doherty-elle Reviews

Starsky and Hutch (1975–1979)

Season 5: Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda!!!

[10/10 · 16 March 2007]

As a second-generation fan I discovered this TV Gem from repeats in the mid-nineties. I've just finished watched the final series and you can't help but think that a fifth season would have rounded it off rather nicely, 'Sweet Revenge' intentionally leaves the door wide open for the fifth series but with it's cancellation we'll never know what becomes of our favourite duo; does Starsky return to work? do they quit, get their happy ending in the shape of happy love affairs that's not doomed for once - what?!

The dynamic of Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul as the loyal, live-wired cops has hardly ever been equalled: Glaser brings passion and humour - not to mention the sexy strut and a smile to die for - into Dave Starsky. While David Soul brings humility and quiet strength into Ken Hutchinson, together they really are quite something. Then you have the coolest sidekick on '70's TV Huggy Bear played by Antonio Fargas though acquiring odd clothes he usually hogged the best lines! The second and third season is really when Starsky & Hutch is at it's finest: whether it goofing around in Las Vegas or on an exotic island, the stories are gripping in one minute then sensitive and serious in the next. My particular favourites are 'Murder on Playboy Island', Starsky's Lady, 'A Body worth Guarding', 'Murder at Sea' and 'Gillian'

First Season is slow but has some memorable episodes, the fourth is very gritty, realist and uneven at times. Showcasing the actors' restlessness. But episodes like Targets without a badge and of course Sweet Revenge proved that the show still had some sparkle left, pity really......

Little Women (1994)

If this film doesn't take your heart...nothing will!

[10/10 · 18 September 2006]

And no I'm not exaggerating! I have been a Winona Ryder fan for many years and think this is her best performance, she persists with the character with great dedication, Jo March is one of literature's most famous heroine's and you get the idea that Ryder knows that fact very well. Susan Sarandon plays the saintly matriarch and keeps together the kind of family that you would gladly die for. Trini Alvarado, Claire Danes and Kirsten Dunst are admirable as Meg,Beth and Amy - Alvarado in particular giving grace and elegance to the responsible Meg.

The score alone should be praised to high heaven because it's as beautiful and heart-warming as the film itself, Thomas Newman's 'Orchard House' is like listening to a brass band in a shopping mall at Christmas! A wonderful treat for the ears! Christian Bale was a good choice as the loyal but secretly lovesick Laurie. Gabriel Byrne is dignity personified as Professor Bhaer who proves the suitable match for Jo who is forever searching for something extraordinary - helpful to hopeless romantics when she eventually finds it in the very last scene. One which every upcoming writer (including myself) would almost sell their souls to experience! A marvellous film....WATCH IT!!

Kelly's Heroes (1970)

Stop with the Negative waves!!!

[9/10 · 8 June 2006]

This brilliantly manic film was Hollywood's second message about the madness of war (the first of course being M.A.S.H) starring the ever-steadfast Clint Eastwood as a battle-weary lieutenant who learns about a stash of gold: Only problem is it's behind enemy lines, but the prize is too much to ignore so he sets about bringing a motley crew of soldiers together. His recruits range from the hard-boiled yet disciplined Big Joe (a great turn by Telly Savalas) and the relentless hustling of Sgt Crapgame (Don Rickles) The platoon start off reluctant and wary of their mission but soon slip easily into being soldiers of fortune as well as warfare and the comradeship is soon apparent as they battle the Germans while trying to find the banks that houses the gold.

This film also has one of the best show-stealing characters in Cinema, the loosest but most lovable of loose cannons; Tank Commander Sgt Oddball (masterful performance by Donald Sutherland) it's well-known he was seriously ill while filming. The film direction is permanently tongue-in-cheek as nothing but the war machines tells you it's WWII; the slang, the attitude everything screams 1960's but that gives you just another excuse to love it!!

The Mysterious Cities of Gold (1982–1983)

They don't make 'em like they used to!

[10/10 · 14 May 2006]

This is my opinion is the greatest most imaginative cartoons ever made, as an X generation child of the eighties I watched this series religiously; From the start of Esteban's Journey from Barcelona to the seven cities of gold in the newly-discovered Americas, I was entranced from the word go; a beautifully intricate story about Esteban an Incan boy raised as a Spaniard on his quest to find his father and his people. His guardian is Mendoza; a navigator who takes responsibility for the boy and his friends Zia and Tao as he knows all three children are connected somehow...The only proof are the mystical medallions that both Esteban and Zia wear. But as with all mercenaries and sailors of this period in history his intentions are not above suspicion.

This cartoon was intelligent and educational and put it rather simply...Mindblowing! The ugly history of conquest is child-friendly but it's still makes for an interesting lesson with the tragedy of the Incan race and man's weaknesses such as greed and power, it's probably down to this that Eldorado became my favourite myth!

All of It; the music, the story, the golden condor the jaw-dropping finale makes it a crime for this series to be forgotten!

MacGyver (1985–1992)

I loved this show!!!

[11 October 2005]

Of all the 80's show intros, this was the best. Yes it did use the clichéd close-up of the 'hands at work' shot (fans of this and the A-team will know what I mean). Richard Dean Anderson was the first time I ever paid attention to the opposite sex and boy did he ever make an impact! For two years I had a ritual where I would stop my Saturday madness for MacGyver.

Everything that summed up the eighties was crammed into this show; the drama of living within the Iron curtain, the yuppie lifestyle, power both corrupted and good. The Narrations I always thought were a bit OTT and how he could build any device like it was a kid's puzzle. It was daft but the plot line man who worked in intelligence was slightly more plausible than a bunch of mercenaries making weapons out of junk.

