Arrested Re-Development?

Cross, Arnett finally funny again. Hopefully it's not a sign of the apocalypse

Let’s not beat around the bush: The British think we’re stupid. Maybe it’s because our accents don’t sound as smart as theirs. Maybe it’s because MTV UK has begun airing repeats of Jersey Shore. Maybe it’s because of that time we accidentally dropped a bunch of their tea in Boston Harbor.

Whatever the reason, David Cross has done his absolute best to further the stereotypes by gifting the UK with his new comedy The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.

Originally filmed for British television but finally brought stateside by IFC, Todd Margaret stars Cross as an imbecilic American sent across the pond to peddle a repulsive energy drink. The series was co-created by Cross and features drop-ins by his former Arrested Develoment co-star Will Arnett, who plays the brilliantly dickish owner of Thunder Muscle, the aforementioned horrific energy drink.

Comedy nerds have been coveting Todd Margaret ever since clips of Cross and Arnett’s Arrested Development mini-reunion leaked online last winter. Their interaction is funnier than anything that’s yet been on the pair’s stateside Arrested Development reunion, Fox’s Running Wilde. Americans finally get what the Brits already have tomorrow night, when Todd Margaret finally premieres on IFC. For added hilarity, watch the show while chugging an energy drink that could potentially cause heart palpitations.

TMNT pal vs. Teen Vampire Gal

Elias Koteas trades in his hockey mask for a gun and a solid pension.

In Let Me In, a moody tale about a 12 year-old vampire girl, you’ll see familiar faces. The kiddie-vamp in question? Throw on a purple wig and it’s Hit Girl, Chloe Moretz. Her tormented boy-toy? Kodi Smit-McPhee just got done escaping apocalyptic cannibals – and Robert Duvall’s overacting -- in The Road.

Then there’s Elias Koteas. Though he’s frequently in dark, boundary-pushing movies like Crash (the sex-and-car-crashes one, not the “racism is bad” one) and The Killer Inside Me, you’ll most likely recognize him as Casey Jones, the second-most famous hockey-mask-wearing vigilante in cinema (with deference to Mr. Voorhees), who fought alongside the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Let Me In is based on the Swedish novel and film Let the Right One In. Koteas plays “The Policeman,” and gives a performance with an unlikely inspiration. “Abraham Lincoln, and the fact of malice toward none, and compassion. You can use anything as long as it grounds you.”

Let Me In opens Oct. 1, 2010.

Four Christmases (2008)

Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon teams up with Vince Vaughn for this romantic comedy that casts them as a dating couple who are forced to spend their first Christmas together visiting each of their four divorced parents -- in a single day. Seth Gordon directs an all-star cast that includes Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam, Carol Kane, Jon Favreau and Tim McGraw.

Very few actors really have their own entertaining swagger, despite what they may think. Vince Vaughn does though, and although he plays the typical Vince Vaughn character in this movie, it is what sells and makes this movie enjoyable. After he was fairly generic in Couples Retreat, he is back to his normal self and his charm is in display for this movie. Actually I dont know the timeline between those two movies or which came first, but if that is correct than that statement is correct IMO. As far as romantic comedies go, there are a lot of painful ones to sit through, Four Christmases along with What Happens In Vegas offer hope that you can sit down and watch a couples movie with your girl and it not be a painful experience.

This movie was above average, but the plot could of been better. Vince was funny as he always is. Reese was cute. Some scenes could of been removed entirely without effecting the story line. It was better than a B movie but not to the standards of an A movie. Some of the acting was not on key. Would I recomend it? Yes, I liked it.

****/*****

4/5 Stars

Crazy Heart (2009)

When reporter Jean Craddock (Oscar nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal) interviews Bad Blake (Oscar winner Jeff Bridges) -- an alcoholic, seen-better-days country music legend -- they connect, and the hard-living crooner sees a possible saving grace in a life with Jean and her young son. But can he leave behind an existence playing in the shadow of Tommy (Colin Farrell), the upstart kid he once mentored? Robert Duvall produces and co-stars.

