Amazon Holiday

Showing posts with label casual sex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label casual sex. Show all posts

Monday, August 1, 2011

Crazy, Stupid, Love.


Q: What’s the movie about?

A: When a man's (Steve Carell) wife (Julianne Moore) asks for a divorce, he goes to a bar where he meets a womanizer (Ryan Gosling), who teaches him to get his manhood back.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Analeigh Tipton, Jonah Bobo, Joey King, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Spacey, John Carroll Lynch, Beth Littleford, Liza Lapira, Josh Groban

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketGo! It's sweet and romantic, and Steve Carell will charm the pants off you -- quite literally if you're a woman who frequents that one bar he goes to.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Sure, there are some jokes, but it's also funny to think that Ryan Gosling's pickup lines could work on anyone, no less everyone. Film's Message #1: Women love to have one night stands with complete tools.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: What's depressing is Film's Message #2: You only have one true soul mate in life. Don't worry, if you lose that person, fate will eventually bring you back together. But if it doesn't, because you live in the real world and not fantasy land, you can always kill yourself, because what are you living for anyway, now that you will never love again? (Can you tell that I hate the theory of "The One," or am I being too subtle?)

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: From the opening shot on a pair of shoes that I absolutely must have, to the most beautiful men's wear line I have ever seen, this film absolutely must win a costume design award. More likely though, it won't be nominated, because it's not a period piece, and most voters are too dense to recognize that copying old designs from pictures of the past is way easier than creating a beautiful and original style within modern men's wear.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: While Steve Carell and Julianne Moore find the line between heightened reality and comic timing pitch perfectly, Ryan Gosling has some challenging character and dialogue improbabilities to overcome. Meanwhile, Emma Stone mugs a lot more than I would expect from an actress of her caliber, making this her first performance that I haven't enjoyed (not counting her cameo in Friends with Benefits, which exposed a similar problem). And Analeigh Tipton, in the role of the babysitter, has a nice awkward quality, but to quote the teenage girls I encountered in the bathroom, "Her acting is really weird."

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The vibrant color scheme is pleasant, but my problem with the directing is that I could tell it was shot in L.A., and the amount of coincidences in the story just isn't realistic in a city that big. They never show any landmarks or mention what city it is, so maybe they were hoping it would look like some non-descript small town where everyone has a plausible chance of running into each other all the time, and there's only one bar that anyone ever goes to, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who recognized the Century City shopping mall, or the smog covered Santa Monica Mountains... I'm just sayin', this is what Canada is for!

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Within the world of being a romantic comedy, it feels original because it revolves around a family, rather than young, unattached star-crossed lovers falling in love for the first time. But the coincidences get a little out of control. And if Ryan Gosling's character does exist, he's been cast on the Jersey Shore, and he's not falling in love ever -- not in that faithful way, anyhow.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Crazy, Stupid, Love. Trailer

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Saturday, July 23, 2011

Friends with Benefits


Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A man (Justin Timberlake) and woman (Mila Kunis) become best friends after they each get dumped for being "damaged," and to prove the point, they decide to have casual sex on a regular basis, while attempting to maintain their best-friendship.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, Woody Harrelson, Jenna Elfman, Richard Jenkins, Bryan Greenberg, Nolan Gould, Andy Samberg, Emma Stone, Shaun White, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketProceed with Caution. It's a little edgier than No Strings Attached, and they really are friends first this time, but it's hard to enjoy the rom-com process when the entire first half of the film makes you feel like an idiot for enjoying rom-coms.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: The laughs are slight but plentiful.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Your eyes might get teary at the end, but then you'll remember how at the beginning these very characters called you a wuss for buying into the romance that movies like this sell. So as thirsty as you may feel, you will suddenly get an uncontrollable urge to not drink the Kool-Aid. (And to those people sitting next to me, I got mascara in my eye.)

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It Smells Like the 70s Just Got a Lot More Puritanical Award... For all the sex they have, most of it is hidden under sheets -- very un-70s. But you will get a naked butt shot of both Justin and Mila during non-sex scenes, so at least people still walk around naked in the privacy of their own movie.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: I apologize in advance, but as much as we love him on SNL, on the big screen Justin Timberlake is completely flat. I'm sure he's charming and charismatic in person -- I've heard nothing but good things -- but his charm and charisma just aren't photogenic.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Nothing really stands out in the directing, except for how big and creepy Mila Kunis's eyes are in the first scene. I think they're gorgeous, myself. How about you? Creepy or stunning?

