This is by far the best movie based on a board game. With an all star cast of characters, you never know what to expect. This movie delivered. So many amazing comedic performances. Kahn, Curry, Mull, Lloyd, McKean... their timing culminates in scene after scene of hilarity. The film is fast paced and sure to hit you with a barrage ha's. The ending is the best part... because there's THREE of them. That's right, not one, not two, but three different endings to this film. Each one is funnier than the last. If you're looking for a throwback comedy I highly recommend you give it a watch. It'll become an instant favorite.
Reviews
10 Reviews
Beef
(2023– )
Smile or push through it
8 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Between the title and trailers I had seen for this show pitched it one way but after watching the first episode I could tell immediately it was something different. One of the main characters is dead inside and the other wishes they were just dead. The last scene from episode one shows the broken aspects mirrored in these two characters, driving them onward. Giving each other a reason to live. The series continues on this way upping the stakes and showcasing poor impulse control. The characters seem irrational and irredeemable and then they do something you empathize with... and then they do something irrational.
The magic is in the way it all unfurls with that A24 sheen. The cinematography looks crisp and compliments the scenes and story. The acting is phenomenal even from the smaller players. An excellent ensemble keeps things sharp, even on the peripherals.
Judging based off of other reviews and peoples ratings of them, a vocal minority were disappointed in what the series turned out to be. That's understandable. If you go in expecting an action comedy and instead are met with an emotional dark comedy you might feel duped. I rather enjoyed the bait and switch.
The magic is in the way it all unfurls with that A24 sheen. The cinematography looks crisp and compliments the scenes and story. The acting is phenomenal even from the smaller players. An excellent ensemble keeps things sharp, even on the peripherals.
Judging based off of other reviews and peoples ratings of them, a vocal minority were disappointed in what the series turned out to be. That's understandable. If you go in expecting an action comedy and instead are met with an emotional dark comedy you might feel duped. I rather enjoyed the bait and switch.
Generational Gap Humor
10 February 2023
The setting for this whodunit vignette is an old folks home. The episode opens with hilarious zingers and generational gap humor. The entire series is composed of excellent cinematography and this episode is no exception. There is a story element that may come up later in the series but for the most part this episode didn't continue or further the overarching narrative. That's totally fine with me. I'm very much enjoying this series and the standalone episode format.
Natasha Lyonne is always a treat but the supporting cast was phenomenal as well. The writing really played humorous on this one and the ensemble clicked well and really knocked it out of the park. I can't wait to see what's next.
Natasha Lyonne is always a treat but the supporting cast was phenomenal as well. The writing really played humorous on this one and the ensemble clicked well and really knocked it out of the park. I can't wait to see what's next.
That '90s Show
(2023– )
They're figuring it out
19 January 2023
The new cast is still settling in. I'm not sure if they're still getting to know the characters or if the writers are trying to find them, but this new generation doesn't quite feel as defined or individualistic as the original cast. There's quite a bit of personality overlap with the characters.
The bulk of the heavy lifting is done by the veterans. Red and Kitty were responsible for the funniest moments of the season. There were a few cameos from the old cast and they made for some fun moments as well without relying on them too heavily.
Among the new cast there was one standout. The casting of Leia Forman is fantastic. She definitely comes off as a combination of Eric and Donna, skewing Eric. A little more experience and I think she can hit the comedic timing that Topher Grace has.
The bulk of the heavy lifting is done by the veterans. Red and Kitty were responsible for the funniest moments of the season. There were a few cameos from the old cast and they made for some fun moments as well without relying on them too heavily.
Among the new cast there was one standout. The casting of Leia Forman is fantastic. She definitely comes off as a combination of Eric and Donna, skewing Eric. A little more experience and I think she can hit the comedic timing that Topher Grace has.
Fleabag
(2016–2019)
A human story
18 January 2023
Fleabag tells a modern story of a woman who struggles with guilt, loss, promiscuity, and a total lack of structure in her life. Indecision or the wrong decision seem to haunt her at every turn. All while she wryly breaks the fourth wall to offer some insight into her feelings on the situation or context for the current event. It shows the struggle of a broken and aimless individual trying to make it through the days while interacting with family, friends, lovers, and random people. Almost all the characters have glaring flaws and that's what makes the series feel so human and relatable.
Some critiques of the show say it can seem repetitive, but that's what being a screw up is. A slew of mistakes that make it hard for the people around you to put up with your shortcomings. That's where the magic happens for this show. We are watching the relationships strain and flex then seeing the personal growth of the main character.
What makes the show so great for me is that it's relatable. As a fellow human who has made their fair share of mistakes and then tried to do my best and still turned up with utter rubbish, I get it. I think Phoebe Waller-Bridge made a masterpiece and I look forward to seeing what else she produces.
Some critiques of the show say it can seem repetitive, but that's what being a screw up is. A slew of mistakes that make it hard for the people around you to put up with your shortcomings. That's where the magic happens for this show. We are watching the relationships strain and flex then seeing the personal growth of the main character.
What makes the show so great for me is that it's relatable. As a fellow human who has made their fair share of mistakes and then tried to do my best and still turned up with utter rubbish, I get it. I think Phoebe Waller-Bridge made a masterpiece and I look forward to seeing what else she produces.
30 Rock
(2006–2013)
Tina Fey takes you behind the curtain
15 December 2022
This is one of the best comedy shows of the past 30 years. Extremely well written, the shows creator draws on her time at Saturday Night Live to showcase the insanity behind productions at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Most episodes center around scrambling over some hurdle to try and deliver a live show by the end of the week, but how they intermingle and deal with the problems is where the hilarity lies.
