Crazy, Stupid, Love Review

Crazy, Stupid, Love Review

Crazy, Stupid, Love. The title says it all. Human beings do crazy things, human beings make stupid choices, but mostly human beings do crazy and stupid things for love. The movie is briliantly clever, and shrewd in its conception. If you can forgive the implausible coincidences that pop up in the movie you will have one heck of an enjoyable experience.

The movie centers around Cal, played by Steve Carell. Cal has just been told by his wife that she wants a divorce, and that she has been cheating on him. Cal is in shock. He literally cannot comprehend that the woman he loves, the only woman he has ever loved, not only cheated on him, but wants him gone. Carell does a magnificent job of portraying Cal, especially in the early moments when he is paralyzed by shock.

His shock takes him to a bar, the kind of bar that only exists in never never land. Over flowing with beautiful women who are just dying to go home with a stranger. Of course Cal doesn't pay these women any attention, except to feebly try and vent, to desperately confide in anyone who will listen. It is here that he meets Jacob, a slick, yet successful, womanizer who takes a different woman home every night, because he can. Jacob pities Cal, and decides to give him an Oprah style makeover. This makeover leads to increased confidence, and much more meaningless sex for Cal.  The meaningless sex is Cal's coping mechanism, if he can't love the one he wants, he must love the one he is with.

In addition to balancing the Cal/Jacob storyline, the movie also juggles a story involving Cal's 13 year old son, and the object of his attention, their babysitter.  Did I mention that the babysitter has a dangerous crush on Cal? Cal's son is a true romantic who throws words like "soul-mate" and "true love" not knowing that these words are dangerous, even more dangerous when they are real.

The third ball in this juggling act is the story of Hannah, played by Emma Stone. Hanna is a young law student who believes her boyfriend will propose any day, and who is devastated when he pump fakes her. Of course Hannah, walks into the bar where Cal and Jacob now cruise. Jacob takes her home, and because the movie is PG-13 no sex is had. There is however a deep connection made that alters Jacobs preconceptions about the meaning of love, and for him is a "game changer."

The movie juggernauts its way towards a climax that can only be described as predictably unpredictable. In other words you unexpectedly get what you expect. Yes the chaos that erupts in this moment is a bit like watching an episode of Jerry Springer, but it is still hilarious, and will leave you laughing at the thought of it well after the credits roll.

In 1998 I praised a movie called Playing By Heart, a lovely if not contrived movie about love in its many forms, and phases. Like Playing By Heart, Crazy Stupid Love, is a lovely, if not contrived story about love in its many forms. Many of the same elements are at play here in Crazy, Stupid, Love. And while both films are very different, both films try to shed light on the subject of just why love makes us crazy and stupid. Of course this is an unsolvable riddle with no answer. Anyone who says otherwise is just fooling themselves. All you can do is accept that life is unpredictable, so just enjoy the ride. Be crazy, be stupid, and above all things love.

Captain America Review

Captain America Review
Surprise, Captain America was actually not as bad as I had predicted. Those of you who read my July Movie Preview know my initial thoughts on this film, and after walking out of the movie I was pleasantly surprised.  That's not to say that Captain America is a great movie, or any where near the top for the genre. My true feeling is that those involved didn't hit one out of the park, but certainly hit a stand up double, with a bit of polishing and perhaps some changes could have easily been a triple.

First I enjoyed the casting. Each member of this ensemble does a picture perfect job of playing their role. The most enjoyable of these actors was Tommy Lee Jones perfectly cast as Colonel Phillips, he is gruff, he is tough, all the things Tommy Lee Jones is typecast for. But what you might not know, and what might surprise you is that he is quite possibly the funniest person in the movie, and without question gets the biggest laugh of the movie. Also well cast was Chris Evans. I know that a lot of people, myself included, were disappointed by this casting. After all he was already engrained in my mind as the Human Torch. As good as Evans was as Johnny Storm, Evans does an equally fantastic job of owning this role, and becoming Captain America.

Also very well done was the romantic elements. The chemistry between Chris Evans' Steve Rogers, and Haley Atwell's Peggy Carter never once felt forced or even awkward like the other super hero films this year. Their relationship felt genuine, honest, and plausible. Before Steve Rogers becomes Captain America, he's just wimp, but despite being scrawny he is heroic, he falls on grenades, and doesn't shy away from a challenge. The reason their relationship doesn't feel like your typical forced hero relationship is that you can tell that she likes him, and his spirit, long before he becomes Captain America. While his physical transformation may allow him to be a soldier, and amplify his abilities, it is his heroism, and his spirit that connects them. When the film ends you really want more of this relationship, but unfortunately I don't think we will see any more of it.

