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j-e-klamut
Reviews
Smith (2006)
Smith Is Fascinating, Fresh and Inventive...
John Wells' new show is by far the most original show I've seen on network TV in years. Ray Liotta, Amy Smart and Simon Baker are extremely effective in their roles as members of a gang of sophisticated thieves who lead otherwise normal lives. Virginia Madsen is also effective in her role as Ray Liotta's spouse.
The premiere episode was outstanding and I could not wait to see the second episode, which was even better than the pilot. The writing is terrific, the action is well-paced and suspenseful and while the characters are perhaps amoral, they are well drawn and I found myself wanting to know more about each one of them...
Edgy, fascinating and flawless!
In the Deep Woods (1992)
Surprisingly Well Done and Suspenseful Thriller
I saw "In The Deep Woods" yesterday on the Lifetime Movie Network. I expected an entertaining, but formulaic movie (i.e. the typical woman in jeopardy type of thing that Lifetime often shows), but this film, which depicts the story of a serial killer who preys upon successful young women and leaves their bodies in the deep woods, is well acted, well crafted, and keeps you guessing until the very end. It is a dark movie, very atmospheric and almost noir-ish, and reminded me somewhat of the 80's classic, the Jagged Edge.
Rosanna Arquette turns in a solid performance and it made me wish we had the opportunity to see her act more often in challenging roles. Anthony Perkins, probably in one of his last film roles, is also very effective as a mystery man on a mission who is investigating the deaths of the victims for his own reasons.
In summary, it's chilling and involving and much better than most films of this genre. A good film for a snowy Sunday or even better, for one of those nights when you just can't get to sleep.
The Stepford Wives (1975)
An atmospheric suspense thriller where the everyday becomes chilling
I read The Stepford Wives when I was 12 years old and have re-read it several times since then. Ira Levin's specialty is taking his characters from seemingly ordinary live situations and building a quiet sense of menace and unease.
I originally saw the movie as a teen-ager in 1976 and thought it compared very favorably to the book. Great casting; Katharine Ross is a superb Joanne and I appreciate her understated performance even more nearly 30 years later. You feel her uneasiness, her wariness and her disbelief as she grows to realize that the men of Stepford are killing their wives and replacing them with robot replicas who are fascinated with housework and compliant in the bedroom.
While womem and male-female relationships have progressed over the past 30 years, there is still a long way to go and females are just as guilty of perpetuating the stereotype of a dependent, submissive housewife. The themes and fears are universal and timeless, sexism in America unfortunately is still rampant and both women and men are conflicted about their roles. The film has an atmosphere where the everyday environment becomes filled with menace and the ending stays with you, long after the film has ended.
I highly recommend this film as well as Ira Levin's novel. Worth reading and worth watching - more than once (especially on a rainy or snowy evening).