Andy Samberg, Michael Jackson and The Real World

There is a backlog of things I need to review – so, these are going to be a bit older for a while – but I’ll eventually catch up.

HOT ROD (HBO)
I love Andy Samberg. That said - this is fucking awful.
Grade: D -

MICHAEL JACKSON: STRIPPED PERFORMANCES (ITUNES)
Right after MJ died Mowtown cynically took his most known performances and “stripped” them down to the vocals and bass. As opportunistic as this is – it’s a fantastic disc that highlights the young MJ’s voice to perfection.
Grade: A


CREEPSHOW 2 (HBO)
CREEPSHOW 1 began a partnership between George A. Romero and Stephen King that lasted 12 years, took much of their time and energies, and yielded exactly ONE good film – CREEPSHOW. They then went on to collaborate on about 34 other really shitty projects. (BRUISER anyone?) CREEPSHOW 2, like all of their post CREEPSHOW efforts, is mediocre at best. But of the 34 shitty projects, one of the better ones.
Grade: C -


PUBLIC ENEMY (IN THEATERS)
Depp is game and the shot on video look works in this period piece – but the script never takes flight, the romance doesn’t work at all, and we don’t care about any of these people. As good as Depp is, he never makes us relate to the famous bank robber. Michael Mann can be an expert filmmaker – here he’s just dull.
Grade: C

STASH (STRAIGHT to DVD)
Unwatchable.
F

RECOUNT (HBO)
Great HBO docu-drama about the voting process that showed itself to be insanely flawed during the Bush-Gore face off. If 10 percent of this film is true, the procedures used to count votes are reprehensible. The acting here, is superb. Particularly Kevin Spacey and Dennis Leary.
Grade: B +


REAL WORLD: CANCUN (MTV)
What a season of hookups, threesomes and that certain insanity that only 20 somethings can bring. The REAL WORLD is probably still one of the very best reality shows on tv – as it doesn’t waste time with a stupid competition – it just plays more like a fly on the wall as these seemingly nice people eventually plot to destroy each other. Speaking of which – While the Joey/Aaiya hook up was a surprise – the 3some involving Aiya, Pat, and the hot girl whose name I can’t remember but who showed up with a boyfriend and ended up fucking almost everyone in Cancun – that was a shocker. That girl whose name I can’t think of – she’s really a piece of work. And of course – great TV.
Grade: B