Showing posts with label Rebecca Yaun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rebecca Yaun. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Bad Romance: A "Super" Bad Romance


(An eye is looking around trying to discover what is going on until an audible scream is heard. Before cutting to Team TLOTA as Olivia Horvath brandishes a Minigun, Paulo Fonseca has twin gold plated desert eagles, Rebecca Yaun has 50 Sai Daggers, Nick Yaun has a Recurve Bow and a quiver full of weaponized arrows, Eric Kurtzke has a Katana, John Santos has a Semi Auto 30-06 Rifle, Mike Santos has axes of all size, Renee Miller has a sword, Eliza Dushku is brandishing ten Kunai & Traci Hines has a Semi-Auto 12 Gauge Shotgun with deer slugs before cutting to see “Cupid” played by Ed Champion strapped to a wall screaming before cutting to see everyone walking in slow motion either firing or throwing their weapons forwards in a straight line towards “Cupid” as the scene cuts to see “Cupid” Screaming as they either do very little damage or miss entirely before Olivia, Paulo, Rebecca, Eric & John move to their right and Mike, Renee, Eliza & Traci to their left as James Faraci The Last Of The Americans is seen in the center as he is brandishing a Rocket Launcher before cutting to “Cupid” with a look on his face that screams “DIAPERS TO BE DARKENED” before cutting to James firing the Rocket Launcher and the Rocket locks onto “Cupid” before cutting to everyone turning their back as the explosion engulfs the back wall and everyone has a look on their face that shows they’re not a happy bunch and the words “Bad Romance” is Stamped in Steel as 4:11-4:54 of Bad Romance plays in the background throughout the entire intro before cutting to James sitting in his office looking at the audience with an look of “Why Me?” on his face.)

TLOTA: Excuse me for a moment. (James walks to the main lobby)

TLOTA: Hey Guys, I’ve got to ask something. Is there a sign over my head saying “I’ve done something wrong and I deserve this punishment!” or “I’m a sadist’s submissive please torture me!” or anything that says I enjoy being tortured?

(Cut to everyone either saying No or nodding as to say no before cutting to James looking at the audience)

TLOTA: SO WHY THE HELL AM I DEALING WITH THIS CRAP FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS?! (Cut to Clips of Romantic Comedies as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): OH…MY…GOD! I am going to be dealing with a genre of movies that I already said should die or at least needs someone to give the genre a huge dose of intelligence and when I mean a huge dose of intelligence I mean enough intelligence to rival Carl Sagan, Steven Hawkins & Albert Einstein combined. I am of course talking about the Romantic Comedy Genre. A Genre that might be the bane of the existence of everyone with an I.Q. larger than the height of the Himalayas and Kilimanjaro, Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and the Rest of the ALPS! (Cut to James in his office)

TLOTA: But maybe if I start off with something not as bad then maybe the next two months after this one maybe just maaaaaay be tolerable. With that said, let’s start this madness parade with something I can tolerate, barely. (Cut to the Opening of “My SUPER Ex-Girlfriend before cutting to clips of the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Yeah for those who thought Emma Peel in “The Avengers” & “Poison Ivy” in “Batman & Robin” was Uma Thurman’s worst roles then obviously, they never acknowledge this turkey. But there is something that’s so unbearably bad that there is something so bizarrely entertaining that it may be worth at least one viewing, two at the outside, three if you’re sick in the head like me. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA: So, let’s start this nightmare rollercoaster ride from hell with “My Super Ex-Girlfriend”! (Cut to the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): So, our movie begins with a robbery in New York City, A.K.A. a typical Thursday when our soon to be titular “Super” Ex-Girlfriend G-Girl played by Uma Thurman stops the bad guy when one tries to kill her but nearly get this movie an R-Rating! (Cut to the clip in which G-Girl’s outfit is shredded by bullets before static breaks as Edna Mode played by Olivia Horvath sits in chair over a spotlight in a black room.)

Edna Mode (Played by Olivia Horvath): NO! THAT SUIT WAS NOT MADE BY ME! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA: Edna Mode? (Cut to Edna Mode)

Edna Mode (Played by Olivia Horvath): Yes, darling I know this because if it was I who made the suits for her they would be made with unstable molecules combined with a mimetic metallic alloy lining so they will be virtually indestructible darlings! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA: But what about…? (Cut to Edna Mode)

Edna Mode (Played by Olivia Horvath): NO! NO CAPES! (Melissa Benoist as Supergirl flies down to confront Edna)

Supergirl: Well, Edna I hate to tell you this but my cousin and I wear them and…

Edna Mode: How many times have you got caught in the blades of the jet engine or tripped and fallen on that skirted little behind?

Supergirl: Never.

Edna Mode: How about the yellow that should be inside the S in your suit.

Supergirl: IT’S NOT AN “S”! IT’S MY FAMILY’S COAT OF ARMS! THE HOUSE OF EL! IT MEANS HOPE! (Cut to James)

TLOTA: Okay, chill out Supergirl, no need to go all red kryptonite crazy on us, believe me I still have nightmares of you doing things to me in the Kama Sutra when you were in that frame of mind and me in traction for the rest of my days! Not exactly worth it to me! We get it! Calm down! Please! I like you! Don’t hurt me! (Cut to Supergirl and Edna Mode)

Supergirl: James you can calm down and Edna the cape aides in Aerodynamic propulsion.

Edna Mode: Oh, I never thought of Aerodynamic propulsion when it comes to capes, I always looked upon them as… (Wonder Woman played by Eliza Dushku jumps in.)

Wonder Woman: Wastes of great fabrics as they should be used to protect the body?

Supergirl: Coming from someone whose outfit is basically a one piece with a skirt, yeah you have room to talk.

Wonder Woman: This is an Amazonian Warrior’s battle suit! (Cut to James as he hears the two argue as John & Mike Santos, Eric Kurtzke, Nick Yaun & Paulo Fonseca come in around James to see the two of them argue before cutting to the two of them argue as Batgirl played by Traci Hines comes in from out of nowhere.)

Batgirl: What about cape and cowls?

Wonder Woman and Supergirl: SHUT UP BATGIRL! (The three of them argue before cutting to see John, Mike, Eric, Nick and Paulo look with Smiles on their faces as James sits there in frustration)

TLOTA (Audio only): Okay quick question How many of you are married AND want to stay that way without the fear of being Bobbitized?! (Nick & Paulo drop out of frame)

TLOTA (Audio only): One more question, just one more. How many of you want to be in a relationship with a woman without the fear of being Bobbitized?! (Eric, John, Mike and James drop out of the frame as the audio of the argument is heard before cutting to the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): After literally dropping off the robbers outside the precinct, we’re introduced to Matt played by Luke “My Brother is the luckiest Son of a Bitch in the world ” Wilson & Vaughn played by Rainn “No relation to either Luke or Owen and I’m doing this while waiting on the next season of “The Office” Wilson as the two chat, Vaughn suggests to Matt that he try asking a random woman and guess who Matt tries to hook up with? (Cut to Matt trying to hook up with G-Girl’s civilian identity before cutting to James physically)

TLOTA: Well, no wonder the runtime is about ten minutes. (Cut back to the movie as Matt chases down a guy who mugged Uma’s character before cutting to James physically)

TLOTA: DAMN IT This movie is still going. (Cut to the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): So, Matt tries to grab they guy who grabbed G-Girl’s civilian identities’ purse he gets the purse but not the guy and tries to dis the thug who has ears and chases after Matt cornering him in a dumpster when strange punches and thud are heard and Matt is introduced to Jenny Johnson. Your everyday average Art Gallery Curator, yeah let’s go with that. At any rate the two have a hook-up as we discover that Matt secretly has a crush on Hannah his co-worker played by Anna Faris but from what I’ve heard her boyfriend is a Star Lord. Oh well, at least Jenny agreed to see Matt on a date and believe it or not the rest of the first act goes as follows, Jenny and Matt go on a date and she nearly compromises her superhero identity and supposed bad guy Professor Bedlam played by Eddie Izzard stalks Jenny and Matt and comes up with a plan to get close to Jenny. Jenny and Matt do the in-bed tango so hard his bed and his manhood are reduced to dust! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA: YOWZA! (Cut to the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Also, they show how much of an absolute psycho Jenny is! But as Matt is on his way to work one day when Bedlam kidnaps him, tries to get information out of him then dangles him like a worm on a hook UNDER THE TORCH OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY! Fortuitously, G-Girl saves Matt and as long as Matt doesn’t know G-Girl and Jenny are the same person he should be safe! (Cut to Matt being shown that Jenny is G-Girl before cutting to James slapping himself on the forehead then cut to everyone else at Team TLOTA slapping themselves on the forehead then everyone at Rowdyc.com and The Reviewerverse slapping themselves on the forehead and then God himself slapping himself on the forehead before cutting to the movie as James physically)

TLOTA: I need a break! They just found new ways to make huge piles of dumb. I need Liquid I.Q.!

