Pranksalot Reviews

Living Proof (2008 TV Movie)

Not an ordinary Made-For-TV-Movie

[10/10 · 20 October 2008]

There is always a negative connotation with TV movies. And from the looks of most TV films, it is safe to assumed so. TV films tend to be films that have recycled material so many times that we can predict every scene which in the end muddled the message. But once in a while, there is a diamond underneath all these TV garbage. If we hold on to such stereotypes of TV films we will most likely missed the few good ones. I'm glad that I watched it after all. The reason I was interested in this TV movie was because of the cast, primary Amanda Bynes.

This movie will inform you of things that most of you have may have not known about Breast Cancer. Who knew that there are so many obstacles in getting a drug approved by the FDA. This movie celebrates the struggle and success of a man who was optimistically determined to get his powerful drug approved and tested. He did not do it alone; he received help from his supporting wife, his assistant, and his friends. It shows the importance of having friends and family who care and support you.

Due to such a large but impressive cast, each actresses are given small allowances of scenes. But each actress "hit out of the ball park" and put good to use with their limited scenes. My favorite cancer patient would be the Seahorse-Tea Powder lady; her last scene will make you wept twice. Amanda Bynes dramatic debut was a huge success. She does bring some of her lovable humor in at the beginning of the movie, but becomes serious towards the end of the film. She also made good use with her limited scenes. I look forward to Amanda's future darker roles. The last scene of the movie is memorable, Oscar-Worthy even.

GO watch this movie. It is worthwhile. You will be entertained, your tear ducts will overflow, you will laugh, and most importantly of all, YOU will learn. I can't get over the shock that Lifetime could come up with such a great, well-made film.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

A So-So Experience. Sigh...Could Have Been Better...

[4/10 · 15 July 2008]

I never heard about Mamma Mia or any Abba songs until I saw a teaser of this movie. But I have to say I love musical films and I always give it a chance before I judge it. Don't bash or flame me, but this musical film is a so-so experience. I would put Mamma near the bottom of the list for modern musical movies alongside with Rent and Meet the Producers. Chicago, Sweeny Todd, and Hairspray were like WOW. They took me out of this world into somewhere new and enjoyable.

Most musical movies I seen always have a spectacular musical number in the beginning. The beginning of this movie failed to entice me. Amanda Seyfield have the sweetest voice, but she have little to no screen presence. Whenever she appears, I don't see any star quality in her. Her facial expressions are horrible and sometimes I can see the stupidness of her character Karen from Mean Girls in certain scenes. There are many dialogues in the film where she failed to deliver it with justice. I can imagine other actresses who could recite lines that would hit it out of the ballpark. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme or Money, Money, Money...whatever that song is called was frighteningly scary. I like cheesy in moderation, but that song number went a little too far and did not fit in with the movie. The director needs to make many of the scenes more realistic. In theater you can go flamboyant and electric, but in movies you need to tone it down a bit. Donna's friends are hilarious and they steal every scene they appear in. Meryl Streep was good in several memorable scenes but her forte is not in comedy. Her feeble attempts at comedy, nice try but go back to what you are good at. I give her credit in her singing though. Dancing Queen number, poorly choreograph. I cringe when Meryl jumped on the bed and when the women all jumped down into the water. They did not take the title "dancing queen" to heart. I don't consider all the Greek women waving their hands, pointing their fingers around, and jumping really dancing. Sophie's love interest acted way to cocky in his first musical number of the movie. Amanda's voice was amazing in that number. But the part with all those swimmer dancers made me want to vomit. I crack out laughing when Pierce (Sam) sang. I can't imagine how bad his singing really is without technology enhancing it. It must be a great deal of ugliness. I wonder if the background music added later on in his song is to somewhat drown out his voice. Christine was a knock out in her song after Pierce's song. But at the end of the number when all the guys collapse into the ground, I cringed at that part. I don't understand why Sophie's fiancé is making such a big deal about Sophie wanting to know who her father is. Sophie and Sky chemistry in the movie is rather weak. I love the song that Donna sang to Sam. It was Streep only decent number, very romantic and sad and emotional. When Sam shouted her name "DONNA" I again cringed in that number. The scene where Sophie's 3 possible fathers give away Sophie was wickedly funny and memorable. But I was like WTF when Sophie axed away the wedding. All the hard work and trouble put into the wedding. I would understand if she doesn't love him, but she is planning to go on a somewhat honeymoon anyways with her fellow. This movie has little to no morals. I would consider before even taking kids to see this movie and if I did...I would explain to them afterwards what the characters in the movie did wrong and how you should not follow their examples with their own life. Sam asking Donna to marry him immediately is non-sequitur. They have been separated from each other for many years, they need to re-date and get to know each other again. This is a horrible clique done in many TV shows. Pierce singing to Donna right when he proposed was dreadfully awful. The song number at the dinner table was hilarious! Colin firth was very charismatic in the film; I wished he was Sam instead of Pierce. I notice that the cast had fun making the movie so I commend them for their efforts, but energy was rather lacking in some parts of the movie. The scenery background was breathtaking.

