“We’ll be the very model of the modern network TV show”. Repeat this quickly 3 times, and you’ll get the idea. A show with musical numbers is always worth watching. Studio 60 is a new brainchild of Aaron Sorkin – of course being shown on NBC network. It’s a delicious, well-written, and amazingly cast dramedy. It’s about show-business (takes place in a fictional NBS broadcast network, surrounding an SNL-like late-night show). It’s one of the best shows on television this season, and this is also the reason why Studio 60 is going to be canceled.
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Clerks 2 (2006)
Did you know, the working title of the movie was “The Passion of the Clerks”? I think, in light of Mel Gibson’s recent attack on the Jews of the world, it might have been a good ideas to stay away from that title. It was funny, but it would have given the film a different, unnecessary tone. Clerks 2 is Kevin Smith grown up. Perhaps not quite mature, but definitely showing (and acknowledging) signs of evolution. Both as a person on screen, and as a filmmaker. That’s all I should say in the review. If you like juvenile humour that’s improving, and aging like good wine, then you’ll love the film. If you come to the theater, expecting existential meditation like Dogma, or hi-jinks like Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back – you will be disappointed. I liked it, but then again, I also liked Jersey Girl – and we all remember how quickly that disappeared from theaters.
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Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
People keep saying that Abigail Breslin (she was also in Signs) steals this film. That’s not exactly accurate. Yes, she’s the main character of Little Miss Sunshine, and the film begins and ends with her. Her wide-eyed fascination with beauty pageants – so cleverly shown in the opening scene, and her off-the-wall talent performance at the pageant at the end of the movie establish a sweet, vulnerable, lovable character, Olive. But don’t for a second forget Olive’s dysfunctional, outrageous family – who manage to both support and let her down in one phrase. They are all supposed to be background (probably in the script they were), but when you have Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear and Alan Arkin in the same room – they’re anything but background. I’m glad that the camera stayed on them a little longer, and the editor left them in more scenes. Otherwise, you’d get a feeling their talents were wasted. This is an amazing ensemble effort, for a film where it’s not necessary – the story tells itself quite easily.
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TIFF 2006 – First few days
Wow, what a lineup this year. We thought Toronto Film Fest was outstanding in 2005 (Everything’s Illuminated, Mrs. Henderson Presents, A History of Violence, and dozens of other films), but so far this year we haven’t seen (or heard of) anything bad. Every screening we go to, every review we hear is just great. Stay tuned for in-depth reviews coming to the site, meanwhile a little tease. Babel is a multilingual drama, a tearjerker in today’s ever-shrinking world; Pan’s Labyrinth is a dark fairytale, told in a background of 1944 fascist Spain, a fascinating parable of today’s evils…
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Al Franken: God Spoke (2006)
We rarely get political on this site, hence the absence of Michael Moore’s and Al Gore’s controversial documentaries, or any documentaries for that matter. However, when a well-known comedian jumps into book publishing, then talk radio, and even politics – all with great success, it must be noted. Al Franken, one of few truly creative minds that came out of Saturday Night Live ensemble is here with a documentary movie. “God Spoke” – the fun starts right there, with the title. For those not familiar with the man, and his political work over the past few years – pick up his books. The documentary is a natural extension of the books – it is a gentle introduction to how a one-line writer got involved in press headlines, in local politics, and eventually in Washington shenanigans – while still remaining a comedian and entertainer at heart. For those who have read Al’s bestselling “Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them”, and recently, “The Truth in Jokes” – some of scenes in this movie will be familiar. Juxstaposed with news reels, and with Al’s early SNL work – this film is a story of a personal journey, in a way – a man’s ongoing battle for truth.
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Fall TV (06-07) premiere dates
Wow, look at the list of all the shows this season. You’d think there would be a few less, since WB and UPN have merged, and FOX with NBC has seen a lot of cancellations last year. Nope, they’re all back – your favourites, as well as newbies, waiting for your approval. A few notes: FOX is leading the pack, starting the season early, once again. I guess the other networks still think that FOX doesn’t count, too bad for them. CBS and NBC are stubborn in their late premieres – watch for their new shows in the end of September. ABC – with Lost, Gray’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives – have nothing to worry about. A network only needs a handful of standout shows. Let’s see who will be the first to get canceled. Any early bets?
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A Prairie Home Companion (2006)
Robert Altman finally got his Oscar in 2006 – but it wasn’t for a specific movie. It was a lifetime achievement, a handout, something you give to the best kid in class just to shut him up. Looks like the Oscar was wasted, because his “lifetime” is far from over – judging by Prairie Home Companion, Altman is still the man. Even when he takes such a frivolous, easygoing subject as live radio – he manages to infuse it with so much class – it’s a marvel to watch, and a pleasure to listen to his characters. After watching his movies, without fail, I always want to see another of his movies. Not the same one – that’s overkill, but another film, with other actors, doing the same overlapping, observational, very personal dialogue. This is as close as you get to the concept of “putting a bunch of actors around a table and turning on a camera”. There’s a show on TV that does this – called “Dinner for Five” – watch it, if you’re an Altman fan. And go check out his other movies.
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The Da Vinci Code (2006)
The Da Vinci Code is apparently a phenomenal book. Not necessarily a good book, but it sold about seven gazillion copies, in forty three thousand languages, made Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon) the richest man alive, and now we’re taking book orders from Mars and Jupiter. Everyone wants to read the book, everyone has read it. Now is time for a tiny, slightly embarrassing confession: I have not read the book. My wife, my younger cat both did – and both encouraged me to delve into this masterpiece, but somehow (maybe due to the entire world breathing down my neck) I decided not to. Just didn’t care for it. So when the movie was finally teased on the big screen – I believe it was June 2005, almost a year before the big premiere – I got curious. Nope, I still didn’t read the book, watching as the whole world once again plunged into Dan Brown’s fiction novel, convincing itself (and possibly others) that this is a groundbreaking discovery, I stayed away. Knew some details, was familiar with the historical parallels, but still didn’t see anything to go ga-ga over.
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Last Comic Standing Finale
Congratulations, America! Your most popular comedian (voted by you) is a cripple. How telling, how sadly ironic. Please don’t bash me over the head with your political correctness, or call me a bigot. Try to understand this simple comedy concept – the audience should be laughing with the comedian. As soon as they’re laughing AT the comedian, s/he becomes a joke, a fool. That’s not comedy – that’s circus. Just ask Carrot Top. A comedian is a performer before anything else. S/he has content, acting skills, timing, a rich back story or environment to draw material from. Josh Blue – the latest winner of NBC’s reality show – has cerebral palsy. When he’s not making fun of himself intentionally (via palsy-related jokes), he does it unintentionally (body language and verbal slips). That’s our laughter at his expense, our uncomfortable laughter, despite how comfortable he is with it. The remaining time he recycles 3 jokes that have nothing to do with his disability (thank god), but it’s the SAME THREE JOKES!
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CBS premiere dates 06-07
It was only a matter of time before Survivor tackled Cook islands – a few truly untouched places on earth. Let’s bring in American faux-celebs, and camera crews. And, to no one’s surprise, Two and a Half Men is still on schedule, despite being the most overrated sitcoms of the last decade (besides Yes, Dear). Other than these two shows, I have no problems with CBS new lineup. All the CSIs are good entertainment, Numb3rs and Criminal Minds are gaining in popularity; The Unit is a good military drama; and of course there’s How I Met Your Mother and Old Christine. Also new this year – Shark, Smith, The Class and Jericho. Stay tuned for show reviews.
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