The point of this show is apparently to embarrass people into realizing that they cannot remember "basic" facts that they learned during grade school. However, I have a theory that they have people take an intelligence test of some form or another before going on the show; if they don't reach a certain threshold when answering the logical portion of the test, then they are deemed "contestants." I have no doubt that these people are who they say that they are, i.e. college graduates, etc., but I have had plenty of experience with "smart" people that have no sense of logic or common sense. Regardless, this show reminds me of the phrase "one-trick pony" and it won't be long until FOX moves on to another act.
Reviews
10 Reviews
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
(I) (2007–2019)
Not fixed but still poor excuse for entertainment
2 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Walk the Line
(2005)
A little over-the-top but well produced
10 May 2006
"Walk The Line" presents the early years of Johnny Cash, known as J.R. to his friends and family, who struggles with several demons as he transitions from childhood to early adulthood and becomes one of the best-known country music stars in history. In turn, those struggles and hardships become the inspiration behind his many memorable tunes. Joaquin Phoenix, previously known for his work in "Gladiator," seems to step into the role of the Man In Black and capture those struggles in convincing fashion, while Reese Witherspoon does a fine job playing June Carter, a woman who is not without her own struggles; while I'm not convinced that her performance justified an Academy Award, she plays the part well. Given that both leads needed to learn to (a) sing and (b) play their respective instruments in convincing fashion, you start to believe that they are emulating the spirits of the legendary husband-and-wife team. As I suggest, sometimes the drama goes over-the-top and the action seemed to drag some halfway through the film, but I was pleasantly surprised by the story. If nothing else, the music is enough to make it worth a watch.
61*
(2001 TV Movie)
A Beautiful Friendship
13 December 2004
First off, I'm a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan and thus not much of a Yankees fan. However, this may be one of the best baseball movies, if not one of the best sports films, ever made; even though baseball fans know how the story ends, your emotions will be stirred and you will find yourself rooting for these two players whether or not you have a preference for pinstripes.
Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane steal the show as Maris and Mantle, two Yankee teammates that form an alliance to help carry them through the turmolterous race to break the single-season home run record of Babe Ruth in 1961. While everyone from the press box to the peanut vendor appears to favor seeing the lovable Mick, even the commissioner of baseball seems to have an agenda against the misunderstood Maris. Trying to eclipse a mark of a legend against such adversity proves to be no easy task for either player, and the film does a great job of demonstrating the pressure that each player experienced from his own angle.
Director and noted Yankees fan Billy Crystal obviously put his heart and soul into directing and producing this masterpiece and deserves credit for putting an honest face on the race to the home run record between these two legends. Most impressive was how much care was taken to make the actors appear to step comfortably into the roles of each player; Jane and Pepper appear and act so much like "the M&M boys" that it's spooky. Being a passionate fan of the game probably puts a bias on this review but, even if you don't know the difference between a squeeze play and a double play, it's a great story about friendship and facing odds.
Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane steal the show as Maris and Mantle, two Yankee teammates that form an alliance to help carry them through the turmolterous race to break the single-season home run record of Babe Ruth in 1961. While everyone from the press box to the peanut vendor appears to favor seeing the lovable Mick, even the commissioner of baseball seems to have an agenda against the misunderstood Maris. Trying to eclipse a mark of a legend against such adversity proves to be no easy task for either player, and the film does a great job of demonstrating the pressure that each player experienced from his own angle.
Director and noted Yankees fan Billy Crystal obviously put his heart and soul into directing and producing this masterpiece and deserves credit for putting an honest face on the race to the home run record between these two legends. Most impressive was how much care was taken to make the actors appear to step comfortably into the roles of each player; Jane and Pepper appear and act so much like "the M&M boys" that it's spooky. Being a passionate fan of the game probably puts a bias on this review but, even if you don't know the difference between a squeeze play and a double play, it's a great story about friendship and facing odds.
The Incredibles
(2004)
Where's my supersuit?
10 November 2004
Interesting how being a hero is not so super and that doesn't just pertain to those select few who decide to wiggle into a tight spandex suit and fight for truth and justice. However, in this film, being a superhero has been for naught, thanks to litigation entered by the very people whose lives they have saved. Now these crusaders must retire the masks and lead "normal" lives as, say, an insurance agent; however, even as the days turn into weeks, then months, and finally years, the longing for the past eats at them from the inside, especially Mr. Incredible, our title character. So what sort of outlet eases those tensions? Well, for that answer, you'll just have to see the film.
