Rush (2013)
I'm definitely not a racing fan myself and so I was excited to see "Rush" as an interesting peek into that world. I'll put aside the fact that "I don't get it" and see if the movie depiction of Formula 1 racing can communicate the excitement of the sport, the adrenaline-pumping speed and the reason it stirs so much passion in the fans. The obvious equivalent is "Days of Thunder", of course. I can't stand NASCAR but still really enjoy watching that movie.
But the definitive movie about indie car racing doesn't really focus on indie car racing (or focus enough for my taste). The movie is a true story about two rival drivers (James Hunt and Niki Lauda) from the seventies. In the first half of the movie we see them attracting women, we see them wooing women, we see them getting married, we see things go badly and the divorce that follows. Why should we care about any of this? Show us the racing, show us what makes these people special, show us why they're the best. On that front, the movie is content to resort to exposition - they just put "James wins" on the screen in nice titles.
The second half of the movie steps it up a little bit with some nice racing sequences but overall I don't care about either of these characters, I don't care how many women they've been with and, even going into it with no knowledge of the sport, I really didn't learn anything about Formula One. It made it into the Top 250 though. So, like Formula One itself, certainly some people out there must be enjoying it but I don't get it at all.
4/10.
Total "Top 250" Movies Seen: 378.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Late Night - Episode #2
Can you imagine if I posted a review for every episode of Late Night? Don't worry.
Just a few notes. It's only the second episode and still it was a huge improvement over the first. The monologue was much more conversational and the yelling has been almost completely eliminated. It seemed he still had a tendency to attempt it and had to consciously make an effort to ratchet it back.
The comedy piece was one where "audience members" stand up and start complaining about the show to Seth. Sure, it's not a groundbreaking concept but it was pleasantly reminiscent of Conan's Late Night.
The first guest was Kanye West - a notoriously tricky interview but it was handled well.
Overall, much, much, better. I still have to question whether I really want to commit to three talk shows every weekday but it's at least more tempting than it was yesterday. There's definite potential here.
Just a few notes. It's only the second episode and still it was a huge improvement over the first. The monologue was much more conversational and the yelling has been almost completely eliminated. It seemed he still had a tendency to attempt it and had to consciously make an effort to ratchet it back.
The comedy piece was one where "audience members" stand up and start complaining about the show to Seth. Sure, it's not a groundbreaking concept but it was pleasantly reminiscent of Conan's Late Night.
The first guest was Kanye West - a notoriously tricky interview but it was handled well.
Overall, much, much, better. I still have to question whether I really want to commit to three talk shows every weekday but it's at least more tempting than it was yesterday. There's definite potential here.
Tonight Show - Lip Sync Battle #1
They did it once (or twice?) on the old show but this is the first time for The Tonight Show: Jimmy Fallon vs. Paul Rudd in a lip sync battle.
IMDB 250 - Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
As the title suggests, this is a dog story. It's a "G Rated" "Family Film" that's appropriate for the family of all ages.
I went into it quite cynically. Family films rarely make it into the IMDB 250 and this one I'd never even heard of before. Ever. Could it really be that good if it's been out for three years and I've never even heard of it?
The first half is an exercise in formula. Through some sort of mix up a man (Richard Gere) finds a lost puppy. The puppy is about the cutest puppy ever and yet he simply can't find anyone else to take him and nobody comes forth to claim him. So he keeps him despite his wife's disapproval. And, of course, the puppy gets into all sorts of mischief.
But while we've seen the first half in movies before, the second half takes a turn that is a "different take" on things. And even going into it with arms folded, it did get to me. You know how it is... If you've ever owned a dog or simply like dogs or have any feeling towards any animal whatsoever, I think you'd have to be made of stone not to (at the very least) well up at this movie. And it's safe to say I'm definitely not made of stone.
7.8/10.
Total "Top 250" Movies Seen: 377.
As the title suggests, this is a dog story. It's a "G Rated" "Family Film" that's appropriate for the family of all ages.
I went into it quite cynically. Family films rarely make it into the IMDB 250 and this one I'd never even heard of before. Ever. Could it really be that good if it's been out for three years and I've never even heard of it?