I also enjoyed the tone, and spirit of the film. As confusing and oxymoronic as it may sound Captain America is a light hearted and fluffy war movie. Let's face it Captain America as a character is not much more than American War Propaganda. The movie accepts that and even has a bit of fun with that concept. The USO show segment may be long winded and take away from the action but it is true to the nature of the character, so I didn't mind it.

The movie is set in the 1940's and making it a period piece actually works to the film's advantage. I know so many Superhero movies want to update their characters to make them modern, and that's understandable. But given the current, and recent political climate having this film take place in the 1940's was the only setting they could make this film work. Everyone hates Nazis, and you can easily shout "USA! USA! USA!" guilt free when the bad guys are hailing Hitler. Although I did have to  chuckle a bit when the villain says "I see a future without any borders, and with no flags." In 1940's America, this was unfathomable, but in today's world of globalization, free trade, and immigration, we are pretty close to that, albeit without the red faced global dictator.

Now for the things that I didn't like. These are the things that bothered me, and frustrated me. These below things don't make me dislike the film, but they take the movie from being great to being just good. if these things had been changed, or even altered, then this film could easily become brilliant.

First the loose ends. They leave so many millions of unanswered questions about what happens next. The creators were shoehorned into this Avengers movie, that they force Captain America into the future without tying up all the strings. I don't think it spoils anything to let you know that Captain America ends the film in the present, he is out of the 1940's with no discussion of what happened to the other people in the film. What happens to Bucky, to the Colonel, and to Peggy? Of course we have all been given a history lesson on what happens to Mr. Howard Stark. I am aware that in this universe of super heroes, and science fiction, they can always send him back, but time travel is always the quickest way to poke big holes in your plot lines and universal continuity. Plus, if I send Captain America back in time, I think I would have him stop some of the terrible things that happened between 1940 and today, wouldn't you?

I also felt that his best friend James "Bucky" Barnes is under used. He is given a few moments at the beginning of the movie and then disappears for much of the second act. When he does return we are supposed to care about him, but because we don't get much of a connection with him, we don't which makes the third act fall a bit flat.

I know that it would have been tiresome to see war scene after war scene, but it also bothered me that most of the action in the movie is all montage. They made a couple of really great music videos, and in a clever way it made a great match to the USO scenes. But those action scenes really don't serve the story. I would much rather have seen one all out attack on a base, and have it filled with these moments instead.

Hugo Weaving, is a great actor who unfortunately keeps getting stuck playing the same flaccid villain he played in the Matrix. Given a little work Red Skull could have been more than we got. Quite frankly his Red Skull is my biggest complaint of the movie. He isn't menacing, frightening, or even all that productive as a villain. It was sad to see such a great talent wasted behind lousy makeup, and poor writing.

Overall Captain America hits all the right buttons, and plays all the right notes, and as great a job as it does, it still doesn't quite work. When all is said and done, there is something shallow and superficial about the experience. Of course sometimes its nice to just go to a movie and eat popcorn.

DVD Releases for Tuesday July 19, 2011

This is the part of the blog where I tell you what I am buying for the week on DVD. Most of you who know me also know that I like to collect and watch movies at home. Most weeks I buy 1-4 releases. This week I will be buying:

Limitless
This movie surprised me at how good it was. Full of surprises and tension it does what ever good thriller does and thats keep you on your toes. Directed by Neil Berger, who brought us the under appreciated "The Illusionist" a few years ago, The movie is equal parts frantic, fast paced, slick and stylish.









Take Me Home Tonight
Critically dumped on, part of me wonders how bad this movie is. I can't imagine that it is as bad as they say. Yes it is essentially ripping off the concept of 80's nostalgia that Hot Tub Time Machine played upon, and Yes it probably is purely cliche, but honestly who doesn't love the idea of making fun of the decade of excess?








Short week this week. Not a whole lot to get but we have some big weeks ahead of us so maybe they are just letting us save up a bit.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 Review

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 Review
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 is a concluding chapter in a massive story. It is not, I repeat, not a stand alone story. This is a film that is not easily explainable without previous details from earlier films, while I will sincerely try to avoid spoilers for this movie, it is impossible not to for the other films. So here is your official warning: if you have never read the books or seen any of the movies I recommend you stop reading now unless you are unafraid of spoilers.

