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Reviews
The Office: Goodbye, Toby (2008)
Without a doubt, The Office's best episode
There are times when people say, "THat was the best episode" of a show and later on they say, "WEll, I guess I just really liked it at the time..." Not the case with this episode. I recently rewatched the entire series and let me say, no episode holds a candle to "Goddbye, Toby." Let's start with the somewhat hyped new character who comes aboard. The new HR rep, Holly, is brilliant. Without spoiling, she adds a dynamic for many characters, notably Kevin and Michael (and Creed!) that can't be beaten. Every character (aside from Dwight) gets a good moment this episode, and every storyline that has been building gets a major push forward. As with the last two season finales the last scene is shocking and amazing and throughly mouth-gaping yet side-splitting.
Phyllis, a character who often is dismissed by her cohorts, earns her stripes and becomes a very lovable character. Toby is throughly hazed by Michael in moments that make the awkwardness a drug for the viewers. Pam and Jim get some sweet moments, too. Andy of course, screws things up, but you can't help but love him. Angela is of course ridiculous, and even Meredith gets a good moment. And it doesn't stop there. The Temp, while not actually in the Office, gets an awesome moment... Jan returns, and the Hobbit(!!!) comes back in a deleted scene.
Overall, this episode has it all... even in a Ferris Wheel! What more could you ask for? This episode left me feeling satisfied (that's what she said).
The Sting (1973)
The Greatest Film of Its Decade
The Sting holds a special place in my heart. I've seen it so many times I can quote most of it by heart, yet every time I watch it, I just can't help but laugh at all of the same scenes and be throughly mesmerized by what's happening on the screen in front of me. Paul Newman and Robert Redford are real stars in this film, and in my opinion neither have made better films before or after this (although Redford comes close with All the President's Men). And the villain... well, once you see Robert Shaw in this role once, you can't help but think "yeh fallah?" any time you see him again.
The whole plot is centered around the "Big Con," a massive confidence scheme that involves many of CHicago's top con artists. As tensions rise (assassins...the mob... the FBI!), the viewer can't help but watch in awe as the cool demeanor of Newman and the rugged enthusiasm of Redford captivate your heart. You'll find yourself rooting for the crooks and booing the establishment in no time.
Any awards this film took are not enough, in my opinion. The Sting is one of the best movies EVER.
Lost: Exodus: Part 1 (2005)
A BLAST!!! Literally...
Honestly, Lost has never been able to reach the height of "amazing" that it did in Part 1 of its first season finale. Now, I'm not saying the show "is in decline" or "it sucks now and it didn't before." I'm just saying that this episode had it all.
First off, let me say Daniel Roebuck turns it out as Arzt, and his banter with Hurley is the stuff dreams are made of. It's too bad he isn't a regular on the show because in my mind his character would be some comic gold for the beleaguered and heavily dramatized survivors of Oceanic 815.
The episode gives us plenty to love. Danielle shows up again to the chagrin of some of the survivors and to the joy of the viewers... Michael and company float away, and the rest of the gang seems to be in a fight for their lives.
But Arzt makes this episode.
Lost (2004)
If You Ignore the Rabid LOST Fans...
What's wrong with LOST? Nothing.
LOST has something most shows wish they had: a purpose. The writers of LOST have created a massive mystery of epic proportions to rival the enigmas of Atlantis and the Da Vinci Code. The mysteries left after each episode are always answered soon enough: but oftentimes this gives you a new mystery to watch for.
This is what LOST means to do. Constantly, we are progressing, are largest broadest questions being whittled into more specific and more pointed questions. Every episode we are given a new clue, a new piece to the puzzle.
And the cast doesn't slouch either. Matthew Fox does exactly what the star of a show is meant to do: lead the rest of the cast and not anger the audience. As with most shows, though, it's the more minor characters who take over the attention of fans. I know that I am captivated by the characters of Bernard, Jin, and Sawyer. I just enjoy these characters immeasurably. And I used to love Charlie before Dominic Monaghan (the actor who portrayed him) left the show. All of the characters get the moments to dominate, and characters who you hate early on become you r favorites at the end (Juliet is my current favorite).
