MichaelMovieLoft Reviews

Knight Rider: The Scent of Roses (1986) Season 4, Episode 12

This should have been the series finale

[10/10 · 6 August 2010]

I just watched this on Netflix last night and I agree that this should have been the series finale. On a case, Michael is mortally wounded, and loses his zeal to continue the work that Wilton Knight chose him for. When he gives Devon notice, Devon finds Stevie Mason (reoccuring character played by Hasselhoff's then wife, Catherine Hickland), who knew Michael in his past life, cares for Michael in his new life, and asks her to look after him. However, the people that shot him will stop at nothing at another chance to kill him.

This is one of the most emotional episodes ever. It really shows viewers a Michael Knight they have never seen before, as he starts to believe that one man cannot make a difference. It also shows how the whole Foundation family (Devon, Bonnie, RC3, and KITT) truly feel about Michael. Unfortunately, this was not the final episode, as it was placed in the middle of the season. This would have made a great series finale, but I guess NBC thought the show still had more seasons left in it. If you have the season 4 set on DVD, save this one for final viewing. It's worth it.

Evening (1976–1989)

America needs a PM Magazine

[10/10 · 11 January 2006]

I remember when this premiered back in Albuquerque, NM in the 1980s. For most of it's run, it was on KOB and hosted by Gary Doll and Karla Aragon. We watched it every night because it had interesting features, and of course, there was Chef Tell ("I see you!!!").

Around 1985-1986, KOB abandoned the format and it was given to KGGM, the CBS affiliate at the time. KGGM had their own evening program called Stopwatch. So they just renamed the show "PM Magazine", however, it was nowhere near as fun as the KOB version.

I moved near Austin, Texas in 1986, which didn't have a PM Magazine. It didn't really surprise me since Austin, TX (there were only 4 stations when I lived there) affiliates were afraid to take chances.

I do miss this show, and I think it would be great if they brought it back to the rest of the nation. I think it would work today.

Blind Date (1987)

One of those movies that makes you laugh

[6/10 · 8 December 2004]

I love this film. This was Bruce Willis' first box office film in a leading role. It's a nice little film that has its funny moments. Blind Date is not Citizen Kane, but it's sure a good film to watch on a day off. When Kim Basinger gets drunk, that's where the funny moments start. She goes from being a sweet southern belle to the date from hell. She embarrasses him at a business dinner, goes ga-ga at a club, gets his car lifted, and drives him to the point of insanity. Meanwhile, ex-boyfriend Larroquette is stalking them around the town driving them nuts. His character isn't given much depth, but he works with it. All in all, it's a funny, innocent film that will make you laugh.

The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1969–1972)

People, let me tell you 'bout my best friend...

[7/10 · 18 October 2004]

I first saw this back on WWOR in 1994. From the first episode, I was hooked. It was loosely based on the 60's film starring Glenn Ford and Ron Howard, where widowed father Tom Corbett raises his son the best he can in New York City. In the meantime, Eddie stars finding new love interests for his father. A few years later, this show popped up.

There were a few changes to the show. In the show, Tom is now a magazine editor for a newspaper in California. He and Eddie are best friends, like the song says. I liked the character of Tom. He never talked down to Eddie and always knew how to balance the best friend/father trick. That is what makes him one of TV's greatest dads.

Eddie could always count on the other people in his life too like "Uncle" Norman (Tom's co-worker), Tina (Tom's secretary) and Mrs. Livingston (their maid). It was sort of a neat, extended family. In real life, people would be lucky to have that. I also liked how the series slowly turned away from the original plot of the film of Eddie finding his father a wife. It became about a father and son who are crazy about each other.

I think what slowly destroyed the show was the plots started focusing around Norman, rather than Tom and Eddie. The stories ranged from Uncle Norman trying to lose five pounds over the weekend to Uncle Norman's love affairs. I know Bill Bixby was peeved at that but James Komack (Uncle Norman) was the producer, so there wasn't much that could be done.

Still, it was a fun show (even if there were a few annoying things to it like the music and the laugh track), but still a heartwarming show.

