Johnny Simmons

I’m shamelessly slow on the uptake. It wasn’t until I watched Scott Pilgrim vs the World that I finally put the pieces together regarding Johnny Simmons who’ve I’ve already seen in two movies this year – but didn’t realise. He was rather impressive in the relatively underrated Jennifer’s Body and I remember Ryan praising his turn in The Greatest. I kind of glossed over his performance in the latter, but despite the definite inadequacies in the script the acting in The Greatest really is all-round goodness and Simmons is a good addition. What with the trimester of Aaron Johnson (also in the The Greatest, then Kick-Ass and Nowhere Boy) it’s good seeing some good young men coming up in the business since they’re almost always overshadowed by the women.

People seem to be taking to Andrew Garfield recently and Josh Hutchinson seems like another one to watch out for. I’m still holding out that Shia LeBoeuf will someday impress me (though I used to think the same thing about Freddie Muniz, so who knows)? I’ve managed to come around on Michael Cera owing to him being perfectly casted in Scott Pilgrim vs the World even if I think he’s a cheap doppelganger for Paul Dano. I struggle to find good very young male actors – thespians like the Bens (Whishaw and Foster) and James McAvoy are already cemented as impressive actors for me – and they’ll soon be over thirty, whereas the younger women are constantly impressing from the very young like Saoirse and Abigail (even though I wonder if her turn in Little Miss Susnhine) was a fluke. I don’t care for Ellen Page or Chloe Moretz at all, but they’re both still considered a relatively valuable commodity. Mia Wasikowska is making waves, Evan Rachel Wood and Jena Malone (twins separated at birth) were impressing as children, though they’ve both been in slumps lately and Keira and Scarlett and Carey are still young despite each having done impressive work already.

            

I don’t know why the odds seem to be in favour of the women, perhaps I’m just prejudiced towards them...either way, let me return to my original point. I’m hoping Johnny Simmons has a strong career ahead of him (look at all that digression).

I had a weird week, that was offensively filled devoid of any significant entertainment. I even ended up missing the premiere of The Office (I have to wait until NEXT YEAR for a new Parks & Recreation episode? WTF?) - which is a travesty in my summation (I’ll have to catch it on line, grrrr). The only shows I did manage to catch this week on their actual days were Parenthood, Glee and Undercovers. The last of which I kind of got roped into against my wishes....

             

I’m not sure what to make of the show, it seems fair but I’m curious as to how long a venture like this can last without becoming a bore. As pilots go, though, it was fairly good. It’s difficult not to pick up on the Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes going on, but it’s not exactly an issue in big issue. Boris Kodjoe has been a that-guy for years now and I feel good seeing him actually headlining something. I’m not sure I’ll be devoting time to watching Undercovers regularly (I’ve got to choose my battles wisely) – but I may end up catching another episode some day to see where it heads.

(Gugu Mbatha-Raw was a bit of a standout as the wife. Where has she come from?) (B-)

NBC’s under-recognised drama is still charming me. I wonder if it’ll reach Brothers and Sisters with its level of custerf***edness...who knows? Right now it’s doing everything (mostly) right. I still think Peter Krause is a brilliant actor but I felt annoyed with him throughout the entire episode, although that’s probably more his character than his acting. Monica Potter seems considerably less annoying this episode around, which was a definite plus even though she still seems to have the character that’s least developed (or maybe, that’s just me).

In the end Lauren Graham and Erica Christensen continue to be the two performers I end up looking forward to, both delivering on-point performances throughout the episode. They’re both playing characters that play on their previous strengths, and yet they’re not doing carbon copies of previous roles. The family should be called “Sibling-hood” instead of Parenthood though. The sibling/sibling dynamic is much more interesting (and entertaining) than the parental one. But, who cares about semantics when the show’s actually well done? (B/B+)

Glee premiere was as good as could be for a premiere, which was good but not excellent. But I’m picky. They did listen to half of my suggestions...well not that they actually WERE reading the meme but it’s always lovely seeing Naya Rivera get some screentime. She didn’t have that much, but I’ll say she was brilliant with the little she did have. And who doesn’t love a good old catfight? (No, that was not a misogynistic comment.) There’s that potent self-awareness, especially at the beginning with “Glee’s Big Gay Summer” that is always appreciated although (seriously) Chord and Charice made me sort of want to scratch my eyes out. Now we’re getting even less time with people who already need character development. But it’s only the first episode and I’m going to assume all those issues raised will be addressed eventually, but sometimes it seemed there was too much going on, I wished they’d made it two separate episodes or a two hour premiere. (What? There were like five main story arcs?)

Corey Monteith continues hell-bent on making me renege on my initial judgement of his lack of talent. He was probably the most in-form of the males throughout the episode and as usual Jane and Matt’s dynamic always thrills. I’m crazy about Lea and she delivered performance wise (really, “What I Did For Love” seemed to be the only number that was well executed, even if it was weirdly paced and placed) I’m still not loving what the writers are doing with Rachel; but it’s interesting – she is a “controllist” (and every bit as backstabbing as Quinn, incidentally). Jayma Mays was missed, but it’s an effective season opener nonetheless. (And YAY, Cheyenne Jackson...the only new person I’m remotely interested in. Is it weird, I’m expecting Jane Krakowski to pop up now for a duet?) (B/B+)

                          

Ryan went wild with TV this week. His dedication is maddening! Any other TV addicts out there...? Or did you just manage a few shows like me? Any thoughts on Glee, Parenthood?

(Yeah, I said I'd be back until Sunday...but what the hell?)

