The Spielster » Reviews

Betty White Brings the Funny and Ratings to SNL

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:23:50 +0000

If you were anything like half of the folks on the internet then you were looking forward to Betty White hosting the Mother’s Day episode of ‘Saturday Night Live‘. The sexy senior, who has FINALLY been getting the respect she so surely deserves, brought it this Saturday. Originally when Lorne Michaels and Co. caved into the interweb demands from the public and gave White a chance to host ‘SNL’, it turned out she wouldn’t be alone. Perhaps to avoid tiring the 88-year-old comedian with a hosting responsibility, a slew of former SNLers came back with a fully focused ladies night over at 30 Rock. Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and Molly Shannon came back to the place they once called home to participate in the special SNL, alongside comedy legend White. But if you were paying attention Saturday, and it seemed that everyone tuned in, it was proven that age ain’t nuthin but a number and White could hold her own until 1AM. White was the focus of almost all the skits this weekend and I can’t think of one that didn’t score big in the laughter category. Personally, I can’t remember laughing that hard for an hour and half straight in a very long time. And apparently I wasn’t the only one since the May 8th episode of SNL scored its highest ratings in a year and a half, making it fall just short of the historic pre-’08 election episode.

See SNL – all you need is Betty White and a few of your former cast members to bring the funny and the ratings. While there wasn’t a bum skit in the bunch, I can’t possibly post every video from that night. So here are my top 5, in no particular order, as well as the funny skits that were actually cut in dress rehearsal.

Betty White’s monologue, which I believe generally sets the tone for the overall show, was spot on incorporating her ability to be witty and sexy, while poking fun.

Betty White brought her special batch of muffins to the always classic and subversive ‘Delicious Dish’ sketch with Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon. Attempt to not do a spit take when Betty exclaims, “My muffin has had a cherry since 1939″. Priceless.

This ‘Census’ sketch was the last of the night and even it was on point. Tina Fey penned the original back when Christopher Walken hosted the last time the census was on the radar, but this was priceless.

‘Scared Straight’ was amazing last night. “WIZZZZARRRD OF ASSSS!” is all I need to say.

The infamous ‘Debbie Downer’ sketches are some of the best in SNL history, but sadly (or not) last night’s ep was so jam packed this was killed in dress rehearsal. But thanks to NBC understanding our sheer need for more SNL, they released all the quality bits that were killed. Here we get to see Debbie ruining a ladies night all about lingerie, wine and oil spills.

And lastly, ‘Bronx Beat’ is always a favorite with Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler, so I was a bit bummed when it didn’t air. This will forever be one of my favorites and thanks to overwhelming demand the sketch has hit the internet and reminded me of what SNL used to be like. Let’s learn about what Yoga stands for. Enjoy.

If you missed anything from this weekend’s episode, its available for viewing online over at NBC. Also, check out Jay-Z’s two performances and the rest of the sketches that ended up on the cutting room floor. What did you think of Betty? Who would you like to see host?

Stop, TRAILER TIME: ‘Sex and the City 2′ – The Ladies Are Back

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:51:08 +0000

Ahhh….the ladies are back. The new Sex and the City 2 trailer has landed online and its full of crisis, puns and an overall obliviousness to the economic downfall that has taken place over the past few years in the U.S. But no worries folks, there are shiny dresses, beautiful sets and most importantly, a performance by the pants-less wonder Liza Minelli. For Carrie and Samantha, it seems that maturity and aging is still a bit of an issue, while motherhood has seemed to transform Miranda into a superstar and Charlotte into a neurotic mess — quelle surprise. We are teased with celebrity cameos like Miley Cyrus and Penelope Cruz, but it seems the real story is all about Carrie’s relationship with Mr. Big.

The trailer asks, “What happens after you say ‘I do’?” and assuming you are in your 40s and rich, you head to Abu Dhabi (actual shooting location? Morocco) with your gal pals. Carrie will once again have to choose between Mr. Big and Aidan, her ex-fiancé, as she runs into him during her ladies trip and believes there has to be reason to run into an ex halfway across the world. Really? Anyone who has lived in New York City knows you will forever be running into people from your past you would prefer to never see again.

Overall, the films seem to do no justice to the characters many of us fell in love with over the six seasons the show had on HBO. As a self-proclaimed fan of ‘SATC’, it saddens me to see the characters broken down to archetypes of stereotypes for the big screen. While judgment should be reserved until May 27th, when the films hits theaters nationwide, we fear another fractured story focusing on possessions and status, rather then the repeatedly mentioned “soul mates” and friends.

