Howdy Inter-webbers. I’m Matt Cohen, and I dig dragons.

Something about the mythical beasts always did it for me. Call it a combination of aesthetics – Disney “Villains” meet traditional folklore monsters with a twist of Tolkein thrown into the pot. However, besides the awesome PETE’S DRAGON, the decent DRAGONHEART, and the awful REIGN OF FIRE, there haven’t really been any dragon movies of note (I saw DRAGON WARS. I’m not counting it on purpose… because I saw it). One reason for this may be simply due to technological constraints – because there’s certainly no lack of dragon fiction to adapt to the screen. How does one pull off a convincing dragon on screen? There seem to be two routes to this destination – The classic practical/rubber suit dragon and the more modern incarnation: The animated dragon. Like most things that adapt with time, filmmaking is quick to embrace new “enhancements” to the overall moviemaking experience, most recently evident in the utter saturation of 3-D films being made. Some good, some bad – but none with dragons. Until now…

It makes me happy to report that the newest cg-animated film from DREAMWORKS (home of my favorite CGI cartoon to date, KUNG FU PANDA), HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON – based on the novel by Cressida Crowell – is pretty damn good.

The film takes place in the village of Berk, which plays home to a tribe of dragon-slaying Vikings. The vikings of Berk, led by Gerard Butler’s Stoick (speaking in a mix between his Leonidus and the pirate voice he rocked in THE BLACK FREIGHTER) lead a daily struggle against the countless hordes of dragons that, without fail, arrive every night to steal the village’s food supplies. Due to this constant threat, all life in Berk revolves around the extermination of said pests. In this society, social standing is based on dragon-slaying ability. At the bottom of this spectrum is our hero, Hiccup (voiced by America’s new favorite funnyman, Jay Baruchel), son to Stoick and the least likely dragon-slayer you’ve ever seen. Hiccup is a walking catastrophe, leaving a trail of destruction and disappointed vikings in his clumsy wake. The only job in Berk safe enough for Hiccup’s “touch” is apprenticing Cobber (played by TV late show host Craig Ferguson), the village’s “Dragon-Master”. Hiccup is content to mostly stay out of the spotlight and pass his time by dreaming up a life together with the object of his affection – the tough as nails, no-nonsense Astrid (voiced by Ugly Betty herself, America Ferrara). Unfortunately for Hiccup, trouble seems to find him – particularly when he manages to secretly wound a young member of a fabled and never-before-seen species of dragon who quickly takes a liking to the young viking. What is at first a terrifying situation for Hiccup soon turns into a new friendship with a dragon he calls Toothless.

After his most recent series of “screwups”, Hiccup’s father decides it’s time for the boy to finally put up or shut up – Hiccup would be trained as a Dragon Slayer, along with Astrid and the village’s other able teenagers (Jonah Hill, Mc’Lovin, Kristen Wigg and T.J. Miller). Of course, by this point in the film Hiccup has already established a deep bond with Toothless and the last thing he want’s to do is kill any dragons. And yet, he needs to impress the girl he loves and earn the respect of the father who never gave it. Quite a dilemma for a viking named Hiccup, who quickly learns some tricks from his time spent with Toothless and, more than that, has learnt that maybe the vikings had been wrong about dragons after all. Perhaps a bigger threat lies just beyond the veil.

I’m not a fan of spoiling films I would recommend to people, so I’ll leave the plot at that. Honestly though, it’s not the most innovative story ever, so I’m sure an astute enough viewer knows exactly where this film will go from minute one. That’s not to say it’s not an extremely enjoyable or a very good film, because it’s both those things. Maybe a bit more of the former then the latter. Without further ado, let’s jump to what worked for me about the flick.

THE GOOD

VISUALS/ANIMATION: There’s no getting around it… this movie looks pretty damn spectacular. I saw the film in Real3D, so I can only speak to that experience, but I can’t imagine a standard viewing diminishing the overall quality that much. From the opening credits to the closing credits, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is a visual feast in the truest sense – a sometimes overwhelming but always captivating buffet for the senses (I can’t believe I just wrote that, either). Berk, in its design, is now one of my favorite CGI sets that I’ve seen on film. Quaint and charming while at the same time real and gritty – like much of the rest of the film’s style – Berk seems to skirt the line between whimsical and semi-realistic (bordering on photo-realistic when it comes to minute details). The character design is top notch and the scenes that take place at night are some of the better lit I’ve seen. The film’s real strength, however (as it should be), is the dragons. The awesome, awesome, awesome dragons. Now, I’m not positive, but the animators/character designers must’ve done exhaustive research into reptiles and lizards, because each species of dragon reminds me exactly of a corresponding real species. There’s a crocodile dragon, a snake dragon, a frog dragon, and our second lead, Toothless, who I swear is the animated personification of an Axolotl (water newt). For this reason, the dragons, while fantastic, are also living, breathing creatures that act and react on screen as living creatures would. There is a definite biology to these beasts, and the filmmakers spared no detail in differentiating them and making them as compelling to watch as they wind up being.

So, the dragons may look great, but how do they move? And therein lies my favorite part of the film and the reason I can’t wait to revisit it on Blu-Ray (hopefully 3D Blu-Ray) – The flight scenes in this movie are ethereal and beautiful while at the same time scary and tense. It’s a mix of emotions one would imagine would be elicited in actual flight. And, if it’s to be believed, the flight scenes never seem to “CGI-y” – rather, they are visually stuck in a world between animation and practical physical limitations – i.e., this stuff looks as real as flying dragons with vikings on their back can get. For my money, I’d say the flight sequences in HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON give the ones in AVATAR a run for their money. Repeat viewings will be needed to see which I prefer in the long run. Again, while not groundbreaking, the animation certainly takes the current technology to new heights (Get it? Flying joke. I’ll stop now).

THE VOICE WORK: Led by the extremely capable Jay Burchel, this film continues the recent trend of casting recognizable actors in EVERY speaking role imaginable, which sometimes can lead to a snooze-filled star fest (SHARK TALES) – Or, on the positive side, a pool of talented performers who bring their varied skills to the table. Baruchel gets the brunt of the work here as Hiccup (and Toothless) and owns the vast majority of screentime, but it’s actually the supporting roles that really stood out to me. Gerard Butler is perfect as the brave and yet parentally unsure Stoick and Ferguson is spot on and his usual charming self as Berk’s disfigured dragon expert. America Ferrara is fine in her role, but nothing more. Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, and T.J Miller are perfect as the youngest vikings in the village, and bring a real sense of fun to their performances. That being said, there is one performance in the film that I must commend individually, and that belongs to Mr. Jonah Hill. Look, i dig Hill as much as the next guy, but if you told me he’d be my favorite part of ANY movie, I’d say you were crazy. I am the crazy one, apparently. I went the entire length of the film trying to match the character to an actor but was left unsuccessful – and what’s crazy is it’s pretty much Hill’s speaking voice. It’s just that it is SO perfect for the character he is portraying that one can’t help but get lost in the performance. Not the biggest role or the most important, but in my opinion, the most memorable. If only for the fact that Jonah Hill, one of comedy’s most recognizable voices, pulled a fast one on me.

