#Pakistani Comedy Shows

[happy-mokka]

Late to a party (as always... story of my life), but I just finished

Dead End: Paranormal Park

on Netflix...

Copyright: Netflix

Wikipedia: here you go

What a beautiful show! Kind of animated fantasy horror comedy playing in a supernatural theme park with the cutest, most diverse and queer cast imaginable:

Barney Guttman, a 17-year-old gay and transgender Jewish American boy who runs away to the theme park because of his complicated relationship with his family.

Norma Khan, a 17-year-old bisexual and autistic Pakistani-American girl who gets a job at the park because of her adoration of the films made by the park's founder.

Pugsley, Barney's pug. As a result of being possessed by a demon king called Temeluchus, he can speak and possesses magical abilities.

Courtney, a thousand-year-old demon. She has been banished from her home and hopes to find a way to return.

Logan Nguyen, a health and safety officer at the park. He is a gay Vietnamese-American who develops feelings for Barney.

Badyah Hassan, Norma's friendly and sardonic best friend. She is Iranian-American and Muslim.

It is fun, dramatic, cute, adorable, romantic and sooo queer...full of small little details and nice sidekicks. I really loved it. Sadly, as so many good shows, it got cancelled after 2 seasons.

Still, go, watch it!

@uncleadelheid-will-eat-your-soul thanks, once again, for a great recommendation... 😘🤗

[doctorwhoisadhd]

im gonna make this unrebloggable to prevent doomspiraling particularly bc its VERY early in the era to be thinking about this but i just wanna get my worries about dw off my chest

im kinda worried about our prospects for next showrunner after RTD cause like. before its been pretty clear cut. moffat won 3 hugos and was nominated for a fourth during RTD's first era, then chibnall had run the first two series of torchwood. but i worry that RTD isnt going to hire any writers of color who are willing or able to take on the position of showrunner. looking it up, it seems like there are plenty of people who would probably be great but the problem is interest. like it would be totally understandable for writers of color to not be willing to take on the big commitment of helming a show as popular as doctor who, especially when it has been (lets be real) pretty damn racist for the VAST majority of its 60+ year history. in fact it would be totally understandable for them to not be interested in writing for dw at all considering how white the show is. RTD is really going to have to make a good environment for them in order to get people on board in the first place but i just doubt if he'll hire writers of color who are willing to take on the show after him. my honest prediction here is i kind of think he'll hand it off to a white woman if even that, which sucks.

anyway heres a (very short) list of people who i think would be good to take over after RTD or at least would be great writing an episode. that said i dont watch basically any TV aside from dw so im basing this off whether theyve done things that seem similar

jo ho: british-chinese woman, created CBBC series spirit warriors

sumerah srivastav: british south asian woman, wrote for lupin

namsi khan: british pakistani woman, wrote for the his dark materials show

anna ssemuyaba: has written a few different things of very different tones (period, action, sci fi, comedy) but what really interests me is this quote from her "I want to create TV shows that explore the inconvenient truths that rule British society, looking at our culture through the prism of subversive humor, rather than being preachy" which i think could serve dw well

daniel lawrence taylor: black man, wrote timewasters which is about a jazz combo that travels back to the 1920s

[cantsayidont]

Some recentish shows of note, or lack thereof:

COUNT ABDULLA: Charming comedy about a Pakistani doctor who gets turned into a vampire by a white vamp with a fetish for brown men, and the many complications that ensue. Not so much a horror story as a witty parable about the travails of being a person of color in Tory Britain today. (So, a horror story after all, then.) Jaime Winstone needs to dial it back, but the rest of the cast delights.

DEADLOCH: Snarky comedy-mystery by a well-known Australian comedy team, about mismatched cops investigating a gruesome murder in a small town. The mystery is clever; the payoff is blah; and despite the predominantly female, mostly LGBT cast, the humor is awfully reliant on misogynistic and homophobic cracks that frequently cross a line from "laughing with" to "laughing at."

HIJACK: Tense but very contrived seven-part thriller about the hijacking of a British airliner on a seven-hour-flight from Dubai to London, with passenger Idris Elba the wildcard. Gripping, but not terribly plausible, and the many false climaxes become exhausting, especially if you watch the episodes back to back.

THE LAZARUS PROJECT: Convoluted, intermittently fascinating, unpleasantly mean Sky sci-fi thriller about an app developer named George Addo (Paapa Essiedu), who's drawn into a secret organization that can undo world-ending disasters (natural or manmade) by resetting time to a predetermined save point, like a video game, although this has harrowing consequences for the handful of people capable of remembering the repeated resets. At first, this is basically just window dressing for grim espionage procedural nonsense, with some extremely questionable character motivations, but after a relentlessly bleak midsection, the first season finds its dramatic footing in the unexpectedly interesting final episodes, in which the premise is pushed to its breaking point and the grimness gives way to black comedy. This is the note on which the considerably more complicated second season begins, but it again grows uglier and bleaker as it goes on, and any sympathy for George, positioned at the start of the show as a relatable everyman, has long since evaporated. There are some provocative ideas and a number of surprisingly funny moments, but the whole story is predicated on pushing the characters into morally compromised positions (one assumes creator Joe Barton always has a browser tab open to the TV Tropes "Moral Event Horizon" page), and the fact that some of the (many) atrocities the characters perpetrate in hopes of fixing the existential catastrophes they've set in motion are subsequently undone doesn't make them any easier to stomach. Anjli Mohindra (who plays Archie, the veteran agent who initially recruits George into the project) remains frustratingly under-utilized in both seasons.

THE MORNING SHOW: Big-budget, all-star TV news drama is all dressed up with nothing to say, undone at every turn by truly spineless whataboutism and a centrist world view so gormless it makes Aaron Sorkin seem like Alexander Berkman. Reese Witherspoon is pretty good as closeted bisexual cohost Bradley Jackson, but costar Jennifer Anniston's limited range becomes a problem, particularly as the quality of the scripts declines noticeably in later seasons. You could always just watch BROADCAST NEWS.

THE OTHER BLACK GIRL: Disjointed adaptation of the 2021 Zakiya Dalila Harris novel scores when it focus on the workplace drama of a young Black woman in a painfully white publishing company, but trips over its own feet in its attempts to also be a paranoid thriller, with plenty of bad vibes that never add up to a coherent sense of threat and a conspiracy plot that doesn't really make any sense.

THE PERIPHERAL: Misfired adaptation of the 2014 William Gibson novel is executive-produced by the same people as the recent WESTWORLD series and has the same problems: big ideas that don't translate into action and an infuriating tendency to consign characters of color to marginal or villainous roles. Worse, it eventually becomes clear that several more compelling characters have been sidelined in favor of the poor white trash leads (Chloë Grace Moretz and Jack Reynor), who are neither very interesting nor especially sympathetic.

WHO IS ERIN CARTER?: Kinetic but preposterous seven-part action thriller with Evin Ahmad as a suburban mom in Barcelona who is secretly an incredible badass with a shady past. Basically a violent Walter Mitty fantasy for soccer moms who love the JOHN WICK movies, with a showy supporting role for Denise Gough from ANDOR.

[proustianrevelry]

Listen I'm not going to lie, the TV series pickings are SLIM and the shows that does is gay look pretty dire (Watch Spec Ops: Lioness, a bw/bw love story that's mostly about the women's work as gritty brave dark tortured heroic US spies who are also The Troops, now streaming on Paramount+).

But film! Queer cinema!!!! There is so much good gay art! Some of it isn't even from the imperial core, that's how marginalized the queer voices you'll be hearing from are!

