Black Comedy: Fido

Fido (2006)

After Timmy Robinson's zombie attacks a neighbor, he decides to hide the evidence so his new "best friend" isn't taken away. That's right, Timmy has a pet zombie, as do most of his neighbors. Some of them even have more than one! Set in the 1950s, the film plays on the prejudices of the "nuclear family," yet still shows how humans can have humane feelings towards beings that, if given the chance, will eat them like a Tiger in India!

This film was absolutely brilliant! Billy Connolly plays Fido, the Robinson family's zombie servant. The back story, which includes a summary of the "Zombie Wars" that lead up to the setting of the script, was extraordinary. Written and directed by Andrew Currie, the plot includes minuscule details right down to how zombies still roam the "wild zone," how current survivors have to watch out for the elderly (since radioactive space dust still resurrects the dead), and the fact that only 10% of the world's population get funerals. What happens to the other 90%? What else! They're turned into slave labor.

Being a huge George Romero fan, I was utterly astonished by the lengths Currie went to cover every single aspect of the status quo trying to maintain some sort of normalcy in a post apocalyptic world.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of zombie flicks and to anyone who will get the references to previous films of this genre.

you gotta see this shit

Documentary: The Big Buy: Tom Delay's Stolen Congress

The Big Buy: Tom Delay's Stolen Congress (2006)

This is another political documentary by Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films, a media company that has produced additional documentary films such as Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers, The Big Buy: Tom Delay's Stolen Congress and, Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price. It provides details about the case against DeLay, who basically funneled corporate contributions to state candidates Republican PACs. The problem is that it's illegal in Texas for state legislators to accept campaign contributions from corporations. The film also introduces us to the slimeball that is Thomas Dale DeLay; his extremist political viewpoints, his reputation as a "hard partying" state legislator, and his rise to the political big leagues in Washington D.C.

In case anyone is still paying attention to this, DeLay has not gone to trial as of the date or this review. He claimed innocence at first, even going as far as calling the state prosecutor, Ronnie Earle, "partisan and vindictive." (coming from such as vindictive, partisan individual, it's hard to tell whether this was intended to be an insult or a compliment) Tom eventually stepped down from his majority leader position, and ultimately, retired from Congress altogether.

Well after watching this movie, I'm entirely convinced that Tom DeLay is guilty as charged. However, I'm also aware of our broken Justice System, and realize that DeLay will get away with what he did. Earle has since announced his intent to resign after his most recent term. Even if he is eventually convicted, our King George the Dumbya will pardon him. Thomas Dale Delay is the definition of a "loyal bushie," and our King has proven to be steadfast in protecting his political foot soldiers.

you gotta see this shit!

Comedy: Things to Do

Things to Do (2006)

25 year old Adam decides to go spend the summer at home after a traumatic incident at work. While home, he reconnects with Mac (played by Daniel Wilson, Owen and Luke's cousin), and is inspired to write a "Things to Do" list, including little things he'd always wanted to do. These include such things as build a soapbox derby racer; finish his model plane; "dunk" a basketball; and many other seemingly pointless tasks.

I realize what the writer and director tried to accomplish here, but this script was written to be a big budget slapstick comedy, not some existentialist "feel good" indie film. The script was tacky, the acting horrible, the so called "Things" were at best trivial, and do we really need ANOTHER fucking Wilson?

The extras on the DVD give you a more in depth look at why this went so wrong. Canadians asking other Canadians to be in their Mom's friend's son's indie movie.

this movie was fucking dumb

Documentary: Waging a Living

Waging a Living (2005)

This documentary chronicles how a security guard, a CNA, a Social Worker, and a Waitress all struggle to survive making twice the minimum wage. Roger Weisberg really captures the severity of today's financial crisis as the income gap grows faster and wider.

I got very angry watching this film, since these are folks who are certainly getting up everyday to go to work. It's not like they are welfare whores. As a matter of fact, they are at an economic point where as they continue to make minimal advances, the services are pulled from them. This exposes a severe flaw in the system.

For example; The social worker get's a $1 raise at work. This "increase" disqualifies her for medicaid, which means she has to pay full price for her son's allergy medicine, which is around $200. The system then cuts her housing aid by $140. As she put it, she's "hustling backwards." Not only is she working, she's also earning on her associates degree on the side, AND raising 4 kids.

The other stories are just as compelling. By the end, most of the workers are in the same position as when the movie started. The security guard actually making less, the waitress having to count on a significant other for financial help, the CNA still working 60 hours a week, and the social worker having to go part time in order to complete her Bachelors degree in a timely matter.

