Ty Watches "Jurassic World Rebirth"

I saw three movies this weekend, written about two that I liked, and now I'm going to talk about the one I wasn't so into.

My wife and I really love the original "Jurassic Park". It was one of my favorite movies growing up. I was obsessed with dinosaurs and seeing them "come back to life" was pretty important to me. They tried to make a few sequels that weren't so great. Although, I did find some things to enjoy in the third installment. Then Chris Pratt was tabbed to play the star in the reboot, "Jurassic World". These movies, especially the third one, were not for me. I am not the biggest Chris Pratt fan, the movies were dull, they had problematic storylines and they really phoned it in in the end. Hell, the third "Jurassic World" movie wasn't even really about dinosaurs. They decided to focus on giant mutated mosquitoes, and that was a bad, bad decision on their behalf. So, going into this new "Jurassic Park" movie, "Jurassic World: Rebirth", my expectations were very low.

And the movie delivered on those low expectations.

I told my wife after the movie was over that I actively disliked it. I couldn't find, for me, one thing that I really enjoyed. The story was slapdash and lazily put together. The direction was wonky and felt disengaged. Scarlett Johannson and Mahersela Ali are both way too good of actors to waste their time in a movie like this. It would have been better if they simply focused on Johnathan Bailey's character and just told his story. It's clear that the people behind Bailey are pushing to make him a star, and they should have given him the leeway in this movie to try out his stardom. He is already making a name for himself in "Wicked" and "Bridgerton" and this movie felt like another big shot for him. But he was not the main character, and I kind of think they should have made it all about him. But I also fully get it if you cast Johannson and Ali in a movie like this, they are going to be the leads. This was just another miss by the group making this movie.

As for the dinos, they were hideous and gross. This one, from what I can gather, was all about mutated dinosaurs, and I feel like they took that way, way too far. The D-Rex had what looked like a giant wart on the front of its head. It also had disgusting alien-like teeth that really bummed me out. I've always been a brachiosaurus guy myself, but they found a way to change these majestic creatures and gave them weird fin looking things on their necks. They also had some kind of hybrid pterodactyl-veliocraptor thing that was terrifying to see on the big screen, and not scary in a good way like the raptors in the first movie. They were gross and nasty and mean looking. I also very much dislike when an animal like a dinosaur can read human emotions and act on it. They did that far too many times in this movie. A guy threw a hammer at one, locked eyes with him and chased him down before eating him. The pterodactyl/veliocraptor thing was actively chasing down the humans in the movie. It was a total mess. And the whole family that got stranded at sea storyline was so pointless and added nothing but stress to the story.

I really do not like to sit down and bash stuff that I wish I had the audacity and intelligence to make, but this movie was very, very bad in my opinion. I do not recommend it. It does nothing to help the "Jurassic Park" movie. In fact, I'd say they may have to start all over because this was a total trainwreck. Clearly, I did not care for this movie. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "The Fantastic Four: First Steps"

My son really wanted to see the new "Fantastic Four" movie when it came out, and we took him on Saturday. All four of us went. We figured this was okay enough for our 9 year old to see, even though she's not all that interested in superhero content.

I really didn't know what to make when this movie was announced. They have tried many times to make a movie from this material, and each and every one has been pretty bad. I saw the 2005 one when it came out simply based on curiosity. Superhero movies weren't really a thing back then and I wanted to see how they would try to pull it off. It wasn't a very good movie in my opinion. It was too dull and not as fun as I wanted it to be. The story was blah and I walked away not very impressed. I did not see the sequel. I had no interest at all. I watched the 2015 version when it came to streaming and that movie is out and out bad. It had a great cast and tried to go darker, both in content and color, and it seemed to have a good story behind it. That movie was unequivocally bad. It was a truly awful movie. Then, RD had me watch the very first one that Roger Croman made in the 90's. It was rough. The movie was boring, CGI and special effects weren't close to what we have today and the actors seemed like they never wanted this movie to see the light of day. So, having all of that in my mind heading into this version may not have been the best impression.

I will say, the casting was great. I love Pedro Pascal. I don't know much about Vanessa Kirby, but I know she is a highly regarded actor. Joseph Quinn has been a star in two main things, and this movie allows his star to shine through. And I adore Eben Moss-Bachrach from "The Bear". They nailed it. And, as the movie unfolded, I found myself interested in what was going on and following along with the story. They don't explain how they got powers, we are introduced to them as superheroes that the world already loves. I liked that. We don't need the backstory. Most people already know the Fantastic Four's backstory. And the rest of the way, the movie was a delight. The action sequences were great, especially the finale. I loved the whole idea of a pregnant superhero. Seeing people adore, then get mad at, and then adore them again felt as realistic as they can make a movie like this. And Vanessa Kirby gives a truly powerhouse performance. She is, hands down, the best part of this whole movie. I believed her character arc, how she reacted when she was giving birth, her refusal to bow down to anyone and how strong and powerful she proved to be in the end. She was awesome.

Overall, this version of "The Fantastic Four" finally found a way to make this group work on screen. I enjoyed this movie. I found it very solid and a good time. I wished they weren't going to make anymore of these, but we know that is not the case. I'd prefer if they just walked away knowing that they finally did it. I recommend this movie, especially for fans of superhero stories. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Happy Gilmore 2"

I watched “Happy Gilmore 2”. Let’s discuss

I was hesitant/excited for "Happy Gilmore 2". I was hesitant because they didn't have to do this. I know that the original "Happy Gilmore" isn't a great movie, but I love it. It is my childhood. I could, and still can for that matter, almost quote that movie line for line. I have tried to show it to my kids in the past, but they don't have the same fervor for it as me, and that's okay. Back in the day my friends and I loved it. We would watch it over and over again and I feel like they nailed it. This was a perfect movie for young me and for my fandom towards Adam Sandler. I loved him on "SNL", "Billy Madison" was massive for me and now he was doing a sports movie. Never mind that it was hockey and golf, two sports I have zero interest in. This was Sandler making a big sports comedy. That was all I needed. And I adored it. I was excited because it was like they were bringing the team back together. Pretty much everyone who is still alive from the first movie is back. And if someone has passed, it was rumored there would be some kind of tribute. They were also bringing in newer faces to the franchise, and some are people I like. And they got Kyle Newachek to direct the movie, and you all know that I really love "Workaholics". So, as my wife and I sat down Friday night to watch, I was amped, but I also had my guard up.

