Comedy
How to Do Visual Comedy the Edgar Wright Way
One of my favorite writer/directors is Edgar Wright. His films, including Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, The World’s End and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, are some of my all-time favorites. Why, you may wonder?
One of the many reasons is his very inventive visual style. He knows how to use a camera and his actors to maximize comedic or dramatic effect. And sometimes he even does both at the same time.
Don’t know what I mean? Fortunately, I don’t really have to explain further because someone else, Vimeo user Tony Zhou to be exact, has already made a video highlighting exactly what I’m talking about.
Watch it. You just might learn something.
[vimeo 96558506 w=560 h=315]
The Original 1967 'Wonder Woman' Pilot
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: making TV (or movies for that mater) is hard. Well, making them isn’t that hard, but making them good, that’s the real trick.
Sadly, this video of the 1967 pilot (more of a pilot presentation really) for a Wonder Woman TV series, featuring Ellie Wood Walker as the titular heroine, falls into the “not good” category. In fact, it’s pretty much unwatchable.
I don’t know the full history of this, but I do know it was made by the same folks who made the 60’s Batman series starring Adam West and Burt Ward. So yes, it’s supposed to be campy.
I can take campy. Heck, I even like campy sometimes. But this, this is something else entirely.
I guess you should just judge for yourself. I can’t imagine why this didn’t get the green light to become a series.
[youtube www.youtube.com/watch
Medieval Land Fun-Time World
You can probably guess I’m a big fan of the HBO series Game of Thrones. If you know me at all, ever heard my podcast or read most anything I’ve written, it should be pretty obvious I’m a geek/nerd. And geek/nerds love GOT.
The show is really fun and I enjoy pretty much every minute of it. In fact, I can’t wait until it starts again with season four.
I never read the books before I saw the series, but I don’t really see that as a problem. I think the series stands on its own as one of the best on TV.
That said, I can also see the potential humor in a lot of what goes on during the show. Some of it, although taken very seriously, could be very funny if presented in a different way. Apparently, the folks who made this video agree and have taken the idea and run with it. Far.
I haven’t laughed this much in some time. That could be because I’m extremely tired (we do have a new baby in the house after all), but if so, that doesn’t take away from the fact that this video is extremely funny. Enjoy.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Krz-dyD-UQ?rel=0&w=560&h=420]
D&D Players Can Be Ruthless In This Trailer for 'Zero Charisma'
Long ago, when Dungeons & Dragons was just called D&D and about the time the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons arrived, I started playing the game. Back then it was a group of like-minded friends who gathered around the ping pong table in my parent’s garage and had adventures.
It was a simpler time and I don’t remember the games ever getting violent, or even very confrontational, except when we were engaged in epic battles for our band of adventurers very survival. In the game, of course.
So when I saw this trailer for the indie film Zero Charisma (a title which works for me on several levels), I had to think if I ever had these kinds of problems as a young D&D player. I was pretty sure I didn’t, but perhaps I was remembering it wrong? Or, was I just lucky that none of the people I played with back then were bona fide sociopaths as, unfortunately, the character of Scott (the terrifically creepy Sam Eidson) seems to be.
I like to think we were all just good friends brought together by our love of role playing games, the desire to use or imaginations and because we liked to have fun. I really hope it wasn’t that other stuff. I don’t like to think that I can’t remember things or that I could have misjudged people’s character so badly back then.
As I still keep in touch with most of the guys I played with “back in the day,” I guess I can just check with them and see if my recollection of events jives with their own. I’m pretty sure it will.
You can call a prison directly, right? I kid, I kid.
Check out this trailer for Zero Charisma and some scenes from the movie. It looks like a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing it when I get a chance.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRRCt0tbQvw?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgbLhDUqAXM?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
Here's Some 'Community' Outtakes for a Friday
Many of these made me laugh. Some made me, well, experience other emotions. Anyway, here’s a little video containing some fun Community outtakes.
Enjoy them as this week’s episode may be the last one ever. Fingers crossed for a renewal from NBC, though. Thursday night’s episode would be a hard way to go out.
No, I didn’t think it was that great. I was hoping for more. On a side note, don’t read anything into the fact that most of these outtakes contain scenes with Alison Brie. That’s just a coincidence.
I also have no idea how the picture of her eating ice cream came back again. I thought I got rid of that. Please accept my humble apologies and I will try not to let it happen again.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woP-4BP4w5M?rel=0&w=525&h=295]
And Now, a Very Special Episode of 'Downton Zombey'
This amused me quite a bit. Of course, it helps if you watch Downton Abbey… And love zombies.
Fortunately, I do. I guess I should also mention that if you do watch Downton Abbey but haven’t seen this season’s finale, you may actually get some spoilers in this. So, beware and enjoy.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p540lbdF70?rel=0&w=525&h=394]
First Teaser for 'Anchorman 2' Is Here and I'm In
Now this is happening.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39KxQrGwOGU?rel=0&w=525&h=300]
'Lazy Sunday 2'
The sequel to the great SNL Digital Short Lazy Sunday arrived last night and it did not disappoint. Watch. Enjoy.
Phoebe Cates Is Number One
How I didn’t see this before I’ll never know, but apparently the site Mr. Skin rated the all-time best nude scenes in movies and one of my favorite actresses of all time was number one. I’m talking about, of course, Phoebe Cates in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
To a young man such as myself, Cates represented all that was awesome about girls and helped start us on the way to manhood. I’m very happy that many others obviously share my enthusiasm for Cates. She truly is one of a kind and still looks great today (at 46), btw.
But here she is in her younger days in one of my favorite movies of all time. Also, keep in mind, this video is probably NSFW. Enjoy.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbHth5ErTs8?rel=0&w=420&h=315]
Video Friday (Sunday Edition)
I’ve been busy (Again with the excuses, right?) and have been working hard to get The Flickcast on its feet. Now that the show and the site are going and we’re gathering some great writers to participate, I’m turning my attention to a new, better design for the site itself – which also takes some time and attention.
Of course, that means I'm still a bit neglectful of this here blog. Unfortunately, as I get older I find I can't multi-task as well as I once did. Not that I was spectacular at it when I was younger, I just seem to be <em>particularly</em> bad at it now. But really, what does this mean for you O reader of this blog?
Basically, it means that while I'm distracted with the shiny new thing the not quite as shiny new thing is going to feel a bit neglected. Probably, so will you. My apologies but that's just the way it is. Try not to take it personally. I won't.
At this point, I really feel I've made enough excuses and introduced the horse to a sufficient beating so I think I'll stop instead of my rambling on for several more sentences. What shall we do instead? Glad you asked. Seeing as its 'Video Friday', let's take a look at a very funny video from your friends and mine Barats and Bereta. Enjoy.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhcA4Ry65FU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]
Video Friday - Dear John Witherspoon
In honor of the holidays, the following video will have pretty much nothing to do with the holidays whatsoever. Oh, this video is probably NSFW unless you happen to work someplace where this kind of thing is acceptable. If so, are they hiring?
Enjoy and happy holidays. Yes, I went there. That is all.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX7-wAO4qGs&w=480&h=295]
Video Friday - The Sherman and Mr. Peabody Backstory
The story I never knew as a child can now be told. It’s the Sherman and Mr. Peabody backstory. Also known as: How a dog found his boy. Enjoy.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YunO4Wc8E28&w=425&h=344]