Pat

High School U.S.A. (1983 TV Movie)

The beginning of the 80s teen TV movie phenomenon

[10/10 · 20 September 2004]

Come back with us now to the 1980s. While movie companies were cashing in on teen success, NBC decided to take advantage on the teen movie trend by making their own. High School U.S.A. was the beginning. It was originally a TV pilot, but you could hardly tell it was. Still, this movie featured teen stars of the time who went on to big things that included:

Michael J Fox (Family Ties), Nancy McKeon (The Facts of Life), Todd Bridges & the late Dana Plato (Diff'rent Strokes), Lauri Hendler (Gimme a Break), Crystal Bernard & Cathy Silvers (Happy Days), Anthony Edwards (who went to big things), David Packer (V), Crispin Glover (Back to the Future), and the late Tom Villard (who did many supporting & guest roles in movies and TV).

The setting is Excelsior Union High School in Missouri. JJ Manners (Fox) is sort is the somewhat leader of a group of uncool kids. He is likable, but the prep & jocks (led by Beau Middleton, played by Edwards) can't stand him or his kind. It gets even worse when JJ falls in love with Beth Franklin (McKeon), who was a zero but became part of the A-crowd when she started to date Beau.

There are many subplots as well, which as just as funny. A host of 50s & 60s TV stars show up. It is pretty interesting seeing teen stars from one generation meet up with another.

Do I think it would've worked as a TV series? Probably not. Some of the stars were involved in other TV shows and projects. It would've been impossible top bring all the cast members back. Still, it stands on its own well as a TV movie. It was probably best it ended that way as well.

It's worth a look for fans of the 80s and even fans of 50s and 60s.

Pat

CBS News Nightwatch (1982–1992)

Ah, the memories...

[10/10 · 3 July 2004]

For those that grew up in the 80s, you may have remembered this when you had a hard time getting to sleep at night, grabbed some cold pizza out of the fridge, and plopped in front of the television that still had the dials on it.

CBS News Nightwatch was a overnight news/talk block that many affiliates picked up on. It aired mostly after the old CBS Late Night program (which contained reruns of TV shows and a movie edited down to 80 minutes). Nightwatch was an alternative to the 'just news' shows. While NBC had Overnight, and some ABC affiliates aired CNN2 (later Headline News), Nightwatch had a different approach: Have news, but also entertain.

I remember segments with musicians, sports figures, and many actors. There would also be insightful stuff like stories on the dangers of smoking. After the piece on smoking, they had an in studio debate (podiums and all) on smoking. It got pretty heated and broke out into a fight lol. Around 1988/89, they changed the chic 'all black background w/skyline studio' into something that looked like a study or a dining room. I didn't really like it. Then in 1990, Charlie Rose left the program. This left the show without a host, so for the last two years, it would have a series of guest hosts.

Then in 1992, CBS finally decided to call it quits. They saw what kind of ratings ABC was getting with World News Now and NBC was limping in with Nightside, so CBS News Up To The Minute was created. All news, all night. But it looks like overnight news is on life support now as many affiliates prefer to show entertainment over network news in the graveyard hours.

I miss this show, and wish that one of the networks (including cable) would bring back the Nightwatch format. I miss it. My insomniac nights are incomplete without it.

Playing with Fire (1985 TV Movie)

Arnold sets fires

[5/10 · 8 June 2004]

I was a big fan of Gary Coleman as a kid, but believe it or not, I did not see this film until 1998!!! I wanted to see it as a kid, but my mother told me I couldn't. When I saw it years later, it was a joke. There was nothing to be scared about (sorry, mom, but when you are wrong, you're wrong). It was lightweight fluff.

This was Coleman's attempt at drama and it didn't come off well. He plays a kid who is having a rough time in school and at home. His only way of release is to start setting fires to property. The demonic look on his face is laugh out loud hilarious when he sets something on fire.

Yahphet Kotto plays the fire chief of the town. He calls Coleman's disease "revenge fire" and wants to try and straighten him out. But his parents think there is nothing wrong...until he sets their house on fire!!!

At the end, Coleman makes a little PSA announcement not to play with fire. But the truth is, the film is unintentionally funny. It was just NBC once again milking their cash cow by making a lousy Gary Coleman TV movie (almost all of his NBC movies are rated under a 5 on the IMDB, and his box office films are no better). It is really too bad how he was just thrown away when his fame was all said and done.

Mr. Mom (1983)

Funny movie

[6/10 · 29 May 2004]

This is a funny film. Michael Keaton, in an early hilarious role, plays Jack Butler, a car designer who is laid off from his job and now puzzled to find work. His wife, Caroline, decides to find work and succeeds. So now Jack must become the stay at home dad, while Caroline becomes the breadwinner.

