GrantKanigan

What a delightful surprise "Twisted Metal" is. Knowing nothing about it aside from it being based on a wacky 90's video game, I expected some lowbrow jokes and gallows humour. Thankfully, it completely obliterated my expectations.

One of the show's biggest strengths is that it has some absolutely brilliant writing. I'm not surprised Sean Diston is one of the writers on the show - the film has some of his subversive style in its soul, (the podcast that he hosts with Scott Aukerman on "Scott Hasn't Seen" is a must for film and comedy lovers). And the always charismatic and exceptional Anthony Mackie, along with the chameleon-like devotion Stephanie Beatriz puts into her acting, are all stunning. The soundtrack, sound editing, even the mixing are all dynamic, booming and right on point. Every zig zag this series takes, ends up right on track.

All in all, this is a visually colourful, explosive, hilarious, surprisingly heartfelt and absolutely enjoyable action-comedy that has just the right mix of action, drama, characterization, backstory and flat out enjoyable characters. Will Arnett/Samoa Joe are a delight; going absolutely insane, in a Jack Nicholson-in-Batman type of performance. Thomas Haden Church is a devilishly cruel, memorable villain, and Mike Mitchell is, unsurprisingly, fantastic. He gives his character complexity and enough heart to make the audience truly care about who he's playing. As do the rest of the cast.

This is the rare moment when a lot of perfect elements all meet up to make something special. This is a heavy metal drenched, post apocalyptic, ridiculous, soaringly funny, video game adaptation that takes its premise and does truly inventive and interesting things with it. Not only is the season's overarching plot and writing stellar, but so is the acting, cinematography, editing and everything else.

Also, as horrifying and disturbing as this vision of the near future is - it also has moments of wholesome goodness - amongst mountains of gore. It's like a "happy horror" film. Is that a thing?

It is now.

Not only does History of the World Part II feature a murderers row of comedy and improv titans, (Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz, Gil Ozeri, Lisa Gilroy, JB Smoove, Danny DeVito, Pamela Adlon Jack Black, Rob Corrdry, Will Sasso, Josh Gad, Lauren Lapkus, Guy Branum, and about 30 other huge names, including a delightful Mary Magdalene played by Zazie Beetz and hilariously relaxed Jesus Christ played by Jay Ellis), but it also features Mel Brooks' signature absurdist, ridiculous style - from jokes like "have it delivered by Putz Mates" or two twins named "The Property Brothers Karamazhov"; the puns, wordplay and subtle social satire from Brooks' best work, (Blazing Saddles, History of the World Part I, Spaceballs, Young Frankenstein), is all here. At 96, Brooks is still as sharp as ever; with the help of some of the best comedians working today, History of the World Part II is a laugh a minute dive headfirst into the absurdity of the human condition, done in only the way Mel Brooks can do. For comedy, improv, and comedy writing fans, this is a master class. For everyone else? It's a riot. I've been a Brooks fan since I watched Spaceballs in grade three. That was twenty odd years ago. He's still making me laugh, and as an adult - I'm laughing even harder.

We live in a weird world that can be scary at times, especially in 2023. Yet, seeing so many people come together all in the name of being goofballs and trying to make us all laugh is a refreshing beacon of light and a breath of fresh air in a world that takes itself far too seriously. Bravo Mel; you've done it again.

The freewheeling, devil may care attitude of "She-Hulk" is what makes this show so entertaining. As a self aware, fourth wall breaking series that doesn't have the absolute world ending stakes of other Marvel fare, this is somewhat of a 21st century sitcom - and I mean that as a compliment. It's fresh, funny, often absurd in the most unpredictable of ways, this is a show that shines when it lets it's weirdness fly. It's a shame some of the reviews of this series seem to be political for opaque and illogical reasons, because this is a great, funny show with a fantastic actor in Tatania Masilany at its centre. The supporting cast, Jamil, Gonzaga, Harrison, and Goldsberry are all fantastic here as well. The mix of drama, tension and a lot of humour in this episode great, and it's *different*. The meta element adding in realistic internet comments and threats is also a bold and brilliant commentary on the current North American culture and zeitgeist.