Funny People

Let's just list the movies that Judd Apatow has either written, directed or produced, and you'll know why I was excited to see this movie. The movies are: Anchorman, The 40 Year-Old virgin, Talladega Nights, Knocked Up, Superbad, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Drillbit Taylor, Pineapple Express, Step Brothers, and the announced Forgetting Sarah Marshall sequel: Get Him to the Greek. Yeah. Speaks for itself, doesn't it?

The story behind Funny People is different from any other film that Apatow has made. There is actually a credible and serious conflict in the story. The film is about the world of stand up comedy, mainly centered around comic icon George Simmons, played by Adam Sandler. We learn early into the film that he has a rare blood disease, a form of leukemia if you will. The disease is much too advanced to start things such as chemo or other techniques, so it's just a matter of time before George Simmons dies. He then asks a fellow comic, Ira Wright (Seth Rogen) to begin to write jokes for him. Writing all his own material would be way too much for Simmons to handle while battling his disease, so that's why he basically hires a lifetime opening act in Ira to be his assistant. Here's something I have not done in a review and I don't plan on donig again, but I'm going to cut the summary short here. Having really enjoyed this film, I don't want to keep rambling on and then end up needing to say something that may spoil the experience for anyone that goes and sees this movie.

This film was 140 minutes long, but to me it didn't feel like it was a minute stretched out at all. The thing that separates this film from all the other Apatow creations is that it's a movie about funny people, not a movie with funny people. By that I simply mean that the jokes didn't seem scripted at all. It's ironic to me because that's all stand up comedy is is scripted jokes. This film also contains a really good story amidst all the vulgar comedy. There actually is something to follow along with besides waiting for next laugh out loud moment. Don't get me wrong there still are a ton of those moments, it's just now there's something in between that to keep you interested. With what I feel are the best performances by Sandler and Rogen to date, I have no problem naming this the best Judd Apatow film by far.

Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars In wide release right now. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24VVnvrjI8w

tRowe's 2 cents: "Definitely a drama about funny people and not a comedy with funny people. This film has surprisingly more depth than all previous Apatow productions. Worth seeing in theaters. 3 of 4 stars."

G-Force

There is a fine line in a comedy movie that can seperate the good and the bad. This line extends to the animated film as well, not just the typical movie that we see. The line is basically defined by the humor that we experience in the movie. In the animated movie, for example, we see good humor in a movie like Wall-E. It's very simple, it's genuine, and there isn't any gross-out or teenage humor in it. However, in a movie like G-Force the comedy seems to be centered around childish humor, which ultimately leads it to be the first negative review on this site.

The movie is about a team of secret agent animals voiced by the likes of Nicholas Cage, Penelope Cruz, Tracy Morgan, and Sam Rockwell. They are led by their human boss, Ben (played by Zach Galifianakis). The night before a big federal budget review, the crew heads to Leonard Saber's house. Saber has been under investigation by the FBI for years because they believe he is working up a horrible scheme that is set to occur in a little over 24 hours. They get the information they need, but the next day during the review when they try to convince the federal agents that they have this information, all the files that they recieved are about home electronic appliances, thus leading the team to be shut down and all the team to be seized. With the help of their human allies, the team manages to escape, but the escape falls short and they all end up in a local pet shop. Now the team has to manage to get back together again so they can stop the sinister plot that they all know is about to take place.

This movie had a little bit of a promise to be good, but in reality, it sucked. It really did. The humor in it was a little too childish to be funny. One guinea pig was playing DDR and the other one would be posting something on their facebook page. It just didn't make sense. I know that this is completely geared towards the kids but i felt like the makers of this movie were selling themselves short by making the humor this way. Overall, just a very disappointing movie.

Rating: 1.5 out of 4 stars. In theatres everywhere
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1-cK5P4EDE

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Public Enemies

Public Enemies makes Wisconsin's most recent Hollywood connection. With a solid cast of Johnny Depp and Christian Bale (filmed before the monumental freak-out, heard here), Public Enemies chapters the fearless antics of gangster John Dillinger.

Enemies takes you through his prison escape, his murders, his gunfights, all the way to his inevitable demise. Depp is again proving himself as one of the most versatile actors of today, although admittedly I kept trying to image Captain Jack Sparrow to be cruising around in a Model T while flashing a Tommy Gun. As far as anyone can tell, the film remains historically accurate. It is exciting and intriguing, especially for a Wisconsin native seeing this history play out years before I was even a thought.

Public Enemies is a well directed movie with solid acting. It does approach the verge of being lengthy but the credits will roll before you find yourself begging to see them. Its a good movie with historical value, and enough action to make the 183 minute run-time, time decently spent.

To see the trailer click here.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars.

I Love You, Man

This marks the first review for a movie that isn't in theatres, but is actually close to coming out on DVD.

I love you, man is about Peter Klaven (played by Paul Rudd) trying to find a best man for his upcoming wedding. The reason for the search is explained in the beginning of the movie, and that reason is that Peter had always gotten along better with women, and all his male friends had faded away. He gets set up on 'man-dates' by his mother and his gay brother, played by Andy Samberg. The first few dates are so uncomfortable, with one date ending up with a long, uncomfortable kiss.

Peter, a real estate agent is then shown having an open house. This is where he meets the interesting Sydney Fife (played by Jason Segel, the star of Forgetting Sarah Marshall). These two both take a liking to each other, and they start going out on a few man-dates. They slowly begin to form a bond, but not before a few incredibly awkward exchanges between the two. They really start to bond furthermore, and then it eventually comes down to Peter to choose between his developing bromance with Sydney, or his future with his fiancee Zoey (Rasheeda Jones).

