First thoughts: "Ugly Americans"

Chances are you've been eagerly awaiting to see a new, original animated series for some time. After all, just about everything coming out now is simply a new season of an established series (South Park, Family Guy, etc). Let's face it, there's not that many good original animated shows right now...And no, The Cleveland Show hardly counts. Fortunately, the wait could be over.

I'm happy to report that after viewing the pilot episode of Comedy Central's new animated series "Ugly Americans", I'm convinced this show has the possibility of becoming another cult-like hit in the vein of Futurama!

Let's take a look at why this show has the ability to be great:

• The series was written by David Stern, a former "Simpsons" writer.
• The series takes place in an alternate version of New York City, where normal humans coexist with zombies, monsters, and other freaks of nature / fantasy / science fiction. Just about anything you can think of. Actually, now that I think about it, this is pretty similar to Futurama.
• The main character, Mark Lilly, is a social worker with a zombie for a roommate. Has any series ever had a zombie as one of the main characters? I think not. Yeah, they're kind of riding the zombie bandwagon, what with all the pop culture of it in the mainstream lately (Think World War Z, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, etc) but hey, it's still cool, damnit!
• Many of the voices in this series are done by stand-up comedians such as Natasha Leggero and Pete Holmes. I'm hoping that for future episodes they will get cameos by greats such as Phil LaMarr.
• Lastly, the animation is good. You won't have to worry about it looking like South Park, there's plenty of detail in the scenes.

"Ugly Americans" premiered a week ago on Comedy Central, and comes on every Wednesday at 9:30 P.M. central time. You can watch the pilot online as well. View, be impressed by Randall Skeffington, the best zombie roommate ever, and see what you think.

Movie Reviews: "Whip It"

(Originally written Sunday, October 04, 2009).
 
Drew Barrymore, I love your derby (A review of "Whip It")

Last week I had the pleasure of seeing another great film, Whip It. I almost didn't go, and then changed my mind at the last moment when my buddy (and fellow movie lover) Joey Vee graciously offered to drive. I got the typical barrage of comments from buddies beforehand, like "You're going to see that?! It's a chick flick, dude!"
However, upon viewing of the entire movie, I have to say that Drew Barrymore has constructed a solid piece of film.

Whip It, based on the novel "Derby Girl", stars Ellen Page as Bliss, a shy emo girl who lives in the bustling town of Bodeen, Texas. The only so called excitement in her life is working for a small crummy diner whose local specialty is the "Squealer" sandwich, and being forced to compete in pageants by her obsessive mother. This all changes when she discovers a flyer for a roller derby event in nearby Austin and decides to attend with her best friend Pash. Yes, the girl's name is Pash. Until the credits, I went the whole movie swearing that I thought her name was "Patch", but I suppose the lack of pirate eyewear or a ginormous facial mole eliminates that possibility. She does however have a multitude of freckles. A multitude.

The story then becomes a mixture of comedy, drama, and superb storytelling, as scenes shift from the tension between Bliss and her mother, the roller derby team she becomes a part of, and a love interest that develops between her and the singer for a local band. His presence was my only tiny gripe of the movie, as I had a strong desire to punch him in the face when I saw him onscreen. Such is the case with the front-men of most indie bands, though.

Make no mistakes about it, this movie is going to be compared to Juno. The storyline and the humor are both very hip, so if you liked Juno, you will like this. However, I have to say I personally enjoyed the characters and casting in Whip It more. In this film, Ellen Page's character is less of a know it all, and more of an introvert who just happens to have witty comebacks. There's less of that Juno style Diablo Cody dialogue where the high school characters say the most unbelievably goofy things, and more genuine conversation that happens to be funny and well timed. The camera shots in this film are also superb, putting you right in front of the girls during the action scenes.

Whip It has a multitude of gifted actors, such as Zoe Bell as one of the derby girls, and Daniel Stern, who I don't think has starred in anything since I saw Bushwhacked. Jimmy Fallon as the announcer for the roller derby games has some great one liners, a sign that YES HE CAN...still be funny. Lastly, my favorite of the movie was Kristen Wiig, aka "Maggie Mayhem" who is amazing as a derby girl with a tough spirit who ends up acting as a role model and parental figure to Bliss.

Dare I say, the movie was almost like watching a John Hughes classic, intertwining great comedic moments with a touching coming of age storyline. While the label of chick flick is technically appropriate for Whip It, the story is unique with enough twists and plenty of humor that even a guy such as myself is willing to rave about it and recommend it to my friends.

I would give this movie an 8.5/10.

Movie Reviews: "Couples Retreat"

(Originally written Monday, September 28, 2009 )
 
Couples Retreat: Yay, another Vince Vaughn comedy involving marriage and relationships!

I saw an advance screening of Couples Retreat last week, based purely on the notion that I had free passes to see it. Didn't have any idea on the plot, the characters, or any other details, other than the fact it starred Vince Vaughn. I know he's been in plenty of movies the past few years, but for some reason only Wedding Crashers comes to mind.

Speaking of Wedding Crashers, this movie is like the ideal progression to that. Vince Vaughn matures, marries a hot red head, (except this time it's not Isla Fisher, it's Malin Akerman, aka Jupiter from 'Watchmen'. You know the one, tight yellow and black jumpsuit. Yeeeah, that's right.)

We're to assume Owen Wilson choked on his own fame or set off to film another movie with Jackie Chan, so Vaughn has to find new friends, and not the kind who will crash weddings, no sir. He's married now, so he's gotta have married friends! Who does he befriend? Why, Jason Bateman of course! Playing a role he does best, the neurotic guy, with his wife, Kristen Bell. Jon Favreau, who helped to write the movie with Vaughn, also stars as one of Vaughn's close friends, playing the annoying jock who loves sports more than his Sex and the City wife, Kristin Davis. Shaizon Love is also present as the  BFF, and by BFF I mean black fat friend, who is separated from his wife and dating women in their 20's, such as Kali Hawk.

The basic premise of the movie is that all of the friends take a vacation to this tropical island on the notion that they will be partying while Bateman's character attempts to save his marriage. From there the entirety of the movie's gags and jokes are set up.

What I enjoyed about this movie is the different personalities each of the characters brings to the table, keeping the humor fresh and entertaining, but still being realistic in the sense that this could be somebody you know in real life. The counselors at the retreat, who advise the couples, are also equally hilarious.There's plenty of gags, sexual humor, though it is nowhere near as wild as Wedding Crashers was. The raunchiness is toned down, providing plenty of tense moments, but not being as overtly sexual as some other romantic comedies of recent times. Which works well, as I noticed that people from all age ranges and demographics were enjoying the movie while I was inside the theater - Young couples, older couples, that guy who has no date and brings a friend instead...oh, that's me. Oops.

However, the movie does have its flaws. I wasn't quite thrilled at how the movie ended and tied up the story between Jason Bateman and Kristen Bell; it felt forced. Couples Retreat also has some obvious endorsement with Guitar Hero, and as somebody who swears by rhythm based games (and Rockband, specifically), that kind of irritated me how they played it out in the cheesiest way possible. The moment it happens, you'll laugh, but it's going to be in the "God I can't believe this is happening" way. Like being promised chocolate but given only bittersweet pieces.

All in all, I'd give the movie a 7.5/10. Too many romantic comedies are about falling in love and being young, so seeing one about people having problems staying in love was a nice change of pace. The casting was excellent, and the movie clocks in at just the right length for a rom com - a little less than two hours. Dare I say, I look forward to more Vince Vaughn helmed projects in the future?!