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Boston Legal starring James Spader, William Shatner & Candice Bergen

Posted on June 11, 2011 Written by ripitup

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Boston Legal starring James Spader, William Shatner & Candice Bergen. Feat. Mark Valley & Julie Bowen.
Boston Legal starring James Spader, William Shatner & Candice Bergen. Feat. Mark Valley & Julie Bowen. Image via telechimp.com

Introduction to Boston Legal’s Characters in The Practice

The best way to start watching the legal drama/comedy Boston Legal is to watch the 8th (=last) season  of the legal drama The Practice. Both shows were created by David E. Kelley. The Practice’s main character Bobby Donnell (Dylan McDermott) left the show after the end of season 7, though he did guest-star in the final two episodes. Along with Bobby, several other main characters left and the show was introduced to a kind of lawyer we haven’t quite seen the like of. This new lawyer was Alan Shore (James Spader), an old friend of Eleanor’s. Alan was very creative, “ethically challenged”, fun-loving and most of all a kick-ass lawyer. The fact that he was ethically challenged worked very well for his clients who were being screwed over by giant corporations, or the government.  He was in nature a very decent man, and he didn’t really let his legal obligations get in the way of helping his clients. But this nature wasn’t welcomed by Eugene (Steve Harris) or Jimmy (Michael Badalucco) and finally they fired Alan. But they didn’t fire Alan before accepting the millions of dollars he brought to the firm. So Alan went to the law firm Crane, Poole and Schmidt (the very firm Boston Legal takes place at) and hired two attorneys from the firm, one of them being the legendary yet aging Denny Crane (William Shatner).

While Denny strikes Alan odd at first, he slowly gets used to his theatrics and Alan wins the trial after giving Eugene’s firm hell, in his very own fun way. Denny loves Alan and decides to hire him, preparing us for Boston Legal’s first season.

Boston Legal Characters, Plot and Attitude

Our highly interesting, entertaining, sexual and intrinsically decent Alan Shore starts working for Crane, Poole and Schmidt. While much of his behavior is frowned upon, some of his more “creative” approaches are welcome. The firm also welcomes his friendship with Denny. After all despite all his quirks, Alan seems more normal next to the aging Denny who claims that he has mad cow (as opposed to accepting he is becoming senile or developing Alzheimer’s), hits on every woman (despite being in his  70s), goes around saying his full name – “Denny Crane”- every two minutes and tries to take important cases, to the horror of the other partner/Denny’s ex-girlfriend Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen).

Then there is the younger attorney Brad (Mark Valley)– who, in theory, should be getting along with Denny. After all they are both pro-war, pro-government and they are both ex-soldiers. But Brad is, according to Alan, is more like a Ken doll, and the partners want him to keep an eye on Denny. And Brad is jealous of Alan, because despite being younger and fitter than him, women seem to be more interested in Alan.

 

Enter the British Tara (Rhona Mitra), who had joined The Practice for the last season and when the firm fired her because she helped Alan. Alan helped her get a job at Crane, Poole and Schmidt. The sexual tension and attraction between them keeps growing. Things get further complicated when the young associate Sally (Lake Bell) also becomes interested in Alan. Oh, and she used to sleep with Brad…

 

 

The show focuses on the quirks of each character, as well as their interaction with each other. Alan and Denny become best friends very quickly and almost each episode ends with them sitting on the balcony, sharing a drink, smoking a cigar and discussing the events of the day.

 

**

How Entertaining Is It?

 

Boston Legal is a very fun show. On many levels, its oddball attitude is a lot closer to Ally McBeal (which was also created by David E. Kelly). However it is often funnier than Ally McBeal and a lot lighter than The Practice. The funny thing is that many actors enter and quit the show after staying for one season or less. Of course James Spader, Candice Bergen and William Shatner are regulars. The show also welcomes many familiar guest stars (including  Freddie Prinze Jr., Michael J. Fox and more.)

