starring: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Owen Wilson, Teri Polo, Jessica Alba
genre: Comedy
Little Fockers is the continuation of the original film Meet the Parents (2000) and it's first sequel Meet The Fockers (2004). The second sequel is a film that wasn't needed, wasn't demanded but came nonetheless like most sequels and Hollywood films. But now that its out is it any good? is it worth your money? or should you wait for the DVD? The answers our meh, no and definitely. Little Fockers could have been much more if it was anything more like the previous films that actually had laugh out loud material and that also didn't give out all its best jokes within their theatrical trailers.
writer: Alan R. Cohen, Allan Freedland, Adam Sztykiel, Todd Phillips
starring: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifanakis
genre: Comedy
Last year no one was expecting the Hangover to be that much of a success not only at the box office but also with critics. Filmmaker Todd Phillips has moved up the ladder with films like Starsky & Hutch and the Hangover making a name of himself as one of the best known filmmakers in the genre of comedy. He might not be Judd Apatow with a better in his sense of emotion and meanings in his films, but he is well known for his ability to bring out laugh out loud situations into fruition. His new film Due Date is no different at being the most hilarious film of the year.
starring: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley, Thomas Haden Church
genre: Comedy, Romance
There are two kinds of teen films that come to mind. Your shallow, non provocative teen film and then your polar opposite of racy, controversial humor and sex ala American Pie. Both have standouts in the genre and failures. But what if someone was in the mood for something right in the middle? Well don't you worry because Easy A is that kind of film that pushes the boundaries of touchy teen issues without having nudity, profanity and still manages to be a entertaining film.
Film is a form of art but also of entertainment. Sometimes the line is crossed and there are many arguments to which side of cinema is better. Me I'm personally in the middle. This sometimes is a problem that many films face by being too far on one side than the other and subsequently alienating it's audience members. Paul Blart is a simple film made for families that demand no intelligence whatsoever from the films they want to see. In that specific sense Paul Blart succeeds in being a funny film for that market. For everybody else it will be a film easy to forget.
starring: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, C.K. Louis, Jonah Hill
genre: Comedy, Romance
Now here's a original idea and applied to the most unoriginal genre of romantic comedies. Ricky Gervais is the man behind the hit British TV shows the Office and Extras and now co-directs, writes and stars in a very funny film that teaches us the valuable lesson that being truthful and honest doesn't get you anywhere.
starring: Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marylinn Chigliotti, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes
genre: Comedy
Ever wondered how it is to be a clerk? How it feels, what are your dilemmas? Well the movie Clerks pretty much shows the whole picture of how it is to be a clerk! This one is Kevin Smiths first movie and a pretty good one i might add!
starring: Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Jon Cryer, Devon Gearheart
genre: Adventure, Comedy,Family
Could you love your kids so much that you would lower your humor and your intelligence level to make a film for them? I wouldn't but Robert Rodriguez just couldn't help himself. Not once but now over 5 times. Three Spy Kids films and then Shark Boy and Lava Girl and now with Shorts. With his latest family film Rodriguez outdoes himself by making a terribly silly film that would make me feel ashamed if my father had made it.
starring: Danny Trejo, Steven Seagal, Jessica Alba, Robert De Niro, Jeff Fahey
genre: Action, Comedy
For those unaware of what Machete is and how it was created here's a little background. It's all due to Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's double feature Grindhouse (2007). In between the double feature were fake trailers of B-style movies. Machete was one of the trailers and was the only fake trailer to be lucky enough to become a full length film. But can a simple fake trailer make a suitable full length film?
writers: Edgar Wright, Michael Bacall (based on the graphic novel) by Brian Lee O'Malley
starring: Micheal Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Ellen Wong
genre: Action, Comedy, Comics
Scott Pilgrim didn't only have to face the world but also film audiences that didn't manage to fill in the cinemas. The 60 million dollar budget film has done only a mere 31 million in the U.S. alone. And from the look of it wont be doing any better internationally. It's a very peculiar film that will take getting used while your watching it within the very first minutes. But for a experienced gamer and comic book fan this film is a walk in the park.
