Saturday, November 26, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
The Muppets-- film review
I used to post reviews and kinda got away from it because they were tough to write-- especially knowing barely a handful of people actually saw them.
But I am still interested in pointing people toward good movies and away from bad ones. And when a film is still in theatres, it's important to point people in a timely manner (something I'm terrible at).
So here's a few quick thoughts about the film The Muppets, which opened yesterday:
First off, I'm not a huge Muppets fan. As a kid, I was more interested in the wackiness of the Gonzo stunts-- or the hosts (like Mark Hamill) of the prime time series. And, as an adult, I never really watched any of the films even though my kids had periods where they liked watching some of the movies again and again.
But none of that mattered to see this new film. As a Jason Segal fan, I knew getting this film produced was a labor of love, and it shows (not to give Segal all the credit; he's just the guy I know who had a large part in making this). Segal has a way of completely convincing us that he is sincere (when he needs to be)-- no matter how ridiculous the goings-on of a movie-- and it really worked here.
It's the Muppets, so corny is expected, and there was some of that, but there was also some real heart (and non-corny) humor to this one. Sure, some of the "heart" was a little too overt, but I'll admit to getting a little teary-eyed a couple of times. Even though it was rushed at times, the story was organic, and other than tying up the film during the credits, it was a good-start-to-finish film with no lagging scenes.
All in all, this is a great movie for kids-- that doesn't insult adults (actually, adults will "get more" from it). That's extremely rare. The music is really good, and the songs are funny-- another breakthrough.
And I know old school fans will never accept anyone other than Jim Henson as Kermit, but Steve Whitmire was excellent. Kermit has no facial features that can be manipulated to express emotion, but the mere moving of the arc of his head showed a lot. It's subtle, but effective.
There's nothing terribly original here-- but it's all done so well, I can't give this any less than a B+. It's worth checking out.
But I am still interested in pointing people toward good movies and away from bad ones. And when a film is still in theatres, it's important to point people in a timely manner (something I'm terrible at).
So here's a few quick thoughts about the film The Muppets, which opened yesterday:
First off, I'm not a huge Muppets fan. As a kid, I was more interested in the wackiness of the Gonzo stunts-- or the hosts (like Mark Hamill) of the prime time series. And, as an adult, I never really watched any of the films even though my kids had periods where they liked watching some of the movies again and again.
But none of that mattered to see this new film. As a Jason Segal fan, I knew getting this film produced was a labor of love, and it shows (not to give Segal all the credit; he's just the guy I know who had a large part in making this). Segal has a way of completely convincing us that he is sincere (when he needs to be)-- no matter how ridiculous the goings-on of a movie-- and it really worked here.
It's the Muppets, so corny is expected, and there was some of that, but there was also some real heart (and non-corny) humor to this one. Sure, some of the "heart" was a little too overt, but I'll admit to getting a little teary-eyed a couple of times. Even though it was rushed at times, the story was organic, and other than tying up the film during the credits, it was a good-start-to-finish film with no lagging scenes.
All in all, this is a great movie for kids-- that doesn't insult adults (actually, adults will "get more" from it). That's extremely rare. The music is really good, and the songs are funny-- another breakthrough.
And I know old school fans will never accept anyone other than Jim Henson as Kermit, but Steve Whitmire was excellent. Kermit has no facial features that can be manipulated to express emotion, but the mere moving of the arc of his head showed a lot. It's subtle, but effective.
There's nothing terribly original here-- but it's all done so well, I can't give this any less than a B+. It's worth checking out.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Just because I think this is cool
Not to put a damper on a new (and I think has potential to be pretty good) film releasing today, but I love this picture.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Premieres and Notables: November 21-27, 2011
Monday, 11/21
The Layover; Travel Channel. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Anthony Bourdain hosts this new travelogue.
You Deserve It; ABC. 8:01 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Some sort of gameshow where the contestants play for people who need the quarter-million dollar prize more than they do.
Tuesday, 11/22
Dancing With the Stars (ABC; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.
Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel; HBO. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere
Highly recommended.
Thursday, 11/24
Noodle and Doodle; Sprout. 8:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A crafts and cooking show for preschoolers...
Friday, 11/25
Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse; TBS. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Michael Jai White and Tasha Smith reprise their roles from Perry's film Why Did I Get Married? in this new series.
All on the Line With Joe Zee; Sundance. 8:30 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Sunday, 11/27
The Walking Dead (AMC; 8 pm CST). Mid-season Finale.
