Free screening.
That's all I'm saying. Because I know it seems odd that I would have willfully attended a movie starring Ashton Kutcher and/or Cameron Diaz--let alone the two of them together--and paid my good money to do so. But I didn't, so there. It was free. But by the eye of Zeus, it was actually neither a waste of my good money (free, remember?) nor my good time. It was fun. It was...cute. It was...rather enjoyable. AND I USUALLY HATE ROMANTIC COMEDIES.
Now, the last free screening I attended thanks to a random invite was for STREET KINGS, so my newfound skepticism concerning free gifts (everything costs something), left me with very (read: VERY) low expectations for this particular feature. And what with Goofy Face and I-Can-Eat-A-Banana-Sideways-With-The-Peel-Still-On Fried-Skin Smiley Girl (was that harsh?), my Annoyance Meter was set on HIGH. But the promise of free popcorn wooed me into the theatre. That, and the movie's clever though realistically somewhat fallible premise. Plus, I hadn't puked in my mouth in a while, so I thought, what the hey. But really, who doesn't want to see a movie about two people who get married accidentally in Vegas? Who hasn't feared that might happen to them one trip or another...or has it already happened?
Ashton's up to his old tricks with mostly physical comedy (that's where you make the money, baby, put THE GUARDIAN behind you), but alongside Banana Girl, they somehow work. There's a middle scene where Cameron gets too wet for next to no reason, and I really almost threw up ON people during the last five minutes of the flick, but besides these two minor script flaws, I gleefully was L'ing-O-L (or do people say LOL-ing?) the whole movie long. There were no animal gags (I hate you, FAILURE TO LAUNCH), no overwhelming plot holes (see: everything starring Kate Hudson post-ALMOST FAMOUS), and no Kate Hudson (yeah, I said that). And there was Rob Corddry!
THE PLOT: They should've had a pre-nup.
THE THOUGHT: I wanna go to Vegas!
IN FIVE: 3.5/5*
MAN ALIVE!: http://www.whathappensinvegasmovie.com/
* = I think I used to have a rule that no rom-com, by merit of the entire genre's puerile ridiculousness, merits a score above three. But look at that! Ashton broke the barrier! This is alarming.
mardi 6 mai 2008
lundi 5 mai 2008
Absolutely ridiculous, I don't paint.
5 REASONS WHY IRON MAN IS THE BEST SUPERHERO MOVIE OF THE YEAR, NAY, THE DECADE:
1. Impeccable casting. Unlike ALL THREE SPIDERMAN MOVIES (Kirstin Dunst, you fraud!), this film nails it. From the sensational Robert Downey Jr., to Gwenyth Paltrow in her first blockbuster role since AUSTIN POWERS, to the over-the-top but actually kinda spot-on villain, Jeff Bridges, to the slightly useless but subtly humorous Terrance Howard, no role feels wrong. I'm even giving Clark Gregg a shout (Go SHIELD; you earned it).
2. Superior directing. Jon Favreau, WIMBLEDON was great...and so was ELF...and the even lesser known ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE...I'm being sarcastic. Congrats, this film will forever be your new calling card. It was funny where it needed to be, never heavy-handed and action-packed 'til the very end. And there was no f'ing Toby Maguire trying to sexy dance. Ugh. Get ready for the Jay Abrams big bucks, Fav, you're a member of the club. (And for the record, you're taking Brett Ratner's spot. X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, we're so over you.)
3. The dialogue is worth repeating, and the plot remains in tact throughout. There are a lot of good one-liners--probably more than a bit of ad-lib from RDJr, but if there's anyone who can run with it, he can. Did anyone see KISS, KISS, BANG, BANG? No? Well, you should have. And unlike superhero movies where plot holes are covered by a series of explosions (and/or dance numbers...) this movie gave adequate exposition without a two-hour long sequence in Siberia during which our hero hones his craft (yes, I slept through that, Christian Bale). You still have the back story, and as someone who didn't even know what or who Iorn Man was before seeing this movie, I jumped on board the plot (give or take a few errors in physics) very easily. The pace was steady, the humor consistent, all that. And in my opinion, that's how an action movie should unroll (PIRATES 3, I'm talking to you).
