Sunday, February 27, 2011
I'm very happy with the way tonight went.
The King's Speech, Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Colin Firth, and Toy Story 3 have all won amazing honors and they all deserved to win. This has been a great night for That's Nater-Tainment and I thank you all for following my blog. Have a good night and I'll have another writing up on my blog within the week. Good night and Good luck!
THE KING'S SPEECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HALLELUJA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE ACADEMY AWARDS HAVE AWARDED A GREAT MOVIE!!!!! THE BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR AND MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF 2010!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!! CONGRADULATIONS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE KING'S SPEECH!!!!!!! BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR!!!!!!
CONGRADULATIONS COLIN FIRTH!!!!!!!!
He was AMAZING in The King's Speech!!!! I'm so happy he won!!!!!! He was my favorite actor of 2010!!!!! Congradulations Colin once again!!!!
Natalie Portman!!!!!!!!!!
Oh My God!!!! I though Annete Bening was going to win. Congradulations natalie Portman!!!
And the winner is...
The Social Network!! I don't think the editing of this film was anything spectacular. But oh well.
I'm really disappointed that The King's Speech didn't win this award
I thought the music in The King's Speech was very elegant and moving.
It's Almost that Time!!
In less than 3 hours, the festivities will begin and my coverege of the Oscars will start! Keep checking my blog for all the details and I will be keeping tabs on all the events. So stay tuned!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Reminder About Tomorrow Night
Tomorrow night at 8:30pm on ABC are the 83rd Academy Awards! I will be blogging the event live and I will be posting my reactions to every winner in every category. I will also react to those who lose as well as ay other excitig occurrences that take place during the evening. So remember to keep checking my blog throughout the night. It's going to be a lot of fun!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Academy Awards Are Coming! The Academy Awards Are Coming!
Well, the 83rd Annual Academy Awards are quickly approaching and I couldn’t be more excited. There are a lot of great movies and performers nominated for this Sunday’s big event. And even though I did not see every nominated movie, I cannot wait to see who wins. However, there are some movies that I did see featuring wonderful performances by actresses and actors that entertained me. So, for this particular blog post, instead of a regular film review, I would simply discuss….
My Hopes for the Winners of This Year's Academy Awards!!!!
1. For best supporting actress, I really hope that The King’s Speech’s Helena Bonham Carter wins for her graceful performance as Elizabeth; the eventual Queen of England. Throughout the film, Carter portrayed a woman who loves her husband and remained by his side at all times. In fact, it was because she loved her husband that she found and eventually hired Lionel Logue to help Duke Albert overcome his stutter and restore his confidence. Carter’s Elizabeth was a great portrayal that was both emotional and powerful. Henceforth I really hope that Helena Bonham Carter wins the award for Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Oscars.
2. For Best Supporting Actor, I find myself struggling between The King’s Speech’s Geoffrey Rush and The Fighter’s Christian Bale. When playing Lionel Logue, Rush gave a top-notch and strong performance as he guides Colin Firth’s Duke Albert through many unorthodox lessons designed to help overcome his stutter as well as his fear of eventually inheriting the royal throne. However, when portraying Dickie Ekland in The Fighter, Christian Bale literally went the extra mile to ensure a convincing performance as he lost a significant amount of weight; so that he perfectly resembled Mark Whalberg’s Micky Ward’s brother and trainer. In addition as evident by the film’s end credits, it is clear to see that Bale got Ekland’s physical mannerisms exactly correct; as actual footage of the two brothers is shown to the audiences. Plus, Bale had to develop a New England accent; which required a lot of training as the actor is actually British. So, when comparing the performances of the two actors, I believe that while Geoffrey Rush gave a terrific performance, I think that Christian Bale’s performance is more unforgettable; and henceforth, I think he will win this category and I hope he does. But if Rush does win Best Supporting Actor I will still be happy.
3. In the Best Animated Movie Category, I hope that Toy Story 3 is the victor. Never have I seen such a heartfelt computer-Animated film. I feel that Woody the Cowboy, Buzz Lightyear, and all their friends were designed with great and vibrant colors, strong voice recordings by a talented ensemble of performers, as well as a lot of emotion and heart. The story of the toys facing a plague of uncertainty as their owner is heading off to college provided a lot of interesting twists and turns as they mistakenly get donated to a daycare center and I was on the edge of my seat as they faced many challenges on their way back home. And throughout the film, we laugh, cry, and root for our heroes; a feeling that I hold very significantly as I love films with characters that you can root and sympathize with. Thus, I really hope that Toy Story 3 wins Best Animated Film and I think that it will.
4. In the Best Actor Category, I definitely am hoping that Colin Firth is the ultimate victor. As the then-Duke-and-Eventual King of England, Firth gave a performance that was perfect on all accounts. As Duke Albert, Firth portrays a political figure that is stricken with panic as his father, the current King of England, is dying and passes his Kinghood to Albert’s brother David; who doesn’t take his reign seriously and spends his time flirting with an American divorce’. Thus, Firth’s Albert’s stutter gets more severe and it is up to Lionel Logue to help the troubled Duke overcome his plight. And all the scenes featuring Firth and Rush interrelating are exciting to watch; as their performances are dramatic, touching, and even humorous at times as well. And, any scenes featuring Firth’s Albert communicating with Helena Bonham Carter’s Elizabeth are all very emotional as she always stands by her husband and loves him with all her heart. And Colin Firth gves the performance of a lifetime and I hope he wins the Prestigious Best Actor Award. And I think it will definitely happen.
