Sunday, February 7, 2010

My Eyes On...Week of February 1, 2010

I've posted a few reviews this week already, but there have been a few other things I've watched that are worth noting.

1. Happy Gilmore (1996)

You know, this movie really sucks! Really. But I love it. It's like one of those mutt dogs you pick up off the street that's dirty, mangy, has no control, but for some reason it just looks sooooo gosh-darn cute you can't resist it. Adam Sandler's obnoxious Happy Gilmore is poorly written, with logic problems galore (e.g. why would Shooter McGavin be allowed to sit in on a disciplinary meeting for Happy over a situation that didn't even involve him? Why would the "jackass" guy be allowed to stay on the course during the Pepsi Pro-Am with Bob Barker?).

But none of this matters. Sandler is as charismatic as preschooler smearing fingerpaint all over the furniture, and bit parts by Ben Stiller and the aforementioned Bob Barker make this movie fun.

2. Chuck (NBC -- Monday night, 8 p.m.)

I haven't blogged about Chuck since the season three premiere, but so far this season has been wonderful. Chuck is now officially a spy, and his team has received a new leader at the behest of General Beckman. His name is Shaw, and is played by Superman Brandon Routh. Shaw is cocky, self-assured, and is tired of the "let's-coddle-Chuck" bullshit that's been going on since day one of the series. As a result, Chuck winds up on a plane fighting none other than Stone Cold Steve Austin in the cargo bay.

Some other subplots have come up that are going to be fun to follow. Morgan is now the assistant manager of the BuyMore and is dealing with a full-fledged revolt by Lester, Jeff and the BuyMore crew. On the plane where he fought Stone Cold, Chuck meets a girl named Hannah (played by Smallville's Kristin Kreuk). She gets a job at the BuyMore. My favorite storyline thus far, though, has been the relationship between Chuck and Captain Awesome, whose run-in with spy work at the beginning in the season has begun unraveling his previously "awesome" demeanor.

Check Chuck out. It's only getting better.

3. Wayne's World (1992)

I just watched this with Matt last night, and I was astonished to discover that I have pretty much memorized this movie, which was my favorite comedy as a teenager. So quotable. "Schwing!" "I'd like the cream of some-yung-guy." "It will be mine. Oh yes. It will be mine." "Psycho hose beast." The list goes on. Matt and I laughed our asses off. I just love the way Mike Myers and Dana Carvey relish their characters. This may be the best movie ever based on a Saturday Night Live sketch. It never feels like its an expanded sketch, like so many of these movies have.

4. American Idol (FOX -- Tuesday/Wednesday at 8 p.m.)

Auditions are over, and now we're ready for the judging to begin. I love watching this show with my daughter, Catie. We have a system for the different behaviors of the contestants. We high five if they cry, pound fists if they sing well, wink if they're attractive, etc. So far the season has been entertaining. There have been a couple notable contestants -- the fat dude with the autistic son and the cute girl raised in abject poverty. In terms of the crazy contestants, there was the awesome "Pants on the Ground" guy, and the former Barney the Dinosaur girl who showed up dressed as a dominatrix.

In terms of the judges, Simon is as awesome as always and I've really enjoyed Kara so far. As far as the guest judges went, no one held a candle to the awesomeness that is Neil Patrick Harris. He was funny, intelligent, and cruel without being an asshole. I also enjoyed Shania Twain (she's still soooo hot!) and Katy Perry. But the biggest disappointment was Joe Jonas, who just sat there looking pretty. Even Catie, who loves the Jonas Brothers, said, "why doesn't he say anything mean?" Obviously, Disney did not want to soil the JB's legacy by having him act like a human and saying what he thought.

Next week Ellen DeGeneres begins her stint as a permanent judge. Here's hoping she's just as much fun on American Idol as she is on her excellent talk show.

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