Down The Rabbit Hole

I’ve decided to rate all of the seasons of the TV shows I watch. Why, I can’t really say.

The Sopranos

Season 1-A
Season 2-A-
Season 3-A
Season 4-B+
Season 5-A
Season 6 Part I-A

The Boondocks

Season 1-A-
Season 2-A-

SeaLab 2021

Season 1-A
Season 2-A

Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law

Season 1-A-
Season 2-A-
Season 3-A-

The Office (American Version)

Season 1-C+
Season 2-A
Season 3-A
Season 6-B

The Simpsons:

Season 1-A-
Season 2-A
Season 3-A
Season 4-A+
Season 5-A
Season 6-A
Season 8-A+

Life On Mars:

Series 1-A
Series 2-A-

The X-Files:

Season 1-B+

Futurama

Season 1-A
Season 2-A
Season 3-A
Season 4-A-
Season 5-A-

So far these are the best movies I’ve ever seen. Eventually I will create a list I am truly satisfied with, but this one is alright for now.

1. Apocalypse Now (1979)

2. The Godfather (1972)

3. Citizen Kane (1941)

4. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

5. The Third Man (1949)

6. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)

7. Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Bomb (1964)

8. The Seventh Seal (1957)

9. The Gold Rush (1925)

10. Goodfellas (1990)

List time! Again.

1. The Wrestler(Darren Aronofsky)-98

Powerful, depressing, a great film powered by Mickey Rourke’s excellent performance. Easily the best movie I’ve seen all year. The ending is near perfect, and absolutely breathtaking.

2. The Dark Knight(Christopher Nolan)-98

An epic comic book and crime film all rolled into one, Nolan almost matches his amazing 2000 classic Memento and adds more to the Batman mythology. Even though it has its flaws, the main cast is great, especially the late Health Ledger and Aaron Eckheart.

3. Burn After Reading(The Coens Brothers)-95

Bitterly and brutally funny, it matches their previous effort in the nihilism department. Is also easily interrupted as a commentary on America’s foreign involvements worldwide as well.

4. Frost/Nixon(Ron Howard)-95

Say what you want about Howard’s career, but this year he delivered a fascinating movie covering a historic event that ended up shaping and changing the lives of all involved. I rather liked his documentary style, and it really works here.

5. Tropic Thunder(Ben Stiller)-93

Utterly hilarious, and a sharp, spot on spoof of Hollywood, war movies, and even the Academy Awards. Robert Downey Jr. not just steals the movie, he runs away with the whole thing throughout.

6. Gran Torino(Clint Eastwood)-92

One of Clint’s best films. Expertly mixes humor with ideals of loyalty, honor, and its in many ways Clint looking back at his life and his long career.

7. Pinapple Express(David Gordon Green)-91

Very funny, a celebration/homage of 80s buddy action comedies and a great stoner movie as well. James Franco shines, and shows continuing promise as his career ages.

8. Cloverfield(Matt Reeves)-90

One of the few films made over the past 15 years to truly frighten me. This is a monster movie made very intelligently, nicely utilizing The Blair Witch Project‘s style of realistic documentary style camera shooting. The scene in the tunnel=one of the scariest scenes ever.

9. In Bruges(Martin McDonagh)-90

Even though this movie does have some black humor and comedy in it, it tempers that absurd humor with depressing and moving moments. The characters not only realize the pointlessness of their professor in realistic fashion, but the movie uses them to examine loyalty, faith, the afterlife, and honor. Quite possibly one of the most underrated movies of 2008.

10. Let The Right One (Tomas Alfredson)-90

Not only managing to be very creepy/eerie, but also sporting a moody atmosphere, this is one of the more original and unique horror movies of the decade. The fact that in a decade where one series has stupid vampires sparkling, its refreshing to see a foreign film that properly tackles the issues and problems of falling in love with, and becoming attached to a creature that sucks the blood out of people. Not as great as many say it is, but still noteworthy.

11. Slumdog Millionaire(Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan)-90

Depressing yet never really to the point where it becomes pointless or too bleak, acting as a sort of modern day third world fairy tale and a young man’s odyssey stretching over a few decades. Not worthy of best picture, but still a fine movie in its own right. Plus the score is just fantastic.

12. W.(Oliver Stone)-90

Captures Dubya from his early days in college to his rise from Texas politics to the highest office in the land. Manages to be sympathetic while also pointing out his many flaws and lack of intelligence and intellectual curiosity. Josh Brolin at this point might be one of the best working actors in the business.

13. Iron Man(Jon Favreau)-90

Highly intelligent and clever action/superhero movie that is driven by Robert Downey Jr.’s charismatic leading man performance. I can’t wait for the sequel.

