nikita_5952 Reviews

CSI: Miami (2002–2012)

A Valiant Effort. . .

[28 November 2002]

It's a pretty good show, but just not nearly as good as the original. CSI casts too long a shadow and the Miami version is lost in the comparison. The cast is not as good. The stories are not as good. Maybe if it didn't have such big shoes to fill, it would seem better. But that's not the case. I much prefer Crossing Jordan on NBC for this time slot.

Crossing Jordan (2001–2007)

I Love It. . .

[28 November 2002]

So I note some mixed reviews here . . .hey, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. So I guess I'll add mine. The show is good. A nice mix of medical/crime drama and the personal lives of the characters. I've read where some said that the idea of the M.E. solving a crime is ridiculous. I don't see how that can be the case when coroners and M.E.s are often given the evidence to decipher it. Of course it's dramatized . . .IT'S A TV SHOW! If you want pure science and pure fact then flip over to A&E or Discovery and watch a documentary. Not saying that such shows are without merit; I enjoy them immensely. But if you want a good mix of forensics and crime story mixed up with the complexity of some admittedly very quirky characters (we all know some weird ones and you'll probably recognize the traits in a few of your own acquaintances), then check out Crossing Jordan. It's an hour well spent and much better than it's rival CSI: Miami I think.

The Princess Diaries (2001)

Pretty Woman for the Young & Innocent

[19 November 2001]

In my opinion, the team that has brought us films such as Pretty Woman has done it again. Right down to the makeover. It's a feel good story where the heroine is the underdog, but she still comes out on top. It's a cute and sweet film. No, it won't win any Oscars or Golden Globes, but I found it very enjoyable as did the group I saw it with. I wouldn't immediately write it off as a "bubble gum, teenybopper flick" even though it does have Mandy Moore in it. It's perfect for a group of girls no matter how old to enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It's a great film for a mother/daughter day. If you're looking heart-stopping thrills, a tearjerker, or an emotional rollercoaster, go elsewhere. But if you just want to enjoy a simple movie rooted in simple values of family and friendship, pick this one up. And just one more note, Anne Hathaway is a promising young actress as she showed in the short-lived Fox show "Get Real" as is the actress who played her best friend, Heather Matarazzo which she has proven in more gritty roles she has played in guest spots on ER and Law & Order.

Save the Last Dance (2001)

More Than I Expected

[7/10 · 16 January 2001]

Okay, so it won't bring home a little golden guy. . .it's from MTV Films for crying out loud. But who says everything has to? I will say this; this movie actually had a little more substance than what I walked in expecting. I went to the theater on opening night with 5 girlfriends expecting to hear some good music and see some good choreography and scenery of Chicago--a city I dearly love. I got all of that. But I also got a glimpse of broken homes, the dynamic between a father and daughter who don't know each other, friends who've gone by the wayside that you still don't want to let go of, I could say more. Oh, and the thing that really still pisses people off though it's 2001. . .interracial relationships. I'm not saying the plot isn't a little rehashed, but there's not a whole lot that's new out there. No, it's not a great film--I give it a B, but I'd see it again. In fact I did see it again with another set of friends on Saturday night. All in all, I saw this movie with 10 friends of varying sex, age and race and all of us liked it. I think that's a pretty good showing.

Dirty Dancing (I) (1987)

Cheesy Romance. . .It's Not Necessarily a Bad Thing

[7/10 · 10 January 2001]

Okay, so no one ever accused this film of being artistic and critically acclaimed. But so what? It's one of those guilty little pleasures. It's the perfect slumber party flick whether you're 13 or 30. I literally think that the phrase "chic flick" was coined with this movie in mind. I don't expect guys to understand--unless said guys understand what it's like to be a pre (or just post) pubescent 14 year old girl enamored with the likes of Patrick Swayze, ready to swoon at the sight of him in a black tank top bumping and grinding his way across the floor. Sure it's juvenile and the acting is not Oscar quality, but there's something in it for every girl who has had a secret crush on an older guy or the "bad boy". Like much 80s music, it's not great--hell some of it's downright bad, but you love it anyway. So if you're feeling frivolous, in the mood for a totally improbable romance and some good old music, then this is a good choice. It was created for you, 4 or of your closest girlfriends, popcorn, and a pint or 10 of Haagen Dazs.

Cooley High (1975)

A Little Known Classic

[9/10 · 4 January 2001]

You want a movie that'll take you places? Well this is a good pick. If you were an adolescent in the era portrayed in this film--the hayday of Motown--or if you want to reach back and see what your parents made so much noise about, I suggest you pick up this flick and give it a watch. At the risk of sounding cliche, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll reminisce and remember. You'll go back to a time when school violence was a fist fight. You'll recall with fondness your best friends from school. It's a feel good movie with an edge of angst and pain and realism--misconceptions, losing friends, deciding what to do with your life. I think everyone regardless of race, age, socioeconomic standing can pull something from this movie and really enjoy it. So take a couple hours out of a lazy day and check out this film; there are much worse ways you could spend your time.

Varsity Blues (1999)

More Than I Expected. . .

[8/10 · 3 January 2001]

I admit that I didn't see this film at the theater because I expected it to be Dawson's Creek (not that it's a horrible show) reborn in small town Texas. However, I was pleasantly surprised. What's that you say? A group of 20 somethings passing themselves as teens actually. . .ACTING! Seriously, it's a more than decent flick. It actually deals with some valid and realistic issues that face highschoolers and adolescents no matter what the size of their city and school and stresses principles and convictions as opposed to some elusive image of teen perfection. It actually shows that the football team is not a group of no-necked idiots. Who would've thought.. .brains and brawn. It also hits how in some places football equals life and the consequences of that mentality. It was not at all the teeny-bopper rehash that I expected. I'd recommend it. Check it out.

Chiefs (1983)

Riveting and Classic. . .

[10/10 · 3 January 2001]

This miniseries was released when I was 6 years old. I remember it clearly. I remember my family watching it and taping it. The fact that we still own the original old VHS tape that this movie is on should tell you something about the quality of this movie. We haven't seen fit to tape over it in 18 years. There aren't many things you can say that about today. This movie touches on everything--all the hard issues. Racism, abuse, runaways, murder, molestation, decline of family values, cowardice, fear, political scandal--shall I continue? In fact, it does more than touch on these things. It winds and weaves them all cohesively together into the tale, the story, the history, the life of a town called Delano and its people. This is all beautifully acted with performances from some of the greatest film legends. And I can assure that even if you don't recognize the name, the work is more than noteworthy.

I honestly can't tell you how many times I've watched and rewatched this miniseries over the years. The only problem I have is that I don't know how to get a hold of another copy. After nearly 2 decades, mine is pretty worn out.

I have seen this title for rent at the odd movie rental store over the years. If this sounds like your thing, pick it up and watch it. You most definitely will not be disappointed.