rick suvalle |
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In the spirit of full disclosure, I must reveal that I consider the writer of this movie, Rick Suvalle, a friend. I’ve reviewed a couple of his movies in the past, and felt I’d created a bit of awkwardness between us because I tried to be honest as I always do in my criticism. He claimed to appreciate my comments, and by that I mean the negatives I offered up about the films. From what I know of filmmaking most of my problems with those two movies had little to do with the writing. But still, I’m sure my comments stung a bit. For that I am sorry. Don’t worry, we’re still friends. However, I had assured him that instead of reviewing his most recent film, “Scarecrow”, I would merely offer some promotional comments and talk about it in terms of how it relates to my annual month long Horrorfest this year. He seemed nervous at just that prospect, but I insisted that I wouldn’t offer traditional film criticism.
Then I watched the movie, and I really liked it. As I write this I still don’t know if this is going to be some sort of review, but I have to say, I really liked it...
Even the most casual genre viewer knows anytime a group of young people hit the byways for a road trip, it's going to end badly. And if the trip happens to be on the rural roads of a foreign land, you might as well pack body bags along with the beer, condoms and pot.
While the premise of the road trip gone horribly wrong is indeed an overused genre trope, fans shouldn't let that stop them from checking out the Syfy Original Movie Roadkill, which airs this Saturday, April 23, 2011.
Directed by Johannes Roberts and written by Rick Suvalle, this incarnation of the road trip to hell introduces us to five young Americans who decide to hit the back roads of Ireland for a scenic weekend. They haven't seen one another in a while, one of their clan has relocated to Dublin for career purposes, and the group sees it as a chance to reconnect before the grind of adult life begins in earnest. It may also provide an opportunity for estranged lovers to reunite.
I was at the Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour for two weeks. Panels started early; they went all day. Networks talked to us through lunch; they talked to us about things I hope to never think about again; they promised that every high-concept, elevator-pitch project was really about the characters. I was left ice-cold by things that went over well with almost everyone else; I got excited about things that became running jokes. I heard from Harry Belafonte and Oprah Winfrey and Gloria Steinem and Paul McCartney and Davy Jones, and I shook hands with Jon Hamm and remained upright. (BOOYAH.)
But everyone needs a break just for survival — a moment when the brain can go into full and rejuvenating hibernation like a snoozing European hedgehog. That's how I found myself sitting in my hotel room one afternoon, looking at a growing pile of brainy screeners from Showtime and BBC America and HBO and PBS, thinking, "I'm going to take out this screener of this Hallmark Channel romance called Honeymoon For One and I am going to watch the heck out of it."
Pamela Anderson Lee lets costar Molly Culver nab the spotlight in the syndie hit's second opener (written by Rick Suvalle). The "plot"? Culver's Tasha was once brainwashed in a Siberian prison: She snaps into ruthless-killer mode with the trigger phrase "enter the red realm." When Russian baddies arrive to turn Tasha on, so to speak, Val and pals must stop them. Think that's funny? Check this: Val reads Open Toed Monthly magazine; Erik Estrada drops by; and Donny & Marie make a cameo. David E. Kelley will be lucky if Snoops is half this much fun. B+
-Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly
Fans of HBO's award-winning Sex and the City need not fear! The girls are back! Well, sort of. 4 Girls Productions' Cex and the Sity is a hilarious parody of probably one of my all-time favorite television shows.
Now for those living under a rock the past several years (or anyone without cable), Sex and the City was a Sunday night must for many women, gay men, and just about anyone who needed a good laugh and/or an occasional cry. The premise of the show was simple-four beautiful female New Yorkers gossiped about their sex-lives (or lack thereof) and found new ways to deal with being a modern woman. And, as this originally aired on HBO, it was a cussing, no-holds-barred estrogen fest.
Cleverly written by Rick Suvalle, Cex and the Sity, in just about an hour, flips through six seasons of all the great and prominent memories of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda, who, for purposes of this parody, have now become Shari, Mantha, Scarlet, and Cassandra, respectively. But it doesn't stop there.