Bridesmaids (R) 125 minutes B+
Hold On, Break Free From the Chains
Starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Chris O'Dowd, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jill Clayburgh and Jon Hamm.
When I think of Kristen Wiig I think of her SNL character, "Penelope". But after seeing Bridesmaids I might start thinking she's the next Tina Fey. Wiig is terrific in this BFF comedy and it doesn't hurt that she has a whip-smart script and killer co-star in Melissa McCarthy. As a matter of fact, if the Academy had an award for Best Comedic Performance in a Supporting Role, McCarthy would be a shoo-in.
Bridesmaids centers around Annie (Wiig), a down-on-her-luck, former bakery shop owner who seems destined to be alone forever. On the heels of losing her boyfriend, her business and all her money, Annie's longtime friend (Maya Rudolph) announces her engagement. The news is bittersweet, yet meshing with a rival bridesmaid will prove to be hilariously more bitter than sweet.
The film is funny and surprisingly sincere. I, for one, was reminded that you can't get anywhere by sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. Bridesmaids is the best comedy to hit theaters so far this year and there is already talk of a sequel in 2013.
Recommended.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Everything Must Go - Movie Review
Everything Must Go (R) 96 minutes C+
Open Container
Starring Will Ferrell, Rebecca Hall, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Laura Dern, Michael Peña and Stephen Root.
If you've the seen the trailer for Everything Must Go then you've seen the funniest parts of this film. Despite a deadpan Will Ferrell and a dash of humor, this is not a comedy. The film falls into a genre I like to call "broken man". Broken man films are usually depressing and strange black dramedies or profoundly dark dramas in which the male protagonist is falling apart and/or experiencing some sort of major life crisis. I'm a fan of this genre and some of my favorite examples include: Leaving Las Vegas, The Weather Man, Sideways, Eyes Wide Shut, The Square, A Single Man, Adaptation, and The Wrestler.
Everything Must Go is based on a Raymond Carver short story in which Ferrell plays an alcoholic who is having a very bad day. Upon being fired from his job he goes home to discover his wife has locked him out, discarded all of his belongings on the front lawn, changed the locks, frozen the joint bank account and left. He spends the next fours days trying to drink himself into oblivion and selling his things.
I like Will Ferrell and I'm always curious about any film he does, yet there's not enough here for him to carry this one on his own. Every scene with Rebecca Hall is terrific, Laura Dern is good in a cameo role and Christopher Jordan Wallace (son of Faith Evan & Notorious B.I.G) is a functional side kick. But ultimately this is Ferell's film and his metamorphosis is not quite convincing enough to push me over the hump.
Personally, I love seeing comedic actors like Ferrell, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Ben Stiller, Hugh Grant, etc, portraying dark/serious characters from time to time. However, if you prefer your funny men funny, skip this one.
For further viewing of serious/semi-serious Will Ferrell see Stranger than Fiction and Melinda Melinda.
Open Container
Starring Will Ferrell, Rebecca Hall, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Laura Dern, Michael Peña and Stephen Root.
If you've the seen the trailer for Everything Must Go then you've seen the funniest parts of this film. Despite a deadpan Will Ferrell and a dash of humor, this is not a comedy. The film falls into a genre I like to call "broken man". Broken man films are usually depressing and strange black dramedies or profoundly dark dramas in which the male protagonist is falling apart and/or experiencing some sort of major life crisis. I'm a fan of this genre and some of my favorite examples include: Leaving Las Vegas, The Weather Man, Sideways, Eyes Wide Shut, The Square, A Single Man, Adaptation, and The Wrestler.
Everything Must Go is based on a Raymond Carver short story in which Ferrell plays an alcoholic who is having a very bad day. Upon being fired from his job he goes home to discover his wife has locked him out, discarded all of his belongings on the front lawn, changed the locks, frozen the joint bank account and left. He spends the next fours days trying to drink himself into oblivion and selling his things.
I like Will Ferrell and I'm always curious about any film he does, yet there's not enough here for him to carry this one on his own. Every scene with Rebecca Hall is terrific, Laura Dern is good in a cameo role and Christopher Jordan Wallace (son of Faith Evan & Notorious B.I.G) is a functional side kick. But ultimately this is Ferell's film and his metamorphosis is not quite convincing enough to push me over the hump.
