The People We Hate At The Wedding is another case of a fantastic cast wasted on a lazy movie. If you are interested in this movie, I suggest watching Brides Maids or Bride Wars instead. This movie feels like a cheap improved version of these movies, and it isn’t worth your time.
The movie focuses on a group of step-siblings who have grown estranged over the years. To reunite the family and mend the bond between them, the eldest invites her family to her wedding. But things are tense between the step-siblings, and things don’t go as planned. Instead of a happy reunion, there is sloppy chaos spilling onto the streets of London. It seems as if all the tension straining their relationship has reached its boiling point. Can they work through their issues and come together as a family before the wedding? Yes, they do. This movie sucks.
The acting is easily the best part, but I wish the story was better. The actors do a great job with what they are given and even share some terrific chemistry, but they can only do so much. The characters are a collection of misfortune and bad decisions without much more depth to them outside of being assholes. The story is a collection of poorly improved skits that go too long and pandering emotional moments that don’t land as they should. Whatever cookie-cutter narrative this film tries to develop throughout its run times instantly becomes predictable. I don’t know which is worse: the boring predictable plot or the jokes that go on for too long.
I liked that the focus is on a family that isn’t perfect, but there isn’t a real story here. This movie has too many plots, none of them which are given the proper time to develop. As a result, this movie takes too long to set up various big moments but then rushes through them to get to the end credits. This makes for a very disappointing conclusion to a movie without much direction.
Don’t watch this movie. It isn’t funny, heartwarming, or entertaining. Other movies have done this story a lot better. Go watch those instead. But for those still interested, you can watch it on Amazon if you have a Prime Membership.
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Series Review: Blockbuster (2022)
I just finished watching the new Blockbuster series on Netflix, and I am here to warn you that it isn’t worth your time. This generic sitcom is a desperate attempt to cash in on people’s nostalgia about the time of video rentals. This is a series that is thirsty for the attention of a modern audience but lacks the charm and humor required to be considered proper entertainment. Even if you are starving for content, there are green pastures elsewhere.
The series is about the last Blockbuster left open and the crew desperately trying to save it from closing. This series is essentially a worse version of Superstore. A version with similar characters and story beats but none of the charm. Go watch any other workplace sitcom instead.
It is a shame that such a talented cast is wasted on such a mediocre comedy. The acting is fantastic, but it deserves better writing. Although Blockbuster makes an attempt at a cohesive story, the jokes are dated, the drama is boring, and the characters are generic. If you are not cringing at how hard this series is trying to make you laugh, you are bored by whatever is left behind.
The biggest issue for this show is how much it relies on pop culture references. Most of the jokes and references are already dated, leaving this series racing toward its expiration. I guarantee that in a couple of months, most of these jokes will be obsolete, leaving the series to fade into further obscurity. I have the unfortunate pleasure of being old enough to understand all the references made in this series, and I can attest that none of them were funny.
The tricky business of relying this heavily on pop culture references as it dates the work. Sure there are some references that remain timeless, and when used correctly, they hold meaning. However, nothing is guaranteed, so it’s best not to use them. You can always tell when a show or movie is lazy when it is desperately pandering to its modern audience. When shows or movies try this hard to be relevant, the script becomes a collection of trending hashtags that will no longer be trending at release. Blockbuster took a dangerous gamble in trying to appeal to both a general and modern audience, but it did not pay out.
I have little else to say about a series this lazy. It is unimpressive, uninspired, and forgettable. Don’t watch it. It may not be the worst show in the genre, but it is a waste of time. For those who don’t believe me, you can stream it on Netflix.
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Series Review: The Pentaverate (2022)
Someone somewhere saw Love Guru and The Master of Disguise and decided that the world needed more of that. As a result, we were cursed with the most painfully unfunny series, The Pentaverate. The Pentaverate is a series full of bad puns, worse accents, and no jokes. Even if you like to make fun of bad tv, this series is a huge waste of time. Avoid it with your life. You have been warned.
The Pentaverate is a comedy series about a Canadian journalist who is searching for his next big story. His search leads him into the ranks of a secret organization that has tasked itself to help solve humanity’s biggest issues like hunger, illness, and global warming. What he stumbles into is more than he bargained for. There seems to be an ominous presence killing off members of the organization. Will he be able to get to the bottom of it, or will this be the end of the Pentaverate as we know it?
I hope this is the end of The Pentaverate because this series should not exist. This series is a collection of bad sketches connected together by a surprisingly nuanced narrative. As bad as this comedy is, there is an attempt at a narrative that I haven’t seen in other bad comedies. It might not be a good story, but it is a story and not a random collection of sketches.
None of the sketches in this series are worth your time. They go on for too long, and each one grows increasingly unfunny over time. Most of the humor in this series hinges on people speaking in skilly bad accents. They sprinkle a lot of bad puns and meta jokes in a desperate attempt to elicit a single chuckle from its audience, but all it achieves is the pity I feel for the people who had to sit through the filming. If this series is the best of what the script had to offer, I can only imagine how terrible the stuff that got cut out is. I pray to the gods we never get an extended cut.
