Netflix Streaming over 1/31/12 and 2/1/12
This must be the week of movies with no plot. Nothing happens here either! I should have known better, since it was written and directed by someone who has (at least to my knowledge) never written or directed before. Josh Radnor, you're great on How I Met Your Mother. This character seems like it's just him recycling Ted, just plus an orphan and a bald best friend. The biggest difference is that none of these characters are sympathetic.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 132
Showing posts with label Comedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comedy. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Friends with Benefits (2011)
Netflix DVD on 1/20/11
This is just like No Strings Attached, but better written and more entertaining. Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake totally sell me on best friends who try being lovers, and I find this one more realistic than NSA. It gets messy. The lines get blurred. And people end up getting hurt. But in the end, it's happy and things turn out okay. This is a successful rom com definitely, and it leaves you feeling cheered about the state of the world. Love the flash mobs too. And above all, it doesn't take itself overly seriously.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 128
This is just like No Strings Attached, but better written and more entertaining. Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake totally sell me on best friends who try being lovers, and I find this one more realistic than NSA. It gets messy. The lines get blurred. And people end up getting hurt. But in the end, it's happy and things turn out okay. This is a successful rom com definitely, and it leaves you feeling cheered about the state of the world. Love the flash mobs too. And above all, it doesn't take itself overly seriously.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 128
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The Guard (2011)
Netflix DVD on 1/5/12
This is trying to be Snatch and failing. None of the characters are likeable or relateable, the plot is muddled, and the writing doesn't do the film any extra favors. This got nominated for a Golden Globe (for acting - Brendan Gleeson maybe?). Otherwise, I would never have watched it. Lauren was right when she said she had heard it was awful.
My Netflix rating: 2 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 127
This is trying to be Snatch and failing. None of the characters are likeable or relateable, the plot is muddled, and the writing doesn't do the film any extra favors. This got nominated for a Golden Globe (for acting - Brendan Gleeson maybe?). Otherwise, I would never have watched it. Lauren was right when she said she had heard it was awful.
My Netflix rating: 2 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 127
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Netflix DVD on 12/31/11
Not the best film to end the year with. I remember now why I hate Woody Allen so much. Even if he doesn't appear in the movie, his whiny poor me attitude seeps into every single word uttered by his main character. Owen Wilson is better than this. The concept of the crazy writer who has delusions of hanging out with famous artistic Parisians is not necessarily new or creative, and has been done far better. But this will get nominated for writing, because the Academy so loves Woody Allen. God knows why. Happy New Year everyone!
My Netflix rating: 2 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 120
Not the best film to end the year with. I remember now why I hate Woody Allen so much. Even if he doesn't appear in the movie, his whiny poor me attitude seeps into every single word uttered by his main character. Owen Wilson is better than this. The concept of the crazy writer who has delusions of hanging out with famous artistic Parisians is not necessarily new or creative, and has been done far better. But this will get nominated for writing, because the Academy so loves Woody Allen. God knows why. Happy New Year everyone!
My Netflix rating: 2 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 120
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
Netflix DVD with Lauren on 12/23/11
Happy Christmas Eve! This was a decidedly weird movie that, by the end, totally worked. I think that it's partially because it was acted brilliantly (Ryan Gosling got a Globe nom for it) but it also has amazing writing. The connections between the characters aren't obvious or predictable, but they are completely believable when the whole thing is over. The whole love triangle with the baby sitter is a little weird, but I can overlook that in favor of the absolute exaggerated realism of the other situations. It's funny and sort of touching by the end. And Emma Stone, of course, is awesome.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 116
Happy Christmas Eve! This was a decidedly weird movie that, by the end, totally worked. I think that it's partially because it was acted brilliantly (Ryan Gosling got a Globe nom for it) but it also has amazing writing. The connections between the characters aren't obvious or predictable, but they are completely believable when the whole thing is over. The whole love triangle with the baby sitter is a little weird, but I can overlook that in favor of the absolute exaggerated realism of the other situations. It's funny and sort of touching by the end. And Emma Stone, of course, is awesome.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 116
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic with Lauren and Emica on 12/11/11
This movie is so cute! I had heard that it was good, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Poor little Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy, who is always hot) is so in love with Christmas, and so in awe of his father Santa Claus the 20th, that all he wants is to be a part of the holiday magic. His older brother Steve (a delightfully arrogant Hugh Laurie) has techno-ized Christmas, and when his "perfect" system misses a child, it's up to Arthur to fix things. He and his GrandSanta (Bill Nighy) take the old sleigh for a spin and try to beat the sun to England. It's funny and moving and totally heartwarming on a cold day.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 111
