Post your reviews of: Home Movies - "Impressions"

[Killtacular]

Tonight's Cowboy Bebop episode may not air, due to a silly mistake at CN (apparently they lost the tape).

Most likely taking its place will be Brain Scratch.

If it doesn't air tonight, it will probably air next week, in the place of Brain Scratch.

The Party and Teddy Cam reviews will be up soon.

[ProdigyCube]

It was a great episode in my opp. I loved it. Up there with the best episodes. I love the Opra advice mcGurk gives Brendon.

[Killtacular]

What a depressing ending! Poor guy.

But it makes sense. They all lied and got screwed for it... so there's a definite moral to learn there.

[randomguy]

That was HILARIOUS. I don't think I've ever laughed so much in a single thirty minute period. Dwayne's band was even funnier here, and the drummer and bassist got some talk time to- and they were both really funny. The whole "I need to be alone to process this" bit was really good, as was the Starboy movie. All three plots, with McGuirk, Paula, and Brendan, were great; none of them felt tacked on, and they were spliced together nicely. I was really happy to see the sandbox making its first season 2 appearance as well. Cynthia bugged me in Hiatus, but she was effectively used here. All the conversations made me crack up, the little touches in the animation were great (especially the shimmering water effect in the kiddie pool, the bubble in Brendan's bath, and the Opera's "Can Opera Do This?" poster). All in all, while "The Party" was kinda poignant, this one was just straight up laughs all the way. It was also wise to focus on the central characters as well. Just a hilarious episode in the end. If you missed it, see it Thursday. If you saw it tonight, see it Thursday.

[spectre316]

I will say this -- in the beginning of the episode, I wasn't involved as much as I was with other Home Movies episodes ("The Party," for example). As the minutes went by, though, I realized I really comunicated with the episode. It's a rather sad episode, while I think about it -- it wasn't meant intentionally, but we all knew what Coach McGuirk and Brendon were going through. We probably all have been in a similar situation; McGuirk tries to impress a former classmate by lying about his physical looks -- while Brendon tries to impress a girl by lying about his status.

McGuirk as a character, though, is prone to do these things. Brendon was basically pushed to do so by Jason. But most of us get into these situations sometimes.

Don't get me wrong -- every part of this episode was very, very funny. Actually, I must say, this episode has some of the best lines of all the HM episodes so far. Paula was wonderful as a struggling test taker; her instructors even more so. And this episode has perhaps the best editting featured on a HM episode. Look at the ending, for example.

I don't think I liked it as much as "The Party," but it comes pretty close. It seemed like they spent some time on this episode. Well made, both comedy-wise and animation-wise (for the HM standard). Grade: A-

edit, changed the grade...

[pjfilmer]

Hmmm, this is a noodle scratcher. This episode didn't have way too many whiz-bang moments. Lots of center of the road stuff. On thing I'd like to question is the fact that Jason belongs to a Country Club. It just seems out of place for me. In "Business and Pleasure", Jason was trying to impress Brendon by hanging out at the pool, except it was a kiddie pool. Why wouldn't he have taken the full package, and gone to this Country Club? Probably just being nitpicky, but it seemed odd.


Pros-
-The nice relationship point between Brendon and his mom, the fact that when stressed, they handle themselves about the same.
-McGuirk's date getting in the cab, then McGuirk instantly begin scalping his opera tickets.
-The very Dr. Katz like ending, with the voice-over and the different shots. It reminded me of when patients would talk to Dr. Katz.

Cons-
-Dwayne's band. It might be me, but this time out of the gate, the band dragged down this episode. Hilarious in "Director's Cut'" but, I really saw the band's predictable comments to be predictable. Maybe that was the underlying joke, but the irony is too thick, I can't see past it.
-The entire episode was just too boring. Opening up a Country Club to use seems like more possibilites, but it just didn't help. However, it was funny to see Brendon sweating it out pretending to be Jason.

This wasn't THE worst episode, but it just didn't do much. Grade: C-. Looking forward to "Dad" next week. However, "Impressions" was just too 'blah', it really didn't swing for the fence. It blooped to left, and was happy with a single.

[Zorakfan]

Damn, PJ just spoke for both of us.

Thanks for saving me some wear on me fingers, bro.

[Detra]

First things first, I'm a crazed fan of Home Movies, I love the show and anything related to it.

Saying that, this episode was the worst one I've seen (And I've seen each one at least twice). There really wasn't one episode that wasn't good AT ALL, until this one. The only thing that made stop from crying was McGuirk and Jason. And even they werent they're usually hilarious.

Coming off the hilarious "The Party" episode, "Immpressions" is a huge disappointment. I never liked that girl, Cynthia, In Hiatus, Why did they have to bring her back? She's not funny, and not a good "voice of reason" character like Melissa. The whole Paula thing was bad, REAL bad too, it just fell flat and boring. McGuirk's bit was ok, but not up to his normal stuff.

[randomguy]

I never liked that girl, Cynthia, In Hiatus, Why did they have to bring her back? She's not funny, and not a good "voice of reason" character like Melissa.

