The Simpsons Movie at Flix
i go to Flix so often that I almost don't see the point in posting about it anymore. It feels like Forrest Gump, "I went to Flix. Again. I saw a movie. Again." This time though I saw the Simpsons movie and if you didn't know I am a big Simpsons fan.
Flix is known for showing clips of TV shows or movies related to the movie you are watching before it begins and I was excited to see what classic clips they would show. It was a lot of couch gags, some Simpsons Trivia and a few clips from Bart Vs Australia.
I had to show my team pride by wearing my Simpsons hockey Jersey
I've been a die hard fan of the show pretty much from day one or at least until I was able to understand the jokes. I made a point to watch it every weekday after school when it started showing in syndication.
I even had a stack of Simpsons Pogs!
Sadly I never got the ultimate pog, :(
If you're a fan of the show the big question many people seem to ask is "what do you think of it now?" or sometimes even more bluntly "When do you think it got bad?" In fact some fans of the show have started calling it Zombie Simpsons because it is a walking husk of what it once was.
https://deadhomersociety.com/zombiesimpsons/
There is a meme floating around the internet right now that's a reaction to the announcement that the show has been renewed through season 32.
I have a friend, let's call him Mr. Yrf... Yes that will do nicely, that has said for many years that the show has had more bad seasons than it had good.
Here's a phenomenon I noticed in the last couple years, I will watch an episode the first time and say "Huh. That's the best you could come up with?" But then see the same episode for the first time on FXX or a DVD and find parts that really make me laugh.
This became apparent to me when I re-watched season 20 after it was released on DVD the first time. There was a handful of episodes I would a second time and extremely hard. For some reason just watching the show and not trying to follow the plot or story really let me appreciate the humor.
https://amzn.to/2DBXdqE
My night at the Simpsons Movie was another prime example of that. I remember the first time I saw it, I shaved my head like Homer and then got to embarrassed to take my hat off. The next day I called Joel F... no that's to obvious let's call him J Fry and said "It was ok. But I can think of about 100 better episodes." He then told me he loved it. I think Joel saw it in theaters about 4 times.
I bought the DVD and watched it a handful of times but never really felt it. It never felt like it needed to be a movie to me. For how epic the Simpsons movie was meant to be it always felt like a bit of a let down. Fine at best. A few funny parts but why watch that when I can watch Marge Vs the Monorail or I l Love Lisa or You Only Move Twice
I don't know what it was about seeing at Flix but it finally felt epic. I remembered my biggest complaint was that the ancillary characters didn't get enough stage time. To me the Simpsons is just as much Chief Wiggum, Mr. Burns, and Skinner as it is Homer and Marge but for the first time I felt like they were really given a place to sign. The are pretty prominent the first act of the movie.
Albert Brooks did his, well not his best Simpsons character because that's Hank Scorpio. Probably not second best because of Brad Goodman? I don't know, somewhere in the top ten Simpsons characters that he has voiced of all time.
I am really pleased I went. This movie made me laugh harder than it ever has!
As for the show. Do I think it needs to end, part of understands that the show has lost a spark that it once had. But there's another part of me that whats to see how long it will last. Plus this show has been part of my Sunday for so long it is almost like comfort food.
Also, in honor of this post I am going to list my top ten Zombie Simpson episodes.
10. That 90’s Show
If a Simpsons fan hasn't already been turned off by this post
I think That 90's Show is more a sentiment to the Simpsons success than something to resent and if you watch it there are some legitimately funny moments, plus Weird Al is in it!
9. Future-Drama
Ok so going into the past is an issue than how about more episodes into their future. Like Lisa Wedding this episode gives us a glimpse at what Bart and Lisa will be like in High School with some extremely funny moments. Roided out Milhouse is one of my favorite Simpsons characters.
I think I am not alone with this episode because I noticed a lot of Gay for Moleman memes after the DVD released.
8. Sex Pies and Idiot Scrapes
The main story in this episode is about Homer and Ned becoming bounty hunters but the real gold is the B story where Marge starts working for an erotic bakery. There is one line that has entered into Joel and my Simpsons reference database.
"It's his penis!"
7. Gorgeous Grampa
Mr. Burns finds out that Abe Simpson used to be a Ric Flair like professional wrestler and persuades him to get back into the squared circle and then trying to pass the mantle on to Bart.
This episode won't be for everyone but I really enjoyed. I think just it because of the fun jabs they took at pro wrestling.
6. Dark Knight Court
Like Sex Pies and Idiot Scrapes, this is an episode I enjoyed more for the B story than the A. Mr. Burns wanders into the Androids Dungeon and sees comical booklets he read as a child. He then turns himself into a Batman parody and begins fighting crime around Springfield.
5. You Kent Always Get What you Want
When the show started I was mostly interested in Bart, as I got a little older I started to focus more on Homer and his moronic antics. Now I have gotten to the point where I really enjoy Marge, Ned Flanders and Kent Brockman.
I would argue that Brockman has the greatest Simpsons moment of all time, Deep Space Homer and his entire bizarre rant about giant space ants.
I could be mistaken, but it took 18 seasons until he finally had an episode dedicated to him and I am pleased to say it did not disappoint!
4. Don't Fear the Roofer
Homer makes a new friend, voiced by Ray Romano, that no one ever sees and it eventually leads people around him to question his mental state. Ray Ramano really shines in this episode and could join the likes of Kelsey Grammer or Joe Mantegna, who could come back and voice Homer's friend again and again, you know if he's real.
3. Tale of Two Springfields
This was the season premiere for Season 12, when it officially became Zombie Simpsons, maybe it was still running on steam from the last season but there are a lot of fantastic and hilarious moments in this episode. Also a few lines that have entered into my regular Simpsons lexicon. Don't believe? Oh, yeah? Come mere a minute!
2. I Don't Wanna Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Marge talks a would be bank robber into giving himself up but with one condition, she has to visit him in jail. Something she is unwilling to do. The great Steve Buscemi voices Dwight and knocks him out of the park, a real dangerous sympathetic loser that you kind of end up rooting for.
1. The Father The Son And the Holy Guest Star
Bart is finally expelled from school and his forced to go to a Catholic school but he ends up thriving and doing well, soon Homer is seduced by their powers of making pancakes a dinner and he converts too.
I wouldn't just say that this is the one of the best Zombie Simpsons episodes but best episodes of all time. A gem of an episode that shows that the Simpsons still can fire on all cylinders when they want to.
Once again. Thanks for reading and if you enjoyed this please subscribe!
Also, Happy Valentines Day!
