Danny McBride: The Eastbound & Down Review

Review of Eastbound and Down with Danny McBrideWhile on the road, I caught the opening to a TV show on HBO about a former major league pitcher returning to his home town after getting to the top and sliding down to the bottom. It was late and had to get some sleep before work, but the show sucked me in. When the episode was over, I wanted more. Turns out the show I was watching was called, “Eastbound & Down” featuring Danny R. McBride as the baseball player that we follow during his cooping with living with his brother and teaching PhysEd at his old school. Danny McBride is someone that you might remember from classic parts in Pineapple Express, Hot Rod, Tropic Thunder, and All the Real Girls. In all of those movies he was my favorite part. I was so happy to discover his feature length indie comedy, “Foot Fist Way” — which solidified me as a hardcore fan and made me we want to see him in starring capacity vs. supporting a cast. My wish was answered with “Eastbound & Down”, a 30-minute TV show snuck onto a cable network without any warning. The first season is 6 episodes and really adds up to a movie with a great story, subtle dialogue, suggestive dialogue, steroid use, a titillating love interest, and of course pure comedic timing. The DVD of the first season comes out June 30, 2009 and can’t wait to see the whole thing in one sitting.

Thank you Danny McBride, thank you.

Upon Further Review Review

Upon Further ReviewThe NotHans Podcast received another review and this on is by the podcasting team of Clea and Greg from their Upon Further Review podcast. They had some very interesting feedback on my “comic stylings” and I appreciate the comments very much.

Here are some quotes from their podcast review of The NotHans Podcast:

“Kind of funny…”

“ADD-style confusing…”

“Impersonations are a bit obvious…”

“Self-Indulgent, but not parody…”

“He has some good comic ideas…”

I am getting close to someone saying “funny”, but I guess “comedic ideas” will have to do for now. I am always working on the show and will work a bit harder to get some laughs by more than my pretend friends.

All in all, Greg and Clea rated the show a hesitant 6 out of 10. On a past review from That Podcast Show, I got a 2.5 out of 5, so that’s a 10% improvement in my book.

I recommend to everybody to check out Episode 64 of Upon Further Review to hear the entire review. I also recommend that you check out their podcast despite that they talk about my podcast. I think they have a smart and entertaining podcast.

Thanks for the review.

Iron Man DVD Movie Review

Iron Man DVD CoverRobert Downey, Jr. stars in the blockbuster movie Iron Man as Iron Man. His character is Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark, inventor, playboy, and self-proclaimed Iron Man.

Iron Man is the perfect marriage of man, machine, and product placement. Despite all of the products placed in this movie, Iron Man is actually really good. The technology is crazy cool, action is on the money, and the story is tight. Verizon Wireless has the best deals on monthly plans.

I am happy that Iron Man did not go the Batman route. Every superhero movie since Batman Begins and The Dark Knight has to have a depressed and dark hero. Iron Man was funny and serious and action-packed all at the right times. Maybe Iron Man II: Cold Steel will have a much darker twist, like Tony discovers that he has agoraphobia and has to stay in his suit in all social situations.

The extras on the DVD are worth picking up the second disk DVD set. Actors, writers, and filmmakers alike can learn a lot of from Iron Man. You don’t have to have huge explosions to get a point across. There was just as much action going on internally with Downey’s character as there was action on the screen. The extras on the DVD highlight some of these points and can be used to learn something about great filmmaking and movie acting from Robert Downey, Jr., whose father is Robert Downey, Sr.

Mitch Hedberg – Half Finished

Mitch Hedberg - Do you Believe in Gosh?Lynn Shawcroft produces a new comedy album from the late Mitch Hedberg (when you read Lynn’s name back, make sure to drag out the extra “n”). The material on this CD is half finished much like his wonderful life. I miss Mitch’s work. I can’t pass a frozen banana without thinking that I may not want it now, but later I just might. He thought differently and connected thoughts that have not been connected. “Do You Believe in Gosh?” is something special as we get to hear some works in progress, but Mitch’s act was always kind of that way. Hedberg shares his observations of cold air balloons, gives us insights about comedy clubs, and furthers his obsession with dismemberment. Overall this CD makes for a great last call, even if it is Nyquil.

