Translucid2k4
Joined Apr 2005
Welcome to the new profile
Our updates are still in development. While the previous version of the profile is no longer accessible, we're actively working on improvements, and some of the missing features will be returning soon! Stay tuned for their return. In the meantime, the Ratings Analysis is still available on our iOS and Android apps, found on the profile page. To view your Rating Distribution(s) by Year and Genre, please refer to our new Help guide.
Badges3
To learn how to earn badges, go to the badges help page.
Reviews19
Translucid2k4's rating
"Arrested Development" is a character-driven American comedy television series. And it's good. REALLY good.
I first caught this programme by chance, here in the UK on BBC Two in the early hours one morning. The show was given minimal promotion when it first started airing here, and as in the United States - remained firmly cult throughout it's three year run. The lack of mainstream success for this programme is somewhat baffling to me, but it's quite progressive in every which way so perhaps it never had much cross-over potential.
"Arrested Development" fits into that recent sub-genre of television, Spoof-Documentary. But it brings many new elements to the genre, and it's hard to really categorise this show since it's pretty much one of a kind.
One of the elements of the show that never fails to make me laugh is the way in which the camera is used. Shot using a single-camera set-up, the producers of "Arrested Development" have used the camera as a tool in ways we've never seen before. Every jerky move, every shake, every reaction shot are used with incredible precision (and restraint) in order to heighten the comedy at every moment.
The script, of course, is superb. The repartee between the characters is the best you'll ever hear. The Bluth family is a complete and utter mess - 10 times more dysfunctional than the Simpsons - but you'll never tire of the characters or the ridiculous circumstances they find themselves in. This is one of the most bizarre programmes ever, some of the events that take place can only be described as outlandish - but the writing is so sharp, witty and precise that everything just works, you accept everything for what it is.
As you can probably tell, I'm pretty enamoured with the Bluth family (weird, right?). This is the most consistently hilarious, original and easily the smartest comedy programmes to come out of the past decade - and I'm tempted to say the best comedy programme ever to come out of America. If you've any self-respect, you'll rent out all three seasons of "Arrested Development" immediately, if not sooner.
I first caught this programme by chance, here in the UK on BBC Two in the early hours one morning. The show was given minimal promotion when it first started airing here, and as in the United States - remained firmly cult throughout it's three year run. The lack of mainstream success for this programme is somewhat baffling to me, but it's quite progressive in every which way so perhaps it never had much cross-over potential.
"Arrested Development" fits into that recent sub-genre of television, Spoof-Documentary. But it brings many new elements to the genre, and it's hard to really categorise this show since it's pretty much one of a kind.
One of the elements of the show that never fails to make me laugh is the way in which the camera is used. Shot using a single-camera set-up, the producers of "Arrested Development" have used the camera as a tool in ways we've never seen before. Every jerky move, every shake, every reaction shot are used with incredible precision (and restraint) in order to heighten the comedy at every moment.
The script, of course, is superb. The repartee between the characters is the best you'll ever hear. The Bluth family is a complete and utter mess - 10 times more dysfunctional than the Simpsons - but you'll never tire of the characters or the ridiculous circumstances they find themselves in. This is one of the most bizarre programmes ever, some of the events that take place can only be described as outlandish - but the writing is so sharp, witty and precise that everything just works, you accept everything for what it is.
As you can probably tell, I'm pretty enamoured with the Bluth family (weird, right?). This is the most consistently hilarious, original and easily the smartest comedy programmes to come out of the past decade - and I'm tempted to say the best comedy programme ever to come out of America. If you've any self-respect, you'll rent out all three seasons of "Arrested Development" immediately, if not sooner.
'Soapdish' is one of the best, yet least well remembered comedies of the 1990's. The film revolves around the various off-camera drama's that occur behind the scenes of a cheaply produced Daytime Soap Opera. The first of the film's various impressive strengths is it's fantastic A-List cast. 'Soapdish' features some of the greatest actors and actresses of it's era.
The film is superbly led by Sally Field, as the neurotic ageing actress Celeste Talbert (She famously throws a tantrum when put in a costume that makes her look like "Gloria F*CKING Swanson!"). Her supporting cast reads like a who's-who of 90's Movie Greats! Whoopi Goldberg, Robert Downey Jr, Teri Hatcher, Kevin Kline and Kathy Najimy all elevate the film greatly. Goldberg is predictably excellent, whilst Downey Jr.'s and Hatcher's performances hint at the comedic excellence they would later achieve.