4. We root for the underdog. Not only is IRON MAN, like BATMAN, an unconventional superhero (i.e., he wasn't born on another planet or with birth mutations or bitten by something hairy), but his story is the fabulous stuff of fairy tale. Super rich super genius gets a heart and wants to save the world. Awwww. It's a pleasure to watch how a normal man (moulah and MENSA-status aside) begins leading a fantastic life (more fantastic than sleeping with super models every night?) and through that process, becomes more normal to us all. I like that he's smart. That's the bottom line. I'll root for the nerd, even if his movie is weighed down by constant product-placement.
5. The numbers don't lie. Just $10 million short of SPIDERMAN's opening ($104 as compared to the webbed private dancer's $114) on a standard three-day weekend, IRON MAN is making history. It's the second-biggest non-sequel opening ever, and the eighth-biggest three-day debut of all time. Eat that, skeptics. And then go see that. You will not be disappointed. Unless you're just a Debbie Downer who hates having a fantastic good time at the cinema. But I guess there's a superhero movie for you, too. It's called SUPERHERO MOVIE.
one more time for the kids: http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
1. Impeccable casting. Unlike ALL THREE SPIDERMAN MOVIES (Kirstin Dunst, you fraud!), this film nails it. From the sensational Robert Downey Jr., to Gwenyth Paltrow in her first blockbuster role since AUSTIN POWERS, to the over-the-top but actually kinda spot-on villain, Jeff Bridges, to the slightly useless but subtly humorous Terrance Howard, no role feels wrong. I'm even giving Clark Gregg a shout (Go SHIELD; you earned it).
2. Superior directing. Jon Favreau, WIMBLEDON was great...and so was ELF...and the even lesser known ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE...I'm being sarcastic. Congrats, this film will forever be your new calling card. It was funny where it needed to be, never heavy-handed and action-packed 'til the very end. And there was no f'ing Toby Maguire trying to sexy dance. Ugh. Get ready for the Jay Abrams big bucks, Fav, you're a member of the club. (And for the record, you're taking Brett Ratner's spot. X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, we're so over you.)
3. The dialogue is worth repeating, and the plot remains in tact throughout. There are a lot of good one-liners--probably more than a bit of ad-lib from RDJr, but if there's anyone who can run with it, he can. Did anyone see KISS, KISS, BANG, BANG? No? Well, you should have. And unlike superhero movies where plot holes are covered by a series of explosions (and/or dance numbers...) this movie gave adequate exposition without a two-hour long sequence in Siberia during which our hero hones his craft (yes, I slept through that, Christian Bale). You still have the back story, and as someone who didn't even know what or who Iorn Man was before seeing this movie, I jumped on board the plot (give or take a few errors in physics) very easily. The pace was steady, the humor consistent, all that. And in my opinion, that's how an action movie should unroll (PIRATES 3, I'm talking to you).
4. We root for the underdog. Not only is IRON MAN, like BATMAN, an unconventional superhero (i.e., he wasn't born on another planet or with birth mutations or bitten by something hairy), but his story is the fabulous stuff of fairy tale. Super rich super genius gets a heart and wants to save the world. Awwww. It's a pleasure to watch how a normal man (moulah and MENSA-status aside) begins leading a fantastic life (more fantastic than sleeping with super models every night?) and through that process, becomes more normal to us all. I like that he's smart. That's the bottom line. I'll root for the nerd, even if his movie is weighed down by constant product-placement.
5. The numbers don't lie. Just $10 million short of SPIDERMAN's opening ($104 as compared to the webbed private dancer's $114) on a standard three-day weekend, IRON MAN is making history. It's the second-biggest non-sequel opening ever, and the eighth-biggest three-day debut of all time. Eat that, skeptics. And then go see that. You will not be disappointed. Unless you're just a Debbie Downer who hates having a fantastic good time at the cinema. But I guess there's a superhero movie for you, too. It's called SUPERHERO MOVIE.
one more time for the kids: http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
jeudi 1 mai 2008
IRON MAN
Dear Summer Movie Season,
You may now begin.