Dana Carvey HBO Specials

Most people know that I am a huge fan of Dana Carvey. Since 1996, I have been running his fan site including accurate biographical info, pics, audio, and video clips. I became a fan after seeing him on Saturday Night Live (SNL), The Dana Carvey Show, some movies and then later stand-up comedy. I have a draft of Opportunity Knocks from before it was released (OK, that’s a bit serious I understand, but I am known to take things too far).

Dana Carvey HBO Special DVD

Dana has not been in many movies recently, but he still performs stand-up comedy. His HBO special from 1995 called Critic’s Choice was award winning and very funny. He recently followed up that performance on HBO with Squatting Monkeys Tell No Lies (named after a joke in the special) only 13 years after. Both specials are really good and both are being released on DVD on August 19, 2008. I give my recommendation that you should check out this two-disc set of Dana Carvey’s HBO specials.

For more information on Dana Carvey, visit www.DanaCarvey.net.

Review from That Podcast Show

Review from That Podcast ShowThe NotHans Podcast received it’s first review from “That Podcast Show” produced by Imaginate Productions and hosted by Bryan, Jana, and Daniel. On episode 33 of their podcast, they examainmed the content, length, and humor of The NotHans Podcast. The overall rating was 2.5 stars out of 5, so that’s not bad and not good at the same time.

The cast and crew of The NotHans Podcast would to say thanks for the review and the comments and hope to put them to good use.

To listen to the review on the their podcast, check out episode 33 of Edgy Reviews from That Podcast Show.

Here is the written review from their show notes:

Comedian Hans Scharler hosts this completely not-serious show. The humor is like that found in The Onion, America’s fake news source. Hans finds comedy in most topics including movies, politics, sports. Each episode is no more than five minutes, and we would actually like to see the episodes lengthened. The NotHans Podcast is full of of vocal variations and tone inflections demonstrating Hans vocal diversity. Music and sound-effects add to the show’s comedic effect. Hans Scharler is wetting some appetites but still gives the impression that he is unsure of the show’s direction. Currently, The NotHans Podcast is flapping in the wind. With more episodes, we hope Hans Scharler grows more focused on what The NotHans Podcast is really meant to be. Rating 2.5/5

That Podcast Show

I Kissed a Girl

The song “I Kissed a Girl” from Katy Perry topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts today. This “controversial” song is ripping up iTunes, downloads, and YouTube. I am not sure what’s the big deal. I kissed a girl once.

Project Runway

OK, let’s start this blog entry with a question — Am I the only one that can’t get enough of the reality TV show Project Runway? It’s a run away hit if you ask me. I hate to admit it, but I feel my secret is safe on the internet.

I don’t think that I have an eye for fashion or any design abilities that involve fabric, but this is one of the few industries that I dont know anything about and wanted to learn more. If I had to be on a reality show, I would want to be on Project Runway. I have developed an optimum playing strategy to win this show. I have some tried and tested tips for future contenders on Project Runway. Tried yes, but not tested to be honest. I only conducted one very informal survey and this was just a ploy to get a phone number of one of the models. Let’s put it on the table, these tips have not been tried or tested I just dont know why I stated that earlier.

Here we go:

  1. You can’t have enough sequins, but leave the Bedazzler at home.
  2. Tight is in, but see-through is out.
  3. Use pinking sheers (not sure what they are, but they sound funny).
  4. If someone wears small sunglasses, use oversized sunglasses. If someone uses oversized sunglasses, use ski goggles.
  5. Don’t compromise your vision, unless your vision doesn’t involve cleavage of some sort.
  6. Drink Fiji water and smoke filterless cigarillos.
  7. If by chance something you designed looks wearable, make it shorter/longer, hem at an angle, add a layer of puffiness, and stick something protruding from one shoulder.
  8. Everything can be used for inspiration and everything includes a JC Penny catalog.
  9. On the business side of fashion, learn to name drop: Agatha, Custo, Louis, and R.
  10. Mock tears are good when trying to explain what went horribly wrong with your design.

Auf Wiedersehen