We’ve covered so much and come so short a distance in Season 3 of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD. Part One of this two-part Agents of SHIELD season finale was entitled “Absolution.” As a standalone episode, “Absolution” didn’t do much aside from set things up. As part one of a two-part season finale, it was a bit more rewarding. We saw Daisy hit rock bottom and take her frustration out on Hive, and we saw Coulson do a slight return to his sit-com dad directorial style. For the second-last time this season, let’s have a recap …
Agents of SHIELD Season Finale: “Absolution” – My Recap
Part One of this Agents of SHIELD finale kicked off by showing us a dream of Daisy’s: she’s on the moon with Coulson in a SHIELD containment unit running out of air and the rest of the team is dead. She holds the gold crucifix featured in her Hinton-inspired vision.
Daisy wakes in a start in a SHIELD containment unit but she’s not on the moon. She’s in the base. Mac, May, Rodriguez, and Lincoln are in a Quinjet on their way to the missile launch platform that Hive has commandeered in order to launch his missile into the upper atmosphere. Once in the upper atmosphere, Hive intends to detonate the missile’s warhead and spread his Inhuman concoction over a heavily populated swath of the Earth. And, in case you thought becoming an Inhuman might be a fun way to spend an afternoon, keep in mind that the Inhuman concoction, “perfected” by Dr. Radcliffe, turns humans into pinch-faced Primitives, not superhuman former Chinese pop-singers.
Speaking of Daisy, she’s feeling pretty crappy about turning into a superhero version of Nurse Jackie. Simmons questions her periodically but things just aren’t the same since she nearly destroyed SHIELD’s last remaining base, broke Coulson’s leg, throttled Fitz, and nearly crushed Mac to death. Daisy tells Simmons she’s told them everything she knows but no one can figure out what Hive is referring to when he mentioned “absolution.”
Mac, May, Rodriguez, and Lincoln land their Quinjet near Hive’s commandeered missile launch facility while Coulson, Fitz, and Talbot work to determine the code that will abort a missile launch. Through some very goofy motion capture modulation, Fitz is able to make himself look like Talbot’s superior officer and instructs his underling to release the code to Coulson. Coulson pulls up just in time to receive the page-long code and recites it character by character back to Fitz who enters it just in time to stop the missile launch.
In order to free Hive’s hostages from the missile launch facility, Lincoln and Rodriguez lure Hive into a trap Mac has set up. The trap makes Hive unable to segregate the various identities he’s absorbed over time. With Hive stunned, the team helps the hostages escape. Hive starts shouting random quotations from his memories and, concerned, Giyera and Hellfire look on. Amidst the confusion, Hive shouts out an order to disconnect the warhead for absolution.
In a relatively unnecessary scene featuring Radcliffe and some Primitives, we see them work to try to determine a way to manually launch the missile since Coulson and the gang have remotely disabled it. Unable to make any headway, they are eventually attacked by May who’s nearly killed by one of the Primitives but is saved by Radcliffe who begs May to rescue him. Radcliffe admits he’s in way over his head.
SHIELD is evacuating the island when a rambling Hive stumbles out of the compound. Rodriguez pulls some fancy footwork and they’re able to take Hive prisoner using suspension gel. Huzzah!
How could you not trust him with a face like that?
Daisy insists she has no right to anyone’s friendship or pity, and Coulson tries to convince her that she was acting under duress. She won’t hear it though, saying she’s no better than Ward, who was previously brainwashed by John Garrett. Talbot orders Radcliffe to determine a way to reverse the effects of the Inhuman concoction on the Primitive members of the Watchdogs. Radcliffe is out of his depth but Fitz and Simmons are there to assist. Coulson finally tells Lincoln that he has a future in SHIELD but now that Lincoln has Coulson’s approval he doesn’t want it, saying that once the Hive dilemma is sorted out he’ll leave.
Mac walks into Daisy’s isolation cell and tells her that he forgives her. A typical addict-victim scene plays out and Mac takes Daisy in his arms as she vainly tries to fight him off: when Mac wants to hug you, you get hugged. Continuing on the mush train, we see Simmons booking a romantic trip for her and Fitz to Seychelles. She says she can’t wait to get there and … go snorkeling. Fitz goes to check on how Hive’s getting along in stasis and on his way he grabs the gold crucifix that Mac had dropped.
For some reason Hive’s gel matrix container is left in an open hangar … seems like a pretty bad idea for the world’s foremost spy agency but what the heck … Fitz assures Coulson that Hive is ready for transport and Coulson puts the base on lockdown in case anything goes wrong. And just then, Fitz realizes that a pile of boxes in the hangar are from Absolution, Montana, that’s right … Absolution!!
The boxes explode: a nearby guard goes through terrigenesis and turns into a Primitive. With the base on lockdown, Fitz can’t escape. Luckily, he and Simmons are able to override the security system and he makes it out just in time. Unfortunately, the newly minted Primitives are able to bust Hive out of his containment cube. Daisy realizes something’s up and goes to meet Hive in the hangar. She kneels, cries, and begs Hive to take her back.
