LATE NIGHT Tackles Funny

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Nisha Ganatra, writer Mindy Kaling and Amazon Studios is the funny found in LATE NIGHT.

Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) is the host(ess) of television's LATE NIGHT. An icon of late night she is also having difficulty in the ratings. Part of the problem is that she seems a little out of touch and always dominating her all male writer's room.

Brought to her attention by Brad (Denis O'Hare), she makes it clear that hiring a female writer for the team is top priority. The writing staff of head writer Tom (Reid Scott), Charlie (Hugh Dancy), Burditt (Max Casella), Mancuso (Paul Hauser), Reynolds (John Early) and others are surprised when Molly Patel (Mindy Kaling) walks in the door.

A chemical plant worker by day, Molly has a dabble of experience in comedy and that's enough to be hired for. The team tries to come up with ideas to save the show when they discover that the head of the studio Caroline Morton (Amy Ryan) has taken enjoyment with the announcement. 

Newbury is in a state that even her husband Walter (John Lithgow) can't get her out of. That's when Molly kicks her ideas into high gear and the team beings to crank out comedy that it working. 

As much as Tom fought against Molly, Molly finding a workplace romance and Newbury fighting change - it takes one work to the media to potentially bring it all down.

That's when comedy does its best work!

Thompson as Katherine is a strong woman who has become a tad complacent about her show. Fighting the change that could have kept her on top, it is a changing of the guard that makes her realize she will try anything once - twice if it will get ratings. Thompson is a favorite of mine so it's always good to see her go in a different direction. 

Kaling as Molly brings out all the big guns in her character and honestly doesn't do a thing for me. She uses every excuse in the book for her lot in life from calling herself a "diversity hire" to jokes about "white privilege" and all I could think was 'and she wrote this?'. I don't mind films that bring out issues but when it’s every issue on the planet you lose me quick.

Scott as Tom is a guy who doesn't like the idea of having Molly thrown into the mix with no experience. That would be said of anyone who took the job in the writers room but of course he's going to be raked over the coals. Dancy as Fain gets the chance to be a douchebag and plays it perfectly.

Lithgow as Walter is absolutely lovely and doesn't fit in the film at all. He's the quiet cheerleading squad to his wife's mania. O'Hare as Brad is constantly browbeaten so that is about the extend of his role. Two amazing actors used badly.

Casella, Hauser, Early, Slattery, Barinholtz and the rest of the writer’s room are made to look incompetent when in actuality they were just stuck in a room with their hands tied around their backs. 

Ryan as Morton is the iron fist that comes down on Katherine's head with plenty of enjoyment. So basically its one woman of power smacking down on another woman who thinks she has power. So much for lifting one another up eh?

Look, I'm sure there are those that will enjoy LATE NIGHT and it isn't that I totally hated it. There are moments that are funny even if they are far apart. 

I didn't know whether to cheer women, women of color, women taking care of their man, women for change, men being brow beaten, men living in job fear, blah blah blah blah. I couldn't invest myself in pretty much any of it because instead of it being a learning experience it felt like constant jabbing.

I'm not sure what Kaling was trying to prove here but for me it didn't work well enough for me to even watch it again on television. Not a fan of whining, blaming or poor me in general but when it's all in one film I pretty much check out early.

The sad part about this is that there are some very talented people in this film and, to me; it feels as if they have just been put in roles that they didn't deserve.

Oh well, that's how I feel about it anyway.

In the end - they are attempting to give comedy a re-write!

VENOM Strikes

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this Friday from director Ruben Fleischer and Marvel is the next superhero with the help of VENOM.

One night a space probe crashes to earth owned by the Life Foundation and tubes containing life forms are collected. Transported to a lab, Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) is thrilled at what is brought back.

Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is a reporter who goes out of his way to report on issues that need his style of uncovering. Good at what he does, it gives him time to enjoy his relationship with his lawyer love Anne (Michelle Williams).

He is given his next assignment to interview Drake about the Life Foundation and realizes that Anne knows a little about his business. Nosing onto her laptop, he finds information about Drake that he uses the next day during their interview. Much to Drake’s dismay, he ends the interview sending Brock out on his ear.

