The Tale of Two Comedies

Below are the reviews of two recently released comedies – a romantic comedy and an “oh-so not” romantic comedy that have been raking in the bucks – even with “The Transformers” hot on their heels.

The Proposal (2009)
The romantic comedy of which I speak is “The Proposal” starring Sandra Bullock and the “It” guy of the moment – Ryan Reynolds (see posted “Paper Man” review below).

While I really wanted to love this movie (because of aforementioned Mr. Reynolds) it was in actuality only mildly entertaining. The best parts of the movie featuring Mr. Reynolds and Ms. Bullock were played out in the previews – leaving the viewer with little to laugh out during the actual movie. The two exceptions to this are the impeccable Betty White and the scene stealing Oscar Nunez (The Office).

I really wanted this movie to be much more enjoyable than it was – but that is strictly because I’ve got a crush on Ryan Reynolds. The movie was OK – especially if you just focus on Ryan – but it was fairly formulaic. However….


The Hangover (2009)
I really didn’t have high expectations for this film because I was not a fan of “Old School” (in fact, I hated that movie) and Todd Phillips directed both films.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to thoroughly enjoy this film (and not just because Bradley Cooper was the lead – which, by the way – I had lunch with him in LA a few years ago – but I digress).

This movie had me laughing out loud the entire one hour and 40 minutes. The movie seems formulaic – a group of guys headed to Vegas for a bachelor party. But you are looking at a group of men in varying stages of their lives and I’m not sure any one in the group has yet to become a man.

You’ve got Alan (Zach Galifianakis) who very likely has never even been on a date with a woman and comes across slightly slow. Then there is Stu (played by the brilliant Ed Helms – also of “The Office”) who is straddled with a bitch of a girlfriend (Rachael Harris - also brilliant) and just really needs to man up. The least likable character of the whole bunch is Phil (Cooper) who is married with a gorgeous wife, a beautiful son and still acts like a whiney baby (he actually drove me crazy with his pathetic excuses for why he hated his life so much). And finally, there is the groom, Doug (Justin Bartha) who actually gets left out of most of this tale. Together they might make up one fully functioning adult.

I could write that the journey of searching for Doug (who apparently goes missing after one night in Vegas), bonds Alan, Stu and Phil into an everlasting friendship – but that would be searching for a deeper meaning than this film has to give. This movie is just plan fun and high jinx. There is no deeper meaning and it should be enjoyed for what it is – a movie made for no other purpose than to make you laugh. The only regret that I have about this picture is the ending stills that run over the credits. I think the movie would have been better served to leave the holes in the story as is and let the viewers’ imaginations run wild.

I have only one bad thing to say about this movie - Heather Graham.

Viewers can definitely wait to watch “The Proposal” on DVD, but “The Hangover” is worth an immediate viewing – and most likely – a repeat viewing too.

End.

Los Angeles Film Festival 2009

I recently attended the Los Angeles Film Festival on behalf of the Montana Film Office (follow them on Facebook and Twitter). And while I did work quite a bit at the festival, I found time to squeeze in four movies and have posted my thoughts below.

Enjoy.

Paper Man
The premiere film at the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival featured a picture that stars one of the hottest actors on the scene today (Ryan Reynolds) but is not destined to be a big hit. The picture centers on a blocked writer, Richard (Jeff Daniels) that still clings to his imaginary childhood friend Captain Excellent (Reynolds).

Berated constantly by his overachieving, surgeon wife (Lisa Kudrow), Richard struggles to write his follow-up novel and befriends a local misfit, Abby (the brilliant Emma Stone). The story details their rocky (and quirky) friendship and culminates in the realization that things are not quite always what they seem.

This film was good, but a little off in a few places. One to watch on DVD.


Weather Girl
This film premiered at Slamdance and has been on the film festival circuit for sometime. But the LA viewing was special because the cast and crew found out that the film is being picked up for national distribution July 10.

This is a film that does deserve a big splash, but most likely will get swallowed up by all the summer blockbuster movies (including Harry Potter opening five days later). A cute romantic comedy, it features Tricia O’Kelley (The New Adventures of Old Christine) as the title character (Sylvia) who suffers an on-air meltdown during a Seattle morning news show. The source for her anguish is the co-hosts of the show, Mark Harmon (NCIS) and Kaitlin Olsen (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia).

Sylvia is a little prickly and a bit hard to get close to, but luckily she surrounds herself with family and friends that help her see the error of her ways and are able to steer her in the right direction. The cast is made up largely of TV actors including Jon Cryer and Marin Hinkle (Two and a Half Men), Ryan Devlin (Veronica Mars) as well as Alex Kapp Horner (also on Old Christine) and is rounded out by the always entertaining Jane Lynch (Glee).

I just really enjoyed this picture and laughed all the way through it. Definitely worth seeing if you get the chance. See trailers for this film at the bottom of this page (boxes 1 and 3).