Pixar takes a step in a new direction; as it's first full-length feature film not to be rated G, there are several instances of suggested violent death sequences that take place off-camera, so it's still safe to take your little one even if you might have some explaining to do later. There's also been a little more injection of subtle adult humor that should fly high above those adolescent heads. The plot is a little choppy, but it's a well-presented, albeit predictable, story and, of course, the high-tech animation continues to appease the audience. In short, it's what you would expect from Pixar and should not disappoint fans of the studio's past work.
Pixar takes a step in a new direction; as it's first full-length feature film not to be rated G, there are several instances of suggested violent death sequences that take place off-camera, so it's still safe to take your little one even if you might have some explaining to do later. There's also been a little more injection of subtle adult humor that should fly high above those adolescent heads. The plot is a little choppy, but it's a well-presented, albeit predictable, story and, of course, the high-tech animation continues to appease the audience. In short, it's what you would expect from Pixar and should not disappoint fans of the studio's past work.
Slap Shot
(1977)
Own-zah! Own-zah!
9 June 2004
My wife and I love to pop in this movie every so often and laugh together with this rag-tag group of hockey players that turn around the fortunes of a season with a physical, violent style of play. The movie does drag at some times, but there are plenty of laughs, especially from the on-ice action that does not always revolve around the game. Most impressive is the extraordinary number of characters on the club that are so memorable: the infamous - need I saw more? - Hanson brothers, Denis and his difficulty with the English language, Morris and his unhealthy fascination with the opposite sex, Dave "Killer" Carlson and his pursuit of Zen, and Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman) who works every corner to save the club from folding. It's "The Bad News Bears" on ice and it's worth sitting through at least once.
Four out of five stars.
Four out of five stars.
Jaws
(1975)
My son was in the water, too...
23 September 2003
It's hard to imagine that, if "Bruce" (the name given to the mechanical shark by Spielberg) had worked as he had envisioned, this movie may have become another low-grade horror flick. Instead, it's more than halfway through the film before the creature appears in full view of the audience.
Until then, only William's haunting score is there to warn you of the approaching danger as people get picked off one by one in the surf. It also allows sufficient time to develop each of the main characters: Brody, the city-boy cop trying to deal with small-town politics, Hooper, the oceanographer who also thinks about the scientific possibilities, Vaughn, the slick mayor who turns a blind eye to the problem in favor of the business people that put him in office, and Quint, the hunter who will solve the island's problem for a handsome fee.
The movie only gets better in the second half as Quint becomes a modern Ahab, who looks upon the shark as an adversary and pledges to rid the seas of this great white terror without much thought of this daunting challenge or its significant consequences. Meanwhile, Brody and Hooper now face two problems: the menacing shark, who seems to be toying with them, and Quint, who has no problem taking them down with him should it come to that conclusion.
Having grown up on the water, had I seen this film as a young boy, I may have thought twice about dangling my hand over the side of the boat or diving off the town docks. The horror genre is usually synonymous with bad cinema but, on the rare occasion, some unforgettable classics are created and the first of this series (the only one worth watching or owning) is such an example.
Until then, only William's haunting score is there to warn you of the approaching danger as people get picked off one by one in the surf. It also allows sufficient time to develop each of the main characters: Brody, the city-boy cop trying to deal with small-town politics, Hooper, the oceanographer who also thinks about the scientific possibilities, Vaughn, the slick mayor who turns a blind eye to the problem in favor of the business people that put him in office, and Quint, the hunter who will solve the island's problem for a handsome fee.
The movie only gets better in the second half as Quint becomes a modern Ahab, who looks upon the shark as an adversary and pledges to rid the seas of this great white terror without much thought of this daunting challenge or its significant consequences. Meanwhile, Brody and Hooper now face two problems: the menacing shark, who seems to be toying with them, and Quint, who has no problem taking them down with him should it come to that conclusion.
Having grown up on the water, had I seen this film as a young boy, I may have thought twice about dangling my hand over the side of the boat or diving off the town docks. The horror genre is usually synonymous with bad cinema but, on the rare occasion, some unforgettable classics are created and the first of this series (the only one worth watching or owning) is such an example.
Greg, honey, is it suppose to be this soft?
2 September 2003
This movie should be a prerequisite for all incoming college students. I saw it numerous times in school but had not seen the un-edited version to watch until I picked up the new Double Secret Probation DVD last week. My sides still hurt this morning from watching this (twice) over the weekend.
