Film School, Vol. 2: Flight of the Conchords

I haven't written about any movies lately because I haven't seen anything that was very good. I do love TV on DVD, though, so I would like to recommend HBO's Flight of the Conchords.

Bret and Jemaine are"New Zealand's fourth most popular folk-parody duo", trying to build a music career in New York City. They have an inept manager, Murray, who "manages" them during business hours at his Cultural Attache position in the New Zealand consulate, and one obsessed fan, Mel. Their friend and confidante, Dave, owns a nearby pawn shop and dispenses advice on dealing with everything from anti-Kiwi sentiments to women.

Every episode includes a spontaneous music video, which often takes place only in their imaginations. In the scene pictured here, they imagine dancing, bicycling, and singing (in French) with two girls who work at their local croissant shop, after standing outside for two hours working up the nerve to go in and order. The series was nominated for two Emmys for original songs from this season: "The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)" and "Inner City Pressure" (video below).

Perhaps the best episode of this season is "Mugged", in which Bret abandons Jemaine when his coat sleeve becomes caught on a fence as they try to run away from muggers, saying he's simply "too scared" and running all the way home until he's safe in his bed. They sing an impromptu rap song ("Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous") for their muggers, a series of humorous events take place, etc.

Watch Flight of the Conchords!