Martyn – Page 78 – The Bad Wilf Network

Review: Two and a Half Men

The episode starts with the funeral of Charlie Harper (Sheen) which is a star-studded affair, filled with a lot of Charlie’s ex-girlfriends who say lines that are clearly the writers attacking Sheen. Present at the funeral is old flames such as Courtney (Jenny McCarthy) and Mia and more recent women like Sherri (Jeri Ryan).

The humour is classic Two and a Half Men. Evelyn even tries to sell Charlie at the funeral.

It’s back at the house during the second act that things get interesting. It’s Alan and the entire supporting cast including Berta, Evelyn, Judith and even Herb.

The thing is, Jon Cryer and the rest of his supporting cast could have carried things without Sheen. Seeing as the actor playing the ‘half-man’ is twenty it would have been a good idea to have Jake become a father, taking the whole thing full circle and becoming two and a half-men, again. But I guess the money men at CBS did not have confidence in their existing cast so they had to bring in the big-name Ashton Kutcher.

But, before we get to Kutcher we get a few cameos from various TV actors including John Stamos and ‘Dharma’ and ‘Greg’ (from Chuck Lorre’s 90’s sitcom) talking divorce.

It’s after the cameos we meet Walden Schmidt (Kutcher). Walden is a depressed billionaire that tried to drown himself in the ocean but couldn’t do it as “The Ocean is really cold.” Walden’s entrance just seems a little too forced but thinking about it, I’m not sure how they could have done it without it feeling forced.

The writers have tried to make us feel sympathy for Walden by introducing him as a broken man whose wife has left him. It doesn’t quite work. I don’t know if it’s Kutcher or if it’s the way the character is written but something just didn’t sit right with me. Walden is meant to be bright but he never comes across like that; he just comes across as lucky. Having said that, this is part one of a two-parter so he may well switch it around.

Two and a Half-Men airs on CBS on Mondays in the US and on Tuesdays on Comedy Central in the UK.

Review: Doctor Who-The God Complex

After the past three episodes, The God Complex had a lot to live up to and on first viewing, I wasn’t sure if I liked it. The set up just seemed a little strange. But on second viewing I think it’s a strong contender for my favourite episode of Nu-Who. It’s written by Toby Whithouse who wrote the second-series story, School Reunion and the fifth-series story, Vampires in Venice.

The hotel made for a creepy, atmospheric setting. It was even shot like a horror movie, with elements of the shining added. Visually it is spectacular; director Nick Hurran worked wonders with the setting like he did with the last episode, The Girl Who Waited.

Everything in this hotel screamed creepily. The framed photos on the wall added to this; not only did we see pictures of the current residents but also previous, including some past Doctor Who monsters: there was a Sontaran, a Judoon and a Tritovore.

Almost-companion Rita is brilliant but we’ve seen that set up before and knew she wouldn’t make it. It would have been a nice surprise for her to stay on and travel with the Doctor. Retcon please, Mr Moffat. Maybe Rita was a ganger?

The fear inside the rooms was a really intriguing idea; just what did the Doctor see behind door number 11? The Valeyard? Himself?

Also, what did Amy’s door number mean? 7^th Nu-Who companion? Or did the door represent the age she was when she first met the Doctor? Or am I just over-thinking it?

It was interesting after last week to see how Rory had completely lost faith in the Doctor and could have effectively saved everyone by walking them through an exit.

Once again, we get echoes of McCoy’s manipulative, calculating Doctor in Smith’s portrayal. The scene in which he convinces Amy to lose faith in him was very reminiscent of the 7th Doctor and Ace in the curse of Fenric. I also felt that the monster was a reflection on the Doctor himself. We even get the Doctor having to make quite possibly the most grown-up decision he has made in the whole of his travels in space and time: he can see what he has done to Rory; he can see what he has done to Amy. The only thing that didn’t sit right with me is why have Amy and Rory stuck with him for so long? They’ve been through worse. Or maybe this wasn’t the reason but the catalyst for the Doctor to see things how they are.