Consider the fact that the cast is composed of then-unknowns, save for Belushi and Sutherland. Also consider that John Landis had just one camera, a budget of less than a few million, and less than a month to film the entire movie. It certainly doesn't stand up as one of the greatest movies ever made, but the characters connect with many of us who went to school with people just like these guys (one of my friends was almost a mirror image of Otter in appearance and attitude). Plus, if you aren't laughing at the over-the-top action then you are either dead or take yourself too seriously and why the hell would you watch a movie entitled "Animal House?"
Consider the fact that the cast is composed of then-unknowns, save for Belushi and Sutherland. Also consider that John Landis had just one camera, a budget of less than a few million, and less than a month to film the entire movie. It certainly doesn't stand up as one of the greatest movies ever made, but the characters connect with many of us who went to school with people just like these guys (one of my friends was almost a mirror image of Otter in appearance and attitude). Plus, if you aren't laughing at the over-the-top action then you are either dead or take yourself too seriously and why the hell would you watch a movie entitled "Animal House?"
Knute Rockne All American
(1940)
It's No Pride of the Yankees...
29 June 2003
I caught this on TCM this afternoon and kept in on to catch Ronald Reagen as George Gipp. As another commentor noted, it comes across as pure documentary and this movie is only for those who harbor an interest in football and are familiar with the story of "the Rock." Pat O'Brien appears to be looking off-screen at cue cards and Reagan, in the scene in Rock's living room, coughed as if instructed by a doctor.
I much prefer The Pride of the Yankees with Gary Cooper, which was released only two years later and nominated for Best Picture by the Academy. However, Knute Rockne All American not so bad that you can't enjoy it and I especially enjoyed the stock footage of Notre Dame football.
The only other thing that puzzled me was the pronunciation of his name. For years I've heard it pronounced NEWT with the silent k, but here it's pronounced KA-NEWT. I guess I learned something else...
I much prefer The Pride of the Yankees with Gary Cooper, which was released only two years later and nominated for Best Picture by the Academy. However, Knute Rockne All American not so bad that you can't enjoy it and I especially enjoyed the stock footage of Notre Dame football.
The only other thing that puzzled me was the pronunciation of his name. For years I've heard it pronounced NEWT with the silent k, but here it's pronounced KA-NEWT. I guess I learned something else...
Back in black
1 July 2002
A much better and darker film than the first prequel, we are witness to Anakin Skywalker's slow descent into the depths of the Dark Side due to his impatience and emotional instability. We also get a glimpse of the love-hate relationship between him and Obi-Wan, who himself has much to learn as Anakin's mentor as he fails repeatedly to offer praise along with his criticism. "Why do I get the feeling that you are going to be the death of me?" Obi-Wan ponders outloud to his apprentice, who in turn reassures him that such a possibility would never be. Just wait another twenty years, my young Jedi...
In short, I thought the work of the principal characters was excellent, especially Hayden Christensen as Anakin and Ewan MacGregor as Obi-Wan. Natalie Portman also did well as Amidala, who strength and resilience reminds me more in this film of Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia character from the original films. While it does drag at times, the plot was well-developed and balanced as Lucas revisited the roots of his initial success with the series. In time, this could be viewed as one of the better films of the series in line with The Empire Strikes Back, the unofficial pinnacle of the series.
I look forward to third and final prequel as do many others whose faith has been restored.
In short, I thought the work of the principal characters was excellent, especially Hayden Christensen as Anakin and Ewan MacGregor as Obi-Wan. Natalie Portman also did well as Amidala, who strength and resilience reminds me more in this film of Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia character from the original films. While it does drag at times, the plot was well-developed and balanced as Lucas revisited the roots of his initial success with the series. In time, this could be viewed as one of the better films of the series in line with The Empire Strikes Back, the unofficial pinnacle of the series.
I look forward to third and final prequel as do many others whose faith has been restored.
Fair Game
(1995)
Worst Movie Ever...
8 March 2002
... in the beloved words of Comic Book Guy from "The Simpsons."
I don't know what we were smoking when my wife and I went to the theater to see this movie when it was initially released. The fact that it starred a Baldwin should have tipped me off. There are so many plot holes in this sorry excuse for a movie that there is nothing left to tear apart. Cindy Crawford needs to stick to modeling as her acting inabilities were all too clear on the big screen.
I don't know what we were smoking when my wife and I went to the theater to see this movie when it was initially released. The fact that it starred a Baldwin should have tipped me off. There are so many plot holes in this sorry excuse for a movie that there is nothing left to tear apart. Cindy Crawford needs to stick to modeling as her acting inabilities were all too clear on the big screen.
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