What makes the film funny is the subplots. Some of my favorites include Jack's first meeting with Caroline's boss Ron (With unforgetable quotes like "220, 221..Whatever it takes" or "How would you like a trim on that mustache, Ron?" lol); Jack getting hit on by Joan (Ann Jillian is hot as a redhead) as he becomes "one of the girls"; His confrontation with Jaws; and the kids toilet papering the auto plant bathroom lol.

Michael Keaton would continue to do comedy until 1989 when he made his first Drama piece Clean & Sober. After that, there was no looking back. He's come a long way from doing up a diaper.

World Poker Tour (2003– )

Deal Me In

[10/10 · 1 May 2004]

The World Poker Tour is the best show about poker currently on television. I will sit mesmerized at the screen every week for 2 hours watching the pros and learning some tricks. Also it's not like baseball or football where you feel you must know every player to understand the game. That's because even the top players don't always make it to the final table. So every week you learn someone new. The WPT is even a place where amateurs can flourish (Win an inexpensive satellite tournament and you can take on the likes of Phil Hellmuth, Vinny Vinh, Hoyt Corkins or Annie Duke in the main tournament).

The show is hosted by poker pro Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, who has dubbed himself king of the hollywood home game. The two have different styles of announcing. Sexton gives a no-nonsense view on the players and will even teach you some of the lingo. Patten, on the other hand, takes a Vince McMahon approach to announcing. He wants you to believe that every word he says in crucial. The two even have their own different style on playing the game. The other host, Shana Hiatt, really isn't a poker pro either. Her job is basically to look pretty in the skits she is in & interview players (This is where she falls back on her "Wild On" experience to get her through).

The players themselves are quite characters. They each come with their own customs: Phil Hellmuth throws temper tantrums, Hoyt Corkins dresses in black and wears reflected sunglasses, Annie Duke depends on psychology to win, Vinnie Vinh is full of charisma, and the rookies all want to steal a huge pot away from the pros. It's quite exciting.

Before I discovered Texas Hold 'Em (which is what is played on the show), I played draw and stud poker for 10 years. But I have found my niche with hold 'em. There are more chances make better hands (I can't tell you how many times I have made four of a kind), and I have rack up so much money in play chips (I have yet to play for real money). I also play pretty well in online tournaments (I can usually make it into the top 100 and my highest finish is 12th place). WPT is responsible for my obsessive habit with hold 'em. I love the show and the game. DEAL ME IN!!!

Into the Night (1990–1991)

A talk show that had West Coast written all over it.

[4/10 · 22 April 2004]

Rick Dees was always my favorite DJ when I listened to the Weekly Top 40 and his morning show was funny (then corporate politics decided to bump him out and go with the overrated Ryan Seacrest). ABC had never been a gamer in the late night talk show fest, and if a talk show host wanted a program, they would have to settle for going after Nightline. Rick Dees decided to take his chances.

From the outset, the show looked like it had a West Coast look and feel. The set looked California, Rick dressed like a Californian, and even his house band, Billy Vera and the Beaters were a staple on the California music scene (Mind you, not that any of this was bad). It was certainly a change of pace from Carson, that had a traditional look or Letterman, that prided himself on being New York.

Rick tried to incorporate many of his radio stuff onto TV, but it was a rough transition. He also didn't many of the big guests that Carson and Letterman were able to snatch (and when he invited Burton Richardson, announcer for rival talk show host Arsenio Hall onto his show, that was trouble). Things were not going well for Into The Night.

He started to tinker with the show. Billy Vera and the Beaters were not the house band anymore, and were replaced by a group I never heard of before called Burnin' Herman and the Master Mix (lead by drummer Herman Matthews). It still wasn't enough and Into the Night was going the way of The Pat Sajak Show.

Dees and announcer Lisa Canning was finally replaced and there was a new guest host every week. The guest hosts included Suzanne Sommers, Joy Behar, Brad Garrett, and Chris Lemmon. Lemmon was brought in to host the revamped show called Studio 59, which was more of a sketch show (they even went as far as ripping off Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update sketch). I remember watching the final show of this dead duck in spring on 1992. I fell asleep and have no regrets. It was one of ABCs most notable errors before getting sucked up by Disney.

Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure (2003 TV Movie)

Vomitous

[2/10 · 4 April 2004]

I am a fan of a few of the Vacation films, but when a movie franchise goes from the big screen to the TV screen, you know it's out of steam. Made for TV National Lampoon films do not do well on TV. This movie is another reason.

I think a lot of us were excited when this was coming out, but we also had to face the reality...it's a TV movie. Randy Quaid is fine as Cousin Eddie, but is better in a supporting role than the lead. Dana Barron sets history as the first actor to reprise her role as one of the Griswold kids. She is just as pretty, but it doesn't help a thin script.

Why was this movie even made? It was probably because NBC recently picked up another few years of presenting X-mas Vacation. There is nothing wrong with the acting. It's all in the script. It's just not that funny. People need to think before they write stuff like this. It is one Christmas movie I do not recommend.

Top of the Pops (1987–1991)

Another British import Americans couldn't make work

[7/10 · 4 February 2004]

I remember when CBS decided to try this on it's Friday late night slot. It took one of the UKs most successful music shows and gave it a go around in America. The key the original's success was simple: just music. CBS tried to jazz it up like cute little skits and a larger than life studio. They would also showed clips from the UK version of the show (which looked much cooler then than it does today).

Many factors are the reason why it didn't work. This was on real late at night on a Friday. Either people are out or asleep. There was also the fact CBS was a commercial network and BBC was commercial free. It was very hard to stay tuned for an hour. It was only on for like a year before the show was canned.

A while back, the BBC version was presented on BBC America. I thought it was much better since it was just half an hour (and on an early Saturday evening too). BBCA also kept up with the shows as they got a show a week after it was transmitted in England. As usual, BBC America messed it up by trimming down 10 minutes of it, only keeping in acts people in the States would know, and moving it to odd times. It was taken off in a matter of months. It's still Number One, but not in this country, I guess.

Moral Court (2000–2001)

Weird but fun

[5/10 · 29 January 2004]

Welcome to Moral Court, where it pays to be right. The show had three elements. The first was a courtroom show, in which conservative Larry Elder presides over a case between two sides, one who thinks the other is in the moral wrong. They bring their case to Elder who decides if the accused is a moral misfit. Then there is the talk show portion in which Vivian, the court reporter comes to interview the principals while Elder is in recess. Finally, there is the game show portion where the winner of the case gets $500 to $2000 depending on the decision.

The most notable name I saw on there was a cult figure named The Naked Cowboy. Basically, he is a musician that plays a guitar in nothing but a cowboy hat, cowboy boots and underwear. His girlfriend (or someone playing the role of his girlfriend) brought him to the show because she thought what he was doing was morally wrong. Elder thought different awarded the decision to The Naked Cowboy.

There was another odd case where a woman was suing a man for having a museum that chronicles the history female menstruation lol. She claimed that his museum was offensive didn't have a lot of things right. She even brought like dozens of pamphlets to back up her claim lol. Well, Elder ruled for him since he had a right to display what he wanted and she was PEEVED. I mean she hated losing so much that she didn't even stick around to be interviewed by Vivian after she lost.

Anyway, Moral Court died a horrible death. It really wasn't a huge loss for Elder as he still had a radio show. It was still an interesting and fun show.

Margaret Cho: I'm the One That I Want (2000 TV Special)

Margaret Gets Real

[8/10 · 27 January 2004]

I saw this about 3 years ago. I really wanted to see it after hearing about it at her website. This was much different from her previous routines as this was a one woman show rather than stand up comedy. This first few minutes are pretty slow where she talks about sexuality.

When she gets into the meat of the show ("The All American Girl" incident), that is where she excels. We hear the story behind the failure of the show, Margaret "selling out" to the show's plot (An episode has her making fun of her parents at a club, something she does often in her routine. In the end, she publicly apologizes for making fun of her parents), losing weight rapidly because the network told her too, and a whole lot more. When she gets serious, we feel her pain. When it was cancelled, she goes into a downward spiral. I loved her retort when she replaced by Drew Carey ("Because he was so thin" lol).

I love the empowerment Margaret gives herself when she realizes that losing a show was not the living end. She knows better now because of those unattainable goals that Hollywood sets up for women and ethnic comedians. She shows her strength and defiance against the system. In the end, she comes out a winner.