THE NOT SO GOOD

It’s a testament to a good film that my complaints aren’t even complaints, really, but rather missed opportunities. This being the year of AVATAR, I, like many others, have come to accept that sometimes story is not the most important part of a filmgoing experience. I don’t think I’m the only one who would say the plot of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is fairly formulaic and predictable, if not straight up archetypal. There’s no real surprises, no emotional left hooks – rather, it’s a cute little story about a dude and his dragon. Harmless. And if the animation wasn’t so incredibly strong, the story would hurt the film more then it does now. Likewise for the humor in the film – and that’s not to say it’s not a funny movie. It’s not trying to be the next KUNG FU PANDA, and I don’t blame the filmmakers for that, but the jokes are kind of far between in some sections of the film, -leaving the viewer waiting for the next awe-inspiring visual to keep them going. It’s not like the movie has a lot of jokes that fail, it’s just that the movie doesn’t have all that many jokes to begin with. Yes, there are definitely some chuckles spread throughout and even one or two laugh out loud moments, but overall it is not the laugh riot that it could’ve been. But honestly, it didn’t need to be. I will flat out say it – the visuals alone are worth the price of admission. For any kid who ever dreamed of riding a dragon, I’d even dare to say the film is a must-see (or at the very least a must-rent). So it’s not the overall package, but the great in it certainly outweighs the average.

In summing up, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON is a visual must-see, but otherwise just an average, harmless kids movie. Which leads me to a final note. Though the film not surprisingly ends on an up note, there is a MAJOR down note that plays before it – one that I personally felt the film didn’t really need (and that if I was still a kid, would’ve possibly bummed me out for days). So who’s to say it’s even a kids movie. I’d like to think of this film as a love letter to any kid who grew up reading about dragons or drawing their own…. Any kid who ever owned a salamander and wished for more… Or for anyone who wants to see the ever-expanding capabilities of CGI animation. PIXAR owns story, but after this one, I think I’d say that Dreamworks is the top dog (or Dragon) when it comes to visual impressiveness.

Sadly, I have to hop on my own winged beast and ride out of this piece until next time. Stay tuned for exciting installments of this very column covering such varied topics as movies… and movies (with some comedy shows/other events thrown in for good measure, as well). So until then, never fear, dry those tears, and wait fondly until the day in which I take your hand and lead us on a stroll through…

“The Wonderful World of Talkies’.”
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–Matt Cohen is currently learning how to train his imaginary giraffe.

For more Matt Cohen, check out CameltoadProductions.Com and, of course, “Bagged and Boarded“, right here at FRED entertainment.

Stalk Matt Cohen on Twitter = @CamelToad

Howdy Interwebbers. I’m Matt Cohen and I dig the D.

Of course, I am referring to Tenacious D – the folk-metal guitar duo made up of Jack Black (Jables) and Kyle Gass (Kage). I’ve been getting my socks rocked off’ since high school, and have been an avid follower of all things D ever since. I voraciously devour their new albums and attend as many live shows as I can, so it was to my delight and surprise that the boys had put together an epic night of comedy and music… and better yet, it was for a great cause. I snagged my ticket, patiently waited a few weeks, ventured out in the heart of Korea Town (and hunted for a good/free parking spot, WHICH I found, thank you very much) and was presented with a night of performances I would never forget.

Want to live vicariously through me? Well, besides it being a tad creepy… I’m flattered… Here’s your chance! I’m proud to present my review of “Tenacious D and Friends: Stand With Haiti”, presented in chronological order for all you fans of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder!

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Maya Rudolph: What’s funny is that I had just watched Ms. Rudolph’s infamous SNL “Nation Anthem” sketch mere hours before attending the show.

What’s also funny is getting to see it in person. Maya took the stage as “Pamela Bell” and proceeded to sheepishly walk to the center, pick up her microphone, and – well, you all know how this one goes (If you don’t know how this one goes, watch the video above). It’s been a minute since I’ve seen Rudolph in anything (I think since IDIOCRACY, which was a few years back now) and seeing her on stage reminded me she really is one of the more talented women in the funny business. I look forward to seeing more of her in the future.

Tig Notaro: Heading to the show, I had no clue if this was a comedian, a musician, a man, or a woman. I knew one thing – Tig is fun to say. Happy to report that Ms. Notaro is a) A Woman and b) A comedian… and a very funny one at that. Ms. Notaro admittedly looks a bit like she could be Mr. Notaro at first glance, and she talks about the consequences of such a misidentification. Witty, calm – Notaro has the poise and presence of an old hand at the comedy game, and her set was better then most “spotlights” I’ve seen on major TV networks in recent years. A really solid stand up set by someone who was previously unknown to me goes to show that comedy can come from anywhere, and to never overlook a “new” voice. Consider me a fan.

Will Ferrell: The big surprise of the night. Without fanfare, without hype, without notice – Will Ferrell took the stage to what was probably the biggest applause of the event (other than The D). Ferrell quickly apologized to the audience, as he had “forgotten” the scheduling of the benefit and, as such, had arrived unprepared. He then proceeded to delight and confuse the crowd with the only “routine” he could remember off the top of his head – a third grade dance routine set to the synth classic “The Popcorn Song”, by Hot Butter. Cue two minutes of “Kaufmanesque” type performance art that made you smile more then it managed to illicit belly laughs. Ferrell was a welcome if not odd addition to an already stellar line-up of entertainers, and it was pretty cool to get to see one of my favorite on-screen comedians in the flesh (albeit 20 or so feet away).

Frank Black: The frontman from the PIXIES (sometimes know as Black Francis) took to the stage for the evening’s first musical number, and I was fairly excited. I proudly put the PIXIES in my top ten all-time favorite bands, and I had not gotten the chance to see them or their illustrious leader (Miss you, Kim.) live. The set was not quite what I expected – picture a heavy, raw, oddly tempoed angry rockster – but was still quite enjoyable. I did get to hear “Where Is My Mind”, which brought up all kinds of FIGHT CLUB related memories. Definitely worth checking out, but I’d much rather hear the whole band (or what stands for the whole band at the current date and time).

Bob Odenkirk: Out of the grand list of illustrious talent assembled, Mr. Odenkirk is my number one. Allow me to clarify. Yes, I am a huge Tenacious D fan, as I am one of Patton Oswalt, Aimee Man, Brand/Segal, etc. However, if the benefit had just been Bob Odenkirk talking to himself on a stage for an hour, I would not only have attended, but would have payed a lot of money to do so. In terms of “influences” in my life, Bob Odenkirk (and David Cross) are in the top quadrant. Without MR. SHOW in the world, I most likely would be an accountant somewhere, asking people around the office, “Hey, what’s this Twitter thing I keep hearing about?” Odenkirk emerged in a mustache and horn rimmed glasses as Steve Job’s lesser known but “better” brother. Odenkirk walked us through a presentation (complete with slides) of his newest inventions. Classic Odenkirk – weird but not zany character, tons of pop culture references (His partners in business? Clint Howard and Gordon Spielberg), and a concise and well paced sketch. One of the kings of comedy doing what he does very well. My only complaint was that Odenkirk was only on stage for about seven minutes. I could watch that man do comedy for days on end and beg for more.

