I confess that I’m just not a Wes Anderson fan. I’ve tried very hard to be over the years, but so many of his movies have left me cold, indifferent, and just downright bored. With “Asteroid City” it feels like Wes Anderson is appealing to his hardcore fans more than trying to create something that’s accessible to new fans. With his sense of framing and shooting scenes that feel like bad A.I. jpegs, and his multi-layered, somewhat confusing narrative, “Asteroid City” will score with folks that loved the likes of “The Grand Budapest Hotel” or “The Aquatic Life.” As for me, I entered it hopeful and left generally indifferent by the whole affair. Not even the obscenely talented ensemble cast could win me over, I’m disappointed to admit.
Every Bugs Bunny Ever: Little Red Riding Rabbit (1944)
2023 marks the 85th Anniversary of Bug Bunny’s first animated appearance in 1938’s “Porky’s Hare Hunt.” Debuting originally as Happy Rabbit, Bugs eventually became one of the most iconic animated characters of all time. In honor of the landmark anniversary, we’re discussing every animated appearance by Bugs Bunny. We’re big fans of Bugsy and we hope that you are, too.
Follow us on this massive journey where we discover and re-discover Every Bugs Bunny Ever.
Little Red Riding Rabbit (1944)
Directed by Friz Freleng
Written by Michael Maltese
Music by Carl W. Stalling
Animation by Manuel Perez
I love “Little Red Riding Rabbit.” It’s brilliant, it’s hysterical, it’s so damn quotable, and it gets better and better when replayed. It’s one of the shorts from Bugs Bunny that genuinely gets me giddy, if only because the handling of Red Riding Hood and how they twist it comically is genius. There’s something so abundantly appealing about the adaptation of “Little Red Riding Hood.” Movies have been adapting the tale for decades and decades, and throughout the early 1900’s, studios sought to offer up their own animated versions of the fairy tale. Surprisingly almost all of them were pretty damn good. Disney gave us Little Red Riding Hood from 1922, and The Big Bad Wolf from 1934, while Tex Avery famously gave us the laugh riots Little Red Walking Hood from 1937, Red Hot Riding Hood from 1943, and Little Rural Riding Hood from 1949.
Evil Dead Rise (2023) [4K/Blu-Ray/Digital]
It’s hard to believe that it’s been a decade since we’ve seen a proper “Evil Dead” movie. After the fantastic remake—boot (?), Warner brought in newcomer Lee Cronin to lend a new flavor to the universe. What was originally intended as an exclusively streaming release on their subscription service, Warner chanced it by bringing their movie to theaters exclusively. Thankfully their risk pulled off beautifully as their low budget return to the horror universe that Sam Raimi built ended up being a box office and crucial powerhouse. For good reason, too.
“Primo” Has Potential to be a Family Sitcom Classic
“We’re gonna fill this house with joy or I swear to God I will slit all of your throats.” – Drea
Shea Serrano’s “Primo” is probably one of the better TV shows I’ve seen all year, and in a period where we’re flooded with new series, “Primo” stands out. Serrano’s series is a classic single camera family sitcom in the tradition of shows like “Modern Family” and “Blackish,” except “Primo” revolves around a contemporary Mexican family. This family in particular is unusual but tight knit, and often times they manage to be their own worst enemy, more than their best ally. But that’s all apart of what makes “Primo” such a great , funny series. And at eight episodes clocking in at a half hour each, it’s also a very easy watch.
No Hard Feelings (2023)
It’s been a minute since we’ve had a good raunchy adult comedy in the theaters. In the early aughts, the raunchy sex comedies were everywhere and they’ve since been slowly dying out. “No Hard Feelings” is a refreshing return to the good old days where comedies weren’t afraid to be risqué and offensive. And it happens to be led by none other than Jennifer Lawrence of all people. Lawrence, who is mostly known for her dramatic performances, leads the charge in what is basically a vehicle for her. While most actresses would opt for a drama or romance, Lawrence dips her toes in the National Lampoons arena with a movie that feels ripped straight out of 1987. And whether you like her or not, Jennifer Lawrence goes all in on the raunchy sex comedy.
The Bootleg Files: Should Wives Work?
BOOTLEG FILES 834: “Should Wives Work?” (1937 Oscar-nominated comedy short starring Leon Errol).
LAST SEEN: On YouTube.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: It fell through the cracks.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Maybe as part of an anthology of comedy shorts.
Unless you are too-serious student of film comedy, there is a good chance that you either never heard of Leon Errol or you may only know of him through a few supporting performances in other comics’ movies. But during the 1930s Errol became a prominent as the star in a series of comedy shorts made at RKO. These films are mostly forgotten today, although one of them – the 1937 “Should Wives Work?” – secured a niche in movie history through its Academy Award nomination for Best Short Subject (Two-Reel).
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Raymond Griffith: The Silk Hat Comedian [Blu-ray/DVD]
During the mid-1920s, Raymond Griffith was among the most popular stars of feature-length comedy films. With his silk top hat and crispy tailored tuxedo, the self-confidence and urbane Griffith was a suave alternative to the beleaguered characters played on screen by Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd.