Parks and Rec Review - Season 4 Ep. 1 - "I'm Leslie Knope"

Parks and Recreation is my favorite comedy on network television, and quite possibly my favorite show period (with Psych being the only contender.) So, I've decided I'm going to post a review of each episode this season and hopefully future seasons. This may lead into reviews of other shows (maybe Psych and the Walking Dead,) but for now here is my review for the first episode of season 4 - "I'm Leslie Knope."

Quick Synopsis:

Leslie needs to tell Ben she is running for office, but that means they have to break up so she does everything she can to avoid telling him. (They have to break up as Ben is technically her boss and she does not want "sleeping with her boss scandal" to ruin her chances at running for city council.) Ron is also avoiding something - his first wife, Tammy One. Tom drops by the Parks Department to promote Entertainment 720 and offers Andy a job.

My favorite parts:

- Ron's survival instincts at the the beginning of the episode as he grabs his emergency kit and storms out of city hall, and telling Leslie to get the ground chuck out of desk.

- All of Ron's facial hair is already grown back plus he is sporting a full wilderness beard just days after going into hiding.

- "I'm Ron Swanson. And you're Leslie F***ing Knope." Very inspirational.

- April giving Andy "advice" on whether or not to the take Tom's job offer. "Then take it... then don't take it."

What could have worked better:

- The e-mailing Ann pictures of male privates was funny at first, but drug out a little too long. Though I did think Chris' reactions to everything about the situation was quite funny. "You're inbox is, literally, filled with penises."

- The aside from the male doctor that Jerry has a huge penis. I get what they (the writers) were trying to do with that, but it didn't make me laugh.

Episode star:

It's a tossup between Leslie and Ron. I really enjoy their interactions on the show and the scene about s'mores and not running away from your problems (which would be hard if you only had 9 toes) was the best of the whole episode.

Overall, this was good episode of Parks. It wasn't as funny as most of season 3, but there was a lot of plot development and loose ends that needed tying up from the season 3 finale. I cannot wait to see Tammy One reek havoc on Ron's life and hopefully in coming weeks we get to see more of Tom and Entertainment 720.

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Top 5 Favorite TV Theme Songs

At my house, we watch shows on the DVR all the time. I've noticed over the past few weeks that there are a number of shows I in which I do not fast-forward over the theme song. That got me thinking about the best theme songs currently on TV. Here are my top 5:

Psych

The first reason this makes the list is because it is an original song created just for the show. Creator Steve Franks' band The Friendly Indians sing the theme song to this show. Also, bonus points were awarded because the show changes up the theme song for certain episodes. Some special varieties include a Boys II Men rendition, a Hindi version, and (as seen below) a Christmas version.

Fringe

Composed by Grammy and Academy Award Winner Michael Giacchino, the Fringe theme does an excellent job setting the mood/tone for the show. Similar to Psych, Fringe changes the theme for different episodes - the title card is red rather than blue when the episode takes place in the other universe, or (as seen below) goes retro for episodes set in the 1980s.

Parks and Recreation*

Short, sweet, and upbeat, this theme song fits perfectly for the show. It reminds of playing the Oregon Trail as a kid, too. Here is the theme from its current season (season 3.)

House

This is a tricky one for me. See, I really enjoy how this song is used for the theme to House, but I really distaste this song on its own. The musical section used for the show works great, but I'm not a fan of the song once the lyrics start. The song is "Teardrop" by Massive Attack.

Chuck

Though this is not a show I regularly watch, I do love its theme song. Unlike with House, I really enjoy the actual song that makes up this theme - "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" by Cake.

There are other really great themes out there that aren't on this list (I probably could have made it a top 10) but these are my 5 favorite.

*If you have never watched Parks and Rec, or gave up after the rocky first season, I highly encourage you watch. Both season 1 and 2 are available on Netflix Watch Instantly. It is currently the funniest show on NBC's Thursday Night Comedy (and yes, that means it is funnier than Community and The Office.)

Update: Remember this is my top 5 for current TV theme songs (shows with new episodes currently on TV) and not a top 5 of all time list.