5. Which brings me to the Best Picture Category. As you can tell from this entry as well as many of my past ones, you know that I really want The King’s Speech wins the big award of the night. After all, the movie is very touching, historically correct, and even funny at times as well. It’s just a wonderful story about overcoming a disability as well as fear through the power of friendship and love. Duke Albert’s lessons with Lionel Logue led to a meaningful and powerful companionship. And the love that Elizabeth and her daughters Margaret and Elizabeth had for Albert was strong and faithful; and they stood by him and kept his spirits up throughout his troubles. And eventually, Duke Albert overcomes his fear and his speech impediment and rises to the occasion; thus becoming a great king. Therefore it is a real and powerful story about the goodness of man and I hope that it wins the title of Best Film at this year’s Oscars.
Well, there you have it. I’m really excited about seeing this year’s prestigious awards ceremony and it’s definitely going to be a momentous night. And as I watch James Franco and Anne Hathaway host the festivities, I will be blogging live and reacting to all the winners, losers, and occurrences taking place on the stage. So keep checking my blog during the event and I’ll keep you informed of everything that is taking place. So stay tuned to Sunday night. It will definitely be a night to remember.
My Hopes for the Winners of This Year's Academy Awards!!!!
1. For best supporting actress, I really hope that The King’s Speech’s Helena Bonham Carter wins for her graceful performance as Elizabeth; the eventual Queen of England. Throughout the film, Carter portrayed a woman who loves her husband and remained by his side at all times. In fact, it was because she loved her husband that she found and eventually hired Lionel Logue to help Duke Albert overcome his stutter and restore his confidence. Carter’s Elizabeth was a great portrayal that was both emotional and powerful. Henceforth I really hope that Helena Bonham Carter wins the award for Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Oscars.
2. For Best Supporting Actor, I find myself struggling between The King’s Speech’s Geoffrey Rush and The Fighter’s Christian Bale. When playing Lionel Logue, Rush gave a top-notch and strong performance as he guides Colin Firth’s Duke Albert through many unorthodox lessons designed to help overcome his stutter as well as his fear of eventually inheriting the royal throne. However, when portraying Dickie Ekland in The Fighter, Christian Bale literally went the extra mile to ensure a convincing performance as he lost a significant amount of weight; so that he perfectly resembled Mark Whalberg’s Micky Ward’s brother and trainer. In addition as evident by the film’s end credits, it is clear to see that Bale got Ekland’s physical mannerisms exactly correct; as actual footage of the two brothers is shown to the audiences. Plus, Bale had to develop a New England accent; which required a lot of training as the actor is actually British. So, when comparing the performances of the two actors, I believe that while Geoffrey Rush gave a terrific performance, I think that Christian Bale’s performance is more unforgettable; and henceforth, I think he will win this category and I hope he does. But if Rush does win Best Supporting Actor I will still be happy.
3. In the Best Animated Movie Category, I hope that Toy Story 3 is the victor. Never have I seen such a heartfelt computer-Animated film. I feel that Woody the Cowboy, Buzz Lightyear, and all their friends were designed with great and vibrant colors, strong voice recordings by a talented ensemble of performers, as well as a lot of emotion and heart. The story of the toys facing a plague of uncertainty as their owner is heading off to college provided a lot of interesting twists and turns as they mistakenly get donated to a daycare center and I was on the edge of my seat as they faced many challenges on their way back home. And throughout the film, we laugh, cry, and root for our heroes; a feeling that I hold very significantly as I love films with characters that you can root and sympathize with. Thus, I really hope that Toy Story 3 wins Best Animated Film and I think that it will.
4. In the Best Actor Category, I definitely am hoping that Colin Firth is the ultimate victor. As the then-Duke-and-Eventual King of England, Firth gave a performance that was perfect on all accounts. As Duke Albert, Firth portrays a political figure that is stricken with panic as his father, the current King of England, is dying and passes his Kinghood to Albert’s brother David; who doesn’t take his reign seriously and spends his time flirting with an American divorce’. Thus, Firth’s Albert’s stutter gets more severe and it is up to Lionel Logue to help the troubled Duke overcome his plight. And all the scenes featuring Firth and Rush interrelating are exciting to watch; as their performances are dramatic, touching, and even humorous at times as well. And, any scenes featuring Firth’s Albert communicating with Helena Bonham Carter’s Elizabeth are all very emotional as she always stands by her husband and loves him with all her heart. And Colin Firth gves the performance of a lifetime and I hope he wins the Prestigious Best Actor Award. And I think it will definitely happen.
