jwrowe3

I was about the same age as "James" when this show started, so I enjoyed seeing someone else have issues like I was at that time.

I guess I always love the underdog, too. I watched a great deal of NBC's prime time shows during this time, as they were dead last in the ratings. I can't even count the number of programs that came and went in a short period of time. And when they tried something original, like "James" it got pulled down by the sinking shows around it. Now, granted, your average teen isn't in the desired demographic a network wants as they are all poor, but it might have gotten some of the older set to watch.

It's a shame that this one seems lost to the ages, and probably won't appear on some network like "TVLand"...but it would make a nice add to Netflix.

Okay, we all know going into this one that it's going to be bad. Shame on anyone who thought they'd be getting a classic motion picture, here. This was what you'd call a "B" movie at it's best...or worst, depending on who you listen to.

Basic plot line? Who cares. We're all here to see what happens when the star, Amee Gray takes off something. This is the early 90's when, along with really awful hair, most of your female leads would lose clothing. And...along with the aforementioned bad hair, she does. She is a very pretty lady but her acting is pretty much like watching a middle school cast do Mamet. It just ain't happening...

Now remember, this movie was done in those days before the internet. Your typical teenage boy had to find movies like this to look at semi-clad women, or pick up a men's magazine. I suspect someone had that idea when coming up with "9 1/2 Ninjas". Make a movie with some skin in it...toss in some action, and find a joke writer to add a laugh. Then, when the movie has it's theatrical run, put Gray on the cover of the VHS clamshell in as little as possible. Put the movie in your local "Lou's Movie Rental" place that's probably a gas station as well, where one can rent a movie like this, and viola! It'll make money.

The acting is pretty wooden and sophomoric. But, I have to admit I laughed at the scene where there's a Ninja attack, and the actors slip on some sort of spilled oil.

Having friends who have had parts in low budget films, I have a warm spot in my heart for a movie like this. They are a "starting point" for talent and production people. And, if you think about it, the B-movie seems to have largely disappeared due to much better technology allowing slicker and better looking productions.

Do I recommend this movie? Sure! It'll give you something to tell your friends the next day.. "Holy crap did I watch a pretty rotten movie...but the girl in it was kinda hot for 1991!" Put this in your Que for "Bad Movies I Will never Own Up to Watching, But it Had Some Redeeming Reasons to Watch"...

4 out of 10, and that's being really generous.

Good old fashioned "escapist fun". That was ABC's forte back in the day. "Fantasy Island", "Love Boat"...shows like this took you away from your standard drama show. And in some ways "Pan Am" does just that.

No, there's no schlocky comedy or anything along those lines, but you go back to a day and age where flying was glamorous, and there was an air of 'excitement' in faraway places. I'm, just a little too young to recall travel like we see on the show, having been born in 1961... My first flight wasn't until the late 60's and by then jet travel was almost the norm than the exception...and then deregulation came along and flying was more a chore than an event to look forward to.

I agree with another poster who thinks the flight crew is a little young. The "jet boys" tended to be a little older. I recall when the pilots of the planes I flew were all old WWII pilots, all in their late 50's or so when I flew through the 1970's...

Aside from THAT, I have very little to grouse about.

Should this show have really great legs and last a while, it'll be interesting to see where we go as Pan Am's fortunes were at their peak in the 60's, but the decline began as the 70's arrived.

Good show. Good Job, ABC!

Yes, it's a "Christian movie"...and yes, there's a "happy ending" and yes, there's a "message". So what?

In the 40 or so years I have been a regular movie goer, I've seen pretty much everything one can put into a film, from explosions to nudity to every possible combination of four letter words. And I am happy to say we didn't get any of it in this movie. So, if you yearn for a Hollywood blockbuster....pass on this one.

