On Cinema at the Cinema Season 3 Episode 5: "Smurfs 2" and "300: Rise of an Empire"
I loved the whole blue thing, where everything says everything is about blue, and the color blue, and the way they say Smurfs is this, and Smurfs is that.
— Tim, on Smurfs 2
| On Cinema at the Cinema | |
| Season | 3 |
|---|---|
| Episode | 5 |
| Hosts | Tim Heidecker |
| Guests | Gregg Turkington |
| Released | July 31, 2013 |
| Films reviewed | The Smurfs 2 (2013, 105 mins.) 300: Rise of an Empire (2013, 102 mins.) |
| Popcorn Classics | Jack Frost (1998, 101 mins.) |
| Segments | Popcorn Classics |
| Runtime | 9 min. 19 sec. |
| Video link | YouTube |
The Oscars may have to make a new category for 'The Smurfs 2' while '300: Rise of an Empire' sparks a debate over the importance of having characters who died in the first movie return for the sequel.
Synopsis
Tim's guest today is the Gregg Turkington, who kindly asks the audience how they are doing, and Tim is doing fine.
The first film today, The Smurfs 2, is yet another amazing sequel according to Tim, who says that the sequels being made lately amount to an “embarrassment of riches.” He praises the film, calling it one his favorites, and loves “the whole blue thing.” Gregg was fascinated to see the unresolved questions from the original film brought to their logical conclusion, and expresses his hope that the Smurfs franchise will become a mainstay on the silver screen. They both lament the loss of cast member Jonathan Winters, who passed away before the film's release and was unable therefore to attend the premiere party. But Gregg opines that his passing will help the film at the box office, and possibly persuade the Academy Awards to create a “Best Comic Actor” category.
Next up is another sequel, 300: Rise of an Empire. Tim immediately gets frustrated reading the no-name actors off of his cards. He says he gives the film four bags of popcorn, but excoriates Hollywood for not including Gerard Butler, who starred in the original 300 (2006, 117 mins). Gregg finds this an “amateurish” way to review a film, and gives this one five bags. Tim reiterates that the film lacks star power, but Gregg reminds him that films like Star Wars (1977, 121 mins.) had a cast of relative nobodies who subsequently became stars. He says 300: Rise of an Empire has a chance to do the same. He calls it a good movie, but Tim immediately calls it a bad movie.
Gregg's Popcorn Classics is Jack Frost, starring Michael Keaton. It is a Christmas movie, but Gregg says the good Christmas movies can be watched year round. Tim also acknowledges that during hot weather, “cool” movies can be helpful. Gregg chooses this moment to announce that this selection is his first film in his new campaign, 500 Movies in 500 Days, in which he will attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records. He produces the Guinness World Records application form, and asks for the audience's support. Tim also pledges his support, and Gregg asks the audience to send him movie suggestions.