Agents of SHIELD season finale: “Absolution” – My Critique
I had thought that part one of this Agents of SHIELD season finale would involve the reappearance of some of the interesting folks we’ve met along the way like Mockingbird, Deathlok, Lady Sif, Maria Hill, or Nick Fury. Or, since she’s now officially dead in both the ABC production schedule and the MCU, it would’ve been cool to see a time-traveling or holographic Peggy Carter get in on the action. Instead, this Agents of SHIELD season finale involved an emotionally overblown addict-victim storyline that didn’t accomplish anything interesting. I can see why ABC decided to release this as part one of this Agents of SHIELD season finale rather than as a standalone episode. It doesn’t even have a viable cliffhanger element: Daisy begging to be taken back by Hive doesn’t provide a compelling final image, it just makes Daisy look pathetic … so tune in next week …?
“No, you don’t get it. I don’t know how to act!”
As always, Brett Dalton‘s performance as Hive was stiff and one-noted. In what’s likely a character actor’s dream, he was given the chance to ham it up and portray himself as an alien being who’s experiencing a disconnected flood of each of his absorbed characters’ most personal moments. Instead of taking advantage of this moment, Dalton managed Hive’s memory lapse with the same level of yawn-inspiring depth that he’s used to portray not one but two characters on this show.
Also, what was with the big reveal? “Absolution” was the name of the town those exploding crates were from, and Hive knew that because he had them coated with the modified terrigenesis formula? Not only was that a letdown as a reveal, it made SHIELD seem pretty stupid indeed. They’re all concerned about Hive doing something relating to absolution and they take a shipment of crates from Absolution, Montana without even batting an eye? “Durr, I’ll sign for it. It’s not like this is part one of the Agents of SHIELD season finale or anything!”
After the disappointment with the battle against the Cluster from the previous episode, Gem Drill, it’s surprising how entertaining a slow paced episode like Same Old World could be. Basically it’s all about Steven flying around with Lapis Lazuli and trying to convince her why it would be alright for her to hang around Earth and make it her new home. A simple premise but it’s the little details which really help to make it enjoyable.
The first of the details which helps to redeem the episode is it’s an episode totally focused on Lapis Lazuli, a fan favorite character who hasn’t gotten a lot of time on screen since her initial introduction. Here she’s front and center and finally allowed to stretch her wings (literally) and discover all Earth has to offer. Second, there are a few serious moments as Lapis tells her back story of coming to Earth, getting trapped in a mirror, and being interrogated because the Gems from Homeworld thought she was part of the rebellion. Lastly, the episode really helps to showcase what other cities and town in the world of Steven Universe are like. They even manage to make a joke about Jersey. For some reason, Cartoon Network loves to do jokes about Jersey.
The episode ends with a perfect setup where Peridot and Lapis will be living together like in the barn. This will no doubt result in comedy if just from the fact Peridot doesn’t exactly have people skills. This again was set up months ago thanks to leaked trailers and clips. Man, the network really has to watch to make sure those clips don’t end up spoiling the entire season. Still, Same Old World is fun and let’s fans have what they have been wanting for a while which is some time with the Gem who has the power to control water, Lapis Lazuli.
WWE Gets Extreme This Sunday In The 8th Annual ‘Extreme Rules’.
Starting in 2009, WWE throws the rules out and dives into all things extreme for one night only. After the ECW/WWE flop, Vince McMahon honors the former “hardcore” brand with a night of gimmick matches named ‘Extreme Rules’.
Throughout the show’s history, we’ve seen some duds like last year’s lifeless main event but for the most part, there is some real stellar showings. I remember the first time a show stood out to me was the 2012 event. The card followed an uneven Wrestlemania but made up for it with the massive return of Brock Lesnar and some brutal matches. Since then, I’ve always looked forward to event.
So I had the pleasure of going through each card from the past ‘Extreme Rules‘PPVs & chose the five best matches in the show’s history.
5. Hornswoggle vs El Torito – (Preshow 2014)
-Probably the most obscure pick on the list but something about the match makes a lasting impression. Before the 2014 ‘Extreme Rules‘ show even began, the audience was treated to something unique. El Torito and Hornswoggle faced off in a TLC match which was dubbed a “WeeLC” match. You get it cause there was wee bit fellas in the match. The concept was horrid but the match turned out to be hysterical and entertaining beyond belief.
4. Edge vs Jeff Hardy (2009)
-From the first ever ‘Extreme Rules‘ event, the 2009 edition provided some interesting matches like a Samoan Strap match and Jericho v Mysterio match but nothing shined like the ladder match between Edge and Jeff Hardy. Two innovators for the match type, the men risked their lives once more for the sake of entertainment. As expected, the face-off was stellar. They did their signature spots and kept people on the edge of their seats.
3. John Cena vs Brock Lesnar (2012)
-After years away from WWE, Brock Lesnar returned with a point to prove. He was going to beat John Cena within an inch of his life. It was upsetting that Brock didn’t win the match but he made such a glorious comeback by mixing the brutal UFC style with WWE theatricality. Also, I believe this opened the door for WWE to bring back to some hardcore wrestling. Each Brock match after this has gotten more intense; 2012 ‘Extreme Rules‘ seems tame now.
2. The Shield vs Evolution – (2014)
– New School Faced Old School. 2014 brought the return of heel group Evolution fronted by HHH as well as the uprising of the beloved team The Shield. When the two teams faced off in a three-on-three tag, all hell broke loose. The match culminated with Seth Rollins diving from the arena entrance onto three men below while Roman Reigns gets the pin in the ring. This put the young men of The Shield over like crazy.
