Bridesmaids is No Bridesmaid to Laughter

Bridesmaids (3 1/2 out of 5 Stars)

Director: Paul Feig (TV's The Office, Arrested Development and Freaks and Geeks)

Written: Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo

Starring: Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, and Rose Byrne



This film takes the funniest people who have been working in television in the last 10 years and make a great film.  The film follows Annie (Wiig) who is a failed business woman; she owned a bakery and it went under in the economy.  The beginning of the film opens with her catching up with her best friend since childhood Lillian (Rudolph).  Soon after this interaction Lillian calls Annie with the news that she is engaged and asks her to be her maid of honor.  To give away any plot details or the jokes from the film would a be disservice, but suffice to say this film is hilarious.

Paul Feig directs this great ensemble with great ease.  Most of his work has been in television and it is often difficult to transcend the different mediums.  There have been many people who have attempted to direct in both film and television and they have not been able to take their directorial style to film, especially with comedies. Feig did great work with Freaks and Geeks and has also been an acclaimed director of the US version of The Office.

I think the strength is also in the writing Wiig and Mumolo craft a very funny witty script that highlight great funny moments about what being single, friendship, and the stress of weddings.  Not only does Wiig do a great job as the screenwriter, but she also is the star of the film and her comic timing and acting great; she is one of the comedians from Saturday Night Live who can do so much more than just sketch comedy.  My favorite other member of the ensemble is Melissa McCarthy (Gilmore Girls, Mike & Molly) she is is one of the funniest people and just makes you laugh with every line she delivers.

The film does have moments where it feels splintered, and not always cohesive, and there are moments that are too random.  The film will be compared to The Hangover, but the female version.  This film is similar but also different.   Friendship a key element to The Hangover, but this film is about how women view friendship,  I know many men have said this is a chick flick, and there are elements that create that aspect but this film is a riot, and everyone will be able to stand up and cheer and laugh at this film.  I hope that word of mouth helps to make this another successful small film that could.

I Paaked yaah caah in Haavaad yaad-Movies that Highlight the City of Boston

So it has been a while since I have posted.  I am in the middle of moving back home to Albany, NY  after my graduation.  I am prepping for a long 10 hour drive from Bowling Green, OH (hopefully I get to do some fun things on my journey back).  I also had a job interview at college in Boston, and was there with limited computer access for 3 days.  I love Boston it has such a wonderful historical component, and is just one of those classic cities that feels as though there are so many different stories to tell.  Being in Boston made me think about all of the great films and one not so great film (but I had to include it, well because you will understand in a few paragraphs).  Now also before you give me any grief I know Harvard is in Cambridge, but I just has to use that title!

Picking my favorite film that is set in Boston is a tough call, but I think I am going to have to go with The Departed (2006) directed by Martin Scorsese (his only Academy Award win) and starring an all star cast with Leondardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Vera Farmiga.  This film captures the element of the the culture of a changing Boston throughout the decades and the evolution of the mafia and the way business is conducted.  The film uses the beauty of Boston so well, and the entire back drop of the film is escaping the where you born.  DiCaprio's character is born in South End and he is referred to as a "Southie" several time in the film.  The Departed also takes an interesting look at the Irish mob and how this intertwines within the cities culture.  This is hands down one of my favorite mafia movies, and when I think about Boston this movie is prevalent on my mind.

The next film I think about also involves Matt Damon and that is the film Good Will Hunting (1997).  Gus Van Sant directs the film about a janitor at Harvard from the South End of Boston who is smarter than most of the people at the school.  Damon's character Will has never had the opportunity to rise above where he was born and become something more.  One day Will solves an impossible math problem on chalkboard and the professor of the class wants to harness his potential.  With this Will meets Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) and he works out his own personal issues.  Will also meets a girl named Skylar (Minnie Driver) and he starts to want to change because to be with her he has to be something more. The screenplay for this film was written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and who knows Boston better than these two men.  They grew up in this city and weave a fairytale story about the place they were born, and do so with a lasting impression.

