April 12, 2010
Guest Review: How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
***Thanks go out to K. for providing his thoughts on this new release***
Should I see it?
Yeah, sure.
Yeah, sure.
How to Train Your Dragon is Dreamworks latest 3D animated adventure featuring Vikings, dragons, and monsters. The story is a sort of Androcles and the Lion parable where the main character "Hiccup", is a nerdy 98 pound weakling of a Viking who desperately wants to kill a dragon to impress the hottest girl in the village.
During a devastating dragon attack, Hiccup manages to shoot down one of the most dangerous and elusive dragons. Unfortunately, it is still alive and he can't bring himself to dispatch the helpless critter with his only weapon - a tiny, rather symbolic, knife.
Instead, Hiccup discovers the dragon can be quickly tamed, trained and flown - which doesn't sit well in a village where every building has had to be rebuilt due to dragon attacks and the art of killing them is considered a necessary survival skill.
The movie is cleverly written and the art design excellent. The story moves pretty well right up until it gets to the anti-war on terror message. The message may act as a bit of a sucker punch for adults, but will likely be missed by the kids. The final outcome of the story tends to moderate the message in any case.
Pet peeve: the usual PC female lead who can and does literally kick the butt of the protagonist.
Related Reviews:
Animated movies
Chicken Little (2005)
Chicken Run (2000)
Other Critic’s Reviews:
Culture Catch
Robert Ebert
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Labels: adaptation, Amadeus, America Ferrera, animated, Craig Ferguson, film, Gerald Butler, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, movie review
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 8:00 AM
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April 5, 2010
Movie Trailer: How to Train Your Dragon
I've heard some very good things.
I also have two young boys begging to see it.
Screenwriters: Dean Debois (Lilo & Stich) and Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stich)
Directors: Dean Debois (Lilo & Stich) and Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stich)
Actors: Jay Baruchel (Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian), Gerard Butler (300), America Ferrera (Lords of Dogtown), Craig Ferguson (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events), Jonah Hill (Funny People) and Kristen Wiig (Ghost Town)
Click here to buy your copy of
You Are What You See and learn
to change the world from your couch
I also have two young boys begging to see it.
Screenwriters: Dean Debois (Lilo & Stich) and Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stich)
Directors: Dean Debois (Lilo & Stich) and Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stich)
Actors: Jay Baruchel (Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian), Gerard Butler (300), America Ferrera (Lords of Dogtown), Craig Ferguson (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events), Jonah Hill (Funny People) and Kristen Wiig (Ghost Town)
Click here to buy your copy of
You Are What You See and learn
to change the world from your couch
Labels: America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson, film, Gerard Butler, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, movie trailer
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 5:00 PM
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March 20, 2010
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Should I see it?
No.
No.
Short Review: I felt like I needed to track down the inventor of laughing.
This is a 90-minute long Saturday Night Live skit. Literally, back in 1986 SNL guest host Joe Montana performed in a skit called Sincere Guy Stu. The premise? Sincere Stu always says what's on his mind. He says a whole bunch of odd stuff to his roommate and his roommate's date. The skit ends with Stu walking upstairs stating "Oh, you won't disturb me. I'll be in my room masturbating." Back in 1986, this was quick a striking line for a respected football star to say on national television. That was 25 years ago. Now, we're lucky if news broadcasters can refrain from calling average citizens "teabaggers".
Co-writers/co-directors Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson drag this premise out and then beat it to death with all of the finesse of Andre the Giant threading a needle. They even begin their film by having Mark Bellison (Gervais) arriving at Anna McDoogles' (Jennifer Garner) apartment for a date. She opens the door and quickly expresses her distaste for his physical appearance and her doubts that the two will copulate anytime soon. You see, its a world where everyone tells the truth - get it? Anna lets Mark in and he takes a seat on the couch. She explains she needs to finish getting ready for the date and this will include her, what? - that's right - masturbating upstairs while he waits. Oh, how edgy and unique.
Even though it is simple, Gervais and Robinson are incapable of remaining committed to their stated premise. What they show isn't a world that can't lie. They're in a world where people simply say what's on their mind. Everywhere Mark goes in the film, people casually distribute insults to him. Unprompted, he is told he is less than attractive, that people despise him, that no enjoys him. If this was written as its sold, it is far more likely the people would simply avoid subjects rather than blurt out socially unacceptable put-downs.
As it turns out, the other characters in the film are right to loathe Mark. He is a bad guy with no redeeming values at all. As the title states, he invents lying. Once he learns he can manipulate people by lying to them he then begins to serve his self with his new skill. He steals, attempts a rape (lying to someone to force them into sex is a form of rape, sorry) and generally acts like an ass. Here is a tip - make your hero likable. He doesn't have to be a saint but he really needs to have at least one approachable quality. It makes things so much more engaging for the audience.