No, I'm no Pollyanna. I like some action and adventure. But I've gotten to where a movie with "less" is better to me in many ways. Yes, in full disclosure, I am proud to say I am a Christian. A Christian dad, too. I'm happy to report that this movie is what every father should see, be they "in the Faith" or not. It's nice to see a movie where there's a strong message of family unity. Even Disney movies have taken to trying to tell us that your average family is a broken one. That may be factual, but why can't we have some entertainment that focuses on people trying to be strong fathers? And that leads to strong mothers, and then stronger children. And in the end, a stronger community.

There's just enough humor to keep the movie moving along. It's not a short film by any means, so you do get your ticket price in viewing. There were a few scenes that might cause a jump or two, but they are part of setting the story. The movie is a nice surprise in a season of movies that will probably be forgotten a few weeks after viewing.

If you have a hard time hearing a lot about GOD and such, pass on this at the local Googleplex and wander into another film. I hope it makes you happy. But, I would gently suggest you try this movie out. Be you a man (or woman) of Faith or not. You just might be surprised. And, you just might wish to spend a little more time with your family.

I sat in this movie and from the second it's titles began to appear, I thought I was watching a movie from circa 1985. It reeks of 1980's styles. But not in a bad way.

A very unhurried movie to say the least. It moves at it's own pace.

The music is scored straight out of something like "To Live and Die in LA". It is used as significant parts of the movie. Perfectly, too.

My only small complaint is that the profanity in it seems to just be there for "effect" not as part of the story. Other parts of it earned it's rating and I'm no prude, I just thought Ron Pearlman's "F-bombs" we're not important. Again, I'm not complaining, it just seemed used to 'shock" and not as part of the story.

See it. Period.

I stumbled onto this series while watching a Kenny Loggin's video on YouTube. It took just about 30 seconds of episode one before I knew I was hooked.

If you like music of this period (Late 70's to mid-80's) you are going to be in for a treat. This series is a favorite in many radio stations that play Adult Pop music, simply for the inside jokes. You'll never be able to look at Hall and Oates again w/o a smile after watching this series. Plus you see how Michael McDonald didn't like the band Toto, and the feud between The Eagles and Steely Dan. Brilliant writing...

The chronology of some of the songs and events are a little off...probably with good reason, but who cares, right? It all adds up to the hilarious ending with episode 12.

As I mentioned, there are just 12 episodes, and that's all you need. Any more and it might have worn out it's welcome. The production quality improves with every episode, and since it was a quality job from episode 1, it just gets better and better as you watch.

Episode 5 w/Michael Jackson, and 11 w/the "Footloose" storyline are probably the best.

2013 Update: I go back once a year or so and re watch the series. It really gets better with age. I found myself liking a couple of episodes I'd not been too thrilled with, back in 2010 when I wrote the original review.

I purchased a couple of episodes of the classic B & W version of "Dragnet" in a "Everything for a Buck" sort of store, not long ago. In one collection, the transfer from film to DVD was great. However, the other set, from a different company, left a good deal to be desired. The film quality was low, and to add insult to injury, they had edited music from the score, as well. I would wager that it was the signature, "Dahhh-da-DUM-DUM" that we all know "Dragnet" by.

Still was a great watch, however, and the stories are interesting. Just having the audio quality change, and small bits of dialoge get clipped by inserting a piano playing a couple of notes, is somewhat irritating.

Okay, I was never good with mythology. So you could have told me any version of a story, and I'd listen. My only other exposure to this tale was the Disney animated version, of the late 1990's. And THAT is flawed, too, as I have read.

Watched it with my eight and eleven year old daughters, who are also fans of the animated tale. Both of them seemed very interested in the story. They recognized Dalton, as Daddy is a big Bond fan, and Astin, from "Lord of The Rings". So we know they are paying attention. Neither asked "why is this different from the cartoon", so I'll assume they could follow the plot and it's difference from the Disney flick.

+++++Possible Spoilers+++++ Now, to the show, itself. It dragged in some parts, I admit. The SFX, at times looked really, really cheesy. Now, perhaps that was a desired effect, to "enhance" the mythology side of the story. Lele Sobieski was beautiful, and I can see Paul Telfer going on to bigger and "hunkier" roles. All the actors were well used.

