Reviews
Shadowboxer (2005)
Why do parents allow this? Must be the money.
If I had the say over whether children could be in movies there would be no children in movies. Parents must leave there parenting instincts at the door when making these decisions for their children. This movie taught a little boy how to kill. This was a weird movie, Helen Mirren must have been paid millions for doing this stinker. The British will do anything for money. Cuba was good but he's always good and this was not worthy of him. I'm sorry I watched this garbage. I was truly shocked to see Helen and Cuba in this movie. It was tawdry and left a bad feeling with me. I guess I do not want to see that underbelly of the world.
Hounddog (2007)
Why All the Fuss?
I am not convinced that movie makers have the best interest of children in mind when making movies. Most people are offended at the thought of using a child to film a rape scene so that leaves the question of who really will watch this film aside from pedophiles and perverts. The most important issue is the protection of the child which Dakota's parents failed to do. Dakota should never have been put in the position of having to defend it herself. Portraying children in this way is never "art". That is a rationalization. This is about prurient interests and money. Somewhere deep down, Dakota knows that her parents rationalized her innocence away for fame and fortune.
Criminal Minds (2005)
What Happened to "Elle"?
Lola Glaudini was edgy and exciting and was one of my favorite characters. I love this show and am a fan of all of the actors on it except for the new girl, I keep wanting Elle to return!!! I would like to see the show include more of the "unsub" in the story line. I know that part of the show is the mystery and unfolding of the unsubs character but at the end I always want to know more. We get a lot of the crime information and the act itself but I think that knowing more of the why of the criminal would be interesting.
I have always believed that part of the character of a sociopath comes from an interruption of personality development in the infant. Feelings are huge then and could cause the infant to learn to shut down emotion in order not to feel pain. Maybe that is why you only see depictions of sociopaths having sorrow only for themselves, mirroring the self absorption of an infant. What about that type of revelation on the show?
Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1995)
Movie well made but not evenhanded.
Since this movie was produced by Oliver Stone it is predictably well made and acted. My quarrel is not with the standards of the movie as a well made vehicle for the story but with the bias and one sidedness. The McMartin family comes off as beleaguered and wronged while the victims and their families were portrayed as stupid, illiterate and unstable. Abuse such as existed in the McMartin preschool does not only happen to the perfect children and parents but nonetheless it happens. I wonder at the slant of the movie. Why use it as a vehicle to defend the perpetrators, why not do an even handed story? Portraying a fair and accurate account would have served the truth instead of the accused. I always believed that the McMartins were caught being involved in a very lucrative business. I thought that it was all about the money, but the child abuse was such a focus that the lucrative business was not addressed. the movie was disturbing.
Judging Amy (1999)
Maxine Gray is the Best TV Character Ever
I still watch "Judging Amy" in reruns year after year and I am never tired of watching Tyne Daly play Maxine Gray. I have never ever seen anyone play any character as moving or as inspiring as Tyne does in becoming Maxine Gray. She is awesome and I identify with her in so many ways. I too retired and spent too much time on line and needed to return to work!! I too lost my husband and am the mother of 4 adult children. Our issues are like the Grays and I love the connection that I have made with these characters especially Maxine. I have always been a fan of Tyne Daly's but her role on this show is positively wonderful. How did this show go off of the air? And replaced with what? The Apprentice or whatever. Too bad for us.
Gene Simmons: Family Jewels (2006)
Gene Simmons Is More Married Than Married Men
I love this show, I am pleasantly surprised at the down to earth family life of Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed. In spite of his stardom, Gene allows his son to be a prince too. This just says worlds about his character. And he loves his Mom!!!! The Simmons are delightful, funny and smart. I hope we get more of "Gene Simmons: Family Jewels". As a side note, I am moved by Gene's Mother's history. She instilled in her son the ability to love brilliantly. His partner and children reflect this love in their lovingness as does his mom. I am struck , not with the wealth but the wealth of love in this family. I strongly recommend this show to everyone I know and really hope for it's success.