callalily Reviews

Legally Blonde (2001)

Go see this movie, but only if you are tired of vapid teen-flicks starring the shallow likes of Freddie Prinz Jr.!

[20 November 2001]

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. It's not a dumb teenager romance. It's not some Shakespeare or Jane Austin story pathetically modernized.

Granted, you might not think so given the protagonist Elle Woods -- dumb, rich blonde sorority girl who gets into Harvard Law School -- but Reese Witherspoon gives her Malibu Barbie Doll character both charm and substance. This movie could easily have taken a campy turn for the worst, but it doesn't. It's sticks to its theme -- be true to yourself and believe in yourself -- propelling the protagonist along a path she never would have chosen for herself, a path none of her family or friends would have encouraged her to take. This movie could easily be compared to another "coming of age" film, RISKY BUSINESS. Both protagonists have very different futures planned for themselves at the beginning, both encounter obstacles and unexpected twists of fate, resulting in their characters growth and development. Both Joel and Elle are changed by their experiences in the "real world" -- in the end, the naive teenager is gone and the young but maturing adult who is ready to face life has begun to emerge.

In my opinion, the casting of this film was spot on. Leave the rehashed, MTV-soundtrack-inspired, teenage romances to Rachel Leigh Cook and Freddie Prinz Jr., because Reese Witherspoon is far too busy acting like an airhead to actually be one.

Players (1997–1998)

A smart, funny program with a dynamic cast and brilliant writing!

[13 July 2000]

Players was gem of a program amongst a sea of muck. The writing was fabulous -- clever, well plotted out, intelligent. The three leads -- John, Ice-T, Costas -- had such superb on-screen chemistry. Despite their obvious physical and personality differences, it wasn't at all hard to believe that these three would have found each other and hooked-up. I especially liked the plotlines which conned the audience as well as the bad guys. There are far too many shows which condescend to the audience instead of drawing it in. Too many shows which assume the audience is either brain-dead or permanently stuck at age thirteen. This show could have been a stupendous hit if the people in charge had not done what they always seem to do -- not advertise, not promote, shift time slots, pre-empt.... Intelligent shows need an audience which can find it week after week. When will the tv execs realize that?