Let's just get this out of the way right now. This may be the best film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Directed By Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Cobie Smulders, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Redford
Winter Soldier takes place two years after The Avengers, and Steve Rogers (Evans) is still adjusting to how the world has changed. He's joined up with SHEILD, working closely with Agent Romanoff aka Black Widow (Johansson) and Nick Fury (Jackson). Rogers soon starts to have problems with how Fury and SHEILD operate, as not everything is in black & white in the world anymore. The lines between right and wrong are blurred.
When trouble starts brewing among the ranks of SHEILD, Captain America is targeted as a fugitive, and he and Romanoff go on the run, and soon start to uncover a massive conspiracy. Teaming up with Sam Wilson aka The Falcon (Mackie), and Maria Hill (Smulders), they set out to restore order and, quite literally save the world. But Rogers soon faces a ghost of his past, in the form of the master assassin, The Winter Soldier (avoiding spoilers for those who haven't read the comics…or can't see the obvious).
This film is non-stop action and drama. You may have heard it been called a "political thriller" and rightfully so. The plot, and what's going on with SHEILD in the film isn't difficult to follow, despite what some reviews have stated. It's is the very definition of a game changer, for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Really, this film is mind blowing. While it borrows heavily from Ed Brubaker's "Winter Soldier" arc in the comics, the film adapts to the blueprints of the MCU franchise, and stands more than well enough on its own. Not to mention, the film does a great job of commenting on today's society, and how we and the government operate.
The ensemble cast of this film is amazing. Chris Evans gives his best performance as Steve Rogers in this film, after what the character has gone through in Captain America and The Avengers. Scarlett Johansson is given much more to do as Black Widow than she has in past films, and rightfully so. Her chemistry with Evans is clear and she continues to own this character. Anthony Mackie solidifies his status as movie star with this film. The Falcon gives him a real chance to show off his acting chops.
All the supporting players from the past, Cobie Smulders and Samuel L. Jackson included, once again give it their all. Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce is subtle but brilliant. Sebastian Stan doesn't really stand out, but when he's on screen you've got your eyes on him. It really is impossible to go through every member of this film's cast it's so large, but just trust me, they're all amazing.
There's plenty of Easter eggs for Marvel fans to enjoy looking for in this film, and honestly…I can't find any flaws with it. Maybe with a second viewing I could find some, but I don't think I'd have much luck. Captain America: The Winter Solider is an amazing film. It changes everything what has been and what will be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's a film you cannot miss, even if you're a non-Marvel fan. No can deny, this is one of the best films of the year.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Film Review- "Muppets Most Wanted"
Muppets Most Wanted
Directed By James Bobin
Starring Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, Ty Burrell, and The Muppets
As the newest installment in the Muppet film series begins (quite literally where The Muppets left off), Kermit and the gang sing a song about sequels, stating "Everybody knows that the sequel's never quite as good." I'm inclined to disagree to some extent. Muppets Most Wanted is a great film, but it doesn't match the standards set by The Muppets.
The gang sets off on a international tour through Europe, spear-headed by their new manager Dominic (Gervais). Kermit starts to feel overshadowed by Dominic, and of no use to his friends. It's then that the criminal mastermind Constantine, who bears a striking resemblance to Kermit, switches places with our hero. Kermit is believed to be Constantine and is thrown in to a Russian Gulag, run by the sweet but strict officer Nadia (Fey).
Constantine takes Kermit's place among The Muppets, fooling (mostly) everyone. It is then revealed that Constantine and Dominic are in cahoots, planning to pull of a grand string of heists throughout Europe, and place the blame on The Muppets. That's when Sam The Eagle and Interpol officer Jean Pierre Napoleon (Burrell) come in to track them down. The race is then on for Kermit to get back to The Muppets and set everything right.
It's not the most original story, and the "crime" angle causes older fans to draw comparisons to The Great Muppet Caper, but when you put The Muppets into a story like this, that makes it even better. The movie is the hilarious, filled with the type of jokes and gags you'd expect from The Muppets. The songs are catchy, "We're Doin' A Sequel" and "The Big House" in particular.
The performances…I mean I don't think we have to discuss the performance of The Muppets. They can do no wrong. Ricky Gervais does great, playing second bannana to The Muppets most of the film. He doesn't overshadow them, but he does enough to earn his spotlight. Tina Fey is wonderful as always, and her scenes with Kermit are fantastic. Ty Burrell is hilarious, and every minute him and Sam The Eagle are on screen is terrific. The cameos this time around are great, with some really great names popping up for a few seconds and getting laughs of their own.
Now unfortunately, the problems with this film are ones it isn't in control of. Muppets Most Wanted has two things working against it: timing and nostalgia. Being released right after the big comeback that was The Muppets is tough. It doesn't have "The Muppets are back! We haven't forgotten about them!" emotions to, for lack of better words, convey or manipulate. Don't get me wrong, Most Wanted is as touching and heart-warming as The Muppets get, but there's no way it could match the last tear-jerking five minutes of its predecessor.
If a few more years had passed since The Muppets was released, perhaps Most Wanted would have faired better with the critics. On the other hand, you could argue no matter when the next Muppet movie came out, it was always going to be compared the the one(s) that came before it. Perhaps they didn't go "big" enough, following so closely to the plot line its predecessor established, and a more "specific" story like The Muppet Christmas Carol or Muppet Treasure Island would have been better suited this time around.
But it isn't really fair to judge a film based on its predecessor, wether it's a direct sequel or not. This isn't the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's The Muppets. As a stand alone film Muppets Most Wanted is a perfectly fine, enjoyable film. Personally I will always enjoy The Muppets more, but Most Wanted will definitely has enough rematch potential that it'll earn a spot in home video collections for years to come.