On the more positive side, there is an additional half hour documentary in the Extras section of the DVD. This short film follows Rosevelt Henderson, a Liberian refugee with an Associates in Civil Engineering, as he struggles to make ends meet while raising his 3 sons and working to get his wife and daughter to America. It's sad to see such an educated person have to work as a custodian and van driver to make ends meet, but on the happier note, the family finally reunites, and Rosevelt truly appreciates the real freedom he has in America.

this was good

Comedy: Balls of Fury

Balls of Fury (2007)

At just 12 years old, Randy Daytona was a ping-pong child prodigy on the brink of capturing the gold at the 1988 Olympics when he blows it under the stress, and subsequently loses his father. 19 years later, the FBI catches up with Randy in Reno, where he's just been fired from his table tennis lunch show. In the style of Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon, Randy is asked to attend a "sudden death" ping pong tournament hosted by Feng (Christopher Walken) so the FBI can infiltrate the lair of this criminal mastermind. After training with a blind coach who doesn't normally train Americans, Randy makes it to the tournament, running into a few of his opponents from his past. What follows is what would be expected.

This was written by Robert Ben Garrant and Thomas Lennon (of Reno 911 and the State fame), and directed by Garrant, so I expected much more out of this. New-comer Dan Fogler, who plays the adult Daytona, seems to be the new comedic slacker in the mold of Jack Black or Judah Friedlander. He seems to be the perfect choice for the Def Leppard fanatic role, and made this more entertaining than it would have been with someone else in that role. Also, being a big fan of Garrant and Lennon, their humor certainly comes through in the script, making the move bearable, and Walken was hilarious. So, at best, I have to say...

it was okay

Animated Comedy: The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Movie (2007)

Homer dumps pig shit in the lake, causing an environmental catastrophe. Bart realizes that Flanders is a better father than Homer. Marge questions her love of Homer after realizing how egocentric he is, and Lisa tries to save Springfield and falls in love with the brainy outsider. Yep, just your typical episode.

Don't get me wrong, the movie was good for what it was, and granted, the plot was a little more extreme than a regular Simpsons plot. It was worth watching, and was very funny in certain parts. Homer makes the movie, of course, fucking up stuff for everyone, yet able to escape the very catastrophe he's caused. There's a scene where Bart goes skateboarding naked, and they actually show little Bart for a few seconds. I'm sure Fox would never have aired this in a regular episode.

All in all, this was just a 90 minute, uncut, uncensored Simpsons episode. If you are a Simpsons fan, especially in the later decade or so, you'll enjoy this big screen version of one of America's favorite television series.

this was good

Dramedy: It's All Gone Pete Tong

It's All Gone Pete Tong (2004)

Set in Ibiza, Europe's "party central" mediterranean paradise, this movie follows the life of Frankie Wilde, a world renowned DJ. He loves his work, and he loves his drugs. The problem is that combined, his work and the drugs are making Frankie deaf, and what good is a deaf DJ?

Unlike most mockumentaries, the cinematography was not like a real documentary, so there are very few shaky camera shots. It was a very intelligent decision, since the Island of Ibiza is beautifully captured as the movie's backdrop. There are many cameos made by Europe's most famous DJs, all sharing their stories about the how the fictional Wilde could turn out a party.

In the first act, Frankie yells at everyone as if he is still in the club, even when they aren't. All the warning signs of hearing loss are there, but Frankie continues on his downward spiral and just ignores them. By the second act, his hearing is almost entirely gone. He has an album to complete, so he continues to expose himself to conditions that will eventually rob him of his livelihood. Frankie completely loses his hearing by act three, even after attempting to live in complete silence for months. The fourth act follows Frankie as he kicks the drugs and learns to communicate with the hearing world, which helps him to meet his soulmate.

Penelope is also deaf, and she teaches Frankie to read lips. Through her lessons, Frankie begins to devise a way to make a comeback. The final act takes you through the impossible: a deaf DJ producing a record single, and what seems to be Frankie's last live performance ever, all with the help of a laptop computer and flip flops made of speakers!

After watching this movie, I now refuse to expose myself to loud music in an attempt to preserve what hearing I have left. I started playing drums when I was 12 years old; took part in a scene where "speaker freaking" was common; and graduated to DJing, which noticeably took it's toll on my auditory capabilities. Also, the movie covers something that a lot of Americans don't realize: DJs are the rockstars of Europe!

you gotta see this shit

Dramedy: Duane Hopwood

Duane Hopwood (2005)

I had some friends that worked the overnight shift at UPS, and would have some drinks after work. Obviously, the problem was that "after work" was 8 in the morning. So, while I was on my way to work, they were working on a case of beer at 9am, and pretty buzzed by 11am or so. David Schwimmer stars as Duane Hopwood, and Duane has a similar problem...

