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Merrick
Reviews
The First Lady (2022)
I had one casting problem, but it's not who you might think
I skimmed through most of the reviews and had to laugh at several of the reviewers that likened the show, at least in terms of Viola Davis's betrayal of Michelle Obama, as akin to an SNL skit. The show has some flaws, but it is well produced, with a mostly solid cast, mostly well written, and a very serious subject, and I think people are really going out on a limb with their frustrations on one particular issue to say that it's like an SNL skit. That's just pure not being able to differentiate between acting and imitating and/or people are going a just wee bit overboard with their analogies.
Now am I 100% okay with Viola's portrayal of Michelle Obama? I will give you that she should have spent a little less time on the physicality of the role and just concentrated on the attitude and emotions of Mrs. Obama. And I partially blame the director, who should have had the fortitude to sit Viola down after watching the first day's dailies and tell her that she needed to tone down the physicality. That may have been a difficult conversation but it would have done a service to both Viola and the project. But, that being said, once I got used to it and saw what choices she made, it didn't bother me, I just accepted it and enjoyed the story lines. Also, as far as President Obama, I have seen several dramatizations that have included President Obama, and all of the actors who have portrayed him simply missed the mark. Didn't buy it. The actor O-T Fagbenle, who plays him here, is possibly one of the only actors who, to me, came anywhere close to the mark and I think did a fine job.
Indeed, I agree with all of you that Michelle Pfeiffer is absolutely astounding as Betty Ford and deserves praise, recognition and nominations. I'm also enamored with Gillian Anderson and her portrayal of Eleanor Roosevelt - maybe not quite the star turn she made as Margaret Thatcher, but still excellent here, showed raw emotion, oftentimes in the silent moments of her performance. Kiefer Sutherland is another great surprise in this piece, he does a fantastic job, not overworking it, and had some really great scenes. Very believable.
I also want to throw kudos to some of the secondary roles. Ellen Burstyn and her portrayal of Roosevelt's mother, small a role as it was, was wonderful, as always, Dakota Fanning as Susan Ford was very good, and Regina Taylor, who electrified our TV sets in the early '90s on the great series I'll Fly Away, and who plays Michelle Obama's mother, Marian, on this show, gives an acting tour de force. Really enjoyed her!
So, hm, who did I leave out? Aaron Eckhart as Gerald Ford. And this is what I'm alluding to in the title of my review. I am stunned that not one review mentioned the casting problem with him. Don't get me wrong, I very much like Aaron, he's a fine actor, and does do his best here, to the best of his ability. But just absolutely totally missed the mark WRONG casting by the casting director and/or producers for this role. All the other five actors have at least some resemblance to the real people and have some semblance to sounding like them as well. Aaron looks absolutely NOTHING like Gerald Ford, sounds absolutely nothing like him, and whenever he was on screen it was so jarring it took me totally out of the show. Ford was 61 when he assumed office, and that didn't come across at all. He was just not believable. Who do I think would have done better? Ed Harris. He would have been 69 or 70 when this was filmed and it would have worked great. His looks and his voice would have been WAY more believable.
But overall, this is a wonderful series, well produced, great production design, great acting, mostly great writing and tells a good story. A little slow the first few episodes? Yeah, I guess so. But by episode 5 it really picks up and is really compelling and engaging. Don't let Viola's over-physicality or Aaron's miscasting make you refrain from watching it. Highly recommend.
The ABC Comedy Hour (1972)
Loved KopyKats
I loved this show -- it was only on for a short time but has stuck in my brain all these years. Why no one has picked up the idea since is bewildering. I don't remember the Raymond Burr sketch, but it does sound reminiscent of what they did on the show. Brilliant.
I remember Marilyn Michaels being a standout -- not only because she was the only woman, but because she was so damn good! I also remember George Kirby. Amazingly, I DON'T remember Rich Little's participation, and didn't realize Fred Travalena was even performing that early.
For some reason I thought that this was originated by the BBC and syndicated in the US. But it is credited as an ABC show, so perhaps my memory is not serving correctly.
Producers: bring back The KopyKats..!! We need it so bad...!
The Captain and Tennille (1976)
To be released on DVD
Per the user comment above:
It was just announced (12/04) that this series will be released on DVD in Spring 2005. However, word has it that it will not be complete episodes but highlights from throughout the series (there is a question as to how many episodes there were -- some claim as few as 20 or as high as 26).
Another variety series of that era, The Tony Orlando & Dawn Show, will have a similar Spring release.
These shows were not very high quality productions; however, they had elements of fun and musicality that made them enjoyable to watch and, certainly, acquiring them today on DVD will give many of us a tremendous nostalgia lift.
Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry (2004)
Terrific documentary
Politics aside, this is a very well-made film, dramatic, and enhanced with a perfect score by Philip Glass. You learn not only a great deal about John Kerry, but about the Vietnam War and its aftermath, especially in terms of the anti-war movement. The film uses a great deal of stock footage to carry the story along and has all the appropriate talking heads. The present John Kerry is excluded from the interviews, which is appropriate. There is honor attached to Mr. Kerry in this film, but it can be viewed by anyone without feeling as if it were a piece of propaganda. George Ball has made a great motion picture that can be considered of Oscar-caliber. Since Michael Moore gave others room in the Documentary field, this should be considered as one of the year's best in that category.
Field of Dreams (1989)
Jones & Lancaster Terrific!
Two of the most underrated (or underdiscussed) performances in 1980s cinema was James Earl Jones' and Burt Lancaster's bravura supporting roles in "Field of Dreams." The entire cast was wonderful (my only favorite Kevin Costner role), and Ray Liotta and Amy Madigan were especially terrific. But Jones & Lancaster showed a truth and honesty in their performances that were unequaled, except to each other. Jones was so natural as to have actually BEEN Terrence Mann. The idiosyncracies of his movements and his speech were infectious and completely believable. Lancaster, as "Moonlight" Graham, gave one his finest performances ever and, to me, BECAME one of the most lovable screen characters I've ever seen.
See this movie for James Earl Jones and Burt Lancaster but also see it because it will not only warm your heart, it will inspire you. This movie really isn't about baseball -- it's about what you dream for yourself in life, whatever it might be, and it will lift you spiritually in ways you cannot know. I watch this film at least every 6 months to revive my creativity and spirituality.
And it's just a plain good old-fashioned cinema experience!
Winter of the Witch (1969)
Yes!
I have been remembering this film for YEARS and somehow today I thought of looking it up on Yahoo and after a few tries found out the name of it and then came here. Yes, this film was very impactful! It's amazing how we remember these things. But I don't remember seeing it at school -- I believe I saw it once or twice on PBS. Was it on ZOOM? Or maybe part of The Electric Company? I can't remember. But glad I found out more about it here.