The Muppets

(Guest Review by Russ)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A:  When a greedy oil tycoon (Chris Cooper) threatens to take over the old Muppet Show Theater, Kermit the Frog teams up with two human fans (Jason Segal and Amy Adams) to reunite the old Muppet gang and put on a show to save the theater.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Jason Segal, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, Alan Arkin, Jack Black, Jim Parsons, Sarah Silverman, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Gonzo, Beaker, Swedish Chef, Scooter, Miss Poogy
Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. It’s a Disney-fied version of the Muppets and if you enjoyed the old Muppet Show there are a few moments in this movie that will remind you of the off-beat wackiness of that show’s best moments. Short of that, this version of The Muppets skews more “kiddie” and simplistic than past Muppet versions. The Toy Story short that screens first will remind you of how well Pixar has created ‘kid films’ that appeal equally to adults. Unfortunately, it makes us acutely aware of how much The Muppets does not walk that line.
Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: It’s not bust-out-loud laugh inducing, but there are some good chuckles here and there. I do seem to recall Miss Piggy being funnier than she is in this movie though.
Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: I’m pretty sure it wanted to and it tries really hard. But the only thing that effort elicited in me was a discussion with my friend afterwards about past films that have made us cry. (My top #1: Rudy.)
Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I can’t think of a single one unless some union gives them out for puppeteering: The Puppet Union?

Q: How is the Acting?

A: I can’t stand Jason Segal so it’s unfortunate he’s the main human driving this story. Amy Adams is normally great in most films she’s in, but sort of wasted here. Thankfully more screen time is given to the Muppets than any human and they all act as well as you remember any Muppet acting. Back to Jason Segal though: one of the best things about the Muppets was their interaction with human guest stars on their show. To that end, I wish they had a more interesting – or funnier – human at the center of this story. Jack Black would have been much better, because all his scenes with the Muppets are way funnier than Jason’s.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I didn’t really notice it much in either a good way or bad, so I guess it disappeared enough and got out of the way enough to be considered… “meh.”

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The general idea of the story is spot on because it calls for the Muppets to reunite and put their show on again. And the Muppet Show was a truly great show. The problem is it takes a little too long to get there and everything leading up to it isn’t very funny. Or, well, not as funny as the actual show. There’s also a big deal made out of the basic plot points, which really dumbs down the movie in a needless way. Lastly, most of the original songs aren’t very good; although a barbershop quartet rendition of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit captures the irreverent brilliance of what the old Muppet Show was like on a weekly basis.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: The Muppets Trailer

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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: Go! 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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Burlesque

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A small town Iowa girl (Christina Aguilera) has medium-sized Hollywood dreams and discovers a Burlesque Club on Sunset Strip that I personally have never heard of, seen there, or found on Google Maps. She quickly falls in love with Burlesque dancing and singing, and instantly realizes that she absolutely has to be a part of it.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Christina Aguilera, Cher, Cam Gigandet, Eric Dane, Kristen Bell, Stanley Tucci, Julianne Hough, Alan Cumming, Peter Gallagher, Dianna Agron, Chelsea Traille

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Fun dancing and singing, with a plot as thin and predictably delicious as the caramel coating of a candied apple means you'll get exactly what you came for.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Even though you will get your fill of laughs simply by sitting through the often-times horrendous dialogue, the filmmakers are also kind enough to throw in a bit of deliberate humor as well, which comes in the form of sexy clown contortionists. Yes, I said sexy clown contortionists.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Doesn't Christina's singing voice always? It's the reason I never listen to her music before a business meeting and always listen to it before I show up unannounced at some guy's house who I want to make feel sorry for me, because my mascara is running down my face, and I look pathetic and helpless.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: If this movie doesn't get nominated for Best Costume Design, I will seriously be offended by the whole process. These Burlesque outfits are not only more inventive than anything that King George and Queen Elizabeth wore, they're also sexier.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Christina Aguilera can act. Cam Gigandet wearing only a box of cookies is one of the highlights of the film (trust me, girls the world over will watch this movie more than once just for that reason). And Kristen Bell should fire her agents, as she finds herself in yet another role that makes her look like she would do better to stick to TV. She has no charisma or charm, and the entire subplot revolving around her antagonist character is poorly defined and uninteresting to follow... That said, her outfits are good.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: While some of the numbers are slightly over-lit for my taste, the angles on the dance sequences are dynamic and energetic. Unfortunately, there are several scenes without dancing and music in the beginning and middle, that lack in energy and bounce. And the requisite solo ballad at the end of the 2nd act is flying its boring-flag high and proud... As the late 2nd act ballad always seems to do in these movies.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: One good thing I can say about the writer of this script is that he clearly knows how predictable his plot and dialogue are, and uses it to fake the audience into thinking he's giving them good writing by having characters point out when the others have just said something cliché. I imagine him now, sitting at his desk writing something terrible, and rather than trying to finesse it and make it better, he just has one of his other characters say what he really thinks of the line he's just written, like, "That's so cheesy." Strangely enough, this technique actually works because once the audience thinks you're in on the cheesiness, they are more than willing to forgive you for it. And that's a hot tip to all you aspiring screenwriters out there... especially those of you who hope to achieve mediocrity.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/burlesque/38474/trailers

