1933 - Walk Hard: The Dewey Coxe Story

I saw this film in theatres and haven't revisited it - one thing that surprised me was the amount of cameos in the film, or at least they'd be considered that now - the little bit parts with Ed Helms and Craig Robinson, the inspired casting for both the Beatles and Elvis - even that alone make it worth watching.
When I first saw this I hadn't see the American version of The Office yet, so the thing that leaped out at me here was Jenna Fischer.  I fell in love with her the first time I watched this.  I thought that she was easily one of the most beautiful women on the planet - first because she's ridiculously attractive, especially in this film - but also because her comedy timing and chops are sensational.  It's been a delight to watch her since then - I'd love the chance to work with her.
This film still holds up - the comedy is over the top - but it sure does take a piss on bio pics - which I recall there was a plethora of around that time, so good on them.  The music is sharp, the attention to the time periods as well.  It's a really enjoyable flick that's funny and smart at the same time.  If you've never seen it and you're a music lover, or just a lover of comedy that's a bit over the top, look no further!

1875 - The Giant Mechanical Man

Netflix recommended this to me, and I could argue with the cast!  The story of two lost souls finding each other is nothing new, but this puts a bit of a fresh spin on it with the street artist storyline.  I guess my big gripe with the film, is like some of the detractor characters, I didn't fully understand what Messina's character's ultimate goal with his street art was.  Or if he had one, or if that mattered.  I would have liked to have seen that explored just a little bit more.  The other problem being that all the other characters just felt super unlikeable, and there's on purpose to some extent, but it also just doesn't present any kind of balance.  And as much as I enjoyed Topher Grace playing a bit of a douchebag, there was never any real belief or concern that she would end up with that guy over Messina - it would have been nice to have a more credible risk to their growing relationship.
Sounds like I'm bagging on this film but I really did find it to be quite charming.  If you like Jenna Fischer or Chris Messina than it's absolutely work checking out at some point.

1870 - Hall Pass

The irony is that I'm watching this film while my wife and kids are out of town.  This film is quite charming.  I'm a fan of pretty much the entire cast, so that's a big plus right there.  The premise is simple and fun.  I like where it goes and does with the premise.  It could have very easily been a different kind of film in the hands of other filmmakers.  The plot, for those that don't know, is two married men who can't get sex off their brains are given a week off from marriage to get it out of their systems.  Hilarity ensures.  To be honest I didn't find it laugh-out-loud funny - but I was smiling through-out and entertained, and I'm happy to recommend it for that reason alone!

1842 - The Office: season nine

And so it ends.  I know a lot of people that jump out of this series shortly after Steve Carell's departure.  Some people felt that the show stopped being interesting following Jim & Pam's wedding in 'Niagara'.  I'm one that believes the show had a hard time finding it's legs after Carell left, and I wasn't quite sure why - but having thought about it I think now I know.  The show's heyday was really it's first four-five seasons because of the focus on the Jim and Pam relationship - it was one of the most interesting and best told sitcom love stories - easily up there with Sam/Diane, and any other - but once they became a solid couple they had very little do what - was was left was the emptiness inside of Michael Scott to play with - that was the heart of the show after Jim & Pam - now the problem was that once Michael rode off with his true love the show had no emotional core left.  All of the cast is great, it's solid, but they are all comedic foil and so there was nothing really to ground into emotionally as far as stakes were concerned.  When Greg Daniels returned for the final season he fixed that by throwing a big wrench into the Jim & Pam relationship and giving us something to root for.  And I loved how simple and real their problems were.  It wasn't some new person for either of them to fall for - it was real life stuff - and being similar to their situation where you've got two little kids and your own personal desires - let's just say it hit home pretty deep.  My wife and I's lives have coincided with JIm & Pams in an interesting way, so it's been fun to have that and it'll be missed for sure.  

So to speak more specifically about this season - it's easily been it's strongest in a long while - although the show never quite knew what to do with Ed Helm's character despite it trying really really hard, I like where they ended up with him.  Ellie Kemper was the bright spot of the second half of the Office's life span and she brought a much needed energy to the show, and Clark Duke was a great addition into the final season - I wish he'd been there prior.  Alas.  