I feel bad for writing this as the man has just swum 140 miles in sewage invested water for charity but I felt David Walliams was the weak link of the episode. It could just be that he is too famous and I couldn’t get past that to truly buy his portrayal as Gibbis. Which is a shame really as I know Walliams is a life-long fan of Doctor Who. He actually had my favourite line of the whole episode: “We’re lining all the streets with trees so invading forces can march in the shade.”

Overall it’s a great episode, sharp script, great acting and great directing and has made this half of the series four-for-four. Let’s just hope next week’s – Closing Time – makes it five-for-five.

Film Review: Red State

Three virgin high school friends think they’re on to a sure thing. One of them has found a woman online that will sleep with all three of them but they are soon caught in a trap by Pastor Albin Cooper and his Five Points Church. Albin Cooper is based on the real-life head of the Westboro Baptist Church, Fred Phelps.

Five Points protest at funerals with signs saying “anal penetration equals eternal damnation,” etc – Cooper believes that homosexuals are sinners and must be wiped off the Earth. In its first half, Red State is almost a horror film. A gay man is murdered quite brutally and the three high-school boys are next. However, halfway through it turns from a horror film into a shoot ‘em up action movie; the transition doesn’t really hurt the film. What hurts is that the tension that Smith created in the first half completely vanishes in the second; it’s almost two different films. In the first half, Smith showed incredible restraint in not adding much comedy but in the second half, during the middle of the shoot out, characters start cracking jokes and asking for tea. Which is a shame, since the tension could have been cranked up a bit. By far the first half of the movie is the strongest part.

Red state is a massive departure for Kevin Smith. You could even argue that it’s his first grown-up movie. The visuals are stunning which is really impressive for Smith; he has never been known as a visual director. He’s been criticised in the past for static camera setups and simple lighting but with Red State, Smith has created a style that works incredibly well. Shaky camera work is nothing new but it is a huge step forward for Smith. The film has no background music which really makes it more atmospheric; all we get is the sound of bullets and Cooper singing hymns.

This is easily Kevin Smith’s best work as a director. It’s something different and doesn’t feel like ‘a Kevin Smith movie.’ We are seeing him mature here but he seems to be lacking the confidence he needed for this. The introduction of Five Points isn’t handled in the best way. We learn about them in a classroom and it’s just too much exposition. John Goodman’s character exists only for exposition which is a waste of the actor’s talent.

Overall the film is good, it’s just not great. But it is great to see Smith break away from his comedy roots and try something a bit more ambitious. It’s a shame that he’s announced his next film, Hit Somebody, will be his last as Red State is such a huge step forward for him. It would be interesting to see what else he could come back with. Let’s just hope that Red State and Hit Somebody is such huge, global hits that he’ll change his mind and come out of retirement.

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Episode 44: Doctor Who-The Girl Who Waited

Martyn’s attempted retirement fails. Vodka is drunk and the reaction is given to Doctor Who: The Girl Who Waited and, the new Fantom Films radio comedy, Fight For The Remote.

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Film review: Fright Night

Charley Brewster, played by Anton Yelchin, is trying to leave his nerdy past behind. He’s got a new girlfriend (Imogen Poots) and is working hard to impress the school’s popular jocks. But when his former best friend Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) starts claiming that their new neighbour Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a vampire responsible for the recent disappearances in the neighbourhood, Charley tries to distance himself even further from Ed. However, when Ed goes missing, Charley begins to believe his friend’s theory, but nobody else does.

Desperate for help, Charley turns to magician and vampire hunter Peter Vincent, played by David Tennant in a brilliantly intense performance that features a lot of swearing. However, Charley’s last hope might not be enough to stop Jerry, who is played with an intimidating presence by Farrell.

As a fan of the original, I approached this remake with trepidation, but I found it to be entirely enjoyable. It’s a faithful enough adaptation that captures the fun of the original while ramping up the tension and giving it a modern twist. The cast is strong, with Farrell owning every scene he’s in, and the dialogue is sharp and witty. The pacing is well-done, and the acting is superior to the original. The only drawback is the 3D, which makes the nighttime scenes too dark to fully appreciate.