 

The trials aren’t always funny. Some episodes are emotional, intense and controversial – but the comedy is never ignored. Boston Legal is a wonderful gift to James Spader fans. After all, he gets tons of screen time while playing a very original character. But to be honest, my favorite season starring Alan Shore is the last season of The Practice. It just worked better when Alan was the quirkiest chap around. A much as Denny Crane is usually funny, he sometimes gets too annoying.

 

Still, I watch the reruns. It is entertaining, and the only piece of work where you got to watch James in a starring role for 5 years in a row.

 

Fun notes:

  • Modern Family’s Julie Bowen had a starring role in the series for 2 seasons.
  • Fringe’s Mark Valley had a starring role for 3 seasons.
  • Ally McBeal’s Biscuit John (Peter MacNicol) guest-appeared on the show, playing a totally different character.
  • Boston Legal is actor Christian Slater’s one of favorite shows.

Some Favorite lines: (quotes via imdb.com)

Guantanamo Marine General: (mutters under breath about Alan)  Snide-ass.
Alan Shore: Your Honor, I move to strike. He’s never seen my ass.

Denny Crane: Now, Alan, if all else fails and you think you’ve lost… pretend you’ve won! Works for our president.

**

Alan Shore: Let me tell me two things about myself. I too am a lawyer, I can be painfully vindictive, and I do not play fair.
Lester Tremont: That’s three things.
Alan Shore: See? Not playing fair already. And I’m just getting started.

**

Denny Crane: You’re one of those environmental lawyers?
Peter Barrett: Is there something wrong with that?
Denny Crane: They’re evildoers. Yesterday it’s a tree, today it’s a salmon, tomorrow it’s, “Let’s not dig up Alaska for oil because it’s too pretty.” Let me tell you something, I came out here to enjoy nature, don’t talk to me about the environment.
Alan Shore: All reality, none of it scripted.

**

Alan Shore: What’s your specialty?
Dr. Konigsberg: Couples’ counseling. I first saw the client and his wife together. Since the divorce I’ve been working with him alone.
Alan Shore: So they came to you to improve their relationship, and now one wants to kill the other. Not your best work, was it, doctor?

**

Alan Shore: You know I’m not about to go to Texas and not ride the mechanical bull, Chelina. That would be like going to Los Angeles and not sleeping with Paris Hilton.


Denny Crane: You left me, Shirley. Women don’t leave Denny Crane. And for a secretary!
Shirley Schmidt: It was the Secretary of Defense.


Alan Shore: Objection, your Honor. You can’t preface your second point with “first of all.”

**

 

Also on James Spader

James Spader Trivia: 13 Facts About the 3-Times Emmy Winner James Spader

The Watcher starring Keanu Reeves, James Spader and Marisa Tomei

WHITE PALACE: SEXY ROMANCE with Susan Sarandon and James Spader

Wolf starring Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer & James Spader

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: ally mcbeal, boston legal, boston legal cast, boston legal quotes, boston legal tv series, Candice Bergen, david e. Kelly, James Spader, james spader boston legal, Julie Bowen, Lake Bell, mark valley, rhona mitra, the practice, the practice tv series, W-william shatner

No Strings Attached starring Ashton Kutcher, Natalie Portman & Kevin Kline

Posted on April 3, 2011 Written by ripitup

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No Strings Attached starring Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutche & Kevin Kline
No Strings Attached starring Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutche & Kevin Kline. Directed by Ivan Reitman.

No Strings Attached: Plot in a Nutshell

Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Ashton Kutcher) go way back to summer camp. Never really friends or lovers, they keep crossing paths, until one day they decide to finally have sex. It is fun, and they realize they can just be friends with benefits. Although this is more Emma’s idea than Adam’s, he decides to go with it and live every guy’s fantasy: a no-strings-attached, sexual relationship with a beautiful woman. But Emma is smart, funny and just different, and it doesn’t take long for Adam to want more. And while Emma is also developing feelings for him, she just can’t risk getting hurt. She keeps sabotaging the chances of a relationship. Will Adam settle for the friends with thing, or will he keep challenging Emma?

