Movie Review: The Hangover

The Hangover – Comedy – Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis – Directed by Todd Phillips – R – 100 minutes

What is it like? The Hangover = (Old School + Road Trip) x Superbad

Favorite Scene? It’s very difficult to choose, but I think it would have to be the scene at Jade’s apartment. From Alan’s comparison of their situation to Three Men and a Baby to his comment about the Holocaust Ring, this sequence was brilliant comedy. Honorable mention goes to the photo montage that closes the movie, it certainly made me laugh histarically.

Something new? Definitely. It may be hard to believe, but this isn’t just another “The guys go to Vegas and go crazy” movie. The way the story unfolds is truly unlike any other comedy I’ve seen. I heard an interview with Ed Helms where he described the movie as Bachelor Party meets Memento, and I think that is a pretty fair characterization. While Todd Phillips certainly included some of his trademarks (like a perverted cameo for himself and the inappropriate wedding singer from Old School) he still managed to take this story to a whole new level.

Is it quotable? Holy shit yes. Zach Galifianakis’ lines alone are enough to keep you busy quoting for a long time. As much as he steals the movie as Alan, the rest of the cast has plenty of great lines of their own.

Theater or Rental? See The Hangover in as full a theater as you can. This is one of those laugh-out-loud comedies that is even better when you’re part of a large audience. It is extremely rare for me to see a comedy twice in the theater, but I did and I think I actually laughed more then second time. If you miss it in the theater, don’t bother with the rental, go ahead and put this directly into your shopping cart. Based on what they got into the R-rated version, I can’t wait to see what the unrated video release contains.

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Weeds Season 5 Premiere Date Set

I can’t seem to find an official press release, but The Futon Critic hasn’t failed me yet.  According to their site Nancy, Shane, Andy, Silas, and Doug will be back with us on Showtime at at 10/9 Central on June 8, 2009.

Update: It’s official…

Banished – Kath & Kim

Maybe it’s NBC’s fault that I don’t like this show. They are so eager to have a two hour comedy block on Thursdays, they will give a show to any SNL alum who’s interested. Giving one to Molly Shannon was a mistake. Someone thought, hey giving a show to Tina Fey has worked out great, surely that will work for any female SNL cast member from the early 2000s.  Yeah, not so much.

Selma Blair plays a brat who stuffs her face while treating her new husband like shit, and Molly Shannon is her mother who inexplicably shops constantly and has a huge home, despite her only method of financial support being her giving an occasional haircut between cocktails and dates with her fiancee. Speaking of him, John Michael Higgins is the bright spot in this pile of crap. In fact, I really wanted to like the show when I found out Higgins was part of it. Unfortunately, he isn’t enough to pull this one out.

I’m going to try WordPress’s new Polldaddy.com feature with these banished posts.

The Office Season 5 Episode 4 – Baby Shower

Another Thursday night, another solid episode of The Office.

And now the spoilers…

Michael & Dwight’s watermelon baby was a classic opening sequence.  For whatever reason, Andy’s continued desperate attempts to impress Michael still make me laugh.  Maybe it’s just the idea of a grown man being that eager to have his manager’s watermelon baby.

The line of the episode came from Michael: “We gave you a beautiful golden shower! Where’s my golden shower Phyllis?”

Jan was kind enough to let us all know what none of us needed to hear–afterbirth floats.

I was also reminded that Darryl is one of my favorite people on the show, and they do not use him enough. His exchange with Michael about baby-daddys was priceless.

Finally, I think this time when Michael realized Jan is a selfish bitch, it will actually stick.  Here’s to Michael and Holly.

The Final Countdown to Will Arnett’s return to FOX

Will Arnett has agreed on a development deal with FOX that gives him total creative control over an undecided future vehicle for him on the network.  The Hollywood Reporter has more details.