Gentlemen Broncos
Fifteen year old Benjamin (Michael Angarano) is an aspiring SF writer whose manuscript is ripped off by Chevalier (Jemaine Clement) his aging literary hero. Getting his manuscript back is hilarious business as Benjamin also has to moonlight for mother’s custom nightgown business to make ends meet. Chevalier isn’t only person that wants Benjamin’s story. A local film production company is also trying to pervert his precocious novel. Gentlemen Broncos is a story within a story. Besides Benjamin’s quest to get his words back, we see his book, The Yeast Lords: The Bronco Years, envisioned by three different minds on three different budgets. Yes, The Yeast Lords is as funny/awful as it sounds. Imagine the rad doodlings of Napoleon Dynamite’s notebooks come to life. Brought to us by the same creative team behind Napoleon Dynamite, Broncos hilariously spoofs pompous SF writers and their geeked-out conventions (both literary and hotel-bound). You’re allowed to laugh if you are a nerd. Come to think of it, you probably won’t get it otherwise. I laughed the covers off my paperbacks.
The opening credits are a buzz inducing collection of trash surreal SF paperbacks with the lettering altered. If you appreciate that kind of thing you might enjoy:
Good Show Sir: Only the Worst Sci-fi/Fantasy Book Covers
The name says it all.
Awful Library Books
Yeah, the worst books ever offered up to be chortled over before hitting the dustbin. All genres, but tends to lean to outdated nonfiction.
Rad Book Covers at My Library
My own blog feature interesting (sometimes good, but mostly corny-bad) design found on book covers at NPL.
- Bryan
The IT Crowd
Series created and directed by Graham Linehan
If you don’t enjoy the British or American version of mockumentary sitcom The Office, read no further. Stop reading! I’m not talking to you! If you are a fan of one or both versions of The Office, you should definitely check out the BBC sitcom The IT Crowd.
Computer nerds and social outcasts Roy and Moss work for Denholm Industries, as the IT department. They work from the basement (why are most IT departments located in the basement?), and their office consists of the stereotypical décor one might expect from computer nerds – collectibles, action figures, books, computer parts, and unhealthy snack foods. Roy’s stock answer when the phone rings is “Hello, IT, have you tried turning it off and on again?” Roy’s and Moss’s comfortable work life is turned upside down when an attractive woman is hired to run the department. Roy and Moss quickly find out new boss Jen knows absolutely nothing about computers!
The actors who make up the IT Crowd have great comedic chemistry, and company president Denholm is disturbingly hilarious. Why are workplace comedies like this so funny? If you’ve ever worked in a corporate setting, or office of any kind, you can identify with the characters and situations they find themselves in. Misery loves company, as the saying goes. Or at the very least misery loves a good satire now and again.
- Crystal
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
3 1/2 Stars
Woody Allen has been making films outside of New York for the past few years, and Spain proves to be a perfect inspiration and setting for his latest film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Rebecca Hall plays Vicky, an attractive and smart woman engaged to a successful and sensible man. Scarlett Johansson plays Cristina, the beautiful and impulsive best friend of Vicky who knows what she DOESN’T want in life, but can’t figure out which “path” to pursue. The girls are invited to spend two summer months in Barcelona with distant relatives of Vicky’s. This gives Vicky a perfect opportunity to finish work on her thesis topic, Catalan culture. After attending an art gallery opening, the two friends end up at a restaurant where they are approached by the handsome Spanish artist Juan Antonio (played by Javier Bardem.) He proceeds to invite both women away for a weekend of art, food and drink, and lovemaking. Vicky is appalled. Cristina is intrigued. And soon they are on an adventure sure to change the course of their lives. There are several angles to talk up this movie to potential viewers. If you’re a fan of romantic comedies, VCB is replete with witty Woody Allen dialogue and plenty of sensuality. For the armchair traveler, there’s good food and wine, breathtaking sights, and the passionate sounds of Spanish guitar. And I haven’t even mentioned Penelope Cruz’s Oscar-winning performance as Maria Elena, the crazy and gorgeous ex-wife of Juan Antonio’s. Last but not least, see this movie if only to realize that Javier Bardem can play a lover as well or better than a villain.
- Crystal
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?
Have you been as disappointed as I have by the rash of mediocre comedies coming out of Hollywood? If so, allow me to recommend this sadly neglected gem from 1966. What Did You Do In The War, Daddy? is a superb piece of World War II anarchy directed by Blake Edwards of Pink Panther fame. The movie is extremely well written by William Peter Blatty (better known for The Exorcist) and the casting is perfect pitch. Harry Morgan steals the show as Major Pott, who gets trapped in catacombs and slowly goes crazy. Trust me, its funny. What Did You Do In The War, Daddy? is one of the funniest war comedies ever made. Enjoy and that’s an order!
- Bill
The Stupidest Angel: a Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror
by Christopher Moore, 2004
No one knows why, but second only to eating the brains of the living, the dead love affordable prefab furniture.
If you happen to like the movies Beetlejuice or Night of the Living Dead, you’ll love this book. It’s the week before Christmas in the California town of Pine Cove, and all is definitely not well.
Young Josh Barker thinks he saw someone kill Santa with a shovel. Former B-movie queen Molly Michon is off her meds and hearing the voice in her head she calls “the narrator.” Lena Marquez has accidentally killed her ex-husband Dale Pearson. Mavis Sand, the foul-mouthed elderly owner of the Head of the Slug saloon is trying to plan a barbeque for the Christmas party, if El Nino doesn’t interfere. The Archangel Raziel has arrived to grant a wish of a child. And that’s just the tip of all that’s going on!
Christopher Moore has penned a wild and hilarious holiday tale that will have you laughing from the first page until the last. Don’t wait for the holidays to read this one.
- Crystal
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