Saturday, March 31, 2012

The Client List (Lifetime) - Television Review




It's a whole lot of sexy...or at least that's what they want you to believe.

Jennifer Love Hewitt returns to The Client List playing a similar role with a different name. After the success of the 2010 television film, Lifetime revives the movie's concept and turns it into a television series with Jennifer Love Hewitt on board as executive producer as well.

The series follows Riley Parks, whose family is dealing with some financial difficulties leading her to take matters into her own hands by taking a job at a day spa. A mother with a strong moral conscience, Riley initially declines to taking on the spa's "special" clients, who pay a hell of a lot more in tips at each appointment. When Riley's husband disappears however, she is left with a financial debt and mortgage to pay, leading her to reconsider her initial decision.

From the revealing music video to the billboard ads of Jennifer Love Hewitt in lingerie, Lifetime was really trying to sell this show as 'sexy.' But the only thing sexy about the show's premiere episode is its lead actress. There's a whole lot of leg and back rubbing, a few implied handjobs and even a shirtless Colin Egglesfield in one scene, but all that adds up to merely be awkward or uncomfortable in the end. In fact, the "client of the week" who Riley tends to ends up only wanting to talk to her about his personal relationship issues rather than engaging in the risque experience the spa has to offer.

The episode spends a lot of time setting up the premise of the show, but viewers won't really get a sense of what to expect each week. Will there be a "client of the week" format? Or will Riley's moral dilemma be drawn out to span an entire season when it could in reality be accomplished in the span of a 2-hour TV movie?

I'm not quite sure The Client List entirely works as a series, and while the show does boast a talented cast, the actors are merely left with tacky dialogue and mediocre (and predictable) storylines to work with. And for those coming to expect something sexy and edgy, you might want to stick to your HBO or STARZ programming instead.

The Client List premieres Sunday, April 8 at 10/9c on Lifetime.

Mirror Mirror (2012) - Film Review



Mirror Mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? If Hollywood has anything to say about it, it would be new "it" girl Lily Collins.

Collins, daughter of musician Phil Collins stars in the live action adaptation of the popular Grimm fairytale, the first of two Snow White films to grace the big screen this year. Directed by Tarsem Singh, Mirror Mirror is a visual feast. From the colorful and elaborate gowns to the sweeping majestic palace, the film overachieves in providing plenty of eye-candy to look at. It certainly helps to have an attractive cast as well, with Lily Collins as Princess Snow White, Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen and Armie Hammer playing Prince Charming.

Mirror Mirror is essentially told from the perspective of the Evil Queen, played with poise and hilarity by Miss Roberts herself. The comedic tone of the film carries over to the seven dwarves, whose each unique personalities are not identical to the dwarves from the iconic Walt Disney animated film.

Where the film works is its visuals and comedic jokes, but halfway through the film the story seems a bit too ridiculous and drawn out at times. A black magic-induced battle scene takes place at the house of the dwarves as they face off against giant wooden puppets, which are incredibly executed with CGI but lacks a plausible reason to be in the film's narrative. And while some jokes are laugh-out-loud funny, it is not to say that there aren't jokes that misses the mark as well.

Both Armie Hammer and Julia Roberts deliver splendid performances, but all eyes were on up-and-comer Lily Collins, the latest "it" girl in Hollywood. Did Collins prove herself as a credible actress? Certainly. But does she leave a memorable mark on the iconic role? Not quite. Collins certainly is talented and pretty, but she doesn't quite standout in this film. In fact, between Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen, the Seven Dwarves and Armie Hammer as the Prince, Collins somehow just gets lost in the mix.

Mirror Mirror was campy fun and pure family entertainment. And for those looking to relive their childhood fantasies by seeing the legend of Snow White come to life, then this may be the escapist fun for you.