This movie is so cute! I had heard that it was good, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Poor little Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy, who is always hot) is so in love with Christmas, and so in awe of his father Santa Claus the 20th, that all he wants is to be a part of the holiday magic. His older brother Steve (a delightfully arrogant Hugh Laurie) has techno-ized Christmas, and when his "perfect" system misses a child, it's up to Arthur to fix things. He and his GrandSanta (Bill Nighy) take the old sleigh for a spin and try to beat the sun to England. It's funny and moving and totally heartwarming on a cold day.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 111
Four Christmases (2008)
Netflix DVD over 12/10/11 and 12/11/11
This is a pretty stupid movie, but it's fun too. I like Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon very much, and they don't seem like a mismatched couple (as happens so often in rom coms). There is nothing new or unique about the characters, though the story is relatively different, and it's not too heavy on the sappy "Christmas magic" message. Good for a laugh, even if not for much else.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 110
This is a pretty stupid movie, but it's fun too. I like Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon very much, and they don't seem like a mismatched couple (as happens so often in rom coms). There is nothing new or unique about the characters, though the story is relatively different, and it's not too heavy on the sappy "Christmas magic" message. Good for a laugh, even if not for much else.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 110
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Farmer's Wife (1928)
DVD over 8/7/11 and 8/9/11
Can't I be done Hitchcock's silent films yet? They're just not interesting in any way. Certainly not suspenseful (except The Lodger) and not engaging at all. The stories are simplistic and boring, the characters are not developed at all, and there are not nearly enough title cards. Please don't think this is a slight against all silent films - there are several that I have found very effective. Still waiting for the point where Hitch hits his stride.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 68
Can't I be done Hitchcock's silent films yet? They're just not interesting in any way. Certainly not suspenseful (except The Lodger) and not engaging at all. The stories are simplistic and boring, the characters are not developed at all, and there are not nearly enough title cards. Please don't think this is a slight against all silent films - there are several that I have found very effective. Still waiting for the point where Hitch hits his stride.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 68
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Horrible Bosses (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic with Chris, Kat, and Sadie on 8/5/11
I really do love Kevin Spacey, even when he's being an evil, sadistic psycho! This is another one of those stupid comedies that works because it doesn't try too hard. I like to think that I've gotten pretty good at seeking out those that succeed and avoiding those that don't (though a lot of that is also reliant on the reviews of people I trust). Here the cast works, especially Colin Farrell as the coked-out, Kung Fu wannabe. Jamie Foxx's appearance is one of his few that didn't entirely irritate me.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 66
I really do love Kevin Spacey, even when he's being an evil, sadistic psycho! This is another one of those stupid comedies that works because it doesn't try too hard. I like to think that I've gotten pretty good at seeking out those that succeed and avoiding those that don't (though a lot of that is also reliant on the reviews of people I trust). Here the cast works, especially Colin Farrell as the coked-out, Kung Fu wannabe. Jamie Foxx's appearance is one of his few that didn't entirely irritate me.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 66
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Life During Wartime (2009)
Netflix DVD on 7/30/11
This is another of those films that doesn't know if it's a drama or a comedy - it tries to be both and fails to be either. I read about it in one of EW's movie previews (Holiday maybe?) and thought it sounded interesting based on the cast, especially Allison Janney. I really need to stop doing that - they almost never turn out to be good films. I'm not sure why this was getting talked about at Oscar time, except maybe the performances. They are all very solid - the only reason at all to watch this.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 63
This is another of those films that doesn't know if it's a drama or a comedy - it tries to be both and fails to be either. I read about it in one of EW's movie previews (Holiday maybe?) and thought it sounded interesting based on the cast, especially Allison Janney. I really need to stop doing that - they almost never turn out to be good films. I'm not sure why this was getting talked about at Oscar time, except maybe the performances. They are all very solid - the only reason at all to watch this.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 63
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Bad Teacher (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic with Ben on 7/27/11
This movie is funny simply because it doesn't try too hard to be something it isn't. It's stupid funny - not at all realistic obviously. I can assure you that if any teacher I ever worked with tried that crap, they would be fired so fast their heads would spin. That goes for Cameron Diaz's character and her arch-rival teacher. Justin Timberlake continues to impress me as an actor (really, who say that coming from "Bye Bye Bye"??) and Jason Segel is always a good time.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 62