Look, much like the first movie, "Happy Gilmore 2" isn't in the pantheon of great movies, but I really enjoyed myself while watching. This movie is a love letter to the original, and I'm fully on board with that. The new cameos were plentiful. Some worked. I thought Bad Bunny was great. Travis Kelce allowed himself to be made fun of. Eminem did a bang up job taking on a major role from the first movie. Hell, I even thought Jon Daly did a fine job. There were a few cameos I was on board with, but Sandler is nothing if not loyal to certain friends of his. The golf was just as fun this time around. I still love to see how Happy swings that driver when he's on the course. The real pro golfers in the movie knew the assignment and had fun with it. Getting Benny Safdie and Haley Joel Osment to play the villain roles was quite the coup. And Haley Joel Osment was great. And the story of an aging former pro who stepped away from the game is the perfect role for Sandler at his current age. He can dress how he wants, cast friends and family and have a damn good time making a fun movie. But the star of the movie, and scene stealer for that matter was Christopher McDonald reprising his role as Shooter McGavin. The story they told about his current whereabouts was a perfect follow up after his end in the first movie. He was funny, he seemed to love this role and he was all in on every joke and every callback to the first movie. My wife said she saw someone say they want a lone movie about him now, and I'm here for that.

I liked this movie. I had a good time. I never felt like they were taking what they did in the first movie for granted. I am usually prepared to dislike sequels, but "Happy Gilmore 2" worked for me. It was everything I wanted it to be and they never tried to make it something different. I respect that and I recommend this movie. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Squid Game" Final Season

My wife and I just finished the final season of "Squid Game". Let’s discuss.

Much like everyone else, "Squid Game" showed up on my radar, was a massive hit and then they had to find a way to make more and wrap all that up in a neat little bow. I thought they achieved that with this last go round. I was talking to my buddy Kirk about it recently, and when I brought up the show, he asked me if it was worth watching. I kind of struggled with this question at first thought, but after a minute I told him I think it is good enough to check out. After saying this I thought about it even more, and I think they did the whole thing justice with how they ended the series. I feel like it was going to be impossible to please everyone watching it, but for me they were able to pull it off.

I do want to say, for those that haven't yet watched the new season, minor spoilers will be revealed today.

The final six episodes picked up right where the second season ended. The players that are still alive are now back to playing the games and player 456 is not in a good place. What I think makes this show work so well is that the writers have found a way to make me as a viewer care about people that I'm certain are going to die. I get invested in their stories, and when one goes it still kind of hurts watching it on the screen. But, the fact of the matter in this fictional universe is only one person can win the games. Everyone else is going to be killed, or off themselves because that is how violent the games get on this show. This time around they added the element of a baby being pushed into the games. One of the contestants is pregnant and in this third installment she gives birth. After she offs herself, the baby becomes a very integral part of the game. Player 456 is tasked with protecting the baby and he takes this job very seriously. But, the other players have different ideas. The sheer fact that I cared for that fake baby's well being proves how well made this show was throughout its run. I also liked that they changed the games that were played, with the lone exception being Red Light Green Light. The new games were just as wild and some felt even harder than the first time around. The hide and seek game was terrifying, brutal and tragic. The jump rope was even more frightening than the bridge from season one for me. And the final squid game was horrific in how easy and heartbreaking it was in the end.

My only gripe with the final season was the 6 months later addition at the end. I understand why they did this and why other shows and movies do it as well, but I like to imagine for myself what all these fictional people are doing now, or how their families are dealing with them no longer being there. But that is just a minor gripe and the last scene opened this show up to be made in different countries, which I find intriguing.

All in all I liked how this show went about its business and how they finished it all off. I thought they gave a solid ending that people shouldn't be upset about at all. They did it justice, they made me care and I was in on all six final episodes. "Squid Game" was really great and I think, years from now, we will look back on how awesome this show was and will appreciate it even more. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Eddington"

As well as seeing "Superman" last weekend, I was also able to get out and see Ari Aster's new movie "Eddington". It was a movie going kind of weekend for me. I feel like I'm paying for that now with how busy my week has been so far, and it's only Tuesday.

Anway, "Eddington" was a movie that came on my radar about two or three months ago. I like Ari Aster's movies that I've seen to this point. He makes interesting movies that can be scary, haunting and funny all at the same time. "Midsommar" kicked my butt and "Beau if Afraid" is a movie I still think about to this day. I haven't seen "Hereditary" yet, but that is only because I'm truly scared to watch it, regardless of how much people like that movie. Going into "Eddington", I was curious to see how he'd do a movie that takes place in May of 2020, right at the start of COVID and the pandemic here in America. I appreciate the fact that he wanted to make a movie about the pandemic and how it affected people differently.

"Eddington" focuses on Joaquin Phoenix's character Joe, who is a sheriff of a small town in New Mexico. Phoenix is incredible in this role. He takes this meager sheriff and turns him into a nightmare of the dark web and conspiracy theorist and someone who doesn't think before he speaks. He has a feud with the town mayor, Ted Garcia, played by Pedro Pascal. Whenever the two of them were on screen together it was this great blend of tension and anger and animosity towards one another. It's clear they each despise one another for similar reasons. Emma Stone plays Joe's wife, and she has personal issues. She is basically a homebody that thinks she always needs to rest. She has had past trauma and her doctor has told her not to get too stressed. This has turned her into a conspiracy theorist as well, and she kind of goes off the deep end. Austin Butler plays a cult leader. He has a small role in this, but man is he terrifying when he's on screen. Deirdre O'Connell plays Stone's mom, and she is as delusional as they get when it comes to COVID and conspiracy theories. Luke Grimes and Michael Ward play local cops who have different takes on protests and the pandemic. Cameron Mann and Matt Gomez Hidaka play high school grads trying to navigate life in early 2020. The cast is really good and they all do an admirable job in their roles. But make no mistake, this is Phoenix's movie. He is the star and lead here. Pascal has a big part too, but it is nothing compared to Phoenix. I feel like Phoenix and Aster have some kind of weird guy connection and they're going to see how far they can take it. So far it is working.

Like I mentioned before, the tension in the first 90 minutes of this movie is great. I would squirm and shift in my chair more than I thought necessary in that first part. I was invested in the feud and what was going to happen in the town and everyone starting their protests. Then there is a big shift that happens after a fundraiser at Pascal's house. This is where the movie kind of went off the rails for me. Don't get me wrong, I liked this movie. But this shift in tone is jarring and kind of comes out of nowhere. I feel like Aster had a really good idea and filled all of that within the first 90 minutes. But then he had to find a way to finish the movie and this is when he decided to go nuts. Some of the stuff in the last hour I still really like, but it pales in comparison with the first part of the movie. And the final 10 minutes is so depressing and so scary because it feels like what is going on today with politics, and that bums me out.

All in all I enjoyed this movie. It's the first movie that hearkens back to the pandemic in the right way so far for me. It tells that story best in my opinion. And if you're on the fence about seeing "Eddington", I say go just to see Joaquin Phoenix put on a masterclass in acting. His performance is worth the price of admission.. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Superman"

Last Monday I wrote about the alt right griping about the new "Superman" movie. I also stated how much I wanted to see the movie, even more so after all the complaining. Yesterday me and my family all went out to see it, and I really, really enjoyed my theater going experience.