You might still be tired from last year, when the top seven MPA sudios all crossed $1 billion in international receipts for the first time ever and you made cinematic history, but you're smart enough to know three seasons of sleep is enough hibernation. And this weekend, the film IRON MAN is giving you the right to jump-start, man up and kick into high gear.
Here we are, on the first day of May 2008--that's actually a bit early for you, I imagine--it's not even that hot outside--but I hope you're listening, because it's time for you to heat up. Just ask Robert Downey Jr. who lit the movie theatre screen on fire with his performance as Tony Stark. IRON MAN may be a lesser known suited man of mystery, but he is surely striking a claim on the Marvel movie space now. And with the delightful Gwyneth Paltrow at his side, he's sure to score big. Sure, there are other superhero movies worth anticipating in the coming months--DARK NIGHT and (for the purposes of argument) HANCOCK both hit in July, and though I don't really want to mention it, THE INCREDIBLE HULK is also nigh--but I argue now that there is no movie this summer that will rival the movie I just watched tonight. And so, my dear Summer Movie Season, bide your time no longer. You're officially ON. Chug a Red Bull if you have to; I usually do before a long drive.
Looking forward to spending time with you!
Also, please tell AMC to start serving kettle corn.
Thanks a mil,
--letop5
the plot: RDJr rocks a red suit.
the thought: GO, GO SEE IT NOW.
in five: 4.5/5 (I'm taking off .5 for some physics flaws...'cause I'm a nerd)
THE FILM (also known as the best super hero movie of the DECADE):
http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
+special mad props to JON FAVREAU, the ham director who put himself in at least four scenes. We ran into on our way out of the early (8pm) screening (he was going in for the 11pm). We told him his film rocked, he told us, "Hey, thanks." *HEARTS*
You may now begin.
You might still be tired from last year, when the top seven MPA sudios all crossed $1 billion in international receipts for the first time ever and you made cinematic history, but you're smart enough to know three seasons of sleep is enough hibernation. And this weekend, the film IRON MAN is giving you the right to jump-start, man up and kick into high gear.
Here we are, on the first day of May 2008--that's actually a bit early for you, I imagine--it's not even that hot outside--but I hope you're listening, because it's time for you to heat up. Just ask Robert Downey Jr. who lit the movie theatre screen on fire with his performance as Tony Stark. IRON MAN may be a lesser known suited man of mystery, but he is surely striking a claim on the Marvel movie space now. And with the delightful Gwyneth Paltrow at his side, he's sure to score big. Sure, there are other superhero movies worth anticipating in the coming months--DARK NIGHT and (for the purposes of argument) HANCOCK both hit in July, and though I don't really want to mention it, THE INCREDIBLE HULK is also nigh--but I argue now that there is no movie this summer that will rival the movie I just watched tonight. And so, my dear Summer Movie Season, bide your time no longer. You're officially ON. Chug a Red Bull if you have to; I usually do before a long drive.
Looking forward to spending time with you!
Also, please tell AMC to start serving kettle corn.
Thanks a mil,
--letop5
the plot: RDJr rocks a red suit.
the thought: GO, GO SEE IT NOW.
in five: 4.5/5 (I'm taking off .5 for some physics flaws...'cause I'm a nerd)
THE FILM (also known as the best super hero movie of the DECADE):
http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
+special mad props to JON FAVREAU, the ham director who put himself in at least four scenes. We ran into on our way out of the early (8pm) screening (he was going in for the 11pm). We told him his film rocked, he told us, "Hey, thanks." *HEARTS*
lundi 28 avril 2008
HAROLD AND KUMAR 2: ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY
I knew I wasn't the only one who loved the first Harold and Kumar! But this one, which in one weekend already has grossed more than the first film made during its entire theatrical run, runs a bit of a different route from the first. For starters, there were less hamburgers and more weed. And more (insert: cringe) bottomless parties (as opposed to "topless," which the French love).
