TVSquad

(S01E08) I hate to sound like a broken record, but once again, On The Lot underwent a few more tweaks this week.

To begin with, thanks to a somewhat revealing outfit, the studio audience was mere millimeters away from finding out what exactly resided on Adriana Costa's lot. I'm pretty sure Garry Marshall would have had a heart attack had this actually occurred.

In addition, just a few minutes into the show, Adriana and Garry met with the directors during one of those behind-the-scenes sequences (that they don't utilize enough), and sent Jessica packing for the travesty of a film she submitted last week.

I sure hope the show sticks to this method of crushing people's dreams because it's a lot less messy and a lot more concise. I think the producers finally figured out that this isn't American Idol and I'm relieved.

A few other changes of note: Six directors showed films tonight instead of four directors showing slightly longer films like I expected. The directors also had a set genre this go around, which was a throwback to what they did earlier in the competition. Finally, the directors who weren't filming this week showed up at the sets of the directors who were filming and offered some mostly forgettable commentary. I think that about covers all the tweaks.

Tonight's guest judge was Mark Waters, director of Mean Girls, Freaky Friday, and Just Like Heaven.

#1 - Shalani - Doctor In-Law

Synopsis: A son-in-law and father-in-law have a very antagonistic relationship.

Carrie - I thought you did a really, really good job. You clearly went out of your comfort zone and it really was funny.
Mark - I got some really good laughs out of that. Very good use of perspective. Lacked a first act.
Garry - You found humor in the proctologist office. Love relative humor. Didn't think it was quite complete like Adriana's dress. Excellent work.

For someone who doesn't do comedy, I think she did a pretty spectacular job with this one, and found myself laughing aloud several times. I thought she did a nice job with the camera, and liked the scene where the father-in-law heard the doctor's voice as gibberish.

#2 - Adam - Discovering the Wheels

Synopsis: Cavemen get zapped back and forth in time.

Carrie - I thought it was really, really ambitious. In the end I'm not exactly sure, you may have bitten off more than you can chew, but it was good.
Mark - Needed to figure out a better ending, but terrific job.
Garry - Nice film, nice car.

Came across as an incoherent Mustang commercial to me. I didn't find it very funny or entertaining, but if it's any consolation, Adam proved that Zach isn't the only one that can pull off a special effect.

#3 - Will - Nerve Endings

Synopsis: Psychotic physician's assistant plays marionette with a brain patient.

Carrie - You are so darling. Only you could make blood and an exposed brain seem adorable. I always like your stuff.
Mark - I've been watching and I think you're one of the most talented film makers here. I think it was a bit of a misfire. Great execution.
Garry - This movie scared me a little. I'm sure the doctors really do that. I think it was my nightmare but your good film.

This one actually made me a little queasy for a second. It seemed as though this were some sort of back alley medical establishment because the brain patient wasn't hooked up to any monitoring equipment or have any sort of breathing apparatus attached. Of course, a little ways in I forgot all of this and found it pretty amusing. Not the best film so far, but not the worst.

#4 - Hilary - Under the Gun

Synopsis: Bank heist gone wrong.

Carrie - You redeemed yourself. I thought it was really good. I've always thought you had talent as a writer. I'm glad you're back in the game.
Mark - Great camera work. Totally fun to watch. Missed some shots but you did a terrific job.
Garry - It was very good and I think you had the camera work right. You're back in the competition.

I'm not a Hilary fan. I didn't like the acting in this one and didn't find the premise or the writing to be as hysterical as the judges seemed to. I agree with Mark when he said Hilary missed some key shots. That said, I do think this was much better than the first two films she's presented, and it probably was enough to keep her in the competition another few weeks judging by some of her competition.

#5 - David - How to Have a Girl

Synopsis: Couple attempt to choose a babies gender utilizing pre-coitus tips.

Carrie - I didn't really g...it was a little confusing to me. I sort of didn't really think it was a success. I have some concerns about you now.
Mark - Didn't really deliver on the promise. Not a lot of laughs. Didn't really work for me.
Garry - Sex is nice and I thought it was a better bedroom wrestling scene than in Borat. I think you've done some better stuff.

I don't think David did a very good job of conveying information in this one. I was confused a majority of the time and found the film more uncomfortable than anything. And was it just me or did this start looking like a rape scene when they were wrestling on the floor? Awkward.

Sidenote: Good to see Tatyana Ali from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air acting in something again. Does anyone know if the guy was the dorky guy from the movie Eurotrip? Looked like him to me for some reason.

#6 - Zach - Die Hardly Working

Synopsis: An imaginary battle takes place in the work-place.

Carrie - Fantastic, completely charming. As Garry Marshall once said, "Life is more important than show business". That has nothing to do with this. Adorable!
Mark - You are ridiculously talented. I so relate to this. Hysterical. Camera work, music, acting. I'm looking forward to your next movie.
Garry - Effects, coverage, the way you shot it all good.

There weren't any special effects, but Zach made great use of sound effects which in my opinion worked just as effectively (no pun intended). This guy is a film maker and I'm sure he silenced a lot of critics who thought he was all flash no substance. Great idea, great acting, great everything.

I either didn't catch it, or Adriana failed to ask which film the judges liked the best this week. Based on their gushing response, my guess would be Die Hardly Working. Coincidentally, that was my favorite, followed by Doctor In-Law.

Zach is running away with this thing and I don't see that changing much as we go along. They may as well just turn this into a show where we screen a new Zach movie every week. WIth all the changes the show's undergone, I wouldn't put that outside the realm of possibility.