Review: Michel Gondry’s ‘Thorn in the Heart’

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:38:34 +0000

There are various reasons why people become the subject matter of documentaries. For Michel Gondry, his aunt Suzette, with her colorful stories and years as a teacher were enough to spend 5 years with her as the center of his acclaimed documentary, THORN IN THE HEART, which will be released on April 2nd.

What began as a simple look at his aunt, prompted by his son Paul’s interest in her life, who was a teacher in France countryside from 1958-1986, turned into a painful look at compounded family secrets and strife, specifically between Suzette, her deceased husband and son Jean-Yves. Through vintage super 8 family footage, candid interviews and typical Gondry imagery, we get to venture into the director’s life, with little follow up analysis.

I was lucky enough to sit down with Gondry for a round table chat about the film and it’s effect on both his professional and personal life. Gondry’s work usually lies in the surreal, a constant battle for the viewer not knowing if what they are seeing is real or a dream. His subject matter and story telling always relies on whimsy, so it was refreshing to see that the sense of whimsy was not lost during the production of this doc. The vignettes, which consisted of present time filming of family dinners, visits to Suzette’s school and Super-8 footage of the family, were edited together with footage of a classic miniature train set, which was revived by Gondry’s cousin Jean-Yves. When asked what intrigued him about Suzette’s life to create a doc on her, Michel pointed to conversations with his son Paul (who is finding his own way in the film business) as the reasoning behind the film. But what Gondry found, beyond Suzette’s strength as a teacher, an advocate for the disenfranchised and whip smart, was the unsettled tension and issues between Suzette and her son. Gondry, once the editing and filming was done, was surprised by how many questions he let go unanswered by his family and how after viewing the rough cuts, they didnt seem to take offense to the close up on issues they have been working so hard to cover for years.

After viewing the film, Im not sure if this a documentary for all. Personally, I enjoy getting a unbiased look into strangers’ lives – its the sociology major in me. But there are a great deal of Gondry fans who will not know what to do with this film. And while it is not your “typical Gondry product”, it provides an intriguing look at a person who might may appear ordinary to some, but has had a lasting effect on many. Gondry explained during the chat that the greatest criticism he has received for this movie is that the subject matter and the personalities covered are not substantial nor sensational. He went on to say that Suzette “had failures like everyone. Each family has problem they don’t look at, sometime people stop talking, life goes by, you don’t see each other and then you die, and it’s horrible.” He hopes that others will see the film and revisit their own family issues before it it too late.

Check out the trailer for THORN IN THE HEART

The film, which was screened at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and 2010 SXSW, will be released in New York on April 2nd and Los Angele in May. Next up for Gondry is the highly anticipated “The Green Hornet“, which I will be discussing later this week.

Won’t You Take Me to “Cougar Town”?

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:59:39 +0000

I have to admit that when I first heard about ABC’s latest comedy, “Cougar Town“, I almost barfed. Beyond vehemently hating the little nickname that was given to women over the age of 40 who still want to have sex, I also didn’t want some cheesy “Desperate Housewives” type show to ruin the careers of Courtney Cox and Busy Phillips. There was the typical anti-anti-feminist blog posts, weak reviews from critics and an overall fear of liking something with such a silly title holding me back from watching the show. But as luck, and a misstep with my DVR would have it, I ended up catching two episodes and honestly, fell in love. It was quirky, something like a “Scrubs” but without the ridiculous dream sequences and Zach Braff, and it felt authentic. I figured out that the name was just mocking what an attractive and newly single woman in her 40′s would be dealing with and Cox is perfect as Jules. The show is filled with delicious banter, innuendo and the sort of hijinx a woman coming to terms with being single again would have to deal with. Christa Miller is hilarious as Jules’ long time best friend and next door neighbor Ellie, who is attempting to live vicariously through our newly single star, but making sure she stays classy. And that brings us to Jules’ assistant and much younger ally in dating Laurie, played by one of my favorite Apatow alums Busy Phillips, who seems to butt heads with Ellie on just about everything. Travis (Dan Byrd), Jules’ son, her ex Bobby (Brian Van Holt), Ellie’s husband Andy (Ian Gomez) and her fellow single neighbor Grayson (Josh Hopkins) round out the major players in this comedy that is increasingly more about what makes your friends your friends than say sexy single ladies dating younger men.

As the season has progressed, the story lines have become more well rounded, developed and have picked up a much smarter tone, while remaining a goofy comedy. And last night’s episode brought us the much chatted about “Friends” reunion of Cox and Lisa Kudrow, who played a forceful, no nonsense dermatologist Dr. Evans in the little town of Gulf Haven. The two have such wonderful comedic chemistry together it was refreshing to see them sharing screen time once again, not to mention Kudrow back on TV where she belongs. Check out a clip from last night’s ‘Rhino Skin’.