Details and the Verdict

On the surface, the movie doesn’t seem to offer something new or very interesting. The trailer is sort of funny, but to be honest, I never expected the movie to be this funny. It is often quite hilarious, with some laugh-out-loud moments. Also the trailer hides one of the movie’s biggest gems – Kevin Kline as Adam’s father. Kline plays a morally corrupt (watch the movie to see what he does:)), but loving, weed-smoking famous actor whose fame, and TV show lines, keep haunting Adam. Adam also has to deal with the “wisdom” of his two best friends, Wallace (Ludacris), Eli (Jake M. Johnson).

This movie is full of great one-liners, funny characters, good comedic timing as well as some decent physical comedy on Ashton’s part. Our Oscar-winning Natalie doesn’t disappoint in a comedy. And while Ashton does run the risk of being typecast as the funny but hunky romantic lead, I have no complaints here. The guy knows how to entertain his audience.

Yes, just like almost every romantic comedy, this one has a happy ending. But with romcoms, it is almost always about the journey of the couple, and this one offers a very entertaining one at that. It does inevitably get romantic (and emotional) on occasion, but this doesn’t take away from all the moments it made you grin and laugh.

See it. Currently, 6.3 on IMDB.  I think it deserves a 7.

Written by Elizabeth Meriwether & Michael Samonek.  Directed by Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters series, Six Days Seven Nights).

Fun note:

Boston Legal’s Lake Bell co-stars as Adam’s neurotic and talkative friend/co-worker.

 

Favorite lines:

  • Adam & Emma are having sex anytime, anywhere. At Adam’s house, Eli. comes knocking on the door to complain:

Eli: I can’t concentrate on the porn with all the real sex going on around here!

  • Wallace tells Adam to man-up & (and try to have sex with Lake Bell’s character), right after Wallace has cried at the shooting of the episode Adam has written.

Eli: You just cried at the show!

Wallace:I liked it!

**

Favorite Scenes:

–          Pretty much any interaction Ashton has with Kevin Kline.

–          When Ashton wakes up naked at Emma’s house (from the trailer).

**

Also on Natalie Portman

Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan: The Movie Natalie Portman Couldn’t Save

Love and Other Impossible Pursuits: The Natalie Portman Movie We Aren’t Excited About

Coming Soon:Thor starring Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins & Natalie Portman

Overrated: Closer starring Natalie Portman, Clive Owen, Julia Roberts & Jude Law

Preview: No Strings Attached starring Portman & Ashton Kutcher

Beautiful Girls starring Timothy Hutton, Matt Dillon, Natalie Portman, Uma Thurman

 

Other Posts feat. Ashton Kutcher

Spread starring Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche

Killers starring Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl and Tom Selleck

16 Fun Facts Actor Ashton Kutcher – Kelso from That 70s Show

3 Happy Celebrity Couples: feat. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher

Valentine’s Day starring Ashton Kutcher, Bradley Cooper, Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba & More

The Butterfly Effect starring Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart

22 Tall Actors From Hollywood

 

Also on Kevin Kline:

The Big Chill starring Kevin Kline, William Hurt, Glenn Close & Jeff Goldblum

In & Out starring Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon & Tom Selleck

French Kiss  starring Kevin Kline & Meg Ryan

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Ashton Kutcher, comedy, Elizabeth Meriwether, Ivan Reitman, Jake M. Johnson, kevin cline, Lake Bell, Ludacris, Michael Samonek, movie no strings attached, movies, Natalie Portman, no strings attached, no strings attached cast, no strings attached movie, romance, romantic comedy

It’s Complicated starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and John Krasinski

Posted on June 8, 2010 Written by ripitup

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It' s Complicated starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and John Karasinski
It's Complicated starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and John Krasinski. Written and directed by Nancy Meyers. Nominated for Best Actress and Best Screenplay Golden Globes. Image from: http://api.ning.com/

Jane Adler (Meryl Streep) is a successful restaurant owner. She lives in a beautiful house, has three grown children (played by Zoe Kazan, Caitlin Fitzgerald, Hunter Parrish) great girl friends and a future son-in-love, Harley (John Karasinski) who is already a part of the family. It has taken 10 years but her life is in total balance and comfort. However when she goes to New York for her son Luke’s (Hunter Parrish)’s college graduation, she ends up running into her ex-husband/ the children’s father Jake (Alec Baldwin).