1. Daniel Bryan vs Sheamus – (2012)
–Daniel Bryan’s redemption match. After the tragic 18-second loss at ‘Wrestlemania 28‘, Bryan needed something to recover. The 2-out-of-3-falls match with Sheamus at the stellar 2012 event was exactly what the doctor ordered. The grappler Daniel Bryan played off Sheamus’s brawler style. This was one of the first times in WWE that Bryan got to truly be himself as a performer; this was the turning point of an epic WWE career.
Do you agree with my list? Let me know in the comments below!
The Meddler is everything that Mother’s Day wasn’t.
While audiences were forced to endure the latest contrived/trivial Garry Marshall film, Lorene Scafaria film is far more authentic and nuanced. Navigating the mother-daughter dynamic can be tricky and most writer-directors give that dynamic more of a sitcom-like feel. The Meddler is different. Lorine Scafaria creates a narrative that is so heartfelt, the film feels like a tribute to mothering.
Sarandon stars as Marnie Minervini, a widow from New Jersey who moves to Los Angeles to be closer to her screenwriter daughter Lori (Rose Byrne). Marnie views her move as a way to help her daughter; Lori perceives the move as “Meddling” in her affairs. She views her as an incessant calling, texting, obsessive person who loves to show up unannounced. Marnie is a lost soul looking for someone to care for after losing the love of her life.
Marnie seems to have difficulties handling grief. Her late husband has been dead for over a year, and she still won’t make a decision on the ashes. Instead of dealing with her problems, she tries solving Lori’s after a sudden breakup. Quickly this becomes too much for Lori, and she demands on that boundaries need to be set with her mother.
While most would think this would be the moment Marnie would finally confront her grief, she instead uses this moment to now “help” others. She sets out to befriend Freddy, the Apple Store genius who taught her how to use the I-Phone. Marnie also agrees to plan and pay for Jillian’s wedding as a way of “cementing” their bond.
Marnie quickly becomes self-aware that none of this is going to fill the hole she has after losing her husband. She does not reach this epiphany on her own; it takes the charm and tender heart of an ex-cop named Zipper (J.K. Simmons) to open up her eyes to the truth. Sarandon’s character is immediately drawn to him because both of having deep emotional baggage.
The highlight of this film is, without question, Susan Sarandon. She brings such an emotional core to the movie that elevates the overall quality. Sarandon demonstrates how emotionally trying being a mother can be. Conventional wisdom would suggest that being a mother was simply one thing but these days it is everything. It is a listener, it is a friend, it is there to help a child pick up the pieces. Mothering is not pretty yet there is a certain beauty that comes with being a good mother.
Sarandon is equally effective playing the role of the recent widow. She has such expressive eyes that her looks exhibited this deep seeded pain that was undeniable. Equally effective was just how lost she seemed at times, going from person to person trying to fill a void that couldn’t be filled. It is safe to say that this performance is the best that Susan Sarandon has had in many years.
Russell Crowe is one of the most volatile celebrities in Hollywood, but also one of the most talented. His recent career has slowed from the late 90s and early 2000s onslaught of quality work, and Crowe himself seems to have softened in his middle age.
The Oscar winner, nominated three times in three years and winning the middle of the trifecta, has played scholars and thugs, lowlifes and heroes, and often times these idiosyncrasies blend into some wonderful performances. Here are ten essential Russell Crowe performances, before The Nice Guys hits theaters this weekend:
10. Capt. Jack Aubrey, Master and Commander: The Far Side of The World – This Peter Weir high seas epic further shaped Russell Crowe as this generation’s Marlon Brando. While not a direct imitation of Mutiny on The Bounty, Master and Commander is a strong sea adventure (despite becoming a little aimless in the hefty midsection) pushed forward by Crowe’s Jack Aubrey, a man possessed and driven almost to the brink. And Crowe is certainly channeling the swashbuckling Fletcher Christian in a number of key moments.
9. Cal McAffrey, State of Play – Back in the spring of 2009, State of Play snuck into theaters and disappeared quickly, mostly because it’s a serious adult-oriented thriller based on a British TV series. And who has time for that? But Kevin MacDonald’s mature political drama was rife with great performances full of emotion and texture. And leading the charge of a cast including Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, and Ben Affleck, was Russell Crowe’s dogged reporter, Cal McAffrey.
8. Ben Wade, 3:10 to Yuma – One of the rare remakes to surpass the source material, James Mangold’s Western is a wonderful push and pull between the villain Crowe, and the man desperate to get him to the train on time, played by Christian Bale. This is Russell Crowe letting loose and adding some panache to what could have been an otherwise stock villainous character. He seems at home in the old west with his weary good looks and husky growl.
7. Noah, Noah – As problematic as Darren Aronofsky’s take on the Old Testament might be to devoted religious folk, there’s no denying the chutzpah Crowe brings to the central role. this is a complicated version of Noah, forever battling himself to understand what God is telling him to do, this father is nearly driven mad. Without Crowe to hold the center of the film into focus, Noah could have easily spun out of control. As it is, it’s a bit messy, but there’s still undeniable brilliance here.