GUANTANAMO starts off nastier than its predecessor, with opening shots devoted to toilet time and penis play (like the anal alliteration?) that appropriately set the tone for this raunchy sequel. To be frank, I wasn't prepared. But I tried to jump on board their liberal, mother ship of irreverence, and since the finger-pointing nets they cast tended to scoop up all parties--from yonky Southerners to uppity government officials (see "yonky Southerners") to racist clans (again, see "yonky Southerners")--I more or less enjoyed the ride. I did have to cover my eyes from time to time--and a shocker mid-film involving Neal Patrick Harris that I won't give away almost left me too sad to finish the flick--but in general, the ride, though bumpy, wild and at times plain gross, was fun.
plot: Like Michael Moore...on weed.
thought: See before Dubya bans it.
in five: 3/5
the film: http://www.haroldandkumar.com/
GUANTANAMO starts off nastier than its predecessor, with opening shots devoted to toilet time and penis play (like the anal alliteration?) that appropriately set the tone for this raunchy sequel. To be frank, I wasn't prepared. But I tried to jump on board their liberal, mother ship of irreverence, and since the finger-pointing nets they cast tended to scoop up all parties--from yonky Southerners to uppity government officials (see "yonky Southerners") to racist clans (again, see "yonky Southerners")--I more or less enjoyed the ride. I did have to cover my eyes from time to time--and a shocker mid-film involving Neal Patrick Harris that I won't give away almost left me too sad to finish the flick--but in general, the ride, though bumpy, wild and at times plain gross, was fun.
plot: Like Michael Moore...on weed.
thought: See before Dubya bans it.
in five: 3/5
the film: http://www.haroldandkumar.com/
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL
Ahhhh, Judd Apatow. You slay me.
I'll say it: I rate KNOCKED UP higher. But officially sliding into third of the Apatow-helmers is the comedy Jason Segel penned and starred in.* (And to keep score, the breakdown is this: (1)Anchorman, which Judd Apatow produced; (2)Knocked Up, (3)FSM, (4)40 Year Old Virgin, (5)Super Bad...though I have yet to see Talladega Nights, Walk Hard or Drillbit Taylor (may never).)
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL has the seriousness of a true break-up, much like 2006's THE BREAK-UP starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston, mixed with the comedy of a sensitive man trying to deal. Sure, Jason Segel's character PETER is, at times, far too sensitive to be taken seriously, but he's balanced quite well by Russell Brand (whence came THIS wonderful man?) who plays the over-sexualised ALDOUS SNOW, the British rocker who steals Peter's girlfriend's heart. This film balances between admonishing and praising these two extremes of manhood and waters down the social critique with just the right amount of laughter so that we barely notice how honest the film's subject matter really is: a woman dating a depressed musician tries to save her relationship, fails, cheats, confesses and then regrets her decision when she finally fully observes the sub-par options of other men in the room. This is romantic life, and Jason Segel's writing captures it well. Special kudos to Paul Rudd, playing the "If this were an Adam Sandler movie, there'd be a Rob Schneider buddy role" buddy role, here as a loveable pot-smoking surf instructor.
plot: Vacationing with the ex-The One.
thought: PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is gonna ROCK!
in five: 4/5
the film: http://www.forgettingsarahmarshall.com/
*ack, a hanging preposition!
I'll say it: I rate KNOCKED UP higher. But officially sliding into third of the Apatow-helmers is the comedy Jason Segel penned and starred in.* (And to keep score, the breakdown is this: (1)Anchorman, which Judd Apatow produced; (2)Knocked Up, (3)FSM, (4)40 Year Old Virgin, (5)Super Bad...though I have yet to see Talladega Nights, Walk Hard or Drillbit Taylor (may never).)