The Hydra scene was a bit much for being shown BEFORE 9 pm Eastern time, and I was surprised at how graphic it was. I figured the networks saved the really heavy duty "death" for after most of the younger crowd is off to bed.

Final score: On a scale of 1 yawn being Excellent, and five yawns being "Glitter" rotten, I give "Hercules" one and a half yawns. I didn't hate myself for watching it, but won't catch it again, if it gets repeated.

And did I say Lele Sobieski is beautiful????

"Born and Bred" will probably pass just under the radar of us American TV viewers, unless you are a regular watcher of your local PBS station. It's light hearted, gentle, and unhurried in it's message.

The Ciffs Notes version of the show: Small mythical English town doctor and his family are the central figures in "B&B". Throw in a large contingent of supporting cast members. Expect some minor trouble that plagues one of the cast to be settled in a happy way by the time the credits roll at the end. It's not "Masterpiece Theater", but then it doesn't pretend to be.

2005 Update: I have now had a chance to watch most, if not ALL of the series, as shown on my local PBS station. I have discovered, that there is ONE episode that does NOT have a happy ending, and that's the two part episode, "The Last Hurrah", that has the elder Dr. Gilder facing some issues with the death of a patient. And let me say, my vote for "Best Episode" would have to go to "A Very Ormston Christmas" Episode: #2.11. I have not laughed harder at any episode of this very happy series.

Perfect show for a rainy/cold/dismal day.

Is the late disaster film director Irwin Allen spinning in his grave at 9000 r.p.m. I would have expected a disaster film of this magnitude (pardon the pun) to be so much more. In this age of great computer graphics and SFX, I was really unamused at some of the images we got.

+++Possible Spoilers+++

There is a scene where a train falls into a large trench that an earthquake creates. the train couldn't have looked more like a Tyco toy train if it tried! Sheesh! I actually thought they had reused old footage from that wonderfull 70's TV show, "Super Train" for a moment!

The budget must have been spent on something other than good writing or SFX, as well. The scripting sounds like an 8th grade play. "The bridge has fallen!" Yawn.

Thank God for John Schneider. When he goes 'off roading" in an early scene, we get to hear the classic "Bo Duke" yell from "Dukes of Hazard". Plus, he gets off a great line right after that, "I miss doing that". But don't you just hope that his daughter bites it, soon? Some really good writing there...Fred Ward looks totally embarrassed by the fact he's there, and by the pain in the rear doctor for a son he is also cursed with. Beau Bridges isn't too bad, but then I like Beau Bridges....

Too bad old Mr. Allen isn't alive to do stuff like THIS, the way it was meant to be done.

Found this little gem on one of our Tampa Bay PBS stations. I generally like most BBC shows that get sent our way via PBS/A&E. I won't waste time talking plot, as I've just had three episodes under my belt. And I think I've come in in the second or third series, missing the first.

Quite an able cast, and the locations are glorious to behold! I am looking forward to watching this for as long as WUSF-TV, continues to broadcast it, here, in Tampa

One minor thing to note, you MAY want to have the closed captioning on, if you have any hearing troubles, as Dawn Steele's character "Lexi" has an accent most Americans may not be able to decipher. But that's one very minor thing.

(2013 Update) This great series is on Netflix. I've just rediscovered this gem, and am starting out from the beginning, as opposed to about the third series when I first spotted it. I now appreciate it better than before. Again I say the visuals on the show are as strong as most of the stories. I find myself watching more for Scotland that the tales from Glenbogle...

Can I not get hooked on this show? I really LIKE most of all the "Trek" shows over the last nearly 40 years. I like Scott Bakula, I like the rest of the crew. I like the NX-01, itself (Well, except for the fact it looks more advanced that NCC-1701 Enterprise) I like the casual feel of the show. But why don't I like the sum of all parts?