James Mercer: This was a benefit and all the artists were appearing out of the kindness of their hearts, so I would feel bad “maligning” anyone, but…. I don’t think I like the Shins. I had never heard of them or their frontman James Mercer before the night, and after hearing said dude perform a couple songs, I don’t think I’m missing much. Yeah, Mercer has a nice voice and can play guitar alright, but he’s so opposite my type of music. So mellow I almost fell asleep standing up. Mercer played about three acoustic songs and the ladies swooned. I had to hold on to a railing to stop from “slumbering off”. People seem to like him and the guy came out for a good cause and lent his time, so – right on. A Shins fan I suddenly am not, though.

Nick Kroll and Ben Stiller: Oh, Fabrice Fabrice. I cannot get enough of this character. From the first time I saw Nick Kroll perform as Fabrice Fabrice, I’ve been hooked – bordering on obsessed. For those unfamiliar with the character, Fabrice Fabrice is a loud, obnoxious, ridiculously dressed “Head of Craft Services” who is of somewhat questionable sexuality. His “routine” consists of regaling the crowd with some of his stories from his many years spent in the fast track world that is feature film craft services. He oftentimes invites some of the celebrities he’s worked with in the past onto stage with him for an embarrassing and ridiculously offensive interview. Tonight’s guest: Mr. Ben Stiller. I don’t want to try and paraphrase an act that began with “What up you cock-ass bitches?!?” so I’ll leave the exact details to your imagination. However, the interview included references to Michael Jackson being a woman, Stiller’s inappropriate relationship with the monkey from NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, and an invitation of oral sex, “For Haiti”. It’s not often that one of Hollywood’s biggest comedians plays the straight man, but Stiller certainly filled that role during Kroll’s savage and ridiculously funny assessment of his career. Nick Kroll is funny with or without a rhinestone belt that says “Bing Bong”, and to see him share the stage with the likes of Ben Stiller was a thrill for someone who’s been following his career since its inauspicious starts at a basement theater in New York City. And Ben Stiller is a also person who ain’t that bad.

Jason Segal: A musical interlude from the man who forgot Sarah Marshall. I’m sure you’ve all seen the film by now so you may know that Segal performs (and wrote) some original songs for the film, including a mini version of a Dracula musical entitled “A Taste For Blood”. All six plus feet of Segal took the stage to a warm welcome, though he looked a bit sad. Once seated at the keyboard he told the audience, “I’m bummed because my buddy was supposed to show up to help me tonight but he couldn’t make it”. Now, I know a bit when I see one, but I wasn’t sure just who exactly would be joining Segal on stage. Incidentally, Segal was joined by a guest on his first song of the evening – Jack Black came out to perform a duet of “Dracula’s Lament” in which Jables belted out some high notes to match Segal’s now-famous Dracula impression. Funny stuff. But, of course, this wasn’t the aforementioned buddy who had missed the show. We’d have to wait for Segal’s second number to find out who that was – and from the moment it started, it was kind of an easy guess. The opening notes of “Inside of You” rang out in the theatre, the first verse proceeded (with Segal doing a sort of fake Brand impersonation), and then the man of the hour took the stage – Russel Brand. The two joined for a spirited version of the Infant Sorrow classic and finished it all of with a uncomfortably long open mouthed kiss. Good stuff and a good reminder that GET HIM TO THE GREEK drops soon (At least it was for me).

Patton Oswalt: I am a fan of stand up comedy, but I’m not a “stand-up guy”, per say. I’ve got my favorites, and I always try to keep up to date on their newest releases/routines – and Patton Oswalt is definitely included in that pack. I have listened to Patton’s albums dozens of times and had been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to catch a live show. This wonderful night did not fail me. Patton did a full half hour of brand new stand up (I’d never heard it before) and within a few minutes I was doubled over in hysterics, trying to stay afoot. Patton is so unassuming that when the insanity leaves his mouth it not only catches you off guard, but sort of wakes you up a bit. His presence on stage is so polar to the material he’s delivering, which is conscious and brilliant. If he was Dane Cook telling the same jokes, it wouldn’t work. There’s something so instantly likable (almost lovable) about Patton that his insights, while not always the most profound statements ever, are always familiar – which, of course, is one of the ingredients for good stand up. Relatability. Familiarity. Etc. If this set is any indication of where Patton’s taking his comedy (more family material, kid stuff, less geek-oriented material), I will purchase his newest release gladly, and I relish the day when I get to see him take to the stage again.

Aimee Mann: Aimee Mann is one of my top 3 favorite solo artists, and it was a thrill and a pleasure to finally get to see her perform live (and one of the motivating factors in my attendance of the show). Ms. Mann took the stage with a skeleton crew – a bass player and a keyboardist – and began to rock the house in her own very unique and other-worldly way for a solid half hour or so. As far as female voices go, Aimee Mann’s is at the top of the heap, and her guitar skills match – to see it all live is to be caught up in a sort of rapture. Lots of talented folks in the house this evening but Aimee Mann – at least musically – is on an entire other level. I was first exposed to Aimee Mann with her work on the MAGNOLIA soundtrack (and within the film itself), and since then have been longing to catch her perform. Of all the tracks Mann and co. played during the show, my favorite has to be “Save Me”, from the MAGNOLIA soundtrack. Very different from my usual concert fare, but so damned talented and, dare I say, beautiful that I would definitely check out Aimee Mann live again in the future (And wouldn’t mind seeing her also very talented husband, Michael Penn, either).

Russell Brand: By this point in the night, I thought that Tenacious D would take the stage for the finale, and I was quite content with that. Luckily, like always, I was wrong. “Rusty” took the stage like a pit bull takes to raw meat and delivered what is definitely the most energetic and frantic set of stand-up comedy (if you could really call it that – more like “observational philosophy) I’ve ever seen. Wordy is an understatement when one describes Brand’s stage set – It’s like studying for your SAT verbal section. Rather then being off-putting or excluding, Brand’s intellectual (and highly spiritual/sexual) bent differentiates him from ANY comic working today. Like all the bests, Brand uses the stage as a psychotherapy couch, and the cathartic rambling that spews henceforth from his waifish frame is a look into the mind of a very complex, very intelligent, very disturbed, and – luckily for the audience – very funny human being. Brand muses on all things from life, love, and the pursuit of “happiness” to more topical subjects as his recent stint as host of the MTV Movie Awards. A mile a minute, very funny, and oftentimes challenging, if you get a chance to see Mr. Brand take to a stage, I would definitely recommend jumping on the chance.

