nixskits Reviews

Some Guy Who Kills People (2011)

The title isn't necessarily a *spoiler*!

[10/10 · 26 July 2011]

This is certainly a cult classic in the making! The always resourceful Kevin Corrigan goes from supporting stalwart to a first rate leading man here, in a performance that demands simultaneous charisma, creepiness, vulnerability & menace. His Ken is a man who's been through a personal hell and just wants to be free from his painful past. But the thorns in his paws are not quite gone yet.

Ken's mom Ruth (Karen Black), mom's love interest, the Sheriff (Barry Bostwick, absolutely hilarious), confidant Irv (Leo Fitzpatrick as the loyal best friend) and a BIG surprise, in one of the most winning roles in a long time, Ken's recently discovered daughter Amy (played by the very talented Ariel Gade) make up the pillars of the insular world our main character exists within. His high school days were filled with such trauma that his ability to move ahead now seems permanently stunted. His talent for drawing was and still is a therapy outlet he revels in, but deep down, he yearns for something much more cathartic to happen. Director Jack Perez keeps a deliciously twisted tone throughout the film, making one wonder exactly what will happen next. Things aren't too hard to guess at times, but the flashbacks co-existing with present day events make Ken a lot more sympathetic than hateful.

When a few nasty people from his past start turning up butchered around town (in over the top and very comic book style demises), Ken's got to reevaluate the nature of just how much revenge is warranted for their youthful crimes. Ryan Levin's terrific script balances the black comedy with more sensitive moments. Opening the soul of the lead with possibilities of romance (Lucy Davis, as the first woman he can start fresh with and reach in to repair his shattered self image) and the huge demands of fatherhood (his spunky little girl is already on the cusp of puberty and he's overwhelmed by the stress of how to suddenly make up for the years they lost out on), Corrigan is simply sensational! His light and dark touches are equally interesting and complement the story as it heads to a conclusion that's strangely fitting.

Do yourself a favour and check this little wonder out. Definitely worth watching and I sincerely hope it becomes the genuine hit it deserves to be!

Retreat (I) (2011)

Gloom AND doom!

[9/10 · 18 July 2011]

Cillian Murphy stars in another film that has a horrific and lethal condition wreaking havoc like a mass murderer in plain sight. But unlike the hit '28 Days Later', 'Retreat' doesn't really have a cautious sense of optimism at it's heart. Or any somewhat cartoonish creatures pursuing the heroes through urban and rural environs. This movie is as much a story of a pandemic allegedly touching various parts of the globe as a tale of a marriage in crisis and the savagery involved in giving someone (a stranger or loved one) the benefit of the doubt and realizing far too late that the road to hell IS paved with good intentions!

The married couple here are played by Murphy (as Martin, a somewhat timid husband character who has a quiet dignity, but is poised to explore his dormant aggressive side) and Thandie Newton (in an at times volcanic, but always emotionally involving performance as Kate). The two arrive on a grey afternoon at the site of their lodgings, a lonely and frigid looking island with typically near gale force winds whipping about. Connections to others and basic convenience are tenuous at best (an older man who takes them there on his small boat and stirs deep sadness in both with an innocent comment, a CB radio at the mercy of the elements, plus a generator always ready to cry "Uncle!" and flat out stop functioning). They settle in as best they can when trouble arrives.

Jamie Bell literally stumbles into their lives, in Army garb and suffering from more than a nasty bleeding wound to his head. He's brought into their cottage, unconscious and provoking curiosity and fear in his good samaritan hosts. The man has stories to tell when finally awake. South America was ground zero for the fatal infectious agent he swears has now spread to the world's other continents. His training in the forces makes him much more adept at reacting to what needs to be done when fearing possible unwanted visitors trying to overtake the building all three now must share. But this Private named Jack goes from sensibly take charge to near paranoid and dictatorial in a very short period. The furniture is chopped apart and used to board up all the doors and windows. Tensions mount quickly as Jack insists they remain inside at all times.

Bell's a revelation in this light years from 'Billy Elliot' role. His interloper's contempt for and hostility towards Martin and Kate becomes a chilling study in how certain unbalanced military men who've been exposed to severe trauma (and questionable matters approved by their superior officers and government officials as well) are so removed from the comparative ease of civilian life that they're seeing much of relating to 'normal' society as a psychological invasion. The story of this triangle and it's nightmarish consequences are impossible to forget and well worth experiencing in co-writer/director Carl Tibbetts' first rate film. It offers no simple conclusions and will demand a certain toughness from the audience. Proceed with caution!

Rubber (2010)

DEFINITELY not a film for everyone!

[8/10 · 11 September 2010]

After seeing this peculiar, but compelling little picture, I really wonder more than before what the motives are that any of us have for making a pilgrimage to a theatre to watch a film! I found Rubber to be downright hilarious at times and very disturbing at others. Quentin Dupieux's oddball spectacle was 1 of the early sellouts at this past Fantasia festival and hearing so many people talking about the story's development made me want to check out the weirdness now that smaller venues are booking the flick for exhibition. This will alienate as many, if not many more, as it charms.

A mixed crowd of society's cross sections, not too much unlike the basic groups and eccentric individuals in a typical movie audience (slightly older know it all guys, obnoxious teens, thoughtful pre-teen, elderly folks overwhelmed by it all, video camera toting bootlegger, non-conformist cynic, etc.) are witnessing a spectacle many real people would go into the desert to see. A vulcanized utilitarian item which usually ends up as a child's toy tied to a tree or in a nightmarish inferno is coming to "life" and wreaking havoc on the animate and inanimate objects in it's path. Kind of like a spree murderer who gains instant notoriety and with each subsequent act of "violence", bringing more police and news attention to their progress.

You'll have to see the film yourself and make a determination of your own, because this in a strange way is like being 1 of many witnesses to an hypothetical crime spree. And we know that much eyewitness testimony is not entirely credible when under the scrutiny of trained interrogators & cold hard science like DNA, analogous to critics' dissections & box office gross! I'm glad I saw Rubber, but am not naive enough to think the majority of non-film buffs will agree. A challenging, intentionally frustrating piece of 21st century entertainment!

The Shrine (2010)

Be careful what you search for!

