The Kids in the Hall: Live as We'll Ever Be at The Chicago Theatre 4/29/08

The performance of the aging veteran Canadian sketch troupe was nearly irrelevant to my enjoyment of their live show. Don't get me wrong, it was great. It was solid. Their performance sets them further apart from SNL as far as cutting edge, tight knit, and frankly, good.
Let me give an example of the types of post-show conversations I engaged in:

Co-worker: So what did you do last night?
Rb: I went and saw Kids in the Hall downtown.
Cw: Oh what's that?
Rb: They're a sketch comedy troupe from Canada, but they've got all these guys that made it in really weird disparate ways (references to Talk Radio, Lilo & Stitch, Bug's Life, SNL).
Cw: Oh. Now sketch, how's that different than Second City or SNL?
(Punch Cw in face with elitist fist)
Cw: Right I understand. Did you get the memo about punching at work?
(cops arrive)

I understand that not everyone got cable in the early '90s. And, being one myself, some folks don't get Comedy Central now. But other folks are just dumb.
At any rate, fast or slow to literalize that idiom, almost every "rule" of comedy and maybe even production was totally validated by this show. It wasn't a teary moment like the end of Speed Racer, but it gave me hope that if I keep plugging away and doing what I've done and push the story/script I too can be successful, provided I get discovered in Canada by Lorne Michaels, and get money thrown at me by New Yorkers and the Canadian government, and provided I stay with it for the money even after my ensemble parts ways, and if I rehash my most famous and overdone characters.
Joking aside they left me in awe with how good simplicity can be and I will be happy to scratch them off my mental list entitled: See Them Before They Die.
In that way, they share a spot with B.B. King, Weird Al, The Presidents of the United States of America, and Violent Femmes.*

*Footnote: In most instances, folks make the list without me knowing they should have been on it until after they've been seen. Currently Neil Young is the top act not viewed yet.

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.

Knocked Up (2007)

This is another comedy brought to us by the same people that gave us Superbad and 40 Year Old Virgin. As one can surmise form the title, it's about some broad getting preggers. It stars Seth Rogen, who's been in a lot of things of late, and the hot blonde from Gray's Anatomy.

So yeah, plot goes as such: hot blonde meets not so attractive yet funny jewish guy at a club, both get drunk, they hook up and then she is now Knocked Up (2007). The movie follows them as they come together for the abortion of the baby. I kid, I kid. She keeps it, and he's there for her and a series of mildly funny events happy with witty remarks on the side.

To me, this movie was a funny ha ha and not an "oh, my side" comedy. To me, it's like it tries to be a season 3-4 Simpsons episode where there's an event that carries along the comedy, for the most part, and then it ends with like some sort of moral or feel good moment. Overall, I'd say 40 Year Old Virgin is better. This movie is a nice 2 hour diversion if you got that sorta time. I didn't check my watch at least. But I did turn away at one shot taht was completely not needed. I'm gonna be a doctor and really didn't think they needed to show it. Anyway, here's to not hot looking funny guys getting hot chicks.