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Reviews
Addicted to Fresno (2015)
Missing in Fresno
I learned that this film existed while searching Ron Livingston after seeing him in Office Spaces. My spouse is from the Fresno area, I'm very familiar with it so, why not?
What the film lacked was a credible script. The plot was unimaginative and clumsy, and the liberal sociopathy was just uninteresting. Essentially, if you like to hear young women use lots of foul language and casual sex references, this is the film for you!! But, as Larry Levy said in "The Player", "It takes more than a dirty mouth to make it in this business". And that pretty much sums up this poor film.
The comedian-cast had very little to work with. Ron Livingston does his typical Ron Livingston and the same applies to Fred Armisen although the latters depiction himself was somewhat muted The two actors from Parks and Recreation were indistinguishable from their characters in the series. Most of the others were OK given the nature of the lines they were given. Molly Shannon's scene with her older parents may have been the best part of the film. It was the only one that seemed closer to reality, although a sad one at that.
Just a few notes. Dildos aren't really very funny, much less shocking anymore and 50 dildos aren't either. And, fellatio lessons might have been funny in Fast Times at Ridgemont High but Phoebe Cates did a much better with the material 40 years ago. Finally, I think this wasn't even filmed in Fresno. I could be wrong but it looked like Sun Valley to me. Who would pay to go on location for this anyway?
I did stay to the end when the moral arc was resolved in a nice little Hollywood ending although conspiracy to conceal a felony and accessory after the fact were incredibly ignored. The comedian-cast had very little to work with. Ron Livingston does his typical Ron Livingston and the same applies to Fred Armisen although the latter was somewhat muted The two actors from Parks and Recreation were indistinguishable from their characters in the series. Most of the others were OK given the nature of the lines they were given.
As Griffin Mill would say "Only in the movies".
The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977)
Just Dumb
I saw this travesty in 1978 at the Rialto in South Pasadena. I didn't think it was funny then and, 44 years later I am unable to get past the Gorilla segment on Prime.
I bid you good luck if you attempt to get through this in 2021.
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
That was Terrible
What the heck happened here? It starts off interestingly enough but then it devolves into confusion and loose ends.
John Hamm's character was simply not believable.
We never find out what the true nature of the nefarious activities the Hotel was used for.
It's just a muddle.
What was Jeff Bridges doing here?
Great Soundtrack, though.
The Sopranos: The Knight in White Satin Armor (2000)
Brilliant Conclusion
Carmela's ironic understated assessment of the ill-fated coupling of Richie and Janice still gives me chills as "I Saved the World Today" rises in the background. Brilliant. Simply brilliant.
Given the arc of this season, it was the perfect conclusion.
That Championship Season (1982)
Five excellent performances one great script
I went back to this after 25 years. I read an article about Robert Mitchum and it reminded me of his performance in That Championship Season, which wasn't even mentioned in the article. I bought it and re discovered 5 excellent acting performances. The best performance? Stacy Keach (James Daley). He is as pathetic as any self-disappointed middle aged man could get in his grandiosity and self pity. My favorite Character is Phil Romano, played by Paul Sorvino. Rich, degenerate, and one election away from financial ruin. In one of the first scenes, when the group shows up at the emergency City Council meeting to discuss a political disappointment, his swagger walking in and walking out of the room was elegant arrogance. The writing is superb, and the backdrop in economically depressed Scranton captured the atmosphere of Rustbelt economic desperation (which nicely parallels the personal and professional desperation of each of the characters) perfectly. Worth seeing.