If this is a satirical parody...it works. If not the worst thing I have watched in years. It is not creative. Similar format to all the late night shows, and Mulaney comes nowhere close to the late night guys in any way. The canned laughter seems to laugh on cue with an enhanced audience when something actually might be funny...it wasn't. In the audience...Lou Adler, what an ass, and Richard Kind who tries to make his appearance worthwhile...it wasn't. Jerry Seinfeld gets in a word of humor now and then...suggest he stays with Pop Tarts. I do not recognize any of the other strange guests but wonder if they were stoned.
Reviews
7 Reviews
Introducing, Selma Blair
(2021)
From my MS perspective
31 December 2023
I am a lucky one who actually has gotten better over 30 years with fewer symptoms. So watching this is both a little scary as well as relieving. She was a little hard to take, somewhat flamboyant and histrionic, but that helped to tell the story of MS. And her openness, that I attribute to her career, added real truth to her story. I wonder how others new to MS may see this...it might have devastated me at the time, due to the lack of knowledge of the disease. The part that is important is that there is a potential to improve, even if a very dangerous alternative. The message the film sends and I would like to acknowledge as well is don't give in or give up, accept and adapt.
Christmas at Graceland
(2023 TV Special)
Shows why Elvis was so good
2 December 2023
First the good points...
John Legend always great. The rendition of If I Can Dream was good. Seeing some of Graceland was appreciated.
Otherwise: 1. Very inferior vocalists trying to do an Elvis song. 2. Selection of songs...all songs do not have to be Christmas but they should at least be Elvis songs (with 786 to choose from Morissette could not find one, the one she chose free of Christmas joy? Disappointing) 3. Who the hell is Post Malone ? 4. Songs by Jenifer Hudson, Dolly Parton, Cher, and Jon Bon Jovi would have improved the show greatly...and would have more closely approximated Presley talent.
Otherwise: 1. Very inferior vocalists trying to do an Elvis song. 2. Selection of songs...all songs do not have to be Christmas but they should at least be Elvis songs (with 786 to choose from Morissette could not find one, the one she chose free of Christmas joy? Disappointing) 3. Who the hell is Post Malone ? 4. Songs by Jenifer Hudson, Dolly Parton, Cher, and Jon Bon Jovi would have improved the show greatly...and would have more closely approximated Presley talent.
The Menu
(2022)
Whopper of a horror film
20 November 2022
This is a unique and clever film combining satire, comedy and horror. This is an adult horror, I think over the heads and patience of the teen horror film goers. It had the element of religious cults (remember Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple in the late 70's). It satirized the elite foodee and wine snobs. The characters in attendance at this seating at the island restaurant offered lots of phony high falutin wealthy and celebrity perspectives. And then there was the chef, leader of the kitchen cult. I wondered why Ralph Fiennes was selected and willing to do this film...could not have been better!
The movie starts tediously slow at first focused on the setting, Hawthorn (restaurant name) characters and of course the evolving menu, to be tasted not eaten. Then the movie delves deeply into character and the menu of horrors. Remember the phrase food-to-die-for...well, this is it. And you will not be wishing for "some more".
The movie starts tediously slow at first focused on the setting, Hawthorn (restaurant name) characters and of course the evolving menu, to be tasted not eaten. Then the movie delves deeply into character and the menu of horrors. Remember the phrase food-to-die-for...well, this is it. And you will not be wishing for "some more".
Barbarian
(2022)
Well integrated thriller
5 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It immediately reminded me of Parasite with what lives downstairs. I would identify it more as a thriller because it has some plausibility. No supernatural horror but a horrific character sequestered in the below-basement. It also had some comic moments that made me laugh from one self-centered character.
What I liked about the plot was the three levels to the story with several inter-related characters over time. Tess arrives at her rental to find another renter already there...is he the Barbarian? Then the owner arrives to find both of them held by the occupant from the basement. Is he?. Then we are introduced to the past and the previous occupant who as a predator is responsible for the current status. Then it unfolds. Thrilling but maybe not enough egregious attacks and scares for some. As an add on it is in an African-American area in Detroit and when the police arrive from the call of Tess, who is aBlack woman, they do not take her seriously. If White, would they have? Well written and acted...best thriller-horror I have seen since "Mother!".
What I liked about the plot was the three levels to the story with several inter-related characters over time. Tess arrives at her rental to find another renter already there...is he the Barbarian? Then the owner arrives to find both of them held by the occupant from the basement. Is he?. Then we are introduced to the past and the previous occupant who as a predator is responsible for the current status. Then it unfolds. Thrilling but maybe not enough egregious attacks and scares for some. As an add on it is in an African-American area in Detroit and when the police arrive from the call of Tess, who is aBlack woman, they do not take her seriously. If White, would they have? Well written and acted...best thriller-horror I have seen since "Mother!".
Bullet Train
(2022)
action, fast, furious and convoluted.
6 August 2022
At the end it declared that this was fiction...really?
Fast, and furious, so far over-the-top violence Tarantino would approve.
For those who could get all the dialogue and follow all the erratic plot, I applaud.
The writer, director, editor and special effects should be recognized for an incredible job and the plaintiff acting of Brad Pitt as well. Some of the music was well chosen and fit in nicely at times.