Directed By James Bobin
Starring Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, Ty Burrell, and The Muppets
As the newest installment in the Muppet film series begins (quite literally where The Muppets left off), Kermit and the gang sing a song about sequels, stating "Everybody knows that the sequel's never quite as good." I'm inclined to disagree to some extent. Muppets Most Wanted is a great film, but it doesn't match the standards set by The Muppets.
The gang sets off on a international tour through Europe, spear-headed by their new manager Dominic (Gervais). Kermit starts to feel overshadowed by Dominic, and of no use to his friends. It's then that the criminal mastermind Constantine, who bears a striking resemblance to Kermit, switches places with our hero. Kermit is believed to be Constantine and is thrown in to a Russian Gulag, run by the sweet but strict officer Nadia (Fey).
Constantine takes Kermit's place among The Muppets, fooling (mostly) everyone. It is then revealed that Constantine and Dominic are in cahoots, planning to pull of a grand string of heists throughout Europe, and place the blame on The Muppets. That's when Sam The Eagle and Interpol officer Jean Pierre Napoleon (Burrell) come in to track them down. The race is then on for Kermit to get back to The Muppets and set everything right.
It's not the most original story, and the "crime" angle causes older fans to draw comparisons to The Great Muppet Caper, but when you put The Muppets into a story like this, that makes it even better. The movie is the hilarious, filled with the type of jokes and gags you'd expect from The Muppets. The songs are catchy, "We're Doin' A Sequel" and "The Big House" in particular.
The performances…I mean I don't think we have to discuss the performance of The Muppets. They can do no wrong. Ricky Gervais does great, playing second bannana to The Muppets most of the film. He doesn't overshadow them, but he does enough to earn his spotlight. Tina Fey is wonderful as always, and her scenes with Kermit are fantastic. Ty Burrell is hilarious, and every minute him and Sam The Eagle are on screen is terrific. The cameos this time around are great, with some really great names popping up for a few seconds and getting laughs of their own.
Now unfortunately, the problems with this film are ones it isn't in control of. Muppets Most Wanted has two things working against it: timing and nostalgia. Being released right after the big comeback that was The Muppets is tough. It doesn't have "The Muppets are back! We haven't forgotten about them!" emotions to, for lack of better words, convey or manipulate. Don't get me wrong, Most Wanted is as touching and heart-warming as The Muppets get, but there's no way it could match the last tear-jerking five minutes of its predecessor.
If a few more years had passed since The Muppets was released, perhaps Most Wanted would have faired better with the critics. On the other hand, you could argue no matter when the next Muppet movie came out, it was always going to be compared the the one(s) that came before it. Perhaps they didn't go "big" enough, following so closely to the plot line its predecessor established, and a more "specific" story like The Muppet Christmas Carol or Muppet Treasure Island would have been better suited this time around.
But it isn't really fair to judge a film based on its predecessor, wether it's a direct sequel or not. This isn't the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's The Muppets. As a stand alone film Muppets Most Wanted is a perfectly fine, enjoyable film. Personally I will always enjoy The Muppets more, but Most Wanted will definitely has enough rematch potential that it'll earn a spot in home video collections for years to come.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Top 30 Episodes of "How I Met Your Mother"
Alright, I think enough time has passed since the finale, so let's get going on this legendary list.
These, are my Top 30 Episodes of How I Met Your Mother.
30. Gary Blauman (Season 9, Episode 21)
Though it really, by all accounts, one last filler before we go into the final three episodes of the series, this episode's ending is what I like to call "The Toy Story 3 version of How I Met Your Mother". The theme, about putting sincere effort into keeping in touch with the people you care about, is one of my favorite lessons the show has taught us (I reference it in my personal piece, "What I Learned From How I Met Your Mother"). In addition to Barney's accidental curly fry rant, and Ted & Tracy's first date, this episode is memorable enough to earn a spot on the list.
29. How I Met Everyone Else (Season 3, Episode 5)
Everyone loves a good origin story, and we got a couple of hilarious ones in this episode, including Ted and Marshall pranking Barney on their first meetings, and Marshall originally thinking Ted as the dean. Plus, who could forget that maniac "Blah Blah", or the fact this episode gave us the term "eating a sandwich"?
28. Best Burger In New York (Season 4, Episode 2)
Regis Philbin in How I Met Your Mother acting insane. Need I say more? Plus Marshall's relentless quest to find a perfect burger from long ago, and Robin's desperate search for just one bite of food make "Best Burger In New York" a highlight of Season 4.
27. Subway Wars (Season 6, Episode 4)
Both hilarious and epic, "Subway Wars" is classic How I Met Your Mother. Barney's over-the-top methods of getting to the restaurant first, Maury Povich, a tiny imaginary Marshall on a pregnancy test ("Somebody help me!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!"), all strung together with the classic ballad "Marshall Vs The Machines".
26. Rabbit or Duck (Season 5, Episode 15)
While this episode features the hilarious "Rabbit Vs Duck" debate, and Barney's madness over his "hook-up phone", the rest of the episode, story and joke wise don't quite measure up. But those two things make up for that in a decent episode.
25. Trilogy Time (Season 7, Episode 20)
Ted and Marshall made a vow in college to watch the original Star Wars trilogy every three years, and this episode shows us when that tri-annual event took place throughout the series until this episode. It's a really fun and creative episode, revisiting some of the show's most pivotal moments. What's also fun is seeing "what could have been" in "fake flash forwards", and watching the cast do some ridiculous things. It's a very creative episode, that is also a testament to the never ending battle of expectations vs reality, which ends on a very sweet moment for Ted in the future.
