Thursday, July 21, 2011

Laura Watches TV: Wilfred


I know I watch a lot of crap, and I talk about it a lot, but I wanted to take a moment to write about my new favorite show, and possibly one of the smartest shows on television right now, Wilfred. Airing Thursday nights on FX. Or Friday afternoons on Hulu if you're cable-less.

The basic premise seems almost based on mere convention. The dog, Wilfred, is seen by Elijah Wood's character, Ryan, as an adult Australian human in a dog suit. However, the rest of the universe just sees a dog, and Ryan seems fully aware that he is dealing with a real dog and never doubts that it is not a real dog, only immediately accepts that this is how he sees his new friend, Wilfred.

The most exciting aspect of this show is how the writers have managed to work this into reality, creating a place where I completely understand Ryan's hallucination, and my understanding of this creation actually adds to my enjoyment of the overall story.

The pilot opens with Ryan drafting the 3rd copy of his suicide note as he prepares to end his own life. (no spoilers here, this literally happens in the first ten seconds) This all night long failed attempt ends with Wilfred on his doorstep, led by the pretty girl next door. Their friendship begins.

This set up is essential to the true fabric of this show which is laid deeply under the hilarity that is the simple convention of a man who everyone treats like a dog. Not to mention a rude Aussie man in a ridiculous costume. However, as all of this obviously can not be literal, you realize that Wilfred is merely an extension of Ryan, a manifestation of choices he is too afraid to make himself.

Our suicidal Ryan has projected all of his life choices onto this dog, allowing him to remove the blame for his failures and also any glory for his successes. He has externalized his instincts and put them on the most adorable and innocent of creatures, removing any guilt or conflict as he works through his self-loathing and tries to build a new life. Ideally, one worth living.


You could also argue that Wilfred is a mostly bad influence on Ryan. Wilfred convinces Ryan to quit his job, blow off his family, and to rob a neighbors house. These all have extenuating circumstantial explanations but it doesn't even matter. We're tuned in to see what Wilfred will do next and ultimately, the most thrilling parts are whenever it comes together that Ryan is sick and doing this all to himself as he battles his depression and suicidal tendencies. What you're really watching is an intensely realistic portrayal of someone struggling through the basics of life and looking for a reason to live. He's created his reason in Wilfred.

I could go on, but we're only a few episodes into this new series and in my opinion it's an original exciting show that combines humor and psychology in a an awesome and refreshing way. It is a little hard to get over the whole, Elijah Wood was a hobbit thing but you should try. It's worth it.


(side note, how much does FX rock now? It's Always Sunny and now this? You go FX!)

Monday, July 18, 2011

Laura Sees Movies: Horrible Bosses

Horrible Bosses is great.

I was stoked for this movie mostly because I am a big fan of most of the cast. I think Charlie Day is unbelievably funny, I'm a huge It's Always Sunny fan, I adore Jason Bateman, and I am also Team Jennifer. Although this does conflict with my love of Angelina Jolie's humanitarian work and tattoos, but I digress.

Horrible Bosses is a riot and the plot is perfect for these rough economic times. Literally, given the market, it does actually seem plausible that plotting to kill your horrible boss would be easier than looking for a new job.

It also seems that the boys, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudekis all went to improv town and basically filled the script with terrific one-liners. Not to take anything away from the writing but their fingerprints seem to be all over most of the take away laugh lines.

Go see it. It's delightful and hilarious. Is it the funniest movie I've ever seen? Nope. But I loved it and I would see it again in a heartbeat. Thoroughly enjoyable, silly, a fun romp. Jamie Foxx makes a radically funny appearance as well.

Seriously, get a big bag of popcorn and go as soon as you can. A full theater full of loud laughs will make it more fun. Twizzlers too.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Laura Sees Movies: Thor

This guy is hot. I know women throw that word around a lot, but I am serious. This dude is the real kind of hot. He looks like a man and he's huge.


Take note. This movie is directed by Kenneth Branagh. DOESN'T THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING??!!! So fun.



Naturally, now that you know this, the movie has a super dramatic, almost Shakespearean quality, and it's awesome. It's all camp, but I think it's perfect. I've heard some people say this movie sucked, but I'm just imagining they have a bad personal relationship with Kenneth Branagh or they didn't know he directed it. Or they hate fun.

In contrast to the terrible exposition in The Green Lantern this flick weaves the  exposition into the fabric of the overall story. Basically the back story that explains Thor, who he is, and what world he comes from, runs parallel to the planet earth story line so you don't feel spoon fed or confused, it's all just part of the movie.

I need to mention that the main reason I enjoyed this so much is largely in part to Natalie Portman's performance. (and Chris Hemsworth's sexiness). In this, much like Liv Tyler's performance in the Marvel Hulk, you are 100% sold that this young lady exists, and that she would fall in love with this guy. For some reason, lame ass chicks in movies can really bring it down. Natalie Portman's a badass. I hope she goes back to being vegan now that her cookie demanding baby is born. It raises her badassness level.

Anyways I say go see it! That's right, I liked it that much. I thought it was fun, silly, and has some great laugh lines, and awesome action scenes. There's also another Avengers teaser after the credits so don't leave the theater.

Laura Eats Food: Red Bamboo is Delicious!

My second guest post for Vegansaurus is up. Read it!
Guest post: Vegansaurus NYC: Red Bamboo is Delicious!
Just for the record, I think that Vegansaurus is a hilarious and awesome website and you should be reading it already. If you don't want to, just read my posts! I'm so flattered that they like me! 

Love, Laura

Friday, July 8, 2011

Laura Sees Movies: Bad Teacher

I've already had like two people say to me, "why would you see that?" And all I can say is, well, I like crap.

Bad Teacher is medium entertaining crap.


It's not terrible. It's not great either which is slightly a bummer because I feel the premise and the Cameron Diaz character had the potential to be a really great comedy. But whatever I guess.

All of the best jokes were shown in the preview. The only thing that's even almost as funny as the stuff in the preview is this dry humping Justin Timberlake scene which I'm sure you've already heard about. and I don't even know if it was actually funny or if I was just remembering how funny the dry humping stuff in Going the Distance was. Plus it's fun to watch JT act like a dork.

Jason Segal is the best, I hope he wants me to be his girlfriend because I would be totally into that. He is hilarious and heartfelt. Such a winning combination for these types of movies. However, the laughs aren't enough to make it great, and like I said, the big hits are all his lines that you've already seen in the preview. If you haven't seen the preview I'm wondering how you decide which movies to go see, where you live, and what you do on a daily basis. In fact I'd like to study you so contact me.

Basically I say rent it or wait til it's on demand and watch it. It's not a total waste of time but I won't be buying the DVD or anything.