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Community: The Complete Fourth Season

Cody Endres — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 13:49:41 +0000

More Changes on the Horizon

It was recently announced that actor Donald Glover (Troy on the show) will not be a full-time character for season five and will only appear in a handful of episodes.

Season 4 was a tumultuous time for Community fans. Series creator and showrunner Dan Harmon was unceremoniously fired by NBC following Season 3. New episodes didn't debut until February 2013 after NBC delayed the premiere by four months. Series regular Chevy Chase, who should credit the show for the revival of his career, decided to abandon the show after clashes with producers and outbursts on the set. The end certainly seemed to be near and many accepted that this would be the final season.

For readers that haven’t checked out the show, Community follows a group of Greendale Community College students who regularly meet in the library as part of a study group. Series regulars include Jeff (Joel McHale, The Soup) - the womanizing ex-lawyer, Britta (Gillian Jacobs, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone) - the activist always trying to fit in, Abed (Danny Pudi, Road Trip: Beer Pong) - the film student always making pop culture references, Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown, Drake & Josh), - the religious mother who also runs a sandwich stand in the cafeteria, Annie (Alison Brie, Mad Men) - the constant over-achiever, Troy (Donald Glover aka rapper Childish Gambino) - the former high-school football star, and Pierce (Chevy Chase, National Lampoon's Vacation) - the bigoted millionaire. Also appearing on the show are the cross-dressing Dean of Greendale (Jim Rash, Reno 911) and the downright crazy Chang (Ken Jeong, The Hangover).

As a program that likes to do special episodes around the holidays, watching Season 4 of Community was a bitter pill to swallow for most fans. NBC wasn’t exactly doing them any favors airing Thanksgiving and Christmas themed episodes in March and April. In fact, it seemed like NBC was putting the show on forced life support for the sole purpose of ending at four seasons and obtaining syndication (Community will hit syndication this fall). Truth be told, it wasn’t just the lack of network support that would be a disappointment. Without Harmon, the show lacked heart and direction. Every single episode of this season was a spoof on pop culture from a competition in the style of The Hunger Games to an origin story ripped from Unbreakable. While entertaining, Community was treading water. Season 4 will mostly be remembered for the “Intro to Felt Surrogacy” episode where the show turns into a Muppet parody including musical numbers and a fun appearance from Jason Alexander.

Various members of the cast and crew provide commentary on all 13 episodes. Also among the special features are a montage of outtakes, deleted scenes, and short features on the Comic Con and Muppet themed episodes. Shockingly, NBC announced that not only would Community be renewed for a fifth season, but Dan Harmon would be back as show runner. Don’t try to think about it too much – you’ll hurt your brain. While Season 4 doesn’t exactly live up to the standards of previous seasons, fans of the program will love some of the spoof episodes and probably want to check out Pierce’s exit. Just keep in mind - a half-hearted season of Community is still better than half of the sitcoms currently on television.

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3.00

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Community: The Complete Fourth Season

Joel McHale

Gillian Jacobs

Danny Pudi

Community

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The Hangover Part III (Trailer 2)

Pandora — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:33:33 +0000

The Hangover Part III (Trailer 2)

(Trailers Video)

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The Hangover Part III (TV Spot)

Pandora — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:43:44 +0000

The Hangover Part III (TV Spot) starring Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Melissa McCarthy, Jamie Chung, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong

(Trailers Video)

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00:29

Community: Season 3

Lee Roberts — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:52:38 +0000

Bonus Features

Deleted Scenes, Gag Reels, Commentaries, A Glee-ful Community Christmas Featurette, This is War Pillows vs Blankets Mockumentary Featurette

COMMUNITY:
The gang is back for another year at Greendale Community College as they gear up for their third year of studies. It's a year that the study group might not be able to survive as they face off against a former teacher who has become the security guard and his underage enforcers, a new vice dean who wants to take away a member of the group, a pillow fight for the record books, and many other insane hijinks.

SEASON 3:
When Community was first announced 3 years ago I was not on board to watch the show. It looked like it wouldn't be funny and the cast seemed to be actors that didn't know how to act, including the aged Chevy Chase. Though I was not going to just say no to the show before watching it and from season 1 to now in season 3 I have been hooked on the show. Season 3 of Community has been the best season for the show so far with it's cast grown into their characters and writers that have turned what could have been a one season one liner into a thriving, continuous show.

First thing to note with season 3 that's different than past seasons is that it has more continuity to the episodes. Not every episode, but most of the season has returning characters and story lines. Having John Goodman play the character Vice Dean Laybourne who is the head of this weird secret A/C repair course that wants to have Troy (played by Donald Glover) join the course was a great way to go. There's also get Chang's (play by Ken Jeong) becoming this crazed security guard with this sinister plot that develops over the course of the season as well as the main cast itself building on their relationships. This was a season of growth for the show, both with the characters and with the stories.