Tenacious D: The men behind the entire evening. Respectively – Jack Black and Kyle Gass. Collectively – The D. I’ve had the pleasure of both meeting The D at a signing and seeing their PICK OF DESTINY TOUR when it hit Madison Square Garden, so I knew that some face-melting was about to occur. Since I heard the first licks of “Wonderboy” back in the 9th grade, I’ve been hooked on them. And not as a parody group or a comedy act, but rather as one of my favorite bands in the world, musically as well as ideologically. This very special set kicked off with the debut of a new song, chronicling the failure that was THE PICK OF DESTINY, and foretelling The D’s inevitable return to greatness. Pop songs, these are not. All the favorites were rolled out – “Tribute”, “Fuck Her Gently”, etc.) with a few songs I’d never heard thrown into the mix as well (including a very funny new tune called “The Roadie”). Look, you either love The D or you’ve never heard of them. It was a D show. Rocking and funny while at the same time melodic and impressive. Notable moments include Ben Stiller making a guest drum appearance on a cover of the GOOD TIMES theme, and Kyle quitting the band (as he always does). A fantastic finale to a truly remarkable night of laughs and music.

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And like that, it was over. One of the most entertaining nights I can remember in a long while, and all for a worthy purpose, as well. Sometimes, all is right with the world. Thanks for the gander, and I’ll see you cats next time with a op-ed piece on the 90’s equivalent of LOST… THE X-FILES. How good was it? How important was it? How Canadian was it?

–Matt Cohen is currently Standing With Laziness

For more Matt Cohen, check out CameltoadProductions.Com and, of course, “Bagged and Boarded“, right here at FRED entertainment.

Stalk Matt Cohen on Twitter = @CamelToad

Howdy Interweb. I’m Matt Cohen, and I am a theater snob.

Okay, to be honest, I’m far from it. In my twenty-five years on this planet, most of my time has been spent deep in the world of comics, comedy and movies – with an emphasis on movies. Since before I can remember, my life revolved around all things cinematic, and this has not changed with time. I was never a musical theatre fan, and the only times I’ve gone have been mandatory, either by family or school. As far as “straight” plays, I think I’ve seen less than five performed in my life. And sure, I love comedy (specifically long form Improv, if ya please), but other then the occasional jaunt to the Upright Citizens Brigade, I don’t get out to the “Theater” much. It comes down to a general lack of interest in what’s being performed. I’d like to get out there more, but can’t seem to muster the energy for just any old show. So I wait… and wait. And wait some more. Then it happens. Once in a very long while, the right mix of my passions combine into a two-headed passion monster (pretty, I know) and I am left with no choice but to tackle the beast head-on. With scimitar in hand, I ventured into the depths of Los Angeles this past week a pair of gargantuans.

If horribly drawn metaphors aren’t your thing, I went to two stage shows this past week. I’d like to take a quick gander at my take on each, if you’d be so kind.

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The Pee-Wee Herman Show – Nokia Live, Los Angeles

I grew up a fan of Pee-Wee Herman. A lot of people my age can say the same thing. Though I missed out on the HBO show, I was the perfect viewing age for both PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE and PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE. The VHS of the Burton film was in heavy rotation in my house, and the television show was an important part of one of my most important childhood rituals – Saturday Morning TV. I owned the Playhouse playset and spent countless hours with Conkee, Chairy, Magic Screen and the rest of the gang. Cut to a few years later and “Pee-Wee-Gate” happened, forcing Mr. Reubens and his man-child alter ego out of the spotlight for too many years. The man who was Pee-Wee got sporadic supporting work in comedies and the odd TV show but the world was definitely suffering from a Pee-Wee drought. This all changed a few months ago when it was announced that Paul Reubens and many of the original stage show cast would embark on a month long run of THE PEE-WEE HERMAN SHOW – a stage revival of the original show that brought Pee-Wee and the gang to fame. I was lucky enough to check out a performance at the Nokia Club in downtown Los Angeles. I am happy to report that Pee-Wee is back – and yes, my friends, he holds up well with time.

As Pee-Wee greets the audience, one can’t help make physical comparisons to the “old” Pee-Wee. Yes, Reubens is older and a bit “wider”, and yes, the voice isn’t exactly the same one you grew up with, but man, it’s Pee-Wee. Live and in the flesh. It’s hard to describe what it feels like to see one of your “fictional” childhood heroes come to life, but I can only say this – tears were being held back (Keep in mind I’m a ridiculous person). Pee Wee then lead us through a quick introduction and a rollicking pledge of allegiance, and with that the curtains part and we’re off. Off to the Playhouse. And what a Playhouse it is. On stage in front of you lies a scaled down but incredibly faithful version of the TV show set, complete with all of your (and my) favorite characters moving and brought to life. Mostly all of the old Playhouse gang is there – Conkee, Chairy, Mr. Globe, Magic Screen, Randy, The Talking Fish, Pterry, etc. Cue those tears.

The show kicks off much in the same way the television program did, with Pee-Wee finding out “Today’s” secret word. And therein lies my biggest issue with the show – The Secret Word. It’s fun to scream at the top of your lungs when you’re home alone and when you’re seven, but stuck in a sold out theater with drunk thirty-somethings? By minute ten you want that “Secret” word to be stricken from the human language and for your fellow audience members to suddenly be stricken with laryngitis. Other then that mild complaint, I can honestly say that the show works and it works well. Pee-Wee is still just as absurd and entertaining a character as he was in the early 90’s, and to see firsthand the energy and zeal that Ruebens (who is no longer a spring chicken) brings to the role in person is really an experience I won’t soon forget.

A revamped version of the original show that ran at the Groundling and Roxy Theaters in LA, the real draw of THE PEE WEE HERMAN SHOW is a whimsical blend of bizarre and refreshingly lighthearted comedy coupled with the nostalgic value of seeing Pee-Wee and friends again (and in person for the first time). Some of the jokes fall flat and other just fail entirely, but the majority of the ninety minute show is spent in grinning rapture (at least it was in my case). It’s just so unique to see a show so rare, and one can’t help but be amused by the absurdity of it all. It’s the same old Pee-Wee brand humor – lots of puns, sight gags, prop jokes, etc, so if you weren’t a fan of Pee-Wee during his original run, his particular type of madcap might not be for you. Some low points involve some very topical gags and a few abstinence “zingers” but every comedy has its misses. I happened to laugh pretty solidly during the show, which is more then I can say for most comedic endeavors I check out nowadays. Besides the jokes, the stage cast shines as well. Not only does Ruebens return in the titular role, but the original Ms. Yvonne and Jambi (Lynne Marie Stewart & John Paragon, respectively) are back and perform their roles as if no time had passed at all (MADTV alum Phil Lamar steps in for Laurence Fishburne as Cowboy Carl). The chemistry of a cast that has been working together for a quarter of a century certainly benefits the show and makes the entire thing feel like a visit with an old friend -which sums up the entire experience quite nicely.