Personally, I love seeing comedic actors like Ferrell, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Ben Stiller, Hugh Grant, etc, portraying dark/serious characters from time to time. However, if you prefer your funny men funny, skip this one.
For further viewing of serious/semi-serious Will Ferrell see Stranger than Fiction and Melinda Melinda.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sex and Violence (Book Review)
James Patterson & Maxine Paetro - Swimsuit B+
Publication Date: June 2009
This one had me squirming on the edge of my seat throughout. Protagonist Ben Hawkins is a former L.A. cop turned reporter and author. While investigating the murder of a younger supermodel Hawkins gets mixed up with a serial killer and is forced to write the killer's tell-all biography. Flawed- yes. Captivating- hell yes!
The ending is a head-scratcher and I admit it threw me for a loop. But when I consider how Patterson and Paetro could have wrapped things up nice and neat, I like the ending even more.
Publication Date: June 2009
This one had me squirming on the edge of my seat throughout. Protagonist Ben Hawkins is a former L.A. cop turned reporter and author. While investigating the murder of a younger supermodel Hawkins gets mixed up with a serial killer and is forced to write the killer's tell-all biography. Flawed- yes. Captivating- hell yes! The ending is a head-scratcher and I admit it threw me for a loop. But when I consider how Patterson and Paetro could have wrapped things up nice and neat, I like the ending even more.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold - Movie Review
The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (PG-13) 90 minutes C+
Sell, Sell, Sell
Starring Morgan Spurlock and Ralph Nader
The Greatest Movie Ever Sold is the new Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) documentary about marketing and advertising. Here we follow Spurlock as he attempts to finance this entire film (1.5 million) through product placement. It's an original idea but one that doesn't teach us anything we didn't already suspect.
While I enjoyed the film and think that Spurlock is a unique talent, this one was a little spotty, a little cutesy and didn't linger in my mind afterwards. Not bad, but not as good as I'd hoped.
Sell, Sell, Sell
Starring Morgan Spurlock and Ralph Nader
The Greatest Movie Ever Sold is the new Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) documentary about marketing and advertising. Here we follow Spurlock as he attempts to finance this entire film (1.5 million) through product placement. It's an original idea but one that doesn't teach us anything we didn't already suspect.
While I enjoyed the film and think that Spurlock is a unique talent, this one was a little spotty, a little cutesy and didn't linger in my mind afterwards. Not bad, but not as good as I'd hoped.
Friday, May 6, 2011
A Tease, A Flirt, Limbs Too Short (Music Review)
First Impression Music Review
Radiohead - The King of Limbs B-
Release Date: March 2011
Listening to The King of Limbs the first couple times reminded me of how I felt when I first heard Radiohead's 2001 album, Amnesiac; initially a little underwhelmed but intrigued by the album's tone. After repeated listening that album became more than just really cool mood music, it became a staple in my weekly rotation.
The King of Limbs has better beats, is more soulful and will sound amazing on blast in my subee. But what it's lacking thus far is the aching beauty of a track like Knives Out and the heartbreak of You and Whose Army (both from Amnesiac). Perhaps it's unfair to compare the two albums which are almost a decade apart, but oh well, sometimes it's fun to compare things.
Favorite Tracks- "Lotus Flower", "Separator" and "Morning Mr. Magpie"
Radiohead - The King of Limbs B-
Release Date: March 2011
Listening to The King of Limbs the first couple times reminded me of how I felt when I first heard Radiohead's 2001 album, Amnesiac; initially a little underwhelmed but intrigued by the album's tone. After repeated listening that album became more than just really cool mood music, it became a staple in my weekly rotation. The King of Limbs has better beats, is more soulful and will sound amazing on blast in my subee. But what it's lacking thus far is the aching beauty of a track like Knives Out and the heartbreak of You and Whose Army (both from Amnesiac). Perhaps it's unfair to compare the two albums which are almost a decade apart, but oh well, sometimes it's fun to compare things.
Favorite Tracks- "Lotus Flower", "Separator" and "Morning Mr. Magpie"
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Win Win - Movie Review
Win Win (R) 106 minutes B
Wrestling with life's choices
Starring Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Alex Shaffer, Bobby Cannavale, Melanie Lynskey and Burt Young
Mike Flaherty (Paul Giamatti) is a small time New Jersey lawyer, family man, high school wrestling coach and all-round good guy. But with his business on a downturn and no compensation for his coaching gig, Flaherty is struggling to make ends meet. So when a profitable but immoral opportunity presents itself he takes advantage. It's not exactly a win win situation but it'll keep him afloat until he can get back on his feet. Unfortunately (or fortunately) the jig is up soon after it begins and Flaherty risks losing everything.