As we all know Jim Carrey has worked opposite some of the most famous ladies in cinema, like Renne Zellwegger, Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz and many more. But never has he looked lovingly into the eyes of a leading man as he does here. Please prepare to see a different Jim Carrey in the comedy “I Love You Phillip Morris”.
Steven (Jim Carrey) was a normal man, with a normal family until an epiphany hit him after a fatal car crash and he decided to come out of the closet to his wife and become a con man. Desideds to lead a new life as a fay man. The problem is that his new lifestyle is expensive, and the fraud he commits to support his lifestyle sudently cathes up with him. However, Steve spends his life in prison where he meets the love of his life Philip Morris (Ewan McGregor). Steve and Philip Morris are instantly in love. Although Morris is set to be transfered the next day. Steve uses all his con-man knowledge to keep them close to together and will not stop at nothing for them to be apart.
However, thankfully Jim Carrey steers clear of his old habits, as there are very few moments of him making funny faces or going insane with the role. Jim Carrey plays it right down to the middle. Steven is a habitual liar, but there's something 'honest' about his dishonesty in trying to help the people in his life be happy. And Jim Carrey nails the character down perfectly.
McGregor's character is a bit in distress. And a little too honest and too much goody too shoes to be taken seriously, but he is solid nonetheless in his performance. Nevertheless there is brilliant support from Leslie Mann as Steven's loving ex-wife, who once again is a delight turning in a similar great performance as she did in "Funny People".
I must say that this movie is not for viewers of usual sort of comedy, even though the film does have humor to it. Personally I enjoyed the humor and of course Jim Carrey gimmicky performance, but was disappointed with the idea and detail of how gay men can get it on better and even better then lesbians (note I'm pro gay so no offense intended). In the end the film wasn't what I had initially expected. One last thing to mention for those who have and who haven't seen the film yet. For heterosexuals the film experience was like a thriller but for homosexuals it probably was better then Sex and the City 2.
starring: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Jean Smart, Zach Galifanakis
genre: Comedy
How many films a year do most of us get to see that are actually funny? Not many is the the truth due to the fact thats It's difficult to please someone when your dealing with comedy than if it was drama or action. My humor is drastically different than everyone else and vice versa. Youth in Revolt is not a laugh out loud kind of comedy. Its not going to make everyone laugh. But its one of those films that has a superbly well written script with many jokes, incredible dialogue and a fantastic funny cast.
Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) is your typical youth. Quite, smart and alone. Everything and everyone is against him in his life as a teenager. Family, girls, justice nothing goes right for him. When his Mom (Jean Smart) and boyfriend Jerry (Zack Galifanakis) decide to take a trip to a trailer lodge, Nick finally finds meaning in his life in a girl. That girl is Sheeni (Portia Doubleday). In Sheeni he will find everything he could ever want in a woman beauty, elegance, style all in one sophisticated, smart girl that's into him. But as with every love you have to fight to keep it going. But this love isn't as easy as he hoped. He will have to get through Sheeni's parents, ex-boyfriend and his own family situation to be with her. To accomplish this he brews the new him in the persona Francois to be a better man and evil enough to get to his goal.
Where Youth in Revolt gets it right is in it's script. The dialogue is superb. The level of sophistication in the writting clearly defines the characters threw the dialogue and comes out beautifuly threw the actors performances. Me personally I couldnt stop laughing with Micael Cera delivery of evil lines. I love when humor comes out of words than just action or fart jokes. Its more difficult to make you laugh with just words.
Besides the script the film is the Michael Cera show. Many people wondered if he could manange to play diffrent roles besides the quiet adorable type which he's known for. Evidence is right here. His potrayal of his evil self and even of the quiet self is perfect. He is not your pretty boy Zac Efron or your dramatic young man actor Paul Dano. He your right mix of both where he can lead a film in many directions. Case in point his new film that will come out soon Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.