Duane is a pit boss at an Atlantic City Casino. He works the overnight shift, which means he's had a few by the time he sees his two daughters in the afternoon. After his wife (played by Janeane Garofalo) divorces him for being a drunk and doing what drunks do, Duane starts his downward spiral into addiction.

Judah Friedlander (30 Rock) Dick Cavett, and John Krasinski (The Office) play minor parts in this lightsided look at a regular guying sinking into his alcoholic "rock bottom," as people who seem to truly care for him watch helplessly.

The problem I have with many indie flicks are that they just seem completely pointless. This was that type of movie. The storyline should have utilized the talents of Cavett and Krasinski, who have but a few lines and only appear on camera for a couple of minutes throughout the entire film. Friedlander plays the comic relief, a more prominent role than the others, but it just didn't allow him to fully exercise his comedic talent either. Overall, it was a disappointment.

don't bother


Link: sevenload.com

Comedy: Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story

Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story (2004)

10 years ago, the golden child of Paintball, Bobby Dukes, committed the most serious infraction in all of the sport: he wiped. In turn, he was banned from the sport for a decade. This mockumentary takes you through weeks leading up to the Hudson Valley Paintball Classic, when Bobby comes back from exile, and forms a team to earn back his reputation. Unfortunately, Bobby has been black listed from the sport, and no one wants anything to do with him!

Rob Corddry starts as Bobby, and he was perfect for the role. There are numerous appearances from many other lesser known comics, including Daily Show alum Ed Helms and Rob Riggle. Two guys from Human Giant, Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel, also have prominent roles in this funny look at a pretty ridiculous sport.

This movie started out great, but ended kinda flat for me. I think that this could have been a lot better than it was. However, most of it was funny enough to say:

it was okay

Animated Comedy: Ratatouille

Ratatouille (2007)

Patton Oswalt voices Remy, the star of this animated comedy about gourmet cuisine. Remy is a rat who grew up raiding the rural house of an elderly women. When the family is exposed, they make an escape down a drainpipe. Remy is split from the rest of the rats, and winds up face to face with his culinary hero's restaurant. He accidentally finds a way into the kitchen, and through some animated hijinks, he becomes the newest chef on the block! With one exception, he has to use an oafish young man's help to accomplish his gourmet concoctions.

Like most Pixar films, I forgot for a few minutes that this was animated. The voice talent was also great, but could have been alot better. Wil Arnett actually has a small part in the movie, but you'll never know it's him. Janeane Garofalo plays a larger part, but she does it with a french accent. Another waste of good talent.

Overall, this movie was very entertaining. The plot was consistent, the technicalities involving a bustling kitchen well researched, and the animation was phenomenal. Patton Oswalt also added a great deal of vocal talent that really made this movie enjoyable.

this was good

Drama: The Namesake

The Namesake (2006)

This movie starts with the touching story of a Bengali Bachelor, Ashoke Ganguli, and his arranged meeting to the beautiful Ashima. They are quickly married, and immediately return to Ashoke's apartment in New York City, where he is studying for his Phd. They soon have a couple of children, the first being a boy named "Gogol," which is the namesake of Ashoke's favorite writer, Nikolai Gogol. The movie then focuses on the cultural struggles the Gangulis face as both children grow up in American society, and how Gogol handles his role as the male heir to the name.

I really enjoyed this film, based on the book of the same name. I found the love story between Ashoke and Ashima to be very genuine, which helped me understand how an arranged marriage could turn to genuine affection. There are many more cultural taboos explained in the movie, which Gogol has to face during his years as an Bengali-American bachelor in present day United States. This is actually a great family movie, since it introduces us to the issues that many recent immigrants face integrating into a very ignorant American society.

Kal Penn, of Harold and Kumar fame, did a great job as Gogol. We are also introduced to the beautiful Tabu, who played Ashima, and Irfan Khan, who played a convincingly intellectual Ashoke. Both Tabu and Irfan are big stars in their native India, and this was a great forum for their introduction to American movies.

this was good

Drama: Half Nelson

Half Nelson (2006)

Ryan Gosling stars as Dan Dunne, a twenty something addict who is also a very influential history teacher in an inner city middle school. The story focuses on his struggles to keep his night life from bleeding into his day life, which proves to be impossible. The plot continues to thicken right up to a very climactic scene near the end of the film. Then in pure indie flick form, there's really no happy ending.

For the first half hour or so, I was really struggling to follow the storyline. I don't understand how this guy can continue to function with all of the crack he's smoking, and the drinking and coke snorting to boot. The plot continues to build, though not in a regular mainstream sense. After sitting through the entire thing, you pretty much just accept that fact that there isn't going to be a happy ending. And then the movie is over.

