act2LA Reviews

The Perfect You (2002)

One of those lost, slipped-through-the-cracks, little gems that truly dazzles

[9/10 · 8 January 2007]

Amazing! Over the years, I have discovered some of the most original and memorable films on late, late night TV and this is definitely another one of those little gems. Probably the most charming thing a movie like this can deliver is absolute unpredictability. You watch; you immediately discover these fully-developed, charming, complicated, quirky, fascinating characters -- and they just take over. They simply start to do their thing and it's not like anything you have ever seen before -- because you've never seen these characters anywhere else before. Wonderful! It's called originality and it has become a very rare thing in a movie from any major studio. This film is completely absorbing and entertaining -- every minute is an adventure -- and you just do not want it to end.

You have to wonder -- how did this miss getting noticed when it first came out? Was it a bad title? In this case, it seems they couldn't decide which of the two titles to use. Yes; you will find it under BOTH IMDb-listed titles! Was it simply the failure of the marketing department? Obviously, lame titles and poor marketing have torpedoed the release of many a fine film. But wow -- what an inspired script -- complete with sparkling dialog. The film is superbly directed -- and just look at the class-A on screen talent here! Jenny McCarthy is truly sublime in this role.

SCTV (1976–1981)

Cast members played MANY more roles than are listed under "Cast" !!!

[10/10 · 27 August 2006]

It's a shame so few people have seen this show, which ranks among the most brilliantly hilarious and astonishinly inventive of all television comedy series. It's important to note that the Cast List here is very misleading, noting only one character per actor. In reality, SCTV operated much like MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS, THE KIDS IN THE HALL, and Saturday NIGHT LIVE, programs which it is most definitely AT LEAST on a par with. All these versatile and talented performers played literally DOZENS of character roles -- often pulling off multiple roles WITHIN THE SAME SCENES! The writing and acting talent level on this show was of the highest caliber at all times and they did it all on one of the lowest budgets in modern TV history.

Wildflowers (1999)

Visually stunning, poignant, poetic, moving film

[21 June 2004]

From the opening moments, this film promises to be unlike any of the slick, commercial "product" being made today. The style of the film harkens back to the turbulent, adventurous, somewhat dangerous times of the 1960s and the movie itself reveals how the events of days gone by continue to reverberate through the lives of the following generation. The photography is breathtaking; the editing is masterful; the performances far more than memorable. This is possibly one of Daryll Hannah's finest character portrayals. The story is a very private one -- yet it reaches out to touch the experiences of many who were swept up by the events of a certain time. It has the startling ring of truth throughout. The beautiful ... the sublime ... the tragic ... the heart-breaking. For those whose lives have spanned this period, this is an unforgettably compelling film journey.

Saved by the Light (1995 TV Movie)

Startling spiritual experience based on a true story

[10/10 · 28 March 2004]

Eric Roberts probes the depths of the psyche, as only he can, in a moving, gut-wrenching, sometimes terrifying performance. This amazing true story parallels many documented accounts of near-death experiences -- but with some shocking twists and turns. "People never change" -- you've heard it said at least a thousand times! Well, the story of this man's life certainly flies in the face of that idea. This just may be the ultimate in documented near-death experiences! In all the cases I've read, the person who has "gone to the other side" and returns to the living, no longer fears death. That's true of this individual as well -- but it leads to some unexpected trials and tribulations. Talk about an "extreme" life! In the end, this is a an emotional, gritty, profoundly meaningful, and surprisingly inspiring film.

Waking Life (2001)

Brilliant and fascinating

[10/10 · 11 April 2003]

The film starts out like a typical wandering airhead student film but eventually delivers beautifully on two insightful points: (1) that everyone ponders the same serious issues about life and death and (2) that no two humans have exactly the same thoughts on these subjects. It turns out to be a wonderful testament not only to the universality of life experience, but also to the uniqueness of the individual. This film is a masterpiece of philosophical "improv" in which a very special pseudo-animation technique is used adroitly and brilliantly to advance and enhance the expressiveness of the actors.