Community (2009-2015)

Genre: TV / Comedy
Starring: Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown 

Number of seasons: 6

 

A group of students at Greendale Community College, in Colorado, form a study group. In spite of their very different personalities and the fact that they often annoy each other, a tight friendship forms between them.

This show is heavy on meta-humor and pop culture references. While it has its moments, they are fewer and further apart as the show moves on. I toughed it out, but I was glad it was over. I think I simply was not the right (nerdy) public for it. Too many unfunny spoofs and them episodes that detracted from the actual story. A few moments made me laugh or smile, but most of it fell flat with me. Reading about the in-fighting involving Chevy Chase was more interesting than the actual show. It probably should have ended a couple seasons earlier, especially since a few cast members left the ship early.

 Rating: ««

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Genre: Superhero
Directed by: Jon Watts
Cast: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya 

Running Time: 181 minutes

 

Still reeling from the passing of his mentor Tony Stark, Peter Parker is hoping to set Spider-Man aside a bit and to enjoy a school trip to Europe, where he plans to share his feelings with MJ. Unfortunately for him, he gets aggressively recruited by Nick Fury and Mysterio for another very important mission.

I largely prefer these Marvel movies that focus on one superhero to those ensemble deals, where there are too many characters. This installment in the Spider-Man franchise is well-done, visually speaking, with good acting from an ensemble cast and a compelling storyline. It is fun and action-packed, and it leaves you wanting more. And, it contains a bit of Marisa Tomei, which, in my book, is always a great bonus. Overall, a good mix of action with a touch of romance.

Rating: ««««

Bad Lieutenant (1992)

Genre: Thriller / Film Noir
Directed by: Abel Ferrara
Cast: Harvey Keitel, Victor Argo, Zoe Lund
Running Time: 96 minutes

 

An unnamed NYPD lieutenant is sinking deeper and deeper in a life of drug abuse, sex and gambling, putting himself and his family at risk.

While not a flawless film, Bad Lieutenant is provocative Neo-Noir character study. The film greatly benefits from Harvey Keitel’s performance. The actor fully immerses himself in that role, giving it his all, in more than one way. Some of the images can be hard to take, but this down and dirty movie is well worth watching, if you can stomach it.

Rating: ««««

 

Road Trip (2000)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Cast: Tom Green, Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott 

Running Time: 94 minutes

 

Josh Parker is college student that goes on a road trip from the New York area to Austin, Texas, with three of his friends, to retrieve a package that was mistakenly sent to his long-distance girlfriend Tiffany before she opens it and finds out he had an affair.

This is a teen sex comedy containing a good deal of humor and cheap pointless nudity. Fortunately, many of the jokes are actually funny and the acting is mostly decent, except maybe for Tom Green, who is on just one silly note. This is entertaining, albeit quite silly.

Rating: «««

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Genre: Superhero
Directed by: Anthony and Joe Russo
Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans
Running Time: 181 minutes

 

The surviving members of The Avengers reunite and find a way to go back in time to attempt to retrieve the Stones and reverse the destrution done by Thanos in Infinity War.

Visually speaking, this is great work of art. The story is also a little more focused than in the previous Avengers movies. I love the use of music, which is usually solid in Marvel films. There is a lot of good action and character development.

While superhero movies are not my cup of tea, I can give this one props. A lot of things were thrown at the wall here. Fortunately, a good portion stuck. But, the story dragged at times, with it lasting all of three hours.

Rating: «««

Compliance (2012)

 Genre: Thriller
Directed by: Craig Zobel
Cast: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker, Pat Healy 

Running Time: 90 minutes

 

Inspired by an actual strip search phone call scam, Compliance tells the story of Sandra Frum, a fast food restaurant manager, who is convinced, over the phone, by a stranger impersonating a police officer, to perform a strip search, along with other sordid acts, on one of her employees, who is said to be suspected of theft and other crimes.

This is one weird film. What feels even more insane is that it is based on something that happened for real. There are some really sick people out there. As for the movie itself, it is well done. The acting is good, and the film is made as to make you feel the tension all the way through. A few little details threw me a little off, but, overall, a well done thriller.

Rating: ««««

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: John Hughes
Cast: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins 

Running Time: 92 minutes

 

Neal Page is an uptight man working as a marketing executive. As he is trying to make his way back home to Chicago for Thanksgiving, from a business trip in New York, weather conditions are getting in his way. He finds a new traveling partner in Del Griffith, a nice but overbearing shower curtain ring salesmen. With the clumsiness of an elephant in a china shop, Del tries to help Neal, by any means necessary, find his way back home.

The on-screen chemistry between Steve Martin and John Candy was amazing. They carried that story on their shoulders, masterfully directed by Hughes. This movie is laugh-out-loud funny and also sweet at times. I loved it.

Rating: «««««