I was going to like this movie from the get go. I wanted to see it, my son really wanted to see it and after seeing the "backlash", that made me more excited to see it. The movie is fun from start to finish. There isn't really a dull moment throughout. The battle scenes are fun, the villain is chewing scenery and the story is a fun and easy one to follow.

I really enjoyed the guy who played Superman. His name is David Corenswet. I didn't know much about him prior to this movie. I saw he was in "Pearl" and "Twisters", among other things. He was dynamite as Superman/Clark Kent. He had the look down pat. There were moments in the movie when he, to me, looked exactly like Christopher Reeves. It was uncanny to me. He played Superman great. He was sweet, he wanted what was best for the world. He fought injustice and he had some funny things to say throughout the movie.

Rachel Brosnahan was very good as an updated Lois Lane. I like how she questioned things and when she would get into crazy situations, like pocket universes, she acted like what was happening was nuts, because it was certifiably insane what she was seeing. I appreciate that from an actor.

I mentioned scenery chewing earlier, and Nicholas Hoult did just that as Lex Luthor, and he was awesome. He was so bad, with zero redeeming qualities, and that is exactly what I want from my villains. He was bad through and through.

My personal favorite part of the movie was the Justice Gang. Green Lantern, Hawk Girl and Mr Terrific made up the Justice Gang. Two thirds of the group did not like this name by the way. Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern was my favorite thing in the whole movie. He was gruff and mean and stupid and fun as hell. He seemed to be having a great time playing this character and that really came off watching him onscreen. Isabela Merced was Hawk Girl, and while she didn't have a whole lot to do in the movie, she owned the screen time she got. She was also pretty funny with her quips. And Edi Gathegi was dynamite as Mr Terrific. He was funny, the smartest one in the Justice Gang and had the most memorable performance of any of the side characters. I am stoked for him that he is getting to do more of this super cool, and new to me superhero. I really like what he did with this performance.

As for the story, and why I guess some alt right idiots are mad, it is all about big tech and how they are ruining our world. Luthor is out for nothing but clout and fame and fortune and will stop at nothing to get it. He even tortured poor Crypto by making him chase fake squirrels. Crypto was adorable by the way, but that also doesn't mean that people should be mindlessly adopting puppies right now, especially if they can't take care of them. Anyway, Luthor is your typical tech bro who has more smarts. Superman doesn't like what he is doing in other countries or on Earth. He is just trying to keep the world a nice, and as normal a place that it can be. And all along the way he and the Justice Gang have to fight in pocket universes, help fight wars that Luthor has helped to start, fight Earth breaking into two parts, fight the past and the present and everything in between.

When we left the theater I said to my wife that I like James Gunn's direction because he knows how to make "fun movies". And that is what this "Superman" movie is, a fun, sweet superhero movie. I really liked it and am curious to see where they go with this new vision. It is off to a very promising start for me. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Wants to Watch "Eddington"

Summer movies are going to be coming out every single weekend, and I'm here for it. This is the time I allow myself to watch trailers. In fact I seek them out this time of year. I want to know what is coming out and when. I also try to find indie movies because those tend to be more my style. But lately I have been going back and watching the trailer for Ari Aster's new movie "Eddington" a bunch.

Ari Aster isn't for everyone, but his work makes me think a ton. I still think about "Beau is Afraid" and "Midsommar" a lot. Those movies were incredibly challenging and long, but I cannot seem to shake them. That, for me, is a good sign. I like that his movies sit with you and, for lack of a better word, haunt my thoughts. There is some stuff in both "Midsommar" and "Beau is Afraid" that still scare me to this day when it pops into my brain. But there is just something about this new trailer for his new movie that makes me really, really want to see it.

I think, at least right now, "Eddington" is my most anticipated summer movie. Everything about it screams what I like in movies. The cast is incredible. We've got Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Austin Butler and Pedro Pascal, among others. Phoenix is a mad man, but his work has always been a pleasant surprise for me. Even in movies I may not like, if Phoenix is in it, I'll watch. I despise "Joker", but his performance is a good one. Stone continues to do kick ass work. I love that she is taking on challenging material time and time again. I loved "Poor Things". "Kinds of Kindness" was bizarre, but she was great. Now she is doing an Aster movie. Keep these coming from her. I have not seen "Elvis", and probably never will. But, Butler was kickass in "Dune: Part 2" and he has some new movie with Matt Smith coming out that looks rad. He is having a moment and I'm here for it. And Pedro Pascal is just awesome on and off screen. He is such a cool dude, seems like a good person and I really enjoy his tv and movie acting. He is the driving force in the trailer that makes me want to watch this movie. And then we have what I can glean of the plot in the trailer. This is clearly a movie set in early COVID times. It looks like there's political stuff going on. I have to imagine social media and influencers are going to play a big, big part. And it all seems to delve into some kind of mental break for the main character/characters. I'm all in on this movie. I am sure I will be pounding the pavement for others to see it after I see it. I believe it comes out July 18th and I'm going to do whatever I can to see it in the theaters on opening day.

Ari Aster keeps pushing limits and trying new things. With "Eddington" it looks like he is going to do that in a more mainstream movie, and that is awesome to me. And anytime I can watch a harrowing drama that takes place in the modern day, I don't know why but I find myself enthralled by that type of story and material. I can't wait to see this movie. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Friendship"

I was finally able to get out and see "Friendship" over the weekend. I had heard mixed reviews on the movie, so I decided this was one that I wanted to go to on my own. I wanted to make my own decision without anyone else telling me what they thought. Selfish? Probably. But I prefer to do it this way with a movie like this.

From the start I knew I was going to like this movie. This was all about Tim Robinson and his style of comedy. Yes, Kate Mara is in the movie and plays a pivotal role. And the same can be said with Paul Rudd, who is clearly the biggest star here. But it was clear from the jump that the people involved wanted Tim Robinson to showcase his talent. And he absolutely delivered.

The whole idea of this movie, from my viewing, is what it is like to make a friend when you're an adult. It is hard and it can be uncomfortable. This movie excels because it lets us dwell in these moments. There is a scene early on when Rudd invites Robinson over to meet him and have a conversation. Robinson ends up looking at an artifact and gets a bloody nose. And we the audience get to watch Robinson yell and scream obscenities while Rudd offers to get him a new shirt and go on an "adventure". This happens early on in the movie. And we get more and more of these throughout the whole movie. Robinson and Rudd hang out in the woods looking for mushrooms and Robinson starts to sink in quicksand. It's loud and hilarious and uncomfortable. When Robinson meets the rest of Rudd's friends, we have to sit through a very uncomfortable hang out that ends with Robinson punching Rudd in the face and then putting soap in his mouth. Every interaction between Robinson and Mara is rife with cringey moments. Robinson invites some of his buddies to be in the movie and they all have issues with his character. Whitmer Thomas' character clearly despises Robinson. Connor O'Malley and Robinson have a very heated argument where they yell at each other very loudly and it is wonderfully hilarious. Carmen Christopher has one scene, where he only has one line, yet it is memorable for how uncomfortable it makes you feel as you watch. That is how this whole movie plays out, and it is done purposefully.