The shit really hits the fan for the survivors-- and then AMC is going to make us wait a few months for the rest of the season.
And sometime tonight (I'm guessing 9 or 10 pm CST), Chelsea Handler's After Lately will debut its second season. If you like Chelsea Lately, then it's must-see. If you just like seeing coworkers humilate and ridicule each other, then it's a must-see for those reasons as well.
The Layover; Travel Channel. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Anthony Bourdain hosts this new travelogue.
You Deserve It; ABC. 8:01 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Some sort of gameshow where the contestants play for people who need the quarter-million dollar prize more than they do.
Tuesday, 11/22
Dancing With the Stars (ABC; 8 pm CST). Season Finale.
Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel; HBO. 9 pm CST. Season Premiere
Highly recommended.
Thursday, 11/24
Noodle and Doodle; Sprout. 8:30 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A crafts and cooking show for preschoolers...
Friday, 11/25
Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse; TBS. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Michael Jai White and Tasha Smith reprise their roles from Perry's film Why Did I Get Married? in this new series.
All on the Line With Joe Zee; Sundance. 8:30 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Sunday, 11/27
The Walking Dead (AMC; 8 pm CST). Mid-season Finale.
The shit really hits the fan for the survivors-- and then AMC is going to make us wait a few months for the rest of the season.
And sometime tonight (I'm guessing 9 or 10 pm CST), Chelsea Handler's After Lately will debut its second season. If you like Chelsea Lately, then it's must-see. If you just like seeing coworkers humilate and ridicule each other, then it's a must-see for those reasons as well.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Herman Cain Makes Promises
"Because the Tea Party loves crazy more than it hates black."
Tyson rules...
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Premieres and Notables: November 14-20, 2011
Monday, 11/14
Clue; The Hub. 7 & 7:30 pm CST. Mini-series Premiere.
A five-part murder mystery based on the board game.
Saved; Animal Planet. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A series that looks at the bonds between man and animal, such as the pilot's look at a woman who overcame addiction with the help of her dog.
Tuesday, 11/15
Knights of Mayhem; National Geographic. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Hardcore Pawn; Tru TV. 8:30 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Burt's parents show up for Thanksgiving dinner on Raising Hope (Fox; 8:31 pm CST). That should be fun enough, but they went further and cast Lee Majors and Shirley Jones, so it could be legendary.
Wednesday, 11/16
Nick Swardson's Pretend Time (Comedy Central; 9:30 pm CST). Season Finale.
Thursday, 11/17
Big Shrimpin'; History. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
(The) History (Channel) continues to create reality shows that don't seem to have anything to do with actual history. This one's about Alabama shrimp fishermen.
Friday, 11/18
Regis calls it a career (after over 50 years in the biz, he's entitled to retire) on this, his last day at Live! With Regis and Kelly (syndicated; check local listings).
Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Cartoon Network; 6 pm CST). Series Finale.
In typical animated-series fashion, another fun show bites the dust.
Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys; Sundance. 8 p CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Clue; The Hub. 7 & 7:30 pm CST. Mini-series Premiere.
A five-part murder mystery based on the board game.
Saved; Animal Planet. 7 pm CST. Series Premiere.
A series that looks at the bonds between man and animal, such as the pilot's look at a woman who overcame addiction with the help of her dog.
Tuesday, 11/15
Knights of Mayhem; National Geographic. 8 pm CST. Series Premiere.
Hardcore Pawn; Tru TV. 8:30 pm CST. Season Premiere.
Burt's parents show up for Thanksgiving dinner on Raising Hope (Fox; 8:31 pm CST). That should be fun enough, but they went further and cast Lee Majors and Shirley Jones, so it could be legendary.
Wednesday, 11/16
Nick Swardson's Pretend Time (Comedy Central; 9:30 pm CST). Season Finale.
Thursday, 11/17
Big Shrimpin'; History. 9 pm CST. Series Premiere.
(The) History (Channel) continues to create reality shows that don't seem to have anything to do with actual history. This one's about Alabama shrimp fishermen.
Friday, 11/18
Regis calls it a career (after over 50 years in the biz, he's entitled to retire) on this, his last day at Live! With Regis and Kelly (syndicated; check local listings).
Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Cartoon Network; 6 pm CST). Series Finale.
In typical animated-series fashion, another fun show bites the dust.
Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys; Sundance. 8 p CST. 2nd Season Premiere.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
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