hand2handyman Reviews

Saturday Night Live (1975– )

The times they have a-changed (and not for the better)

[1/10 · 25 February 2024]

I was fortunate enough, in spring of 1979, to attend a taping of SNL during its magical first 5 years. That means I got to see Belushi, Gilda, Bill Murray etc with a musical guest of James Taylor and host Michael Palin. Now it's of course impossible to compare that era to this one, with its PC groupthink and the lunacy of you know who and all that he brings with him. Mocking presidents, of both parties, used to among the highlights of the show (from Ackroyd's Jimmy Carter thru the great Phil Hartman's Reagan and Carvey's legendary Bush Sr. But over the last several years, the show has lost its way..few presidents have deserved mocking as much as the last 2, but where it used to be brilliant writers like Jim Downey (moderate conservative) and Al Franken (moderate liberal) writing political stuff, now it's poster children for celeb culture..and all that implies.

I gave the show a fair try again this year, and--this is true--I did not laugh once. Wow. Makes me sad cus the world could really use some biting, George Carlin-level humor, willing to slice & dice both the right & left. There's talk that Lorne will be retiring next season when the show hits its 50th anniversary--would be apropos to wrap things up with his retirement. But show is a big money maker for NBC..so it will likely linger and limp on for years..truly sad. Believe me. Bigly.

Better Things: Blackout (2017) Season 2, Episode 7

"No! No! This is a No!"

[10/10 · 2 March 2019]

If I describe the brilliance of the final scene of this episode, I would spoil its brilliance and couldn't possibly do it justice--so I won't. Instead, I will just say that I've loved Pam Adlon going back to her days as one 'Robert Hill, Esq' on King of The Hill..and this episode reminded me of why. And I know we're all supposed to 'hate' Louis CK now, but the fact of the matter is that he and Pam make for a magnificent writing team and I hope someday, soon, that the Powers That Judge will "allow" him to return and write tremendous episodic comedies like this one again. Till then.."NO! NO! NO! NO!" You will need to watch the episode to understand just why that is hysterically, laugh out loud funny.

Baby It's You (1983)

A lost gem

[9/10 · 12 September 2018]

John Sayles is perhaps America's most underrated director, and this stands as one of his most underrated gems. A wondrous movie that tells the painful tale of unrequited love, as well as the evolution of women in the 1960s who were no longer satisfied with being 'eye candy' as a living. Great, early performances from Rosanna Arquette and Vincent Spano (who really should have become a much bigger star based on this role alone.) Helped along by a tremendous soundtrack--and one can even forgive the fact that there are Springsteen songs magically transported back into New Jersey in the 1960s, since the songs fit the screenplay perfectly. And the fact that the ending leaves viewers wondering--as opposed to wrapped up in a simplistic bow--only adds to the film's appeal. Well worth the time to seek out..the kind of 'great indie film' that does justice to the phrase "lost gem."

Fawlty Towers: Waldorf Salad (1979) Season 2, Episode 3

typical!!!! it's all bottoms with you isn't it??

[12 January 2008]

For anyone who has ever wondered how the world sees Americans, this episode should answer that question. Brilliant, biting and with writing as crisp as a well tied bow tie, this is one of the true classics of this classic series.

Perfectly captured that all-American trait of humility---no wait, I mean hubris---and the all-British trait of 'go along to get along.' The casting, as always, is immaculate and John Cleese illustrates why he is one of the true comedic geniuses of his time--combining the physicality of Chaplin with the scorching wit of Groucho.

In all honesty, I have held off my entire life from having a Waldorf Salad until such time as I visit the UK--with the express desire to see the reaction when I order it.

I am sure it will be---as Basil might say---"TYPICAL". And I will make a point to bring some extra 'Mickey Mouse money' so I don't have to bust "an ass" to get it.

Right!

Penelope (2006)

"coulda been a contender..."

[3/10 · 15 June 2007]

saw this film at its US premiere at the CineVegas film festival in Las Vegas...

a big disappointment. So much on screen talent wasted..very talented actresses like Christina Ricci and Reese Witherspoon are given nothing but clichés to work with, and one of the great comediennes of our time, Catharine O'Hara is reduced to making funny faces.

Not sure who this is supposed to be for..not witty enough to be for adults, nor visually engaging enough to be of interest to kids.

Shame. Could have had the charm of Edward Scissorhands or The Princess Bride...instead the groom (aka the audience) was left waiting at the alter of entertainment....

American Masters: No Direction Home: Bob Dylan (2005) Season 19, Episode 7

He's Younger Than That Now

[10/10 · 20 September 2005]

Well, it took a director as great as Martin Scorsese and 45 years of recording, travelling, ramblin' and bein' busy bein' born instead of dyin', but at long last Dylan fans from Dharma to Duluth have a glimpse behind the genius in the dark sunglasses. A remarkable film--for so many reasons that it would take at least 3 1/2 hours (the length of the movie) to list them--but the main reasons anyone with an interest in His Bobness needs to view this film are as follows: 1) Scorsese's direction: Almost 30 years after he chronicled the passing of a musical era with his magnificent film The Last Waltz, Scorsese once again captures musical brilliance and history on film as only someone who truly appreciates Dylan's historical as well as cultural influence could. A Master Director chronicles a Master Musician. 2) Archival footage of everyone you never saw before on film, including Gene Vincent, Hank Williams, and early 60's Greenwich Village pioneers aplenty and of course.. 3) Bob. For reasons known only to himself, Dylan actually speaks on record about his least favorite topic, himself. Along with last year's autobiography, this film reveals far more of the portrait of the artist as a young man than could ever have been anticipated given Bob's notorious closed-mouthed history on his own history.

With Elvis, Ray Charles and John Lennon gone, there are few--if ANY--artists whose historical and musical importance even come near that of Bob Dylan. In No Direction Home, we see as much, if not more, than we are entitled to see about how and why young Robert Zimmerman from Hibbing, MN became the most important songwriter of the 20th century.

He's got everything he needs--he's an artist--but just this once, he DOES look back.

Perfect (1985)

"Perfect"...umm, that's ironic right?

[1/10 · 26 July 2005]

Question: what do you get when you take Tony Manero and ad body oil and a script that single handedly reminds us of ALL the reasons the 80s sucked? Answer: A 'perfect' movie. ...in which our hero trades in his Saturday Night Fever for a pair of leg warmers and a synthesized soundtrack. Where to begin? How about with an insipid script in which a Rolling Stone reporter (who happens to look like a movie star, like most reporters do..)seeks out the "truth" behind the health club craze of the Reagan years--not exactly Hunter S Thompson stuff huh? Career killing moments abound in this one, including a post-rhinoplasty Laraine Newman who actually says "it's a lot safer looking for Mr Goodbody than Mr Goodbar..."). No really! She says that! AND Jann Wenner, RS Editor, even gives an unconvincing performance as...HIMSELF! AND a few years later, it took Quentin Tarantino to rescue Travolta's career from forever doing talking baby movies. Redeeming feature: a very, very 'pert' Jamie Lee Curtis! If you like unintentionally bad movies, then this truly IS your Perfect choice.