Watching the sequel to the shockingly successful “Venom” is like watching a screensaver. Sure, there’s a lot of activity and colors, but at the end of it, nothing has actually happened; and then you move on to the next thing. This schlocky follow up to the goofy “Venom” leans more heavily in to the mid-nineties silliness mixing a buddy action comedy with a body horror film. Normally that could be a formula for success, but—again: screensaver.
Tag Archives: Comedy
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Not many younger fans know this, but once upon a time, before Marvel became another arm of Disney, Spider-Man was basically Mighty Marvel’s equivalent to Mickey Mouse. He was the most relatable, most accessible, and most liked hero, even when the company was as its worst. Easily the biggest movie of 2021, “No Way Home” is a glimpse in to what makes Spider-Man such a timeless hero and why so many people continue connect to our favorite Friendly Neighborhood Wallcrawler.
The Bootleg Files: Henrietta and Myrna Sing ‘Go Tell It On The Mountain’
BOOTLEG FILES 789: “Henrietta and Myrna Sing ‘Go Tell It On The Mountain’” (bizarre public access television segment from the late 1980s).
LAST SEEN: On YouTube.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: People happily borrow the footage for their own wacky videos.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Unlikely.
Viral videos emerge from the least likely sources, and without any planning they somehow take on a life of their own. As we sail deeper into the Christmas season, I would like to turn attention to a holiday-inspired viral video that has become something of an anti-classic that spawned tribute and parody videos.
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Vivo (2021)
“What difference can one song make?” asks the titular Vivo. The answer is: A huge difference. One song can change the world. It can transport us back in time. It can sadden us, lift us up, and inspire us. “Vivo” is about the value and power of music, and it’s coordinated by Lin-Manuel Miranda, a man who has spent a lot of his career trying to promote the power of music, and how creativity in music can help and shape how we think. “Vivo” is a movie that kids deserve to experience for that fact, alone.
“Beavis and Butt-Head Do America” is the Zenith of the 90’s Most Notorious Duo’s Popularity
I was lucky enough to live through three generations of animated characters that not only drove adults crazy, but caused unnecessary havoc in schools and church for me. First there was Bart Simpson, who I remember listening to my teacher lecture us about him being a bad influence. In the late nineties we met a foursome of foul mouthed boys from “South Park” that also sparked immense hysteria and controversy. In between though there were two products of the 1990’s. They were the slacking, burnt out rocker, bare minimum, anti-establishment pair of losers who did nothing but watch TV and try to get laid.
They were known as “Beavis and Butt Head.”
Jerry Lewis: The Total FilmMaker
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Jerry Lewis’ book “The Total FilmMaker,” based on a series of lectures he gave on the challenges and strategies for being a film director. On this episode of “The Online Movie Show,” film historian James L. Neibaur shares his recollections of Lewis and provides insight on his contributions to filmmaking.
The Monkey King: Reborn (2021)
While visiting a temple, Monkey gets offended and retaliates by eating a sacred fruit releasing a malevolent entity. In return, his master is made prisoner and now Monkey must go on an adventure to make things right.