To say that “The Suicide Brothers” is something of a whimsical bit of surrealism is an understatement. “The Suicide Brothers” is an utter demonstration in absolute folklore that meshes urban legend, Tim Burton fantasy, and as an absolute demonstration of that classic tale of a figure seeking death and finding it when they’ve stopped searching. Rupert Friend’s “The Suicide Brothers” is a look at two brothers in the dark forest of Bavaria who take it upon themselves to engage in a ritual suicide attempt almost every single night.
Tag Archives: Comedy
The Solo Adventures (2010)
Director Daniel Smith and Co-Collaborator Jeff Sheetz took it upon themselves to create possibly one of the finest homages to the “Star Wars” universe of all time, and one of the most clever looks in to the untold story of Lucas’ most iconic characters by taking the combined talents of Dave School from Universal Studios to tell their own prequel, the prologue to Han Solo and Chewbacca.
The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Third Season (DVD) (2009)
The series that many were afraid wouldn’t last beyond one season is now going on to season four, and the release of season three sees something of a rut within a rather entertaining and easily charming television series that has appealed to fanboys and nerds across the board since its premiere. While I’m not a fan of the comparisons to “Friends,” the CBS series about four brilliant geniuses obsessed with their toys and video games balanced by their ditzy neighbor Penny is about as close to get to a strong and potentially long lasting ensemble comedy.
“The Big Bang Theory” has appealed to folks like me for years since its series premiere, and sadly the third season is not the best that the writers have to offer. After returning from the Arctic, the guys come home to a new way of life, one of which involves Leonard’s relationship with Penny that meets its obstacles. One of them is the lack of clear sexual tension and romantic tension that the first two seasons strived in.
Suck It, Wonder Woman! The Misadventures of a Hollywood Geek [Paperback]
“Author” Olivia Munn’s little bon mot embedded within her new book entitled “Suck It, Wonder Woman!” is not just an attempt to gauge the attention of her fan boy following, but it’s also an inadvertent smug gesture of declaring that she’s pretty much breaking out of her geeky confines and seeking greener pastures. This is a woman whose entire fame is based around eating hot dogs dangling from strings, playing a dumb wonder woman, and engaging in a lesbian kiss. And she’s suddenly dignified and looking beyond being a geek goddess. For those of you still unaware, Olivia Munn is the one time co-host for the cable network G4’s flagship daily show “Attack of the Show,” a one hour live show that tackles everything in the internet and geek world from electronics to comic books and movies.
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The Lost Skeleton Returns Again (2009)
I wanted to love “The Lost Skeleton Returns Again.” Truth be told I’ve spent a lot of time trying to love Larry Blamire’s first film and then tried anxiously to really love and be enamored by his spoof of science fiction cinema with a title that’s about as redundant as any disposable sci-fi cheese released, but… I just can’t. Even though the cineaste in me is begging that I should. And while he does take great pains in committing to his tribute by writing some of the most quotable moments in independent cinema in a while, along with some rather comical performances, “The Lost Skeleton Returns Again” is a ninety minute gag that you’ll enjoy for the first thirty minutes, like after forty five minutes, and then wonder when it will end after an hour has passed.
Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Collection (2010) (DVD)
Like all foreign entertainment if you’re willing to keep a wide open mind and are willing to be open to something completely new and off the wall, then “Flight of the Conchords” is the series for you. Admittedly, the New Zealand sitcom about two folk singers slowly working their way to music fame in the New York landscape is an acquired taste, and one that I had a bit of a time adjusting to, especially considering the series will screech to a halt to switch to musical numbers sung by either of the two gentlemen here.
Whip It (2009)
For a film that basically revolves around the feminine experience and empowerment of the opposite sex, “Whip It” is pretty much one of the most humble homages to female independence I’ve seen in years. Director Drew Barrymore chronicles the evolution of the modern female through sports and shows how these warrior women are indeed one of a kind and promoting the ideals of feminism in their own ways. Barrymore never quite looks down on any one sector of women, but instead opens up a wider scope of exposition that posits every female character before us and explores how they help to influence young women of today with their strength and adversity. Even Marcia Gay Harden, a bonafide pageant mom, is not held up to scrutiny or turned in to a villain as Barrymore and Shauna Cross pull back mid-way and allow us a second look at a women who might have a more justified and well intentioned goal when pushing character Bliss in to the pageant circuit.