[9/10 · 26 July 2010]

The Shrine is a film where the proverbial rug gets pulled out from under you, but in such a way that watching it from start to finish is imperative! It's world premiere at the 2010 Fantasia festival gave us a nice little horror shocker evening of entertainment and I sincerely hope this gets picked up by a distributor for a wide release soon.

The disappearances of several tourists over years prompts a trio of young Americans on a fact finding mission to rural Poland, searching for a missing backpacker who's the latest foreign statistic linked to a small village in that country. What Carmen (Cindy Sampson), Marcus (Aaron Ashmore) and Sara (Meghan Heffern) discover will change not just their lives, but the whole foundation of life for many others who'd prefer to keep certain matters a secret.

This film directed by Jon Knautz is full of surprises, all of which are better left to your discovery process when watching. Let's just say everything isn't as it might first appear when the 3 arrive at their destination and begin poking around for answers. Their inquiry isn't welcomed by the unfriendly local toughs, who strongly encourage them all to go away immediately. Of course, they do not, then the dangerous stakes start increasing by the second. An unusual forest attraction leads to the dramatic shift in just what they believe might have taken place regarding the fate of the recently vanished Eric Taylor (Ben Lewis).

The Shrine has some moments one must see (and hear) to truly grasp (and gasp at). A couple lines of dialogue ring out like gallows humour from an executioner's rifle. The frantic desire to escape the hell awaiting those who don't follow horror film logic are cranked up to 11 on the freaky amplifier of shocking cinema. If you don't understand Polish, well, don't let that stand in your way of appreciating this fine example of supernaturally driven craziness! Much of the dialogue is in that Eastern European language and untranslated, but it's only to maintain the schism we North Americans (and other English speakers) experience as strangers in a strange land. Our attempts to guess what will happen next are pretty much useless and my advice is just watch and enjoy a wild ride through an inside turned out world we'll thankfully never encounter!

I Spit on Your Grave (2010)

New "day of the woman"!

[9/10 · 13 July 2010]

I must admit, I haven't seen the original version of this film. I went into the Fantasia festival screening of this Meir Zarchi produced remake fresh, with no personal comparisons to make to his landmark picture (both he and new director Steven R. Monroe were in attendance, along with lead actress Sarah Butler and producer Lisa Hansen). And not knowing many more specifics than the 30 year+ legends of this story. I can say I was impressed with what new writer Stuart Morse and the fine cast have presented and how the talented director interpreted it! Be warned, those who don't like gore or explicit depictions of heinous events. This is probably not the flick you should check out! But if you're strong stomached enough to handle recent "torture porn" that has little or no conscience in it's artistry (which this will be dismissed as by many, but I think it's really NOT), then you might dare to watch.

Sarah Butler's Jennifer Hills character is a young writer seeking serenity to help the process of completing her newest book. What she has forced upon her soon after arriving and adjusting to the rustic peace of a lakeside rental cabin are amongst the most disturbing scenes I have ever witnessed and I've seen many intense, horrifying films in my life. Her performance for me ranks with the great turns of fellow big screen rape survivors, such as Ned Beatty in Deliverance and Jodie Foster in The Accused (AND fellow Fantasia breakout star Amanda Fuller in Red White & Blue)! Butler's shattering, heart stopping and completely believable performance of a woman in this nightmarish ordeal is never exploitative and neither is Monroe's direction of the attack. The raw brutality of sexual assault is shown in the proper context. That is, a crime of power, domination and humiliation. I had much doubt before the show about how I'd react to these moments. And my feelings are Butler is so good in the role originated by Camille Keaton that this remake will become a worthy debate subject fuse for the limits of extreme subject matter in modern mainstream film. One might not like ISOYG as a work of art about deadly serious hypotheses on crime, but nobody can find artistic fault with Butler's terrific work here. Bravo, Sarah!

Chad Lindberg has almost as difficult a task, portraying a mentally challenged man who's compelled by the thugs he grew up with (uniformly great Daniel Franzese, Jeff Branson, Rodney Eastman and a new contender for the most despicable poster boy for smiling evil, Andrew Howard) to lead the gang rape proceedings. His take on the fragile, but still capable of unspeakable violence Matthew is heartbreaking in it's delicacy AND ferocity. Watching him and Butler together during the prolonged attack was among the most painful moments for me. Lindberg delivers a multi-dimensional, impressive turn and his talent gives it an unforgettable resonance.

Monroe has a long attachment to ISOYG and realizes he will be lambasted for directing a new take on one of cinema's most reviled and legendary tales. What he gives us is not a hollow 2nd generation quickie to cash in on it's predecessor's infamous name, but a searing, realistic effort and for that I admire the job he has done here. It's a man unleashing a vision of a female's violation, then vengeance, with plenty of reason to be. The 21st century will give us hard to watch epics, but this was truly a worthwhile experience for me. I won't elaborate on what happens post-assault, but will say anyone who can see their mother, daughter, sister, friend in Jennifer Hills and her suffering will be very interested in her revenge and how THAT plays out. It was incredibly well handled!

The announcement this film would be released this fall in it's uncut form, not bowing to the 100+ cuts the MPAA requires for the more commercially desirable R rating, raised many eyebrows. I hope if it indeed is released unaltered, there will be enough moviegoers to give this a fair viewing. You can already imagine the hateful reviews some are ready to write and publish merely hearing the title. I just want the market for those filmmakers not bowing down to the antiquated and far from perfect MPAA ratings system to have an alternative in this day and age.

Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)

If Michael Moore offends anyone with this...

[9/10 · 30 December 2009]

Then perhaps they are the ones who hate the US and what it really stands for. In his most desperate state of spirit ever, Moore travels around the country and shows the realities of banks being deregulated, Wall Street big shots playing with pension funds like drunk gamblers in Nevada blowing their kid's college fund at the tables and the general greed and predatory desires of so many in corporate circles who think they're being smarter or just luckier through cronyism than the average adult makes their exalted positions like a license to print money. The honest efforts of millions are undermined by the sneaky motives of CEOs who wave flags and then sell them out for pure profit reasons.

The future of the nation FDR wanted to usher in wasn't to be as long as the greed parade from Washington, DC to the entertainment crazed nightmare that is Los Angeles has degenerated into the prime examples of almost unlivable cities (unless you're rich, of course). Crime rates are rooted in senseless drug policies that make marijuana possession almost a greater offence than murder in many minds and filled up the jails and prisons to beyond capacity.