To make matters worse Gervais and Robinson allow themselves to be misled by their lack of script development two-thirds of the way through. Since there isn't any real villain and therefore very little tension or conflict, the writing duo are forced to scrounge up a conflict. Marks' mother is on her deathbed and he "lies" to her about there being a Heaven and God. She dies with a smile on her face but Mark is overheard. At this point he becomes a prophet and is burdened with having to make-up religion.
The remainder of the film gives itself over to the conceit that all religion is made-up and are lies people are told to keep them from wallowing in existential misery. This is, of course, bunk and how the subject is presented proves it.
The fake religion Mark devises presents God in vague, childish terms. Gervais and Robinson make a theological straw-man by having Mark describe God with all of the depth of a Sunday School drop-out. Presenting God in the most simplistic terms possible, God is a conflicted old man in the clouds kind of theology, Gervais and Robinson make it easy for themselves to lampoon the ideas being expressed. They avoid actual theology, not out of respect, but because they are more interested in kicking faith in the shin than actually arguing the point.
The whole "religion is a lie" overtakes the final third of the film. It changes the tone and saps the comedy from a script that is already desperate for laughs. Again, this all a reaction by Gervais and Robinson because they have no other road to travel. Their script mishandles the premise and the characters and the two paint themselves into a corner. To close their script they're forced to pull this Deus ex machina (ironically enough).
What they should have done is present the world where no one lies. You then have Mark invent lying. He begins with small ones but they beget larger ones. He then tries to put the genie back in the bottle - thus creating conflict.
or
What they should have done is present the world where no one lies. You then have Mark invent lying. This start out okay but then his lies catch up to him and he is found out by society. This makes him an outcast. When he tries to warn people of something, we are given a modern retelling of The Boy Who Cried Wolf.
Both of these ideas would also do something Gervais and Robinson failed to do in their sophomoric script - it would present lying as a moral wrong.
To sum things up, skip this one. A comedy without laughs is a hideous thing.
Related Reviews:
Rickey Gervais movies
Ghost Town (2008)
For Your Consideration (2006)
Other Critic’s Reviews:
USAToday
DarkMatters
Labels: comedy, film, Jeffrey Tambor, Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Louis CK, movie review, Ricky Gervais, Rob Lowe
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 10:00 AM
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October 4, 2009
Movie Trailer: The Invention of Lying
It has Ricky Gervais, Louis C.K. (the best stand-up comic working) and Jennifer Garner - how could this stink?
Well, probably pretty easily. Let's see, the hook is simple enough, in a universe where everyone always tells the truth one man (Gervais) invents lying. This means the film is structurally about morality. Is lying wrong? When it is acceptable to lie? So on and so forth. Looking at the cast list, looking at the folks who developed the film, considering the film industry's track record on making definitive moral statements, I'm left thinking this probably isn't going to leave audiences with a good message.
But that's me. I could be wrong.*
Word is that there is a deep anti-religious message waiting for audiences at the end of the film. You know, cuz religion is all a lie - get it? Sure. You know, cuz a bunch of film makers and actors say so, cuz they got it all figured out. I know when I have complex metaphyscial questions I confer the closest actor, because someone who spends their life pretending to be other people is always a reliable choice.
Let's do a quick unpacking of their proposal. If religion is a lie and by extension God Himself is a lie, then the universe is a soup of random, nonsensical reactions with no inherent worth beyond the whimsical meanings we place on things. Therefore, all understanding is a matter of perspective rooted in our temporary perspectives. So, the concepts of telling the truth and lying are irrelevant given that there is no such thing as actual truth or actual falsehood. Since this is the case, Gervais and company have no grounds to attack my belief in God. Their non-belief negates their standing to have a voice given that their belief negates the relevance of their voice. If I believe in God, and there is no God, your contention that I'm wrong is meaningless since in your truthless universe my stating there is a God is as valid as you saying He's not there. So, shut up. Have a nice day.
Screenwriters: Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson
Directors: Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson
Actors: Jonah Hill (Superbad), Jennifer Garner (13 Going on 30), Jason Bateman (Smokin’ Aces), Tina Fey (Mean Girls), Patrick Stewart (Jeffrey), Jeffrey Tambor (The Hangover), Ricky Gervais (Ghost Town), Louis C.K., and Christopher Guest (This is Spinal Tap)
* - I'm not wrong.
