Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

Directed by: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa
Screenplay by: Dan Fogelman

Genre: Comedy | Drama | Romance
Running Time: 118 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Theater

This is crazy.

[IMDb]

Comments: Hmm, it must be romantic comedy weekend. Anyway, it was between this and Cowboys and Aliens. For me, there was no real choice. Steve Carell? Ryan Gosling? Julianne Moore? Emma Stone? Yes please. And while the movie suffers from a few pacing issues here and there, the interaction and dialogue between these wonderful actors is just top notch. There's also a (somewhat surprising) twist toward the end (at least for me, just because I wasn't expecting it), which brings everyone together in a somewhat ridiculous fashion, but the rest of the finale is just great. I was also a little dismayed at how little time Emma Stone spent onscreen for the first hour or so of the film, but it worked out as everything tied together at the end. I don't mean to sound like a bitching about Crazy, Stupid, Love., because I really enjoyed the film. I just wish that a few subtle changes were made that would've made it even better. By the previews I'm sure you'd know whether you had any inkling that you wanted to see the film. If you had said inkling, go see it, because it's definitely worth the watch.

When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

Directed by: Rob Reiner
Screenplay by: Nora Ephron

Genre: Comedy | Drama | Romance
Running Time: 96 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: DVD

Can two friends sleep together and still love each other in the
  morning?

[IMDb]

Comments: So while driving to my hometown for the weekend, it dawned on me that I didn't bring any movies to watch tonight. Granted, I'm spending Saturday evening in the bustling metropolis of Pittsburgh, so I never thought that I'd need something to watch Friday evening. I was too lazy to go rent a movie (and because when I rent films, I rent something like 6 at a time), so I was left to digging through my mother's collection of DVDs (which is about 5 total). I've never seen When Harry Met Sally... before (I've always wanted to), so this seemed like a good selection - and I'm glad I did. I was particularly impressed with Meg Ryan. There's nothing wrong with her as an actress, but I've never been the biggest fan. However, she was charming as hell in this film and certainly won me over (now if only they could've worked a few scenes from In the Cut in there - specifically how she looked in 1989) and this movie would've been an automatic five stars. But while it's not something that will stay with me, I definitely understand how When Harry Met Sally... became the genre-defining film that it is.

The Big Bang Theory - Season Three (2009-2010)

The Big Bang Theory (2007-????)

Created by: Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady

Season: Three (2009-2010)
Genre: Comedy
Number of Episodes: 23
Episode Running Time: 30 Minutes
Viewed: Owned DVD

Smart is the new sexy.

[IMDb]

Comments: Season Three of The Big Bang Theory brought much of the same, which isn't a bad thing. The show stayed consistent and most episodes were pretty funny. I'll probably hold off on buying Season Four until the holiday season (it'll be so much cheaper on Black Friday), as the show's not something that's going to eat at me because I can't wait to see what happens next. That's about all I got. I know it's a terribly shitty review, but I'm tired. Fuck off.

The Funhouse (1981)

The Funhouse (1981)

Directed by: Tobe Hooper
Screenplay by: Lawrence Block

Genre: Horror
Running Time: 96 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned DVD

Something is alive in the Funhouse!

[IMDb]

Comments: Yeah, this movie did nothing for me.

Piranha (1978)

Piranha (1978)

Directed by: Joe Dante
Screenplay by: John Sayles

Genre: Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi
Running Time: 94 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned DVD

Lost River Lake was a thriving resort - until they discovered...

[IMDb]

Comments: Ah, there's nothing like a school of piranhas attacking a children's summer camp on a Sunday morning. Beyond the merciless attack on the children, I really did enjoy Joe Dante's Piranha, even moreso than Alexandre Aja's 2010 remake (which, for me, fell into the same complaint I had about Drive Angry - it tried way too hard to be a cult classic). While there's certainly some comedy to the original Piranha, it was played pretty straight throughout, and it works for the film. I just picked Piranha up on DVD yesterday, and I would have bought the Blu-ray had it not always been $20 (I bought the DVD for $7.99). I've foolishly overpaid on shit in the past, but I'm trying to watch that anymore. Piranha's good, but not $20 good.

