I got sick over the weekend, so this is just a short list of reviews. When I come back later in the week I'll talk about ZZyyzyx Road (the movie that made 30 bux) and the MEATLOAF SHOW I attended at the San Palo Casino. I'll probably post again on Monday.
THE MATADOR (HBO)
Very good movie with Pierce Brosnan as a burnt out hitman and the increasingly talented Greg Kinear as his new friend. It's more of a character piece then a plot heavy film, and Brosnan has never been better. The comedy is quirky and the scenes always go a different way than you expect. A little seen gem with a great final half hour.
Grade: B
OSCARS (ABC)
(I jotted some different thoughts throughout the telecast, so it's a bit mixed up and I'm currently very ill - too ill to really organize this - but these were sort of the running thoughts I had during the show.)
I could probably live my entire life and not see Ellen once again, comically "dance." She's kind of nice and genial - but whoever decided she was funny? 20 years and she hasn't made me laugh once. But the audience loves when she dances. Will Ferrel was pretty funny. Jack Black - what happened to him? He was really funny up until about a year or two ago. WTF?
I didn't care all that much for THE DEPARTED - a case of wanting to love a film - but frankly, I thought it was SO plot heavy that they forgot to have character moments - in fact, I honestly can't vividly remember one scene from the film. That aside - it was insanely emotional to watch Scorsese get his award. Even though I haven't loved a Scorsese film in a while - TAXI DRIVER is astonishing. GOODFELLAS, KING OF COMEDY, some of the best films ever. And RAGING BULL is my favorite movie of all time (probably.) So I didn't care that DEPARTED didn't live up to my lofty expectations - I was still glad it won all that it did - because in any case, the films up for nominations weren't exactly the best films of the year. Frankly, I thought BORAT, JACKASS 2, UNITED 93, and the woefully excluded ROCKY BALBOA were more enjoyable. And am I nuts, or is LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE perhaps the most overrated movie of the decade? And - I really did kind of love BABEL, though not enough to watch it more than once.
Ellen was fine, and a giant improvement over the God awful stylings of last year's John Stewart, who recycled every joke he ever made on DAILY SHOW. But Ellen isn't the answer, either. Jimmy Kimmel is the right guy for the job, and my prediction is it'll probably happen within the next couple of Oscars.
Otherwise, I thought Jennifer Hudson was quite moving in her acceptance speech, and even though I didn't see DREAMGIRLS yet, I still rooted for Eddie Murphy. The fact that the little kid from SUNSHINE won - well, what can I say? Ridiculous. Almost as horrifying as Nicholson's bald head.
I can't grade the Oscar telecast - it's kind of besides the point, but right now I'm watching the Barbara Walters special and she's extolling the virtues of Ellen's wacky dancing. Shoot me in the fucking head. And if Jay Leno ever hosts - I'll shoot myself.
THE MATADOR (HBO)
Very good movie with Pierce Brosnan as a burnt out hitman and the increasingly talented Greg Kinear as his new friend. It's more of a character piece then a plot heavy film, and Brosnan has never been better. The comedy is quirky and the scenes always go a different way than you expect. A little seen gem with a great final half hour.
Grade: B
OSCARS (ABC)
(I jotted some different thoughts throughout the telecast, so it's a bit mixed up and I'm currently very ill - too ill to really organize this - but these were sort of the running thoughts I had during the show.)
I could probably live my entire life and not see Ellen once again, comically "dance." She's kind of nice and genial - but whoever decided she was funny? 20 years and she hasn't made me laugh once. But the audience loves when she dances. Will Ferrel was pretty funny. Jack Black - what happened to him? He was really funny up until about a year or two ago. WTF?
I didn't care all that much for THE DEPARTED - a case of wanting to love a film - but frankly, I thought it was SO plot heavy that they forgot to have character moments - in fact, I honestly can't vividly remember one scene from the film. That aside - it was insanely emotional to watch Scorsese get his award. Even though I haven't loved a Scorsese film in a while - TAXI DRIVER is astonishing. GOODFELLAS, KING OF COMEDY, some of the best films ever. And RAGING BULL is my favorite movie of all time (probably.) So I didn't care that DEPARTED didn't live up to my lofty expectations - I was still glad it won all that it did - because in any case, the films up for nominations weren't exactly the best films of the year. Frankly, I thought BORAT, JACKASS 2, UNITED 93, and the woefully excluded ROCKY BALBOA were more enjoyable. And am I nuts, or is LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE perhaps the most overrated movie of the decade? And - I really did kind of love BABEL, though not enough to watch it more than once.