If you were hoping that this would be the great comeback for Myers you were waiting for, it is not. If you are a fan of any of his earlier works, watch those instead. This is the worst collection of his comedy packaged as a series, and I hate whoever thought it was a good idea to print it. You can stream it on Netflix, but please don’t.
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Image by Michael Knoll from Pixabay
Series Review: This Fool (2022)
As far as sketch comedy shows go, This Fool is just okay. I thought it was funny enough, but it isn’t something you should be rushing to see. If you are looking for something to throw on in the background to watch passively, this is an option.
This Fool is about an ex-con and the cousin who helps him with his rehabilitation. The series is about Mexican-Americans in Los Angeles. The show deals with the problematic penal system, the hardships of adjusting to life after prison, and trying to find ones place in society.
The acting is okay, the story is fine, and the comedy is mostly funny. The show has a narrative it follows loosely, but it mostly moves from skit to skit. The problem with these types of shows is that not all of the jokes and skits are funny. There are some episodes that are really lackluster and skits that are a chore to get through. Although I did laugh and enjoyed the concept, This Fool didn’t leave much of an impression.
What I liked most about this show is how it handles important social issues. This country’s penal system is broken, and life for those who go through it is hard. The show makes some valid criticism of the system while also showing the hardships people face when they are released from prison. While they do keep the subject light, there are some very real moments that I appreciated.
Other shows in this genre tend to lose their novelty after a couple season. Inspiration dies and the shows stop being as funny. I thought the first season of this show was fine, but I doubt it can survive another season. I just don’t think there is enough material.
If you like shows like Broad City or Portlandia, it might be worth checking out. Keep in mind that this was written from the Mexican-American perspective and a lot of the humor relates to the culture. While I thought it was hilarious and appreciated the nuances, others might not understand or catch the jokes. I recommend watching this show when you have other stuff to do, it doesn’t deserve your full attention. You can stream it on Hulu.
TV Series Review: Loot (2022)
Loot is a wholesome comedy on Apple TV that you should consider watching. Apple is in a great position for streaming because of all the fantastic original content it has available. If you don’t have a subscription, find out if your cell phone or internet provider has a trial available. But, even without the trial, a paid subscription is worth $4.99 a month.
Loot tells the story of Molly, a woman who divorces her cheating husband. Molly wins 89 billion dollars from the settlement, and the series focuses on the aftermath of the divorce. At first, Molly uses partying and drugs to dull the pain, but these prove temporary fixes. Molly can never forget or escape the damage done to her pride and reputation. At her lowest, she decides to become more involved in a charaity created in her name. Will she find meaning and fulfillment in this new role, or will she grow bored and go back to living her life of fantasy and luxury.
Maya Rudolph is a treasure, and this show is a fantastic example. But this show is nothing without its equally fantastic costars. The chemistry between the costars is what drives the narrative and gives the show its charm. I loved watching unlikely friendships form, the fun banter, and watching Molly grow because of the people she has surrounded herself with. If you aren’t laughing at how funny this show is, you will be smiling at how heartwarming.
The story is a fun redemption arch. Molly is an out-of-touch billionaire who makes a lot of mistakes because she doesn’t know how the real world works. A lot of the humor comes from her not being bound by things like rent, work, or even laws. Molly is making an effort to change, and I am excited to see where her adventures go.
While this show is a comedy, it makes important criticisms about how society treats women. Molly was cheated on, but she is the one that has to deal with her husband’s transgressions. While her husband lives his new life with his new partner, Molly’s whole life has been destroyed. Her friends, the life she had, and even her identity have been taken from her. She is now the divorced billionaire who was cheated on, but she desires to be more than that. There is an unfair amount of stigma and pressure put on Molly, but it is fun to see her find the strength to find who she wants to be and now what society wants her to be. She won’t let society choose what she is supposed to be and that should be enough reason for you to give this show a chance.
Go watch this on Apple TV.
Series Review: The Lake (2022)
Amazon is stepping up its content game and seriously giving other streaming platforms a meaningful challenge. If you have Amazon Prime membership, you need to watch The Lake. This wholesome dramatic comedy is fantastically binge-worthy.
Billie was put up for adoption as a baby. Now, 16 years later, she is sent to spend a summer with her gay dad who she has never met before. All seems bleak at the lake, as the pair struggle to move past the awkwardness that resulted from the absence. It doesn’t help that coming to the lake has reignited an old family feud between Justin, Billie’s birth father, and Maisy, Justin’s stepsister. The series is full of shenanigans as the stepsiblings fight over the old lake house, but there is also some meaningful narratives about identity, family, and relationships that cannot be overlooked. It is a little on the sappy side in parts, but it is a cute and fun story throughout.
This show is well written and its fantastic cast do this show justice. The show is full of unique and interesting characters that build the world of this small lake community effectively. There are a lot of narratives that come together and I appreciate the little details that flesh out a story that goes beyond Justin and Billie’s relationship. It also goes without saying that Julia Stiles is a fantastic villain. I love that she is the driving force for a lot of the narrative and she is my favorite character.
