Travels with Kevin Part 16: Baltimore , The Wire and John Waters

"Oh, oh, oh woke up today feeling The way I always do, Oh, oh, oh hungry for something that I can't eat Then I hear that beat, The rhythm of town starts calling me down. It's like a message from high above. Oh, oh, oh pulling me out to the smiles and the streets that I love.Good morning Baltimore!"

The above lyrics open the musical Hairspray, which is based on the film of the same title, which was originally written and directed by John Waters.  Waters with a flair for the quirk (I love the original) helped bring his film to the Broadway stage, and then again to theatres in the 2000s.  The song is actually playing in the background as I write this entry.  Baltimore is a unique city within Maryland, often associated with crabs, making numerous hilarious jokes, and a beautiful harbor.  One of the little known facts, which is based in Hairspray is that The Corny Collins Show was a real teenage dance show on WYZT in Baltimore "The Nicest Kids in Town."  Waters was born in Baltimore, and lived with his family in Lutherville, which is suburb of the city, and was the area I stayed.  Waters met best friend Divine who lived in Lutherville as well, and got most of his influence from this area.

While Waters is probably one of the most famous people who draws his influence on his work from Baltimore. another would be David Simon, creator of the cult television series on HBO, The Wire.  David Simon combined his experiences as a police reporter for The Baltimore Sun, and the experience of writer Ed Burns, a former police office to tell the inner workings of the drug world within Baltimore along with the bureaucracy of working as a police officer.  The shows pessimistic tone, which helps add to the realism, came as a result of Simon's problems dealing with NBC and their dislike for the direction of his other series Homicide: Life on the Streets. HBO was the perfect home for this series.

Over my entire week in Baltimore came up several times, with my friend Lindy, and Eric, and it was named the best television series of all time by Entertainment Weekly.  The show is noted as one of, if not the most realistic drama series on television, especially with regard to its subject matter, and the role in which the actual city plays in the show.  One of the best aspects of the series is the way in which the plot intricately takes you along the path of the characters, like a novel you read this series, and follow the show with no flashbacks, or re-tread of story.  This was one of the major problems with attaining a large audience, Simon himself cited the show as being one which could be hard for audiences to follow.

Simon called the series a "a meditation on the death of work and the betrayal of the American working class ... it is a deliberate argument that unencumbered capitalism is not a substitute for social policy; that on its own, without a social compact, raw capitalism is destined to serve the few at the expense of the many."  The series shows the exploitation of the poor, the working class, and mostly black individuals dealing with the lives society has defined for many of them.  This is one of the most brilliant social commentaries on a society today, and the city of Baltimore is a character in the film, which helps added layer of social nature of this show.

Memo to the Academy (AMPAS) Pick a Woman for the Honorary Oscar

Lately I have been reading a lot about women, or the lack there of in film.  This is a simplistic way of saying women are de-valued in front of, and behind the scenes in the film industry.  I think the Academy Awards can play a big role in working toward changing this, but where is the root of the problem?  I have preached on this subject numerous times, but there were two articles which I have read recently, which highlight the flaws in the system, from critics to the Academy.

The first article comes from theweek.com, entitled  "Girls on Film: The Heat breaks new ground by not being groundbreaking" by Monika Bartyzel.  What I love about this article, and the film, is that The Heat is not meant to be a film that breaks the mold its meant to put a twist on the "buddy cop" genre using two women in roles that would be played similarly by men.  Critics have been trashing this film because it did not break new ground, but is merely a funny film with two women in more gendered male typologies.  Bartyzel states "The Heat strives to level the playing field and abolish the notion that women are so different than men — which makes it a window to an audience still applying gendered expectations to women behind and on the screen."  

Bartyzel makes an excellent statement within this article that critics are angry because women are basically not living up to their gendered roles, proving once again that even in the male dominated world of critics women are intended to be viewed from a specific vantage point.

