Saturday, July 28, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
The Simpsons Movie:
Must Go or Just D'oh?
They've been talking about a Simpsons movie for over half of my life now. I've always wanted to see the Simpsons on the big screen but could never imagine what such a movie would look like. What kind of story would be big enough to sustain what is essentially a sitcom (although a much more flexible one) for well over an hour? Apparently those are the same questions that kept the movie from being made any sooner. But now it's here and I've seen it and maybe I can get on with my life now.
The movie is hilarious, as I knew in my soul it would be. And the story is epic without feeling like a bunch of episodes strung together (*ahem* Family Guy movie). Elements of the main plot are introduced immediately and build to a satisfying climax. However there are plenty of distractions and B-plots that keep you wondering where the movie is going.
Moments of the movie can stand right alongside some of the show's best episodes. Homer's "This book doesn't have any answers" is as classic as any line he's ever uttered, and will go in many a nerd's repertoire of quotes. Some of the movie understandably falls flat (Homer's vision, for example, isn't nearly as wild as some of the trippier moments of the series). But the good strongly outweighs the bad.
If there is a major flaw in the film perhaps it's the fact that it doesn't really push the boundaries (other than scale). But The Simpsons haven't really been about pushing boundaries for some time. Maybe that's why many fans site the decline in the show's quality. There are still the requisite jabs at right-wingers, pop culture, and religion, but they seem less edgy. I think that has more to do with a general change in our culture rather than a decline in the show. Every character on The Simpsons has a solid core which they rarely (if ever) deviate from. The Simpsons are as edgy as they've ever been but we've been conditioned by shows like The Simpsons to expect it. Oh, the irony.
There was a discussion at the Onion's AV Club this week about whether or not the series should hang up its hat, lest the recent episodes tarnish the legacy of its glory days. While I can see both sides of the argument I tend to fall on the side of keeping the show around. I don't watch as frequently as I used to. But I do think it's still one of the best shows on TV. Family Guy might be getting all the attention right now, and it is capable of going to "edgier" places than the Simpsons is able to, but the characters never had the integrity that the Simpsons do. There are no great stories in Family Guy because the stories are just excuses to string together a series of unrelated jokes. The setup for every one is "It's just like the time we [blank]". When it comes to lampooning major events in America I still want to see it done Simpsons style, because it will be done in a way that will be watchable long after the event is news.
I don't really have much else to say about the movie other than "go see it". Oh, and "Bye, Doctor Nick!"
The movie is hilarious, as I knew in my soul it would be. And the story is epic without feeling like a bunch of episodes strung together (*ahem* Family Guy movie). Elements of the main plot are introduced immediately and build to a satisfying climax. However there are plenty of distractions and B-plots that keep you wondering where the movie is going.
Moments of the movie can stand right alongside some of the show's best episodes. Homer's "This book doesn't have any answers" is as classic as any line he's ever uttered, and will go in many a nerd's repertoire of quotes. Some of the movie understandably falls flat (Homer's vision, for example, isn't nearly as wild as some of the trippier moments of the series). But the good strongly outweighs the bad.
If there is a major flaw in the film perhaps it's the fact that it doesn't really push the boundaries (other than scale). But The Simpsons haven't really been about pushing boundaries for some time. Maybe that's why many fans site the decline in the show's quality. There are still the requisite jabs at right-wingers, pop culture, and religion, but they seem less edgy. I think that has more to do with a general change in our culture rather than a decline in the show. Every character on The Simpsons has a solid core which they rarely (if ever) deviate from. The Simpsons are as edgy as they've ever been but we've been conditioned by shows like The Simpsons to expect it. Oh, the irony.
There was a discussion at the Onion's AV Club this week about whether or not the series should hang up its hat, lest the recent episodes tarnish the legacy of its glory days. While I can see both sides of the argument I tend to fall on the side of keeping the show around. I don't watch as frequently as I used to. But I do think it's still one of the best shows on TV. Family Guy might be getting all the attention right now, and it is capable of going to "edgier" places than the Simpsons is able to, but the characters never had the integrity that the Simpsons do. There are no great stories in Family Guy because the stories are just excuses to string together a series of unrelated jokes. The setup for every one is "It's just like the time we [blank]". When it comes to lampooning major events in America I still want to see it done Simpsons style, because it will be done in a way that will be watchable long after the event is news.