Youth in Revolt is one of those films that you never really thought anything of and actually is better than you'd expect. From Michael Cera's performance, to the outstanding cast and the great script the film dosen't disappoint. Youth in Revolt is one of the best comedies of the year. Enjoy!
starring: Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence. Zoe Saldana, Luke Wilson, James Marsden, Peter Dinklage, Danny Glover, Regina Hall, Kevin Hart
genre: Comedy, Remake
Funerals are not suppose to be funny but sometimes they happen to be. In 2007 "Death at a Funeral" was made in England and came out to cinemas with minimal success. An American remake was called in to be made and once again came out to minimal success and critical appraisal. My question is why? Death at a Funeral is a very old fashioned comedy with lots of big name actors coming together and rolling with the punches. What could be wrong with that?
The story revolves around the funeral service of Aaron (Chris Rock) and Ryan's (Martin Lawrence) father. The service is taking place in their family home and everybody in the family is invited. The funeral doesn't go as planned as everybody is bringing their emotional baggage with them. But the funeral doesn't end to be a just a simple brotherly confrontation or a boyfriend, girlfriend dispute. Fatherly secrets, family crazies and much more come to be in a funeral that wont end that easily.
Ive never seen the original 2007 film so I cant really compare the films sadly. Without comparing and focusing only on the 2010 film I can proudly say that the 2010 film is a laugh fest. With big names attached, some from dramatic backgrounds others from comedic they all do a marvelous job. Marsden is a knockout as the drugged out boyfriend, Danny Glover is hilarious as the crazy old geezer and what can not be said about Tracy Morgan.
There is not much more to say about the film. It dosen't break the sound barrier for its funniest moments, it doesn't have the most intelligent jokes, but it doesn't need to anyway. It's got the right pace for a comedy at a funeral which you will constantly anticipating the next mad thing to happen and go along with it. Comedy is tricky and many people take it in the wrong way sometimes. So if you don't have a problem with dead people humor, drug jokes and the occasional toilet mayhem then Death at the Funeral is the perfect match for you. Check the trailer out as well and I believe you will be sold.
Date Night goes the step forward from other formulaic comedies by pausing the film's pacing and having actual moments where the characters can talk about who they are and what they are going through. Many Hollywood film just speed their way from act to act. Date Night for it's simple and mediocre appearance still manages to be fun and an easy film for people to see.
Phil (Steve Carell) and Claire (Tina Fey) are just your standard routine filled couple. No excitement or something out of the ordinary is in store for them. Both have their defects in their marriage and feel trapped and unhappy. When their best friends break up, its an wake up call to them to change things around. A night in the city for the both of them changes their life for ever.
For a film that doesn't try to be more than it can be, it still manges to be fun enough than most films. This all possible only due to its incredible cast and the filmmakers choice to give quiet moments to the film instead of a film at a maniacal pace. If anybody is in the mood for a light comedy Date Night is not a bad way to go.
starring: Matt Czuchry, Jesse Bradford, Geoff Stults, Keri Lynn Pratt
genre: Comedy
Some films simply go too far as do men sometimes. Here is a film based on the accounts of the individual Tucker Max and his life of hookups with women. He wrote his experiences into a book that has been also made into a film. The book was thought to be perfect for a film adaptation by movie executives. Sadly it was only perfect at being a woman hate fest and very mixed bagged film.
The tale of Tucker Max (Max Czuchry) is a sad, disgusting and fun for some mess. Max is a woman lover/hater that lives for sex. Because of that love he puts in jeopardy his two dearest friends Drew (Jesse Bradford) and Dan (Geoff Stults). He organizes a bachelor party for his friend Dan and they all go on a road trip filled with beer, women and partying. The trips shows Max's true colors as a friend and person. It's up to him from then on to decide whats more important in life sex or friendship.
Where the film gets it so bad is that doesn't for a second realize the way they treat their characters. The film instead of being your typical, mediocre, men on the town comedy its just your rude, misogynist, disgusting adventrue of an asshole and his ignorant friends.
