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Reviews
The Wizard of Speed and Time (1988)
1000 special effects do not a move make... to paraphrase The Bard
While this movie (and it's 10 min short film progenitor) was clearly made in earnest and the handmade special effects have merit, as a film it's narrative is flimsy and the overload of special effects from start to finish grows tiresome after the first 20 minutes. Put another way, this movie is simply a one trick pony that gets worn out far too soon.
The Adventures of Pete & Pete: Day of the Dot (1993)
Day of the Dot explores romanticism in the most original and unexpected places
There are so many unique and wonder filled Adventures of Pete and Pete. Day of the Dot is still in the 90th percentile by my examination. Not to be brushed off simply as some "kids" program, it plunges the depths of human emotions and is completely refreshing.
See it several times, pause and rewind scene by scene. Don't just watch it, savor the bouquet, drink in every precious marching step of this episode.
It hits all the right notes and doesn't miss a beat. From hydrogen atoms that might have fused, to the Voodoo Crispy, Diesel Jerk and the Love Roller-coaster.
Along the route of this episode's narrative, there are suggestions about the pure absurdity of our own existence at every turn (eg. Members of the band seriously consider the plans of the self obsessed band dictator to win a lackluster contest).
Move on to ALL the other episodes, and when the time is right, watch this one again. You won't be disappointed!
Visionaries, McRobb and Viscardi produced these gems in what will become the "Golden Age" of cable TV. The planets and stars were aligned in some mysterious configuration which may never be attained again. We are lucky enough to have The Adventures of Pete and Pete as recorded evidence of such an event.
Finding Graceland (1998)
Hopeful but in the end just unsatisfying
Finding Graceland starts out as a potentially insightful character study but seems to be caught in a limbo between much better films it aspires to emulate. Even though the narrative is simple; Byron Gruman (Johnathon Schaech) stumbles across a drifting Elvis impersonator (Harvey Keitel) and the two take a ride off to Graceland/Vegas or some such destination. This would have been sufficient if the characters were clearly drawn, think "Goodbye Solo". Even though the performances aren't awful, the screenplay is awfully weak. It tries to steer into the territory of suspended disbelief like 'Moonstruck' or comedic excess like 'Honeymoon in Vegas' but unfortunately all four tires are flat and the motor is in dire need of an overhaul. Better steer clear of this 1 1/2 star 'flick' and look elsewhere for the real Elvis.
Dreams and Desires: Family Ties (2006)
Animated version of a phoney and artificial "reality" program falls flat.
One thousand channels and nothing's on. Simply call it the 'Boob tube'. You get the idea...
So many of these channels are saturated with blatant infomercials and hack wannabee producers groping for even a few eyeballs to curry favor with household product makers to grab some advertising revenue. That seems to be the genesis of so many "reality" programs.
Among those hoards of unimaginative 'media moguls' few have the artistic talent to draw and animate a piece of work like this.
It's quite apparent that the narrative of 'Dreams and Desires' is not about your old aunty fumbling about with her shiny new video camera while she makes her way around town.
In fact, it lacks any substantial narrative at all.
While I admire the talent and animation style of 'Dreams and Desires', the narrative, which is little more than a cheap imitation of those "reality" programs, leaves me cold.
If Joanna Quinn had shown half as much imagination in developing the narrative as she obviously displays in the animation, this could have been an excellent effort.
Maybe she never saw the PSAs (public service announcements) for 'turn off the TV' day?
Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man: Ebony, Baby (1997)
More atmospheric than frenetic...
Another episode in season 4 (like 'Bev takes a holiday' / 'Haunted Plumbers society') that shifts Duckman towards atmosphere rather than sticking to its' frenetic approach of the prior 3 seasons. Lacking much of the slick witted Duckman rants, these episodes are really more plodding and less interesting. In some instances, they almost swerve into sentimentality. Egad! Overall, better than average TV fare but by this time the series is well past it's prime. I suggest you go back and watch the first three seasons (in order) and enjoy the best of the series and appreciate the fact it managed to keep up the quality for so long. Happy viewing.