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Reviews
I Love Lucy: The Ricardos Visit Cuba (1956)
Terrible episode
It's not often that I find an I Love Lucy episode unwatchable.
An episode in Cuba Ricky's home country should be much better. Nothing much happens. We get a lot of machismo from the obnoxious Uncle Alberto . Lucy is persona non grata until Little Ricky performs. Give me a break!
Ethel and Fred are relegated to being extras .
They seemed to have no real ideas for this episode.
It also makes me wonder why we never got an episode or two in Spain when they were in Europe Lucy mentioned at least twice they were scheduled to go there.
It's also disappointing Ricky's mother isn't more prominently featured in this one.
I Love Lucy: Desert Island (1956)
Boat rides and beauty contests
The second half works better for me than the first half. The set up for this episode is pretty basic the old jealousy thing.
Still in Miami the guys are invited to judge a beauty contest. Ethel wants to stop it but Lucy is uncharacteristically understanding - until she meets the young women.
Lucy plans to sabotage it in a way that ultimately strands them all on a desert island. Lucy thinks she's accomplished her goal but it backfires big time.
On one had Lucy's antics do get them all invited to a big luau ( sounds fun) but the guys still get to judge the contest. It's one of the time I think it's kind of deserved it just seemed like an overreaction by Lucy and Ethel.
I Love Lucy: No Children Allowed (1953)
Babysitting
The first time I saw this one . I thought the episode was going in a completely different direction. It starts off with a fussy baby who can't fall asleep easily. Lucy and Ethel struggled to get him to sleep while Fred and Ricky succeeded. I thought this was going to be a battle of the sexes .
Instead it quickly turned out to be the episode that gives us Mrs . Trumble who will be the one to take care of Little Ricky so there is always someone around although Ethel, Fred and Ricky will do a fair amount too.
This one leads to a temporary standoff between Ethel and Lucy over Ethel's constant retelling of her defense of the Ricardo's and Lucy growing tired of it. However it's the little battle that eventually leads them to Mrs . Trumble to find the baby alone and brings out her tenderness.
It's actually a pretty funny way Lucy and Ethel fight at the Bridge luncheon and since it doesn't last too long it's just funny to watch.
I Love Lucy: The Black Wig (1954)
Black wig episode
This is a strange and very dated episode. Strange because honestly Lucy doesn't look as different as they try to portray. I know it has to be exaggerated but it feels a little forced.
Dated because of Ricky dictating Lucy's hairstyle. Honestly she would have looked not drastically than one of her later hairstyles especially with her signature red hair. Of course at that point they weren't going to change her signature style so this is more about Lucy putting Ricky to the test than anything else.
Most of the laughs in this episode come from Fred and Ethel. Fred recognizing Ethel in her disguise, Ethel not wanting to show just how many different styles her costume has!
It's still fairly funny but not a classic.
I Love Lucy: The Fashion Show (1955)
Fashion episode
Not a bad episode but not particularly funny either.
Lucy wants a designer dress and Ricky relents on the promise it won't cost more than a hundred dollars. Lucy finds an opportunity to be in a fashion with the wives of movie stars but in the meantime the plainest dress she can find at Don Loper's ends up costing five hundred dollars . She doesn't know the cost until she and Ethel return from the salon and by then it's been altered and therefore can't be returned. In effort to make Ricky sympathetic she is going to get slightly sunburned! But it's far worse she's burned to a crisp. Ricky isn't nearly that sympathetic upon learning the cost of the dress. She learns if she wears a new dress by Loper she can have her dress for free.
In terrible pain she does it with Ethel there to cheer her on and for moral support. She makes it and then finds a check waiting from Ricky to buy the already attained dress. Question is will she return the check ? She's not so sure!
Unlike the Paris Gown episode that stood on its own this one would have greatly benefited from being in color. The dresses shown by the wives were described as to having vivid colors .