The first half is an exercise in formula. Through some sort of mix up a man (Richard Gere) finds a lost puppy. The puppy is about the cutest puppy ever and yet he simply can't find anyone else to take him and nobody comes forth to claim him. So he keeps him despite his wife's disapproval. And, of course, the puppy gets into all sorts of mischief.
But while we've seen the first half in movies before, the second half takes a turn that is a "different take" on things. And even going into it with arms folded, it did get to me. You know how it is... If you've ever owned a dog or simply like dogs or have any feeling towards any animal whatsoever, I think you'd have to be made of stone not to (at the very least) well up at this movie. And it's safe to say I'm definitely not made of stone.
7.8/10.
Total "Top 250" Movies Seen: 377.
Monday, February 24, 2014
The Late Night Premiere
The first episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers premiered tonight and the future is uncertain.
Late night talk shows almost always start slow, they almost always take time to find their groove and get the proper footing. So I don't think anyone can predict anything from just the first show. However it did have noticeable weaknesses.
What should have been the obvious strength of the show was a huge weakness. Seth Meyers comes from the "Weekend Update" desk at Saturday Night Live so making jokes about the news is second nature at this point. But that's also the problem. The monologue is supposed to be direct communication to the audience - it's supposed to be conversational - Seth belted out the jokes in exactly the same "fake newscaster" style that he's been doing on "Weekend Update". Everything he said sounded like yelling and the jokes suffered. That's an easy fix though so hopefully it happens.
Over to desk chat: more yell-talking. The band is also a bit strange, one of the members is Fred Armisen (which would be a bonus) but there's some strange arrangement where he's going to be in the band some of the time but often leave to do other things, I don't know how it works. The comedy was standard cheap late night stuff but at least he stopped yelling for them. The interviews (Amy Poehler and Joe Biden) were fine if a little low on energy.
And that's the show. In summary, it felt like Steps 1-5 on how to do a talk show. It's as if they're simply going through the motions of filling up network time with no passion for originality or personality. I want to emphasize again that the long-term success of a talk show is just about impossible to predict. But right now the point is more about whether I'm suitably interested in following it nightly. I don't see anything to grab onto thus far.
As of now the episode isn't available online. When it is, you'll find it here.
Edit: To be totally fair to the new Late Night, my viewing of it may have been affected by the news that I may have just lost a large sum of money. That isn't good for entertainment, surely. That's a whole other story. You can watch the show and decide for yourself anyway.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
IMDB 250 - Elite Squad: The Enemy Within (2010)
Elite Squad: The Enemy Within (2010)
"Elite Squad: The Enemy Within". If you're like me, that title sends a shiver of awfulness up your spine. Well, I can tell you it isn't as bad as the title suggests. It's a Brazilian movie and the title is probably just a matter of translation.
"Elite Squad: beh beh behbeh" examines crime and corruption within Rio de Janeiro at all levels. Drugs and guns are rampant, the police are thoroughly corrupt and the people who command them (the government) are criminals themselves. The gangs are out of control and so the police employ extremely draconian measures to fight back... which makes them ever more unpopular with the people they're supposed to protect. There is seemingly no end to the city's problems and no solution in sight.
"Elite Squad: etc, etc" is more about events than characters and has an almost constant stream of world-weary narration. It's gritty, it's violent, it's "action-packed". It's actually well made and well acted. But it's one of those movies that's not bad, but also didn't interest me in any way. There was no point where I cared about what happened. Thus, the two hour running time seemed like an eternity.
5/10.
Total "Top 250" Movies Seen: 376.
"Elite Squad: The Enemy Within". If you're like me, that title sends a shiver of awfulness up your spine. Well, I can tell you it isn't as bad as the title suggests. It's a Brazilian movie and the title is probably just a matter of translation.
"Elite Squad: beh beh behbeh" examines crime and corruption within Rio de Janeiro at all levels. Drugs and guns are rampant, the police are thoroughly corrupt and the people who command them (the government) are criminals themselves. The gangs are out of control and so the police employ extremely draconian measures to fight back... which makes them ever more unpopular with the people they're supposed to protect. There is seemingly no end to the city's problems and no solution in sight.
