coffee-cat

Did the actors lose a bet? There is some serious talent in this movie, but it was all wasted. The writing was bad, the acting seems to be phoned in, and I'm not sure the director even showed up. In short, it's a bad attempt by a group of film school drop-outs. I love Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton, but they should hang their heads for even being associated with this flick. Most bad movies are funny simply because they ARE bad movies. This bad movie is just...sad.

I watched the first season with my daughter. We were both enchanted from the beginning. I should mention that she's addicted to Disney shows but finds the lack of truly smart characters a problem. In this series, the acting, writing, science and directing are more than merely competent. The girls are likable, cool, and smart. This is not your typical geek-turned-savior story. There are also no damsels in distress or princesses waiting to be granted life by an unwitting prince. The plots are aimed a bit above the usual tween show, but the science is not so over-the-top that younger girls will feel perplexed. In short, science is good, smart is cool, and Danica McKellar is a genius for bringing this to our children. Please release more episodes of this show...fast!

I won't disagree with those who say this an awful movie. But it is an interesting bit of movie memorabilia. This movie was most notable for two things: First, Clark's directorial review. Second: The fact that Jayne Mansfield was slated to star in this movie but her untimely death saved her that agony. I still have the original poster with her name on it.

The movie was not filmed exclusively in Miami, but parts of it were filmed in the Southeastern Pictures studio in Lehigh Acres, Florida. Producer and investor David Putnam was the famed owner of Binney-Smith Crayola Crayons and Putnam Publishing, as well as the step-son of Amelia Earhart.

I know all of this because my father was lighting director on all of Southeastern Pictures' films, as well as a sometimes stunt man. If this movie isn't your cup of tea, then you should definitely try out "Cotton Pickin' Chicken Pickers." The script isn't gold, but the cast is, featuring, among others, silent star Lila Lee, Slapsy Maxy Rosenbloom, and Slim Pickens. Oh, the movie is perfectly awful, but I'll watch it a dozen times just for the chance to see my father drive an air-boat across land or bend an amphi-car in half.

God bless!