Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Felix Vasquez

I’d be lying if I said I was a Billy Crystal fan. I always found him tolerable at best, in the realm of cinema, as an Oscar host, and comedian. I’d also be lying if I told you I had any intention to watch “700 Sundays.” My viewing of it was accidental and suffice it to say, I was shocked that “700 Sundays” ended up being so entertaining. Normally I detest the one man shows and find them the epitome of self indulgence, but Crystal has surely earned his chance to stage a one man show about his life. And while he does have a chance to perform a show about his Hollywood experiences, he instead discusses much of his life, and how his comedy career were merely a footnote in an unusual life.

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Don’t Let the Riverbeast Get You! (2012)

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Felix Vasquez

You know a movie fails to hold your attention when you’re spending more time marveling at the setting of the film than the film itself. I really should move to New Hampshire, it looks like a beautiful place to live in. And there is no shortage of scenes depicting suburbs and town halls that look incredible when filmed. In either case, “Don’t Let the Riverbeast Get You!” is a giant missed opportunity of a horror comedy that seems to have tacked on the monster called the Riverbeast in to a dramedy about a tutor, and a woman he’s trying to impress. I was never sure on the specifics of the story, since it’s a pretty tedious movie.

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Veronica Mars (2014) [Blu-Ray]

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Felix Vasquez

While “Veronica Mars” didn’t exactly set the world on fire, it’s definitely a return to form for the cast and crew behind the cult series, revived by the loyal fanbase and Kickstarter. Creator Rob Thomas sets the series right in the place he left off, providing a much wanted return to the universe where Veronica Mars is still a pariah and still always five steps ahead of everyone in her life. The best fans could have hoped for was that “Veronica Mars” felt like one big finale, and lo and behold, it succeeds two fold. I won’t pretend “Veronica Mars” is a spectacular thriller, but it’s a simple and entertaining closer to a series that deserved a decent send off.

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Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Felix Vasquez

I said it before, and I’ll say it again. If you’re going to rip off a movie, twist it in to something unique and almost refreshing. “Revenge of the Nerds” is my favorite “Animal House” rip off of all time. And while “Animal House” was about underdog slackers battling upper crest class men, “Revenge of the Nerds” focuses on the grade A students and outcasts that fight for their right to be treated like human beings in the face of a world that values physical prowess over basic intellect. “Revenge of the Nerds” has its charms, and though it riffs on “Animal House” every now and then, it still comes out feeling unique and original.

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The Big Bang Theory: The Proton Transmogrification

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Felix Vasquez

Holding true to the geek credo of the series, “The Big Bang Theory” celebrates May the 4th in style with official Star Wars props and sets that help the writers give a very entertaining glimpse in to the appeal of the iconic movie series. I don’t normally review single episodes of many shows these days, but “The Big Bang Theory” really helped remind me why I used to love “Star Wars.: No matter what you think of the prequels or how it’s being tailored these days, “Star Wars” has a meaning to everyone whose ever seen it, and it’s an important saga for anyone that’s followed it since its release. I was afraid “The Proton Transmogrification” was going to be one of those lazy scenario episodes like “Blue Harvest,” where the gang re-enacts the entire series in one episode. Especially since the news broke that Lucasfilm allowed the series to use many costumes and props for the episode.

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Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader (2012)

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Felix Vasquez

It’s amazing that in a movie that features a fifty foot cheerleader, the most far fetched and failed effect is the attempt to make Jena Sims look homely and ugly. That’s by no means a criticism, just an observation of a sorts. Sims is gorgeous, even with the wide spectacles they make her wear, and pasted on zits. She also often resembles Alicia Silverstone in certain lights. Roger Corman and director Kevin O’Neill assemble a pretty respectable cast for another iteration of “Attack of the 50 ft. Woman.” This time it’s a giant cheerleader who is gorgeous and mad as all hell.

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The PC Thug: Re-Visiting the Weekenders

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Felix Vasquez

The constant about kids animated programming is that we almost always see children going to school. From “Hey Arnold!” and “Rocket Power,” we always see them going to school. Heck, eventually “Ed, Edd, and Eddy” began featuring its core cast going to school. What was so fun about “The Weekenders” is that every episode took place during the weekend and only the weekend. Hence, the title. In 1999, Disney helped create the antidote to the wildly popular animated series “Recess,” which centered on kids going to school, and instead focused on a show about a group of friends whose weekends were almost always wild or eventful.

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