Speaking of Ben Affleck, this man's directorial prowess has impressed me; has undertaken two films (both set in Boston) Gone Baby Gone (2007) and The Town (2010) and done a great job using his own understand of this city to unravel stories about Boston.  Gone Baby Gone focuses on  Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affelck-yes Ben's brother) a cop in Boston trying to find a missing girl.  The film is based the Dennis Lehane book, and Affleck uses the material of Lehane well and captures the interaction between the different elements of Boston well.  The Town is Affleck's best work to date and his homage to the city of Boston (forget that the city was pist your filming there shut down a lot of the city) in the end the film speaks for itself and Affleck knows and understand how to use this city to make a quality film.  The Town focuses on the intersection of crime in Boston and taking down people who give the city a bad name.  I have to praise Affleck because he knows his stuff, and the fact that he knows this city so well plays to his strengths as a director.

Another adaptation from a Dennis Lehane book is Mystic River (2003).  This film also centers around a missing girl who is found dead, but it also centers around three friends who grew up in Boston and all ended up in different places and their lives were changed because of one event.  Clint Eastwood is another brilliant director who filmed in Boston and used the city to help set the stage for this film.  Boston is not the star of this film, but it acts as wonderful setting that helps espouse terrific storytelling, and great acting surrounding the culmination of all the events that take place.

So after looking at all of these films set in Boston, it made me think-wow is this city all about crime, the mafia, and tragedy?  I then asked myself one question, what do the people of Boston love most, and the answer was simple-the Red Sox!  The not-so-great film Fever Pitch (2005) highlights one of Boston's favorite things.  The ending had to actually be re shot because the Red Sox won the World Series that year.  The details of the film are not important, but the one character Jimmy Fallon plays loves the Red Sox so much it almost interferes with a new relationship.  This is by no means a classic, but to the people of Boston it is a love letter to their team that struggled so much to triumph in the face of their struggle to win a World Series, and that is what Boston is all about. 

 

Thor Earns a Thunderous Applause

Thor (3 1/2 out of 5 stars)

Directed by: Keneth Branagh (Hamlet, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Gilderoy Lockheart)

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston

Marvel has another comic book hit on their hand.  This film has done a much better job than I expected when the project was announced.  As a comic book fan I was worried how they would make a successful film out of this comic book character.  The film starts by explaining the myth the behind how Thor came to be a hero.  Thor's father Odin (Hopkins) tells his two sons Thor (Hemsworth) and Loki (Hiddleston) about how they came to posses a mythical object from an enemy.  When Thor's arrogance gets the best of his arrogance gets him banished to Earth where he meets scientist Jane Foster (Portman) and Thor begins to learn a few lessons from the earthlings.

The film earns my thunderous applause.  Thor is expertly directed by the Shakespearean director Kenneth Branagh.  The script is not the strongest, but it does weave action and humor well.  The film is visually marvelous weaving the world of Asgard and New Mexico.  While on Earth the film lost its spark, but the Asgardian action was just well done, and I could have spent my whole time in there.  This was also one of the first film in a while where I wore the 3-D glasses and I was not distracted by them, and got lost in the film.  With a sequel I hope the the sharpen the screenplay.

Hemsworth is a newcomer and owns this role.  There are no other actors that could command in the screen; his charisma in terms of both looks and energy are awe inspiring.  it feels like he was born to play this role, and they did a good job getting him to involved with this and The Avengers.  Hemsworth and Portman are magnetic and have amazing chemistry, and I buy their quick relationship.  Hiddleston who is also a newcomer does a great job playing the mischievous Loki is great and one of the best jobs they have not only with casting a villain but getting the character spot on.

As Marvel works to continue to build up to The Avengers I am getting more and more excited about the build and the potential to create a great story.    The rumors I have heard range from Loki controlling the Hulk like in the original Avengers comic to using the Skrull.  I am pleased that comic book films get the attention they do and I hope Thor gets a sequel that continues this quality.

A Tribute to The Graduate: I am Actually Graduating from Graduate School

Today is a great day in my life I am graduating with masters.  This moment reminds me of the film The Graduate (1967) starring Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman.  Unlike Hoffman's character Benjamin I am already in and graduating with my masters; his character had just finished his undergraduate degree and felt his future was uncertain. There are parallels in my own life, my future is still uncertain I do not have a job at this point, but I have options out there.

This film had a huge impact on me growing up, it made me think about my own life, and what I wanted to do with my future.  Like Benjamin my family hope I would become a lawyer, and become rich and successful.  After my graduation no one came up to me and said Kevin I have one word for you "Plastics."  This films message still rings loud and true with my current generation, parents and relatives work hard to make sure that their children are successful and stable, but often push them towards a career they either do not want or have no interest in.  My masters is in college student personnel, not a glamorous degree, nor does it make a lot of money, but I used my passions to work towards something I enjoyed.  At the end of the day I am not done with my life, and my pursuit of different dreams and goals.  This masters is not the end.  This film made me think about my life and what I want from it in a different way.