In a priceless clip, Donald Regan is seen and heard telling then President Ronald Reagan (in a public speech, no less!) to "speed it up!" Just what kind of windbag has the audacity to order around the commander in chief? Apparently quite a few, as the top executive office is seen as a bought and paid for catbird seat by bigwigs in the huge and very deep pocketed industries that spend huge amounts on campaign donations and sending lobbyists to get their agendas put through, demanding the affairs of modern nations revolve around their bottom lines.

If capitalism is going to improve in the 21st century, everyone needs to spend less on what we don't need, especially if we can't afford it in the first place. The state of industry has gone down the other side, like a roller coaster that can't climb higher and has to come down hard and fast. The bell curve of finance is only bright if you're living in the past when things looked up towards innovation and the corrupt jerks at the tops of the pyramids get exposed for who they really are. Seeing the often pompous Moore wanting to make a citizen's arrest and rolling out yellow crime scene tape near the heart of soulless business makes me proud and I think if anyone's bothered by that, they're the real enemies of pride in their country.

"Capitalism" is one of the best of 2009 and I maintain it's a companion film to "The Informant", directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring a very funny Matt Damon. Watch both and the reality of what we are stuck with for a very long time suddenly doesn't just look possible, it seemed downright inevitable!

This is my 100th comment and I wanted it to coincide with the 100th review for this film. I started writing these on the 23rd of November this year and made a pre-New Year's resolution to become a "prolific author" by posting 100 before 2010. It's been a great experience and I hope this upcoming year's film schedule gives us all more great stuff to discuss. Have a terrific twenty-ten, everybody!

Titus: The Last Noelle (2000) Season 2, Episode 9

The show was always in it's "dark period"

[10/10 · 30 December 2009]

Take a screwed up young man trying to do the right thing, add a myriad of family and friends making his already difficult life that much more impossible and then you'll come up with "Titus". This program took a world where most of us have crazy relatives and associates and showed us we probably weren't as bad off as Christopher and his cast of characters. The brilliant Stacy Keach is Papa Titus and how he chooses to raise his boys will make eyebrows raise up in shock. The man had as many terrible qualities as good ones and the fact the real Chris Titus named his daughter after the late patriarch is a tribute to his legacy of parental pride.

"The Last Noelle" ranks as one of the most sobering stories which can still make us laugh amidst the insanity. Danielle Weeks appears in the role of Titus' now dead ex-girlfriend who made a huge impression on him, through physical abuse and Chris' rationalization for staying with her, "The booty was good!" How men who love women that are not right for them is a twist on the now familiar tales of women staying with violent husbands/boyfriends and is an innovative approach for a less preachy show than most others on the air past/present. As he explains, 100% of men with abusive female partners are embarrassed to admit what's really happening to them and seek help.

I wish this program was on longer than the couple years we had it, but the legacy of "Titus" is a rich and rewarding one.

The Larry Sanders Show: Out of the Loop (1992) Season 1, Episode 8

HEY NOW! The most acidic of the 1st season's bitter tales

[10/10 · 30 December 2009]

"Larry Sanders" is one of the few shows that makes the average person feel like they're much better off NOT being in show business! Over several wacky and dark seasons, the never satisfied host of a prominent late night program lets his insecurities out in all kinds of ways, usually whining. It's a good guess that being in the public eye is like the quasi narcotic Larry can't go without for too long.

"Out Of The Loop" is my favourite of the early stories and it's rooted in Larry's regrettable desire to be more involved in the nitty gritty of his staff around the set. Head writer Jerry (Jeremy Piven) is head over heels in love and lust with a young lady he foolishly believes is into him the same way. Paula (Janeane Garofalo) is Paula, not nearly as together in her personal life as she is booking the guests. Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) spews out another "Hanks For The Memories", his newsletter, if you could dignify it by using that term. Artie (Rip Torn) is typically irascible, not really liking or trusting anyone other than Mr. Sanders himself. And top billed guest Peter Falk can barely believe what is falling apart psychologically around him.

Once Jerry was fired later on and Paula left, the comedy suffered a bit for me. But "TLSS" remains a jewel in the 90s television garbage heap. You can watch these episodes over and over, they never wear out their welcome. Almost all of the debut season shows are first rate and other celebrities like Carol Burnett, Dana Carvey, Mimi Rogers and David Spade come into Larry's world like funny and intimidating shooting stars. And the usually perceptive journalist Tom Shales interviews Garry Shandling about the whole "TLSS" experience. "No Flipping!"

Three's Company: The Case of the Missing Blonde (1981) Season 5, Episode 21

Their creepiest misunderstanding ever...

[10/10 · 30 December 2009]

"Three's Company" remains one of the silly for smart folks programs that I still enjoy all these years after the episodes first aired. To buy them on disc and not need syndication anymore is kind of kicking out the middleman who's been in the television picture for a very long time. One good thing about the disc packages is we finally get to see the not one, but two pilots that were shot before Suzanne Somers came aboard. The late, great Larry Gelbart wrote one of them, so thinking this show is a monument to stupidity is overlooking the enormous talents who worked on both sides of the camera.

The sadly lost too early and dearly missed John Ritter ruled the roost, in laugh getting at least, on "Three's". Joyce DeWitt was the rhythm section of the band, playing the "sensible" one who was also capable of screwing up big time on occasion. And one of the medium's best loved figures ever, Don Knotts, had to fill in for both Ropers after they left. This is one of the plots written while Cindy, Chrissy's cousin, was living with J&J and Jenilee Harrison did very well with the usually one note material she was given. Here, Somers was still out of the picture until the before end credits segment. Her contract "negotiation" sent shock waves through the biz and sent a message to anyone who thought they were bigger than their show.

The two Js return late one night from a film that scared the bejesus out of Janet and set off on a paranoid but amusing ride as they try to find their missing roommate. Mr. Furley and Larry Dalliapoulos (I'm guessing that's how the name he changed to "Dallas" was spelled) are drawn into the mystery and Jack and Janet end up with misunderstanding egg on their faces for the umpteenth time.

Tell the truth, you didn't really miss Chrissy here, did ya? I'd tired of her annoying act a long time earlier and wish a fresher face like Cheryl Ladd was cast in that role in the first place. Suzanne can be a resourceful comedy actress, but this kind of dumb blonde joke as a part didn't really give her respect as a performer. "Step By Step", where her and Patrick Duffy got to update "The Brady Bunch", was a much better vehicle for her and that character was many things, but dumb wasn't one of them.