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The beginning of the script is so punchy and clever, that you know it was a good read. Unfortunately, when put on its feet, it feels more forced than clever. The second half of the film is more grounded, and is therefore more compelling.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Friends with Benefits Trailer

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Thursday, May 12, 2011

Bridesmaids


Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A lonely, single woman (Kristen Wiig) is asked to be the maid of honor in her childhood best friend’s (Maya Rudolf) wedding. It’s all good until her childhood best friend’s new best friend (Rose Byrne) tries to usurp the lead role in every aspect of the wedding and the friendship.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolf, Rose Byrne, Chris O’Dowd, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Jon Hamm, Jill Clayburgh, Matt Lucas, Rebel Wilson, Michael Hitchcock, Kali Hawk, Annie Mumolo, Ben Falcone

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketGo! F-U. Chicks are funny!

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Melissa McCarthy, as a fat lesbionic-seeming outcast, who is actually the most self-assured and heterosexual dame of the bunch, is so hilarious that I’m actually considering checking her out on Mike & Molly.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but rarely have I wanted so badly to reach through a movie screen and punch a character in the face. And you will, too.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Jon Hamm gets the biggest Dick Award. And since this isn’t the AVN’s, I’m obviously talking about his personality.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Kristen Wiig is the new Lucille Ball. She can tackle the broad and farcical, and still bring it back for the sad and dramatic moments. Rose Byrne is proving to be a lot more versatile than I ever would have guessed from all the boring dramatic work she’s done-- in fact, she's quickly making her way to the top of my list of comedic leading ladies. And Jill Clayburgh is dead. Try not to think about how weird that is while you watch her walking and talking for her last time on film. Now that I’ve mentioned it, you will be able to think of nothing else.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The comic scenes are pretty perfect, but there are a few parts that need to be paced up, especially in the emotional sequences.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: You can tell without knowing it that Kristen Wiig is a co-writer because in certain scenes, other people start talking like her… with the weird awkward pauses… followed by some additional piece of information they didn’t really need to divulge. I’m in favor. More people should talk like Kristen Wiig.

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

A: It’s such a relief to see female characters acting like real women, who are funny and goofy and have a banter and language all their own. Women who can speak to each other openly and candidly, if for no other reason than to hit their necessary daily quota of words. Oh, and the trouble with weddings, don’t get me started on how true this story really is. Women have it rough. And that’s why we’re funny. So why are our stories so blatantly missing from our multiplexes?… Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey, and Jane Lynch are not the exceptions, they are the rule. Get used to it.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Bridesmaids Trailer

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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Cedar Rapids


Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A severely sheltered insurance salesman (Ed Helms) from a very small town in Wisconsin goes to the annual insurance convention in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and grows a pair of balls.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Stephen Root, Kurtwood Smith, Alia Shawkat, Sigourney Weaver, Mike O'Malley, Rob Corddry, Thomas Lennon

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketGo! This film, about the happenings at a convention, is somehow unconventional. This isn't completely surprising, since it's produced by Ad Hominem, i.e. Alexander Payne, the director who brought us Citizen Ruth, Election, and Sideways. So keep that in mind, if you want to fully appreciate the quirky brand of broad humor this is going for.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: There are plenty of good jokes. Though I haven't heard the word "awesome" used so much for a cheap laugh since Chris Farley died.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It's kind of a non-stop party, and nobody cries at parties. Especially not when they're hopped up on drugs, alcohol and hookers, like the fine folks in this movie.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Most Amazing Cougar of the Year Award goes to Sigourney Weaver's character who is a lover, a mother, a grade school teacher, and mentor, all rolled into one very secure package.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: John C. Reilly resurrects himself from a slew of depressing roles, to finally bring us something fun again. Ed Helms continues to clearly define his niche for us. And Anne Heche is so funny that I thought she was some quirky new comedienne, who I was about to let you all into the know about, until the end credits came up, at which point I realized that there must be two actresses named Anne Heche.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: It looks like a little, low budget indy comedy by a first time director. Miguel Arteta, of course, has been directing little, low budget indy comedies since the 90s. Normally I would knock the lack of improvement over a director's career, but in this case, I think the glossy-less-ness actually makes the jokes seem funnier.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It's directionless, meandering, and even predictable, yet it manages to stay fun and keep you engaged. Kind of like Superbad and The Hangover.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Cedar Rapids Trailer