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL has the seriousness of a true break-up, much like 2006's THE BREAK-UP starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston, mixed with the comedy of a sensitive man trying to deal. Sure, Jason Segel's character PETER is, at times, far too sensitive to be taken seriously, but he's balanced quite well by Russell Brand (whence came THIS wonderful man?) who plays the over-sexualised ALDOUS SNOW, the British rocker who steals Peter's girlfriend's heart. This film balances between admonishing and praising these two extremes of manhood and waters down the social critique with just the right amount of laughter so that we barely notice how honest the film's subject matter really is: a woman dating a depressed musician tries to save her relationship, fails, cheats, confesses and then regrets her decision when she finally fully observes the sub-par options of other men in the room. This is romantic life, and Jason Segel's writing captures it well. Special kudos to Paul Rudd, playing the "If this were an Adam Sandler movie, there'd be a Rob Schneider buddy role" buddy role, here as a loveable pot-smoking surf instructor.
plot: Vacationing with the ex-The One.
thought: PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is gonna ROCK!
in five: 4/5
the film: http://www.forgettingsarahmarshall.com/
*ack, a hanging preposition!
dimanche 27 avril 2008
look at me, i discovered the hyperlink: the week in words
Hyperlink.
That's hot.
Sunday, I was at Disney's California Adventure theme park. Rode the best roller coaster (he's cute, no?), ate the best churro.
Monday, I was at the movies.
Tuesday the 20th was Earth Day. There was no traffic driving to work in the morning! Who knew this city cared?
Tuesday night went to Sky Bar at the Mondrian (off Sunset) for an overrated "networking" (read: singles) mixer. I loved the venue, though. But be prepared: hotel valet was $15--but there's a spot around the corner that only charges ten! Alas, we didn't realise until it was too late.
Thursday announced the return of Grey's Anatomy (and Ugly Betty). I'd been nervous that I wouldn't like Grey's anymore since it had been so long, but hark! The episode did not disappoint. I don't watch "Betty," but next week, defs gonna, because Christian Siriano (the winner from the most recent season of "Project Runway") is due to geust star. FIERCE.
Friday, had dinner at an old favorite: Crazyfish Sushi at Olympic and Doheny. And I tell you: go there, ask for the waiter named Edgar and order the $25 Olympic Roll. Otherwise known as the Ridiculous Roll, 'cause man that isht is bananas.
Friday night celebrated two friends' birthdays at The Arsenal off West Pico (past the Trader Joe's). Pretty good DJ, cheap drinks and the eats looked good, but I'd had my fill from sushi, so I didn't partake.
So go out. Be merry. And I'll update this blog concerning my thoughts on FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL and HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY some other time. Short bites: both worth biting.
Wow, hyperlinks are so exhausting. We'll see if I ever do that again.
That's hot.
Sunday, I was at Disney's California Adventure theme park. Rode the best roller coaster (he's cute, no?), ate the best churro.
Monday, I was at the movies.
Tuesday the 20th was Earth Day. There was no traffic driving to work in the morning! Who knew this city cared?
Tuesday night went to Sky Bar at the Mondrian (off Sunset) for an overrated "networking" (read: singles) mixer. I loved the venue, though. But be prepared: hotel valet was $15--but there's a spot around the corner that only charges ten! Alas, we didn't realise until it was too late.
Thursday announced the return of Grey's Anatomy (and Ugly Betty). I'd been nervous that I wouldn't like Grey's anymore since it had been so long, but hark! The episode did not disappoint. I don't watch "Betty," but next week, defs gonna, because Christian Siriano (the winner from the most recent season of "Project Runway") is due to geust star. FIERCE.
Friday, had dinner at an old favorite: Crazyfish Sushi at Olympic and Doheny. And I tell you: go there, ask for the waiter named Edgar and order the $25 Olympic Roll. Otherwise known as the Ridiculous Roll, 'cause man that isht is bananas.
Friday night celebrated two friends' birthdays at The Arsenal off West Pico (past the Trader Joe's). Pretty good DJ, cheap drinks and the eats looked good, but I'd had my fill from sushi, so I didn't partake.
So go out. Be merry. And I'll update this blog concerning my thoughts on FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL and HAROLD AND KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY some other time. Short bites: both worth biting.
Wow, hyperlinks are so exhausting. We'll see if I ever do that again.
THE VISITOR
I'll be honest. Haaz Sleiman kinda turns me on. You may have seen him in one episode of "Veronica Mars." Or in a handful from Jack Bauer-dominated "24." He's got an infectious smile, and when I watched him playing the drums during the Thomas McCarthy-directed indy feature THE VISITOR, I liked pretending he was smiling right at me, perhaps even propositioning me for a pants-free music lesson. But not even his rhythmic prowess was enough to make me weep for his plight in this movie.
