My loyal followers, it’s that time of day when I stand atop my soapbox and confess my controversial opinions of movies and possibly a couple TV shows.
Batman Forever (1995)
Today’s confession revolves around the 1995 superhero film Batman Forever. I have a soft spot for this film. There’s just something about Jim Carrey’s Riddler that I can’t help but smile at. Between all the sarcastic remarks and over-the-top nature, Carrey’s take on the Riddler has been one of my favorite’s. Yes, Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Nicole Kidman and Chris O’Donnell all give great performances as well, but I find Carrey is the metaphorical glue for this whole movie. If you don’t chuckle during the scene where Riddler is explaining his plan to Two-Face, then I might suspect you of being a lizard person in disguise. Yes, we can have serious Batman films like The Dark Knight, but I also think we have room for the more comical of Batman films and shows.
Rest in Peace, Val Kilmer. You didn’t wear the cowl long, but you were certainly worthy of the Batman mantle.
Videodrome (1983)
I certainly don’t think it is controversial to say David Cronenberg scratches that uncomfortable yet thought-provoking itch that horror fans love. Always willing to blend man and machine in a way that makes chills rush down your spine. Today’s meat puppet is Max Renn (played by James Wood) who is a programmer at a Toronto TV station. One of his coworkers picks up a broadcast of Videodrome, a program that functionally had no plot and just consist of torturing a helpless female victim. Many people tell Renn that pushing to the boundaries of what is acceptable on television is a slippery slope, but he can’t stop himself. As he continues to watch more of Videodrome, his life begins to take a turn for the worse. This film reminded me a lot of eXistenZ, another Cronenberg classic asking a similar question but with video games. Although Videodrome is asking the tired question on whether our media diet causes us to be violent, I ultimately enjoyed my time with Videodrome. Also, I’m glad to see IMDB does know what body horror actually means.
Thunderbolts*
The controversial takes don’t just stop at Batman Forever. Many people were cheering with the recent release of the MCU’s newest film, Thunderbolts. Many cried out that the MCU is back in the most predictable and tired fashion. To be honest, my followers, I was not one of those people. I found the Thunderbolts to be pretty mediocre overall, which is tough to make me say when you have Florence Pugh as your lead. I just found the predictable plot of misfits sent to kill each other, they decide to work together, they find some success, then fail and then rise to defeat the villain really tedious.
To make matters worst, the movie doubles as a therapy session for all these misfits who have barely had any screen time. As a horror fanatic, I am not against using trauma and pain to drive your characters and plot. If we were dealing with the personal demons of Steve Rodgers, Tony Stark or Thor, I would welcome it as we have seen them at their best and see them at their lowest could inspire us. However, we have barely had any time with these characters, and they are already moping around. Who is, honestly, interested in learning about the pains and struggles of Ghost? It’s just nauseating.
Red Guardian is the only positive in this film. The MCU is neither alive nor dead, it is slowly choking itself to death. Thanks, Disney.
Vice Principals (2016)
I think Danny McBride and Walton Goggins might be my new favorite duo. After mentioning to a fellow vagabond that I had always been intrigued by Vice Principals, he took me to his hideaway under the bridge, where he had a small TV and copies of both season 1 and 2 of Vice Principals. We proceeded to devour both seasons of the show, enjoying every season. The show revolves around two vice principals who are overlooked for a vacant principal role, for a school that they know like the back of their palm. When an outside hotshot new principal claims the job, they both must team up to get her off of their turf.
I am sure the most common complaint about the show stems from it only being two seasons, but I welcome this. It gives Danny McBride’s character, Neal Gamby, the right amount of time to grow as a character. Gamby’s arc from vice principal who bullies everyone to a principal that everyone admires and respect is chef’s kiss perfect. Goggins’s over-the-top Lee Russell also plays beautifully off Gamby’s no nonsense attitude. I stand atop this soapbox and I bow to all of those involved in this show.
Maybe one day, I will get to The Righteous Gemstones.
The Studio
Two TV show reviews in one month, you might be asking. Yes, my loyal followers. As I was about to leave the old man, he asked if I wanted to watch this new show on Apple TV. He had clearly sensed I was a film fan, as we sat down to watch The Studio. The show is a dark comedy about an executive producer being promoted to the head of a studio that’s trying to stay afloat. With Seth Rogan playing studio head, Matt Remick, you watch someone who clearly loves film balance the fact he is now making many of the financial decisions that creatives can’t stand. From having to lead a Barbie-like film about Kool-Aid to having to kill Martin Scorsese’s dream project about Jamestown, the series just loves putting Rogan in the most awkward of situations. I will confess, this show is clearly made with movie fans like me in mind, so I do question whether more casual moviegoers or fans of TV will enjoy this. Yet, I would implore those people to give the series a chance; they may find parts of the industry that they want to learn more about.