The second article comes from Balder & Dash, and is entitled "DearHollywood: Hiring women directors could rescue could rescue the superhero movie. Love half the human race."  This article is written by Susan Wloszcyna, and highlights one of the most interesting facts about super hero films.  Today super films have Sundance, and obscure auteurs who started in independent film like Marc Webb.  Webb directed The Amazing Spider-Man, but his first film, and most memorable to many is (500) Days of Summer.  In this article Wloszcyna highlights if Webb can break through why can't women like Patty Jenkins (Monster).  Oh wait, Wloszcyna, points out the fact Jenkins was set to direct the sequel to Thor, but was replaced for "creative differences."

Like Wloszcyna I call bull, and there are numerous women out there who could handle a super hero movie, Sarah Polley, Debra Granik, Kathryn Bigelow, Lynne Ramsey, to name a few.  Women are notoriously put off, but it's time to change things, and the Academy can break the mold.

This year the Academy worked toward changing their demographics, and while this has helped with improvements on all levels from gender to race, there is a lot of ground to cover.  One area where they could up their female support (and honestly for people of color) is within the Lifetime Achievement or Honorary Oscar section.  Over the entire history of the Academy the only actresses to win an Honory Oscar (not including juvenile or choreographing Oliver) were:

1954-Gretta Garbo
1970-Lillian Gish
1975-Mary Pickford
1977-Margaret Booth
1981-Barbara Stanwyck
1990-Sophia Loren
1990-Myrna Loy
1993-Deborah Kerr
2009-Lauren Bacall

These women are icons of the screen, but surely the Academy can recognize other icons within this category.  Who are women who made a significant impact on film in the way these women did?  Some of these women have not won Oscars, so who would fit within that category, women like Angela Lansbury, Gena Rowlands,  Shirley Temple, Catherine Deneuve, and of course Doris Day.  There are also women who have won Oscars in this group like Loren, so someone like Julie Andrews, and Barbara Streisand might make sense.  Either way this category is long overdue for a women.

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Guest Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series (2012-2013)

Who would have ever thought David Lynch and Bob Newheart would be, or well should be in the same category for a nomination.  Beyond many interesting inclusions on my dream ballot this year there were two shows who did guest stars right Louie, and Arrested Development.  I do not include Saturday Night Live these are variety performers, not guest stars in a comedy series.

How does or did Louie enhance the role of it's guest stars within season 3?  Louie used  the model of Curb Your Enthusiasm with real life stars like Robin Williams and other comedians, who did not make the list, but they were funny.  Louie also used the crazy girlfriend model, having Louis C.K. date, or look for softened the character, a little, and I emphasize a little.  With edgy, hip women like Parker Posey, and Melissa Leo how could Louie not succeed within this realm?  David Lynch in Late Show Parts 2 and 3 were some of the most brilliant moments from the season.  Louie is an off beat show, these guest stars contributed brilliantly to the quirky humor.

Arrested Development used history, mixed with a few fresh faces to help bring the guest stars into the fold.  One of the best things about this series is the way Development used actors and actresses like Liza Minnelli, Henry Winkley, Scott Baio, Ben Still, Christine Taylor, Ed Begley Jr. and many more within the original run of the series.  Bringing these actors back into the mix for the re-launch, and it worked beautifully, especially Minelli, and Stiller who made my lists.  The other great thing was bringing new blood into the mix, like Ron Howard as more than the narrator, and Isla Fisher playing his daughter.  My favorite were the brief cameos of Kristin Wiig as a young Lucille, in those brief moments she captured everything you imagine a young Lucille would be, and more.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

David Lynch-Louie

Bob Newheart-The Big Bang Theory

Rob Reiner-New Girl

Ben Stiller-Arrested Development

Patton Oswalt-Parks and Recreation

Patrick Wilson-Girls

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Elizabeth Banks-Modern Family

Melissa Leo-Louie

Liza Minelli-Arrested Development

Parker Posey-Louie

Molly Shannon-Enlightened

Kristin Wiig-Arrested Development

Warm Bodies is a Funny, and Pleasantly Original Zombie Love Story

Warm Bodies (3 1/2 Stars out of 5 Stars)

Directed and Written by Jonathan Levine (50/50, The Wackness)

Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Theresa Palmer, Nick Corddry, and John Malkovich 

The Walking Dead is the probably one of the most watched television series on the air, the show explores the dark contextual side of zombies.  The zombie trope is constant within popular culture today, from recent films like World War Z, to television series and graphic novels like the above mentioned Walking Dead.  While this trope has existed for a while its relevance has become even more prominent as many societies fear of becoming these mindless corpses.  To pose a deeper question are we already the mindless zombies within these films?

