I’m thankful that we’re finally getting out of Iraq. I’m thankful for TV’s Justified, Fringe, Parks and Recreation, Community, the now-cancelled Rubicon, Damages, and especially Breaking Bad which is in a league of its own, also a dozen lesser shows that dare to stand out in the vast disappointment that is 2011 television. I’m thankful…
Author: Alabama Liberal
Working Class Economist: Why Alabama’s Fiscal Conservatism Attracts Illegal Immigrants
I think Alabama’s new, ultra-radical illegal immigration legislation is stupid, a political stunt, and a P.R. nightmare for a state already struggling against a ridiculously intolerant image. That being said, something about the legislation struck me as funny and that’s because something about the attitudes of people in Alabama that don’t like illegal immigrants strikes…
The Fast Food Critic Reviews Boston Market
In honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow, I decided to go on the hunt for the best possible Thanksgiving meal someone could get from a fast casual or fast food restaurant chain (quite a qualifier that is kind-of like saying the best possible college education you can get online). The list was pretty short as virtually no…
TV Reviews: HBO’s Hung, How To Make It In America, Enlightened, and Bored to Death
So right now HBO has no fewer than four half-hour comedy shows currently winding up their seasons as small reminders not to cancel your subscriptions to the network. The network’s current bread and butter are big ticket dramas like True Blood, Game of Thrones, and the also-in-season Boardwalk Empire and so it’s doubtful anyone will…
Monday Morning Movie Reviewer: J. Edgar
Regular readers know that not all movies are created equal even before you see them. There’s just no denying that I look forward to some movies more than others, and even though a movie I think will be bad can surprise me, it probably won’t. So for every three Jack and Jills, there’s usually one…
Monday Morning Movie Reviewer: Happy Feet 2
It is what it is. A shamelessly “cute” movie about dancing/singing penguins that no one will remember in a year’s time. Since the movie also didn’t do much at this weekend’s box office, I think we’re looking at the last of the Happy Feet franchise films and that’s probably for the best. What Works: Some…
Movie Review: Jack and Jill
This movie sucks. What Works: Virtually nothing. Al Pacino’s so-embarassing-it’s-hilarious turn as a version of himself is entertaining in its delirious kamikaze glory (the man is seriously hellbent on destroying his reputation) but after a while you just feel depressed for laughing at (not with) this once-great actor. What Doesn’t Work: This is an easy…
Movie Review: Like Crazy
This movie has stirred up a minor storm in the indie world in the past few weeks. It’s the story of two young college students (Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones) who fall in love quickly but have different struggles trying to stay together, including a long distance part of the movie where she’s in her…
Movie Review: Elite Squad: The Enemy Within
This is a Brazilian movie that came out there a few months back and became the highest grossing South American film ever. I’m just now catching up with this well-made crime drama but, let’s be honest, this movie wasn’t exactly at the top of your list for movies you’re waiting to read about. So I’ll…
Mom Joke: Three Quick Marriage Jokes
A man goes to a shrink and says, ‘Doctor, my wife is unfaithful to me. Every evening, she goes to Larry’s bar and picks up men. In fact, she sleeps with anybody who asks her! I’m going crazy. What do you think I should do?’ ‘Relax,’ says the Doctor, ‘take a deep breath and calm…
Petty Issues
Now that Herman Cain has been all but ruined by four different sexual harassment allegations, do you think the GOP wishes they’d picked a different token black guy to make them look less racist for hating Obama? Twilight Breaking Dawn: Part-One hits theaters this weekend and that title is either a threat or a promise…
Monday Morning Movie Reviewer: Tower Heist
It is what it is. This movie won’t surprise anyone, and will deliver almost exactly what you’d expect. What Works: A fine cast–really better than this movie deserves–and a few decent chuckles. It’s also good to see Eddie Murphy finally get back to straight comedy over lukewarm family films. What Doesn’t Work: The ending is…
Movie Reviews: Puss in Boots
This is the movie currently propping up the ailing box office (its second weekend performance only dipped three percent from the first week) but is it worth a damn? I would say…kind-of. That’s another way of giving the movie a C or a C+ and telling you to wait for the DVD, but, let’s be…