I GIVE THIS MOVIE NEGATIVE STARS

September 19, 2014 10:32 AM

Parks and Recreation's Aubrey Plaza has just been named as the voice of Grumpy Cat in the upcoming movie Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever. This is not the first time Plaza's acted in an Internet meme turned movie: she was in Safety Not Guaranteed (based on a personal ad hiring a time-travelling assistant) (prev) as well as CollegeHumour's fake Daria trailer (prev). Will it do better than The Slender Man or Snakes on a Plane?
posted by divabat (56 comments total)

NO.
posted by maryr at 10:34 AM on September 19, 2014 [12 favorites]

To think, the path to fame and fortune in the 21st Century is owning a slightly deformed cat.
posted by The Whelk at 10:36 AM on September 19, 2014 [21 favorites]

And it's on the Lifetime channel. Perfect.
posted by jbickers at 10:37 AM on September 19, 2014

No.
posted by Hactar at 10:39 AM on September 19, 2014 [2 favorites]

Yup, it's a Lifetime movie

In "Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever," Grumpy Cat is a lonely cat living in a mall pet shop. Because she always gets passed over and never gets chosen by customers, this kitty develops a sour outlook on life until…one day during the holidays, a very special 12-year-old girl named Chyrstal enters the pet store and falls in love with Grumpy Cat. A unique friendship is formed between the two when Chyrstal finds she is the only person who can hear this unique feline talk. In the middle of the holiday rush, Grumpy reluctantly thwarts the kidnapping of an expensive exotic dog she can’t stand and rescues Chyrstal after the mall closes on Christmas Eve. Will Grumpy Cat learn the true meaning of Christmas, or will it be in Grumpy’s words, “Worst. Christmas. Ever?”

I'm already looking forward to sequels no one really wants, like The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:39 AM on September 19, 2014 [1 favorite]

To think, the path to fame and fortune in the 21st Century is owning a slightly deformed cat.

We really underestimated how well they were domesticating us. Now we're becoming their social services system.
posted by maryr at 10:45 AM on September 19, 2014 [4 favorites]

...Chyrstal?
posted by context adventure at 10:46 AM on September 19, 2014 [8 favorites]

Serendipitous, as Grumpy Cat is a cat who looks like Ron Swanson.
posted by Atom Eyes at 10:48 AM on September 19, 2014 [5 favorites]

I remember Tardar Sauce said: "I'm not grumpy. I don't like when people call me grumpy. That's just how my face is shaped. I look like other cats, I think." 😓
posted by frijole at 10:49 AM on September 19, 2014 [11 favorites]

I think this actually looks sort of cute, and I really like Aubrey Plaza, so I might have to actually watch this.
posted by infinitywaltz at 10:51 AM on September 19, 2014 [2 favorites]

Grumpy Cat =/= Garfield. Please don't turn him/her into Garfield. This is the last, defeated breath of Lolcats, which used to be new and fresh and funny and have its own voice.
posted by bleep at 10:52 AM on September 19, 2014 [2 favorites]

Am I alone in not understanding the appeal of Aubrey Plaza as an actor or am I just old?
posted by wensink at 10:53 AM on September 19, 2014 [8 favorites]

This makes a lot of sense. April and Andy's relationship on Parks on Rec is basically written as that of a grumpy cat and an enthusiastic puppy.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 10:55 AM on September 19, 2014 [15 favorites]

This may be confirmation bias, but Plaza's appearance on WTF resulted in one of the least interesting interviews in recent memory.
posted by wensink at 10:56 AM on September 19, 2014 [1 favorite]

Well, there's about seven (?) billion people on this planet, it's not hard to see how a few of them wouldn't like the same things as some other people.
posted by Redfield at 10:57 AM on September 19, 2014 [3 favorites]

When I first saw this my brain swapped Grumpy Cat and Simon's Cat. While excited for a film, I was outraged that Simon's Cat was being given a voice.

On clarification and further reflection, I'm no less outraged.
posted by m@f at 10:57 AM on September 19, 2014

...Chyrstal?

I'm pronouncing it in my head as "Kirstal", which still isn't right, but that abomination sure as shit doesn't phonate* like 'Crystal'.

And on RTFA, see the typo. Carry on.

*yes that's a word I may have made up.
posted by quinndexter at 10:59 AM on September 19, 2014 [3 favorites]

@Redfield Of course. What I'm trying to get at is that her appeal may be generational.
posted by wensink at 11:07 AM on September 19, 2014

This was a good decision. She's funny, talented, and has played a similar role.
posted by longdaysjourney at 11:10 AM on September 19, 2014

Am I alone in not understanding the appeal of Aubrey Plaza as an actor or am I just old?

I am also an old and wasn't real into her until I started catching Parks & Rec in syndication. When you see how well she's acting as someone who's acting, the appeal is more apparent.
posted by Etrigan at 11:24 AM on September 19, 2014 [3 favorites]

I am clearly not the demographic that this movie is aimed at. I am not grumpy about this. You kids enjoy the lawn.
posted by arcticseal at 11:29 AM on September 19, 2014 [3 favorites]

Am I alone in...