Daria: Lucky Strike (2001)
Classic episode
A teachers strike at Lawndale High has Daria replacing an inappropriate teacher ( Helen makes sure he's removed) , Jane recruited to help with the slogans for the picket line and Trent recruited to write an anthem for the teachers. Mr. DeMartino locked into tense negotiations with Ms. Li .
Quinn is initially horrified to have Daria as a teacher but finds herself enjoying and learning , she's also growing fed up with Sandi's remarks about her and Daria and finally reclaims her sister to the entire class. Sandi tries to make an issue of it but gets schooled by Stacy and Tiffany .
History class gets what seems to be a retired first grade teacher. As she is telling the class "and so the people asked George Washington will you be our king ( Jane meanwhile enters the room and the substitute says young lady you're tardy " Brittany " Gee , he wasn't very focused!" Good one Brittany!
Mr. DeMartino gets the deal they have been after but he still has to deal with Kevin in class!
Definitely one of the best episode of the series.
Daria: Fizz Ed (2001)
Fizzle out
Lawndale High can't afford basic school supplies but naturally Ms. Li doesn't care until it affects the football team and their need for new equipment. Never mind they are running out of basics in art and history.
Ms. Li signs a deal for a corporate sponsorship cola to be specific that will supply numerous soda machines in the school.
No one but Daria is bothered by this initially not even Jane or Jodie but ultimately Daria is proven right. This episode also highlights the conflicting ways of Daria. On one hand she expresses her opposition but doesn't want to get involved. This is brought up in different ways by Helen ( gently) and Jodie and the scholars superintendent ( not so gently) .
Finally so much soda affects the football team and Ms Li and the superintendent sees it all for himself.
The cola sponsorship remains but considerably less obvious- except on the roof!
One thing that is slowly coming out is Daria doesn't like feeling like an outsider or outcast as much as she seemed to early on.
I Love Lucy: Lucy Gets a Paris Gown (1956)
Lucy's other dress
I think the dress Lucy is wearing when Ricky brings her the first Jaque Marscell dress is one of the prettiest dresses she ever wore on the show. She also wore it at the beginning of the Paris At Last episode . Certainly better than the designer dresses shown.
Still it's such a funny episode . Lucy wants an expensive dress ( five hundred dollars!) nothing to sneeze at now but a small fortune back then .
I'm also not sure I buy that Lucy would spend three days in a hotel room when she's in Paris or another two days moping around for having the first dress returned by Ricky . All that for a dress seems excessive. Lucy's priorities here seem exaggerated. Yet that's Lucy .
Going on a hunger strike for a dress ? I would be more with Ethel on this one but I love the places Lucy had the food hidden!
The revenge plot Ricky came up with was hilarious! One I actually didn't mind. They kind of evened out but why Lucy and Ethel were so quick to burn the dresses ? Did they ever get others?
The Zookeeper's Wife (2017)
Millions of stories to tell
The Second World War has seemingly endless stories to be told. This is one such story with a twist. A true story of a family that sheltered briefly or for the duration three hundred Jews. Two ultimately were shot and that's incredibly sad and tragic but amazingly the rest made it through.
All the movies about wars I doubt will ever stop but I would hope that more like this one would be told more . War is on the battlefield but it's in the home, the backyard and the streets , the workplace and everywhere. We must know these things everyday people did to survive and help others.
Jessica Chastain proves again it's all about the character. She's about the role and finding their truth and less about having a particular persona .
Daria: Fat Like Me (2001)
Too much fashion club
One of the weakest episodes of the series .
Daria and Jane become side characters in this one in favor of the fashion club as Sandi breaks her leg and gains weight! In maybe the dumbest thing Quinn has ever done she helps Sandi return to form and lets Sandi return to her merciless dictatorship of the club. We all so know once and for all Tiffany is a waste of space and only Quinn and Stacey should have been friends .
