Monty Python's Spamalot

I must say that I was a bit skeptical of the quality of a touring performance of the acclaimed musical based on the acclaimed movie based on the legend of Arthur (all three bases noted as "loosely"). At one time in my brief existence on the this planet, I was a student of musical theatre. From that I gained appreciation for most of the production— lights and video and explosions of confetti; moving set pieces and bedazzled codpieces. All in all it can be handily described as "Fun."
The best jokes were the ones of topical Blow-goi-oh-vich nature inserted into the various French and Knights Who Say Ni tauntings. And I could appreciate the numbers and dances that referenced Fiddler, Cabaret, Phantom, Les Mis etc. Considering it was m'lady's first musical experience ever, some of those parodies may have been lost on her, though they were still amusing and she had fun.
And as much as I love parody and satire, I don't think I need a musical of the Meaning of Life, Life of Brian, or Flying Circus. In Spamalot, much of the dialog was lifted and the story was patched together to conveniently explain the enrollment of the knights in the round table, but they were leading me astray. I wholly expected certain Holy Grail elements that never materialized. It would have been spectacular to have a Black Beast of Arrgh!, but understandably did not appear. While I don't understand why I didn't get the shrill sound effect when The Ni Knights dictate the procurement of aaaaaa..... SHRUBBERY! (TREENNGG!)
Missing.
But for the lame missing parts, it was fun.
Richard Chamberlain, whose career spans something like 50 yrs, played Arthur. very. very. slowly.
Some of his dance numbers looked like group activities from a retirement home... without the daily servings of prunes.
Constipated bastards.

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)

The latest H&K gives George W. Bush a better treatment in the eyes of young Americans than Karl Rove ever could have dreamt up. He's a weed-smoking (read: fun-loving), empathetic, father-hating 'regular guy' who just wants to be left alone.

But that's okay. The movie was funny and dispenses with most references to reality early on. The movie spends most of its time dealing with stereotypes. It risks losing its plot, so a little refresher about halfway through clues you back in. I'm not used to the superfast cuts and dialogue, but maybe the ApatowIAN types will be hipper to it.

No watch checks. i can't believe people brought dates to that movie. the best scene by far is the Neil Patrick Harris-led trip to the whorehouse. NPH brands a hooker with his initials, then dies. H&K get emo with the ladies, two of whom TOTALLY MAKE OUT OMG. After the whole scene ended, it got an extra clap/wow moment from the mostly male audience I saw it with. And be sure to stay for the NPH extra feature after all the credits are through.

Self promotion: I interviewed John Cho. FUNNY.