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Clare Martin
Clare Martin's reviews only count toward the Tomatometer® when published at the following Tomatometer-approved publication(s):
Paste Magazine
Movies reviews only
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Marcella Arguello: Bitch, Grow Up! (2023) |
Honestly, most comedians who rely on crowd work are rarely this engaged with an audience, and it’s enthralling, if a little tense at times. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jul 05, 2023
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Wanda Sykes: I'm An Entertainer (2023) |
By centering her individual perspective, Sykes injects humor and newfound vigor into conversations that fall flat in a lesser comics’ hands. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jun 07, 2023
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Jimmy O. Yang: Guess How Much? (2023) |
If you've seen Good Deal, then Yang's new special will feel like a slightly tedious though occasionally funny repeat. It's a shame that Guess How Much? ends up so undercooked and unsatisfactory. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted May 26, 2023
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A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou (2023) |
Most of "A Whole Lifetime" disappoints. There are funny one-liners, and Demetriou’s slapstick is charming as ever, but the disparate pieces don’t come together as well as you’d hope. But hey, that’s life. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted May 11, 2023
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Hannah Gadsby: Something Special (2023) |
The result is a special that’s frothy, almost to a fault. The frequent twee-ness can be grating, but the jokes are funny enough to counteract the overly cutesy bits. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted May 08, 2023
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Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love (2023) |
Let’s raise a glass, and tug an earlobe, to Burnett. There’s no one like her. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Apr 27, 2023
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Josh Johnson: Up Here Killing Myself (2023) |
Up Here Killing Myself establishes Johnson as a naturally gifted storyteller. His turn of phrase is conversational yet inventive, elevating stories that were already funny to begin with. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Mar 06, 2023
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The Civil Dead (2023) |
Their organic connection, as well as the fraying edges of friendship explored in the movie, make The Civil Dead a hilarious and emotionally devastating watch. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Mar 06, 2023
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Atsuko Okatsuka: The Intruder (2022) |
Feels like a gymnast perfectly sticking the landing after a dazzling routine. Charming and well-crafted, The Intruder is a rollicking good time. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jan 05, 2023
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Chelsea Handler: Revolution (2022) |
There’s an undeniable verve to her performance. That’s in contrast to the joke writing, though. Most of the bits are predictable -- so predictable, in fact, that the audience often laughs in anticipation of the punchlines. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jan 05, 2023
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Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery (2022) |
Everything about Who Killed Santa? comes across as Netflix’s low effort attempt to churn out more Christmas content, which is a shame because hilarious performers like Kurt Braunohler and Eliza Coupe are wasted here. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Dec 29, 2022
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Vir Das: Landing (2022) |
The special works, though, when Das sticks to the power of a microphone and what drew him to comedy in the first place. He can be a little self-aggrandizing, but it’s also artfully done and, ultimately, earned. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Dec 29, 2022
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Ian Lara: Romantic Comedy (2022) |
The native New Yorker takes to the stage in his new HBO special, Romantic Comedy, with a charming balance of confidence and self-deprecation that wins over soon-to-be fans. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Nov 14, 2022
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Chris Redd: Why Am I Like This? (2022) |
Redd shows off just how game he is for going off track and embracing spontaneous hilarity. His exuberance is infectious, buoying his every movement. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Nov 07, 2022
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Hasan Minhaj: The King's Jester (2022) |
In theory, The King’s Jester could be a compelling comedy special. In reality, it falls short thanks to Minhaj’s exaggerated and repetitive delivery. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Oct 06, 2022
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Jena Friedman: Ladykiller (2022) |
The push-and-pull tension of Ladykiller showcases Friedman’s writing skills. She knows how to keep an audience on edge with her pacing, as well as how to craft an instantly quotable bit. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Sep 28, 2022
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Sheng Wang: Sweet & Juicy (2022) |
Not only is the special Wang’s Netflix debut, but it’s fellow comedian Ali Wong’s first time directing, as well. Between her light directorial touch and Wang’s languid demeanor, the set is like a breath of fresh air, brilliant in its simplicity. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Sep 16, 2022
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Sam Morril: Same Time Tomorrow (2022) |
Morril may expertly subvert expectations with his joke telling, but his predictable edgelord slant undermines his talent in this new set. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Sep 14, 2022
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David A. Arnold: It Ain't for the Weak (2022) |
Arnold’s latest hour proves deeply personal and laugh-out-loud hilarious. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Aug 01, 2022
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Nikki Glaser: Good Clean Filth (2022) |
Glaser knows her craft... However, the execution doesn’t match the content. She delivers every joke with such precision that it feels sterile in comparison to the words coming out of her mouth. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jul 26, 2022
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Bill Burr: Live at Red Rocks (2022) |
Fans of Burr will likely love Live at Red Rocks, and newcomers, depending on who they are, may be turned off by the first 20 minutes or so of the special... His both-sides tactics end up feeling toothless and, at worst, regressive. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jul 14, 2022
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Would It Kill You to Laugh? (2022) |
The charged dynamic between Berlant and Early -- whether they’re playing friends or enemies or spouses -- is the secret ingredient that makes the special its own discomfiting, uproarious wonder. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jun 30, 2022
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Joel Kim Booster: Psychosexual (2022) |