Until, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was released this was my favorite film.  I like the dark humor, and the ending that seems happy but isn't.  Hoffman was almost passed over for this role, but I couldn't imagine this film with anyone else.  Bancroft was also supposed to be much older than him, and she wasn't in real life. Bancroft is so sultry and manipulative and just does a great job. The director Mike Nichols is a genius and has been one of my favorite directors for years; he directed Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Closer, Angels in America The Birdcage.  The man has range and won the Best Director Oscar for this film.  This film is one of the best shot films ever, and I love the artistry behind and in front of the camera.

This film introduced me to the music of Simon and Garfunkel.  The song Mrs. Robinson was not submitted to be nominated for best original song, none of the tracks from the film were, which is unfortunate because this film has some of the best music. As I graduate at 7 pm tonight I will be thinking not only about my friends and family, but will be humming Mrs. Robinson  to myself, and smile.

Academy Award Snubs: The Actors in the 2000s

Well Daniel Radcliffe was not nominated for Tony yesterday, and although I have not seen the show I have seen and heard things online, and across the board people agreed that he deserved to be nominated for the role that has won Tony Awards for other actors.  This made me think about films, actors, directors, screenplays etc that have been left out of the Academy Awards.  In each decade I could up with a list of ten items within each category.  Since the snub that occurred yesterday was an acting snub I am going to focus on the actors who should have been nominated for great performances in the 2000s but were not.

1-Paul Giamatti-American Splendor (2003) and Sideways (2004) Its funny Paull Giamatti plays two, well losers in each of these films (and ironic his first nomination came with a boxing coach-a winner).  The Academy Awards are not a fan of the schmo, the hapless loser type.  Giamatti is brilliant in both of these films, neither of them glamorous roles, but he just is so natural and makes you route for him.

2-Naomi Watts-Mullholland Dr. (2001)-What can I say about this performance, except it took my breath away.  It is hard to describe without giving away major plot points in the film, and if you have not seen this movie (which many people still have probably not) you need to go in fresh.  All I can say is this is probably one of the biggest snubs of all time!  She is sweet innocent raw and powerful-the best performance she has ever given!

3-Uma Thurman-Kill Bill Volume 1 and 2 (2003 and 2004) Thurman is the ultimate kick ass woman in these films.  As she goes to take down each of her enemies one by one for attempting to kill her at her own wedding, her journey is captivating.  Thurman does her best work in both of these films and we get to see her character develop and mature throughout her quest for revenge.  There is also heart and love behind her.  Thurman deserved a Lead Actress nomination for both films!

4-Jim Carrey-Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)-Many people haven't appreciated Carrey's work, but his acting in this film magnificent; he plays against type well.  He is sullen morose and awkward.  Carrey brings so much depth to this role, and has amazing chemistry with Kate Winslet.  There is no doubt Carrey should have a two nominations for Lead Actor and this was one of the,.

5-Leonardo DiCaprio-Catch me if you can (2002) and The Departed (2006) In his post Titanic days DiCaprio has grown into probably one of the best working actors.  The sad thing is that his role as Frank Abignale in Catch me if you can was so layered with humor and pain.  In my mind many people were not taking him as seriously as they should have this year.  Now DiCaprio was nominated in 2006 but for The Blood Diamond, really?  You gave The Departed Best Picture and thought DiCaprio was better in Blood Diamond.  DiCaprio deserved Best Actor nominations for both his roles in these films

6-Sally Hawkins-Happy-Go-Lucky (2008) No pulls off a genuinely happy person quite like Sally Hawkins did in her film.  What could be seen as annoying and childish in the hands of a lesser performer is handled with such wit and grace.  When she is on screen you can't help but smile, and realize that you are watching one of the best performances of the decade.  Hawkins won the Golden Globe but failed to garner a nomination for Best Actress.

7-Guy Pierce-Memento (2001) Pierce attempts to piece his memory together by using mementos from his interactions with others.  As a man with short term memory loss Pierce is utterly heartbreaking in his role, and as you realize his story.  He captures the pain and suffering he goes through as time after time you realize he can't live a normal life in the situation he is in.  Pierce should have been a lead actor nominee that year.

