Tag Team Tuesday

Michael McDonald Monday!

And why the hell not?

Appaloosa

Appaloosa is a good Western.

Appaloosa slipped under my radar during its time in the cinema. I remember seeing the trailer and thinking that it looked good, being a buddy type Western about Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris. Also, I think it was the second film directed by Ed Harris, after Pollack which I also enjoyed. But then I either forgot about it, it disappeared, or it was only in the theater for a week, so I missed it. This is what happens with most Westerns, since for whatever reason they are box office poison, even if they are brilliant. I need to make a mental note next time to see any decent looking Western in the theater on opening day, just on principle.

And, as I said, Appaloosa is a good Western. Maybe it's even a great Western, though it probably isn't a timeless classic. But it was a lot of fun, the story was interesting, if a little less than epic, and the acting was great. The chemistry between Mortensen and Harris as deputy and marshal is amazing. These two were in perfect sync and played off of one another perfectly. The villain was played by Jeremy Irons, who was mostly good, even though he did very little and had nothing much to do. He was more a of talked about threat than anything all that engaging when on screen. But at least it was Jeremy Irons. And then there was Renee Zelweger, who somehow keeps getting put in movies even though I've never met anybody anywhere who doesn't hate her. If, like most people, you do hate her, this movie isn't going to do anything to change that. She is at her absolute baby-voiced, squirrel-faced, obnoxious worst.

The story is the simple tale of two law men attempting to bring a murderer to justice, but the way in which its told feels fresh and interesting. The film gives a really interesting, in depth look at the way the judicial and law system of the old west worked, though I can't speak for its accuracy since I don't know. There was no rounding up of the posse here, since they had to wait until the had evidence of the villain's murders, and then they had to wait until the trial and sentencing. That's basically the entire plot right there, though there was enough subtext thrown in and some subplots here and there to keep things interesting.

But the real star of the show, and the heart of the story, is the friendship and chemistry between the two leads. These are likable men -- the characters and the actors -- and their story is worth watching. Anyway, it's a good western. That's all you might need to know.

Resident Evil: Afterlife

For some reason they keep making these Resident Evil movies, and for some reason I keep going to see them. Seriously, I've seen every Resident Evil movie in the theater. Can anybody explain why, especially considering how I didn't really like any of them? Anyway, I'm sure I'll see this one too, since it actually looks kinda cool.

But one thing I'll say right now, and I haven't even seen it yet, is that this isn't a Resident Evil movie. The first film was arguably the most faithful to the games, and even that was a Resident Evil film in only the most literal of terms. It was called Resident Evil and had a character fighting zombies. That was about it.

Anyway, check out this trailer, and then go see the movie. They have nothing to do with Resident Evil, but they are pretty cool, and they keep Milla Jovavich busy making movies like this instead of something that requires more of her than just looking hot.

Batman Odyssey #1

The first issue of Batman Odyssey came out this week, a new mini series written and drawn by Neal Adams. If you aren't a comic book fan, you simply can't understand how amazing this news is. Neal Adams is the artist probably most associated with Batman since Bob Kane first created the character in 1939. He was one of the most influential, well respected, and beloved comic book artists of all time, and having him return to any major Marvel or DC book is big news, but having him do Batman again is incredible.

This is perhaps the comic book equivalent of Sean Connery coming back for one more film as James Bond in Never Say Never Again, after he had long since retired from the character and let a few other actors take up the role. Or, more recently, when Harrison Ford returned to the Indiana Jones series after twenty or so years. And, much like Never Say Never Again and Crystal Skull, the first issue of Batman Odyssey is something of a train wreck.

Now, don't get me wrong, I loved Crystal Skull and I'll watch Never Say Never every time it comes on TV, but the stars definitely show their age, and as fun as they are, they don't really work all that well when taken as films on their own terms, removed from their series history. This first issue is just... weird. There's no other, better way to describe it. The characterization of Batman seems off, the dialogue is wacky, and the story structure makes very little sense. It's a flashback story that takes place within another flashback, so placing this series in continuity is somewhat difficult. Also, Dick Grayson is Robin, but he's wearing the costume Tim Drake wore. And why is Man Bat hanging out in the Batcave? And, come on, do we really need another Year One type story for Batman? This guy is already on about his tenth year one by now.

