Devs (2020)

There are some really beautiful things happening in Alex Garland's miniseries Devs. What it has to say about humanity is kind of profound. How it gets there though is a rather heady theoretical physics sci-fi lesson. And I didn't really follow it all the way through. I barely understood enough to get the ending. The show overall is extremely slow. I don't think they really needed 8 episodes. Kenton is really absolutely necessary to the core plot; he's more of a distraction. The acting is also really robotic, probably intentionally so. Nick Offerman is certainly cast against type in a dramatic role; it's didn't quite work for me just because we know Ron Swanson and I can't dissociate him from that character.  It's all really unsettling--the sound design, the set, the giant statue of Amaya that never really plays a part but to show how weird this place is.

The Lego Movie 2: The Secon Part (2019)

It's not as original or clever or novel as the first Lego Movie. It's passable. It's a typical kids movie, but nowadays good kids movies are much deeper and more imaginative. Especially following Lord and Miller's recent Spiderman, this comes up short.

The Founder (2016)

This movie tells the story of Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's--that's not McDonald's the restaurant, but McDonald's the chain. It was a very interesting story that I didn't know about, a story of American business. It is really specially American. Ray Kroc essentially steals the idea and runs with it. He's concerned with money and money only. Who's the hero in this movie? I don't think it really glorifies American business. Michael Keaton does not play a particularly likable character. And his character does despicable things in the name of greed. And really, we have him to thank for America's fast-food reputation. Fast food could've been tasty and fresh and still fast if the McDonald brothers had any say. They were about quality control. Where is that now?

And the movie is really all about business. Ray's personal life is totally secondary. Laura Dern's role is very small. She plays his wife. And as their marriage falls apart, we don't really get to much insight. His second wife features in a few scenes. But we don't really see their relationship develop. It's all business all the time.

The best scene is the one in which the McDonald brothers explain their brilliant concept to Ray Kroc. There is a great rhythmic cadence to the scene that has excitement and momentum. It's really magical how they build their restaurant from the ground up bringing a new restaurant design and concept to the world. The brothers have fantastic awkward chemistry with each other, co-telling this story. The scene works really beautifully.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest winner to come out of Sundance.  It will undoubtedly draw comparisons to "The Fault in Our Stars," as a coming-of-age story featuring a young girl diagnosed with cancer. What this movie does so well is it is humorous (more so than you'd expect from a movie revolving around cancer), charming, quirky, emotional and beautifully written.  You become emotionally invested in the characters, feeling all the pressures that the high schoolers face.  It is at times deadpan funny, reminiscent of Wes Anderson's style.  There's an air of Anderson in the cinematography and design too, especially with all the miniature models.

The best part of the movie is the love letter to the movies.  The protagonist and his partner make amateur parodies of classic films, and the audience gets to see titles and clips that are downright brilliant and hilarious.  Some of them are cheesy and hokey and ridiculous, but you can't help but smile.  

22 Jump Street (2014)

This movie is surprisingly good.  The premise of the movie follows the movie's trajectory in the real world.  The first case worked out so well that the team got funding to do another case, "exactly the same."  Ice Cube repeats this line several times, and predictably the case turns out to not go exactly the same way despite their protestations.  What is so refreshing and funny is that everyone is in on the joke.  What is the same is the bromance between Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill that just works so well.  They have a relationship that is almost at a James Franco-Seth Rogen level.

The best part of the film is actually the end credits.  They aren't bloopers but rather we see clips of hypothetical sequels that become more and more ridiculous to the audience's delight.  There are plenty of cameos in the movie, and even some high profile actors who show up in just a couple of seconds of credits for a laugh.       

Parks and Recreation (2009-15)

There may never be another show like it. Lovable, quirky, subtle, and downright high-quality comedy.  It never really caught on with mainstream America.  It's really a miracle that it lasted this long--we could thank NBC for not canceling the critical darling despite its low ratings.  With 30 Rock, Community and The Office gone, Parks and Rec was the last show of the former Thursday comedy bloc.

At first glance, the idea is mundane.  Pawnee, Indiana in the middle of nowhere.  The Parks and Recreation department in the local government.  A show about small-town bureaucrats; this is what government is really like.  What made it work was its diverse cast of characters led by the talented Amy Poehler playing a crazy, detail-oriented, ambitious, obsessive Leslie Knope.  This show has had an indelible impact on our culture: from the stoic, outdoorsy, anti-government Ron Swanson and his mustache to Donna and Tom's yearly "Treat Yo Self" and the immortal Lil Sebastian.  This show has created stars out of Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza, and recently Chris Pratt has exploded.  And it managed to get huge guest stars, including Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, and Madeline Albright.  Whenever the show took a trip to Washington, you could be sure to see a slew of Congressmen make appearances.

The sixth season finale made a time jump into the future showing us how Leslie and co are doing.  It brings back everyone and ties up their stories.  You get a sense that the producers weren't sure if they were going to get renewed.  I would've been totally satisfied it it ended right there, but I am so glad it had one final hurrah.  The final season was very emotional and continues with the time jump.  It hilariously makes up technologies and history that no one could disprove because it's in the future.  I watched the last four episodes in a row and I teared twice.  The first time was when Leslie throws one last celebration, banners and all, for the newly appointed mayor of Pawnee (a familiar face).  The second time was at the end, when the gang has a reunion, and best friend Ann Perkins returns.  The series finale is fitting.  At every moment of physical contact, we get a time jump, seeing how each character fares in the future.  It's very creative, well edited, and a perfect close to a brilliant show.     

The Lego Movie (2014)

This is the best conceived animated film of the year by far.  The level of creativity on this film is at the highest level.  The dreaded super weapon is known as the Kragle, that's Krazy Glue with a few letters scratched out.  The animators have created entire cities out of Lego pieces and the characters quickly construct vehicles out of the beloved children's toys.  It looks like a really good stop motion, but it is in fact just innovative computer animation.  The visuals are just incredible.

The humor is fast-paced, clever, full of cultural references and just pure fun.  The movie is reminiscent of the cut scenes that can be found in Lego's series of video games (which I admit are quite fun).  The jokes are similar, the animation is similar, and the master builders are basically video game characters.  Whereas the video games and Lego sets separate Batman from Star Wars and pirate ships and the wild west, this film melds them all together, much to the benefit of Lego's marketing department.

The voice work is fantastic.  Chris Pratt is having a very good year.  As Emmett Brickowski, he nails the dim-witted, unassuming hero-type.  Morgan Freeman is perfect as usual as the wise mentor-type.  And Will Ferrell makes a surprise appearance in human form towards the end of the film.  Without spoilers, it is his appearance that gives the film its heart.  It was unexpected, but pleasantly thoughtful and wholly welcome.