With all the cynicism and pessimism in today's world, it is so uplifting to see this show and watch love in action. There is nothing more comforting than to see people who love animals and show it. You can plainly see that Dr. Jeff and his staff truly care and show such kindness and affection to their clients and their loved ones. Even better, they extend that care to folks who can't afford the prices charged by their own vets. And by the way, to the reviewer who objected to their requirement re: spay/neuter...guess what? That is the responsible thing to do. Nothing is more sickening than macho men who won't get their male pets neutered because of their own misguided belief that it deprives them of something. Or the people who think it teaches their kids about life by letting their pets breed so they can observe the "miracle of birth," Irresponsible. Bravo Dr. Jeff!
Reviews
22 Reviews
Watched it too many times to count
4 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I will never get tired of watching this episode! It succeeded on so many levels- superb performances on the part of the actors, clever writing by the creators, too many plot twists to unravel on one viewing, and the delicious chemistry between Sherlock and Irene Adler- the tension just sizzles when they are on screen. There are too many standout moments to name, but some are unexpected- I still cringe when Sherlock totally humiliates poor Molly at the Christmas gathering, and am touched by his tender concern for Mrs. Hudson after he discovers she's been manhandled by the CIA thugs. I have seen all the episodes of this series, and this one will always be my favorite.
Hippocrate
(2018– )
And I thought my internship was tough?
27 February 2023
Hippocrate ("Interns" as I saw it here on PBS in the States) was one of the best medical dramas I have ever seen. (And I go all the way back to "Dr. Kildare" and "Ben Casey"!) I couldn't imagine being in the position that these poor greenhorns (Alyson and Hugo) found themselves in- having to manage patients with virtually no back-up or supervision, in a gritty St. Elsewhere-type hospital. Of course as a doc myself, I was especially fascinated by the differences between the French training experience and that of the U. S. I would love to hear from my French counterparts how much of the milieu was fiction and how much reality, especially the raunchy cafeteria murals, and so many of the doctors smoking! The medical dramatizations were more detailed and realistic than any I have seen on our medical shows- I still can't figure out how they could simulate an ascitic (grossly-distended-due-to-fluid-in-the-abdomen) belly, unless they asked a real patient who actually had this to be in the show! The acting in general was excellent, and the story lines believable. I was hooked by the first episode, and would love to see more; PBS only offered Season 1.
It's all about the acting
4 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of the most artistic of the episodes, and my personal favorite. With the minimalistic set and not a lot of spectacular special effects, it's all about the acting and the emotional context. Most impressive is Kathryn Hays' performance as Gem. She has no lines so it's all on her nonverbal skills- and boy, does she deliver, all with the (sometimes quite subtle) changes in her facial expression and body language.. Also, watch Leonard Nimoy plainly display Spock's obvious concern for the dying McCoy as he supports him in a fit of coughing ,and you almost feel his distress looking at his face when McCoy tells him he has a good bedside manner. The central theme of compassion being an exemplary characteristic of humanity is clearly on display throughout. I never get tired of revisiting this episode- all the more pleasing to know that the original script was written by a fan! Well done, all!
Starman
(1984)
Much needed feel-good flick
5 July 2022
In the midst of this ugly time of mass shootings and the lingering effects of the pandemic, watching "Starman" again was the perfect pick-me-up. This gentle combination of sci-fi, drama, and love story reminds us that there are still good people in the world. Spot-on performances by Karen Allen and Jeff Bridges.
Crooklyn
(1994)
Spike does it again
29 April 2022
As a white Baby Boomer who grew up in a very insular environment (in my high school graduating class of about 380 there was only a handful of minority students), I really enjoy Spike Lee films- watching "School Daze" and "Do The Right Thing" took me into a culture that I knew nothing about. Still, I felt like an outsider looking in. But I just saw "Crooklyn," and was struck by how at home I felt; it was like a nostalgia trip. In the end, we are more alike than different. If you are from that time, the music will wrap around you like an old friend's hug. Great film!
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love
(1996)
Visually lush
23 October 2021
This is truly a feast for the eyes. The colors, the costumes, the comely lead actors (male and female), and a captivating story too. I have seen it several times, and always enjoy it. My favorite scene is the one where the two young girls (and later women) are practicing the traditional Indian dancing- always makes me want to learn it myself!
