Goodbye, Angelo

When I was in middle school, my mom would listen to WKLH every morning.  I recall hearing a comedy troupe named Brady Street - they would always make me laugh.  I bought the yearly WKLH CDs so I could listen to Brady Street's "bits" over and over.

When I was 12 or 13, my parents took me to the Comedy Cafe to see Brady Street live.  Brady Street was Bruce Brinker, Joe Cortese, Angelo Farina and John Podlesnik - each highly respected in the Milwaukee comedy scene (and I would later learn deeply respected in the American comedy community).  I remember watching them and thinking that I too could make people laugh.  It planted a seed deep in my mind.  To this day, I'm proud to say that I have been able to perform with each of them on stage and that I'm able to call each one my friend.

Moving back to Milwaukee, I saw a poster at a grocery store offering classes in improv.  I'm so glad I decided to take that class.  It was here I met Matt Tremmel and where both of us were encouraged to take "real classes" at ComedySportz.

After years of classes and countless shows for friends and family (please come, PLEASE, it's only $3 and this Tuesday), I was asked to join the ComedySportz Milwaukee troupe.  For nearly 10 years, I was one of the fortunate few that got to go on stage and make thousands of people laugh.  It was an amazing experience.  At nearly all of those shows, there was Angelo Farina.  Ang was one of the originals.  If he gave you notes, you listened - and you acted on those suggestions.  No matter if it was my first show or number 500, it was intimidating being in a show with him.  Screw influencing the audience; it was Ang you wanted to impress.  There was no better feeling than being in a show, saying something and hearing Ang's gravely laugh come from the sound booth.  For ComedySportzers, it was like getting the nod from Carson.  You knew you had done something right.

I don't recall the specifics of the conversation, however I remember talking with Angelo at the Clarion hotel for about an hour.  The talk was probably about something trivial - the state of radio, politics, boobs...whatever.  It was then I knew I had made friends with someone in comedy I respected.

Over the years, we had many conversations, the best often over beers at the CSz bar after shows.  Ang had been through more than anyone should, yet he always kept a positive attitude and continued to give advice.  I always loved his Brewer updates at the Summer picnic and running into him at the Budweiser pavilion every first Friday at State Fair (I can't even count the number of times people would stop to say hi to Mort Snotlocker).

Earlier this week, Angelo passed away.  It is a sad time for the CSz family, yet in an odd way, I'm looking forward to today's funeral as I know it will be filled with stories and laughter.  Angelo influenced so many.  The love for this man is incredible; I've read countless Facebook posts from all sorts of people praising his wit, his kindness, his sense of humor and the 30-year ComedySportz legacy he built.

I'm so grateful for the time I spent with him.  In a way he wouldn't realize, I'm grateful he planted that comedy seed in my mind so many years ago - because of it I have made countless friendships and shared millions of laughs.

My ComedySportz days are behind me.  I may not have been the greatest performer to ever grace its stage, but I can say that I held my own with some of the best in the world.  I mean that.  I have seen some of the most talented improvisational comedians Doo-Run-Run, Object Freeze and Sideline Debate their way to points that ultimately didn't matter.  So many have moved on to greater things on TV and in the movies.  Angelo played a gigantic part in this.  He may be gone, but his legacy will live on with each laugh, guffaw or groan.

From one ref to the best of them all, I blow my whistle and send all points to you, Angelo.  You will be missed.

Best Movies of 2013 - Part 3

3)  Nebraska

Alexander Payne and Bob Nelson get the whole Midwestern thing.  The people, the mannerisms, the look and the feel.  Much like the movie, it is simple and comfortable.

After receiving a letter stating he has recently won $1,000,000, Bruce Dern travels with his son to claim his prize.  From Montana to Lincoln, the two work their way toward an obviously non-existent prize.  As others find out Dern's character is a "millionaire," everybody tries to work an angle to get part of the riches.

Payne's use of black-and-white adds to the bleakness of the heartland.  It is a nice touch that adds depth to the story and makes the film look great.