Drive Angry (2011)

Drive Angry (2011)

Directed by: Patrick Lussier
Screenplay by: Todd Farmer and Patrick Lussier

Genre: Action | Crime | Fantasy | Thriller
Running Time: 104 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

[IMDb]

Comments: I'm feeling a little frisky, so let's do a little something different...

Cons:
- Nicolas Cage. The man seemingly will make any movie offered to him. What happened to the guy that made Adaptation. and Matchstick Men? Not only does Cage continue to churn out shit movies, but his acting is beyond terrible. There are so many actors that would've played this role better.
- The special effects. Holy shit, I've seen better effects on SyFy made-for-TV movies. Seriously.
- The fact that Drive Angry feels like it's trying way too hard to be a cult/exploitation classic. So much of the action and dialogue feels forced, which is never a good thing.
- Amber Heard doesn't get naked. Enough said.

Pros:
- William Fichtner. I've always liked the guy as an actor, and he's completely kick-ass in this. His delivery and mannerisms are funny as hell throughout.
- Nicolas Cage having a shootout while still "inside" Charlotte Ross. Granted, this falls into the third listing in the "Cons" category, but come on - this scene's still awesome.
- Fuck, the special effects are so god-awful I feel like bringing it up again.
- Amber Heard. OK, so she doesn't get naked, but she's hot as hell in the film.

Drive Angry is a genuinely fun film. With some tweaking and a legitimate lead, this could have been the cult classic Patrick Lussier was aiming for. Instead, it's much more of a guilty pleasure. But if you're into this kind of flick, I'd recommend giving it a watch. You could do worse.

The Big Bang Theory - Season Two (2008-2009)

The Big Bang Theory (2007-????)

Created by: Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady

Season: Two (2008-2009)
Genre: Comedy
Number of Episodes: 23
Episode Running Time: 30 Minutes
Viewed: Owned DVD

Smart is the new sexy.

[IMDb]

Comments: The second season of The Big Bang Theory is a vast improvement over the first in many ways. The first (and most obvious) improvement is how they've made Sheldon less annoying. Not only did he get on my nerves constantly in the first season, I also could never figure out why these people would hang out with him. In Season Two, Sheldon retains his core characteristics, but the storylines are more suited to his character's likeability, rather than toward how crazy he is. There's often a bit of humanity thrown in to which helps make the character endearing to audiences. Don't get me wrong, he's still an asshole at times, but it's never quite as bad (or as mean) as he was in the beginning...

...Which brings me to how awesome of an actor Jim Parsons is. No matter what you think of The Big Bang Theory, it's hard not to recognize how talented this man is. Not only does he have a ridiculous amount of difficult dialogue, but he also must perform challenging physical comedy whilst delivering said lines. It's really impressive.

I also found myself invested in the Leonard-Penny romance. Most of the show is devoted to Sheldon's antics, but every once in awhile there was a nice moment between the two. It's not nearly as epic as something like a Jim/Pam or Chuck/Sarah arc (why do I always come back to those two?), but it's a nice touch and adds a very human element to the show. Every time Penny went on a date with some guy, I felt a pain for Leonard (probably because I've experience that before myself). In accordance with how Sheldon was slightly tweaked for the second season, so was this relationship. No dramatic changes were made from the first season, but it was enough of a difference to make me actually care about the two.

I've already started the third season of The Big Bang Theory. It's by no means the greatest show in the world, but it's a fun diversion on these ungodly hot summer days. I refuse to go outside unless I specifically need to (like when I go to work), so it's nice to have something to watch while locked up inside my air conditioned fortress.

As a bonus, this is my absolute favorite scene from the show so far. Penny gives Sheldon a Leonard Nimoy-signed napkin. It's hilarious, touching, and an overall wonderful moment. Oh, and I couldn't find any embeddable YouTube videos, so you're probably going to get a virus when you play it.

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) -- Trailer

Surprisingly, another "yes please" response from me, although the first-person stuff looks bad. I'm hoping that's in the trailer only. We'll see. I'm not a big fan of Andrew Garfield either, but he looks like he could fit the role well. We'll see on that, too.

