Michelle Buteau, who has earned the moniker, the scene-stealing queen receives her own Netflix stand up special in Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia. The comedy special was filmed in New York City, finds the comic letting loose with a goblet of frosé in hand. As she delivers a dynamic hour of comedy that delves into parenthood, cultural difference, and the overlooked value of short men.
Now, suppose you’ve read my reviews in the past. In that case, you know that one of my norms when it comes to stand-up specials is to avoid watching any previous specials or YouTube clips of a comic to approach the material. However, once the comic began her set, I recognized her voice from other films and television shows
Director Page Hurwitz opens up the show with an impressive subjective camera shot showcasing Michelle walking into the venue of her awaiting audience. The comedian walks into the venue to beat a funky background track and takes the stage like a seasoned pro. Buteau opens up the show talking about just working with Jennifer Lopez on the soon to be released film, Marry Me and successfully weaves the experience into a joke about astrology and avoiding being star struck.
Throughout the special, it’s apparent that Michelle Buteau is happy for her success, and she’s worked hard to get to the level she’s at now. One of the things that I respected about Buteau’s comedy special is that the comic is comfortable with her plus-size frame. She doesn’t resort to using fat jokes as a constant punch line. Instead, her brand of comedy uses a relatable approach. Towards the end of the show, she tells a joke about sister wives that may have parents of newborn babies in stitches.
Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia won’t earn the comedian a spot in female comics’ upper echelon. The special is a welcome opener to comedy fans who aren’t familiar with her work. With a brief run time of only fifty minutes, I recommend Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia for those in need of a quick laugh.
Final Grade C +
Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia is streaming now at netflix.com/michellebuteauwelcometobuteaupia
Eggers masterfully crafts a narrative that explores the fine line between desire and destruction, drawing viewers into the emotional turmoil of his characters. The cinematography is breathtaking, with shadowy landscapes and hauntingly lit interiors that evoke a sense of dread and anticipation. Every frame of the film feels meticulously composed, a testament to Eggers’ commitment to his craft.
The film opens by introducing us to an American soldier named Jake (Green), who is seconds away from being executed while on her latest top-secret mission. While Jake is rescued, her team ends up losing their lives, adding to Jake’s PTSD. A few years later, during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a group of schoolgirls was taken hostage in Afghanistan. Jake’s old boss, Travis (Christopher Backus), recruits her to join an all-women commando unit to liberate them.
Mangold sets the film in the influential New York music scene of the early 1960s and centers on a 19-year-old musician from Minnesota named Bob Dylan, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet. It follows Dylan’s meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts, as his songs and charisma become a worldwide sensation. The narrative culminates in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.
Reviews And Dunn is a unique blog showcasing all things cinema, music & theater.