6. Jim Braddock, Cinderella Man – The saccharine direction from Ron Howard does Cinderella Man no favors, but as downtrodden boxer and family man Jim Braddock, Russell Crowe feels right at home. With a little makeup and some heft, Crowe embodies the physicality of an early 20th-century prizefighter, and the riches to rags to riches narrative makes it one of the greatest crowdpleasers of the 2000s.
5. Richie Roberts, American Gangster – Ridley Scott’s true story about Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), the mobster who almost singlehandedly ruined New York neighborhoods with an influx of heroin, is another one of Crowe’s better performances in a film that came and went too quietly. This is a terrific true-crime thriller, and Crowe’s Richie Roberts is a great antihero. Richie isn’t the best detective, and even a worse human being, but he somehow manages to pull through in the end.
4. John Nash, A Beautiful Mind – Ron Howard’s Best Picture winner has waned in popularity over the years, and there’s no denying the incredible historical inaccuracies with John Nash, genius mathematician and paranoid schizophrenic. Certain darker elements of the character were left out, and the factual threads are flimsy to say the least. However, given what IS in the role, Russell Crowe balances the madness and the quirk to perfection. He sells the role, o matter how problematic it may be in the end.
3. Bud White, LA Confidential – Crowe had been building towards stardom throughout the 90s, and LA Confidential was his breakout. As the heavy for a corrupt police captain in 50s Los Angeles, Crowe’s Bud White is all burning intensity and inner turmoil. We see time and time again, White trying to make human connections. And over and over he is let down. His current aggressive nature informs us of his troubled life and, probably, tumultuous childhood. It’s all there in Crowe’s brilliant performance.
2. Maximus, Gladiator – The role that earned Russell Crowe his Best Actor statue is a magnificent, epic turn. Sure, it’s easy to dismiss Gladiator these days – that’s what we’re good at it 2016 – but Ridley Scott’s film builds an incredible world full of rich characters. Crowe’s fallen hero is another riches to rags to riches story, or some variation of it, and his intensity is once again on full display.
1. Jeffrey Wigand, The Insider – Crowe’s performance as infamous whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand is like nothing the actor had (has) ever done. Soft and flabby, gray-haired, wearing coke-bottle glasses and an air of smug coldness, Wigand might be the hero we needed to call out big tobacco; but he’s not the greatest guy. Wigand is a complicated figure, a family man who struggles mightily to hold on to his wife and children, and Crowe’s intensity here is something altogether unique. It isn’t boiling anger, but sadness and despair. This is the role for which Crowe deserved Best Actor.
The Nice Guys, writer/director Shane Black’s latest L.A. detective caper flick, features many of the tropes the director has used in the past to craft his more memorable action comedies.
Only this time, all but the most outrageous gags fall flat, and the film is mostly a bore. The fault lies in casting — while Russell Crowe proves to be a capable ‘straight man’ carrying his end of the film’s oddball partnership, Ryan Gosling’s work here stands as proof that effective on-screen goofiness doesn’t come easily to everyone.
What’s it about?
Crowe plays Jackson Healy, a guy who makes no bones about the fact that he beats people up for a living. Healy crosses paths with Holland March (Gosling), a unscrupulous private eye with a teenage daughter, Holly (Angourie Rice) and a propensity to drink on the job, when he’s hired to “discourage” March from tracking down a girl named Amelia (Margaret Qualley).
That first meeting, which is of course rather painful for March, leads to an unexpected business opportunity. After a run-in with a couple of hitmen (Keith David, Beau Knapp) also looking for Amelia, he hires March to help track her down and keep her from harm.
The search leads Healy, March, and Holly into a much larger conspiracy involving environmentalists, pornographers, the Department of Justice, and the Detroit auto industry, and why wouldn’t it? All in a day’s work for an L.A. gumshoe, right?
The old tricks just feel old
A grizzled, world-weary detective working with an unlikely partner. A female lead tagging along on the case that most of the time is smarter and more capable than the boys. Swanky parties in the Hollywood Hills, conspiracies, and creepy, skinny bad guys who genuinely enjoy hurting people.
From Lethal Weapon to The Last Boy Scout to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Shane Black has used and re-used these same elements to concoct engaging film noir style capers featuring memorable characters and hilarious situations. No doubt, The Nice Guys must have looked and sounded on paper like more of what’s worked so well before – it’s all there, and it’s all rather timeless, if it’s done right.
But in the execution, almost none of it works this time. Yes, the snappy, profanity-laden dialogue is here, but it lacks punch. Yes, the would-be hilarious situations are here, but only a handful of them actually hit home. Watch for scenes involving interrogating mermaids, a giant, talking bee complaining about L.A. smog, and Richard Nixon to enjoy the film’s biggest laughs
But those few moments are only momentary distractions from a listless plot that in the end comes off as needlessly complicated and drawn out. There’s very little satisfaction in the resolution of the mystery and where it leaves the film’s intrepid trio. It all just feels rote and rehashed.
Casting is key
Looking back at the leading men who have been at the forefront of those previously mentioned Shane Black action comedies, you find names like Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans, Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer. All performers who throughout their careers, and in some cases for the majority of their careers, displayed an understanding and mastery of comic timing, delivery, and expression. It ain’t easy, and it’s not a natural fit for everyone.