5. Which brings me to the Best Picture Category. As you can tell from this entry as well as many of my past ones, you know that I really want The King’s Speech wins the big award of the night. After all, the movie is very touching, historically correct, and even funny at times as well. It’s just a wonderful story about overcoming a disability as well as fear through the power of friendship and love. Duke Albert’s lessons with Lionel Logue led to a meaningful and powerful companionship. And the love that Elizabeth and her daughters Margaret and Elizabeth had for Albert was strong and faithful; and they stood by him and kept his spirits up throughout his troubles. And eventually, Duke Albert overcomes his fear and his speech impediment and rises to the occasion; thus becoming a great king. Therefore it is a real and powerful story about the goodness of man and I hope that it wins the title of Best Film at this year’s Oscars.
Well, there you have it. I’m really excited about seeing this year’s prestigious awards ceremony and it’s definitely going to be a momentous night. And as I watch James Franco and Anne Hathaway host the festivities, I will be blogging live and reacting to all the winners, losers, and occurrences taking place on the stage. So keep checking my blog during the event and I’ll keep you informed of everything that is taking place. So stay tuned to Sunday night. It will definitely be a night to remember.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
That's Nater-Tainment Special Report: My View on The Current Saturday Night Live
(Warning: This particular post is a tad long but its Something I have to Say.)
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Image taken from http://images.hitfix.com/photos/426428/Kristen-Wiig-of-Saturday-Night-Live_gallery_primary.jpg
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Everyone has their own plans for spending their Saturday nights. Married couples tend to go out for dinner every time the sixth day of the week comes around. Young people tent to spend their Saturday nights tearing it up on the dance floor with their friends. And some people like my grandmother, prefer to go to bed at an earlier time. As for myself, however, I tend to spend my coveted Saturday night at home in front of the television. Why you ask? Because, as a lover of comedy, I enjoy staying up late in order to watch the long-running and renowned staple of humor and New York City: Saturday Night Live. There is nothing I love doing more on a Saturday night than listening to energetic music and watching funny movies in order to pump myself up so I would be ready to be on my couch at 11:30pm to watch the comedic cast of the NBC sketch comedy show perform with a talented host for a grand block of comedy. Unfortunately, this season as well as last year’s heave been experiencing a serious problem. What originally was an outlet for a talented cast to perform unique and creative comedy pieces, has now become a dumping ground for mostly up-to-five-minute segments containing bad jokes and lame premises. And as I watch the show, all the while anticipating something exciting to happen, I strain to find the humor; as most sketches end without a well-developed and funny conclusion. Thus, it is with great seriousness that I decree:
Saturday Night Live Has Suffered Greatly Due to Bad Writing!
Since 1975, the long-running and groundbreaking Saturday Night Live has been entertaining audiences with comedic sketches, television talk show parodies, political humor, and live music. And throughout its run, many people who we’ve become immense fans of have been featured on the legendary stage. In the 70’s, the original cast consisted of great performers such as John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, and Bill Murray; who joined the cast in 1977. These artists of comedy were equipped with great writing and a great sense of pure comedic timing. Such great characters as The Coneheads, Belushi’s Samurai, and Bill Murray’s Lounge Singer were fully-developed characters who were able to be used in different premises; thus delivering greatly constructed punch -lines and believable performances. Also, Weekend Update, which was first helmed by Chevy Chase, consisted of intelligently-crafted puns, hilariously-exaggerated commentaries, and straight-faced deliveries. As the 80’s came along, the comic powerhouse known as Eddie Murphy stole the show with great characters such as Mr. Robinson, Buckwheat, and Gumby; as well as dead-on impressions of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and James Brown. And throughout his stay at SNL, Murphy brought an immensely-dynamic spirit to the show; which kept viewers’ laughing after the original cast had left. As the decade went on, more great performs came along that were hilarious in every aspect. Such performers as Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Jan Hooks, and Mike Myers were all skilled in the art of sketch comedy as they kept audiences laughing into the early nineties; when the likes of Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and David Spade came along with material that was humorous, but also a tad juvenile. Thus, SNL’s material was starting to gear towards young people and the show’s quality was highly in question.
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However, in 1995, a new performer came along who proved to be the ultimate utility player. This person was Will Ferrell; who played vibrant characters such as Craig the Cheerleader, Roxbury Guy Doug Butabi, and Professor Roger Klarvin. Ferrell also performed impressions of noteworthy figures such as Former President George W. Bush, Former Attorney General Janet Reno, and frustrated Jeopardy host Alex Trebek. These impressions would be completely dead-on, completely cartoonish in nature, or even a combination of both. Nevertheless, Ferrell kept audiences laughing throughout his seven years as a cast member; until he left the show in 2002 in pursue in inevitably successful film career. Meanwhile, Weekend Update was being helmed by the well-crafted combination of reliable sketch-performer Jimmy Fallon and Head Writer Tina Fey; two people who provided a strong stage performance and a necessary spark of energy that was vital to the show’s longevity. However, Fallon left in 2004 and Fey remained as Head Writer as well as co-anchor of the long-running news segment. And to help her out, the enigmatic and talented Amy Poehler took over for Fallon; and the show was safe until 2006; when Fey left to create and star in the successful NBC sitcom 30 Rock. Little did everyone know that this was leading up to the darkness that is the current SNL.