Passenger Side
This is the story of two estranged brothers that set out on a day-long road trip. Tobey (Joel Bissonnette) asks his brother Michael (Adam Scott) to drive him around LA but won’t tell him why. Michael only agrees because his mother makes him, but the trip does open Michael’s eyes to a world that he is not familiar with and definitely uncomfortable in.

I don’t want to say too much more about the film, because the film is about the discovery of truth and to say anything more will be to give too much away. I will say that the camera work in this film is sub-par and the car scenes are very jerky. You can wait for DVD on this one, but the secrets revealed slowly throughout the day-long journey are insightful.


Hollywood je t’aime
This is the story of a love triangle between a man, a man and a city.

Jerome (Eric Debets) has just been dumped by his lover Gilles (Jonathan Blanc). While on the surface, he seems fine with the decision and has moved on – in reality that is not the case. The movie begins in France and is filmed all in black and white to portray the despair that Jerome feels over this loss.

Jerome decides that in order to get over Gilles, he will leave the dreary confines of Paris and vacation in Los Angeles (this portion of the film is in color). As is the case with so many people that move to Hollywood, Jerome dreams of becoming a movie star.

Of course, the odds of this happening in two weeks are slim, but Jerome has some moderate success and an eclectic group of people takes him under their wings after a mishap at his hostel.

But ultimately, while Jerome does love Hollywood he love Gilles even more – Gilles and his new lover haunt Jerome’s dreams. Ultimately he knows that running away does not solve the problem and that he must return to the city of love to confront his desires.

“Hollywood je t’aime” was directed by Jason Bushman. My co-worker Korin and I had the opportunity to meet him while we were at LAFF and he is quite a nice young man. Very proud of his film, but also very humble. This film has not been picked up for further distribution, so if you are interested, you will have to look for it on DVD. One caveat – you shouldn’t watch this film if homosexuality or graphic sex make you uncomfortable.

Well – that’s it for indie film reviews this summer. Next up "The Hangover", "Transformers" and "The Proposal".

Stay tuned.

Terminator Salvation (2009)

A year ago when I heard that “Terminator Salvation” was coming out, I was so excited that the movie would be a re-boot similar to “Star Trek”. However, after missing the premiere three weeks ago (and hearing all the bad reviews), I decided to lower my expectations and review this movie as just another summer blockbuster. With that in mind – the movie was entertaining. Some good effects, some bad effects. Below – my brief review.

Christian Bale was less than spectacular as John Connor – he wasn’t that impressive and his part was barely there. Sam Worthington’s character, Marcus, was much more compelling, but could have been more fleshed. And Mr. Worthington needs to work on his American accent – he slipped more than a few times into his native Australian tongue.

The part of the movie I loved the most is actually a spoiler alert – so I won’t give it away here, but I will say that there is a nice tie to the FOX TV show, “Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles”. In the “Sarah Connor Chronicles”, Sarah (Lena Headey) can’t understand why future John (Thomas Decker) would not only align himself with certain Terminators but also actually have feelings for one, Cameron (Summer Glau). This is explained at the end of “Salvation” that made it all worth watching.

If you didn’t enjoy “Terminator Salvation”, then maybe you should check out the now cancelled “Sarah Connor Chronicles” on DVD. To see my review of this show, click here.

End.

Drag Me to Hell (2009)

I should preface this review with one caveat. If you don’t like B-horror movies (particularly schlock horror), don’t waste time reading this review. If you do appreciate the genre – feel free to read on.

“Drag Me to Hell” was wonderfully entertaining and I’m so pleased to see Sam Raimi return to his “The Evil Dead” and “Army of Darkness” days.

The movie begins with Christine (Alison Lohman), a generally unassuming young lady who is a loan officer at a bank. There isn’t much about her that would indicate that she has much ambition or gumption. However, she hears her boyfriend’s mother stating that her son should aim a bit higher.

That tidbit of info, combined with competing against a jerk in her office for an assistant manager position at the bank, fire her up – and when she returns to the office she takes immediate action – she denies an elderly woman an extension on her mortgage.

Big mistake.

This woman isn't just a feeble, elderly woman – but a gypsy that immediately puts a curse on Christine. And that seals her fate. Her boyfriend, Clay (Justin Long) can’t understand her paranoid delusions, but loves her enough to defy his parents AND loan her $10k to banish the demon from this dimension. By the way – the exorcism is one of the best scenes in the movie – definitely schlocky – love that talking goat!

Christine’s doomed fate makes for great, scary entertainment. I jumped out of my seat and screamed dozens of times and Lorna Raver’s, Mrs. Ganush (the gypsy) creeped me out to be sure.

And, just when you think you know the end – you don’t. That is what makes this movie well worth the time. My only regret - no Bruce Campbell.

Trailers for the movie can be viewed below.

End.