Ellen was fine, and a giant improvement over the God awful stylings of last year's John Stewart, who recycled every joke he ever made on DAILY SHOW. But Ellen isn't the answer, either. Jimmy Kimmel is the right guy for the job, and my prediction is it'll probably happen within the next couple of Oscars.
Otherwise, I thought Jennifer Hudson was quite moving in her acceptance speech, and even though I didn't see DREAMGIRLS yet, I still rooted for Eddie Murphy. The fact that the little kid from SUNSHINE won - well, what can I say? Ridiculous. Almost as horrifying as Nicholson's bald head.
I can't grade the Oscar telecast - it's kind of besides the point, but right now I'm watching the Barbara Walters special and she's extolling the virtues of Ellen's wacky dancing. Shoot me in the fucking head. And if Jay Leno ever hosts - I'll shoot myself.
Alan Arkin????? The only thing worse then his win was his horrible speech. The special fx orchestra was actually pretty cool. Having Randy Newman (whom I love) come out to do a song from yet another animated Disney movie is becoming something of a tired cliche at this point. Remember when he used to record real albums? TROUBLE IN PARADISE was a GREAT CD.
Did you see Ellen's hilarious Oscar holder strapped to her waste? Such scary fucking talent. She was much more interesting in her Barbara Walters special. I had no idea the hellish childhood that Ellen had. Don't get me wrong - I like Ellen - just don't think she's the right host.
Barbara's other interviews were pointless. The Eddie Murphy interview was good for one segment, but had a ridiculous part 2 where Eddie decided to be "funny." He wasn't. UPDATE: - I heard Eddie stormed out (according to US WEEKLY) after he lost to Alan Arkin - I hope this isn't true. Eddie should know the deal - he makes us laugh and acts nice, we don't bring up the transvestite in his car at 3:AM.
How cool is it that the Phil Collins version of GENESIS is touring this year?
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (ABC)
Had a great week. The music video from IDOL ousted Jonathan & Kenneth was really fucking funny. The ONE DAY REHAB commercial was great, and Jimmy's interview with the hefty co-star from BORAT was really eye opening. The heavy set guy who - in the film BORAT gets locked in an unintentional 69 with Borat, was funny, spoke perfect English, and revealed that he owns THE DIP, a sandwich shop in both Hollywood and Encino.
THE AGENCY (VH1)
Another winner from VH1 - the current network king of reality tv. This time we get a real life modeling agency where the agents are bloodthirsty to have their clients work. It feels extremely real and extremely stressful, and it seems like a very accurate portrayal of the insane world of modeling.
Grade: B +
DICE UNDISPUTED is coming. Jesus. I can't wait. I may not have high hopes, but I can't wait. I used to be a huge DICE fan back in the day, but now his funniest appearances are usually limited to the Howard Stern show.
THE SARAH SILVERMAN show has become the funniest half hour currently on tv.
EXTRAS (HBO - Season Finale')
Had a great finale, and really - the second season was much better than season one. I thought the stuff with Stephen Merchant showing Robert DeNiro his "naked" pen was hilarious. Ricky Gervais has said that this might be the last season, but the show feels like it needs one more season to finish up it's story.
Grade: A -
BEER LEAGUE (DVD)
I fucking LOVE Artie Lange. I loved the extras - particularly on disc 2, which has a featurette on Artie backstage before his Kimmel appearance. Even the movie's commentary track is highly entertaining - and Artie is one of the funniest guys around. But this movie...best to watch with the commentary track. The problems with the film are too numerous to mention, although there a few scattered laughs. Artie's script is actually quite good, but the direction is truly amateur hour.
Film Grade: C -
Extras: B +
KING OF QUEENS (CBS/Synd)
I just saw a rerun I'd never seen where all the characters get stuck in a snowstorm (the ep is title "Ice-Cubed.") Very funny and a real shout out to the structure of the late, great Seinfeld.
THE RINGER (HBO)
Saw this again and thing this was monstrously under appreciated.
THE BAD GIRL'S CLUB (OXY)
Tomik is one of the very worst people that I've ever seen on a reality show. A complete fucking moron and as completely moronic as Zara is, Tomik demonstrated the most obscene behavior towards a woman that I could ever imagine. Zara is pathetic. The union of Danielle and the Pool Boy even more so - and this show is just what reality show dreams are made of.
Grade: A
HOGAN KNOWS BEST (VH1 - Season Finale')
I deleted it before I watched it. The description read "The Hogans hire a pet psychologist to help their pets adjust to Miami." At this point, they should really at least give the writer's teleplay credit.
I saw Jessica Simpson somewhere saying that EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH will literally make you "pee your pants." Yup. Her and Dane Cook. Comedy fucking gold.
Despite everything, Britney looks hot with the shaved head.