This movie is funny simply because it doesn't try too hard to be something it isn't. It's stupid funny - not at all realistic obviously. I can assure you that if any teacher I ever worked with tried that crap, they would be fired so fast their heads would spin. That goes for Cameron Diaz's character and her arch-rival teacher. Justin Timberlake continues to impress me as an actor (really, who say that coming from "Bye Bye Bye"??) and Jason Segel is always a good time.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 62
Monday, June 27, 2011
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
Movie Night with Adam, Justin, Kat, Mike, Anna and Sadie on 6/26/11
The best thing, by and large, about this film is the number of cameos and bit parts. You never know who's going to show up in the next scene! The plot of the movie is totally ridiculous, but in an awesome way that leaves you laughing but not rolling your eyes (for the most part). It's smart in that it's not too long, so the gags don't get old, and there is a little thread of continuity from the other Kevin Smith movies. It's not necessary to have watched the others first, though. Good times all around.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 53
The best thing, by and large, about this film is the number of cameos and bit parts. You never know who's going to show up in the next scene! The plot of the movie is totally ridiculous, but in an awesome way that leaves you laughing but not rolling your eyes (for the most part). It's smart in that it's not too long, so the gags don't get old, and there is a little thread of continuity from the other Kevin Smith movies. It's not necessary to have watched the others first, though. Good times all around.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 53
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Hangover Part II (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic on 6/20/11
This was funny, for sure, but I'm not entirely convinced that it needed to be made. A lot of the jokes are the same as the first time around, only amplified. There is a slightly convoluted sideplot involving INTERPOL. Bangkok is a great locale and certainly has a reputation, but I didn't think it was any more or less believable as all this happening in Vegas. The structure of the story the first time around was unique and totally different - there were huge, important portions of the plot that neither the characters nor the audience knew. It doesn't have the same impact the second time around.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 50
This was funny, for sure, but I'm not entirely convinced that it needed to be made. A lot of the jokes are the same as the first time around, only amplified. There is a slightly convoluted sideplot involving INTERPOL. Bangkok is a great locale and certainly has a reputation, but I didn't think it was any more or less believable as all this happening in Vegas. The structure of the story the first time around was unique and totally different - there were huge, important portions of the plot that neither the characters nor the audience knew. It doesn't have the same impact the second time around.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 50
Monday, June 20, 2011
Bridesmaids (2011)
Saco Cinemagic with Dad, Jack and Shannon on 6/19/11
I've been resistant to seeing this since it came out, but my dad wanted something funny for Father's Day, so I finally went. It's not what I expected. It's funny and actually moving in some places, but the main character drove me crazy. She allows herself to be so pathetic and sabotages herself at every turn. Though I find problems with Maya Rudolph's character too, I probably would have been just as frustrated with her as she was. Melissa McCarthy was totally the standout, probably because it's such a drastically different character from what she's done in the past.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 49
I've been resistant to seeing this since it came out, but my dad wanted something funny for Father's Day, so I finally went. It's not what I expected. It's funny and actually moving in some places, but the main character drove me crazy. She allows herself to be so pathetic and sabotages herself at every turn. Though I find problems with Maya Rudolph's character too, I probably would have been just as frustrated with her as she was. Melissa McCarthy was totally the standout, probably because it's such a drastically different character from what she's done in the past.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 49
Monday, June 13, 2011
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
Movie Night with Adam, Justin, Mike, Kat, Anna and Sadie on 6/12/11
Okay, so movie night was a little overshadowed this week by the fantastic performance of Avenue Q that I saw at the Ogunquit Playhouse! I was especially impressed with how much the puppeteers both blended in to the background AND contributed their facial expressions to their puppet counterparts. Yesterday apparently was comedy day (since, in between the theater and movie night, I also fit in rewatching Easy A) - this film could have easily been way over the top and vulgar but it holds itself back pretty nicely. They're pretty lax with traditional rules about time travel and not changing anything, but all in all, a fun time.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 44
Okay, so movie night was a little overshadowed this week by the fantastic performance of Avenue Q that I saw at the Ogunquit Playhouse! I was especially impressed with how much the puppeteers both blended in to the background AND contributed their facial expressions to their puppet counterparts. Yesterday apparently was comedy day (since, in between the theater and movie night, I also fit in rewatching Easy A) - this film could have easily been way over the top and vulgar but it holds itself back pretty nicely. They're pretty lax with traditional rules about time travel and not changing anything, but all in all, a fun time.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 44
Sunday, April 24, 2011
How Do You Know (2010)
Netflix DVD over 4/21/11 and 4/23/11