Its a bit odd thinking that there will never be another Harry Potter film. For the last ten years the adventures of Harry Potter, and his fellow students have fascinated millions myself included. Lets just contemplate that massive amount of time for a moment. For anyone my age, this series has lasted for nearly one third of our lives. For those in their early 20's they spend their youth growing up with Harry and his friends. Then there are some who don't remember a time before, or have never known a world without Harry Potter.

I have always thought that the movies and the books were un-comparable. The books are fantastic, and tell a brilliant story flush with well developed characters, and beautiful details. The movies tell their own story.  They are superficial synopses at best, but they do a good job of translating J.K Rowling's vision, and in many cases by streamline her tale improving parts.

The final entry into the saga spectacularly delivers a pure action film. David Yates has done a great job of concluding a series that began with a boy and ends with a man. This film is vastly different than the first Harry Potter film, and without question this series has become more and more adult with each passing entry.

The movie begins where we left off in part 1. Voldemort has obtained the elder wand from the crypt of Dumbledore, and intends to rule the world as a master of death. Severus Snape has now become the headmaster of Hogwarts, which appears much more like a military school than a wizarding school. There is an ominous nature to the opening moment, not because of their malevolence, but because of their fear. They know a battle is imminent, and you can sense that they are as on edge about it as our heroes are. Speaking of our heroic trio, Harry, Hermoine, and Ron, have taken refuge at the beach house. They have buried their savior from the last film, and are now preparing their first real offensive attack. Disguised as Bellatrix Lestrange, they plan to infiltrate Gringott's Bank in order to obtain one of the horcruxes. Horcruxes are magical objects that contain portions of the Dark Lord's soul. Their search leads our heroes back to Hogwarts where an epic battle is waged to determine the fate of the magical world.

There is true spectacle and scale to the Battle of Hogwarts. They desired to go out with a bang and not a wimper. Much of the movie is reminiscent of the massive battle scenes from Lord of the Rings. There is much damage, destruction, and yes many fallen heroes. The Lord of the Rings strength was it's ability to follow several story lines, and multiple characters. Deathly Hallows doesn't even try, instead the movie focuses on Harry and his hunt for the remaining horcruxes. If you haven't read the books you will not be missing anything but for fans of the book you will be left perplexed as to why they gloss over so many vital and soulful aspects of the story. By all accounts this complaint is a nit pick, but in my opinion, by rushing through or just mentioning these aspects in passing, we are robbed of so many wonderful aspects of the story. We have spent so many years, and so much time learning and connecting with all the characters, that because the movie rushes to tell Harry's story we are cheated out of some very powerful tear jerking moments that could have been.

I cannot say enough about Alan Rickman. Already a brilliant actor before this role his career will be defined by this role (ok and maybe Hans Gruber). Throughout this series he has played a character that was seemingly so one dimensional, and yet as we find out in this movie was actually deeper with more layers than possibly any other character.  I for one will be going back through the other films just to watch his performance and pick up on all the subtle details, to see if there are any telling moments, if there were any clues to see if he knew all along what his character's fate was.

On the whole the movie is a brilliant end to a saga. There is much to love about the movie, and it brings the entire story full circle in a beautiful and powerful way. You will leave the theater genuinely happy, with a true sense of closure. While we will all miss the anticipation of waiting for the next Harry Potter, we can all be happy knowing that the films tell the story from once upon a time, to the end.

DVD Releases for Tuesday July 12, 2011, and Friday July 15, 2011

This is the part of the blog where I tell you what I am buying for the week on DVD. Most of you who know me also know that I like to collect and watch movies at home. Most weeks I buy 1-4 releases. This week I will be buying:

July 12, 2011

Lincoln Lawyer
While on the surface it looks like a by the numbers legal thriller. While there are parts of this movie that are very typical of the genre, there is quite a lot that is unexpected. The cast is excellent, and even the smallest characters have great depth to them.









Insidious
One of the most uncomfortable movie experiences I have ever had in the theater. The movie keeps you on the edge of your seat and is not shy about making you jump out of it at every opportunity. I just hope that the experience is just as scary and uncomfortable at home as it was in the theater.

July 15, 2011

Rango

Possibly Johnny Depp's best performance ever despite being only his voice. This movie could easily be one of the best movies of the year, animated or otherwise. It is smart, clever, and beautiful. It works on every level, action, comedy, and good old fashioned classic western.

Arthur 2011

Not the best remake ever, but not the worst either. All this version does is simply update the classic Dudley Moore film, it doesn't take chances, it doesn't take risks. It was content just painting by the numbers over the original template. Brand again plays himself, and Helen Mirren slums it quite well, as always.