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Grown Ups

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A group of childhood friends (Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider) reunite for a long weekend at the lake house they used to stay at when they were kids, only this time they have kids… Ah the memories.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek Pinault, Maria Bello, Maya Rudolph, Joyce Van Patten, Ebony Jo-Ann, Di Quon, Steve Buscemi, Colin Quinn, Tim Meadows, Madison Riley, Jamie Chung, Ashley Loren, Jake Goldberg, Cameron Boyce, Alexys Nycole Sanchez

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. As I’ve gone to great lengths to demonstrate with the plot description, this movie has no plot. But it does give you a sense of what hanging out with Adam Sandler and his less successful Saturday Night Live cronies, plus Kevin James, must feel like.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: All they do is make fun of each other for an hour and half, and considering they are all professional stand-up comedians, they are bound to say something funny once in a while.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you have sophisticated taste, you will cry at how much America is going to love this movie. If you are America, you will be too busy laughing your ass off non-stop to have the energy to cry.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It actually is the best, most down to earth movie any of these guys has ever made. Except Adam Sandler, but only because he did The Wedding Singer.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Chris Rock simply can not act and he embarrasses himself by trying. On a positive note, he makes his comic friends look like Laurence Olivier. So that’s generous.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: I’m starting to notice that Dennis Dugan, who directs most of Adam Sandler’s comedies, relies more heavily on over-the-top sound effects for his prat falls and face plants, than he does on stunt men. Meanwhile, the scene which most of you have seen from the preview, where Kevin James is too scared to let go of the rope, so he instead crashes into a tree and then falls down a hill landing right on the part of his neck that would cause it to break and him to die, or at least be paralyzed for life, needed to be edited both for sound and for picture, because there is no way he survived that fall the way it’s depicted now. No way. Not even if it were a scene from Transformers.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: I’m pretty sure they didn’t use one. I imagine they all sat around saying, “Wouldn’t it be funny if we did a scene where we pee in the pool and it turns blue?” “Yeah, we’ll go to the water park for that. That way, production will pay us to have fun on the water slides.” “Yeah, we’re funny guys, we don’t need a story, people want to see us hanging out and having fun like we do.” “And anyway, so long as we say something funny every few sentences no one will notice that there’s no story here.” And the saddest part is that according to the crowd I saw it with, they were right.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/grown-ups/37887/trailers

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Funny People

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A famous actor (Adam Sandler) is diagnosed with a fatal disease, so he goes back to his stand-up comedy roots and hires an aspiring comedian (Seth Rogen) as a joke writer, but we all know that secretly, he's really hired this assistant to be his only friend.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, Aubrey Plaza, Maude Apatow, Iris Apatow, RZA, Aziz Ansari, Torsten Voges

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! This realistic comedy about a serious subject matter is not as funny or broad as Apatow's usual fare, but it's not meant to be. In fact, if it weren't for all the jokes about male genitalia, this might almost pass for a movie by James L. Brooks.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: A lot more than a movie that some people are calling a "drama" should. And strangely, some of the biggest laughs come from easy listening singer, James Taylor.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Probably not, but Rogen has a pretty funny crying scene at The Palm restaurant. He ruins The Palm.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: If Apatow is truly trying to follow in the footsteps of James L. Brooks-- which I believe he very consciously is-- then Academy Award nominations are definitely in his mind's eye. The only thing standing in his way now is his inner teenager. You know, the one who insists on using every male character to describe all the facets of having a dingaling and every imaginable thing that can be done with it. Audiences like those jokes, but the Academy has a hard time taking them seriously.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Back for seconds, the Apatow sisters, Maude and Iris, once again steal every scene they're in. Everyone else pretty much repeats their usual shtick-- which is a good thing, since we all seem to like it so much. And there's something about Jason Schwatzman in this one that isn't quite so abrasive. You still won't like his character, but it's not as easy as it looks to hate him.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: In the opening scenes, you can tell that Apatow is trying to step up his game and be seen as more than just a comedy guy. But his existing success has put him in a position where the studios can no longer tell him to keep his movies under 2hrs, which is too bad for him, because at 2 1/2 hours, it would have been a better film if someone had forced him to rein it in.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: The portrayal of the loneliness of being a rich and famous person is touching and relatable, even to those of us who are not famous. But the extended running time comes from having an indulgent story structure, which tells one story, and just as we think the film is going to wrap up, launches into a whole second story, introducing several important new characters, and going in a direction that is interesting, but not necessary. Had these two stories been intertwined, the film would have been both shorter and stronger.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/funny-people/33221/trailers

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