King of the Hill (1997-2010)

If you are anything like me you have lived barely aware of this show's existence. If it wasn't for a certain viral video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCr-l9naPmE ) I fear I would have never discovered this gem despite it being the 3rd longest running prime time television show. But, if your aren't anything like me than you are already aware of the Hill family and their comical decency. I could write about the hilarious political undertones or the wholesome family values that King of the Hill displays in every episode, but the charming appeal of the show is how simple it is. You will fall in love with each and every character, and their small victories will leave you with a satisfaction only the final scene of The Shawshank Redemption can compare. One can empathize simultaneously with: the plight of a caring husband and father trying to maintain a unrelenting moral rigidity and masculinity, a strong wife and mother fighting for the well being of her family and equality for women, and the pangs of growing up as an awkward, unique pre-teen in a world saturated with video games, the internet, and the terrifying opposite sex. Just to highlight the point that everyone must see this show, allow me to describe one scene that will turn you on to it. Bobby Hill, twelve years old, faces a break up with his first "girlfriend," a vegetarian named Marie. While trying to cheer him up, his parents bring him to a restaurant where he inevitably spots Marie and her parents across the restaurant. At first, Bobby proclaims to his parents that he needs to leave, but upon further advise from his father, Bobby decides eating an entire 72 oz. steak in front of her would serve a hefty helping of justice, rare. If you are not prepared for this level of awesome in a television series, why are you reading this blog?

Kick Ass (2010)

This movie is high paced from the first frame to the last. Mathew Vaugh (Layer Cake 2004) directs this 'R' rated super hero flick you always wanted Daredevil, X-Men, Spiderman, and Batman to be. It's violent, it's gory, it's profane, it's great. The story revolves around a high schooler who decides to put on a green scuba suit and try to help strangers in danger. Basically he wants to be a superhero and so he becomes just that. However he mostly just takes a serious beating throughout the whole film and eventually meets some other people like him that are after more than simply helping Grandma cross the street, this is where the story get's interesting so I'll leave the summary behind and let you figure the rest out for yourself.

The film itself is shot wonderfully. In addition to some clever (though rather transparent) cinematography the movie is amply amplified by some fantastic graphic design and comic book cut scenes. The characters are not the typically flat hero or predictably redeemable anti-hero that plague the comic movies as of late (a crime in itself ironing out the kinks of comic heros that make them so interesting). They have depth, darkness, and development throughout the film and keep you invested in the story which does slow from time to time. Nick Cage in particular does a good job as a semi-psychotic but loving father with some seriously messed up ideas of how to prepare one's child for the harsh realities of the world. This leads to comedic scenes of tenderly violent lessons juxtaposing hand guns and hugs to a wonderful effect. Mise-en-scene adds a lot to the overall feel of the film without being to obvious in its allusion to the comic book basics from which the film was built on.

The final battle scene is one for the record books as well. I can't say much without giving it away but the choreography is phenomenal and Chloe Moretz's unique manner of handling herself while going up against men over twice her size and almost punching the bullets out of her gun (and lots of them) is jaw droppingly awesome as well as gives rise to a few laughs along the way.



All in all this film is worth a watch and I think that if you see it once you'll find it slipping into the front of your Que for a re-watch before getting to some of those more obscure films you've been putting off for the last month, which is in no way a problem. Though be warned the violence is graphic and if that doesn't float your boat it may get in the way of this great film for you.

Dead Man (1995)

Johnny Depp stars in Jim Jarmusch's strange and bleak western as William Blake, an accountant from Cleveland who just moved to the crime-ridden and belligerent town of Machine, only to realize the job he moved there for has already been filled. Outcast and penniless, he is discovered drinking alone outside of a bar by Thel Russel, a beautiful brothel girl who takes him in for the night. The next morning, however, the two are awoken by Thel's old lover, the son of a powerful factory owner in Machine, who comes by to make ammends. How awkward. Needless to say, words are had, shots are fired, and Blake escapes the only survivor, fated now to live his life on the run from lawmen and cold blooded bounty hunters. Oh, and along the way he meets up with a pretty badass Indian man who calls himself Nobody (the big fella in the picture).

Personally, I'm both a fan of Jim Jarmusch and westerns, so naturally I was delighted to stumble upon this title in the Queue. Beautifully gritty black-and-white cinematography by Robby Muller, who went on to do more work with Jarmusch on movies like Ghost Dog and Cigarettes and Coffee. An awesome crunchy soundtrack scored by none other than Neil Young. All in all, I'd say what the film lacks in action and suspense (it can feel slow paced for a western at times) it makes up for in breath taking aesthetics. And like many Jarmusch films, fantastic celebrity appearances and cameos, particularly Billy Bob Thornton and Iggy Pop. Recommended for any Jarmusch or contemporary western fans. Or Iggy Pop fans.