(0:36-end mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators original run play the camera moves back to see James on top of the slab with the words “The Last Of The Americans” on it act as the commercial break intro and return to the movie while James does a voice over)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Well The little hand is on exposition and the big hand is on Origin Story so go ahead Jenny! Tell us your Superhero backstory. (Show clip in which Jenny tells Matt her backstory before cutting to James physically)

TLOTA: WOW! That is something straight out of a subpar Superhero comedy from the 1990’s now where have I heard that before. (James thinks while holding a copy of “Meteor Man” in his hand and taps the case for it on his forehead before there’s a knock at James’ door.) What’s up? (Cut to Eliza at the doorway.)

Eliza Dushku: A meteorite landed in the parking lot! Do you want us to check it out? (Cut to James)

TLOTA: Sure, why not? ORAC! Contact NASA tell them what we found we’ll be the guys freezing to death like popsicles trying to stay warm by a meteorite.  (James walks away and then a loud explosion is heard and James gets knocked into his office.)

TLOTA: OH, MY BACK! OH, MY ACHING BACK! ORAC! What happened?

ORAC (Audio Only): Eliza, Olivia, Renee, Rebecca and Traci were the closest to the meteor when it exploded and were exposed to the radiation emanating from it. Shall I keep you apprised of anything that happens.

TLOTA: Yeah, even if it interrupts the review. (Cut to the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): So after nearly dying from joining the Mile-High Club in the most reckless way possible, Matt starts to consider maybe dating a Superhero isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. But that’s not even the worst of it. Jenny shows how psychotic she is by nearly letting Missiles hit the city especially when Jenny thinks Matt is hooking up with Hannah. Finally having enough Matt decides to dump the She-Psycho! Which leads to G-Girl becoming Hell-bent on making Matt’s life a living nightmare. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA: And just HOW bad does it get for Matt? On a scale of One through ten? It’s a 4,281,982! (Cut to the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): I’m talking short of making Matt taking a trip off the Empire State Building just to be rid of her. She costs Matt his job, nearly cooks his fish alive, tosses his car into geosynchronistic orbit even when he and Hannah finally hook up after her boyfriend disappeared under mysterious circumstances, though from what I heard he’s commanding the Milano in another sector space. What does G-Girl do to torment Matt?

G-Girl: I HATE YOU MATT SAUNDERS! (G-Girl tosses a Great White Shark and the shark tries to attack before cutting to James physically)

TLOTA: JEEEESUS, MARY, JOSEPH AND HIS TECHNO FREAKING COLOR DREAMCOAT MOVIE! (Cut to the movie and corresponding clips from “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOUR MESSAGE ABOUT STRONG WOMEN GETTING DUMPED IS BUT DUDE, THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT ONE! In a situation when a strong heroine like Buffy got her heart broken she doesn’t sadistically stalk and make their ex’s life a living hell or shove ‘em in a nest of vampires, she takes it out on the vampires, turns them into dust until she feels better! And yes, I WHOLLY discount that whole “Beer Bad” bad luck with Parker incident. Regardless, she doesn’t toss JAWS onto their table! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA: I mean for the love of Peat Moss! Why would anyone toss a fish?

Eliza Dushku (Audio only): Heads up! Dinner’s here! (A Tuna lands on James’ desk and James jumps back and shouts “BADABOOMBAH!”)

TLOTA: ELIZA! WHERE DID YOU GET THAT? (Cut to Eliza at the door way)

Eliza Dushku: Oh, off the Hawaiian coast! (Cut to James)

TLOTA: How did you…? (Cut to Eliza at the door way)

Eliza Dushku: I flew! Yeah by the way, I think you need to see this. (James looks out in the doorway with his jaw getting ready to hit the floor before cutting to Rebecca Yaun juggle her husband and her brother around and hear them scream and cry before cutting to James as he looks to see Olivia Horvath, Renee Miller and Traci Hines play Hot Potato with the pieces of the Couch as John & Mike Santos and Eric Kurtzke ON the pieces of the couch!)

Eric Kurtzke: BRACE FOR IMPACT!

Mike Santos: BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES!

John Santos: I WANT MY MOMMY! (Cut to James & Eliza looking at the chaos.)

TLOTA: I’ll fix this or I’ll commit myself, fake my death, go into the Witness Relocation Program after extensive…. My hand is on the Lasso of Truth, isn’t it?

Eliza Dushku: Borrowed it from Wonder Woman.

TLOTA: Well, I’ll fix this! (Cut to the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): So after…. THAT! Matt decides to team up with the real hero in this turkey Professor Bedlam and set up a trap for Psycho Girl! However, through the usual Bad Timing in this type of movie Hannah and Vaughn come by but that works in the plan’s favor as Vaughn unleashes a rock that sucks Jenny’s powers away from her! THANK YOU, GOD! NOW THEY CAN CART HER OFF TO THE FUNNY FARM WHERE SHE BELONG…Or Bedlam will try to take the powers for himself. I knew I’d have to use this one eventually! (Cut to the “It’s A Trap” General Ackbar moment in “Return Of The Jedi” before cutting to the movie as the rock go kablamo and then cutting to James physically.)

TLOTA: FINALLY, THIS MOVIE IS OVER!  ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL… (The audio of Jenny getting angry after getting her powers back before cutting to her shouting “I didn't think you were this despicable! Teaming up with BARRY!” before cutting to James with a sad puppy dog look in his eye and his bottom lip quivering before cutting to James curled up into a ball and crying silently in a corner in the lobby before cutting to everyone else.)

Rebecca Yaun: James? (Cut to James)

TLOTA (Whimpering and sad): DON’T TOUCH ME! I CAN’T DO IT! I KNOW THERE’S LESS THAN TWENTY MINUTES LEFT BUT I CAN’T DO IT! (Cut to everyone else)

Olivia Horvath: Are you the same person who killed a group of rapists and abusive men in the middle of your review of “Gigli”?  (Cut to James)

TLOTA: Yeah, I did that! (Cut to everyone else)

Nick Yaun: And didn’t you review “Fishtales” while you were catatonic? (Cut to James)

TLOTA: Yeah, I did that! (Cut to everyone else)

Paulo Fonseca: And weren’t you and Eliza trapped in a quadrant of space and yet somehow you could analyze “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”? (Cut to James)

TLOTA: Yeah, I did that! (Cut to everyone else)

John Santos: And didn’t you while your mind was scrambled after a New Year’s Eve party with the cast of “Glee” review all THREE of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies? (Cut to James)

TLOTA: Yeah, I did that, Didn’t I? (Cut to everyone else)

Everyone else: YEAH! (Cut to James as he stands up as the song from “Airplane” where Ted decides to get back in and save the day plays in the background)

TLOTA: That’s right! I know what to do, take a swig of Liquid I.Q. (James chugs a whole bottle of Liquid I.Q. gasps for air and tosses the bottle), Go into that room, take on the last 20 minutes of “My Super Ex-Girlfriend” and if all else fails, GO DOWN SWINGING! (James walks back into his office as the music swells even passing a cheerleading squad containing Kailey Coney as they cheer “James, James, he’s our man! Can he, do it? Let’s Hope he can!” before cutting back to the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): So, Jenny has got her powers back but guess who else touched the superhero rock.

Hannah: HEY! Let go of my boyfriend, you crazy BITCH!

