Josh Wunner

“With age comes wisdom”. As we grow older, we begin to realize lots of things. Some good, some bad, some mind blowing. One of the latter is just how stupid some people are. And I’m not talking “cannot do advanced algebra” stupid, I’m talking “ HOW did this person get this far in life seemingly unscathed” stupid. Enter the Brobergs. A seemingly “normal” family. Mom. Dad. Couple of kids. Absolute morons. At least you’d have to be to either a) not see what was happening right in front of their face or b) allowing it to happen. This twisted tale is as shocking as it is unbelievable. You have to witness for yourself the level of low I.Q. to truly understand what a clown-show of a family this is to not only have lived through, but voluntarily put out in a documentary and a book detailing every jaw-droppingly unbelievable thing they experienced. But be warned, those with anger issues, high blood pressure, or are known to throw things when angry should probably skip this one to save the physical trauma to either themselves or their T.V. You’ve been warned!

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar was Hollywood’s sugary-sweet response to Australia’s much edgier Priscilla, Queen of the Desert both showcasing the lives of a group of drag queens and their “adventures”. Where Priscilla delt with much darker (and more realistic) themes including drugs and homophobic abuse, To Wong Foo kept things much lighter and sent the trio (Swayze, Snipes, and Leguizamo) on a GPS free road trip from NYC to Hollywood where a biggest drag queen of them all crown was being offered to a lucky winner. Sidetracked by a racist cop and an unresposive car starter, the trio spend a weekend in a tiny town where they all learn (locals included) that under the make-up and sequins, they’re just people trying to make it in life like everyone else. Swayze’s “Vida Boheme” is from a well-coiffed family and is a disney princess come to life with a big heart and even bigger hats played impeccably by Swayze who, thanks to previous dance experience, looks as comfortable in high heels as one would in bedroom slippers. Snipe’s “Noxeema Jackson” has seen some things and is the edgiest of the three who also appears to have been taught to walk in stillettos from age 2 and has a penchant for old Hollywood. Leguizamo’s “Chi Chi” rounds out the trio as the most naive, but bravest, and a hopeless romantic ever searching for her knight-in-shiny-pick-up-truck. The three heroines of the story learn about themselves, and each other while waiting for their city block-long Cadillac to again be road ready. The three stars play the drag role to perfection. They aren’t TOO serious, nor are they cartoons of the characters they are playing. Each bringing the perfect balance of heart and reality to their respective roles. Aside from the drag aspect and a little lesson giving smack down to a well deserving local, the film keeps things light and breezy and by it’s end, we find ourselves rooting for the high heeled trio and even more so, the eventual winner of the before mentioned crown in Hollywood. A brisk 100 minutes of fun for anyone looking for a laugh who isn’t offended by men in lipstick and fabulous outfits.

Let me start by saying that I am a HUGE “Seinfeld” fan. I looked forward to the next episode every Thursday. But, that was 1999 and things have changed in the world (and comedy) A LOT. Although I do partially agree with Jerry’s take on todays comedy landscape and how most comedy has been sanitized to appeal to the masses, I think he took things to the extreme when he decided to write “Unfrosted”. I didn’t have high expectations when I watched Unfrosted, but I was not prepared for just how bland and tasteless the jokes (ironically unlike Pop Tarts themselves) were going to be. Every gag seemed forced. Every punch line could be seen miles and miles away before finally landing with a dull thud. The ONLY saving grace was the constant C-list actor cameos that were abundant throughout the movie. Even with the Barbi-esque ultra high color filter in use, this film seemed faded to me. Like leafing through a 60’s Life magazine. The colors were just a bit faded, the language a bit corny and outdated, the pictures obviously staged for the best effect possible. The whole thing just felt out-of-touch with today. Yes, I know the movie was set in the 60’s but Jerry didn’t have to set the tone of blandness there as well. And this from the man who was “King of His Domain”? What happened Jerry?

As a casual reality tv viewer I entered The Traitors” with mediocre expectations but only a few minutes into the first episode I quickly realized this was unlike any other reality show I’ve seen. Starting with the fabulously over-the-top host Alan Cumming and the gorgeous backdrop of a real scottish castle, we are quickly introduced to a group of past reality show alumni and a handful of “regular” people all vying for some, if not all, of the $250,000 grand prize. Only hitch is, from the jump, 3 of the twenty something gold diggers are tapped as “Traitors” in secret and must stay hidden until the end to grab the dough. If none of the 3 make it, the “Faithfulls” get the cash to split among the remaining group. The challenges are original and clever but the finger pointing and back stabbing is not which is why we watch reality tv in the first place. Only this time, it seems more like a movie and less like the usual reality tv fare. The whole show is moody and dark with more candle light than St. Patricks cathedral on Christmas eve and Alan keeps things moving with a devlish grin and gorgeous suits. Give it a watch, I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed.

