This was a weird week.
I’d like to say that I chose quality over quantity, but that isn’t true. I started an Hulu animated show called The Awesomes, solely because of the cast (Seth Meyers, Bill Hader, Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson, etc etc), and while the show isn’t great, I can’t seem to stop watching. It’s an early streaming original, running from 2013 – 2015, and it’s pretty clear that (especially in season 1) Hulu didn’t know exactly what it was doing with this. It’s funny… sometimes? I’m already half way through the series so I will definitely be finishing it, but I still don’t have any strong feelings towards or against it.
On the film side of things, I saw Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) in theaters with Tyler. I sincerely was not expecting to enjoy this. I thought it was going to be cringe-inducing, awkward, and rough around the edges. And it was. But I forgot one thing: the sheer power of Jim Carrey. I swear to God, that man can do anything and it would be hysterical. Literally him just walking down the road is comic genius. Let alone the fact that his character was clearly in some weird sadomasochistic homoerotic relationship with his main henchman. Tyler and I were the only the people who made a sound in the theater, and it was almost 100% during some of the gayest scenes I have ever seen on the big screen.
“Pin yourself against the wall.”
Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik to his boyfriend/henchman
After that, I watched Ugly Dolls (2019). I cannot, for the life of me, and I cannot stress this enough, tell you why I made the decision to watch this. I don’t even feel like I made the decision to watch this; I clicked a button, and couldn’t turn away. It’s another thing I watched this week with a crazy cast (Kelly Clarkson, Janelle Monae, Pitbull, Nick Jonas, Emma Roberts, etc etc) for seemingly no reason. It barely even has a plot; it’s just scenes in between random musical numbers that make barely any sense. Are Ugly Dolls even popular toys? I have never once in my life seen a child play with one or mention their existence.But based solely on this movie, I know with my entire heart and sole that this was based on a line of toys, a la any Barbie movie, the Trolls movies, or hell, even the Angry Birds movies. It’s just something about them.
Unofficial Reviews
Sonic the Hedgehog
I would be perfectly and completely happy to have a spin-off Dr. Robotnik origin story movie, but only if it’s about the origins of his romantic relationship with his assistant, Agent Stone. Otherwise, what’s the point!
Ugly Dolls
This had some of the worst songs I have ever heard in a children’s movie, and I watched Sing! (2016).
The Awesomes: Season 1
Like I said, I have no feelings about this show whatsoever. Do with that information what you will, because I sure as hell don’t know what to do with it.
Film Student Watchlist 