The acting is excellent with June Squibb's character stealing the film.  It is a hilarious performance and certainly Oscar worthy (sadly, it won't win).  Her unexpected quips and actions are extremely funny.

Family plays a large role in this movie.  It explores the importance of relationships between sons and fathers and taking the opportunity to spend time together before it is no longer possible.

The movie has been highly praised and deservedly so.  Make time to see this - you won't be disappointed.

2)  Philomena

Based on a true story, "Philomena" follows Judy Dench and Steve Coogan as they search for Dench's grown son who was taken and put up for adoption by the Catholic church in the 1950s.

While subject matter is heavy, there are some really funny moments in this film.  Coogan and Dench are perfect foils and the roles are perfectly cast.  As the two get closer to solving the mystery of Dench's lost son, they form a genuine bond.

It is hard to believe that this actually happened just a half-century ago.  When the movie takes an unexpected turn, its theme turns to reconciliation, forgiveness and friendship.  While the church continues its deceitfulness, Dench's character practices the principles of Jesus the Catholic church claims to live by.  It is an interesting reflection.

This movie is very close to being the best of the 2013 bunch.  The casting, the story and Stephen Frears' direction are nearly perfect.  While it may not be possible, I hope director Stephen Frears, Dench and Coogan get the right story and the opportunity to work together again.  

1)  The Wolf of Wall Street

I have never been to a movie where people were so offended.  At least seven people walked out of the theater - one couple voiced their displeasure and left just minutes into the film.

Excess.  Money, power, sex, drugs, alcohol.  It is all there.  Despite taking place in the 1980s, it is a perfect reflection of modern society.  It seems we don't learn our lessons.

The big name of the film is Leonardo DiCaprio, and his performance is fine, however, the real star is Jonah Hill.  There is a scene that takes place at a party that made me laugh loudly.  It is a great and completely inappropriate moment steeped in drugs and offensiveness.  Hill's acting is among the best of the year - he has become a really good actor.  While this may not  win an Oscar this year, it won't be long before he does.

The movie is loud, brash and rowdy - Martin Scorsese guides the story to unbelievable and often hilarious places - I don't know how factual his interpretation is and I'm sure there was some creative license by screenwriter Terence Winter (who has shined as a writer for "The Sopranos" and "Boardwalk Empire").  This is white-collar "Goodfellas" and is excellent.

In my opinion, Scorsese hits another home run with "The Wolf of Wall Street."  It is not a movie for everyone (I know a number of people who didn't care for it - mostly older viewers).  For the most part, those who do watch will be rewarded with a funny and poignant film.

Best Movies of 2013 - Part 2

6)  Captain Phillips

Movies based on actual events where the outcome is known can be tricky.  Done right, they can be an excellent piece of a time capsule.  This is the case in "Captain Phillips," a film that features high-tension and white-knuckle suspense despite the world knowing how this situation ended.

Much like "All Is Lost," the sea plays a large role in the story.  It is massive and untamed, a playground for hopeless and hungry pirates.  Newcomer Barkhad Abdi plays the role of one of the Somali pirates.  He encompasses evil, hunger, humanity and desperation without being overbearing - amazing considering he is an actual Somali who is acting in his first film.  Abdi should win Best Supporting Actor but most likely will not.  You will feel empathy toward his character and his lack of options.

Tom Hanks turns in another solid performance - his emotional and physical breakdown at the end of the film is unforgettable acting.  He disappears into this role and viewers will find themselves forgetting it is actually Hanks.

Paul Greengrass is one of my favorite directors and is at his best when he is directing movies about actual events.  While "United 93" was a good movie, everyone needs to see "Bloody Sunday," which should have been a Best Picture nominee (and Best Picture winner) in 2002, but was ineligible because it was shown on British television before being released in the US.  If rumors are true, he has been attached to the movie version of "They Marched Into Sunlight," half of which will take place in 1967 Madison.  As a proud University of Wisconsin alum, I'm looking forward to his vision of our beloved and tumultuous university.

