Sheila-12

I have seen worse movies, but I've never seen a movie this bad get away with it so cleanly! The script was hokey and predictable. The plot had embarrassingly large holes. There was no logic, and nothing to make me care about the main characters. I found myself hoping that Dyan Cannon's and Charles Grodin's supporting roles would suddenly grow bigger, because they were the only interesting part of the entire film. Even the score was awful. There is nothing that could make me recommend this movie to anyone. Do yourself a favor and see one of the many other films ("Big", "Dave", "Heart and Souls") that put the same gimmick to much better use.

Anyone who wants to remake "Harvey" better have a very good reason... It's hard to improve on a classic! But the creators of this "Harvey," and the actors in it, are predictably short on vision. The parts are miscast and misinterpreted -- again, how to improve on the original? Some of the choices are baffling -- Mrs. Chumley, a blond bombshell? (And a poor actress to boot?) I thought Nurse Kelly was supposed to be the sexy romantic lead. And who took the edge off Wilson's comic relief? Key parts of the script have been altered, and scenes added and deleted -- Mary Chase's pulitzer material wasn't good enough, apparently. Even Anderson is an embarrassment -- he seems uncomfortable with the project, as well he should be. Do yourself a favor -- boycott the silly remake and see the original!

Prepare yourself for an uplifting, heartbreaking experience! Roberto Benigni is priceless as an Italian Jew who uses humor to protect his young son from the evils of the Holocaust. Yes, the movie is a comedy, and the opening scenes are deceptively light-hearted. But as the story unfolds, the film makes startling use of humor to increase its emotional impact, rather than to shy away from the dark issues it addresses. The depictions of the concentration camps are not graphic -- this isn't "Schindler's List" -- but the film can still be painful to watch at times. The clever script also provides plenty of laughs, and the emotions which the film evokes never seem to be weakened by the presence of subtitles! In a world that produces films like this, you'll leave the theatre agreeing, "Life is Beautiful"!

This is one of those series that give Britcoms such a good name! "Good Neighbors" (as we know it here in the states) is intelligent, funny, and extremely endearing. And who can beat the cast? Richard Briers is a very respected veteran now -- he was nominated for a Tony last year for "The Chairs" -- and he was just as talented when he was younger! Felicity Kendall is absolutely precious as his wife (I *love* her scratchy little voice!), and Paul Eddington and Penelope Keith are terrific as the snooty next-door neighbors. "Good Neighbors"/"The Good Life" is dry, but in a good way... You'll laugh out loud at this one! And it has a heart -- you'll fall in love with the Goods, and enjoy following them through their ups and downs! Do yourself a favor and check out this series!

I stumbled upon "Dear Brigitte" almost by accident, and the names in the credits -- Jimmy Stewart, Glynis Johns, Ed Wynn, etc. -- kept me watching. I was pleasantly surprised by how charming and intelligent this film turned out to be! Stewart plays an English professor whose only son, Erasmus (the adorable Billy Mumy), turns out to be a math whiz. He's also great at predicting horses, and he happens to be in love with Brigitte Bardot (who makes a wonderful cameo appearance). The family lives on a houseboat, and their teenaged daughter dates Fabian. All of this makes for a very enjoyable comedy the whole family can watch together -- it may be a bit outdated (particularly the "high-tech" computer featured in one scene), but that only adds to its charm. This is a lovable, often overlooked movie that's definitely worth viewing with the whole family!

Often incorrectly classified as a musical, "Stepping Out" is actually a delightful comedy-drama with an excellent ensemble cast. British playwright Richard Harris has Americanized his script and added more detailed plot developments for this film version. It's suitable for the whole family, and definitely worth renting (some night when you don't feel like "Stepping Out"). Everyone is bound to have a favorite in the cast, whether it's Liza herself, veteran actress Shelley Winters, comedian Bill Irwin, or "Ally McBeal's" Jane Krakowski. All turn in hilariously touching performances -- and yes, there is a song-and-dance number at the end, for all you Liza fans! Once you've watched, you'll want everyone to see "Stepping Out"!