Other then the usual Pee-Wee brand of surreal performance art masked as kids fare, the show features some fantastic production details, front and center the aforementioned Playhouse set. The technology and design that goes into bringing all of the inanimate characters to life is really something that rivals any big time Broadway production. From the moment the curtains part you are entirely transported into the world of the Playhouse, and if that world ever meant anything to you, it will be one of the thrills of a lifetime. Colorful, vibrant, kinetic… it’s like an acid trip gone right. I would live on that set, and live on it proudly (I don’t even care about the lack of a bathroom… Pee-Wee’s got a pool, yo! Remember?). The effect is a complete disconnect from reality which is so essential in such a “non-real” show. Absolutely perfect and spot on and entirely important in creating that feeling of “familiarity” the show relies heavily on.

That may be what it comes down to. Yes, it’s funny and different and certainly more entertaining than most things on the American stage today, but it’s also a piece of my childhood brought back to life. I may be viewing this one through nostalgia-colored glasses – and if so, I apologize – but I think it’s impossible to remove one’s memories in reviewing such a show that is basically my memories come to life. This could have easily gone the route of INDY 4 and I could be dropping the too-often Geek dropped “Raped my childhood” bomb right now, but gladly and definitely I say this show is worth your time. Also, if this starts a trend of adapting late 80’s, early 90’s kids shows into stage productions, sign me up (SECRETS OF THE OOZE Reunion Tour!!!!!) Pee-Wee is back and I hope he hangs around for a long time to come.

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Broken Lizard Live – El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles

Where were you in 2002? Chances are, if you are like me, you were holed up somewhere with your favorite illicit substance and a DVD copy of comedy group Broken Lizard’s SUPER TROOPERS on permanent loop. I still consider TROOPERS one of the best comedies ever made and, to tell truths, I’ve been a pretty big fan of the troupe’s other films, CLUB DREAD and BEERFEST. At one point, I even used to tote around a… smoking implement, which I engraved (with sharpie marker) as “Broken Lizard”. So, suffice it to say, I consider myself a fan. It was to my delight that Broken Lizard announced that they would be touring the country in a live stage show and, when the group finally came my way (last show of the tour, being taped for a Comedy Central broadcast), I jumped at the chance and dragged “Bagged and Boarded” contributor Brendoman to the El Rey to take in the show. Did I live to regret that decision? Yes. Am I bad at building up tension in a story? Perhaps, my friend. Perhaps.

I arrived at a packed house for what I assumed would be a night of sketch comedy, the very thing that started the group and first brought them to infamy so many years back. What I got was a frat boy, beer-fueled heckle fest set to mediocre stand up comedy. The boys arrived on stage, did a minute or two in character from SUPER TROOPERS, and then promptly stopped, headed backstage, and re-appeared one by one for traditional stand up spots. Since the show followed that format, I thought the review should as well. Because I am extremely original. An innovator, some might say. Say it… it feels good.

Steve Lemme: Word of advice to the man who we know as Mac – A stand-up routine consisting entirely of masturbation jokes does not the funny make. This is made all the more true when you preface the act with how “dirty and edgy” you’re about to get. Keeping in theme with the lowest common denominator, Mr. Lemme serenaded us with a barrage of “masturbational observations” (think I may have just coined a phrase) that covered the gamut of everything from “early whack-off stores” to an unfortunately too live reenactment of a man having sex with a teddy bear. Lemme played the teddy bear. If that sounds like the heights of comedy then you’re in luck. If you’re like me, you will find it embarrassing and cringeworthy. Stick to the movies, homie.

Paul Soter: Meh. Another misguided attempt at capitalizing on some sort of “edginess” by creating a filthy and un-funny stand-up number. This might sound awful (in terms of my reviewing credibility), but Soter’s set was so unfunny and unremarkable that I can’t remember a single specific joke from it. I remember that he was slightly better then Lemme, but still in train wreck territory. Makes sense that the least memorable member of the group has the least memorable stand up routine.

Erik Stolhanske: Not horrible but, again, far from great. At least this Lizard wasn’t offputtingly vulgar for absolutely no reason. Allow me to clarify: I live in a world of “blue-jokes” and consider myself a big fan of off-color comedy. One rule, though – Make it funny. Otherwise, your “zingers” are a smack in the face of any intelligent comedy-minded audience who isn’t looking for the next Larry the Cable Guy. Stolhanske goes for the “family joke” genre of stand-up comedy and takes us through his experience getting his sperm count checked. Chuckle worthy without going too dark for dark, like Soter and Lemme. At least Erik comes out looking like a nice guy as opposed to some cheesy college tour comedian. A future on the stage? No. Funny guy? Sure.

Jay Chandrasekhar: If it weren’t for this man, it would have been a complete bust of a night – but if anything good came out of my Broken Lizard Live experience, it’s that I learned that Jay Chandrasekhar is a pretty damn good stand-up. The material didn’t particularly break any new ground (Jay went on a hypothetical journey about his manhood falling off), but Jay’s demeanor and polished presence on stage made for a laugh-packed, fast-paced stand-up sprint. Jokes flew quick and hit almost as often as they came. There’s no wonder Chandrasekhar has directed all the troupe’s films and seems to be the “brains” of the operation, comedy-wise. Jay seems to be the real “genius” of Broken Lizard. And unfortunately, after this show, I use that phrase very lightly.

Kevin Heffernan: Not a stand-up act as much as just a nice guy being funny on a stage (and the only other really enjoyable Lizard besides Jay). Heffernan takes us through a five minute or so look at what it’s like for the world to have seen you naked (complete with visual aide). Again, far from stand-up comedy, but Heffernan seems far from a stand-up comic. Still, he got some laughs out of me, which is more then I can say for most of his compatriots. On a side note, my favorite portion of the night was actually a story told by Heffernan and Lemme about the first time they met Patrick Swazye (not a stand-up portion… hint hint… OK, forget hints – BROKEN LIZARD: DON’T DO STAND-UP AGAIN!)

All in all, needlessly juvenile and not really funny, and it made me kind of embarrassed to consider myself a Broken Lizard fan. I still love the films and anxiously await their newest (which doesn’t seem to be getting a theatrical release), but I will definitely reserve judgment from now on before declaring them one of the “Top” troupes in comedy today.

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Sadly, that’s all for this installment. I must put on my heavy coat and once again wander out into the mysterious world of life. What perils will I meet along the way? Rockslides, paternity suits, late night disco jams – the possibilities are endless! Check back soon for a look at the very special, one time only “Tenacious D – Stand for Haiti” benefit featuring the illustrious likes of Aimee Mann, Frank Black, Russell Brand, Patton Oswalt, Bob Odenkirk, etc. And, of course, more movie reviews and special surprises are on the way.

As always, I thank you for taking my hand as I lead us on a tour of the wonderful world of talkies.

–Matt Cohen is currently a talking chair

For more Matt Cohen, check out CameltoadProductions.Com and, of course, “Bagged and Boarded“, right here at FRED entertainment.

Stalk Matt Cohen on Twitter = @CamelToad

Hello interweb, you bright shining bastion of sexy. I’m Matt Cohen… And you’re my everything.