There really isn't much to say about this one but it does show the order of things in high school . The irony is some of this can be avoided and Quinn could have made a difference . Her blind loyalty to Sandi is still an annoyance but eventually she gets past it.
Call the Midwife: Episode #13.4 (2024)
How old is Jonty ?????!!!!!
Matthew and Trixie are an annoying couple. I just don't care about their problems. There are other things going on around them that are far more important. Trixie didn't even stay at her post as long as she should have. Matthew who I have liked is becoming elitist again. Shouldn't that kid of his be bigger and older by now?
I like the new training midwives and how they support each other. The focus onTB was so heartbreaking. The family is so kind and humble . You just want the best for them .
Love that Nancy got the answers she needed.
The focus on the moon landing added an uplifting element to the episode. I love how much they were all excited about it.
This episode would be ranked a 10 if not for the Trixie and Mathew nonsense.
I Love Lucy: Mr. and Mrs. T.V. Show (1954)
Reality tv ?
Similar to The Fan Magazine but that one had more laughs in it. They both have that feeling that people don't want to show their true selves to the public. Understandable in a way but both episodes come off as weird and phony. The fan magazine one was funnier overall this one was only funny at the end when Lucy walks out in that getup. It just felt like to little actual humor. The show within the show was absolutely cringing. Ricky's attempt to bring Lucy back into the show was annoying and completely self serving. The first scene all about the luncheon and Lucy talking up this big tv executive was dull and uninteresting. I think it could have been a strong episode but I have never cared for it.
I Love Lucy: Lucy Is Envious (1954)
One thing leads to another
Lucy's old school chum Cynthia Harcourt ( Mary Jane Croft in an earlier role) is in town and wants a charity donation from Lucy . This leads to a misunderstanding about the amount and with Ethel offering a donation as well it leads the two to the women from Mars stunt.
So many things I enjoy about this one . A rare opener with Ricky and Lucy reading in bed like any other couple except it's not just any other couple!
Lucy dealing with her old high society school mate. Ricky trying to gently bring Lucy down to earth.
Fred thinking they have been invaded by martians and ready for them! Ricky taking it for what it's worth.
Lucy and Ethel being scared by " martians " and Lucy's extra funny scream. Then finding out who the martians really are and getting back at them! At least they still got the needed money!
Daria: Fire! (2000)
More isolated than usual
Jake accidentally sets the house on fire . The damage is fixable but the family has to spend two weeks at a hotel.
It's this episode though that Tom and Daria started to make sense. Daria ditched the hotel to stay at Jane's and it takes her parents days to notice she's not around. Quinn is once again disowning Daria several times in just a short period of time and Jane is less than enthusiastic about Daria's presence. The only person who seems to care is Tom . Jane is sensing Daria and Tom are more on the same wavelength at the same time their relationship is not working out so well.
To be honest in this context the Tom and Daria thing makes more sense not handled in the best way when it happens but this situation building up to it I think I think an ignored, disowned, overlooked and lonely Daria needed someone.
The humor in this one comes mostly from Jake's aggravation and Quinn's gullibility stemming from her vanity.
I Love Lucy: The Ballet (1952)
Beautiful Vivian Vance
This might be the best example of Lucy trying desperately to get into showbiz .
She tries out first as a ballerina but that proves to be exhausting and painful! The classic scene where she gets stuck on the ballet bar is one of the funniest and most often shown in history.
The second attempt is to train as a burlesque comedian. That is even funnier and you can even hear Desi's laughter offscreen. Apparently he would only attend the first table reading then attend to business behind the scenes. This explains his frequent laughter upon seeing the finished product for the first time. The Slowly I turn routine is hilarious. This episode takes full advantage of Lucille Ball's physical talents.
Finally this was one of the episodes that showed how beautiful Vivian Vance was.
Sometimes they allowed that to happen. She even had a beautiful evening gown in the last segment.
Definitely one of the strongest episodes of the first season.