This has been one of the shows that for some reason gets treated like it's unwanted by NBC yet the fans demand to have it on air. Season 3 proves why this show has been able to survive these 3 seasons even with the skeptics talking about ending it. This season pushed the show to new levels of hilarity with its crazy events taking place with the characters. I really loved how the shows are easily watched as one episode yet the whole season ties together as a yearlong plot. By the end of the season I liked this show more than I did going into it. There's twist and turns that I would never have guessed to see used on the show and then there's also the expected oddity that this show brings that made this season so great. Community season 3 is by far the best year for this show with a cast that brings a lot to the show and writing that give the cast their fuel to make the show funny. However best part of this DVD are the two special features, deleted scenes and the gag reels, those are worth owning this DVD, well also the show itself.

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4.37

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Community

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Community Season 3

Lee Roberts — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:52:38 +0000

Community

Season: 3

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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

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NBC,

Ken Jeong Signs on for Expanded Role in 'Hangover: Part III'

Peter Oberth — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 02:13:46 +0000

The Hangover: Part III

Movie

Ken Jeong is coming back for a third Hangover.

The doctor-turned-standup comic-turned-actor has inked a deal with Warner Bros. to return to the blockbuster franchise. But this time around, sources say Jeong will see his role significantly expanded for the Todd Phillips-helmed threequel, set for a Memorial Day 2013 release.

Jeong, who has watched his star rise thanks to roles in some of the biggest hits of the past few years including Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Knocked Up and Despicable Me, is perhaps most identified with the Hangover films. His scene-stealing turn in the 2009 comedy was followed by a return engagement in 2011’s The Hangover: Part II (his character, Mr. Chow, was presumed dead but revived by the end of the film). Sources say Mr. Chow will play a larger role in the third installment, though Warners is keeping the plot under wraps.

Jeong is working out dates to avoid conflicts with his NBC/Sony series Community. The show begins shooting in August and overlaps slightly with Hangover III's planned fall shoot.

The pic will be co-financed by Legendary Pictures.

Jeong is the last significant piece of the puzzle to come together for the threequel. Stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis already have signed to return.

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Community: The Complete Second Season

Jeremy Hunt — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 03:56:39 +0000

One of my favorite new TV comedies is back for a second season…and I couldn’t be happier. It had an incredibly solid beginning, packed with creative storylines, a charismatic cast with fantastic chemistry, and of course, brilliant humor and writing. If anything, the first season was so strong that I was concerned about the follow-up. That’s not to knock the talents and skills of those involved in creating the show, simply a testament to their overall success in their freshman year. Most shows normally take a full year or so to find their footing. Community managed to more or less stick the landing from the get-go.

All of which brings us to season two. To use an overcooked comedy cliché, the sophomore year at Greendale Community College took everything that worked from season one and cranked it to 11. The character conflicts and relationships got funnier and more complicated. The episodes got more and more creative, somehow without getting gimmicky.

That balance isn’t an easy one to strike. This season features a bottle episode spoof, a zombie episode, a stop-motion animated episode, one involving Dungeons and Dragons, and a tribute to both Pulp Fiction and My Dinner With Andre (in the same episode!). Oh and one of the main characters gets pregnant and gives birth over the course of the season. They took everything and the kitchen sink and threw caution to the wind.

Speaking of throwing caution to the wind, they also had the balls to revisit one of best episodes of last year (the season finale paintball/action film spoof episode). They not only did another campus-wide paintball game, but they expanded it to a two-part season ender. Far from feeling rehashed or played-out (like most sequels), this year’s paintball game played tribute to both westerns and science fiction. It was a creative risk, but they pulled it off with flying colors.

As for this DVD set, it’s packed with deleted scenes, outtakes, behind-the-scenes featurettes and cast and crew commentary on every episode. The 24 episodes themselves are spread out across the four discs. It’s a solid release all around.

Thankfully Community got renewed for a third season, so the hilarious adventures of the Greendale study group will continue. Bone up on your collegiate studies and get into this show.

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4.00

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Community Season 2

Jeremy Hunt — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 03:56:39 +0000

Community

Season: 2

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Tuesday, September 6, 2011

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Transformers: Dark of the Moon

AJ Garcia — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:19:48 +0000

Factoid:

In view of the technology's rising popularity, Paramount/Dreamworks were adamant to have this film either shot for 3-D or converted in post-production. Director Michael Bay was initially wary of the technology, calling it a "gimmick" in various interviews and noting the poor quality of post-production conversion. Vince Pace, the co-found of PACE 3D who developed 2D and 3D cameras with James Cameron reported in July 2010 that he was working on Transformers 3 and that it will be shot in on PACE 3D cameras. However, for scenes that required higher image quality or were in slow motion, traditional anamorphic 35mm film was used and converted into 3D in post production. ~IMDB

It’s been a while since Sam Witwicky and the Autobots defeated the Decepticons in Michael Bay’s previously scoffed at Transformers outing, Revenge of the Fallen. Since then Sam has found it nearly impossible to find a job, has been battling with the withdrawals of being recognized as someone of importance, and has somehow bagged an even more amazing out of his league girlfriend. Meanwhile the Autobots, who have been getting political and helping out the government, have run across an impossible object that opens up a brand new conspiracy on the moon landing in 1969. What the human’s find there is a ship that contains alien technology that could spell doom for humanity. The Autobots know they must reach this ship before the Decepticons as it contains something else of importance. This is part of the basis for Transformers Dark of the Moon.