Nowhere is that more evident than here with the casting of Ryan Gosling. In all fairness, part of the problem is what the script gives him to work with — in writing the character of Holland March, Black seemingly couldn’t decide if he was a deductive genius or a buffoon. One minute he’s seeing the piece of the puzzle no one else even realizes is a piece, and the next minute he’s channeling Inspector Clouseau and can’t see the forest for the trees.
For a performer to whom comedy is a more natural fit, perhaps that disparity might not be such an insurmountable obstacle. Or, conversely, a different director with a more objective vision of how the character might better work could’ve helped tweak the script to better fit Gosling’s strengths.
Either way, it just doesn’t work. So many scenes in The Nice Guys that you know sounded sounded funny on paper just land with a thud on screen, and it just leads you to wonder if it might have worked with a different actor behind the Magnum mustache and soul patch.
Worth seeing?
Sadly, The Nice Guys is worthy of a Saturday night rental, at best. Better to spend your time enjoying Shane Black’s glorious past than losing two hours with his present. The precious few comedic beats that do work just aren’t worth the price of admission.
The Nice Guys
Starring Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Keith David, Beau Knapp, and Kim Basinger. Directed by Shane Black.
Running Time: 116 minutes
Rated R for violence, sexuality, nudity, language and brief drug use.
Male camaraderie has found its way into film and television programming for as long as programmatic television has existed. Shows like the Lone Ranger, Wagon Train, and Bonanza were very popular representations of the guy-love phenomenon, but because these men were depicted as rugged cowboys on the plains no one discussed the gravitas of their bonds. It is only recently that a term was coined to adequately/accurately capture the true nature of this male bonding/love being exhibited for our viewing pleasure. It has since been dubbed BROMANCE! And who doesn’t love a good bromance?
Two guys who are each other’s “person.” The guy they spend the most time with and bond with on special level. The guy that gets him like none other. All dudes have ’em, but they don’t rarely discuss that level of intimacy that they have with another man. So, when we get a glimpse of it on the “big” or “small” screen it’s fun to watch them unfold.
Here is a list of the very best bromances out there! Enjoy!
Although this is somewhat of a sad film, who can forget crotchety, rich old Edward (Jack Nicholson) and mild-mannered, unassuming Carter (Morgan Freeman) from the film the Bucket List. Edward is the owner of communal style hospitals that doesn’t support the perks, like private rooms, of regular hospitals because they are not cost efficient. When he falls ill and is diagnosed with cancer, he is admitted to one of his hospitals for treatment. He finds himself sharing a room with Carter, an old car mechanic, even though he would prefer a private room, because those are the rules that he has set into place. A bond develops between these two cancer battlers and imminent death unites them on a journey to complete each others “bucket list.” And rich old Carter has the means to do it.
This silly comedy about a newly engaged man, Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd), who has no friends and needs to have a relationship outside of his romantic one is hilarious. When Peter hosts an open house he meets Sydney (Jason Segal) who is just attending the showing for the snacks and to pick-up women. Although Sydney thinks Peter is weird he still gives him a chance. They get together and a full-on bromance blossoms. Every minute that Klaven isn’t working or with his fiance he’s hanging with his new friend. Peter realizes that he has been lacking that outlet in life. He has never had someone to share those moments of utter silliness and stupidity that you cannot always have with you significant other. With the Sydney’s help Peter finds an identity outside of his “ordinary life.” They spend lots of having ‘jam session’ in Syd’s man-cave, drinking too much, and going to Rush in concerts. These two pals are inseparable! I love you, Bro Montana.
Ah the bond between inmates. This story could have gone in so many different ways, but the quiet, supportive relationship between two decent men in prison is the best story of all. Andy DuFresne, the formerly successful banker who is jailed and falsely convicted of the murder of his unfaithful wife and her lover. Red, well he committed the crime he was jailed for and makes not bones about it, but at his core is also a decent person. He is also the guy that can get you what you need in prison. He had been a resident of Shawshank Prison so long and his ‘dealings’ were overlooked by the guards – sort of look away to keep the “wild animals” at bay and slight satiated. The two men become friends because they each see something of substance is lurking beneath the surface of the other person. Over the years their friendship deepens and they began to look upon each other as allies. They trust the other with their lives. During their time together inside they have many lengthy conversations and when Andy escapes from prison he contacts one person…Red. Defresne knows that Red is his one true friend and he hopes to be reunited with him one day.
These two best-friends have taken us on some journeys since they burst onto the scene. They formed a friendship based on survival and a mutual understanding of being he misunderstand Asian in the crowd. Their bond was solidified through their love of marijuana. Harold and Kumar are the perfect hetero life-partners. Kumar is the Yin to Harold’s Yang. Where Harold is steady and responsible, Kumar is a self-assured slacker, pot-head that helps his buddy relax and enjoy life a little bit. They are united in the their love of ganja and their ever need to balance each other’s shortcomings…AND let us not forget their craving for…White Castle.
