smileycrew-732-665105 Reviews

No, You Shut Up! (2013–2016)

Rough start becomes comedy gold

[9/10 · 4 March 2016]

When I heard Paul F. Tompkins (Mr. Show, Comedy Bang Bang) was getting his own show, I was on board from day one. Admittedly, did not stick around. Seasons 1 and 2 of this show are admittedly rough, which is why I have to give this show 9/10 and not 10/10. Thankfully Fusion let PFT and Henson find their footing, and now ... we have greatness.

I want to give it 10/10 because something happened between Seasons 2 and 3 that changed everything. I came back to the show near the end of Season 3 (Jack Black episode) and immediately started watching all I could on youtube, where many complete episodes can be found. Paul F. Tompkins has already transformed from his earlier, puffier, more reserved days on Mr. Show into the character-actor, stand-up wonder that one might find on Comedy Bang Bang (podcast and TV show) and Spontaneanation, and now with No, You Shut Up, he is now jettisoned up into yet another level of amazing comedic ability.

This show is The Daily Show + Puppets, reporting on current events with a great deal of parody ... and puppets. While it is fairly clear this show leans to the left (have you ever seen a comedy show for the right?), the cast of puppets ranges from hard-core right-wing squirrels, undecided voters made of rock, arrogant left-wing mites, old-timey turtles, working-class lunch pails, and really dumb birds. You're going to get ever opinion on all the major debates going on in our society whether you want it or not.

If you're not sure about this show, or like me and left it ... come on back. Looking for a good place to start? Google their Special Reports with either Patton Oswalt or Kristen Shall/Hannibal Burges. Then ... get going on Season 4 because now this show is moving and it doesn't look like it is going to slow down!

Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)

As Good As Puerco Pibil

[10/10 · 1 October 2010]

Double R mans the helm (Writer, Director, Producer, Editor, Cam Op, and most of the musical score) in this Fantasy-Action Epic. I don't use the term epic often. It's rugged. It's tough. It's violent. It's comical. It's over the top. It's the reason you go to the movies. When you strip a filmmaker of the constraints of Hollywood and let him make a movie from the heart, you can really see the heart and soul of a filmmaker in the movie.

While this is a sequel to Desperado, the movie is more about an ensemble of characters that include El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas). Admittedly, the plot is a bit difficult to follow, as Double R does try to combine two movies into one (1) the conflict between El Mariachi and a sinister General Marquez and (2) an attempt to overthrow the Mexican Government by a drug lord (Willem Dafoe). The first movie is told through flashbacks, but it does set up a "revenge story" for El. There are very few holes in the plot ... if you are paying attention, and no filmmaker should be blamed for having a plot that a select few cannot follow.

Only Double R himself has put together a better cast than this (see Sin City). Salma Hayek reprising her role from Desperado. Johnny Depp as the wicked CIA agent that causes problems for everyone (and loves Puerco Pibil). Eva Mendes as his lady-friend/Mexican Agent. Mickey Rourke in the role that brought him back to the spotlight (to go on to Sin City, The Wrestler, and Iron Man 2), Danny Trejo ... nuff said, Cheech Marin as a snobby snitch, plus Ruben Blades (retired FBI) and Marco Leonardi (fellow Mariachi) in amazing and very memorable roles ("I don't think ... I drink."). I can't support Enrique Iglesias ... I don't know why he is here. Even Tito Larriva is in there (who also appeared in Desperado and From Dusk Till Dawn).

Admittedly, this movie is not for everyone. Personally, I rate movies based on if they "reach the goals they set out for themselves". This movie wasn't going for an Oscar. It wasn't even going for "logical action sequences". It was going for bad ass-in your face-explosive-one liner filled-sexy-sometimes comical-action.

Does it reach that goal? You're damn right.