I like the way the show wrapped itself up, I appreciated seeing old friends in the final episode - and people moving on or staying behind felt natural and realistic.  There was some great sentiment in the closing minutes, and although I strongly believe that the show needed to end it's run, I can't say that I won't miss checking in on the employees of The Office.  It's a bit surreal that it's over - but now I can allow myself to catch up on other sitcoms I've put on the back burner.  If you've never check this series out, start from the beginning - or at least from the second season - the first season is a bit rough, if I'm being completely honest…  Goodbye Dunder Mifflin - you will be missed!

1730 - The Office: season eight

I can't think of a single person who thinks this season was anywhere even close to the kind of quality the show was so famous for merely a few seasons ago.  It's not terrible.  It's just… I don't even know.  In a weird way I didn't exactly miss Steve Carell, I think what bothers me more than anything is that they have this stock pile of great characters and they don't have a goddamn clue what to do with any of them.  The show has just gotten goofy as well.  Who knows why they hell they keep Gabe around anymore (he had such great promise).  The show probably has too many characters as well, to be honest.  To the point where many of them get little to no screen time.  Pam and Jim haven't been interesting on the show for almost two seasons now - mostly because the writers have given them zero goals, they just sit adrift inside of the office.  For a show that once had a really strong narrative and trajectory, now it seems happy to just sit still and do absolutely nothing but try to maintain the statue quo while flirting with the idea of big changes being afoot.  I loved the idea of reintroducing David Wallace at the end, and I can only hope that it means that when we come back to the new season (Yes, I will come back - god knows why) that it means a crack down will occur.  Things will get series, fast, and people will start being held accountable.  Kelly and Dwight (and perhaps Ryan)  will be departing the series soon enough, so hopefully they'll be doing some interesting things with those characters when the show returns.  To be fair, they couldn't do less interesting things… I remain hopefully - though I don't know why...

1567 - The Office: season seven

When you watch a season as it plays out (as opposed to catching on after-the-fact) it's hard to review it without the review being, more-or-less, a commentary in the finale.  I'll do my best...
This is going to sound harsh, but I say it with love, The Office fucked up.  I realize that it's tough for a show to go on as long as this one has and try to keep it fresh and interesting - but The Office has not been keeping up to the challenge.  Does it do interesting and surprising things lately?  Sure!  But it also announces that it's going to do them months ahead of doing them.  Everyone knew Carrell was leaving.  Everyone knew that Ferrell had a guest spot coming up - and everyone knew who the cameos in the finale was going to be.  It would appear that NBC is so worried about not having viewers that they can't keep anything to themselves and let the audience discover it through watching the show.  Don't get me wrong - there was some really really great stuff in this season, and if you're a fan of the show, or just catching up, it's worth watching still - absolutely.  But for those who haven't watched - I'm about to go into SPOILER TERRITORY, so beware...
There is no denying that this season has been the Michael Scott Farewell Tour, and to it's success, by the time he was gone I didn't miss him from the show - not to say that I don't like Carrell or the character - but he had out-served his usefulness.  Many can and will argue that the show itself has as well.  The big question has been "Who will replace Michael?"  And we thought that the finale was going to resolve that - it didn't - and not in an awesome cliff-hanger way - more in a way that made me feel like they were just bidding their time.  And the worst part is that they're probably going to announce it prior to the first episode anyway (if they don't I'll happily eat my words).  One of my larger issues is that there is some sad character inconsistencies.  Darryl has always been a bright level headed guy, but because they don't want to have him take over all of a sudden he starts acting weird and unqualified.  It felt like a stretch.  And as much as I enjoyed how horrible Dwight did when he was filling in as manager, part of me thinks that they pushed that forward a bit too much.  I don't want Dwight to be the boss, but I'm not sure that he would have made those mistakes.  The biggest flaw with the show right now is that it's just not acting logically.  Jim is refusing the job - why?  For no reason whatsoever - and why isn't Pam in consideration?  She was essentially Michael's second for a long time.  Will I tune in next season?  Of course I will, but this show has to find something for itself to anchor to.
The Office: Season Seven 

