Full disclosure: I missed the last 10 minutes of Vacation. Last night’s press screening started 20 minutes late, then began without any sound, which lead to a 10 minute delay to correct the technical difficulties. With an unbreakable engagement elsewhere, I had to sneak out right before the very last scene. So take this review with as many grains of salt as you’d like. If you think those final minutes might recontextualize everything that came before to transform a generally miserable comedy into a beacon of transcendent hilarity, so be it. Having sat through the previous 90 minutes, I’m of the opinion that nothing short of the long-lost missing footage from Orson Welles’ Magnificent Ambersons could have redeemed this dreadful film.
In early 1984, the team behind ‘Ghostbusters’ was fairly confident that they had a hit. Test screenings had gone well, but for director Ivan Reitman, something was missing. What Reitman wanted was a song, only 20 seconds or so in length, near the opening of the film as the then soon-to-be Ghostbusters -- Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) –- enter the New York Public Library.
Just when you thought 'Community' ensured Chevy Chase would be out of our hair for a while and the Ed Helms continuation of National Lampoon's 'Vacation' franchise had collapsed, in comes ABC with a TV reunion of the famous road trip family's parents, Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo!
'Community' has delivered enough miracles to last a lifetime, whether by its renewal for second and third seasons, a Dan Harmon-less fourth, and, of course, a fifth season with Harmon's critically-lauded return, but last night's premiere once again pulled off the impossible. Find out how the Greendale gang managed the surprise premiere cameo of one of 'Community''s biggest stars!
'Community' season 5 is frighteningly close at hand by its January 2 premiere, but what would the holidays be without the Greendale gang? Check out a new animated special of the 'Community' gang reuniting just in time to save Jeff's Christmas for a "Miracle on Jeff's Street!"
For as much excitement for 'Community' season 5 reverberates through Comic-Con 2013, this year moving to Hall H for series creator Dan Harmon's return, fans of the quirky NBC comedy remain wary of 'Community''s final days. Chevy Chase has long since said his goodbyes, with Donald Glover seemingly on his way out as well, so what does Harmon have to say about his once and future stars?
'Community' features one of the best comedy ensembles on network television, so it's no surprise the cast are being offered movies. Just today both Gillian Jacobs and Chevy Chase were added to 'Hot Tub Time Machine 2.'
Last year, right around this time, 'Community' fans were shocked and awed that the show would return for season 4... but without series creator/showrunner Dan Harmon. The fourth season was wobbly, and Harmon's presence was sorely missed, but now there's word/a ray of hope that he could be brought back for the recently announced fifth season.
A new 'Vacation' film has been in the works, with Ed Helms taking the lead as Rusty Griswold, but he won't be going it alone: veteran stars Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo are in talks to reprise their roles in the latest installment of the series.