“Basically, I consider myself an expert at finding quality entertainment and other distractions from work and real life (which seems especially important in the County), so I guess the column could sort of be summed up as “this is what I’m watching;” reviews of movies, DVDs, TV, and the arts (which could be anything from an art exhibit to film festivals or anything else interesting that’s going on in the area),” said Gartley. “And, if readers have tips, or want me to write about their community play or what-have-you, they can drop me a line, and chances are, I’ll probably check it out,” she added.
The name of the entertainment column, “This Isn’t Real Life” (Gartley occasionally writes a blog by the same name), was inspired by this piece of dialog from an episode of “Futurama:”
Fry: I’m gonna be a science-fiction hero, just like Uhura, or Captain Janeway, or Xena!
Leela: Fry, this isn’t TV, it’s real life. Can’t you tell the difference?
Fry: Sure, I just like TV better.
Liz Gartley can be reached online at egartley@gmail.com or leave a message for her at your local newspaper office.
Superbad
“Superbad” immediately has the makings of high school cult classic, right alongside “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “Dazed and Confused” and 2004’s “Napoleon Dynamite.” The film completely lacks any big stars, although hipsters will know Michael Cera from “Arrested Development,” and most moviegoers will recognize Seth Rogen from “Knocked Up” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.”
Like any good high school (and/or party) movie, the bulk of “Superbad” takes place within the course one day. High school seniors and best friends Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) have two things on their mind for their last big night as high school seniors: girls and booze. While Evan is looking to finally woo his longtime crush, Becca, Seth tries to win the affections of Jules by promising to bring booze to her graduation party. The boys rope the third member of their nerdly trio, Fogell, into using his newly-acquired fake ID to buy the alcohol for the party, but then realize – much to their chagrin – that Fogell has adopted an Hawaiian persona and the single name, “McLovin.”
From there, all the boys quickly become mixed up in a night-long series of misadventures. McLovin finds himself mixed up with two thrill-seeking cops (Seth Rogen and Bill Hader), while Evan and Seth continue on their ill-fated quest for alcohol, girls, and the big graduation party.
The film was co-written by Seth Rogen and former “Da Ali G Show” writer Evan Goldberg; the two started writing the movie when they were just 13 – just to see if they could (with the two main characters named for the two writers. I would also venture to guess that the story and characters are at least a little autobiographical, though definitely not completely.
“Superbad” was essentially made by a group of friends, and at its heart, that what it’s about. In the midst of all their misadventures, both Evan and Seth avoid the fact that they are just a few months away from going off to different colleges. And in spite of all their debauched shenanigans, the film is really a heartfelt story about friendship.
Everyone in the film is funny and endearing in his own way – “Superbad” suffers from no deadweight. Cera was great in “Arrested Development,” and his low-key, deadpan sarcasm is fantastic in “Superbad,” Hill is neurotic, self-conscious and hilarious, Christopher Mintz-Plasse is perfect as the spindly, trying way too hard to be cool Fogell/McLovin, and of course, Rogen and Hader have their own fun as the boorish, but well-meaning cops.
Although it was expected to have moderate success within its niche audience, “Superbad” surprised everyone by becoming a box office smash during its first weekend, despite the lack of big-name stars. I saw “Superbad” on its opening weekend, but honestly, I’m excited to see it again; I recommend seeing it before it becomes overwhelmed by fan hype (a la “Napoleon Dynamite”).
“Superbad” is rated R and is currently showing at the Houlton Temple Theatre, the Caribou Theatre and in the greater Bangor area.
This Isn’t Real Life
By Liz Gartley
Elizabeth “Liz” Gartley, 22, was born and raised in Houlton, and obtained a BA in media studies from Emerson College in Boston. She has studied abroad in the Netherlands and Australia, and most recently interned at a production company in Hollywood.