24. Three Days of Snow (Season 4, Episode 13)
This episode shows just how interchangeable this cast is, and how they all can bounce off one another so well, no matter who they're sharing a scene is. Featuring great moments like Ted and Barney running the bar, Party School Bingo, and the final scene at the airport with Marshall and Lily, "Three Days of Snow" is another great episode of How I Met Your Mother.
23. The Window (Season 5, Episode 10)
Make Adjustments…Go Get Energized! Ted's failed attempt to finally land The Girl Next Door is sprinkled with the most ridiculous scenarios. Robin's failed attempts to seduce his competition, trying to stop Barney from…being Barney, and Marshall's inner battle with his nine-year-old self. While it is another episode where Ted goes after someone that isn't The Mother, it gives every character a chance to shine in their own special way.
22. Bass Player Wanted (Season 9, Episode 13)
Putting a guest star in the middle of a great cast is always risky, but Andrew Rannels as Darren does pretty great. Josh Radnor and Neil Patrick Harris's scenes together are amazing, as always. But the real gem of the episode is Cristin Milioti, as she is given a lot of great material to work with. This is one of the best episodes of the ninth and final season.
21. The Best Man (Season 7, Episode 1)
In the first episode of the seventh season, which was very much the beginning of the march (a very long march) towards the series's end game, we are treated to an amazing dance scene with Barney and Robin. Plus, Marshall getting drunk and obsessing over babies, and "Classic Schmosby". Side note, go watch Robin and Ted's conversation about timing again. Now watch the finale again…..yeah. I know.
20. The Perfect Cocktail (Season 6, Episode 22)
I think we can all agree that, watching our friends make asses of themselves drunk is great comedy, and that's exactly what this episode gives us. From Ted's beatboxing, to…pretty much everything Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel do, the laughs just keep coming in this episode.
19. How The Lily Stole Christmas (Season 2, Episode 11)
I'm a sucker for a good Christmas episode, and How I Met Your Mother's first one is nothing short of great. The use of "Grinch" as a censor for an unknown swear word. Robin taking care of a sick, whining Barney (and a fiery batch of cookies). Ted's very religious cousins and their Christmas dinner. This is a classic Christmas episode, and a classic How I Met Your Mother episode.
18. The Magician's Code Part 1 &2 (Season 7, Episodes 23 & 24)
Marshall and Lily's quest to become parents, that started all the way back in season 4, finally comes to a close, with the beautiful birth of Marvin Wait-for-It Eriksen. The birth for the adorable little guy comes amidst some truly ridiculous moments, such as "Yoda-Drunk" Marshall, Barney's determination to uphold The Magician's Code, and Robin's coming to terms with the birthing process ("You! Get that thing out of my office! Weak women disgust me!"- Dr. Sonya).
17. Jenkins (Season 5, Episode 13)
Neil Patrick Harris took the director's chair for this episode, and it pays off. Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan continue to play off each other amazingly, but if I had to describe the episode in two words, it'd be "But umm…"
16. The End of The Aisle (Season 9, Episode 22)
The cast gives some of their best work in this episode. While the laughs aren't heavy (Save for Marshall's never- ending "vow" puns, the final slap and one last "Nobody Asked You Patrice"), it's a beautiful thing when we finally reach Barney and Robin's wedding. Set to Pearl Jam's "Future Days", it's hard to hold the tears back, as the moment that was teased years before finally arrives, and it was legendary….and then...
15. Last Forever Part 1 &2 (Season 9, Episode 23 & 24)
WAIT. WAIT FOR IIIT!!!!!!
I know some of you are still angry, and are probably ready to throw tomatoes at me for even putting it on the list. But I've watched the finale a few more times since I wrote my initial response to it…and dammit, I enjoy it now. How can anyone not love the fact that we finally see Ted meeting Tracy (The Mother), after multiple glimpses at their beautiful life together all season long, and in this episode. A bittersweet ending yes, but how can you now get choked up over Ted's last bit of monolgue? Plus there's so many wonderful moments in this episode, like Barney and his newborn daughter. "Last Forever" is a touching, emotional close to a show that has always balanced the lighter and darker sides of life, through laughs and tears.
14. Legendaddy/Hopeless (Season 6, Episode 19 & 21)
Both episodes have Neil Patrick Harris and John Lithgow at their very best. While one has them giving their best dramatically, the other has them giving their best comedically. On the dramatic side, Neil Patrick Harris gives it his all in "Legendaddy" as he reunites with his estranged father Jerry (Lithgow). Lithgow is one of the best guest stars the show's ever had, balancing both the light-hearted and the gritty sides of the show. The final scene between him and NPH still stands out strong in my memory. Plus there's Marshall's opossum Rex. He found him in a dumpster. He lives with us now. Comedically, "Hopeless" gives the two very actors plenty material to play off another, scene after scene, while still ending on a strong emotional note. Then there's the origin of the red cowboy boots. Oh Ted.
13. The Final Page Part 1 & 2 (Season 8, Episode 11 & 12)
Barney's month-long scheme to propose to Robin is nothing short of wonderful. Marvin's lullaby is adorable. Ted's scene with Robin in the limo is very touching. Neil Patrick Harris's performance when Barney is jinxed, Peter Gallagher and Seth Green's guest roles...There's an endless amount of things that make one of the show's most important episodes one of its best.
12. Symphony of Illumination (Season 7, Episode 12)
One of the saddest episodes in the show. After the episode that came before it, told us Robin might be pregnant, not only did this one say she wasn't, but that she couldn't have children at all. The episode had plenty of laughs, only to pull the rug out from under us and sucker punch us in the heart at the very end. The final scene is one of the series' best moments. But in the end, this episode gives us one of Cobie Smulders best performances.