Well, probably pretty easily. Let's see, the hook is simple enough, in a universe where everyone always tells the truth one man (Gervais) invents lying. This means the film is structurally about morality. Is lying wrong? When it is acceptable to lie? So on and so forth. Looking at the cast list, looking at the folks who developed the film, considering the film industry's track record on making definitive moral statements, I'm left thinking this probably isn't going to leave audiences with a good message.
But that's me. I could be wrong.*
Word is that there is a deep anti-religious message waiting for audiences at the end of the film. You know, cuz religion is all a lie - get it? Sure. You know, cuz a bunch of film makers and actors say so, cuz they got it all figured out. I know when I have complex metaphyscial questions I confer the closest actor, because someone who spends their life pretending to be other people is always a reliable choice.
Let's do a quick unpacking of their proposal. If religion is a lie and by extension God Himself is a lie, then the universe is a soup of random, nonsensical reactions with no inherent worth beyond the whimsical meanings we place on things. Therefore, all understanding is a matter of perspective rooted in our temporary perspectives. So, the concepts of telling the truth and lying are irrelevant given that there is no such thing as actual truth or actual falsehood. Since this is the case, Gervais and company have no grounds to attack my belief in God. Their non-belief negates their standing to have a voice given that their belief negates the relevance of their voice. If I believe in God, and there is no God, your contention that I'm wrong is meaningless since in your truthless universe my stating there is a God is as valid as you saying He's not there. So, shut up. Have a nice day.
Screenwriters: Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson
Directors: Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson
Actors: Jonah Hill (Superbad), Jennifer Garner (13 Going on 30), Jason Bateman (Smokin’ Aces), Tina Fey (Mean Girls), Patrick Stewart (Jeffrey), Jeffrey Tambor (The Hangover), Ricky Gervais (Ghost Town), Louis C.K., and Christopher Guest (This is Spinal Tap)
* - I'm not wrong.
Labels: Christopher Guest, film, Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor, Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, movie trailer, Patrick Stewart, Rickey Gervais
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 1:00 PM
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March 2, 2009
Movie Trailer: Funny People
Just what the world needs, yet another sensitive half-man, mopey Judd Apatow flick.
We really have to bring John Wayne back from the dead or something. Can we please have men in our movies again?
Return to the movie trailers pageWe really have to bring John Wayne back from the dead or something. Can we please have men in our movies again?
Screenwriter: Judd Apatow (Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story)
Director: Judd Apatow (Knocked Up)
Actors: Adam Sandler (Click), Seth Rogen (Pineapple Express), Leslie Mann (Orange County), Eric Bana (Munich), Jonah Hill (Superbad) and Jason Schwartman (I Heart Huckabees)
Labels: Adam Sandler, Eric Bana, film, Jonah Hill, Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann, movie trailer, Seth Rogen
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 9:00 PM
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August 1, 2008
Knocked Up (2006)
Should I see it?
A weak yes - with cautions
This isn't the sexed-up romp it may appear to be (although there's plenty of low humor). At its heart it is a pro-life, and pro-family (albeit non-traditional). As suggested by the title, an unwed couple find themselves in trouble when the woman Alison (Katherine Heigl) gets pregnant. To make matters worse, the pregnancy is the result of a foolish one-night stand Alison had with dedicated loser/slacker Ben Stone (see image above). Ben (Seth Rogen) is a likable doofus, but a doofus just the same. The film of course tracks the usual "boy gets girl" path as Alison and Ben slowly learn to love one another and run into boilerplate difficulties. There is little new here in regards to the narrative beyond the introduction of the fetus into the proceedings. Will Ben drop his slacker ways and become the man he needs to be to father the child? Yes, of course. Will Alison look beyond Ben's oafish exterior and see something lovable? Yes, of course. Will they unite as parents? Yes, of course. You know the story before you go in. Why would I recommend a predictable film about a couple of goof balls who have a kid out of wedlock? What the film doesn't have in surprises, it makes up for in personality. This is a very charming, warm movie and supports people acting moral in the face of a life changing event. This is something to note in a time where movies normally promote self-interest and low behavior.
The jokes aren't actually that funny, which is a shame, but not surprising coming from writer/director Judd Apatow. Like his previous movie 40-Year Old Virgin, Apatow gives the appearance of being funny without really delivering. He sets up jokes, acts like he's delivered one but there's no discernible humor there. What he offers are visuals or lines that are amusing or ironic and sells them as jokes. The result is the audience feels like they've seen a funny movie but the laughs are minimal. It's actually quite clever on Apatow's part.