14. Get Smart(Peter Segal)-88

Full of non-stop laughs, this movie gets right the spirit of the classic original show and does it proud in the process.

15. Repo! The Genetic Opera(Darren Lynn Bousman)-86

Truly an innovative, high spirited and energetic violent bloody and at times horrific musical. Most of the songs are truly awesome, and I admired its tone while also noting some of its shortcomings.

16. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull(Steven Spielberg)-85

While not the best entry in the series (although not the worst), I was entertained never the less. Plus it was great to get to see Indy on the big screen, quite possibly for the last time, continuing to do his thing despite age issues. Aside from the bizarre and strange climatic scene, most of the movie works quite well.

17. Quantum of Solace(Marc Forster)-85

Even though Daniel Craig’s first Bond adventure was better, I liked this one almost as much and thought it was a good entry into the series. Although taking too many pages from the Bourne series, the action and the cool villain make up for its weak attempts at a political and topical plot.

18. Step Brothers(Adam McKay)-85

Quite possibly the funniest movie I saw from 2008. Ferrell and Reily are great foils here, playing off of each other and sporting dialogue that swings from outrageous to witty to sharp to just silly/stupid. The boat rap is too goddamn humorous/sweet for words. The last act almost falls into the sentimental and soft trap that so many comedies fall into, but then redeems itself quickly.

19. The Wackness(Jonathan Levine)-85

Alternating between comedy and harshly realistic drama, this movie manages to overcome its rather stereotypical coming of age story. Ben Kingsley shows here that he still has the dramatic acting chops and can pull off a meaningful performance.

20. Role Models(David Wain)-83

Strangely this movie manages to be quite funny while also containing a good message about finally growing up, taking responsibility, and being a mentor for kids. At times way too silly for its own good, but also has some great one-liners.

Episode 1.9: Return of the King

Sure the show is only about two seasons old, but this is hands down the best episode during its young run. Where as much of the show does feature political elements, they are usually grounded in a large amount of humor. While there is humor in this episode, its just a bonus, extra filling padded around the main course. I love that the show decides, as the season winds down, to feature an episode that speculates that Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t die. Nah, the man’s just been in a coma for decades, and then all of a sudden he wakes up.

Thus, we get an episode that shows King facing a world that has seemingly long since passed him by. Depressing, yes, but still good for some funny moments and a good deal of sharp political commentary on how the African-American community has seemingly forgotten most of King’s ideas. Or are simply paying only lip service to them. Now I can’t say with 100% certainty that its true, as I’ll admit I’m white and thus not plugged into the current status of things in a community and culture that is not my own. BUt judging from readings, writings, the news, and other materials its clear that King would not approve of how things are going today.

Now there was a great deal of controversy over this episode, mainly because it features King using the “N-word” to get his people’s attention. But that’s a moot point, as it ignores the fact that King, despite rightfully hating it, uses the word to draw attention to a roaring and brilliant speech that he gives as a wake up call to all. Although I wouldn’t want to live in a world where Oprah is president (I can’t stand her show), the end result here is one where people seemingly choose to do “The Right Thing.” I must say that the election of Barrack Obama as president is a step in that right direction, and maybe we’ll get there after all. Despite my cynicism, part of me remains optimistic.

Okay, let’s try this again. Best of 2007, which will be updated from time to time. I’ll eventually have a great consensus hopefully by the time I exit this planet :p

1. Gone Baby Gone (Ben Affleck)-97
Really surprising that Affleck, considering his acting career, had such a masterful film in him. This movie is emotionally powerful, stark and strongly acted and created. His brother, Casey, really shines here in a role that is star making, showcasing his abilities through facial actions as well as dialogue. Also contains a last act that is truly controversial and worthy of discussion.

2. No Country For Old Men (The Coens Brothers)-97
The Coens Brothers are among the most talented film makers today, and can easily be considered among the best when it comes to pure American cinema. This film, although not an amazing movie like some of their others, is still a great film and is incredibly well layered. Its also brazenly nihilistic, which is kind of gutsy on their part. Kudos to them finally taking Best Director honors. It was long overdue.

3. Sicko (Michael Moore)-97

Finally breaking on through to greatness, Moore gives us a movie that unlike the others is more well paced, and well focused. Universal health care is going to be a huge issue in the next administration of Obama, and thus this movie was quite timely. Say what you will about Moore but he tackles the big issues, often when few others do so. I just wish he would sort of blunt his liberal bias even more, and more often.

4. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Andrew Dominik)-95

Man that is one long title. Anyways I’m a huge fan of the western, and this movie delivered. Not only mediating upon the fact that the real men and women of the west got mythologized so damn much, but also upon hero worship as well. Only it features one man facing the harsh realities of that myth not really being true, and in the end becomes something he hates. Although the film drags on way too much, I still think its a perfectly paced slow burner that works extremely well.

5. The Simpsons Movie (David Silverman)-95

This is one of the best TV to movie adaptations I have ever seen. Sharp and very funny in the tradition of the show before it went completely stale and became a shadow of its former self, this movie succeeds in actually expanding a show with a 30 minute running time every week into a full length feature film. I enjoyed every minute of this movie, and I wish that the show had really ended here, although they’re clearly aiming for the “Longest running show ever” award.

6. Ratatouille (Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava)-95

Only PIXAR could get away with making a movie about a rat and making that rat lovable and likable. Funny, original, and bursting with life, this is a film for all ages, much like their other movies. The voice talent involved here rocks, and despite some weak edges and moments this is top tier animation from a top tier animation studio.

7. The Bourne Ultimatum (Paul Greengrass)-90

Even though this is the third film in one of the decade’s best trilogies, its easily the strongest entry of the three. Brimming with suspense and featuring some smartly crafted action sequences, the film also doesn’t forget to infuse a sharp brand of intelligence into the proceedings. In fact, some of the movie is really a response to what is termed “Blow back” by the intelligence community, and there is some response to the War on Terror’s effects on those involved.

8. Superbad (Greg Mottola)-90

Not only utterly hilarious, but also perfectly capturing the teenage zeitgeist and nailing down high school as well. The characters are likable but also flawed in a good way, and there’s a strangely strong “Wait to have sex until your ready” message that almost seems out of place amongst the raunchy humor. But it works, although the last act drags too much. I didn’t think that the cops actually hurt the movie as much as others do, but in some ways they weren’t really necessary.

9. Shoot ‘Em Up (Michael Davis)-90

Take Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti, and pit them against one another in a battle to the finish. Throw in a strange anti-gun message taking place in one of the most violent, furious action movies in recent memory, a throw back to the 80s glory days of the genre, and you have a movie that I ended up unapologetically loving (even though I’m pro-gun, btw). The second act completely throws any sort of realism out of the window, but I was having too much fun to really care.

10. 3:10 To Yuma (James Mangold)-90

Another western on the list, yeah I know. But this one is also a good film in its own right, last act issues and strange turn of events be damned. The action is sharp and incredibly executed, with this being as much an action/thriller as it is a western. Christian Bale and Russell Crowe pretty much put on an acting clinic here, and Ben Foster is also fantastic in the third wheel role. If anything, I think so long as the western prizes quality over quantity the genre will continue to have some staying power for the considerable future. Which is a good thing.

Episode 1.8: The Real

Never mind that this episode features satire so obvious, even an elementary school kid would be able to tell who and what they were taking aim at. Satire doesn’t always have to be subtitle to work properly. That’s not the problem here. The problem is that the satire is not funny at all. Maybe its also because Reality TV in and of itself specializes in self parody, and is about as silly as it is serious.

Aside from that, this episode also wastes the talents of Xzibit, but also John C. McGinley as well, the latter who is a very talented actor who’s awesome on Scrubs. Too bad, because both deserved a much better and entertaining episode to guest star on, although granted they got to be featured on the show so they could brag about it. I’d be happy to do that same thing, even if it was in one of the lesser episodes anyways.

Really you could actually skip this one and not miss a damn thing, although granted the show was mostly composed of “stand alone” episodes and only a few overlying arcs. Since the rest of the season ranges from good to beyond awesome however, I can forgive the creators for one last lapse in good taste.

Episode 1.7: A Huey Freeman Christmas

Even though some have called this one of the weakest parts of Season 1, I love this episode. Maybe its because deep down inside I would love to see Huey’s Christmas play, “The Adventures of Black Jesus.” Judging from the bits and pieces that we actually get to view, that play looks pretty awesome. Still we simply settle here for the show’s creators’ own Christmas special, made in their own special and great fashion. There are many funny moments, and a fantastic opener where Jazmine dreams up a musical number that’s rather over the top and seems at home in the church featured in Blues Brothers.

Really this episode is only merely entertaining. There’s not a great amount of depth here, but the humor is rather sharp and well executed. I love Judge Reinhold’s “Irresponsible white person” teacher who urges Huey on, and Riley’s beef with Santa is very hilarious. The references to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” are pretty obvious, but I enjoyed seeing them anyways and I think they added more to the episode in some ways.