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

A modern screwball comedy about the ever turning wheels of fate. After an absurd scene in which Waring Hudsucker, president of Hudsucker Industries, leaps out a window to his death during a business meeting, small-town optimist Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins) finds himself a puppet in Sydney Mussburger's (Paul Newman) evil scheme to take control of the company. Sydney promotes Norville from mail room clerk to president after Norville shows him the drawing above, explaining that it is a design that is "You know, for the kids" and that he's been working on it for years. Sydney assumes Norville is an idiot and therefore a perfect proxy during the transition after Waring's passing. What Sydney doesn't realize is that Norville has designed the hula-hoop, a toy that turns out to be one of Hudsucker Industries' biggest successes.

Screwball comedy isn't a genre term that gets thrown around a lot, and that's because it's a genre that more or less died out in the 1940s (with a handful of exceptions). Hudsucker is set in the same time period, and so the film can feel almost a little like parody rather than a new neo-genre, especially during the news paper room scenes, reminiscent of classics like His Girl Friday (1940), complete with a fast talking Hepburn-esque leading lady struggling to be one of the guys. Highly recommended if you enjoyed other cryptic Coen classics like Barton Fink or are a fan of the classic genre. Hilarious cast, guaranteed laughs throughout.

Please Vote For Me (2007)

A third grade class needs a new Class Monitor, so they hold an election. Three young candidates tout their strengths while trying to disparage the opposition, using debates, speeches, and personal talents to distinguish themselves and win votes. But here’s the rub: the class is in Communist China, and prior to the election, none of the kids have any conception of democracy whatsoever.

What follows is a striking illustration of the democratic process completely removed from the American social context. The teacher remains as hands-off as possible, leaving the children (and their parents) to pilot the election almost on their own. They dabble in all sorts of manipulation and negative campaigning, and it all works, seeing as they’re, you know, kids.

Please Vote For Me is a short (57 min), single-minded documentary that does what it sets out to do. It ends shortly after the election results come out, refraining from any heavy-handed commentary; the social insight is completely contained in the election itself. But watching the film, I was also struck by China/US cultural divide. Parenting, the school system, and numerous other mundane details were incredibly different. Watch this film for an interesting tour of democracy and a look at another culture. Though there’s not much else at work, it’s great in that limited regard, and certainly worth an hour.

The Damned United (2009)

The Damned United follows the dramatic career of the effervescent, charming, and downright infuriating English soccer coach Brian Clough through his tenure at Derby F.C. and then powerhouse soccer club Leeds United (or the titular damned). Well, actually, the film fashions the dramatic career of Clough. The film is actually an adaptation of a dramatization, if that gives a hint. Let me first say that I’m all for artistic license. It’s up there with liquor, drivers’, and guns’ as far as licenses go. But if you’re looking for any vestige of truth within the film, stop reading. If not, let’s proceed.

It came as no surprise to me that the same director behind The King’s Speech, Tom Hooper, was responsible for The Damned United. At their core, they’re both films contingent on the powerful performances of their ensemble. And neither, in any way, disappoints. Michael Sheen of 30 Rock and Frost/Nixon fame plays Clough to complete, ideal perfection. He bounces from one scene to another with persistent charm like any ball on a pass-happy club, strategically constructing a subtly exuberant persona that demands one’s attention whether they like it or not. Timothy Spall (Peter Pettigrew from the Harry Potter series and Churchill in The King’s Speech) plays the counterpoint to Clough’s madness as his calculating but lovable assistant. The combination of the two drives the film at a quick pace as it jumps from the present, to the past, back to the present, and back again in its construction of the tempestuous history of not only Clough, but English soccer as a whole. Hooper’s expert direction and attention to character reinforces his proclivity towards personality, an illuminative precursor to the highly recommended King’s Speech. So if you enjoy soccer (or football, as the colonizers call it) or a magnificent character study, The Damned United not only satiates, but fascinates.

Dogtooth (2009)

While some would argue that home-schooled kids don't get the same education as the rest, no one can deny that the home educated teens in Dogtooth receives an unparalleled education. The family, whose names are never said, lives remotely on a property resembling an oasis in a desert. The mother instructs the children, known only as the eldest daughter, younger daughter and the son, while the father is away at his job which appears to be managing a factory. He's the only person allowed to leave their house for reasons explained later in the film.

The father and mother create a structured life for their children. Nearly every second of their day is spent with each other learning strange skills and incorrect definitions for vocabulary words. As they're not allowed to leave the compound, they develop strong family ties (which progress into the uncomfortable). Their fragile worldview is in jeopardy when Christina, the security guard at the father's work who is paid to perform an odd task, tests the barriers between herself and the daughters.



Dogtooth is a messed up film. It has majorly dark overtones but a well-crafted script, and it's shot beautifully. Keep in mind that there is quite a bit of nudity, and the context might add to the uncomfortability. Beautifully dark film. Recommended.

Oscars 2011 Best Foreign Film Nominee