Micmacs - 2009

Movie #178

3.5 stars

Bazil has a bullet in his head.  The arms company that made the bullet is across the street from the arm manufacturer that made the landmine that accidently killed his father.  Having nowhere else to go, Bazil is adopted into a "family" that lives in a junkyard.  With the help of his new family and their nifty gadgets and unique skills, Bazil seeks revenge on the two weapon dealers.

Cast: Dany Boon, André Dussollier, Nicolas Marié, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Yolande Moreau, Julie Ferrier, Omar Sy, Dominique Pinon, Michel Crémadès

Writer/Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet [Amelie]

The characters are very unique.  There is a catortionist, a girl who is literally a human calculator, a daredevil, and ohers.  Their antics kept the movie interesting.  Overall, the characters lack depth and are almost there for show, not for their own personal story.  The character's made the movie entertaining but Jeunet only skimmed the water.

There were parts of the movie that were...boring.  I was asking myself, when is this movie going to end.  It starts off good and then trails off into a narrative that lacked focus.  However, the ending was very entertaining, with all of the cool tricks, so it made up for the middle.

The addition of the Max Steiner music did make the movie more entertaining but at the same time, it is just hiding the lack of story development.  As a whole...if you take away all of the gadgets then you are left with a shallow story that couldn't hold anyones attention.  If you watch MICMACS and you are expecting another AMELIE then prepare yourself for dissapointment.

Overall Recommendation:  I suppose it's worth seeing if you are a Jeunet fan but don't go out of your way to see it.

Budget: $42 million
Gross (so far): $14 million    bust?

My Best Friend - 2007

Movie #174

3.5 stars

Antiques dealer François Coste (Daniel Auteuil) has failed to make a single friend, he just hasn't realized it yet.  His business partner (Julie Gayet) gives him 10 days to prove that he has a best friend.  If he doesn't succeed then his Greek vase must be turned over.  When he hires a taxi driver (Dany Boon) to teach him how to make friends, he is even more oblivious to what is right under his nose.

Cast: Daniel Auteuil, Julie Gayet, Dany Boon, Henri Garcin, Jacques Spiesser, Marie Pillet, Marie Mergey, Elisabeth Bourgine

Writer/Director: Patrice Leconte

What makes this movie enjoyable is the acting.  We all know how this movie is going to end...just like every other comedy.  Dany Boon and Daniel Auteuil did a superb job.

The movie has a rather shallow plot but what it is about is a whole bigger subject.  It seems like life nowadays is all about contacts..who do you know, who are you "friends" with on facebook, who got you your job.  In a world like this, it is easy to have no friends...all you have are acquaintances. 

So basically this film takes a rather depressing subject and makes it into an enjoyable comedy.  But there are definitely some good parts and a twist!

Overall Recommendation:  If you are looking for something a little lighthearted (that isn't really that lighthearted beneath the surface) then watch this one. 

Gross: $14.7 million

Torremolinos 73 - 2003

Movie #167

3 stars

Alfredo López (Cámara) is a struggling encyclapedia salesman who owes three months of back rent. It's 1973 and the world is changing. His boss has an offer for Alredo that he just can't refuse, shooting "scientific" sex videos with his wife for the Danish World Encyclopedia of Reproduction. Alfredo's obbsession with filmmaker Ingmar Bergman threatens the relationship with his wife, who becomes obsessed with having a baby.

(I've started making my own plot summaries...what do you think?)

Cast: Javier Cámara, Candela Peña, Juan Diego, Malena Alterio, Fernando Tejero, Mads Mikkelsen, Ramon Barea, Thomas Bo Larsen, Nuria Gonzalez, Marivi Bilbao

Director: Pablo Berger


The storyline was kind of interesting and there were enough things going on to keep my attention.  It was only 86 minutes though.  It is good that the filmmaker realized that a shorter length would be more beneficial.  I feel like a lot of times filmmakers want a 2 hour film...to showcase their talent...but if the storyline isn't there then it just isn't there.

Like:  Berger did a good job of actually making the audience believe that the couple actually had chemistry.  You have to admit, he's the lucky one.  If this hadn't been accomplished then it would feel more like a cheap movie...and not a film observing people's lives.  It might have also made the audience feel grossed out while they were filming their "scientific" movies.

Like: I can definately see the influence of Pedro Almodóvar in this film


Like/Dislike:  This is the kind of film that you can't tell if it is a good or bad thing that it is a foreign language film.  Are you missing out on something by having to read the subtitles?  Or are the subtitles covering up the bad?  I don't really have an opinion on the matter but I thought I would just throw it out there.