Besides the rather surprising and somewhat funny ending, we perhaps get a sense of how others who aren’t typical WASP Americans. In some ways they celebrate it the same as we do, but in other different ways they tackle what has become an America institution in their own fashion. Even if, as Huey ends up doing, they challenge convention and certain traditions.

Episode 1.6: The Story of Gangstalicious

After seeing this episode multiple times, I’ve come to the conclusion that it is actually fairly funny, and entertaining to boot. I like that the creators are not afraid to take aim at rappers, considering that most of them really are not as “Hard core gangsta” as they want people to believe. The fact that its all an act is sadly lost on many of their fans, half of which should at least be cynical or smart enough to realize that much of it is pure bullshit.

So really I think that’s the whole point of this episode, along with the fact that the creators may in fact be mocking a couple “Brothas” who might be gay but hiding their homosexuality. Or at the very least them being gay is a rather open secret in the rap game, and in the business. That wouldn’t really shock or surprise me. I also like that this episode is the only one narrated by Riley, as he’s one of the show’s funniest and most entertaining characters. Really more of them should have been focused on him, just for a change of pace. Maybe one day they’ll do one from grandpa’s point of view, although they did have one from Uncle Ruckus’s, which was hilarious.

There’s really not much else to this episode, and in that regard such a thing is okay because not all of the episodes have to be political or really thought provoking. Still, I feel that due to taking aim at the rap industry in a way this one works out just fine.

1.5: A Date With the Health Inspector

After finishing Season 1, I went back through and listed which episodes were the best. This one was near the top, as it is one of the funniest and most entertaining episodes of the season. “Health Inspector” brings back Ed Wuncler III, who was featured in the first episode, and introduces us to his friend Gin Rummy. Both are not only Iraq War veterans but also crazy white boys who think they and act like hardcore want to be gangsters, thus adding to the chaos and the generally funny moments. Because of them and the lawyer character Tom Dubois, who Huey and Riley have to spring from jail to prevent Tom from being anally raped in prison (his worst fear ever, which is captured in a disturbing and funny dream sequence at the beginning), this episode however takes on a more significant meaning, and in fact displays underlying points and even some of the creators’ political thoughts as well.

In regards to the episode’s political elements, while fishing for a good screen cap from the episode on Wiki I also noted that someone near the bottom of the episode entry noted its political overtones. Considering that I don’t believe everything I read on the site, I thought “Hey that’s interesting” but I wasn’t really sure those thoughts were spot on. Well after a second viewing of “Health Inspector” recently I discovered that I was wrong and that whoever made that entry was right. For really this episode is not only about the War on Terror, but its also a critique on how the Bush administration abandoned the fight in Afghanistan and the search for Bin Laden to go on a wild goose chase for WMD’s in Iraq. The X-Box killer represents Osama, with the gas station Gin and Ed rob represents Iraq. I guess I should have recognized the whole thing from the beginning, especially since the episode isn’t really subtitle considering a terror warning is issued on TV in a very funny way that is eeriely close to reality.

What is especially great about “Health Inspector” is how at this point the show’s creators were so easily blending humor with intelligent thoughts about certain issues they felt strongly about. Without this I feel that “Boondocks” wouldn’t even be half as successful as it currently is. Oh and you have to admire any episode that uses Samuel L. Jackson to pay homage to his famous Pulp Fiction scene.

Episode 1.4: Granddad’s Fight

After the relatively calm and lax commentary of the previous episode, the show becomes sharp (but still funny) in this episode, which basically centers around Grandpa Freeman preparing for a rematch with an angry old blind man who smack him down with his cane. That moment is followed by a hilarious opening segment that focuses on what the show calls “N*** moments,” where in the words of the title character Huey “Webster defines the “n*** moment” as a moment when ignorance overwhelms the mind of an otherwise logical Negro male. Causing him to act in an illogical, self-destructive manner… i.e. like a n***.”

Now while I certainly find the word offensive, and I oppose anyone saying it, the word is actually surprisingly used in meaningful context here. Just like there are crackers, idiot whites who are disgrace to their race, so are n*** who are an embarressment to their fellow blacks. Plus the scene is a hilarious send up of obessive commericalism, and how just like in the classic horror flick Dawn of the Dead(1979) people will literally go to war over stuff that really isn’t worth fighting over.

But besides that, the episode showcases just how obessed the show is with kung fu. References to kung fu films and even other fighters are noted throughout, and a funny spoof of training sequences is on full display. The fight itself is really only an afterthought, a part of the film’s main message about how stupidity is committed in the heat of the moment. With the show’s rather dramatic and somewhat bittersweet finale, its message comes into complete focus. This may not be one of the season’s best episodes, but it certainly is a noteworthy one.