The ratings and reviews of last night’s episode are definitely confirming that this show is finally getting the appreciation it deserves and hopefully it means that Kudrow could become more of a recurring character. And ABC must agree because its ordered another two episodes to round out the season to a full 24. Here’s to hoping that show, much like Cox and her fellow “cougars” continue to ripen with age.

The Year in Film in Seven Minutes

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:03:48 +0000

Have seven minutes? If so, please check out the beautifully crafted tribute video edited by Kees van Dijkhuizen, who compiled all of the 342 films that were released this year into a seven minute video. He created a similar project last year, but I prefer this year’s edit, from the choice of represented scenes to the background music. Check out the celebration that is Cinema 2009.

Mad Men Recap: Oh John Deere! (SPOILERS!)

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:56:33 +0000

This week’s episode of Mad Men was just bursting with goodies. The London office decided to pay a visit to New York, announcing a restructuring and the idea that most people forget that Roger Sterling actually works there. Lane, the latest transplant from England is informed he did so well trimming the fat that he was needed in Bombay to do the same. I am glad we do not have to see him inform his wife about the impending move. Sally Draper was convinced Baby Gene was her grandfather come back as a ghost, so of course she was terrified of the baby. Betty was the cold hearted mother she always is and felt that to the perfect cure for sibling rivalry is a brand new Barbie. Don is on his continued track to maturity with him getting over Sterling’s idiotic moves and is this close to becoming a truly caring and nurturing father. Joan quit her job, after ten years at Sterling Cooper, to stay at home to support her terrible husband Greg after he received his surgical residency. Unfortunately the couple didn’t bank on Greg “not having any brains in his fingers” and being passed up for the residency. Joan needs to continue working to keep them afloat, but wouldn’t dare ruin her pride by informing her company, who so needs her, that she would actually like to stay.

But, the most important plot development occurred during the goodbye Joan celebration, after the restructure announcement courtesy of the British boys. Picture the entire office drunk on crappy champagne, thankful to have their jobs for at least a few more months. Enter a John Deere riding mower, courtesy of Ken Cosgrove’s latest account acquisition. And you get this…..

Yeppers, that ditsy secretary Lois, took off on the mower, running over the new CFO Guy MacKendrick’s foot. And per Sterling, “just went he got it in the door”. Everyone freaked, except for Joan, who as always took command of the situation and practically saved his life. Sadly, the same couldn’t be said for his foot. Lane gets to stay in his position because apparently missing a foot is cause to give up your career in the 1960′s. Some people think this is a foreshadowing for assasination of President John F. Kennedy, which just so happens to share its date, November 23rd, 1963, with the upcoming nuptials of Roger Sterling’s daughter. Some think this could be foreshadowing the effect of the Vietnam War, since the group were earlier discussing the lack of the draft and then they are covered in blood. The gory scene might not be a great signifier for a either developing political change, but it will mostly likely mark the end of the free spirited days of Sterling Cooper, you can bet on that. All things point to the demise of Roger Sterling in this week’s episode and the overwhelming maturity of Don Draper. Thanks to a chance encounter with Conrad “Connie” Hilton earlier in the season, Don has just secured a deal to work with Hilton Hotels. And hopefully the contract was signed before Guy’s blood was shed on the office floor. After this episode, I am incredibly anxious as to what’s going to happen to darling Joan, what the future holds for Mr. Sterling and to see what other effects the missing foot will bring unto Sterling Cooper.

Mad Men Recap – Thankfully I Never Had to Endure the 1960s

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:09:52 +0000

I am sure that during my nearly 30 years on the planet Earth I have repeatedly said how great it would have been to live in the past. Either for some lame reason like seeing Led Zeppelin live or an admirable one for being part of the women’s rights to vote movement, I have fondly looked at life in olden times as a lovely thing. But after last night’s episode of Mad Men, I take back all of these things and thank my lucky stars that I never had to experience life before 1980. In fact, any women who had to be an adult before year 1979 is personally invited to punch me in my ovary as reparation for my ill advised statements.

