Hayden J

A fucking *movie, *man. Conrad Veidt looks like a mix between Kevin O’Leary and John Cazale and also Claude Rains looks like a mix between Bryan Cranston and Jason Issacs. Sorry, I really tried letting this review speak for itself but I can’t help myself to pointless and probably dumb observation. It’s a heavy burden to bear but one must ask what the world would have done without that note. Had a much more classy review? Certainly. But God can only imagine what else…

The most surprising thing about this to me was how cool and experimental the animation was. I really loved the models they clearly built, shot, and animated around and there was a multi-media feel to it that I didn’t anticipate. I’ve also learned I really like naturalistic voice acting with animation, it just always intrigues me for some reason. Not the first of its sort of sub-genre (dark war animation movie) but I think this one has a really unique flavor. The visual stuff helps but it’s also really character focused which feels incredibly immersive. Some moments are very upsetting and it’s mostly just little character beats. Very good.  Also extra Bowie and Waters points as per usual.

***“The world is a business, Mr. Beale. It has been since man crawled out of the slime.” *** I wanted to watch a Duvall I’ve never seen today but simply had too much work, didn’t want to be multitasking while watching something new. It was between this or *THX-1138. *I think it just came down to the fact that while potentially sounding trite or jejune I am indeed mad as hell and lately don’t feel like taking it anymore. I love life and this film isn’t lacking a multitude of brilliant ideas but more than anything I can think of really speaks to that feeling you get (sometimes more often than others) that we’ve made our world into something that feels particularly hellish and the seemingly complete lack of agency that comes with that. Sometimes you just have to indulge. Also helps that like every other line is the most chilling thing you’ve ever heard.  So many legends leaving. Very sad day for me and the other two “Tom Hagan is the best character in *The Godfather” *truthers. There is a reason I feel that way! Safe travels, Robert.

Not the tightest Muppet movie around but I adored it as a kid and after all it is a Gonzo movie so it has a special place in my heart regardless. It’s just so fun. My biggest gripe with it is that some parts of it (mostly effects and random bits) feel a little more “straight to DVD” than I would prefer a Muppet production to, but the stuff that works really works great. I generally prefer my Muppet stuff to have a Show-biz old Hollywood vibe about it, and even if it’s not *about *the entertainment business I think stuff like *Muppet Treasure Island* or *The Great Muppet Caper *are emulating common genre films of Hollywood.* *Still, that being said, *Muppets From Space *kind of knows its place as the oddball out in the Muppet pantheon and has fun with it. It’s smart to frame it from the perspective of Gonzo given that, and admittedly it’s fun to see a lot of the Muppet performers in a more casual setting and getting to interact as they would as day to day friends. I have to wonder if Gonzo had a had in writing this here, it seems like a really personal project and I’m sure Kermit would be eager to support something that feels so rooted in his sense of self. I noted in my review of *The Muppet Movie *that I’m unsure if Gonzo had a hand in the writing of “I’m Going To Go Back There Someday” but there are some similar themes echoed here, in which case I think he is a really talented writer and I’m glad he is able to explore that side of himself here. I don’t think it all works AMAZINGLY, Jeffery Tambor is funny but a lot of the ideas here are better than the actual execution. It’s clear they were really confident that Bobo could carry an entire B-plot as it’s central muppet performer, and while I think he’s talented I don’t think they gave him much to work with and it feels sort of lacking to me. Either way, as I said, even if it’s not as tightly put together as some of the other Muppet flicks it’s consistently fun and it’s unique flavor is helping make up for some of that fat that could be trimmed. The intro with “Brick House” is so creative and cute and cool and I wanted to live there so bad as a kid it literally made me angry. I would get pissed off watching it because I’d be like hey those are all my friends! Why are they all living together and singing without me! The soundtrack overall is pretty groovy here, actually.  I love space and aliens and I love The Muppets and I love Gonzo. Very cute flick. Christianity would be so cool if it had Gonzo in it. Even if he dies in the flood it would make the Old Testament a much more breezy read.  Worth noting though why are there two MAGA cameos in this movie? Stop making me pretend to like Rob Schneider and if you think I’m going to extend my Hulk Hogan forgiveness beyond *Gremlins 2: The New Batch *you are sorely mistaken. Count yourself lucky Ray Liotta is worth at least three bum losers. These things used to have Steve Martin in them, lock in a little bit in that respect.  Extra points for that scene where Kermit and Clifford and Pepe and Rizzo are playing cards. I know I said the “Brick House” scene made me mad as a kid but when that came on this time I starting screeching and foaming at the mouth out of rage. Kermit if you are reading this and would like to come over with some drinks and cards with me and my roommates at some point please hit me up I would like that very much. I have a great deal of respect for you as an artist and figure in the entertainment industry but I promise I won’t be weird about it.