When I went into the movie I just wanted to see what Robinson could do with a movie role. He didn't disappoint. And I think it is because the guy who wrote and directed it just let him do what he does best. I found myself squirming in my seat, which was the point. The crowd and I laughed heartily at every joke in the movie. I wanted to watch more and more of the movie. I was pleasantly surprised at how game Rudd was to do this type of movie.

I would recommend this movie to fans of Robinson or fans of his previous work, mainly "I Think You Should Leave". "Friendship" is like a 90 minute long "ITYSL" sketch, in all the best ways, with a bit of a darker tone. I fully feel like this movie will become a cult classic in a few years and I'm stoked I got to see it in the theaters. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Shredder Orpheus"

Last night my buddy Kirk and I went to the Arkadin for Strange Brew night. Strange Brew night is a theme night where some weird, bottom of the bin type cult movies are shown. And when I saw "bottom of the bin", I mean hidden gems. These movies are delightfully weird and low budget and perfect for a spot like the Arkadin. Last night's selection was a skateboarding movie from 1990 called "Shredder Orpheus".

The host opened by telling us a few things about the movie, and then we were on our way. "Shredder Orpheus" was low budget, featured no big time stars, was clearly made amongst friends and it was gloriously ridiculous. I was pretty much all in from the jump. "Shredder Orpheus" takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where television runs society. We have the EBN, Euthanasia Broadcasting Network, who kind of runs the world now. They try to control all the viewers and they want everyone to become zombies basically. We also have the people who live in the Gray Zone. These are the gutter punks and people who tend to do their own thing. They don't conform to modern society and they're happy about it. This is where we meet Scratch, a young kid and a former soldier, the narrator of the movie. We see the movie through their eyes at the start. The world is bad. It is gross. There's nothing to really do besides skate and play music. Scratch and the young kid are pretty good on their boards. And Scratch is one hell of a percussion player. Scratch does play the "drums" on old oil drums, but it still sounds pretty solid.

After a little backstory, we finally get introduced to Orpheus. He is the frontman of his band, The Shredders. I do want to say, I really dug the music in this movie. The music was described online as punk, but I got much more of a prog/alternative rock vibe. The guitar was rad. The drums too. I wasn't too keen on the singing, but I couldn't really hear any lyrics anyway. But the music is besides the point. Orpheus is in love with a dancer named Eurydice, and they do eventually get married. At the party after the ceremony, Eurydice is killed by some bad dudes in all white makeup. Now, some of you may be thinking that this story sounds familiar, and you're right. This is the filmmakers take on the Greek Tragedy about Orpheus. I did not know this was the case until Kirk told me before the movie. I think they did an okay enough job telling this story too. Anyway, after Eurydice dies, the movie follows the Greek Tragedy pretty well, with its own twists. The skateboarding was pretty cool in the movie when they did show it. That was my biggest critique of the movie, I wanted more skateboarding. But, when skateboarding was onscreen, it was cool. I also thought the portrayals of the Greek figures were solid. Hades and Persphonne were so odd and so wild and I really enjoyed their crazy execution onscreen. The females who couldn't believe Orpheus didn't love them were terrifying and nuts. Cerberus was horrifying and I liked that he was an elevator attendant. Orpheus' parents were solid comic relief. The people who worked for the EBN really gave it their all. But, for me, Orpheus' manager was far and away the best. He was odd, funny, loud, boisterous and made the most sense of anyone speaking in the movie. It wasn't a total surprise to me when I looked him up and saw that he has been steadily working ever since this movie, appearing in a single episode of many procedurals.

Finally, when I really thought about it, when Kirk and I talked about it afterward, this was the exact type of movie I want to see when going to the Arkadin on Strange Brew night. The host was awesome. The crowd was perfect. The setting was ideal. And now I'm going to search out more and more movies of this ilk. I really enjoy these oddities and I'm stoked to have a friend and a place to go watch this stuff. And of course I recommend seeing "Shredder Orpheus" if you can get your hands on it, or if a cool indie theater near you shows it. It has to be seen to be believed. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "The Rehearsal" Season 2 Finale

I finished the second season of "The Rehearsal" on Wednesday. When I tell you that I had no idea where this season was going to go, or if it was going to even work, my head was spinning that Nathan Fielder and crew were able to pull it off, and pull it off so damn well.

For those that might not know, "The Rehearsal" is Fielder's show on HBO where he lets people rehearse real life situations. For example, in season 1 there was a guy that told his trivia team that he had a master's degree. The twist, he didn't. So, he got involved with Fielder and Fielder set up an entire bar, hired actors, had the trivia night all played out and let the guy "rehearse" how he would tell his friends and teammates. And it was glorious to watch. Season 1 then veered off into a whole other direction, which they pulled off as well, and I was instantly in love with this show.

This season Fielder's mission was to find out why so many pilots and co-pilots don't talk before or after, or sometimes even during flights. He also wanted to find a way to stop plane crashes, and his crux was that the pilot and co-pilot need to be more willing to talk about everything while flying. But, as with pretty much everything Fielder does, he took it as far as he could and rehearsed the hell out of it all. He created a fake singing show to see how co-pilots gave feedback. He spent the season premiere having a co-pilot and his girlfriend work things out that dealt with their long distance relationship. He spent an entire episode becoming Sully Sullenberger. And when I say becoming him, he started out as a child in one of the wildest things I've ever watched on tv. He was even able to set up a co-pilot with an actor who was genuinely interested in him. He even got them to try and act out a kiss. And Fielder even found out what a big deal this show is to the autistic community, in an episode that showed how giving and helpful Fielder can be. But it all came to a glorious head with the season finale.

Spoiler alert, although I know many people already know what he has done by now, Fielder flew an actual Boeing 737 with actors on board. And we, the viewers, got to watch it in real time. The season finale started with a black screen that read, "2 years earlier". This is where we see Fielder go through a bunch of training on his way to becoming a licensed 737 airplane pilot. He did all the work. He studied. He learned everything there was to learn about flying a big plane, just so he could have a co-pilot up in the air with him and they could talk about whatever was on their minds. To see all this work, to see Fielder go through this training, to watch him mess up but keep at it, it was amazing. I couldn't believe what I was watching. When he went to land that 737, and I knew deep down that they wouldn't have shown it if it went bad, I was nervous watching him do all of it. And he did it so well. He did all of that so well that he got another job. Along with being a comedian/tv guy, Fielder now flies around with other people in abandoned 737's and brings them to many different countries. He is so trusted now that he can fly on these big planes with only one other pilot and return or bring jumbo jets to many far off places. I find myself being so utterly impressed with what he was able to accomplish with this show.

