History of the World, Part II — Episode 102 — Judas betrays Jesus; Shirley Chisholm makes a big announcement. General Grant finds himself in trouble and Marco Polo meets Kublai Khan. Schmuck Mudman (Nick Kroll), shown. (Photo by: Greg Gayne/Hulu)
After waiting over 40 years there is finally a sequel to the seminal Mel Brooks film, “History of the World, Part I,” with each episode featuring a variety of sketches that take us through different periods of human history.
Starring Mel Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz, catch the first teaser.
Mel Brooks writes and executive produces on the series along with Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen. Kevin Salter, David Greenbaum and Christie Smith also serve as executive producers. “History of the World Part II” is a production of Searchlight Television and 20th Television.
Mel Brooks’ History of the World PART II, a four night event, begins streaming March 6 on Hulu.
History of the World, Part II — Episode 101 — General Grant heads out in search of a drink; After the Russian Tsar is executed, Schmuck Mudman and his family head to Moscow; Shakespeare’s Writers Room; Invention of Fire; The REAL Kama Sutra. Shirley Chisholm (Wanda Sykes), shown. (Photo by: Tyler Golden/Hulu)History of the World, Part II — Episode 102 — Judas betrays Jesus; Shirley Chisholm makes a big announcement. General Grant finds himself in trouble and Marco Polo meets Kublai Khan. Leon Trotsky (Ike Barinholtz), shown. (Photo by: Greg Gayne/Hulu)History of the World, Part II — Episode 101 — General Grant heads out in search of a drink; After the Russian Tsar is executed, Schmuck Mudman and his family head to Moscow; Shakespeare’s Writers Room; Invention of Fire; The REAL Kama Sutra. Commentator (Nick Kroll), Commentator (Wanda Sykes), and Commentator (Ike Barinholtz) shown. (Photo: courtesy of Hulu)
The end of 1981’s HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART ONE teased fans that there would be A HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART 2.
Audiences were given a mini-end-of-credits look that included “See… Hitler On Ice,” “See… A Viking Funeral,” “See… Jews In Space”.
Little did we know it would take director Mel Brooks 40 plus years to make good on that trailer from his hilarious movie. For we fans of the film, the sequel will come to fruition!
In October 2021, the plans for a sequel were announced.
According to the report on Rolling Stones, Hulu has ordered the eight-episode variety series History of the World, Part II.
The show will follow the same format as the film, which was made up of segments parodying periods of world history. With a laundry list of current events to choose from, there’s no shortage of options for the show’s creators to pull inspiration from as the writers’ room kicks off this October.
Production on History of the World, Part II is set to begin in spring 2022 with Brooks on board as a writer alongside Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen, and Kevin Salter.
While promoting her hosting duties on this Sunday’s Oscar telecast, Wanda Sykes talked about working with Mel Brooks on History of the World, Part II. Listen to what Sykes has to say at the 6:55 mark.
Summer break is fast approaching so it must be time for another toy “tie-in” feature animated flick. Well, to be honest, the “break’ thing shouldn’t matter since this subject’s “core” audience is probably “pre-pre-K” (guess that’s a thing). Early this year we saw the follow-up to the surprise hit THE LEGO MOVIE from 2014. So, how about another “property” that’s a tad more cuddly than those hard interlocking plastic blocks. We’re a few months away from the fourth visit with Woody, Buzz, and their pals so maybe this is a “softer warm-up” showcasing a toy line that’s been around since 2001 (that long…I am so out of it). And, going by the brand name, we may be in for a lesson or two with the big screen debut of UGLYDOLLS.