That move cost Drake his job and his relationship as Anne also loses her job and refuses to forgive him. Everything he worked for is gone in a second at the payback hands of Drake.

Inside, Dr. Dora Skirth (Jenny Slate) who is working with Drake’s research and the creatures that he obtained. Watching what he is doing, she is horrified that Drake is using human beings for testing. She reaches out to Eddie for help in exposing what is happening and he gets inside the Life Foundation to see for himself. What he doesn’t expect is to be leaving wearing a symbiote suit!

Introducing himself as Venom to Eddie, it is clear that it is the beginning of a strange relationship in an effort to stop Drake and what he is doing. Eddie is being affected physically and looks to Anne and beau Dr. Dan (Reid Scott) for help. Venom knows there are other symbiotes and needs Eddie to stop the leader Riot.

Drake just wants his ‘property’ back and sends head of security Reese (Scott Haze) to round up Eddie. When Drake decides that it’s time to erase humanity, he takes on Riot and now, more than ever, Eddie and Venom have to bring it to save the world.

Hardy as Eddie is going to win over people in the role because of the humor he brings to the role. The relationship he has with Venom is unique because of their ability to communicate and both have a line of sarcasm that is entertaining. Of course I’d prefer Hardy in his role in the television series Taboo, the cable series Peaky Blinders and the film DUNKIRK. It isn’t that I think his role in VENOM isn’t good, it was just predictable and I think I’m getting to old to sit in a theatre for predictable.

Williams as Anne broke character and lost me the minute Anne broke up with Eddie with a simple walk away. Yea girl, I believe you’d do that in real life…nope! This role just didn’t do her any favors (and neither did that short Catholic school girl skirt she ran around in) but I’m sure we’ll see it in the next VENOM movie.

Ahmed as Drake is instantly unlikeable but at least he hasn’t a problem with that. There isn’t anything redeeming about his character and Ahmed makes sure we see that without batting an eye about it. I like Ahmed and have seen his roles become more and more expanded. The mini-series The Night Of truly gave Ahmed the lift and notice that I was thrilled for.

Slate as Dr. Skirth is daring to go against a powerful boss and it will cost her. Scott as Dr. Dan is oddly alright with an ex-boyfriend showing up out of nowhere but has a reason to freak out when something wicked jumps out of an MRI machine. Haze as Treece is a shark on wheels and his goal is to do whatever it takes to get Eddie and Drake’s extra-terrestrial guest back into his lab.

Other cast include Peggy Lu as Mrs. Chen, Malcolm C. Murray as Lewis Donate, Sope Aluko as Dr. Collins, Wayne Pere as Dr. Emerson, and an appearance by Stan Lee.

VENOM is an action packed film filled with humor, car chases, creatures and sarcasm from both humans and not-so-human. In the vein of all Marvel movies I’m sure fans will be happy to see another character go from page to screen.

For me, I went along for the ride but didn’t feel like I got anywhere by the end of it (and trust me I have to call my son now and ask about a character I don’t know about). This film seemed so busy trying to make the audience laugh while keeping the action going, it seems someone forgot to write a strong script.

What kept me going was Tom Hardy (and not just because I adore him). It’s because he held his own in a film that needed to be held up by something good. He made me laugh and jump once or twice. I feel like this is a dark DEADPOOL and lawd knows no one, not even Mr. Hardy, is going to take my heart away from that man in a red suit (and we aren’t talking about Santa Claus).

So go, enjoy and move onto the next Marvel movie. When Venom 2 comes out, let us hope that Marvel will get their storyline together and remember that special effects don’t make an entire film.

In the end – embrace your inner anti-hero!

VEEP is Making History with it’s Complete Sixth Season on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray from HBO Home Entertainment is the amazing cast and Emmy Winning comedy back to share all with VEEP: The Complete Sixth Season.

President Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is not handling the loss in the Senate resolving the Electoral College tie that ended last season. Her staff has gone to the four winds as Dan (Reid Scott) can be found on CBS This Morning television, and Amy (Anna Chlumsky) is set to marry politician Buddy Calhoun. Jonah (Timothy Simons) is still in Congress and now Kent is working for him.

Her only continuing contact is with Mike (Matt Walsh) who has become Mr. Mom taking care of his three kids while helping Selina with her memoir. Richard (Sam Richardson) is still helping her as well even if Gary (Tony Hale) isn’t happy about it.

As Selina works on her Presidential library, she finds out Andrew has been cheating. What’s worse is that it’s with the woman who painted her official portrait – how’s that for kicking a former President while she’s already down! Dealing with Buddy’s (Matt Oberg) latest potential tabloid fodder, Amy works on a way to downplay his DUI arrest.

Participating as an observer in Georgia’s free elections, Selina learns how their process works and the word ‘bribe’ is thrown around. Ready to head back to the states, the rumor mill is working overtime as she hears that a Supreme Court nomination is in the wind.

Before heading for Qatar, Selina finally picks a location for her library. Once in Qatar, she finds herself in the middle of photo ops that prove to be more than she had anticipated. So much for putting Tibet first and foremost.

Between unveiling her Presidential portrait and Gary’s birthday party, things couldn’t get crazier – or could they. Selina’s diary ends up in the hands of Amy and Mike and it contains more secrets than even they could have imagined.

A better book is Selina’s memoirs and thinking she just might have something good going; an expose also comes out that doesn’t paint her in the best light. Jonah is trying to make his place in politics and that too isn’t exactly going to plan as a grab for it all leaves him empty handed.

The Presidential library breaks ground but that isn’t the only news that is about to be shared in life and in the White House!

First of all, a big congratulations goes out to VEEP’s new Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Actually she continues to win an Emmy for her role as Selina Meyer and I, for one and many, couldn’t be happier. She has made her mark in this series and continues to do so. I always encourage my friends to watch the show and even more so to do a marathon of VEEP when a Bluray is released right before the next season. This show is witty, smart and has a cast that is complete perfection.

What stands out is the satirical slaps that have continued for six seasons and shows no signs of slowing down. The narrative of the show is one of politics, weird slips, anxiety, dysfunction, sharp and even twisted in a way that makes us all stop and think – hmmmm…this isn’t that far from the mark now is it!

HBO Home Entertainment has an extensive array of critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking programs found on Bluray, DVD and Digital HD. They have provided viewers with some of the most amazing programs with huge fan bases that include the shows True Blood, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, True Detectives, The Wire, Entourage and Game of Thrones. Launched in 1984, HBO is world wide in viewed entertainment in more than 70 territories around the world! For more of what they have to offer please visit www.hbo.com.

The Bluray includes the episodes Omaha, Library, Georgia, Justice, Chicklet, Qatar, Blurb, Judge, A Woman First and Groundbreaking. The Bonus Features include Seven Audio Commentaries with Cast & Crew including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Reid Scott, Matt Walsh, Timothy Simons, David Mandel and more!

VEEP was created by Armando Iannucci, Oscar nominee for co-writing IN THE LOOP, along with David Mandel as Executive Producer and Showrunner for Seasons Five and Six. The ensemble cast includes two-time Emmy winner Tony Hale, Emmy nominee Anna Chlumsky, Emmy nominee Matt Walsh, Reid Scott, Timothy Simons, Kevin Dunn, Emmy nominee Gary Cole and Sam Richardson.

In the end – they are making history whether you like it or not!

HBO Brings VEEP: The Complete Fifth Season on Bluray and Your Chance to Get it Home!

Jeri Jacquin

One of the best shows brought to us all by HBO Home Entertainment is none other than Julia Louis-Dreyfus and VEEP: The Complete Fifth Season.

Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is on the move and working everyone to get a decision on the presidency. Of course she is also dealing with a stock market, hackers from China and the infamous female fear of her face breaking out because of the stress. She’s not the only one wondering what to do next when Amy (Anna Chlumsky) has to make the decision to get back into the lions den.