The Third Wife
(2018)
Mesmerizing
26 June 2021
This is one of those movies that transports you far from the here and now. It has such a measured and languid pace, and just sucks you in. Despite the beauty of the cinematography, however, in the end one cannot help being left with the reminder of how women bore the burden for so many centuries of being consigned to a narrow set of expectations- their only role in life was to perform menial household duties, marry whatever man their family handed them off to, and produce an heir. Even while reveling in the lush beauty of the Vietnamese countryside, my heart ached for the women. Left me sad, but not sorry I watched it.
Heaven Help Us
(1985)
Spot-on depiction for the time
18 April 2021
Watching this movie takes me back to my own experiences in a Catholic elementary school during the 1960's. My school was coed but the nuns were just as bad as the priests. One priest I recall making boys crawl around the auditorium on their hands and knees, or stand for prolonged periods with their noses pressed against a wall. Humiliation was a favorite tactic,also. Whoever wrote the screenplay knew the rituals very well- the opening sequence was exactly what we did every Friday afternoon. I loved the clicker trick- wish one of our kids had done that! When the whole school explodes into applause as Dunn decks Brother Clarence, it feels like victory. The soundtrack is wonderful...good ol' 60's R and B!
Emergency!
(1972–1979)
Loved this show!
10 April 2021
I loved Emergency and watched it faithfully all the way through. Randy Mantooth was a babe and still is. I became an EMT because of that show, and would have gone on to paramedic training but wound up going back to school and became an M. D. I have the entire series on DVD and enjoy it to this day.
Shadows and Fog
(1991)
Offbeat but nonetheless engaging
28 February 2021
I have been a fan of Woody's films since the days of Bananas, and have been fascinated by the evolution they show over the years. I haven't been able to keep up with his more recent material so this is one I had not seen, but the cast was so full of known players that I had to check it out. Pleasant surprise, and I was not expecting to learn that the critics disliked it. It's really quirky, but in a way escapist, and in the present times, it was just what I needed. Maybe going in with no particular expectations and an open mind is best.
The Passion of the Christ
(2004)
Reality check
19 April 2019
I grew up on the sanitized film versions of the 1950's/1960's, and as a Catholic I certainly knew the story well. This film forced me to realize just how brutal the ordeal Jesus endured was, and how terrible it was for his mother and followers to witness. I watch this every Good Friday, and I think every Christian should see it.
Stars and Bars
(1988)
Weird but fun
10 March 2019
I stumbled across this film on HBO years ago, and am so glad I recorded it, as I could never find it on DVD. I have always been a big Daniel Day Lewis fan, and this is unlike anything else I have ever seen him do. It is hard to believe this is the same year he appeared in "The Unbearable Lightness of Being;" what a contrast! It truly demonstrates his range and willingness to completely inhabit any role he takes on. Make no mistake- it is a really quirky film, but there are hilarious moments, and the supporting cast contribute to the overall effect. Just go with the flow!
Help!
(1965)
Stands the test of time
11 January 2019
Ah, "Help"...I was an eleven-year-old Beatles fan when I first saw it, and 53 years later I still enjoy watching it. My perspective changed with age and knowledge, of course (particularly learning about the condition the lads were in much of the time during filming...no wonder there was so much humor!). Nonetheless, after the earnest reality of "A Hard Day's Night," this was a welcome colorful romp that requires you to lay back, relax, and not take it too seriously. As some others have already mentioned, I share the opinion that this period musically was particularly rich, culminating in my favorite album, Rubber Soul. Have some fun with this period piece!
Shogun
(1980)
The best miniseries ever
2 January 2018
Shogun is an amazing novel, and can be reread countless times yet still present one with overlooked/newly discovered details. To do justice adequately to such a complex/detailed saga seems improbable, yet the miniseries did just that. The acting was spot on, and visually such a feast for the eyes! It really was a great introduction to the roots of Japanese culture, and I learned several words in the language just by reading the book and watching the miniseries. Highly recommend it- you will be sucked in! Just like the book, you will return to it again and again.
The Royal Tailor
(2014)
A feast for the eyes
20 July 2017
This was a lovely film! Don't be put off by the slow start-- it will draw you in, and it evolves from a visual feast to a sweet and sad story. The garments are just breathtaking-- I had trouble reading the subtitles because I kept looking up to see the costumes! This movie also shares some commonalities with many other films made outside the United States-- the slower pace, and greater reliance on the power of the actors' facial expressions and subtle gestures. I highly recommend it!
