Role Models

Role Models is about Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Seann William Scott) who are two guys that make their livelihood touring schools and selling Minotaur energy drinks to kids. Their work is perfectly legitimate and everything is hunky dory until Danny has a bad day. His problems coupled with an inordinate consumption of Minotaur energy drink lands them in the company truck up a statue in front of a high school.

In order to avoid prison for 30 days they must complete 150 hours of Community Service at Sturdy Wings mentoring kids. After one day with the kids, however, jail doesn't look half bad. Once the center's ex-con director (Jane Lynch) gives them an ultimatum, Danny and Wheeler are forced to tailor their brand of immature wisdom to their charges, Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and Ronnie (Bobb'e J. Thompson). And if they can just make it through probation without getting thrown in jail, the world's worst role models will prove that, sometimes, it takes a village idiot to raise a child.

One of the films defining elements is the showcasing of role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons (here it is known as L.A.I.R.E). Role Models takes a surprisingly even handed look at it. It pokes fun, of course, but there is also respect embedded. The result is a case of "so lame it's awesome" where the absurdity of Dungeons & Dragons is given dignity. It's hilarious, and does look terribly fun. 

And it's here that the film makes its stand. Do what makes you happy, no matter what your parents or anyone else tells you. You got to give a bunch of people playing with foam swords in the forest their comeuppance. They're doing what makes them happy.

Role Models is more than just your average slapstick, gross humoured comedy. The storyline may be a semi familiar tale however Role Models is not just another comedy thrown out to keep the masses at bay. The film definitely stretches beyond that stigma providing a nice balance between comedy and the trials and tribulation of growing up and finding yourself.

 

Ghost Town

Ghost Town is, sort of, a romantic comedy that takes the lighter side of death and develops a less morbid view on the afterlife. This could have been problematic since cinematic ghosts tend to be a tough sale; death is a serious matter, which if treated incorrectly could have made audience reject the film. However Ghost Town has a great balance of comedy, emotion and a bit of romance that builds an engaging story.

Betram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) is a sad, lonely dentist, though he would argue otherwise. A cynical misanthrope who after dying a short while during a routine colonoscopy wakes up to discover his world has changed a bit, he sees dead people. In a not so creepy air as The Sixth Sense, the story brings up the ever- lingering tale that the dead are always among us seeking to conclude their unfinished business. Pincus now must not only avoid encountering the living but also the dead. The story is shifted from comic blarney into a story with a deeper emotional underlying when a ghost, Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear), asks Pincus to help his widow, Gwen (Tea Leoni), from making a horrible choice for her future. The walking dead continue throughout the film and play both on comic relief and emotional understanding. A great thing about this film is that while it is about ghosts the ghosts are second to the characters that are developed based on their deaths. It relies strongly on the memories of those left behind. Which plays back into discovering why Pincus is the way he is and his time spent helping the dead actually brings him back to life.

The X-Files: I Want To Believe

The X-Files: I Want to Believe is not entirely satisfying as a straightforward thriller, a procedural or as a medical drama. It is, however, satisfying when the contrasting elements come together to form the thematic core of Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz's story, and although the journey to the ending is occasionally frustrating and preachy it is well worth the journey. As an avid X-phile, I found this movie great however the average moviegoer may not find it particularly enjoyable because this will not satisfy those looking for mindless entertainment. If you are not familiar with the series but are willing to look outside the box you will find enjoyment in this installment to The X-files franchise.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe once again unites Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) in a long awaited, at least by fans, “Monster of the Week” film in classic X-files style. It has been six years since the show ended and that is where the story begins. As the common element of The X-files the film raises more questions then it intends to answer some which are extremely thought provoking and disturbing. As opposed to relying on the mysteries of aliens, freaks and monsters the story seeks to find the balance between science, belief and human connections. 

As we all know, Mulder is obsessed with anything and everything that can be marked with an X, and after years of hiding this “monster” provides an opportunity for him to continue his search. Agent Dakota Whitney (Amanda Peet) seeks out his expertise, as the FBI now has a serial killer case on their hands and a convicted pedophile Catholic priest Father Joseph Crissman (Billy Connolly) claims to be psychic and volunteers key information of the killings and body drops. Agent Whitney, unsure of Father Crissman’s reliability asks for Mulder's help and for him to act as their lie detector. Naturally between religion and her usual skepticism, Scully is disgusted by the sheer presence of the religious felon, and continues to battle her ongoing struggle between faith and science as she deals with balancing Mulder and her life as a doctor as she searches to find a cure to save a young boy's life. As always the differing views of Mulder and Scully clash creating conflict and turmoil. They each hold on to their convictions and at times frustrate each other. Mulder, of course, is ready to believe while Scully thinks they are being played. After six years without an X-file Scully fears getting submerged into the Darkness that lingers with Mulder.

Ultimately the film unravels the antagonist that are evil and creepy. The characters are put in real, potentially dangerous situations all of which are overlaid with surrealism. While the film didn’t follow the mythological arch of alien invaders it sufficed as a way to reintroduce the public to the essence of The X-files and get people interested in what happened to these characters. Chris Carter as a director puts forth an honest atmosphere including some current social situations that solidify the time and state of the world and creates tensions, as the horrors of the case mature.

