MacGruber! It’s been a while since SNL put out a good film

Directed by Jorma Taccome

Will Forte: MacGruber

Kristen Wiig:  Vicki St. Elmo

Ryan Phillippe:  Dixon Piper

Val Kilmer: Dieter Von Cunth

With the string of terrible SNL films such as Superstar & Night at the roxbury, fans of the legendary sketch show were looking for a funny sketch to transfer over into a funny movie. Well they answered the call with Macgruber, a parody of the Macgyver television series. There are only a handful of people that can have you in stitches without doing anything but Will Forte is one of those people. With a simple face, noise or just his voice Forte has the magic touch for comedic gold. He put his magic touch to the script which he co wrote with Taccome.

PLOT:

After Dieter Von Cunth becomes in possession of a dangerous nuclear warhead the United States government turns to their only hope; Macgruber. The legendary ex operative is pulled out of retirement to once again serve his country. But he can’t do it alone, he recruits an old friend Vicki St. Elmo & Lt. Dixon Piper is a rookie who can learn under Macgruber.

This film was hilarious. It was so off the wall and goofy, but it had some great gags. Forte proved he can lead a film and carry it on his unique comedic talents. Phillippe also fit in great, as a man who doesn’t often do comedy but was able to hold his own, a good counter weight to Forte. Kilmer is no stranger to comedy was great in his smaller role. The beautiful Wiig was also enjoyable as the crush and love interest to Forte. Due to the nature of some of the one liners and the slapstick gags and how weird they are this film will definitely have a niche audience but it may not be for everybody.. I will say this that it had me in stitches.

This is one of the better comedies of 2010, a great summer film &  thus far & in terms of SNL films it is in the top three with Blues brothers & Wayne’s world.

Keane is back with a new mixed sound

Night Train EP

Tom Chaplin:  Vocals/Piano/Organ/ Guitars 

Tim Rice- Oxley: Keyboards/ bass/ synthesizers / backing vocals

Richard Hughes:  Drums/ Percussion/ Backing vocals

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Brit piano pop rockers Keane are back with a new EP! For those who care, and can get off the cold play bandwagon they can hear the smooth tracks these guys lay down.

Night Train was dropped on may 10th, it is eight songs that were written and recorded along the way in the Perfect Symmetry tour of 2007.

I loved this EP, I wish it was a full length album. There are no weak links, each song is different and has it’s own charm. They went away from their signature ” Piano Ballads”  & as frontman Tom Chaplin says it shows them in a different light.

There is a great mix, the first song starts out with an instrumental Muse esque sound. From there its a whirl wind of  synth rock, hip hop, soft rock, pop, alternative and It all comes back full circle with  ”My Shadow”, a signature Keane style sound.

This also marks one of the first times they collaborated with someone outside the band. Two songs feature  Somali/ Canadian rapper K’naan, & one features Japanese emcee Tigrah. The first single “Stop for a minute” with K’naan is nothing short of brilliant, with a powerful beat and piano line and a catchy chorus.

In my opinion Keane has a flawless discography and Night Train is another fantastic addition that keeps me eagerly waiting for another full length album. GO BUY IT!!!

Iron Man 2: Favareau Takes it up a notch!

Directed By John Favareau

CAST

Tony Stark: Robert Downey Jr.       Pepper Potts:Gwyneth Paltrow          

Natalie Rushman/ Natasha Romanof: Scarlet Johansson

James Rhodes/ War Machine:Don Cheadle        

 Justin Hammer: Sam Rockwell        Nick Fury: Samuel L. Jackson    

                                                                                                     Ivan Vanko: Mickey Rourke

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It’s an obvious statement, but sequels are a dangerous territory; either they can’t live up & it fails, or they ramp it right up and far surpass the original. The first Iron man set the bar pretty high, and for years fans held their collective breath wondering what Favareau would do for an encore. Iron man 2 was a bright spot & a great start to a summer movie season that has this guy less than impressed.

Iron man 2 picks up a few months after Stark admits to the media that he is Iron man. This leaves Tony fighting battles on multiple fronts. He’s got lingering health problems that are taking it’s toll, the U.S. Senate is trying to take his suits to give to the military, a wanna be arms manufacturer is trying to compete with Stark Industries & finally he’s got an angry Russian with a vendetta to settle. Even with all this going on Tony never loses his glib, dry        free wheeling sensibility. This provides for a lot of comedic moments.

I thought this film was excellent and surpassed the original. It was a great balance of style and substance. It was a funny, smart, well written and well layered story. It also progressed the Story of Stark in a well timed natural way & also set up for a great third film and Avengers film. While having a great story the special effects and action sequences were top notch & bigger and better than the first. This film even had more eye candy adding Scarlet Johansson to the team (in a very tight and hot out fit).

I enjoy the cast of this film; Downey Jr. was his usual fantastic self, while Cheadle stepped in and portrayed James Rhodes better than Terrance Howard. Mickey Rourke was also superb , from the believable accent to the unhinged scientist demeanor he held his own. ( Perhaps learned a few things from Aronofsky) The cast all gelled together well with both a great sense of chemistry and comedic timing Favareau couldn’t have asked for a better cast.

The only negative thing I can say is that it sucks we have to wait another couple of years for Iron man 3 or the avengers. Whether you’re a comic fan, action junkie or just enjoy Robert Downey Jr. & hot chicks there is something for everyone.