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) -- Trailer

Yes please.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

Directed by: Brad Furman
Screenplay by: John Romano

Genre: Crime | Drama | Thriller
Running Time: 118 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned DVD

[IMDb]

Comments: A quick note: Not that anyone cares, but I did buy the Blu-ray for this; however, I am in my hometown this weekend (no HDTV, no Blu-ray player) so I watched the additional DVD copy. I think this is the first time I've ever used the DVD in those combo packs...

So I was perusing Best Buy last night due to a little boredom, and I decided to pick up The Lincoln Lawyer for only $13 (it was $17.99 minus a $5 coupon). I had wanted to watch the film since it was in theaters, and it was probably the only film I've wanted to see in theaters this year that I didn't get a chance to (read: I haven't done shit on weekends this year). The Lincoln Lawyer certainly lived up to what I expected it to be: a solid dramatic thriller that kept me engrossed throughout it's two-hour runtime. There's a number of plot twists, and they work for the most part, although the one at the very end seemed a little desperate. There's a number a known actors in the film, as I recognized just about every bit player from something else. The Lincoln Lawyer doesn't break any new ground, but it's a fun movie worth a watch. And like I've said before, that's good enough for me.

The Big Bang Theory - Season One (2007-2008)

The Big Bang Theory (2007-????)

Created by: Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady

Season: One (2007-2008)
Genre: Comedy
Number of Episodes: 17
Episode Running Time: 30 Minutes
Viewed: Owned DVD

Smart is the new sexy.

[IMDb]

Comments: I debated on the rating for The Big Bang Theory for a bit (between a 3 and 3.5). On one hand, when it's working, the show's hysterical and made me laugh out loud (or I 'lolled' in Internet speak). But the show can often fall into formulaic sitcom territory, and Sheldon can get ever-so annoying at times. I realize that's his character, but there's not enough bonding moments amongst the group to show why the other three would ever want to hang out with him on a regular basis. I was also less than impressed with the Leonard-Penny relationship. As many know, a good romantic arc can make an entire show for me. Of recent shows I've watched, storylines like Jim and Pam or Chuck and Sarah really make a good show 10x better. I felt nothing like this for Leonard and Penny. I just didn't feel any chemistry between the two. In the end, it's not like I hated the show (like the fellas over at Community; they had "BBT SUCKS" spray painted on a wall the one episode), because when it's clicking, it's funny. But The Big Bang Theory plays out like a standard network sitcom at times, and that's is a damn shame.

Child's Play (1988)

Child's Play (1988)

Directed by: Tom Holland
Screenplay by: Don Mancini, John Lafia, and Tom Holland

Genre: Horror | Mystery | Thriller
Running Time: 87 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned DVD

You'll wish it was only make-believe.

[IMDb]

Comments: "This is the end, friend!" No horror icon scared me more as a child than Chucky. It was actually the second film in the series that scarred me deeply; so bad that I was afraid when I went to bed for months. I maintained a strict aversion to these films for years until one day when I came across Child's Play 3 on TV and saw just how silly they were. When watching Child's Play today, I discovered that it actually isn't the film I remembered. A number of parts I thought were from this film must've been from the second installment; most of what I watched today I had never seen before. Luckily, Child's Play is a fun movie. The whole black magic and voodoo shit that goes on was beyond silly, but then again, we're watching a killer doll that overpowers 180-pound men. And how awesome is Brad Dourif? Granted, we don't get to hear from him in all his one-liner greatness, but the guy's a horror icon. "Hi, I'm Chucky, and I'm your friend till the end. Hidey-ho!"

Horrible Bosses (2011)

Horrible Bosses (2011)

Directed by: Seth Gordon
Screenplay by: Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley, and Jonathan
  M. Goldstein

Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 100 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Theater

Is your boss a slave-driving psycho?