The film isnt entirely terrible. Their are some good jokes as with all bad films. The characters have their moments and the actors play them out very well. Its the filmaking and the writing that are odd and amateurish at times. At the start of the film the director employs a documentary style of filming, later than he chooses a into the camera character monologue. Its as if the ideas just come out of knowhere. Then there is the writting which is probably taken a little bit word by word I presume from the book as Tucker Max helped in writing the screenplay. Drew who is the best of the characters has some very funny and touching moments when he falls for a stripper in the film. But before all that happens his characters spews out some of the most disgusting, obscene dialouge ever. It just makes the character extreme and never makes us feel properly sad for him for events that have gone though in his life.
And last there is the main charcter based on the writer himself Max. From start to finsh is he is a prick. He is cocky, emotionless and misogyniest when he himself says hes not in the film. Couldnt they see how that a asshole who wants to bang anything that moves isnt a popular figure/character to follow througout a film. Its obvious why films are not made for villains that cant be empasied with. We cant understand why Max is who he is or why he acts the way he acts and we cant even condone it. For example why does everybody like the character Stifler from American Pie and not Max from Hope they Serve Beer In Hell. The answer is obivous as Stifler had a sensitive side and actually didnt call his girls idiotic skany bitches when he tried to bang them. Thats why.
The whole film was big bad idea. It's revolved around a bastard that in the end has no catharsis. He stills is the same exact guy who wants to bang anything that moves, without proving to his buddies and that he is vital to their friendship.But besides the character the film is still amateurly made, has some of the worst dialogue ever and has very little meaning by the end. Spend your time elsewhere. Especially females.
starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Chris Noth
genre: Comedy, Romance
This film wasn't made for me. But then again I don't believe this film was made for the true fans of the TV show Sex and the City. This film is better than first but that isn't saying much. I'm still sad to see that the original creators of the show aren't once again involved with the film and that not even touch or a spec of realism and charm that the show had is still not present in the second film adaption of the TV show.
Two years after the events of the first film, the girls are still alive and kicking in New York. All in the same situation that we had left them in the last film. But new problems arise as they always do. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Big (Chris Noth) are having marriage troubles meaning there just not use to being married yet. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) is in a job she doesn't enjoy. Charlotte (Kristin Davis) is afraid her nanny might do something with her husband and Samantha (Kim Cattrall) is in menopause. All of them are trying to get through things find the chance to escape and manage go to Abu Dhabi for vacation. There they will solve and confront some of their problems and have one of the craziest adventurous of their lives.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the show but have seen enough of it to enjoy and know well it's style and character. The problem once again with this film as with the first, is that it still falls short of being anything like the TV show. What I mean by that is that it falls short by adding material, scenes, moments that the TV show would never have. The first and the second film have silly montages, over the top music scenes, clear advertisement moments for fashion, and makeup and moments where their is prejudice to other cultures. All these things are the biggest problems of the films that were never featured on the show and not so much the melodrama or the giggly girlie moments the film may have.
Where the film is ever so slightly better is that it doesn't have it's main character Carrie go cuckoo as in the first film and that it spend more time evenly with the other main woman characters. Carrie does once again create a stupid situation for herself as she did in the first film. And this formula feels quite repetitive. But its not so much about Carrie being hysteric with Big but about her being clumsy with him. Also there are many smart jokes that any girl or guy would laugh at and are one of the saving factors of the film.
To conclude Sex and City 2 was a minor improvement from the fist film and once again made most of us wish that we were rather watching the TV show instead. Hoping there will be no more films isn't easy, as a lot of money is involved. Another film will probably happen and all the girls will run for the theaters. All I have to say is, go waste your money girls on the DVD sets of all 6 seasons. Because both films and probably any amount more that will be made will never amount to what the TV show was, as long as the main creators and minds of the show Darren Star and Candace Bushnell aren't involved in the process.
starring: John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry, Clark Duke
genre: Comedy
Now here is a movie that it's title puts a smile to your face. Ever since seeing the trailer I was completely digging the zany idea with the hot tub. And now after finally seeing the film I can say that this might be the bro film of the year.
