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Jaded_Dragon
Reviews
Family Guy (1999)
A worthy Heir to the animated throne...
Family Guy is a very divisive show. It divides people into groups that like and and might not be total idiots, and people who hate it and most assuredly are.
In a time when almost every mainstream animated comedy has lost its way, either spiraling downward into clichéd irrelevancy like "The Simpsons" or destroying itself with wholesale arrogance and self indulgence like South Park, it is nice to see that SOMEONE understands that the purpose of a comedy is not to keep a long dead franchise going for merchandising rights, or to act as the creator's own private blog, but to be funny.
Family guy is a show that is unafraid to take risks, to do new things, and change the formula between episodes almost every week, instead of just on Halloween or Xmas. In short it's what the simpsons was in is golden years, but less formulaic. It may not be quite as sharp, and it's highly British sense of humor may be lost on some, but it still remains one of the few oasis in the massive comedic dry spell that is animated television.
Monster's Ball (2001)
Embarrassing.
When watching this film, I kept flashing back to an episode of the simpsons, only Halle Berry was there....
HB: Dearest Billy Bob Thorton, for years I've yearned to prostitute my race on camera and set my people back a good few decades or so and with your help, this I shall achieve....
What transpires in Monster's Ball is a competently written, shot and executed film that only manages to impress with the sheer amount of baggage it is able to generate, Many fine actors, such as Thorton and Ledger have places in the film but their presence feels strained, as though they knew they were doing their requisite "thinker" film before going back to their respective typecast genre roles. Halle Berry gives the performance of her life, though that isn't as positive as you would think. In this film she manages to avoid her almost Adam west-like overacting and single entendres that seem to permeate her other roles. Perhaps that is because she decided to stop acting with her mind, and started acting with her body. She essentially is there to be black, and show nipple. But because of racial politics being what they are, some misguided individuals seemed to think this was Oscar worthy. It wasn't.
The film still needs to be seen, if only so people can understand why. Ironically in her role as a black woman victimized by racism serves as the single most destructive role for black youth in any movie today. Forget Snoop Dog, Puffy, or Martin Lawrence on a bender. IN this film, the hopes and dreams of a generation and a people are flushed down the colored person's toilet with a single exploitive sex scene, and the line of "Let's have ice cream." I certainly hope that the shiny little man was worth it lady. Me, I couldn't live with myself.
This Just In (2004)
Utter Trash
Seriously, what is the point of this show? Unlike many political humor shows it goes straight for the heart of the issue rather than skirt around it...then misses the point entirely. There is a reason spike TV is the only one who will touch this. At its best it's a apologists diary of Bush's policies even when fellow conservatives are questioning them. At its worst it's utter bigotry towards people even most conservatives aren't hostile towards anymore. I mean come on, France jokes? 2003 called, they want their ethnic slurs back. What passes for humor on this show is essentially "witty" badmouthing and characterization of people who opposed the war. Which means we get the ever so original, highly overweight Michael Moore shooting his mouth off. What comedic genius! Then they'll trot out a horribly skewed Moby (who is acting more like Marilyn Manson) and make fun of him. I guess the reason why they didn't pick on Eminem (who also denounced the war) is because he's too popular. Wow, only picking on those who won't fight back...what creative courage. I know conservatives want some form of entertainment skewed towards their interests...(you know, aside from every single news channel and half the networks on the air) but this show just makes them out as a pack of rabid dogs. Oh, I forgot taking cheap shots at the kennedy's...any titanic jokes they want to crank out while hitting these fads in the height of their popularity? It's not that the show presents a right wing perspective, it's how badly it does it. Shows like King of the Hill are quite conservative but still manage to explain their take on a given issue and use logical evidence to support it. Even if you don't agree with what they are doing, they make you think and are almost always enjoyable. "This just in" does none of this. It feels like it really wants to be family guy but didn't really put in the effort (as evidenced by its complete lack of star power, Hell Family guy was able to get Luke Perry in its second season.). To sum it all up, the show lacks originality, characters with depths, interesting plot and (the final nail in its coffin for a show of this genre) humor. its just not funny, is more often than not offensive, and is actually painful to watch. The worst thing of all is that it is taking away valuable time that could be spent airing MXE, which is funnier, and has a hell of a lot more star power.
EuroTrip (2004)
God bless America!
I was eagerly awaiting the release of this film back when it was still titled "Ugly Americans". Admittedly I was only really interested in the movie because Michelle Trachtenberg was going to be in it. As I saw previews for the movie I grew steadily more anxious to see it.Especially after seeing OLD SCHOOL,I was nervous that the movie would just be an unfunny mishmash of offensive and horrible stereotypes about Europeans. Thank God I was wrong. The movie is brilliantly funny though most people over 30 might not get it. Everyone pretty much knows the plot so I won't really waste time with it. The plot is really not all that important. What makes or breaks a movie of this type are the jokes and cast. I am glad to say that both are top notch. The twins actually look like they are related (which makes a later gag even more unnerving), and the relationship between Scotty and Cooper actually mirrors the friendship that I have with my best friend. The celebrity cameos are all a great deal of fun (especially Vinnie Jones). The real treat is Michelle Trachtenberg who gives off a wondrous performance as a girl who is considered one of the guys. Apparently she took the role wanting to be seen less as the cute little girl and more of a sexy young woman. mission accomplished. There is not a single frame of the movie where she is not sexy as hell. Even thought she is the only girl in the movie to keep her clothes on (most of the time), most of your attention will likely be drawn to her.
At the end of the day this is probably the funniest film ever produced by the "People who brought you Road Trip and Old School". This easily dwarfs their previous efforts. It might even be the new "American Pie"
Here's hoping. 10/10