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paul1645
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A Family Matters Christmas (2022)
A waste of time
I wanted to like this. I really did. But aside from the name, this movie has none of the charm and comedy of the 90s series we all love. The only cameos are at the beginning with Jo Marie Payton and Kellie Shanygne Williams. Both of whom are so overweight that they are nearly unrecognizable from their original parts. And they play depressing, not funny, characters. I think it's an absolute abomination that they dared use the series name without a single appearance by Urkel, who was the real star. Once the main part of the film starts, it's nothing but a garbled attempt at a Hallmark film attempting to center around a tired old body switch theme already seen in many films. I was seriously bored after just 5 minutes of watching and there was nothing that happened later that got me back into the film. You would do much better with almost any regular Hallmark movie. Or watch the original series again for some true comedy.
Naked and Afraid of Love (2021)
No teamwork, just trash
I can't believe Discovery would choose to air something like this. It belongs on VH1 or TLC. The "survival" aspect is extremely watered-down and there is NO INDICATION that the participants are ever going to face any of the real hardships that the participants of the original show do. Yes, the place does lack the modern amenities of a luxury hotel, but their shelters are already built, finding food and water is very easy in whatever location they are in (which is never revealed, but it looks much less severe than the typical tropical environments of the original show), and every 2 person team has not only the fire starter, pot, and cutting tool, but also at least 2 other items PLUS a "personal item" that is non-essential to survival. It's much more on par with the show "Survivor", except instead of a money prize, the prize is a love connection...if the participants are lucky enough to find it. Add to that a VERY annoying-sounding female narrator and you got this show.
If you're a fan of dating show drama with a bit of naked aspect thrown in (with the parts still blurred out of course), then maybe you can enjoy this mindless drivel halfway. Otherwise, skip it and stick to the original show.
Turner & Hooch (2021)
It's fun!
Ok this show is far from perfect but it's hardly horrible! I actually enjoyed watching it even without considering the nostalgia factor. Most people I know would classify it as "cute." Definitely made for a younger audience than the original film was, but all the actors are quite nice-looking and they really are not as bad as some of the reviewers say. I've seen much worse. The transition into the dog acceptance was a bit fast, but it had to be in order to fit it into the 47 minute episode. I did genuinely laugh at some of the Hooch reaction moments and antics, and was rooting for the dog as intended. Go ahead and watch with your family, you won't be disappointed.
Bobby and Giada in Italy (2021)
Worth the introductory price!
I'm a big Food Network fan, and this is the show that convinced me to try the discovery+ channel (as a Verizon customer, I got it free for six months anyway). I'm half Italian, so the regions visited and recipes tried had special meaning for me. Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentis have a great time in various regions of Italy, sampling local cuisines from unique little cafes, diners, and in a few cases luxury restaurants. And it's not just the classics like meatballs, pasta, and pizza, although those certainly figure in heavily to the trip! They have a world of fun trying their hand at making the recipes, and the "family" vibe of the people Giada interact with, especially where she sprinkles in a few Italian words of greeting, make this a very enjoyable watch! Highly recommend!
The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)
Oy...this show gives me a massive headache...
I can't add much to the nightmarish comments of the other reviewers on this one, except for me to say that they are all correct. I was an early grade school kid (and quite a huge Star Wars fan) when this abomination was shown on national TV, and even at that age I remember seeing several much-hyped advertisements for the show weeks prior to its airing...and then being very disappointed to the point of nearly crying when it turned out it was actually airing past my bedtime, and happened to be a day my parents went out to dinner and told the sitter that I had to be in bed after the first half hour of the show was done, no exception (and of course, it never would be aired again after that day).
I realize now they actually did me a really big favor, keeping me away from it, once I finally got the chance to see the whole thing several decades later. I really wished I hadn't wasted my time.
Fire and Ice (1983)
A good time-killer worth a look
I'm probably one of the few reviewers here who is not an animation geek.
I'm a very simple viewer and watch things purely for the entertainment value they were intended for. All those behind-the-scenes "extras" (such as who Bakashi is, past and previous works, history of the actors, etc.) and other trivia I leave to the geeks who enjoy that kind of stuff. Truthfully, I don't care much about all of that.
That said, I decided to watch this one because of my geek friends who recommended it, plus it was actually available on Netflix streaming.
The animation is well-drawn and fun, nostalgic to the "Thundarr" cartoons I used to watch as a kid, except with better body representations, excellent for the animation techniques available at the time. The muscular lines of the hero are nice, and the princess is one hot number spending the entire film barefoot and wearing only a scant minimum thong (the occasional "nipple poke" views are a nice touch too).
Some of the effects could use a little work, like that of the ever-growing glacier which seemed a bit too choppy to me, but the motion of the characters was actually very well done.
Not much in the plot department, simple good (Fire) vs. evil (Ice) in a fantasy world with a few bits of sword and sorcery thrown in for good measure.
And the dialog is second-rate, quite cheesy, but most animated films are not meant for that anyway. And fortunately, there really isn't very much of it.
I say give this one a shot. It's not going to blow you away, but it's a good way to kill an hour and a half with sufficient action and eye candy that you won't be totally bored.
Keep America Singing (1994)
Great Barbershop Singing Entertainment!
Not one person I've ever shown this video to has been disappointed, whether they are experienced singers or have never heard of barbershop quartets. It features some great barbershop quartets singing comedy songs like "The Cockroach that Ate Cincinnati" and "The Elmer Fudd Song." as well as those old heart-wrenchers like "Tura Lura Lura (Irish Lullabye)" and "Sweet Adeline." In addition, even novices to this type of performance will recognize and appreciate "Old MacDonald" with its series of hilarious animal jokes and the incredible voice arrangements of "Stars and Stripes Forever" and "Unchained Melody." Some songs are also performed by the champion barbershop Southern Gateway Chorus. Mitch Miller, looking extremely healthy and fit at 83 years old, ties everything together with a brief history of barbershop singing and a tribute to this unique American style. I highly recommend it!