Three friends Lou (Rob Corddry), Adam (John Cusack) and Nick (Craig Robinson) in their 40's presumably are unhappy with the way life is going. Each for their own reasons love, marriage, loneliness. After an accident that Lou go into, the gang decides it's time for a vacation between them. Along for the ride Adam's nephew Jacob (Clark Duke) comes along. They all go to one of their old hot-spots of their youth at old ski resort. There they find a hot tub that will magically bring to the 80's and make them relive their youth and rethink past decisions. They will have chose between a life that cant change or a second chance for a happier one.
Being a time travel film and a time travel film that takes place in the 80's the filmmakers did their research and paid good tribute. From the casting of 80's actors Chevy Chase, John Cusack and then nail on the head Crispin Glover who was in Back to the Future. Also the jokes, the costumes, atmosphere, its all a throwback to the good old days of the 80's
But the film isnt just your 80's fanfare. We have a newer generation to accompany them takes along on the ride. Actors like Craig Robinson and Rob Corrdy that have been out there in bit roles but not yet seen such ways as they are here. All the actors play there roles perfectly and bring great chemistry between them.
By the end of Hot Tub you will be left with the satisfaction of a very fun bro film. Drinking, drugs, music, jokes, sex, all the things a gang of guys need from a film. This is our Sex and the City in so many words. Grab a beer, sit down with some friends enjoy the glory of Hot Tub Time Machine.
Starring: James De Bello, GiuseppeAndrews, Edward Furlong, Sam Huntington
Genre: Comedy, Music, Adventure
What happens when you put together the 70's ,teenagers, rock music and KISS? Well the answer to this question is Detroit Rock City. It's a comedy that really describes the 70's, the music back then and to be fair its an advertisement for KISS. But can it be a good movie?
The movie opens in early 1978 where KISS back then was the most famous band in America and perhaps in the rest of the world. It was also the best period for KISS musically and artistically. Four teenagers Lex (GiuseppeAndrews), Jam (Sam Huntington), Trip (James De Bello) and Hawk (Edward Furlong) are having their garage band and they are playing KISS .The day that is about to come means a lot to them and would mean a lot to any KISS fan today not to mention back then , they are going to see KISS live .But that's about to change when Jams mom a religiously hysterical bitch which she believes that KISS is satanic, finds their tickets in Jams pocket and destroys them. But that's the least of the problems that is about to come. She is sending her son Jam to a Catholic boarding school. Trip,Hawk and Lex must now save Jam, find tickets for the concert and get to it before its over.
Like it or not you are going to see and hear a lot of things about Kiss. As i mentioned earlier it is somehow an advertisement for KISS but that doesn't mean that Detroit Rock City is a bad movie. It does a great job representing the 70's, the teenagers back then and the music. To put it in a few words its all about Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll in an enjoyable comedy. The acting is good for a comedy and for this kind of comedy we all know what jokes to expect.
If you like comedies and rock music then do yourself a favor and see it. If you like KISS then I guess you have already seen the film. Even if you don't like Kiss or you expect that the whole soundtrack will be only Kiss allow me to mention some of the bands that also play music in the film AC/DC , Black Sabbath, Ted Nugent, The Ramones, Van Halen to name a few. I am a Kiss fan so I guess you would expect me to say that is the best movie and blah blah. Yes i find the movie to be pretty good and enjoyable with lots of laughs for its kind, but to be honest when I first saw the movie I didn't know much about Kiss and still I enjoyed it . So if you have time check it out.
Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis in a buddy cop film is not match made in heaven. A duo I never really expected to see together and acualty didnt miss anything by seeing them now together on screen. But it isnt only there fault. The whole film is kind of a sad joke. It's a rehash of every buddy cop film youve ever seen and if your in the mood for that then you wont be complaining. Truth be told at least you will enjoy Tracy Morgan and Sean William Scott at work who are the only shinning lights in a film devoid of originality.
A interesting fact is that this film was on a list of best unproduced scripts back in 2008. Why the hell did they think this was such a good script? Did this script revolutionize the buddy cop genre without me realizing it? Nope. Then why was it then considered to be so good? Not even God or science knows that question.