Pete Rose on Trial (2003 TV Movie)

Interesting

[10/10 · 7 January 2004]

I saw this last year when it premiered on ESPN. The setting was Harvard Law School where live for 2 hours, the topic that would be argued was if Pete Rose should be allowed into the baseball hall of fame after betting on baseball. Alan Dershowitz was for prosecution, while Johnnie Cochran defended Pete Rose (who is only present in spirit). Catherine Crier presided over the mock trial. Many baseball legends and such testified and a jury of twelve would rule in the end (Unlike real courtroom cases, the jury did not have to be unanimous).

I found it very interesting and fun. The matter of letting Pete Rose into the hall of fame is touchy subject. First, look at the man's career. He is the all time career hitting champion, and holds many team records for games played, at bats, runs, bases, and walks. With a resume like this, it makes one wonder why he is not in Cooperstown. Then you have, the other side of the coin. Pete Rose admittedly bet on baseball and bet on his team to win. When you break the rules, you lose a lot. Pete Rose broke the rules (and has even recently admitted it), and he is not allowed to be honored. It makes for quite an interesting debate.

I hope ESPN does more mock trials like this since I am sure there are many sports controversies abound. I had a good time and everyone else that was involved looked like they had a good time as well.

The Steven Banks Show (1994– )

I remember this

[10/10 · 8 November 2003]

This came on PBS in 1994 when the network tried to modernize themseleves with this sitcom and the game show "Think Twice". PBS would rather forget about this show, but it was actually pretty good. Starring comedian Steven Banks, Teresa Parente, and Michael Kostroff, this was about Steven getting deal with all sorts of adventures along with his friends Pepper and Mariana (whom he secretly loved). Not only did the three main stars would have main characters, but they would play other characters. I do remember Penn and Teller guest starred one time. The show was also produced by Brandon Tartikoff, and filmed at WYES in New Orleans. The show only lasted a few weeks, and ended off on a cliff hanger. It was not bad, but that laugh track bothered me. And the stuff that ran during the end credits were pretty weird. Still, it was a good launching pad for all three stars. Banks is now a writer and producer for many Hollywood movies and TV shows, Parente hit it big with the reoccuring character Miranda Veracruz de la Jolla Cardenal on Married With Children, and Kostroff is a guest star on many TV programs. What PBS considered their folly, was a the start of better things for the cast members.

When He's Not a Stranger (1989 TV Movie)

Very Well Done

[10/10 · 21 October 2003]

I saw this back in 1989 when it premiered on TV. It was supposed to premiere around the same time as the World Series but was moved postponed when the San Francisco earthquake happened. It stars the beautiful Annabeth Gish as a young college student named Lyn, who is in love with a college football star Ron. Ron also takes an interest in Lyn, but is dating her best friend. One night, Ron is invites Lyn into his dorm and decides to rape her. When she tries to defend herself, Ron is protected and Lyn is disciplined for drinking. So the next step is court.

This was made around the time the term "date rape" became a buzzword. It was very realistic as it showed how the victim is affected, but the impression it gives to her peers (especially if the accused is the big man on campus), and the families struggle to deal with a one sided system. The ending is unexpected, but it works well. The performances are great all around and you really feel that is was based on a true story, even if the story itself is just a screenplay. It is still a very well written screenplay.

Remember WENN (1996–1998)

You aren't alone, Dreamer Boy!!!

[10/10 · 23 September 2003]

I am also in the youth minority when it came to enjoying this series. As a matter of fact, I WROTE THE PLOT SUMMARY!!! It was one of those shows that I would come home to after a long night of evening classes at the local college. The costumes that the characters wore looked very authentic (They won an Emmy for this) and the cinematography was beautiful.

I would only watch off and on as the years went on since they took some of my favorite characters off, but it was still a favorite of mine. It also proved AMC could make an original program on a limited budget without looking limited. They were always able to get notable named guest stars. My favorites included Henry Rollins, Molly Ringwald, Eddie Bracken, and Betty Buckley (who appeared in the marvelous x-mas episode).

Now, American Movie Classics is a mere image of themselves. Sure rating may be higher, but that had to sacrifice quality to do that. What a shame, because on a a rainy day, I could always could on AMC to comfort me. Remember Ween did that for me as well. Sadly, those days are long gone as the network has tried to modernize itself for the times. And when this show was replaced by The Lot, things began to go downhill. A terrible flaw on AMC's part.