TLOTA (Voiceover): That’s right Hannah and Jenny have a Superhero brawl for no apparent reason outside of one of them winning Matt’s heart and in Psycho-Girl’s case it’s on a mantelpiece and in Hannah’s well to keep Jenny away from Matt. (Cut to the two of them brawling before cutting to James)

TLOTA: HEADS UP, SUPERMAN AND BATMAN ARE BRAWLING ACROSS THE BAY BETWEEN METROPOLIS AND GOTHAM! (Intercut the brawl between Superman & Batman in “Superman v Batman: Dawn Of Justice” with the brawl between Hannah & Jenny in “My Super Ex-Girlfriend” before cutting to still images of Jenny Flying accidentally punching Superman, Batman decking Jenny, Hannah punching Batman and Hannah getting punched by Jenny before the two crashing a fashion show and James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): So, after causing enough damage that could give Trump the rights to rebuild every skyscraper in New York, Matt tries to reason with the psycho trying to kill Matt’s true crush by saying “Hey, I’m not right for you but the person who loved you before you got the powers when the two of you had chemistry with in High School still cares so give him a second chance.” And that’s all that it took for G-Girl to stop her rampage and what do Matt and Hannah do to celebrate? Have another bed and manhood destroying night of Super Whoopie! And our movie ends with Hannah becoming a superhero alongside G-Girl and hopefully handling her in being a Superheroine. (Cut to the two just standing there)

TLOTA (Dubbing Matt): So now what do we do?

Paulo Fonseca (Dubbing Barry “Bedlam”): Kiss our careers and manhoods goodbye?

TLOTA (Dubbing Matt): Eh, might as well, my brother is gonna have a better career until Zoolander 2! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA: And that was “My Super Ex-Girlfriend”! It was bad but what’s worse is that it could’ve been better! (Cut to clips of the movie as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): I mean this had potential. A romantic movie featuring Superheroes? Yeah! If the Superheroes in love are interesting. There is a reason why the romance between Lois Lane & Clark Kent works in most live action and animated versions because it allows them to have these moments together without having to be all schmaltzy. Hell, the romance in “The Incredibles” because this allows the heroes to have human emotions. But this has as much chemistry as Olive Oil and Nitroglycerine and what’s worse is that it had a great director in the director’s chair, Ivan Reitman! IVAN REITMAN! HE DID GHOSTBUSTERS 1 & 2, TWINS, KINDERGARDEN COP, BEETHOVEN! And he made this turkey?! WHAT HAPPENED?! But I can’t fault him for bad writing, bad acting and an overall good idea done wrong. (Cut to James physically as he sighs.)

TLOTA: But I still have two more months of schmaltz and schlock to deal with so let’s see what’s next on the docket. (James pulls out a clipboard before cutting to everyone else in the main lobby)

Eliza Dushku: Well, finally got these powers under control.

Olivia Horvath: And not a moment too soon.

Renee Miller: Just look at the guys. (Cut to Nick Yaun, Paulo Fonseca, John Ross Santos, Mike Santos & Eric Kurtzke laying down on a couch sucking on their thumbs as Rebecca warms up multiple bottles of Liquid I.Q. with her heat vision.)

Rebecca Yaun: There we go guys, drink it down and in a little while you’ll be back to normal! (A Door is slammed open as it cuts to James with an angered look on his face that can burn through lead!)

TLOTA: Everyone Please Leave…. NOW! (Cut to Rebecca carrying Nick and Paulo over her shoulders and running out the front door followed by Olivia Horvath carrying John & Mike Santos and running out the front door followed by Renee Miller carrying Eric Kurtzke and running out the front door and Eliza Dushku & Traci Hines run out the front door before cutting to James still with an angered look on his face as “Cry Little Sister” covered by “Aiden” play in the background before James starts walking to the backroom as it cuts to James’ boots turning from Tan to Black before cutting to James looking over a wall of weapons before grabbing one and then down the secondary hallway.)

TLOTA (Internal thoughts): My name… is James Benjamin Faraci. I am… an Internet Reviewer. I am… The Last Of The Americans. And I AM ABOUT TO MAKE THE DEVIL PAY HIS DUE! (James pulls out Chudnofsky’s Double Barreled Handgun before cutting to the DVD cover of “Valentine’s Day” as the Chorus of “Cry Little Sister” plays in the foreground before cutting to James with the look of “YOU’RE GONNA DIE!” before cutting to black.)

Monday, December 12, 2016

Top 12 Little known Christmas Specials

(Music from the last seasons of the Original Run of American Gladiators play as a Speedy shot of James Faraci riding with Santa on his sleigh is seen, then throwing snowballs, then singing Christmas Carols with The Muppets, then baking cookies, then Waxing Rudolph’s red nose to add to the brightness and pal around with Frosty before fading away to see a picture of the North Pole Santa Workshop appears in the background as Jesus Christ, Santa Claus and Santa Christ appear in the foreground as all three stand as a Christmas Tree land over them and James Faraci stands alongside the Christmas tree with a smile on his face and in Holiday text the words of The Last Of The Americans stand by his side as Jingling Bells and snow falls in the intro before cutting to everyone save for James in the parking lot walking to the studio)

Paulo Fonseca: You're pulling our leg!
Olivia Horvath: No joking I am a Psychic medium!
Renee Miller: That sounds cool.
John Santos: Did anyone ask you if you've seen Elvis?
Olivia Horvath: Constantly! And for the record YES! He is dead! AND IF ANYONE ELSE has any stupid questions I WILL SEND SPIRITS AFTER YOU!
Rebecca Yaun: Well if it's okay I'd like to ask if you know what's on the menu for today with our annual Christmas Reviewerverse Shindig?
Olivia Horvath: Turkey with Cranberry Sauce and Stuffing, Shrimp Cocktail and Garlic Shrimp, Pigs in Blankets, Meatballs and Sausage, biscuits, A Deli Platter, A Veggie platter, various cookies, pies, A Vanilla/Chocolate sheet cake and A make it yourself cocktail bar!
Rebecca Yaun: How did you know that?
Olivia Horvath: He sent me an E-Mail telling me what's on the menu! Didn't you guys check your E-Mails? 
Others: No not really. (Cut to James running out to the outside of The Studio and meeting up with the rest of the team)
TLOTA: GUYS! STAY RIGHT THERE! (James stands a foot away and says the "Apache Chief Growing cry" as he grows to be the size of a 300 story Skyscraper as the Others look up and shout "WHAT THE....?" before multiples continual zooms to James face)
TLOTA: CHRISSSSSSSSSSSSSSTMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS! (Cut to Angry Joe in his satellite as James' echo violently wakes him up and he says Ow! before cutting to James Shrinking back to normal as everyone save for Olivia is shocked)
Olivia Horvath: Do you usually do something this extreme to say how much your excitement Christmas?!
TLOTA: Well, let's say after last year's Nostalgia Critic's first Christmas review intro nearly wiped everyone off the face of the earth though Chicago. I scaled back! 
Olivia Horvath: And you guys are not surprised when he does something like this?!

Renee Miller: Last year when he did the intro he was yo-yoing in the center of a green and red hypnowheel!

Olivia Horvath: Well with as loud as you got I'm certain by the end of 2017 we're going to be making first contact!

TLOTA: Well, I can't help it! (Cut to well known Christmas Specials as an electric guitar covers "The 12 Days Of Christmas" and James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): It's incredible to describe, it's the one time everyone reverts to being a kid and we get to watch our favorite animated and live action Specials. But yet for every "Frosty The Snowman" there's a "Cricket On The Hearth". For every "Charlie Brown Christmas Special" there's a "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and that is kind of sad to know that people don't know about at least HALF of the countless Christmas Specials that don't get shown as much as they should. (Cut to James in his office.)