1350 - The Office: season six

I know that Erin (Kelly 2) was introduced in season five, but she is one of the breaths of fresh air that this season so desperately needed. Now what I'm about to say, I say with love: this was the series weakest season. Now that comment is a testimony to how great the show is (when it's great). Granted, this season paid off some wonderful things, in particular with Jim & Pam - however now it feels like their story is over. Dead, really. Now they're just... that couple. There's no 'spark' to them anymore. And sometimes I find them a bit catty and... mean. Before they were playful. Now that they're all married and have a family their behavior often feels a bit juvenile. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I wouldn't be upset if their characters left Dunder-Mifflin. I love them, and the actors that play them, but they are bogging the show down just a bit.
The biggest problem that this season had was simply missed opportunities. It seemed like they were really good at setting stuff up but lousy at paying it off. Jim becoming co-manager. GREAT IDEA! And then... they didn't do a whole lot with it. And then it was over. Huh. Others they feel like they're taking their time with, which scares me into wondering if they don't have anything really great to build to anymore.
I want to make it clear that this season was still filled with great moments, I laughed A LOT, but I also found myself wanting more. It's just not as good as it's been, it's set it's own standards too high and now it's not meeting them.
They've set up a lot of interesting things for next season (which could be the last, or just the last for Michael). Let's see if they can pay them off...

1226 - The Office: season five

Finally after all these years I'm finally caught up to what is probably the best half-hour show on the air right now. Goddamn is this show good. And this season, really great. From Holly, The Michael Scott Paper Company, and the little extra surprise we learn about at the end of this season, the writers are clearly not scared of messing with the status quo and I for one am excited to see where they take us next. This is a show full of great belly-laughs and then moments of just great heart. Love it.

1214 - The Office - season four

This is some of the best comedy writing to ever come from television. It's just really smart, clever, funny writing that all comes out of the characters and situations. Not a bad episode out of this whole season. They do this fantastic thing with having a really lose on-going narrative going on, in which they can still tell these brilliant individual stories. It's beautifully layered and fairy intricate. Far better than it needs to be, and that's why I love it. I'm ashamed that I never gave it a shot right away. It's quickly becoming one of my favorite shows.

1123 - The Office: season three

This show continues to kill me. I can't get over how much it makes me laugh out loud. Each character on the show is so utterly fantastic. Dwight, Toby, Michael, Kevin, Pam, Jim, Drew, Jan, I could go on and on and on. I could list all of the moments that made me laugh out loud but I would just be summarizing most of the season. I loved the merger sub-plot and the twist on the Pam/Jim relationship. Love Jan's story arch and falling for Michael, and I love Toby. He could be one of my favorite things about the show. Can't wait to see where they take Ryan's character in the next season. Looking forward to it!

1100 - The Office: season two

I never expected this version of the show to be this good. The whole cast is stellar. And they use it to it's utmost perfect. The little roles are just so great. Fleshed out in ways the british version never could because of it's short life span. Always great bits and scenarios. And the relationship between Jim and Pam is wonderfully heartbreaking. I love the cliff-hanger that they left this series on. Can't wait to see how it plays out!!!

1075 - The Office: season one (U.S.)

OK. I'll be honest. I avoided this show. To be fair I watched the pilot episode and since it was mostly a rip-off of the British one, which I loved so much, I decided to tune out. Big mistake.

Sure the characters are just Americanized versions, but I think they're a little bit more, there's a slightly different skew to each of them and it works really really well. The stories are unique to North America dealing with health care, etc... Although a short season by U.S. standards it was beautiful. Some ridiculously funny bits. I imagine this show would be tough to cut with a lot of great material to choose from.

What I'm interested in seeing the most is how well the show can sustain itself over the course of sixty-plus episodes, and how they deal with the Tim/Pam dynamic. I'm officially a fan.