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Reviews
Little House on the Prairie: Dearest Albert, I'll Miss You (1980)
The Original Catfish
This episode is super cute and really shows the charm of Albert. He's always been a little scamp (which I think comes from living on the street and not having parents for the first 10 years of his life). So it comes as no surprise that when Laura asks the class to write pen pal letters, Albert exaggerates the truth. He says he is 6'1", super popular, and the fastest runner. He even poses in a picture with little 6-year-olds and sends it to her to keep the story going. What Albert doesn't know is his pen pal, Leslie, has been lying as well. She told Albert she was a ballet dancer and captain of the basketball team, when she is in reality a paraplegic in a wheelchair.
The best part (and mind blowing moment) is when Laura is checking over Albert's letter and begins scolding him for lying. Albert tells her that he had to, because Leslie sounds so athletic and popular. "What was I supposed to write to her about? That I caught a catfish yesterday?" I almost dropped the remote! Did he just invent the term "catfish"?! Probably not, but it made for a great coincidence!
All in all a cute episode, and shows that Albert is growing up. Enjoy!
Picture Perfect (1997)
Painful and Cringeworthy
I saw this movie when it originally came out and I thought it was a light and funny comedy as well as a commentary on how women are seen in the workplace. However, re-watching it in our current day and time it is nothing but painful and cringe worthy. Kate is a self-centered, thoughtless, and immoral person who has no regard for anyone else's feelings. Actually, all of her coworkers are nothing but greedy, gossipy, and superficial drones, working in New York high finance. The only character that resembles somewhat of a pleasant human being is Nick, who regrettably becomes a doormat that Kate uses to climb her way up the corporate ladder. I can't find any redeeming qualities in any of the "heroes" of this movie. It was painful to watch as Kate used and abused Nick throughout the movie and then hoped to find some redemption at the end. Kate literally turned Nick from a publicly-praised hero into everyone seeing him as an abusive villain, when he in actuality was the only one in this movie that didn't do anything wrong. I didn't even understand why Nick liked Kate when she barely made any effort to get to know him at all. For a better rendition of this story, I recommend "The Proposal" where at least both parties initially hate each other while they go through the charade of being engaged. That way no one gets hurt and you aren't cringing as this poor guy is being tormented.
Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)
TOTALLY Different from the Book
The book was SO good: thrilling, witty, I try, and thought-provoking. This is nothing like the book. Character names and some backstory info is the same, plus some minor plot points. But otherwise, it is nothing like the book. I am disappointed. It was still interesting but just not as good.
A Merry Friggin' Christmas (2014)
Great Actors in Bad Roles
Every actor in this movie is amazing, but what a waste. The writing was poor and the character development was lacking, so they all had little to work with. Why would you cast Robin Williams as a racist, swearing, gun-toting jerk when he is amazing as a heart-warming, loving lunatic? Lauren Graham was probably the best casting in this film as the understanding, patient wife and Joel McHale was great as a sarcastic, weary son. But Candice Bergen was also wasted as a tired, docile wife. Clark Duke, although a brilliant, talented actor, was also miscast as a veteran with PTSD. What?? I would love to see all of these actors in a better film.
Animaniacs (2020)
Of course it's not as good as the original.
A reboot is just that... a reboot. And I knew this wouldn't be as good as the original. But I didn't realize how much worse it would be. The brilliant writing of the Countries of the World Song or when the Warner's meet the Devil is totally gone. Now it's low-brow, pandering humor with dull dialogue and stale storylines. And of course the obvious political jabs which seem mundane and obtuse. My teens and preteen were bored, and I was left disappointed. Meh.
Christian Mingle (2014)
Offensive, Anti-Christian and Racist
How can I explain how bad this movie is? The entire time I am hoping that Gwenyth will meet a fabulous guy as well as find Christ. And yes, it is possible! It is also possible to be a good person when you are not a "believer" or a certain type of Christian. I could not believe how judgmental all of the Christians depicted in this movie were toward Gwenyth. Instead of welcoming her to the beginning of her journey with Christ, they were testing her knowledge of bible verses, judging her clothes, and demanding she pray on command. As a Christian (Catholic) I was shocked at how rude, unwelcoming, and elitist they all were to her. That is not how Jesus would treat anyone, let alone someone who seeks Him and wants to grow closer to Him.
When Paul "caught" Gwenyth in her slight exaggeration on her level of faith, he confronted her with no compassion or understanding. Why didn't he listen to her, and offer to support her search for Jesus? Gwenyth even asked Paul for his help, but he was too selfish, prideful, and judgmental to help. What a jerk! I was hoping she wouldn't end up with him, but would continue on her journey toward Christ without Paul.
And the racist stereotypes of the Mexicans! The stereotypical costumes, bad accents, and Taco Bell set design was so distracting and unnecessary! Would it really be that much time/money to take a trip to Mexico and get some accurate specifications for a village down there? What a missed opportunity to show the reality of what they need in Mexico, possibly calling someone watching to take a mission down there one day (which I have, by the way, and it is nothing like what was portrayed).
Even Gwenyth's work friend, Pam, who I at first thought was the most realistic depiction of a true Christian (spoiler alert! She's a Christian too!) ended up being judgemental too! When Gwenyth was telling her about how she was beginning to feel closer to Christ, she said, "Sweetie, you are not there yet." Who is Pam to judge anyone's journey? And isn't life about this journey? Are any of us ever really "there" until we get to Heaven? Sheesh!
The only shining light was Lacey Chabert's performance. She is a great actor. I felt sorry for her to be stuck with such a poor script with such a despicable leading man.
If this shows you anything, it's that the guys on Christian Mingle are all pompous, judgemental, mama's boys. Not all Christian guys are like that! Maybe try a different website. And DEFINITELY watch a different movie while you are at it!