By the way, unless you're the main character in an episode of The Twilight Zone, the answer to this question will always be No.
posted by Atom Eyes at 11:31 AM on September 19, 2014 [12 favorites]

unless you're the main character in an episode of The Twilight Zone,

I saw that one! The one with Burgess Meredith?
posted by wensink at 11:36 AM on September 19, 2014 [1 favorite]

Disappointed that the movie is going to be voiced instead of captioned in 100pt Impact.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 11:38 AM on September 19, 2014 [16 favorites]

Disappointed that the movie is going to be voiced instead of captioned in 100pt Impact.

Like this?
posted by divabat at 11:46 AM on September 19, 2014 [7 favorites]

Well, yesiree, this sure is a front page post on the internet. Indeed it is.
posted by basicchannel at 11:50 AM on September 19, 2014

I look forward to seeing Aubrey Plaza in The New Kitchen That This Blowoff TV Movie Voice Acting Gig Bought.
posted by griphus at 11:50 AM on September 19, 2014 [8 favorites]

I saw that one! The one with Burgess Meredith?

All the episodes with Burgess Meredith.
posted by Atom Eyes at 11:51 AM on September 19, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'm already looking forward to sequels no one really wants, like The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.


Surely it will be titled The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Claws?
posted by youarenothere at 11:59 AM on September 19, 2014 [1 favorite]

This may be confirmation bias, but Plaza's appearance on WTF yt resulted in one of the least interesting interviews in recent memory.

Plaza comes across as a tough nut to crack in all the interviews (granted: not many) I've seen/heard with her. Her recent Daily Show appearance was weirdly oblique in a Crispin Glover-y way, as though she was treating the interview like an out-there improv exercise. I like Plaza, and get the feeling that she just has a personal ethos that's at odds with the people-pleasing "let me tell you this hilarious anecdote of my crazy life" style that most TV and film actors put on for chat-show interviews.
posted by Strange Interlude at 12:10 PM on September 19, 2014 [2 favorites]

But I am disappointed that they didn't go with Eric Roberts for the role of A Grumpy Cat!?!.
posted by Strange Interlude at 12:11 PM on September 19, 2014 [3 favorites]

Aubrey Plaza seems like a fine choice to play a grumpy anything or anyone. And I'm perfectly fine with the idea of there being a Grumpy Cat movie.

In fact, I think they should make movies or TV shows out of more animals featured in memes. Who wouldn't want to watch Oolong's Pancake Breakfast or The Bad Pun Husky Comedy-Variety Hour?
posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 12:14 PM on September 19, 2014 [6 favorites]

I like Plaza, and get the feeling that she just has a personal ethos that's at odds with the people-pleasing "let me tell you this hilarious anecdote of my crazy life" style that most TV and film actors put on for chat-show interviews.

That's charitable. I'm pretty sure it's "Trying way too hard to start a career as the IDGAF Girl".
posted by bleep at 12:17 PM on September 19, 2014 [1 favorite]

They're releasing this and Everybody Loves Hypnotoad is stuck on the small screen? Fuckin' criminal. All glory to the Hypnotoad.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 12:23 PM on September 19, 2014 [8 favorites]

It's just a TV movie.
posted by Small Dollar at 12:41 PM on September 19, 2014

And it's on the Lifetime channel. Perfect.

Shouldn't that be purrfect?
posted by ambivalentic at 12:56 PM on September 19, 2014

I am clearly not the demographic that this movie is aimed at.

Is there even a demographic for a Lifetime movie about an internet meme cat who is taught the meaning of Christmas by a tween? What's the overlap between people who are into treacle and people who are into lolcatz? Is it a particularly internet savvy group of senior citizens? Or a particular sentimental group of 9gaggers?
posted by Panjandrum at 12:59 PM on September 19, 2014 [5 favorites]

What was once "Lolcats" has completely dissolved into treacle. Now anything you see with that visual style isn't the silly, snarky, lighthearted haha-cats-are-silly stuff, it's all heartwarming goo.
posted by bleep at 1:30 PM on September 19, 2014

I love Aubrey Plaza, love Grumpy Cat, confused about Lifetime, but meh can't win em all.
posted by sweetkid at 1:40 PM on September 19, 2014 [2 favorites]

Ugh. Plaza is the worst part of Parks and Rec consistently.
posted by klangklangston at 1:43 PM on September 19, 2014 [2 favorites]

oh no you meant best klang
posted by sweetkid at 1:49 PM on September 19, 2014 [8 favorites]

What was once "Lolcats" has completely dissolved into treacle. Now anything you see with that visual style isn't the silly, snarky, lighthearted haha-cats-are-silly stuff, it's all heartwarming goo.