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When Saturday Night Live returned for its 32nd Season in September 2006, veteran cast member Seth Meyers was instated as not only her replacement on Weekend Update but also her replacement as the show’s head writer. At first, Meyers, who had been on the show since September 2001, proved to be a good fit on Weekend Update as he and Amy Poehler proved to possess a great chemistry that was qually as good as when Fey worked with Jimmy Fallon from 2000 through 2004. The jokes were good and each installment kept audiences laughing as well as informed about current events. Then, as the 2007-2008 season began, the show started gearing towards the 2008 Presidential Election; leading up to a cameo by Future President Barack Obama in November 2007. Unfortunately, following this episode, which featured a hosting stint by NBC News Anchor Brian Williams, SNL went dark for four months as the Writers Guild of America went on strike. But then, the show returned with Tina Fey hosting in February 2008; and the show’s political humor continued stronger than ever. Then, as Season 34 approached in September 2008, the upcoming election led to some an explosion of political humor; which included Tina Fey frequently cameoing as Republican vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin. The show even continued to burst with energy as Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain made an appearance as well; proving to be a good sport as he made fun of himself on Weekend Update in November. It looked as if the good times would continue forever.
However, once Then-Senator-Now-President Barack Obama took office as well as longtime cast member Amy Poehler departing the show in December 2008, the show began to dip slightly. Weekend Update was initially the first casualty as Seth Meyers was now alone at the desk; and without his co-anchor, a large spark of energy was gone. The Update Anchor did not possess a lot of power by himself; thus the recurring segment resulted in featuring a lot more guest characters and less time spent on jokes. Then, following an amazing season finale in May 2009 hosted by the great Will Ferrell and featuring a slew of cameos, veteran cast member and impressionist Darrell Hammond, who had actually been on the show since September 1995 and brilliantly mocked personalities such as Former President Bill Clinton, Noted Thespian Sean Connery, and Former Vice President Dick Cheney, finally called it quits and left the show. And in September 2009, the show returned with Megan Fox as the show’s host and that’s when the serious trouble started.
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With Amy Poehler left in 2008, the writers knew they needed a new go-to female utility player and they all turned to current star Kristen Wiig; who had actually been with the current cast since November 2005 and had already been starting to stand out in sketches over time and leading into May 2009. But it was September 2009 that the writers began to showcase Wiig in nearly every sketch; usually playing a loud and one-dimensional character; such as the trouble-making Gilly, the braggadocios Penelope, and the surprise-party-loving Sue. These characters, while initially slightly funny, started being used over and over again between the years of 2009 and 2010; up to the point where their appearances were almost too predictable. These characters are completely the opposite of those performed by Wiig in films such as Adventureland, Date Night, and Ghost Town; as the individuals she portrayed on the big screen tend to be less cartoonish and more offbeat and more realistic. Plus, when you take a look at the trailer for her upcoming film Bridesmaids, you can see that she is going to be playing a more down-to-earth character than any of those that she portrays on SNL. Henceforth, SNL is not utilizing Kristen Wiig to her full comedic potential and are missing a great opportunity to showcase more understated comedy.
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Another problem that the current scribing staff has is that they do not know how to effectively write for their hosts. In the past, frequent hosts such as Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, and Christopher Walken were given material that allowed them to be a vital part of the sketch; even going as far as to making them the official heart of the sketch. In fact, hosts would even be given their own reoccurring character; which would provide the audiences something to look forward to every time a regular host was featured. In the 70’s, Steve Martin joined Dan Aykroyd in playing the Festrunk Brothers; aka “Two Wild and Crazy Guys” who were always looking for love. Also, in the early 80’s, Tom Hanks would frequently play Mr. Short-Term Memory; a man who would constantly forget everything after only a matter of seconds. Plus, Walken was given his own reoccurring character in the form of The Continental, a self-expressed-man-of-the-night, who would try to entertain a lady visitor; only to send her away due to his inappropriate dialogue and behavior. Now, the SNL writing staff does not give their hosts any well-developed reoccurring characters; often sticking them in skits that do not allow them to showcase their true comic abilities.
In one such frequent sketch, cast members Fred Armisen, Kristen Wiig, and Bill Hader play a kissing family called The Vogelcheks, who, along with hosts such as James Franco and Paul Rudd, spend four-to-five minutes smooching each other as well as other characters. After a minute, the joke is already told and we are left with a few more minutes of endless kissing. These sketches have been done for the past couple seasons and they do not allow these talented hosts to be used properly. What’s more the sketch was also done in March 2009 when comic force Zach Galifianakis hosted and he merely played a religious figure that partook in the kissing and only appeared on screen for a little over a minute. I recall seeing this sketch on my television and scratching my head as to figure out why this sketch was the first episode of the night and used with such a great comedian. Another instance of a sketch that did not allow the host to be fully employed to the best of their ability is a piece from this season in which Kristen Wiig plays an overzealous prize giveaway reporter who would be more excited about the event than the actual victor; who would be nonchalantly snacking or drinking throughout the whole affair and not being excited until something trivial came along. The sketch has been done this past October with Emma Stone and then this past Saturday with Russell Brand. These two are great performers and its disappointing to see them featured in a sketch that follows the same formula each time; thus not allowing them to do much. It should also be mentioned that this sketch actually debuted when Brian Williams hosted in November 2007; and it was only moderately funny when first executed.
