lizzie1125 Reviews

The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003–2023)

Funny AND Positive Show!!!

[10/10 · 12 November 2004]

...and yes, you do learn something.

Ellen, of course, is hilarious but _never_ in a demeaning or crude way. Always positive and complimentary in a honest (I feel) not fake way!

She changes things up a little and I am liking that. She also has some fun people on. I have so far saved only two episodes to tape: James Spader speaking so eloquently after his Emmy win and Jamie Foxx doing some wonderful music! I'll be looking for Jamie Foxx's upcoming CD.

Just a lot of fun and sincerity on this show -- oh, yes, and dancing.

MacGyver (1985–1992)

My Most Favorite TV Series of All Time

[10/10 · 12 November 2004]

This show had a kind, intelligent, athletic, good-with-his-hands fellow from Minnesota (bonus: he is good-looking). I cannot ask for much more than that. The show was funny, good hearted and adventurous all at once. It should have gotten Emmy nominations but I think it was unique for the time. Now, shows that are similar are finally getting recognized.

The first five seasons were really the best; the last two seasons went for surreal moments of going into Mac's dreams and back in time. But, overall, it was always worth watching.

Once this baby is on DVD, I am doing all that I have to to own it!! Hopefully, someday soon....

Keeping the Faith (2000)

A fun, heart-felt movie that deals appropriately with its religious undertones.

[10/10 · 22 April 2000]

I am Catholic and was concerned when I read that a priest falls in love with a woman in this film. Much to my happiness, the movie does well in making one realize that priests are human. I also have been aware of Edward Norton's work since seeing him in "Larry Flynt vs. the...". Unfortunately, I have yet to see other works of his but with my curiosity peeked, his having starred, directed and produced this film instantly won me to go.

The film decently portrays these human beings of faith and deals with the very constant issue of God in a serious and, well done, light hearted tone. They are not too passe' as to make you feel they have no real convictions but then they also keep open to the masses. I am concerned that the "old-fashioned" belief of waiting until marriage for sexual relations has seemed to totally gone out the window; I thought the Jewish faith believed that, but then the priest, who knew since he was 8 of his calling, has had sex, and I _know_ the Catholic faith still has strong convictions on waiting, but I see that not much of a story line may have transgressed without that aspect in this film. Maybe that issue will come up in some other film in the future. The aspect of the rabbi and priest falling in love is a reality. I am ecstatic of the straightforward realization that the priest, to stay a priest, cannot go with his drive and that the rabbi is under the realization that certain factors of his life do effect his congregation and their view of him as a spiritual leader. Their mutual love interest makes it more understandable as she is delightfully played and is erroneously affectionate at times, thus making the priest's feelings more forgivable and the rabbi a very blessed man. All characters are going through very believable situations and that is what makes this movie so universal.

I overall give it a ten, yes, a perfect 10, since it not only deals universally with a very touchy subject but it did deal with it in a strong light of the respective faiths and overall views of God. It was a perfect example of what _many_ feel today, and that is what movies do, portray our current views, help us not to feel so alone and, hopefully, to make us look in the mirror, too.