5)  The Spectacular Now

My generation revers John Hughes movies.  My age puts me at the end of this group, but it was easy to relate, nonetheless.  "The Breakfast Club," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and "Sixteen Candles" were all films we could relate to - each representing loss of innocence and the inevitable move from adolescence to "adulthood."  While Hughes masterfully masked this with comedy, his themes and images still remain as important now as they did 25 or 30 years ago.

There is a lot of Hughes' influence in "The Spectacular Now."  This might not be completely fair as "The Spectacular Now" is a really good movie and deserves to stand on its own merit.  I just couldn't help but see the similarities as I watched.  In no way is this a bad thing.

Miles Teller plays a gifted but self-indulgent, alcoholic teenager with little ambition, guidance or regard to his own future.  While he parties his way through his last year of high school, he remains infatuated with a former girlfriend while neglecting his schoolwork and his impending graduation.  Teller plays the role with a veteran actor's ease and confidence - he is surely a young actor to follow.

Shailene Woodley plays Teller's new love interest, someone down-to-Earth with a plan and a good future.  Caring enough to try to change Teller, yet bright enough to not allow him to drag her down, Woodley is impressive in her role - she is also an actress who be making headlines for years to come.

This is a very good movie about chances missed, promising futures and realizing the good times might not be so good after all. "The Spectacular Now" is film that would have made Hughes proud.

4)  12 Years a Slave

This is a brutal movie.  It needs to be.

Steve McQueen's films are always this way.  He often lets his camera linger over uncomfortable scenes drawing the viewer into the moments, forcing them to participate in the unease of the situation.  It is brilliant directing and something not often seen in modern film making.

"12 Years a Slave" should be mandatory viewing for everyone.  It is violent, it is unforgettable - it is our history.

Chiwetel Ejiofor's performance is noteworthy and deserves the praise it has received.  Educated, tired, broken, beaten, resolved, human.  He will likely win Best Actor this year - and if this happens, it is well deserved.  Michael Fassbender (a McQueen favorite) and Paul Giamatti also have memorable parts in the film.  Giatmatti's is especially surprising and wicked.

"12 Years a Slave" will likely win Best Picture of 2013.  It is a film whose importance and impact will be studied and appreciated for decades to come.  An important piece of our past that needs to be continually revisited to remind us how far we have come - and how far we still need to go.

Best Movies of 2013 - Part 1

9)  Inside Llewyn Davis

I am the first to admit, I like everything that the Coen brothers do - one exception might be "Intolerable Cruelty," a movie that has a hilarious first half, then fizzles to a disappointing close.  When I read that they would turn their camera toward the folk rock scene of the 1960s, I was eager to see what they would produce.

"Inside Llewyn Davis" follows Davis through a week in his life as he struggles to make a living as a musician.  As with any Coen brothers movie, there are subplots (including a hilarious story line involving a cat) and bizarre, but not completely unbelievable, characters who dot Davis' adventure.  This is, after all, New York City during the 1960s.

The movie also incorporates the trademark Coen brothers "repeat."  Often times, it is a line said again and again, however, during "Inside Llewyn Davis," the brothers cleverly use time as the film's "repeat."  It caught me off guard.

There is some great acting, especially by Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver and a few famous faces playing smaller roles.  Music plays a central role and has an authentic sound (some of it so corny, I have to wonder how people found this so revolutionary and exciting).

Not as flat out funny as some of their other films, it is a movie that will be appreciated as time goes on.

A final kudos to the Coens' nod to their fellow Minnesotan during the film's final act.  Unforced and completely appropriate.


8)  Dallas Buyers Club

Matthew McConaughhey has quietly become America's best actor.  In 2013 and early-2014, he has turned in three very memorable performances in "Mud," "The Wolf of Wall Street," and "True Detective."  His role in "Dallas Buyers Club" is no exception.  McConaughhey  plays the title character with the same recklessness and physicality that the real Ron Woodroof lived (in turn leading to his contraction of HIV).  I would be surprised if he doesn't win the Best Actor Oscar this year.  It's unforgettable.