But at least the artwork is wonderful. Neal Adams is a classic comic book artist, and if his work seems less than spectacular now, that's because he created the style that ushered in modern comic book art. I've read some reviews that criticized his art here for being too styled or "scratchy," but I thought it was beautiful. I think this is some of the best work he's ever done, even if it is a little more cartoony than the far more gritty work he did on Batman all those years ago. The line work is impeccable, as you would expect from a Neal Adams comic, but there is so much energy to the characters and the panels that everything seems in motion. The sequence where Batman rides on top of the train is particularly exhilarating, which is a word I would rarely use to describe modern comics. Best of all are the four pages or so from Neal Adams's sketch book. Beautiful stuff.

So I didn't love it, but I'll keep at it because it was fun and the artwork was outstanding. This was just the first of twelve issues, so who can predict where it will go and how it will all turn out in the end. All I know is that Neal Adams is back on Batman, and that's important. Considering the lackluster script, however, I wish he had made his return with writer Denny O'Neill, but oh well. I'm almost willing to buy this book just on principle, and while I don't necessarily recommend it based on that, I do think any comic book fans should at least take a look.

The Wolfman

Now this is a perfectly forgettable movie. And I mean that literally.

This remake of the classic Universal horror film had been in production for years, but I had forgotten about it by the time I finally saw the first trailer. When it arrived in theaters, I had forgotten I had seen the trailer. When it came out on DVD, I had forgotten that it was ever in the theaters. And when the DVD arrived in my mailbox, I had forgotten that I had put it on my Netflix queue.

That isn't to say The Wolfman is a bad film. It's just not a very good one. It's just kind of boring. And ponderous. And long. And, well, forgettable. It's the kind of movie where, when the Wolfman is on screen and killing people, it's good fun, but the other 90% of the film is just people talking and looking at one another longingly. In a way, it's a spectacularly faithful interpretation of a Victorian novel, but it's just not a very engaging film, nor is it very horrific.

In conclusion, this film was just... wait... what film was I reviewing again? 

Louie

Louis CK is one of the funniest men on the planet. He's my favorite comedian who's currently still performing, which makes him pretty high up on my list of favorites of all time. He's just a funny, funny guy. He's an excellent performer, a great writer, and already a veteran of more than a few TV shows, some successful, some not so much. And now he has another show... and it's ok.

All of his staring vehicles so far have pretty much been named Louis, Louie, or some other variation on his name, and been based heavily upon his stand up act. And this is all well and good, because Louis CK is a likable guy and his stand up material is brilliant. But as a sitcom, not so much. This just isn't the right vehicle for him. It isn't that he's a bad actor or that the scripts are bad, just that... well... I dunno. It's just not that funny. It's funny enough to watch if it's on, but I can't recommend anybody seek it out, not even for Louis CK fans.

The format is kind of like early Seinfeld, in that stand up bits are inter-cut with more sitcomy scenes. The problem is, the stand up scenes are so strong and so funny, it's always a let down to skip back to the more mediocre sitcom scenes. The show is almost slap stick, with long stretches that feel like a silent movie almost. I think slap stick is great, and I'd certainly love to see more of that kind of thing on TV, but that's hardly Louis's strong suit. Still, we're only two episodes in so it can only get better. I'll stick with it because I like Louis.

Emmy Nominations

Like most people, I have very little interest in the Emmy Awards. I don't watch a whole lot of TV, and what I do watch is more often than not either online or when an entire season finally comes out on DVD. Also, the Emmy ceremonies are just boring. Sure, the Oscars are boring too, and just as forced and pointless and pretentious, but at least there are new movies every time, while the same shows keep getting Emmy nominations year after year. If you watch only one or two Emmy ceremonies per decade, you won't miss a whole lot.

So I don't care about the Emmys and I almost never watch, instead opting to look for any notable speeches on youtube if somebody I like won something. But the latest Emmy nominations were just announced, and since I have a blog, I may as well share my interior monologue and (brief) thoughts with you:




BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Matthew Morrison, Glee
Tony Shaloub, Monk
Steve Carell, The Office
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

What's interesting about this is that Monk and Curb Your Enthusiasm are still on the air. Who knew? And while I haven't watched Curb in years, even the biggest fans of that show would have to admit that Larry David isn't exactly a great actor. Personally, I find him and his show to be insufferable, but that's just me. Also, I would be remiss in my duties as a Geek blogger in not mentioning The Big Bang theory guy's nomination, considering how popular that show is among nerds and sci-fi fans... for some reason, because it's even more annoying and unfunny than Curb Your Enthusiasm. I don't get the appeal of that show at all.


BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Lea Michele, Glee
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Toni Collette, United States of Tara


Now, I like Tina Fey, and I like 30 Rock, but does anybody think she's really acting? That role doesn't call for a lot of range. It's basically just Tina Fey. And that's fine, since she's a good Tina Fey, but does she really deliver a performance worthy of an award? Do most people really think that show wouldn't be a whole lot funnier with a whole lot funnier, more charismatic actress in that role? Or is it just me? Anyway, this entire award is pointless anyway, because everybody knows women aren't funny anyway.


BEST DRAMA SERIES
True Blood
Dexter
Mad Men
The Good Wife
Breaking Bad
Lost

Lost has never won an Emmy for best drama series, and this would be its last chance. I find it hard to believe it can lose after this long.


BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Hugh Laurie, House
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Matthew Fox, Lost

Would you believe this is Matthew Fox's first Emmy nomination for Lost? About time. My boy deserves to win! And enough with the nominations for Hugh Laurie, a fabulously talented man, just not on House, in my opinion. If Fox loses, I'd like to see Cranston win. I've never seen his show, but I think he's a cool actor.


SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
John Slattery, Mad Men
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Martin Short, Damages
Terry O’Quinn, Lost
Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age
Michael Emerson, Lost

In case you haven't noticed, all I really care about is Lost. That's pretty much the only real show I watched on TV this past year. Anyway, I think this award should go to Terry O'Quinn, who has already won for playing John Locke on Lost, but this season he was as outstanding as ever. And while I love Michael Emerson (who has also already won for Lost), this season wasn't all that great for him. I'm not commenting on his acting, which was as flawless as ever, but that his screen time was pretty limited this season and his character had very little to do. Emerson, a great actor, was mostly wasted. I think Nestor Carbonell should've been nominated, or maybe even Josh Holloway, considering how great they were over the course of the entire season and this is the last chance to honor that.


REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
American Idol
Dancing with the Stars
The Amazing Race
Project Runway
Top Chef


This was the worst season yet of American Idol, which has been getting nearly unwatchable over the past few seasons. I don't even remember the name of the guy who won. I just remember that he sucked. 


REALITY SERIES
Antiques Roadshow
MythBusters
Undercover Boss
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
Dirty Jobs
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution

Here's the last thing I'll say: I hate Kathy Griffin.  She flatters herself by claiming to be on the D List.

Happy Birthday, Sly!

Today is Sylvester Stallone's birthday. In case you've never met me or have never read this blog before, I'm a big Stallone fan. In fact, Stallone is one of my top five or so favorite movie stars of all time. Today he turned 64, and he could still kick your ass.

Celebrate the day in style by watching Tango and Cash on Netflix's Instant Viewing page. That's what I'm doing. What's funny is that I started watching this movie before I saw that it was even Stallone's birthday. That's how in sync Stallone and I am. No shit.

Happy Fourth of July!

All of us here at Blessed Are the Geeks want to wish you a fun and safe Fourth of July! And remember to always ask yourself: WWCAD?

(What would Captain America do?)

Year One

I watched this movie because it was free and because it was my day off and because I had nothing better to do. That isn't to say I had nothing better to do than Year One, but that I had nothing better to do than watch a free movie from the Netflix instant viewing catalog, and this was the one I chose. And I watched the entire thing, which isn't a rave review that will make the cover of the DVD, but there you.

"I actually watched the entire movie!"

 -- Donald W. Pfeffer, 

 Blessed Are the Geeks Blog

Boy, the critics sure took a huge shit all over this movie, and it totally bombed at the box office, but I liked it. It was cute and clever and pretty funny. It was also gross, offensive, and stupid, but that's fine with me. It wasn't somebody's doctoral thesis, it was a stupid comedy starring Jack Black. And, anyway, fart and poop jokes are funny.

No, it won't go on my list of the all time funniest movies ever made, but it was certainly funny and it made me laugh enough that I watched the entire thing and have no regrets. Honestly, if you can sit though this movie and no smile or laugh, you have no sense of humor at all. I mean, just look at this cast: Jack Black, Michael Cera, Harold Ramis, Oliver Platt, Paul Rudd, David Cross, Hank Azaria, Vinnie Jones, etc. I've never been a huge fan of Jack Black and Michael Cera, but they had great chemistry and managed to carry this movie with their charm and wit. But best of all were Paul Rudd and David Cross as Cain and Abel. Just watch this scene where Cain kills Abel and try not to laugh:



That's funny stuff. Anyway, I'm not recommending you watch this movie or anything, just that you shouldn't avoid it if you have nothing else to do and the opportunity to view it presents itself. It was funny.

Really? Part 2

I didn't even watch the other Sinbad movie Netflix recommended the other day, and they are already trying to get me to watch more? Was Netflix just purchased by Sinbad or something?