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Sunday, January 23, 2011

No Strings Attached


Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A guy and a girl (Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman) decide to use each other for sex, without any expectation that it'll go anywhere.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Kline, Cary Elwes, Greta Gerwig, Lake Bell, Olivia Thirlby, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Jake Johnson, Mindy Kaling, Talia Balsam, Ophelia Lovibond, Guy Branum, Ben Lawson, Jennifer Irwin, Adhir Kalyan, Abby Elliott

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketProceed with Caution. Everybody knows that when you don't have any expectations, that's when things go well. And everybody also knows exactly how this story is going to go well. But what it lacks in conflict, suspense, and surprises, it makes up for in utter cuteness.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: More than a lot of romantic comedies, but less than a lot of R-rated comedies.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It's all too predictable to get you crying, but when Kevin Kline tears up it's actually one of the better laughs.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Most Authentic Performance by an Actress in a Romantic Comedy. I don't know what it is that Natalie Portman is doing, but it just works.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Ashton Kutcher finally found a leading lady who's prettier than he is! Also, beautiful guest performance by Lake Bell. What she does in this movie isn't as obvious as she makes it look.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I once had a directing teacher who said that 90% of a director's work is having good taste in material. And that's what Ivan Reitman does best. I know this because I've seen an s-load of his movies, and I can't remember a single shot from any of them. Okay, that's a lie, there is one shot I remember-- but who could forget the slow pan, in Twins, over to Arnold Schwarzenegger's starry-eyed grin, after the first time he has sex?

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The premise holds together by a string because Ashton Kutcher is clearly in love with Natalie Portman from the first, second, third, and forth time they meet. So when they say things like, "Let's keep doing this until one of us starts to have feelings for the other," it rings completely false because he already has feelings for her. Meanwhile, her excuses for not getting more involved with him are convoluted, contradictory, and mostly very thin.

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

A: The line from the trailer where he says he can't date her because she's his oldest friend is not in the movie. This is not a friends with benefits situation, because they were never friends first. I kept waiting for the part where they would be friends, and it never came. This lacking element caused me great confusion about why they weren't giving a relationship a shot, since they were already in one.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: No Strings Attached Trailer

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Sunday, December 26, 2010

Somewhere


Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A movie star (Stephen Dorff) is forced to spend an extended period of time with his 11-year-old daughter (Elle Fanning), and in the process comes face to face with the emptiness of his rich and famous life.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning, Chris Pontius, Kristina Shannon, Karissa Shannon, Lala Sloatman, Laura Chiatti, Nunzio Alfredo 'Pupi' D'Angieri, Michelle Monaghan, Giorgia Surina, Randa Walker

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketGo! Intellectual people will love this film for saying so much without saying anything at all. And all the rest of you should see it anyway, because it honestly depicts the loneliness of celebrity, in a real way that will help you run screaming away from your dreams of fame and fortune, while thanking your lucky stars for your anonymity, your closeness to your family, and the joys that come with having to work to get laid.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Did you find Lost in Translation funny? Because this is the same story, different hotel... It makes you wonder if Francis Ford Coppola's daughter has any gripes about her childhood that she's trying to get off her chest. I don't know about you, but I'm starting to think she doesn't like staying in hotels very much.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Not out loud, unless you're a rich, famous, guy who has to drug himself with prescriptions and alcohol, because he's so bored about being able to afford anything he wants at any moment, and get laid by anyone he wants at any moment, regardless of whether or not he's taken a shower anytime within the last calendar year.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's won a couple of gimme awards, that seem to only exist for the purpose of giving someone an award because you feel like it, even though you can't think of anything to award that person for... The funny thing is, if it had been nominated for directing or cinematography in the Independent Spirit Awards, this year, I might just have voted for it. For reals.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Elle Fanning is getting to that age where she's going to start being compared to her uber-talented sister, Dakota, so let me be the first to annoy them by doing so. And the verdict is.... it's a toss up. They're like comparing apples to apples, where one of the apples is a few years older than the other apple, but aside from that, the apples are completely indistinguishable. Stephen Dorff also does a great job of playing what I imagine is a richer and more famous version of himself.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I have seen all of Sofia Coppola's movies, and generally find them to fall somewhere between middling and downright awful. But with this one, for the first time, she managed to suck me in, hold my attention, and build my ability to patiently wait out the silent meaning of each slow, stagnant shot. Weird. She must've done something right.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: There are probably about 11 lines of dialogue in the whole thing, and frankly, that may be this film's genius. I imagine the script was about 20 pages long, since almost nothing describable happens in it either. Yet somehow the quiet alienation of this glamor lifestyle is deeply compelling. My only complaint is the open-ended ending, which makes you want to like this movie less than you actually did.