This story begins inside a big zany factory, with conveyor belts and robotic big shoes that press down on fabric (you expect to hear Raymond Scott’s “Powerhouse” on the soundtrack). The cheery narrator informs us that this is the place that makes dolls for all the world’s kiddies. Ah, but when a doll doesn’t pass “quality control” standards, it’s sent down a tube that empties into Uglyville, a sunny village on a big hillside next to a beach. The happiest of its residents is Moxy (voice of Kelly Clarkson), who always believes that this is the day that she’ll go to the “Big World” and be a child’s cherished toy. Mayor Ox (Blake Shelton) tries to temper her enthusiasm, but the optimistic miss gets a plan. She and her pals will go up that tube and find the kids that will love them. It isn’t long before she enlists “party master” Uglydog (Pit Bull), chef Wage (Wanda Sykes), hulking Babo (Gabriel Iglesias), and timid Lucky Bat (Leehom Wong). Team Moxy makes it up through the tube/slide, but instead of the Big World, they land in Perfection, where dolls are groomed and tested prior to being assigned kids. They try to blend in, but soon they catch the eye of the guy in charge, the smooth, slick, perfectly coifed Lou (Nick Jonas). Surprisingly he agrees to put the UglyDolls through training tests to prepare them for the final challenge, a mechanical two-story suburban house called “The Gauntlet”. Luckily Moxy and her crew are given a sympathetic guide/coach, the bespectacled Mandy (Jannelle Monae). But secretly Lou sends his “Spy Girls” (Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX, and Lizzo) on a mission to capture Mayor Ox. Just what does Lou have up his perfectly tailored sleeve? Is there any chance that Moxy and her friends will make it to the Big World?
Well, they all can’t be Pixar. Or Disney Animation. Or Sony (the ones that did the Spidey-Verse). Or…etc. One thing we can thank director Kelly Asbury for…it clocks in under 90 minutes. Still, it feels padded and streeeetched! The film seems to be aiming for the bubbly bouncing fun of 2016’s TROLLS, along with its everything’s pretty vibe, but it stumbles and tumbles almost straight “out of the gate”. Most of the main core of characters are nearly interchangeable, with only the main colors and a few voices (notably Sykes’ sarcastic screech and Shelton’s soulful drawl being the only stand-outs). The same could be said (though it’s intended) of the denizens of Perfection, particularly the Spy Girls who are aligned with Lou, one of the weakest animated villains ever (the listless line readings from Jonas don’t help). Perhaps this plays best with the toddler set, but the tendency to end nearly every sequence with the dolls faces nearly pressed against the (imagined) camera lens (either in a wide-mouthed grin or an overused smirk from Lou) quickly becomes grating. Ditto for the repetitive pop ballads that literally stop the story dead “in its tracks”. These are generally used to “sledgehammer” home the message of self-esteem and acceptance that sink the turgid script from Alison Peck (based on the characters created by David Horvath and Sun-min Kim). The wall to wall chatter from the “stunt” celebrity cast mixed with a cloying score will add to the overall irritation to adult (and more sophisticated kids) senses. This all may be a fine “cinema sitter” for the very youngest of movie audiences (maybe a first film for many), but why subject any older viewers to this drivel. UGLYDOLLS is a not so pretty multiplex mess.
Okay, have you added your jack-o-latern to the compost heap and packed away all the cardboard witches, black cats, and ghosts? Good, cause it’s time to grab the decoration box for the next big holiday (sorry Thanksgiving, aside from the fold-out table top turkey, you’re mainly a big lavish meal followed by hours of football). December will be here before you know it, and this new release tries to add some laughs along with the wreaths. Plus it’s that rare two-for-one flick in that it’s a seasonal celebration and a sequel, just as with THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY from four years ago. And while the holiday is one for families to get together, this new movie is really aimed at the older revelers. It’s rated “R” for raw and rowdy, with jokes and gags much raunchier than the Parkers (from the classic A CHRISTMAS STORY) or the Griswolds would serve up with the egg nog (these folks would whip it up with a strong kick). Just a year ago this past July, film goers were stunned at the “un-PC” hi-jinks of a trio of matriarchs known as the BAD MOMS. Now they’re back to wreck havoc under the fancy tree in A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS. And their own wild and wacky mothers are joining in the naughty nonsense.
So it’s over a year later, but Amy (Mila Kunis) is still in a funk as she looks over the debris of her Christmas Eve decorations. As we flash back to several days prior, we find her in a much better mood. Her two kids are doing well and her romance with hunky widowed dad Jessie (Jay Hernandez) is really going strong. However holiday prep is stressing her out, especially since her folks will soon arrive. Things are always hectic at Kiki (Kristen Bell) and Kent’s house with their three (or is it four) rambunctious kids. Then things get truly chaotic with the unexpected early arrival of her widowed mother Sandy (Cheryl Hines) who takes clingy to a whole new level (she even has her hair styled and colored to match her daughter). Meanwhile Carla (Kathryn Hahn) is putting in long, tiring hours at the spa tending to the ..ahem…grooming needs of the local ladies. Going home, she’s surprised to see a big semi-truck pull up to the front lawn. The passenger door opens and out hops her free-spirited mother Isis (Susan Sarandon), decked out in a cowboy hat, tight sequined slacks, and sans bra. As she talks and tokes, Carla wonders when mom will hit her up for a loan.