Win Win is a wonderfully crafted film by Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent and The Visitor) that won't bowl you over but will definitely pin you to your seat. Everything about this dramedy is subtle but affecting. It almost feels too neat and tidy but it's hard not to like Win Win.
Recommended.
Wrestling with life's choices
Starring Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Alex Shaffer, Bobby Cannavale, Melanie Lynskey and Burt Young
Mike Flaherty (Paul Giamatti) is a small time New Jersey lawyer, family man, high school wrestling coach and all-round good guy. But with his business on a downturn and no compensation for his coaching gig, Flaherty is struggling to make ends meet. So when a profitable but immoral opportunity presents itself he takes advantage. It's not exactly a win win situation but it'll keep him afloat until he can get back on his feet. Unfortunately (or fortunately) the jig is up soon after it begins and Flaherty risks losing everything.
Win Win is a wonderfully crafted film by Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent and The Visitor) that won't bowl you over but will definitely pin you to your seat. Everything about this dramedy is subtle but affecting. It almost feels too neat and tidy but it's hard not to like Win Win.
Recommended.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
J Mascis on Fire in Denver (Concert Review)
J Mascis @ the Hi Dive - April 28th, 2011 B
Dinosaur Jr's legendary front man made a tour stop at the Hi Dive tonight in support of his latest acoustic album, Several Shades of Why. Despite intermittent (and annoying) fire alarms throughout the show and an appearance by the Denver Fire Department, Mascis seemed unfazed.
He opened with "The Wagon" from Dino's Green Mind album, followed by "Listen To Me" and "Several Shades of Why" from the new disc. But it was the fourth song of the night that ended up being my favorite, a cover of Edie Brickell's 1988 hit song, "Circle". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOQmMzn7djw
The rest of the show was a nice mixture of quiet loud acoustic distortion with Mascis occasionally tilting back his head and closing his eyes; seemingly lost in the music. Other highlights included the songs "Repulsion" and an old favorite of mine, "Ammaring" from J Mascis & the Fog's More Light LP.
Dinosaur Jr's legendary front man made a tour stop at the Hi Dive tonight in support of his latest acoustic album, Several Shades of Why. Despite intermittent (and annoying) fire alarms throughout the show and an appearance by the Denver Fire Department, Mascis seemed unfazed.
He opened with "The Wagon" from Dino's Green Mind album, followed by "Listen To Me" and "Several Shades of Why" from the new disc. But it was the fourth song of the night that ended up being my favorite, a cover of Edie Brickell's 1988 hit song, "Circle". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOQmMzn7djw
The rest of the show was a nice mixture of quiet loud acoustic distortion with Mascis occasionally tilting back his head and closing his eyes; seemingly lost in the music. Other highlights included the songs "Repulsion" and an old favorite of mine, "Ammaring" from J Mascis & the Fog's More Light LP.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Cedar Rapids - Movie Review
Cedar Rapids (R) 86 minutes B-
Cedar Rapids: the Las Vegas of the midwest
Starring Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Kurtwood Smith, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Stephen Root and Sigourney Weaver
Naïve and sheltered insurance agent Tim Lippe (Ed Helms) has never ventured outside his hometown of Brown Valley, Wisconsin. But after the unfortunate death of his company’s number one salesman, Tim must attend the annual insurance convention in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where the goal is to win/bring home the coveted “Two Diamonds” award for excellence.
Reluctant to leave his comfort zone and cougarlicious girlfriend (played by Sigourney Weaver), Tim realizes this is a chance to rise above his own mediocrity. Yet, when he arrives in Cedar Rapids Tim takes an unforeseen walk on the wild side that includes: falling in love with a prostitute, having sex with a married woman, smoking crack, participating in extortion, and getting drunk every night (reminiscent of the character Ed Helms played in The Hangover). Needless to say the man child becomes a man by the time he leaves "Cedar Crapids".
