Cameron H.

When Paul said that, I immediately thought of Taylor Anne and myself! It's so weird--Hamilton is such a big deal, but when you're into it, you feel like you're into something no one else really knows about. I was sad to hear him say he was embarrassed by it, though. It kind of just perpetuates that feeling of, "Only those types of people like this thing. If I like it, does that make me lame like them? I'm afraid of what people might think..." I hate to sound all parental, but if you meet someone who would seriously judge you poorly for liking something like a musical, then their opinion of you, and probably a lot of other things, really isn't worth worrying about. They're the piece of shit, not you. As for Last Action Hero, I don't remember ever hating it. I think the big problem was that it was really hyped at the time, and as a decent (but not great), movie, it just couldn't live up to it. If you just go into it with no expectations, I think it's fine.

That would be cool, although personally I'd like them to get to at least the 4th Annual Howdies before they call it quits. I mean, considering it took them 3 1/2 years to do the first one, I figure that should give us HDTGM until about 2025.

In all seriousness, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Certainly, there will be a day when there will be no more HDTGM, but I don't think you need to fret just yet. For one thing, when Paul posted a couple weeks back, he seemed very willing and open to listen to criticism (including why the episodes are sometimes late), going so far as to offer a voting system for the movies they cover--which we all agreed was a bad idea. But, it did lead to the "Ask Paul" thread, and in the last mini, he expressed interest in starting a Reddit for the same purpose. Also, there's been talk of the three of them doing a spin-off podcast. None of these statements lead me to believe that HDTGM is about to end. What I think is most likely is, as he's said, they are all busy with their other gigs. Not to mention, we are coming off a Valentine's/President's Day weekend. Will HDTGM continue forever? Unfortunately, no...but I wouldn't despair just yet. They're just busy people, and as much as I love HDTGM, I accept that it may not always be their first priority--if ever. Just be happy and enjoy it for as long as it lasts--which will hopefully be a very, very long time. Personally, I think the best is yet to come!

You know I value your opinion, so you'll have to tell me what you think. It seems to be getting good reviews, I just don't know if this take matches my head canon for Deadpool. Like, on the one hand, I like that it got the R-rating so they can go all out on the violence, but I'm concerned they thought, "Well, it's rated R, what else can we get in here?" My favorite runs of Deadpool (and granted, I have not had a chance to read Posehn and Duggan's run), have been funny and crazy, but never to the degree that I feel like his movie HAS to be Rated R. I don't know, it feels kind of like American Pie or Van Wilder with swords, and I just don't think that kind of humor does it for me anymore. However, I recently read in an interview that Paul's been trying to pair HDTGM eps with big releases (e.g. The Holiday Special w/ TFA, and Star Trek V w/ Star Trek Beyond), so maybe this means we'll get X-Men Origins: Wolverine or X-Men: The Last Stand for next week. Because, dammit, I've got some shit to say about both of those movies...

Does anyone else get a sense of irrational excitement from the from prospect of a new HDTGM episode coming up and not having a clue of what it might be? I enjoy the live episodes, but we always know what they're going to be weeks in advance. And, for the most part, once one has been released, you know the second is going to follow shortly after. But I have to say, there's something about the anticipation of what movie will be next, and eagerly waiting for that mini-ep to drop to find out what it will be, that I find genuinely appealing. As an adult, it's probably the closest thing to that feeling I had as a child on Christmas morning. Which is all to say, I love this show, and perhaps, my life's a little sad...but only just a little.

Taylor Anne--you can't honestly tell me you think "Torn" is a good song? Like, something you would intentionally seek out for any reason? Tell me: How does it speak to you?

I...I...had no idea people felt so dearly about Ace of Base... Can we all at least agree that "Stay" is horrible?

Nothing...

For comparisons sake, I went ahead and looked up what the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 Singles of 1994. The Top 10 were: 1) Ace of Base--"The Sign" 2) All-4-One--"I Swear" 3) Boys II Men--"I'll Make Love to You" 4) Celine Dion--"The Power of Love" (I'm assuming this is not her cover of Huey Lewis and the News) 5) Mariah Carey--"Hero" 6) Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories--"Stay (I Miss You) 7) Toni Braxton--"Breathe Again" 8) Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, Sting--"All for Love" 9) Ace of Base--"All That She Wants" 10) Ace of Base--"Don't Turn Around" Jesus Christ! What a steaming pile of crap! In hindsight, it kind of makes me wish we had all been doing the BIM instead. Or, wait a second, maybe it did happen and we just weren't chosen... Dammit, Mr. Topps!! Come back for the rest of us!!!

