eae Reviews

Wild Wild West (1999)

Inspector Gadget Does the Wild West

[2/10 · 25 July 1999]

A hapless special effects extravaganza that may have more relevance and appeal to viewers aware of the original television series. Unfortunately the target audience missed it by 30 years. The female roles seem to have been injected at a late stage to spice up a caper movie that falls as flat as the mechanical spider that threatens the US Presidency - or something. The villain (a dwarf in the tv original) has no legs, which I suppose is a pc compromise, but how refreshing it would be to see a disabled person in a life affirming role.

I saw this with my polite 13 year old, who didn't want to watch South Park with his Dad. He said it was "quite good" which clearly justifies my vote of 2 out of 10.

Fishing with John (1991)

fishing tv for people who don't fish

[16 May 1999]

I have just discovered this 6 part series on Bravo in Canada and have made it part of my must-see tv schedule. From the doleful signature tune to the Armageddon '50s voice overs, this quirky travelogue is about the guy stuff between fish that mainstream fishing shows edit out. Now if I could just get the "Fishing With John" theme out of my head ...

Stella Does Tricks (1996)

more than cliches about underage prostitution

[7/10 · 8 May 1999]

Stella is victimized, but uses her anger to fight becoming a victim. "You don't know who I am," she tells her pimp, who has given us every reason to think that his stereotypical view of her is complete. Through flashbacks to daydreams, Stella's life has been an escape from harsh reality. Will she be able to pull off her best trick - going straight?

Lots of surprises from the casting and portrayal of Stella's pimp to her visit with her father. I wish her well.

Boston Kickout (1995)

(not) as bad as you wanna be

[6/10 · 8 May 1999]

A Boston Kickout is the act of vandalizing the neighorhood yards, uprooting plants and trampling gardens. It's behavior that a group of middle-class wannabe bad lads in a culturally bleak new town outside of London continue more from habit than conviction as they confront life after high school. What begins as a fast paced albeit low budget buddy movie becomes a more intelligent coming of age story with the appearance of Emer McCourt as the Irish lass who wants to have fun. Seems the answer to the main character's problem was to get laid - which was my theory when I was his age.