Because, as has been expressed before, the show just feels "dull". Face it, it's time for a new team of writers/producers/directors to take over the whole TREK franchise. New blood, new thought, new soul.

Dispense with plot lines, or charachters that tie in with "Classic Trek", and fortell episodes from that time frame of the TREK universe..

Come up with a plausible reason WHY the NX-01 looks further advanced than the later Enterprise's.

Give some of the other leads a good story line, now and again.

I'll continue to watch, when I remember it's on....

Could the casting exec's at MTV possibly pick anymore, vain, selfish, and low brow people that the last few seasons on "The Real World"? Man, I'd hate to think that THIS is what's going to be running the world in a few years.

++Minor Spoilers++

I have been watching since the original cast. I didn't really care for 'em, to be honest, but they WILL be remembered as the most "pure" cast. No playing to camera, as most following casts did. I liked the 2nd cast, a lot. However, you got the impression that they were being "controlled" by their producers. We got the first cast member ejected from the show for a prank that went bad. I'd love to see ALL the footage from that incident! I suspect we'd see a lot more than we got. And I'll bet the young man would probably have our support.

The Miami cast is also one of my favorites. they get the task of starting a business, and we see how a group of young people can't seem to get together for what's expected of them.

From then on, I think the show was truly past it's "Sell By" date, and should have been ended.

It all boils down to the same types on each show, the "ALPHA MALE", "HIS NEW BEST FRIEND", "THE BITCH", "THE GAY PERSON", and so on. And these recent shows seem to just have some of the worst examples of human kind on them.

Time to Pull The Plug, MTV! And maybe show some "MUSIC VIDEOS"?

Growing up in the mid-60's, I have great memories of this show. It, and "Green Acres" were the "Must-See-TV" programs for me. No way would I miss an episode of Lost In Space.

I had a baby tooth come loose during an episode, and I just sat in front of the television until a commercial break to tell my parents! Talk about being a devoted fan.

In those days before VCR's, when a show went off the air, you figured it was gone. In the early 70's a TV station in Richmond Virginia, just up the road from Petersburg, where my grandparents lived, began re-running old episodes during the summer, and when I'd go visit Grandma and Grandpa, I'd get to see it.

I'm one of the fans who likes the black and white episodes, more than the color. However, the SECOND theme from the show, is far superior to the original. It seemed to me, at the time, that the latter episodes are too campy.

I have seen the original, un-aired pilot, and liked it. Yes,it is a bit draggy at times, but, even WITHOUT Dr. Smith, it works.

+++Minor Spoiler+++

Watching the Robinson's pray at the end is unusual! But in the scheme of things, probably something I'd do if I was lost in space!

When I was a kid, back in the 60's, there were two shows that I never missed. "Lost In Space" was one, and "Green Acres" was the other. Funny that both were on CBS, and I remember that my parents watched CBS's national news, too.

I always loved Mr. Haney, and when Mr. Douglas begins some story about "The American Farmer", and the patriotic music begins playing in the background. On one episode, the other actors begin looking for where the music is coming from. Priceless gag.

I am looking forward to the DVD of this series. I hope that they are cleaned up, as what we see on TV now are fairly faded prints of the show.

Personal Note: This one is a staple in our house. My wife and I have watched since SHOW #1, and will catch the first run shows on FOX on Saturday night, as well as the ones running on CourtTV and FX.

No hidden agenda. No arranged marriages. No tribes that form alliances. No forced drama between room mates. No fake mega-rich farm boy to pass off as a billionaire. No crap. That's Cops.

I watched on and off since the show began, and recently discovered reruns on BOTH (!) Court-TV, and the FX network in the U.S.

At times it's funny watching some pathetic moron try and get out of being arrested when we have him doing the crime on video. Some times it's sad, seeing folks, who will never be much more than what they are, get into trouble. I hate seeing shows where small children see their stupid parents get hauled away.