Wheels on Meals (1984)

Fun and excitement in Spain with the 3 Brothers

[7/10 · 8 September 2003]

I first heard of this when TNT was showing it after the TV premiere of Rumble In The Bronx. I couldn't make it through the first 10 minutes because of the bad dubbing and the mixing around of scenes (The very first scene was Jackie and Yuen skateboarding in Spain, rather than them waking up and getting into their morning routine). A couple of months ago, I got the Hong Kong DVD and loved it.

The movie is about Thomas (Chan) and David (Biao), two Chinese guys who run a successful food truck business in Spain. They get caught up in wannabe detective Moby's (Hung) case to find a Spanish heiress, and the fun goes from there. The chemistry is great between the three brothers, and Lola Forner is a great distraction. The writing is funny, and Sammo's direction is right on target. The fight scenes are great. If you want to watch vintage Jackie, watch this film as he can move quick. The much talked about fight between Chan and Benny "The Jet" Urquidez does not disappoint. Want a lesson in how to do a fight scene? Watch these two guys go at it (They would have a rematch a few years later in Dragons Forever).

For all of you fans of JC credit outtakes, there is none (JC didn't start using them until Police Story). But in a funny, action packed movie like this, you won't care. It is one of The 3 Brothers best, and it will leave you wanting more.

Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? (2000 TV Special)

The show that started the reality craze

[1/10 · 6 September 2003]

This show started two crazes: The reality show craze and the marriage show craze. I remember seeing this. It was so silly. All day I thought of who was the mystery millionaire, and then find out it is this guy nobody knows named Rick Rockwell lol (I vaguely remembered him from the Killer Tomatoes movies). It was an interesting premise though: take a rich guy, line him up with 50 beautiful women, and marry him off to the one he likes. Sounded like a done deal, right? Wrong.

First you had a nobody like Rockwell who turns out to be the millionaire, then you have his personal life dredged up by investigative news shows and smokinggun.com, and then you have the competitors. Half of them there lied and just wanted a free trip to Vegas, and the other half seriously wanted to get married. Even its winner, Darva Conger, said she just entered to have a free trip to Vegas. Other competitors would get their 15 minutes of fame by giving exclusive interviews to their local television news outlets (In Washington DC, one competitor told how she was thankful she wasn't chosen because her BOYFRIEND wouldn't have liked that).

The show would be followed by many marriage reality shows, and even Fox went back to the Pandora's Box with Joe Millionaire. About two years later, an E! True Hollywood Story would be made detailing what went on behind the scenes (Host Jay Thomas said he advised Rick to "stay away from the blonde").

Unlike some of the marriage shows, this did more harm than good to the people involved. Rick took the annulment hard because he truly thought he would find a bride on the show. He eventually got over it and now works on the comedy club and motivational speaker circuit. Darva Conger was labeled by many as a vixen. She would also get her 15 minutes, but it would cost her a job and a life. She tried making a pay website of her own, but it was unsuccessful. She remarried in 2003, got divorced a few years later, and has stayed out of the spotlight. In the end, everyone just moved on and was forgotten (thank God).

Xuxa (1993)

"It's time for Xuxa and her friends"...

[5/10 · 14 August 2003]

Xuxa was a Latin children's show host who had a successful show in Brazil, so they decided to try to make an American version. The show would start out with kids chanting her name and holding flags from around the world. There would be an explosion and a globe will open from which she would emerge. She would then go into her signature song (all of the songs she sang sounded like they were just translated from their original form, rather than making up new ones). There would also be games that kids would play for prizes. Xuxa also made it educational with her Ask Xuxa segment. Special guests would pop up as well. There were many problems that plagued this show: Xuxa looked annoyed by some of the kids, her English wasn't too hot, and she had posed nude in the past (That was the ultimate double whammy that ended her career in the States). The show only lasted one season, and reruns were shown on the Family Channel. They even marketed Xuxa stuff to kids like dolls, shoes and games. She never caught on (rumor has it MGM wants her to try again). I thought she was okay and the show had some kind of cheese quality. Where else could you find a sexy woman wearing hotpants, men dressed up as scary looking pandas, and demonic toy solders LOL?

Happy Birthday to Me (1998)

Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong

[5/10 · 12 August 2003]

I saw this short film on IFC a few days ago after recording a movie. This short is set in Ireland and is about a woman whose birthday lands on April 1st. It is the set up to be a really bad day and Murphy's Law is in full effect. She is totally pushed to the limit as she tries to get attention for someone to realize it's her special day. Her friends are busy, the neighborhood kids make fun of her and Her handsome neighbor doesn't pay mind to her as well.

