Romi Stepovich’s answer to What are some great noir films based in Los Angeles?

Film & TV reviews by Romi

• Episodes: some thoughts on the series and the Season 2 premiere
  Last season, I was on the fence about the Matt LeBlanc comedy, Episodes.  I couldn’t decide exactly how I felt about it, although I found myself drawn to the show every week.  First of all, it was a mix of British and American television comedy which is, for American television, I would argue, a bold [...]
• Showtime’s Summer Dramedy Hour is back: Weeds and Episodes premiere, part 1
  I always like to wait a bit before I judge. I’ve spent time mulling over both of Showtime’s summer Dramedies:  Weeds and Episodes.  While Episodes can be thought of as an understated comedy that satirically examines the television industry, from concept of a series to its premiere, Weeds can be seen as a black comedy [...]
• True Blood Season 5 Premiere: Turn! Turn! Turn!
  By the time most shows make it to the fifth season, I find myself both pleased the show I like has survived but I dread that this might be the season the entire narrative falls apart. It tends to be a challenge by the time American television programs make it to the fifth season.  Part [...]
• ABC’s Missing: soapy anger and violence
  I decided to reserve judgment on ABC’s Missing.  Not because I didn’t like the pilot, I did.  It was slick, compelling and full of clichés, yes, but still, I didn’t get distracted or want to turn it off.  No I was drawn into the screwed up world of Becca Winstone  (Ashley Judd).  Who was this [...]
• Romi Stepovich’s answer to What is the best french new wave film of the 60′s?
  I never feel there is a “best” because there were so many different films made during the New Wave in such a short period of time, that I believe it is better to give a sampling of what could be considered the best. First, there is Agnès Varda‘s classic, Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962). [...]
• Romi Stepovich’s answer to What are some great noir films based in Los Angeles?
  Detour (1945, Edgar G. Ulmer) – only part of this is set in Los Angeles but it is certainly a classic and worth watching. Mildred Pierce (1945, Michael Curtiz) – while this is also a melodrama it’s definitely also noir.  The updated HBO version is far more melodrama. In A Lonely Place (1950, Nicholas Ray) – [...]
• Romi Stepovich’s answer to Were there any workplace comedies – film or TV – before women became a significant presence in the white collar workforce?
  In terms of television, I think it’s significant to note that in I Love Lucy, Lucy is constantly trying to become a presence in the workforce but is continually thwarted by Ricky.  That entire show is about a woman attempting to break out of the housewife mold and find her place in a working world. Along with [...]
• Revenge: “Commitment” episode review
  Our commitment to our choices tells us and others who we are.  Ok.  I will buy that.   I always love the ‘profound’ opening thoughts of Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp), philosopher and destroyer of lives.  The big question for Emily is (and this is a spoiler alert):  now that Emily knows Charlotte (Christa B. Allen) [...]
• Smash: will it rise and shine or crash and burn?
  I probably shouldn’t admit this but I am not a Glee fan.  Oh I started out liking it well enough.  It was new and fresh for about five or six episodes.  I didn’t actually like the cast’s renditions of songs.  Then it hit me:  I don’t like the show because they are ruining songs I [...]
• Jane by Design: ABC Family’s newest installment in female wish fulfillment
  I guess I missed the memo that told me if I needed to get a paying job in New York City, what I really needed to do was go back to high school, apply for an internship in fashion and accidently get hired as a top designer’s new executive assistant for a part time rate [...]