Their twenty-something-year-old marriage has ended when Jake cheated on her with the younger Agness (Lake Bell) and then married her. His relationship with Agness is complicated to say the least: she has a young son from another man and now she is trying to conceive with the 58-year-old Jake. The New York encounter leads to a fun night, followed by sex. Jane is totally freaked out. Her simple life has turned upside down. However, Jake is having the time of his life. Second-time around with Jane is easy-going and a lot of fun. Plus, Jane gets to take revenge: she is now the other woman, just as Agness once has been. However her conscience isn’t that clear. And as if things aren’t weird enough, she realizes she is also attracted to her architect- Adam (Steve Martin) who is building her dream house. Adam is nice, fun and good-looking. Not the mention, he is also divorced and has no problem dating women his age.

So who do you pick? Do you even want to pick? What happens when the kids find out?

This movie is top-notch entertainment. It is a wonderful romantic comedy. It has many emotional moments and more often than not, they are presented in a realistic but funny way. It is not always laugh-out-loud. You will find yourself smiling more often than laughing but it is not to say some scenes won’t bring (laughter) tears to your eyes. Meryl Streep is very likeable and she is at her most beautiful in her 60s. Steve Martin never really had a problem entertaining the movie-goers and while his character is charming and enjoyable, the real comedy was mostly on Alec Baldwin’s character. His Jake is downright hilarious. From his shameless admissions to his faults and flaws, from his acting like a total baby and jealousy crisis, he makes you laugh. It is funny to remember that Alex used to be considered a heartthrob in the 90s. He was fit, looked good and he was married to Kim Basinger. Remember those days? But I think while his looks deteriorated, his acting just got better. My second favorite is Harley- John Karasinski’s loveable son-in-law. He is really nice and he loves the Adler family. But his life gets really complicated as well when he becomes the first to know about the affair. I hadn’t been impressed by him when I watched him in the disaster of a romcom Licence to Wed (also starring Mandy Moore and Robin Williams). However, as he becomes co-pilot to Streep, Baldwin and Martin, he does shine through in his own way.

This movie was made in 2009, another romcom hit by writer/director Nancy Meyers. This is my fourth Nancy Meyers movie and I am one of her biggest fans. Do you recall The Holiday starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black and Rufus Swell? Or What Women Want starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt? Or Something’s Got to Give starring Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Keanu Reeves? All these movies have a pattern: They have an original, different and good screenplays, a spot-on direction and an impressive cast. They all balance romance with comedy well and leave you wanting more.I am positively biased when it comes to writer/directors as opposed to writers and directors alone.

6.7 on imdb. 7 from me. And if we compare it to romantic comedies alone, it is easily an 8 or 9.

Favorite scenes:

–          Alec Baldwin gets caught naked to Steve Martin’s webcam.It’s in the trailer

–          Jake, Jane and Harley- smoking pot together in the bathroom

*Fun note: Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin must have loved working together as they presented the 2010’s Academy Awards together. Although, their combined performances in the movie are much funnier.

Other Posts feat. Alec Baldwin

17 Changes in the Entertainment World: Featuring Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Megan Fox and More

My Sister’s Keeper starring  Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Jason Patric and Alec Baldwin

The Good Shepherd starring Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie and Alec Baldwin

Here are some other romcoms you might enjoy:

It’s a boy/girl thing

Playing by Heart

Enchanted

Just Like Heaven

Pretty Woman

Penelope

He’s just not that into you

Overboard

The Ugly Truth

Yours, mine and ours

You’ve Got Mail

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Alec Baldwin, Caitlin Fitzgerald, comedy, Hunter Parrish, It's complicated, John Krasinski, Lake Bell, meryl streep, Nancy Meyers, romance, Steve Martin, Zoe Kazan

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