"Get Him To The Greek" Is Not A Successful Comeback

Both Jonah Hill (of "Superbad" fame) and Russell Brand, the British stand-up comedian, were hilarious as secondary characters in the 2008 film, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," which starred the film's writer Jason Segel (currently seen on TV's "How I Met Your Mother") as Peter. Brand was the breakout star for his role as Aldous Snow— a seven years sober, yoga friendly, rock star who seduced Peter's girlfriend. Hill stole laughs as a hotel worker with a man-crush on Aldous, chasing him with music demos and complimentary cake. Although he should have been disliked, Brand's dry-witted, charismatic and sexually charged Aldous was not the bad guy. Peter and the audience couldn't help but like Aldous for his "Zen" take on life and relationships. He was an altruistic cad.

However, Segel did not write "Get Him To the Greek," the film spin-off reprising his Aldous Snow character, which Brand certainly made his own. Hill is casted this time as a record company intern, Aaron Greene, who's new assignment is to get Aldous— now "off the wagon" and steeped in bad publicity from a controversial record — to a comeback concert in the Los Angeles' Greek Theatre. This film is written and directed by the same "Marshall" director, Nicholas Stoller, but unfortunately, "Greek" might have benefited from Segel reprising his writing role since most of this film wastes the comedic talents of its stars.

"Marshall" was crude and funny, but it also had well-developed characters and a story with a meaningful message. The plot of "Greek" is loosely thrown together providing very little motivation for the audience to care about these characters' mishaps. It neglected to utilize the elements of the Aldous character that were so funny the first time around. Aldous is less amusing as a self-loathing, drunken drug addict who mopes over his ex-wife and child who might as well have not been in the film at all. The revelation that the boy is not his son near the end would have more impact if more than one line of dialogue (and sad photo moment) was dedicated to him previously. Trust me when I say knowing this plot point in advance spoils nothing.

The movie isn't short on physical humor with Hill on screen. Some of it is briefly funny while some goes a bit too far. Some funny moments revolve around the wacky Aldous and his party antics, leaving Aaron suffering as the result of booze, drugs or adrenaline shots. I laughed at Hill's drunken mishaps and discomfort, especially when hiding drugs in an uncomfortable place. However, I found myself not laughing more often. That's no good for an "R" rated comedy that isn't limited on where the jokes can go. Unfortunately, it went for vulgar in lieu of clever observation and situational jokes, which is the stuff that made these actors successfully funny in "Marshall." Both actors are far more capable than falling back on this for laughs in every scene.

One surprise is P. Diddy's role as Sergio, Aaron's demanding boss who sends him on the mission to bring Aldous to Los Angeles. Sergio threatens Aaron's job if he fails to get Aldous to each of his destinations. The Sergio character appears to be a wink to what people may assume of P. Diddy— he's egotistical, demanding and wealthy. Turns out, he can also be funny. Sergio is a business man short on sympathy and tolerance for  Aaron as he berates him in person or over the phone.

"Greek" is dark and confusing. It mixes the crude humor of "Marshall," with all-too serious plot lines including Aldous' drinking and drug problems, daddy issues and perverse view on relationships. Aaron also suffers with relationship troubles with Daphne, his live-in doctor girlfriend. They fight just before Aaron leaves for England to pick up Aldous. She demands they move to Seattle so she can take a better job and have more time with Aaron. As another desperate plot device, Aaron mistakes this fight for a break up and proceeds to party with Aldous and sleeps with another woman. Aside from the chances of Aaron even having this beautiful doctor as a girlfriend, it's an absurd misunderstanding so we can see Aaron fumble through rock star life style and still be likable (maybe). It provides the background needed to motivate an awkward three-way attempt between Aldous, Aaron and Daphne later in the film, which is more disturbing than funny. It's a stretch that never quite pays off.

Most of the time, what starts out as funny takes a very dark turn. By the end, Aldous feels bad about all his destructive behaviors and becomes "suicidal" (threatens to jump off a building) though it's never clear if he really means to do it. The audience was very quiet during Aldous' tearful apology to Aaron, except for one or two audience members who actually laughed. This is a testament to the confusion on how the audience should react.

The message of "Greek" is unclear and not so funny because it tried to be dramatic when it wasn't necessary. What's most disappointing is that the hard work was already done— "Marshall" laid the ground work for the quirky Aldous character. However, "Greek" cut out all the Aldous personality traits we enjoyed in the previous film, leaving behind a pathetic and unfunny person. The film had its laugh moments, but there were just too few. I probably went with too high expectations since I had the previous film in mind. Don't make the same mistake.

Trust the Ice Cream, Or Uh, Custard Man

I spent last Saturday dripping sweat while I stood for hours in the hot sun at a wedding celebration. The event was lots of fun, but not even the tents could protect anyone from the blaze since a setting sun still catches you sideways. Lately I've noticed the humidity making my straight, blow dried hair quickly frizz and curl. That can only mean one thing—  it's summer in North Carolina. And what is more refreshing than a nice, cold ice cream on a sweltering day? Nothing!