Ah, adolescent guy-love. Cory Matthews and Shawn Hunter are our only representatives of adolescent bromance on the list. The young pair met in kindergarten on a zoo trip. Shawn asked Cory to have lunch with him, but he refused. During that same trip Cory fell into the llama cage and Shawn jumped in when all the rest ran away and that day formed a friendship for life. Their friendship endured through high school, into college, and even after marriage. This bond is one that lasts forever. In later seasons of the show is revealed that Shawn has a brother that he never knew about. Eventually the two brothers would become close, but it never held a candle to the bond shared by Cory and Shawn. Their shared experiences and deep understanding, and support of each other makes them the longest lasting bromance on the list.
Bad boys, bad boys; Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you? Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey are a hilarious duo. One is a goofy, whipped family man [Marcus] and the other a smooth, sexy ladies man about town [Mike]. This pair grew up together, became cops, and have been partners on the LA Police Force for many years. Mike and Marcus know more about each other than any woman will ever hope to know – they know each other’s deep dark secrets. This pair fight like a married couple, but when push comes to shove they have each other’s backs no matter price. The love and camaraderie between these two is not easily rivaled and the bromance between to the two cannot be broken. Their brotherhood will live forever.
Who would have thought that a show about a zombie apocalypse would produce a good bromance? Now it is safe to assume that if you put a bunch of people together and have them navigate their way through constant life or death situations strong bonds will form. But a to think that a such a bond would form between a straight and arrow cop and redneck outlaw in not one that your thought would immediately stray to. When Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon met it was NOT a bro-at-first-sight. Actually, Mr. Dixon tried to kill Grimes after he handcuffed his brother, Merle, to pipe on rooftop of a building when he wouldn’t play well with others. Many of us thought that their relationship was doomed from the get-go, but with the absence of big-brother Merle, Daryl was able to grow and develop healthy – well as healthy of a relationship as you can get in zombie apocalypse – with another man and others. His place within the group became less adversarial and more of a supportive member of the group. Where Rick is clearly the leader of group, he relies on Daryl as his second in command to provide consensus, support, a sounding board, and to call him out when the need arises. This bromance is important and works or more levels than either of them realize.
10. Alan Shore and Denny Crane from Boston Legal
Holy Star Trek! Do you remember William Shatner on a little show entitled, “Boston Legal?” We do! It was a fantastic series starring the “Shat,” James Spader, Candice Bergman, and many others. This quirky show about an upscale law firm and their motley cast of attorneys that inhabit the place. The two strangest birds, and one the best reason for watching the show, is the bromance between Denny Crane – a named Senior Partner of Crane, Poole, & Schmidt – and Alan Shore – a brilliant, plucky lawyer with a strong moral compass who is not afraid to get his hands dirty for ethical outcomes. This bromance is built on mentorship [Denny to Alan] and recognition of each other’s brilliance in practicing and cultivating the law to best suit there needs. Denny is a staunch Republican and is the perfect foil for Alan’s heavily left-leaning political ways. This duo is a wonderful Yin to the other’s Yang. In the end, what makes this bromance worthy of inclusion to this list is that fact that at the series end Denny is diagnosed with Alzheimer/Dementia and in order to appoint Alan as his heir and give him medical power of attorney, the two hetero-life-partners marry.
Who’s bad? These two lovable geeks, that’s who! Evan and Seth have been attached at the hip for so long that no one at their high schools thinks of one without the other. This hetero partnership has been in effect since childhood and they do virtually everything together and like it that way. Where Seth is slovenly, rude, obscene mess of young man, Evan is the a precocious, sweet, and thoughtful person that you can’t help but love. This bromance is born out of mutual like and sustains itself bey commonalities of not quite fitting in, their unsuccessful turns with the fairer sex, and their life-long shared experiences. If the cops broke up your underage party would you be willing to carry your best bud to safety and out of the clutches of cops? Even if your mad at him? Seth will to do it.
Never have four bros experienced so many wrong turns, missing teeth, bad tattoos, tranny experiences, and kidnappings and held on to their bromance so strongly. When we first meet this foursome we learn that Doug, Stu, and Phil are three best friends who wanted, like many prenuptial men, to celebrate the upcoming marriage between Doug and his fiance Tracy. When Tracy persuades the guys to take her idiot savant brother-in-law-to-be Alan along for the weekend in order to make him feel some sort of camaraderie. With this one act EVERYONE’S life was forever changed. Alan, always the well-meaning dullard, drugs the guys and blackout madness ensues. Throughout all of the films Alan is the at the epicenter of the of how things go sideways during their adventures together. His attempts to form a strong bond with guys leads them down a path of destruction and mayhem. Whether in Las Vegas, Thailand, Mexico, or back to Vegas, these guys will give anyone a run for their money in accumulating things that must never be mentioned again. And let us not forget Mr. Leslie Chan’s part in the debauchery.
Two life-long friends, John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) band together in business and the pursuit of no-strings attached womanizing. Jeremy and John are both divorce mediators who have seen the joy that weddings can bring and what can happen when the end of a marriage comes firsthand. What these guys have done that no one else has is capitalize on the industry on both ends. These two spend the height of the wedding season crashing big weddings and reaping the benefits of the drunk, desperate, unmarried, single women in attendance. With made-up names, back-stories, and occupations, they clean up like bandits with women longing – and envious of those who have – to take that trip down the aisle. The hopeful, unsuspecting women fall prey to their good looks, abundant lines, tricks of the trade, and charm. John and Jeremy are the perfect guests to liven up a wedding celebration and to capitalize on romantic dreams of one day wedded bliss.