[IMDb]

Comments: I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with Horrible Bosses. For the most part, the film would've been a rental. But since I'm at my apartment this weekend (and not in my hometown, where I spend most weekends) and have nothing (and I mean nothing) to do, to the cinemas I went. Based on what I'd already seen, it was down to this or Bad Teacher (and Transformers too, but, uh... no thanks). Between those two, I'm going to pick Charlie Kelly, Michael Bluth, and a half-naked Jennifer Aniston over Cameron Diaz and crew any day of the week (sorry Cameron, you don't even hold a candle to Ms. Aniston anymore). And while Jennifer Aniston usually makes the shittiest movies, hearing her dirty side (all while talking to Charlie) was ungodly amazing (there was so much discussion about pussy... and penises... and sex...). Horrible Bosses takes awhile to get going, but once it does, it's a pretty funny film. Charlie Day is without a doubt the star, even though at first it seemed like he was going to play a character different than Charlie Kelly. But by the middle of the film, it feels like he just walked out of Paddy's Pub. In addition to the stellar supporting cast (Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, and Colin Farrell - whose character would've been ungodly annoying had he not been barely used), there's a plethora of cameos, including Donald Sutherland, Ioan Gruffudd, and Ron White (plus another great one at the end). Overall, Horrible Bosses isn't the greatest film, but it's certainly good for a few laughs, and that's pretty much all I was asking for.

Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)

Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)

Directed by: Jason Eisener
Screenplay by: John Davies

Genre: Action | Crime | Thriller
Running Time: 86 Minutes
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

Delivering justice, one shell at a time...

[IMDb]

Comments: I had this feeling when I blind-bought Hobo with a Shotgun on Wednesday that I was going to be let down. The film looked amazing, and all I could think about was how awesome Hobo would look in my Blu-ray collection. But I had read more than a few negative reviews, so despite the fact that I love films like this, I figured I could be in for a disappointment. Boy, was I wrong. Hobo with a Shotgun is fucking amazing! You have bad guys that use a flame thrower on a school bus of children whilst listening to "Disco Inferno." You have Rutger Hauer taking names and kicking ass. You have quotes like this: "When life gives you razor blades, you make a baseball bat covered in razor blades." Pure awesomeness.

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

Directed by: George Nolfi
Screenplay by: George Nolfi

Genre: Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Running Time: 106 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

Fight for your fate.

[IMDb]

Comments: I really, really like this movie. Everything I said in my original review still stands (see below): it's ludicrous, silly, and at times overly religious. But Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are just terrific together, and their relationship just feels so powerful that The Adjustment Bureau just gets to me.

Original review: If you go into The Adjustment Bureau for the sci-fi aspect alone, then you may come out disappointed. The film feels a bit gimmicky, as The Bureau has all this unreal power, yet these crazy limitations to control said power (which only exist to allow Matt Damon to do what he does in the film). But the reason that The Adjustment Bureau works is because I totally bought into the Matt Damon-Emily Blunt relationship. They have great chemistry together, and enough time is devoted to them that I felt their love was real. The pair is the definite driving force of the film. I also wasn't a big fan of who is behind The Bureau. While it's never explicitly stated, it's completely fucking obvious. However, this aspect of the film probably won't bother 92% of the American population. Anyway, The Adjustment Bureau definitely comes recommended from me; it's worth a watch, even if you wait until it comes out on Blu-ray.

Cedar Rapids (2011)

Cedar Rapids (2011)

Directed by: Miguel Arteta
Screenplay by: Phil Johnston

Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 87 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Owned Blu-ray

Today is the first day... of the rest of his weekend.

[IMDb]

Comments: Cedar Rapids takes a familiar fish-out-of-water story and does absolutely nothing new with it. Ed Helms and John C. Reilly play versions of the same characters we've seen over the past few years. Yet, by the end of the film, I still enjoyed the previous ninety minutes I had spent with it. Cedar Rapids has a certain sweetness to it, a number of solid laughs, and while it won't leave a lasting impression on the viewer, it's truly an enjoyable diversion. That's all I got.

Devil (2010)

Devil (2010)

Directed by: John Erick Dowdle
Screenplay by: Brian Nelson

Genre: Horror | Mystery | Thriller
Running Time: 80 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Rental DVD (Family Video)

Bad things happen for a reason.

