Wow. This program is amazingly funny, ridiculously twisted, intelligent, yet primal. Brilliant. Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer, and the man behind the curtain Jason Woliner, are all remarkably talented individuals with a knack for making truly edgy, hilarious, bombastic humor. The comedy is so markedly different from anything else that is on television at the moment that it may be startling at first, but Human Giant is worth your time. That is not to say that every sketch will leave you in stitches, at it's worst it is merely promising and quirky, at it's best it's revelatory comical genius. It is however, a consistently funny sketch show, which is a commodity today. Some of the highlights of the show thus far have been "Shutterbugs", a team of ruthless child talent agents, "Illusionators" a couple of illusionists that employ the power of the devil in their underwhelming acts, "The Deer" where the boys hit an evil deer and jump start it's heart...I could go on and on about how wonderful these sketches are but you really have to watch it understand how well done this show is. This is a sketch show with the world at it's feet, just like SNL during the Belushi years, The State before it's premature cancellation, Mr. Show With Bob and David. It's a show at the pinnacle of comedy right now, and you really need to check it out. Thursdays 10:30pm.
Reviews
4 Reviews
The Wicker Man
(2006)
Cage is fantabulous as usual
22 December 2006
Nicholas Cage is one of the greatest actors of this generation. Cage seems to be the only one who understands that this film can work on different levels, and he knows just when to play it for laughs, when to play it for that action/adventure schtick, and when to play it for straight up horror. Brilliant. Kate Beahan also delivers a very solid performance as Cage's estranged girl. This movie must be taken with a grain of salt, and suffice it to say this is not a movie everyone will enjoy, but if you walk into the theater in the right frame of mind, you can definitely find some enjoyable moments here (not the least of which Nicholas Cage hitting a woman- I'm not sexist, but how far over PC can you go? plus it was a very irritating character that he hit; in our theater, when Cage punched the woman, it got a round of applause. How cool is that?).
Shannon Elizabeth lights up the screen in wooden performance
22 December 2006
Shannon Elizabeth adds a level of sex appeal to the updated Twilight Zone. Although her performance is by the numbers, it is the saving grace of the episode to have her their. Solid writing in this show contributes to an above average episode. Although the word stale comes to mind for all of the sets and atmospherics, which detracts greatly. At least the music itself helps keep this show above water, Mark Snow is a brilliant composer, and the theme by Johnathon Davis while perhaps one that will be easily dated is at least evocative. Adrian Pasdar is a pawn in this story, he really brings nothing to the table as an actor, other than being annoying, it doesn't help that he is given lines exclusively to make him whine. Fortunately there is just enough going on to hold your interest.
Insipid, unoriginal in this genre
21 December 2006
Unfortunately much pressure is exerted when you carry a name with a lot of clout behind it (ask Sean Lennon), I have tried to silence this in myself, but certainly it appears on a subconscious level, but I am disappointed with this series as a whole. In this particular episode, I feel it could have had more bite if it was shorter, and the script needed some action sequences, I was bored at the hospital. You are much better off with the original Twilight Zone (obviously), Tales From the Crypt, or The Outer Limits (either the old one or the new). Jason Alexander gives a perfunctory but competent performance as death, but fails to shock or surprise us with anything. I think we are generally too jaded when it comes to entertainment, but for the record, I don't think anyone in 1959 would have found this groundbreaking either.
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