Incomplete List of Heterogeneous Queer Films from 2023:

Strange Way of Life (Latino lead, iconic gay director Pedro Almodovar)

Cassandro (Mexican film, biopic overwhelmingly Latino cast, also look up the real Cassandro and watch some highlights from his matches imo)

Mutt (trans man protagonist played by transmasc actor)

Nyad (old white lesbian swimmers)

Monica (trans woman protagonist played by a trans woman)

Joyland - Pakistani film about a trans woman Biba, her straight suitor Haider, and his wife Mumtaz

Frybread Face and Me - Diné kid who is lowkey shamed/punished for liking ~girl stuff~ too much is sent to live on a reservation with his grandmother and cousin. Instead of becoming "manlier" from the ranch chores he learns to do, he instead finds room to breathe, love and acceptance in Diné culture, whose gender concepts and roles are different enough from settlers' that he isn't bullied or "corrected" when he plays with dolls or talks about Fleetwood Mac or hangs out with his cousin Dawn instead of finding a male best friend or a girlfriend. (Is this queer? I don't know but I'm putting it on here because it's a film about the violence and coercion faced by anybody doing their assigned gender "wrong," and how it starts before sexuality, before puberty, at a point in childhood where "boys" and "girls" are differentiated mainly by their hair, clothes and friend group.)

Nimona (animated film adaptation of the beloved comic about a bitey shapeshifting genderfuck goblin and its new gay dad villainous mentor. Trans author.)

Bottoms (sex comedy starring 2 queer teens played by queer women - Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edibiri)

[savefilescomng12]

Watch Mathira Mohammad leaked viral video on Twitter and reddit

Watch Mathira Mohammad leaked viral video on Twitter and reddit

 Mathira Mohammad, better known by her mononym Mathira, is a dynamic force in the entertainment industry, known for her versatility as a model, dancer, television hostess, singer, and actor. With roots in both Pakistan and Zimbabwe, Mathira has transcended geographical and cultural boundaries, captivating audiences with her magnetic presence and undeniable talent. However, the recent emergence of a leaked viral video has thrust Mathira into the spotlight once again, sparking controversy and speculation about the intricacies of privacy, consent, and the complexities of celebrity culture. This article delves into the multifaceted career of Mathira, examining her contributions to the entertainment industry, the impact of the leaked video on her public image, and the broader implications for artists in the digital age.Mathira's journey in the entertainment industry is characterized by her diverse skill set and unwavering passion for her craft. From her early days as a model and dancer to her foray into television hosting, singing, and acting, Mathira has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in a variety of creative pursuits. Whether dazzling audiences with her sultry dance moves, captivating them with her infectious energy as a television hostess, or enthralling them with her soulful singing, Mathira's versatility knows no bounds.

Watch Mathira Mohammad leaked viral video on Twitter 

One of Mathira's most notable contributions to the entertainment industry has been her presence on television, where she has hosted several popular shows and garnered a dedicated fan base. With her natural charisma, quick wit, and ability to connect with audiences of all ages, Mathira has become a household name, earning praise for her hosting skills and her ability to keep viewers engaged and entertained. From talk shows to reality programs, Mathira's television presence has left an indelible mark on the Pakistani entertainment landscape.In addition to her success on television, Mathira has also made a name for herself as a talented singer, with a string of hit songs to her credit. Known for her soulful vocals and emotive performances, she has captivated audiences with her unique blend of pop, R&B, and dance music. From chart-topping singles to electrifying live performances, Mathira's music has resonated with fans across the globe, earning her acclaim and recognition as one of Pakistan's most promising musical talents.

Watch Mathira Mohammad leaked viral video on Twitter and reddit 

As an actor, Mathira has proven herself to be a versatile and compelling performer, capable of tackling a diverse range of roles with aplomb. From gritty dramas to lighthearted comedies, she has demonstrated her range and versatility, earning critical acclaim for her nuanced portrayals and her ability to breathe life into complex characters. Whether playing the femme fatale in a suspense thriller or the girl next door in a romantic comedy, Mathira brings depth, authenticity, and charisma to every role she undertakes.

Despite her myriad accomplishments and accolades, Mathira's career has not been without its share of challenges and controversies. The recent circulation of a leaked viral video has cast a shadow over her otherwise thriving career, prompting intense scrutiny and speculation from fans, media, and industry insiders alike. While the details and origins of the video remain unclear, its impact on Mathira's public image and reputation has been profound, forcing her to confront difficult questions about privacy, consent, and the perils of celebrity culture.

Watch Mathira Mohammad leaked viral video on reddit 

In the wake of the leaked viral video, Mathira has faced a barrage of criticism and scrutiny from all corners. However, she has remained steadfast in her resolve, addressing the controversy with grace, dignity, and resilience. Through candid interviews and social media posts, Mathira has sought to set the record straight, sharing her side of the story and reaffirming her commitment to her values and principles. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead, Mathira remains undeterred, determined to emerge from this ordeal stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever before.As Mathira continues to navigate the complexities of fame and celebrity in the digital age, her future is filled with promise and potential. With her talent, charisma, and unwavering dedication to her craft, she is poised to continue making a lasting impact on the entertainment industry for years to come. Whether as a singer, actor, television hostess, or all-around entertainer, Mathira's star continues to rise, illuminating the path for future generations of artists and performers to follow. As she embarks on the next chapter of her illustrious career, one thing is certain: Mathira's legacy will endure as a testament to her talent, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her craft. Source link Read the full article

[livgr3]

The Big Sick (2017)

Michael Showalter's The Big Sick contains two prototypical rom-com narratives in one: its first third depicts the budding romance between Pakistani American stand-up comedian Kumail and Emily, a white, American woman, while its remainder shows Kumail grappling with love, family, and sacrifice after Emily is suddenly put into a medically-induced coma.

The Big Sick's eclectic narrative and its multitude of inherent themes about race and gender are further complicated by the fact that this film is a true story, actually co-written by now-spouses Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon and starring now-successful comedian Kumail Nanjiani as himself. Perhaps because of this biographical nature of the film, its comedy is incredibly self-aware and purposefully realistic, with many moments of improvisation. In fact, Kumail's place as a stand-up comedian inserts comedy into the diegetic narrative itself, with the role of and need for comedy in the face of tragedies becoming a major theme of the film. This realistic approach is also reflected in the fact that Kumail and Emily's racial difference is not at all hidden within the narrative.

(For the purposes of this discussion, I will refer to Kumail Nanjiani the character as Kumail and Kumail Nanjiani the screenwriter/real life figure as Nanjiani)

Before proceeding with any analysis, I must first address the film's meta-narrative and the complication of analyzing and intellectualizing its modes of representation because of its truth and its autobiographical form. Some of the film is, of course, dramatized and fictionalized, but many of its questionable aspects of race and gender were central to the true story and thus unchanged in the film. This does not justify everything "wrong" with the film, but rather brings forth really stimulating questions about the ethics of autobiographical pieces, identity politics, self representation, and more!

I will try to remedy this gap by analyzing this film based upon Nanjiani's identity as a Pakistani man and Kumail's role as the romantic male lead and the film's narrator, despite the film being written by both Nanjiani and Gordon about their own romance. Kumail's perspective brings forth differing representations of Pakistani and white women.

Throughout the film, Kumail's parents repeatedly force him into meeting several Pakistani women in hopes that he will find a wife. After secretly falling in love with Emily, a fact Kumail completely hides from his family until the end of the film, Kumail detests these arranged meetings. There is tension between his family's adherance to tradition and his immersion into American culture (his brother even calls him a burger). Nanjiani's writing allows for a nuanced exploration of his own relation to tradition and cultural assimilation, avoiding harmful rhetoric framing the tradition of arranged marriages as wholly "bad". In fact, Kumail's relationship to his family and respective culture is open-ended as the film concludes.

However, the Desi women who meet Kumail do not receive this same fair, nuanced kind of representation.