So the MEME ends...

            

I’m kind of glad I guess, but this is easily the easiest month long MEME I had to do (of course, that just means the others were so difficult). Glee’s season premiere is tonight and who knows what Ryan Murphy’s got planned for us. I’m apprehensive about some of the impending changes – apparently they want even more pop music on Glee. And I like contemporary music as much as the next music lover, but I’m a fan of the musical diversity on Glee so I’m not really thrilled if it’s going to turn into Glee does Top 40. Eh, I’ll see what happens....maybe I’ll do a write-up later in the week. I've heard from a writer over at BuddyTV who's seen a screener of the episode - and apparently it's a good one (in case you didn't know, Matt Rutherford - the silent 12th member - has left the show).

At the momentParks & Recreation, Big Love, Burn Notice, Dexter, The Closer and The Office are all fighting with Glee for my favourite show and Parks & Recreation is winning at the moment (Poehler and Offerman are indisputably irresistible) and it's definitely the show I'm looking forward to most this season. But I’m loving my small share of television at the moment. I have a feeling I won’t be revelling in too many new shows (not for this half of the season at least) but hopefully this season of television shall be good. Here’s to next year’s Emmy’s.

             

(Highlights in the MEME: Favourite Male Character; Favourite Female Character; Favourite Episode; Favourite Guest Star; Not-So-Quotable Quotes)

          

Okay, describe Glee in three words. Me first: crazy. Hmmm, that’s just one. Irrevent, crazy, fun. Your turn.

                

(Anyone else planning on watching the Premiere? What shows are you looking forward to?)

“Hairography” lies somewhere in the bottom five of the Glee episodes (even though it features Dianna Agron having the most fun I’ve seen her have with “Papa Don’t Preach”) and the horrific mash-up of “Crazy In Love / Hair” is kind of crazy. Of course, that’s their intent, but it kind of sucks that with the wealth of brilliant music in “Hair” that they’ve never tapped into it. With its decidedly ensemble nature “Hair” would be the perfect show for them to sample, and it’s way cooler than other Showtunes they’ve covered, for example “Wicked” (which I like, but “Where Do I Go” > “Defying Gravity” – just saying).

And the Glee MEME is on its way out...

Glee’s cast is already large enough, so I’m less that enamoured with the idea of that Charice chick – whoever the hell she is – being a new addition to the cast. Although, logically, they can’t remain with twelve members forever – although that would be nice in a weird way. Glee has opened itself up to so many potential plots they’ve already made way for characters, but I don’t think we’ll ever see them becoming real. Like Puck’s family, those are some characters I’d love to meet. Or Rachel’s gay dads, what relationship does she have with them? 

Although I’m still wondering how she’ll remain a main character I’d love to see the psychos who created Teri and her insane sister Kendra. Glee has a lot on its plate as far as characters are concerned, so I’d prefer to see more development of the lot they have than bringing in completely new characters just for the razzle-dazzle (although sometimes bringing in guests for the razzle works at times: Exhibit A, Exhibit B). 

              

More on the Glee MEME, as it closes...

I do prefer entering a film with no tangible knowledge of it, and the only thing I knew about Scott Pilgrim vs the World was that it starred Michael Cera, who I think of as a mediocre version of Paul Dano. It sounds harsh, but c’est moi. I’m curious as to what information I’d have found on it. I’m still in a quandary as to the appropriate of describing precisely what Scott Pilgrim vs the World is about. A cinematic video game? A post-adolescent love story? A rock and roll comedy? Each of those descriptions seems incredibly trite.Scott Pilgrim... could easily be surmised to be a film designed to put Cera front and centre. He’s yet to fully break free of the bathetic Bleeker from Juno regardless of the film he’s in – even though he seems to try. I can’t be certain that he’s accomplished that with Scott Pilgrim vs the World, but it doesn’t matter. As protagonist centred as it seems to be, the film exists best as a comedy ensemble. True, the acting’s not necessarily the best thing in it – I’m ridiculously subjective to its hilariously irreverent writing, but the acting’s not far behind. I’m still smarting, somewhat, at the positive response Anna Kendrick earned for her subpar work in Up in the Air but I can say that I’m on my way to letting that go. She’s still every bit as high-strung as Up in the Air’s Natalie – but for some reason it makes sense here – and so does she. She, and Aubrey Plaza, offer two of the very supporting performances that make me smile each time they appear on screen.

 

It’d be remiss of me to make it seem as if the main cast isn’t doing good work though. I’m not particularly smitten with Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s Ramona who seems on point at times and then really bland at others and Ellen Wong’s psychotic groupie of sorts works well but seems to be overused. Measure that against  Alison Pill’s brilliant take on her female drummer that seems to be seriously underused. Speaking of underused, I hope that Johnny Simmon’s career manages to take off he’s on the sidelines in this one but he seems like one to watch. Scott Pilgrim vs the World seems more interested in its male ensemble, and even though – yes – their all crazy caricatures in most instances it doesn’t stop me from finding them all riotous. It’s too easy, but Kieran Culkin really does emerge as best-in-show even if the role seems to be written with all those tongue-in-cheek instances that make a bit too obvious at times. Cera and he keep up a believable banter that contributes to a good bit humour in the film.

I’m still not sure what to make of it, or what it is....I can say, unequivocally, it's the most fun any 2010 release has been so far for me. Yojimbo told me that I’d end up liking Scott Pilgrim vs the World because I was a sucker for romanticism. I hate to think that I’m so transparent, but (damn him) he’s right.