In terms of writing, the film is outstanding. There is a really modern edge to the script, which strays into the wonderfully bizarre on several occasions. There also several visual gags that are quite ahead of their time. In some ways, the film is reminiscent of Mel Brooks at his best and frequently reminded this reviewer of 'High Anxiety' (1977). Much of the film's humour hinges on it's often scathing, but pretty accurate, representations of daytime television and of neurotic and pretentious actors. For example, The extras casting session featuring the exploitative executive played by Carrie Fisher, is both hilarious and honest.
'Soapdish' is, for my money, one of the very best comedies Hollywood produced during the 1990's. It's excellent script and A-Class cast make it a must-see. It's hard not to love this film after it's kept you laughing for 90 minutes.
The film is superbly led by Sally Field, as the neurotic ageing actress Celeste Talbert (She famously throws a tantrum when put in a costume that makes her look like "Gloria F*CKING Swanson!"). Her supporting cast reads like a who's-who of 90's Movie Greats! Whoopi Goldberg, Robert Downey Jr, Teri Hatcher, Kevin Kline and Kathy Najimy all elevate the film greatly. Goldberg is predictably excellent, whilst Downey Jr.'s and Hatcher's performances hint at the comedic excellence they would later achieve.
In terms of writing, the film is outstanding. There is a really modern edge to the script, which strays into the wonderfully bizarre on several occasions. There also several visual gags that are quite ahead of their time. In some ways, the film is reminiscent of Mel Brooks at his best and frequently reminded this reviewer of 'High Anxiety' (1977). Much of the film's humour hinges on it's often scathing, but pretty accurate, representations of daytime television and of neurotic and pretentious actors. For example, The extras casting session featuring the exploitative executive played by Carrie Fisher, is both hilarious and honest.
'Soapdish' is, for my money, one of the very best comedies Hollywood produced during the 1990's. It's excellent script and A-Class cast make it a must-see. It's hard not to love this film after it's kept you laughing for 90 minutes.
"Just Shoot Me" was a highly successful American sitcom that ran for 7 seasons between 1997 and 2003. It's one of the finest television comedies you could ever hope to find, with a superb cast and a script that is consistently of the highest quality. In short, this is one show you can't afford to miss.
The most crucial element to the show's success is probably it's excellent ensemble cast, who have such great chemistry and work so well together. Wendie Malick steals the show for me. She is flawless as the ex-Model whose personal life is full of dubious activities (and various substances!). Malick injects real humanity to Nina Van Horn. The character is, in my opinion, infinitely more interesting than the frankly ridiculous Karen Walker of rival show "Will and Grace". Laura San Giacomo gives a typically assured performance as Maya. George Segal is also superb, and David Spade can always be relied upon for a laugh.
The writing is the spine of any Sitcom, and "Just Shoot Me!" has one of the best there is. Great, witty repartee between the characters and some pretty great character development go towards making this show what it is. Who ever thought the simple line "My friend Binny..." could be so hilarious? Why the show didn't pick up several Emmy's for it's cast and writers I'll never know. Truth is, it's much better than many of the shows that have triumphed at that particular awards show. Another great thing about the show is that it didn't outstay it's welcome - there were 7 great seasons of the show and it most definitely went out on top.
"Just Shoot Me!" is everything Sitcom should be. Witty, intelligent and with a wonderful cast portraying diverse and realistic characters. This is as good as it gets.
The most crucial element to the show's success is probably it's excellent ensemble cast, who have such great chemistry and work so well together. Wendie Malick steals the show for me. She is flawless as the ex-Model whose personal life is full of dubious activities (and various substances!). Malick injects real humanity to Nina Van Horn. The character is, in my opinion, infinitely more interesting than the frankly ridiculous Karen Walker of rival show "Will and Grace". Laura San Giacomo gives a typically assured performance as Maya. George Segal is also superb, and David Spade can always be relied upon for a laugh.
The writing is the spine of any Sitcom, and "Just Shoot Me!" has one of the best there is. Great, witty repartee between the characters and some pretty great character development go towards making this show what it is. Who ever thought the simple line "My friend Binny..." could be so hilarious? Why the show didn't pick up several Emmy's for it's cast and writers I'll never know. Truth is, it's much better than many of the shows that have triumphed at that particular awards show. Another great thing about the show is that it didn't outstay it's welcome - there were 7 great seasons of the show and it most definitely went out on top.
"Just Shoot Me!" is everything Sitcom should be. Witty, intelligent and with a wonderful cast portraying diverse and realistic characters. This is as good as it gets.