It’s been a while. Without going into detail, I had some errands that needed taken care of. Space errands. “How’s space,” you might ask? Cold, lonely, shitty TV reception – but surprisingly good bagels. Enough of that, though. You can read the mission report from NASA. That’s not why I’m here. “Why is he here,” you might be asking yourself? (I totally set you up for that). What could possibly pull me back from the outer reaches of the heavens to join you here, once again, in the written form?

Movies. Movies, movies, movies. What in the heck are movies? Scholars maintain that they were first discovered in the early fourteenth century, when a small Latvian boy named Unter Vander-Wool stumbled and accidentally fell into a pile of celluloid while reciting a monologue from A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at the same time a passerby just so happened to be shining a 6-K light in Unter’s face while, serendipitously, a small neighborhood cat held a boom pole over the whole scene.  And with that calamitous (and extremely bloody… We’ll miss you Unter) event the motion picture industry was born. And like any growing American child, the film industry has gone through its share of changes and phases. At first, the audience was fine with just a man getting squirted by a hose. That’s all there was – “Man vs. Hose” films for four hundred odd years. And then on one fateful day, someone realized “Hey, why doesn’t that chap try and reason with the hose?!!!” And like that… The world met a good friend named “Talkie”.

“But what’s the state of Talkies today?!?!” you may be screaming at the top of your lungs while making repeated stabbing motions. “How can I, the discerning Joe Local or Nancy Small-ville, decide which motion picture is worth my hard-earned and/or illicitly gained scrap?” Well, governor (or governess, no judging), I’ll tell ya… Right here is where you’ll find out. With this here nifty column, the fine folks at Quick Stop have set me up with a newfangled computing box, a carton of hand rolled cigarillos, and an all access E-Ticket pass to… The Wonderful World Of Talkies!

To kick this hootenanny (it’s a word) off with a kneepuddler (not a word), let’s take a gander at the new feature length talkie MYSTERY TEAM!!! And, lucky for us, it’s a good’un.

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Every few years it seems like a new batch of sketch comedy troupes pop up, seemingly out of the ether. In the early 90’s you had KIDS IN THE HALL, MR. SHOW, and THE UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE. Then again, a few years ago we were presented with THE WHITEST KIDZ U KNOW, HUMAN GIANT, and TIM AND ERIC AWESOME SHOW. And besides these, the “big ones”, there are countless other groups on the internet and locally, performing sketch comedy and building up loyal followings.

What I’m trying to get at is that we live in a world flush with sketch comedy. And we also live in a world flush with mediocre sketch comedy. For every group that succeeds, there are fifty that fail miserably. It seems to be the toughest genre of comedy to not only produce at a level of high quality, but to sustain that quality over a long period of time. With all these things being said, a very different, very funny sketch troupe appeared out of the night about three years ago with a video about BRO-RAPE. And, to an extent, the world has never been the same.

Yes, I’m talking about DERRICK COMEDY. Founded at NYU, nurtured on the stages of various New York City comedy clubs, and currently the undisputed reigning champions of “Internet Comedy”. At the time of this article, a glance at their YouTube page reveals god-like numbers (if god was in the internet funny game, ya know?). BLOWJOB GIRL has 14,988,093 views. If BLOWJOB GIRL was a nation, it would be the 66th most populous nation on earth. BRO-RAPE, with 7,048,104 views would be the 98th most populous country, right between Israel and Hong Kong. And those are no-joke countries. Like, I’ve heard of them.

So it’s established that DERRICK has a following, and one based solely on the quality of their work and not celebrity cameos and topical titles that generate viral views. These five (performers DC Pierson, Dominic Dierkes, Donald Glover, director Dan Eckman, and producer Meggie Mcfadden) very young and very talented filmmakers have shown to the world that they’ve mastered the “short film” (or “sketch”, depending on what crowd you’re in). And that’s all well and good. Things were looking bright for DERRICK.

And then they foolishly decided to take a gamble.

They decided to write, star, produce, and direct their own feature film. To branch out from 3-7 minute videos to a full “real deal” movie, a transition that is notoriously rocky at best (MISS MARCH, KIDS IN THE HALL: BRAIN CANDY, LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN’S APOCALYPSE, or pretty much ANY SNL film ever made). They decided to throw all caution to the wind, and to do what many have tried and few have succeeded at. How did they fare? Well, here’s a hint… I was joking about it being a foolish decision.

Ladies and germs, I am both proud and thrilled to report that MYSTERY TEAM, the debut film from DERRICK COMEDY, is not only good… it’s pretty damn great (and it’s playing in NYC at the Quad Cinema starting December 4th). The fact that such a young team of filmmakers made this film is quite frankly astonishing… and kind of frustrating. Why are they so much better then me? Is it cause of that time I stole that DVD at K-Mart? I apologized AND cried!

As some of you know, my brain works better in bullet point format. I am a strange bird. Without further ado, let’s get into the specifics of what make MYSTERY TEAM such a hilarious and original film.

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BOFFO! (The Good):

The Script/Plot: Based on a story by all five members and written by DC, Dominic, and Donald, MYSTERY TEAM is a love letter to early Spielberg, childhood detective novels, and super-heroes. Basically, all of the important things in life. MYSTERY TEAM takes place in a small New Hampshire town that is home to a trio of friends, Jason (Donald Glover), Duncan (DC Pierson), and Charlie (Dominic Dierkas). Whereas typical 18-year-old seniors in high school would be spending their summer partying away and getting ready for college, we find the three friends operating as they always have – Formed when they were children, Jason, Duncan, and Charlie are still, as adults, the owners and members of the MYSTERY TEAM, a rag-tag detective agency (with shades of ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN galore) that specializes in all cases elementary (school), from missing cats, lost marbles, and noogies to double-murders (we’ll get to that one in a moment). And they love what they do. Though their schoolmates torment them as losers and their parents don’t understand them, THE MYSTERY TEAM is dedicated to solving their town’s crimes, no matter how small.

Each member comes equipped with a “power” and color code (I love comic-books). Jason, is a self-branded master of disguise. Duncan, the resident boy genius, and Charlie is the “strongest kid” in town. At the beginning of the film it seems life will not change much for these kids, which is sad because they’re so likable, but understandable because they’re… well, weird. They don’t curse, they don’t smoke or drink, and girls are still yucky. Yet, they have each other. Three kindred odd souls. And they seem happy.

Their lives are shaken when a young girl shows up at the MYSTERY TEAM’s doors one day with their most important and challenging case to date: A double-murder. No more kid stuff. The MYSTERY TEAM is going big time. I don’t want to go into spoiler heavy territory, as I recommend you should see it with completely fresh eyes. The inevitable ensues, of course, and the boys are thrown way over their heads into a situation from which they can’t escape. Throw a love interest into the mix, some tension amongst the team, and an overhanging murder and you’ve got a film that works not only as a comedy but as an actual murder mystery.

