doctorj-1 Reviews

Defying Gravity (2009)

In Space No One Can Hear You Yawn

[4/10 · 16 June 2010]

I really wanted to like this one, but that was before i actually saw the episodes. My initial disappoint was that even though this is being billed as science fiction, there's no science in it unless you count name-dropping 'nanotechnology' every time there's something the writers can't explain - like the hair spray that causes hair to hang down in zero gravity. On top of that, it's not even futuristic: people in 2052 wear the same clothes, use the same cell phones, etc. as people in 2008.

What this is at the core is a soap opera. Apparently some committee decided that they could appeal to all viewers by copying parts of different genres and pasting them together at random. There's the relationship dramas cloned from "Grey's Anatomy", a space ship (uh, wait, make that a HAUNTED space ship), some action, some hints about a conspiracy by the powers that be, and occasional reminders of baseball. It may as well have been called "Defying Logic". Is it even remotely plausible that a multi billion dollar space agency would pick a bunch of astronauts for a six year mission whose personalities are absolutely guaranteed to clash?

Ask a Ninja (2005 Podcast Series)

Priceless Comedy

[10/10 · 14 April 2010]

For starters, this is not a television show as such, but a video pod cast - one of the originals. The basic concept is that viewers write in with silly questions and the Ninja gives them silly answers. It sounds simple, but the wit is so sharp as to make this a must-see program. Pop culture references fly by so fast you will probably need to pause several times per episode to catch them all.

The only regular cast member is the Ninja himself, although from time to time a member of his 'family' or other special guest drops by. Over the years his repertoire expanded to include musical performances (showtunes *and* hip-hop), movie critiques (his assessment of "Pirates Of The Caribbean" is hilarious), and commentary on social issues of the day. "Ask A Ninja" is thoughtful, funny and deadly!

Send Me No Flowers (1964)

Good Cast, Poor Script

[3/10 · 15 February 2010]

Three stars out of ten.

There's some funny material here, but some actions are just plain arbitrary. Towards the climax, Doris Day is leaving Rock Hudson and goes to the train station, but changes her mind and decides not to buy a ticket. After arguing with her husband, she gets upset and goes home to pack! Huh? Why wouldn't she have brought her luggage with her when she was getting ready to leave??

I really think the earlier scripts written by Stanley Shapiro were better stories.

The opening scenes of advertisements for remedies playing while Rock Hudson turned in his sleep was funny enough.

Every time Doris Day looks in the medicine cabinet or otherwise deals with his pills, there's a little sound effect that plays. I found it rather distracting, like something from an annoying children's movie.

Tony Randall has the best jokes, especially while he's working on the eulogy.