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toddjob
Reviews
The Jake Effect (2003)
Very enjoyable...no wonder it never hit the air...
I'd be very interested to find out why this show never got on the air when it was actually made. The six episodes are very entertaining, shot with some style, and clever. Wait a sec, this is network television, so I guess that's 3 reasons it didn't make it. It's all becoming clear now! Seriously, Jason Bateman is great in the lead role, and the chemistry with Greg Grunberg (as his best friend) and Nikki Cox (potential love interest) seems evident even in the pilot episode. The interactions between those characters just don't feel forced at all in the six episodes, which is unusual early on in a new show. I think the show would have found better ways to integrate the other characters, particularly Kyle Gass' oddball teacher (who knows, if the show had continued, maybe we would have seen a cameo with the other half of Tenacious D).
I would love to have seen a whole lot more of these characters and dialogue. All in all, "The Jake Effect" was a funny show with a lot of potential, that for whatever reason, didn't get a shot to succeed. Take the opportunity to check it out while you can.
The Second Chance (2006)
A movie about the church that is actually relevant...
Here's the sad thing about this movie...I fear that not a lot of people will see it. That would be a real shame.
Let's face it: Christian 'entertainment' is normally completely void of any artistic skill, woodenly-acted, hokey, and moronic. It's made for those who want to build large brick walls around their church and stay safe from the evil world outside.
On the other hand, this is an intelligently crafted, authentic look at the divisions that lie within Christianity in America. If you have attended church for any length of time in your life, the attitudes that you see displayed on screen will undoubtedly hit home, because you've either seen them in others or yourself (the use of "Christian-ese" to silence dissent is all too real). If you aren't a church-attender, you'll recognize some of the things that probably help to keep you away.
This is a movie with heart that never gets cheesy. It's not terribly complicated, but that's part of the point...either your actions match your words or they don't. Very simple.
If you're looking for 30 plot twists in a movie, pull out one of the 80 "Left Behind" DVDs and have a ball with the fairy tales. But if you want to experience good art, something real and challenging, see this movie.