TLOTA: Well guess what Santa James Faraci The Last Of The Americans is gonna give 12 specials the recognition they deserve! Why 12?  (James grabs a Santa hat off screen and puts it on his head) HO! HO! HO! These are the Top 12 Little known Christmas Specials! (Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the words "The Top 12 Little known Christmas Specials" before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Number 12 (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

12) Joyeaux Noel

TLOTA (Voiceover): I put this one here because it's actually getting more and more recognition. Set in World War I this movie is about the troops in the trenches who make a truce to stop the fighting for one day and celebrate Christmas together. Which is exactly how things are supposed to be for everyone of us. Just this one day when we forget our differences and we call all of ourselves brothers and sisters! They come out of the bunkers, talk to one another, hold a Christmas Mass! It's an amazing thing to know that people can be that good at heart! And this movie shows the sacrifices that these soldiers made NOT to break the bonds they made in that night the troops decided to stop the fighting. If you get a chance to watch it or to find it, get it to maybe just remind us of how good humanity can be!

(Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Number 11 (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

11) The Pee Wee Herman Christmas Special

TLOTA (Voiceover): While it's not as unknown as bigger Christmas specials, it is not as really well known. Partly because it doesn't break any new ground or doing anything different. It does feel like a well done satire of Christmas Specials and it is done in such a weird and crazy way it's hard NOT to enjoy it. It has celebrity cameos because that's what Pee Wee Herman thinks should be in Christmas Specials and to this Christmas Special's credit it doesn't feel like it's bad. If you want to see it, it's available on Netflix and other Streaming services. Check it out if you want to enjoy something so bonkers and yet so full of Christmas Spirit!

(Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Number 10 (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

10) The Rifftrax Live Christmas Shorts-Stravaganza

TLOTA (Voiceover): From the ashes of MST3K Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy & Bill Corbett decided to get together and make a fresh start in a new Riffing medium, The Internet where they could riff on ANYTHING unhindered and this Christmas Shorts-Stravaganza with Weird Al Yankovic on joining them as they primarily take on Public Domain or lesser known movies and Shorts. The Cynicism they exposit on these shorts might actually make you feel better as the Holidays continue on! It's available on DVD and on Hulu and other streaming sites if you're looking for it. Give it a watch, it's worth seeing a bit of Cynicism that doesn't come from a Green guy who thinks Christmas must be stolen for him to enjoy their sorrows.

(Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Number 9 (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

9) A Claymation Christmas Celebration

TLOTA (Voiceover): If you were a kid of the late 1980's early 1990's and seen the California Raisins ads. Then you know about the Claymation studios of Will Vinton. But this special has got a unique charm around it. It's hosted by Dinosaurs and has musical vignettes in which some of the silliest moments but also some of the greatest covers of Christmas songs. And some of the animation is so abstract you swear you have to pause and double check the animation just to make sure what you're seeing IS animation. That's remarkable! It's available on DVD and while I'm not sure about the Streaming sites I am sure you have to see it to believe it!

(Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Number 8 (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

8) Hey Arnold "Arnold's Christmas"

TLOTA (Voiceover): For those who don't know "Hey Arnold" was about a kid named Arnold whose parents left and never returned possibly the parents are presumed dead and lives with his grandparents in a boarding house full of unique characters. One of them being Mr. Hyunh who left his daughter as he was off doing his duty in the Vietnam war. And as his gift to Mr. Hyunh Arnold decides to find his daughter and reunite the two and if I say any more I'm likely to give away the twists and turns and everything else that makes this one an awesome Christmas Special. It's available on DVD and I think on Shout TV I could be wrong but I'm also sure if you look it's also available on Streaming services. Check it out and see a tale of a Football headed kid just trying to make the world around him a little more bearable.

(Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Number 7 (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

7) A Chipmunk Christmas

TLOTA (Voiceover): This Special featuring Alvin, Simon & Theodore and their adoptive father Dave Seville is the first one in which Ross Bagdasarian Jr play Alvin, Simon & Dave. The special animated by Chuck Jones could be seen as a semi proto pilot to what eventually became the 1980's Alvin & The Chipmunks series. It focuses on Alvin and his Golden Echo Harmonica and a fan of Alvin's named Tommy and I'm not going to get into too much detail because it will ruin possibly one of the most heartwarming Christmas specials I've ever seen because there is so much to like. The Animation, the music, the story, the twists and turns, I can't do it justice here. If you're looking for it, it's on DVD and I think it's on Blu-Ray I could be wrong on that but  I know it's on YouTube and trust me this special is something that needs to be seen to be believed!

(Cut to James physically)

TLOTA: We've got six more specials to go and three hours before the party so...

Eliza Dushku (Audio only): Hey James, we need more glassware, silverware, plates and more pigs in a blanket!

TLOTA: Well, The next six will be taken care after the break! We'll be back!

(Commercial Sting with American Gladiators first run's final season's ten seconds theme with James Standing alongside a Christmas tree to Holiday Text saying The Last of the Americans. While the sound of Jingling bells and the sight of snow falling are covering the sting then same moment returns to the review)

TLOTA: Whew we are an hour away from this party getting started. So maybe I can finish this countdown without something going wrong again. Let's just say it involved a pressure cooker. Don't ask!

(Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Number 6 (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

6) ALF's Special Christmas

TLOTA (Voiceover): All I can say about this one is YOWZA! This is possibly one of the saddest Christmas Specials I've ever seen! I mean we have Gordon "ALF" Schumway having befriend a little girl named Tiffany who knows this is her last Christmas in a hospital or on this planet, The Tanners' friend whose Cabin they're staying in having lost their significant other and deciding to end his own life and yet they try to balance out this with a woman having  a baby as Gordon assist her in giving birth and the Tanners trying to get through the Holidays in a Cabin with "Humorous" results. As humorous as a special can be when the special ends with Tiffany looking at Gordon outside the hospital's window and the two share sad glances at one another and the last scene is that of an "In Memoriam of..." scene of a fan of the show! (Cut to James physically on the verge of crying)

TLOTA (quietly): What is wrong with you Christmas Special?! (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): If you're looking for it, the special WAS on HULU for a while but you can also check it out on YouTube and other Streaming sites. Give it a watch if you want but be warned if you want to have your heart torn to bits this is the special for you!

(Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Number 5 (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

5) A Family Circus Christmas

TLOTA (Voiceover): Based on the Comic Strip Characters. This special features the characters by Bill & Jeff Keane sees the one of the younger children Jeffy coming along on a sleigh ride with Santa in hopes of getting his dad the best gift he can find. Will Jeffy get it for his dad? Well you'll have to do some searching but it is on YouTube and sadly not on any streaming sites or on DVD. But if you can find it, I STRONGLY Suggest you check it out. It's worth the time to find this jewel and give it the respect it deserves.

(Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Number 4 (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

4) The S CLUB 7 Christmas Special

TLOTA (Voiceover): This is something that I feel should be more well known for my own reasons. But here's the gist of what you need to know about the special. A musical group of seven singers from the United Kingdom is trying to make it big here in the states but with their careers not getting off the ground they decide to take a break, go home for the holidays and hopefully comeback in the spring of the next year hopefully in Los Angeles to start fresh. But after being fired from their Mall Santa Job and a crash involving some of their members the remaining members must choose to be loyal to their fallen friends and stay in the City Of Angels or go home as is leaving those who are injured and hope for the best. Well, if you want to know the whole story you're gonna have to find it. But as far as I know it's on YouTube either in one whole episode or in multiple parts and I personally enjoy it. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA: So if everything is about this is enjoyable and has a decent moral decision the group has to make then why isn't this being shown more? (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Because the band are known for the four series of thirteen episodes and not their music and believe me their music is just that right amount of 2000 pop that should've been more than just a one-hit wonder! That's right they only one hit the Aptly titled "Never Had A Dream Come True" peaked at the Number 10 spot for the first two weeks in May of 2001! They deserved better! They deserved to have tour the States as musicians! But no! Their manager thought they weren't worth their time! Their Manager SIMON FULLER WHO ONCE MANAGED THE SPICE GIRLS, WAS AN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ON AMERICAN IDOL AND PRODUCED A TON OF TALENT SHOWS STATESIDE AND OVERSEAS WHO HAD POSSIBLY A GREAT GROUP THAT WOULD'VE LASTED PAST THE ZEITGEST OF WHAT HAPPENED AND GOT THEM TOUR SPOTS WITH SOME OF THE MUSICIANS OF THE TIME STATESIDE AND DECIDED "NO, I WILL NOT LET THEM SUCCEED!" UP YOURS YOU SCROOGE! HERE'S HOPING YOU GET A LUMP OF COAL UPSIDE YOUR HEAD! But thankfully last year they had a reunion tour but if you lived in the UK you were golden. If you were one of the dozens of American fans you had to spend MORE money just to see them perform once again in the May of 2015! Fourteen years AFTER they made it big here Stateside and twelve years after they broke up! Well, here's hoping people eventually find them out whether through Nostalgia or YouTube and people actually see them for what they should've been!

(Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Number 3 (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

3) The Snowman

TLOTA (Voiceover): With amazingly hand drawn animation. This tale of a Snowman coming to life is far removed from "Frosty The Snowman" as it can get. With an intro beforehand by the late David Bowie in some versions of this special, amazing music and no dialogue we see this tale of a magical Snowman taking his human friend to a Snowman party and if I give away too much you might not want to see how it goes but it ends on a simple note that makes this one so compelling! It's on DVD, Blu-Ray and on Amazon Prime and some other streaming services for you to check out. If you haven't seen it then you HAVE to see it. This one has to be seen and just beholden as a cherished classic.

(Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Number 2 (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

2) The Little Rascals Christmas Special

TLOTA (Voiceover): Set during the Depression this animated special follows Spanky, his little brother Porky and their mom played by original "Our Gang"/ "Little Rascals" actress Darla Hood and how Spanky & Porky need to get the rest of the gang to help their mom get something she needs and that is as far as I dare go. Because there is a lot of to enjoy! One thing I should note is that the Directors of the animation would eventually create the 1980's Animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. And the best place I could find this is on YouTube and Dailymotion if you're looking for it. Check this one to make sure as Buckwheat says best OKAY!

(Cut to a basic animated Snow flurry scene with a blue background as Jingling Bells are heard and "Christmas in Sarajevo" by The Trans Siberian Orchestra plays in the foreground before the number is shown)

TLOTA (Voiceover): And the Number one little known Christmas Special is.....(Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

1) A Christmas Story! (Cut to the cover of the more well known movie DVD)

TLOTA (Voiceover) NO NOT THAT ONE! (Cut to clips of the special as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): I'm talking about the story about a dog and his little mouse friend trying to make their way to find Santa and give their master's letter to Santa. Will they overcome all the obstacles and give their letter to Santa? Well, for that you'll find it on DVD specifically the Hanna Barbera Christmas Classics Collection but it's not available for streaming though. But I'm sure it's out there on YouTube and other video streaming sites. Check them out, they're worth the time!

(Cut to James physically)

TLOTA: And that was the top 12 little known Christmas Specials and for me this was important! (Cut to clips of Christmas Specials well known and little known as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Because these specials need to be remembered even if The Nostalgia Critic can't remember them and to be fair all of them needs to be added to our Holiday Special collection that we all should see and Know that there's room for "Home Alone" and for the animated "Elf on The Shelf" Special equally. There's plenty of room at the table for everyone if we remember that they deserve it even if they are older or lesser known they deserve it as much as the most known of all the Christmas Specials.

(Cut to James physically)

TLOTA: I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans. Happy Holidays everyone! (Scene fades to black as the words "A Few Hours Later..." before cutting to James as cleans up the office and finds Aiyanna Wade reeking of booze and half passed out in the kitchen without a word but heartwarming music heard in the ending of The Nostalgia Critic's review of "A Christmas Story 2" is heard as James lets Aiyanna sleep off the drinks she had properly positioned so she doesn't choke on her vomit, hooks her up to an I.V. pump and in case something goes wrong places a bottle of water and aspirin, bucket next to her if she feels ill later on the couch and James goes to his business office and falls asleep on the floor with a blanket over himself curled up in a ball before cutting to the next day as Walter Banasiak finds Aiyanna on the couch)

Walter Banasiak: Hey Aiyanna! (Aiyanna wakes up shocked to see herself hooked up to an I.V. pump with D-5 Half Normal Saline with 20 KCL at 100 CCs an hour, Walter, A bucket, a bottle of Water and a bottle of Aspirin)

Aiyanna Wade: Walter, what happened? I remember going to the bar and making my Batgirl cocktail and next thing I know I'm sleeping on a couch so I don't blow chunks on myself. What happened?

Walter Banasiak: Well, you had more than one and next thing we all knew you grabbed James by the Po-pos! and were stumbling around trying to kiss James under the Mistletoe and well you tried to find more to drink. We lost you in the mix. Apparently James found you and the rest is history.

Aiyanna Wade: Did he...?

ORAC (Audio only): James spent half the night up making sure you were comfortable, the other half... (Cut to Walter and Aiyanna looking into James' business office before cutting to see James asleep on the floor on his side.)

Walter Banasiak (Audio only): Can't believe he spent the night here and made sure you were comfortable. Didn't even have the time to do anything else. (Cut to Aiyanna Wade coming up to James's still asleep body and gives him a kiss on the cheek before walking away and closing the door letting James sleep before cutting to hours later as James wakes up to discover a card saying only one word "Thanks" and James smiles sadly and nod to say to himself "I did the right thing" and walks over to the vault behind ORAC's area and places it in the vault)

Monday, November 21, 2016

Behind The Scenes of "Different Cuts: Highlander II"

(Scene starts with John Santos filming in the backroom as James is getting in character as he plays Christopher Lambert)

James Faraci (Doing Christopher Lambert): THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE! (Jokingly Kiya)

(Scene cuts to James as he drives up to the studio as Combine Harvester plays in the background.)

James Faraci: So today Olivia is officially joining the team and I am planning on having a celebration after we wrap for the day. (Cut to James filming as Paulo gets ready to become Giorgio A Tsoukalos)

James Faraci (Audio only): So enjoying the transformation?

Paulo Fonseca: After seeing you be this character, I'm glad I'm getting to play it because Olivia thought I was better built for the character than you. No Offense dude.

James Faraci (Audio only): None taken! (Cut to James and Spoony on the couch as they go over their lines as Olivia films.)

Olivia Horvath (Audio only): So what are you two up to?

James Faraci: Just going over lines with Noah and seeing if where and when we can ad-lib and I'm going to have record the same voiceover twice. One if Hillary Wins and the other one if Trump wins and it's a big "IF" if he does wins. Because the popular bet is that Hillary wins and basically I'm history! But we're in a world now where The Chicago Cubs are World Series Champions so anything is a possibility.  (Cut to James and Olivia as they go over the intro scene.)

James Faraci: So this is where you officially join our little group and we meet Spoony and I really think you'll be a welcomed addition to the team.

Olivia Horvath: You think so?

James Faraci: Oh I truly believe you're going to be awesome.

Olivia Horvath: Thanks James.

(Cut to James and Olivia being shocked as Spoony lands and a fart from a Whoopee Cushion is heard and Spoony muffles the infamous ninth doctor lines "Excuse me, do you mind not farting while I'm saving the world?" as James and Olivia laugh and James says "Cut" before seeing Spoony dress up as Doctor Insano)

Eric Kurtzke (Audio only): Neyah, What's up doc?

Noah Antwiler: Well, I'm going to be taking Giorgio A Tsoukalos's unconscious body away after one last ramble about Aliens.

Eric Kurtzke (Audio only): So what is Giorgio's deal with Aliens anyway?

James Faraci (Audio from a distance): The guy in my opinion has a little too much fun with somethings that I wouldn't touch with a fifty yard pole!

Noah Antwiler: I hear that! (Cut to James and Noah flubbing their lines together several times before cutting to Eliza Dushku grabbing a gun in the background as James and Eliza go over the way the lines are supposed to go as Traci Hines films.)

Traci Hines (Audio only): So what is this all about?

Eliza Dushku: James wanted me to grab myself south of the border as I say my lines threatening Spoony while I hold This bad boy and I was a little unsure until James said "It'd be a subtle jab at Donald Trump"

Traci Hines (Audio only): Why are you taking jabs at Trump?

James Faraci: To be honest, Yeah I'm a republican but I know he has a snowball's chance in hell to be president and if he does, I will be completely surprised and I will not envy him because he's gonna have the worst job to ever be put upon any human. I didn't want to be president because I know after I'm elected I'm gonna be the most hated person on the planet!