I can’t think of how many times I’ve seen films from comedians I love only to wind up laughing yet hating the plot. Rarely do the two meet, it seems, in level of quality. Yes, MYSTERY TEAM is hilarious and unique and very much indicative of the DERRICK COMEDY brand, but the plot holds up on its own, as well. It never feels tacked on like it does in so many comedies where laughs are the ONLY focus. This is a real movie. And I hate to sound so dismissive, like I assumed it wouldn’t be, but I gotta be honest – I expected to laugh, but I never expected to become invested in the plot… And I did. As a genre fan, this movie totally functions on its own as a mystery. Now, mind you, not a ground-breaking, game-changing type one, but a solid throughline for a very funny film. Speaking of the funny…

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The Comedy: And this is where it counts. Mind you, comedy is very personal affair so you may not agree with me laugh-wise, but MYSTERY TEAM, in my not-humble-at-all opinion, is not only the funniest movie of the year, but one of the funniest debut offerings I’ve seen from a comedy group in my life. Now, I’m not gonna rank it against those films, but in terms of importance and exposing the world to a new “kind” of laughter, MYSTERY TEAM is right up there with the HOLY GRAILs and SUPER TROOPERS of the world. From minute one we, as an audience, are absolutely inundated in DERRICK-style comedy. And you go with it. Sure, it helps to have seen their youtube videos to familiarize yourself a bit with their particular brand of madcap, but their comedy is so accessible and immediately “familiar” that you kind of just go “Sure. This is a DERRICK movie. Makes sense.” In a world where everyone wants to be PYTHON or MR. SHOW, DERRICK is decisively themselves. And I happen to be a huge fan of them. A mix of “one-liners” and hilarious situations, the laughs fly at you from all fronts. As far as a joke-to-laugh ratio, this film is one of the better ones I’ve seen in recent years. For instance, I can’t really think of any bits or jokes that “fell flat”. I mean sure, some hit more than others, but what DERRICK does (and is quite skilled at) is to imbue the film with a level of consistency throughout, in every aspect. One could describe comedy like a wine, I think, in its particular notes and flavors. And if I’m playing sommelier, I would bring MYSTERY TEAM to your table like this: “A tremendously smart blend of cerebral and gross out humor coupled with a base foundation of randomness that doesn’t pander to the ‘bizarre’ side, MYSTERY TEAM (and DERRICK) is masterful in its ability to create elaborate and unexpected laughs while maintaining a simplicity that excludes no one.”

Oh shit… I should totally be a comedy sommelier. I could wear a bow tie and everything!!!!

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The Performances: Like any comedy, MYSTERY TEAM is only as good as the comedians making it. Lucky for everyone involved that the assembled talent is not only ridiculously funny, but all “work” on the big screen. Not a single performer feels out of their range. I’d like to spotlight each of the main boys for a moment, if you’ll allow.

Donald Glover/Jason: By now, most of you will be familiar with Donald’s work on NBC’S COMMUNITY, and though you may not know his name yet, I can’t tell you how many rave reviews I’ve heard about “the black dude from COMMUNITY”. MYSTERY TEAM, and his lead role of Jason, WILL make you remember this gentleman’s name.

Donald manages to be instantly likable and charismatic. Maybe a lot of that is due to that smile of his, which disarms and makes you chuckle all at the same time. DERRICK comedy is very much a five person group, and MYSTERY TEAM is very much a three person ensemble, but I don’t think even the filmmakers would argue that the character of Jason is the glue that holds the team together, and in many ways Donald Glover’s performance does the same with the film. Natural doesn’t begin to describe this young man. To realize that this is his first feature, let alone his first “lead” role, impresses immediately. This dude was born to be on screen. In the coming years I’m sure we’ll hear lots and lots from Mr. Glover and his work here will be the role people talk about when they first discuss how they “discovered Donald”. As Jason, the master of disguise, he gets to wield a sense of naivete and childish hope while never going into the realm of parody. Jason (as do Duncan and Charlie) feels like a “real kid” even though he’s obviously not your traditional teenager. I think not taking this character “over the top” would be a challenge for many actors, especially ones as young as Donald Glover, but he handles the role with the grace and charm of a 20 year vet. Also, though they are admittedly ridiculous, his “disguises” are some the highlights of the film.  I would see a movie starring the Mexican Plumber, and gladly. Look for a lot more from this young man in the near future.

DC Pierson/Duncan: If Donald/Jason is the mouth of MYSTERY TEAM, then DC/Duncan is the brains. Playing the “boy genius” (when in reality he just memorized a book of random facts when he was younger) of the group, DC manages to bring so much nuance and quirk to the role that in many ways Duncan is rendered the most real of all the characters. And I think that’s a credit to Mr. Pierson. Everyone remembers that know-it-all kid from school, and most not in a fond light. For MYSTERY TEAM to work, we had to like these characters. Had to. And who likes the kid who thinks he knows everything? DC makes me like that kid. Another actor would have NAPOLEON DYNAMITE-d this role, which would have been a colossal mistake, whereas DC plays Duncan with such a sense of child-like wonder and yet a weird level of pragmatism, that a character who may appear sort of one-dimensional on paper springs to life on the screen with fantastic results. To transition from small stages and the world wide web into such a large roll in a feature film would seem daunting to most performers, whereas DC seems like he’s had Duncan “in his pocket” for years. DC gets most of the heavy lifting from a dramatic standpoint, as well, and thrives at every opportunity. Without spoiling, there is a moment in the third act where Duncan undergoes a pretty significant character change and we see a drastically different side to the boy. For an actor to be able to pull this off without it feeling unnatural or uncharacteristic is a truly great skill, and one DC has in spades. This guy can do it all. I would wager that if you cast Mr. Pierson in a dramatic role, he would bring the same level of professionalism and subtlety that he gives in all his comedic performances. A mop-topped horse of different colors, and a much welcome addition to the forefront of today’s comedy scene.

Dominic Dierkes/Charlie: Jason’s the mouth, Duncan’s the brains – Charlie is one giant, walking heart. The “Strongest Boy in Town” (though we don’t get to see if this is true or not… or do we? OH, THE SUSPENSE!) and third member of the MYSTERY TEAM is pretty dim. And that is a huge understatement. Alright, let’s not mince words; Charlie is functionally retarded. If any of the MYSTERY TEAM was late to “bloom”, it’d be Charlie, who comes off like a kindergartner to Jason and Duncan’s fourth-graders. And though his character is admittedly dumb, Dominic Dierkes, like all the other DERRICK boys, never takes him to a level of parody. It doesn’t feel “sketchy”. Yeah, Charlie’s dumb – so what? You know dumb people, as do I. The thing that Dominic does brilliantly is offset that “thickheadnessness” with a level of enthusiasm and child-like abandonment. If any member of the MYSTERY TEAM is really a child, it’s Charlie. And as such, Dierkes does a phenomenal job playing him. In other comedies with characters like Charlie, you often groan and roll your eyes at the new levels of stupidity they manage to succumb to. The contrary happens here, and when Charlie/Dierkes has his moments, you almost want to hug him and say “Oh, Charlie!!!”  It’s a testament to the actor that I’d actually want to hang out with this kid, despite knowing his particular “eccentricities”. A lot of this has to do with specific choices Mr. Dierkes made for Charlie, a big part of that being the characters physicality. Charlie’s walk, or bound, is so damned “happy” you know this kid doesn’t have a dark though in his head. In a world obsessed with mean spirited comedy (myself, guilty and included) it’s such a refreshing change of pace to see a genuinely goodhearted laugh-out-loud film, filled with characters you actually care about. And though Dierkes doesn’t get quite as many “one-liners” as his compatriots, it’s just that overall Charlie sensibility that makes the character and the actor performing him so winning. One of the most charming and flat out likable roles in recent comedy history. Very well done.