Warm Bodies explores this thought to some extent, as we follow R (Hoult), who narrates the story within his mind.  R is a zombie who eats human flesh, but longs for the days of his human side, explaining who is zombie co-hort is, former athletes, rich kids, and so on.  While on a raid to find medicine non-zombies including Julie (Palmer) search to find medicine.  R sees Julie, and in one of the most unique meet cutes, R kills her boyfriend eating his brains, but decides to save Julie because part of his human nature starts to kick in, and the two start to form a unique relationship.

Levine direct and adapts this novel to be one of the most human zombie stories ever told.  When R has consumed the brain of Julie's ex Perry (Dave Franco) he sees the story of the rise of their relationship, the death of Perry's father, and the disappearance of Perry's human nature as he works to fight for his life, and seek revenge.  R and Perry have this parallel journey, as Perry has moved toward losing his humanity on his journey to revenge, R is moving toward missing the life he had before his mindless human binging.

Levine is one of the most under rated writer/directors these days; he has taken many different stories providing a more original take on a variety of stories.  In 50/50 he provided a humorous take on the cancer battle, which was beautifully told.  Bodies is incredibly well directed, and a smart and snappy take on the impact of the way love shapes our humanity, and lack of humanity.

My only pet peeve with the film is that they never address the fact that R ate and killed Julie's ex Perry. While addressing this may have detracted from the story and could have made the film "soapier" this was an important aspect of the story.  Aside from this little plot hole, Warm Bodies is one of the best films of the first half of this year, providing a funny, and original take on zombies, which will play well within the cannon of zombie films and television series.

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2012-2013)

Much like the year without a Santa Clause, this is the first year without a supporting actor from Modern Family.  Modern Family is still a solid show, but the show and its actors have hit a plateau, Phil is still the goofy dad, Mitch and Cam still have some of the best quips, and Jay remains old and cranky.

While none of those men made my final list this was the toughest comedy category to narrow down this year.  I could have had ten nominees in this category, proving that even though it may be a tough job constantly supporting these men are up to the task time and time again!

Will Arnett as Gob Bluth in Arrested Development

The MVP of Development's return on Netflix.  Both of the Gob episodes were some of the funniest television episodes I have seen all year, and while the writing had a lot to do with that funny, Arnett deserves a lot of credit.  Arnett has starred, and guest starred in numerous roles in a post Development on Fox, pre-Netflix era, and while Devon Banks (30 Rock) was a great character, nothing comes close to Arnett's portrayal of Gob.  Watching him pretend to be gay, while actually maybe being gay with Ben Stiller proved to be comic genius.  His magic trick to get out of his wedding to Ann rocked too.  Arnett is great and he deserves a nomination.

Max Greenfield as Ted Schmidt New Girl

Watching Schmidt fight for CeCe, and find himself more and more this year was a great acting achievement for Max Greenfield.  Schmidt needed to go back to his roots with Elizabeth (Merrit Wever) find himself and no longer cling to what he thought made him desirable to women.  There were of course other moments earlier on where he realized he need to have feelings for someone in order to have hot sex again, which was hilarious to watch Schmidt realize how feelings make sex even better.  Greenfield is great at this role, and this season showed more growth in Schmidt, making him a richer, and even funnier character,  Greenfield is a rock star at playing this bro!

Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory

Howard in spaaaaace! Loved watching Howard journey through the depths of space being teased, dealing with his paranoia, and then of course being a newlywed and potentially moving out of his mother's house.  Helberg has grown well as an actor, and given further depth to this character throughout the years, watching him interact with his father-in-law who only answers things in short sentences is priceless. Helberg is great in this role, and after six seasons finally deserves a place on this list as one of the funniest supporting actors in television.