Sure, the story of an aging alcoholic country western star hitting bottom may have been done before, but NOT BETTER. Jeff Bridges has been a favorite of mine for years and this just seems to be HIS YEAR. Bridges plays BAD BLAKE without missing a beat. He is a character many of us who have had alcoholic family members will realize as a genuine and almost flawless performance. As Bad makes his tour of dives in New Mexico he finds a young reporter (Maggie Gyllenhaal) somewhat a breath of fresh air and embarks upon a long distance relationship with her in the midst of many obstacles. This was one of the best performances I have seen from Maggie. Although she and Bad seem like polar opposites they have chemistry. I had no trouble seeing the attraction of a star struck country fan meeting one of her idols and pursuing a relationship. And although this film definitely has dark moments I did not find it a totally depressing movie. The acting of Bridges and Gyllenhaal is worth the admission price but as an extra blessing there is Colin Farrell as the current country star who has not forgotten who taught him the ropes. He and Bridges sing a duet in one scene that was so good it made me want to run out to get the music CD. Robert Duvall also has a small role as Bad's business partner which just helps to add a little polish to an already very well acted film. This film is not for everyone. It is an adult DRAMA with great writing as well as strong character development. The cinematography is very well done. Great scenic shots from New Mexico that will awe you visually. If you enjoy country music and heartfelt stories do not miss this one.

Crazy Heart is one of those rare and needed tales of failure and redemption that is so close to the very real lives of so many of us. Although the story is similar to many other such films, it is so well acted by Jeff Bridges and Colin Ferrel, as well as a very minor but necessary role played by Robert Duval, that the characters quickly become believable. This is, in my opinion, Jeff Bridges' best role--and he has many great roles in his portfolio. The most interesting and impressive aspect of this film is the singing performances by both Jeff and Colin. I would love to have a CD featuring them both, though Jeff's voice is the best suited for Country---AND I ALREADY BOUGHT IT! Although the story may be familiar and easy to predict the character developement and the performances of all involved, including Maggie Gyllenhaal (Jean) and Jack Nation (Buddy), makes it believable and fresh. This is the best film I have seen in years and I watch a lot of films. I highly recommend this A-1 film to any adult with an interest in the "loved and lost" or "failure to success" genre. Great film!

The self-destructive tendencies of the creative genius are explored almost flawlessly. A tortured artist film that is consumable and easy to re-watch, if for the music alone. Ryan Bingham's highlight track, "The Weary Kind" indeed makes the movie as many have said. Top notch cinematography and pacing, a very well directed film. One of the most surprising aspects is that the May/November romance doesn't feel contrived at all. Jean is genuinely in love with Bad and sees the man he's capable of. Fantastic ending that seems all to true to life. Highly recommended.

****/*****


4/5 Stars

As Not Seen on TV

See the controversial Family Guy episode Fox won’t put on television… but doesn’t mind selling to you on DVD!

There are some subjects so serious that you just don’t joke about them: cancer, genocide, the coming robot wars. But not abortion. Nope, abortion can be hilarious!

For proof, pick up tomorrow’s DVD release of an abortion-themed Family Guy episode that was so controversial, Fox refused to air it on television. In the ep titled “Partial Terms of Endearment”—Nothing like mixing your abortion jokes with your Shirley MacLaine references!— Lois agrees to act as a surrogate mother for an infertile couple, only to have the couple die in a car crash, forcing the Griffin clan to ponder whether or not to keep the baby.

Because of the content, Fox decided advertisers were skittish about the episode, so they shoved it in a brown bag and handed it off to their home video department. But while "Partial Terms of Endearment" does have the standard Family Guy absurdities—Lois is impregnated by natives wielding blow dart guns, Peter initially tries to stop the pregnancy with an ACME Miscarriage Kit—it somehow manages to discuss the subject respectfully enough to win positive reviews in the UK, where the Brits were ballsy enough to air the episode in June.

