Friday, October 29, 2010

It's Always Funny in Philadelphia






Last night's "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" was, without question, one of the series's finest.

The story-telling was probably the best that the show has ever had, and yet the wacky comedy didn't suffer from story at all.

(From this point on there will be spoilers)

The big question from the episode is: Who is Sweet Dee's Baby Daddy?

Talking about this with my good friend Justin (from the outstanding Cavemen Go), he brought up an idea he has for an upcoming blog of his own where he would think of awesome stunt castings for some of his favorite shows.  This is a great idea, and I am greatly looking forward to his blog on that very subject, but I thought, while we wait, we should come up with the top 5 stunt casting choices for Sweet Dee's Baby Daddy.

5. Ben Stiller
The episode began with the gang talking about spending the night at the museum (which would also be a hilarious episode, I kind of hope that we get that one some day), so, of course, I thought about Ben Stiller.  His comedic timing would fit in nicely with this crowd, and that would have been an awesome easter egg if the guys knew they were bringing in Ben Stiller to be Sweet Dee's Baby Daddy.


4. Jonathan Lajoie (Taco from The League)
Taco is the greatest character on the greatest show about Fantasy Football ever.  (Seriously, it is scary how much this show often matches a league that I am in [GO WILD OLIVES!]).  Jonathan Lajoie (pronounced Lajwa) steals every single scene that he is in, and not only would he do the same on Sunny, he would also bring more attention to the hilarious show that follows it.


3. Ricky Gervais
Mainly because I love him, and want him to be on every comedy, because he can only make it funnier.  (He's also my choice to replace Michael Scott on NBC's The Office, but to do so as David Brent, the character that Michael Scott is based on.)  Just imagining Ricky Gervais's expressions when listening to Dennis, Mac, Charlie, and Frank already have me cracking up.


2. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Justin's choice for some great stunt casting.  This would be hilarious on numerous levels.  A: It's the Govenator, so that would be awesome, B: The comedic stylings of Schwarzenegger and Sunny star Danny DeVito are well documented.  And this wouldn't be the first time that Schwarzenegger and DeVito have had to deal with an impending birth.  I can see it now, AH-nold could play Frank's (twin?) brother, the uncle that Sweet Dee had always had a huge crush on, and since 7th Heaven turned out to be Dennis and Sweet Dee's real dad, there wouldn't be anything too wrong with it (at least not to these depraved people).


And my number one choice would be the man of whom there is a statue in Philadelphia....

1. Sylvester Stalone (better known as Rocky Balboa)

Mainly, because I want to see a boxing match between Sly and Dennis.

Until Next Time, what do you think?  Who should play Sweet Dee's Baby Daddy?  Or should it be someone on the show already?

Friday, October 1, 2010

Facebook Me





I remember when I first heard that there was going to be a movie about Facebook, (And I love that spell check still doesn't think that facebook is a word.  There is actually a bit about that in the movie if you watch closely) I thought that a movie about facebook would be a ridiculous idea.  I mean you might as well have Zach Snyder (director of 300 and Watchmen) direct a kids' movie!  (Oh, wait.)

Then I began to hear a little bit more about it.  I heard that David Fincher's name was attached.  He is one of five directors working today that I will go see anything that he does.  (Another future post?)  Then I heard that Aaron Sorkin would be writing.  (He's got a nice cameo by the way.  And the script is clearly his.  You West Wing fans, and Sports Night [What What!], will really enjoy it.)  At that point I was incredibly intrigued.

Then I began to hear what the movie would be about, and I realized that this wasn't so much a movie based on facebook the website as it was a movie about what went into the making of facebook, which honestly, is a movie about our society today, our obsessions, who we are, what we want from the internet, and the type of person you have to be to recognize those needs, obsessions, and wants, and then deliver them to us.

This movie is fascinating.  It is a character study first and foremost.  Mark Zuckerberg, in the film, is an intriguing character.  He is portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg with great results.  I have heard Eisenberg referred to as a Michael Cera type actor, but the depth that Eisenberg brings to this role outweighs anything that Cera has done to date (which, as much as I enjoyed Arrested Development, is really just varying versions of George Michael.)  The film seems to make a case (although not in an obvious or heavy handed way, but the signs are there if you care to look for them) that Zuckerberg has Asperger's.  I have no idea if he actually does, but I don't doubt at all the film meant for those signs to be there, despite not coming right out and saying it.  While Zuckerberg definitely doesn't come off as a hero in the film, and is definitely portrayed somewhat as an asshole, he is also the protagonist of the film, and you can't help but root for him and find him likable (at the same time you think, "wow, what an asshole.")  This is due, in large part, to the outstanding job that Eisenberg does in portraying him.

Speaking of great acting performances, Justin Timberlake steals every single scene that he is in.  He is phenomenal as Napster.com creator Sean Parker.  I would be shocked if he doesn't recieve at least a nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and I wouldn't be shocked at all if he somehow manages to win.  After all, Mo'Nique is an Oscar winner now, why not Justin Timberlake?  But seriously, he is unbelievable.  I had been impressed with him in small roles prior to this (most notably in Black Snake Moan) but he blew me away with this performance.

David Fincher was as incredible as you would expect.  His work is flawless and phenomenal, and the texture, presence, and depth that he is able to add with his visuals is beyond reproach.  He is simply one of the best directors working today.

And, as I mentioned earlier, the screenplay is vintage Sorkin.  No one writes dialogue like Aaron, and no one makes talking sound as good.  If only the real world sounded like it does in Sorkin's mind.  Alas, we will have to settle for the complete series of Sports Night and West Wing, and movies such as this.

In a year where Hot Tub Time Machine has a legitimate shot to make my Top Ten (seriously, this year has been terrible for film so far), I am glad that there is finally an actual outstanding movie to recommend (along with Toy Story 3 and Inception, everything else this year has been, at best, okay).

Until Next Time, Go see this film, and then I'll see you on Facebook.