I saw it last Monday at the westside Landmark, who unfortunately has chosen to raise its fee for the chance to sit in its obviously luxury car-inspired leather seats. So perhaps I went into the picture a mite surly at having parted with twelve bucks when I was expecting to drop ten. But everyone else in my group got over this slight annoyance and was sobbing into Kleenex (my, they came prepared) about halfway into the film. Me: dry-eyed. Me: not feeling it. Me: soulless bitch? Not usually.
See, the story in short is this: illegal drum-playing immigrant who is otherwise harmless is interned and threatened with deportation. Girlfriend can't save him, as she is also illegal. So old professor man tries to save him. Mother tries to save him. Much drum-playing ensues. Without trying to spoil the film for you if you haven't and want to see it, I must say that (SPOILER ALERT!) Sleiman's character Tarek, and even his mother and girlfriend, make this big hoopla about how he's done "nothing wrong," about how he's an innocent cog of the system that definitely shouldn't be deported, because he's not a criminal. And in general, I agree, but...not really. You see, the trouble with the government is that if they say, tomorrow, that wearing white before Labor Day is not only in bad taste but also illegal, but you decide to don the blanche, and they arrest you...who's wrong? You've officially broken the law. And I don't want to dwell much on my opinions about immigration laws, but (SPOILER ALERT!) I think there's more than the US government to blame.
This movie pitted Bad-Guy Government against Good-Guy Immigrant without making a case beyond Tarek's good drum-playing to convince us (or me, rather) that he was a "good guy." He was a struggling musician. He wasn't supporting anyone's life but his own. He forgot to help his girlfriend with her work. In short, he wasn't a hero. Give me a hero, and I'll cry. I promise. I cried during TARZAN.
plot: An immigrant deserves rights, too!
thought: Too righteous to be appreciated.
in five: 2/5
saving grace: The last shot in the entire film is a beautiful ender. You'll have to sit through almost two hours to get to it though!
the film: http://www.thevisitorfilm.com/
I saw it last Monday at the westside Landmark, who unfortunately has chosen to raise its fee for the chance to sit in its obviously luxury car-inspired leather seats. So perhaps I went into the picture a mite surly at having parted with twelve bucks when I was expecting to drop ten. But everyone else in my group got over this slight annoyance and was sobbing into Kleenex (my, they came prepared) about halfway into the film. Me: dry-eyed. Me: not feeling it. Me: soulless bitch? Not usually.
See, the story in short is this: illegal drum-playing immigrant who is otherwise harmless is interned and threatened with deportation. Girlfriend can't save him, as she is also illegal. So old professor man tries to save him. Mother tries to save him. Much drum-playing ensues. Without trying to spoil the film for you if you haven't and want to see it, I must say that (SPOILER ALERT!) Sleiman's character Tarek, and even his mother and girlfriend, make this big hoopla about how he's done "nothing wrong," about how he's an innocent cog of the system that definitely shouldn't be deported, because he's not a criminal. And in general, I agree, but...not really. You see, the trouble with the government is that if they say, tomorrow, that wearing white before Labor Day is not only in bad taste but also illegal, but you decide to don the blanche, and they arrest you...who's wrong? You've officially broken the law. And I don't want to dwell much on my opinions about immigration laws, but (SPOILER ALERT!) I think there's more than the US government to blame.
This movie pitted Bad-Guy Government against Good-Guy Immigrant without making a case beyond Tarek's good drum-playing to convince us (or me, rather) that he was a "good guy." He was a struggling musician. He wasn't supporting anyone's life but his own. He forgot to help his girlfriend with her work. In short, he wasn't a hero. Give me a hero, and I'll cry. I promise. I cried during TARZAN.
plot: An immigrant deserves rights, too!
thought: Too righteous to be appreciated.
in five: 2/5
saving grace: The last shot in the entire film is a beautiful ender. You'll have to sit through almost two hours to get to it though!
the film: http://www.thevisitorfilm.com/
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