Classic Albums: Deep Purple: Machine Head (2002) Season 4, Episode 2

Mark 2 of Purple was the deepest!

[9/10 · 29 December 2009]

Another indispensable LP from the last forty years, "Machine Head" introduced several must learn riffs for young guitarists to start their education with and so much more. There isn't a weak track out of the seven on the disc and "When A Blind Man Cries", which was left off the album, gets some prominent attention here. My only complaint is not having a chapter for the ferocious "Lazy", which lets Jon Lord's Hammond organ get very beastly indeed (plugged into a Marshall stack), as he goes from the playful to the terrifying in this intense workout of a song.

The circumstances of this recording are quite infamous now and all the facts are clarified for posterity's sake. Deep Purple eventually lost their singer Ian Gillan due to the non stop touring which wore them all out. The emphasis from outside the band for singles to promote was met with more than a little suspicion on the five musicians' parts. "Smoke On The Water" is the most easily identified track for even those whose grandchildren owned "Machine Head". But "Highway Star", both here and on the phenomenal "Made In Japan" live record, stands as a high octane trailblazer for hard edged music with a healthy respect for the classics. Some of Purple's greatest shows ever were in Japan and to this day, they're revered as musical gods in that country (as seen in the recent "Global Metal").

Several bonus features, totalling over half an hour, are all worth checking out. This is one of the very best in the "Classic Albums" series.

Queen Rock Montreal & Live Aid (2007 Video)

The lean, mean, killing machine Queen!

[10/10 · 29 December 2009]

That summary refers to the fact that after this tour, the band lightened up a bit and released songs like "Radio Gaga" and "Flash Gordon". Good tunes, but a lot of us want to hear the raw sound which made this quartet a major act on vinyl and in concert. And what a concert this is! I went to a theatre for a special one time presentation to watch this on the big screen before the disc release and other than a few of my favourite numbers that were left out, they touch on all their hits.

Back when the Montreal Forum was the Vatican of hockey, it also played host to all the huge names in popular music. The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones and so many others performed there before it was no longer home of the team synonymous with the Stanley Cup and converted into a 22 screen movie complex. Queen launch into a super charged version of "We Will Rock You" and it's on from there. Freddy Mercury is no doubt one of music's great spirits, not to mention powerful vocalists. He's the irreplaceable front man that defines an era. Roger Taylor and John Deacon made up a rock solid rhythm section (as well as writing so many first rate songs) and Brian May is an amazing guitarist that never gets upstaged by all the considerable talent around him.

I didn't want this to end, but unfortunately it must. Apparently, most bands in the older days didn't capture their concerts in 35mm for the highest quality documentary possible. That was and is their loss and ours. Along with the Madison Square Garden section of the Stones' "Gimme Shelter", "Queen Rock Montreal" ranks as a band at their height in both popularity and stage power.

The Simpsons: Homerpalooza (1996) Season 7, Episode 24

The young 'uns learn about rock'n'roll!

[10/10 · 29 December 2009]

"The Simpsons" have been on the air since I was a teen, as shocking as that might be! And the differences in musical taste never feel more apparent between really young viewers and older fogeys like myself than here. In this episode, my personal favourite of all, Homer gets to take Bart and Lisa to one of the travelling 'loozas that are all over the place in the post Woodstock marketplace. Since that muddy festival in the rain, money hungry promoters have been looking for massive crowds to make even more bucks. And the integrity of what Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction fame started with "Lollapalooza" has taken a few hits over the years. Too much greed and not enough restraint in just who should grace the stage is what makes many sour on these concepts, as well as ever higher ticket prices.

Of course a born hustler like Mr. Burns has his bony fingers in the pie, owning the ticket shafters who are charging a ridiculous service fee on top of the face value so music lovers can go watch Peter Frampton, Cypress Hill, Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins and more, including Homer's dangerous party trick that eventually takes a toll on his very round equator. Great songs by Mountain and Grand Funk are heard in this oddly touching take on the generation gap between parents and their children. And who'd have have guessed a string section accompanying Cypress Hill would make such beautiful music?

Will & Grace: A Chorus Lie (2002) Season 4, Episode 16

The case of the "sneaky hetero"!

[10/10 · 29 December 2009]

Those words are what Jack (Sean Hayes) blurts out when trying to get tangible evidence a man (Matt Damon) he suspects is in a male chorus group for more than gay pride reasons escapes "McFarland justice". And is Damon ever funny! This program had so many stars, both as themselves and others, that this appearance, along with Minnie Driver's role (after being dissed by Megan "Karen" Mullally while leafing through a fashion magazine and criticizing her style), is one of the few which didn't smack of publicity stunt for ratings casting.

Damon lets his character appear as if he's out and proud, when his reasons for competing with Manhattan's most confident (and self absorbed) performer, Jack, are far more mercenary and based in Grace enticing reverse psychology. The chorus is heading for Europe and only one of these two singers can earn a spot (and a nice per diem while travelling the continent). Damon has a pretty good voice and a strong talent for comedy, lately seen in a radically different light as the lead in "The Informant". Add the great Leslie Jordan as "teacup poodle" (Karen's words) Beverley Leslie and Patrick Kerr (Noel on "Frasier") as the chorus director who doesn't care who's the stronger singer and you can't lose!

"Will And Grace" suffered from many of the same things in it's later seasons that shows which start out hot and fresh, then become less original, have to contend with. Too much of the failed romance plot lines (ie, Leo!) and not enough of the integral irresponsibility which made these losers in love so appealing when they hit the airwaves in the late 90s. But "A Chorus Lie" stands tall as the best guest appearance by a male star in recent sitcom memory.

Frasier: The Ski Lodge (1998) Season 5, Episode 14

French farce on America's most British show!

[10/10 · 29 December 2009]

Along with "Beware Of Greeks" (also on the fifth season collection), I think this is the funniest of the many "Frasier" episodes. The Crane men, along with Daphne, her school friend Annie and ski instructor Guy, are having a side splitting time of missed cues and crushes once removed. To say this is funny is like saying Michael Jordan could slam dunk a ball. I was elated whenever this came on because it meant for at least half an hour, my troubles would be forgotten and I could marvel at how well "The Ski Lodge" holds up on repeat viewings. It's even better when one has seen it already, kind of like listening to a virtuoso on the level of Vladimir Horowitz playing a classical piano opus.

