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LoweyJackson
Reviews
Amanda Knox (2011)
Respectable entertainment
This is the first Lifetime movie I have seen. If the quality of "Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy" is any indication, I have misjudged this oft disparaged enterprise. It is respectable entertainment, written with a decent sense of dramatic tension and cast with a good eye for accurate representation. With the exception of the actors playing Rudy Guede and Patrick Lumumba, much of the cast looks the part and many bring a certain skill to their roles. The use of Italian scenery is a bonus. I like the careful line the movie walks; never spelling out exactly what happened and allowing Amanda to seem both sympathetic and possibly complicit. Marcia Gay Harden nails her scenes as Amanda's fretful mother, and the movie manages to make the Italian police seem reasonable in their suspicion. All in all, this is an entertaining movie that adds another dimension to this over-exposed case.
That '70s Show (1998)
A delightful show
I discovered "that 70s show" a few months ago and absolutely love it! I am not the target demographic for Fox sitcoms, and avoided the show initially, but on the advice of a friend tuned in. I was pleased to discover that this show transcends the boy-centric silliness the network is known for. Topher Grace heads the cast, and he is a perfect mixture of earnest leading man and goofy comic. His timing and expressions are enough to elevate the show above standard sitcom fare. Eric's now long standing relationship with neighbor Donna (Laura Prepon) is one of the best sitcom romances I've seen. Watching it unfold in reruns over the past few months was absolutely delightful. Laura Prepon, while not Grace's acting equal, is nonetheless a great match for him, and a refreshing face in Hollywood. And that hair! If there are any redheads left on the planet with low self-esteem they need to watch this show. Also a standout in the cast is Danny Masterson as Hyde, a droll charmer who earns the distinction as being the most realistic looking character on TV. I think everyone went to high school with someone who looks like that guy. Ashton Kucher may get all the attention, but Hyde's the man.
I really can't get enough of this show. It's funny, nostalgic, and romantic. It has produced a previously unimaginable feeling in me... I actually feel nostalgic for my high school years.