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Reviews
The Devil and Daniel Webster (2003)
Great cast and an entertaining film!
Wealth. Power. Admiration. They all sound pretty enticing. Indeed many people spend their life in pursuit of these or similar goals and are willing to sacrifice anything and everything in the process. But what if there was an easy way to do it, say, selling your soul? You're not really using it anyways. As the saying goes, the day I decided to do it there'd probably be a glut on the market.
Jabez Stone is, for lack of a better word, a loser. Trying to write a novel and watch a friend pass him by makes him even more angry because "I am a better writer than him!" While lamenting his lot in life he casually mentions that he would give anything to have a successful novel. Enter the Princess of Darkness, stage left.
Although the basics between this movie and the 1941 classic of the same name are similar, there are so many differences (styles of humor, characters, plot, etc) that comparisons are pointless. So I won't even try. "Devil" offers something so few fantasies do these days without relying on endless juvenile scatological humor. I thoroughly enjoyed the transformation that Jabez goes through as he realizes he made a big mistake. Jabez soon discovers that when dealing with the devil - surprise, surprise - nothing is, as it seems.
I have always liked Alec Baldwin since I saw him in "The Marrying Man". Since then, he has proved himself capable of doing both serious ("The Cooler") and comedy roles ("Beetle Juice"). With this part he shows just how versatile he is and does so admirably.
Jennifer Love Hewitt is deliciously wicked in a role that she was born to play (if reports about her are true) and it appears that she enjoyed herself. Her spin on the ultimate temptress is hilarious and personally, I'll take red-haired vixens over horny (or is that "horned") guys any day. Anthony Hopkins, brings the same verve and versatility that he always displays without going over the top. The supporting cast provides the finishing touch rounding out the film nicely. I really enjoyed this film.
Mafiosa (2006)
Why isn't this series on the network? Far better than most!
With all the terrible shows that are coming out on the networks, you would think the TV execs would be smart enough to grab something like this.
Brooke Lewis is perfectly cast as the lead character. In spite of the fact that they couldn't make full use of the production value because they only had a small TV pilot budget, she still manages to shine.
If the networks could have been involved, the producers could have made a more elaborate production with a bigger budget. To add to their obstacles, they have no names involved but in spite of those hurdles, they made a terrific show! The clever part of the script is casting Brooke Lewis and Bobby Costanzo as a father and daughter of a mob family that doesn't have to go out and kill and maim anyone to survive . Costanzo and the others just continue to fumble their way along, trying to find a way to keep their heads above water -- before their organization, or what's left of it, sinks like a rock!! Brooke very subtly maintains control of her father throughout and with her brains (she went to Harvard -- Harvard Beauty School, that is) she manages to help this family survive.
An added bonus is seeing Brooke's talent and beauty which explains how she influences the members of the family. See this film and you will understand why she has impressed me so much.