets intercepted by Sweeney. Shortly after, the dreadful events unfold.

We also get to hear from family members (like her late father, "Dominick Dunne," and her late mother, "Ellen Griffin Dunne"), friends (like late actor, "Miguel Ferrer"), colleagues (like "Gloria Gifford," "Charlene Tilton," and "JoBeth Williams"), and a few directors and producers.

Dominique was just starting out and could have achieved astounding possibilities. I often wonder what she would have been like if she had lived. She probably would have been one of the top actresses in Hollywood. She just seemed so genuine, caring, and sweet which are rare qualities to find in today's celebrities.

She was just 22 years old and 3 weeks shy of her 23rd birthday. She had so much to live for but all of that was stolen from her in an instant. This truly was an American Tragedy.

If you are a Dominique Dunne fan and are interested in knowing more about her then I highly recommend watching this "E! True Hollywood Story." This documentary was quite informative and well presented. However, it will definitely tug at your heartstrings and possibly leave some tears along the way.

James Dean (2001 TV Movie)

Something Was Missing

[7/10 · 4 February 2017]

I love watching biopic films and have seen my share of films based on legendary icons and figures like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elvis, and now James Dean.

Biopic films in general are difficult to create because there has to be an interesting story, a good supporting cast, and most importantly a talented actor or actress who can carry such weight on his or her shoulders. This actor or actress who has decided to take this role has to recreate such magic, emotions, and wonderment which can connect with the audience. But this is never an easy task because these original icons were in their own class and had such style, pose, charm, and intrigue.

I have studied Dean rather closely by watching his films, documentaries, and reading books about him. I feel he possessed certain qualities which made him truly one of a kind and unique. He had charisma, a gentle vulnerability, charming innocence, and a sweet shyness. His eyes were full of passion and he was known for showing raw emotions in whatever role he took on. He could just captivate you with his intense stare or darling smile. He had a remarkable screen presence like no one else.

When I saw this "James Dean" film, I felt like James Franco was going through the motions. He got into his role and you could tell he was really trying to be like Dean. He gave a good effort and I applaud him for that because I know Dean is not an easy role to fulfill. I agree with what another reviewer mentioned about how he got his mannerisms down.

But there just was something missing. Dean had a natural ability to make his characters come to life and be real. I didn't see that in Franco. I felt the charisma, gentle vulnerability, and charming innocence wasn't there. These were all things that were just part of Dean's nature and I think it would be hard for anyone to portray him exactly as he was. That's why I think the only person who can play Dean effectively is Dean himself.

The movie has a straightforward plot which begins from Dean's childhood up until his final days. His childhood on the farm with his aunt and uncle and his school days are completely skipped over. It would have been nice to see more of his childhood memories and upbringing. His high school days would have been nice to watch like where he participated in basketball, baseball, public speaking, and drama classes. I think adding these parts would have added something special to Dean's character and the audience would have had a better understanding of where he was coming from. Perhaps this would have shed more light on why he turned out the way he did as an adult.

There were minor details which bothered me like Franco's height is 5'11" and Dean was 5'8." Dean was actually considered short for being an actor. I found it odd that Franco was taller than the person he was trying to portray in the film. Also the actress who played Pier Angeli looked nothing like the real Pier Angeli. The same goes for the actors who played the director Nicholas Ray and the mechanic Rolf at the end of the film. I think if you are making a film about someone's life then it's important to have a cast which resemble the actual people as much as possible. However, this film does have a good supporting cast.

The movie states at the end, "Most of the film was based on fact but some are an educated guess." Somethings I know are true but some may be speculation. An example is when Dean and Pier Angeli are at the beach house. They get into an argument and he slaps her. I don't recall ever reading anything about Dean being abusive towards women so that may have been made up for a drama effect. Also I don't think Dean and his father really made up in the end because their relationship was beyond repair. That too was added for a drama effect.

Dean really wanted approval from his father regarding his acting career but I don't think he ever got that from him. I think the angst and frustration which is often seen with Dean's acting stems from both his mother's sudden loss at age 9 and his unresolved strained relationship with his father. I have noticed this with other stars as well. Their parent didn't approve of them or their dreams so they grew up with a huge void in their heart and all they ever wanted was just to be loved and accepted.

If you are a James Dean fan then I recommend watching this film. But don't take everything that happens to heart because as with all biopic films, no one really knows what happened unless they were there. This is definitely one of the better films based on Dean's life out there and is worth seeing.

Too Young to Die (2012– )

Stars Gone Too Soon

[10/10 · 2 February 2017]

I have always enjoyed watching celebrity documentaries like "E! True Hollywood Story" and "Biography." When I saw the documentary series, "Too Young to Die" on Netflix, I just knew I had to add it to my list.

So far, I have watched the following episodes from Season 1: "Sharon Tate," "Natalie Wood," "Judy Garland," "Kurt Cobain," and "River Phoenix."

This documentary series definitely does not disappoint the viewer. Each episode is narrated well and we get a glimpse into each celebrity's life. Each episode covers the star's life from when he or she was born until his or her final days. We also get to see where they grew up and learn more about their childhood and rise to stardom. Also each episode has a running time of 51 minutes which I think is a good length. I think it isn't too long but isn't too short either.

We get to hear perspectives and insights from family members, friends, colleagues, biographers, fellow fans, and so forth. These tiny details are often not something we can find in books or movies. But these things can only be told by those who were very close to the celebrities themselves.

Also this series really makes you think of what could have been if he or she had lived. What else would they have been able to achieve? What other dreams did they hope to fulfill? Why did fate get in the way of their aspiring success?

Some of these celebrities were just starting out and were on their way to achieving astounding possibilities but their lives were tragically cut short. Some reached high levels of fame and popularity but didn't know how to handle it all. It just became too much for them. Then there were some who came crashing down because they weren't getting many job offers like they used to. They felt their days were outnumbered.

All these people lived for such a short while but made such an impression on pop culture and left behind such legacies. Fortunately, we have their movies, music, and stories to remember them by.

On a side note, I would have to disagree with what another reviewer had posted on here regarding some celebrities being too "old" when they died. I know some celebrities died in their 20s which is very young while others have died in their 40s. If we compare that to how most people in general pass away in their 70s+ then I think the 40s age range is still pretty young. However, I do agree with what the reviewer said regarding this series being well presented and including thorough research.

I hope there will be a season 2 because I am looking forward to watching it. I would like to see episodes in season 2 or future seasons which feature James Dean (24), Dominique Dunne (22), Rebecca Schaeffer (21), Karen Carpenter (32), and Jonathan Brandis (27).

If you like documentaries like "E! True Hollywood Story" or any other celebrity documentary series then I highly recommend "Too Young to Die." You won't be disappointed!