As a bonus feature, The Family Guy: Partial Terms of Endearment DVD also includes The Seth and Alex Almost Live Comedy Show. That was a non-animated special featuring Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and Lois-voicer Alex Borstein singing and performing comedy bits. Admittedly, that special actually has aired on TV, but—judging by the number of people who actually remember it—it might as well not have.

Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer (2007)

After witnessing his family's violent murder, Jack Brooks (Trevor Matthews) develops an uncontrollable anger problem, but the night classes his girlfriend (Rachel Skarsten) suggests to cure Jack's "issues" end up making them worse when his professor (Robert Englund) undergoes … changes. Suddenly, Jack is the only person on Earth who can bring an unspeakable evil to its knees -- but is he cut out for monster slaying and ready to face his demons?

Pretty painfully bad, although I do admit I couldn't make it all the way through it. Comparisons of this movie to any of the Evil Dead movies are a total joke, it doesn't even come close.

This film is kind of like Indiana Jones meets the Goonies with a good amount of action, campy frights and a largely tongue-and-cheek storyline. It follows the life of this Jack Brooks whose family was devoured by a monster when he was little. He blames himself for not doing anything to prevent that and that blame has caused him anger issues. As luck would have it, a professor at his school (I'm assuming it was college...that was never clear) finds a cursed, black heart that originally belonged to a demon. As you can likely guess, the heart possesses the professor and then all hell breaks loose at the school. Jack turns his anger on the demons and in the process tries to purge himself of guilt over his family by saving the other students. Englund plays the professor and is his usual, entertaining self. The way the movie ends seems to set the stage for a sequel and I can see how this might be a somewhat successful franchise. But since this was made in 2007 and nothing has emerged then maybe this should just be enjoyed as a one off film.


**/*****

2/5 Stars

SuicideGirls: The Italian Villa (2006)

Some of the sexiest SuicideGirls -- made famous on the Web site founded by modern pinup photographer Missy Suicide -- gather at a remote Tuscan villa to reveal more than just a few naughty secrets. Shot both inside and outside the house, which is appropriately painted in girlish pink, this scintillating collection of clips catches the ladies sunbathing, showering and talking candidly about their love of leather, tattoos and body piercings.

This is basically a strange off-shoot of a phenomenon which begun on the internet on the Suicide Girls website. After successfully releasing their first movie and organizing several tours in North America, the girls are seeking to expand their presence in Europe, but if this release is any reflection then it seems their European organization is not yet up to par with the American operations. Generally what is laudable about the Suicide Girls is that the website allows women to take exhibitionism into their own hands and encourages women who like tattoos and piercings to show them off for the pleasure of others. I personally see nothing wrong with this and I think it is a positive new direction for "sexual expression" which is considerably less demeaning and corrupt than mainstream venues for depiction of women in their natural state. The Suicide Girls are making a positive change in the industry by allowing real women to be themselves and be appreciated openly by other real people. In addition, the organization encourages the girls who participate to be involved in profit sharing and all the creative projects they can dream up. This film is the result of that opened opportunity for creative venue offered by the Suicide Girls, but like all free form creativity some is good and some is not so good. This is of the latter variety. While there are a few pretty scenes and attractive girls, there is little substance to the ideas the girls choose to explore in their brief segments and sadly it seems there are precious little original ideas in their pretty heads throughout the majority of the film. This is its primary failing. Secondarily I might add that if you are interested in seeing some really bad music videos, the extras on here provide some rare stellar examples!

Ya gotta love the Suicide Girls, such beauty in imperfection. Here you'll not find manufactured or store bought beauty, these girls are not airbrushed to a soft glowing unreality. Tattooed and pierced, they define eroticism for them selves, and bravo! I did however, think that the "1st Tour" DVD was better, this one is worthy of watching.


****/*****

4/5 Stars (What can I say, I loe the Suicide Girls!)