Change Your Image
AlPalClearman
Reviews
John Q (2002)
intolerable - even with someone as watchable as Denzel
I'll watch Denzel Washington do anything - except act in this movie. The actors did a terrific job with what they were given. However, the characters have all the depth and dimension of cartoon personalities. This good v.s. evil story is absurd. As a health care professional, I was both amused and horrified at the cold-blooded, uncaring, fat-cat health care providers in this film. Doctors are not in the business of medicine to get rich - and I don't personally know any who are. They decided to put 12 or so years and $150,000 or more in their educations so they can help people, and that's what doctors do. Doctors make many personal sacrifices that most people never think of - and do so because of a deep and abiding desire to heal. I took as much as I could of this silly diatribe against the evils of American medicine as I could; but ultimately, could not stay with it to the end. Gotta go take an aspirin. Dr. Alice Clearman
Scratch the Surface (1997)
all girls should see this
I found the interviews interesting, insightful and meaningful. I enjoyed hearing about these women by which so many of us judge our exteriors. I was not familiar with them from Seventeen Magazine, but I have had concerns about the influence that such publications have on the self-image of young girls. It was refreshing to hear these models comment on what real beauty is and their real priorities in life. I wish this film were shown to all 6th grade girls. It might help them in a small way to navigate the coming years of self-doubt that so many of them struggle with.
Alice Clearman, Ph.D. Clinical Psychology
The Net (1995)
pretty good thriller
I enjoyed this film, but I was disgusted with the portrayal of the psychologist/ex-boyfriend. I'm weary of Hollywood portraying doctors of all types violating one of our most important rules - never have sex with a patient - NEVER! The movie treats this subject so lightly that I'm sure the writer didn't have a clue about this. I did like her 'net smarts, her independent spirit and some of the plot twists. However, her getting on a boat and having sex with a stranger flew in the face of the intelligence of the character. Overall, I found it entertaining enough to purchase the DVD.