Alex Karpovsky as Ray Plonshansky in Girls

On a show centered around, well let's say, girls without any digs about how shallow and self absorbed they, oh wait whoops, Ray is one of the most interesting characters on the show.  At the beginning of season Shoshanna was dealing with Ray's inability to commit, and Ray dealt with his own hang ups. Karpovsky's Ray soon comitted and became the man Shossanna wanted, delving into the relationship world.  Karpovsky was brilliant as Ray this season adding a little more depth to his sarcasm from season one.  While most people focused on Hannah's ex Adam, Ray was the boy in this show who provided the most heart and laughs this season.

Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation

As Ron meets Diane, there was an instant shine that was added to his character, unlike all the Tammy's Diane was sane, had children, and Ron soon became Ron with a little added care.  As much as Ron could give, with his regular Libertarianism. Watching Ron attempt to help baby sit Diane's two young girls was hilarious, and will provide great context for Ron as a father next season.  Ron's level as protector to Leslie was also upped, especially when he punched Councilmen Jamm who was breaking up Leslie's wedding.  While some will argue a lack of growth in Ron, I see this season as a year of development with one of the greatest Libertarians of all time.

Damon Wayans Jr. as Brad Williams in Happy Endings

Another sad write-up, as Happy Endings has been cancelled.  Brad's character blends the confidence of a great man and the comfort of being able to be stay at home husband with ease, well almost.  Brad was fired from his job at the end of season two, and throughout this season he was a stay at home husband, a hilarious "trophy wife," working at a children's birthday party funplex, amping up Bar Mitzvahs, and then eventually back to business world.  Brad is on funny guy, and I loved getting to watch Damon Wayans Jr. tackle this more fleshed out character, which unlike anyone makes you laugh more than anyone before.  He was the glue to this cast, and this character will be missed.

Runners Up: Mike White-Enlightened, Ty Burrel-Modern Family

This is 40, Should be Called This is Messy and Disjointed

This is 40 (1 and 1/2 out of 5 Stars)

Directed and Written by Judd Apatow (40 Year Old Virgin, Funny People)

Starring: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, and Maude and Iris Apatow

If this is what 40 looks like count me out!  After recently watching Before Midnight, which is a beautiful look at what love can become in middle age, This is 40 pales in comparison.  Both have a darker impression about the way in which 40 effects people, Midnight is poetic in its realism, while 40 is a shrill look at whiny white middle class people.

This is 40 follows characters from another Apatow film, Knocked Up.  In Knocked Up Pete (Rudd) and Debbie (Mann) were examples of marriage to Deb's newly pregnant sister.  This film shows the couple five years later, and with each other them turning 40.  40 follows Pete as he has started his own record label, Debbie as a boutique owner, and their children Sadie (Maude Apatow) in her tween years, and Charlotte (Iris) still as a young 8 who is innocent, but not dumb to her parents and families changes based on age.  The film follows this family, their extended family, co-workers, and friends as they connect with or often pointlessly connect with the central characters.

Throughout the years Apatow has had this disjointed form of direction/storytelling.  In 40 Year Old Virgin there were the people who worked with Andy, they were relevant, had their mini side adventures, but Andy was the central focus, and the film was solid.  The same thing could be said Knocked Up, and Ben.  Ben's quirky friends were a bit off the wall, but they all tied into the story well enough to make sense.  Enter the downturn, with Funny People, Apatow continued these little side gags, pushing the envelope to create irrelevant side jokes, side characters and tangential moments which take away from the film.  40 has a solid message, but these tangential moments make this film lose the momentum of the emotional relevance.  

There is no point to Jason Segal, Melissa McCarthyor Charlene Yi within the context of this film.  Segal's "body by Jason" is pointless and off topic.  Yi's high satanic voice is funny, but what's the point?  McCarthy is also a riot, with her rant, but was there a point?  Without these characters there would have been no laughs.  Yet the film should, and could have focused on its intention marriage, partnership, family.  Most of these side characters never add to the plot, or help do what the movie should intend to do, define Debbie and Pete, or even make them like able.

The problem Apatow has is that on their own who wants to watch as defined in Virgin "An unfunny version of Everybody Loves Raymond?"  That's what this film presents, a story about to people who consistently belittle, bemoan, and shrilly attack one another.  On their own Pete and Debbie are terrible people who have created a vicious cycle within their children that was passed down from each of their dead beat dads.  The highlight of this film is the children Maude and Iris, they doe a fantastic job, and should be applauded for the realism within their roles.