It's true that she's not, but I don't think she was supposed to be. I'm not sure, but I believe the point of having her back was to teach Brendan something. Like Fenton, she was kinda supposed to be irratating. Or that's my guess. I agree about Melissa, and after seeing Brendan's choice of women in "Yoko" and in "The Party", I'm wondering why Brendan doesn't just pursue her instead.

[Shnay]

I'm wondering why Brendan doesn't just pursue [Melissa] instead.

From a story stand-point, I think this would confuse things so much that it would become too akward. I realize that there could be a lot of comedy in the akwardness of Brendon pursuing a friend, but I think it would just get too weird. I like the relationship Brendon, Melissa, and Jason have now, and would hate to see it get messed up by Brendon's "persuits."

(But then again, that was probably just a casual comment that I'm taking too seriously...but what are ya gonna do?)

[AgentMaxX]

I was highly disappointed by this episode. I only laughed two or three times, with 5 or 6 chuckles. The whole Starboy movie scenes weren't good and I found myself growing more and more disappointed. The whole episode was a cliche that we've seen in all other shows where the guy likes the girl and wants to impress her. I have to admit Coach McGuirk's advice was very funny along with his attempts to hook up with people from his old high school. I also thought Jason's mom's tests were humorous too, but besides that the episode was lacking. D+.

[Sora Takenouchi]

I liked the Astroboy parody. :D

[spectre316]

Originally posted by AgentMaxX
I only laughed two or three times, with 5 or 6 chuckles. The whole Starboy movie scenes weren't good and I found myself growing more and more disappointed.

I was only laughing a couple times too in the beginning. This episode was definetly not as funny as other episodes.


Originally posted by AgentMaxX
The whole episode was a cliche that we've seen in all other shows where the guy likes the girl and wants to impress her.

I have to agree with Ramdomguy and you about this. Why not Melissa? Or someone else of higher quality?


Originally posted by AgentMaxX
I also thought Jason's mom's tests were humorous too

It's Brendon's mom.

I thought the episode wasn't bad, but I change my A to a A- ... it just fits.

[Killtacular]

It's only the second season. Why does everyone want Brendon to instantly go out with Melissa? That's not how good storytelling works.

Brendon just doesn't realize that Melissa is worth more than he thinks. Plus he probably considers it part of his director's oath not to go out on dates with the talent.

[spectre316]

Originally posted by Matt Wilson
It's only the second season. Why does everyone want Brendon to instantly go out with Melissa? That's not how good storytelling works.

Brendon just doesn't realize that Melissa is worth more than he thinks. Plus he probably considers it part of his director's oath not to go out on dates with the talent.

It would just be nice if he picked someone with "higher quality," as I said before. Someone who doesn't get mad when he says "Awesome."

[DR. BELCH]

We learn that Jason is upper-class in this one, as his folks go to a country club. Actually, of the three friends, Brendan is sort of odd man out economically speaking, as I presume Melissa is fairly well-off--her father owns his own business.
Nice to see Cynthia, but I hated that Brendan had to lie to win her. I thought she'd be good for him, but instead she seems to bring out the worst in the boy. As for Melissa, there are some women that it doesn't pay to cross the line between "friend" and "lover" with.
The three interwoven vignettes, all tying into the lying theme, is very Seinfeldish.
McGirk, of course, plays "daddy" figure to Brendan--ironically he may be a better father than his actual father--we'll see that more in "Dad" next week. His advice to lie doesn't pay off, but if the coach had said "don't lie", Brendan would've anyway...so it's sort of somethin a boy has to learn on his own. Funny, also, seeing him try to figure out just how many lies he's told and to who. "Uh, what competition was that, now?"
Amusing new minor character--bracefaced band member with a hellacious lisp.
I guess Brendan really IS his mother's son (noting the eerily similar and concurrent getting-called-on-the-carpet sessions....)

[Serial_Slaughterer]

I think Brendon going after Melissa would ruin the chemistry that the 3 friends have now. I also think the comedy is that Brendon is going after such a shallow girl. As far as Paula goes, she was probably the funniest part of the episode. My overall grade would have to be an A, no doubt about it.

[atf487]

This episode gave me a mixed feeling. I thought the Starboy thing was good, but Cynthia just doesn't work for me. Shes just not...funny...or creative like Jason and Melissa are. Well, my grade is prolly a B-. Looking forward to Dad, and McGuirk's viewpoints.

[TerdFergusson]

Impressions didnt quite impress me. It would've it would've impressed me more if it had more jokes then a bad plot line. Nothing like last weeks episode "The Party" which impressed me (You get my little Jason pun joke there from the Barbarian movie). The Party was a non-stop laugh fest. Every conversation was memorable whether it be Coach McGuirk and Melissa, Brendon and the nerds ("Can Star Wars Do This?!"/the Skunk Scout/the girls, Walter and Perry or of course Jason and Melissa. This week it was only Paula and those 2 guys, McGuirk and Brendon and to a lesser extent Brendon and the waiter at then end. The thing that killed this episode were the lack of Jason and Melissa (need to know more abou Jason's family!) and the addition of Cynthia who wasnt the least bit funny. Scab (the band) actually let me down a little with their whole Star Boy thing. An Star Boy, that wasnt too bad, I needed more plot and stuff though (at the official Adult Swim Site you could play the Mutat Hot Dog Star Boy game and thats pretty funny).