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And this brings me to asking this question: why does the Saturday Night Live writing staff rehash sketches that aren’t entirely funny to begin with? It makes sense to repeat sketches that always guarantee laughs; such as The Coneheads, Wayne’s World, and Celebrity Jeopardy. Plus, when hosts are allowed to actually star in a frequent sketch, it allows everyone to be treated with something different in every installment. But, when a sketch is repeated that ends up delivering the same basic punch line, there is nothing new to guarantee honest hilarity. Furthermore, the hosts are not allowed to showcase their spot on comedy skills are thus left with playing a one-dimensional role. Also, the writers are not allowing the cast to exhibit all their comic abilities; and that’s unfortunately causing the show to suffer significantly. Therefore, I feel it’s a shame to see what Saturday Night Live has become and I don’t like seeing comedy that is being rehashed cheaply and ineffectively.
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And this brings me to asking this question: why does the Saturday Night Live writing staff rehash sketches that aren’t entirely funny to begin with? It makes sense to repeat sketches that always guarantee laughs; such as The Coneheads, Wayne’s World, and Celebrity Jeopardy. Plus, when hosts are allowed to actually star in a frequent sketch, it allows everyone to be treated with something different in every installment. But, when a sketch is repeated that ends up delivering the same basic punch line, there is nothing new to guarantee honest hilarity. Furthermore, the hosts are not allowed to showcase their spot on comedy skills are thus left with playing a one-dimensional role. Also, the writers are not allowing the cast to exhibit all their comic abilities; and that’s unfortunately causing the show to suffer significantly. Therefore, I feel it’s a shame to see what Saturday Night Live has become and I don’t like seeing comedy that is being rehashed cheaply and ineffectively.
Image taken from
http://ny.eater.com/uploads/2010_05_stefon.jpg
So you might be asking yourself now: “Why does Nate continue to watch the show if it is suffering so much?” Well I do so because amidst all the bad writing and weak sketches, I still believe that the cast is very talented. For Instance, I really think that Bill Hader is the best cast member on the show due to his creative characters, such as Weekend Update Nightlife Expert Stefon, and his dead-on impressions of personalities such as Alan Alda, James Carville, and Vincent Price. I also feel that Jason Sudekis is a reliable sketch performer as well; as he can play the straight man of a sketch and serve as an impressionist himself- as we have seen him play Vice President Joe Biden with such great enthusiasm and immense folly. Plus, even though I grow tired of her characters, I still think that Kristen Wiig is very talented and every week I hope the writers use her humor effectively. Furthermore, I also like the work of the new featured players as well, particularly Jay Pharoah, who has showcased dead-on impressions of Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, and Will Smith; and has thus brought a new strength to the show. But, I really enjoy seeing who is hosting that evening and how he or she will work with the cast. And even if they don’t get to star in every sketch, he or she still gets at least two or three pivotal roles during the course of the evening; allowing the audience to enjoy their total performance. In fact I could go as far as to say that even though the writing is not up to par as past seasons, there are still one or two complete bright spots in every episode that is worthy of my laughter and my time.
http://ny.eater.com/uploads/2010_05_stefon.jpg
So you might be asking yourself now: “Why does Nate continue to watch the show if it is suffering so much?” Well I do so because amidst all the bad writing and weak sketches, I still believe that the cast is very talented. For Instance, I really think that Bill Hader is the best cast member on the show due to his creative characters, such as Weekend Update Nightlife Expert Stefon, and his dead-on impressions of personalities such as Alan Alda, James Carville, and Vincent Price. I also feel that Jason Sudekis is a reliable sketch performer as well; as he can play the straight man of a sketch and serve as an impressionist himself- as we have seen him play Vice President Joe Biden with such great enthusiasm and immense folly. Plus, even though I grow tired of her characters, I still think that Kristen Wiig is very talented and every week I hope the writers use her humor effectively. Furthermore, I also like the work of the new featured players as well, particularly Jay Pharoah, who has showcased dead-on impressions of Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, and Will Smith; and has thus brought a new strength to the show. But, I really enjoy seeing who is hosting that evening and how he or she will work with the cast. And even if they don’t get to star in every sketch, he or she still gets at least two or three pivotal roles during the course of the evening; allowing the audience to enjoy their total performance. In fact I could go as far as to say that even though the writing is not up to par as past seasons, there are still one or two complete bright spots in every episode that is worthy of my laughter and my time.
