Wilfred

We’re gonna switch it around a little this time. Today I am going to be reviewing a TV series instead of the usual movie. We are  going to be talking about the TV series Wilfred (2011), a comedy based on a popular Australian series of the same name. First off, this is one of my favorite shows - and it is WIERD. I’d say 90% of people who have tried watching this show have hated it, and I’ve only been able to turn one of my friends on to it. But it is an amazing show, and I’ll tell you why.

Season 2 cover (Image courtesy of https://en.wikipedia.org)

Wilfred is about a young man named Ryan Newman who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is depressed, confused and facing family and work problems. But everything changes when he meets his neighbors dog, Wilfred. Everyone else sees Wilfred as just a dog, but Ryan sees him as a full grown pot-smoking, hard-drinking Australian man in a cheap dog suit. Ryan develops a unique friendship with Wilfred, and they go on a series of comical adventures as Wilfred teaches Ryan to overcome his fears and live life in the world around him.

Like usual, I’m gonna start off with the actors. Ryan was played by Elijah Wood, who is known to most as Frodo in The Lord of the Rings. Wood did an excellent job playing Ryan. He showed both parts of Ryan’s personality perfectly. He was the perfect fit to portray Ryan’s kind-hearted, shy personality along with his strange, awkward, emotionally unstable side. I also think Elijah Wood just had that perfect look for Ryan’s character.

Next off, Wilfred. Wilfred was played by Jason Gann, one of the creators of the show. Gann was also a perfect fit for the character he was playing. He did a great job showing Wilfred’s mysterious, shady yet lovable and funny character. Also, one of my favorite things about Wilfred is his accent. Wilfred wouldn’t be Wilfred without his heavy, hard to understand Australian accent. Gann really did an excellent job making this show what it is.

If I had to use one word to describe the plot for this story, it would be “confusing”. And “weird”. And “funny”. You really can’t describe it in one word. And that’s what I love about it, there are so many different factors that make it a great show. One of my favorite of these factors are the brain games. This show really messes with your head, either with plot twists, cliffhangers, or tricks. The main plot of the show is Ryan trying to figure out who Wilfred is, where he came from, and what his goals are. Lots of episode and scenes leave you thinking that Wilfred is bad. But by the end of the show, you realize that everything Wilfred did was to help Ryan, even if he went a little over the top to reach these goals. Not only was this show amazing in that way, but it was hysterical too. Wilfred is classified as a dark comedy. And it definitely satisfied the comedy part. The show made fun of how dogs act in many ways, and it was hilarious seeing a man act that way. For example, Wilfred would often chase birds, eat human food off the table, and make love to his stuffed bear. Wilfred would try to talk to people, completely unaware that they could not hear him. He also had a hilarious relationship with his best friend Ryan. They would fight and play tricks on each other, and later be drinking beers on the couch. I think the plot to this series was really well done, and there is so much to the show than meets the eye.

(Image courtesy of http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com)

Since there are too many episodes to choose my favorite scenes or lines, I’m gonna give you guys a list of my top ten episodes…

10. Conscience

9. Pride

8. Identity

7. Dignity

6. Questions

5. Confrontation

4. Distance

3. Regrets

2. Courage

1. Happiness (Season 4)

So that’s it. I would give this show a solid 9/10. Remember to comment any movies or TV shows that you want me to review. Thanks for reading!

Neighbors

This time around, we are going to be reviewing Neighbors (2014) starring Seth Rogen and Zac Efron. This movie was definitely one of the better of the many frat house movies coming out now a day. It was full of funny lines and scenes, and not to mention I thought it had an excellent storyline. Neighbors also had a kick-ass cast that definitely contributed to the success of the movie. Now let’s talk about that cast first.

Movie Cover (Image courtesy of http://www.imdb.com)

Seth Rogen played Mac Radner, one of the main characters in the movie. Mac Radner was a new parent to a newborn baby. Him and his wife Kelly, played by Rose Byrne, just moved into a new home in the suburbs. I thought Rogen’s character was hilarious. I loved how his “party-animal” personality was exposed throughout the movie. It was also great seeing Seth Rogen play an older, more mellow husband role instead of a party-hard bachelor like usual. But like I have always said, I think Rogen lacks the ability to play a variety of characters. If you are a Seth Rogen fan like me, then you will like this movie. (If you haven’t noticed, all three movies I have reviewed have had Rogen in them). If you are like some people that aren't too crazy about him, this isn’t the movie for you.

Now let’s talk about the counterpart, Teddy Sanders, played by Zac Efron. Neighbors is undeniably the movie that could jump start Efron’s career in the comedy business. I thought he did an excellent job in this movie, and I definitely want to see him again in the near future. Efron played the president of the fraternity Delta Psi Beta, that moved in right next to the Radner family. Along with his vice-president Pete, played by Dave Franco, they threw crazy parties and caused trouble every night. Efron’s performance in this movie reminded me a lot of Dave Franco. I think these two could make an excellent partnership for movies in the future.

Some familiar names that played supporting roles include Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone.