I had a really weird night Saturday - I was sick as a dog, and I fell asleep watching George Carlin's new HBO special. George has gotten really old and now thinks he just has to curse a lot to get laughs - but the problem is, you still need material. And while I won't argue with Carlin's past, his new stuff is sort of like the new...I don't know - it's not funny. The weird thing was I fell asleep watching it, then woke up and I guess HBO was running his first special from the early 80s and he was young and funny again and when I woke I didn't know what the fuck was happening.
How cool is it that the Phil Collins version of GENESIS is touring this year?
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (ABC)
Had a great week. The music video from IDOL ousted Jonathan & Kenneth was really fucking funny. The ONE DAY REHAB commercial was great, and Jimmy's interview with the hefty co-star from BORAT was really eye opening. The heavy set guy who - in the film BORAT gets locked in an unintentional 69 with Borat, was funny, spoke perfect English, and revealed that he owns THE DIP, a sandwich shop in both Hollywood and Encino.
THE AGENCY (VH1)
Another winner from VH1 - the current network king of reality tv. This time we get a real life modeling agency where the agents are bloodthirsty to have their clients work. It feels extremely real and extremely stressful, and it seems like a very accurate portrayal of the insane world of modeling.
Grade: B +
DICE UNDISPUTED is coming. Jesus. I can't wait. I may not have high hopes, but I can't wait. I used to be a huge DICE fan back in the day, but now his funniest appearances are usually limited to the Howard Stern show.
THE SARAH SILVERMAN show has become the funniest half hour currently on tv.
EXTRAS (HBO - Season Finale')
Had a great finale, and really - the second season was much better than season one. I thought the stuff with Stephen Merchant showing Robert DeNiro his "naked" pen was hilarious. Ricky Gervais has said that this might be the last season, but the show feels like it needs one more season to finish up it's story.
Grade: A -
BEER LEAGUE (DVD)
I fucking LOVE Artie Lange. I loved the extras - particularly on disc 2, which has a featurette on Artie backstage before his Kimmel appearance. Even the movie's commentary track is highly entertaining - and Artie is one of the funniest guys around. But this movie...best to watch with the commentary track. The problems with the film are too numerous to mention, although there a few scattered laughs. Artie's script is actually quite good, but the direction is truly amateur hour.
Film Grade: C -
Extras: B +
KING OF QUEENS (CBS/Synd)
I just saw a rerun I'd never seen where all the characters get stuck in a snowstorm (the ep is title "Ice-Cubed.") Very funny and a real shout out to the structure of the late, great Seinfeld.
THE RINGER (HBO)
Saw this again and thing this was monstrously under appreciated.
THE BAD GIRL'S CLUB (OXY)
Tomik is one of the very worst people that I've ever seen on a reality show. A complete fucking moron and as completely moronic as Zara is, Tomik demonstrated the most obscene behavior towards a woman that I could ever imagine. Zara is pathetic. The union of Danielle and the Pool Boy even more so - and this show is just what reality show dreams are made of.
Grade: A
HOGAN KNOWS BEST (VH1 - Season Finale')
I deleted it before I watched it. The description read "The Hogans hire a pet psychologist to help their pets adjust to Miami." At this point, they should really at least give the writer's teleplay credit.
I saw Jessica Simpson somewhere saying that EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH will literally make you "pee your pants." Yup. Her and Dane Cook. Comedy fucking gold.
Despite everything, Britney looks hot with the shaved head.
I had a really weird night Saturday - I was sick as a dog, and I fell asleep watching George Carlin's new HBO special. George has gotten really old and now thinks he just has to curse a lot to get laughs - but the problem is, you still need material. And while I won't argue with Carlin's past, his new stuff is sort of like the new...I don't know - it's not funny. The weird thing was I fell asleep watching it, then woke up and I guess HBO was running his first special from the early 80s and he was young and funny again and when I woke I didn't know what the fuck was happening.
SNL: RAINN WILSON (NBC)
Shocking because at least half of it was marginally funny. Rainn Wilson, whom I think single handidly ruined THE OFFICE, was actually pretty good and SNL's OFFICE parody was great. Strange. And very sad how I can't even watch the once mighty WEEKEND UPDATE, now that Seth Myers has smashed that segments funny bone with a hammer.
THE OFFICE (NBC)
Where have you gone, David Brent?
30 ROCK (NBC)
Kenneth joins Tracy Jordan's posse. Funny. Alec Baldwin renogotiates the Jimmy Fallon-esque player's contract. Not so much.
Grade: B -
COMING TO VERY NEXT BLOG:
The MEATLOAF show in San Diego.
Finally here: The story of Zzyyxx Road and how it made 30 dollars at the box office.
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