Traci Hines (Audio Only): Really? So you support Hillary?

James Faraci: Not really but come next Tuesday I'm voting for the lesser of the evils. (Cut to James as he films everyone else getting dressed up as UPS like deliverymen)

John Santos: So Nick, we're using "APS" for our delivery service

Nick Yaun: I mean the other guys wanted an arm and a leg for crying out loud.

Rebecca Yaun: Alright. (Cut to the end of the day as James and everyone celebrate Olivia joining the team as James wheels out a vanilla cake with Olivia's face on it.)

James Faraci: So on behalf of ALL of us we welcome you to our team! Team "Last Of The Americans" (Everyone cheers as James breaks out the Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider before cutting to James filming Olivia as she is enjoying the cake.)

James Faraci (Audio only): So you like the cake?

Olivia Horvath: Absolutely tasty.

James Faraci (Audio only): Made it myself

Olivia Horvath: No wonder it tastes fluffy! (Cut to where everyone is standing and Paulo said "We're The Avengers" and suddenly everyone including James laughs as Spoony pops up and says "That's All Folks" and James laughs again then says "Cut" before cutting to black)

Thursday, November 10, 2016

The Different Cuts of "Highlander II"


(A Hand pulling a card designed by Stevie Swigart with the statistics of James Faraci The Last Of The Americans while putting it into the Robo Knight Robo Morpher and punching in the code 428 from the 0:00-0:03 mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators original run. 0:04 mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators shows James Faraci morphing into James Faraci The Last Of The Americans with his Long sleeve Tee-Shirt with the American flag design on it, Blue cargo Jeans and Tan Work boots until 0:07 mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators original run as scene cuts to James stocking up on his arsenal from the Classic Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers Morpher, a bandoleer stocked up with Sonic Screwdrivers, Ammunition for a 303 British Rifle and said rifle, The Ring Of Aeon, The Gem From the Gauntlet Malachite’s Hand, Emmalina’s amulet and the Sword Of Caliverti from 0:08-0:15 mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators. 0:15-0:29 mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators original run shows James leaping and running through moments from the 2015 calendar year of his reviews ranging from James landing on Linkara, to James getting his nards smashed, To Josie & The Pussycats running into James’ office, to James and Paulo dressed as the Mario Brothers on a snow sled, to Everyone at team TLOTA running out of James’ office, to James leading the charge against the Cullens and the vampires of The Twilight Saga, to Rowdy turning his head to Paulo with a demented smile on his face as everyone save for James looks scared as James has his right hand with defeat on his face until the 0:30 mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators shows when James pulls out a sonic screwdriver towards the Power Rangers then cuts over to a slab of titanium where lasers cut out “The Last Of The Americans” until 0:36 mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators original run when James lands on top of the slab while doing a heroic pose with Paulo Fonseca, John Santos, Eliza Dushku & Eric Kurtzke on his right and Rebecca & Nick Yaun, Traci Hines, Renee Miller and Mike Santos on his left doing their own heroic poses on a black background the 0:36-end mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators original run play the camera moves back to see James on top of the slab with the words “The Last Of The Americans” on it before cutting to James talking to Olivia Horvath.)

TLOTA: So, that’s the lay of the studio, what do you think?

Olivia Horvath: Well, it’s a nice place, that transport reminds me of The TARDIS but it’s effective to help get things

TLOTA: And again, I feel I must thank you for helping me out the past couple of months. You have been invaluable to everyone here.

Olivia Horvath: Well after getting slimed in your review of “Ghostbusters: Answer the Call” and all the rest of the crazy stuff that happened over the past few months, I figured it be worth some of my time to help.

TLOTA: So, you’ll join our group full-time when you can? I mean, you’ll be in skits, sketches and can help if we need make-up and appliances placed on us and trust me we all do multiple roles here. Outside of me hosting and writing all of this, Myself, Paulo, Nick, Eric, John & Mike are great with making the Props, Renee is our go-to Costume maker, Rebecca helps with keeping everything financially above the breakeven point and as for Traci Hines and Eliza Dushku they correct something if I made like a mistake in references and I feel they give us a sense of security and credibility. So, what do you say? Want to join our troop of crazy characters?

Olivia Horvath: Absolutely, it might be fun for me!

TLOTA: Awesome. So, this month I have another episode of “The Different Cuts” coming up and next month will be our annual Christmas Reviewerverse get-together. You’ll be able to mingle and meet others in my profession and… (The door to the utility closet off screen and Noah “Spoony” Antwiler falls shocking both. James flips him over and uses his Tri-Corder to check his vitals and rushes into ORAC’s Chamber)

TLOTA: ORAC! Give me an analysis from the readings. (ORAC hums for a few seconds before cutting to everyone)

TLOTA (Off-Screen): Well ORAC let me know he’s been here since Mid-July and he’ll be awake soon so… (James walks in.)

TLOTA: What’s going on?

Paulo Fonseca: We were just wondering who he is or was?

TLOTA: That’s Spoony and he’ll be awake soon!

Eliza Dushku: That’s Spoony?

TLOTA: That’s Spoony.

Eliza Dushku: And what did he say to Jacob Chapman who was formally known as Hope Chapman also formally known as JesuOtaku? (James whispers what Spoony said to JesuOtaku) Well, I know how I can help revive him! (Eliza pulls out a switchblade knife as everyone else goes “Whoa!” and tries to stop her as Spoony wakes up and sees the knife.)

Spoony: So, what’s happening? We having cake? (Cut to Everyone else)

Eliza Dushku: Damn it, he’s an idiot to boot. (Eliza picks up Spoony) Now you listen and listen good. Say one thing out of line and I will gut you, you trout mouthed prick and play twister with your vitals! (Pulls out the switchblade knife again) Got it? (Spoony nods yes in fear of her as she walks away from Spoony and everyone else save for James walks with her leaving James and Spoony in the same room.)

Spoony: So, I take it you had to tell her? (Cut to James.)

TLOTA: Yep! So, do you realize how long you’ve been in there? (Cut to Spoony)

Spoony: A couple of hours? (Cut to James)

TLOTA: It’s mid-November. (Cut to Spoony)

Spoony: AW DAMN IT! and I had “Highlander II” to riff on for the party (Two copies of Highlander II drop out of Spoony’s right hand as James picks them up.)

TLOTA: Well this is gonna be as mentally disturbing as seeing “Turning Japanese” as performed by Kirsten Dunst.

Spoony (Audio only): What watching “Highlander II”? I could’ve told you that!

TLOTA: No! I’m talking about watching The Different Cuts of “Highlander II”

(Show James, Paulo & Rebecca dressed as butchers grabbing the same reel of film and a diagram of the reel of film. James Paulo & Rebecca look at both the three go to a meat slicer, all three slice different thicknesses with Paulo’s cut saying “The” James’s cut saying “Different” and Rebecca’s cut saying “Cuts” before cutting to the first Highlander movie & Highlander II as James and Spoony do voiceovers.)

TLOTA (Voiceover): The First “Highlander” movie when it was released in 1986 was a minor hit at the box office but has since gained a cult status and has become a staple in the Sword and Sorcery Genre of filmmaking. It gave Sean Connery a boost in his career he was surely needing and kick started Christopher Lambert’s career.

Spoony (Voiceover): However, the problem I have with the sequels and spin-offs is that it takes away from what should’ve been a stand-alone movie. But in 1991 we got “Highlander II” and it was eviscerated by everyone. Hell, I eviscerated it! But I also mentioned that it was one of the first fan-made re-cut movies ever made.

TLOTA (Voiceover): But today we’ll be looking at The Theatrical Cut and The Official Director’s cut or Renegade Version to see which one is the better version. (Cut to James and Spoony on the couch in the main lobby.)

Spoony: Well, hands down without a shadow of the doubt it is The Renegade Version.