The same can be said about Jared Leto, nearly unrecognizable as Woodroof's transgender business partner - another memorable performance.

The film itself is honest and brutal.  Woodroof lives selfishly and without regard to himself or others.  When he finds himself with just months to live, he must look elsewhere for ways to extend his life so that he may eventually be given a cure.  A tough cowboy, he finds unconventional ways to survive, in turn finding a business opportunity to help others in a similar situation.

Much like Soderbergh's "Side Effects," the film is a criticism of our medical system and big pharmaceutical companies.  Public health versus profit versus ethics.

Fantastic direction and an interesting story make this one of 2013's best.  While it presents a small period of time in the 1980s, it is a story with modern relevance.


7)  All Is Lost

The fact Robert Redford did not get nominated for a Best Actor Oscar is a mystery.  In "All Is Lost," he plays a lone-sailor whose boat begins to sink due to a nearly-improbable incident.  With nearly no dialog and no supporting actors, Redford battles the elements to survive.

There are no flashbacks, no telling of his previous life.  There is only the immediate - water, food, weather.  Over time, rational thought turns to panic and desperation.

The direction by J.C. Chandor is nearly perfect.  I can't imagine that shooting on water is an easy task - for actor or director.  To say that Redford is completely alone might be a bit unfair.  Much like Spielberg's "Jaws," Chandor's directing turns the ocean into another unpredictable character, one that mirrors Redford.

The film also asks viewers at what point does one decide to give up?   When is the struggle no longer worth the fight?

The end of the film is open to interpretation.  The quality of the production and acting in the movie is not.

Good Movies of 2013 - Part 2

World War Z

Rumors about the quality of this film ran rampant months before its release:  it was too long, there were reshoots, the zombies looked bad, it was PG-13.  Norm MacDonald would have called it "box-office poison."

This made me sad.  After a viewing of "Dead Snow," I attended a conversation with Max Brooks, the author of "World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War" on which the film would be based.  His talk was straight and funny -after all, he is the son of American comedic royalty.  I had read the book and loved its Studs Terkel influenced historical take on a long, fictitious war with the dead.  It was graphic, tense and it trotted the globe.

"World War Z" cuts out a lot of the book.  It had to.  There's no way it could do justice to its source material in less than three hours.  It turned out fine.  The film focuses on human survival and gore is kept to a minimum.  I especially liked the take on the "swarm" mentality of the undead and the clever nod to insect behavior.  Satirical?  Surely.  After Romero, many zombie movies are.

Despite a tidy ending, the movie turned a healthy profit and a sequel has already been given the green light.  Since "The Walking Dead" has become boring and schmaltzy, we can only hope HBO gives this a chance and revisits the novel for a mini-series.  As they continue to prove, they can do things right.


Enough Said

There are movies like "The Station Agent" and "You Can Count On Me" that catch me off guard.  Films that show a slice of common life; ones that are funny and sad and moving.

"Enough Said" is no exception.

James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfus play two lonely divorcees who eventually look past each others flaws and begin to fall in love.  There is a semi-twist to the story, but the thing that stands out most is the acting.  It feels natural and has some funny moments.  The emotions are genuine, reactions are real.  It is easy to be drawn into the story because all of us can relate.

I wonder if I would have had the same feelings had Gandolfini not died.  I believe my thoughts on the film would not have changed (although it brings a bit of gravity to watching the film).  His size, his meter, his look always made him seem common.  His acting never felt forced and was regularly brilliant - for examples, see "Get Shorty" or "In The Loop."  It's easy to remember him as the overbearing Tony Soprano, but his best work was when he was subdued.  "Enough Said" is no exception.

He will be missed.

The Act of Killing

As we all grow older, we will remember earlier experiences with fondness and zeal.   Maybe we are remembering parties in college, vacations to warm locales or birthday parties at a local pizzeria.  Some of us may even recall leading death squads decades earlier and then reenacting the massacres as colorful, staged productions.