No one out there right now is doing what Fielder does. There are plenty of talented people who put in work, but they don't go to the degree that Fielder does. He is legitimately putting his money where his mouth is, and that is truly awesome.

I don't know if they'll do another season of "The Rehearsal". I don't know if they could top what they just accomplished. But if they do, I will be right there to watch it bated breath. I really, really do love this show and the work that Nathan Fielder does. He is one of a kind and he is putting out some of the best possible tv we have at the time. "The Rehearsal" is a true masterpiece in my opinion, and Nathan Fielder is one of the best doing tv right now. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Love Death + Robots" Volume 4

I finished the fourth installment of "Love Death and Robots" yesterday. I was a little tepid going into the newest season due to some poor online reviews. But, I'm here to say, I really enjoyed this season. I felt like this season just continued what has made this show so cool and unique and unlike anything else on tv. I am a little surprised at the hate on the internet, but maybe I shouldn't be. People always want something to gripe about, and they use the internet as their soapbox to put their opinions that they should keep to themselves. That is unfortunately the world we live in today.

Anyway, I really liked this season. I finished it in two days because the episodes are so short and to the point. I found myself engaged in each episode. I really liked the whole marionette Red Hot Chili Peppers premiere. It was pretty cool to see a one song performance put into the world of "Love Death and Robots". I like that they went back to the miniature well with the second episode. I also liked the whole story of the alien invasion and how prone to guns and violence humans can be. "Spider Rose" was brutal and sweet. It made me want to get another pet too. I really appreciated how "400 Boys" was kind of a callback to "Attack the Block". They got some of the same people to do voices for the episode and the story was similar, except the aliens here were much different. And this episode was pretty damn violent. "The Other Large Thing" was funny and also showed how reliant we are on technology and robots. I also like that they got a few big names to do voices, and that the humans in this episode speak gibberish. It was a good look at how life could be if we get to this place. "Golgotha" was maybe the weakest episode for me, but I still found things I liked about it. I like that they did the animation and mixed it with real life people. They treaded water in both areas and they did a solid job in the end. I'm also a Rhys Darby fan, so anytime I get to see him onscreen is a good deal for me. "The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur" was rad. It was dark and bleak. It was bloody and gory. It had the best story for me all season. This might have been my favorite. "How Zeke Found Religion" was equally violent and dour as hell. It showed the true brutality of war, even if it was a hyperized version of the war. And while bleak, I found this one to be the best of the whole season. It wasn't my favorite, but it was the best. "Smart Appliances Stupid People" told us how some of the machines in our homes feel. This one had the most famous people doing voice work. It was my favorite animation. And it was funny as hell. I like when "Love Death and Robots" does a funny episode. While it is still dark, it is nice for them to take a break from all the bleakness. And "For He Can Creep" was so cool and so unlike other stuff on tv right now. I thought it was a fascinating look at how we rely on animals in our lives to take care of us. I also really enjoyed the animation here. It was old timey with some newer updated things.

All in all I thought they did a good job continuing how great of a show it is. I disagree with the online hate. I highly recommend this season and this show. It is good through and through. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Black Mirror: USS Callister: Into Infinity"

I have finished watching the most recent season/series of "Black Mirror" and I want to write about the last episode, "USS Callister: Into Infinity".

This is the sequel to the wonderful "USS Callister". I didn't know they were going to do a sequel, but I'm glad they did. This one sees almost everyone back from the first go round. Micheala Cole isn't in the sequel, and some stuff has been written about why. I missed her in this one, but the rest of the crew does an admirable job.

"Into Infinity" picks up pretty soon after the events of the first episode. This time the cast of characters are in their infinite loop in the videogame world and they are just trying to survive the world they have been thrust into. They have to scrap and claw to make money in the world they're now living in. They also get called out a ton by people playing the game in the real world because they don't have gamertags and they are taking other people's hard earned videogame money. From here on out we get a good glimpse into the videogame world and what is happening to the people on the outside. There's an ongoing investigation into what happened to Jesse Plemons' character from the first episode. We also get to see how his idea from the game "USS Callister" was introduced into the world. We see him and the cofounder of their company coming up with the money and the idea to do all of the things they end up accomplishing.

Cristin Milioti shines again as Nanette. Milioti has achieved a new amount of fame from some movie roles and her star turn on "The Penguin", so seeing her slip back into Nanette was a treat. She is such a good actor and her skills have only gotten better over time. But what I like most about this episode is all the other characters get a chance to shine. Jimmi Simpson is sleazy and slimy. Billy Mangussen does some great comic relief. Osy Ikhile pulls some very good double duty and gets to play two totally different people. He's great. Milanka Brooks is the heart of the mission. And Paul G Raymond brings levity to both worlds within the "Black Mirror" world.

What makes this show work is the people involved know what they're doing and are some of the best people in the industry. Getting Toby Haynes to direct this episode was the cherry on top. He is so good at this sci-fi world and he gives a show like this so much gravitas. I really liked the back and forth between the real world and the videogame, the way the story unfolds was at times shocking and easy to follow, I thought the actors fully bought in and this was a very solid way to end the 7th season/series of "Black Mirror".

"Black Mirror" has reached a status of being one of the most reliable and best shows on tv. I know when a new season/series comes out I'm going to find something to enjoy about each episode. And I like how each episode is its own thing. They are not tethered to each other in any way. My hat is off to another very good season/series of "Black Mirror". Go watch it all as soon as you can. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Sinners"

My wife and I saw "Sinners" last Friday. I had read nothing but glowing reviews for the movie, and then RD texted me and told me it was a great movie. I trust RD's opinion on movies. He has never really steered me wrong. And the 98 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes was all I pretty much needed to see this movie. I also saw a preview for it when my dad and I watched "Mickey 17".

As we settled into the theater, which was about 90 percent full, my expectations were pretty high. And this movie more than lived up to the hype. I loved everything about "Sinners". The movie was stylish and cool. I liked the old school vibe of the movie.

“Sinners” takes place in the early 1930's in Mississippi. Michael B Jordan plays dual roles, and from the moment he was on screen, the very first shot, I couldn't take my eyes off what he was doing. Michael B Jordan has become one of the most reliable actors in all of Hollywood. And when he and Ryan Coogler team up, that is a match made in heaven. Coogler and Michael B Jordan made magic together in "Fruitvale Station", "Black Panther" and "Creed". They have now done the same with "Sinners". This is one of the coolest and most unique movies that has come out since "Everything Everywhere All at Once". It may seem like a rehashed vampire movie, but it is so much more than that and so much better than that and so much cooler than that.

