Office Space.

Review #793: Office Space.

Cast
Ron Livingston (Peter Gibbons), Jennifer Aniston (Joanna), Stephen Root (Milton Waddams), Gary Cole (Bill Lumbergh), David Herman (Michael Bolton), Ajay Naidu (Samir Nagheenanajar), Diedrich Bader (Lawrence), John C. McGinley (Bob Slydell), Joe Bays (Dom Portwood), Alexandra Wentworth (Anne), and Richard Riehle (Tom Smykowski) Directed by Mike Judge (#570 - Beavis and Butt-Head Do America)

Review
Office Space is based off the Milton cartoon series by Mike Judge (who co-created one of my favorite shows, King of the Hill, but also created Beavis and Butt-Head), with Milton being a supporting character in a movie that manages to be effective at sly humor and its portrayal of the workplace that I'm sure some can relate to in any form. The cast really seem to click well, especially Livingston/Herman/Naidu, making for some fun scenes, such as when they smash a printer near the end.  Nothing in the movie seems fake or overdone, with Cole's micromanager role being especially fitting. Aniston is also a welcome part of the cast, having decent chemistry with Livingston but also seeming like the one sane individual in a movie full of quasi cynical (but enjoyable) characters. Of course, Milton (and his red stapler) stands out as well, from his glasses to the way he expresses his aggressions. I especially like when he's trying to get a piece of cake (during a birthday party), and he seems to have a piece...right up until someone tells him to pass it to the next person, while he ends up not getting a piece after all (full disclosure: I would probably have just flat out left instead of passing it on, but that's probably me being annoyed at people cutting big pieces for people with a big crowd). The movie doesn't relent on showing how inane the workplace can be, from conversations between management and workers that seem so repetitive no matter what the situation, to the lack of motivation one has to work (which is expertly addressed midway through, which get him promoted). The ending is peculiar in how abrupt it feels, but it works for a movie that takes risks and accomplishes what it wants in just under 90 minutes. I recommend this movie for anyone looking for some sly edge humor, or something different about work.

Countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Beavis and Butt-head Do America.

Review #570: Beavis and Butt-head Do America.

Cast
Mike Judge (Beavis, Butt-head, Tom Anderson, Principal McVicker, and Mr. Van Driessen), Demi Moore (Dallas Grimes), Bruce Willis (Muddy Grimes), Robert Stack (ATF Agent Flemming), Cloris Leachman (Old woman), Richard Linklater (Tour bus driver), Dale Reeves (President Bill Clinton), and Greg Kinnear (ATF Agent Bork) Directed by Mike Judge.

Review
To be honest, I never really watched this show (Of course not being alive when this show first aired helps), and while I know about the two characters, I watched this in the morning with a mostly open mind. It should be noted that following Gone with the Wind is a tough challenge, but at least this didn't last over 3 hours. So how is the film? For all of its weirdness, the movie is pretty funny. This is a rambunctious, wild, and out of control movie that is perfect for these two (no point in lying) dummies. The cast is enjoyable, all of the randomness and bizarre nature make for a movie with much enjoyment. The animation is silly but fun to watch, even during the hallucination sequence, which is as random as it gets. You want a movie that sums up the 1990s? This is for you.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.