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Remaking The Princess Bride

After watching the trailer for the new 3 Musketeers movie (which looks really good,) I starting thinking about how many remakes have come out in recent years, with many of them doing a poor job (the most recent example is Arthur.) I was thinking it would fun coming up with a cast for hypothetical remakes of some of my favorite movies. This is my cast for an updated The Princess Bride.

Buttercup - Emile de Ravin

Best known as Claire from Lost, de Ravin would be a great fit because she (as Robin Wright) is able to pull off being beautiful while still being accessible. Having a Megan Fox or Brooklyn Decker type play this role would not only hamper the acting, but Buttercup's allure as well.

2nd choice: January Jones

Westley - Orlando Bloom

Bloom would be able to pull off the wit and charm of Westley, and still be able to wield a sword when necessary. He would be able to find that delicate balance needed of humor (Westley's interactions with Inigo and Fezzik) and the more serious parts as well ("To the pain" speech.)

2nd choice: Jesse Spencer

Inigo - Ioan Gruffudd

This was a hard decision for me as Inigo is my favorite character in the movie so I wanted to find someone that could do Mandy Patinkin's performance justice. Gruffudd may not seem like the perfect candidate based on his performances in the Fantastic Four movies, but you wouldn't guess Patinkin would have succeeded based on his prior work either. Check out Gruffudd in King Arthur if you still need convincing.

2nd choice: Tie - Jake Gyllenhaal, Zachary Quinto

Fezzik - Lou Ferrigno

No other actor could really fit the shoes of Andre the Giant for this role. Ferrigno is the only logical option, and was able to show off enough personality in I Love You Man to ensure he could handle playing Fezzik.

2nd choice: None. Who else would even be a possibility, Shaq? No thank you.

Prince Humperdinck - Zachary Quinto

Quinto's ability to play evil makes him perfect for the Prince. He could add some real spunk to the character while still being arrogant and rash.

2nd choice: Eli Roth (May be too villainous.)

Count Rugen - Tim Roth

Roth's role as a villain in Planet of the Apes (2001 version) and in The Incredible Hulk show why he would be perfect for this role. I think his scenes with Quinto and Gruffudd would be really fun to watch.

2nd choice: Tie - Christian Bale, Gary Oldman

Vizzini - Simon Pegg

Pegg was a natural selection for Vizzini. He is quick and witty, and is able to play "over the top" in his sleep. I think he is the best fit of any on this list; just picture him saying "Inconceivable!"

2nd choice: Rainn Wilson

Miracle Max and Valerie - Steve Carell and Amy Poehler

Another hard one to justly replace as the duo of Billy Crystal and Carol Kane were so awesome in the original. Going with Carell and Poehler would bring the perfect mix of humor and crazy to these two roles.

2nd choices: Bill Hader and Kristin Wiig, Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey

The smaller roles:

King - John Noble

2nd choice: Robin Williams

Queen - Julie Andrews

2nd choice: Diane Keaton

The Albino - Jason Segel

2nd choice: Seth Rogen

Grandpa: Dustin Hoffman

2nd choice: Bill Murray

Grandson: Max Burkholder (from the TV show Parenthood)

2nd choice: None

Hoping to post more frequently with maybe some more movie remakes or some sort of top 10 lists in the future. Until next time...

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Most Anticipated Movies of 2011

With football season wrapping up, I have broadened the scope of this blog to include pop cultue topics and the entire sports landscape, not just fantasy football. With that being said, here are my top 10 most anticipated movies for 2011.

10) Tie - The Beaver/Cedar Rapids

These two films are vastly different, but are tied for tenth for a couple of reasons. The first is that the genres of these movies are both missing from the rest of this list (as you will see.) The other is after my top 9, any number of films could have been placed in this spot and I couldn't fit in just one movie. However, this spot is not a consolation, as both these movies look quite excellent.

First, let's take a look at The Beaver. This film stars Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster (as well as Winter's Bone star Jennifer Lawrence and Star Trek's Anton Yelchin) with Foster also directing. The main premise is Gibson's character, Walter, is a troubled man who stumbles upon a beaver puppet and then uses it as his means of communication. This may sound quite silly, yet if you watch the trailer (available here: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3568211993/) you will see how powerful Walter's transformation is and the affect it has on his family and his company. Looks very moving, and not just because of the fictional storyline; this movie is also a comeback for Gibson. And, what better way to do that than for him to play a screwup looking for a second chance, hoping that the audience forgives himself while they forgive his character. Also, Gibson's beaver voice at times sounds like Michael Caine, which I find very amusing.