Like many of you out there I hated the previous Transformers film. Like some of you I even barely managed to stomach the first Transformers film as well so for me going into Dark of the Moon I was ready to shake my head and scoff at Bay’s newest Transformers movie for the outrageously long 157 minute run time. As it turns out I was completely blown away by the film. The film looked amazingly detailed and jam packed with visually stunning special effects, the 3D (something else I had written off before even sitting down) was great, and the story was more realized, even if there were a few forgivable plot holes. The film was simply well put together and epic looking on all counts, but that doesn’t mean Transformers: Dark of the Moon is 100% perfect. Let's not forget how much a commerce the franchise has been between the films and the car companies, but it doesn't end there.

The opening scene after the title shot of the film is your typical Michael Bay move. Open up on Carly’s (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) amazing looking legs as she walks, on her toes (to accentuate how good her legs look), up the stairs to bring Shia LaBeouf into the picture, slowly but surely focusing in on Huntington-Whiteley’s bottom, sans pants. Your typical Michael Bay move, but as the film goes on Carly surprisingly becomes more an integral part of the story rather then just eye candy. Gone are the days of Megan Fox walking around in skimpy clothing, posing for the camera without adding much substance to the overall storyline. If anything Huntington-Whiteley’s character is a bit of a red herring, but I’ll let you decide that for yourselves. However not all of the human elements are that great. LaBeouf, who somehow managed to rise from dorky Disney channel geek to action superstar overnight tackles his role as Sam Witwicky using the Chris Farley school of acting. I swear the kid spends half the movie yelling and getting flustered to the point that he looks constipated or something. He has his breakthrough moments but for the most part his direction as far as playing at being frustrated is very one dimensional. John Turtturo’s returning character Agent Simmons is another over the top player in the film. He’s not featured in every scene but in every scene he’s in he’s a bit much. Still, these two get the laughs and they are supported by a great cast, and as usual Alan Tudyk is hilariously amazing and Ken Jeong makes for a short but sweet role in the film as does John Malkovich.

Another aspect missing from the Michael Bay school of film making is the repetitive and often used sporadic camera movements you find scattered throughout Bay’s films. I’ve read that this particular style was abandoned due to the 3D process for the film and I’m completely okay with that. What you get instead is more realized battle sequences that have speed but remain coherent enough for you to see the action instead of making them moments you can live with or without. With what Bay does with the Transformers in this installment of the franchise gives me hope that future mecha type films like Voltron and Robotech can and will have the blue prints to offer up battles and more life like CGI robots to further immerse their audiences into a much stronger sense of escapism within their individual universes.

Ehren Kruger takes on sole writing duties for Dark of the Moon this time around. Surprisingly Revenge of the Fallen fell on the shoulders of Kurger and men of the hour Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek, Transformers, Fringe) and it was terrible, but Kruger alone does a fantastic job putting together the type of Transformers story fans have been waiting for. The Transformers themselves are more ruthless taking on an anti-hero quality and the humans play more into the scheme of things rather then them just being along for the ride. While the film is a whopping 157 minutes long there were very few moments in it that I felt were complete drag, aside from when Sam’s parents come to visit. Seriously, if there are anymore Transformers films just cut them out, they add absolutely nothing to the franchise. Still, time just flew by as the story unraveled, battles were fought, buildings crumbled. It was simply mind blowing. I’ll give you its not a perfect film but for a Transformers film, this is what I’ve been waiting for.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

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Grade:

3.85

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Cartoons

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Michael Bay

Government Conspiracy

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Shia LaBeouf

Michael Bay

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Shia LaBeouf

Zookeeper

Peter Oberth — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:36:59 +0000

Zookeeper

In Theatres:

Jul 08, 2011

Starring:

Cher,

Studio(s):

Director(s):

Genre:

Comedy,

Kids

Official Website

Beloved zookeeper Griffin Keyes (Kevin James) decides to quit his job to dive into the dating pool, and finds that his animal friends have been harboring an incredible secret in this comedy from director Frank Coraci (The Wedding Singer, Click). Griffin is a single guy who loves his job at the Franklin Park Zoo. He has a special bond with the animals, yet he can't help but feel lonely each night when he returns to an empty house. Eventually deciding that a more prestigious job may be the key to finding a new girlfriend, Griffin prepares to turn in his walking papers and reinvent himself. But when word gets out to the animals that Griffin will soon be leaving, they realize the only way to keep him around is to reveal they have the gift of the gab. Perhaps with a little dating advice from his friends in the animal kingdom, this lonely zookeeper will manage to meet the girl of his dreams without losing the job he loves. Rosario Dawson co-stars in a comedy featuring the voices of Sylvester Stallone, Adam Sandler, Cher, and Nick Nolte.

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