There was never any violence as such as it highlighted the motto that 'the pen is mightier than the sword'. It was great television with a great theme tune with one of the loveliest leading men ever!!

Drop Dead Fred (1991)

Deserves to be hailed as a classic

[8/10 · 27 September 2005]

Okay it's a little dated but it's still fun to watch. Rik Mayall is a bit of a national treasure over here in Blighty. His comic timing is masterful in The Young Ones and Bottom and Drop Dead Fred is just a feature--length excuse to showcase his talent (or sheer madness, whatever works best) It tells the story of Elisabeth trying to live out her childhood as happily as a child could. But her obnoxiously overbearing mother won't allow her to do what comes naturally to children - play - Her only solace is from her bad-influenced, wonderfully-manic imaginary friend Drop Dead Fred. After a few incidents involving a lot of mud. Elisabeth's mother confines Fred in a Jack-in-the-box. Years pass and an emotionally subdued Elisabeth returns home after a relationship fails, she unwittingly releases Fred and he forces her to look at how neglectful she has been on her inner child and how people have trampled over her as a result.

Fred leads her to this weird illusion of her mind, where she confronts her mother and sets free the inner-child. The fear leaves her and she finally takes control of her life, with this new-found courage and acceptance of Adulthood Fred and Elisabeth finally say goodbye. She goes back to the world with new confidence and he begins another life with a new kid and lots of more mud! (you have to love the last scene it's SOOO SWEET) This rites-of-passage tale is a wacky and wonderful as they come...Come on, it's Rik Mayall with punk hair and a green suit - what's not to like?!

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

So sweet it's almost delectable!

[9 September 2005]

You have to be THE most die-hard, unrelenting cynic not to enjoy this movie. I love it when television networks play this film around wintertime because for some reason it doesn't suit any other time of year. In winter you like to have a comfort zone and this film is it!

It tells the story of lonely singleton Lucy who daydreams of better things while working at a ticket booth and drooling over the secret crush of a local commuter (Peter Gallagher) One morning she saves him from a coming train and while he lies comatose she gets reluctantly cosy with his family. The deceit is understandable and by no means menacing, as it's Christmas the younger brother Jack (Bill Pullman) returns home and subsequently falls for Lucy.

While you were sleeping is beautiful and sweet in so many ways: You are reminded of the more old-fashioned romances of the 40's and 50's. There is not one hint of sexuality or lust in this as the love blossoms between Jack & Lucy is honest, pure and all together endearing.

We all relate to Lucy on some level (a dream trip to Paris, Rome or in this case Florence) So it's hopeful to us all when she gets her happy ending. I absolutely loved it!

The Lost Boys (1987)

Kiefer Sutherland's finest hour

[9/10 · 30 August 2005]

Whenever this film is on the TV, it is always described as 'Kiefer's finest hour' and I absolutely agree. It's hard to believe that an enthralling performance that held such passion and presence was made when he was barely twenty! Most of the film's best moments belong to Sutherland - Apart the Frog Brothers - and although there is a clear absence of the fashion police it's still a cool, slick movie

It tells the story of a divorcée and her two sons Sam and Michael as they move to the 'murder capital of the world' Santa Carla. Eager to make an impression, Michael becomes smitten with a local girl called Star who lures Michael into a world of a Motorcycling vampire gang led by David. At first he sees David as a love rival for Star but quickly realises things are a lot more sinister...

Aided only by his brother and his Kooky comic store buddies Edgar and Allan Frog. Michael does battle with David in a bid to save his family and his own mortal soul. This film is an absolute CLASSIC, I LOVE Everything about this: The music, the suspense, the acting, Kiefer and his sexy snarls....a pity about the mullet and Jamie Gertz performance!

Danny the Champion of the World (1989 TV Movie)

Fabously feel-good stuff!

[10/10 · 28 August 2005]

Some say it's a little overly sentimental and perhaps a little dated but to me this film ranks as one of the best family films going. Maybe it's the nostalgia of watching it as a child or how calm and wonderful village life looked to a young city slicker. It tells the story of Danny Smith and the life he lives as a mechanic's son whose home is a caravan. Jeremy Irons plays William Smith, a widower who raises his son a bit more unconventionally than most

SPOILERS

The plot is set around the Smiths' struggle against a greedy baron who wants the land that the garage sits on. After a few confrontations - one which ends up with the plucky Danny going after his father when he doesn't return from his midnight poaching - They come up with quite an ingenious idea to rid the village of the baron once and for all.

I can't praise this film enough, it's a perfect coming-of-age tale with a wonderful portrayal of a love between father and son. All he more charming when the leads are played by Jeremy and Samuel Irons. It's endearing and delightful to watch - Make sure you see it!

Midnight Express (1978)

Blisteringly Brilliant!!

[10/10 · 15 August 2005]

I saw this movie as a young teenager and if you want to see masterful 24-carat-gold acting look no further than Midnight Express. It's a story of the price you pay for ignorance, in this case it's Billy Hayes' drug-smuggling. Some say that the speech to the judge is racist and crude but you have to realise his character had been subjected to harrowing punishment and cruelty. The performances by John Hurt and Randy Quaid are simply astounding.

SPOILER Brad Davis gives it his all, none more so than in the scene where Rifki uncovers their escape bid slips into madness, destroying the plumbing while trying to get his hands on the traitor. Brad Davis deserved the Oscar for such a performance.

Midnight Express is a brilliant film that explores the fragility of hope, courage and strength of the mind. It's the perfect tribute to Brad Davis' memory - WATCH IT, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!