Bizzare?  Yes.   True?  Also, yes.

"The Act of Killing" gives stage to Indonesian men who led squads that killed thousands of their own people.  Many of them recount their actions with excitement and pride.  It is truly frightening.

Is the film asking these men to accept their guilt and repent?  Or is it holding the rest of the world accountable for not doing everything it could to prevent such tragedies from happening?

A Hijacking

Similar to "Captain Phillips," "A Hijacking" puts viewers on a cargo ship during negotiations with Somali pirates.  It's tense, greasy and claustrophobic.

The sailors and captors are tough and rugged, and both want to get home to their families.  As they days drag on, they build relationships with their captors and oddly grow close to each other in a perilous situation.

Some of the most interesting scenes of the film are the negotiations between the cargo ship company and the pirates.   What are human lives worth to a company?  How much is too much?  It presents an interesting dynamic and questions what corporations value most.

I believe that "Captain Phillips" is a better movie, but not by much.  While we know the ending to "Captain Phillips," the same can't be said about "A Hijacking."  It won't be one that you will ever forget.

Only God Forgives

Technically, this film is amazing.  Awash in glows of neon, it takes us through the seedy underground of Bangkok.  After her son is killed, a mother forces her other son to track down the killer and take revenge for the family.  It's dark and gritty and interesting.

I was not as a big a fan of "Drive" as most others, but I respected Nicolas Refn's direction for its nod to Michael Mann.  There is much of that same style in "Only God Forgives."

The movie is brutal and, at times, crawls.  At times Shakespeare, at times the life of Christ, the story lets Ryan Gosling quietly brood his way through the mystery.  Vithaya Pansringarm plays a retired cop who must also serve justice, a role that is bizarre and frightening.

The movie is at times slow and difficult to follow, but it is also visual and violent.

Good Movies of 2013 - Part 1

The following is a list of films from 2013 that I enjoyed (some may be from earlier, but I saw them in 2013) .   It is a good list to keep near your PC when you are adding movies to your Netflix queue.  Another tip is to keep an eye on Instant Watcher.  They do a nice job of posting when movies are added to the Netflix library.


The Past

I have yet to see Asghar Farhadi's "A Separation," but I have read nothing but excellent things about it.  "The Past" is a look into the lives of those affected when a man leaves his wife and child.  Returning to complete a divorce, he is confronted with his wife's new relationship, the impact on his child and the complexities that surround all of their lives.  The best intentions, it seems, only complicate.

The acting is top-notch, especially from Berenice Bejo who also shined in "The Artist."

Mystery also enters the story, one I found a bit distracting while watching, but one that also makes for a much-discussed ending.

Not an easy film to watch, but one that will resonate long after it is over.  Farhadi's work is complex and intruiging.  I'm looking forward to his next movies - and looking forward to watching "A Separation."


Gravity

I am not a fan of 3D.  Personally, I feel it is a distraction and is completely unnecessary in movie making.  Many advance reviews of "Gravity" made a point to tell readers that it was necessary to see this movie in 3D.  And while the 3D was better than most movies I've seen in 3D, I'm still not convinced any film needs it or that it is necessary to spend the extra money to see a movie in 3D.

That being said, "Gravity" was an incredible cinematic experience (one I believe would be greatly enhanced by IMAX).  The computer generated shots of space are beautiful and they add to the tension and hopelessness of the situation Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are in (there is one other astronaut who quickly becomes space food).

I have been a big fan of Alfonso Cuaron's "Children of Men" and its incredible tracking scenes that often go for minutes without an edit.  His direction in "Gravity" is impressive and he deserves to win the Oscar for best director for his work in "Gravity."

The story (co-written by Cuaron's son) gets a bit thin and Sandra Bullock's character and acting become annoying, but I loved the ending and its symbolism.



The Hunt

What would you do if your best friend was accused of sexually assaulting one of his students?  Would you support him as the entire town turns against him?  What would you do if it was your daughter?  What if you begin to doubt your daughter?