"Elite Squad: etc, etc" is more about events than characters and has an almost constant stream of world-weary narration. It's gritty, it's violent, it's "action-packed". It's actually well made and well acted. But it's one of those movies that's not bad, but also didn't interest me in any way. There was no point where I cared about what happened. Thus, the two hour running time seemed like an eternity.
5/10.
Total "Top 250" Movies Seen: 376.
Serious Jibber-Jabber - Ken Burns
Conan sits down and talks to Documentarian Ken Burns ("The Civil War", "Baseball", "Lewis and Clark", etc.) about speeches, Lincoln, Presidential History and the history of our nation.
I've said this about other interviews in the past but I'll say it again because it's true.... an hour-long interview with a Documentarian is a big commitment but it really is worth it. It's a great interview.
I've said this about other interviews in the past but I'll say it again because it's true.... an hour-long interview with a Documentarian is a big commitment but it really is worth it. It's a great interview.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
IMDB 250 - Three Colors: Red (1994)
Three Colors: Red (1994)
"Three Colors: Red" feels like the quintessential foreign movie. It's slow, deliberate, nothing but conversation and it deals with weighty philosophical ideas. It's also a French language film set in Switzerland and has a Polish Director.
A model in Geneva hits a dog with her car and looks for the owner. She finds the owner is a retired Judge who now spends his time listening in to his neighbors phone conversations. She's disgusted but also clearly drawn to the man and attempts to know him.
Although this movie is from 1994, it looks like it's from 1984. It looks and feels like Director Krzysztof Piesiewicz's other work "The Decalogue". That's not a criticism exactly, just an observation. In fact, I liked "The Decalogue" so much that I enjoy it. It must be a particular camera or type of film he used.
"Red" is part of a trilogy in which some of the characters in one movie show up in the other two. There's also a suggestion that some of the characters are actually the same character, but at a different point in time. The "Three Colors" trilogy, and this film, are about the interconnectedness of all of our lives and about the way all of our lives are disconnected as well. And it's all up to chance, destiny or serendipity as to which lives touch which others.
8/10.
Total "Top 250" Movies Seen: 375.
"Three Colors: Red" feels like the quintessential foreign movie. It's slow, deliberate, nothing but conversation and it deals with weighty philosophical ideas. It's also a French language film set in Switzerland and has a Polish Director.
A model in Geneva hits a dog with her car and looks for the owner. She finds the owner is a retired Judge who now spends his time listening in to his neighbors phone conversations. She's disgusted but also clearly drawn to the man and attempts to know him.
Although this movie is from 1994, it looks like it's from 1984. It looks and feels like Director Krzysztof Piesiewicz's other work "The Decalogue". That's not a criticism exactly, just an observation. In fact, I liked "The Decalogue" so much that I enjoy it. It must be a particular camera or type of film he used.
"Red" is part of a trilogy in which some of the characters in one movie show up in the other two. There's also a suggestion that some of the characters are actually the same character, but at a different point in time. The "Three Colors" trilogy, and this film, are about the interconnectedness of all of our lives and about the way all of our lives are disconnected as well. And it's all up to chance, destiny or serendipity as to which lives touch which others.
8/10.
Total "Top 250" Movies Seen: 375.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Conan Delivers Flowers
For Valentine's Day Conan helps deliver flowers. Though some people call it "Valenties Day".
Conan's hair is outta control in this one. It's like Catherine O'Hara in "Waiting for Guffman".
Conan's hair is outta control in this one. It's like Catherine O'Hara in "Waiting for Guffman".
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Tonight Show - Brian Williams Raps
Jimmy Fallon is back with another episode of "Brian Williams Raps" and this one is extra special. You gotta love "Rapper's Delight", everyone loves "Rapper's Delight". It's basically the law.
Tonight Show - Harry Styles Interview
On Jimmy Fallon's second night as host of the Tonight Show an audible was called. Kristen Wiig was scheduled to be the second guest but at the last second, Harry Styles (of One Direction fame) suddenly became available. So he cancelled Kristen Wiig and chose to interview Harry instead.