First let me establish where I stand in the world of Battlestar Galactica. I was a rabid fan of the original. So it was with some reserve that I saw that it was returning, but in a new set of `clothes', so to speak.

+++spoilers+++

I'm pleased to say, that I liked it. If you put the original in a different part of your mind, and watch this new version with no prejudice, you'll be surprised. Now, lots have, and will be discussed about the changes of a few of the major characters, and that's fine. But let's get down to the review of the mini-series, so far.

The Galactica itself: I was concerned that from some of the press releases I'd read, that the ship would be totally different form the original design. It was the `star' of the series, before, and to make her over would be bad. What we saw, if we even SAW her, was a Galactica that had the basic shape. I was amused that there were hardly ANY shots of her.

Vipers: I liked the newer ships, but it was great to see the classic Viper used. Looks like they, instead of the Galactica, will be the focus.

The Crew: Yeah, it was odd seeing `Starbuck' as a woman, but I swear, Katee Sackhoff must have watched Dirk Benedict play the role. She makes a few `classic' Benedict faces in the card game in the first installment of the mini-series. The others are fine with me, as well.

The Story: I like the way the tale is evolving. Baltar trying to call his lawyer when he realizes he's brought the human race to it's knees, is great.

So far so good. I'll continue to watch.

I discovered this show, just this last week. My 9 year old daughter had watched once or twice before and seemed to really enjoy it. I make it a point to watch what my children watch, to see if it's acceptable viewing. Surprise! Great Show!

Without going over all the obvious details, I'll say this: Take the time for "Family Viewing" and have a look at this charming CBS Friday night show.

9 out of 10 on my scale.

2005 UPDATE....

Yup, the goons at CBS have pulled the plug. What a shame. Quality DOES equal probable cancellation, I guess.....

I like what a previous poster said about this show feeling like it was from the 1970's, along the lines of cop dramas from that era. I couldn't agree more. I thought pretty much the same way myself, and saw a little "Hill Street Blues" tossed in as well.

Perfect ensemble show. Ernie Hudson is a great actor, and I found myself liking the rest of the cast, as well.

Give it a look. Congratulations ABC TV, "10-8" and "LA Dragnet" have got me watching your network, again.

2005 update.

So, ABC cancels it.

Great family movie. My two daughters, who were six and four at the time we watched this delightful little movie, were captivated. They sat still thru the whole viewing. A good sign in my home that a movie is "kid friendly".

Yes, it "looks" 1966, and some of the pranks seem tame by todays(low) standards, but it holds your attention, even if you are NOT Catholic! I'll watch any film that the hilarious Mary Wicks is in.

Without going into great detail about "Trouble", I suggest it for everyone to view.

Just pray(pardon the pun)that your little ones don't get too many ideas from this underrated gem!

Well, I liked this show from it's initial outing on Sunday nights on ABC Television. It was in a great time slot, and I liked the chemistry on the show. Plus, the Dick Wolf factor is there. Gritty, ripped from the headlines sort of stories.

But, ABC has decided to tinker with the formula. Change the title of the show, move it to Saturday nights, and remove one of the leads. I liked Ethan Embry, a lot. I'd love to know why he was dropped from the show.

I will continue to watch, as I like Ed O'Neill, and the whole concept of the show. I'd like to see a tie in, perhaps with some of the other Dick Wolf family of shows, like what was done with "Law & Order/Homicide" in the 90's. Tie all four of the Wolf shows together in a week long plot.

Might be fun to see Katey Sagal turn up on a show, too. "Awwww, Pegggggg!" But that might be just too much.

Watch It!

I have a sad confession. I just don't get Shakespeare. And I had a hard time following it, when made to read it in school.

That said, I loved this movie. Really!

I love watching Kenneth Branagh work. Throw in his former spouse, Emma Thompson, and you have me hooked. I saw `Dead Again' in the theater when it was released back in the 90's, and love it.

My wife and I just got the DVD of `Much Ado', and totally enjoyed this fine piece of movie making. The casting was superb. And Michael Keaton has the best part of the film. And the final scene with the cast singing is glorious to watch. The fact it was done as one shot is amazing.