The movie has a slow burn to it for the first hour, where they're, for all intents and purposes, "getting the band together". We learn a whole lot more about the two characters Michael B Jordan is playing. One is a hustler and one is no nonsense. They get all the people they want to help them out, and they head out on their way. During this first hour we also see the town they grew up in and returned to, the people they have interacted with and it seems like something sinister is lurking underneath. We then see a man on fire enter on screen, and this is where the movie goes from great to classic. This is where the vampire portion of the movie comes into play. But the vampires represent so much more in this world. And at times I actually side with the vampires. The main vampire is talking about community and acceptance and it is damn enticing and moving. But the main characters that fight them are on the good side, and eventually you have to accept and agree with them. They have the best interest of the community.

Throughout all of this we get some excellent, all timer scenes in this movie. I love the driving on dirt roads we see a lot of in the beginning. The old school church is haunting and interesting. The dance sequence the vampires do was frightening and fascinating. But, the scene that will be remembered for all time was the music scene with Preacher Boy playing guitar and singing an old blues classic. During the song we see music from all genres and all eras. It makes for one of the best and most unique scenes in the history of film. It was amazing to see all this different music come together while Preacher Boy absolutely nails the song. I think about this one scene multiple times a day.

"Sinners" is making a ton at the movies, which is well deserved. "Sinners" also definitely earned all of the positive reviews. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. It is wonderful and one of the fresher ideas in Hollywood. Check it out. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Black Mirror: Eulogy"

Episode five of this season of "Black Mirror" has been one of the best they've ever done. "Eulogy" brought all the best in everyone involved. I mentioned Peter Capaldi's performance in my write up yesterday, and while that was a great performance, the work that Paul Giamatti did in "Eulogy" is second to none. "Black Mirror" has had a myriad of great performances, but this one, at the moment, is the best I've seen so far.

"Eulogy" starts off with Giamatti's character doing some gardening and his phone rings. He goes to retrieve it, and we find out that someone he knew in his past has died and he is left thinking how to move ahead. From here Giamatti is given a chance to go back and remember his times with this person. It is essentially a robot in the cloud that can let people go into pictures and relive these moments that they have long forgotten or moved on from. Giamatti gives a wonderful, heartfelt and grieving performance. His attitude changes on a dime when he revisits his past. He is acting opposite a voice for most of the episode and he absolutely nails every single scene. I was along for the ride with him. Seeing his past life, going through this grief, trying to figure out how to process it all, Giamatti delivers every single time. I felt for him. I was angry at him. I wanted him to find peace with everything he was going through. I wanted to see this person because we had no pictures of her face. I wanted to understand more about their past. The voice on the other side of the memory device, she gave a pretty good performance as well. She pushes Giamatti. She wants him to remember this stuff. She wants some clear answers as to what happened in the past. She also may have a little secret that Giamatti doesn't know about until close to the end.

"Eulogy" is a tour de force for Paul Giamatti. When I see him give us a performance this good it makes me remember how good of an actor he truly is. Giamatti is reliable, solid and sometimes, like this episode, we get to watch absolute gold like this. He knows how to do everything on screen. He can pull from so many other things, be it in his personal life or his research on other roles. Giamatti has become an actor that everyone can rely on and expect to see damn good work from in whatever role he is playing. So when he takes it to another level, like he does in "Eulogy", it makes me respect him that much more. I am always a little skeptical when I see a big star commit to a show like "Black Mirror", but this is what makes this show so awesome. Paul Giamatti was all in and went for it. He understood the assignment and he nailed it. I would love to see him get some kind of awards recognition for this performance.

Paul Giamatti and "Eulogy" gave us one the best episodes in the illustrious run of "Black Mirror" and I'm very grateful for it. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Black Mirror: Plaything"

Episode four this season of"Black Mirror", "Plaything", features one hell of a performance from a pretty famous actor. This whole episode takes us back to "Bandersnatch". I know some people had issues with that movie, but I did not. I liked it quite a bit. I watched it a bunch of times and took the story in a ton of different directions. "Bandersnatch" was a choose your own adventure movie in the style of "Black Mirror".

"Plaything" takes place after the events in "Bandersnatch", but it only brings back a few people from the movie. Will Poulter is back and so is the guy who runs the video game company with him. Will Poulter shines in his minimal screen time. He is a good actor, he knows this role very well and he is a delight to watch. He also plays an insane person who is capable of horrific things. But, in "Plaything" he is making a new game that brings a lot more to the table than most games. Peter Capaldi is the actor that gives a virtuoso performance here. When the episode starts we see him going into a convenience store and kind of robbing it, but it seems like he wants to get caught. The police descend upon him and put him in cuffs. They then run his license and find out he is guilty of way more than just robbery. This is when the episode takes us back to the time after "Bandersnatch" and the new video game Poulter's character is making. We learn a lot about a young Capaldi here. He is a loner that tests videogames and writes about them for a prominent tech magazine. He has one buddy who gives him drugs, but that is about all he is good for. He is summoned to meet Poulter and test and then write about his new game. He steals the game and that's when things start to go nuts. All the while we cut back and forth between the past and the current version of Capaldi. He is magnetic in his performance. You feel for him even though he is not such a great person. The police and the psychiatrist are both doing their best to break him, but he is so singularly focused on his goal that he never stops doing what he thinks he needs to do. And he is simply awesome. I don't know much about Capaldi as an actor. I understand he was the Doctor during one of the many "Doctor Who" runs. Other than that, I would see him pop up in shows and movies, and while he was memorable, this performance in "Plaything" is one of a kind. He commands the attention of the viewer. He shines brighter than anyone else. The other actors are doing their best, and they are doing really good work. But, they are just not at Capaldi's level. He plays this unwell person perfectly. The faces he makes throughout the episode transform from pitiful to arrogant. He never lets go of his mission at hand. He has a job and he is going to fulfill his duty. I was truly in awe of him here. It makes me want to search out more of his stuff and compare it against this performance.

"Plaything" was a solid episode in a very solid season to this point, but it was another wonderful performance from a seasoned actor. When you watch this episode, pay attention to Capaldi's work. It's a masterclass. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Black Mirror: Hotel Reverie"

Continuing my recap of each "Black Mirror" episode this season, I'm here to talk about one episode that I think will be talked about for years to come, "Hotel Reverie".

