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edantes77
Reviews
Terriers (2010)
Thank you...
...for making a show that, for once, is all about characters, story and dialogue and didn't rely on special effects and the Bruckheimer/Abrams factor. I had almost completely given up on this in recent years in American shows that were not made by HBO or Showtime, with the only exceptions this year being "Justified", and the hilarious "the Good Guys" - "lets go bust some punks". But I have to be honest, Terriers was my favourite this year. The interplay between the two main characters was amazing. Donal Logue has been a brilliant actor for years without enough credit but really came into his own in this, but this was only my second time seeing Michael Raymond-James. First time was True Blood, and I thought he was excellent in that, and was actually following his career since, hoping he'd get a decent part because he is so watchable and he did not disappoint. The two guys are very laddish, yet sensitive, and it's a fantastic bromance, but they have a subtlety to their acting that very few people have these days. I shouldn't give them all the credit though, because they are helped by an amazing writing team which makes every scene seem very natural, real and wryly humorous, every time, and their supporting cast are very impressive too, notably Laura Allen. Long may this series continue, and if it doesn't, it will be a travesty on the scale of Firefly, dare I say it, even worse. Bravo to all involved.
I just have one huge complaint: like most of the best shows these days, only 13 episodes...grrrr...I want at least 26, possibly 52 a year?
The Good Guys (2010)
Best new show of the year.
When I first saw this advertised let's say I was dubious to say the least. I read that it was a comedy and saw the name Colin Hanks and couldn't see how this would work, and Bradley Whitford, I didn't really know much about. But I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
It is almost like Hanks Junior is trying to do the opposite to what his father did in Dragnet, in taking the Dan Aykroyd type straight man role alongside Bradley Whitford's burnt out maverick supercop. And they both excel in their parts.
Hanks as Jack Bailey is a young, ambitious, by-the-book police officer, trying to keep one eye on his new partner and one eye on his ex, whom he still lusts after and constantly tries to impress. Whitford is supreme as Dan Stark, the best realised character I have watched in a very long time. He is a cop's cop, headmaster of the old skool, willing to do anything to get his man, and yet stuck in the past, not understanding the new rules and politics of the post millennium policeman. To him, a perp is a perp, a woman is a woman, and a partner is a partner, and a drink is a drink, just like it was in the 70s and 80s.
The writing in this is second to none, Matt Nix is a genius, topping Burn Notice easily, even though I love this show too. Some of the one-liners and catchphrases are just outstanding and I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud on numerous occasions watching a TV show. I love Stark's constant misty-eyed references to what he and his ex-partner used to get up to, and his complete lack of comprehension as to how anything can be more important than putting bad guys in the slammer.
The plot and their cases are usually fairly simple, as they are given the lame cases nobody else would touch, stolen dehumidifiers, etc, but they always get caught up accidentally in another big case, but it's always a great action- and comedy-filled ride getting to the inevitable destination.
I cannot speak highly enough of Bradley Whitford in this show, he really brings Dan Stark to life, and if he does not win, or at the very least, get nominated for some of the top awards this year it will be a travesty, nay a crime.
And if you don't find yourself wanting a t-shirt saying "let's go bust some punks" after watching this, then I don't know what is wrong with you.
Away We Go (2009)
Well acted, well written, well directed, but...
The movie is a great comment on life and the worries, wanderings and wonderings a newly pregnant couple have, where to settle, will family help, job security, etc... and at times it can be quite poignant. There is some beautiful camera work and scenery, and the acting is good all round. Many women will look at this movie, no doubt, and will fondly remember starting out on that familial road in life and all the bittersweet memories that living brings with it. It is sensitive, with moments of humour and concentrates on what is really important in life and when having a family, each other and your baby. You can overcome anything as long as you support each other. I can see the good points in this movie, and applaud the work of cast and crew. As I mentioned, I think many women will find it wonderful.
However...
As a man, who let me point out has been down this road himself, with 2 kids to show for it, I found watching this movie to be like watching paint dry. Scratch that, if you recorded paint drying with a hi-speed camera, then played it back really, really slowly, then maybe that would give you an idea of how boring this movie was. For a man watching this, to be honest there is nothing redeeming. I looked at my watch about 60 times during this film, and fidgeted constantly. The only reason I watched the entire thing is that I thought that maybe something funny, or amusing might happen in it. But no. If you are a man, save yourself the trouble of watching this movie. Of course you could get yourself some kudos by bringing your lady friend to see this or renting it as a DVD and telling how it touched you somewhere deep inside, if you want to be that kind of sneaky devil, and that might be an excellent time to bring up that golf weekend or ball game you have planned with the guys, but if you go down that road, be prepared to feel like you need to peel your eyeballs to lessen the dull pangs of boredom throbbing in your skull.
After watching this movie I was so badly in need of any movie with action or manly things in it that I went to watch GI Joe (left after 20 minutes it was so diabolically dire but that's another story). And I blame you "Away We Go" for making me stoop so low.
I'm a pretty annoyed with how this film was marketed to be honest, and by the casting too. The trailers I saw made this movie out to be dramatic at times and comedic at others, a la Little Miss Sunshine, but really it is quite depressing most of the time, with pretty much all of the humorous bits in the trailer. And don't hire so many fine comedy actors if you are not going to utilise their talents to full effect. You wouldn't hire Stallone for Hamlet, or imagine if Jerry Lewis had played Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind.
To sum up, I'm sure women will like this, but guys, seriously, unless you really need the brownie points, do yourselves a favour and watch anything else instead. (Except GI Joe, it really is that bad).