[JTurner954]

I didn't like this episode too much. Last weeks was so good, but this one just wasn't that entertaining. The whole Brendon storyline with the country club dragged on.

Mcquirk (and Brendon's mother and her dilemma with typing) saved this episode from an F grade. The band was somewhat entertaining.

Overall score: C (75/100)

[MeatWad]

This show was pure Genius. I bet you I've never laughed as much from poor,lame advice before. Trust me,I know poor lame advice when I here it. The opra thing was funny! Also,the country club was pure hilarious! Brendan was trying to get a girl [second time he tried. First was with Lonnie] Cynthia's dump-down was really hilarous!The typing test was pure the funnys! Please,will you stop me from laughing? No doubt, I give it A+

[Sisto Kid]

I think if the Brendon/Cynthia saga serves any purpose in the grand scheme of things is, to remind us the fact that sometimes boys fall for certain girls (and vice versa) for all the wrong reasons.

Haven't all of us (at least once in our lives) fell head over feet (thank you, Alanis) for someone who may have had the personality of a bag of dull nails, but they were so charismatic/attractive we tried to make a go of it anyway?

It's obvious that Cynthia only saw Brendon as some guy who hung out with Dwayne's band, wasn't interested in him in the slightest, couldn't even remember his name. (I. E. "Hiatus")

(Sure she eventually offered to do something with Brendan later on, but as Chris Rock says, just because a female goes out with you doesn't mean she likes you. Sometimes she just wants to get out of the house.)

But Brendon is so mesmerised by Cynthia, he goes to great lengths to impress her, even imitating Jason to get into the Country Club.

Yes, as Matt said, Brendon lied and got his comeupance (sp?) in the end, but it just goes to show you the extent we as human beings will go to win the hearts of someone who half the time ain't worth the loose change in our pockets. (Ditto for McGurk's mystery date!)

And even though it wasn't the BEST episode of HM, (to me, that honor still goes to "Mortgages and Marbles") I still think in the grand scheme of things, it had something very important to say.

But, once again, this is strictly IMHO.

[JTurner954]

And with this new idea of Brendon trying to win her back, isn't it ironic that the next episode falls on (drum roll) Valentine's Day?

[Sisto Kid]

And with this new idea of Brendon trying to win her back, isn't it ironic that the next episode falls on (drum roll) Valentines Day?

Yes, JT (actually, I THINK the Valentine's Day episode will be a repeat of "Impressions", but don't quote me on it) it IS ironic, and not only that, it seems to bring to life that saying by William Shakespeare that the line between comedy and tragedy is a faint one.

[hello_lola]

Okay - the storylines with Brendon and McGuirk were both very funny, HOWEVER, as someone who has been on many a temp agency interview, I believe Paula's storyline was one of the funniest of the series. The disgusting guy with the handlebar mustache, the really boneheaded attempt to cheat on the typing test, and ultimately getting bawled out by some offcious loser - pure comic gold!

[Gojin]

Worst Home Movies episode ever. That's all that needs to be said.

[Killtacular]

You could probably afford to say a few more words. Your opinion is not very valid when it's just a small setence with little to no explanation.

[Gojin]

I can't explain it. Me and my friend came upon the same conclusion the next day. It was the worst episode out of all of them. The only good parts were McGirk and Paula's intervention. The rest of it just wasn't THAT funnny. I saw it again today and it was a little better. The whole Country Club thing sucked. Don't ask for a more elaborate opinion because I don't know why it sucked, it just did.

[Lonestarr]

I agree that the whole scene at the country club was dull, but the rest of the ep (for the most part) was hilarious. Some of my faorite moments:

- everything with McGuirk (Why the hell did he tell her that he was a bodybuilder?)

- Brendon trying (and failing) to talk his way out of the situation at said country club.

- The film at the beginning; though I didn't quite get the gist of it, I loved Dwayne's music for it.

Grade: B

[Destro]

Home Movies is slowly becoming one of my favorite shows on Adult Swim. I didn't get into it at first but with episodes like "The Party" and this weeks, I have been making sure not to miss this show. Now that's over with...

I enjoyed this episode quite a bit. It wasn't the best but I was glad to learn a little bit more about Jason and about him apparently wealthy. I also really glad to see the band inserted into this weeks episode quite a bit and even having some dialogue. Coach McGuirk was great with his "tips" for Brendon to try and win over this girl and later to see Coach McGuirk failing at his own tips. I found Jasons moment at the Country Club pretty funny by the way he treated the the waitor and the way just basically acted around the Country Club for that brief stint. All in all, the story was good and the humor was there. Grade: A-

[Eddy]

LOL! I loved it!