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DID YOU READ

The Country Club Delivers a Real-Life Beat-Em-Up on YouTube

The Country Club Delivers a Real-Life Beat-Em-Up on YouTube (photo)

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Nathan Kitada & Aaron T. Umetani–the upstart filmmakers who comprise the Country Club–have won a loyal following with their gritty “Brothers Mario” mini-movies on YouTube. The hilarious clips send up of the adventures of Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong and other iconic Nintendo characters by walking them through every tough-guy/mafiaoso/heist flick cliché imaginable. They’re also fortified by jokes that show true knowledge and love of the “Super Mario” games.

Their latest work represents a shift in approach, however. “Repeat” does away with the machinima animation and enlists live actors for a vignette about a dude trying to save a princess. The sound effects come off a bit a bit tinny and the camera angles could use some pop but it’s not a bad first live-action effort for the Country Club guys.

You can see hints of the “Mario” games’ acrobatics, side-scrolling beat-em-ups like “River City Ransom” and and the pop cultural meta-awareness of the “Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World” comics and movie. But, what I really like about “Repeat” is the way that it captures the experience of playing video games, especially old-school classics like “Double Dragon.” As much as I loved even the “Scott Pilgrim” film, Edgar Wright‘s film didn’t do that. You can see the hero memorizing the level and learning patterns, topped off by a bit of improvisation that uses the game against itself. And when it finally gets to the ending, a classic video game joke gets a bizarrely funny twist.

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Do you want to see more live-action or more machinima from The Country Club? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter.

IFC_Portlandia-S8_best-of-skits_subaru-blog

Final Countdown

The Best Of The Last

Portlandia Goes Out With A Bang

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The end is near. In mere days Portlandia wraps up its final season, and oh what a season it’s been. Lucky for you, you can watch the entire season right now right here and on the IFC app, including this free episode courtesy of Subaru.

But now, let’s take a moment to look back at some of the new classics Fred and Carrie have so thoughtfully bestowed upon us. (We’ll be looking back through tear-blurred eyes, but you do you.)

Couples Dinner

It’s not that being single sucks, it’s that you suck if you’re single.

Cancel it!

A sketch for anyone who has cancelled more appointments than they’ve kept. Which is everyone.

Forgotten America

This one’s a “Serial” killer…everything both right and wrong about true crime podcasts.

Wedding Planners

The only bad wedding is a boring wedding.

Disaster Hut

It’s only the end of the world if your doomsday kit doesn’t include rosé.

Catch up on Portlandia’s final episodes on demand and at IFC.com

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Rev Up

Your Portlandia Personality Test

The New Portlandia Webseries Is Going Your Way

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Carrie and Fred understand that although we have so much in common, we’re each so beautifully unique and different. To help us navigate those differences, Portlandia has found an easy and honest way to embrace our special selves in the form of a progressive new traffic system: a specific lane for every kind of driver. It’s all in honor of the show’s 8th and final season, and it’s all presented by Subaru.

Ready to find out who you really are? Match your personality to a lane and hop on the expressway to self-understanding.

Lane 10: Trucks Piled With Junk

Your junk is falling out of your trunk. Shake a tail light, people — this lane is for you.

Lane 33: Twins

You’re like a Gemini, but waaaay more pedestrian. Maybe you and a friend just wear the same outfits a lot. Who cares, it’s just twinning enough to make you feel special.

Lane 27: Broken Windows

Bad luck follows you around and everyone knows it. Your proverbial seat is always damp from proverbial rain. Is this the universe telling you to swallow your pride? Yes.

Lane 69: Filthy Cars

You’re all about convenience. Getting your car washed while you drive is a no-brainer.

Lane 43: Newly Divorced Singles

It’s been a while since you’ve driven alone, and you don’t know the rules of the road anymore. What’s too fast? What’s too slow? Are you sending the right signals? Don’t worry, the breakdown lane is nearby if you need it.

Still can’t find a lane to match your personality? Check out all the videos here. And see the final season of Portlandia this spring on IFC.

Uncle-Buck

Give Back

Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide

Hits from the '80s are on repeat all Christmas Eve and Day on IFC.

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GIFs via Giphy, Photos via The Everett Collection

It’s the final countdown to Christmas and thanks to IFC’s movie marathon all Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can revel in classic ’80s films AND find inspiration for your last-minute gifts. Here are our recommendations, if you need a head start:

Musical Instrument

Great analog entertainment substitute when you refuse to give your kid the Nintendo Switch they’ve been drooling over.

Breakfast In Bed

Any significant other or child would appreciate these Uncle Buck-approved flapjacks. Just make sure you’re not stuck on clean up duty.

Cocktail Supplies

You’ll need them to get through the holidays.

Dance Lessons

So you can learn to shake-shake-shake (unless you know ghosts willing to lend a hand).

Comfy Clothes

With all the holiday meals, there may be some…embigenning.



Get even more great inspiration all Christmas Eve and Day on IFC, and remember…

Always On Slightly Off