Americans will recognize Mads Mikkelsen as the newest incarnation of Hannibal Lecter on NBC's "Hannibal."  In "The Hunt," he plays a character viewers can empathize with - and as the story reveals his guilt or innocence, the viewer can also understand the perspective of the confused citizens of a town turned on its side.  His performance is certainly Oscar worthy

This is not a comfortable film and will challenge viewers.  The ending is also a bit convenient.  However, the story and the acting are strong and "The Hunt" is yet another 2013 film that will haunt viewers long after viewing.  "The Hunt" has been nominated for a 2014 Oscar for Best Foreign Movie.

Most Overrated Films of 2013

As promised, I have resurrected this blog.  For now, I'll use it to focus on film.  During the normal course of a year, I average about 146 movies.  It's my intention to guide you to films that are great, steer you away from those that are not, and to expand your viewing horizons with some surprises.  I hope you enjoy reading this.

Today's post is about the movies from 2013 I found most disappointing.  A few of these are critical darlings. Others are movies that fell short of the high expectations I had for them.

Let's start!

American Hustle

I always walk away from David O. Russell films disappointed.  "Three Kings" felt ridiculous and "Silver Linings Playbook" had me begging for the end within the first 45 minutes - the final dance and kiss scene felt completely forced.  "American Hustle" is no exception.  Russell now has his stable of regular actors, a middle-age brat pack.  While their performances are fine, it's the story that really brings the film down.  It's confusing, it's long and it's just plain boring.  Not even a surprise visit from a favorite gangster can help.

I like Amy Adams, but what's with the disappearing/reappearing British accent (even when it wasn't supposed to)?  Jennifer Lawrence is clearly someone to watch - she's captivating when she's on screen (I've been a fan since "Winter's Bone"), but in this case, I don't believe the Oscar accolades are justified.  All of the big names seem to overplay their characters, nearly winking at the camera.  A big rule in comedy is to not break the fourth wall and laugh at your own joke.   Many times throughout the film this seems to happen.

Overall, this feels like a poor tribute to Martin Scorsese films - made even worse by the fact Scorsese released a film at the same time that is far better.

The Butler

If you dare, go back and watch "Forrest Gump."  I recall seeing it in the theater, walking out and thinking that I just saw a masterpiece.  It, of course, went on to win best picture.  A few years back, I watched it again and to my dismay found it to be schmaltzy and silly.  Convenient and corny, it wasn't what I remembered - this was clearly a film that didn't age well.

The same can be said about "The Butler."  The story, full of cinematic cliche, wraps up 50 years of presidential and civil rights history in two hours.   The story could have been more powerful if it focused on the relationship between the butler and the president or if it focused on the story between the butler and the trials of his family.  Instead, it paints a rosy and perfect picture by the numbers.

Don Jon

The trailer had so much promise.  It was funny and it showed the return of Tony Danza in a role that looked to be a bit risque.  Turned out, it wasn't that funny and the story was pretty middle-of-the-road.   In fact, the story is just plain sad.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt wrote and directed this film.  In an interview with Howard Stern, he talked about influences and how long it took him to get this movie made.   There's no doubt he's talented and this is likely the beginning of a very prosperous career in screenwriting and directing.  In concept, this story seems like a good idea but like "American Hustle," it drags on too long.

I am curious to see what is next for Gordon-Levitt (an career arch I hope is similar to Ben Affleck).  In the meantime, check out the little seen "(500) Days of Summer."  You won't be disappointed.

Spring Breakers

Mix Dante's "Inferno" with dub-step techno and the flavor of the day.  Box-office gold, right?

Wrong.

This movie wants to be "Bonnie and Clyde" in bikinis.  What it really turns out to be is annoying story about a bunch of spoiled, want-to-be-thug teenagers who rob and murder their way to fun and excitement.  The only way this movie could have been worse is if there was a song on the soundtrack by Selena Gomez.

Don't believe the hype, skip this.