SNL: 38.21 – Ben Affleck & Kanye West (Season Finale)

Another great season of SNL wrapped up this weekend with host Ben Affleck joining the Five Timers Club. Sadly Mr. Affleck did not get the fanfare of previous club initiates but in all honesty, this season finale was more about departing cast members than it was the host.

Someone who doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, despite being in his tenth year on SNL, is Kenan Thompson. There are quite a few who think he needs to move on but if he keeps up things like comparing his Al Sharpton hair to Fredrick Douglas, then he can stay as long as he desires. However, it was “Matthew McConnell” that really made me laugh. How could you not laugh at the idea of Wooderson in politics?

Ben Affleck

The monologue was cute but still rather meh at the same time. The backlash Affleck got for saying marriage is work was ridiculous to begin with. The fact that they couldn’t come up with anything a little bit more topical (the Oscars seems like they were months ago…) is even more ridiculous. That being said, I’m a huge fan of Jennifer Garner so anything that gets her on my TV, I’m okay with it.

Ben Affleck

The “Bengo F*** Yourself”? I can’t tell if I liked it because it brought back Fred Armisen’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, or if I liked it because it was funny, or really if I even liked it at all. Ahmadinejad having to say “park the car in Harvard Yard” each time was amusing but the premise was a little blah. It just left me wanting to go watch “I Ran So Far” again.

Ben AffleckI know I’ve proclaimed something to be the “best so far” at least twice this season, but ‘Xanax for Gay Summer Weddings’ really was the best commercial of the season. Everything from the favors of cheez-its and mini bottles of water compared to two tickets to Italy and 40K and Bill Hader dancing was delightful. Bobby Moynihan not owning an iron? Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnon as the couple getting married with their pack of dogs? Flawless. The tagline of “Not necessary for lesbian weddings” made me laugh more than anything in quite some time. Don’t know who wrote that bit but hats off to them because it was amazing.

Not amazing was Ben Affleck with his Jimmy Stewart impression and Bill Hader’s “holding out for management” sketch. Actually the only highlight of that was Kate McKinnon pronouncing that she was 40. How that sketch made it to the front half of the show is beyond me because it was awful.

Ben Affleck
Credit to: Joe Kelly’s Instagram

One of the best parts of living in the internet age, is the ability to have a look at our favorite shows that we’ve never had the chance to get before. If you wanted backstage photos back in the dark ages of my childhood, you had to either know someone or see them in a magazine. I know right? Oh the humanity! Now you pop on over to Instagram, or Twitter, or Facebook and you’ve got those things right at your fingertips. Thankfully Joe Kelly, an SNL writer, got a picture of that incredible shirt that Taran Killam was wearing in the ‘New Beginnings’ sketch because it truly needs to be seen as often as possible. Impressive bead work. The sketch was all right, but that shirt was clearly the highlight.

Ben Affleck
Credit to: John Mulaney’s Instagram

I have been watching SNL ever since I was going to sleepovers or found a way to sneakily watch TV after my parents went to bed so mid-80’s. Actually the first episode I remember seeing was Ron Reagan hosting with musical guest The Nelsons. Oh yea. In all those years, I don’t know that I’ve seen a better send off for a character than was given to Bill Hader’s Stefon.

Ben Affleck

Stefon came on as expected and things progressed as they usually do. Then, in a moment of horror vocalized clearly by the audience’s gasps, he storms off stage telling Seth that he’s found a new man and he’s getting married. The fabulous Amy Poehler saves the day by telling Seth Meyers to go after him and we are treated to a The Graduate send-up that would no doubt make Dustin Hoffman proud. I’m woman enough to admit that it made me cry to see all Stefon’s clubbing friends there at his wedding. ‘Menorah the Explorer’ and of course ‘DJ Baby Bok-Choy’ warmed the cold cockles of my heart. However, nothing compares to having the happy couple return to the Weekend Update set and take a final bow surrounded by other fantastic Weekend Update characters.

Ben Affleck

A remarkable end to an incredibly entertaining character and ongoing storyline.