The stories are fast-paced with only a few episodes that are weak, and even these "weak" episodes are strong for most other shows.
Jump on the LOST wagon before it pulls out of town... the sixth season will be its last!
Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Quite Possibly the Film of Its Year
People may complain about the OCean's films from time to time but the fact of the matter is this: an Ocean's movie just makes you want to commit a crime. The appearance of these suave and debonair guys just makes you want to knock over a casino. Danny Ocean, Rusty, Linus, and the gang all have that certain panache. I can't help but feel the energy in this movie, the excitement and the humor.
The main cast is great to begin with: everyone from Andy Garcia (who gives one of the best frowns in movies) to Matt Damon (who can still pull off wide-eyed innocence while stealing from a California science lab). But the minor cast members also do a great job. Elliot Gould gives the sarcastic Reuben a life of his own with his dealings with young Linus and his conversations with Danny and Rusty. Don Cheadle brings the Aussie to the indomitable Basher. And Bernie Mac makes racist misunderstandings a joy to see.
Ocean's Eleven not only captures you with a great American story, but it also creates subtle nuances for you to watch and rewatch in order to really appreciate the intricacies of the plot. And cameos from other notable stars help to make the film a basket of Easter Eggs. From Topher Grace's poker game with the stars to Wayne Newton sitting at the ringside of the "big fight," the film is magic. And don't forget one of the single best soundtracks in films.
You couldn't get a better caper flick unless you robbed a bank and put it on Youtube.
Ocean's Thirteen (2007)
A Guy Film
Women always look at the action-heavy movies and say, "Hey, that's such a guy film." But it's not. You see, Ocean's really captures what I think every guy desires. To go out, break some rules, make some money, and most importantly, hang with your boys.
The film is casted with the best "cool guys" there are. Brad PItt and Geroge Clooney make suave look easy, and Matt Damon has really grown into this role. Don Cheadle and Eddie Izzard turn out great performances, and the banter between the "Malloy twins" is stuff that makes comedy funny. The heist in this film is the best yet, because you can truly root for the good guys. In a turn from the other Ocean's films, the crew is NOT robbing but rather liberating the money from WIllie Bank, played by Al Pacino. It's revenge more than robbery, and Pacino's character deserves to be hated.
The music, as always, is stunning. I always feel like the mood is captured at an Ocean's film through the amazing soundtrack.
My only complaint about this movie: Al Pacino. The man is past his acting prime. It's a sad sight to see, but it's true. While he does turn out a decent performance, the fact of the matter is that he says every line the same way.
But Ocean's Thirteen is great, and should be watched again and again.
The Dark Knight (2008)
A Movie of Epic Proportions
The Dark Knight truly exceeded all of my expectations for the film. The opening scenes involving William Fitchner and Cillian Murphy are arguably some of the best opening scenes of any film. Throughout the movie not only did the story keep a steady and interesting pace, but it also catered to the fanboy and the film-goer who is truly absorbing every nugget. The main cast was truly superb (with the possible exception of Maggie Gyllenhall), and the minor casts were just as well cast. The mayor is well-cast with the guy from Smokin Aces. Anthony Michael Hall truly seems like a reporter, and Cillian Murphy's minor cameo has the Scarecrow creates the allusion of a true universe.
This movie has a definite re-watch value. Jokes in this film are actually entertaining and do not detract from the dramatics of the more climactic scenes. At one point, a tense situation at a hospital is diffused by amusing antics from the Joker. The amount of effort put into the editing and scripting of even the most unimportant of clips allow the viewer to take in a world not our own, in a city that is understandable and very much possible. The messages in the film are obvious but not overbearing and certainly relevant.
Simply stunning.