Since this is a typical independent film with indie type camera angles and movements, it's definitely not for everyone. However, I personally knew some people like Dan Dunne, and thought that the writer and director hit the nail on the head in regards to the addicts' personality.

it was okay

Top Three: Generation X-Mas

Tis the season to spend spend spend! As a generation x-er, I thought I'd go ahead and name my top 3 X-mas Specials and top 3 X-mas Movies. For the TV specials, I've included some clips with some diddies from each special. I can almost smell cookies baking in the background!

Top 3 Generation Xmas Specials

3. Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmas (1977)
If you were born before 1980, then you watched the Muppets, and you likely saw this Jim Henson HBO special. The lesson I learned from this one is don't go poking holes in your mama's washtub. Oh yeah, and the best thing to go with jug band music is a mess of mama's bar-bee-cue!


2. How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
You grew up watching it, and you loved it! And you KNOW I'm not talking about the Jim Carrey live action bull shit that almost ruined this holiday classic. Mr. Grinch sure was a mean one.


1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
One thing about the Charlie Brown specials is that the Vince Guaraldi Trio played all of the soundtracks. When I worked for Sam Goody in high school, this was the very first CD we'd open to play for the holidays.


Top 3 Generation Xmas Movies

3. Scrooged (1988)
Bill Murray played the best Scrooge EVER in an updated version of this Xmas classic. With the addition of a love interest, this movie is definitely a pleaser for the holidays.


2. Santa Clause: The Movie (1985)
Some people have forgotten about this one, but with John Lithgow and the late Dudley Moore in it, how could you?


1. A Christmas Story (1983)
"You'll shoot your eye out!" I saw this one in the theater more than once because my mom loved it so much. I probably watch this movie 10 times a season. INSTANT CLASSIC

Comedy: Superbad

Superbad (2007)

This movie follows 3 high school geeks over the length of a day and a half. With only 3 weeks left of their high school career, they're trying to figure out a way to get laid before graduation. Luckily for them, 2 of the closer friends have been invited to a party, and 1 of them intends to use the other's fake ID to purchase the booze for the night. And so the adventure begins...

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg began writing this script when they were just 13 years old. It's produced by Judd Apatow, and this flick definitely felt like a typical Apatow productions. Plenty of actors that have been in Judd's productions over the last decade had small parts in this flick. Martin Starr from Freaks and Geeks even shows up during a cocaine scene, and is later shown punching a big dude in the gut over and over during a hilarious fight scene. Bill Hader also co-stars in this as a police officer partnered with Seth Rogen's character. The trailers I'd seen in the past made it appear that these guys only make a small part of the plot, when in fact they are present throughout the movie. Jonah Hill (Seth) and Michael Cera (Evan) were perfectly matched for the "bromance" portion of this film, and their 3rd wheel buddy "Fogel", played by newbie Christopher Mintz-Plasse was another intelligent casting decision. Watch the DVD extras, and you'll meet the REAL Evan, Seth, and Fogel.

This is probably one of the funniest movies I've seen in years. The language is obscene, but I could see myself talking that way to my friends if I was an 18 year old in this day and age. The movie opens with Hill's character calling Cera's character to discuss which porn site he'll be subscribing to next year, and goes into a diatribe that was brilliantly scripted. A great script, hilarious improvisation, and an even greater soundtrack made this movie FUCKING AWESOME.

you gotta see this shit!

Documentary: Sicko

Sicko (2007)

My mom called me about 20 minutes into this honest documentary by Michael Moore, and our conversation ended with both of us slamming the phone down after I blamed the baby boomers for this country's current healthcare situation. After watching the rest of the movie, I felt like calling her back to make an appointment for us to sit down and watch this together. After all, most Moore movies are made for people like my parents: people who piss and moan about where this country is heading, and never taking the any sort of responsibility for sitting on their hands all these years.

In typical Moore fashion, Michael takes us through everything every American needs to know about our current for profit healthcare crisis: how medical directors for US insurance companies make bonuses by denying coverage; how every other Western democratic country has universal healthcare; that Doctors in these countries still make a good living, as well as the citizens who are supposedly "overtaxed" for these services.

I just quit my job a couple of weeks ago, and it will cost me $200 a month just for HMO Medical and Dental through Cobra. This doesn't include copays or deductibles. Take a look at your insurance coverage: Do you have 80/20 coverage? Well that means that you are responsible for 20% of your bills. Just as an example: A guy I graduated from HS with broke his neck a few years ago. The surgery was billed at 2.5 MILLION dollars. This means that you'd be responsible for $500K! What the FUCK?!?!?!?!??!

This shit is getting old, and I really hope that ALL Americans wake up VERY SOON, because the corporatization of our country is raping the middle class.

you gotta see this shit, and you have to watch it with someone else that needs to see it!