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Thus, I will always be a fan of Saturday Night Live. As a lover of comedy, I stand by my favorite sketch comedy show and I always will. And, even when Miley Cyrus hosts on March 5, I will still watch the show; even though I know that the material will most likely be aimed at younger people. So, whenever its 11:30pm on a Saturday night, you know where I will be: on my couch and in front of my television. Unless it’s a rerun, I might either go out or go to bed early. But, in all seriousness, comedy will always take place every Saturday night on NBC and I couldn’t have it any other way. Well, maybe better writing would be a good thing.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Academy Award Nominated Film Review: "Toy Story 3"
There comes a time when we all have to grow up. Face it, we can’t stay young forever. Reaching maturity is as natural as childhood itself. Once we enter our late teen years, we have to start to plan ahead for the future and contemplate our purpose in life. But, even when we reach our adult years, there are certain things that awaken our inner child; resulting in a blast of pure energy and jollity. For one instance it could be scoring a perfect hole-in-one in a game of golf. It could also be riding a bike down the road on a sunny day. It could even be simply reading your favorite book; which would allow you to fully imagine its unfolding events in your mind. In my case, of course, it was watching a movie: Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award Nominated Animated Epic Toy Story 3. And, as I put the colorful disk inside my coveted DVD player, my eyes lit with great excitement. And, as I relished in seeing Woody the Cowboy, spaceman Buzz Lightyear, and all their friends embark on an all-new adventure after all these years, I felt as if I was reuniting with friends from my childhood. But, what was even more wonderful was that while the tone of the first two "Toy Story" movies were light and easygoing, the story of the series’ third installment carried a more adult feel as it contained many mature themes such as going to college, growing up, and sticking together. Thus, it is with immense delight that I say:
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"Toy Story 3" Is an Amazing and Enlightening Animated Film!!!
As the film starts, Andy, the toys’ owner, is now headed off to college and doesn’t really reach out to his childhood playthings anymore. Despite a last minute attempt to get their possessor to play with them, the toys are meant to be stored in the attic; except for Woody, whom Andy plans to take to college. However, the rest of the toys are mistaken for trash and are put on the side of the street. Woody attempts to save his friends, but they all make it to Andy’s mother’s car; in which there is a box that is to be brought to a local daycare center so they would be played with and not abandoned. As Woody attempts to talk sense to his friends, Andy’s Mother starts the car and soon the gang arrives at Sunnyside; the daycare center. Once they are away from the adults in the playroom, all the toys come to life and excitingly introduce themselves to the new arrivals; who are all happy, except for Woody, who still believes that Andy is still their owner. Andy’s toys are introduced to Lots-O’ Huggin’ Bear; an elderly-purple stuffed teddy bear that walks with the aid of a cane and serves as the center’s official leader. Their new host shows them around the center and where they will be staying. The new arrivals are also introduced to Ken, a groovy and stylish doll, who instantly falls in love with Barbie; a Barbie doll, formally owned by Andy’s younger sister, that had gotten mixed into the group. At first, Sunnyside seems like the perfect place for the toys as they assume that they’ll always be played with and never replaced. But, Woody’s heart is still with Andy and the toys find out that not everything is as perfect as it seems at their new home. And throughout the course of Toy Story 3, there are plenty of laughs as well as many surprises that leave you at the edge of the seat as you wait to see what happens next.
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As a lover of the first two "Toy Story" films, it is great to see how committed everyone is to playing their part in the making of the film. First of all, I must applaud Academy Award Winner Tom Hanks for his dedication to voicing the resolute Woody the Cowboy. It is great to see that while the acclaimed celebrity was producing and narrating the HBO miniseries "The Pacific" over the past year as well as directing the film Larry Crowne, which is scheduled for release this year, Hanks was able to set aside time reprise the role of the beloved character he first voiced in 1995. As the toys’ fearless and devoted leader Woody, Hanks speaks every word with such great passion and enthusiasm that you could almost expect that he was performing the character on screen right in front of your eyes; than rather than simply working in front of a microphone behind the animation. Also, Tim Allen once again gives a powerful performance as the intergalactic Buzz Lightyear; the toys’ second-in-command. But, most importantly, the chemistry between Hanks and Allen is stronger than ever as they voice their designated characters. And, it is wonderful to see how far the two have progressed since the first installment where they were at odds since they are both different in design, background, and individuality. Now, in the third installment, Woody and Buzz have developed a strong and healthy relationship as they both know their owner loves them both; even if it appeared that he just doesn’t have the same spark of energy he possessed when he was younger. Nevertheless, the pair workm well together; just as their respected voice actors have been doing since they first voiced the characters all these years ago.
