This is the best film about high school I’ve seen in years. I have to admit, it’s not my absolute favorite genre (I feel like it’s just not that interesting, and has been fully explored), but this film works not by finding an entirely revolutionary angle—–it explores some of the same tropes as other high…
Author: Alabama Liberal
Movie Review: Frankenweenie
This latest bomb from Tim Burton is an original movie that I wish I had liked more than I did. I was rooting for it, I really was, but it never quite grabbed me the way I had hoped. I think the film’s young target audience (it is made for children) will probably hate it….
Monday Morning Movie Review: Looper
A very strong, wholly original film with a terrific first third and a pretty good final act. What Works: From start to finish, this movie is showing you inventive, wildly original things you haven’t quite seen before. I particularly loved the first third of it, which keeps constantly inventing and playing with the rules in its highly…
Mom Jokes: Wrong Pills
My wife told me to go out and get some of those pills that will assist me to get an erection. You should have seen her face when I came back and gave her some diet pills. I’m now looking for a place to live…
Biden Completely Destroys Paul Ryan in Vice Presidential Debate
I haven’t seen a beating that lopsided since Rodney King. Biden absolutely demolished Paul Ryan, no question, period. Quick points… 9:05 p.m.: Paul Ryan barely looks ready for puberty, let alone the White House…maybe if his voice stops cracking, he can come back in a few decades. 9:12 p.m. : If you took a shot…
TV Reviews: “Nashville,” “Chicago Fire,” and a Very Special Episode of “Sons of Anarchy”
Nashville…A good show that people are mistaking for a great show. The pilot was fine…f-i-n-e, not terrific like a lot of the hyperbolic praise suggests. The best thing in it is Hayden Panettiere, playing the up and coming country star that’s a little less wholesome than her red-state image suggests. [Think Carrie Underwood if she…
“It Gets Better”‘s Dan Savage Drops By Barnes and Noble to Promote His Book/Answer Questions
That mouthful of a title is just an (to quote Mitt Romney) “inelegant” way of saying that noted gay activist Dan Savage dropped by a Barnes and Noble to promote his new book, and also answer some questions from the audience. Many know Dan from his numerous appearances on Real Time with Bill Maher and…
Petty Issues Comes Early: Los Zetas, Sandusky, DeVito/Pearlman, Stacey Dash, and, of course, Big Bird
Stacey Dash tweeted support for Romney this week and unleashed a barrage of hell, most of it directed at her race and her past marriages to white men. Look, that’s disgusting. Do I agree with her? No, but to say someone can’t vote or support whoever they want to? That’s no better. Plus, I really…
Movie Review: “Taken 2” A Depressing Cash-Grab Sequel
Of all the types of movies that are out there that I don’t particularly like (horror movies revolving around torture more than suspense, romantic comedies where only genetically engineered mannequins are allowed love, Bollywood) I think the most depressing may be the Cash Grab Sequel. This is a type of movie that can be in…
Mom Jokes: Other People’s Thoughts
Joke Subtitle: The Pastor’s Ass The Pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won. The Pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again and it won again. The local paper read: PASTOR’S ASS OUT FRONT The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he…
Petty Issues: Debate Round-Up
Last night was the first of three loooooong in the making presidential debates (this Obama vs. Romney matchup has really been in the works since 2006, John McCain just didn’t know it), and I’ll summarize Romney’s responses for those that missed them. Romney: “The president sucks, and I’ll be better, don’t ask me how, you’ll…
TV Reviews: 666 Park Avenue, Revenge, Person of Interest, Made in Jersey, and Fringe
Another week of fall premieres. Some old shows coming back, some new shows just getting started, let’s dive right in… 666 Park Avenue…This will definitely be one of those shows you should only review after a few episodes. However, last night was the premiere and I haven’t seen any others, so I have to work…
Movie Review: For a Good Time Call
This movie is about two antagonistic roommates (Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor) who gradually start a phone sex hotline (Graynor’s character already works for one, but gets cut out of the majority of the profits) and become friends. If that sounds pretty straightforward, it is, but the movie keeps finding ways to surprise you. What…