Pop Stuff: What We Do in the Shadows; The One I Love

What I'm hearing, watching, reading, etc.


What We Do in the Shadows. Vampires aren't typically portrayed as likeable. But the bloodsucking crew in this horror spoof is downright loveable.

Shot in the overdone, but still effective mockumentary style, the film opens with vamp Viago (Taika Waititi) reaching out of his coffin to shut off the alarm on his clock radio. Viago's friendly and goodhearted. And clean. He gets after his flatmates for not doing the dishes and for leaving bones and other debris around the basement. And he always puts down towels or newspapers before feeding, so his victim's blood won't stain the furniture.

The rest of the crew isn't quite so nice, but they're fun. Vladislav (Flight of the  Conchords' Jemaine Clement) would have us believe he's sexy and dangerous, but he's the only one buying his publicity. He's not "The Impaler." He's "The Poker." Meanwhile, Deacon (Jonathan Brugh) is even more delusional than Vladislav about his sexiness and dangerousness. He's insecure and a slob. And finally, Petyr (Ben Fransham) is actually pretty dang scary. He looks like Nosferatu with worse teeth. But you can't help liking him anyway. Just watch your neck.

With the exception of Petyr, who just sort of hisses, the vampires all talk to the camera, supposedly manned by filmmakers from the New Zealand Documentary Film Board, venting about one another "Real World" style and sharing their observation about the vampire lifestyle, which - apart from the occasional feasting - is pretty dull and routine. 

Vampires must be invited into a building, which makes it hard to get into the local nightclubs, such as they are. It's also a bother dressing up when you can't see your reflection. Plus, there's also a chance you'll run into the local gang of werewolves, who smell and don't like you. It's only when a new young vampire and his pal, Stu, start hanging out, that things get a bit more fun.

"Shadows" is one of the best and funniest all-out comedies I've seen since Christopher Guest's great run of similarly absurd comic "documentaries." It's silly but witty and quick-paced. The horror-humor is fresh and well-observed.

If you like "Flight of the Conchords," you'll love it. Though there are no songs, Clement co-wrote the script with Waititi and there are a few lines you'll continue to quote for months afterward.

I can see it becoming a cult seasonal hit and have already penciled it in for screening this Halloween.


The One I Love. Now streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime, this is a good movie night pick. Elisabeth Moss of "Mad Men" and Mark Duplass star as a couple, Ethan and Sophie, whose marriage is on its last legs. At the suggestion of their counselor (Ted Danson), they go away for a weekend. He recommends a nice place in the woods where they can reconnect and remember what drew them together in the first place.

The retreat is nice. It's quiet. They're having fun. And they're all alone together. Or so they think.

It turns out both both Ethan and Sophie have doubles on the property. And/or there's some weird time/dimension shiftiness going on. The consider fleeing - it's just too weird - but end up going back, intrigued by what's going on, and the dopplegangers. There's something intriguing  and seductive about spending time with the spitting image of your loved one. Someone you know, but don't.

Lightly comic and not overly scarey or sad, the film makes us question what sparks relationships and what makes them last as we grow and change. Does the person we fall in love remain that person? Do we?

New trailer: Avengers - Age of Ultron

First look at The Vision.



Pop artifact: Vintage Captain America trike toy



New comics March 4, 2015: Marvel Super-Villains Unite; Captain America and Daredevil Masterworks new editions; Teen Titans Go!; Avengers: Age of Ultron Prelude

Click the links to order discounted items from Amazon.


Marvel Masterworks: Captain America Volume 1 (New Printing)
Transformed by the Super-Soldier Serum from a 97-pound weakling into Captain America, Steve Rogers led the charge to liberate the world from the Axis powers. But before World War II's end an accident left him frozen in suspended animation and his sidekick Bucky dead. The world turned on for decades. When the Avengers fi nally resuscitated him, Steve Rogers was greeted by a world vastly changed. He was a man out of time tormented by the death of his partner, but no less committed to the cause of fighting evil in all its forms. In this inaugural Silver Age Captain America Masterworks Stan Lee and Jack Kirby bring you the rebirth of an American icon, the rebirth of Captain America!
COLLECTING: TALES OF SUSPENSE 59-81


Super-Villains Unite: The Complete Super-Villain Team-Up
The Lord of Latveria and Atlantis' Avenging Son forge the Marvel Universe's most volatile alliance! But when the Sub-Mariner regrets his decision, he finds it's not that easy to walk away from a pact with Doom. Can anything get him out of this torturous team-up? Maybe the Fantastic Four...but probably not the Avengers, who've been enslaved by Attuma! And while Dr. Doom has his gauntlets full keeping Namor in line, the Red Skull sets his sights on Latveria! When Captain America sides with Doom, you know you're in trouble. But both Doom and the Skull plan to enslave the Earth...and the only ones standing in their way are Magneto and the Champions! Introducing the Shroud, and featuring the villainy of the Hate-Monger!
COLLECTING: GIANT-SIZE SUPER-VILLAIN TEAMUP 1-2; SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP 1-14, 16-17; AVENGERS 154-156; CHAMPIONS 16


Teen Titans Go! Vol. 1: Party, Party!
Based on the hit TV show, feast your eyes on this all-new, all-ages comic book series! Join Robin, Starfire, Beast Boy, Cyborg and Raven as they display their unique brand of hijinks, mayhem and justice! But giant pizza monsters aren't the only dastardly and delicious villains on the menu... so dig in, Titans!
Collects TEEN TITANS GO! #1-6.


Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron Prelude
The Avengers make their explosive return to the big screen this spring, and we've got everything you need to prepare right here! First, relive the historic first meeting between Marvel's mightiest heroes as Loki's plot to gain ulti mate power sparks a worldwide manhunt, a vicious war against the invading Chitauri in the heart of New York City, and the founding of the mighty Avengers! Next, thrill to an all-new Infinite-style adventure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, set between the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron! What world-shaking threats have the Avengers battled since their last film? And can anything prepare them for the looming threat of the mad mechanoid known as Ultron? Plus, experience the dynamic classic comic book debut of Vision, and relive some of the team's classic encounters with Ultron, including the prelude story to the "Age of Ultron" event.
COLLECTING: Marvel's The Avengers 1-2, Avengers: Cinematic Infinite Comic 1, Avengers (1963) 57-58, Avengers (1998) 22, Avengers 12.1


Marvel Masterworks: Daredevil Volume 1 (New Printing)
Born to a past-his-prime boxer, when young Matt Murdock's daring act to save a man's life results in an accident that blinds him, he finds that his other senses have been enhanced to super-human levels. After his father's murder those powers make him Daredevil, the protector of New York City's mean streets. Stan Lee and Bill Everett 's Daredevil debut was as gritty as they came, a tale of murder and sacrifice tempered with the desire to protect the downtrodden. Matt Murdock was someone different, and you'll see just why in his first Marvel Masterworks!
COLLECTING: DAREDEVIL 1-11