The film has been criticized for its portrayal of Desi women as unwanted, discardable, and interchangeable. Kumail places the headshots of these women in a cigar box, a visual representation of their irrelevance to him. While this is intended to display his strains and complex frustrations with tradition, Nanjiani himself has stated his regret about the carelessness in how he approached this opportunity to represent Desi women in his film, and how its central love story inevitably displays a preference for white women. Let's discuss:

Nanjiani's regret at this aspect of his film is understandable, yet speaks to the rarity of his position in Hollywood and the expectations placed on non-white creatives. Not only is he the most prominent Pakistani-American actor, he is also a Pakistani-American stand-up comedian, writer, producer, etc. His unique celebrity creates a lot of pressure for him to be "the voice" of Pakistani representation. How does the lack of diverse story tellers in the industry impact the kinds of films they are expected to create? How does the expectation to portray one's culture positively to mainstream, Western viewers limit POC writers/filmmakers?

Does Nanjiani's identity as a Pakistani man impact the reception of his film and provide him certain privileges? The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. While the film is fantastic, films that use prototypical rom-com formulas don't typically receive this merit. Do you think any other factors are at play for this high critical acclaim? Would the film be received differently if it were about a Pakistani woman? If it were more classically a "women's" rom-com, from a woman's POV? Is "tokenization" at play?

Finally, I would like to discuss the central romance in the film, one that happens to be an interracial romance. This scene depicts Kumail and Emily's last interaction before her coma, leaving Kumail with immense guilt and regret:

This is a very fitting representation of how interracial and intercultural romance is addressed in the film. I am very confounded by this scene, and don't know what to make of it myself. So, I want to open it up for discussion.

What do you make of this argument? Is Emily's anger and feeling of betrayal understandable? Is Kumail's subsequent guilt justified?

How does this film compare to the previous scene I showed? How do both race and gender privileges intersect in this film, based on these two clips?

[bizkaffee]

Meanwhile... Soup You Can Suck On | Unfortunate Airline Ad | Rabbits Eat Their Own Teeth

Meanwhile… Stephen tries a strange new type of candy, a Pakistani airline ran a tone-deaf advertisement in France, and it’s been revealed that some rabbits eat their own teeth to boost their calcium levels. #Colbert #Comedy #Meanwhile #StephenColbert #TheLateShow Subscribe To "The Late Show" Channel: http://bit.ly/ColbertYouTube Watch full episodes of "The Late Show": http://bit.ly/1Puei40 Listen…

[excusethequality]

My 2024 in Film: July

Oh, dear. I am once again super behind on my listing duties.

I was so hoping to be caught up by October, but then I went and watched a boatload of movies in August and now I'm in the weeds once more.

But there's still time! Maybe I can make a big push and make it in time. Especially if I don't blather on about things as much I wound up doing in this post.

In any case, July was a pretty good month for movies. Rewatched some old goodies, tried out some classics I had never seen, took some chances.

Movies are under the break.

* = rewatch

142.

Shark Huntress

(2021)

— Animal attack Directed by: John Riggins

A woman teams up with her old group of environmentalist friends to get to the truth behind the death of her mother at the jaws of a shark.

This movie is trash.

It's so bad. Just truly bad writing. Nothing makes any friggin' sense. The guy who plays "Guru" is one of the worst actors I've ever seen. It was just a confounding and painful experience to finish.

I was toying with the idea of trying to watch all the shark attack movies and ranking them. But I quickly learned that shark movies are havens for the writers of low-budget garbage films. There's just so many truly terrible ones. I haven't fully given up the quest, but I do limit myself to one a month at most in order to protect my sanity.

143.*

Captain Marvel

(2019)

— Superhero Adventure Directed by: Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck

While on a military operation for an alien race known as the Kree, a soldier is taken prisoner and forced to realize that everything she thought she knew was a lie.

Ever since this movie came out people have been shitting on it, but I love it and y'all are out of your minds.

The best thing about it is that it's a character driven movie about someone coming to terms with their past hidden in the guise of a big superhero action movie.

People are so used to the standard MCU framework that they use that to judge it, not realizing that it was subverting the framework the entire time.

"Ugh," they complain, "Carol is too strong and she's so arrogant." She's a friggin' fighter pilot! Have you seen Top Gun? Those fuckers are as cocky as they come. And she's had to battle against sexism her whole career, so she can't show any hesitation or weakness.

And yes, Carol is incredibly strong. That's the whole point. She was the strongest character in the movie the whole time, but her past, her environment, and the toxic people around her had been holding her back the entire time.

The whole story is about her being forced to realize that none of the limiters she thought she had on her were real. They were all just ideas put on her that she could ignore if she stopped trying to play their games.

And if all that wasn't enough you've got an incredible cast, top tier friendship chemistry, queer undertones, and a cute cat.

I don't think it's at the level that will make you a fan if you don't like superhero movies. But it's definitely in my top-tier of my favorite superhero movies.

144.

جوائے لینڈ

[English title: Joyland]

(2022)

— Drama Directed by: Saim Sadiq

A Pakistani family must all bear hardship in different ways when the tensions between tradition and culture versus personal desires and family relationships start to come to a boil.

From the description and the trailer I assumed it was going to be more of a straight forward romantic drama about a romance between a man and the trans woman he works for at a theater. But it really is so much more than that.

The thing that won me over with it is that it never limits its story by focusing too much on any one character. By maintaining a sort of distance it allows you to see all the interactions between the characters and how any one action can ripple through the rest. And thus when things happens you get a more objective view of who, if anyone, is to blame.

I'd definitely recommend giving it a watch. It's a really fantastic bit of character work.

145.*

Miss Congeniality

(2000)

— Comedy Directed by: Donald Petrie

A cop goes undercover as a contestant in a beauty contest in order to take down a serial killer.

I remember there was a reason I decided to rewatch this, but I really don't know what it was.

It's a very 2000s movie, I'll say that about it. And it has not aged particularly well. Especially because if you want a beauty pageant comedy from this era you could just watch Drop Dead Gorgeous, which is funnier, less problematic, and doesn't try and portray cops as heroes.

...the April 25th joke is truly hilarious though. That's something I can't take that away from it.

146.

Leprechaun: Origins

(2014)

— Creature Feature Horror Directed by: Zach Lipovsky

Two couples are vacationing in Ireland, but an attempt to learn some local history backfires when they find themselves under attack by leprechauns.

For anyone reading this list that hates stupid Horror movies you'll be glad to know that this is the last movie in the Leprechaun franchise. I made it to the end!

But for anyone who does like stupid Horror movies you won't be glad to know that this is By Far the worst one.

It's not even a competition. This is the worst one by quite a large margin. There were some stupid entries in the Leprechaun franchise, but at least they all had their own demented sort of charm. This is just hollow.

I knew Warwick Davis wasn't going to be in it, but I figured, hey, he's getting older. I can see them thinking it's time to pass the torch.

But I wasn't expecting them to just change the format completely. The leprechauns don't even talk in this one. They're just feral little creatures here. The whole thing is just a really shoddily made creature feature.

There's also this style of horror filmmaking that I'm sure any horror fan is familiar with. It's particularly prevalent in creature features. But it's a really cheap style where they try to see how far they can get by cutting around anything interesting and relying on you filling in the gaps.

Let's make a fake scene here as an example. Okay, our setting is a cabin in the woods. Characters are acting scared. Oh, a shadow moves past the window? Close up of character looking outside. Jumpscare of something slamming into the window. Characters freaking out and backing away. Something smashes through the window and we quickly cut back to the characters running away before you can see what it was. They all run out of the room and slam the door closed just as something thuds into it. You hear monster noises as the characters struggle to hold the door closed as something on the other side charges into it repeatedly.

You see what I'm saying?