8-Michael Sheen-The Queen (2006) Playing a real life character and capturing their spirit while they are still alive and well is a difficult task.  Sheen did a brilliant job with playing former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.  Going toe to toe with Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II is no easy task and he handled it adeptly.  This man was robbed of a Best Supporting Actor nomination.

9-Melanie Laurent-Inglorious Basterds (2009) Laurent plays Shosanna Dreyfuss/Emmanuelle Mimieux  the woman hell bent on getting revenge on the Nazi who killed her family when she was a young girl.  As Laurent is invited to dinner with Colonel Hans. Landa he knows who she is and she knows who he is but neither knows the other knows (sounds complicated) but as she realizes he he knows she is the look on her face says enough.  Laurent deserved a supporting actress nomination.

10-Emile Hircsh-Into the Wild (2007)- Emile Hirsch plays the real life person Chris McCandless  who burns up his social security card and driver's license and leaves himself behind to go "into the wild."  Hirsch's portrayal is one of true grit and honesty, sure he is selfish, and it is this that leads to his demise, but he plays the character with honesty.  This performance earned him a lot of buzz and he deserved a nomination.

MTV Movie Awards Balance Trash with Excellence

It is that time of the year again, when MTV announces their movie award nominations.  When the film with with the most nominations is The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, I already am laughing at you.  Yes I get this award show is about appealing to the tweens, so I get these nominations, but some of them are about just getting thirteen year old girls to watch.  Here are the list of nominations with some commentary on each category:

Best Movie

Black Swan
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Inception
The Social Network
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Wow, I am shocked Black Swan made it in, younger viewers made it a phenomenon.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows makes sense, it has a strong fan base.  Inception was the quality blockbuster last year.  The Social Network also had youth appeal.  Eclipse is no means shocking, but it is terrible.

Should Win: Inception or The Social Network

Will Win: Eclipse (barf)

Best Female Performance

Emma Stone, Easy A

Emma Watson, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Jennifer Aniston, Just Go With It

Kristen Stewart, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Natalie Portman, Black Swan

I hope Portman or Watson win this award, but odds are people are going to go gaga again for the most pathetic excuse of a girl trying to pretend she cares Kristen Stewart.  Anniston being here is an even bigger joke, but they always reward one winter film.  Watson is great as Hermione and has grown into her acting.

Should Win: Portman or Stone

Will Win: Stewart

Best Male Performance

Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network

Robert Pattinson, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Taylor Lautner, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Zac Efron, Charlie St. Cloud

Ok I love Zac Effron he is hot, but that movie was bad and no one saw it.  Pattinson and Lautner are there for cute factor too.  The other two men are actually talented.  I think this is the youngest group of nominees I have seen in this category.

Should Win: Eisenberg
Will Win: Pattinson or Radcliffe

Best Breakout Star

Andrew Garfield, The Social Network

Chloë Grace Moretz, Kick-Ass

Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit

Jay Chou, The Green Hornet

Olivia Wilde, TRON: Legacy

Xavier Samuel, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

This category to me is more about finding a breakout role, and all of these people are great breakout stars for their roles (except Xavier Samuel).

Should Win: Steinfeld, Moretz, Garfield
Will Win: Eclipse could pull this in for a sweep, but I say Garfield

Best Comedic Performance

Adam Sandler, Just Go With It

Ashton Kutcher, No Strings Attached

Emma Stone, Easy A

Russell Brand, Get Him to the Greek

Zach Galifianakis, Due Date

Kutcher isn't funny in No Strings Attached, and Sandler isn't funny anymore.  They always have a girl and Stone deserves to be here, as does Russel Brand.

Should Win: Stone or Brand
Will Win: Stone or Brand

Best Line From A Movie (New Category)
Alexys Nycole Sanchez, Grown Ups: "I want to get chocolate wasted."
Amanda Bynes and Emma Stone, Easy A: Amanda Bynes: "There is a higher power that will judge you for your indecency." Emma Stone: "Tom Cruise?"
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network: "If you guys were the inventors of Facebook, you'd have invented Facebook."
Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield, The Social Network: Justin Timberlake: "… A million dollars isn't cool. You know what's cool?" Andrew Garfield: "A billion dollars. And that shut everybody up."
Tom Hardy, Inception: "You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger darling."

