A Reinvention

I am sure that it is quite obvious that I have been taking a sabbatical from my blog...my only excuse is I got a wee bit board with writing reviews, and to be honest there really hasn't been anything of significance to write about.

I know that one of my original desires was to write a review for every movie that I have ever seen...and well to be honest this is a hobby and I should enjoy it. So I decided that I will only be writing reviews about films that I feel like writing about.

I have seen a good 2-3 dozen new films since my last posting and I don't think any movie has moved me to the point of wanting to write one. So this is the deal about what movies I want to write reviews on. Why should I write about The Dark Knight when everyone is going to see it anyway? What does my opinion matter about such substantial films as that? Absolutely nothing! I am going to concentrate my efforts on writing reviews on films that my opinion might actually make a difference.

For those of you that still have been checking for reviews I am starting again so please come back, and I once again hope to entertain and enlighten once more.


cah

Forgetting Sarah Marshal

*I can't give it 4 due to crudity*

--R-- First thing, funniest movie ever. I have never been to a crowded theater that has laughed from beginning to end before. That was an experience all itself.

Now the bad news...rather crude. What should I have expected from Judd Apatow, the brain behind Knocked up, and Superbad? Granted since this was directed by someone different and written by someone different, there were far fewer site gags, and more situational comedy. Ultimately, I think that is why I found this movie so hilarious. I admit, I have seen Superbad and Knocked up (not two of my proudest moments of movie going) and found them humorous. Forgetting Sarah Marshal is comedic genius.

If you don't know what the movie is about...it centers on a musician that gets dumped by a super hot actress. To escape and forget about her, he goes to her favorite location (Hawaii) and more importantly her favorite hotel (Turtle Bay Resort). Like that was smart! Predictably, as he is checking into the hotel, being helped by uber gorgeous Mila Kunis (That 70's Show) in walks Sarah and her new flame.

The movie follows him around as he runs into her, makes friends with characters that can't even be explained, only watched and finally attempts a relationship with hot hotel girl.


The knitty gritty of the crudity of the movie can be summed up as thus: 5 - 7 totally hilarious and unfcomfortable penis shots. You can predict when they are going to happen, so if don't want to see it (I don't blame you) you can avert your eyes. Other than that there was swearing, but the swearing wasn't over the top (like anything from Scorsese or Tarantino). If you can manage the things I have mentioned, you won't regret seeing this movie.

Funniest movie EVER!

cah

Run, FatBoy, Run

--PG-13-- Raise your hand if you thought David Schwimmer (Ross from Friends) would direct a successful British Romantic Comedy. Okay now raise your hand if you thought Schwimmer would make a film starring writer/actor Simon Pegg. Thought so...

Pegg, the star of films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz makes a legitimate statement in his first leading role in a straight film. Admittedly when I watched the previews for Run, Fatboy, Run I was certain it was going to be another farce. Clearly I was wrong, because Fatboy is a very kindhearted endearing film.

The movie begins at the wedding of Dennis (Pegg) and Libby (Thandie Newton), it quickly becomes apparent that Dennis is struggling with his decision to marry the woman of his dreams (who happens to be pregnant as well) and is last seen by many to be running as fast as he can away from the chapel, the wedding and his beloved Libby. Next thing we know, several years have passed and Dennis has become a hapless, out of shape, beer-belly toting, lingerie shop security guard. Trust me it is more bleak than even that description implies.

Dennis is sad and has never recovered from leaving Libby at the alter so he decides to make a drastic change in his life and in a misguided attempt to win her back, Dennis decides to compete in a marathon against her new Beau. A nice guy that is in impeccable shape and with minimal effort makes Dennis look really bad. Which is why it is such a great moment when you notice he is completely frustrated with the fact that Dennis seems to still have some kind of appeal to his jilted ex-fiance that also happens to be his babies momma.

I hope you followed that, if not reread it...anyway that is the basic story line of Fatboy. Schwimmer does an amazing job, especially when you consider the fact that British humor is decidedly different than American. Pegg does an admirable job as the depressed and love hungry Dennis. Newton gives an endearing turn as the still smitten jilted ex-fiance.

All in all I think just about everyone would enjoy this heart-warming, underdog tale with an undertone of forgiveness.

cah

Stop-Loss

--R-- This movie has come and left many theaters already, and to be honest that is a shame.

Stop-Loss is a movie about an obscure contractual clause in the armed forces paperwork. Apparently in a time of war, the military can decide to re-deploy men or women after they are supposed to be getting out of the military. This of course comes as a shock to Staff Sgt. King (Ryan Phillipe) as he arrives home expecting to be relieved of his command. While there are a couple sub-plots running throughout, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder the bulk of the movie is about King and his decision to AWOL from duty and seek help in legally breaking his military contract.

What was so fascinating about the film was the subject matter, something I had never heard of before and how writer/director Kimberly Price decided to intertwine current scenes with hand-held recordings of King's unit in Iraq. It was fascinating to see the camaraderie and dynamic of the unit in Iraq compared to how they reacted and interacted to being State side.

Price made a thought provoking, visually masterful...predictable film. Without going so far as to give the ending away, I will state that it is not a surprise and to be honest a bit of a let down after the political and personal struggle Staff Sgt. King goes through.

Overall, the film was above average and worthy of receiving far more attention than it got. The acting was superb (save for pretty boy Channing Tatum), the directing was good and the story intriguing. Definitely a worthy rental if you missed it in the theaters.

cah

Leatherheads

--PG-13-- Clooney followed a well established path in making this film. Most people won't recognize that because they haven't watched film from yesteryear. I have, and know that the witty dialogue and quick banter is a style that was used in the fifties, and brought to modern day audiences by the Cohen Brothers early work Hudsucker Proxy.

I dare say that most people haven't seen Hudsucker and therefore will think that Clooney was original and creative in making Leatherheads. Obviously I disagree with that assertion.

That being said Clooney and company did a wonderfully pleasant job in making this film. I may be stretching here but I think most football fans would love to see a movie about the early years of professional football. In addition to the sports aspect the aforementioned witty dialogue, coupled with engaging stars like Clooney, Zellweger and Krasinski you find that Leatherheads is quite enjoyable, albeit a bit uneven.

The overwhelming feeling that you take from this film is the fact that when it is funny it is some of the most laugh out loud hilarity I have seen since...honestly I don't have a comedy to compare it to. Mainly, because this film isn't low-brow, slapstick, or potty humor: It is smart! Something that most film goers aren't use to seeing in today's dumbing down of audiences with films such as; Austen Powers, Waterboy, Anchorman and more notably the Farrely brothers films beginning with There's Something About Mary. No this film is different...in a decidedly good way.

Now the flip side is, when the dramatic scenes begin they are extremely slow and come close to the border of boredom. We are talking about Dances With Wolves boredom.

Overall, the funny and humorous scenes overwhelm that feeling of boredom. The movie starts funny and ends funny, you just will have to endure 20 minutes scattered throughout the film of its nearly 2 hour runtime in restful sleep.



cah