Dinner for Schmucks

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A bunch of a-holes invite a bunch of idiots over for dinner, once again proving that a-holes tend to be idiots.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis, Jemaine Clement, Stephanie Szostak, Lucy Punch, Bruce Greenwood, David Walliams, Ron Livingston, Larry Wilmore, Kristen Schaal, P.J. Byrne, Andrea Savage, Lucy Davenport, Christopher O'Dowd, Jeff Dunham, Octavia Spencer, Patrick Fischler, Rick Overton

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Though the ending is sweet and redeeming, the middle becomes increasingly more and more stressful, as one mishap leads to another and then another, until you can hardly stand to see anything more go wrong. Granted, a lot of people find great humor in their on-screen counterparts' misery.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If you loved either Meet the Parents or Anger Management, you will find just as much schadenfreude here.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but it might cause you an anxiety attack.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Best Horror Film of the Year. Trust me, you'll be yelling things at the screen like, "No! Don't go in that room!"

Q: How is the Acting?

A: I don't know if it's just the fake teeth, but Steve Carell manages to create a character who's an idiot in a totally different way than the multitude of other idiots he's played. I mean, sheesh! When it comes to idiocy, he's magnificently versatile!

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Jay Roach gets paid $10million a movie-- he'd better do a good job!

Q: How is the story/script?

A: As one of the only people in America who saw the original French movie, Le Diner de Cons, I can honestly say that... I don't remember anything about it. Not because the American version is so much better, rather because I saw it back in the 90s, and who can remember anything from the 90s? Not me. Nonetheless, the American version has a lot more story, a lot more heart, and a lot goofier jokes. One thing the two movies do have in common, though, is that there is a dinner where everyone brings an idiot.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: The mouse art is incredible. The production designer deserves to be curated.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/dinner-for-schmucks/28119/trailers

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Burn After Reading

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: An aging gym employee (Frances McDormand) becomes obsessed with reinventing herself through a cosmetic surgery procedure she can't afford. So when her co-worker (Brad Pitt) accidentally comes across a secret CIA file, she will go to any length to get paid for returning it.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, David Rasche, J.K. Simmons, Olek Krupa, Elizabeth Marvel, Dermot Mulroney

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! Finally the Coen Brothers make a movie I can get behind! (While it's clear that I'm partially trying to piss off you die-hard Coen Brothers fans, let's be honest, it has been a while since they've made a movie that can be recommended without reservations or caveats.)

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Most of the characters in this film are cold, heartless, or selfish, and in some cases all of the above. So that's funny.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but it you're offended by swearing you should know that a good 40% of the dialogue in this film consists of the singular phrase, "What the F*#k!" Oh, sorry, did I offend you there?

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's a Coen Brothers movie, what do you think?!

Q: How is the Acting?

A: If Brad Pitt weren't already one of the biggest stars in the world, this would be his breakout performance. Because sometimes the coolest thing you can do is play a total dork. Meanwhile, John Malkovich turns in another performance that's too good for award recognition. In other words, he's so believable that you completely forget he's acting, and therefore don't give him credit for being mind-blowingly good. (See Being John Malkovich for the most pertinent example of him being too good for recognition.)

Q: How is the Directing?

A: It goes without saying that this is the area of filmmaking in which this team can do no wrong. Especially when it comes to comedies, their exaggeratedly high and low wide angles, which characterize their over-the-top style, is so engrossing that I can't figure out why more directors aren't blatantly ripping it off.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: After their last pointless movie, it's nice to see the Coen Brothers make a movie with a point. Ironically, the point may be that there is no point. But at least they make a point about it.

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