Issa Rae stars as a modern movie star, Brandy, who is sick of playing the roles she keeps getting offered. She is either a love interest or the lead of some run of the mill indie drama. She is speaking with her agent one day and an offer that he seems to think is nothing big takes Rae's attention. Her agent is going through all the roles being offered and he tells her about an old classic being remade for the modern audience, but in a new way too. The movie is called "Hotel Reverie". And it stars Emma Corrin, who is playing Dorothy. There is a whole preamble when the episode starts that shows clips from the movie intercut with news stories about Dorothy's personal life. Dorothy had a tough life. Dorothy wasn't able to live the life they desired. Dorothy had to hide a ton of things. I should also mention that "Hotel Reverie" is owned by a dying studio that is looking for any type of project to get them some money. That is where Redream comes into place. Awkafina plays one of the, I think, leaders of this new company. What Redream does is make old movies with one new star and films them in real time. It is like a play come to life of an old classic. Brandy is obsessed with this movie and that is why she jumps at this role. Brandy also wants to play the co lead, who was a man back when they first made this movie. Awkwafina is all for this, so they give her the role. She gets sent an envelope with the script and her lines and everything. We also happen to see a USB fall to the ground that Brandy doesn't notice. So, when Brandy arrives on set, she is ready to go, but she doesn't fully understand what Redream is doing. She relents and agrees and is sent into this world that Redream has built. It is all artificially created people and they all seem to think they're real. Brandy is stunned, obviously, at first, but then she gets into acting mode and goes for it. Then things start to go a little haywire. Everything has to be perfect, but like most "Black Mirror" episodes, things aren't always what they seem. As this episode unfolds it becomes about so much more. The episode shows love and how it comes and goes and can be devastating. We get an idea of what AI could become if it were ever to gain sentience and feeling. We see an upstart company dealing with some harrowing issues all along the way by not coming up with their own ideas. And I loved it all. Issa Rae gives a wonderful performance. I believed her every step of the way. I felt for her. I wanted her to be happy. But Emma Corrin really shines here. They give us a performance for the ages. Playing the original Dorothy and the AI version, they give us two separate but equally incredible performances. There are some scenes that Corrin takes to another level that really shined through.

I still sit in my home and think about things from this episode daily. I was so enamored with "Hotel Reverie". I love the whole idea of Hollywood not being unique enough anymore. I love seeing love stories, good and bad. And when actors go for it and nail it, that is the cherry on top. "Hotel Reverie" is an achievement that I truly loved watching. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Black Mirror: Bete Noire"

The second episode in this new block from "Black Mirror" is called "Bete Noire". I have read some stuff online about this particular episode that I don't necessarily agree with all that much. Some people have said it is not one of their best and a low point for this season. So far I have loved the four episodes I've seen. So, to see some people denigrating this one felt a bit off base.

I really like the whole idea of "Black Mirror" doing an episode that takes place inside a new aged candy shop. I kept thinking of Willy Wonka, until the episode got into the meat of it all. I was all in on this chocolatier making up new and exciting treats. Then everything starts to go a bit awry when she sees an old classmate of hers. She never really liked this girl all that much. Well, maybe that's not it, she never really thought about this girl much.

The main character, Maria, played by Siena Kelly, was a popular kid in school and had a lot of friends. This seems to lead to others being made fun of by the "cool" kids. The "outsider" here is Verity, played by Rosy McEwen. She seems a little off from the jump. She is very forthcoming, but also awkward when she runs into Maria at her job. Verity is part of a focus group trying a new chocolate, and after the trial, she speaks with Maria in the restroom, an awkward place for a conversation. It is here when Verity drops a bunch of stuff on her. She moved on from her high school days, found herself and was applying for a job at the chocolate company. Maria didn't even think they had an opening. Maria relays all this info to her boyfriend, who is very nonchalant about everything, which is how I probably would react in this scenario. But it doesn't stop there between Maria and Verity. Verity always seems to be right about everything. People are constantly taking her side in every single debate or argument. It gets bad enough that Maria is asked to take a leave because her boss and coworkers think she is openly attacking Verity, with no proof of the acts she is claiming have occured.

This episode resonated with me because it is a clear case of gaslighting. Verity knows what she is doing and she goes at it hard. It is wild to see the tables turn on Maria. She goes from one of the top chocolatiers in the UK to yelling at everyone at her job. We come to find out more about the highschool days between the two of them and what Verity is really up to now. The scene that the two actors have in Verity's bedroom is wild and tense. I was nervous and I could feel my heart racing as I watched it all unfold. There are other actors that help this ctory move along, but make no mistake, this is all about the battle between Verity and Maria. I found myself so, so angry at Verity by the end. And I was fully on Maria's side about halfway through the episode. But, like only "Black Mirror" can do, I was questioning everything I thought by the end of the episode. That is what this show does best, and "Bete Noire" is another fine example.

I thought this episode was wonderful, and when everything came into focus, my mind was blown. McEwen and Kelly both give powerhouse performances and I'm intrigued to check out some of their other work. I'm glad I watched this one and didn't pay much attention to the critics on the internet. "Bete Noire" worked for me and I'm still thinking about stuff from it to this day. That is the mark of a good 45 minutes of tv for me. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Black Mirror: Common People"

The 7th season or series or whatever it is called "Black Mirror" was released on April 10th. I've already seen four of the six episodes. My wife asked me the other night if I wanted to finish it off. I did, but I also wanted to wait.

"Black Mirror" is, quite possibly, the best show on tv. I get excited when a new whatever gets announced. I read all about the casting and everything. I just want to know what I'm going to get into, and how much I'm going to like it. What I want to do for this newest release is write about each episode after seeing it. I already said I have already watched four, so I'm going to focus on one episode for the next few days, and when my wife and I watch the final two episodes, I'll come back and tell you all how I feel about those. So, for my blog today I'm going to focus on the first episode of the new whatever, "Common People".

This episode is reminiscent of early "Black Mirror". It starts out all nice and quaint. We see a couple celebrating their anniversary and seem to be having a good time. Chris O'Dowd and Rashinda Jones play the couple. I love this pairing. They seem to have great chemistry and play really well off one another. As I said, the two of them are in what seems like a solid relationship. But, they can't have kids. Jones' character also seems to have issues with headaches. One day, she plays a school teacher, and she collapses in class. It turns out she has a pretty invasive brain tumor. It doesn't seem like she is ever going to wake up from the coma she is in. Then Tracie Ellis Ross shows up. This is when the show goes back to its roots. Ellis Ross plays a salesperson who tells O'Dowd that she is part of a team that can save his wife's life, if he decides he wants to try an invasive and new surgery. I'm not going to spoil anything from there on out, but I am going to try and talk about it the best I can without spoiling anything. The surgery is basically a subscription type of deal. While watching, my wife made mention that Jones' brain was basically a cell phone now. The rules, the money, the issues that come with all of this, and how they tell the story, is what makes "Black Mirror" so excellent. At first I was totally on board with the surgery. I told my wife I'd do it, and if she was in a situation where this was possible for me, I'd want her to do it. But, as the episode kept unfolding, my desire for this kept waning. It got bad. All of the things that make having a cell phone annoying, Jones' character was living that reality. It was bleak. It made me sad. And with this company becoming more and more of a thing, it was called Redream in the show, it kept getting more and more expensive. And Ellis Ross was exceptional as the spokesperson of the company. She never raised her voice, she never got mad, she always kept her cool. It also turns out that she is a little more involved than what is led on at the beginning. But what makes this episode really work was O'Dowd and Jones' performances, along with Ellis Ross. As things get tougher, their lives get harder. O'Dowd resorts to doing things he may not want to do. Jones has to sleep pretty much all the time. And Eliis Ross keeps hitting them with more and more bills and new prices.