Except a frozen custard maybe. My favorite sweet treat spot as of late is Goodberry's Frozen Custard, which means I now have to give my apologies to this eatery that I failed to appreciate on first visit.

I was disappointed with my order at Goodberry's a couple of years ago at which time I decided that I didn't care to return. What was the problem, you may ask? I didn't know that Goodberry's was built on "The Carolina Concrete" or understand that frozen custard is so unique in its creation process. I was looking for something free of candy— a unique stand alone flavor perhaps—  and was disappointed with the plain chocolate custard cup with salty almonds thrown on top because I didn't know what else to get with lack of custard flavors. Not an order that allows Goodberry's to shine. It was an impromptu stop that could have been better had I known a few things.

Cold treat patrons looking for a variety of custard flavors in one place won't find it. Goodberry's, like any custard provider, only carries two of the most basic and popular flavors at all times—  vanilla and chocolate. Then there's the "Flavor of the Day." One for each day of the month, posted for your advanced reading at the order counter. For each feature flavor, they there is a pre-determined "Concrete" special. This concoction is a combination of one custard flavor with two mix-ins forming something similar to a Dairy Queen Blizzard or McDonald's McFlurry. But better.

You will find a plethora—  yes, as in you have a "plethora of pinatas"—  of syrups, candies, fruits and nuts to mix into the frozen custard flavor of your choosing. Thus, creating any number of flavor combinations for which you can scoop your spoon. If unfamiliar with the menu and the method, you may scoff at the limit of flavors and inability to read the menu very carefully without holding up the line. The building is merely an enclosed kitchen with a window counter from which cold, freezer air seeps out into the humid air in which you stand. Customers remain outside to order and eat at umbrella tables nearby, which is a perfect summer activity.

Turns out there is a good reason only so many frozen custard flavors are available at one time. Due to the labor-intensive and time-consuming process, only one special flavor can be produced each day to provide you with fresh, quality frozen custard. One unique difference in the way custard is made is the use of egg yolks. It's thicker than ice cream because of the mixing process, which uses less air. It reminds me of gelato, which is more concentrated in flavor. It also uses egg yolks, but differs with a lower percentage of butterfat. Ice cream, yogurt, custard— they are all one in the same in most folks' brains, but custard has a creamier taste. That's why I was baffled by Goodberry's. I thought I was just going for ice cream. Yeah, I know— didn't I read the sign? I was a custard ignoramus for which I do apologize.

If you're like me and can't be rushed when it comes to your dessert, here's a suggestion— order the special concrete of the day. Whatever it is! Trust me when I say you won't be disappointed. It's quite freeing to let yourself go from struggling to read the tiny print locked away behind the counter windows and trust Goodberry's. They're the professionals—  how could they be wrong? I did this on two recent occasions and one produced a vanilla custard with Heath bar and Spanish peanuts mix and another was a raspberry custard with chocolate chips and almonds.

Both were delicious and the latter was my favorite so far (as I'm sure I will be going back this summer). I would never have tried this had I not trusted the frozen custard man. I have found that Goodberry's is good at finding a complimentary mix of sweet and savory and texture. The chocolate chips and almonds were broken up a good bit so that the chocolate started to melt into the raspberry, but the almonds helped it maintain a crunch in each bite. Yumsters! (To quote one of my favorite "Private Chefs of Beverly Hills," Brian, on Food Network).

So don't squirm. Submit. And if you don't like? Well, you saved yourself some calories so give yourself a pat on the back. If you're averse to the flavor of the day or simply can't trust someone else to make your dessert selection for you,  you can review the Goodberry's website for some ideas. Try the "Create a Carolina Concrete" button to see the mass of choices you will have. Just remember, the options are endless, which can make it difficult to decide. Plus, the creation button gives some wacky combos— chocolate custard with pineapple and mocha syrup? I will pass on that one. But you get the idea.

The only problem is a few trips to satisfy the craving for something cold and sweet can start to pack on the pounds when you're trying to keep that figure trim for bathing suit weather. It's bad for me since the proximity of a location gives weight to the amount of times I may visit when the craving strikes. Goodberry's distance from my house: 8.65 miles. Rut-ro.

In case you have better discipline than me, I offer a nice alternative to a big cup of cold, sweet, soft and crunchy deliciousness. Buy a box, or two, of Klondike's 100 calorie ice cream treats for the freezer. It's no Goodberry's, but satisfies that ice cream craving without all the added pounds. My favorites are the "Slim-A-Bear" vanilla ice cream sandwiches and the chocolate fudge bars. They're all good!

In case you hadn't read enough about ice cream, and haven't dashed out the door to get some, here are some other notable ice cream destinations/products:

Cookout (milkshakes!)
TCBY (best frozen yogurt I can no longer find)
Edy's (best ice cream in the grocery freezer section, but also one of the most expensive)

You're welcome!