Single location, handful of actors, not much dialogue. And if you're really feeling fancy? Perhaps throw in the most meager of monster props, like a hand or something trying to slip through the crack in the door to heighten the illusion.

Heck, you can even have the creature attacking someone directly, and by using close-ups and a jumble of cuts you can try to suggest the chaos of a monster attack. But once again you're cutting around the actual object of interest.

Your film thusly has a hole in the middle; it is essentially hollow.

Keeps that budget real low. But it's an offensive style, because it relies on you thinking your audience won't notice that you gave them an illusion for dinner.

Sure, lots of horror movies show you very little, but the good ones are using that as a tool. Spielberg famously had to limit the amount the shark was in Jaws because his animatronic was malfunctioning constantly, but he's a talented director so he changed his style to match having to use the shark sparingly. The terror became knowing that something was in the water that you couldn't see. Peaceful scenes became menacing because you knew a killer was somewhere out there and the fact that you couldn't see it right now meant it was all the scarier.

The reason the show-nothing style of horror is the most prevalent in creature movies is because creatures are inherently expensive and easy to do badly. So you try to show them as little as possible. But creating scares without showing anything requires talent, and talent costs money, and these types of low-budget movies don't want to spend that kind of money.

And thus you end up with films like this that want to act like they're The Thing and having the monster coming after these people, but never show the thing.

(The reason why slashers are typically the most budget friendly of the horror genres is because you can show the killer as much as you want and not break the bank on effects.)

Long story short, this is a prime example of modern low-budget horror. The type most often seen in made-for-tv / made-for-streaming money grabs.

And as someone who has watched a lot of Horror, anytime I start something and notice these hallmarks? Oh, you better believe I'm cursing under my breath, because I know I'm about to be treated like an idiot for 90 minutes.

And this is such an egregious example of the style that even people who aren't big film nerds hate this stupid thing.

Just look at these average ratings:

Letterboxd: 1.5/5 IMDB: 3.2/10 Rotten Tomato audience score: 1.6/5

It is just that fucking lazy and stupid.

147.

My Dinner With Andre

(1981)

— Drama Directed by: Louis Malle

Two old friends meet and catch up over dinner.

I feel like I was led to believe this was a movie about dinner between theater majors. But in actuality it is more like a dinner with philosophy majors.

And those are very different dinners!

This is such an acclaimed and oft-mentioned movie, but I had never bothered with it because I was pretty sure I wasn't going to like it. But let it not be said that I don't push myself when it comes to film and try new things.

I think it's fair to say that your instincts about this film will probably turn out to be correct. Love it or hate it, it truly is a movie entirely about two dudes having a conversation over dinner.

I will say that that the first half is definitely harder to watch than the second half. Andre dominates the conversation in the first half and he's a new-agey kinda dude and of the sort that I don't do well with.

In the second half Wallace Shawn's character starts to assert himself in the conversation and I definitely liked it much more once it became more of a dialogue and less of Andre monologuing about nonsense.

148.

Anatomie d'une chute

[English title: Anatomy of a Fall]

(2023)

— Mystery Directed by: Justine Triet

A man is found dead on the ground below the window to his house's attic that he had been in the process of renovating. The only other person at home was his wife. As the circumstances around the fall become murkier and murkier the wife is forced to defend herself from accusations of murder. And the only other person with any clue what might have happened that day is their blind son.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, but I will say that there were definitely parts where I was completely distracted by my ignorance of the French criminal justice system.

All I know is the American system, and damn! It turns out they are quite different. And it very distracting to be watching a trial and having shit happen that apparently is very normal for a French trial, but just utterly out-of-line for an American one.

I know, I know: even US courtroom dramas almost never depict courts in an accurate manner. But the French system is just close enough to be relatable, but also completely different.

So through no fault of the film's, I was definitely taken out of a lot of scenes by my utter bewilderment over what was happening in the courtroom.

Aside from that though, just a tour de force in terms of acting. A really intriguing mystery. And it has definitely stuck with me after I watched it.

149.

The Third Man

(1949)

— Mystery Directed by: Carol Reed

An American author moves to Austria after being offered a job by a friend, but when he arrives he learns that his friend has recently died. However, the more he hears about the incident the more he begins to suspect that things aren't adding up.

This is an example of me finally getting around to watching some acclaimed film to see for myself.

It's alright. It's certainly well-made. But I'm rather character-centric when it comes to stories and there isn't a single character I really care about. And I have a hard time getting invested in a story when that's the case.

If you're more interested in the cinema of it all then there are better sources than I to describe why it's considered a classic.

150.

Platoon

(1986)

— War Directed by: Oliver Stone

It's 1967 and a new soldier has just arrived at an infantry unit in the Vietnam War. He soon learns that the Vietnam War was pretty fucked up.

Look at me! I'm on a roll here with acclaimed films.

I was watching something or another and they made reference to a classic scene from this movie. I've never watched this one, because War movies, and Vietnam War movies in particular, often aren't my thing. They are usually based around having character go through horrible ordeal after horrible ordeal, and then end on a note of "War is truly a terrible thing."

...I don't know about you, but I don't really need to watch a whole movie to know that war is fucked up. And I don't particularly like watching people suffer just to watch people suffer.

Someone might now be like, You watch all that Horror and you don't like watching people suffer?

And they're different! Horror isn't about death, the Horror genre is about SURVIVAL. The bad things that happen to the characters has a deeper meaning within the story, and seeing how they handle these troubles and move forward provides the story arc.

War movies are often about death or guilt or trauma.

And yeah, this one is no exception.

I will gladly concede that one of the reasons this movie feels so average to me is that it came out before I was born and was incredibly influential. So I came up on pieces that were refinements to its formula. It's hard sometimes to properly judge things within their own era, especially when you've seen people build upon what it did and further refine it over the decades.

So while I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to most people, if you're a big movie buff I think it is interesting to see how this fits into the timeline of the genre.

Also, while Charlie Sheen is utterly forgettable as the lead, Willem Dafoe is definitely bringing some heat.

151.*

The Waterboy

(1998)

— Sports Comedy Directed by: Frank Coraci

A man with a love for water and for hydrating the thirsty is fired from his job as the waterboy for a local college. But while trying to find a job at another college it's discovered that he actually has a natural gift for playing football as a linebacker.

And then I end the streak with an Adam Sandler comedy.

Although I hate modern Sandler comedies with a deep loathing, I still can't help but enjoy the older ones.

Look at some of this cast: Kathy Bates, Fairuza Balk, Henry Winkler.

I won't try and convince anyone of it's quality, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it.

The main character is just so earnest. Kathy Bates and Henry Winkler steal the show and are hilarious. And I've never seen Fairuza Bulk in a movie where she wasn't giving something unique to the role.

152.

The Wedding Singer

(1998)

— Rom-Com Directed by: Frank Coraci

A wedding singer in the 1980s falls in love with a bride-to-be.

I do believe this was the only early Sandler comedy that I never saw before.

Well, actually, after watching it again I'm pretty sure I had at least seen parts of it before? A couple scenes definitely felt familiar, so maybe a family member was watching it one day back in my younger days. But I really couldn't have told you a single thing about the plot, so I'm going to go ahead and count this as something new to me.

For a Sandler movie I was kind of shocked at how down to Earth it was. His movies of this era usually had some sort of zany element to them and this is one is played pretty straight.

The most maddening thing about Adam Sandler is that he really can act when he wants to, he just chooses not to for 99% of his movies. And he is so much better when he's playing down-to-earth characters than he is playing wacky ones.

153.*

Drop Dead Gorgeous

(1999)

— Mockumentary Comedy Directed by: Michael Patrick Jann

Things at a beauty pageant in small-town Minnesota turn deadly when someone starts trying to off the contestants.

