160 Funny Christmas Jokes for Kids and Adults (2024)
'Bad Thoughts' Teaser: Tom Segura's Unhinged Netflix Comedy Offers Dark & Twisted Glimpse Inside His Mind
Tom Segura is offering the first unhinged glimpse inside his mind through his upcoming series.
In the teaser for his new six-part Netflix comedy series Bad Thoughts, which he debuted Saturday at his sold-out Madison Square Garden show, the comedian presents his dark and twisted musings through a genre-bending cinematic alternate universe.
Premiering May 13 on the streamer, Bad Thoughts is described as Black Mirror meets Chappelle's Show. The first teaser promises an alien invasion, black ops snipers, radicalized elementary schoolers, a bloody kitchen showdown, a hideous deformity and penis envy, all presented with some quality cinematic flare.
Last April, Deadline reported that Segura had self-financed, produced and sold the then-untitled pilot to Netflix, noting that he also serves as narrator in the show, which will see him take the viewer through a series of vignettes in each episode. The twisted comedic sensibility of his standup is the core DNA of this series, where every story will unfold in a hilariously disturbing way only he could imagine.
Segura's first scripted series for Netflix comes after he filmed five standup specials for the streaming platform, including Completely Normal (2014), Mostly Stories (2016), Disgraceful (2018), Ball Hog (2020) and Sledgehammer (2023).
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Sign UpA Review Of 'Death Of A Unicorn': Uninspired Humor And Clichéd Characters
Introduction
In a landscape brimming with innovative cinematic ideas, 'Death of a Unicorn' ventures into dark comedy territory with a promise that ultimately goes unfulfilled. The film, featuring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, is built on the intriguing premise of a unicorn's healing powers, yet it is marred by an overabundance of worn-out cliches and lackluster character portrayals. This article dissects the film's critical elements, from character development to humor execution, and ultimately evaluates its effectiveness as a comedic endeavor.
The Premise and Setup
The film opens with Elliot (Paul Rudd) and his daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) en route to a company retreat, where Elliot hopes to forge a lucrative partnership with the affluent Leopold family. The plot thickens when Elliot accidentally strikes a unicorn on the road. This magical realism introduction sets the stage for a classic dark comedy, yet the film quickly diverges into territory laden with caricatured portrayals.
Instead of exploring the absurdity of a unicorn's existence in a humorous light, the narrative bombards viewers with exaggerated characters that overshadow the film's initial premise. Characters like Odell (Richard E. Grant) and his wife Belinda (Tea Leoni) come across as less nuanced—a decision that detracts from potential comedic depth. Their portrayal as vacuous pharmaceutical moguls and overly altruistic personalities feels tired and predictable.
Characterization and Stereotypes
The film falls into the trap of presenting its characters as archetypes rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. The Leopolds, led by the delusionally wealthy father and the clueless mother, become caricatures of the privileged elite, lacking development beyond their surface-level traits.
Moreover, Elliot is depicted as a widower struggling to connect with his daughter, while Ridley embodies the overused trope of the idealistic college student. Their struggles are relatable but framed in an overly simplistic manner, failing to create emotional resonance with the audience. Such reductionist approaches to characterization leave viewers wanting more depth and substance, particularly in a film that could have explored the complexities of familial relationships amidst bizarre circumstances.
The Punchline That Never Lands
Despite its intriguing setup, 'Death of a Unicorn' suffers from a lack of comedic execution. Individual lines occasionally shine with promise, suggesting a depth of wit, only to be undermined by the surrounding dialogue, which often devolves into nonsensical banter. The film's true potential lies in how characters would react to the existence of a unicorn; alas, the absurdity is lost in a flood of uninspired exchanges.
Even the introduction of additional unicorns fails to breathe life into the narrative. Instead of escalating humor or horror, it further entrenches the film into a pit of insipid character interactions, resembling more of an improv exercise gone awry than a cohesive narrative. Ultimately, the absurdity of the unicorn's fate—the only elements that could invoke any terror—feels unearned and out of place amid shallow character portrayals.
Conclusion
In summary, 'Death of a Unicorn' is a film that struggles to realize its potential. With a unique premise but a reliance on familiar tropes and caricatures, it lacks both the comedic ingenuity and character depth that could have elevated it. The result is a dark comedy that leaves audiences neither amused nor terrified, but rather disengaged.
For fans of the genre, the film offers a potent reminder that execution matters as much as premise. Moving forward, filmmakers need to innovate their characters and dialogue to tap into humor's true potential. What do you think makes a dark comedy truly shine? Share your thoughts in the comments!返回搜狐，查看更多
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Hollyoaks Legend To Star In New BBC Dark Comedy Series Based On Award-winning Play
22:39, 24 Mar 2025Updated 22:17, 25 Mar 2025
Hollyoaks: Mercedes McQueen dances in her underwearHollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe has bagged a role in the BBC's upcoming dark comedy-drama set in Birmingham.
The six-part series is based on Janice Okoh's award-winning play Three Birds, which previously scooped the esteemed Bruntwood Playwriting Prize. The plot revolves around three siblings harbouring a dreadful family secret.
When their mother vanishes, Tiana, Tionne, and Tanika are desperate to conceal the truth from the world to keep their family intact.
"As Tiana struggles to keep their regular lives afloat, Tionna displaces his grief and Tanika tries to convince her teacher to adopt them, chaos erupts when their mum's hapless drug dealer, Dr Feelgood, moves in," the official synopsis continues.
"The series is a irreverent portrait of black working-class teenage life. A coming-of-age story of sorts. The first times, the f*** ups, and the excruciating desire to be more grown up than you're ready to be," reports the Liverpool Echo.
The logline concludes: "It's a celebration of black joy, of council estates, and corner shops. Of working-class living and working-class dreams. It is human and tender, with a thumping great heart."
Newcomers Chenée Taylor, Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie and Akins Subair will portray Tiana, Tanika and Tionne, respectively.
Vigil's Romola Garai takes on the role of the caring and dedicated teacher Ms Jenkins, while Back to Black's Sam Buchanan stars as the surprisingly kind-hearted Dr Feelgood.
Ivanno Jeremiah, known for his role in Humans, stars as the fun-loving father of three, Leo, while Jennifer Metcalfe, famed for her portrayal of Mercedes McQueen in Hollyoaks, guest stars as Leo's new partner Candy.
Talitha Wing from The Full Monty completes the cast as Rome, an Instagram model grappling with her self-esteem.
The series, filmed across the West Midlands, is a production of The Forge Entertainment, the company behind hits like The Buccaneers and Ackley Bridge. It is set to air on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three.
Just Act Normal is created and written by Janice Okoh and is directed by Nathaniel Martello-White, who also doubles as co-executive producer.
Just Act Normal is coming soon to BBC iPlayer and BBC Three
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