At it’s core The X-files will always be a source to acknowledge the fear of the unknown, the fear of something greater than us (government, aliens, god) and examine the what-ifs of life. If after viewing the film you have an inordinate amount of questions and are completely or slightly disturbed by the possibility of reality mirroring what you saw, then everyone involved did their job. So I say, well done, and here’s to The X-files 3 and hoping that the film comes out before the December 12, 2012 deadline...

 

Dark Crystal Sequel

Interesting new fact I discovered in my travels...

Seventeen years later, The Henson Company (the late Jim Henson's production company) has decided to go ahead with a sequel to the 1982 cult film The Dark Crystal. During the making of the original, Jim Henson and his partners discussed the story as a possible sequel, but when the movie was only moderately successful upon theater release, the idea was shelved. It was only after the movie was released on dvd that it proved to be a huge cult hit and the company decided to move along with the sequel.

The $40 million budgeted film was announced back in 2005, but production has finally begun to move forward in Australia.The sequel, to be released in 2009 will be called The Power of the Dark Crystal. Genndy Tartokovsky is set to direct and in an effort to stay true to the original, the filmmakers tried to get as many of the original cast and crew back as possible. The film will feature both live-action puppets and computer animation. The plot is set hundreds of years after the first Dark Crystal movie and focuses on a mysterious girl made of fire who breaks off a shard of the crystal in an effort to reignite the dying sun.

This should be an interesting movie to say the least. I hope, for Jim Henson's sake, that this movie isn't a bomb and can actually live up to the original. I'm not expecting a box-office hit, but I'm hoping that the cult crowd will be able to have an appreciation for it. But, a girl made of fire... with a plot like that, how can you go wrong???

~Maddie~

Four Christmases

It’s that time of year again and Vince Vaughn is back in another holiday movie. Unlike last year’s Fred Claus, this one is a cute holiday-themed romantic comedy. An interesting cast and some situational comedy make this a fun and enjoyable holiday film… so long as you don’t go in expecting it to be more than it is. It’s certainly no Wedding Crashers, but it still has that Vince Vaughn panache that automatically makes a movie funnier.

Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn play a couple with some unusual families that they have to visit for the holidays. Reese Witherspoon is back in the comedy saddle as Kate, a slightly neurotic girl who likes to be in control. She is, as usual, a pleasure to watch. Also a pleasure to watch is Vince Vaughn as her boyfriend, Brad. Once again, Vaughn is hilarious as his typical bantering character that it is pretty obvious is not much acting on Vaughn’s part. Though it is hard to imagine them as a couple, and even a little difficult to believe when first watching, there is some chemistry there between the two.

The families make for entertaining characters and some amusing situations. Aside from Reese Witherspoon, who won the 2006 Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Walk the Line, there is an unanticipated number of Oscar-winners making appearances as family members. Robert DuVall (1984 Best Actor in a Leading Role Tender Mercies) and Sissy Spacek (1981 Best Actress in a Leading Role Coal Miner’s Daughter) appear as Brad’s mother and father. Mary Steenburgen (1981 Best Actress in a Supporting Role Melvin and Howard) and an unmentioned in the trailer Jon Voight (1979 Best Actor in a Leading Role Coming Home) play Kate’s parents. Jon Favreau teams up with Vaughn yet again to play one of his UFC fighter brothers, the other played by a barely worth mentioning Tim McGraw. Lastly, Kristen Chenoweth plays Reese Witherspoon’s sister. Each actor gives a pretty standard performance, except for Favreau, who I found to be hilarious in a role very different from what he usually plays.

Apart from Vince Vaughn’s natural verbal flamoyance (obviously taking creative license with the script), the movie is more situationally funny than spokenly funny. It is a mix of Christmas Vacation, The Family Stone, The Break Up (but only to account for Vince Vaughn’s comedic talents). It is a movie that can definitely illicit more than a laugh or two, but if you can’t appreciate Vince Vaughn’s particular brand of humor, then you should probably skip this one.

~Maddie~

The House Bunny

Hello folks! It's been a while, but we've been busy.
I know it's an older movie, but I started the post a few months ago after I saw The House Bunny and in light of the fact that it is coming out on dvd soon (December 19th), I thought I'd write about it.

Another Happy Madison production that falls short of being funny beyond the trailer. The script is another creation from writing team Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz, who brought you 10 Things I Hate About You, Legally Blonde, and She’s the Man. The script is not up to par with their previous writing efforts, but one thing these films all have in common is a very watchable cast.

The cast makes this movie worth watching. The ever entertaining Anna Faris is Shelly. She is once again a not so bright, but delightfully quirky character and is once again a delight to watch. However, her talent is slightly overshadowed by the slut-wear she has to don. Besides the fact that it’s enjoyable to watch her prance around in playboy bunny slut wear for an hour and a half, her charisma and natural magnetism are undeniable. Her charm and likeability are what hold the movie together.