After Miss Congeniality left a bad taste in my mouth I felt compelled to watch a beauty pageant comedy with some chops.

I could write an essay on this film. There is just so much going on here.

I know people that love it and I know people that hate it and I understand where both are coming from. It's equal parts ingenious and flawed. But it's the way it's flawed that is so interesting.

(well, except for almost everything surrounding Will Sasso's character, which is far and away the cringiest element of the film.)

In spite of being completely over-the-top it still somehow manages to be one of the most accurately Minnesotan movies ever made. And the problems I see in it were all problems that I saw while growing up in 90s Minnesota. And it's the weirdly accurate depictions of both the good and the bad that make it so compelling to me.

It's just doing so many little things that I never see in other movies. The way it shows how young people often have really passionate interests? And the way that sometimes those interests are incredibly esoteric? The accuracy in the way that small towns gossip. The way people at parades in real life look hot and as if they've perhaps been in the sun too long. Almost every scene has some little details in the dialogue or in how a shot is set up that I could point to.

And I haven't even gotten into all the amazing performances in it (not to mention all the before-they-were-famous big names that show up). There are just SO many hilarious women in this movie. If I had to pick a favorite it would have to be Allison Janney, because (like always) she just always finds a way to crack me up.

So yeah, I have a weird love for this movie. But if it's issues are a little too much for others, I do understand.

154.

The Vampire Lovers

(1970)

— Horror Directed by: Roy Wade Baker

A vampire woman specializes in seducing her victims, but things get tricky when she falls for her latest victim and those around her begin to suspect that her intentions might not be on the level.

Came across this one on Tubi and was in the mood to take a chance.

I was a little worried at the beginning, because it was shaping up to be a very stereo-typical Hammer Horror movie. But I've gotta say, there's some stuff to love in here.

While 50% is a pretty straight-forward Dracula ripoff with as many boob shots as they could fit in, the other 50% is a pretty fun queer vampire story?

As long as you know what you're getting into to I think it was a pretty enjoyable watch.

155.

A Streetcar Named Desire

(1951)

— Drama Directed by: Elia Kazan

A woman goes to stay with her sister and husband-in-law after being forced to sell her family home.

Not gonna lie: I know this is a classic, but I finally got around to watching it because of The Simpson's episode "A Streetcar Named Marge" (S4E2).

[and I love that episode even more now that I understand all the jokes they were making.]

I really do understand why this is an acclaimed film, there's a lot about this I really enjoyed. But Blanche makes me want to put my head through a wall.

I have nothing against Vivien Leigh's performance, she's doing a great job, I get what the movie was going for, and I can't explain it...but the character infuriates me.

I get that this is a me problem. I really do think I might have loved this movie if not for the fact that Blanche was driving me slowly but surely to madness.

156.*

The Muppets Take Manhattan

(1984)

— Family Comedy Directed by: Frank Oz

The Muppets have just graduated college and go to New York City to try and stage their show on Broadway.

I thought I had never seen this before and sought to rectify that, but eventually realized that I had seen this at some point as a child. I also now know why I had forgotten so much about it.

I have a hard time knowing how to rate this.

If I'm rating it against all movies? It's alright. There's a lot of fun to had. There's a lot of sweetness and good humor. But on my scale of Muppet movies? It was a bit of a let down.

This came out after The Muppet Movie and before The Great Muppet Caper. And yet it lacks the heart of The Muppet Movie and the plot/character development of The Great Muppet Caper.

Okay, so technically it has a plot. But I would argue that it has less of a plot than a string of things that happen.

There's a quote I think about a lot when it comes to movies and it comes from Terry Pratchett's book Hogfather. In it a philosopher named Didactylos has a theory about the origin of the universe, "Things just happen, what the hell."

And it perfectly describes how some stories are written: things just happen.

It's not a flowing stream of events that naturally lead from one point to another. It's just a string of events that happen because they were written that way.

So if you're a Muppets fan, definitely give it a try one day. There's some fun stuff in here. (This is the movie that led to the Muppet Babies show for instance.)

But I just can't see myself wanting to watch this one again when I could just watch one of the other ones instead.

157.

The Last Dragonslayer

(2016)

— Family Fantasy Comedy Directed by: Jamie Magnus Stone

A former orphan must take on the mantle of a dragon slayer in order to free her adoptive father from a magical spell.

This is only going to make sense to a select group of you, but you can really tell this was based on a Jasper Fforde book. I haven't actually read this one, but the fact that it's very Fforde-ian seems to suggest to me that they at least got the vibes right.

Fforde in general reminds me of Terry Pratchett...but like a sillier Pratchett without the substance and flair. And likewise this movie reminds me of the live action Discworld movies...but without the same substance and flair.

But in spite of its flaws I still had a good time. Although it is rather heavy-handed in its messages, I think it has a really good heart. I really like the main character, I like its anti-corporate messages, and I like that it seems like it was made with genuine care.

And it's a kids movie! It's not made for me. And I would gladly show this to a kid and have a good time watching it with them. So I can't really say it isn't successful.

158.

Deadpool & Wolverine

(2024)

— Superhero Action Adventure Comedy Directed by: Shawn Levy

In order to save his universe from eradication Deadpool goes on a journey across the multiverse to find the missing key.

I keep telling myself that I'm gonna stop watching all these half-assed superhero movies...and I keep doing it anyways.

'Surely THIS one will be different,' I tell myself.

But I grew up reading comics and watching cartoons and my inherent curiosity at how those stories are being adapted keeps me coming back. And hey, the previous Deadpool movies were Fox productions not Disney ones, so maybe Disney will leave them alone to do their own thing?

But no.

It's just more of the usual for MCU movies.

Sure, the previous Deadpool movies had lots of references, but they also had stories and actual character development. (they also had a different director than this one)

This is just nothing but empty calories.

"Hey remember this? Remember this?" for over 2 hours.

And I do remember those things, and there is some enjoyment that comes from that. But damn. I need some actual food for dinner, y'all. You can't just give me potato chips.

I was just thoroughly not having a good time by the end of the movie. And it's such a pity because sometimes you could get a shimmer of what this could have been. Emma Corrin was giving a really engaging performance, which is especially impressive considering her character is given absolutely nothing to work with.

Likewise, Hugh Jackman is out here bringing all the emotion he can (and was my favorite part thing about the movie), but it doesn't really work to have one character having serious emotions in a loony tunes potato chip world with no stakes.

——————

——————

July Stats

——————

Movies watched this month: 17

Rewatch percentage: 29.4% (5/17)

Favorite new movie of the month: Anatomy of a Fall

Least favorite: Shark Huntress

——————

Previous months’ posts:

JAN | FEB | MAR p.1 | MAR p.2 | APR | MAY | JUN

[themovieblogonline]

Ms. Marvel Season 2: What’s Next for the Marvel Superhero?

