Now don't get me wrong here, i very much enjoy both Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman and find them both very watchable, but this movie sucks. A horror where you actually want the main characters to get killed just for being so stupid is not how it should be. besides stupidity there are major continuity flaws throughout this amateurish debut. For instance Liv's phone is dead, she plugs it in via the charger, now we all know the moment you phone is connected to the mains it's usable. And when a weirdo keeps knocking at your door in the middle of nowhere you call the police immediately, not keep looking out the window and answering the loon! Liv, Scott you deserve better than this steaming pile of horse sh*t!
Reviews
4 Reviews
Further Tales of the City
(2001–2002)
The fun is there but in small doses
28 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Once again i ventured into the world of Mrs Madrigal's 'Family' and for the first time during my time in this brave new world, i felt burnt.
FTOTC benefits from the return of Dukakis, Linney and Hopkins as Mrs Madrigal, Mary Ann Singleton and Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver. This time it is 1981 and all of the characters have grown and not all for the better, the descent of Mouse into a typical gay stereotype is a disturbing fact, and seeing this former hopeless romantic flit from one meaningless sexual encounter to another is a disturbing thing to see. However Hopkins manages to show how destructive this behaviour is to Mouse and how with the the support of friends manages to regain his romantic heart.
Linney has the most work with Mary Ann, as she out of all the characters has changed the most. Now with aspirations to become a hard hitting journalist she has to show strength and guts that she would never have dreamt of before in order to obtain her dreams. As Linney is one of the best working actresses of the last 10 years she manages to do all this without breaking a sweat, she even manages to make her relationship with Brian believable, which given his history and Mary Ann's is something g very difficult to do.
The ever reliable Dukakis plays Anna Madrigal with her trademark spectacular heart but feel's sidelined in all the adventure.
However the thing that lets this particular instalment down is giving too much focus and screen time on DeDe Halcyon Day, who despite going on a horrendous journey with her children in south America remains to be infuriatingly unsympathetic and irritating.
The story here is unfortunately over the top, however it is the same in the book, and we should all be grateful that Mona has moved to save us all from Nina Siemaszko (who i have seen being wonderful in many other things) bringing her drab and unforgiving performance from MTOTC back to plague us all.
Unfotunatly it is obvious that Tales of the City has suffered the same fate as many other series and movie franchises and gotten weaker with each instalment, and is now a shadow of its former self. I should state that inferior as it is to the original it is still far better than most things currently on TV.
FTOTC benefits from the return of Dukakis, Linney and Hopkins as Mrs Madrigal, Mary Ann Singleton and Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver. This time it is 1981 and all of the characters have grown and not all for the better, the descent of Mouse into a typical gay stereotype is a disturbing fact, and seeing this former hopeless romantic flit from one meaningless sexual encounter to another is a disturbing thing to see. However Hopkins manages to show how destructive this behaviour is to Mouse and how with the the support of friends manages to regain his romantic heart.
Linney has the most work with Mary Ann, as she out of all the characters has changed the most. Now with aspirations to become a hard hitting journalist she has to show strength and guts that she would never have dreamt of before in order to obtain her dreams. As Linney is one of the best working actresses of the last 10 years she manages to do all this without breaking a sweat, she even manages to make her relationship with Brian believable, which given his history and Mary Ann's is something g very difficult to do.
The ever reliable Dukakis plays Anna Madrigal with her trademark spectacular heart but feel's sidelined in all the adventure.
However the thing that lets this particular instalment down is giving too much focus and screen time on DeDe Halcyon Day, who despite going on a horrendous journey with her children in south America remains to be infuriatingly unsympathetic and irritating.
The story here is unfortunately over the top, however it is the same in the book, and we should all be grateful that Mona has moved to save us all from Nina Siemaszko (who i have seen being wonderful in many other things) bringing her drab and unforgiving performance from MTOTC back to plague us all.
Unfotunatly it is obvious that Tales of the City has suffered the same fate as many other series and movie franchises and gotten weaker with each instalment, and is now a shadow of its former self. I should state that inferior as it is to the original it is still far better than most things currently on TV.
More Tales of the City
(1998)
The adventure continues
28 July 2007
After watching with great pleasure the original Tales of the City, i delved with excitement into this continuation story of the 28 Barbary residents. However with some disappointment i discovered that a less adventurous director and some unfortunate cast replacements has stolen some of the magic.
Now don't get me wrong, it is still a fun and well written metro-sexual adventure in the heart of Sanfrancisco, and with exceptional performers Dukakis and Linney returning it keeps the spark burning bright. The new addition of Paul Hopkins as Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver is an interesting new slant on a wonderful character and he pulls the transition of well, retaining Marcus D'Amico's youthful hopefulness, whilst adding a new cheeky side to mouse. Paul however is the only new cast member to manage this, Nina Siemaszko is given the impossible task of replacing the magnificent Chloe Webb and Mona suffers terribly for this, not only does she now look 10 years younger, she has lost the kooky charm that gave the character so much punch and spunk, she seams permanently depressed and miserable. The other disappointment is the departure of Paul Gross who's slimy male chauvinist pig Brian was a joy and torture to watch in the original as he carried on with his self destructive behaviour and loathing of women. Whip Hubley (who this time looks 10 years older) simply seams like to much of a nice guy to pull of this role and Brian's character seams to have had a personality transplant within the space of a few months.
With this massive moan over and done with, it is still an enjoyable romp and worth watching for Dukakis's Mrs Madrigal's empathic presence, and Linney's heart and warmth.
Now don't get me wrong, it is still a fun and well written metro-sexual adventure in the heart of Sanfrancisco, and with exceptional performers Dukakis and Linney returning it keeps the spark burning bright. The new addition of Paul Hopkins as Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver is an interesting new slant on a wonderful character and he pulls the transition of well, retaining Marcus D'Amico's youthful hopefulness, whilst adding a new cheeky side to mouse. Paul however is the only new cast member to manage this, Nina Siemaszko is given the impossible task of replacing the magnificent Chloe Webb and Mona suffers terribly for this, not only does she now look 10 years younger, she has lost the kooky charm that gave the character so much punch and spunk, she seams permanently depressed and miserable. The other disappointment is the departure of Paul Gross who's slimy male chauvinist pig Brian was a joy and torture to watch in the original as he carried on with his self destructive behaviour and loathing of women. Whip Hubley (who this time looks 10 years older) simply seams like to much of a nice guy to pull of this role and Brian's character seams to have had a personality transplant within the space of a few months.
With this massive moan over and done with, it is still an enjoyable romp and worth watching for Dukakis's Mrs Madrigal's empathic presence, and Linney's heart and warmth.
Tales of the City
(1993)
An unique story with wonderful characters
28 July 2007
When delving into the legend that is Tales Of The City, i found it an exciting and adventurous place to spend time, great writing mixed with great performers and great character chemistry, which unfortunately disappears in later additions.
The always excellent Olympia Dukakis and Laura Linney both give wonderful performances as always and the wonderfully kooky Chole Webb breaths life and sole into my favourite character Mona.
Anyone who enjoys a metro-sexual adventure mystery story that concentrates on its players rather than what is played will love this breathtaking treat.
The always excellent Olympia Dukakis and Laura Linney both give wonderful performances as always and the wonderfully kooky Chole Webb breaths life and sole into my favourite character Mona.
Anyone who enjoys a metro-sexual adventure mystery story that concentrates on its players rather than what is played will love this breathtaking treat.
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