swtweath2

What a great episode. Ignore the haters - this Star Trek was written for a different generation and stands on its own. This wasn't a typical Star Trek episode, but it served the purpose of giving us closure on one storyline while learning more about the doctor. I'm really enjoying this show.

I wanted to like this show. I wanted to love this show. But so far it's just bad. The characters just stand around talking but nothing keeps them together. You kind of feel bad for Alex, but then you realize they've literally stolen this entire idea from the Today show. Maybe the space show will be better. This one is not worth the investment.

I could watch this movie from end to end over and over again. Just as I could read Janet Fitch's book cover to cover and then start it over again. I'm torn between whose performance is better -- Alison Lohman or Michelle Pfeiffer. I think I've decided after several viewings from the time it came out on video in 2003 until now that Pfeiffer's performance is stronger. I can see so much of my own mother in her haunting portrayal of a perfect mother who could turn evil in a second and did by killing her lover. The movie itself focuses on Lohman as she transitions from foster home to foster home after Pfeiffer is sentenced to 35 years to life in prison. The screen just eats Michelle Pfeiffer -- her long blonde hair is perfect in every scene, including the time she's in prison. The book describes her as beautiful and the role was cast well. Pfeiffer is stunning. The supporting cast is equally strong, most especially Robin Wright Penn and Renee Zellweger. Wright Penn is outstanding as a Bible-beating trailer-ish (they don't actually live in a trailer) foster mother. Astrid (Lohman) enjoys this place at first, but she and Wright Penn's boyfriend Ray (Cole Hauser; in a performance that made him a star) fall for one another.

All around well worth the time and energy in seeing it, White Oleander is and remains one of my favorite films.

7/10; 3 of 4 stars.