Every once in a while, a television show will surprise you and that is just what Mad Men did last night. While its nearing the half way mark for the third season, there has been a great deal of complaints about non-fulfilled story lines, like Peggy and Pete having a baby, and just the overall slow pace this season has been on. But apparently Matt Weiner knew that he couldn’t continue at this pace for too long and ramped it up last night. The Drapers welcomed child number three into their lives and I have never seen anything scarier. Just moments of watching the torture Betty endured within a hospital before pushing out an 8lb pound baby from her hoo hoo was enough for me to invest in any medical advances there are. Don sat within the waiting room while a younger version of the 1960′s man seemed to be terrified over his wife’s difficult birth and the lack of information he was getting from the hospital and thanks to the usual Draper tricks, the young man was comforted until his good news was announced. During Betty’s labor, she was filled with mind-numbing drugs, ignored by nurses and seemed to be terrified about what was about to happen to her. In her altered state, she “visited” with her deceased parents, and was warned by her mother to keep her mouth closed and by her father to be happy with her station in life. It was incredibly depressing all around and reiterated the fear that women have during a time of their life where hormones are cranking and when they seem to have little control over their lives. And sadly, also during her drugged up delivery, Betty expected Don to be off galavanting and not waiting for her within the confines of the waiting room. The separation of husbands and wives during such an important life moment was really shocking and I do not think I have ever seen it told as thoughtfully on the screen. The idea that men were supposed to sit in some crummy waiting room while women pushed a child out of her womb was crazy, but that Don was expected to return to work the very next day is sad for all involved and makes me thankful for the steps we have made to have both men and women participate in the early rearing stages of an infant.

We also had some major developments at the office. Peggy and Pete, in their first unofficial meeting since Peggy broke the news last season, by Duck Philips, the one time executive who invited the takeover of Sterling Cooper, had invited the two to a lunch to discuss the prospects of them moving to Grey (another advertising agency). Peggy was shocked that someone appreciated her this much and Pete was offended to grouped with her. Duck was under the impression that the two were a powerful working couple, nothing about their romantic dalliances, and thought the two of them would be a perfect duo to bring aboard his new ship. Unfortunately, Pete is wary of Duck and Peggy feels a sense of loyalty to her boss Don, so it remains to be seen if either would jump ship and join team Grey. But, Peggy was smart enough to assume this could get her raise and while it was a difficult time to discuss this with Don, considering he just became a father and the new management at the agency is penny pinching with creative’s pencil budget, she went forward with the plan. What followed really is one of the best conversations we have seen on Mad Men. Peggy reiterates her worth to Don, who is quite aware of what she brings to the agency, and she then acknowledges her jealousy of Don. Peggy’s reveal of wanting everything Don has was more than just the struggle of someone to take hold of what she deserves in her workplace, but a true commentary of this show’s vital point. Don has everything most of the employees, male or female, at Sterling Cooper want, but will never obtain. Draper is the king ad man, a Hollywood dream before its time. He created a life, out of thin air for himself and has been able to make everyone around him fall in love with it. Peggy is the only person who can see through the charade, but more importantly approve of the “fairy tale” and want it for herself. Its at this moment you realize Peggy does in fact want a family, as well as a successful career, and after seeing Don having the ability to do both, simply because he is a man, she recognizes the inequality that still exists for her. Peggy realizes that she might have given up her baby, her chance at a family and happiness, in order to obtain a career and how devastatingly unfair it is that Don will never have to come to grips with such a dilemma. There has been a real evolution to Peggy this season and she is admitting to herself and others what she needs to grow, which is such a strong quality in a person. Whether she will be able to obtain her end goal remains to be seen.

And finally, this episode we watched as Don, who was tested by Sally’s flirty school teacher and reminded of his faults from the young father in the hospital, as he was able to avoid temptation and begin his evolution into the father and husband he knows he needs to be. Be it maturity or just an awakening, but I sort of like the sensitive Don. But who knows how long this version of Don will stick around. Next week it seems there will be more turmoil inside the agency and that Pete has not yet been able to come to grips with the loss of Peggy and his child.

Over at AMCTV.com, they have a wonderful inside look at this week’s episode and what it really means to evolution of each character. It gets into the heart of what has been eating at Betty all season and Peggy’s personal struggle to figure out her life’s path. Check it out!

New Music Crush: TWEAK BIRD!!!!

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:57:41 +0000

Last night, I had the opportunity to catch my new official music crush, Tweak Bird. The two-piece band opened for one of my favorites, Big Business, at The Mercury Lounge and they killed it. Hailing from California, by way of Illinois, the brothers, Ashton and Caleb merge the droney knock you on your ass rock of Big Business with the simplistic and fresh feeling of early Death from Above and a twinge of The Black Lips irony and punkitude. Being a two piece, the band relies heavily on loud rhythm and uses a theramin, which always makes me a happy audience member. In contrast, the lead vocals, which on most songs is a shared duty, are unsettling adorable, walking a tight line between menacing and hysterical. The brothers have been playing together in Tweak Bird since 2006 and their recent partnership with bros and tour buddies Big Business, they are finding a new audience each night. Hopefully you will check out this amazing band and in like a year, when they are everywhere, you can thank me! Here they are, doing what they do best.