At the end of the day 40, is film which is too long, a jumbled mess, and proves Apatow needs to change his formulaic tune to his films, because the formula is broken.  Go back to the drawing board, and bring audiences something more like 40 Year Old Virgin, or even Knocked Up, or better yet create something original once again proving you are as innovative as the film critics deemed you at their awards this past year.  This is a severe disappointment. 

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2012-2013)

Time for the comedy categories, and what better way to start than the Supporting Actresses?  This year's group of women is almost completely different from last year.  With Modern Family hitting the middle ground, newer shows, and their actors will be making there way to both of my supporting list this year.

Elisha Cuthbert as Alex Kerkovich in Happy Endings 

Writing two of these are going to make very sad, this is one, namely because Happy Endings was officially cancelled this past week.  While many focus on Jane, this season was all about Alex for me.  Cuthbert simple naive, but hilarious Alex is one of the best characters on the show.  Alex and Dave got back together, and it was hilarious watching them navigate their awkward reunion, but Cuthbert was hilarious navigating this endeavor.  My favorite episode with Alex was where she orchestrates all of the pranks pulling a Kaiser Soze at the end, sheer brilliance.  Cuthbert has grown into her own, and I am sad to see the end of this character.

Kaley Cuoco as Penny in The Big Bang Theory 

After years upon years playing Penny, Cuoco deserves some recognition, and this year fits.  Cuoco is one of the most talented comediennes on the air; she plays off the boys club within the show well, from Leonard to Raj.  Watching Penny drop Leonard off at the airport, and confessing her love for him was one of the most beautiful moments showing the way that this couple and her character have grown.  One of my other favorite moments was when Leonard tries to get Penny into Buffy; she walks with Bernadette about Leonard and his passions, and her jealousy of how he has them, and then talking about her own passions.  This was some of the deepest I have seen Penny, rock on Kaley, great work.

Sarah Hyland as Haley Dunphy in Modern Family 

Forget Vergara and Bown, Sarah Hyland owned this season as the you Hayley on Modern Family.  As Hayley went to college, fell on someone, and eventually got kicked out of college, this young girls journey was hilarious but filled with great character growth.  Watching Hayley develop into her own person as an adult trying to take care of Luke, and preventing him from having a party, or be an adult on a night out with her mother, Hyland has grown into her own with this character, and it's been fun to watch her hone her comedic timing.

Jessica Walter as Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development

If one thing is for certain, it's that Lucille Bluth was back with awkward wink.  Sadly there was only one episode of Arrested Development, which focused on Lucille, but it was one of the best episodes.  Walter takes to this character like a drunk fish to water, spectacularly.  I would love to say that there is depth to this character, but the point of this show is that there does not need to be, and it's always great to watch her fight with Lucille II, control Buster, and star in a prison reality series.  Walter's portrayal of Lucille is one of the best supporting characters ever.

Allison Williams as Marnie Michaels in Girls 

Oh Marnie, Marnie, so pretty, but so naive.  Marnie had an interesting journey this past season on Girls; she lost her job at the gallery, became a hostess, was used by one "boyfriend" as trophy piece, and once her ex-boyfriend became successful she went after him, and did one of the most awkward musical performances I have seen in a television series.  Williams is a talented young actress; she plays Marnie with vulnerability, meanwhile there is a vapid nature to her character, which makes her one of the funniest characters on this series.  In season one Marnie was a bit one note, but in this most recent season you get to see more of a realistic vulnerable side to her character, props to Williams.

Casey Wilson as Penny Hearts in Happy Endings 

What will I do without you Penny Hearts?  No more awkward relationships where you attempt to base jump, then fall down the stairs, and get "Miseryed" by Max.  No more hilariously awkward symbolic plays when you break up with your fiance, which you do not realize the connection until you are on stage.  As LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood sang "How will I live?"  Wilson is one of the funniest ladies out there, and I have no doubt she will find some great work, but this character is one of the best; she played her so well, with awkward vulnerability like no other.

Runners Up:  Melissa Rauch-The Big Bang Theory, Eliza Coupe-Happy Endings