Sadly, the rest of the sketches weren’t nearly as good or noteworthy. ‘Greg’s Funeral’ was entertaining to a point, and the ‘Engagement BBQ’ was mildly funny but only because it was nearing 1 am and I was tired. Really the only thing the second half had that was positive, sketch wise was the ‘not porn stars anymore’ and their Hermes handbags.

Ben Affleck

Three times in one season seems like a lot, but these two have managed to keep this sketch interesting despite over-playing it. One can hope they won’t continue to do it as often as the gag will easily be played out, but for now it worked.

Bill Hader had his moment and at the end of the night, it was time for Fred Armisen’s. He didn’t even attempt to go the funny route, instead just went straight for our hearts and ripped them out and stomped them for good measure.

Of course it would be difficult to assemble a cooler group of musicians and it seemed right that Ian Rubbish would have his moment that was that cool. If I hadn’t gotten teary with Stefon, then I certainly would have when I caught sight of Fred/Ian’s guitar strap proclaiming his love for Lorne Michaels.

Overall, this was a crappy episode with great moments. Ben Affleck wasn’t all that great in his sketches but it seemed right that he host this show and give even more closure to Stefon (he played his brother in the first episode Stefon appeared on Weekend Update). Really this finale was all about two men who have been shining beacons of the SNL cast for years.

Ben Affleck

There are still plenty of cast decisions up in the air – Jason Sudeikis, for one – but we know that even though at least two big names are leaving, there are plenty talented actors ready to step into their shoes as has happened for all 38 years the show as been on air. It’s survived big names leaving and it’ll survive these big names leaving. Now we just have all summer to obsess over who will be the new cast members and of course, who will take over Weekend Update!

It’s been a great season, I’ve really enjoyed this time we’ve spent together SNL fans. Just because the season is over doesn’t mean our relationship has to be. Stick around for there will be plenty of SNL news over the break and of course there will be plenty of things to discuss as we approach Season 39!!!

Game of Thrones Promo: 3.09 – ‘The Rains of Castamere’

Let’s go ahead and ignore the words “only two episodes left” and just enjoy this promo for episode 9 of Game of Thrones, “The Rains of Castamere”.

I’ll just say it – Arya is perhaps one of my favorite people on the planet. That chick does not play around. Sure Daenerys is obviously amazing but she’s got a family history going for her, not to mention the obvious dragon benefit, but Arya? Girlfriend has been kicking ass and taking names seemingly from the time she popped out of the birth canal and doing so in very challenging situations. Of course she’s going to stand up to Hound and threaten him, just another day for the young Stark.

Not only is the number of episodes left sad news, but there’s also a week without our beloved Westeros inhabitants thanks to the Memorial Day weekend. While the true intention of Memorial Day is to remember those men and women who have died in service to this country, we all know that it’s the start of summer and really just a reason for people to stand around in backyards and drink around a grill.

In honor of that, how about a drinking song! This was from the recent “Walk of Punishment” episode which then of course led into “The Bear and Maiden Fair“.

Of course the obvious choice for a drinking song to go along with this promo would be The Rains of Castamere itself!

http://youtu.be/U2MwFkAV3Fs

Well that’s all I’ve got this week. Make sure you check back tomorrow for our review of tonight’s episode and I’ll see you next time Game of Thrones fans!

BranTully Wedding

Axe Cop: New Trailer Shows the Importance of Helping Friends…

On the 27th of July the Television world will be blessed with an awesome spectacle as the Axe Cop series will officially explode onto our screens. To hold us over until then we have this new trailer for the series…

“There is something better than having friends, killing the guy who killed your friends”

Now if this is not the most quotable line I have heard this year I will eat my axe! The Axe Cop cartoon just keeps looking  better and better. Throughout this short trailer we have characters like Army Chihuahua, Sergeant T, Chicken Head (the human headed chicken that shoots out baby chickens with guns) and Liborg. I think you can guess who is who.

The sense of fun is still showing with this trailer broadcasting the great line Axe Cop Night Mission. I loved the retro 80’s cop show feel to the start of this trailer, but my favorite part of it was the sense of epic scale it gives. This trailer has it all; giant friend eating monsters, dinosaurs flying overhead with other dinosaurs, the excitement level is off the scale.