This movie was a big hit for me. I really enjoy the awkward exchange, and there are plenty in this one. Some viewers may be tired of the same old comedy, but I really think that this film is entirely different from the rest because of the bromance relationship. I really feel that if this was another guy-going-for-the-girl type movie, then it wouldn't have done as well. Overall, a very pleasant and funny move.

Rating: 3 out of 4 stars Out on DVD on 8/11 or on www.watch-movies-links.net

reviews to come

Hey guys as you know where just getting started so it may be a little while before we get tons of reviews up and ready to read. but here are some of the movie reviews that you will start to see in the next week or two:

The Hurt Locker, Funny People, G-Force, The Ugly Truth, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Public Enemies, Up, I Love You Man, The Soloist, Adventureland, and many more!

The Hangover

This is my first review on filmCube, so cut me a break. I thought I'd break the seal with any easy one, the comedy of the summer-- The Hangover.

Finally, a movie that can make me laugh out loud, repeatedly. After being spoiled with Crashers, Virgin, Superbad, Knocked Up, etc. Hollywood has been cranking out mediocre comedy by mediocre comedy over the past few years, a la Paul Blart. But with the Hangover, you can finally get some original laughs and get them in great quantity.

Its a story of a bachelor party gone horribly wrong and a bold attempt to clean up the aftermath with getting to the least amount of trouble. The party list is made up of Bradley Cooper (Wedding Crashers, Jennifer Anniston), Ed Helms (The Office), Justin Bartha (National Treasure), and Zac Galifianakis (of stand-up fame). Galifianakis steals the show with his dumb demeanor and his oblivious nature, and his character makes this film a blast to watch. With many Vegas-esque antics and some surprising cameos, its quite the ride to watch this band of bros go through hell in the desert and come out unscathed with one bond-creating story.

Go see this movie. You will laugh, you may feel immature, or grossed out but you will laugh.

Rating: Artistic: N/A..........Entertainment: 5/5

The Hangover can be seen in wide release at a theater near you.

Trailer: <http://www.imdb.com/rg/video-search/slate-image/video/imdb/vi2340749849/>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEp3NKG2U5U

I forgot the trailer for away we go. so here it is. it's actually in the title of the blog beause it doesn't post down here

Away We Go

The independent film base has really hit the public eye ever since Juno came out in 2007. The majority of them have been very successful, and this most recent one, Away We Go, isn't any different.

There is certainly nothing flashy about this movie starring John Krasinski (familiar for his role of Jim in the office) and Maya Rudolph (famous for her characters on Saturday Night Live). You certainly get the indie film feel right from the beginning shot. The story follows a young couple as they make a decision on where to raise their baby who is a few months away from joining their family. The reason they have to decide where to raise it is because Burt's (Krasinski) parents decide to move to Belgium for two years. After questioning where they are in life, the couple decides to head to a handful of cities to search out the 'perfect' place to raise their kid. For the rest of the movie we follow them on their trip, as they come across Burt's brother and sister, the sister being an attempt at the hippie, save the earth kind of stereotype. Really wasnt that funny to me. They also meet up with Verona's sister and her old boss, who is possibly one of the most annoying and unfunny characters I've seen in a while.

Despite all the craziness around them and all the events changing against their favor, the only thing that stays constant is the relationship between the two leads. These two are genuinely in love, and that's what keeps them together. Things clearly aren't looking bright for them, but as long as they stick by each others' side, they don't care what the future holds for them. Overall, a very solid movie. A little slow and the supporting cast was a little exaggerated, but a must see if you have liked the Juno-style movies of the past.

Rating: 3 out of 4 stars. Playing in select theatres

500 Days of Summer

First review on the new site! Pretty awesome.

I had been noticing recently that modern day romantic comedies are all the same. They all share the characterisitc of being painfully predictable. I don't know how you can enjoy a movie where you are almost certain as to what the outcome will be. This summer's rom-com releases weren't much different with The Proposal, I love you Beth Cooper, and The Ugly Truth. However, there has finally been a romantic comedy done right.

500 Days of Summer isn't your typical three-act movie. It is totally non-linear in telling the story and you have to appreciate the risk the director is taking when you decide to tell a story in such a way. The movie tells the story of Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Zooey Deschanel), and their experience of each other over a span of 500 days. The cool thing about the story is that it doesn't start us out on day 1 when they first meet, but instead in the middle of their time together. It never allows the viewer to really know what part of the story is coming next. Another very good part of this movie is the performances themselves. Gordon-Levitt shows his acting chops by being completely ecstatic one minute and then in the opening and shutting of an elevator door is completely miserable. Deschanel gives probably her best performance to date, playing the girl not looking for anything serious, not really believing in true love. These actors fit perfectly into their roles. This movie could very well have been a flop if A-list actors took the leads because they may have tried to do it up. That's not what this movie is about. The trailer says that this movie isn't your typical love story. If you have those big time names, then maybe you lose some of the genuine emotion shown by the leads.

This movie does not have one of those "hollywood" or happy endings. There is a very good reason as to why it's not included. Because that's not what real life usually ends up becoming. There is very much an honesty to this film. And honestly, there may not be a better romantic comedy for years to come. Rating: 4 out of 4. Playing in select theatres

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsD0NpFSADM. trailer

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