Kevin Ryan and Javier “Javi” Esposito are the best of friends and NYPD homicide detective partners. While Javi puts on the act as a tough NYC born and raised detective, Kevin in a seemingly polar opposite mild-mannered Irish-Catholic boy. They pair fight light an old married couple and are constantly competing to best the other at silly tasks. Although these bros are constantly competing, it is also evident that they have a great love and respect for each other and will have his partner’s back whatever may come. In the “Phantom” episode RySpo – a fan pet-name for the duo – find themselves trapped in an arsonist’s workshop with building burning and coming down around them. The partners are uncertain that they will make it out alive and Ryan’s thoughts stray to his very pregnant wife Jenny and their unborn child. The Ryans did not know the sex of the baby, and when asked what they would name male child, Kevin reveals…Javier. Esposito, not to be bested retorts, “Javier? You’re going to name a white Irish kid Javier?” Yeah. The actors, Seamus Dever & Jon Huertas, that star in these roles are good friends off the set and they even have a single, “The Definition of Love,” together.
Schmidt and Jenko are an unlikely team that just works. Jenko is a the sexy, strong, dumb jock who can climb buildings and attract any girl he wants. Schmidt is the geeky, tubby kid with no game and a head full of knowledge. “Schmenko” were high school adversaries, but the desire to be cops leveled their respective playing field. Put any physical test in front of Jenko and he can sail right through it, but the academics of police work he fails miserably. Schmidt is the complete opposite. If he is presented with a physical task he fails, but his academic prowess is off the chart. Realizing that they needed each other, the two combined forces to help each other with their shortcomings and a bromance blossomed. Jenko even takes a bullet for his old pal. Now that’s love.
If you don’t know who Troy and Abed are you should. NBC’s comedy series, “Community,” produced one of the best bromances EVER! Check out “Troy and Abed in the Morning,” and you will have an idea of nerdy awesomeness of these two. Abed, who clearly has Asperger’s Syndrome, does not express emotions very well, he rarely makes eye contact with people, he constantly lives his life in a fantasy world, but he sees through all the BS and posturing and to the heart of every matter. Even though Troy was a big shot in high school, he is still a bit of an awkward nerdy thing. These two pals gel really well together. This unlikely pair fantasize about alternate dimensions, build massive blanket forts, have paint ball battles against other clicks, invented their own special handshake, and hosts their own morning show at Greendale Community College. Troy and Abed will eventually become roommates and their collective weirdness will only deepen. The best thing about their bromance is that it is endearing to us all. Two weirdos finding each other is the world is not that easy.
Although their friendship was built on deception and lies, you cannot deny the connection that these two men shared. We’re not talking about the new iteration of this story, we talking about the original Point Break circa 1991. Keanu Reeves and the late, great Patrick Swayze‘s onscreen portrayal of Johnny Utah – former college football star turned FBI agent – and Bodhi – surfing guru turned seasonal bank robber extraordinaire – is cult classic bromance for the ages. As Johnny learns have how to surf, he also falls in love with the sport and the adrenaline rush that he feels when he’s out on the waves. Utah is also drawn to Bodhi’s philosophies about life and world. The two were kindred spirits on different sides of the law. They are each drawn towards the intellect and wildness in each other. When Johnny has his first chance to stop Bodhi after a foot chase, he cannot bring himself to shoot him in order to stop him. Nine months later when Utah has finally had a chance to catch up with Bodhi to arrest him Johnny lets him go again, but this time it off into the stormy sea where he is never to return. A bond built on mutual respect and adrenaline does a good bromance make.
No one can deny that Chandler Bing and Joey Tribbiani have a connection. These two long-time housemates that supported each others shenanigans and argued like siblings. When the pair met it was not “love at first sight.” Actually, Joey thought that Chandler was gay, which was an assumption made by quite a few of the passing guest characters during the duration of the series. Once “Trib-Bing” became a twosome they were inseparable. Chandler often paid all the bills, purchased food, and footed the bills for head-shots for the often out of work actor. In this relationship Bing is obviously the more adult of the two and he brings a softer side to the duo. Tribbiani is his gruffer, more masculine counterpart that brings confidence and real “know-how” with the ladies. This domestic partnership also extended to pet ownership when the two adopted a duckling (The Duck) and a chick (The Chick) that lived in their bathroom tub. Joey and Chandler’s bromance is legendary and never-ending.
And now, the most fun of ALL bromances: John “JD” Dorian (Zach Braff) and Christopher “Turk” Turk (Donald Faison). They are the best of friends. John and Turk met at the College of William and Mary in Virginia where they were roommates. John and Chris both attended medical school and become doctors – all the while remaining roommates – and they even served their residencies at the same facility, Sacred Heart Hospital.Their friendship is sustained by their brother-like, and sometimes co-dependent, relationship that is fed by their shared quirky sense of humor. They enjoy doing almost everything together including “dramatic slow running” sequences, pretending to be multi-ethnic Siamese doctors, and robot dancing. JD and Turk have also been known to stage themselves as the world’s tallest doctor. When J.D. is unable to spend time with Turk is prone to bouts of depression until they can be together again. When Chris returned from his honeymoon with Nurse Carla their reunion was epic. Carla is remarked, “One Day he’ll love me like that.” She also refers to John as Turk’s boyfriend. Even though J.D. will eventually marry Elliot, his bond with Turk is forever strong. What makes this the best BROMANCE of them all is that these two are a self-professed bromnance and they explained and immortalized their relationship in the duet, “Guy Love.” “It’s Guy Love/That’s all it is/It’s Guy Love/he’s mine, I’m his/There’s nothing gay about it in our eyes.”