Meanwhile back at Amy’s place, her mother Ruth (Christine Baranski) arrives with the force of a fierce blizzard, with her hubby Hank (Peter Gallagher) in tow, wrestling with the massive luggage. Ruth tosses expensive gifts at the kids while sneering at Amy’s attempts at festive decorations. Luckily Amy is able to blow off some steam with Carla and Kiki down at the mall the next day. The woman decide that they will not let their moms ruin the holiday. In the days before the 25th, Kiki drags Sandy to a family therapist Dr. Karl (Wanda Sykes) in order to set up “boundaries”. Carla has a most delightful spa client, an exotic dancer (okay, male stripper) named Ty (Justin Hartley) who needs a slight “touch up” before competing in a “sexy Santa” contest. Could he be her “mistletoe match”? Amy’s not having so much fun as Ruth brings in her own workers to redo Amy’s house before she hosts a fancy event on the 24th (live birds are part of the front lawn display). Is there any way the two can reach a compromise before Christmas becomes a family destroying battle of wills?
Just as with the original outing, the film’s strength is the easy-going chemistry and expert comic teaming of the star trio, but here we get to double the talent. Having achieved her independence, Kunis as Amy exudes more confidence, but her history with mom starts to slowly chip away at her. While more of the straight man (or woman) last year, Kunis shows more of her comic and dramatic skills while indulging in inspired bits of slapstick. Like Amy, Bell’s Kiki is a much stronger role, with little of timidity of her introduction. This time, her mom inspires hilarious expressions of frustration and exasperation from her (we almost expect to see an animated thought balloon with “?!!” to pop up from her noggin). There’s even a playful, sexy side to Kiki as she is more at ease with her hubby. Speaking of the “s-word”, Hahn as Carla is still the neighborhood bad girl bombshell, emerging from her spa smock and transforming into a rock vixen, just as Diana Prince changes to our fave Amazon. Hahn still delivers her lurid lines of dialogue with delight, but we get a bit of her vulnerable side as she melts for her new beau. As for the grandmas’, Hines is a scene stealer with her terrific rapport with Bell and her happy, too-sweet passive aggressive attitude, not to mention her too long hugs which give her a chance to inhale Bell’s hair (that look of ecstasy is priceless). Sarandon reprises her mature “man-eater”, this time mixed with the “wild child” who’s never truly grown up, thinking the party will never end. Baranski may be one of the best cinema snobs since Margaret Dumont. When she enters Amy’s home her nose twitches as if she’s just walked into a neglected outhouse. Her suburb diction propel all of her dismissive comments to maximum destructive effect. Her Ruth has no clue to her cruelty. Sykes absolutely kills as the “no B.S.” counselor. As for the guys, Gallagher is effective as the brow-beaten pop who knows just the right advice to give to his kid. And Hartley not only is eye candy, but proves to have some sharp comedy chops.
Writer/directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore return also. And they keep the film rolling at pretty much the same pace, though they aren’t concerned with Amy’s job, nor the kids’ schools (we do a cameo from a former foe from there). They indulge once more in too many montages with wacky slow motion (and slooooow sound) and they go for too many easy laughs in the script (really, a lil’ girl dropping the “F-bomb” nearly three times straight, c’mon). Plus the plot doesn’t veer past the usual Christmas movie clichés. Understanding will be shared along with warm, teary hugs, of course. Still, the film’s worth seeing just for the supreme comedic talents and timing of these, not three, six gifted actresses. They’re the delightful gift wrapped inside A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS.
KATHRYN HAHN, MILA KUNIS, and KRISTEN BELL in A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS
In his review of the 2016 comedy BAD MOMS, Jim Batts wrote:
“With their second feature film as directors (21 & OVER was the first), screenwriter Jon Lucas and Scott Moore (they did pen the THE HANGOVER) have proven that they can deliver a film that tackles more adult concerns and situations without sacrificing the laughs. The laughs are big and the cast is most engaging (hooray for Hahn), so expect to have a good, raucous time with some BAD MOMS.”
Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn are back for more hilarious shenanigans in the brand new trailer for A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS.