I Love Lucy: Lucy Cries Wolf (1954)
Lucy goes too far
Lucy gets the idea to test Ricky's willingness to be at her beck and call by pretending they were robbed like a couple in the newspaper. When Ethel and Fred race over to see if she's in trouble and Lucy learns Ricky won't come home she goes to more drastic measures to test him . Ricky, Fred and Ethel really start to worry about her when they can't find her. She messed up the living room and climbs out on the ledge! A neighbor across the street phones Ricky and clues him in . Ricky and the Mertz's are angry at being fooled and Lucy worrying them for nothing so they loudly claim Lucy is no longer their concern. Lucy makes herself known and Ricky scolds her for her selfish behavior.
Later she pouts in the hallway while the other three play cards. She leaves herself vulnerable and is kidnapped by the neighborhood robbers. Ricky and the Mertz's hear the commotion and think she's playing around again and ignore her. When she returns tied up and gagged they still ignore her . One of the times I think she really goes too far and Ricky is actually pretty restrained in his reaction.
I Love Lucy: Ricky and Fred Are TV Fans (1953)
One of my favorite episodes!
Fred and Ricky spend the evening oblivious to the fact that their wives are doing everything to can think of to keep their husbands from watching the boxing match on television.
Lucy and Ethel even get arrested at one point!
They are also mistaken for a couple of female burglars !
I can understand the frustration especially given that Ricky works at the club most nights.
There is a very funny exchange at the police station and one of the police officers goes to the apartment so they can bail out Lucy and Ethel. Everything is sorted out though and by the end Ricky and Fred are none the wiser - thank goodness!
Roma (2018)
A Masterpiece
The most beautiful film I have ever seen. Alfonso Curaon basing it on his own life with so much care and attention to detail. The difference is the focus is on Cleo the live in help . When Cleo and the family are abandoned by the men in their lives the women forge a closer bond. The grandmother provides support not only for her daughter and grandchildren but for Cleo as well.
I highly recommend not only Roma for viewing but the film on making Roma . On watching for a second time I was even more drawn into the main characters and the beauty of how it was shot . The black and white adds so much it has a dreamlike look and feel.
Alfonso Curaon is one of our greatest filmmakers and artist. He's imprint is also on the cinematography.
I Love Lucy: Ricky Loses His Temper (1954)
Meh
This one feels like they were running out of ideas. Fortunately it wasn't but season three is so uneven. Amazing episodes like Redecorating the Mertz's Apartment , Too Many Crooks and Home Movies to uninspired efforts like this one and Sentimental Anniversary or Ricky's Old Girlfriend. Good episodes with weak or bad endings like Ricky Minds The Baby, Equal Rights and Hawaiian Vacation.
Underrated efforts like Lucy is Envious, The Golf Game and The Sublease.
The show finally fully acknowledges Ricky's bad temper but it just feels like it's a weaker effort. Ricky's temper vs Lucy's spendthrift ways should be a classic it's not.
I Love Lucy: Lucy's Italian Movie (1956)
When in Rome
Lucy gets some rather obvious things wrong here. That includes what type of film she is asked to be in as well as her part in it .
It all backfires on her in spectacular fashion and Ethel Even ends up with the part in the movie originally offered to Lucy!
Once again Fred's role as band manager comes into play as he makes travel and lodging arrangements that puts them in a key element of the episode. The more I think about it Fred is the unsung hero ! Of course it's also a running gag on his cheapness!
The classic grape stomping takes place in this one . Lucy could have been a little more laidback about the opportunity and had the role herself but of course that's not Lucy's style and we get a classic episode out of it.
I Love Lucy: Lucy Gets Homesick in Italy (1956)
Underrated gem!
The humor is woven into the story and circumstances a the Ricardo's and Mertz's stay in a modest rather rundown hotel in Italy.
The sweetest episode of the series as Lucy with Ethel's help give a birthday party for little Ricky . Without giving much away Fred's choice of lodgings actually makes this party possible. It never would have happened in a fancier place. The local children are a key part in this. Watching Lucy mother other children adds something to her character and the same with Ethel.