Seth Rogen moviesA weak yes - with cautions
This isn't the sexed-up romp it may appear to be (although there's plenty of low humor). At its heart it is a pro-life, and pro-family (albeit non-traditional). As suggested by the title, an unwed couple find themselves in trouble when the woman Alison (Katherine Heigl) gets pregnant. To make matters worse, the pregnancy is the result of a foolish one-night stand Alison had with dedicated loser/slacker Ben Stone (see image above). Ben (Seth Rogen) is a likable doofus, but a doofus just the same. The film of course tracks the usual "boy gets girl" path as Alison and Ben slowly learn to love one another and run into boilerplate difficulties. There is little new here in regards to the narrative beyond the introduction of the fetus into the proceedings. Will Ben drop his slacker ways and become the man he needs to be to father the child? Yes, of course. Will Alison look beyond Ben's oafish exterior and see something lovable? Yes, of course. Will they unite as parents? Yes, of course. You know the story before you go in. Why would I recommend a predictable film about a couple of goof balls who have a kid out of wedlock? What the film doesn't have in surprises, it makes up for in personality. This is a very charming, warm movie and supports people acting moral in the face of a life changing event. This is something to note in a time where movies normally promote self-interest and low behavior.
The jokes aren't actually that funny, which is a shame, but not surprising coming from writer/director Judd Apatow. Like his previous movie 40-Year Old Virgin, Apatow gives the appearance of being funny without really delivering. He sets up jokes, acts like he's delivered one but there's no discernible humor there. What he offers are visuals or lines that are amusing or ironic and sells them as jokes. The result is the audience feels like they've seen a funny movie but the laughs are minimal. It's actually quite clever on Apatow's part.
Related Reviews:
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2006)
Superbad (2007)
Other Critic's Reviews:
Black Sheep Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes
Labels: comedy, film, Jonah Hill, Judd Apatow, Katherine Heigl, movie review, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 6:00 PM
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April 20, 2008
Superbad (2007)
Should I see it?
No.
No.
The title is fitting. Like many comedies today, Superbad seems like its funny but its actually not - its just foul. Trading foul gags for real laughs isn't new, its been going on in mainstream films since I've been alive. As of late, however, the sheer number of comedies that are lacking in any real inventiveness and identifiable humor is on the rise.
This is a comedy for people who don't know any better - meaning teenagers. Sure, I sound like a snob, then again, I am one. Enjoying lukewarm slop like this is akin to being thrilled over hocking down a Whopper. If you don't know what real cuisine tastes like, the greasy slab probably seems good. The writing is horrible, and has nothing to say. The acting by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera is passable, and not noteworthy. The film as a whole is crude, childish and short on intelligence. Many critics have stated that this film is heartwarming on a certain level, I missed this completely. The characters are too thin to give enough depth to become heartwarming. The truth be told, I kept sitting there waiting for the movie to get better. It never did me the favor. My inability to connect with the film of course may be due to the fact that I'm not in the film's demographic, but then again, if the film was well written, that wouldn't matter.
Anyone who's seen any of the stupid teenage sex comedies of the 1980's, The Last American Virgin leaps to mind, you'll find very familiar ground covered here. If you're interested in seeing what lowbrow crud is being passed on to the consumer these days, you may want to give it a look. Other than academic curiosity, you're probably best just avoiding this one.
Related Reviews:
Comedies
The 40-Year Old Virgin (2005)
Reno 911: Miami (2007)
Other Critic's Reviews:
Dark Matters
Cinephile
This is a comedy for people who don't know any better - meaning teenagers. Sure, I sound like a snob, then again, I am one. Enjoying lukewarm slop like this is akin to being thrilled over hocking down a Whopper. If you don't know what real cuisine tastes like, the greasy slab probably seems good. The writing is horrible, and has nothing to say. The acting by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera is passable, and not noteworthy. The film as a whole is crude, childish and short on intelligence. Many critics have stated that this film is heartwarming on a certain level, I missed this completely. The characters are too thin to give enough depth to become heartwarming. The truth be told, I kept sitting there waiting for the movie to get better. It never did me the favor. My inability to connect with the film of course may be due to the fact that I'm not in the film's demographic, but then again, if the film was well written, that wouldn't matter.
Anyone who's seen any of the stupid teenage sex comedies of the 1980's, The Last American Virgin leaps to mind, you'll find very familiar ground covered here. If you're interested in seeing what lowbrow crud is being passed on to the consumer these days, you may want to give it a look. Other than academic curiosity, you're probably best just avoiding this one.
Related Reviews:
Comedies
The 40-Year Old Virgin (2005)
Reno 911: Miami (2007)
Other Critic's Reviews:
Dark Matters
Cinephile
Labels: comedy, film, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, movie review, Seth Rogen
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 9:09 PM
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