I've always felt "Frasier" was a very British in tone program and another actress gets to take the John "Marty Crane" Mahoney Mancunian accent test, as he was originally from Manchester and made sure Jane "Daphne" Leeves and now Cynthia "Annie" Lamontagne (best known as "Big Rhonda" on "That 70s Show") hit the right notes in their vocal performances. The upper crust flair of both "Frasier" and "Niles" makes many think they're gay and here, both of the boys are at their most heterosexual, with one wanting the woman who's only interested in the other. The farce works much better than in the screen adaptation of "Noises Off" and you don't have to pay to see this in a f$$king theatre.

Sex and the City: Twenty-Something Girls vs. Thirty-Something Women (1999) Season 2, Episode 17

Best episode of the entire series!

[10/10 · 29 December 2009]

When writing about television up till now, I've taken the whole run of the shows I've reviewed into account. Realizing one can opt for a single episode comment as well, I think this program had it's best moments in this "going to the f$$king Hamptons" story. "Sex And The City" wasn't something I knew from a test pattern three years ago. Then it went into syndication in a big way and I started watching this phenomenon which had been so popular on cable for a long time. I can guess as to what was changed for regular standards (like Samantha saying, "Wanna have sex?" in one yoga centred plot, instead of what a wildcat like her would really blurt out).

This very popular with the ladies show has spawned a film so far, with another ahead in the 2010 schedule. I went to see "SATC" the movie and can say this drew the largest female crowd I've ever seen for one title (at least 80% of the audience were women). So financially, it makes good sense to keep producing these sequels when there's a gigantic line of folks waiting to see them. I wish "The Sopranos", "Dexter" and "Nip/Tuck" would also have big screen projects in the works.

This particular story has Charlotte, Miranda, Samantha and the other one (you know who she is!) having not quite fun in the sun while renting a beach house in the trendy part of Long Island. Samantha is having perpetual migraines dealing with her nincompoop assistant, Charlotte meets a younger man she thinks might be Mr. Right, Miranda is suitably droll and the other one has a new admirer of the literary kind, played by Rachel Miner, here the total opposite of the goth flavoured show biz woman she plays on "Californication".

Of course, everything turns to hell in less than half an hour and hilarity ensues. I think along with Nadia Dajani's character in a different episode ("Critical Condition"), Miner's role should have been expanded into something more, as her spirited portrayal was much richer than most of their guests and deserved a prominent place in the recurring people of "SATC". So, neither lady ever came back and this show was less vital in spirit as a result. Certain other actors who had long stints on this ever popular hit didn't impress me as much and I hold it against the creative powers behind "SATC" that this was one of the reasons I grew bored with it and stopped watching when they reached the final season.

Behind the Music: Megadeth (2001) Season 4, Episode 25

David and David...

[10/10 · 28 December 2009]

Back in the very early 80s, Cliff Burton wasn't the original Metallica bassist, Anvil were seen as the next big thing by many, Slayer were still playing mostly covers and young Dave Mustaine hadn't met David Ellefson or been ousted from his place as lead guitarist and co-songwriter in the group that would go on to be one of the most popular acts in the world.

Since all those years ago, Burton died tragically, Anvil toiled in near obscurity compared to other bands they inspired, Slayer have become the standard bearers for keeping up the intensity and quality level of hard edged music and the two Davids formed Megadeth and eventually split apart after many albums, tours and lineup changes. How Mustaine is still alive after all his self abuse is some kind of miracle. In an industry where drug extremes are par for the course, this man horrified even those who thought they'd seen it all.

As a boy Dave grew into an angry adolescent and found his musical destiny in the sounds from England, especially Judas Priest and Motorhead. His playing style was so called shredding before that term became a cliché of modern music and after forming his earliest groups, Dave joined the nascent Metallica. His alcoholism and violence, which he elaborates on here and in "Some Kind Of Monster", led to the other members deciding to give him the boot and in a revenge filled state of mind, he dreamt up the basis of what would become Megadeth.

Minnesota born and raised bassist Ellefson moved out to California to attend music school, but his encounter with Mustaine put an end to that path in his life. The two linked up with guitarist Chris Poland and drummer Gar Samuelson to record some of the greatest high velocity music to come out of the US and established a reputation as a phenomenal live act.

Eventually chemical dependency issues reared their heads and the lineup began to change. So many times, that Mustaine would be the sole founding member in the 21st century. Mustaine once remarked that Ellefson played music with a lot of love and that he himself played with a lot of hate. The source of his anger is described in this must see episode of "Behind The Music" as coming from the late patriarch of the Mustaine clan, who was an alcoholic and not "Leave It To Beaver" dad material.

The naiveté of Dave thinking it was great to develop a heroin habit so early in his career eventually turned nightmarish as he entered rehab many times and lapsed back into his dependency again and again. Well meant advice from their tour mate and early fan Alice Cooper wasn't heeded when it should have been and the toll drugs have taken on Megadeth is immense. Poland was gone after the second album and Samuelson eventually died from complications of his many years of heroin abuse.

My love of their music is inextricably linked with sobering knowledge about the consequences of what living on the edge will reap on those who think, even briefly, that they are bulletproof. Or are too high to care. This episode, along with the Motley Crue story, needs to scare straight any aspiring musician who should be living the dream of what art can be at it's best. Not turning into a walking, talking poster boy representing the "after" in before and after photos for the "Just Say No" campaign.

Exhibit A: Leary Verses Hicks (2007)

A vote for this seems unnecessary...(9 for the sake of an issue's importance)

[27 December 2009]

Comedian Bill Hicks: A+. As a person who grew up with a big interest in stand up comedy, I have to place Hicks in the top ten for the last century. I remember him being interviewed by Brent Bambury on Canada's CBC radio program "Brave New Waves" a few years before his tragic early passing. He mentioned how early mentor and friend Sam Kinison was the first comic he'd seen who didn't care if the audience liked him or not. That stay with your conscience approach influenced a great deal of Hicks' style and also took him over certain lines in a way he'd pay an enormous price for (ie, David Letterman and his coward producer deleting Bill's routine from a late in career appearance when Bill touched on some light in offensive quality bits that offended CBS' censors).