Ricky also does the nicest thing for Lucy in this one.
The running gags of a broken elevator, hard beds , several flights of stairs and no phone in the rooms add a lot of humor to this episode .
I really love this episode and wish it was more watched and talked about.
I Love Lucy: California, Here We Come! (1955)
It WAS Lucy's idea!
I like so many things about this episode but it irritates me every time when Lucy and Ricky are arguing about her mother going . Ricky is upset about and makes the comment that Lucy talked the Mertz's into going ( which is true) but Lucy claims it was their idea instead. I don't know why but it bugs me .
Aside from that it's a good episode . All the things about a long car trip come up . This one also has the added necessity of bringing extra items along. Fred thinks he's got it solved! He ties everything to the car! Lol one of the funniest scenes. Ethel " honestly I could have loaded it better with a pitchfork!"
Ricky then realizes it can all be sent in ahead! Lucy's mom decides to go by plane as she gets carsick! She will go by plane later and little Ricky will go with her.
All that solved the foursome drive away with Lucy's mother, little Ricky and Mrs. Trumble seeing them off.
On the freeway they sing California Here I Come ".
I Love Lucy: Paris at Last (1956)
Pass the ketchup
As a kid I loved ( still love ) this episode but in particular how they translated through the various languages the charges against Lucy . I took it so literally when I was younger. I just hoped of I was in trouble in another country I would have the right people to translate for me! The writers were really creative .
I think Lucy wanting to experience Paris like that is pretty cool and understandable. That said she kind of got payback for pretending not to know the Mertz's!
Everything that goes on from the counterfeit money to getting snails and the phony paintings rounds all out for quite the experience.
Watch for her trying to make the best of her lunch of snails!
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
??????????
I am coming to the conclusion Yorgos Lanthimos films are not for me.
This one is the worst I have watched.
Clearly many do like his work and many actors want to work with him.
Now though I am more seriously paying attention to who the director is.
Centering on two married doctors (Steven played by Farrell and Anna played by Kidman ) with two young children older daughter Kim and younger son Bob . Do people still call boys Bob ?
On their own they are weird enough but not in an endearing way . A cold sterile environment . Terms of endearment are expressed but there's a lack of warmth.
Barry Keoghan plays a character that could well be his audition for Saltburn . He has an impact on our main characters but there is no investment in these characters we are just glad when it's over.
The plot is disturbing enough but the reactions of the characters and in one particular scene with Anna going for self preservation over her own children is as unsettling as it gets.
I won't go into details it's been well stated by others but if this actually supposed to be a satire it doesn't work.
Or a Greek Tragedy? Not a fan of stories that have that doomed narrative.
I will say no one does the ice queen thing like Kidman . No actress can seem so ramrod or stiff and in such an effortless manner. That's one of her strengths but it's also in some cases like this one a little disturbing.
If you haven't watched it please heed the warning if you have my sympathy.
I Love Lucy: Ethel's Birthday (1954)
Checkerboard britches!
Ethel has a birthday coming up and she fears Fred has forgotten. Ethel recruits Lucy to help her. During dinner Lucy starts dropping hints prompting Ricky into thinking he forgot Lucy's birthday and whips out his emergency present! We also learn it has a card for every occasion!
The Ricardo's gift Ethel with dinner and the theater on her birthday.
The real trouble starts when Fred asks Lucy to select his gift for Ethel and Lucy fails to follow his advice. For once he actually was on his right track.
Lucy makes the mistake many do and shops for what she would like but apparently doesn't get for herself. This is another very funny scene when Ethel finds the present! One of my best scenes ever and Ethel gets some laughs the best lines.
There is also some good laughs when they are all at the theater. It does feel like the fight between Lucy and Ethel goes on too long for an otherwise funny episode. They got over it easier when they both suspected one another of burglary !