This movie was pretty disappointing. With such a good cast (Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Jack Nicholson), I was expecting a heartwarming, moving, funny film that was well-acted and well-written. Apparently, that was asking too much. Overall, this isn't a terrible movie, but it came nowhere near the expectations I had for that ensemble. It's also nothing special in terms of plot - generic love triangle rom com.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 25
This movie was pretty disappointing. With such a good cast (Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Jack Nicholson), I was expecting a heartwarming, moving, funny film that was well-acted and well-written. Apparently, that was asking too much. Overall, this isn't a terrible movie, but it came nowhere near the expectations I had for that ensemble. It's also nothing special in terms of plot - generic love triangle rom com.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 25
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Arthur (2011)
Cinemagic Grand with Sheila on 4/9/11
I really expected to hate this movie. I really can't stand Russell Brand in the little I've seen him in (plus he's married to Katy Perry - big loss of points there too), but he's a little bit endearing in this. PLUS, Helen Mirren is here. Big plus. She really makes anything she's in that much better. This is a remake - I've never seen the original, so I don't have a comparison for you. But let's just say that I went into this expecting (as Stephen King would say) cinematic dog vomit. And in the end, it actually made me laugh.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 23
I really expected to hate this movie. I really can't stand Russell Brand in the little I've seen him in (plus he's married to Katy Perry - big loss of points there too), but he's a little bit endearing in this. PLUS, Helen Mirren is here. Big plus. She really makes anything she's in that much better. This is a remake - I've never seen the original, so I don't have a comparison for you. But let's just say that I went into this expecting (as Stephen King would say) cinematic dog vomit. And in the end, it actually made me laugh.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 23
Monday, March 28, 2011
Super Troopers (2001)
Movie Night with Mike, Kat, Adam, Anna and Sadie on 3/27/11
So...I don't really get the big deal about this movie. It was definitely funny and I laughed and all, but when people talk about it, they talk about it as the funniest film to ever grace the silver screen. Not so much. I'm very picky about what I find funny (for instance, Dodgeball = hilarious, Anchorman = dull) so it's possible this is just a taste thing. It's not to mine. Still, glad I finally saw it so I know what all the fuss has been over.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 20
So...I don't really get the big deal about this movie. It was definitely funny and I laughed and all, but when people talk about it, they talk about it as the funniest film to ever grace the silver screen. Not so much. I'm very picky about what I find funny (for instance, Dodgeball = hilarious, Anchorman = dull) so it's possible this is just a taste thing. It's not to mine. Still, glad I finally saw it so I know what all the fuss has been over.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 20
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Paul (2011)
The Nick with Mike, Kat, Chris and Sadie on 3/22/11
After not loving Hot Fuzz as much as I wanted to, I was wary about this one. It's fantastic! I liked it as much as Shaun of the Dead. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have written a very funny film that is self-aware enough to poke fun at itself alongside of some of the most beloved sci-fi films from the last 30 years. The cast is also great, with surprises popping up everywhere. Seth Rogen was the perfect voice for Paul. I was impressed that some of the alien effects were done with puppets instead of CGI. The blend is pretty good.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 17
After not loving Hot Fuzz as much as I wanted to, I was wary about this one. It's fantastic! I liked it as much as Shaun of the Dead. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have written a very funny film that is self-aware enough to poke fun at itself alongside of some of the most beloved sci-fi films from the last 30 years. The cast is also great, with surprises popping up everywhere. Seth Rogen was the perfect voice for Paul. I was impressed that some of the alien effects were done with puppets instead of CGI. The blend is pretty good.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 17
Sunday, March 20, 2011
It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010)
Netflix DVD on 3/18/11
The son from United States of Tara checks himself into a mental institution...why exactly? It's very clear from the beginning that, while he has some issues with depression and self-esteem, he's clearly not psychotic and doesn't belong there. I think that this is an issue with the performance, honestly. Keir Gilchrist doesn't play Craig like someone who is desperate enough to kill himself. Overall, this feels like it's trying to be a light-hearted version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but what the filmmakers don't seem to understand is that you can't make a subject like that light-hearted without it falling flat and feeling false. A good try, I guess, but not at all a success.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 15
The son from United States of Tara checks himself into a mental institution...why exactly? It's very clear from the beginning that, while he has some issues with depression and self-esteem, he's clearly not psychotic and doesn't belong there. I think that this is an issue with the performance, honestly. Keir Gilchrist doesn't play Craig like someone who is desperate enough to kill himself. Overall, this feels like it's trying to be a light-hearted version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but what the filmmakers don't seem to understand is that you can't make a subject like that light-hearted without it falling flat and feeling false. A good try, I guess, but not at all a success.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 15
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