11. Slapsgiving (Season 3, Episode 9)
Neil Patrick Harris does a great job playing a skittish, disoriented Barney as the third slap of the slap bet draws closer in this Thanksgiving/Slapsgiving episode. Jason Segel's closing song (with backup vocals from NPH) has gone down in history as one of the show's trademarks, and rightfully so. As Ted and Robin's post break-up tension come to a head, the episode shows just how messy, ridiculous, and hilarious Thanksgiving can be…and Bob.
10. Girls Vs Suits (Season 5, Episode 12)
The show's 100th episode gave us the musical number to end all musical numbers, and (at the time) the closest we've ever been to meeting The Mother, with Ted dating her roommate Cindy (Rachel Bilson). Exciting and fun to watch for the fans, the episode also had plenty to chuckle at as the gang, Barney in particular, deal with the arrival of MacLaren's new, suit-hating bartender (Stacy Keibler).
9. Last Words (Season 6, Episode 14)
While the final scene of "Bad News"will always be one of my favorite scenes, the episode on a whole, not so much. Nevertheless, in the story of Marshall's Dad's unexpected death, Jason Segel gives an incredible performance, and his best work in the show. His final monologue in the end is heartbreaking, and Marshall's quest to remember his last words with his father (While the gang tries to provide some humor throughout) makes this another heavy hitter in the series.
8. Arrivederci, Fiero (Season 2, Episode 17)
The gang recounts all the memories they made with Marshall's old Fiero in some hilarious flashbacks. Ted and Marshall's original, disastarous road trip, which gave us the game "Zitch Dog" and brought new life to the song "500 Miles" by The Proclaimers. Plus who could forget Barney's driving lesson? If you haven't already, really listen to what he and Ted are screaming during the "crash scene". Also, there was a suicidal cat and a hitchhiking Waldo.
7. Who Wants To Be A Godparent? (Season 8, Episode 4)
"Time will hear a broken heart…but not that bitch's window!"
It's always great when we can get all five members of the cast in one straight storyline for an episode. That's what we get when Marshall & Lily put the others in a game show-like competition over the right to be Marvin's godparent. The cutaway scenes with Ted, Barney, and Robin all dealing with different parenting situations with Marvin are great, and everyone is bouncing off each other so well in this episode the laughs don't stop.
6 . Monday Night Football (Season 2, Episode 14)
The gang must attend a funeral Super Bowl Sunday, and spend the following day doing everything they can to avoid learning who won, until they can watch it on Tivo that night. What they go through is absurd and hilarious (typical of the show). Robin avoiding reporting the news at her own anchor desk. Marshall being blackmailed by a kindergartner. Ted walking across the city practically deaf and blind. Only on How I Met Your Mother could a story like this exist.
5. How Your Mother Met Me (Season 9, Episode 16)
The clock rewinds back to the very beginning of the series, and we see what Tracy's been up to these past nine years. If you weren't already in love with Cristin Milioti as the titular mother, this episode made you love her. A character we only had patches of knowledge of, we see the emotional journey that brought her to the threshold of meeting the father of her children. This beautiful, nostalgic episode ends with Milioti singing a wonderful rendition of "La Vie En Rose", that becomes Ted's (and mine) favorite performance of the future Mrs. Mosby.
4. Showdown (Season 2, Episode 20)
Bob Barker is Barney's father? Well, at least that's what he thinks, and plans to tell the man when he lands a spot on The Price Is Right. Seeing the delusional Barney actually play on The Price Is Right, getting way too into it, and getting choked up over every little thing Bob Barker says is just so good. Then there's an interesting little end tag with Marshall (and Ted) making a goodnight video to Lily, which is both awkward and humorous.
3. No Pressure (Season 7, Episode 17)
Ted and Robin revisit their romance in another great episode from the fantastic Season 7, while Barney goes mad searching for Marshall & Lily's sextape. Both stories provide some laughs, but in the end it's a very bittersweet chapter in the Ted/Robin storyline, that paves the way for Ted to move forward and find "The One". The episode is very deep, pulling together a lot of what's been dealt with in the season so far, all boiling over to this moment. Giving the whole cast plenty of great material to work with, it's one of the show's best scripted episodes (And I'm not just saying that because the writer went to Quinnipiac University, my alma mater…)
2. The Rebound Girl (Season 7, Episode 11)
Bro-Parenting. Could it work? Ted and Barney want to try and find out, after each of them have gone through a bit of a rough patch. It's always great when Josh Radnor and NPH get to play off one another, and this is one of their best episodes, as they go through another half-baked scheme. Seeing them try to plan their "family life" and doing their "We're having a baby!" hug-dance…so good. Plus you have Cobie Smulders in the B-storyline exercising her comedic abilities, and a cameo from Ghostbuster Ernie Hudson. This episode is nothing short of wonderful.
But it's only #2 on my list. The #1 spot belongs to-Wait for it…...
1. The Time Travelers (Season 8, Episode 20)
I like to look at How I Met Your Mother as 50% funny, and 50% drama, if this post hasn't made that clear yet. For every sad episode, there's a funny episode. For every laugh, there is a tear. The Time Travelers takes that notion and twists it, hiding a sad episode in the concept of a funny one. Again, it's Josh Radnor and NPH doing what they do best, while Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders prove that they're quite the comedic duo as well. The cast and crew fired on all cylinders in this episode. But the real tour de force here is our leading man, Josh Radnor. A defining performance in his nine-year role of Ted Mosby. It's amazing, now that the finale has aired, how much more powerful his speech is at the end.
