Snakes on a Plane goodness

The story of "Snakes on a Plane" is one of the funniest things I've encountered, and may just show how Hollywood can save itself.

Rather than put a muzzle on the idiot nation (of which I am a proud member) that latches on to any idea it finds fascinating, the producers of this b-movie bon-bon have instead consistently fed the beast. And it has grown beyond any reasonable expectations, even though the film doesn't come out until August.

And why not? It's Samuel L. Jackson, who finally delivered a performance that wasn't phoned in for the otherwise disappointing "Freedomland" already this year, and who we all know is a certified bad MF. And, as the brilliant name for this flick promises, it's snakes. On a plane. I'm already there.

Now, courtesy of Comingsoon.net, rapidly becoming my favorite geek-out site, comes a clip of Samuel on the "Ellen" show for those of us who, well, work during the day. Why Ellen? Who knows, but in it Samuel is clearly having fun promoting the flick (love the "Big Blue Sea" joke), and you can tell from the short clip he brought along, he will be an absolute badass in it. Watch the fun here.

Mike White news


Along with Judd Apatow, the short-lived but much-loved (at least by me) dramedy "Freaks and Geeks" employed the very funny Mike White.

Since writing for that show, he has penned the nearly flawless "School of Rock" for Jack Black and Richard Linklater, and the still-to-be-judged "Nacho Libre" for Black and Jared Hess.

Now comes word that he is finally getting in the director's chair himself, for something called "Year of the Dog."

It apparently will star Molly Shannon (one of the few SNL vets who can actually act) as a woman who is dealing with the sudden death of her dog. Doesn't sound particularly funny, but we'll see.

Making for a stellar supporting cast, so far, will be Peter Sarsgaard, Regina King, John C. Reilly and Laura Dern. All goodness here.

Though I wish nothing but the best for White, Apatow and friends, a small part of me wants them to flop at the movies, only so they can save us from the dreck that is prime-time TV with another "Freaks and Geeks" or "Undeclared." One can dream, after all.