English Teacher- Season 1

7.5/10

In this new comedy on FX, gay English teacher Evan Marquez (played by Brian Jordan Alvarez) has to deal with the trials and tribulations of teaching high school in the modern era. 

This is naturally going to get comparisons to Abbott Elementary, but I would say this differs in that, besides being about a high school instead of an elementary one, in that it's more cynical and perhaps a bit more adult in its humor (although I wouldn't say it's too cynical or mature, mature.) This is a fairly good satire of American education and has fun poking at both the liberal and conservative sides of matters. Also, I love the students' often disinterested or overreactions to Evan's adult sensibilities and passions. (You see less of them in the last few episodes that focus more on Evan, and I hope they'll correct this if there is a second season.)

I'd say the show's one major down point is its focus on Evan's life. Honestly, he's kind of a selfish guy and sorta a wreck. (This is another thing I hope could be corrected in another season.) Also, episode 6 felt a bit broad when compared to the other episodes.

Fine cast in this. Just Shoot Me/Veronica Mars/Flashpoint's Enrico Colantoni plays Principal Grant Moretti. He's always good, but I think this might be his best performance here. He plays the often pragmatic-type of principal, who is trying to survive until retirement, and he probably gives the funniest performance in this. Sean Patton as Markie Hillridge, the school's center-conservative coach and Evan's friend, is also a lot of fun. Guy nails his delivery and may be the most likable character in this.

Recommended. Despite my grumblings about the main character, this is still a smart comedy.

Family Guy: Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Cheater

6.5/10

In this Hulu exclusive special, Peter Griffin (voiced by show creator Seth McFarlane) and friends try to help Joe Swanson (Seinfeld's Patrick Warburton) win a in a pumpkin competition against his rival Patrick McCloskey (Glenn Powell). Meanwhile, Stewie Griffin (also Seth McFarlane) decides to bring his teddy bear Rupert to life with unforeseen consequences.

Yeah, this was clearly a regular Halloween episode that the executives decided to dub a special. There is nothing notable about it, and there was no attempt to give it anything of a kick to it involving the holiday (unlike that hour-long Christmas special they did a while back that intentionally had that extra oomph.) 

The stories themselves are just kinda there. However, this is fairly funny with decent jokes in it. 

Yeah, anyone could've voiced Powell's character, but he is good at doing a cocky guy. Also, I liked McCloskey's over-the-top douchey pumpkin-themed attire. Some people may be annoyed that Rupert isn't voiced by the usual guy who occasionally does Rupert in Stewie's imagination. I won't spoil who does it, but it made me think "Huh? That was a surprise choice."

Kinda recommended. It's nothing outstanding, but it has its moments and makes for an alright episode of Family Guy.

Haunted Wedding

6/10

In this recent Hallmark Halloween entry, ghost hunters Jane (played by Pretty Little Liars' Janel Parrish), the more science-focused one, and Brian (Shadowhunters' Dominic Sherwood), the more spiritual-focused one, are getting married at a hotel. At said hotel, they encounter Angelique (Cassandra Potenza), a ghost pining over her one true love tragically separated by fate. Jane and Brian decide to help reunite them.

This is a Hallmark movie and fine for what it is. They're simple comfort food and not trying to be high art, and this is exactly what these movies' audience want them to be. The plot isn't complex, but it doesn't quite feel like it's coasting. There are some decent jokes and lines in this, and the writers felt like they took their job seriously. (I mean by Hallmark standards. I kinda love the fact that once the ghost hunters find true evidence of the paranormal for the first time, they don't try studying it at all. Absolutely, no use of scientific equipment or recording anything. They just immediately decide to help Angelique 'cuz the power of love.) Overall, the dialogue, acting, and script all have a good-natured feel to it.

Best performance is definitely Parrish whose Jane is fairly driven and empathetic. Sherwood brings a sort of likeable quasi-dorkiness to the role. Though, a lot of this movie is Angelique being ticked off or feeling sorry for herself (I also kinda like the fact that Angelique is just kinda peeved at the couple most of the time, even though they're trying to help her), Potenza makes it work. No one's trying to win an Oscar in these movies, but I felt that Lauren Cochrane as Jane's best friend was sorta stale.

Recommended if you like Hallmark movies. It's an alright way to spend time where you know you're watching something safe that won't mess with your expectations or require a lot of involvement. Most of the people behind this felt like they were game. I checked and, surprisingly, Hallmark hasn't done that many ghost movies, and a human-human, ghost-ghost romance is something new for them.

Simpsons: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

5/10

In this Simpsons Disney+ short, Sideshow Bob (voiced by Frasier's Kelsey Grammer), sings along with the Disney villains in a Halloween parody of the Christmas song The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

This is a bit of a nothing burger. Running at two or three minutes, MWTotY is over before it has begun. This also feels like a paler imitation of the last Simpsons/Disney villains special. There are a couple decent jokes, and Grammer and Bart Simpson voice Nancy Cartwright are definitely game with their delivery, but most of the material is just there, not particularly good or bad. Also, if you were looking forward to Bob singing again, I'm afraid that 69-year-old Grammer's voice just isn't as strong as it used to be.