Overall, it’s a solid remake worth watching,but if possible, catch it in 2D.

⭐⭐⭐

DVD Review-Attack the Block

In 2001, British writer and director Joe Cornish had a life-altering experience when he was mugged outside his house. He couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if an alien invasion had taken place during the attack, and the savagery of his young assailants had become an asset in fighting the extraterrestrial threat. This idea stayed with him for a decade, until it finally became the basis for his feature film debut, Attack The Block.

In the movie, Cornish replaced himself with a well-spoken, recently graduated nurse named Sam (played by Jodie Whittaker). Sam becomes the victim of a mugging by a gang of youths, led by fifteen-year-old Moses (John Boyega), who later decides to “tool up” and defend their block against invading aliens. The film is a fast-paced, thrilling ride that doesn’t give the audience a chance to catch their breath. The kids initially come across as caricatures, but as the story progresses, they win us over and we find ourselves rooting for them.

While Attack The Block is not a perfect movie, with the aliens resembling something out of 80s Doctor Who and the final scene lacking the emotional impact it aims for, it’s still a fun and enjoyable film. The sight of Moses heroically swinging from a union flag may not have the intended effect on British audiences, but it could play well in an inevitable American remake. If Cornish’s next film is as good as his debut, there’s no doubt he’ll be a powerhouse in Hollywood in the years to come.

⭐⭐⭐

FILM REVIEW-Friends With Benefits

After his critically acclaimed performance in “The Social Network,” Justin Timberlake’s fans were eagerly anticipating seeing him in a role that would push his acting abilities to new heights. Unfortunately, “Friends with Benefits” is not that movie.

However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As a rom-com, the film provides enough laughs and clever nods to the genre’s clichés to satisfy its intended audience.

Timberlake plays Dylan, a blogger from Los Angeles who moves to New York City to work for GQ magazine, with the help of headhunter Jamie (played by Mila Kunis). Both have been burned by past relationships and agree to a casual, no-strings-attached sexual arrangement.

As you might expect from a rom-com, the ending is predictable from the outset, but the movie still manages to deliver some genuinely funny moments. For example, there’s a hilarious joke about an iPad, a drunken rant about Katherine Heigl, and a reference to “Seinfeld.”

The film also benefits from some great cameo performances, particularly Woody Harrelson as GQ’s gay sports editor and Shaun White as a twisted version of himself.

However, the subplot about Dylan’s father’s illness is a bit of a downer and drags down the second half of the movie.

Overall, “Friends with Benefits” is a light and enjoyable movie that delivers enough charm and wit to keep audiences entertained. Although it may not be a groundbreaking role for Timberlake, it’s still a fun movie that’s well worth watching.

Review – Doctor Who: The Girl Who Waited

The Girl Who Waited is an exceptional episode that heralds a rare streak of quality in Doctor Who’s recent episodes. Written by the talented Tom MacRae, the episode presents an intelligent and timey-wimey adventure that deals with parallel time streams, paradoxes, and moral dilemmas.

The dynamic between the TARDIS crew is permanently altered as Rory is deeply affected by meeting an older and more cynical Amy, who spent 36 years alone.

Karen Gillan delivers a magnificent performance, particularly as the older Amy, where she subtly portrays stiffness in her joints and deepens her voice. The scene where the two Amys discuss their love for Rory is truly moving.

The episode also provides insight into the darker side of the Doctor, and the risks and dangers involved in travelling with him.

The Girl Who Waited is a visual delight, featuring a clean and white future setting. Murray Gold’s musical score further enhances the emotional impact of the episode. It is an impressive achievement, given the limited number of guest stars, and the focus on the principal cast.

The episode deserves all the high praise it will undoubtedly receive, and it is hoped that next week’s episode, The God Complex, can continue this impressive streak of quality episodes.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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