jgrv-1

IMDb member since September 2006
    Lifetime Total
    5+
    IMDb Member
    17 years

Reviews

Pose
(2018)

A rare gem
I'm in agreement with everyone who is in love with this show. Just want to give a shout out to MJ Rodriguez, who plays Blanca. She is the real standout in a very good cast.

Giada in Italy
(2015)

Beautiful scenery, but lose the aunt
Most of the recipes look tantalizingly delicious. The Italian scenery is, of course, breathtaking.

Giada is her usual upbeat self. My only complaint: that aunt of hers is such an unpleasant sourpuss, cannot stand her. This woman complains about everything and it ruins the show for me: I change the channel when she's on.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Final Arrangements
(1961)
Episode 36, Season 6

A poor sap and his nagging wife
Poor Leonard (Martin Balsam). He just wants a little relief and respite from his nagging wife, Elsie (Vivian Nathan). It seems that, fifteen years before, Leonard took Elsie on a trip to Haiti, where she had an accident that has turned her into an invalid. Or so she claims... the doctors and Leonard are not so convinced. What Leonard is convinced of, however, is that Elsie is a bitter, negative, charm-free shrew; so he decides to take matters into his own hands.

Leonard visits a mortuary and makes complete funeral arrangements, even though there is no actual deceased--yet. In the meantime, Elsie's latest doctor gives her medication that could prolong her life for at least another 30 years. But Leonard has other ideas...

A well written, engaging episode.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Appointment at Eleven
(1959)
Episode 3, Season 5

Good episode!
I'm really surprised at so many bad reviews here.

I loved this episode, it had me intrigued from start to finish. Sure, there may be better AHP outings, but there are far worse in the series. Clint Kimbrough was mesmerizing. I'd never heard of him and am now interested to know more of his work. Nice to see the very talented Clu Gulager as well. Also interesting for a cameo appearance by a very young Michael J. Pollard.

There's a lot to think about during this episode. The ending is marvelously chilling and I didn't see it coming.

Well worth the twenty-five minutes of viewing.

Big Eden
(2000)

A terrific film
Big Eden is such an excellent film on so many levels. The Montana scenery is breathtaking, the storyline is compelling, all of the characters are likable and the directing, as well as the acting, is superb.

It is refreshing to watch a gay-themed movie devoid not only of labels and homophobia, but also without young, hard-bodied, model-pretty twink boys. Big Eden boasts normal looking men in a love triangle, all pushing forty. And we have a film with a happy ending for a gay couple- -no disillusionment, disease or death.

One of the most interesting observations about Big Eden is how much is NOT openly discussed. Of course, much is made of the fact that Henry (Arye Gross) never tells his grandfather (George Coe) about his sexuality, even though "Sampa" practically begs him to do so. But besides that, the viewer is (intentionally) left to fill in many of the blanks. We don't get to find out the background of Pike Dexter's (Eric Schweig) 20-year, silent, unrequited love for Henry, nor do we hear anyone else discuss it, even though it's clear from the start that Grace (Louise Fletcher) knows all about it and is a behind-the-scenes cheerleader for the two of them; we see and hear no discussion between the Widow Thayer (hilariously played by Nan Martin) and Pike, once she realizes Pike has been substituting her donated meals with his own; when Jim (O'Neal Compton) confronts Pike about his feelings for Henry, nothing is overtly revealed, but absolutely understood; we do not witness the conversation the Widow Thayer has with Henry, where she finally tells him that Pike is the gourmet chef; nor do we see the details of what bring Henry and Pike together at the end. And somehow, it all works brilliantly.

Roger Ebert was very critical of the final scene of the movie, the waltz where Henry and Pike share a prolonged, passionate kiss. Ebert felt it was overdone and that a simple "care to dance?" would have provided a better ending. I could not disagree more. The whole film dealt, purposely, with unrequited love and a lack of letting the audience in on storyline details. The kiss provided the perfect ending: the scene before the waltz takes place just before Christmas and we fast forward to an outside dance (presumably the Fourth of July). We see with our own eyes that Henry and Pike have indeed become the couple we've been rooting for throughout the entire film and, to our delight, their love is genuine.

All of the aforementioned actors portray their roles wonderfully, as do Tim Mc Kay as Dean (Henry's longtime crush) and Veanne Cox as Henry's agent. Eric Schweig is the real standout in the cast, bringing expressive pathos to the character of Pike, with a minimum of dialogue. Schweig's Best Actor award for this performance, from LA Outfest, was richly deserved.

Latter Days
(2003)

A compelling film!
I stumbled upon this film just a couple of days ago and it's stayed with me ever since. I've already watched it twice.

One thing I like VERY much about "Latter Days" is that it has a happy ending. So many gay-themed films, even when revolving around romance, end in death or disillusionment. It's refreshing to witness a portrayal of a gay couple who, despite a great deal of conflict and major obstacles, find true love and a future together. It DOES happen in real life and, to that end, the film is as "realistic" as any tragedy.

Many of the actors deserve mention: Wes Ramsey as Christian, the gay party boy, is excellent. Jacqueline Bissett, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mary Kay Place and Erik Palladino bring something special to their smaller roles. But it is Steve Sandvoss who knocks it out of the park as Elder Aaron Davis, the sweet, shy Mormon missionary who comes to terms with his homosexuality amid the confines of the LDS beliefs.

The film is clichéd, no question, but no more so than many romantic movies. If your taste veers toward complete realism, this isn't the film for you. "Latter Days" is basically a drama, but it does contain its share of comedic moments. I myself am not, nor ever have been, a member of the Mormon church, but I have spent a good deal of time around it and have had a number of LDS friends. While I have a certain amount of genuine respect for the church, I would be lying if I said that the portrayals of the Mormon missionaries and families in this film do not ring true.

There are a few unbelievable moments, to be sure. As an example, when Christian confronts Elder Ryder about Aaron's whereabouts, Ryder gives in and tells Christian about Aaron's five-hour layover in Salt Lake City. In reality, no missionary with such a lack of sympathy toward "fags" would suddenly soften enough to give out this information.

"Latter Days" may not be one of the great films of all time, but it brings to light the complex problems that can exist between organized religion, families and homosexuality, with pathos and sensitivity, along with a tug at the heartstrings. For that, it is more than commendable.

Little House on the Prairie: Injun Kid
(1977)
Episode 15, Season 3

One of the best episodes!
This episode really is one of the best. It addresses prejudice, racism and hatred. When an Indian man is murdered for no apparent reason, his Caucasian wife returns to Walnut Grove with her son. Because he's an "Injun," he's rejected by his grandfather, as well as most of the townspeople and their children. The grandfather goes so far as to make up a story that the boy is adopted and not his actual grandchild.

George Murdock as the grandfather is sensational, as is young Caesar Ramirez as the half-Indian boy who is taunted and ridiculed by his schoolmates. If this episode fails to stir emotion in you, then you were probably born without a heart! It's worth the watch.

Ugly Betty
(2006)

Best new show of 2006-07
By far, the best new show on television. The writing is brilliant, the actors are terrific, and it combines fantastic humor with pathos.

More than that, just when you think you've figured out what's coming next, the writers surprise you with something you never even considered. TV doesn't get better than this!

Ugly Betty will make you laugh, cry, and experience just about every emotion in between. America Ferrera is great--I fell in love with her from the start. The show also portrays a variety of characters--some stereotypical, others not--in a sympathetic way that, hopefully, will help to open the minds of all viewers.

See all reviews