The storyline for this movie was awesome. I’m usually not the biggest fan of frat movies since there are so many coming out these days, but this one was really good. In summary, new parents Mac and Kelly Radner move into a suburban neighborhood with their newborn daughter. All goes well until a fraternity known as Delta Psi Beta moves in next door. Mac and Kelly don’t want to seem uncool, so they try to fit in with the college students. But when a crazy frat party starts, the parents call the cops on the college students, and a full blown war erupts. The funniest part of the movie for me was seeing the married couple try to compete with the young crazy college students. The pranks that they pulled on each other were hilarious. I would also give the party scenes an A+, especially the one where Mac and Kelly get involved.

Because this movie had so many funny lines, here is the Top 5 lines from Neighbors

#5

Jimmy: Let's make a baby!

Paula: Yes, that will solve all our problems.

(When Mac’s buddy is trying to solve problems with his wife)

#4

Teddy Sanders: I’m Batman.

Mac Radner: Nah dude, I’m batman. This is what batman sounds like.

(Discussing who is the better batman at the party)

#3

Teddy Sanders: You make the store more approachable.

Mac Radner: Like, I'm more of an attainable goal?

Teddy Sanders: Yeah, you're like Relaxed Fit.

(When Mac and Teddy model shirtless in front of a store)

#2

Officer Watkins: You called about your neighbors?

Mac Radner: No.

Officer Watkins: We have caller ID, we're cops, everybody has caller ID.

(When Mac and Kelly call the cops)

#1

Dean: I don’t think that would ever make it to print. I don’t know where you went to school.

Mac Radner: I went here, ok? That’s why I’m dumb.

(Arguing with the fraternity's dean about the problems they are having)

So that’s it for this review. I would give this movie a 9/10 overall. Stay tuned for more great movie reviews. Also, leave a comment telling me what movie to review next!

Superbad

Hey everyone I’m back for my second of many posts. This time around I am going to be reviewing the movie Superbad (2007) starring Jonah Hill and Michael Sera. This is probably the movie that kick-started Jonah Hill’s fame, and I dont blame it. He did an excellent job acting in this movie just as I said in my last post. They couldn't have found a better actor to play Seth in this movie. Hill just has that perfect overweight high school loser look and is definitely the type to show Seth’s profane explicit behavior and language. But that just adds to the hilarity.

Overall, I thought Michael Sera’s was weak. I think he had the potential to deliver a great performance, but it just didn’t work out as well as it should have. He was kind of quiet throughout the movie, and didn't have too many funny scenes or lines. I thought the movie was a little too targeted towards Seth (Jonah Hill), where they should have given Evan (Michael Cera) more time to shine. Even Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), or as many might remember him, McLovin, was a funnier, more entertaining, and more developed character that was a lot more talked about than Evan.

Fogell was my favorite character in the movie. Christopher Mintz-Plasse did an amazing job potraying him as so did the costume designers as you can see below:

 Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Image courtesy of http://movies.dosthana.com)

Mintz-Plasse as Fogell (Image courtesy of http://www.fandango.com)

Of course, one of the best parts of the movie was the whole relationship between Fogell and the cops. Fogell’s voice and appearance alone made you laugh, not to mention that he was the star of most of my favorite scenes. Some of these scenes include the fake ID encounter with the cops, the stopping of the crazy drunk at the bar, and the scene with the girl at the party (not going into detail).

My second favorite characters in the film have got to be the police officers. Although Seth Rogen (Officer Michaels) and Bill Hader (Officer Slater) are usually more accustomed to playing more of a lead role in their movies. They also did an excellent job acting in this movie. Just like Fogell, the cops were a part of the funniest scenes in the movie. I loved how they never followed the rules of being cops and were always getting into trouble. I mean who doesn’t like cops running from the cops?

For the storyline, I thought it was ok. It was undeniably funny and a definite cure for boredom, but just wasn’t the most creative story. It was exactly what was expected. I thought it relied a little too much on profanity and f-bombs to deliver. In my opinion, there are just too many movies about high school parties, drinking, and drugs anyway. So overall, I think the writers did an excellent job creating a funny entertaining movie, it just wasn’t the best movie of all time.

Although Superbad wasn't a perfect 10/10, it did have a lot of funny lines. So here is my top 5 lines:

#5 

Seth: Gimme that. All right, you look like a future pedophile in this picture, number 1. Number 2: it doesn't even have a first name, it just says “McLovin”!

(about Fogell’s new Fake ID)

Fogell's fake ID (Image courtesy of http://celluloidamazing.blogspot.com)

#4

Evan: Fogell, shut the **** up. And take that vest off. You look like Aladdin.

(getting ready to go to the party)

#3

Officer Michaels: (hears a siren) Oh **** the cops!

(when the police start coming after Fogell and the officers)

#2 

Officer Michaels: McLovin?

Fogell: Yeah

Officer Michaels: Great name.

Officer Slater: It is, it just rolls of the tongue

Officer Michaels: Sounds like a sexy hamburger!

(about Fogell’s fake ID)

#1

Officer Michaels: How old are you McLovin?

Fogell: Old enough.

Officer Michaels: Old enough for what?

Fogell: To party.

(about the fake ID)

So that’s it. Overall I would give this movie a 7/10. I definitely recommend it if you’re bored or looking for a laugh. Stay tuned for more reviews soon.