It's both beautiful and sad, that Ted finds himself alone, with nothing but his stories, his memories, and in that moment, he (as the narrator) comes to terms with how important every second he has with the woman he loves is. Well not just the woman he loves, but his friends Barney, Robin, Marshall, and Lily. Every moment we have with someone we love is precious. That's a beautiful lesson, one which I'll always be glad How I Met Your Mother taught us, as I've stated before in past articles. There will be low moments, where we find ourselves alone and idle, but it's in these moments we can make a great self-discovery, as the narrating Ted admits to his children. Emotional, hilarious, and profound. "The Time Travelers" is my favorite episode of How I Met Your Mother.
Now I understand my favorite episodes aren't necessarily everyone else's, and I'm sure many of you will disagree with my choices, as much as you could agree with them. If you have a thought you'd like to share, there's a comment section below. Ask for me, I'm off to write reviews for Muppets Most Wanted and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. They're going to be legendary.
These, are my Top 30 Episodes of How I Met Your Mother.
30. Gary Blauman (Season 9, Episode 21)
Though it really, by all accounts, one last filler before we go into the final three episodes of the series, this episode's ending is what I like to call "The Toy Story 3 version of How I Met Your Mother". The theme, about putting sincere effort into keeping in touch with the people you care about, is one of my favorite lessons the show has taught us (I reference it in my personal piece, "What I Learned From How I Met Your Mother"). In addition to Barney's accidental curly fry rant, and Ted & Tracy's first date, this episode is memorable enough to earn a spot on the list.
29. How I Met Everyone Else (Season 3, Episode 5)
Everyone loves a good origin story, and we got a couple of hilarious ones in this episode, including Ted and Marshall pranking Barney on their first meetings, and Marshall originally thinking Ted as the dean. Plus, who could forget that maniac "Blah Blah", or the fact this episode gave us the term "eating a sandwich"?
28. Best Burger In New York (Season 4, Episode 2)
Regis Philbin in How I Met Your Mother acting insane. Need I say more? Plus Marshall's relentless quest to find a perfect burger from long ago, and Robin's desperate search for just one bite of food make "Best Burger In New York" a highlight of Season 4.
27. Subway Wars (Season 6, Episode 4)
Both hilarious and epic, "Subway Wars" is classic How I Met Your Mother. Barney's over-the-top methods of getting to the restaurant first, Maury Povich, a tiny imaginary Marshall on a pregnancy test ("Somebody help me!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!"), all strung together with the classic ballad "Marshall Vs The Machines".
26. Rabbit or Duck (Season 5, Episode 15)
While this episode features the hilarious "Rabbit Vs Duck" debate, and Barney's madness over his "hook-up phone", the rest of the episode, story and joke wise don't quite measure up. But those two things make up for that in a decent episode.
25. Trilogy Time (Season 7, Episode 20)
Ted and Marshall made a vow in college to watch the original Star Wars trilogy every three years, and this episode shows us when that tri-annual event took place throughout the series until this episode. It's a really fun and creative episode, revisiting some of the show's most pivotal moments. What's also fun is seeing "what could have been" in "fake flash forwards", and watching the cast do some ridiculous things. It's a very creative episode, that is also a testament to the never ending battle of expectations vs reality, which ends on a very sweet moment for Ted in the future.
24. Three Days of Snow (Season 4, Episode 13)
This episode shows just how interchangeable this cast is, and how they all can bounce off one another so well, no matter who they're sharing a scene is. Featuring great moments like Ted and Barney running the bar, Party School Bingo, and the final scene at the airport with Marshall and Lily, "Three Days of Snow" is another great episode of How I Met Your Mother.
23. The Window (Season 5, Episode 10)
Make Adjustments…Go Get Energized! Ted's failed attempt to finally land The Girl Next Door is sprinkled with the most ridiculous scenarios. Robin's failed attempts to seduce his competition, trying to stop Barney from…being Barney, and Marshall's inner battle with his nine-year-old self. While it is another episode where Ted goes after someone that isn't The Mother, it gives every character a chance to shine in their own special way.
22. Bass Player Wanted (Season 9, Episode 13)
Putting a guest star in the middle of a great cast is always risky, but Andrew Rannels as Darren does pretty great. Josh Radnor and Neil Patrick Harris's scenes together are amazing, as always. But the real gem of the episode is Cristin Milioti, as she is given a lot of great material to work with. This is one of the best episodes of the ninth and final season.
21. The Best Man (Season 7, Episode 1)
In the first episode of the seventh season, which was very much the beginning of the march (a very long march) towards the series's end game, we are treated to an amazing dance scene with Barney and Robin. Plus, Marshall getting drunk and obsessing over babies, and "Classic Schmosby". Side note, go watch Robin and Ted's conversation about timing again. Now watch the finale again…..yeah. I know.
20. The Perfect Cocktail (Season 6, Episode 22)
I think we can all agree that, watching our friends make asses of themselves drunk is great comedy, and that's exactly what this episode gives us. From Ted's beatboxing, to…pretty much everything Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel do, the laughs just keep coming in this episode.
19. How The Lily Stole Christmas (Season 2, Episode 11)
I'm a sucker for a good Christmas episode, and How I Met Your Mother's first one is nothing short of great. The use of "Grinch" as a censor for an unknown swear word. Robin taking care of a sick, whining Barney (and a fiery batch of cookies). Ted's very religious cousins and their Christmas dinner. This is a classic Christmas episode, and a classic How I Met Your Mother episode.
18. The Magician's Code Part 1 &2 (Season 7, Episodes 23 & 24)
Marshall and Lily's quest to become parents, that started all the way back in season 4, finally comes to a close, with the beautiful birth of Marvin Wait-for-It Eriksen. The birth for the adorable little guy comes amidst some truly ridiculous moments, such as "Yoda-Drunk" Marshall, Barney's determination to uphold The Magician's Code, and Robin's coming to terms with the birthing process ("You! Get that thing out of my office! Weak women disgust me!"- Dr. Sonya).