Check “Chocolate Bear” and “Vanilla Bear” and their “guy love.”
After the commercial and critical failures of the Sony-produced, Ghost Rider (2007) and its sequel Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012), the film rights reverted to Marvel Studios. Marvel has stated that they’re in no rush to reboot Ghost Rider in their interconnected MCU, but he remains a character they’re interested in revisiting at some point. Many rumours have circulated that Ghost Rider could find a home in a Netflix series rather than the big screen. Over the years since the first Ghost Rider (Excluding the character now known as Phantom Rider) appearance in 1973 there have been three significant characters to hold the mantle of the Ghost Rider; Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, and Robbie Reyes, but who should play each of these Ghost Riders?
Norman Reedus as Johnny Blaze
Johnny Blaze was the original Ghost Rider, who debuted in 1973 as the dark and sombre hero who made a deal with the devil. Blaze was the focus of the two Sony-produced movies and starred Nicolas Cage in very strange and forgettable portrayals of the titular character, however, this did make Johnny Blaze more familiar with wider audiences. Norman Reedus would be an ideal casting for Johnny; he could nail his bitter, gruff exterior of a man with the heart of a hero inside. Reedus is best known as biker/Zombie-killer, Daryl Dixon on The Walking Dead. Reedus is a quality actor who has shown in 6 seasons of The Walking Dead that he is more than equipped to portray the complex and dark history of the Ghost Rider. Blaze not only had to deal with selling his soul to the Devil but also his own personal demons such as alcoholism, his mother abandoning him and the deaths of both his father and later surrogate father-figure.
Robbie Amell as Danny Ketch
Introduced in the 1990s as a more contemporary Ghost Rider, Danny Ketch took over the role for eight years in Marvel Comics, and also featured in many Marvel cartoon series throughout the decade. Ketch was later revealed to be the younger half-brother of original Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze. In revisiting this character, Marvel may want to include Ketch as a second Ghost Rider or distance themselves from Johnny Blaze due to reception of Nicolas Cage’s performance. Robbie Amell best known for appearances on both The Flash and The Tomorrow People, could take on the part of Ketch as either a lead or supporting character.
Lorenzo Henrie as Robbie Reyes
The latest character to take on the role of Ghost Rider is Robbie Reyes, part of Marvel’s all new, all different take on some of their classic characters. Reyes is very different from Blaze and Ketch; he is a Mexican-American boy in high school who while in his Ghost Rider-form drives an empowered dodge charger rather than the traditional motorcycle. It would be a surprise if Marvel took this route rather than the more well-known versions of the characters but if so, Lorenzo Hendrie from Fear the Walking Dead could take on this brand new character.
What direction do you think a new Ghost Rider in the MCU will take?
In case you haven’t noticed, Cinematic Universes are all the rage out in Hollywood. It seems franchises are no longer good enough for studios, and universes open up practically endless possibilities. Enter Dwayne Johnson, who is teaming up with Universal and screenwriter James Vanderbilt to bring us the Robert Ludlum Cinematic Universe.
Ludlum is the author behind the Bourne series, and Dwayne Johnson is kicking off this extended universe with The Janson Directive, which Johnson called “classic Robert Ludlum.” The film centers on a former CIA operative who is being hunted by the agency who hired him after being framed for a murder.
“[The story is full of] Sharp, edgy and layered storylines,” Johnson said. “The character is complex, conflicted, bad ass and lethal — I can’t wait to sink my teeth into this and bring him to life. Between Jamie, Akiva [Goldsman], Captivate and Universal, it’s an exciting time to help produce and build out this awesome Ludlum universe.”
The Janson Directive will kick off a new series of Robert Ludlum adaptations, which will all have thin connective tissue so this can qualify as a shared universe. This is Universal’s second Cinematic Universe; their monsterverse kicking off next year with Tom Cruise in The Mummy.
It seems networks are dead set on dragging great cop films through the mud with shitty series reboots. First was that Lethal Weapon abomination from FOX, and now here is the pointless, on-the-nose, CBS adaptation of Antoine Fuqua’s Training Day. The film was excellent, this TV show is going to be not excellent.
Here is the series preview, grab some aspirin and “enjoy”:
Seriously this looks like one of the worst television shows of all time. Or at least of the last six months or so. But, hey, it’s on CBS so your parents will probably love it and it’ll probably be the number one show on the tube for a decade. Get ready for Training Day: New York, or some ridiculous spinoff.
And I am all for Bill Paxton. He’s great… in movies. He is an extreme over-actor and having him headline a show on CBS is almost performance art level hamminess. But CBS is really mixing things up by switching the races of the bad guy and the good guy from the movie! That should be great.
Anyway, Training Day the TV show comes to CBS some time in the future of the world. 2017 apparently.