 Fun Fact: The dinosaurs actually live on ‘Dinosaur Island’ where they moved to avoid Earth’s volcanoes from burning them up. 

axe cop animated pink shirt

Fans of the comic book will already know this, but for casual viewers of Axe Cop, this trailer covers elements from the story arc Bat Warthog Man Can’t Find His Friend (Episode 75 – 98). Once again fans of Axe Cop will be in their element looking at all the comic characters on show, but the trailer is still able to capture the imagination of newer viewers with its cheeky and bizarre charm. This show is going to be a hit.

If this is not enough to keep you Axe Cop hungry fans satisfied then why not have a look at this new Axe Cop toy that can be found on Forbidden Planet or any place cool enough to stock them. There will be plenty more to come to and they will be on my shelf very soon. More information on this series will be posted when it comes about.

axe cop animated toy

‘The Rambler’ Trailer Will Make You Question Your Sanity

The trailer for the release of The Rambler has just come online and it is an interesting one to say the least. It is directed by Calvin Lee Reeder, one of 2007’s ’25 New Faces of Independent Film’ (according to Film Maker magazine) and whom you may have seen in V/H/S as Gary from the Tape 56 segment of that movie. But I first became aware of his work when I met him at a UK Comic convention promoting his latest film, a low budget movie called Jerkbeast which was a great little punk trash classic about the world’s worst punk rock band, one of the members just happens to be a monster (or a guy in a suit I was never sure on that detail!).

the rambler trailer jerk beast

What I am sure about though is that film was a lot of fun. This film seems to be a lot darker. Here is the plot outline from YouTube channel FilmFestivalVideos.

[box_light]Upon release from prison, a solitary man known only as “the Rambler” embarks on a mysterious journey en route to reconnecting with his long-lost brother. Traversing treacherous back roads, lost highways, and isolated small towns, he unearths a multitude of bizarre and wickedly depraved slices of Americana.[/box_light]

But the film seems so much more than this. Here is the trailer.

The basic framework does appear to be just a guy from prison going on a journey of self discovery but the whole thing has a disturbing David Lynch style quality to it with quirky editing and musical choices to heighten this feeling of tension and unease. The scenes on show in the trailer enforce this notion even more with a large, hook handed boxer, the rambler with burn marks all over his face and a sinister collection of old people all greeting us as they greet the rambler. The lack of dialogue is also a key factor, meaning much more attention is given to the said images on show and the further into the trailer this goes, the weirder and more disturbing these images become.

the rambler trailer boxing

The film does have some interesting set pieces to. Exploding houses, boxing matches, trippy encounters with women such as The Girl and the coven of old people all mixed in with a very western feeling backdrop are just a few things on show for the viewer to ponder over. The lack of big Hollywood names also helps to add to this films bizarre charm. The only people I could make out were the role of The Girl played by Lindsay Pulsipher who most people will know from her role in True Blood as Crystal Norris, and The Rambler himself played by Dermot Mulroney, a character actor who has popped up in numerous films and TV since the 80’s, but most recently worked on The Grey with Liam Neeson.

This, if nothing else this looks like quite an engaging movie and with the emphasis on unnerving audiences rather than bombarding them with explosions, it could be a good movie for anyone sick of the more main stream movie affairs. It does have explosions to if you fans of main stream movies want to give it a try!

the rambler trailer explosion

Game of Thrones: The Best of the Slaps…Seasons 1-3

So we’ve had our fun with the last two seasons of the best kills on Game of Thrones. So let’s just get a bit more ridiculous and proceed with another list: The Game of Thrones Top Ten Slaps to the Face List! What’s that you say? Not enough slaps to make up a whole list? I beg to differ Ser! On with the list!

slap

*Spoilers You Fools!*

Continue reading Game of Thrones: The Best of the Slaps…Seasons 1-3

Karl Urban Talks Possible ‘Dredd’ Sequel

Despite losing about $10 million at the box office, Dredd was one hell of a movie, and one of our favorites from last year. As awesome a flick as it was, because of the business side it’s been assumed that we would not get to see it bloom into a franchise, which is a shame. However star of the movie, Karl Urban seems to think that’s not written in stone:

Continue reading Karl Urban Talks Possible ‘Dredd’ Sequel