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greensweater
Reviews
The Twilight Zone (1985)
More like Twilight Zone Lite
I have a weakness for anthology shows- you name it, I've watched it, from the brilliant (the original Twilight Zone, Night Gallery), to the down right cheesy (Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction anyone?) As you can see, I don't really discriminate. I had always heard about how good the Twilight Zone's 80's incarnation was, yet had never gotten to see it, since it was rarely ever aired.
After finally seeing it, I have to say, it misses the bite of the original. Many of these episodes are missing those shock and awe endings that were the hallmark of the series.
These episodes have more of a sentimental 'Kick the Can' feel to them- not to say that it's terrible. Yet, take a a somewhat schmaltzy episode from the original series, like 'The Hunt', and there is still that strange, eerie, uneasiness running throughout. We as the audience are left hanging as the protagonists, a man and his dog are unsure they've made the right choice in destination until the very end. Contrast that with, say 'Grace Note', in which a put-upon, sacrificing, aspiring opera singer is given a gift and a glimpse into the future by her dying younger sister- and well you can guess the ending of that one. The difference of tone is evident. Not to say that I didn't well up a little here and there, yet many episodes felt like they would be more at home on another 80's anthology show; the Stephen Spielberg produced, Amazing Stories.
Also there were too many retreads, like a pointless 10 minute remake of The After Hours. All in all, I would say that it's watchable, but I could definitely see why this didn't last for very long. Not exactly as Disney-schmaltzy as Amazing Stories, yet not as in your-face-bizarre as Tales from the Darkside.
Ready or Not (1993)
Bittersweet
Set in 90s, in the Canadian suburbs, Ready or Not centers on the unlikely friendship of two girls with opposite dispositions: the insecure, accident-prone Amanda Zimm, who tends to leap into embarrassing situations without thinking them over (Ready); and the cool, insightful, and cautious, Elizabeth "Busy" Ramone (Not).
At it's best, Ready or Not showcases a type of bittersweet realism, found in The Wonder Years and Freaks and Geeks. The girls are free to talk about pretty much anything (to quote Amanda discussing her older, 7th grade idol, Chrissy "letting a guy touch her boob for a second because it's supposed to give him a boner or something".) Even though there's the occasional after-school special message, it's saved from being cheesy with it's humor. For example, the episode where Busy's brother awkwardly attempts to bum a cigarette off of a group of older kids and obliviously declares "a guy just likes to enjoy a butt every once and a while".
However, in the last two seasons, there was a noticeable difference in tone. They could no longer go through the same embarrassing shenanigans as in the earlier episodes without looking foolish instead of naive. Things become more serious, and there is less humor to be found.
Seasons 4 and 5 also concentrates on the two girls growing up and growing apart. Amanda is bubblier, and having an easier time with boys and the social dynamics of school. Though, Busy is thrown threw a loop. She is suddenly unsure where she fits in when it becomes more apparent that Busy is Jane Lane to Amanda's Charlotte York. Through it all, Busy becomes more desolate, yet consistent. At times, it makes it really hard to like Amanda's character, her boy-crazy, social climbing ways become more apparent than ever. However, both girls work hard at staying friends no matter how different they are, and whatever the circumstances.
Grace Kelly (1983)
Safe, sugarcoated biopic: Medocrity the nth degree
Grace Kelly has always been one of my favorite movie stars, but this biopic did her no justice. There was no real conflict or drama, just the basic thumbnail sketch of her life up to her Monaco marriage. It's a lot like something you would find in an encyclopedia entry on Grace Kelly, but just acted out. You're much better off reading one of the various biographies out on the market if one really wants more detail of the late princess's life.
Cheryl Ladd didn't help matters, she does her best Grace Kelly impersonation, but it just doesn't add up. Of course, I'm one of those people that find it distracting when an actor is playing a famous or historical person, but doesn't look a thing like the famous person he/she is playing. Cheryl Ladd just reminds me of Tippi Hedren a lot (which is perverse, when you remember that Hedren was the actress that Hitchcock replaced Kelly with). Ladd plays her as a happy-go-lucky gal that is always at the right place at the right time (ensuring her acting career, princess-hood etc.), all with a trademark affected upper class accent. The script doesn't allow for much else really. But at least it's maybe a notch less annoying than Jennifer Love Hewitt's "The Audrey Hepburn Story". Maybe.