Marvel Studios is buzzing with speculation about the future of Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel. Fresh off her breakout role in The Marvels and a place in the upcoming Marvel Zombies, Ms. Marvel might just be on her way to a second season. Yes, you heard that right—season 2 could be on the horizon. Let’s dive into what this might mean for our favorite teen superhero and the broader MCU. Ms. Marvel: From Newcomer to Marvel Powerhouse Iman Vellani’s portrayal of Ms. Marvel brought a refreshing twist to the Marvel Television lineup. Her charming, geeky, and genuine depiction of Kamala Khan won hearts and set the stage for her future in the MCU. The first season of Ms. Marvel was a hit, praised for its blend of comedy and drama, its authentic representation of Pakistani-American culture, and its creative use of animation to show Kamala’s inner thoughts and daydreams. However, not everyone was a fan of the superhero action. Some critics felt the superhero scenes lacked the punch compared to the show’s more personal moments. But even with these critiques, the first season proved that Kamala Khan is more than just a passing phase in the MCU. The Buzz About Ms. Marvel Season 2 According to Daniel Richtman, a reliable leaker in the Marvel sphere, discussions about a second season of Ms. Marvel are heating up. While nothing is set in stone just yet, the buzz suggests that Marvel Studios is seriously considering it. Given Kamala’s growing prominence in the MCU, it’s no surprise that fans and insiders alike are eager to see more of her adventures. The first season left us with plenty of questions and room for expansion. Kamala’s role in The Marvels and her future in Young Avengers have set the stage for more thrilling storylines. If season 2 gets the green light, expect deeper dives into her superhero life, more connections with other MCU characters, and perhaps even some new powers or enemies. What’s Next for Ms. Marvel in the MCU? Kamala Khan’s future in the MCU looks bright. She’s not just a sidekick or a supporting character; she’s a central player in upcoming projects. Besides being a main character in Marvel Zombies, she’s also set to play a significant role in the Young Avengers project. Kamala is essentially shaping up to be a key player in the new wave of Marvel superheroes. The buzz about a potential second season could mean more chances to explore her character and the unique cultural aspects that made the first season stand out. Fans can look forward to seeing how Kamala’s character evolves and how her story intertwines with the larger MCU narrative. The Marvel Television Landscape Marvel Television has been expanding rapidly, and shows like Ms. Marvel are helping shape the future of the MCU. With other shows like Hawkeye also rumored for a second season, it’s clear that Marvel Studios is committed to exploring more stories within their universe. Whether or not Ms. Marvel gets a second season, it’s clear that her impact on the MCU is far from over. Conclusion The potential for Ms. Marvel Season 2 is exciting news for fans of the MCU. Kamala Khan has quickly become a beloved character, and there’s a lot of promise for her future adventures. Whether she’s fighting zombies or leading the Young Avengers, it’s clear that Kamala’s journey is far from finished. Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s hope that Marvel Studios gives the green light for Season 2 soon! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx6EQBA3qOY Read the full article

[samidori]

I was recently introduced to the taste of orange blossoms. I first spotted it at an Egyptian-Persian ice cream parlor in Old Pasadena — I had never quite understood the appeal of floral ice cream, but something about the concoction of orange blossoms, pistachios, and full-bodied sweet cream went straight to my heart at that moment. Intrigued, I came back two days in a row for the same order, and even brought friends and colleagues there on a comedy show night. Two weeks later, I found myself in Berkeley for a short visit. That first afternoon, weary from a day of flying but encouraged by the much welcome escape from the heat of Southern California, I made a half-hour trek up the hill to a local coffee shop that I had heard served an orange blossom matcha latte, which turned out magnificent. On the way back, the delicious aroma of cardamom wafted over the street from a Pakistani café, and I noted the presence of two Persian food establishments. Up to this point, I had known nothing about Middle Eastern cuisine. As fate would have it, however, while in Berkeley I befriended a graduate student from Iran, and through her I became curious about the flavors of the Middle East, a region that seemed at once mystical and generous. Together, we went on adventures around the city, where I gladly discovered rose, saffron, pomegranate and sour cherries, tried multiple variations of chai, and gulped down a tad too many cardamom buns and baklavas. My only regret was not having enough time to sample savory dishes at the more formal sit-down restaurants that dotted the downtown area. Regardless, I was enchanted by everything that passed through my lips. That Berkeley trip opened my eyes to culinary wonders I never knew existed, which I continue to hunt for in Pasadena and the larger Los Angeles area. There is the trusty Egyptian-Persian ice cream place, of course, and I suppose I will find many other pockets of Middle Eastern fare — and many instances of orange blossom magic — sprinkled here and there in this city, which just so happens to be home to one of the largest Middle Eastern communities in America.

[truescoopnews4]

Latest OTT News on Movies, Shows and Web Stories by True Scoop News

OTT platforms for Latest OTT News are often subscription-based and provide on-demand access to a wide variety of content, including movies, TV shows, original series, and live events. Examples of popular OTT services of OTT News like Latest OTT News on Movies, Latest OTT News on Shows or Latest OTT News on Web Stories include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and many others.

Who is Pranav Bagga? All about Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham fame Malvika Raaj's husband

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham fame actress Malvika Raaj's dreamy wedding took place at The Westin Goa with businessman Pranav Bagga.

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/who-pranav-bagga-all-about-kabhi-khushi-kabhie-gham-fame-malvika-raajs-husband

Sam Bahadur Review: Abhishek Bachchan in awe of Vicky Kaushal, lauds director Meghna Gulzar

Although the movie will be released on December 1, Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan shared Sam Bahadur Review and lauded the makers as well as actors of the movie

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/sam-bahadur-review-abhishek-bachchan-awe-vicky-kaushal-lauds-director-meghna-gulzar

Animal vs Sam Bahadur Advance booking: Which movie is expected to perform better at box office?

While it has been witnessed that makers skip faceoffs between movies, this time, both Animal and Sam Bahadur makers remained adamant about the release date of the movie.

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/animal-sam-bahadur-advance-booking-which-movie-expected-perform-better-box-office

Kajol reveals THREE blockbuster movies of Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan & Akshay Kumar she rejected

Although the latest episode of Koffee with Karan Season 8 revolved mostly around Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kajol during a rapid-fire round made a massive revelation

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/kajol-reveals-blockbuster-movies-shah-rukh-khan-aamir-khan-akshay-kumar-she-rejected

Sam Bahadur True Story: Did Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw plan a military coup against Indira Gandhi?

Sam Bahadur is a true story based on the life of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/sam-bahadur-true-story-field-marshal-sam-manekshaw-plan-military-coup-against-indira-gandhi

Who was Arjan Vailly? The True Story behind Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal's Viral Song

Animal's song Arjan Vailly is filmed on Ranbir Kapoor who is fighting many people at once with an axe.

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/who-arjan-vailly-true-story-ranbir-kapoor-starrer-animals-viral-song

Randeep Hooda's traditional Meitei wedding video with Lin Laishram in Manipur wins Internet; Watch

Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram got married in a traditional Meitei ceremony in Imphal and later the couple shared mesmerizing photos

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/randeep-hoodas-traditional-meitei-wedding-video-lin-laishram-manipur-wins-internet-watch

'Shame on you': Kapil Sharma bursts in anger at Indigo over flight delay, shares video

'Comedy King' Kapil Sharma had to face airport trouble due to the flight delay and therefore, he lashed out at Indigo and its management.

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/shame-kapil-sharma-bursts-anger-indigo-flight-delay-shares-video

Jonas Brothers to One Republic: Lollapalooza India date, ticket price, lineup & everything

Lollapalooza India 2024 will be a star-studded affair and will take for two days and it will take place in January.

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/jonas-brothers-republic-lollapalooza-india-date-ticket-price-lineup-everything

Suhana Khan trolled for terming Alia Bhatt repeating Saree gesture as 'Sustainable Development'

In one of her interviews, The Archies' actress & SRK's daughter Suhana Khan seemed quite impressed by Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt.

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/suhana-khan-trolled-terming-alia-bhatt-repeating-saree-gesture-sustainable-development

'Home Alone to Harry Potter': Top Christmas movies to watch on Netflix, Disney Hotstar, Amazon, & other OTTs

True Scoop News brings you a list of top Christmas movies streaming on OTT platforms like Disney Plus Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and others.

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/home-alone-harry-potter-top-christmas-movies-watch-netflix-disney-hotstar-amazon-other-otts

Mission Raniganj OTT Release Date: When & where to watch Akshay Kumar starrer movie online?

Starring Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra, and more, Mission Raniganj- The Great Bharat Rescue is a true story based on the deadly mishap at Raniganj Coalfield of West Bengal.