The result looked like this:
The result looked like this:
Conan Remembers Sid Caesar
Conan had a show to honor the comedy legend Sid Caesar who passed away last week. His first and only guest was Mel Brooks who wrote for Caesar on "Your Show of Shows".
Watch the full episode here. They did a great job of choosing and showing clips of the great sketches (and editing them down because of the kids and their attention spans).
But I thought I would link one of my own favorites that wasn't covered by Conan. Here's the Clock Sketch:
You can see the direct line from Caesar's German doubletalk and Conan's German impression as well as the Clock Sketch to SNL's Tunnel of Love Sketch.
Watch the full episode here. They did a great job of choosing and showing clips of the great sketches (and editing them down because of the kids and their attention spans).
But I thought I would link one of my own favorites that wasn't covered by Conan. Here's the Clock Sketch:
You can see the direct line from Caesar's German doubletalk and Conan's German impression as well as the Clock Sketch to SNL's Tunnel of Love Sketch.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
The Tonight Show Premiere
The first episode of the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon aired last night. It makes no sense that NBC is premiering it at midnight while the Olympics are still happening when there's no reason why they couldn't just wait for the Olympics to be over. Not good.
First Guest: Will Smith
First Musical Guest: U2
Here's the beginning of the monologue:
These first shows are never very good. It always takes a while to settle in. Even the crowd was nervously quiet for some reason.
The opening is directed by Spike Lee. The new set looks good. Obviously the large curtain behind the monologue is a throwback to the Johnny Carson days. The Roots are still the band and they've added a brass section (perhaps also a Carson throwback) giving them a very different sound. Speaking of sound, one of my nitpicky complaints about Conan's Tonight Show was that the set made it sound like he was talking from the other end of a large hall - there was always an uncomfortable echo. Fortunately, this set doesn't suffer from that problem.
Would you like to see the full episode? Well, unlike Late Night where all the episodes were posted online, I don't see any corresponding system for The Tonight Show. Definitely a step backward. Ahh, the joys of NBC.
First Guest: Will Smith
First Musical Guest: U2
Here's the beginning of the monologue:
These first shows are never very good. It always takes a while to settle in. Even the crowd was nervously quiet for some reason.
The opening is directed by Spike Lee. The new set looks good. Obviously the large curtain behind the monologue is a throwback to the Johnny Carson days. The Roots are still the band and they've added a brass section (perhaps also a Carson throwback) giving them a very different sound. Speaking of sound, one of my nitpicky complaints about Conan's Tonight Show was that the set made it sound like he was talking from the other end of a large hall - there was always an uncomfortable echo. Fortunately, this set doesn't suffer from that problem.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
The Last Episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Friday was the last episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Watch it here.
Total Number of Episodes: 969.
Last Guest: Andy Samberg.
Last Musical Guest: Arguably Buckwheat Zydeco.
Last Guest Performance: The Muppets.
The last episode has a strange feel to it - the timing is off and Jimmy doesn't have any "punch" in the jokes because he's constantly verging on becoming "emotional". But the weight of the moment justifies it.
Speaking of "the weight"... the last segments of the "last shows" are part of TV history and lore. Jack Paar's "Come on, Lika... we're going home", Johnny Carson on the stool, etc.
In terms of "Late Night", when Letterman left Late Night, the last segment, he sat behind the desk and spoke to the audience. Conan's last segment on Late Night was the similar. Jimmy's bucked the trend (perhaps partly because he wouldn't be able to get through it without becoming a weeping mess). Instead of a speech, he performs The Band's "The Weight" with the Muppets and does it in a loving recreation of the version that appears in the movie "The Last Waltz".
"The Last Waltz" is a concert movie that covers The Band's last concert. The parallels with the situation of Jimmy's last show are obvious. Jimmy plays drums and plays on an identical set to Levon Helm's drum set in that movie. Jimmy grew up in upstate New York, not far from Levon's adopted home. I love that they got all the little touches right. The lighting is the same, the colors are the same, the recreation is so complete they even mimic Scorceses style of rotating around the musicians in tracking shots. Compare. I obviously love it. It's a great way to say goodbye.