TLOTA: But for Giggles and Squats let’s just say for arguments sake we find out if it is there is anything enjoyable in the theatrical cut as well. Let’s start out with the plot. (Cut to images of the covers of “Highlander II” as the last 26 seconds of “Princes of The Universe” play in the background as two swords slice down before the words “The Plot” are seen before cutting to James and Spoony doing voiceovers)

Spoony (Voiceover): Set in the far future of 2024.

TLOTA (Voiceover): So, AFTER Trump becomes President and screws the pooch.

Spoony (Voiceover): Pretty much. But, as you say it best, I digress. Connor MacLeod is an old man and discovers his Ozone layer replacement shield is now causing more harm than it is good. So, he decides to team up with a rebel who wants to shut the device down for good. Oh, we also discover how Connor MacLeod was immortal in the first movie and this is something that must be heard. I’m dead fricking serious. Take the magnification to its maximum, listen to the voice of Ramirez. This must be seen AND heard to be believed. (Cut to James and Spoony on the couch as Spoony forces James to be as close to the camera as possible.)

Spoony: No, James, I’m serious, GET IN CLOSE! OKAY SEAN CONNERY’S DISEMBODIED VOICE TELL US THE SOURCE OF IMMORTALITY PER THE WRITERS OF THIS TURKEY! (Cut to the scenes of Ramirez talking about how they’re aliens before cutting to James’ jaw hitting the ground!)

TLOTA: They… CAN’T… BE… SERIOUS WITH THIS, ARE THEY?! (Spoony nods to say yes) ALIENS?! The reason Connor MacLeod and Ramirez is immortal is because they’re Aliens from a faraway planet called Zeist and they were going to be left to live forever banished from there! (Cut to the entertainment center as a cartoonish slide whistle is heard and Georgio A. Tsoukalos played by Paulo Fonseca pops up out of nowhere like a cartoon!)

Georgio A. Tsoukalos: You two don’t understand! (Cut to James and Spoony jumping back and screams before cutting to Georgio A. Tsoukalos.) Aliens are the reason we’re not living in caves. Because they used their enhanced ways to teach us lesser beings and because of it every one of our greatest accomplishments from Stonehenge to the Internet and after all of that we’ve just begun to scratch the surface of what they have given us and this movie is proof that Aliens are the reason we will find Immortality and how we will survive beyond the Nuclear Holocaust… (Cut to James and Spoony on the couch)

Spoony: James… Do Something!

TLOTA: Okay. ORAC! Theta Level Defense! (James pulls out his Sonic Screwdriver as Georgio A. Tsoukalos continues to ramble before a battering ram hits him and is flung through the front door as everyone else locks the door with everything including a kitchen sink before cutting to James and Spoony on the couch)

TLOTA: Thanks, guys! (Cut to everyone else saying “No Problem” or “You’re Welcome” before walking away except Eliza who gives Spoony the “I’ll be watching you!” sign before walking away before cutting to the movies as James and Spoony do voiceovers.)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Thankfully all the other versions have cut that one detail out and say that they’re from a distant unspecified part of the past on our planet. Probably after we gained human speech. So, it’s pretty much a no brainer why the better one is The Renegade Cut. It doesn’t give guys like Georgio and their ramblings on any validity. It focuses on what needs to be done for Connor and his new love interest to take down the bad guy and disable the Ozone shield.

Spoony (Voiceover): So, that means….? (Cut to James sitting and sighing as Spoony looks on with a look of glee.)

TLOTA: The first point goes to The Renegade Cut. (Cut to images of the covers of “Highlander II” as The Renegade version has Connor’s sword over the cover of it while the Theatrical one remains untouched before cutting to James and Spoony on the couch.)

Spoony: This has been fun. What’s next?

TLOTA: Well Spoony we find out which one was edited better. (Cut to images of the covers of “Highlander II” as the last 26 seconds of “Princes of The Universe” play in the background as two swords slice down before the words “Editing” are seen before cutting to James and Spoony doing voiceovers)

Spoony (Voiceover): Why would editing factor into what makes a movie better or worse?

TLOTA (Voiceover): Well there is at least fifty tons of footage shot when you make a movie. As much as the actors or the director should be credited for their work the one who makes the movie either work or fail is The Editor.  But which one was edited better. Well let’s break it down into categories. First off the action. There is No Doubt that the action is well edited in the theatrical cut but it feels much tighter in the Renegade Cut. Next up the effects. In the theatrical cut, yeah the effects are pretty bad you could feel the eighties cheese oozing out while trying to get into what the 1990’s was trying to offer. But with the Renegade cut yeah they cleaned up a lot of the sloppiness from the theatrical cut. Finally, how the story gets affected the editing and this is where the differences are Night and Day. Again, editing out the most FAR-FETCHED Theory as to why MacLeod and Ramirez are immortal! (Georgio A. Tsoukalos again comes in like a cartoon again!)

Georgio A. Tsoukalos: It is NOT Far-Fetched it is scientific fact that everything that enhanced our existence has been because of these inter-dimensional aliens who somehow move faster than even we can imagine how fast light can move because…  (Cut to James and Spoony on the couch)

Spoony: Every syllable out of his mouth is making my head want to commit Seppuku!

TLOTA: On it! (James whips out his Sonic Screwdriver before cutting to Georgio A. Tsoukalos as he falls through the floor and screams incredibly like Goofy before hearing a faint “My Cabbages!” then the rest of the team closing the trap door and sealing it shut even screwing down a piece of solid oak before cutting to James and Spoony on the couch)

TLOTA: Thanks again! (Cut to everyone else)

Eric Kurtzke: Hey if we get paid well, it’s worth the work!

Eliza Dushku: And if he steps out of line, I’d be glad to put him down like a rabid dog! (Cut to James and Spoony on the couch)

Spoony: I wasn’t even thinking of the ramifications of my actions; do you know it’s taken me these past few years to get even this crossover! (Cut to everyone else)

Rebecca Yaun: Well if you’re not careful, We WILL let Eliza off the chain! (Everyone else walks away before cutting to James and Spoony)

Spoony: Anyway, which cut in your opinion is better edited?

TLOTA: Well…. (Cut to both cuts of Highlander II as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (Voiceover): To be honest, I can’t say. It’s too close to call so I have no choice but to give both movies the point! (Cut to Spoony and James on the couch)

Spoony: WHAT?! THEY BOTH GET A POINT?!

TLOTA: Take it easy or else I’ll leave you in a room with Eliza! Besides the director’s cut is ahead 2 to 1 in total points. That is how it works at the end, the total amount of points gathered. Capische?!

Spoony: Capische. (Cut to images of the covers of “Highlander II” as The Renegade version has two of Connor’s swords over the cover of it while the Theatrical one remains one of Connor’s swords over it before cutting to James and Spoony on the couch.)

TLOTA: Well it’s two to one in favor of The Renegade version but can the theatrical cut make up ground or should I be cutting the head off it and claiming the prize myself. We’ll find out after the break!

Spoony: Do we have to?

TLOTA: I need Liquid I.Q. to finish getting through this!

(0:36-end mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators original run play the camera moves back to see James on top of the slab with the words “The Last Of The Americans” on it act as the commercial break intro and return to James & Spoony on the couch.)

Spoony: MMM! That’s some good Liquid I.Q.!

TLOTA: Yep and I think we have enough to finish up with the last two qualifications so let’s get down to the second to last one.

(Cut to images of the covers of “Highlander II” as the last 26 seconds of “Princes Of The Universe” play in the background as two swords slice down before the words “Cast and Characters” are seen before cutting to James and Spoony doing voiceovers)

TLOTA (Voiceover): Getting the two main men back to reprise their roles of Ramirez played by Sean Connery and of course the Highlander himself Connor MacLeod played by Christopher Lambert was a good idea. John C. McGinley and Virginia Madsen were also great cast choices even though the performances range from decent to over the top goofy but WHAT WERE THEY THINKING WITH MICHAEL IRONSIDE AS KATANA?!

Spoony (Voiceover): What was he over the top even for you?

TLOTA (Voiceover): No, but he wasn’t a good choice. I’ll say that. In fact, I can imagine what it was like on set. (Cut to Noah “Spoony” Antwiler dressed like Michael Ironside as Katana, James dressed like Christopher Lambert as Connor and John Ross Santos dressed like Sean Connery as Ramirez)

Sean Connery: Can you believe this script? I’ve crapped better movies than this when I had the Squats!