This is what passes for “comedy” these days. When Meryl Streep (who I love) playing the President of the United States hears there’s a huge asteroid heading straight for the Earth, her main concern is whether to smoke in public or not. Not the fate of the planet or the human race. Meanwhile, her son, conveniently the chief of staff, gets into a tiff with the college student who was summoned to the White House to break said terrible news to said President, because, you know, that’s how our government works, after being made to wait overnight in a dumpy motel because said President was too busy to see her… I couldn’t take any more and bailed after 20 minutes of this mind-numbing nonsense. This travesty of a film just goes to show how dumbed down our collective society has become when other reviewers call garbage like this “comedy” Save yourself two hours.

Attempting to branch out from her previously one-note (albeit brilliant) repertoire of dramatic roles, Meryl Streep attempts “comedy” in this CGI heavy look at Hollywood’s youth obsession. Meryl’s Madeline Ashton, who’s age and career are quickly approaching the dreaded proverbial “hill”, once again steals her frumpy BFF Helen Sharp’s (Goldie Hawn) boo who conveniently happens to be world famous plastic surgeon Ernest Menville played brilliantly glum by Bruce Willis. Helen gets the ultimate revenge by putting out a self-help beauty book (and looking newly gorgeous doing so) to the shock and dismay of Madeline. Helen also steals Ernest back which at this point is just gravy.. or frosting in Helen’s case. Madeline, desperate for any leg up on the new-and-improved Helen, makes a deal with the devil (named Lisle) but quickly learns the deal (and Helen) aren’t all they’re “cracked” up to be. A box office bomb when released in 1992, this dark comedy has grown a cult following since and is an enjoyable 100 minutes of campy fun.

Julia Roberts slips into a pair of high heels, dons her trademark dazzling smile (and borderline inappropriate office attire) to portray Erin Brockovich, the real-life down on her luck single mother of three who, after a series of (un)fortunate events, single-handedly took on a huge corporation who valued profits over people’s lives - that NEVER happens! The late, great Albert Finney’s dry-as-jerkey Ed Masrey spends 2 hours (and countless money) keeping up with Erin’s infinite sass and thirst for justice (pun intended). Soderbergh, obviously using a camera he found in a chain smoker’s house, beautifully captures the drama, the pain, the verdict and, arguably, Roberts’ finest performance through its nicotine stained lense. A must-see.

I can only imagine an actor’s delight when a rarely fantastical script like the one for I love You Phillip Morris crosses their desk. Unbelievably based on a true story, Steven Russell (Carey) is an adopted, closeted, religious, married cop (yeah, that’s a LOT) who, after a slight fender bender, decides to be his true self. Only problem is “being gay is expensive” (who knew) so produce seller Steven has to find new and inventive (i.e., illegal) ways of keeping up appearances. Unfortunately his new career path finds him behind bars where he meets the incredibly sweet, naive, soft-spoken, starry-eyed Phillip Morris (McGregor) and they immediately fall in love. Thanks to Steven’s ongoing penchant for con-artistry, our dysfunctional duo are sprung from jail who then attempt to live a “normal” life together but Steven can’t change his spots and well, being gay IS expensive… Carey is sublime with the CVS receipt length list of nuances of his Steven and McGregor is equally precise with his soft and subtle Phillip. Not for the kids, this off-kiltered love story will both charm and delightfully offend the most open of minds looking for 2 hours of fun.

The “Queen Mother” of all horror films. Released in 1973 to a much less de-sensitized audience than today’s movie goers, this based-on-a-true-story shocked (and even made physically ill) ticket buyers who had no idea what they were about to witness. Movie star Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) is in Washington D.C. filming her latest project while her young teenaged daughter Regan (Linda Blair) is back at their Georgetown brownstone making friends with a spirit named Captain Howdy via a Ouija board. Chris throws a fancy party one evening which is crashed by Regan with bladder control issues. Chris, feeling her daughters health may be in jeopardy takes Regan to countless doctors, and psychiatrists hoping to find a cure. Every test known to modern medicine shows the same clean bill of health. Regan’s health, behavior, and appearance decline quickly and desperate for any help, Chris enlists the help of Father Damien Karras (Jason Miler) which upsets Captain Howdy to say the least. A classic tale of good vs. evil, Father Karras battles evil (and copious amounts of pea soup) and makes the ultimate sacrifice to win back Regan’s very soul. A remarkably visually stunning film considering the special effects available in 1973, this movie is what all horror films made after are measured to. The aptly nicknamed “Godfather” of horror films that continues to shock and force keeping lights on at night around the world decades after its release.