17. Jenkins (Season 5, Episode 13)
Neil Patrick Harris took the director's chair for this episode, and it pays off. Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan continue to play off each other amazingly, but if I had to describe the episode in two words, it'd be "But umm…"
16. The End of The Aisle (Season 9, Episode 22)
The cast gives some of their best work in this episode. While the laughs aren't heavy (Save for Marshall's never- ending "vow" puns, the final slap and one last "Nobody Asked You Patrice"), it's a beautiful thing when we finally reach Barney and Robin's wedding. Set to Pearl Jam's "Future Days", it's hard to hold the tears back, as the moment that was teased years before finally arrives, and it was legendary….and then...
15. Last Forever Part 1 &2 (Season 9, Episode 23 & 24)
WAIT. WAIT FOR IIIT!!!!!!
I know some of you are still angry, and are probably ready to throw tomatoes at me for even putting it on the list. But I've watched the finale a few more times since I wrote my initial response to it…and dammit, I enjoy it now. How can anyone not love the fact that we finally see Ted meeting Tracy (The Mother), after multiple glimpses at their beautiful life together all season long, and in this episode. A bittersweet ending yes, but how can you now get choked up over Ted's last bit of monolgue? Plus there's so many wonderful moments in this episode, like Barney and his newborn daughter. "Last Forever" is a touching, emotional close to a show that has always balanced the lighter and darker sides of life, through laughs and tears.
14. Legendaddy/Hopeless (Season 6, Episode 19 & 21)
Both episodes have Neil Patrick Harris and John Lithgow at their very best. While one has them giving their best dramatically, the other has them giving their best comedically. On the dramatic side, Neil Patrick Harris gives it his all in "Legendaddy" as he reunites with his estranged father Jerry (Lithgow). Lithgow is one of the best guest stars the show's ever had, balancing both the light-hearted and the gritty sides of the show. The final scene between him and NPH still stands out strong in my memory. Plus there's Marshall's opossum Rex. He found him in a dumpster. He lives with us now. Comedically, "Hopeless" gives the two very actors plenty material to play off another, scene after scene, while still ending on a strong emotional note. Then there's the origin of the red cowboy boots. Oh Ted.
13. The Final Page Part 1 & 2 (Season 8, Episode 11 & 12)
Barney's month-long scheme to propose to Robin is nothing short of wonderful. Marvin's lullaby is adorable. Ted's scene with Robin in the limo is very touching. Neil Patrick Harris's performance when Barney is jinxed, Peter Gallagher and Seth Green's guest roles...There's an endless amount of things that make one of the show's most important episodes one of its best.
12. Symphony of Illumination (Season 7, Episode 12)
One of the saddest episodes in the show. After the episode that came before it, told us Robin might be pregnant, not only did this one say she wasn't, but that she couldn't have children at all. The episode had plenty of laughs, only to pull the rug out from under us and sucker punch us in the heart at the very end. The final scene is one of the series' best moments. But in the end, this episode gives us one of Cobie Smulders best performances.
11. Slapsgiving (Season 3, Episode 9)
Neil Patrick Harris does a great job playing a skittish, disoriented Barney as the third slap of the slap bet draws closer in this Thanksgiving/Slapsgiving episode. Jason Segel's closing song (with backup vocals from NPH) has gone down in history as one of the show's trademarks, and rightfully so. As Ted and Robin's post break-up tension come to a head, the episode shows just how messy, ridiculous, and hilarious Thanksgiving can be…and Bob.
10. Girls Vs Suits (Season 5, Episode 12)
The show's 100th episode gave us the musical number to end all musical numbers, and (at the time) the closest we've ever been to meeting The Mother, with Ted dating her roommate Cindy (Rachel Bilson). Exciting and fun to watch for the fans, the episode also had plenty to chuckle at as the gang, Barney in particular, deal with the arrival of MacLaren's new, suit-hating bartender (Stacy Keibler).
9. Last Words (Season 6, Episode 14)
While the final scene of "Bad News"will always be one of my favorite scenes, the episode on a whole, not so much. Nevertheless, in the story of Marshall's Dad's unexpected death, Jason Segel gives an incredible performance, and his best work in the show. His final monologue in the end is heartbreaking, and Marshall's quest to remember his last words with his father (While the gang tries to provide some humor throughout) makes this another heavy hitter in the series.
8. Arrivederci, Fiero (Season 2, Episode 17)
The gang recounts all the memories they made with Marshall's old Fiero in some hilarious flashbacks. Ted and Marshall's original, disastarous road trip, which gave us the game "Zitch Dog" and brought new life to the song "500 Miles" by The Proclaimers. Plus who could forget Barney's driving lesson? If you haven't already, really listen to what he and Ted are screaming during the "crash scene". Also, there was a suicidal cat and a hitchhiking Waldo.
7. Who Wants To Be A Godparent? (Season 8, Episode 4)
"Time will hear a broken heart…but not that bitch's window!"
It's always great when we can get all five members of the cast in one straight storyline for an episode. That's what we get when Marshall & Lily put the others in a game show-like competition over the right to be Marvin's godparent. The cutaway scenes with Ted, Barney, and Robin all dealing with different parenting situations with Marvin are great, and everyone is bouncing off each other so well in this episode the laughs don't stop.
6 . Monday Night Football (Season 2, Episode 14)
The gang must attend a funeral Super Bowl Sunday, and spend the following day doing everything they can to avoid learning who won, until they can watch it on Tivo that night. What they go through is absurd and hilarious (typical of the show). Robin avoiding reporting the news at her own anchor desk. Marshall being blackmailed by a kindergartner. Ted walking across the city practically deaf and blind. Only on How I Met Your Mother could a story like this exist.