The film is just a formulaic cop film where 2 cops have a small sublpot of there own, one with his daughter getting maried and the other who thinks his wife is cheating on him. And the main plot is as you can a imagine about a crooked drug dealer. The dialogue and jokes are mediocre at best especially when delivered by Wills who's acting in the film is wooden as hell. But when the jokes come from Morgan and Scott is where the film gets its strength.
Like with romantic comedies there is no need for these films to exist as long as they are plain and unoriginal as Cop Out. Either make a funny and inteligent cop film or a funny parody of the genre or a deep cop drama not this crap. Is it so difficult to avoid cliches or to make fun of them. Not to mention that there is similar film coming out in a while called the Other Guys with Will Ferell and Mark Whalberg. Lets just hope that fairs better than Cop Out.
Thinking this film was made for a reason besides cashing in a paycheck is ludicrous. See the film in flash forward to catch all the good moments and then press stop. Otherwise your just wasting your time.
After not only fan demand but also small pressure from Disney, Pixar finally made Toy Story 3 a reality. Any fan of Toy Story should consider themselves lucky that Pixar made the film and not another animation company as it was initially going to happen. But now that it has all went well, Toy Story 3 is a funny as ever, packs more punches than action and adventure of late and proves to be if it a very satisfying conclusion to one of the best movie series ever created.
The toys newest adventure is survival. Now with Andy off to college. the toys place in his life is at question. Their fate is either the garbage dump or Andy's attic. Panic amongst them over their fate brings them to a daycare center called Sunnyside, run by Lotso the bear. There they will be in toy hell and paradise. Their future will depend on their friendship and the realization that Andy never wanted them to be harmed but loved and taken care of.
The toys adventure is incredible. Pixar outdid themselves once again in showing that they are probably the best and the most consistent studio out there in providing high quality products. The visuals of the film are outstanding and beautiful. The animation of the toys faces, people's reactions and movements are pitch perfect and look realistic and natural. I don't think the day will come that I will not be astounded by this company.
Leaving the film I was thrilled with the experience of the toys in adventure once again. Pixar had a good story to tell and did it perfectly. Drama with toys is hard to come by. But some of the scenes in Toy Story 3 cant have not made your heart pound hard for the fate of the lovely and memorable characters. Pixar is a company that knows what they are doing every step of the way. This is the company that managed to make us love a robot, a rat and toys and make us feel touched and shed a tear for them.
To conclude, Toy Story 3 is filled with glorious moments that never let you down. I fully recommend to anyone to see this film as it will be one of the best films of the year. The only fear I might have is of the future of the franchise. The way the film ended makes it seems difficult for a fourth film to be made. As it seems like a bad idea due to the trap of repeating themselves. But nonetheless to infinity and beyond!
In the movie we meet Jen (Katherine Heigl) and Spencer (Ashton Kutcher). An ordinary happy couple of a 3 year marriage, who meet and fall in love in while they were both on vacation in France. Soon Jen and Spencer get a surprise and their happy suburban life changes, when Jen discovers that her husband Spencer used to be a undercover government assassin (Spencer: "Let's just say that i used to work for the bla bla bla and they gave me a license to bla). And he discovers that the career he thought had left behind now has a 20 million dollar bounty on his head.
Jen and Spencer soon find out that they cannot trust anyone because the killers have hired friends, neighbors and co-workers all around them. Jen and Spencer life's turns into a race to save their life's and fight off their crazy neighbor-money-hungry killers.
The movie Killers is not a completely devoted to moral lessons and the qualities of life. Its a movie that shows us what marriage is about, trust and honesty.
Also the movie has many scenes which the characters partake in shootings, car chases and a martial arts style of violence with deaths that are of gruesome nature at times. I find this violence is a bit too gruesome for the comedic genre and the audience who will go and see this film. Even though film has cliches it does have very funny moments and is a enjoyable summer to watch with your partner. I personally recommend it!