Respected in many countries for his go for the jugular honesty and fierce intellect, this born in Georgia boy (whose life and times are told in Cynthia True's "American Scream") grew from a barely pubescent stand up, partnered with childhood friend Dwight Slade, into a ready to take on the world alone young adult who knocked them dead when he moved out to LA from Texas at a tender age and became one of the brilliant talents (along with Jim Carrey and others) that would explode in the late 80s, changing that era's standard from "airplane food and convenience store" material that was the territory of lesser talents who filled up the nation's bowling alleys that were now semi-clubs for comedy. Hicks didn't suffer fools gladly and his refusal to play the show biz game like others did meant he wouldn't become a sitcom lead or star of not too challenging films.

Comedian Denis Leary: A-. He was (and is) a very smart and funny man, emerging from Boston's very aggressive and alcoholism fuelled club scene, later becoming a sharp and resourceful character actor in the process. Now, Leary is a husband and father who takes great exception to the whining of so many non-confrontational (as far as common sense goes) parents who are his contemporaries (if in age only). Leary was (and can still be) viciously direct in his material, taking on post 9-11 times in his gutsy "Rescue Me" program and remaining a good talk show guest when he appears with stories about his children and the crazy world they are inheriting.

The issue of material in comedy is very touchy in the best of times. "YouTube" is rife with professionals and amateurs offering their take on who presented what first. And "theft" isn't a new allegation to level, as big names like Milton Berle in the past and Robin Williams still, are accused of taking the jokes and stories of others for their routines. Not too long ago, Jay Leno wrote his autobiography and the reminiscing included at least one thing that didn't really happen to him!

Hicks was a militant smoker for quite a while after being a straight arrow till his early twenties. Leary smoked profusely onstage and his jibes at the nonsmoking portion of the audience are remarkably similar to Hicks'. I think here they were both dead wrong, the menace of the tobacco companies extending to being almost fully responsible for the careers of crypto Republicans like Jesse Helms getting elected and reelected. And smoking related deaths are (and were) responsible for millions of peoples' poor health standards in North America. The issue of free will is clouded by the sheer dishonesty of the heads of said tobacco companies, having no qualms about lying in front of US congress when testifying in Washington. Junkies, cokeheads, alcoholics and other habitual users of dangerous substances have kicked their habits with much less trouble than smokers. The politics of smokers and their poor choices will remain a hot topic forever because crying about one's freedom obscures the fact tobacco was and is doctored to facilitate nicotine dependency in users. The tobacco companies are the biggest drug pushers in the history of the world.

Hicks' and Leary's material will be analyzed by fans of one or both until everyone throws their hands up in the air and can't reach some court like final decision. To say anyone's thoughts and spoken words can never be quoted without formal acknowledgement is taking the idea of concept ownership a bit too far. Comedy is too rich with the human mix of groups and individuals to state only one person or section of the performers can address certain topics. The similarities between any number of two or more folks and their acts will be debatable and often, talent doesn't come before originality. The Houston scene Hicks returned to after his jaunt in LA was a newcomer friendly place where anyone who had the guts to get on stage was given a prominent slot, unlike New York and Los Angeles where stage time is fought over like scraps of food by starving prisoners. Leary came out of a rougher place and his persona isn't (couldn't be) that much different from many other firebrands who were young in the Reagan era.

My verdict: Leary guilty of 2nd degree comic material "leaning". Sentence: being ridiculed about it and suspect as an individual in show biz for the rest of his life! And in the court of fan life and not suffering the comics they love's bad habits and poor judgement, Hicks guilty of becoming a less true to his own health and common sense person with the obnoxious cigarette prop and rhetoric that came to dominate a large part of his pre-cancer life.

Listen to and learn from the people who make you laugh, but don't compromise your values to fully embrace what they did (or still are involved with) which fundamentally troubles your appreciation of their artistry. Comedy is important and it's also not the word of supreme beings one has to bow down before!

Vacation (1983)

Back when "National Lampoon" meant something...

[8/10 · 27 December 2009]

In 1983, so many of the crises we deal with today like they're just common events didn't really hit the first so called "yuppies" in nearly the same fun killing manner. Enter the Griswold clan. Father Clark, played by Chevy Chase, the first celebrity spewed out from "SNL", mom played by the wonderful Beverly D'Angelo, children (Dana Barron and Anthony Michael Hall in this original excursion) and temptress in a hot red sports car, the one and only Christie Brinkley.

Chevy has a well earned reputation for being nasty to his co-stars (especially when returning to host "SNL"), but here he's on good behaviour, in the film (for the most part) and the definitely worth listening to commentary track. D'Angelo isn't one of the voices guiding us on that recording, but her beautiful singing voice in the film itself almost makes up for that absence. Too bad there weren't karaoke clubs back then, so her character could belt out a number every ten minutes or so. She really is that good!

"National Lampoon" used to invoke terror of the comic kind in parents who didn't get the humour their children were experiencing from the likes of Doug Kenney, Michael O'Donoghue, Peter Beard and others. Now, "NL" has all the brand intimidation of cat litter, as it's banner has gone from "Animal House" and this gem to the most insipid and run of the mill "raunch", with non talents like Paris Hilton taking up space that should be reserved for actual actors.

The 80s get an unfairly bad rap when it comes to film. But any decade has it's great and not so great, as a full ten years is a long time! "Vacation" is the kind of flick I like to check out again when it pops up late at night or I feel like watching a piece of smart "dumb" entertainment. The sequels don't really do it for me (the second in this series in particular). But the original keeps it's kooky charm over the passage of time, making us wish we could go to "Wallyworld" when there aren't any lines to wait in for the rides!

Jeff Cesario: You Can Get a Hooker Tomorrow Night (2005 Video)

You can get a laugh from this man tonight!

[8/10 · 25 December 2009]

Coming across like a more profane Ray Romano, Jeff Cesario has a regular guy appeal that should make him more popular from his material about common sense running head on into the freight train of middle American living. Originally from Wisconsin, he drops many wise bombs of insight concerning men's views on all the main preoccupations we have.

The not very intelligent or cool design of electric cars, how J Lo wouldn't stand out in the big booty capital of the USA (his home state), now former president George W. Bush's truly funny facial expressions while speaking, the ever undignified image unfairly applied to American Italians from Madison Avenue brainstorms for television ads, the casual psychosis of sports announcers and the realm of comic routines married life inspires. Jeff Cesario hits all these topics with the gloves off.