Dislike:  Mads Mikkelson.  Anybody who reads my reviews knows that I love Mads.  But I sure am glad this was not the first film I watched of his.  It wasn't that his acting was bad but it was more of just his character.  He was weird, slime-bally, and had no depth.  But in the end this might have been on purpose.  I didn't dislike the character but I didn't like him either.  It would take a lot more effort to like Mads if this was my first movie of his. 

Overall Recommendation:  It's a sub-par movie that isn't really worth watching.

Get Him to the Greek - 2010

Movie #166

4.5 stars

Ambitious young record company intern Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) will let nothing get in the way of his planned rise to the top in the music business -- not even the unruly rock star (Russell Brand) he must escort to Los Angeles for the start of his anniversary concert. Doing whatever it takes to get the rocker from Point A to Point B, Aaron encounters all manners of mishaps in this comedy directed by Nicholas Stoller and produced by Judd Apatow.

Cast: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Elisabeth Moss, Rose Byrne, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Colm Meaney, Aziz Ansari, Da'Vone McDonald, Lino Facioli

Director: Nicholas Stoller

This movie was hilarious.  But let me just get something straight right off the bat.  This movie was hilarious because I don't mind dirty humor....and this movie had a lot of that. 

Like:  I enjoyed every single actor and every single character.  Best actor definately goes to Elisabeth Moss though.  When I saw her in Mad Men I wondered if she could pull anything else off....and she definately can.  In a way her character was pivatol to the film...yeah...hear me out.  The film opens with Jonah Hill in bed and Elisabeth Moss, his girlfriend, comes home from working her night shift at the hospital.  If she didn't make the audience realize that her relationship with Jonah Hill could actually be legitimate then right off the bat we would have doubts about not only her character but Jonah Hill's character too.  And when the whole movie centers around Jonah Hill the audience needs to like him.

Like:  Russel Brand.  How can you not just love him.  He played the same character as he did in Forgetting Sarah Marshall....which was a good idea but the whole movie I kept thinking...ok...he was supposed to be in this 7 year relationship with Rose Byrne...so when did Sarah Marshall fall into all of this...was he still going out with Rose Byrne.  I think I need to rewatch Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  Oh and I liked how Russell Brand wasn't doing that crazy hair thing in the back. 

Like:  Rose Byrne did a great job...her character, Jackie Q, was just hilarous.  She was a musician...or singer I guess...and her songs were sooo hilarous.  Emily Blunt was supposed to play Jackie Q but I think it worked out better in the end with Rose Byrne.  Don't get me wrong...I love Emily Blunt but I just couldn't see her singing those songs or even being in a relationship with Russell Brand. 

Like:  The music was hilarous.  I want to buy the soundtrack...I'm not kidding.  The songs were actually song by Russell Brand under the fake name Infant Sorrow...there is actually a website.... http://www.infantsorrowband.com/  and even the song titles are hilarious...

Pound Me in the Buttox - Jackie Q
The Clap - Infant Sorrow
Bangers, Beans and Mash - Infant Sorrow

Like:  The downfall with any funny movie: every single funny part being in the preview.  This was not the case.  I laughed soo much.  I can't even pick a favorite scene.

Dislike:  ummm...i gotta think of one I guess...the movie dragged a little tinny tiny bit in the middle.

Note:  I don't know why I say films and why I sometimes say movies.  But I guess I just start typing...and for instance, I called this one a movie.  I'm not one of those omg you have to say film its a film.  I just type what I want....but I guess I would call this a movie...it wasn't made to be thought provoking it was made to be entertaining.

Overall Recommendation:  If you aren't a prude then you have to watch this movie!

Budget: $40 million
Gross: $68 million (15% non-US)  *estimate

Wake Up Sid - 2009

Movie #162 

3.5 Stars

After he graduates from college, spoiled trust fund brat Sid (Ranbir Kapoor) finds himself stuck in a rut of meaningless late-night parties and lazy irresponsibility -- until he meets Aisha (Konkona Sen Sharma), a significantly older woman and writer. As their unlikely relationship evolves, Sid discovers how to step into the world as his own person.

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Rahul Khanna, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kainaz Motivala

Director: Ayaan Mukherji

Filming Location: Mumbai, India

My question to you:  When is it time to grow up?  When it time to act like a child again?