[IMDb]

Comments: Devil is of note simply because M. Night Shyamalan wrote the story for the film (Brian Nelson wrote the screenplay), and it's probably the best thing he's done in years. That's not to say the film's very good, as it isn't, but it's not terrible either. I was a huge Shyamalan fan/defender through The Village; I thought (and still think) that film and Signs are terrific and often completely misunderstood (but that's for another time). I still, for some reason, haven't watched Lady in the Water, but The Happening was a total abomination that quickly halted me defending the man in any form (there's also a complete refusal on my part in watching The Last Airbender). Devil is certainly a step in the right direction, but I think he could really resurrect his career by doing less writing and more directing. Wow, this review has nothing to do with the actual movie. Eh, whatever.

Rabbit Hole (2010)

Rabbit Hole (2010)

Directed by: John Cameron Mitchell
Screenplay by: David Lindsay-Abaire

Genre: Drama
Running Time: 91 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Rental DVD (Family Video)

The only way out is through.

[IMDb]

Comments: Rabbit Hole is a tough film to get into. Not only is it because the film deals with the aftermath of a couple whose only child was recently killed, but also because the husband and wife are having a rough time, and often take it out on each other and those around them. Nicole Kidman's character in particular is a bit rough, and I really had a hard time sympathizing with her because she was in bitch mode so often. However, there's a wonderful scene around forty minutes into the film where Kidman and Aaron Eckhart have an argument, and suddenly everything became real to me. From then on, I was into Rabbit Hole. You certainly need to be in the tight mind frame to watch something like this, but it's well worth the eventual sadness you'll feel to spend an hour and a half here with Aaron and Nicole. There's only one thing missing here, and it's a gigantic explicit orgy scene...

127 Hours (2010)

127 Hours (2010)

Directed by: Danny Boyle
Screenplay by: Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy

Genre: Adventure | Drama | Thriller
Running Time: 94 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Viewed: Rental DVD (Family Video)

Every second counts.

[IMDb]

Comments: I figured I'd like Danny Boyle's 127 Hours, but I'm being completely honest when I say I didn't think I would like it this much. I usually highly rate movies that are either technically impressive (from the script to the cinematography or the acting) or that simply just get to me and evoke a deep emotional reaction. 127 Hours did the latter, although it could very easily fit into the first category due to Boyle's flashy (but not quite over-the-top) camerawork and editing along with James Franco's wonderful performance. I really felt like I was stuck with Franco (to the point where I got really thirsty halfway through); it completely invested me in the film. When they showed the real Aron Ralston at the end, I can be a man and say that I got a little misty-eyed just thinking of him actually stuck in the canyon and how he survived. 127 Hours comes highly recommended.

I Am Number Four (2011)

I Am Number Four (2011)

Directed by: D.J. Caruso
Screenplay by: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, and Marti Noxon

Genre: Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Running Time: 109 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Rental DVD (Family Video)

[IMDb]

Comments: While I can claim innocence for Season of the Witch, I'll admit to having a slight desire to see I Am Number Four. For the most part, it's exactly what I expected - a telegraphed script with precise manipulation of the viewer's emotions so you know exactly what to feel and expect at any point in time. But while I'll admit to liking parts of the film, I Am Number Four feels pretty tired an uninspiring for the most part. I did find the "final battle" to be well done, and certain scenes where Number Four stands up to the school bullies weren't bad either (but I always like scenes like that because I used to be one of the "chosen" who got picked on). Yeah, so I Am Number Four is by no means a good movie, but it's an alright watch if you're into that sort of thing.

Season of the Witch (2011)

Season of the Witch (2011)

Directed by: Dominic Sena
Screenplay by: Bragi F. Schut

Genre: Action | Adventure | Fantasy
Running Time: 95 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Viewed: Rental Blu-ray (Family Video)

Not all souls can be saved.

[IMDb]

Comments: I feel like making it known right off the bat that I had no desire or yearning to watch Season of the Witch. At all. But my friend rented a ton of Blu-rays last night, and decided that Nicolas Cage's latest shit pile would be a good movie to have a good running commentary on (e.g.: Mystery Science Theater 3000). But Season of the Witch was just plain terrible, and not in the good way. Nicolas Cage couldn't have given two shits about the film, which is completely apparent throughout (not that there's much to go on with the script anyway), and Ron Perlman was completely lackluster. Some of the CGI looked awfully fake and made the movie look extremely amateurish, which certainly didn't help. Just look at the montage of battle scenes at the beginning of the film. Trash. Skip this crap.