Change Your Image
danafranklin
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Frasier: Frasier's Edge (2001)
Ignore the Naysayers - This Episode is a Brilliant Insight into Frasier's Psyche and A Top Ten Episode
To rate this episode as a poor entry is to miss not only the insight into Frasier's psyche that makes him who he is, it also ignores a brilliant script, incredible acting, a magnificent script and spot-on casting with Rene Auberjonois as Frasier's mentor, Dr. William Tewksbury. Their two scenes together rank among the very best of the series. In the short span of 23 minutes, we finally understand what makes Frasier tick. His ability to evaluate his caller's psychological maladies in a few minutes is inexplicably lost on him when he fails to diagnose the cause of his own empty feeling. On the occasion of receiving his lifetime achievement award, it dawns on him, though reluctantly, at his mentor's behest, that hidden behind his cheerful, insightful countenance, is the frightened eight year-old boy who turned his mother's love of psychiatry to a tool of his in order to avoid the devastating emotions caused by the taunting he was subjected to in school. Realizing that his career is finite, with the end now so painfully in sight, brings about an eruption of self-doubt, emptiness, and depression.
Truly a brilliant episode with outstanding writing, casting, direction and acting so seemless that all but forget they are acting.
Frasier: The Great Crane Robbery (2000)
Don't Pay Any Attention to the Naysayers - This is a Funny Episode
Guest star Alan Tudyk does a fabulous job as the stations new billionaire owner. Frasier, hoping that the new owner will syndicate his show, offers to mentor him in the finer things of life, from wine to automobiles to furniture to condos. Instead the owner replicates everything Frasier has, including buying the unit right above Frasier's and furnishing it as an exact replica of it! To rub salt in Frasier's wound, he gets all the credit and accolades, including a featured spread in a home magazine.
This most assuredly is not a two star episode that another reviewer gave. Its a typically hilarious episode playing right into Frasier's insecurities.
It also features Niles and Mel in their great comedic chemistry and timing.
Titanic (1996)
What an Absolutely Horrid Movie
Not only was this a bad Titanic Movie, it was a bad TV movie period. The distortion of the facts is superseded only by the absolutely ludicrous insertion of a fictional rape aboard the ship. The writing is terrible, the story telling distracting and the poor actors have to sludge through wondering they got themselves into. Marilu Henner is rather good as Molly Brown, but that's the sole high point in this worthless piece of work. This movie was thoroughly un-entertaining. I started to record this movie, but stopped not an hour into it. It's not worth the celluloid it's made on! If you see this TV movie appear anywhere ... RUN! HIDE! WATCH SOMETHING ELSE!!
For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Very Good Bond Film; One of the better Theme Songs
The opening sequence is a typical Roger Moore Bond. It is riotous laugh a minute, just tinge of drama, with just the ending the audience may not have expected, but wanted anyway! In my opinion, and that of many friends with whom I saw this film, the Theme song with Sheena Easton is one of the better ones. (Check out how many copies of this single sold at the time). It's actually the last really good one.
The plot is interesting and the casting is excellent. I particularly enjoyed seeing Topel in a really good and varied role for him. The action is great, but it has breaks that allow you (the audience) to catch your breath for a moment!
If only Carole Bouquet would make some moore American Films! She is both gorgeous and talented.
Donny & Marie (1997)
Very Good Talk Show That Ended Well Before It's Time.
This was a very good talk show with a unique format. Sometimes this format (of having about 4 guests per show) was a bit to fast (you didn't really get to enjoy the really good guests) but it did keep the show moving. I was very surprised when it was canceled. I don't think that the "Network Suits" gave this show a fair chance. If they had let it be, I think the ratings would have continued to grow over another couple seasons. In fact, just before it was canceled, I was reading about how well it was doing, so that makes its cancellation that much more mysterious.
Donny and Marie were the consummate hosts. They were kind, friendly and outgoing. With Donny and Marie, what you saw is what you got..two very genuine, real people, who between them, had a boat-load of talent. Similar to Johnny Carson (the Talk show host against whom all others are judged), made their guests not only feel welcome, but enabled them to just be themselves, and be at ease, something a lot of guest don't seem to be able to do on many other talk shows.
This was a quality show that ended much to soon.
Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey (1988)
A very good movie; Sigourney Weaver is perfect in the role
I have owned this movie for over ten years, and have seen it about a dozen times. It is a truly riveting, and interesting story. I had read about Dian Fossey in a magazine article only a few months before the movie came out (I didn't know one was being made about her). I thought the movie portrayed her story quite well. The characters are well rounded, and the acting is top notch, and the drama is as good as any film. The ending, while sad, is true to life, and I don't think you can improve on that. I highly recommend this movie, especially to those who 1) love animals 2) are concerned about wildlife and it's preservation 3) are a Sigourney Weaver fan