Essentially this is a good indie film; a little uneven and not as funny as I expected, but one that stuck with me for days afterwards. Everyone in the cast was good, with the exception of Anne Heche, who was great as the vivacious strawberry blonde vixen seeking escape from her mundane home life. Cedar Rapids is the type of racy indie comedy that fans of the genre will love, while others might find it slightly overblown.
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Bonus DVD Review
Hannah Takes the Stairs (NR) 83 minutes B-
Use to be a sweet girl
DVD Release Date: April 2008
Starring Greta Gerwig, Kent Osborne, Andrew Bujalski, Ry Russo-Young, Mark Duplass, Todd Rohal
Hannah is young, pretty and self-absorbed. She's insecure, slightly immature and craves lots of attention. If this sounds annoying to you don't watch this film- you'll hate it! If this reminds you of yourself or someone you know, it might be worth your while.
Hannah Takes the Stairs is improvised, highly experimental, raw and realistic; it's definitely not for general audiences. Mumblecore fans rejoice!
Cedar Rapids: the Las Vegas of the midwest
Starring Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Kurtwood Smith, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Stephen Root and Sigourney Weaver
Naïve and sheltered insurance agent Tim Lippe (Ed Helms) has never ventured outside his hometown of Brown Valley, Wisconsin. But after the unfortunate death of his company’s number one salesman, Tim must attend the annual insurance convention in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where the goal is to win/bring home the coveted “Two Diamonds” award for excellence.
Reluctant to leave his comfort zone and cougarlicious girlfriend (played by Sigourney Weaver), Tim realizes this is a chance to rise above his own mediocrity. Yet, when he arrives in Cedar Rapids Tim takes an unforeseen walk on the wild side that includes: falling in love with a prostitute, having sex with a married woman, smoking crack, participating in extortion, and getting drunk every night (reminiscent of the character Ed Helms played in The Hangover). Needless to say the man child becomes a man by the time he leaves "Cedar Crapids".
Essentially this is a good indie film; a little uneven and not as funny as I expected, but one that stuck with me for days afterwards. Everyone in the cast was good, with the exception of Anne Heche, who was great as the vivacious strawberry blonde vixen seeking escape from her mundane home life. Cedar Rapids is the type of racy indie comedy that fans of the genre will love, while others might find it slightly overblown.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonus DVD Review
Hannah Takes the Stairs (NR) 83 minutes B-
Use to be a sweet girl
DVD Release Date: April 2008
Starring Greta Gerwig, Kent Osborne, Andrew Bujalski, Ry Russo-Young, Mark Duplass, Todd Rohal
Hannah is young, pretty and self-absorbed. She's insecure, slightly immature and craves lots of attention. If this sounds annoying to you don't watch this film- you'll hate it! If this reminds you of yourself or someone you know, it might be worth your while.
Hannah Takes the Stairs is improvised, highly experimental, raw and realistic; it's definitely not for general audiences. Mumblecore fans rejoice!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I Know This is Changing Me (Music Review)
First Impression Music Review
R.E.M - Collapse Into Now B
Release Date: March 8, 2011
This one is a grower. I've listened to it a dozen times and I like it more with each spin. It's probably their best album since 1996's New Adventures in Hi-Fi."Mine smells like honey" and "Überlin" grabbed me immediately (they're also the first two singles from the album), other tracks were slightly more challenging but they eventually won me over. Special guests include Eddie Vedder, Patti Smith, Peaches, Lenny Kaye and Joel Gibb.
Favorite Tracks - Mine smells like honey, "Überlin", "That someone is you", "Blue"
Leftovers Never Tasted So Good! (Music Review)
First Impression Music Review
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - III/IV B+
Release Date: Dec 14, 2010
I own several Ryan Adams/Whiskeytown albums and this collection of leftovers from the 2007 Easy Tiger sessions is among his best work. Just when I was afraid Adams might be going soft he released a metal album (2010's Orion) and delivers this gem- a catchy pop album that holds together surprisingly well over the course of 21 tracks.
Billed as a "double-album concept rock opera" (tongue-firmly-tucked-in-cheek), III/IV is Demolition meets Gold with a little Rock N Roll thrown in. A single disc opposed to the two would've been a full blown masterpiece but as it stands I'm not complaining.
Favorite Tracks -"Numbers", "Gracie", "Breakdown into the Resolve", "Dear Candy" and "Icebreaker"
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