Christopher Titus has a new comedy special called "Neverlution".
If you don't laugh at the events of the last decade, you will cry. This weekend on Comedy Central, comedian Christopher Titus (who barely makes it into Gen X, born in 1964) hilariously vents about the huge buzz-kill known as the 21st century. Let's face it, this century's first decade was not a great one for our country. And, as Titus points out, this is the first true hardship our generation has ever faced. Those of us in Gen X who grew up partying like it was 1999, got a rude awakening starting in December of 2000. From George W. Bush being "elected" president to the current recession...and everything in between...Titus brings a witty, observational viewpoint to many of the problems we have faced in the past 10 years. He also brings forward his ideas for how to fix things...and it doesn't involve giving trophies to losers.
Set your DVR. I am sure Comedy Central will be replaying it at some point. Who doesn't need a 90 minute laugh?
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
4.15.2011
Atlas Shrugged Part One-A Review From An Actual Ayn Rand Loving Libertarian
Today was the day that many libertarians like myself have been waiting for...Atlas Shrugged has made it to the big screen. Well, part one has made it. The book is nearly 1200 pages, so one movie was not an option. (Part 2 is scheduled to be released 4/15/2012, Part 3 on 4/15/2013) The book was published in 1957, and continues to be a best seller to this day. However, Hollywood has never attempted to bring it to the big screen...and it still hasn't. This film was the production of independent, libertarian businessman John Aglialoro, who was passionate about bringing this story to theaters. The story, an exciting and dramatic ode to individualism, was Ayn Rand's attempt to explain her objectivist philosophy in the context of a world where achievement is clearly undervalued. Unfortunately, it is an enormous task to bring philosophy to the masses...especially the current American masses.
The movie begins in 2016 with Dagny Taggart running Taggart Transcontinental, the largest remaining railroad company in America, along with her brother James. Dagny, the true brains behind the operation, teams up with Hank Rearden of Rearden Steel to use the untested Rearden Metal, to rebuild the critical Taggart rail line in Colorado and pave the way for oil titan Ellis Wyatt to build a new American Renaissance. The pair face enormous challenges from the government, friends, and their own families, while discovering a love for one another.
First, let's focus on the positives. The cast was really good. Taylor Schilling as Dagny Taggart and Grant Bowler as Hank Rearden were excellent choices, and they each gave convincing performances. It is a difficult thing to come across as a smart, confident business person, while at the same time not seeming cold and heartless. It's a dynamic that is hard for some to understand, because of the constant reminders in the media of the "evil rich".
Even though the performances from the cast were very strong, the production value did not match up. I understand this movie was made on a limited budget, but it felt as though they tried to do too much with the budget they had. The result was a movie that looked like it belonged on the SyFy Channel instead of the big screen. (Think "Giant Shark V MegaOctopus" or whatever that silly film was called) It seemed as though the producers spent all their money on big aerial shots in Colorado, instead of focusing on the details of a scene.
This leads me to the biggest disappointment of the film: the screenplay. Seriously, what were the producers thinking? The MOST important thing about this entire production was the screenplay, and it was simply awful.
I was lucky, I have read the book. But, for someone who is unfamiliar with the story, this movie would be confusing and difficult to enjoy. It is so weird, some scenes were brilliant and some were just this side of torture. The voice of Ayn Rand did not shine through as it should have. The objectivist philosophy was not clearly communicated. And the simple story structure was close to embarrassing. The film does not set up the story world in a proper way and the "media reports" to help move the story along were simply absurd.
I didn't hate it, by any means. But, I was disappointed. In the movie's defense, it would be impossible to make everyone happy...but, what I am afraid is that it won't make anyone happy. It simply needed a bigger budget, better production value, and a new screenwriter. Hopefully, part two will be better. You know I will see it the day it comes out. Because, when it comes down to it, the story is more important than the production. And if the movie brings more attention to Ayn Rand and Objectivist theory, then I am a happy libertarian and movie goer.
The movie begins in 2016 with Dagny Taggart running Taggart Transcontinental, the largest remaining railroad company in America, along with her brother James. Dagny, the true brains behind the operation, teams up with Hank Rearden of Rearden Steel to use the untested Rearden Metal, to rebuild the critical Taggart rail line in Colorado and pave the way for oil titan Ellis Wyatt to build a new American Renaissance. The pair face enormous challenges from the government, friends, and their own families, while discovering a love for one another.
First, let's focus on the positives. The cast was really good. Taylor Schilling as Dagny Taggart and Grant Bowler as Hank Rearden were excellent choices, and they each gave convincing performances. It is a difficult thing to come across as a smart, confident business person, while at the same time not seeming cold and heartless. It's a dynamic that is hard for some to understand, because of the constant reminders in the media of the "evil rich".
Even though the performances from the cast were very strong, the production value did not match up. I understand this movie was made on a limited budget, but it felt as though they tried to do too much with the budget they had. The result was a movie that looked like it belonged on the SyFy Channel instead of the big screen. (Think "Giant Shark V MegaOctopus" or whatever that silly film was called) It seemed as though the producers spent all their money on big aerial shots in Colorado, instead of focusing on the details of a scene.