Love in Tokyo
(2015)
Cute little off-beat romance
20 June 2017
I'm glad I stuck out the beginning of this film, as the early part of it left me irritated; fortunately, it gradually drew me in-- it was refreshing to see a Millenial get his nose up out of his phone and connect for real with a woman! What I liked best about the film was the sense of what it would be like to live in Tokyo; I spent a few days there, and loved it. The street scenes with the neon signs and dense crowding really captured the feel of the city. The cast came across as authentic, and I have to disagree with one of the other reviewers who panned the music-- it too seemed real and appropriate for the story. All in all, a pleasant surprise; give it a chance.
Fifty Shades Darker
(2017)
Come on, people-- were you expecting War and Peace?
12 February 2017
As usual, the vast majority of people dissing FSOG books AND films are men, and it is to be expected--the whole franchise is basically erotic/romantic fantasy/fiction, and men are not the target audience. Sorry, but it's just not about YOU! I read all three books and have seen both movies, and I enjoyed them. It is true that the second film takes several liberties as far as staying true to the events in the book, and it would have been impossible to get everything into a two-hour film. However, I agree with what Jamie Dornan said in interviews, that in the second film Christian is a bit more relaxed and also more willing to change/open up, and this was a nice change. I did miss the almost palpable tension between them at times early on in the first film (ex. the scene in Claytons). The costuming and general eye-candy elements were enjoyable. The main shortcoming for me was that they literally had to try to jam in the main events from the book with not enough time to really flesh them out (yeah, I know...). The audience at the screening I attended was almost all female, which to me was not surprising. This is a film for fans of the franchise, and as such it delivered. I look forward to the third film, and will go in with the same expectations. As for the critics, you go in cruising for bear anyway, so no surprise you find it!
Our Little Sister
(2015)
Puts your typical Hollywood film to shame
19 January 2017
Like so many foreign films, this is devoid of special effects, tiresome action sequences, gratuitous sex and violence-- just a lovely little gem that truly makes you feel at its conclusion like you were immersed in another culture for awhile. You forget that these people are actors-- it's more like watching real sisters in real life. One also comes away wanting to visit rural Japan-- it was refreshing to see more of the countryside as opposed to the large cities with all the congestion and crowding. All in all, if you are looking for a movie that leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy at its conclusion, look no further-- "Our Little Sister" is an excellent film and I highly recommend it!
The Company
(2003)
It's all about the dancing
5 November 2016
The Company is, I believe, intended to be a film about dancers, but it winds up being mainly a vehicle for the dancing sequences, which are wonderful. In fact,I find the analogy of a chocolate chip cookie to be the best description-- the dough serves mainly to hold the chocolate chips! Every time I watched this film (I recorded it from a cable channel) I found myself fast-forwarding to the next dance sequence, and wound up making a recording of just the dance sequences so I could watch them without sitting through the material in between! The acting is adequate, but the story line is sparse and one really does not become engaged by the characters. Still, it is worth watching just to see the dancing, and the variety of pieces makes it enjoyable for folks who are not familiar with dance. I especially love the music, particularly the arrangement of My Funny Valentine for the pas de deux in the rain...beautiful!
Romeo and Juliet
(1968)
Stands the test of time
5 November 2016
I was 14 years old when this film came out, and sat in the theater all day (ah, remember back when you could do that and not have to pay to see the film again?) with a friend from school, and we just cried and cried. That night I dreamed the whole film again! It was one of the first movies I purchased on video, and I have seen it way too many times to count. It truly remains timeless-- the cinematography is beautiful, the cast delivers across the board, and it never looks dated, even now. The brilliant move of using actors who were actually close in age to the characters they played makes this film work like no other adaptation. One of the best films ever...
Outlander
(2014– )
Superb TV adaptation of the best book series I've ever read!
1 June 2015
The Outlander book series is truly wonderful-- I have read and re-read the entire collection countless times since they started coming out in the early 1990's. I (and apparently many others) couldn't understand why no one was bringing the story to film, and really had given up hope that anyone would after all this time. Finally, it has happened, and amazingly enough, the series is proving to do ample justice to the books. The acting is top-notch, and with Season One just finishing its run here in the U.S., I think I can speak for many in saying that the three lead actors (Sam, Caitriona, and Tobias) deserve to win Emmys, particularly in light of the tour-de-force of the season finale. The raw and wrenching performance by Tobias Menzies was especially noteworthy-- he dared to tackle especially difficult material with surreal finesse. In all respects, this series excels. Bravo to its creators. Don't miss it!
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