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Honkey_Magoo
Reviews
Statical Planets (1997)
Art house at it's weirdest!
Statical Planets. A very original and offbeat little trailer, almost a throw back to the old camp of the 1960s, that demonstrated some neat little effects, such as the Static-o-Matic. The music is like something out of retro TV. Strange and wacky atmosphere, one wonders what it would have been like had Joel Hodgson made the whole film, but we have only a trailer. If anything, it's just another example of the experimental and creative world film is if you have the mind for it, and it takes a Hodgson mind to have the courage to explore it. Also, it's great to see a little of Frank Conniff, and some shots of Nick Bakay and Paul Feig. If you can find, check it out!
The TV Wheel (1995)
Good idea but...
Let me start by saying I am a Joel Hodgson fan and am a great admire of his work, particularly MST3K. That show was a brilliant example of brilliance, and although it was certainly a team effort, so much of the heart would not have been there, and was lost when he left, had it not been for Joel's presence. That being said, I come to the "TV Wheel." The idea of a revolving stage and sedentary camera may not sound like much, may not even make sense, but watching it happen is something to behold. The sorts of optical illusions they created were amazing at times, and the pure movement of the "wheel" was smooth and easy to watch. The performers would act out the sketches through window like openings, and it made for some creative perspectives. Joel and Jim Hodgson proved incredible genius by making it something quiet interesting and fun in itself, and the different effects they were able to come up with were incredible! Also, the segments where Joel talks a little about the show was a very nice way to get to know the concept. He did some silly things with puppets (Boy, did he have experience with that!) and, as always, he is cute and interesting. So I give "the boys" 5 stars. Now to the comedy: This was probably one of the weakest shows I have ever seen in terms of writing and performing. I probably laughed all of three times and not truly laughter, but giggles. I agree with one reviewer, the actors and actresses were too in your face, too desperate to be seen and told they were funny. When I was done, I felt like I had just had an episode of mania, kind of mirroring the energy that took place in front of me. (The audience must have been either family members, friends, paid, or all of the above. They laughed at times at the oddest spots and too hard to be genuine.) I found the writing flat at best, going back and forth between blah and bleh! The few things that were interesting were less comedy and more comments, a very Joel thing to do. But as far as anything worth a laugh, there was little to be seen. It was nice to see people like Nick Bakay, Paul Feig, and a few others, but even they could not save it. It was just not good.
I adore Joel Hodgson, and it was a wonderful and painful ride watching the "TV Wheel," even still, you have to see the creative mind of his and the beautiful ideas he can have. He is a man with guts and honesty, and nothing can change that. I felt a little sad knowing the show didn't make it. It was one of a few things that failed in those year for him, so my heart pains a little to think of what he may have gone through after that. He changed in a way that just depresses me. All and all, this project may have improved had it the chance, but we will never know.
Note: there was a documentary made of the project and of the process of creating the stage. That was MUCH more enjoyable then the show itself in a way, and I encourage people to see it. It's a nice little peak into how a show as odd as this got put together, and some of the people behind it.
Friends (1994)
Wretched!
I must have managed to sit through three out of five episodes of `Friends.' Why only three out of five? Well simply my stomach couldn't take more then that. But if I'd really hated myself, I would have tried harder.
`Friends' is an overrated (and typical modern-day American,) sitcom about six roommates living in a flat in (surprise) New York. They got into stupid situations, thinking they were funny the whole way through, but funny they weren't. The script was unintelligent, the acting was amateurish, and the stories were such bores. The whole show seemed so useless and I will never understand how anyone could have such lack of brain as to watch this contemptible excuse for TV entertainment. But I guess most people are too sheepish to think for themselves, just as they have been when it comes to the craze over such shows as `Sex in the City,' `Will and Grace,` and `Frasier.'
`Friends' is simply a bad show, for a country that has lost it's sense of humor.
Mourning Becomes Electra (1947)
One Of The Few Roz Films I Don't Like...
