"Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2000) - 4/5

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2000)

Good show, but I had high expectations. I felt like it was "Seinfeld" on cable, but not as good - possibly b/c being like "Seinfeld" made it unoriginal.

Also, I felt like most episodes were formulaic - he wd do something in the begining which wd set him up to screw things up and come back on him later.

He's kinda Jerry and George rolled into one, but w/o the full cast, it's weakened.

Anyway, it's good and I'm told the next few seasons really get strong, but I was let down a little.

Madagascar (2005) - 4/5

Madagascar (2005)

I really liked this movie. The overall story is decent and the characters are good, but the details and little jokes throughout the whole story cracked me up. I just really liked the detailed thought they put into the little actions and jokes and idiosyncrasies of everything: the personalities of the penguins, the mannerisms of the animals, the quick side jokes w/ the monkeys, etc.

So while this movie isn't like an 'instant classic', I had a lot of fun w/ it.

Igby Goes Down (2002) - 3.5/5

Igby Goes Down (2002)

I think I wd have liked this movie more if I were younger or more ideallistic or something. It reminded me a lot of "The Cather in the Rye." I read that when I was older and didn't like it that much - I just thought the kid was annoying, arrogant, selfish, judgemental and a baby... kinda like this movie.

However, in the second half of this movie, they dive deeper into his family and such and it gets better. The dynamic of his dad and brother and just where people start and wind up and how was interesting.

The acting, tone, etc. are all great and Kieran Culkin handles the lead very well. This movie has a lot going for it. I was probably meant to feel sorry for and sympathize w/ the lead more than thinking of him as a punk causing trouble around him, but...