This leads me to the biggest disappointment of the film: the screenplay. Seriously, what were the producers thinking? The MOST important thing about this entire production was the screenplay, and it was simply awful.
I was lucky, I have read the book. But, for someone who is unfamiliar with the story, this movie would be confusing and difficult to enjoy. It is so weird, some scenes were brilliant and some were just this side of torture. The voice of Ayn Rand did not shine through as it should have. The objectivist philosophy was not clearly communicated. And the simple story structure was close to embarrassing. The film does not set up the story world in a proper way and the "media reports" to help move the story along were simply absurd.
I didn't hate it, by any means. But, I was disappointed. In the movie's defense, it would be impossible to make everyone happy...but, what I am afraid is that it won't make anyone happy. It simply needed a bigger budget, better production value, and a new screenwriter. Hopefully, part two will be better. You know I will see it the day it comes out. Because, when it comes down to it, the story is more important than the production. And if the movie brings more attention to Ayn Rand and Objectivist theory, then I am a happy libertarian and movie goer.
1.22.2011
Sundance Film Festival 2011-Day One
OK. I was planning on seeing movies today...but it was impossible. Thousands of people, inches of snowfall, and too many premieres...so my friend Amy and I spent the day walking around and checking things out. But, no worries, I will be in the theater for Red State Monday morning at 8 am!!! Until my first review is written, here are a list of things I learned today and some pics.
#1 Don't bring your baby to a film festival. Especially one that takes place in a mountain town with 2 feet of snow on the ground. Hint: people don't want to accomodate your stroller on the shuttle bus. We are all way too close to begin with. Baby accessories do not help.
#2 Lighting up a cigarette will ensure that your shuttle bus will show up within 60 seconds.
#3 James Franco is awesome. He created an art installation at the New Frontier exhibit called "Three's Company: The Drama". As Amy and I sat on the re-created Three's Company set, we watched James Franco examine the narrative and characters of the pilot episode. I wish I could explain it better, but you just had to be there.
#1 Don't bring your baby to a film festival. Especially one that takes place in a mountain town with 2 feet of snow on the ground. Hint: people don't want to accomodate your stroller on the shuttle bus. We are all way too close to begin with. Baby accessories do not help.
#2 Lighting up a cigarette will ensure that your shuttle bus will show up within 60 seconds.
#3 James Franco is awesome. He created an art installation at the New Frontier exhibit called "Three's Company: The Drama". As Amy and I sat on the re-created Three's Company set, we watched James Franco examine the narrative and characters of the pilot episode. I wish I could explain it better, but you just had to be there.
1.20.2011
"Perfect Couples" is Far From Perfect
With another example of how far removed Hollywood is from real life, NBC brings its latest addition to the Thursday night comedy lineup: Perfect Couples. The premise of this half hour comedy focuses on three Gen X couples at various stages in their relationships, yet miraculously facing similar problems.
The "couples" feature the infantile and annoying Vance & Amy, the ridiculously shallow and clueless Rex & Leigh, and the "aren't we witty and cute?" couple Dave & Julia. Each character and couple dynamic is a sad attempt at stereotyping and a lazy attempt at comedy . Game night turns into a make-out party which turns into one of the couples getting in a fight. But, the night is not without a Ryan Seacrest joke AND an American Idol gag.
On top of the ridiculous characters, the premise is that everyone is employed, living in nice homes, and wearing designer clothes while worrying about not going dancing and unwanted trips to Napa Valley. Isn't it so fun to live in California?
It amazes me how NBC can feature such smart comedies like 30 Rock, Community, and Parks & Recreation...and then turn around and put something like this on the air. While I appreciate the attempt at a comedy not focused on raising children or dealing with your old parents, this show falls way short of being added to my DVR series list. Thanks Perfect Couples, but I will stick with How I Met Your Mother for my thirtysomething couples humor. That show has characters I can identify with and love getting to know more about each week.
The "couples" feature the infantile and annoying Vance & Amy, the ridiculously shallow and clueless Rex & Leigh, and the "aren't we witty and cute?" couple Dave & Julia. Each character and couple dynamic is a sad attempt at stereotyping and a lazy attempt at comedy . Game night turns into a make-out party which turns into one of the couples getting in a fight. But, the night is not without a Ryan Seacrest joke AND an American Idol gag.
On top of the ridiculous characters, the premise is that everyone is employed, living in nice homes, and wearing designer clothes while worrying about not going dancing and unwanted trips to Napa Valley. Isn't it so fun to live in California?
It amazes me how NBC can feature such smart comedies like 30 Rock, Community, and Parks & Recreation...and then turn around and put something like this on the air. While I appreciate the attempt at a comedy not focused on raising children or dealing with your old parents, this show falls way short of being added to my DVR series list. Thanks Perfect Couples, but I will stick with How I Met Your Mother for my thirtysomething couples humor. That show has characters I can identify with and love getting to know more about each week.
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