The casting is perfect and peppered with hilarious cameos throughout the series. Every role is well acted but let us not forget how smart the writing is. I'm a sucker for comedy laced with endearing moments and 30 Rock is full of that. You have the ability to look at the characters and agree that they aren't necessarily "good" but you still care about them and see that at times they're just doing their best.
Most episodes center around scrambling over some hurdle to try and deliver a live show by the end of the week, but how they intermingle and deal with the problems is where the hilarity lies.
The casting is perfect and peppered with hilarious cameos throughout the series. Every role is well acted but let us not forget how smart the writing is. I'm a sucker for comedy laced with endearing moments and 30 Rock is full of that. You have the ability to look at the characters and agree that they aren't necessarily "good" but you still care about them and see that at times they're just doing their best.
Elvis
(2022)
Editing that will give you whiplash
13 December 2022
Elvis' life is a story that's been told on more than one occasion. Maybe it was Luhrmann's attempt to keep the story from being stale, but the editing and whip pans were taken straight from a Guy Ritchie flick. I kept wondering when some down on their luck English guys were gonna pull off the heist. While the jerking around and quick cuts work for Mr. Ritchie's films, it doesn't work for this Elvis. The film doesn't feel cohesive and it gives you little ability to connect with anyone or even keep tabs on the characters of this story. Maybe it's tailored to our ever shrinking attention spans?
I know a lot of people gripe about the modern music featured, and while I didn't necessarily enjoy it, I don't believe it was a large factor as to why I didn't enjoy the film.
It was reasonably well acted and well shot. The scenes look good, if only the audience was given more of a chance to watch them... in summation, Elvis is ok if you're really just looking for something to kill time and you have a short attention span. If you want a better old rocker biopic go with something like Walk the Line, about Johnny Cash.
I know a lot of people gripe about the modern music featured, and while I didn't necessarily enjoy it, I don't believe it was a large factor as to why I didn't enjoy the film.
It was reasonably well acted and well shot. The scenes look good, if only the audience was given more of a chance to watch them... in summation, Elvis is ok if you're really just looking for something to kill time and you have a short attention span. If you want a better old rocker biopic go with something like Walk the Line, about Johnny Cash.
Silicon Valley
(2014–2019)
One LONG dick joke
5 December 2022
This comedic series follows one man in the tech industry and his dream to create something, but that's obviously not the funny part. The protagonist and his friend group are always right on the cusp of success before it is ripped away from them. Sometimes it's self sabotage and sometimes an outside force just gives them the middle finger. Their resolve is what carries the series for 6 seasons. They always dust themselves off and try again. The chemistry between everyone is hilarious. A lot of frenemies which creates hilarious dynamics for the audience to spectate. The show is well written and extremely well acted/cast. Much of the dialogue is profanity and I'd say at least 30% of it is the main characters insulting each other. A great watch if you like humor that's a little on the irreverent side.
That '70s Show
(1998–2006)
A simpler time
20 September 2022
Pays homage to the sitcoms of the era with a fun and "modern" twist. I say modern but it was modern when the show was produced.
This ensemble is perfectly assembled. A ragtag group of high school friends with excellent chemistry that always provides a laugh. Season after season of antics are peppered with moments of real reflection on serious subject matter. The more reflective scenes are often precipitated by the parental actors or the more "adult world" creeping into the teenage lives.
All in all the show is lighthearted teen shenanigans that can be watched time and time again. There is one exception, season 8 was a bit thrown together and is reflected in the attempt to replace the void left by one of the lead actors taking a break from the show. Not the best season but it all wraps up well still in the last episode.
This ensemble is perfectly assembled. A ragtag group of high school friends with excellent chemistry that always provides a laugh. Season after season of antics are peppered with moments of real reflection on serious subject matter. The more reflective scenes are often precipitated by the parental actors or the more "adult world" creeping into the teenage lives.
All in all the show is lighthearted teen shenanigans that can be watched time and time again. There is one exception, season 8 was a bit thrown together and is reflected in the attempt to replace the void left by one of the lead actors taking a break from the show. Not the best season but it all wraps up well still in the last episode.
Days of our Targaryens
20 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Events are happening in the show, yet it doesn't feel like they are. For me, this is because every bit of dialogue or beat in the show is some soap opera drama. They writers have desensitized the audience because they're cramming a slight to one house or another in every frame. Nothing is a big deal because everything has been a big deal and ultimately most actions seem to have little consequence. Why build it up if there is nothing at stake?
During this episode the characters all came off very "one note". I'm not invested in the characters because what's to invest in? They all seem surface level. A potentially interesting new plot line is introduced this episode to be abruptly cut short. What was to be of Laenor Valaryon and Joffrey Lonmouth? We will never know and we are simply left with a muddled murder. Was that a story telling device? I hope so because otherwise it was just poor directing of the scene.
Hopefully they right the ship and get HoD back on track.
During this episode the characters all came off very "one note". I'm not invested in the characters because what's to invest in? They all seem surface level. A potentially interesting new plot line is introduced this episode to be abruptly cut short. What was to be of Laenor Valaryon and Joffrey Lonmouth? We will never know and we are simply left with a muddled murder. Was that a story telling device? I hope so because otherwise it was just poor directing of the scene.
Hopefully they right the ship and get HoD back on track.
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