Along with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen returning to supply their voices to their respective characters, it is great to see the principle characters return for the film series’ third installment with their original performers. For instance, Don Rickles returns to provide the same biting and sarcastic tone to Mr. Potato-Head; who continues to question Woody’s leadership just as much as he did in the first film. Also, Wallace Shawn returns to voice the panic-stricken Rex; a dinosaur toy that is terrified by all the ambiguity of what is going to happen to the group of toys once their owner leaves for college. Also, Pixar staple John Ratzenberger once again reprises his role of the cynical Hamm; a piggy bank who was played with just as much as his fellow cohorts. Joan Cusack also returns to voice Jessie, the spunky cowgirl who first appeared in Toy Story 2; when it was revealed that Woody was featured on a children’s television series; as she was his best friend. Also returning from the second film is Estelle Harris; who voices Mr. Potato Head’s beloved and outspoken wife. Unfortunately, the voice of Slinky Dog is no longer supplied by actor Jim Varney; as he passed away in 2000. Nevertheless, the character returns with the voice of actor Blake Clark; whose similar-sounding voice provides the same amount of heart to the role as the original performer. Henceforth, seeing all the original characters returning to the movie makes the event even more special; as we are basically catching-up with the same beloved characters we grew up with in the mid-to-late nineties. It is just so magical and nostalgic at the same time.
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And while it is great to see the familiar faces of the first two "Toy Story" films return for the third, it is nice to see screenwriters John Lesseter, Andrew Stanton, and Lee Unkrich make the chronicle even fresher by the addition of new friends and foes to the saga. The most prominent new face to the franchise is Lots-O’-Huggin Bear, voiced with down-home country charm by Ned Beatty, who appears to be a jovial and friendly purple teddy-bear; when, in actuality, he is not what he appears to be. Another major new character is Ken, voiced with peppy and flashy enthusiasm by Michael Keaton, who show Andy’s toys around their new home and possesses an immense love for all things fashionable. There are many new characters that pop up throughout the film that carries a unique personality; which enables the audience to get acquainted with each and every one of them-- thus reflecting how we were able to come to love the original characters of the first two films.
And that’s what makes "Toy Story 3" so special: all the characters in the movie appear completely human in nature and personality; rather than just being thought of as just objects that are meant to be played with. The principle characters of the film deal with realistic emotional situations; such as growing up, abandonment, and cooperation. As the film moves forward, the characters must decide whether they should just be passed along to new owners or remain devoted and available to Andy; even as he is ready to move on with his life. Furthermore, the toys know that, no matter what, it is important for them to stick together as they await the inevitable. In addition, the principle villain of the movie proves is one whose heart has been turned hard as a result of not only being abandoned; but also being replaced by the very child that cherished him. As a result, he wants everyone to experience the very same pain he has and that includes our heroes, who end up embarking on a mission to return to where they rightfully belong, despite the dangers they face along the way as long as they are together. Therefore, every toy featured in the movie, good or evil, comes off as authentic as possible in mind and spirit.
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As I write this review, I can’t help but think about how much I have grown up since last seeing Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the gang on the big screen back in 1999. I have gone from living with my family in New Jersey to living on my own in Connecticut. I am no longer in school as I am now an adult living in the real world. And, as the toys’ owner Andy prepares to go to college and tie up all the loose ends of his life; I remember saying goodbye to all the teachers who had prepared me with the required knowledge in moving forward in my life. But what "Toy Story 3" really comes down to, and I emphasize this heavily as it applies to all of us, is the fact that life goes on. We all move from one stage of life to the next. And, as you watch "Toy Story 3", you can see how everything comes full circle. And, as much as I would love to see another movie in the series, I think everything is wrapped up perfectly. So, as I conclude my review, I congratulate Pixar and Disney for not just making a great animated movie; but for also painting a great and colorful portrait of life. Bravo Pixar and Disney. Bravo!
E-mail me at thatsnatertainment@gmx.com
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
From the Mind of Nate: My View on Modern Comedy and its Evolution
Intelligent comedies are hard to achieve. In order for a film to be considered as a clever comedy, it must be pure in laughs and pure in soul. Also, the actors and actresses in a smart comedy must be able to give a strong performance that is full in honest emotion and not just sailing through the screenplay. Furthermore, any comedy that is supplied in the film must be a combination of different forms; including physical verbal, and subtle. And, for all of that to be accomplished, it takes performers, writers, and directors who are completely knowledgeable and passionate about making people laugh as well as proving a point. And, if all of these feats are accomplished, I could see no reason as to why certain comedy films and performers should be eligible to receive significant awards. Henceforth, it is with extreme confidence and enthusiasm that I assert:
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The significant success of "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" as well as 2007’s "Knocked Up", Apatow’s second directorial feature which headlined Rogen, lead to the coming-of-age high school comedy "Superbad"; which he produced and featured Jonah Hill and Michael Cera as the film’s leads. In addition, 2008’s hit romantic comedy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", which Apatow also produced and starred Jason Segal, depicted the difficulty of getting over a break-up and the seriousness of maintaining a relationship; also received critical praise for the comedic and emotional performances of the performers. However, while these movies were very successful in providing audiences with laughs and high-flying emotions, none of them received any major rewards or nominations at all. But the seeds were in place for comedies that were to be released in the near future.
