gboydit Reviews

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005– )

Comedic genius that guarantees a smile on your face (from now on)

[10/10 · 11 October 2006]

Warning: Spoilers galore . . .

"It's Always Sunny" is one of those rare entertainment choices where just thinking about it makes you smile, or even laugh out loud. Remember these names, in no particular order: Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, and Glen Howerton, III. They're acting combined with the the 3 guys' writing makes for the funniest show I believe I've ever seen. I pray we've not seen the last of these folks and you ought to, too.

When you take some of the most serious issues of today and portray them in ways that bring tears from laughter, genius is somehow involved.

I hope to always remember Howerton and Olson on crack, McElhenney's hurt feelings over not having been chosen for molestation by his gym coach, and Charlie "going America all over everybody's ass" which ends up with him writhing in pain from a fork being stuck in his back. With these in my brain, I'm never more than a moment from having a good laugh.

If you've ever wondered how Nazis, miracles, abortion (and anti-abortionists), Russian-roulette, welfare, incest, and racism could be explored in an uproariously funny light, then simply watch this show. And like all good satire, you find yourself sometimes wondering if it is in fact, satire---the deviant performances are that convincing. I never thought anyone could develop more self-absorbed characters than Larry David, but the "Sunny" gang gives him a great run for the money.

And hat's off to Danny Devito for lending his dark-comedy genius to the mix.

"Sunny" is not for the faint-of-heart, but it's for everybody else.

In the Bedroom (2001)

Pleasant Surprise

[7/10 · 20 May 2002]

While I thought Sissy Spacek was great as usual, I think the really BEST performance in this film was put in by Tom Wilkinson (who played the bad-guy in Rush Hour and the English General Cornwallis in The Patriot).

Rarely, does an actor's performance come across as this genuine.

Far North (1988)

A must for the Dysfunctional-family library

[10/10 · 20 May 2002]

If Charles Durning cracked you up in O Brother Where Art Thou, then check him out at his best.

Though a little slow-paced and too off-beat for some, I try to watch this one at least once a year. Rare opportunity to see Jessica Lange be really funny. Not that it's a pure, comedic role, but just playing off the insanity of her family-members, she can't help but be funny.

Tess Harper, a really young Patricia Arquette, the President from A Clear and Present Danger (Donald Moffat), and the MOM of the family, will all get a few laughs, but no one more than big Charles.

Evil Roy Slade (1972 TV Movie)

Before Blazing Saddles, there was ...

[10/10 · 20 May 2002]

As a teenager, you had to like EVIL ROY, if you were to be considered a friend of mine. Okay, it's still almost the case.

Rivals FLETCH, BLAZING SADDLES, and CADDYSHACK for number of one-liners.

I've heard that I'm in good company on loving this one. Damon Wayans, Garry Marshall, and Salvador Dali count EVIL among their favorites as well (according to Marshall in his autobiography).

You'll never be able to look at a shoehorn again---not without laughing, anyway.