His crowd work and rapport with the attendees make Psychosexual feel more electric and spontaneous than other comedy specials, which can fall into static, predictable patterns. And Kim Booster’s easy connection with the audience can’t be understated. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jun 24, 2022
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Ricky Gervais: SuperNature (2022) |
Gervais is truly off-putting in SuperNature, a detestable combination of smug and obtuse. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jun 01, 2022
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David Spade: Nothing Personal (2022) |
Spade shoehorns in topical references in order to appear relevant, but the end result feels more like a search and replace operation gone awry. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Apr 29, 2022
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Catherine Cohen: The Twist...? She's Gorgeous. (2022) |
Catherine Cohen’s debut Netflix special The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous, an effervescent hour filled with songs and theater kid energy, will not be for everyone, and that’s for the best. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Mar 22, 2022
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Mo Amer: Mohammed in Texas (2021) |
There’s an irresistible geniality to Amer, but he keeps getting in his own way throughout Mohammed in Texas. Here’s hoping that changes in the future as Amer’s star rises. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Mar 22, 2022
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Joyelle Nicole Johnson: Love Joy (2021) |
Love Joy isn't so much an introduction as it is a celebration of Johnson's undeniable talent. We're lucky just to be invited to the party. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Nov 18, 2021
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(undefined) |
The special's ups and downs make it a less than satisfactory watch, but his infectious enthusiasm and the earworm of a theme tune "Maz Jobrani: Peaceful Warrior" will stick with you. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Mar 29, 2021
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James Acaster: Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999 (2021) |
There's plenty more to love about Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999, but far be it from us to spoil the fruits of Acaster's genius. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Mar 29, 2021
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London Hughes: To Catch a D*ck (2020) |
Hughes' first Netflix special is by no means perfect, but her introduction to American audiences is unforgettable. Whatever we see her in next, Hughes will use everything at her disposal to make it worth tuning in. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jan 15, 2021
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Urzila Carlson: Overqualified Loser (2020) |
In spite of its faults, Overqualified Loser is an enjoyable introduction to Carlson's winning personality. We're left in no doubt of who she is, both as a person and a comedian, and we like what we see. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Aug 04, 2020
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Sam Jay: 3 in the Morning (2020) |
3 in the Morning leaves you walking away with more questions than answers, which is exactly what Jay is trying to do. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Aug 04, 2020
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Tom Segura: Ball Hog (2020) |
At one point he remarks, "Hey man, it's modern comedy. Get with the program." Maybe Segura should follow his own advice. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Apr 10, 2020
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I Got This (2018) |
Morril is pleasantly cynical on I Got This, the jaded barfly regaling you with jokes that make you laugh in spite of yourself. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Mar 11, 2020
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Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis (2020) |
Tomlinson is a classic in the making, the sort of comedy prodigy that makes the books not just for her age, but for her incredible potential. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Mar 10, 2020
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Pete Davidson: Alive From New York (2020) |
Davidson runs thin on material, especially when you cut out extended, poorly paced anecdotes about fellow celebrities. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Mar 02, 2020
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Leslie Jones: Time Machine (2020) |
This is surely a special that's worth being present for. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jan 24, 2020
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Ilana Glazer: The Planet is Burning (2020) |
The goofs are one-offs, not even complete enough to be considered one-liners. The hour feels like a supercut of Ilana bits from Broad City, rather than a fully fleshed-out stand-up set. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Jan 09, 2020
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Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America! (2019) |
Chieng accomplishes what he sets out to do during his special. He holds up a mirror to American society, we recoil in disgust, but then he makes us laugh so that the medicine goes down a little easier. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Dec 23, 2019
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Michelle Wolf: Joke Show (2019) |
When you're as funny as [Michelle] Wolf, you don't need to distract from your hilarious-and occasionally disturbing-stand-up. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Dec 13, 2019
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Mike Birbiglia: The New One (2019) |
[Mike] Birbiglia's latest Netflix special is candid and never saccharine, which oddly makes it all the more heartwarming. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Dec 02, 2019
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Seth Meyers: Lobby Baby (2019) |
[Seth Meyers] commands the room with pithy stories and occasionally punctuates a bit with a deer-in-the-headlights stare. His charm and consistency are both admirable, if a little dulling to his performance. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Nov 12, 2019
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Jenny Slate: Stage Fright (2019) |
[Jenny] Slate commits from head to toe, which is to say that she moves like one of those inflatable advertising tubes outside of a car dealership. Her exaggerated physicality is matched only by her buzzing, infectious enthusiasm. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Oct 25, 2019
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Mo Gilligan: Momentum (2019) |
The English comedian has yet to perfect his craft... However, when he taps into his raw talent and potential, [Mo] Gilligan gains unstoppable momentum. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Oct 11, 2019
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(undefined) |
Watching this special is a bit like hearing a song for the first time and feeling like you've always known the tune. - Paste Magazine
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| Posted Mar 12, 2019
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