The Rating System NNNNN Standing ovation NNNN Sustained applause NNN Recommended, memorable scenes NN Seriously flawed N Get out the hook = Critics'' pick (highly recommended)

reviewed: OVERLORDS!, LUNATIC VAN BEETHOVEN, THE REEFER MAN, ONE MAN LORD OF THE RINGS, THE KUPPS RUNNETH OVER, FEAR OF A BROWN PLANET, and CACTUS - July 05, 2004

OVERLORDS! Those terrific Second City alumni Paul Bates and Lee Smart bring their malleable mugs, elastic bodies and tons of geeky enthusiasm to this silly sci-fi premise about two alien overlords who attempt to take over Earth by rounding up all its porn. An overly shrill performance by sole female Christy Bruce doesn't prevent this from being a solid Fringe show. NNN (GS)

LUNATIC VAN BEETHOVEN Shakespeare expert and frequent Fringer Keir Cutler has almost worn out his welcome with this disappointing pseudo lecture dispelling myths about the great composer. Few genuine musical insights (or any great performances - Cutler's singing voice is like nails on blackboard), just random bits of trivia, delivered in Cutler's usual overbearing style. NN (GS)

THE REEFER MAN Adept at physical comedy and several impressions, co-writer Russell Bennett rolls up a few too many plot points (and puns on the word "high") into this play about a lawyer's personal stand against pot laws. But his energy is infectious, and the show perks up in the second half. NNN (GS)

ONE MAN LORD OF THE RINGS Maybe only Peter Jackson and the Oscar-winning team behind the LOTR films would fully appreciate Charles Ross's brilliant homage to them. He's part fan, part critic and one hell of an actor, recreating key moments in the trilogy, injecting wiseass humour at pivotal moments and even hitting the emotional notes. Truly precious. NNNNN (GS)

THE KUPPS RUNNETH OVER There are some gut-bustingly funny sketches and scenes in this variety show style birthday for God thrown by a pair of religious TV hosts, and it's a great comic showcase for the under-seen performer Ayumi Iizuki. Too bad we don't see more cracks in the hosts' marriage, which would give the show more edge and momentum. NNN (GS)

FEAR OF A BROWN PLANET Stand-up comic Nile Seguin takes on the race issue as it applies to the entertainment industry, and his insights are funny, uncompromising and always intelligent. Seguin has a refreshingly confident, cocky delivery - too bad the show has a shaky beginning and even shakier conclusion. NNN (GS)

CACTUS Jonno Katz occasionally loses his step in this funny, often surreal look at three men traversing the desert. But his sad-eyed, love-me-please style can be endearing. NNN (GS)