Looking back on this film, there wasn't a lot going on.  Sid is a spoiled kid that decides to cut himself off, kind of.  Aisha has just moved to the city in order to gain independence.  It's the story of an unlikely friendship (how many times have you seen that in a plot summary). This film shows you that sometimes you just have to trust your instinct.

But there are some good characters and a few laughs.  I somewhat felt connected to the characters.  The little boy was my favorite.  The man thing that i liked was that film was not all about Sid or all about Aisha.  I got to know them both.

Oh, and there aren't any cheesy dances...maybe a few songs...but no dancing.

Overall Recommendation: If you have never seen a Hindi film then this is a good one to start with.

Gross: $4.3 million (83% non-US)

Trivia: The film got delayed three months during post production when Ranbir Kapoor grew a beard for a role in Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year and could not re-shoot some scenes.

Please Give - 2010

Movie #153

4 stars

Life gets knotty when successful Manhattan couple Alex (Oliver Platt) and Kate (Catherine Keener) develop a relationship with the granddaughters of Andra (Ann Morgan Guilbert), the cantankerous elderly woman who owns the apartment next to theirs -- and who must die so they can expand their home.

Cast: Catherine Keener, Oliver Platt, Amanda Peet, Rebecca Hall, Sarah Steele, Ann Morgan Guilbert, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Lois Smith, Josh Pais, Kevin Corrigan, Rebecca Budig

Director: Nicole Holofcener

My main observation about this film is that it can be clearly divided into two separate films.  The first half features downright hilarity and conveys a sense of fun. The film opens with a montage of women getting mammograms.  The opening credits are introduced on a black background, temporarily interrupting the multiple shots of boobies.  I say boobies because it's funny..and boobies is a funny word.  I don't think that the only purpose was comedic.  The scene allowed the viewer to connect with Rebecca (Rebecca Hall), the nurse technician.  Otherwise, I don't think that an emotional connection would have been established just by the script...or not a connection as great.

Catherine Keener played a wonderful Kate.  Kate is a very relatable character and when you are watching a film with a somewhat simple storyline, that is the most important characteristic.  My favorite character was definitely Andra, the grandmother of Amanda Peet and Rebecca Hall.  Just like pretty much all old people, she's not afraid to say what is on her mind. 

All of a sudden the plot becomes very depressing.  It's not that one single event is depressing but the tone of the film changes.  Some major issues are tackled: infidelity, old age, teen angst, and feelings of not being important.  Its awesome that the film could address all of these topics but there was NOO comic relief the second half of the film.  I spent 45 minutes laughing and then 45 minutes entertained but by no means laughing.  It's hard to explain.

Overall Recommendation:  It is definitely worth watching

note: Amanda Peet was just wayy too tan

Youth in Revolt - 2009

Movie #147
3.5 stars

Nick Twisp (Michael Cera), a cynical, sex-deprived teenager living a less-than-satisfactory existence, is pushed by the manifestation of his debonair, rebellious id (also Cera) to bed his dream girl, Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday).

Cast: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Jean Smart, Steve Buscemi, Fred Willard, Ray Liotta, Zach Galifianakis, Mary Kay Place, M. Emmet Walsh, Justin Long, Erik Knudsen

Director: Miguel Arteta

Tagline: He Wasn't a Rebel Until He Found His Cause.

I went into this movie with low expectations (very low expectations) and just wanting a few laughs. And thats what I got...a few laughs.

I don't know what I think of Michael Cera...I guess I like him in Juno...but c'mon...enough is enough. It was almost a delight to see his alter ego in the movie. It somewhat proved that Michael Cera may be able to play a character other than the sammmme character he has portrayed his entire career.

The supporting cast made the movie bearable. Zach Galifianakis can always make a scene funny.

However, the 90 minutes still kind of dragged.

Overall Recommendation: Don't rush to see it but I would say it's bearable.

Easy Virtue - 2008

Movie #142
3 stars

American widow Larita (Jessica Biel) meets John (Ben Barnes), a wealthy young Englishman, in France and impulsively marries him. But when they visit his family at their country estate, Larita receives a chilly reception from her virulent new mother-in-law (Kristin Scott Thomas). As she waits impatiently to move on with life in London, Larita forms a subtle bond with John's father (Colin Firth) while John falls further under his mother's spell.

Cast: Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine Parkinson, Kris Marshall, Christian Brassington, Charlotte Riley, Jim McManus

Director: Stephan Elliott

Filming Locations: London, Oxfordshire, and Nottinghamshire, England

Like/Dislike: The interior shots were amazing. The wide camera shots allowed the viewer to feel as though they were in the room. OK...this may also be a dislike. It is possible that the wide shots were favored because of Jessica Biels' somewhat lack of acting skills. Her role was the most important one...the role that would ultimately make or break this film. She may have tried too hard to feel uncomfortable in the current setting but at times it was kind of painful to watch long scenes that mostly evolved around her speaking.