Well that's all I have to say, All in all, though not my kind of movie.
Fast, and furious, so far over-the-top violence Tarantino would approve.
For those who could get all the dialogue and follow all the erratic plot, I applaud.
The writer, director, editor and special effects should be recognized for an incredible job and the plaintiff acting of Brad Pitt as well. Some of the music was well chosen and fit in nicely at times.
Well that's all I have to say, All in all, though not my kind of movie.
Elvis
(2022)
Elvis, from rags to icon
6 August 2022
I have been an Elvis fan since 1956 at the age of 10...have all the music, seen all the movies, have 22 books, fan club etc. I am also a critical fan of movies and attempt objectivity. I know the life story from what was written and shown, both good and bad, so I saw the movie with trepidation. Was it going to be more documentary, a drama, or historical fiction? Baz did take some liberties with the true story for dramatic purposes and perhaps glitzed it a bit much in his inimitable way, but he and Austin researched it pretty well. I actually learned somethings as well and he snuck in many things that fans would know and others may overlook.
To make it more than the story of a rags-to-icon, Baz chose to accentuate the relationship of Elvis to his manager, probably for dramatic tension. Although most of this was accurate I thought it occupied too much of the film and made it too long. Consequently, he left out or minimized several factors. One important one was his pre-fame life in school where he won an award for singing ("Old Shep") and was bullied mostly for his hair and saved by Red West, his body guard to be. Another was the Hollywood years, his movies, his home, and the parade of starlets. Downplayed was the relationship he had with his Memphis Mafia that isolated him as well as served him like a king. But most of all the drugs...he was a serious addict aided by his unethical doctor that led to his demise. There was also the irony that Elvis spoke forcefully against illegal drugs and sought distinction from Nixon on the issue while Elvis had a daily routine of many legal but unnecessary drugs. The ending years were minimized, protecting the iconic image.
One thing Baz got right if not in totally accurate detail was his relationship to the Black community. He had Black friends in Tupelo and Memphis as depicted in the movie, and admired and had a relationship with many Black personalities.
The production was thorough and well-done...the acting good but not worthy of much of the praise I have read. Austin got the moves but lacked the personality and stature. After all, with an icon...how can you really get it perfect?
Finally this movie was personal for me. Over the years Elvis has been forgotten, criticized, ignored, diminished, or attacked which made it embarrassing to be an Elvis fan at times in the later eras of classic rock, Motown/Soul, and the British and beyond which I also liked.
Elvis had a voice that could sing practically anything with rich depth and as far as the 50's years go he was "King of the Whole Wide World". His acting ended with "King Creole", probably his only worthy movie. His latter life...despicable at times. Drugs filled in what he thought needed but took him from life and us. Watch the whole segment on youtube of the "Unchained Melody" sequence at the end of the movie to see the good, bad and pathetic at once.
So I am glad for the movie, with mixed reactions, trudged through the overdone Parker stuff, wish it was more honest as a lesson on what can happen to you with "Fame and Fortune". One thing Baz let slip by...just before the credits... Elvis' full name appears along with his years of life...unfortunately his middle name was written as "Aaron"...it is actually ELVIS ARON PRESLEY.
To make it more than the story of a rags-to-icon, Baz chose to accentuate the relationship of Elvis to his manager, probably for dramatic tension. Although most of this was accurate I thought it occupied too much of the film and made it too long. Consequently, he left out or minimized several factors. One important one was his pre-fame life in school where he won an award for singing ("Old Shep") and was bullied mostly for his hair and saved by Red West, his body guard to be. Another was the Hollywood years, his movies, his home, and the parade of starlets. Downplayed was the relationship he had with his Memphis Mafia that isolated him as well as served him like a king. But most of all the drugs...he was a serious addict aided by his unethical doctor that led to his demise. There was also the irony that Elvis spoke forcefully against illegal drugs and sought distinction from Nixon on the issue while Elvis had a daily routine of many legal but unnecessary drugs. The ending years were minimized, protecting the iconic image.
One thing Baz got right if not in totally accurate detail was his relationship to the Black community. He had Black friends in Tupelo and Memphis as depicted in the movie, and admired and had a relationship with many Black personalities.
The production was thorough and well-done...the acting good but not worthy of much of the praise I have read. Austin got the moves but lacked the personality and stature. After all, with an icon...how can you really get it perfect?
Finally this movie was personal for me. Over the years Elvis has been forgotten, criticized, ignored, diminished, or attacked which made it embarrassing to be an Elvis fan at times in the later eras of classic rock, Motown/Soul, and the British and beyond which I also liked.
Elvis had a voice that could sing practically anything with rich depth and as far as the 50's years go he was "King of the Whole Wide World". His acting ended with "King Creole", probably his only worthy movie. His latter life...despicable at times. Drugs filled in what he thought needed but took him from life and us. Watch the whole segment on youtube of the "Unchained Melody" sequence at the end of the movie to see the good, bad and pathetic at once.
So I am glad for the movie, with mixed reactions, trudged through the overdone Parker stuff, wish it was more honest as a lesson on what can happen to you with "Fame and Fortune". One thing Baz let slip by...just before the credits... Elvis' full name appears along with his years of life...unfortunately his middle name was written as "Aaron"...it is actually ELVIS ARON PRESLEY.
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