Cedar Rapids on the other hand is the only comedy on my list. 2011 has a bleak outlook for comedy, with the only possible bright spots other than Cedar Rapids being The Hangover 2; Crazy, Stupid, Love; and 30 Minutes or Less. Ed Helms is the leading man in this comedy about a man who travels to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to represent his insurance company at a convention, during which he is taken under the wing of 3 convention pros (two of which are played by John C. Reilly and Anne Heche.) I find the "little fish in a big pond" idea as comedy gold. It reminds me of really great comedies such as Coming to America and Borat. When used correctly, naivety can be super hilarious and I think Ed Helms is an actor who can really pull this off. This will be the fun little Indie comedy of 2011 that everyone should see. Trailer available here: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1067817753/.

9) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II

This movie arrives on the list more out of necessity than anticipation. I have seen all previous Harry Potter movies either over Christmas with my family or within a day of its release with my friends. I have always enjoyed the Harry Potter movies (though some were better than others, and some strayed too far from the book for my liking) and I am excited to see this final chapter. I thought Part I had exceptional pacing for a storyline of mostly walking and camping, and it ended at a perfect spot in the story. I was missing some great wizarding battle scenes and action, but I know this final installment will deliver well on those fronts. (However, if you aren't going to have any action in Part I, why not include the first battle at Hogwarts at the end of the 6th movie as it was written in the book rather than just having Harry chase Snape as everyone else is clueless as to what is going on??!!) No official trailer for just Part II (as far as I know,) but the trailer everyone has seen has clips from both parts.

8) X-Men: First Class

As you will see as this list progresses, I am a sucker for comic book movies. Though this summer is full of high budget comic adaptations, I did leave many off this list, including The Green Hornet, The Green Lantern, and Cowboys and Aliens (as well as Transformers, which one could argue also falls into the same category.) This movie, unlike those other movies, has a lot going for it. First of all, Bryan Singer wrote the story - the same guy that wrote and directed the first X-Men movie. Also, it is being directed by Matthew Vaughn, who directed Kick-Ass. In addition to great work being done behind the camera, the cast for this movie is loaded. The names include James McAvoy (playing Charles Xavier,) Jennifer Lawrence, January Jones, Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne, Oliver Platt, and some others you will recognize on screen. Excited to see this franchise get back on track with this prequel/reboot (as well as Darren Aronofsky's The Wolverine, coming in 2012.) No trailer has been released.

7) Gnomeo and Juliet

Those that know me know of my affinity for gnomes. I wasn't sure that Disney + Gnomes + Shakespeare would come out to something worth watching, but the trailer surprised me. (See it here: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi854264089/.) With some stellar names voicing the characters, and the thought of gnomes operating the same way Woody and Buzz did in Toy Story, this movie sounds great. If you see one animated movie/kids movie or Shakespeare adaptation in 2011, see this movie.

6) Sucker Punch

I have two words to explain why I am excited about this movie: Zach Snyder. I loved 300. I loved Watchmen (I can understand if others didn't, especially if you hadn't read the graphic novel first.) I love the trailer, which you should watch right now: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi107256089/. I never did see the owl movie* that he also directed, but whatever (can you believe he directed that move?) This movie will be on IMAX, and it was shot in IMAX, so add another reason to see this movie. Can you imagine what those actions scenes will look like in glorious IMAX size and clarity? This movie could well be the most bad-ass movie of the year.

5) Captain America: The First Avenger

I was bummed when I found out that Chris Evans was cast for the role of Steve Rogers, but the production photos have (sort of) changed my mind (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458339/mediaindex.) He does look the part and has excelled as a superhero once before, so there is a good chance he will pull this off. I am really excited to see Hugo Weaving play the Red Skull - he is perfect for that character. Great additional casting with Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci having key roles. I am also glad that the characters of Union Jack and Dum Dum Dugan have been put in this movie. One downer is that for the third straight time in this Marvel universe, Howard Stark will be played by a different actor. I almost forgot to mention that the marvelous (pun intended) Joss Whedon co-wrote the script. With Whedon directing the Avengers movie (coming in 2012,) I bet this movie (as well as movie #1 on this list) will set up that storyline quite nicely. How that happens, with the majority of this movie being set in the past, will be an interesting development.