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

A: I once spent a weekend living at the Chateau Marmont. And despite my excitement about the glamorous premiere I was attending, where I would-- and did-- hob-nob with celebrities, the Chateau is the kind of place that makes you want to take drugs to the point of overdose. It's cold, the furniture is stiff and uncomfortable, and there are rumors of ghosts living there, including that of John Belushi, who actually did overdose to the point of death, in that hotel. While, in my opinion, ghosts are the only suitable inhabitants for the place, it should come as no surprise that Tim Burton has also spent many years of his life renting out the penthouse. See any one of Burton's movies if you want to better understand the state of mind that the energy in this haunted castle will drive you to.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: Somewhere Trailer

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Monday, November 29, 2010

Tiny Furniture


Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After graduating from college, Aura (Lena Dunham) moves back in with her mom and tries to find herself.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Lena Dunham, Laurie Simmons, Grace Dunhan, Jemima Kirke, Alex Karpovsky, David Call, Merritt Wever, Amy Seimetz

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketStop! This film has been all the rage at Sundance and on the indy scene, even to the point where Judd Apatow hand-picked the writer-director, Lena Denham, to develop a television pilot with him, because he was such a big fan. You can imagine my curiosity about a movie that could draw the attention of the most important comedic auteur of my generation... but if I'm honest, I have to say that I totally didn't get it.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: It's supposed to, but it didn't make me.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It makes me want to cry to see such acclaim go to a film that has a few redeeming qualities, and a few interesting turns of phrase, but ultimately is about nothing and goes nowhere.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Don't ask me, I'm out of the loop on this one.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: I was unable to take my eyes off of Jemima Kirke when she was on screen. She is talented and beautiful enough to claw herself all the way to the A-List. Lena Dunham, on the other hand, who stars in her own film, has my mind in a pickle. Due to the dialogue that she herself wrote, her friends in the movie constantly tell her that she looks great and is so pretty, but the girl I was looking at was borderline homely, and hadn't even brushed her thin, matted hair in the back. Normally, I might give her a pass for that because she can't see it in the mirror, but on movie sets you have a hair person, who can see the back of your head, so there's really no excuse besides that she wanted to look ugly with bad hair. Worst of all, her character isn't particularly good-looking on the inside either. She is whiny and selfish, entitled, and manipulative. All I can say is she never would've gotten this role if she weren't sleeping with the director.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Some of the shots are interesting. Especially the extraneous ones Dunham shows of herself getting dressed in see-through clothing, showering naked doggy-style, and walking around with no underwear on. Why she thinks anyone wants to see that is just further proof of how much I don't get this movie.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The one thing this movie does well is capture that after-college angst of being lost and aimless and living at home like a big loser. But at some point I found myself desperately wanting to leave the theater. Maybe it was too cold in there, maybe I had realized the movie was going nowhere, or maybe I had simply realized that I didn't care whether the movie was going anywhere. I stuck it out, though, just so I could tell you with certainty that the ending does not make the rest of the viewing experience feel worthwhile.

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

A: If anyone has seen this and got it, please share your insights. I really would like to know what's so great about this story.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/tiny-furniture/10033725/trailers

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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Sex and the City 2


Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Samantha (Kim Cattrall) gets invited to Abu Dhabi and invites Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), on an all-expenses paid vacation where they can get away from their marital problems only to be reminded of them, while Samantha struggles with the de-sexualization of women in this part of the world.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, Chris Noth, John Corbett, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, Willie Garson, Mario Cantone, Jason Lewis, Alice Eve, Max Ryan, Alexandra Fong, Parker Fong, Raza Jaffrey, Walton Nunes, with Liza Minnelli, Penelope Cruz, Miley Cyrus