Horrible Bosses Review

Horrible Bosses Review

About two months ago, in my review of Bridesmaids, I stated that the differences between men and women would be defined by Bridesmaids. Based on its box office success, women have responded appropriately. Now it's the men's turn. Horrible Bosses is every bit as funny as Bridesmaids, but without the clunky love story, getting in the way.

The real stars of the movie are the three horrible bosses themselves. Kevin Spacey lords over Jason Batemen in a similarly reminiscent fashion to his classic Swimming with Sharks role. He is demanding, treacherous, and devious. Jason Sudekis is tormented by Colin Farrell,  a real son of a boss, and another b-word. Colin Farrell is unrecognizable as the swarthy, balding, incompetent Bobby. Then there is Jennifer Anniston. Who a nymphomaniacal dentist, who sexually harasses Charlie Day. She has the sex drive of a porn star, and the mouth of a sailor ("I really don't see your problem here" is often uttered to perfection).

So what are these three desperate men supposed to do about their respective problems? Well they could quit, but, as another desperate friend reminds them, that could be worse, a lot worse. So since they cannot quit, and are trapped in their jobs, well the next logical step is to go ahead and have their bosses murdered.

They seek out an expert, and come across a murder consultant in Dean Jones. Dean Jones is Played by Jamie Foxx who steals every scene he is in. Jones suggests that the men simply eliminate the other's problem. criss cross style. If this sounds familiar it is because it has been used as a plot device before. The first time was in Stranger on a Train. Truly one of Hitchcock's greatest suspense thrillers, more recently, and popularly known as the inspiration for Throw Momma from the Train.

The three men are not adapt at murder, they just don't have the heart or the stomach, and that's ok. We like them too much, and really don't want them to succeed at killing anybody, because then we couldn't root for them any longer. But because they are so inept at killing they do manage to create enough damage and chaos to lead to a happy ending with out the guilty conscience.

While it does get dark in places, Horrible Bosses is much more Throw Momma from the Train, than it is Strangers on a Train. It is very funny, and the three lead characters, (Bateman, Sudekis, and Day) play off of one another perfectly with impeccable timing. They have all the wit of Abbot and Costello mixed with the physicality of the Three Stooges. You rarely see all-star comedies with this kind of real chemistry, and I hope that these guys keep working together.

Larry Crowne Review

Larry Crowne is a perfect example of a nice movie. There is nothing in this movie that isn't nice. Even at its darkest moments the movie has an optimistic glow that is rare in films these days. Even though it isn't a great movie, and it has its faults, its hard not to like a movie that is this nice.

Tom Hanks plays the titular character Larry Crown, who after a 20 year stint in the navy has become a superstar employee at UMart. He loves his job, has been Employee of the month 9 times and is looked at as a leader. One day Larry is called into a meeting and is told that because he never attended college, he has nothing to offer UMart, and is summarily terminated. The next few minutes of the film take a very dark turn. You can see the pain in his eyes as he makes the long drive home. Like many Americans he is hit hard by these economic times. He is underwater on his mortgage, and because he is now out of work struggles to make his house payments. It is in these early moments that I had flashes of Falling Down, the Michael Douglas classic about a man who goes ballistic when he feels ignored by the world. But this isn't falling down, this is a nice movie about a nice guy who does nice things. Instead of going ballistic, Larry picks himself up, dusts himself off and decides to better himself, by enrolling in community college.

At school he meets a free spirited young girl who rides a scooter, and decides to take Larry under her wing. Also at school he meets Mercedes Tainot, his speech professor. Played by Julia Roberts, she is just as lost as Larry. She hates her job, is disrespected by her husband, and drinks heavily. As you can expect the two characters are drawn to each other, and in the end they will of course end up together.

The movie was also written, and directed by Tom Hanks, and just like his previous directorial effort, That Thing You Do, there is a lot of Hanks' personality in it. You can tell he has a love for the material, and a desire to tell the story well. He does a good job of directing, but the movie is missing some things in the writing department. Despite being well directed many of the interesting characters in the movie are not completely fleshed out. They come, they serve a purpose, but despite being interesting, they are discarded in favor of the romance angle of the primary characters. Julia Roberts, and Tom Hanks are great together, but their isn't any real threat to their relationship. You know they will end up together, there isn't even anything standing in their way, and it's just a matter of time before they do.