Stupid new category, but good lines-Easy A or Grown Ups will win

Best Villain
Christoph Waltz, The Green Hornet
Leighton Meester, The Roommate
Mickey Rourke, Iron Man 2
Ned Beatty, Toy Story 3
Tom Felton, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Felton is barely in Harry Potter, why don't they nominate Fiennes?  Meister for that terrible movie really?  Felton may win again, won last year.

Best Fight
Amy Adams vs. The Sisters, The Fighter
Chloë Grace Moretz vs. Mark Strong, Kick-Ass
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint vs. Death Eaters, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Joseph Gordon-Levitt vs. Hallway Attacker, Inception
Robert Pattinson vs. Bryce Dallas Howard and Xavier Samuel, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Part of me wants the Amy Adams fight to win, but I will say Inception deserves that honor.

Best Kiss
Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Inception
Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, Black Swan

The young kids do like their girl on girl kissing, but I think they will honor what they wanted to see all along Radcliffe and Watson lock lips.

Here are the rest of the nominations:

Best Jaw-Dropping Moment
James Franco, 127 Hours, Cuts Off His Arm
Justin Bieber, " Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, Performance Spectacular
Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page, Inception, Paris Café Scene
Natalie Portman, Black Swan, Mutilation: Pulls the Skin off Her Finger

Steve-O, Jackass 3D, Port-A-Potty Bungee Stunt

Best Scared-As-Sh– Performance

Ashley Bell, The Last Exorcism

Ellen Page, Inception

Jessica Szohr, Piranha 3D

Minka Kelly, The Roommate

Ryan Reynolds, Buried

Biggest Badass Star

Alex Pettyfer, I Am Number Four

Chloë Grace Moretz, Kick-Ass

Jaden Smith, The Karate Kid

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Inception

Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man 2

I get it! The MTV Movie Awards are more about fun, and sometimes fun is rewarding movies that everyone gets to see, or that people enjoy because they actually enjoy them, but I just can't get behind the Twilight films, and the obsession girls have with them.  The acting is terrible, and Robert Pattinson can't seem to draw in a crowd for any other film.  I know it seems like I am biased against Eclipse, but this is just not great film making.  Even with better directors the material just speaks for itself.

Patriotic Films: Osama is Dead, bring on the Red, White, and Blue

Yesterday was a historical day, and many Americans are celebrating the death of the man who plotted the attack on the the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11th.  I heard screams of joy, and cheers like when I hear someone yell when their favorite sports team has won a national championship.  There are some great films that celebrate patriotic moments that did (or did not) happen.  Moments in film where it makes you proud to be an American.  Today we all feel a sense or pride that this moment has come.  There is also a sense of urgency because just as the movies have taught us when you cut off the head of one beast three heads may spring up.  Today I am going to celebrate and talk about movies that make me proud to be an American.

Forrest Gump (1994) The What America is all about Film- The heart of this film is a man who spends his whole life experiencing the different events in American history, from Elvis to Vietnam to AIDS.  Forrest literally runs across the country to find meaning in his own life when rejected by Jenny.  Robert Zemeckis (director) told the story of the evolution of the last half of the 20th Century, and did so from every angle.  Within this film we see the conservative points of view, radicals, and this represents every aspect of how America struggled, and through one man (Gump) there is hope that success is possible.

Saving Private Ryan (1998) American Heroes- Wow, Tom Hanks again.  In the first twenty minutes of the film we get to see the invasion of Normandy and the sacrifice that men went through to die for their country.  The mission in this film is to find one man, and bring him home to his family, because all of his other brothers were killed in battle.  Spielberg does a great job of crafting a tale that highlights the extreme sacrifice that comes from war, and the power of wanting to triumph for a worthy cause.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) The Everyman-A naive politician Jefferson Smith (Jimmy Stewart) is appointed to a junior Senator seat by a corrupt governor.  The director of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington captures the spirit of "America" better than any director; his hope idealism, and persuit of the American dreamis paved with "the everyman" being prevented from possibly being the most happy man (with power-like in It's a Wonderful Life) but the the hero learn more about themself and the system.  In this story Smith is seen as seen as naive but can also be viewed as the great hope for politics; he fights the system and represents the idealist in a system full of corruption.  In today's world a politician like this is rare, but when they come along they make me proud to be an American.  The scene below represents just how iconic this film was.