Overall this movie is a forgettable piece of fluff. I would not waste 6-10 dollars for this film at the theater. I would wait for it to come out to DVD to check it out from the library for free or borrowing it from a friend or I guess you can view it online. I wouldn't say this movie is a waste of time but I would only view it once.

2 out of 5 stars. It is a rather generous score. It is just that I love it when the cast put out effort and have fun in a movie regardless of how good it is. I think this movie could have been better with a better director and choreographer as well as replacing some of the actors. Streep was decent in the movie. Amanda Seyfield has a lovely voice, but that is not enough.

Sydney White (2007)

Charming as well as Hilarious

[10/10 · 20 September 2007]

This movie is a rarity, genuine humor is displayed throughout the film without using sex jokes/raunchiness references. That's is what comedy films need to strive for which is clean wholesome humor unlike movies such as SuperBad, Borat, Wedding Crashers, and Knocked Up. I know it's difficult with today's society to come up with clean jokes with what is shown on television now days, which is why Sydney White deserves several rounds of applause. I can't even think of a college movie which does not have at least one dirty joke or being as wholesome as this film. According to an article Amanda is the one who told the writers to tone down the script and not make it raunchy. Amanda Bynes as the leading performer in this movie is phenomenal. She is hysterically funny as well as being cute as a button. Amanda is destined to have a long career in the comedy field since there isn't many actresses out there who can even "do" comedy. What Amanda have and not many other actors/actresses is her facial expressions. Her facial expressions makes the movie 10 times better. It's as if Amanda is two actresses wrapped in one.

I really like Amanda's interaction with the dorks, the scenes when they are all together...it's the best. Matt Long is charming as the prince. His type of character is rare in movies and in real life. He's handsome, funny, and do charity work. Amanda Bynes and Matt Long have great chemistry, makes me wish they will date each other in real life.

Cyrstal Hunt is funny as the airhead southern buddy of Sydney. The weakest link of the movie would be Sara Paxon, but she improves throughout the movie. There is some clichés in the movie, but what movie doesn't? Every movie borrows somethings from other resources. Another rare thing that this movie have would be that it actually teaches a great lesson which is to be yourself and not to conform.

Lovewrecked (2005)

Lovewrecked Scores it All

[10/10 · 4 December 2006]

Lovewrecked was funny without dirty scenes you would usually see in comedy/teem comedy films. Lovewrecked is one of those rare films that will appeal to all ages. This movie is hilarious, everyone loves to laugh right. The actors are all very attractive, guys and gals will be pleased.

This movie would actually been wrecked and tore apart had Amanda Bynes not being casted in this film. She brings life and so much energy in every role. Her wonderful facial expressions keeps you enchanted and want to keep your eyes on her during the entire film. You can definitely tell Amanda is not a party girl in this film, she is so energetic in every film, not once does she ever looks tire or sluggish. This movie is like what happens if Lucille Ball is stranded in an island. You know that in every episode of I love Lucy, Lucill Ball is obsess with a Hollywood star and would do whatever it takes to meet them. Well Amanda (Jenny) is obsess with The famous Roch Star Jason Master.

There are so many funny scenes and romantic scenes in the movie. You simply can not imagine any other actress tackling Amanda's role in this movie. Amanda is so believable as an obsess fan that you thought that she might actually be one.

The place where the movie was filmed is just stunning beautiful, it was just smart to put an equally beautiful actress in the background. a great movie for your Amanda DVD collection. This may be Amanda last PG movie so enjoy! Can't wait until her movie Hairspray and Sydney White and the Seven Dorks comes out!

She's the Man (2006)

She's The Man had Audience Roaring...It made me believed that this movie was made by the creators of "I Love Lucy"

[10/10 · 10 May 2006]

She's the Man was shockingly more wonderful than the trailer led on. I thought that the trailer has shown all the good stuff and that the rest of the movie will consist cheesiness in between the few good scenes. I proudly declare my opinion Wrong, and I was glad that I went to see this hialrious film. This was the first good movie that I have seen for this year and is a great start for the rest of the year. I love the spider scene and the tampon scene the best in this movie.

Amanda Bynes is a very talented gifted girl. It's as if Lucille Ball, Juila Roberts, Carol Burnett, Marylin Monroe, Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon were running over her body in the entire film. She makes the scenes that would be tiresome in any movie pass away with ease. Give this girl a script, no matter how terrible...She would make the movie and her character likable. Lindsay Lohan And Hilary Duff better watch out, the true Teen Queen is coming close to whooping you out of Hollywood. Amanda Bynes has got to be one of the most Versatile actress/actor since the likes of Jim Carey, Eddie Murphy, and Tracy Ulman. She has to play soccer in this film, pretend to be a guy and a girl, a whole gag of hilarious stunts, and so much more! This girl will be a long term star. Cna't wait for what her future holds for her. Lovewrecked seems very interesting...It was suppsoe to be release last year!