I don't really have much else to say about the movie other than "go see it". Oh, and "Bye, Doctor Nick!"
Thursday, July 19, 2007
All Right Already!
So I'm finally back online after just over a month of internet withdraw. I'm in a new apartment. It's number 1313. Spooky, right? Good thing I'm not superstitious.
On the other hand here is a list of things that have happened since I moved:
1. Car broke down, had to replace the starter switch. Also discovered oil leaks and break pads need replacing.
2. Got lost in the wrong county and got a speeding ticket.
3. Lost wallet, including ID, social security card, insurance info and rent money.
4. Locked keys in car with engine running.
5. Lost glasses.
6. Got poison ivy for first time in over ten years.
7. Car battery died, still needs replacing.
Here's hoping my plane ride next month doesn't follow a similar course.
On the other hand here is a list of things that have happened since I moved:
1. Car broke down, had to replace the starter switch. Also discovered oil leaks and break pads need replacing.
2. Got lost in the wrong county and got a speeding ticket.
3. Lost wallet, including ID, social security card, insurance info and rent money.
4. Locked keys in car with engine running.
5. Lost glasses.
6. Got poison ivy for first time in over ten years.
7. Car battery died, still needs replacing.
Here's hoping my plane ride next month doesn't follow a similar course.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
Sarah Silverman Bitch Slaps Paris Hilton
I have no use for MTV and MTV has no use for me. I believe the channel lost any credibility long, long ago. But every so often they broadcast something worthwhile, even if it only lasts a minute.
Apparently the MTV Movie Awards aired recently, and apparently Sarah Silverman was the host of those awards. I'm a fan of Sarah Silverman even if her projects sometimes lack focus. Her sense of humor is sick and I completely relate to that.
Here'sThere was a clip of Sarah Silverman humiliating Paris Hilton during the awards show. Unfortunately, it was removed by Viacom (surprise, surprise) at the exact same moment that I posted. Fortunately, I was able to download the clip before they removed it. Take that, corporations!
Anyway, if you didn't see it here's a brief transcript:
SARAH: In a couple of days Paris Hilton is going to jail.
Audience erupts into enormous applause, surprising even Sarah. Cut to Paris Hilton in audience, glancing around uncomfortably.
SARAH: Wow. Wow. Thank you. The judge says that it's gonna be a "no frills thing", and that is ridiculous. She is totally gonna get special treatment. As a matter of fact, I heard that to make her feel, like, more comfortable in prison the guards are gonna paint the bars to look like penises...I think it's wrong too. I just worry that she's gonna break her teeth on those things.
Cut to Paris trying not run out of theater, screaming while audience goes nuts. To add insult to injury, cut to Jack Nicholson in audience, apparently even more stoned than usual from the sweet, narcotic mist of Paris' delusions of public adoration evaporating before our eyes.
Paris Hilton needed a good slice of humble pie...or in this case, needed to have hundreds of humble pies thrown in her face by a crowd of jeering audience members.
Apparently the MTV Movie Awards aired recently, and apparently Sarah Silverman was the host of those awards. I'm a fan of Sarah Silverman even if her projects sometimes lack focus. Her sense of humor is sick and I completely relate to that.
Anyway, if you didn't see it here's a brief transcript:
SARAH: In a couple of days Paris Hilton is going to jail.
Audience erupts into enormous applause, surprising even Sarah. Cut to Paris Hilton in audience, glancing around uncomfortably.
SARAH: Wow. Wow. Thank you. The judge says that it's gonna be a "no frills thing", and that is ridiculous. She is totally gonna get special treatment. As a matter of fact, I heard that to make her feel, like, more comfortable in prison the guards are gonna paint the bars to look like penises...I think it's wrong too. I just worry that she's gonna break her teeth on those things.
Cut to Paris trying not run out of theater, screaming while audience goes nuts. To add insult to injury, cut to Jack Nicholson in audience, apparently even more stoned than usual from the sweet, narcotic mist of Paris' delusions of public adoration evaporating before our eyes.
Paris Hilton needed a good slice of humble pie...or in this case, needed to have hundreds of humble pies thrown in her face by a crowd of jeering audience members.
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