Like: Kristen Scott Thomas did a fabulous job...just like she always does. She pegged the role of a somewhat angry mother perfectly. If she wasn't in this movie than I don't think I would (a) have been attracted to it, or (b) been able to finish the film.

Like: The dog :)
Dislike: THE MUSIC!!! We (or atleast I did) got the point of the era the movie was supposed to take place in. It is not necessary to play a blaring song every 10 minutes to remind the viewers it is not the 21st century. The interior of the house and the clothes say enough.

Dislike: I wanted to like this movie so much but in the end I just felt disappointed. Was the viewer supposed to feel a rush of excitement when we found out about Jessica Biels' past? Did the viewer even reallly get to know about her past?

Overall Recommendation: If you like Kristen Scott Thomas then you may enjoy watching it a little bit...but other than that don't expect very much.

Kristen Scott Thomas Quote: People will now go to films with subtitles, you know. They're not afraid of them. It's one of the upsides of text-messaging and e-mail. Maybe the only good thing to come of it.

Adam's Apples - 2005

Movie #140
4.5 stars

Utopian clergyman Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen) finds his starry-eyed outlook challenged by neo-Nazi Adam Pedersen (Ulrich Thomsen) in this black comedy from director Anders Thomas Jensen. Just out of prison and ordered to perform community service at Ivan's rural church, the sullen Adam is tasked with tending the chapel's beloved apple tree. But he's determined to undercut Ivan's rosy worldview … which proves harder than Adam ever imagined.

Cast: Ulrich Thomsen, Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Kaas, Paprika Steen, Gyrd Lofqvist, Ali Kazim, Ole Thestrup

Director: Anders Thomas Jensen

Filming Location: Faaborg, Denmark

This movie is truly one of a kind! Have you even watched a movie where the character you identify with the most is a neo-nazi? Yeah...I didn't think so. The script was awesome...the actors were awesome...the film was just excellent.

Mads Mikkelsen has once again impressed me. His character is pivotal to the success of the film. He plays Ivan, a clergyman that looks at life in a totally different way than most people. Adam, a neo-nazi, is sent to the church to serve his community service. At first Ivan is portrayed as just a very good natured man, telling Adam that he doesn't see a neo-nazi when he looks at him. Ivan also explains that evil doesn't really exist, that people are just looking for it in others. So Ivan asks Adam what his goal is going to be while he is staying there. Adam sarcastically replies that he wants to bake an apple pie. Instead of responding to sarcasm with sarcasm, Ivan simple says, ok, you will take care of the apple tree until August 1 and then you will bake us all a big apple pie.

After this point...the viewer starts to realize that Ivan may be a little...well...nuts. Ivan's positive outlook towards life becomes almost ridiculous and Adam repeatedly tries to get under his skin. Ivan either brushes it off and pretends it doesn't happen or he simply says that he is being rude.

Under these crazy circumstances there is a real point to this film --> life may throw you the biggest curve balls but as long as you think positive, good things will come.

Overall Recommendation: This dark comedy is AMAZING! watch it :)

Favorite line: If we all listened to reason, the world would be a gloomy place. You need to follow your heart

Couples Retreat - 2009

Movie #136

3 stars

Desperate to save their marriage, one couple convinces three other couples to go in on a group rate price for an island retreat designed for troubled unions. But the "mandatory therapy" brews up nothing but trouble for everyone.

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Faizon Love, Kristin Davis, Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Kali Hawk, Jean Reno

Director: Peter Billingsley

Filming Location: Bora Bora and LA

Tagline: It may be paradise... but it's no vacation.













3 stars is pretty generous. The cast gave this movie so much potential...but it feel short...big time. Jason Bateman wasn't funny...he was pathetic. Vince Vaughn played the same old character he always plays and the only funny part of the movie was the little...and maybe the yoga instructor. "ENCOURAGEMENT!"

Overall recommendation: perfect movie for background noise...hey- you may even laugh twice...but you will not feel as though you wasted 2 hours of your life.

Trivia: A controversy arose when the UK posters were released and black actors Faizon Love and Kali Hawk had been removed. Universal claimed the change was to highlight actors who were more recognizable by UK audiences, but apologized for any offense and changed plans to use the modified poster in other countries.