Doug Stanhope: No Refunds (2007 TV Special)

He doesn't care if you like him!

[8/10 · 25 December 2009]

With a cigarette in hand and a beer nearby, Doug Stanhope is one of the last guys in comedy whose image is not calculated to be something it isn't. Coming along with the other tell it like it is comics such as Dave Atell and the late, great Bill Hicks, Stanhope sets the hounds loose on any and every subject. He will offend and hopefully it's for thought provoking reasons.

He's an American who's also appealing to UK audiences, as well as a convenient target for certain journalists who are among those offended by his in your face explanations of just why he has given the on the record quotes that bothered them. Yes, Stanhope is not conforming to a kinder, gentler take on what's so disturbing to him about society because his style is like napalm compared to less daring performers who have a "style" more like finger paint.

Here he'll tell you exactly what he thinks the internet's role in deviant activity extends to, why religion is like kryptonite to many modern adults, how his generation are disappointed with their youthful successors, why the New York Yankees suck, what drugs used to represent compared to today's mind altering substances and so much more.

Stanhope, one of the best working comics around!

Screwed (1996)

Free speech should not be absolute!

[8/10 · 24 December 2009]

In a "Fresh Air" interview on NPR a few years ago, attorney and law professor Alan Dershowitz at first proclaimed himself "an absolutist" when it came to free speech, then quickly modified that to "almost an absolutist". He wrote an article for "Penthouse" back in the mid 70s (titled "Screwing Around With The First Amendment" in their "Advise And Dissent" section) scolding Al Goldstein and also defending his right to publish because the US had a long history of politically motivated naughty speech and Dershowitz saw the prominent porn publishers as being attacked for having left wing sentiments and possibly influencing candidates chances through their support in the magazines.

While communicating one's ideas and emotions in various forms is an important and life affirming act, the unrestricted ability to ruin reputations, cause legal and criminal hardship to innocent people and generally use the law as a weapon for cruelty's sake is not what anybody's founding fathers really had in mind when they created the concepts and documents establishing a vision for their descendent's future.

Alvin Goldstein, born in Brooklyn in 1936, is certainly one of those rabble rousers who have become inextricably linked with what the actual parameters of being offensive for it's own sake are concerned. He worked as a journalist for other periodicals before deciding with Jim Buckley to start "Screw" back in the late 60s and pretty much dare the cops to come and get them! Back then something like what we can see on "Sex And The City" would have been considered hard core porn by many, so it wasn't long before the duo did get arrested and continued to many times.

In his autobiography "I, Goldstein", Al describes his life as a quest for some kind of mental and sexual fulfilment that he assumed his father's generation didn't have. The need for attention became as life threatening an obsessive compulsion as his gluttony with food and prostitutes, not to mention the relentless shopping sprees and generosity with taking friends and business associates out on the town for lavish meals. Al loved feeling like a big shot and the material wealth didn't quite make up for the patterns that would dominate his life for the long haul.

He ended up homeless after not heeding well meant advice to slow down the habits which eventually bankrupted him. And he was wrecked philosophically by the multiple marriages which he never intended to be monogamous within. Living a swinger's existence didn't really give him the self esteem boost he hoped it would.

His public access cable show "Midnight Blue" introduced many folks, mostly in the New York area, to their first taste of the porn world, featuring interviews with almost all of the greats, a notable exception being Linda Lovelace/Marciano, who he'd confronted earlier at a press conference, waving stills from a bestiality film she'd made pre "Deep Throat". In typical Goldstein fashion, he was ejected from the event. He published the first North American photos of Jackie O nude, the same ones Larry Flynt's "Hustler" set adult mag records in sales for a few months later. He accused Flynt of basically taking almost everything from "Screw" and it's not really an exaggeration.

The infamous "Campari" ad parody that landed Flynt in hot water (and eventually before the US Supreme Court) was at first a poke at Al's sexuality in his own publication. That single piece of satire was the fuse for a free speech explosion which had a unanimous decision from all the highest court in the land's justices agreeing figures like Rev. Jerry Falwell were indeed subject to vicious comic treatment that they couldn't really sue over.

Goldstein's treatment of his own family, most notably ex-wife Gena and "former" son Jordan, was a very different kind of attack and even Al's most ardent defenders would have problems with his taking such personal matters into the most public and infamous forums in that cruel a manner. He's been in court at many times for taking any and all frustrations with whoever has crossed him to a ridiculous extent.

In "I, Goldstein", he wonders if all his legal battles (including federal obscenity charges in Kansas that he won after a prolonged and draining fight) were worth it, considering how little the modern porn world has to offer in any soul. He envied John Holmes until the legend faded away and what was finally revealed was a shell of a man trapped in his typecast of a legendary sex machine. Watching Goldstein being interviewed anywhere, you'd have to wonder if living his life would be the ultimate form of seeming to have it all and really having nothing at all.

Comedy Central Roasts: Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget (2008) Season 1, Episode 6

Squeaky clean image, filthy dirty mind

[8/10 · 24 December 2009]

With his boy next door looks, Bob Saget comes across as the nice, dutiful son all grown up. In reality, he's got one of the most vile imaginations and that cache of carnal joke pollution will shock anyone who grew up on "Full House" and doesn't know about his stand up roots. He's been quite the subject of comedian's lore for many years and here several big names in the roasting game take aim at him.

Former co-star John Stamos is the host and he gets a few good shots in at his TV brother in law. And Stamos is also the relentless subject of ridicule from the others getting on stage. Jim Norton, Susie Essman, Jeff Ross, Greg Giraldo and the great Chloris Leachman are just a few of Saget's friendly attackers.

You have to wonder how these roasts are really edited, as some less than stellar performances receive much more laughter than they merit. The best jokes come fast and furious in the midst of a set, with no room for resting on funny laurels. It's too bad roaster perennials Lisa Lampanelli and Andy Dick aren't here, as they could have incinerated poor Bob, not merely touched on some lightweight insults like a few in this lineup that pulled some punches they shouldn't have.

Not the best or worst in this Comedy Central series, but worth watching.

