The TV Set *
Jake Kasdan
US
@ home on DVD

These felt like scenes from a pretty good movie, but where they left a lot of the good parts out of the final cut. It's just not quite cutting enough or brilliant enough or caring enough. Also, it's been a truism since the dawn of time that network television caters to the lowest common denominator, so how are we supposed to feel anything but annoyed at a guy who rants and raves about not being able to make important, personal art through that medium? It's like an artisanal cheesemaker who becomes disillusioned when his new job at the Kraft factory turns out to be manager of the American singles line.

See also: IMDb | Metacritic

Walk Hard **
Jake Kasdan, 2007
US
@ 64th & 2nd (Preview screening)

I got a pass for this preview screening just outside Fred Claus. It may have been the first digital projection I can remember attending, and it was really bright and clear. I'd like to see something a little less intentionally synthetic-looking done that way, since I felt the lack of flicker kind of enhanced the super-obvious aging makeup and CG crowds. I was actually looking forward to the scrolling end credits, since that's traditionally the one part of the film that's most difficult to read because of flickering and jittering, but they shut off the projector before the main end titles were complete.

The crowd was really ready to laugh, but there are definitely moments here and there where certain gags fall flat or wear out their welcome. Then again, the entire concept is built around a style of filmmaking that tries too hard, so it's difficult to separate the unintentionally less-than-hilarious from the intentionally less-than-hilarious. Frankie Muniz's Buddy Holly reminded that he might actually seem more like Casey Affleck's brother than Ben does.

There are, perhaps, too few non-referential jokes, since maybe a little periodic relief would liven up the rest of the parody.

Also, I was noticing that Jenna Fischer has noticeably thinner lips than most actresses, but that's neither here nor there since she still looks really good.

Possibly the best quote in the entire movie, from near the end where Tim Meadows' aging drummer is describing the priapic effects of his little blue pills to similarly elderly Dewey Cox: "If your boner lasts for more than four hours, call more ladies!"

See also: IMDb | Metacritic