I am really marginal on this short and thought is was just okay. Shorts are usually just presented to give a slice of life, rather than the big picture. The acting is good, the execution is well, but it leaves you feeling bad for the main character because she has the misfortune of having her birthday land on April Fools Day. By the time someone actually gives a flying fig, she has had enough. But you know what? I can relate since people forget my birthday. :-)

Roustabout (1964)

One of better 60s Elvis films

[6/10 · 1 August 2003]

Welcome to 1964. Elvis is still stuck in movie limbo, the Beatles are ready to conquer America, and this movie pops up. Elvis has one of his better roles since Flaming Star, as he plays a angry young man named Charlie Rogers, who is not that likable at all. After Charlie gets sprung for getting in a fight with some college students, he heads down the road to nowhere for the next gig. That's when he meets Maggie, Cathy, and Joe. Joe runs him off the road and destroys the Big E's guitar and 'cycle in the process. Maggie offers him a job as a roustabout in her carnival until his bike is repaired.

Elvis sheds the family friendly 60s image for this role. He is a cross between likable and a jerk. He has the benefit of working with a fine supporting cast. Barbara Stanwyck shines as Maggie, who lives and breathes the carnival life (She also keeps this film from being just average). Joan Freeman is great as Cathy, a love interest that plays much harder to get than any other Elvis movie femme fatale. Even Billy Barty shows up in a short role. Steve Brodie and Iris Adrian show up again to reprise their loud, annoying husband/wife roles (they just have different names and backgrounds in this one).

The King manages to belt out 11 forgettable songs that include his better than average take on "Little Egypt". This film also shows an era when the carnival was a profitable business (I laughed at seeing an orchestra pit inside a carnival tent). The 'Wall of Death' scene was also the basis of the Irish film, Eat The Peach. All in all, a better than average performance for Elvis in a standard formula film.

Fun in Acapulco (1963)

The second Elvis movie I ever saw

[5/10 · 10 July 2003]

Fun in Acapulco is your standard, run of the mill Elvis flick. Unfortunately, it suffers from bargain basement production, but it is good enough to help you forget your troubles. It is obvious that some of the scenes filmed in "Mexico" were actually done in front of a blue screen. According to Priscilla Presley, the hotel scenes were filmed at a Mexican style hotel in California. Of course with every Elvis film, there is a few big names thrown in for good measure. In this case, the beautiful Ursula Andress, fresh from Dr. No and Alejandro Rey, who would find fame in The Flying Nun and Moscow on the Hudson. The cast is amicable, and most of the songs are passable (with the exception of the stupid 'No Room To Rumba In A Sportscar').

Elvis was still searching for that big role. While a few of the stars went on to meatier roles, Elvis was stuck doing the same thing. You could tell by the time he was finished with movies, he was just burned out. Still, you can see he has the knack for acting, even in a flick like this. I know it sounds like I am putting down this film, but I still find some charm in it. You can't say no to Elvis or Acapulco.

Blue Hawaii (1961)

His best musical

[7/10 · 3 July 2003]

In 1959, Hawaii became recognized as a station in the Union. In 1961, Elvis went there to film the first in his trilogy to Hawaii, Blue Hawaii. I wrote the plot summary, so I won't go through what it is about. I will say that it is the only musical he is really good at because it was the original that was then followed by several imitations...all done by Elvis.

Elvis wanted to be a real actor in a film with bite, but this was as close as he would come. The script is light and fun, the acting is good and there are a few songs that aren't that embarassing to The King. Joan Blackman is great as his girl, Maile (I couldn't picture Juliet Prowse in the role since she looked too strong for the character). Angela Lansbury is hilarious in the role of his mother. She says it was a low point in her career, but in truth the chemistry she has with the rest of the cast is good. It is also full of breathtaking scenery. Even the interiors that were filmed in Hollywood don't look bargain budget.

Sadly, Elvis would make more of the same after this. Viva Las Vegas comes close to the greatness Blue Hawaii had, but Tom Parker didn't care as he just wanted to hear 'cha-ching'. Elvis just wasn't strong enough to say 'no' to Parker. Elvis was better than the movies he was in, and if he did the remake of 'A Star Is Born', that would've changed everything.

Everytime I watch this, I get happy but also sad at the same time. His performance is very good and it makes me wonder what might could have been if he didn't do all those formula films.