This intimately presented biographical documentary is a talented daughter's love letter to her extraordinary father. Rashida Jones's amateur camerawork is full of love. She interviews her dad on camera asking questions the way only a family member could. Quincy Jones is naturally comfortable just chatting among family. The movie jumps back and forth between two time lines, both marching to the present with tons of old photographs and home video, some really incredible footage from the 1930s/40s. I really like how Quincy soothingly narrates much of his own life story and there are audio clips and cameos of plenty other famous people who have worked with Quincy. It's a really touching movie with a great soundtrack and a fascinating subject.
I am a student at Johns Hopkins with a passion for film, media and awards. Here you will find concise movie reviews and my comments on TV, theater and award shows. I can't see everything, but when I finally get around to it, you'll find my opinion here on everything from the classics to the crap.
Showing posts with label Rashida Jones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rashida Jones. Show all posts
Monday, October 8, 2018
Friday, March 6, 2015
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.
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.
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