I really don't think "acting ability" should really be a factor when talking about The Apple, but FINE, no Taylor Swift--bite my head off why don't you? So, here's what we got: Dandi: Pandi: Alphie: Mr. Boogalow: BiBi:

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting Swift is good. What am saying is, if your looking for someone to play the ingenue who skyrockets from crappy folk/country star to crappy pop star, she is uniquely suited for the role. I was not casting based on "talent" or based on any preference I might have in their music. If that were the case, it would probably look more like: Roger Daltry as Dandi (you can't tell me he shouldn't be there) John Linnell or Ray Davies as Pandi Paul McCartney as Bibi Brian Wilson as Alphie John Lennon as Mr. Boogalow Although, I think my version would be HOT!

Sorry. Yes. I should have specified.

I'd like to see: Roger Daltry as Dandi (because that's obviously what they wanted anyway.) Donna Summer as Pandi Taylor Swift as Bibi Jon Bon Jovi as Alphie Don Henley (ponytail era) as Mr. Boogalow Personally, my favorite part of the episode has to be: Paul: If Bibi and Alphie were so good, why is he trying to create her as, like, a pop star? Wouldn't he just try to capture her folk music? June: I think in some ways, he may have felt threatened by her... Andy: (*beat*) Yeah, I think that's right. I hear you. Ted's luck is total shit. For instance, when are they going to let that whole "Lourdes thing" go? It's obvious where the money was...

Of course, there was that tragic year when Ireland got completely robbed!

Is he Serpentor, maybe?

To be fair, they would have no way of predicting if disco would still be relevant in 2084. I think they made the right call.

Yeah, I'm glad he brought that up too! While I was watching it, my brain preemptively assumed that "happiness" would be paired with "sad," but they went to "tears" and I nearly ripped off my ears. So then, I figured they must be using an atypical rhyme scheme and waited to see if they did it again on the next verse. Nope. The second verse they sing: "There ain't no pride, There ain't no shame, There ain't no sympathy, There ain't no blame." How did they not go with "sad!" That makes no sense! Also, their backup band was just a bunch of goddamn Muppets, right?

Something I found even more mind-blowing about the sudden appearance of Mr. Topps at the end of the movie, is the fact that when he is first brought up--and thus introduced to the audience--even Bibi has to ask Alphie who he is! You'd think that during that year of living under a bridge with the hippie brigade, and before marrying Alphie and having a child with him, the topic of his ardent belief that one day a man dressed like a pimp (driving a Rolls Royce with gold rims) will one day descend from the sky and deliver them from this evil world would have come up at least once. Also, I think it's pretty fucked up that God will only apparently intervene and bring upon the rapture because a mediocre pop star is having a contractual dispute with her record label. Gee thanks, Mr Topps. Nevermind that the rest of the populace being oppressed by a fascist, totalitarian regime.

So, let me get this straight. The key to escaping a society ruled by conformity, puts crazy crap on their faces, and listens to shitty music, is to conform to another group, that puts crazy crap on their faces, and listens to shitty music? Right. Gotcha. Also, if Alphie and Bibi are Adam and Eve, wouldn't that make their child Cain? I hate to break it to you all, but you're going to want to leave that kid behind with Mr. Boogalow--he's real bad news. And, while we're on the topic of babies...I recently found out that I'm going to be a father again! I know this isn't exactly the venue to announce these kinds of things, but I really wanted everyone to marvel at my manliness and virility. I promise, that just like my three-year-old, Jake, my new daughter or son will be raised on a steady diet of HDTGM movies.

Not only is his song a "dead end flop," but he reacts to his rejection like a petulant little piece of shit. Basically, the record execs he's performing his song for say, totally respectfully and with no indication that they are being coerced into rejecting him by Mr. Boogalow, "We're sorry, your saccharine little folk song isn't what our disco obsessed culture really wants. But you are very talented. Please come back with another song." And homeboy, reacts by yelling at them, flipping them off, and storming out of the studio. Whining like a spoiled brat at a minor setback? Sure. If there's a faster way to succeed in the entertainment industry, I haven't heard it.

I really thought this is where June was going in the episode, but after Alphie gets Cosby'd by Pandi and she helps Bibi escape, she does have a dramatic turnaround, which raises a HUGE ethical problem. In fact, her heel turn is so complete, that at the end of the movie, when Mr. Topps comes to usher all the hippies to paradise, she follows them and is allowed to go with them to the new planet. So, am I to believe, coupled with Alphie molesting his landlady, that this movie is honestly positing that rape is a viable road to salvation? What in the holy fuck??? Fuck this fucking movie! ...Come to think of it, isn't that what happens in Zardoz? What the Hell was going on back then?

Considering Joel Schumacher did the screenplay for The Wiz, I definitely think there's precedence for him to do B&R as a musical. I also think Road House: The Musical would be pretty badass. And, although I've never seen the movie, maybe A Winter's Tale would benefit from a musical take...? I figure a lot of internal feelings and thoughts can be expressed in a musical that might actual make A Winter's Tale's story more coherent.

You beat me to it.