5. How Your Mother Met Me (Season 9, Episode 16)
The clock rewinds back to the very beginning of the series, and we see what Tracy's been up to these past nine years. If you weren't already in love with Cristin Milioti as the titular mother, this episode made you love her. A character we only had patches of knowledge of, we see the emotional journey that brought her to the threshold of meeting the father of her children. This beautiful, nostalgic episode ends with Milioti singing a wonderful rendition of "La Vie En Rose", that becomes Ted's (and mine) favorite performance of the future Mrs. Mosby.
4. Showdown (Season 2, Episode 20)
Bob Barker is Barney's father? Well, at least that's what he thinks, and plans to tell the man when he lands a spot on The Price Is Right. Seeing the delusional Barney actually play on The Price Is Right, getting way too into it, and getting choked up over every little thing Bob Barker says is just so good. Then there's an interesting little end tag with Marshall (and Ted) making a goodnight video to Lily, which is both awkward and humorous.
3. No Pressure (Season 7, Episode 17)
Ted and Robin revisit their romance in another great episode from the fantastic Season 7, while Barney goes mad searching for Marshall & Lily's sextape. Both stories provide some laughs, but in the end it's a very bittersweet chapter in the Ted/Robin storyline, that paves the way for Ted to move forward and find "The One". The episode is very deep, pulling together a lot of what's been dealt with in the season so far, all boiling over to this moment. Giving the whole cast plenty of great material to work with, it's one of the show's best scripted episodes (And I'm not just saying that because the writer went to Quinnipiac University, my alma mater…)
2. The Rebound Girl (Season 7, Episode 11)
Bro-Parenting. Could it work? Ted and Barney want to try and find out, after each of them have gone through a bit of a rough patch. It's always great when Josh Radnor and NPH get to play off one another, and this is one of their best episodes, as they go through another half-baked scheme. Seeing them try to plan their "family life" and doing their "We're having a baby!" hug-dance…so good. Plus you have Cobie Smulders in the B-storyline exercising her comedic abilities, and a cameo from Ghostbuster Ernie Hudson. This episode is nothing short of wonderful.
But it's only #2 on my list. The #1 spot belongs to-Wait for it…...
1. The Time Travelers (Season 8, Episode 20)
I like to look at How I Met Your Mother as 50% funny, and 50% drama, if this post hasn't made that clear yet. For every sad episode, there's a funny episode. For every laugh, there is a tear. The Time Travelers takes that notion and twists it, hiding a sad episode in the concept of a funny one. Again, it's Josh Radnor and NPH doing what they do best, while Jason Segel and Cobie Smulders prove that they're quite the comedic duo as well. The cast and crew fired on all cylinders in this episode. But the real tour de force here is our leading man, Josh Radnor. A defining performance in his nine-year role of Ted Mosby. It's amazing, now that the finale has aired, how much more powerful his speech is at the end.
It's both beautiful and sad, that Ted finds himself alone, with nothing but his stories, his memories, and in that moment, he (as the narrator) comes to terms with how important every second he has with the woman he loves is. Well not just the woman he loves, but his friends Barney, Robin, Marshall, and Lily. Every moment we have with someone we love is precious. That's a beautiful lesson, one which I'll always be glad How I Met Your Mother taught us, as I've stated before in past articles. There will be low moments, where we find ourselves alone and idle, but it's in these moments we can make a great self-discovery, as the narrating Ted admits to his children. Emotional, hilarious, and profound. "The Time Travelers" is my favorite episode of How I Met Your Mother.
Now I understand my favorite episodes aren't necessarily everyone else's, and I'm sure many of you will disagree with my choices, as much as you could agree with them. If you have a thought you'd like to share, there's a comment section below. Ask for me, I'm off to write reviews for Muppets Most Wanted and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. They're going to be legendary.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
And That Kids, Is "How I Met Your Mother"...
I was originally going to follow up my previous article with my "Top 20 Episodes of How I Met Your Mother" but…well….
*Warning: If you haven't seen the finale yet, do not read on. Spoilers abound.*
Kids, in the summer of 2009 I watched the pilot of How I Met Your Mother for the first time. I always suspected that there was an important reason the show started with Ted meeting Robin, and not The Mother (aka Tracy), as I'm sure many people suspected. Though I don't think anyone suspected the reason we got in the series finale.
At the end of Season 6, when we discovered Ted would meet Tracy at Barney's wedding, everyone pondered who would be his legendary bride. The clear candidate was Robin, and it made sense. For if Ted hadn't met Robin, Barney wouldn't have met Robin, Barney and Robin wouldn't have gotten married, and Ted wouldn't have met Tracy at their wedding. For all intensive purposes, that theory proved to be true.
Then, as the series finale winded down, we all realized there was something else in the works, and a nine-year-old rug was pulled out from under her feet. What was speculated for years, and hinted at in the episodes "The Time Travelers" and "Vesuvius" proved to be true. In the year of 2030, when Ted is telling the story, Tracy Mosby has been dead for six years.
Now as tragic an ending as that is, I personally could have been fine with that…but then that nine-year-old rug not only came out from under our feet, it sucker-punched us right in the face. The whole reason for Ted telling this story, was to let his kids know he was thinking of asking out-wait for it….their Aunt Robin. Again.
Luke and Penny give dear old dad their blessing, and the series ends with Ted once again outside Robin's apartment, holding up the blue french horn.
