2023 Movie
Dir. Ben O'Brien · United States of America · English
An effectively self-deprecating stand-up set that retreats to easy, crass humor
Better known as a podcast host, Stavros Halkias proves that he does have the writing ability and (the lack of shame and/or pride) to come up with effective jokes from his own perspective. But his momentum just doesn’t hold throughout this hour-long special; he starts strong and keeps a coherent train of thought throughout the whole routine, but the latter sections begin to rely on gross-out comedy and potshots at the audience more than anything. Halkias knows who his audience is and he’s very fortunate to be able to perform in front of people who seem to be very familiar with his style. But for a wider range of people watching through streaming, his more relaxed style of storytelling may come off as him simply droning on without particularly great timing.
A snapshot of a man whose many vices are actively getting the best of him and a collection of observations, interesting experiences, and sexual embarrassments from two years of non-stop touring
The podcaster and stand-up comedian talks about living in today's day and age, his sex life, and his self-admitted weaknesses as a man.
The audience interaction section towards the end—in which Halkias really just roasts some of his audience members in good fun—may not be very novel or funny, but it's definitely a promising technique that Halkias should be able to develop further. The challenge for him, of course, would be to draw humor from participants who might be hearing of him for the first time, and who might not have as much goodwill ready to be extended towards him. But it's still always interesting to see a comic talking to an audience member almost as an equal.
You certainly have to respect a man who knows what he is, even if he's a man who knows he doesn't earn a lot of respect.
Emil Hofileña is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. He also writes as a theater critic, with work published in Rogue and Out of Print, among others. He’s probably crying over a movie or an episode as we speak.
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