I actually thought this episode was really good, and feel, in general, the show has come out of a slump.   I take it you're grading on a Simpsons-only curve, as there are certainly more grown up laughs to be had than in whatever episode you care to name of American Dad (A minus!).

You kind of shortchange Zucker's pedigree.  Airplane, Top Secret, Kentucky Fried Movie.  These are some of the best comedies made in America.  I'm sure this one is total dreck, but in a way makes it all the more remarkable. The mighty fall.

Well, I thank you for clearing it up.  Golly that seems smug for review to assume we all know that.

"After Dorff botches the job, potentially leaving the victim’s wife alive
as a witness, he and Monaghan hit the road, apparently planning to kill
The Buddha should they meet him there. (It’s entirely possible that
Dafoe’s character was given that ridiculous name for exactly that
dumbass reason.) " Am I only one who…

I didn't hate this movie, but it is one of the slightest movies ever to be made on this scale.  I remember when it ended being mildly, not unpleasantly surprised it chose to end on that random dot.  I'd kind of grown tired of it, and it's like they knew and rolled the credits.  The most memorable moment was Deniro…

"community grade" seems suspiciously high, making me wonder if community is marketing team and studio drones.

"community grade" seems suspiciously high, making me wonder if community is marketing team and studio drones.

gave this a shot on Netflix.  I love Phillip Baker Hall, much more than I like Altman, but whole thing kind of dead in the water, no matter how tour-de-force Hall may have been.  I think for a one-man movie to work, guy has to not be burned into our brains as one of history's greatest and most unpleasant scoundrels…

gave this a shot on Netflix.  I love Phillip Baker Hall, much more than I like Altman, but whole thing kind of dead in the water, no matter how tour-de-force Hall may have been.  I think for a one-man movie to work, guy has to not be burned into our brains as one of history's greatest and most unpleasant scoundrels…

This movie's a period piece?  For real?  

This movie's a period piece?  For real?  

"It was a disconcertingly close call."  Sure Spencer Tracy wiped the sweat off his brow as he DIED.

"It was a disconcertingly close call."  Sure Spencer Tracy wiped the sweat off his brow as he DIED.

I admit I scanned this list cursorily with the hunch you'd have omitted "Tart" (as in flavor of fruit) by Elvis Costello.  But you did.  Mostly worth mentioning as it's a great song, written in later career, that toes the line masterfully between lewd and subtle.  So there.  Now I'll read article.

I admit I scanned this list cursorily with the hunch you'd have omitted "Tart" (as in flavor of fruit) by Elvis Costello.  But you did.  Mostly worth mentioning as it's a great song, written in later career, that toes the line masterfully between lewd and subtle.  So there.  Now I'll read article.

this movie's a B minus and if any schlub director had made it you'd have said so.  Highbrow schmaltz that presents mental illness as a higher stakes quirkiness.  It's definitely effective, but there are characters who exist for no reason, characters who exist solely to spin the plot in some otherwise totally unlikely…

this movie's a B minus and if any schlub director had made it you'd have said so.  Highbrow schmaltz that presents mental illness as a higher stakes quirkiness.  It's definitely effective, but there are characters who exist for no reason, characters who exist solely to spin the plot in some otherwise totally unlikely…

I love this movie.  It's a little uneven, but contains about 300% more big laughs than most comedies.  A small moment in a bank is among the funniest things I have ever seen on screen.  If you wonder if this is worth it, it is so worth it.

I love this movie.  It's a little uneven, but contains about 300% more big laughs than most comedies.  A small moment in a bank is among the funniest things I have ever seen on screen.  If you wonder if this is worth it, it is so worth it.

stop saying "stunning" so much. And what directors can make uncinematic films?  Seems like once you take the lenscap off, you're halfway home.