A Dirty Shame (2004)

John Waters can only shock us with a G rated film

[9/10 · 23 December 2009]

The bard of Baltimore has made a career out of championing the outsider who can't or won't conform to what is considered normal. Over forty plus years, Waters gave us some of the craziest pictures to come out of the so called underground and stake a place in the popular imagination. Now, he's like the kindly, if strange Uncle figure to the world's alienated youth who find a kinship with his interests in serial murderers, body modification, the changing gender roles in society and making films his way, becoming one of the few true auteurs of cinema.

"A Dirty Shame" gets off to a kooky start with a scenario based on the apparently real facts about some head injury survivors developing a stronger sex drive, post accident. Tracy Ullman has her greatest US role as "Sylvia", a somewhat dowdy lady who gets to shock the whole city with her transformation from prudish to wild. Her husband (Chris Isaak) and very large breasted daughter (Selma Blair) are taken aback by the new Sylvia, who's "got the itch" and runs around Baltimore looking for someone who can scratch it!

This disc has just as much wonderful behind the scenes detail, with many chapters (all worth watching) about everything from the real nature of unusual sex practises (now the proverbial cat out of the bag, thanks to the internet) to how Waters gets help with his soundtrack selections.

"A Dirty Shame" is no grand thesis on religion and carnality. It's a wild comic ride through familiar territory for fans, this time with an NC-17 rating instead of the old Waters' standard of X (I've never liked this "NC-17" thing, to me it's like something the matronly woman in those old underwear ads would stamp on defective men's briefs!). The biggest shock nowadays would be if an elder statesman on bad taste like Waters made a totally family friendly movie and earned a truly shocking "G".

Intrigo d'amore (1988)

The Italians bake and take the cake for good sexploitation!

[8/10 · 23 December 2009]

One of the biggest difference between European and North American audiences is how they react to sex in the movies. So many hypocritical Americans (and Canadians for that matter) are uptight about carnal subject matter in what's essentially the cinematic equivalent of candy. Have some once in a while, but don't base your whole diet on the stuff!

"Basic Instinct" became a global smash in 1992 due to some not very realistic sex scenes. That flick was a big budget version of the silly made for cable films full of naked women in distress, hoping to find some decent Alpha male to protect and hopefully get it on with them. How "BI" was seen as any more than a dumb, enjoyable (if you like that kind of thing!) sex film for adults is beyond me (and homophobic?..."Bird On A Wire" was much more homophobic than "BI"!). It's dabbling in (female) bisexuality is more than a lot of Westerners can handle and it was a hot topic for much longer than it should have been.

"Intrigo D'Amore", known by other titles ("Intrigues Sensuelles" in France and Quebec, where I've seen the French dubbed version on regular network television late at night), is a good example of a freer spirited Italian sexploitation picture. The younger Milly D'Abbraccio makes quite an impression from the start of this, as a woman who's definitely not having great sex with her husband early on in the story. Comparing this dark haired, earthy beauty being somewhat demure (in this apparently soft core effort) with the wild woman (either blonde or red haired in later hard core movies) who takes on all comers as a prototypical MILF of the 1990s and later Italian market, is a radical contrast.

Her "Janet" visits a not so ethical photographer, who's in cahoots with a female accomplice to get more than simple snapshots of glamour scenarios for women to entice their spouses. What happens afterwards is more than a little predictable, but that's part of the charm of Euro soft core. Our friends across the pond don't see sex as evil, whereas the emphasis in much American horror and porn (almost all genres, but especially those two!) is on ridiculing, if not humiliating, lots of people who are just dull and "normal" in their desires.

They used to show quite a few European flicks on non cable stations in Quebec, but gradually moved more towards the aforementioned US cable junk and eventually, American hard core with all the real sex cut out! That's about as interesting as the Texas hold em poker program that has taken over the late night Saturday slot those steamy, if silly Euro flicks used to have a home in (how many of those f$$king "Emmanuelle" movies were there anyway?). Cannes changed it's content rules years ago to keep out increasing numbers of sex films and what did that really accomplish? Sex in movies is here to stay.

Milly was in the news while running for public office a while back. If Ilona Staller can get elected, why not Ms. D? If not politics, she should always have a home in soft core, provided she could tolerate "simulated" activity long enough to make an appearance on something like "Nip/Tuck" or a "Grindhouse" style flick, which her million watt smile would be perfect for (I'd love to hear her rapid fire sexy voice in Italiano and see the English subtitles struggle to keep up!). Just some ideas.

Time of Your Life (1988–1989)

This was at least the 2nd show with this title!

[7/10 · 23 December 2009]

Yes, most people are familiar with the actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, who starred in the third(!) program in North America to use "Time Of Your LIfe" as it's name. And they may have even watched an episode. Funny enough, the first show was Canadian, like this second Canuck show from the late 80s. I couldn't find much about the initial one, a CBC broadcast back in the mid 60s. But I remember quite a bit about the Montreal (in spirit if not formal setting), teen focused "soap".

One of the perks of not being a professional actor is not having to carry the weight of criticism from not just trade critics, but the average person on the street who doesn't like your show and makes no bones about telling you that to your face. I hoped most of the young players on "TOYL" were treated well while it lasted. This program wasn't that bad, even though it received quite a few disses on the chat boards and lousy vote ratings along with the several perfect 10s. I wish the focus of this was like a younger version of "Soap", poking fun at the serialized television experience, only this time it would be with real teens and early twentysomethings goofing on the patronizing "very special episodes" most teen oriented dramas and comedies like to bombard the audience with.

"TOYL" came on after some serious traumas in my then 15 year old life and I enjoyed it for what it was worth. I withdrew into movies, music and television to at least temporarily escape my depression and this show was there for me in the weekday afternoons like a chatty, opinionated friend (with a prominent Montreal accent). I liked a lot of the cast (especially Des Gallant, who blended charm and menace brilliantly as the very screwed up "Evan", what happened to this great actor?) and how they had a chance to occasionally goof on the show itself (in one episode, I think it was "James" who remarks on the diner hangout always playing the same music). I really liked the fact that one of them seen in the opening credits (Alan Legros as "Eddie"?) was wearing a T-shirt of my late cousin's band DBC.

Syndicators could put on worse than "TOYL" and I'm sure there is a drinking game or two in the subject matter (take a shot each time the line, "I've got a funny feeling" is sung on the soundtrack, but that might result in some alcohol poisoning comas, the line really was heard that often!).