Not to mention the increasingly popular up and comer Emma Stone, of Superbad fame, who is so convincing in her awkward portrayal of the nerdy sorority leader, audience members can feel her discomfort. Kat Dennings makes another appearance, in what is increasingly becoming her typical role, as the angsty teen. It is not surprising that she is as believable and interesting as she was in 40 Year Old Virgin and Charlie Bartlett.

What is surprising is Rumer Willis’s portrayal of Joanne. This is one girl who I wrote off as an actress only given jobs because of who her parents are (she is the eldest daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis), but after seeing how likeable she is, I have decided that it is magnetism rather than nepotism that got her the job.

Rumer Willis is not the only Hollywood spawn making an appearance in this film. Colin Hanks, son of Hollywood great Tom Hanks, plays Anna Faris’ love interest. I have to say this is my least favorite performance of his. He does not have his usual shy-guy appeal that makes him so loveable (though never quite as loveable as his father).

The plot of the movie is very similar to Sydney White. A group of college-age misfits and “losers” learn how to be comfortable being themselves from a hot chick who drops in and learns something about herself as well. It is also, at times, reminiscent of Legally Blonde, which was also written by Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz. A key difference between the two movies is that they did not make it so that the lead character is a smart girl who hides her intelligence to make her beauty stand out, as in Legally Blonde. The lead character in this movie is in fact stupid and instead of learning that brains are more important than people thinking you’re hot, the message in this movie is to embrace yourself and be who you are. In Shelly’s case, this means being stupid. It’s an interesting new take on the “be yourself” theme. It’s no It’s a Wonderful Life, but I’d say it’s inspiring.

While The House Bunny as a film is not very funny, the “house bunny”, Anna Faris is. The fact that a dull script doesn’t degrade Anna’s talent says a lot for her charisma. The story is predictable, the jokes are second rate, but the cast is amusing and, well, the girls are hot. Not a must-see, but if you’re bored and looking for something that doesn’t require a lot of brain cells, The House Bunny will pass the time.

~Maddie~

Tropic Thunder gets brownie points purely for the ingenious preparation in marketing and promotion put forth to get this film on the map and into the minds of the target audience. With made up E! network interview to theatrical trailers to establish long standing careers for the actors, the characters portrayed. Not to mention the audacity to create and pull off this spoof on the industry that was funding it. From blatant attacks on the inner workings of the industry to the cliché and stereotypical traits of the actors and industry leaders brought to their highest this film is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

 

Although the story and plot contained less than I had anticipated the continuous one-liners and creative license bring the entertainment levels off the chart. A movie, about a movie, about what happened to actors while they went to Vietnam to shoot a war film. The sheer concept and ability to pull off films within films and actors within actors makes this movie’s interest level peak. Reality infused with cinematic follies creates the surreal realm for these characters/actors.

Jeff Portney (Jack Black), reins in his comedic spiel to portray a hardened soldier. Changing his voice and demeanor to show his serious side then dropping it all quicker than the director says, “cut” and reverting to the drug addict actor. Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller) attempts to revive his once prosperous action star persona after a disastrous attempt to play a dramatic potentially Oscar-worthy role as a mentally disabled man in Simple Jack. His downfall as fellow actor Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) crudely points out was that he went “fully retarded, no one ever comes back from that.” Kirk Lazarus is a genius at his craft (“I don’t read the script. The script reads me.”), playing a black man like he was born one and never breaking character because the cameras may still be rolling (“Man, I don’t drop charater ‘til I done the DVD commentary”). Others that must be mentioned are the newbie actor Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel), the only one to read the script and actually attended boot camp and Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson) the actual black man who seems to find less things offensive then Kirk (“You’re Australian. Be Australian. Excuse me Kangaroo Jack!) 

 

The initial scene continues through a hail of gunfire, explosions, screams in the distance and the heartfelt death speech until the men show their true colors. Tugg has a problem when it comes to making himself cry, “he’s just not that good”, and Kirk’s sobbing and drooling is just so real that the two take part in a pissing match filming stops however the special effects guru Cody (Danny McBride) continues through the scene setting off a four million dollar explosion that destroys part of the Vietnamese forest and is not captured by a single camera.

 

The movie is falling apart and the director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan) is getting desperate between the set backs and the banter between the actors so when the script writer/former soldier Four Leaf (Nick Nolte) proposes a guerilla filming deep in the jungle of Vietnam he agrees. And thus begins the actual movie, there are so many levels at play here yet not at all confusing. The actors have it easy follow the scene notes there are hidden cameras and some pre-established sequences ready at the directors command. Easier said than done and the actors soon have to become the characters they are playing as they tread through the jungle of Vietnam off the beaten path.

 

With its constant guest appearances Tropic Thunder was a smart way for a bunch of actors to collaborate and make a mockery of their craft and themselves. This film understands parody. With riveting satire this film delivers consistent wit and absurdity throughout. Hitting at some low points but doesn’t fall short or disappoint.  This film is definitely worth your time. 

 

Loren