A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS follows our three under-appreciated and over-burdened women as they rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for moms: Christmas. And if creating a more perfect holiday for their families wasn’t hard enough, they have to do all of that while hosting and entertaining their own mothers. By the end of the journey, our moms will redefine how to make the holidays special for all and discover a closer relationship with their mothers.
Starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, Jay Hernandez, Wanda Sykes, Peter Gallagher and Susan Sarandon, A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS opens in theaters November 3, 2017.
It’s a big holiday weekend, so Hollywood has concocted a new flick that’s a perfect match for that very special day. It’s an ode to mothers everywhere, but it’s not sugary and sappy, no hearts and flowers here. That’s because it’s the sophomore feature film from Amy Schumer, so it’s more than a touch tart and spicy. Two years ago the superstar of stand-up and cable TV (the critical and ratings darling of Comedy Central) stormed the multiplex with the hit comedy romance (which she wrote) TRAINWRECK. For this follow-up , she’s decided to share the screen (top billing, above the title in the ads) with a movie veteran. Of course, she had terrific co-stars in her previous flick (Bill Hader, future Oscar-winner Brie Larson and NBA icon LeBron James, for gosh sake). But this time Amy’s part of a team similar to what another funny lady did a couple of years back with TAMMY. Melissa McCarthy hit the road with Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon as her grandma’, complete with silver wig. And now Ms. Schumer’s on-screen mum in another Oscar-winner we’ve not seen in movies for fifteen years (that 2002 comedy co-starred her with Sarandon, oddly enough), the still adorable Goldie Hawn, In her screen return she and Amy embark on a dream vacation that becomes a nightmare when they get SNATCHED.
Thirty-something Emily Middleton (Schumer) is having a truly awful day. First she gets fired from her 9 to 5 retail gig, but this just gives her more time to prepare for her trip to Ecuador with her (wannabe’) rock star boyfriend Michael (Randall Park). But then he dumps her at brunch. She slumps back to her big city apartment to announce the break-up on social media. Her mother immediately chimes in with messages of support (“You’ve still got two years to find someone else”). Mom Linda (Hawn) lives in the suburban family home along with two felines (could she be on her way to “crazy cat-lady town”?) and her needy agoraphobic adult son Jeffrey (Ike Barinholtz), protected by a plethora of door locks and chains. Meanwhile Emily desperately tries to find someone to join her on the trip (the tix are non-refundable). No takers, so it’s off to mum’s house to re-charge. One night, she discovers an old photo album in the closet. Emily is stunned to find dozens of faded snapshots of Linda exploring the world, a real happenin’ chick! Why not take her to South America. After much cajoling and pleading, Linda is on her way to Ecuador with her Em’. But just hours after checking in at the luxury hotel, Emily needs a breather from mom. Down at the cocktail lounge she attracts the attention of a sexy, scruffy Brit named James (Tom Bateman). With little prodding, Emily joins him for an adventure, At the end of the boozy night, James insists that Emily and her mother join him for an “off-the-beaten-track” daytime excursion. Again, Linda gives in to her daughter, and they pile into James’ Jeep in search of double rainbows. But mom is alarmed when James drives them through seedy neighborhoods. Suddenly a van rams into them. When the ladies come to, they’re in a dank concrete bunker. They’ve been kidnapped by the notorious Morgado (Oscar Jaenada), who uses their IDs to call Jeffery and demand a 100 grand ransom. Can the Middleton ladies escape their abductors and somehow get back to the states?
For her second feature film lead, Schumer tweaks her stand-up comic persona to make Emily into a prime example of (as the young people say) a “hot mess”. Unlike her TRAINWRECK role, this time she’s not as confident and focused, professionally or romantically. And she’s more than a bit clueless, constantly taking “selfies” and wondering why the world hasn’t noticed her “fabulous-ness”. Schumer shows off her great comic “chops” in the hysterical break-up scene when she tries to retroactively take control of the situation (“No, I’m breaking up with you…first!”). Though the film’s biggest delight is the welcome return of Ms. Hawn. She’s both aggravating and endearing as Linda, a mature woman who’s almost given up (she still is tempted by the dating “pop-ups” on her laptop). When Linda finally leaves her comfort zone, she’s more aware of her surroundings than her flighty off-spring. Though she complains of “weak angles”, Hawn transforms Linda into a full-fledged action hero, one that still has much to teach her daughter. By the film’s end, we’re rewarded by that endearing “twinkly” smile and the decades melt away with our “Cactus flower” in full bloom once more.