This should be shown to any high school class that is slugging it's way thru any of The Bard's work.

When this movie was in it's first theatrical release, I was seven,the age it was aimed at. I didn't see it on the big screen, but on TV in the 1970's

I'd describe this as one of the last of the really big, old school musical movies. Lots of big musical numbers, large cast, big set. But that style of movie was losing steam, and a more spare and gritty style of movie was coming. However, give me "Chitty" over ANY Disney live action movie of the same period.

I remember reading the book when I was young, so when CCBB popped up on TV, I looked forward to seeing it.(Remember those days long before VCR's DVD's, and cable TV, when you got to watch something once, and hope you didn't miss it, or have to wait forever, perhaps, to see it again) The book and the movie do have some differences.

++Spoilers of a Minor Kind++

I watched CCBB not long ago with my young daughters, and was surprised at how long this movie was. I'll bet when it was shown on TV, back in the old days, it either went over two nights or was heavily edited for time. A few of the songs could have been ditched, as I think they are filler. Dick Van Dyke, IS, however the best part of this movie. All his numbers are a delight to watch, and I'll not waste space saying what most earlier posters like about his part, as I agree!

It's fun seeing two Bond characters turn up, in totally "un-Bond" roles. Would have been even better if somehow, more of the 007 regular characters would have had cameo roles, or bit parts. Maybe "M" or Miss Moneypenny popping in. Ah well....

It took us two nights to take in the whole movie, as "the yawn factor" came into play at about the halfway point of the movie, and two sleepy eyed young ladies asked me to "let us watch the rest tomorrow, daddy".

A great movie for a slow, rainy, indoor day.

Face it, "CHiP's" was never a show designed for the Mensa set. It was a light Sunday night show on NBC, period. No deeper inner meanings, no political agenda, no amazing last minute plot twists, and cheesy and low budget special effects.....

Just a great example of 70's no-brainer TV. However, the 80's were not as kind, and the show saw the loss of one of the main stars, and ratings plummet to the bottom of the pile. Cancellation came, and the show went into syndication.

+++MINOR SPOILERS++++

"CHiP's" could always be counted upon for several things. First, there would be some crime that would require the bad guys to go onto the California freeway system. Second, some how, the bad guys would cause some sort of horrendous accident. Third, Ponch and John would be near by. Fourth, their boss Sgt. Getraer, would be unhappy, usually with Ponch, for some reason. And fifth, there would be a happy ending, and the guys would end up with two lovely Playboy Playmate wanna-be's. Formatic TV? You bet! But a pleasant enough distraction.

And both Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox had great on screen chemistry. However, Wilcox left the show, and "CHiP's" left the air, the following season.

But why did I watch it in the first place? Well, the "eye candy", for one reason. Yes, there were plenty of very pretty young ladies crammed into painfully too small swim suits, and disco tight dresses, but it was the 70's and that sort of thing was expected. I was a teenager, at the time, and any chance to see good looking ladies was taken advantage of!

But the "eye candy" that gets me watching TODAY, are the cars that turn up in the show. Back when this show was new, many of these cars were just used vehicles, and prime for crashing and wrecking. There are plenty of rare and unusual cars seen in the background, as well. Forgotten cars like Rover sedans, Fiat Strada's, Datsun 310's and the like are seen in shots. A real car spotters delight.

Plus, am I the only one who notices that in almost every shot where Ponch and John are riding their motorcycles, there is a light silver first generation Honda Accord behind them. And, Ford Mustang II?

A great escape to the 70's.

If you must see some of the mess that passes for entertainment this summer of 2003, you can redeem yourself by simply going to see "Whale Rider". Period. Take your children, daughters especially, and go. No incredible SFX, no explosions, no sex, no scary scenes. A great family movie, and one I'll be the first in line for when released on DVD.

15 on a scale of 10. Honest.