Michael Ironside: I hear you but let’s face it, this is a paycheck movie. I’ve got this great role in a Schwarzenegger movie “Total Recall”. I think it’s gonna be a breakout role.

Sean Connery: Schwarzenegger, now there is a flash in the pan for ya! I could do a movie with me having my way with Schwarzenegger and it’d be more entertaining. Your eyes still bothering you Christopher?

Christopher Lambert: I think I’d rather be blind than read this plot. I mean We’re Aliens?! Is the guy who wrote this a stoner?!

Michael Ironside: Listen, if we do this right no one will remember this and we can go on to better things.

(A Voice by Mike Santos off screen says “Ten Minutes until we’re rolling!” and the three groan.)

Michael Ironside: Well, let’s be so out there that people will forget! (Michael walks away as Virginia Madsen played by Olivia Horvath walks in)

Virginia Madsen: So, after this jerk cuts for the day we kick his ass seven different ways from Sunday?

Christopher Lambert: Read my mind (The three walks away as the sounds of punches are heard before cutting to the movie as James & Spoony do voiceovers)

Spoony (Voiceover): Ultimately it does feel like the cast were in one of the worst movies of their careers.

TLOTA (Voiceover): But even with all the crap they’ve taken since and all of them doing some better work since it’s not a total loss but with everything that they endured and I’m surprising myself by saying this it’s tie in the cast and characters department. (Cut to Spoony and James physically.)

TLOTA: And remember it’s total points that count! With that said the Renegade cut is ahead three to two!

Spoony: Okay James, I get that The Renegade Cut is ahead three to two but still I don’t like the fact the theatrical cut has any points.  

(Cut to images of the covers of “Highlander II” as The Renegade version has three of Connor’s swords over the cover of it while the Theatrical one remains two of Connor’s swords over it before cutting to James and Spoony on the couch.)

TLOTA: And now the main event! Brace yourself folks we’re gonna see which of the two has in fact, The Re-Watch Factor!

Spoony: The What Factor?

TLOTA: The Re-Watch Factor is when after seeing it for a couple hundred times in one sitting you get bored with it, then one day you check it out after NOT seeing it for a while and you say to yourself “Hey, I remember watching this and watching it now, I remember this being good.”

Spoony: Oh! Now I get it. The Re-Watch Factor!

(Cut to images of the covers of “Highlander II” as the last 26 seconds of “Princes of The Universe” play in the background as two swords slice down before the words “Re-Watch Factor” are seen before cutting to James and Spoony doing voiceovers)

TLOTA (Voiceover): As far as I’m concerned neither version of this movie is good, but after seeing both it’s kind of hard to see them as totally unwatchable. I mean yeah the theatrical cut is SO ridiculous it’s laughable but after seeing the renegade cut and all those other cuts I understand why this cut exists. To correct the broth that too many cooks ruined. Do they correct everything? Not really.

Spoony (Voiceover): But they do correct the biggest problem of it, The freakin’ aliens sub-plot! I mean yeah the whole O-Zone thing is silly but under the right circumstances, you know what even if they got Douglas Adams to write this pile of crap and had re-worded it, Highlander II will always be known as one of the worst movies ever made. You and I could make a movie of us taking a dump for an hour and a half and it’d be more entertaining. Hell, listening to Georgio A. Tsoukalos for an hour and a half is more entertaining (Cut to James and Spoony physically on the couch and there is a knock on the door.)

TLOTA: I got it! (Cut to James opening the door as a team of UPS deliverymen played by Eliza Dushku, Rebecca Yaun, Nick Yaun, Traci Hines, Renee Miller, John & Mike Santos & Eric Kurtzke)

Delivery Man (Eric Kurtzke): Package for a James Faraci?

TLOTA: That’s me!

Delivery Man (Nick Yaun): Sign here if you’d please. (James signs and slips the team a 20 Dollar Bill)

TLOTA: That ought to do it and you guys get yourself a warm drink and a snack.

Delivery Team: Thank you! (The Delivery Team run into the delivery van and bolt like hell out as the box explodes to see Georgio A. Tsoukalos emerge from the box.)

Georgio A. Tsoukalos: The reason that you cannot fathom why this movie is so true is because you choose to ignore the intelligent thought processes that can emanated by a single watching because some time ago your Alien Ancestors decided that the human part of your brain… (Cut to James and Spoony crying on the couch)

TLOTA (Crying): What do we have to do to get rid of you once and for all? (Cut to Georgio A. Tsoukalos continuing to Ramble about Aliens as Dr. Insano arise and clocks Georgio A. Tsoukalos in the back of the head with a lead pipe.)

Georgio A. Tsoukalos: Op! Down I go! (Georgio A. Tsoukalos falls as Dr. Insano adjusts his lab coat.)

Dr. Insano: SCIENCE DAMN THAT MAN! His ramblings about aliens is enough to make me go insane! (Cut to Spoony and James on the Couch.)

Spoony: Well thanks a ton Doc! (Cut to Dr. Insano)

Dr. Insano: Don’t mention it! Now I’ll take care of this schmuck and you can get back to work. Oh, James could you call off your team? (Cut to Spoony and James on the Couch.)

TLOTA: Sure thing, GUYS! (Cut to the other members of TLOTA having rifles placed on Dr. Insano’s back.)

TLOTA (Audio only): You can leave him alone! (Cut to Spoony and James on the Couch.)

TLOTA: He’s doing something to HELP this time. (Cut to the other members of Team TLOTA as they back off and Dr. Insano walks out and the others disperse save for Eliza.)

Eliza Dushku: Just remember! (In Military rhyme): This is my rifle! That is your gun! Your gun messes with me and I’ll have some fun!  (Cut to Spoony as he sits and sighs and James tries to get him to relax before cutting back to the different cuts of “Highlander II” as James and Spoony do voiceovers.)

TLOTA (Voiceover): But if I had to make the choice of which one was the least bad and probably the more entertaining after several replays I will suggest The Renegade Cut is better by a razorblade’s width!

Spoony (Voiceover): That’s thin! So, if I’m right that means…. (Cut to Spoony and James on the Couch.)

TLOTA: Yes Spoony, The Renegade Cut of Highlander II is the Superior Cut of Highlander II

(Cut to images of the covers of “Highlander II” as The Renegade version has four of Connor’s swords over the cover of it while the Theatrical one remains two of Connor’s swords over it before seeing the cover of the theatrical cut being sliced and the quickening happening to the Renegade cut cutting to James and Spoony on the couch.)

TLOTA: But you know something, it doesn’t matter because after watching another Highlander movie, this one has been erased from Cannon!

Spoony: What?! Which one? As if I didn’t know the answer. (Cut to clips of “Highlander: Endgame” as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (Voiceover): I’m surprised you figured that out quickly. Yes, because of the movie “Highlander: Endgame” a movie you and “The NES Punk” reviewed already. Because if the continuity is correct this movie re-wrote the ending of Highlander. Instead of Connor claiming the prize it’s his relative Duncan which erases Highlander II because if Connor had claimed the prize then we would’ve wound up with the O-Zone Device, the Alien explanation as to why Connor and Ramirez were immortal and then Highlander III wouldn’t have happened and we wouldn’t be reviewing this turkey on any level. (Cut to Spoony and James on the Couch.)

Spoony: Huh, never thought about it like that. You gave me a lot to think about. And I want to thank you for reminding me and everyone else that no matter how you slice or re-slice a movie If it stinks the first time, it won’t smell like the botanical gardens anytime soon.

TLOTA: My pleasure Spoony, I’ll contact Rowdy to have his Genie blink you back home.

Spoony: Why would you do that?

TLOTA: Because something tells me Eliza left a surprise for you in your ride. If you step outside, you could potentially kiss your backside goodbye.

Spoony: How could that happen?

TLOTA: Don’t Ask! I’m James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and that’s my opinion! (James pulls out his cell phone.) Hey Rowdy, I need to ask a favor… (Spoony just sits there for a second before disappearing via Jeannie Blink)