The Lake is an Amazon original that should be on your list. It is a cute little comedy that will make you laugh, but it knows when to make serious commentary about society. Go check it out now!
Movie Review: Exit Strategy (2012)
Exit Strategy was a difficult sit because of how hard it tries to be quirky and funny. The problem with this movie is that the actors aren’t charismatic enough to make the movie work. The poor script and mediocre acting lead to some very flat performances and a film that is never funny. To make matters worse, the sound in this movie is horrible. I can forgive bad writing and acting but never bad sound.
The movie is about a man who finds himself trapped in a relationship he doesn’t want to be in. The girlfriend is comically insane and the harder he tries to leave, the stronger the hold she has over him becomes. The movie tries to focus on the absurdity of the situation, and a lot of the comedy is intended to come from the wacky antics its quirky characters get into, but none of the characters are quirky enough to pull it off.
This movie was a struggle as I waited for credits that took too long to roll. The jokes never land, the situations are never funny, and the story is terrible. I felt as trapped as the protagonist is supposed to feel watching a movie that got progressively worse with time. I will say that the editing was interesting. Scenes will repeat or skip and the movie would recall previous dialogue in sound bites. It gave the movie the feel like it was a nightmare, too bad this wasn’t a better movie.
You can find it free on YouTube, but it isn’t worth your time.
Movie Review: Senior Year (2022)
This movie is fine. The cast is charming and funny enough to make this movie work, but it isn’t anything transcending and I doubt this movie’s lasting power. This will not be your favorite comedy. That said, the acting is fine, the jokes are funny enough, and the story is decent. There are worse ways to spend two hours.
The movie focuses on a girl’s goal to achieve her dream life in high school. She wants to be popular, cheer captain, have the hottest boyfriend, and live in the nicest house. Her goals are complicated when an accident puts her in a coma for 20 years. Now, she must attempt to achieve all her goals as a 38 year old with the mind of an 18 year old. Will she achieve everything she always wanted, or will modern life ruin any of her chances? Think of this as the Kickin’ it Old skool reboot no one asked for.
This movie is very much a Rebel Wilson movie as it leans heavily into her style of comedy. If you are not a fan of her characters or her style of comedy, you will not find this movie funny. I wasn’t impressed with the work, but I didn’t hate watching it. I don’t see myself ever rewatching this film because a lot of the jokes won’t land the second time around. The second act of this movie slows almost to a halt as it becomes increasingly preachy about priorities, expectations, and growing up. There is a moment where this movie stops to monologue about the themes and message of the movie as if it weren’t already blatantly obvious. This movie makes a lot of lazy obvious jokes about the current generation that you have seen done better elsewhere.
There are worse comedies out there, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch this one either. You can find this on this movie on Netflix.
Movie Review: Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1988)
I watched the Bill and Ted reboot and was disappointed. It didn’t have the same charm that the originals had, so I lost interest pretty quickly. After the reboot, I feared that maybe my memory of the original movies was skewed by my youthful ignorance. It is because of this fear that I have been avoiding rewatching this movie for a while now. Today I bit the bullet and I am pleasantly satisfied with how well Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure holds up. Some of the jokes do not hold up, but overall the story is solid and is still worth your time.
I love Bill and Ted as protagonists. A lot of this movie’s charm comes from how well they are played. Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter have amazing chemistry and have helped create an incredibly iconic duo. What I like most is that they aren’t just silly dumb one-note characters. Although they are aloof by nature, they learn from the events of their adventure and grow because of it. Bill and Ted are not the same characters they started as despite them still being aloof.
This is a most excellent movie that you can watch for free on YouTube. You can also find the sequel on YouTube as well. Check them out if you have some time, and remember, party on dudes.
Movie Review: Once Bitten (1985)
I was unimpressed by Once Bitten. This comedy has not aged well. A lot of the jokes no longer land, making this movie feel as eternal as the life of the vampires in it. Once Bitten is an absurd and unstructured comedy that relies heavily on the absurdity of the narrative. You have a matron of vampires who are starving for her eternal youth. To achieve this, she must drink virgin blood three times before Halloween, or she will age terribly. As a result, this movie is full of misunderstandings, innuendos, and horny teenagers.
This movie isn’t terrible, the acting is fine, and the soundtrack is fantastic, but the pacing is a problem. The pacing is already slow, but it feels slower because you will have to sit through a number of unfunny and uncomfortable scenes. This isn’t the hyperactive Jim Carrey you might know him as, but a rather subdued character trying to figure life out. He like this movie is instantly forgettable.
The only positive worth mentioning is the soundtrack. I love the music in this movie, but it isn’t enough to save this movie. The only scene that I enjoyed was the dance fight that happens towards the end. The music choice, the choreography, and the energy that the actors bring to their performance make me sad that this movie isn’t a musical. If you haven’t seen it, check it out because it is fun! Unfortunately, the rest of this movie lacks this energy and it suffers for it.
You can watch this movie free on YouTube, but I wouldn’t bother. It isn’t terrible, but there are better uses for your time.