The first episode of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon airs February 17th 2014.
Late Night with Seth Meyers starts February 24th 2014.
Watch it here.
Total Number of Episodes: 969.
Last Guest: Andy Samberg.
Last Musical Guest: Arguably Buckwheat Zydeco.
Last Guest Performance: The Muppets.
The last episode has a strange feel to it - the timing is off and Jimmy doesn't have any "punch" in the jokes because he's constantly verging on becoming "emotional". But the weight of the moment justifies it.
Speaking of "the weight"... the last segments of the "last shows" are part of TV history and lore. Jack Paar's "Come on, Lika... we're going home", Johnny Carson on the stool, etc.
In terms of "Late Night", when Letterman left Late Night, the last segment, he sat behind the desk and spoke to the audience. Conan's last segment on Late Night was the similar. Jimmy's bucked the trend (perhaps partly because he wouldn't be able to get through it without becoming a weeping mess). Instead of a speech, he performs The Band's "The Weight" with the Muppets and does it in a loving recreation of the version that appears in the movie "The Last Waltz".
"The Last Waltz" is a concert movie that covers The Band's last concert. The parallels with the situation of Jimmy's last show are obvious. Jimmy plays drums and plays on an identical set to Levon Helm's drum set in that movie. Jimmy grew up in upstate New York, not far from Levon's adopted home. I love that they got all the little touches right. The lighting is the same, the colors are the same, the recreation is so complete they even mimic Scorceses style of rotating around the musicians in tracking shots. Compare. I obviously love it. It's a great way to say goodbye.
The first episode of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon airs February 17th 2014.
Late Night with Seth Meyers starts February 24th 2014.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Conan - Punxsutawney Dr. Phil
Is this funny? Is it stupid? It's both! It's so stupid that it's funny...
Sunday, February 2, 2014
The Super Bridges
As always, I have an ongoing project to boycott the Super Bowl as long as I don't have a rooting interest (Pre-2011, 2011, 2012, 2013). This year's Super Bowl replacement activity was..... watching "The Bridges of Madison County".
This movie came out in 1995 and got a lot of press as being a tremendous "chick flick". I had never seen it but was always curious about it so it seemed to be the right thing for the Super Bowl.
"The Bridges of Madison County" is about the bridges of Madison County. Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood star as bridges #1 and #2.
"The Bridges of Madison County" is about a housewife (Meryl Streep) who has an affair with a photographer (Clint Eastwood). She finds true love but must decide whether to follow it or stay with her family.... And that's pretty much it. It's a very simple story told in pretty tight confines - it's the type of movie that could have easily been a play (even though it really wasn't).
Meryl Streep is as excellent as always and Clint Eastwood is good too. There isn't a whole lot to say about this movie... it's a simple story, well told. It's somewhat sensual or erotic and it kind of becomes a tearjerker at some point. The whole movie depends entirely on the chemistry of the two leads and that works.
Conclusion: Definitely better than "The Notebook", probably not as good as "Steel Magnolias". Although, with that last one, it's kind of an "apples and oranges" situation.
7/10.
This movie came out in 1995 and got a lot of press as being a tremendous "chick flick". I had never seen it but was always curious about it so it seemed to be the right thing for the Super Bowl.
"The Bridges of Madison County" is about the bridges of Madison County. Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood star as bridges #1 and #2.
"The Bridges of Madison County" is about a housewife (Meryl Streep) who has an affair with a photographer (Clint Eastwood). She finds true love but must decide whether to follow it or stay with her family.... And that's pretty much it. It's a very simple story told in pretty tight confines - it's the type of movie that could have easily been a play (even though it really wasn't).
Meryl Streep is as excellent as always and Clint Eastwood is good too. There isn't a whole lot to say about this movie... it's a simple story, well told. It's somewhat sensual or erotic and it kind of becomes a tearjerker at some point. The whole movie depends entirely on the chemistry of the two leads and that works.
Conclusion: Definitely better than "The Notebook", probably not as good as "Steel Magnolias". Although, with that last one, it's kind of an "apples and oranges" situation.
7/10.
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