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketProceed with Caution. Aside from the anticipation, the most exciting part of seeing this movie is watching all the packs of pre-arousal women entering the theater dressed up like they are characters from the film (myself included). It reminds me of another campy and oftentimes boring movie that has made an event out of audience participation. So watch out Rocky Horror Picture Show! You're getting old, and you may soon be replaced by a younger batch of overly sexed, pre-menopausal ladies, who look like they're in drag most of the time.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Some. But a lot of the jokes try too hard to be witty, young, and hip, and in so doing end up looking like old people dressing too young for their age. If you want to make up cute little terms like "friendtervention," save it for when you get hired to write Bring It On 7.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: I cried when I realized how blatantly the character and dialogue wreaked of having been written by a gay man. Gay men and straight women do not think or act the same way as each other, because gay men are still men. Sex and the City came to prominence because women were starved for stories that dealt with their issues and dilemmas in a real way. So if you're gonna have a gay man writing and directing, at least get a woman consultant on board and listen to what she has to say... And this in a film that talks about women not having a voice.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: The MacGruber Award. For a scene so ridiculous, it would only be appropriate if it had been in MacGruber. Did you know that according to this movie, the women in Abu Dhabi wear big furry Versace outfits underneath their burkas? Yeah, they do that because it's not hot enough being in 109 degree weather covered from head to face to toe in a black sheet. You know what, while we're here, lets just give all the fashion in this movie the MacGruber Award.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The girls do a good job of bringing back their characters like not a day has gone by. Separately, at the ripe age of 43, I think British actor, Max Ryan, may have finally gotten his breakout role. Move over George Clooney, there's a new silver fox in town!

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Considering some of the themes that are broached in this movie, it could have been great if only Michael Patrick King had cut about 45 minutes out of it, so he could have actually delved into the broached themes. Here are some of the obvious cut suggestions: 1) the gay wedding-- which doesn't advance the story in any way whatsoever, 2) the karaoke scene--which advances nothing, 3) the scene where they ride camels in the desert-- which seems to only be set there so that Samantha can say "Lawrence of my labia," 4) the tour of their hotel room-- which is only fun for the first 15 seconds of the 3 minute long sequence, 5) the 4 Maybachs-- if I went on vacation with my friends, I would want to sit in the car with them, and it's clear that the only reason they each get their own is so the director can shoot endless montages, that look like car commercials, of them driving together and pulling up together, 6) the extraneous costume changes-- yes we know the movie is about fashion, but we don't need to have scenes about changing into another outfit at the airport and in the desert. Nobody does that. Not even them. They know where they're going, they dress for it, and when they get back to the hotel, they change into new clothes for the next event. That also avoids clunky dialogue like, "Oh, but I can't ride a camel in this!" As well as voice overs like, "12 hours and one outfit change later, we were in Abu Dhabi."

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Sure there are a couple of classic S&TC scenes, like when Charlotte and Miranda discuss the difficulties of motherhood, and when Carrie and Aidan go on a date, but most of the drama is so light and surface-scratching that I actually thought I was watching an episode of The Hills at times. The Really Old Hills. If Michael Patrick King had cut some of the above mentioned scenes, he would've had time to get into the women's dramatic struggles in ways that had, well, drama. And I'm not into spoilers, so don't get me started on Carrie's plot's resolution!

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

A: What is the appeal of Mr. Big? He has no personality, and never has. He just looks like a giant-sized wallet to me, and that makes Carrie look like your run of the mill gold-digger. She has always had way more chemistry with Aidan.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/sex-and-the-city-2/35814/trailers

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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Greenberg


Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A man with every therapy-worthy clinical condition you can think of (Ben Stiller) comes to L.A. to do nothing in his brother's mansion, and begins an incredibly unhealthy affair with his brother's assistant (Greta Gerwig).

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, Mark Duplass, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Chris Messina, Merritt Wever, Juno Temple, Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Jake Paltrow, Susan Traylor, Max Hoffman, Zach Chassler, Mina Badie

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketProceed with Caution. When the veteran indie filmmakers start imitating the newest indie filmmaking trend, Mumblecore, but they do it with a combination of A-list celebrities and Mumblecore true-hearts, you should always beware of pretension.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: There's a moment when Greta Gerwig, who is considered the queen of Mumblecore, looks at an old picture of Ben Stiller, from when he was in a band and laughs, "Look at you. You're trying so hard to look casual!" What's funny about that is it's exactly what this film is trying to do.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It's sad and upsetting that any woman would allow herself to be treated the way Greenberg treats the lead actress, but many do.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I can't imagine the Spirit Awards overlooking an opportunity to get both Ben Stiller and Noah Baumbach in a room by nominating them.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Personally, I enjoy the hard core realistic look and feel of Mumblecore acting, but the sad reality that comes with it is that without makeup and with natural lighting, these actors aren't much to look at.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: If you weren't already getting nauseous at the idea of someone kissing Ben Stiller (in a non-joking manner and with bad lighting), Noah Baumbach invites you to throw up again, in the way he shoots Stiller having oral and later regular sex with the girl, who despite the fact that she claims to like him, also looks like she might lose her lunch at any moment.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Dark. Possibly comedic, although I'm not sold on that. The most laughs were gotten by the aforementioned sex scenes. But I think people were only laughing so as to hold back vomit. The dialogue is interestingly narcissistic. If you're an aspiring writer trying to get noticed, I recommend you imitate it. Not hard to do. Simply, every time one character says something, the next one replies with something completely unrelated that is about himself, and they go back and forth, until both people are talking out loud about their own issues without listening to, or responding to the conversation occurring next to them. People tend to think that stuff is brilliant, so go crazy.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/greenberg/37679/trailers

