Reviews

The only reason I didn't give this movie a 10 rating is simply because American history is not my favorite subject. My main interests lie elsewhere. Having said that, I WAS blown away by the intensity of the overall scope of this film. I could only imagine that the writers and directors maintained a very large and detailed flow chart that kept tabs on all the minute and seemingly insignificant events that surrounded the well-documented incidents of this immense watershed moment in history. Every detail of the sets, props, locations, and wardrobe... everything, just immersed me in the film's absolute verisimilitude. I was captivated, enthralled and beleaguered by an immediate desire to see it again soon. I walked into the theater hoping to see a fairly good representation of Lincoln and his final days in office and ended up being thoroughly entertained.

As to another reviewer who decried the entire film as boring and meaningless I submit them this small challenge. Make a better film yourself. I await it with bated breath!

After viewing the first few episodes of this sitcom I feel compelled to let my fellow IMDb-ers know that they may well extend their life spans by seeing this show! That may seem to be an idle promise, but if the old adage "Laughter is the best medicine" holds any truth whatsoever, then this may be the fabled Fountain of Youth! It should be mentioned here that it is necessary for the viewer to be comfortable with base humor and some male frontal nudity. I enjoy all types of comedy, from Pee-Wee Herman's silliness to the time tested Three Stooges slapstick, from Rowan Atkinson's brilliant pantomime to the highbrow satire of Fawlty Towers. I think this show may set a new standard for modern ribaldry! The story involves a poor family with one child, living in a shabby tenement building and doing what they need to survive in an unusually unfair world. Many story lines revolve around the couple's desire to have a satisfying sex life while trying/not trying to conceive a second child. Their discussions are frank and to the point with many instances of crude language (never in the presence of their lovely daughter, however). Also, Louie (played by Louis C. K.) has a heck of a time convincing his African-American neighbors that he isn't a racist, while circumstances conspire against him to seemingly prove just the opposite. I laughed until my sides hurt because I imagined that this was art imitating life in a real and honest fashion. Let's face it, most people will be themselves when they think there is no-one watching, and I KNOW you're all imperfect, just like me. Enjoy the mirror's reflection, if you're not too self-righteous!

The combination of host Steve Martin and musical guest Prince provided a double whammy to the solar plexus of mediocrity in American sketch comedy. Mr. Martin, appearing as SNL host for a record 14th time, segued into the monologue after a brilliant pre-recorded opening sequence featuring Kelly Ripa and Alec Baldwin, unifying both pieces with his purported use of Viagra. Maya Rudolph appeared next as Oprah, fresh from her distasteful experience with author James Frey, facing Steve Martin as yet another deceitful author named Stone Freeman. Stone answered some hard questions from Oprah with some of the most hilarious backtracking and sidestepping evasions ever conceived. Another funny sketch found Steve playing himself, being duped into appearing at the victory celebration for Hamas. SNL also took a big chance on lampooning Prince during a show where he was the musical guest in what turned out to be one of the weaker segments of the evening. My main complaint would be that Horatio Sanz was under utilized in this episode. All things considered, Steve Martin proved once again that he is one of the most versatile and engaging comedians working today.