Luckily the ladies are supported by an exceptionally funny and talented group. Their best sparring partner may be Barinholtz (also terrific in the NEIGHBORS flicks and SISTERS) as the clingy Jeffrey, whose screeches of “Ma-ma! Ma-ma!” are hysterical while grating like fingernails on a chalk board. He’s also a great comic cohort to Bashir Salahuddin as the burly, exasperated fed whose cool demeanor detonates after the constant barrage of calls from Jeffrey. Christopher Meloni, best known as a TV cop, gets great mileage out of a small role, as a vacationing America who fancies himself a skilled jungle guide, but is even more out of his element than the lead duo. Park is comically cold as Em’s ex, while Bateman oozes oily charm as the much-too-good-to-be-true James. But aside from Amy and Goldie another pair of funny ladies steal several scenes. Wanda Sykes is a surly, down-beat motormouth delight as tourist Ruth, while her “platonic pal” Barb doesn’t speak at all. As the mute “ex-special ops” agent Joan Cusak is a visual marvel, equals parts Buster Keaton and Harpo Marx.
Director Jonathan Levine (THE NIGHT BEFORE, 50/50) keeps the laughs coming at a fast pace, whether it’s a verbal smack-down or a taunt bit of slapstick action. Unlike many comedies, this one seems to avoid the dreaded second act lull, due perhaps to the quick cutting between the ladies’ jungle trek and Jeffrey’s fowl-ups back home. Credit goes to screenwriter Katie Dippold (THE HEAT and last year’s GHOSTBUSTERS reboot) for spreading out the jokes over a familiar action/thriller framework. But the bad guys don’t all dust themselves off after getting conked on the noggin and seeing stars. This is a comedy with a pretty high body count (perhaps as a parody of TAKEN-like potboilers). And somehow amid all the chaos and calamity, there’s a rather sweet family love story. One girl finally becomes a woman while another discovers the fun-loving girl inside her. So after you’ve treated mom to a tasty Sunday brunch, top off her day with the often raunchy, but ultimately heartwarming teaming of two “golden” gals in SNATCHED. And spring for the large popcorn, she’s worth it!
After her boyfriend dumps her on the eve of their exotic vacation, impetuous dreamer Emily Middleton (Amy Schumer) persuades her ultra-cautious mother, Linda (Goldie Hawn) to travel with her to paradise. Polar opposites, Emily and Linda realize that working through their differences as mother and daughter – in unpredictable, hilarious fashion – is the only way to escape the wildly outrageous jungle adventure they have fallen into.
Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn star in the new comedy adventure SNATCHED, which also features Ike Barinholtz (“Neighbors”), Wanda Sykes (“Bad Moms”) and Joan Cusack (“Working Girl”).
The film opens in theaters nationwide on May 12, 2017.
WAMG invites you to enter for the chance to win TWO (2) seats to the advance screening of SNATCHED on May 9 at 7PM in the St. Louis area.
Answer the following:
In 1969, Goldie Hawn won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in “Cactus Flower” alongside Walter Matthau and Ingrid Bergman.
Hawn was nominated for a second Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in which 1980 comedy?
TO ENTER, ADD YOUR NAME, ANSWER AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.
2. No purchase necessary. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house. The theater is not responsible for overbooking.
Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox have released a new poster for ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE. Check out the latest awesome trailer for this epic adventure below.
Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World.
To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and journey, traveling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colorful new characters.
Photo credit: Blue Sky Studios
ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE, opening in theaters everywhere July 22, 2016, stars returning cast members Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Simon Pegg, Keke Palmer, Wanda Sykes, and Jennifer Lopez. Joining the herd are Stephanie Beatriz, Adam DeVine, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Max Greenfield, Jessie J, Nick Offerman, Melissa Rauch, Michael Strahan and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Returning cast members include Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Simon Pegg, Keke Palmer, Wanda Sykes, and Jennifer Lopez and new cast members feature Stephanie Beatriz, Adam DeVine, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Max Greenfield, Jessie J, Nick Offerman, Melissa Rauch, Michael Strahan and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World. To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, traveling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colorful new characters.
![ice-age-collision-course-one-sheet[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.wearemoviegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/ice-age-collision-course-one-sheet1-560x829.jpg?resize=560%2C829&ssl=1)