Aubrey Plaza/Kelly: You may know her from her work in FUNNY PEOPLE or on NBC’S PARKS AND RECREATION – and if you don’t, trust me… you will soon. One look at Aubrey Plaza and we know she is physically stunning. And not in a traditional Hollywood starlet way, either. This young lady is something special. And in the world we live in, she’d probably get work based on her looks alone. Ms. Plaza, while a stunner, also happens to be one of the funniest and most talented young actresses working in comedy today. She, in everything I’ve seen her in, relays such a sense of realism that I constantly feel like I’ve “met” her characters before, or someone much like them. Kelly, in MYSTERY TEAM is no different. That smart, beautiful, edgy, semi-dangerous, semi-sad girl we all crushed on in high school but who we assumed lived on “another planet” from us – Kelly, is that girl. One doesn’t wonder for a moment what Jason sees in her, as we all see it ourselves. Rarely does someone with such a presence come along, especially someone working in comedy, that you are drawn to the screen like a moth to the flame. The fact that we like Kelly goes along way in making us understand Jason’s motivations throughout the film. Often times i watch movies where I could care less about the “love interests” and they feel like superfluous subplots. Very much the opposite here. Plaza’s grace and kindness as Kelly keep us as motivated to solve the crime and save the day as the MYSTERY TEAM themselves are.

Bobby Moynihan/Jordy: Oh my word, Bobby comes this close to stealing the whole show. Though Jordy does not have much screen time, I can guarantee you will be quoting his lines in the weeks after you see the film. Mr Moynihan, now a two season veteran of SNL is, in my opinion, on a shortlist of the top 10 funniest people working in the industry today (check out my interview with Bobby on Bagged & Boarded). And if you weren’t already on the Bobby-Wagon, get ready to buy your ticket. I still don’t know what or who Jordy is. EVERYTHING about this character is off… and off in an amazingly hilarious way. The freaking cadence of his sentences made me laugh till I was tearing up. In a movie filled with “freaks”, Jordy is the king freak. And in many ways I feel like he has his own personal movie going on behind the scenes. If they were to give the film a prequel treatment I, for one, would pay an obscene amount of money to watch what happens to Jordy when the boys aren’t in his store. Look, I love MYSTERY TEAM, I love DERRICK COMEDY, but Bobby’s performance in this film is worth the price of admission alone. Quite possibly my favorite on-screen character of the year.

Others To Watch For: First, a special note about Xavier Salazar as Eric , the crazy, foul-mouthed eight-year-old. Bobby J doesn’t have anything on this kid. Man, I love when little kids curse. The rest of the ensemble is basically a UCB roll-call of the nation’s most talented improvisers and comedians. While not show-stealing, they provide the backbone of the film and they do it wonderfully. Standouts include Will Hines, Ellie Kemper, John Lutz, Matt Walsh, Jon Daly, and Neil Casey, in what may be my favorite role in recent film history.

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QUICK HIT LIST:

The Directing: It’s hard to gauge a director’s mark on a comedy oftentimes, and especially on one that stars the folks who wrote it. Comedies are really about the laughs, and for the most part that comes down to writing/acting (and editing). How would one judge a director’s impact on a hilarious film? Here’s an easy way – Remove the laughs. Does the move still hold up? Structurally, visually… does it have a constant? For those reasons, I must commend director Dan Eckman in creating not only an obviously funny film, but quite a cinematically sound one as well. For a group of debut filmmakers working on an independent budget, Eckman manages to deliver a film devoid of the tell-tales signs of indie-filmmaking. Rather, as soon as the movie starts, you are presented with a polished, professional, and all together quality product. Directing a film is a huge undertaking, and I can’t imagine the pressure on someone’s first big feature. Eckman shows a real talent for nurturing the funny and an extremely strong penchant for simple, solid filmmaking.

The Score: The film’s score, created by Donald Glover, is dope. Like… dope dope. Dude makes some good beats. Also manages to get some real “old school” 80’s kid’s movie transitions and what not in there. Good stuff.

The Color: This movie pops! Lots of bright colors on the boys, tons of lush green grasses, and beautiful idyllic New England landscapes. For an “independent” film, it looks damn pretty.

The Production: Though it may not be apparent on screen, producing a feature film is a gargantuan task I wouldn’t wish on my greatest enemy. One needs to be organized, extremely task oriented, and have an ability to roll with any and all punches. Meggie McFadden pulls this off. For an indie production, this film looks, feels, and plays like the “real” thing, and the ensuing campaign and online marketing blitz has been nothing but masterful. It’s a tough gig, but one Ms. McFadden seems destined for greatness in. I also love to think that her skills as a producer will grow alongside the talents of the rest of the group, and sooner or later, due to these confluences, DERRICK is going to be a force to be reckoned with… yo.

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OH, HAM-SPLATTER! (The Bad):

I got nothing. A wholly and completely enjoyble experience on every front.

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OVERALL: I honestly think this film will be remembered as the movie that brought DERRICK to the table of American comedy and kept them there for a very long time. And if nothing, it will be remembered as a hilarious, weird, unique, one-of-a-kind little comedy that proved America’s big talents can come from nontraditional venues. I am incredibly excited to be a fan of DERRICK and to see where this group of insanely talented artists can go in this world. Look, I knew I would like this movie. I am floored at just how much I did. I can’t say enough how polished and experienced everyone involved comes off, and honestly, I think this movie gives hope to all those kids sitting at home with the ideas and the determination, but lacking the direction. DERRICK has taught us that if your product is good enough, people will want it. Regardless of where they have to get it. This movie is round one in an epic comedy battle for the ages and a veritable showcase for the people who will be making us laugh in the near future.

Quite simply: One of the freshest, funniest and original debut films I’ve ever seen.

America, meet your new way to laugh.

MYSTERY TEAM is now playing in NYC at the Quad Cinemas and will hit DVD worldwide sometime in 2010 via Lionsgate.

For More DERRICK, check out my interview with DC Pierson and Maggie McFadden on Bagged & Boarded 40: A Brief Respite with Derrick Comedy

Matt Cohen is currently solving the mystery of where his pot went. Main suspects: His Lungs.

Check out Matt Cohen on a weekly basis on his podcast “Bagged & Boarded“, only at QuickStop and iTunes.

Want to stalk Matt Cohen? Check out Camel Toad Productions or catch him on twitter at @Cameltoad