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

Up in the Air

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A professional down-sizer (George Clooney) prides himself on having the perfect life, which consists of flying around the country firing people without ever having to make any real human connections. Then, two women (Anna Kendrick & Vera Farmiga) come along and create circumstances, at work and at play respectively, that force him to start doubting the validity of the lifestyle he has come to cherish.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Melanie Lynskey, Danny McBride, Zach Galifianakis, J.K. Simmons, Tamala Jones, Amy Morton

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketProceed with Caution. This film is much closer in tone and style to Thank You for Smoking than it is to Juno-- which Reitman didn't write. If you loved Juno, this is nothing like it. If you loved Thank You for Smoking, you may be in business, as this story also focuses on justifying a controversial job, and how it makes the man who does it cold hearted. Ultimately, the film is extremely well done, but thoroughly depressing and anxiety inducing, so unless you can detach yourself from the feelings it's eliciting in you, watching this may not be all that enjoyable. Especially if you're experiencing the effects of the current economic climate.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: A lot of times you will think something is funny without actually having any urge to laugh about it.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but in a weird way, it could inspire you to get back on your anti-depressant medication.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It's highly likely to be nominated in the Screenplay, Directing, and Best Picture categories, but I think it's only got an outside chance of winning a WGA Award (Writers Guild of America).

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Vera Farmiga's face can say everything while doing nothing. George Clooney's face can say nothing much while doing anything. And Anna Kendrick's face only ever seems to say one thing, which I believe is something to the effect of, "The thing in my butt is stuck so far up there, that my gas has backed up all the way to my eyeballs, which I regularly have to squint and squeeze shut, in order to prevent myself from letting one rip out of my peep holes. And I really don't wanna do that, because then anyone who sees it will think I'm an eye-farting weirdo, and I totally can't handle the embarrassment." Just watch, you'll see what I'm talking about.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Jason Reitman knows what he's doing. From the moment the opening credits start to roll, he establishes his visual themes, setting them to high energy music that gets you fired up for what you are about to see, and he maintains his clearly defined personal style throughout. Did I just say "personal style"? Tyra would be so proud.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The craft is remarkable. This is one of those scripts that manages to clearly communicate almost all of what it wants to say without ever saying any of it directly. Unfortunately, the one place where it fails to communicate clearly is at the ending, which is ambiguous, and may or may not be completely devoid of hope, depending on how you chose to interpret it.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/up-in-the-air/34956/trailers

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Sunday, September 14, 2008

Young People F***ing

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Five intercut stories, about five different types of sexual relationships (the Couple, the Best Friends, the Exes, the First Date and the Roommates), as they each try to experience a night of pleasure.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Aaron Abrams, Diora Baird, Sonja Bennett, Callum Blue, Kristin Booth, Josh Cooke, Josh Dean, Ennis Esmer, Natalie Lasinska, Peter Oldring, Carly Pope

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketStop! While the concept of examining these various different types of relationships is interesting, and the structure of "Prelude, Foreplay, Sex, Interlude, Orgasm, and Afterglow" is original, the film is neither insightful nor titillating, and it won't add much to your life besides a few new mental images of bouncing breast... Hey, that might be enough for some of you.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: With a subject matter this relatable, they can't help but muster a few good laughs. By the same token, there should've been a whole lot more.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you're in a couple, the poignant reminders of how hard it is to keep your sex life interesting once you know all your partner's tricks could be saddening.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: In a sea of indy films that will never see the light of day, this one is lucky to be released at all. And the filmmakers should consider that to be the highest of honors.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: The story, having clearly been written and conceived by actors, plays like a series of scene study exercises. Thankfully, this cast is made up of the star-students from each acting class.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: For a movie that's supposed to be about Young People F***ing, there sure are a lot of talking heads! And unfortunately, I am talking about the head bone connected to the neck bone.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: If you're gonna give your film such an edgy title, you'd better have something new, clever and deeply perceptive to say about sexual relationships and how they improve and/or ruin a person's life. Otherwise, the title just seems like a marketing ploy, making your audience feel like the suckers who fell for it. I've been had.

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