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/mission-raniganj-ott-release-date-when-where-watch-akshay-kumar-starrer-movie-online

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke OTT Release Date: When & where to watch Vicky Kaushal starrer rom-com?

Although Zara Hatke Zara Bachke did not perform as much as expected in theaters, the makers are expecting that the movie will do wonders on the OTT platform

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/zara-hatke-zara-bachke-ott-release-date-when-where-watch-vicky-kaushal-starrer-rom-com

Bollywood's Twist Masters: Must-Watch Films on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar with Amazing Plot Twists

With These 6 Bollywood thrillers streaming, from Ayushmann Khurrana's Andhadhun to Akshay Kumar's Bhool Bhulaiyaa Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of suspense and surprises

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/bollywoods-twist-masters-must-watch-films-netflix-amazon-prime-video-disney-hotstar-amazing-plot-twists

Who is Piya Chakraborty? Bengali actor Parambrata Chatterjee to marry his long-time girlfriend

Parambrata Chatterjee who has also acted in Bollywood movies like Pari and Kahaani will reportedly be getting married to Piya Chakraborty.

Visit here: https://www.truescoopnews.com/newsdetail/who-piya-chakraborty-bengali-actor-parambrata-chatterjee-marry-his-long-time-girlfriend

[tvrundownusa]

tvrundown USA 2023.11.10

Friday, November 10th:

(exclusive): At the Moment (netflix, Taiwanese love stories anthology, all 10 eps), The Great American Baking Show (Roku, "Celebrity Holiday" special), Dina Hashem: "Dark Little Whispers" (amazon, comedy special), "007: Road to a Million" (amazon, James Bond-themed competition premiere, all 8 eps), Bros (netflix, Hebrew-language comedy series "Through Fire and Water" delayed until 2024)

(movies): "The Engagement Dress" (TUBI, rom-com, ~85mins), "birth/rebirth" (Shudder|AMC+, horror, ~100mins), "The Killer" (netflix, David Fincher's thriller, ~2hrs), "Pippa" (amazon, Indo-Pakistani war drama, ~2hrs+20mins)

(streaming weekly): Invincible (amazon), Upload (amazon, next 2 eps, season 3 finale), Bosch: Legacy (freevee, next 2 eps, season 2 finale), Lessons in Chemistry (apple+), For All Mankind (apple+, season 4 opener), The Great British Baking Show (netflix), Goosebumps (dsn+|hulu, penultimate), Undead Unluck (hulu), Jack Osbourne's Buried Bloodlines (DSC+, paranormal investigation, first 2 eps)

(also new): "Everything Christmas" (HALL, original made-for-TV movie, 2hrs), "After the Blast: The Will to Survive" (ABC, Bob Woodruff special), "Salute to Service" (PBS, a Veterans Day celebration), "MeTV Remembers the MAS*H Finale" (MeTV, annual re-broadcast, 3hrs)

(hour 1): Penn & Teller: Fool Us (theCW), Power Book IV: Force (Starz, season 2 finale), The Wall (NBC), Let's Make a Deal in Primetime (CBS)

(hour 2): Fboy Island (theCW), Shining Vale (Starz), Raid the Cage (CBS), The UnXplained (HIST)

(hour 3): Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO), Creepshow (AMC, ~68mins), The Proof is Out There (HIST)

[preempted: Shark Tank (ABC) ]

[multithinker]

Pakistan's Financial Adventures

Pakistan’s Financial Adventures Comedy of Errors and Power Plays   Copied funny post from Whatsapp Oh, what a rollercoaster of a tale! It seems like we’re in for a real comedy show here, folks. So, the government’s been quite the salesperson lately, selling gold to Saudi princes and reserving the ‘special offer’ for Pakistani robbers. And wait, there’s more! They’ve partnered with a Canadian…

[culttvblog]

Seventies TV Season: Introduction

Well, that abortive move from Blogger didn't last very long did it? I don't know what happened but Overblog won't be getting the benefit of the millions of page hits that would result from hosting this blog, and instead I'm going to be absconding to Tumblr (address below). I'm still playing with it and will post here to announce my final switch.

This post is the introduction to a projected series of posts on 1970s TV series. I am going to try to write one post per series on a number of series which I really think are rather good, in a similar way to what I previously did about 1980s TV. When I did that I found that the shows I featured were mainly ones that I didn't feel I could do justice to in some way, but nonetheless could do an introductory post to the series and focus on one episode.

There are a number of problems with blogging about 1970s TV shows which I didn't find so much with 1980s shows.

The first is that whenever I have written about it in the past I have found myself focusing on the more distressing aspects of the decade: the conflict, poverty, and so on. These things tend naturally to be reflected in the TV of the time, and that casts a heavy historic pall over it.

The second is that that the decade is (in my mind) fanous for its sitcoms and I personally have never got on very well with sitcoms, which naturally makes it difficult to blog about.

And the third is that the television of the decade tends to be problematic in ways which attract the gammons. In fact it's a bit difficult when people know you blog about old TV and they tend to assume that you're a racist, Brexiteer, vote Tory, hate people of colour and immigrants, and think racist and sexist 'comedy' is hysterical. One of the reasons I rather loud pedal the woke on here is that it keeps those kind of people away because of all people those people love expressing their stupid opinions and I will not platform them. The official position of this blog is that it is never funny to make fun of people because of their race, sex or sexual orientation, and that means that some shows will not be appearing here. It is always funny to make fun of Tories because they could stop being Tories.

Obviously this has meant I have had to make some judgements here. I keep meaning to write a post about the TV which I don't write about but absent that I have made some decisions about what will not appear in this series of posts. For example (although it was made in the nineties) the only way Heil Honey I'm Home should be discussed in the public sphere is to delineate how offensive and anti-semitic it is. If you read the comments on the episode on YouTube, though, you will see the sort of people I want to put off reading this blog, saying that people are making a lot of fuss about nothing and you can't say anything any more without upsetting people, and there's no reason it shouldn't have a commercial release. The Shoah, that's what's wrong with it, it's not funny and they're pathetic man-babies who don't have the warmth and human empathy to care that the author of mass slaughter is not entertaining.

Among 1970s shows which will not be appearing here are Love Thy Neighbour. To me it crosses a boundary into negative depiction of Black people and for that reason alone, isn't funny. Curry and Chips (although it was 1969) stars Spike Milligan browned up to play an Irishman of Pakistani heritage, thus managing to be racist about two groups at once. Till Death Us Do Part and In SIckness and in Health also will never appear here.

There is, however a difference between glorifying the TV of the past *because* it is offensive and you like people to be insulted, and a nuanced judgement that there was some quality television which took place against a social and cultural background which has passed, and may be read against that background. For example, the gammons love Benny Hill because of his racial and sexual perspective. My personal opinion is that he has genuine streaks of comedy genius and can make me howl with laughter, while still depicting a lot of things which are clearly unacceptable. Another example, strangely, is Monty Python's Flying Circus: if you watch closely there is an incredible amount of homophobia and some very wrong attitudes towards women in there, and I've been trying to think why Benny Hill and Monty Python are dearly beloved: I suspect that it is because of their public perception. Nobody in their right mind would ever look at Benny Hill and conclude that he was setting out to be vile, because the man was plainly a sweetie. Similarly, the entire Monty Python team get a similar repute with the public (although I'm not sure John Cleese isn't going off it).

Basically, I'm going to make a judgement on the basis of whether I think the artiste and show is vile or not.

Talking of public perception, there is another problem with 1970s TV which is that the entire British broadcasting industry at the time was absolutely riddled with child abusers and rapists, making the most of their reputation with the public to get away with as much as possible. I sometimes think there isn't a celebrity of my youth left who hasn't been caught out: and I even wrote to Jimmy Savile asking him to fix it for me. As always if subjects some up in blog posts which I think might be difficult I will put a warning at the top. Tumblr now have a system of community filters for posts, and I don't think they're optional: it may be that if I have to filter a post as mature you won't be able to read it unless you're logged in to Tumblr, but I'm afraid that's just the way the rules work there.