This episode was an excellent way to start this new series or season. It was a throwback and set the whole thing in motion. It made me want to see more, but my wife said she needed a break, which I also understood. An episode like "Common People" is what makes "Black Mirror" so great. The writers know the material and that shines through here. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Companion"

I mentioned on Wednesday how I've been catching up on movies lately. Another movie I wanted to talk about this week is "Companion". Let’s discuss.

I remember seeing a preview for this movie months ago and it blew me away. The preview was great too because it didn't reveal too much. All I saw was Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher sitting at a table and having a conversation. That was it. They didn't have any type of big reveals and they didn't show any other scenes or people. For all I knew, it was about a couple in trouble. The conversation the two were having seemed fraught. With all this in mind I knew I wanted to see this movie. In fact, my wife and I tried to see it on Valentines Day, but it was already out of the theaters by that point, which is another topic for another day that I have issues with at the moment. But, it was cheap to rent on Amazon last Saturday, it was my turn to pick a movie and I jumped at renting "Companion".

Right off the bat, this review will have minor spoilers. Also, I loved this movie. I was all in from the first moment until the very end. This movie is worth watching and worth talking about. The story of "Companion", in a Cliff's notes version, is about a couple that goes away for a weekend to a cabin to spend time with some friends. The couple in question is Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher. They are young and seem very much in love. Thatcher's character seems to be obsessed with Quaid's character. She does literally everything for him. From telling him what to do to carrying their bags, she is all in and willing to do whatever. She also has odd quirks that we notice off the jump. She likes to thank and talk to computer objects. There's an early scene when they are driving, the car is a self-driving car by the way, and when they arrive, she waits to get out until both her and Quaid have thanked the car. She never eats or drinks any food. She is quick with an answer to every question. When told to "go to sleep", she instantly stops talking and rests. It all seems a little strange. We come to realize pretty early on, after an accident at the house, that Thatcher is in fact a robot. She is a "companion" doll that people in this world can buy, program and set to be their partner. When this was revealed, it made me buy in even more. And then we have the aforementioned "incident" that changes the whole course of the movie. We see that Quaid isn't this perfect boyfriend. He's actually kind of a prick. My hat is off to Quaid for this performance. I didn't think he could play this type of character, but he nailed it. After the "incident", Thatcher  really shines. This is her movie. She is the driving force. And she is amazing. I can't wait to see more of her leading roles in upcoming movies. The friends are pretty great too. Lukas Gage and Harvey Guillen play another couple at the cabin. Guillen shines, playing what I have to imagine is a heightened version of himself. He is a star. Gage, who's character also has a secret, really shows his worth when his twist occurs. He was great. Rupert Friend is barely in the movie, but he is memorable. And Megan Suri does a whole lot that is integral to the plot and she was pretty awesome here.

I'm starting to realize that when it comes to the "horror" genre, these are the types of movies I like. This was more thriller than horror, and there were comedic elements that I really enjoyed. Those cut the tension. But, what it all boils down to was Thatcher's performance and she did a remarkable job carrying this movie. I was incredibly impressed with her performance. And, the movie is barely over 90 minutes long, which is perfect.

Seek out "Companion", it is pretty damn good. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Watches "Saturday Night"

During last week and so far this week I have been catching up on some movies that I've been putting off. One such movie is "Saturday Night".

A good amount of people whose opinion I appreciate, told me to watch this movie. I used to watch "SNL" a ton back in the late 90's and early 2000's. I watched all the way through The Lonely Island's run, but then I kind of fell off. During that time I went back and watched older episodes. I decided I wanted to watch episodes from the 70's and 80's. I kind of fell in love with the earliest episodes during that time. I got way more into the minutiae of comedy at that time, so learning about some of the earliest writers rooms, reading and educating myself on people like Micahel O'Donoghue and Rosie Schuster was a total blast for me. So, when the people that recommended the movie told me it was about the first live airing of "SNL", that was all I needed to know to watch. Other stuff came up, but I was finally able to watch it all in one sitting yesterday. And I totally loved it.

I was all in on this movie from the first frame. I really enjoy movies that seem frenetic, especially when they take us back to a very important time in history. And let us not get it twisted, "SNL" changed the game when it comes to live sketch comedy. No other show in that genre would be here now if it weren't for "SNL". There would be no "Key and Peele", no "Chapelle Show", no "MadTV" without "SNL". This movie focused on the 90 minutes leading up to the first airing of the show. We got to see all the behind the scenes stuff. I really liked seeing how rough rehearsal could be. I liked watching the castmates cutting loose with one another. Seeing Lorne Michaels constantly on the move made for an intriguing story. Seeing old classic actors walking around trying to figure out what the show was going to be, and then dismissing it, that stuff moves me. I'm sure it is all made more grandiose for movies, but I don't really care. If a movie is well made, and "Saturday Night" most definitely is, I can overlook that stuff.

The casting here was amazing. I was shocked at how authentic they made it feel. Gabriel LaBelle, who I have never heard of, played Michaels. He was magnetic. He totally embodied everything that I have to imagine Michaels was going through that night. But he always stuck to his vision. The casting of the first cast was great too. Dylan O'Brien shined as Dan Akyroyd. He became him. Lamorne Morris brought brevity and hilarity to Garrett Morris. Ella Hunt brough the wit and constant upbeat attitude of Gilda Radner. Emily Fairn was so incredible as Larraine Newman. Her performance made me appreciate Newman's genius even more. Kim Matula embodied Jane Curtin and brought the feminist badass out in her. Matt Wood was quietly wonderful as John Belushi. And Cory Michael Smith brought out all of the asshole in Chevy Chase. Nicolaus Braun did double duty, nailing it as both Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson. I do want to shout out two other performers as well. I mentioned my fandom for O'Donoghue and Schuster earlier. Well, Tommy Dewey was absolutely perfect as O'Donoghue and Rachel Sennott continues to build her resume higher and higher with each role. She's awesome as Schuster. And Cooper Hoffman is wonderful as a young Dick Ebersol.

It was clear from watching how important "SNL" is to Jason Reitman. He directed this movie beautifully. It showed on screen. I highly recommend this movie for fans of "SNL" and sketch comedy in general. To see the start of it all was pretty great. Go watch this movie. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.