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Comedic Films Have Evolved So Strongly That They Deserve Noteworthy Recognition
As I begin my argument, I would like to first explain that contemporary comedies have come a long way. From the mid-nineties to the early 2000’s, many of the mainstream comedic films playing on the big-screen were overly-juvenile and unrealistic capers headlines by the likes of Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider. These movies, such as Billy Madison, Mr. Deeds, and The Hot Chick, featured poor writing and contained acts of cheap slapdash humor that was aimed at young people. These actors mainly played one-dimensional characters that were either extremely short-tempered or extremely goofy in their behavior. All these actors basically read the lines of their scripts and put no effort into their roles. And while audiences laughed it up for years, it was clear to see how none of Adam Sandler’s or his cohorts’ films were worthy of accolades or even praise from critics. It should also be mentioned that most of these films were rated PG-13; most likely in an attempt to bring in large audiences. Unfortunately, while the crowds were large, the material supplied in the films were thin in every aspect; thus sacrificing the film’s value. Truly, comedic films were in a state of extreme uncertainty
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However, as the mid 2000’s approached, one man changed the face of comedy; by writing, directing, and producing films that mixed laugh-out-loud humor mixed with genuine susceptibility. This man was Judd Apatow; and in 2005, he made his directorial debut with "The 40-Year-Old Virgin". The film, which featured the breakout performance of former "Daily Show" personality Steve Carell, presented audiences an alternative to the types of PG-13 comedies that lack strong writing and strong character development: The Foulmouthed R-Rated Comedy with a Heart. The movie, which featured Carell playing a nice but socially-awkward guy whose friends were urging him to start an intimate relationship, was a big success and put Carell and Apatow front-and-center. It also showcased the great comedic skills of Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd; two comic actors who would eventually end up providing a sense of raw honesty in comedy. Henceforth, audiences were now able to identify with the characters in the films; thus winning fans and praise from critics.
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The significant success of "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" as well as 2007’s "Knocked Up", Apatow’s second directorial feature which headlined Rogen, lead to the coming-of-age high school comedy "Superbad"; which he produced and featured Jonah Hill and Michael Cera as the film’s leads. In addition, 2008’s hit romantic comedy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", which Apatow also produced and starred Jason Segal, depicted the difficulty of getting over a break-up and the seriousness of maintaining a relationship; also received critical praise for the comedic and emotional performances of the performers. However, while these movies were very successful in providing audiences with laughs and high-flying emotions, none of them received any major rewards or nominations at all. But the seeds were in place for comedies that were to be released in the near future.
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While Judd Apatow brought about significant sensibility to the genre, other directors took comedic films and added their own touch to the genre. One such director, Todd Phillips, who helmed the successful 2003 frat-house comedy "Old School", brought forward the ultimate madcap R-rated comedy in 2009: The Hangover. The movie, which centered on a Las Vegas bachelor party gone horribly wrong, proved to be a massive success with both critics and audiences; thanks in large part to the casting of the skilled comic performers involved in the project. These actors, that included Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha, and, of course, the film’s official breakout star Zach Galifianakis, provided a strong chemistry that was funnier than some of the comedies of the past; their hilarious verbal and physical humor allowed you to root for them as they went from one crazy sequence to the next. And, while there were plenty of laugh-filled moments throughout the film; recurring themes of friendship, working-together, and marriage were brought up as well. And finally, thanks to Phillips’ directing, the writing, and, of course the great comedic timing and acting of the film’s great cast, the R-rated comedy eventually received both the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Comedy as well as the coveted Golden Globe for Best Comedy or Musical in 2010. Comedy had finally received significant recognition; but it wouldn’t stop here.
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While Judd Apatow and Todd Phillips successfully helmed hysterical-yet-honest R-rated films during the 2000s, the year 2010 did, in fact, feature quite a few significant and intelligent PG-13 comedies as well. In November 2010, Harrison Ford, Rachel MacAdams, and Diane Keaton headlined the smart newsroom comedy "Morning Glory" that proved to be a lighthearted comedy that brought insight along with laughs. In October, Bruce Willis, John Malcovich, and Helen Mirren starred in the fast-paced action-comedy "RED"; which brought forward many unexpected twists and turns as well as earning a Golden Globe nomination for Comedy or Musical. But, it was Director Will Gluck’s well-written and well-performed September-released comedy "Easy A" that showcased Emma Stone’s great breakout performance as a high school girl who must decide whether or not to come clean about a lie or allow it to advance her social status; which earned her a Golden Globe nomination as well as high praise from critics. The film also received a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Comedy this past January; thus proving once again that Perfect Comedy can be achieved if it’s featured acting, directing, and writing is high in quality. Most importantly, because of these films, the PG-13-rated comedy made a successful comeback in 2010 and showed that humor and cleverness can indeed mix well.
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Thus, humor has indeed come a long way since the mid-1990s. It is great to see how comedy has gone from making audiences laugh from unrealistic goofy humor to enlightening viewers with humor mixed with understanding. But while it is nice to see established performers as well as up-and-coming talents entertain people, it is nice to see how moviegoers have gotten more stylish over the years; as more and more comedies are coming out that rely on chemistry, good stories, and heart. Who knows what films are in store for us in the upcoming years? And even if the Academy Awards hardly ever recognize comedies; at least we can be safe in knowing that there are performers out there who care about making worthwhile films and making people feel enlightened as well as entertained.
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