Jack Attack Tuesday- Monty Python, Sons of Anarchy, Birdman and Guardians!!!
Jack Attack Tuesday – 8/5/14
Monty Python, Sons of Anarchy, Birdman and Guardians!!!
Occasionally, time seems to fly by. The past week definitely feels like it was gone in a blink, but in some ways that was a great thing. While I didn’t see too many new flicks, I got a chance to catch up on a show I’d been putting off for some time, level my toons in Diablo 3 and properly enjoy my one theatrical visit of the week.
I’m not going to mince words here; you should know who these guys are. For those of you that don’t, that is (from left to right) Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman and Eric Idle, all six of the members of Monty Python, arguably the most influential comedy sketch group in history. I’m not going to recount the history of the Pythons, but I do understand their humor isn’t for everyone, I just don’t want to know those people. Anyone who doesn’t laugh within the first three minutes of the Holy Grail is either soulless or a ginger.
Anywho, the Pythons ended their career quite unceremoniously with 1983’s The Meaning of Life, an odd but overall successfully funny film that audiences didn’t exactly embrace upon the release. I will admit my first viewing left me less than impressed, but it seems like over time this film just keeps getting better, with sketches like Mr. Creosote being one of the standouts. In 1989 Graham Chapman died and the group didn’t do anything else up until this year. As a farewell to the fans, the Pythons held a limited stage production at London’s O2 Arena called “Monty Python (Mostly) Live: One Down Five To Go”.
I can’t imagine how expensive tickets might have been but I would have loved to have been there. Thankfully, the event was televised and as a result, I was able to catch it. Ever wonder how awesome it would be for guys like Michael Jordan or Larry Bird play on the Harlem Globetrotters? That’s what watching this show was like. This show was the Pythons’ way of taking a victory lap and saying goodbye to the fans properly. The Pythons put on a comedy clinic, offering the audience essentially a greatest hits of some of their most popular sketches. While a few were omitted (how could there not be, too many greats), the show was, in my opinion, a rousing performance, offering a rare glimpse into these guys’ comedic process through a few flubs throughout. There was something very bittersweet about the whole thing, seeing Gilliam and Cleese do the “Crunchy Frog” sketch for the last time and absolutely nailing every punch-line. If you guys are fans of the Pythons, get on this, it was incredible and a fitting conclusion to an amazing career.
Ammon, if you’re reading this, consider this my confirmation that yes, I completed my TV homework and caught up to Sons. My verdict? Well overall, this show is just way too complicated. I honestly hate how much loyalties shift and twist throughout this show. One minute Jax is clearly playing somebody, the next he’s on the other team, fighting for them. That, coupled with the fact that I find the idea of a motorcycle club doing the shit they do in this show ridiculous, and I think I can safely say this show is mediocre at best. Some episodes were decent, but overall I don’t give a fuck about anything to do with this show. That being said, I’ll be watching Season 7. Also, why doesn’t everyone love Happy the most? He’s way more badass than Tig, hands down.
Birdman looks like it will be a combination of several things I love, the most obvious being Michael Keaton. This guy is having a nice little career resurgence and I am all for it. Also, I don’t know if you were aware, but he was fucking Batman, so, you know, I’m down. The trailers make this look like the film is shot all in one take which looks like a blast. I love when filmmakers use a technical style to add extra dimensions to a story and if these trailers are to be believed this flick looks like it will, at the very least, be intriguing. Here’s hoping this gives me something entertaining when it comes out.
Finally, I have to talk about what may very well end up being my favorite film of the year, Guardians of the Galaxy. This movie exceeded expectations by delivering something fun, hilarious and surprisingly adult. The cast nails it, the special effects are incredible, and despite still suffering from the weak villain syndrome so many Marvel movies can’t seem to remedy it still works like a charm. However, the absolute best part of this film is the inspiring soundtrack. Every couple years a soundtrack comes along that so fittingly complements the film it is a part of that it elevates the movie into the spectrum of greatness. From Redbone to The Raspberries, this soundtrack is unique, fun and makes sense in the context of the story. Guardians is an easy 9.5/10 for me, and I love the fact that at this point, Marvel’s subsequent releases all become their best film. Here’s hoping the trend continues.
Above is the Tyler Stout Mondo poster for Guardians, an incredible piece of movie art. I’ve just got to say my piece about Mondo’s website here: it sucks major ballsack. I was online and ready with my credit card info for two hours the morning this dropped, but as soon as it was available, the website slowed down. I managed to get the poster into my cart but while checking out I was told it was sold out. This is easily the most defeating, upsetting and frustrating thing about their website. The art is worth the wait but their website fucks you out of the best posters. Over the year I have gotten lucky and bought a few, but this one slipped through my fingers. I know the world isn’t fair, but these assholes really should get their shit together. Have any of you had this problem before?
If you take anything away from this week’s blog, it should be how much I can complain at times. What can I say, if I have a captive audience, I will exploit that. Does that make me a douche? That’s for you to decide. Enjoy some classic comedy below and Binge On!