Finally, the seventies were notorious for being (or trying to be) incredibly sexy. Long time readers will know that I love the sexy stuff and so again will make a judgement if anything sexy comes up in these posts, and put a warning/community filter if necessary.

This blog is mirrored at

tumblr.com/culttvblog (from September 2023) and culttvblog.substack.com (from January 2023 and where you can subscribe by email)

Archives from 2013 to September 2023 may be found at culttvblog.blogspot.com

[back-and-totheleft]

"Bollywood doesn't need Hollywood"

Oliver Stone will be honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Mumbai Film Festival. In addition to conducting a master class, two films by the Oscar-winning director are being screened at the festival, including his 2009 documentary South of the Border and Alexander Revisited, his final cut of the 2004 original historical drama that was partly filmed in India. Stone spoke with THR India correspondent Nyay Bhushan in Mumbai.

THR: You have been to India on several occasions and are aware of the film industry here. How would you like to see the two big film industries of India and the U.S. working together?

Oliver Stone: I think the Indian film industry has existed without Hollywood for a long time and it turns out tremendous volume and does well. So the marriage between the two is rare as they have different styles. But of course the best example of the two industries coming together was with Danny Boyle‘s Slumdog Millionaire but that doesn’t happen often and I don’t think that [a meeting of the two industries] can always be structured that way. Then there’ll be movies like My Name Is Khan in which the main character goes to America. I love the style of Indian movies – they’ve always excited me because of how they shift moods between various genres. I mean now we are doing that kind of musical comedy in the U.S. with Glee. So I think (the two industries) do help each other in a way.

THR: In Natural Born Killers you used a song by (the late Pakistani maestro) Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in the background of a violent scene. How did you come up with that concept of using a sacred song in such a movie?

Stone: It was whirling dervish music and I wanted that madness. I used it over the prison riot scene and other sequences. We got the permission to use that song and put it in and he (Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan) was shocked. I think he was shocked because that movie really came out of the blue. But the movie was really a statement of anger, a protest against the media that had become perverted and more and more superficial. It was spiritual in a way, a breakout against the system. And the anger that (central characters) Mickey and Mallory felt was, to me, against the system which was oppressive. When they break away, that becomes a religious celebration of freedom. That’s why the music was sacred to me.

THR: Your recent Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps had an interesting India connection where Frank Langella‘s character — who plays a banker whose world is collapsing — says that these days he is getting calls “from people in Mumbai, Dumbai.” He seems flustered at this new world that he is facing. Is that a statement about someone whose powers are eroding against a rising power?

Stone: Yes, he is definitely a man whose time has passed by. The money markets have become very confusing and much more computerized and of course, India is a big source of that computerization and outsourcing. Also the deal-making has become much more complex and its true that these big banks lost control of what they were doing, buying and selling securities that they didn’t understand completely. So the idea (behind that scene) was to show the globalization of the economy and also that people are dealing with people they don’t know anymore. You pick up the phone and you don’t know the other guy.

THR: In terms of future projects, would you like to do more documentaries or are you working on a feature?

Stone: I am currently working on a documentary called The Untold History of the United States which is 12 hours long and that’s my big thing to finish as I am on my third year on that.  I can’t tell you about the features because I keep that quiet until I start on them.

THR: Would you do another JFK?

Stone: That cost me a lot too, you know. Every film is different. I think the W movie was very significant and it had a lot to say if you look at it again.

THR: U.S. President Barack Obama is visiting India for the first time when he arrives here next week. What is your take on him and the current political mood in the U.S.?

Stone: Well I don’t want to influence his visit to India in any way. I think that he is taking a moderate stand overall with his policies but the fact is that currently in the U.S., the right wing is getting destructive. The Supreme Court has just freed up rights of corporations to invest in elections. That is very dangerous and changes all the rules. I think we will be more and more in decline in the U.S.

THR: India and the U.S. are both large democracies which allow freedom of expression. But sometimes that can be challenging in India in the sense that it can be difficult for filmmakers here to push the envelope and explore certain subjects such as religion or politics. How would you like to see this creative expression nurtured further in the world’s largest democracy that is India?

Stone: I can’t tell you because I don’t know the issues here but to me India is one of the sterling examples of the world of a real amazing amount of change and freedom. You allow for different points of view, you are very tolerant and the religious freedom is famous here. Most countries are closed to that and don’t allow various (religious) concepts like Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and others to exist side by side. I don’t see the closures that you talk about. I think you are one of the great old traditions of the world which allows for such freedom of worship.

-Oliver Stone Q&A with The Hollywood Reporter, Oct 27 2010

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A Review of ‘Polite Society’ (2023)

Polite Society (2023) is a hilarious and heartwarming action comedy that entertained me for its entire duration. The film follows Ria Khan, a British-Pakistani teenager who dreams of becoming a professional stuntwoman. But she faces obstacles from her traditional family and society. When her older sister Lena decides to marry a wealthy and mysterious man, Ria suspects foul play and tries to stop the wedding with the help of her friends. Along the way, she learns more about herself, her sister, and her culture. The film was written and directed by Nida Manzoor, who made her feature film debut with this project. She does fantastic work with creating a vibrant and authentic world of British-Pakistani culture, with witty dialogue, colorful characters, and stunning visuals. The film also had a great soundtrack by Tom Howe and Shez Manzoor, featuring original songs and remixes of classic Bollywood tunes. The film was inspired by Manzoor’s personal experiences as a British-Pakistani woman who grew up loving action movies and martial arts. She wanted to make a film that represented her culture and identity in a positive and fun way.

The cast is enjoyable to watch! Especially Priya Kansara as Ria and Ritu Arya as Lena. They had great chemistry as sisters who love each other but have different views on life. Kansara was charming and charismatic as Ria. She is fearless, rebellious, and passionate about martial arts. She also performed most of her stunts, which is impressive and thrilling. She has trained with professional stunt coordinators and martial artists over a few months to prepare for the role. Arya is equally brilliant as Lena, who is astute, elegant, and independent. She showed a lot of depth and emotion as she struggled with her identity and choices. She also had a beautiful singing voice that she showcased in one of the musical scenes.

The film also had a lot of humor and heart, thanks to the supporting cast of Ria’s friends and family. Nimra Bucha was hilarious as Raheela, the snooty leader of the Pakistani mothers’ club who tries to set up Lena with her son Salim, played by Akshay Khanna. Salim is a complex and intriguing character with a dark past and a hidden agenda. He was also charming and handsome, making Lena fall for him despite Ria’s warnings. Khanna brought a lot of nuance and charisma to the role. Seraphina Beh and Ella Bruccoleri are adorable as Clara and Alba, Ria’s loyal and quirky friends, collaborate with her schemes. They were both funny and sweet, providing comic relief and emotional support to Ria.

Shona Babayemi is fierce as Kovacs, Ria’s rival at school. She is intimidating and badass but also has a soft side Ria discovers later in the story. Babayemi showed off her skills in boxing and taekwondo in the fight scenes. Shobu Kapoor and Jeff Mirza are endearing as Fatima and Rafe, Ria’s parents, who want the best for their daughters but don’t understand their dreams. They were both loving and strict, trying to balance their traditional values with their modern lives. Kapoor and Mirza had great chemistry as a married couple who bickered but cared for each other.

Polite Society is a fun and refreshing film celebrating sisterhood, diversity, and empowerment. It has a lot of action, comedy, drama, romance, and music making it an enjoyable and entertaining experience. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys original, creative, and uplifting movies.