I'm Really Enjoying "Last Man Standing"

Last Man Standing (2011)

TV PG

Starring Tim Allen, Nancy Travis, Hector Elizondo, Alexandra Krosney, Molly Ephraim, Kaitlyn Dever, Christoph Sanders

Created by Jack Burditt

The Story:

Mike (Allen) is a successful photographer/marketing guru for a sporting goods company. His wife, Vanessa (Travis) has gone back to work and winds up with a big promotion that means more time away from home. However, Mike's boss Ed (Elizondo) grounds Mike from traveling so that he can focus on making the company website better. This works out for the family so he can help watch over his three girls (Krosney, Ephraim, and Dever) in his own particular way of parenting.

Welcome back to ABC, Tim Allen. After over a decade since Home Improvement went off the air, Allen continued to star in box office hits and misses before returning as Mike Baxter, a man's man.

Yet this time, he's not the befuddled handyman, Tim Taylor. No, he's more akin to the smarter cousin because while he can be gruff and macho, he's not a klutz who gets lucky at his job.  He's an accomplished marketing manager who brings his grumpy touch to the company website and instantly makes it a hit.

So yes, he's basically playing a similar character to the one we knew before, but I think I like Mike even more because he's not the victim of his own stupidity...usually. :)

His ego might cause a few things to go awry, but that happens to the best of us.

I'm mid-way through the first season, and I find myself consistently amused and laughing with the show. His banter with Elizondo is some of the funniest buddy comedy you'll find in a sitcom.

Each of the daughters has their own unique personality and feel more fleshed out than the Taylor boys ever did. Nancy Allen slides easily into the wife/mother role and doesn't miss a beat. At first I was concerned because it seemed like she smiled or laughed a lot at Allen's lines and jokes in the show.

Then I realized, that's what we do if we have a spouse or partner that constantly keeps us amused because you just don't know what they're going to say next.

So far, so good and with an episode or two every few days, I know I've always got something good to watch if I find myself with less than an hour or so before I want to go to bed and want to settle in for a good night's laugh.

I hear that the oldest daughter gets replaced in Season 2, so we'll see if that changes the dynamic of the show or not. Currently that character is my least favorite in the entire series, so I don't know how much of an effect it will have on me.

:)

Currently streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B+

Back Then, Stamps Only Cost $ .32 ... "Dear God", What Happened?

Never tamper with the mail...

The Story:

Tom Turner (Greg Kinnear) is a con man.  When he's arrested one time too many, he gets the option of getting a real job, or going to jail.  He opts of course for the real job.  He winds up working for the Postal Service in the dead letter office.  He realizes that people send letters to God all the time...and some people even include money.  Tom sets out for the ultimate scam, and then accidentally helps some people along the way.  Inspired by their new co-worker, his team want to help Tom perform more miracles.  Soon, the God Squad is on the job, and lives and spirits are getting sunnier in California...  much to the chagrin of the Postmaster General.

But can a con man con himself into going straight?

I've been about as big of a fan of Greg Kinnear as can be, without joining an official fan club, since I saw him hosting Talk Soup back in the early 90s.

Yep, and as it has been a transitional job for the hosts ever since, I watched Greg fly from the nest and head to Hollywood to be a star. 

Following up the remake of Sabrina, Dear God was Kinnear's first foray as the leading man of the film, and he does an admirable job.

He's bright, funny, and plays the perfect conman.  It was basically Kinnear doing what he did best for years on Talk Soup.

Garry Marshall surrounded him with a stellar cast of other character actors for support including Hector Elizondo and the amazing Tim Conway.

However, don't let the title fool you, this is not a movie that is going to preach the gospel and make atheists avoid it like the plague. 

It's a simple plot device to get from point A to B, and show the triumph of humanity that when we put our minds and hearts to doing good deeds, amazing things can happen.

Laurie Metcalf is almost too over-the-top in her role, and kind of derails the third act, but Kinnear is able to save it with a speech filled with earnestness that wins you over.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I do indeed own this one, and it gets a spin every few years or so, and it's been enjoyable each time.

100 Greatest Movies of All Times...That I Own. # 69 ~ Tortilla Soup

Today's offering, Tortilla Soup.  Apparently it's a remake of Eat Drink Man Woman.  Eh...whatever, never saw that one.

I have seen this one, many times, and I quite enjoy it.

In this update, we have the tale of a Mexican-American chef who has lost the ability to taste.  Kinda sucky for his job, but he makes do, and he makes some fabulous looking meals in this film.  Along the way, we meet his three adult daughters who are all at varying stages of a crossroads in their life.

Hector Elizondo plays the patriarch of the family with style and humor.  If you've seen him in any roles, you know he's good at what he does.  It is his love for his family that anchors this movie from being absurd or focusing on how spoiled the girls may or may not be.  He wants what is best for them, but he may not seemingly show that love to his girls.  Sounds like a common problem with many families.

One by one, the girls begin to branch out and explore life out from under Martin's roof.  For good or ill, these announcements all seem to center around the dinner table. 

As each of the daughter's paths is interspersed throughout the film, there is a growing concern about what life will be for their father when they are all gone from the household.  How will Martin react to losing all of his girls...

And what is this paperwork that has to do with his health?

Surprises and big changes abound throughout the entire movie.