4) Super 8

I once again blindly follow J.J. Abrams into something I know little about. This worked out well for me in the past (Lost, Fringe, and Cloverfield) and Abrams track record speaks for itself, with Star Trek and Mission: Impossible III being his movie directorial credentials. At this point, very little is known about this movie, unless you have been following the online marketing campaign over at http://www.scariestthingieversaw.com/. Look for a full, non-teaser trailer to come out sometime in March (hopefully playing before the next movie on this list.) Side-note: Not only written and directed by Abrams, but Steven Spielberg is the executive producer.

3) The Adjustment Bureau

As a fan of Lost, you can understand that I would be drawn to movies about free will vs. fate. Add the fact that I think Matt Damon is the best leading man in all of Hollywood right now and an intense trailer (http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2768439065/) and you have the recipe for a great movie. The fedora guys remind me of the Observers from Fringe (they even wear the same clothes) and the whole idea of the movie is very Fringe-like. It is almost surprising no one connected to J.J. Abrams is involved with this movie. This movie could be as high as number 1, as I saw the trailer about 6 months ago and have been anticipating seeing the trailer in the theaters with an official release date since that day. I was hoping to see this trailer before Inception, but seeing it before Black Swan was quite apropos as well.

2) The Muppets

I have always been a big fan of the Muppets. Growing up, the Muppet Show, Muppet Babies, Fraggle Rock, and Sesame Street were my favorite shows. Muppet Family Christmas, to this day, is my favorite Christmas movie. The Muppets 3D at Disney World is a must see for anyone in the Hollywood Studios Park. Obviously, I was very excited when I heard the news that Jason Segel, also a huge Muppet fan, wanted to write his own Muppet movie. In his best work, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Segel drops some great Muppet related lines, and has his own puppet musical. Fun fact: Jim Henson Company Muppets were used for the puppet show in the final scene of that movie. Plus, the basic idea for the movie, the Muppets save the theater while having great cameos from the likes of Amy Adams and Jack Black, is a tried and true formula for a great Muppet movie. I can't wait for the trailer to come out for this movie, and for a whole new generation to experience Jim Henson's work.

1) Thor

I've been excited for this film since it was announced. I find it surprising that it ended up at number 1 on my list, especially when you look at movies 2-4, but something about Thor has stuck with me. Chris Hemsworth was perfectly cast as Thor, as was Anthony Hopkins for Oden. Add Natalie Portman to the mix, and right their you have the foundation for a successful movie. I am very excited that Kenneth Branagh is directing. His job both acting and directing in many successful Shakespeare films has me confident that he will be able to do the source material for Thor justice. It will be interesting to see how Thor fits in with the pre-established "plausible" universe that the Iron Man movies have set-up. The whole "god" thing was explained briefly in the trailer (http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi26843161/) talking about how magic and science are one in the same, so they are at least doing their part to make it believable. My fingers are crossed that the 3D will turn out; though I will most likely see this movie in 2D. The story looks great, Loki was well cast, and this movie should lend itself well to setting up currently my most anticipated movie of 2012, The Avengers.

That is my list of most anticipated movies of 2011. Some other notables that didn't quite make the cut, but I still would like to see (but won't drag others to go the theater with me): Contagion, Sherlock Holmes 2, M:I 4, Hangover 2, Cowboys and Aliens, Unknown, the Adventures of Tin Tin, Green Lantern, the Green Hornet, and 30 Minutes or Less.

*I know the owl movie is Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, but it sounds better to just call it that owl movie that Zach Snyder directed. Really, it was just a hybrid of two Elijah Wood movies, Happy Feet and Lord of the Rings. Think about it.

One last thought about 2011 movies. If you go see a movie about friends having casual sex with each other but not dating, see the one with Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake (Friends With Benefits) not the one with Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher (No Strings Attached.) Trust me on this one.

Follow me on Twitter @TheJasonStation