Now an infinite number of other things happened in this episode, through multiple flash-forwards and flashbacks. Barney and Robin divorced. Barney knocked up a girl and found the real love of his life, his newborn daughter Ellie. Robin became a world famous news reporter. Marshall and Lily moved out of the apartment and into the suburbs, Marshall became a judge, and they had baby number three. All the while we saw the important moments in Ted and Tracy's relationship, including their first meeting at the train station, their wedding, and Tracy telling Ted she's pregnant with Penny.
I'd rather not spend a lot of time reviewing the episode itself. I found it all, to coin a phrase "questionably okay". Like I said, a LOT happened in this episode. It almost seemed like Carter Bays & Craig Thomas were just trying to rush through half a dozen story lines they wouldn't get the chance to do because this was the end. Probably because it was all such a whirlwind, the only time my heartstrings got tugged at was when we slowed down to see Barney hold and declare his love for baby Ellie. But probably my biggest beef, is the episode spent more time on the other characters than it did Ted and Tracy.
Now, given the fact that's what we've got for nine seasons, why should that be a big deal? Well, it should and it shouldn't.
Let's go back to the pilot, where it all began with meeting Aunt Robin. The reason Ted started the story there wasn't because he was telling the kids the story of what he went through to meet the mother. He was telling them the story of all the hell he went through pining for Robin for years…and was considering giving it another go. When it comes right down to it, the premise and title of How I Met Your Mother has been one giant mislead from the get-go.
We were led to believe for nine years this mysterious mother was "The One" for Ted. But wait. It's been well known for some time Bays & Thomas had this ending in mind from the beginning, and what we saw with the kids in the end was shot way back in Season 2, when mind you, Ted and Robin were a couple. This is the story those two set out to tell from the beginning. The story of what it took for Ted and Robin to finally get where they are in 2030.
It sort of leaves the idea of The Mother in a very unclear place. Was she a coping mechanism for Ted, hung up on Robin? Was she just a plot device opposed to a real character? How does his love for Tracy compare/contrast to his love for Robin? Which of them is Ted's true love? Are they trying to tell us a can person have more than one true love? Who knows.
It sort of leaves the idea of The Mother in a very unclear place. Was she a coping mechanism for Ted, hung up on Robin? Was she just a plot device opposed to a real character? How does his love for Tracy compare/contrast to his love for Robin? Which of them is Ted's true love? Are they trying to tell us a can person have more than one true love? Who knows.
I applaud the two of them for sticking to their guns, and the original story they wanted to tell…but in the end, they trapped themselves. I'm sure they didn't suspect fans would fall in love with all the misdirection, such as Barney and Robin an item, or say, this whole ninth and final season.
They let us meet The Mother, the biggest part of their "con", and we fell in love with her. Hard. Cristin Milioti as Tracy McConnell/Mosby instantly found her way into our hearts. Suddenly we all came to understand why she was the one, why it never worked out for Ted with Robin, or Stella, or Victoria, or anyone else. Josh Radnor and Cristin Milioti had amazing chemistry, it was clear from the beginning. I hate to say it though, I don't think it was too clear to Bays & Thomas, what they had crafted for themselves and viewers.
The two of them should have realized they were in too deep a long time ago, in a place where their original ending was going to upset a lot of people. This brings up the age old debate of "Do you cater to the masses?" or "Do you tell the story you want to tell?". They chose the second option, and that is something I can get behind in the end. It just wasn't the ending I wanted, like many of us.
I won't go off with ideas on how the ending could have been different or better. That's not my place.
Film and television is an interesting forum for creativity and storytelling. You want to make the project you want to make, but it's not that easy. A cancellation call from a network executive or a bad review from a critic can take away all your chances. But How I Met Your Mother defied these standards, for nine years in a creative, deceptive way. How many television shows stay on the air for nine years anymore?
In the end, How I Met Your Mother has always been about the journey, not the destination. Journeys have many twists and turns, and aren't always black and white. The show's thrown many shocks and surprises at us before: Marshall's Dad dying, Robin being unable to have kids, and yes, Robin not being The Mother, but the "aunt". You can look at this ending as a poison to the rest of the series, but I don't see it that way. For me, it opens my eyes up to what was really going on behind the scenes. Now we know why Marshall said "Not yet" at the end of "No Pressure". Now Ted's speech in "The Time Travelers" is all that more emotional. Now we see why Ted told us Penny and Luke were so close to Robin in "Little Boys", and part of why he said she was never alone in "Symphony of Illumination". I will enjoy these episodes no less than I have before.
Did I love the How I Met Your Mother finale? No. Do I understand it? Yes, and that's enough for me to end this series on a pleasant note.
I won't go off with ideas on how the ending could have been different or better. That's not my place.
Film and television is an interesting forum for creativity and storytelling. You want to make the project you want to make, but it's not that easy. A cancellation call from a network executive or a bad review from a critic can take away all your chances. But How I Met Your Mother defied these standards, for nine years in a creative, deceptive way. How many television shows stay on the air for nine years anymore?
In the end, How I Met Your Mother has always been about the journey, not the destination. Journeys have many twists and turns, and aren't always black and white. The show's thrown many shocks and surprises at us before: Marshall's Dad dying, Robin being unable to have kids, and yes, Robin not being The Mother, but the "aunt". You can look at this ending as a poison to the rest of the series, but I don't see it that way. For me, it opens my eyes up to what was really going on behind the scenes. Now we know why Marshall said "Not yet" at the end of "No Pressure". Now Ted's speech in "The Time Travelers" is all that more emotional. Now we see why Ted told us Penny and Luke were so close to Robin in "Little Boys", and part of why he said she was never alone in "Symphony of Illumination". I will enjoy these episodes no less than I have before.
Did I love the How I Met Your Mother finale? No. Do I understand it? Yes, and that's enough for me to end this series on a pleasant note.
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