Not particularly recommended or not. Given its short length it is no biggie if you watch it, even if you don't end up liking it.

Velma: This Halloween Needs to be More Special!

7.5/10

(NOTE: No spoilers for the special itself, but this will give away part of the ending of the last season if you haven't seen it yet.)

In this special and what appears to be end of the Velma show (one of the background artists stated online that it is ending, but no official announcement has been given yet), Velma (voiced by Mindy Kaling) is now a ghost, and her friends try to cast a spell that will bring her back to life.

Yeah, the show still tries a little too hard with the topical and social humor, but I found this to be fairly funny. I laughed out loud twice. The writers stick to what has been working: wacky characters and just going nuts. There's a lot of stuff going on, and the special doesn't get boring.

Cast remains strong. Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Glenn Howerton still excels as man-child Fred where he always adds that extra bit of exaggeration to the character. Prolific voice actor and original voice of Fred Frank Welker has also really found his place as Fred's father. When the show first started, the character wasn't working for me, but once you got to see his sillier, more human guy, there's just something about Welker that works as the eccentric straight man.

If the show is leaving, it's going out with a bang. The fluidity of animation remains strong, and I'm impressed with the amount of action the animators are able to squeeze into this.

Recommended. I know a lot of people hate this with the passion of a thousand suns. but I'll miss this show. It was so creatively bizarre. This special was a nice ending point that entertains and does encapsulate the good points of Velma.

Wolfs

7.5/10

In this new movie on Apple TV+, two separate fixers/cleaners (played by George Clooney and Brad Pitt) are forced to work together when separate parties hire each of them to take care of a body in a hotel room. Soon, the situation becomes a lot more complicated and the duo are going to have a long night.

What makes this work is the dynamic between Clooney and Pit. The two actors, who I hear are friends, have the same chemistry they did in the Ocean's Eleven movies. Clooney is the proud, grumpy one and Pitt is the cocky one. Most of the movie is watching the two characters argue and begrudgingly work together. The fixer occupation and seeing the two professionals react to whatever is thrown their way is engaging.

One down side is that when it's all said and done the crime plot doesn't exactly tract and is kinda confusing. Also, the film is kinda inconsistent. At points, it feels like the crime world is being treated seriously but other parts feel more like the writers are playing fast and loose.

Recommended. I have my criticisms, but the two leads make this work.

Monster Summer

7/10

In Monster Summer, kids on a small island town are being attacked and turned into shells of themselves by a mysterious being. Young Noah (played by The Black Phone's Mason Thames) teams up with grizzled, retired cop Gene (played by Mel Gibson) to track the monster down.

This is one of those movies like Monster Squad (or the 1999 TV movie the Darklings; highly underrated), it's kind of a kids film, but the content is edgier than expected. The movie earns its PG-13 rating.  A lot of this feels like traditional children's fare and there's no explicit violence, but the threat is dark and dangerous and the finale is surprisingly tense.  (It's kinda like that Nancy Drew movie with Millie Bobby Brown where people were surprised with how close the villains were to messing Nancy up.) The biggest "Wha...?" about this that there are straight up references to child predators/abductors and the characters compares the antagonist to them. They never specify what child abductors do, but it's still shocking coming from a movie with more basic children's leads and shenanigans.

Admittedly, the mix of light and dark and this sort of retro old-school darker 80's kids movie feel works in Monster Summer's favor. It is a unique blend that made me nostalgic for the yesteryear of children's movies. Can't say the movie is perfect. You're just thrown into the plot and the characters. I wished Noah and friends were introduced more naturally (the movie doesn't mention that Noah has a little sister until like a half hour after you meet him and his mom; she's just there all of a suddenn), seeing them hanging out and living their lives more before the poop hits the fan. 

The look of the movie also goes for that old school 80's and 90's feel. This is the second film from Wizards of Waverly Place lead David Henrie, and for a newbie director working with a small budget, he does fairly well for himself. He uses too many closeups, but he's got some solid stuff going on too like some nice panning shots of the island and he manages to make the villain's car intimidating as of itself. Speaking of the island, they picked a pretty photogenic place to film.

A lot of the casting is just alright, but the few known actors they got for do this do lighten up the proceedings. Gibson gives the best performances and is probably the most interesting character in this. Also, the characters of Gene and Noah just work really well off of each other. Credit should also be given to King of Queens' Kevin James, who seems to be in this just to show everyone that he does a really good southern accent. (It's weird. Between this and Becky, it seems that lower budget, lower profile films are the ones that really managed to let James shine as an actor).

Recommended. Admittedly, Monster Summer feels a bit confused as to who its demographic is, but it makes for a decent watch and its divergence from the norm keeps things fresh. (Also, watch The Darklings if you can find it. It's a kids' version of Rear Window.)