The movie is really about learning to accept change. Larry is forced to change, not only is he forced to change he embraces it, and goes with it.  He owns the change, and because he accepting of it, and open to it, he grows, becomes a new person.  There is a moment in the movie when his past returns, and everyone in the theater wants him to stick it to the guy, he doesn't he has changed, and is of course a nice guy. Even thought the movie is about change,  Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts just stay the same, doing what they do best, being nice.

Summer Movie Preview Part 3 July 2011

I can't believe June has already come and gone, and its already time for me to write another monthly preview article.  There are a lot of great movies coming up this month, and July is typically the last big month of summer movies. Here is what to expect in July.

Larry Crowne

Larry Crowne is the small little movie that has been placed on 4th of July weekend for two reasons. The first is the high quality star power of Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. The second is purely out of the desire to draw in those theater goers who don't care about Transformers. Weather it is a good movie or not remains to be seen, but I guarantee the audience for this and the audience for Transformers will look completely different.


Horrible Bosses

Horrible Bosses to me looks like the next big comedy. It has a beyond stellar cast, and looks absolutely like the funniest movie of the summer (sorry Bridesmaids). The basic premise is the same as strangers on a train, with each friend taking a different boss to eliminate. The movie looks flat out hysterical, and between Kevin Spacey doing his thing, Colin Farrell looking down right hysterical, and Jennifer Anniston doing that thing to the banana, I'm sold.

Zoo Keeper

I don't exactly know what to say about this movie.  It has to be funny, because it certainly isn't new. From the trailer it certainly looks like another sub standard Dr. Doolittle clone.  I like Kevin James, he is a very funny physical comedian, but he continuously makes bad choices for films. I hope it is funny, and I hope that it surprises me, but I am not holding my breath.

Winnie The Pooh

It is classic Winnie The Pooh in all his hand drawn glory. This is a new story, with all our favorite characters. Just like Curious George a few years ago, this movie chose to stick to the traditional animation, and I love it. This type of animation has become so scarce that when it does appear, you are instantly nostalgic for bygone eras. I don't think there is there anyone who won't immediately fall in love with this movie by the end of the trailer, watch it and you will see what I mean.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Literally a decade in the making, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is the conclusion of the story that has captured everyones attention for the past 10 years. It is hard to believe that it is all coming to an end. I for one never imagined that I would be sitting here 10 years later, eagerly anticipating the final chapter. But I am, and quite honestly the series has only gotten more exciting, more dark, and more amazing with time. If you were 11 when the first movie came out you are now 21, a full grown adult.  There are very few film series that last that long, there are even fewer that define a generation.  Harry Potter is a special collection of films that transcends all media, and has in itself become culture.

Captain America

Call me a pessimist, or a skeptic, but I am not impressed by this movie. To me everything about this movie, from the casting, to the set design, even the costume are all signs that this is not a good movie. Maybe it has a good director? Ooops nope, if the name Joe Johnson doesn't ring a bell maybe this will help. Johnson was the director of such classics as Jumanji, Jurassic Park 3, The Pagemaster, and oh lets not forget The Wolfman (2010). If that isn't screaming at you not to trust this movie, I don't know what else to tell you. I know it is summer and Marvel has yet to let us down, but seriously folks I said it here first, this movie looks like first rate garbage. Be officially warned.


Crazy Stupid Love

This movie looks brilliant.  It looks funny, tragic, and above all things very real. Every once in a while a comedy can move you more than any drama, and Crazy Stupid Love certainly looks to fit that mold. I don't know about you, but this trailer makes the movie look like vintage James L. Brooks.  Movies like As Good as it Gets, Broadcast News, and Terms of Endearment, are all perfect examples of real movies. If Crazy Stupid Love is anywhere near as good as those classics we are in for a treat.

The Smurfs

Sorry but this is beyond terrible, its just depressing. Hey parents this is what you get for taking your kids to Alvin and the Chipmunks, Alvin and the Chipmunks 2, Yogi Bear, and all the other horrible bastardized versions of out beloved childhood cartoons. I blame you, it is your fault, now do us all a favor and don't take your kids to see this. Let the industry know that you refuse to allow them to rape your childhood any longer, by not taking your kids to this movie.

Cowboys & Aliens

What can you say about one of the coolest ideas for a movie ever. Cowboys & Aliens is a perfect example of how to take a traditional western and flip it on its ear.  Jon Favreau, has specifically designed the movie to be one part John Ford, and one part Steven Spielberg. It's an interesting combination to say the least, but those are two magnificent directors to model a movie after.  They both have an amazing visual style, and make nothing but beautiful movies.  I am looking forward to this movie, and hope it delivers on all that it promises.