We'll always have Ceiling Cat.
posted by emjaybee at 1:53 PM on September 19, 2014 [1 favorite]

ceiling cat is watching you monetize
posted by The Whelk at 2:10 PM on September 19, 2014 [13 favorites]

It's nine o'clock on the Internet
The chat rooms are buzzing like bees
There's a lolcat sitting next to me
Going NOM to his burger and cheez

He says: Son can you play me a viral vid?
I'm not really sure how it goes.
But it's dumb and it's short
And it features Bud Cort
And I think he's got mushrooms for toes.

Play us a GIF, you're the piano cat
Play us a GIF tonight
Well we're all in the mood for a funny meme
And you've got us feeling alright
posted by Atom Eyes at 2:37 PM on September 19, 2014 [14 favorites]

Get thee to MeFi Music.
posted by arcticseal at 3:33 PM on September 19, 2014

Now Atom is a MetaFilter lyricist,
Who always had time for the blue
And he's...
posted by wensink at 3:37 PM on September 19, 2014

I had no idea Grumpy Cat was a female. It almost wants to make me see the movie.
posted by lordrunningclam at 4:38 PM on September 19, 2014

Wow! It stars someone from Parks & Recreation!! And Grumpy Cat! I'm going to have to marathon this with the Garfield movies, and get out an extra container of skin cream, and...!

NO.
posted by markkraft at 4:43 PM on September 19, 2014 [1 favorite]

This is Plaza's moment don't spoil it. She is the fall it girl. Kind of weird because Chris Pratt her onscreen love interest in P&R was the it boy of summer.
posted by humanfont at 6:30 PM on September 19, 2014 [2 favorites]

I'm pretty sure I (never) heard this before...

"Garfield is Bill Murray's moment don't spoil it."
posted by markkraft at 10:37 PM on September 19, 2014

It should be noted that Hal Hartley cast Plaza in the final chapter of his Henry Fool trilogy, Ned Rifle [kickstarter-funded]. It's astonishing how well I feel she fits right in to his weirdly skewed yet determinedly naturalistic world.
posted by dhartung at 1:38 AM on September 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

"oh no you meant best klang"

No, you're thinking of Amy Poehler, then Chris Pratt, then Aziz Ansari, then Nick Offerman, then Retta, then Adam Scott, the whoever plays Perd, then Paul Rudd, then Jim O'Heir, then Ben Schwartz, then Jenny Slate, then whoever plays Councilman Jamm, then Rob Lowe, then Louis CK, then Rashida Jones, then Aubrey Plaza… then actually that Craig character that's a mix of screaming and one-dimensional gay stereotypes. Huh, I guess that Plaza isn't the worst, just consistently second worst character.
posted by klangklangston at 9:13 AM on September 20, 2014 [3 favorites]

"
I'm pretty sure I (never) heard this before...

"Garfield is Bill Murray's moment don't spoil it.""

1) Murray already had a pretty long and fantastic career. Plaza hasn't made Stripes, let alone Ghostbusters.
2) Everyone knew that Garfield would be a shitshow, so there was no spoiling.
posted by klangklangston at 9:14 AM on September 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

I wonder how much it would cost To get Plaza to do a dramatic reading of hunky Pratt/Shubby Pratt slash fiction? Maybe if I add some Judy Hitler...
posted by The Whelk at 9:26 AM on September 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

"oh no you meant best klang"

No, you're thinking of Amy Poehler, then Chris Pratt, then Aziz Ansari, then Nick Offerman, then Retta, then Adam Scott, the whoever plays Perd, then Paul Rudd, then Jim O'Heir, then Ben Schwartz, then Jenny Slate, then whoever plays Councilman Jamm, then Rob Lowe, then Louis CK, then Rashida Jones, then Aubrey Plaza… then actually that Craig character that's a mix of screaming and one-dimensional gay stereotypes. Huh, I guess that Plaza isn't the worst, just consistently second worst character.

Most of the people you listed aren't even in the main cast. I think it's kind of silly to rank actors in a great ensemble cast, but anyway I think Plaza brings a lot to the show. I love her deadpan delivery and random details about her character, like underneath all her sarcasm she actually roots for relationships and is good at making practical compromises in her own.

I love Jenny Slate but I think even she would think it's weird to say she brings more to Parks and Rec than Aubrey Plaza.
posted by sweetkid at 6:59 PM on September 20, 2014 [2 favorites]

Plaza comes across as a tough nut to crack in all the interviews

She was great on Hollywood Handbook, an Earwolf podcast, which is a surreal parody of insider gossip type shows and sort of revolves around its own odd sense of dialog and inside jokes. I'm not sure if they explain how the show works to most guests, but a lot of them don't seem to understand what's going on. She's one of the few guests who really got the joke and clicked with the weird premise. Not sure what that says about Grumpy Cat, but I think casting her is a good indication this might be better than expected.
posted by krinklyfig at 5:58 PM on September 22, 2014