lacrescenta

I remember seeing this movie when it first came out in the theaters--the L.A. Times gave it a favorable review and it sounded kind of fun. It was.

It's dated now ('80s clothes, '80s politics), but it's an amusing, somewhat corny little movie that will entertain and amuse. I thought that the interaction between the three boys and "their" Russian sailor seemed genuine, and I liked the premise. The scenes where the boys have a "day out" with their new (Russian) buddy are especially fun to watch.

Whip Hubley is cute and likable as the stranded Russian (but, oh, that big '80s hair cut he's got!). Leaf Phoenix (now known as Joaquin) is excellent as one of the boys. (I recall how the L.A. Times review took special note of Phoenix's performance, and predicted that he had a great future ahead of him. Boy, were they right!) Also take note of Benjamin Hendrickson (playing Phoenix's Hungarian father who has no love for Russians). Hendrickson is mostly known for soap opera work, but he has an effective supporting role in this film.

This is a little movie with some laughs and a good heart. It's not a *great* film, but still enjoyable. James Newton Howard (still early in his career when this movie was made) does a good job with the score. I even bought the soundtrack (on LP at the time) and it is enjoyable to listen to on its own!

I wanted to see this movie because I'd read the book by Kristin Gabriel, and I'd liked it very much. While this movie adaptation was different in more than a few ways from the book, it had a similar sense of humor to it and I really quite liked it.

The two main leads (Kim Huffman and Alex Carter) were both well cast in this movie. Huffman plays a pretty caterer with a wholesome but lovely "girl next door" look to her. She's very likable and doesn't have that "self conscious of her beauty" attitude about her. She seemed very natural.

At first you think that Alex Carter is going to be playing one of those somewhat surly "brooding serious cop" types (like we haven't seen enough of *those* types), but instead his character has this dry wit and a smile (when he chooses to show it) that is dazzling. Both these actors make a great couple on screen!

The plot is kind of weak in some ways, but who cares? It's cute. It's funny. It isn't one of those dreary "relationship" movies where the characters don't have enough to do. This tale is full of action and humor. I laughed out loud quite a few times!

Now, granted, this is not up there with the great romantic comedies of all time. But of all the TV-movies based on a Harlequin Romance that I've seen, this is by *far* the best. If you didn't know it was based on a romantic novel, you might not even guess it. It's got action, adventure, mystery, the whole enchilada! And a cast full of eccentric and entertaining characters. Very enjoyable!

It's still early in this series, but so far I've been pleased with this show. I think the chemistry between the two main stars (Tom Berenger and Peter O'Meara) will make it an enjoyable "buddy" show; the forensic element of the stories are fascinating as well.

I am a fan of westerns and this one has an interesting angle: it is set during a time when some modern advancements are being introduced--electricity, the telephone, and some modern forensic techniques, like fingerprints and ballistics.

"Old-timer" sheriff Jared Stone (played by Tom Berenger) is a Civil War hero, and is very capable and experienced in his job. He's not accepting the advance of middle age very well (the first episode has him reluctant to get his first set of spectacles) and he's a little gruff at times. But he knows his stuff, and is a personable sort of fellow that is respected in the town.

"Hot shot" ex-Pinkerton man Larimer Finch (played by relative newcomer Peter O'Meara) comes off as a bit snobby and smug when he first meets Stone, but he's a good sort of fellow too. An Englishman who has been everywhere (speaks fluent Chinese) and is well-versed in the "modern" forensic techniques, he provides a good compliment to Sheriff Stone's old-timer wisdom. Finch is younger and has less experience than Stone does in many ways, but he can hold his own and proves to be a good partner in crime-solving.

So far the mysteries in each show have not been earth-shatteringly hard to crack (I often guessed "who dunnit" fairly early on) but the process these guys have to go through to get to the conclusion is interesting, indeed. The chemistry (sort of an "odd couple") of gruff, middle-aged Sheriff Stone and young, uber-educated Englishman Finch is fun to watch.

There are other characters in the show that are interesting, including the town mortician (can't remember the character's name) who is female (very pretty, of course!) and a former medical student. She's often called upon to do autopsies and perform other forensic-related duties. She's likeable and smart; it's nice to see an intelligent woman in a western show set in this era.

I like westerns, I like Tom Berenger, and even though I've never seen Peter O'Meara in anything before this, but I already like him and think his future as an actor is bright indeed. I think this series is going to be one I will look forward to seeing every week.