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Reviews
I Don't Know How She Does It (2011)
Watch the trailer, skip the movie
I enjoyed the lightweight book "I don't know how she does it" when I read it and was excited to see a movie being made about it. Unfortunately, the previews were better than the movie itself.
The movie itself did not draw me in to care about the characters the way the book did. This could be due to the time constraints of the silver screen, but I think it was more due to a poor screenplay adaptation that introduced too many characters with too little development. I also disliked how the characters frequently broke the 4th wall, giving the movie a cheap and overly cheesy feel.
Another poor decision in the making of this movie seems to be the use of established actors and actresses (Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Christina Hendricks, Olivia Munn) in the cast. I think the casting decisions were meat to help draw viewers to the box office, but the film was poorly cast with chemistry that fizzled almost as soon as the movie began rolling.
Regarding the female lead, SJP has never impressed me as an actress, and while she became Carrie Bradshaw in SATC over a decade, she does not translate well to the big screen. I've seen her in The Family Stone, Failure to Launch, and now "I don't know how she does it", and she has failed to be someone I like or sympathize with in any role. She acted particularly silly for someone who is supposed to be an investment banker in "I don't know . . ." and I found myself rolling my eyes at the ridiculous screech/scream that she somehow happens to sneak into any role she plays.
Very disappointing movie . . .
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (2010)
"Real Housewives" escapism at its finest!
I have followed every city's version of the Real Housewives franchise and believe this is the most intriguing and addicting of the franchise thus far.
"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" accomplishes superbly what the initial location - Orange County - set out to show the public: a peek behind the gates and into the lives of the fabulously wealthy. While the initial season of Orange County's opening credits featured an opening gate and a theme song reminiscent of that of "The Twilight-zone", Beverly Hills opens with a theme song as light and bubbly as the pink Veuve Cliqot Brut Rose served at Lisa Vanderpump's restaurant "Villa Blanca." Somehow this seems to convey that peeking into the luxurious worlds of the housewives doesn't feel as voyeuristic as it did when the franchise began.
The Beverly Hills series takes viewers behind the lives of some of the most awesomely wealthy households in America. The extravagances of daily living in Beverly HIlls are incomprehensible to most Americans outside of the 90210 zip code . . . private jets, personal limos, houses full of servants, nannies, cross-continental flights on a whim, and world-renowned designer ateliers on speed dial are just some of the mind-boggling aspects of life in Beverly Hills that make the series deliriously irresistible to viewers. While all of the Housewives series' have showcased those with extraordinary lifestyles, the extravagance of the Beverly HIlls lifestyle is like F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jay Gatsby to the nth power.
Along with the fabulousness of the Beverly HIlls ueberlife is the ueber-drama that accompanies it. Viewers will also find themselves intrigued to see the social foibles of the Hills' women and how they play out over the course of the season, culminating in an explosive finale that involves drama with family members, close friends, and mere acquaintances. At times it is difficult to remember that this portrays the real lives of real people, as the show does such a skillful job of removing the viewer from everyday reality with its portrayals. Each installment of Beverly Hills promises to keep viewers on their toes and attuned to the nuances of every character's mannerisms, conversations and body language, and eagerly anticipating the next week's episode.
Is your interest piqued yet? If you want to find out more, just watch what happens :)
Southern Belles: Louisville (2009)
Falls short of "Real Housewives" or SATC, but not bad!
This series has been compared to both Bravo's "Real Housewives" franchise for its reality element as well as HBO's "Sex and the City" for its angle on single life in a city. It is neither, but for a new SoapNet reality series, it doesn't disappoint.
I'll admit to having a soft spot in my heart for the series because I once lived in Louisville. I felt that the series showcases some highlights of the city in its shots of the beautiful parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, as well as local businesses (such as Heine Brothers Coffee, Captain's Quarters, Blink Boutique, and Clodhoppers). For a city of its size in the south, Louisville has a surprising amount to offer. The show also captures the undertones of "tradition" in Louisville, with its storyline frequently revolving around the romantic interests of the main characters; the idea that something is "wrong" with any single woman over 23 is - unfortunately - alive and well in the south.
What I didn't like was how contrived the show seemed at times. While some of the girls are friends in real life, or at least run in the same circles, bits of the drama felt concocted for the cameras (eg: Hadley's romantic relationship with Russ) or the friendships forced. The girls previously knowing each other may have been good for screen chemistry, but I felt like that kept from showing some of the true diversity that I encountered while living in Louisville.
All in all, I enjoyed the series. I lived away from Louisville at the time and looked forward to Thursday nights reliving my days in the city. Although it does not appear that there will be a 2nd season, I will enjoy catching the show on Hulu from time to time when I need a Louisville fix.