I will never get what people see in Eugene O'Neil.(The man did not see the art in being `subtle` in drama.) I saw the 1960s version of "A Long Days Journey into Night" and almost started gagging. So I wasn't surprised to find Electra the same way. Although I like Raymond Massy, Kirk Douglas, and have been a avid Rosalind Russell fan for years, (and I'll admit she was immensely beautiful in this film) I found most of the acting horrendous and over done. It BELONGS on stage that story, and it's just too melodramatic for the big screen. And the woman that played the mother, bleah! Where did they dig her up? She was like something out of a crummy B-horror film! That script was a bit on the corny side. Actually it all reminds me off something from Shakespeare. Very hammed up! So, as you can see, I'm really no fan of Mourning Becomes Electra. But don't take my word for it. You can catch the three version on TCM and see for yourself.
Auntie Mame (1958)
A Banquet!
This has to be one of the best comedies of all time! The story is perfect, the script is faultless, the characters are wonderfully cast, and....well, you get the picture. But what you never forget is Auntie Mame herself, Rosalind Russell. She was absolutely beyond beautiful! No one will ever be able to match that superb timing that she had, or make it all look so easy and graceful. The warmth she had, which she kept in every scene, was so loving and genuine, that you could have warmed your hands with it. And although she was a wonderful actress, who played many great characters in many great movies, (i.e. `The Women,' `Picnic,' `A Majority of One,' ect.) she really WAS Auntie Mame. I can see no one else in the part but her. And when she says those magical words, `Live, live, live! Life is a banquet! And most poor suckers are starving to death!' only she could say it in such a way, that it swept you away into Mame's fairylike world where no dream is ever to big, and every day is a banquet.
My Big Fat Greek Life (2003)
I will never watch it again!
I just saw one episode of "My big fat greek life" and I don't know how anyone could subject themselfs to such trash week after week! It's not funny, has bad acting, and is rather boring. I've never seen the movie, but after seeing the show I really don't think I ever will.
Wonderful Town (1958)
Wonderful Town! Wonderful Play! Wonderful Rosalind Russell!!
I feel that "Wonderful Town" is great for those of us that dislike the "over done" type Broadway musicals. (Although, I think of it now, over done IS what Broadway IS about!) The story, very simple: two sisters that come from Ohio to hit it big in New York city. But of course, it's not as easy as it sounds. I think they also have some of the biggest sterio typical characters I've yet to see on one screen! Jackie McKeever (a practicly unknown stage actress. Which she'd been and is going to be for the rest of her life!) plays the bubble-headed blond, Eileen. All she cares about is when is her next man going to show up! Which dosen't seem to hard sense almost every man she meets starts to drool when he see's her!Her reasons for coming to New York are very simple. To brake into the theater! ("Well, you have the face and build for it.") Next you have Ruth, Eileen's big sister. Played by none other than Rosalind Russell. Ruth is attractive, tall, dark, sharped witted and repelle's almost every man she meets! ("I did run into one man. And he said, 'Why the hell don't you watch where your goin'!'") There are a lot of other character's that need no going into if you'v read the book, seen the movie or seen the play. The musical numbers for the most part are fun and easy to take. the best song's have to be, "Ohio," (preformed by McKeever and Russell.) One Hundered Easy Ways to Lose a Man," "Swing,"(both mainly done by Roz. Although she has never been thought of for her singing, she was brilliant! She made it all fun and gave everything she did "energy!" Even though she was 51 years, she was still beautiful and more vibrent then the whole cast put together!)"Quite Girl" and "The Wrong Note Rag." I musn't forgett Cris Alexander! He was very funny, and very loveble in the role of Frank Lippincott. He played of everyone very well and was a fine actor. (I think he and Roz were the one's that held the whole thing together, really.)
But all and all, this was a great virsion. You well never see these musical numbers done as peppy, or the Ruth so funny and still so radient and lovely. La, what a Wonderful Town it was....