The staff itself seems to be rethinking things! Working in Nevada, Richard (Sam Richardson), Jonah (Timothy Simons), Amy and Dan (Reid Scott) are stomping but the later two have an awkward moment when Amy’s sister Sophie shows up.  Selina brings in a man knows as The Eagle aka Bob Bradley (Martin Mull) for a task force on banking.

Have a Twitter moment gone totally wrong; this is a perfect time for the gang to blame the Chinese hackers to cover it all up. That’s the least of it when there are ballots missing that could put Selina in the big chair.

In politics, the death of a family member can help in the polls and Selina is no different but it’s not going to stop what’s going on in China. The count continues in Nevada as Dan and Amy do what they can to try and save the day.

Selina decides that Thanksgiving is as good a time as any to get away from everyone and she must decide what to do about Charlie (John Slattery) and their relationship. Dan knows something is not all mashed potatoes and gravy with Tom James (Hugh Laurie).

As if there needs to be just a few more things, an article comes out saying that a staffer on Selina’s team called her the c-word and Amy has to find out who it is. The answer shouldn’t shock anyone but just in case a shocker is needed, Catherine (Sarah Sutherland) comes clean about who she’s in love with.

Tom James it at it again when Selina discovers that her White House Holiday Party is being used for wooing, of course she’s doing it herself. Off to Camp David, Selina tries to talk reason with the President of China.

Then it all turns for Selina as James pulls out the presidency and when Selina asks about the post of Secretary of State, she is thrown under the bus by Vice President Doyle (Phil Reeves). Even her deal for the Chinese government to free Tibet is stolen from her.

The politics just treat Selina like a bug and a windshield!

Louis-Dreyfus as Selina continues to bring in a performance that IS the reason I keep coming back. She is stunning and brings everything to Selina and by that I mean she handles things the way I probably would. I watch each episode and just shake my head because I know this to be true. Even more so everyone I know who watches the show agrees with me. This is one of the shows I never want to be over.

Chlumsky as Amy is all grown up right before our very eyes. Yes, I still see her occasionally as Vada, I won’t deny it, but that little girl is fading farther and farther away. It’s alright though because Chlumsky is absolutely fantastic and her talent has grown right along with her.

Scott as Dan just love networking, I think I’d definitely want him on my side. Simons as Jonah is the thorn in everyone’s side yet I can’t imagine him not being part of the group – ever. Walsh as Mike is, this season, wants to be part of a family with Wendy played by the uber fantastic Kathy Najimy. I just wanted to give him a hug for his efforts.

Sutherland as Catherine is a girl trying to find something in her life but always comes back to Mom, and in this season she brings along a friend! Slattery as Charlie doesn’t know what Selina is contemplating but then again what guy does.

Mull as Bradley – I mean what can be said about this actor that hasn’t been said before except astounding. I just love whenever he is on the screen no matter what he does. Tom James played by Hugh Laurie just shoes me that you never know what this actor is going to do with a character until he does it. Don’t let the charm fool you!

HBO Home Entertainment has an extensive array of critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking programs found on Bluray, DVD and Digital HD. They have provided viewers with some of the most amazing programs with huge fan bases that include the shows True Blood, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, True Detectives, The Wire, Entourage and Game of Thrones. Launched in 1984, HBO is world wide in viewed entertainment in more than 70 territories around the world! For more of what they have to offer please visit www.hbo.com.

VEEP: The Complete Fifth Season includes the episodes: Morning After, Nev-AD-a, The Eagle, Mother, Thanksgiving, C**tgate, Congressional Ball, Camp David, Kissing Your Sister, and Inauguration. Also includes are Deleted Scenes and Audio Commentaries.

This original HBO series has a winning season each and every time. The following is huge and this is your chance to catch up! VEEP is a 3 time Emmy Award winning show including Outstanding Comedy Series with Season 6 coming in April.

Need to catch up? I can make that happen! Go to http://moviemaven.homestead.com and find out how you can get a copy of VEEP: The Complete Fifth Season for your own home entertainment library.

In the end – the buck stops somewhere near here!