(New to DVD) MOVIE REVIEW: Sex Drive

I assure you this is not a porno.



But what it is however, is one of the funniest, most underrated comedies of last year for sure. I’ve seen this film twice already in the theaters, have recommended it to all my friends, and will probably go out and buy it on DVD to watch over and over as well.


I just cannot get enough of this cleverly written and humorously acted story about a high-school graduate named Ian (played by Josh Zuckerman), who desperately wants to lose his virginity to a random girl he meets online, but has to drive cross-country to meet her for his night of passion. Coming along for the ride are his best buds, Felicia and Lance (played by Amanda Crew and Clark Duke).

Of course, the trio encounters various obstacles and events along the way, such as an Amish Rumspringa party with Seth Green playing one of the “plain folk” not to mention Ian’s older asshole brother (played by James Marsden) who also gives him shit just for being alive.

All of the actors do a knock up job in their roles and you can clearly see that they had fun playing them. Especially Marsden.

Yet the biggest surprise I thought, was the character played by the fine young actor, Clark Duke. This guy plays his role so naturally that I was convinced he was in fact Lance in real life! Be on the lookout for this guy in future roles. I can totally see his career taking off like crazy at some point soon. So if you’re reading this Mr. Duke, bravo sir!

So I’ll stop raving about this flick and giving too much away. Just go see it with some friends who might enjoy this type of film. Yes it’s raunchy. Yes it’s crazy. Yes it’s insane. But it’s a hilarious trip you surely won’t forget. Especially if it’s your first time…watching it.

...Read more

(New to DVD) MOVIE REVIEW: Zack & Miri Make A Porno

The best porno I have ever seen.



Being a big fan of writer/director Kevin Smith, I had high expectations going to see this film when it was still in the theaters.

Now granted, this is the director who has pushed the envelope quite a bit when it comes to raunchy comedies, so I expected no less. Especially since the title pretty much sums up what one would expect when hopping into bed with this one.


And what was delivered was just that, but with the added bonus of a sweet romantic comedy underneath the covers–much to my surprise.

But first, let’s get to the main reason you’ll want to see this, the comedy part. Which of course, relies heavily upon such a talented pool of actors that you may or may not be familiar with.

Now I don’t care for Seth Rogan all that much, but seeing the character he played left me highly impressed. He was miraculously funny and charming at the same time. Little instances, such as when his character exits a scene quickly, are a perfect example of the endearing quality I’m referring to.

Yet what really makes this film hilarious is the support lent to Rogan from everybody else. I was just as surprised to see how much freedom was given to these actors (Craig Robinson, Jeff Anderson, Justin Long, just to name a few) to just run with their parts and let it all hang out…quite literally when it came to Jason Mewes cameo. This is what simply makes the chemistry all work between them I think.

There is also one pivotal scene between Rogan and the female lead (played by Elizabeth Banks) when she starts to get jealous of him being led astray by Katie Morgan (who’s a real-life porn star if you didn’t know already) while in the midst of their apartment party/celebration.

This scene is one that is directed absolutely beautifully. It truly captures the heart of the main plot point, not the making a porno part, but the notion of trying to separate sex from love from friendship and then realizing that they are all tightly intertwined and inseparable somehow.

So, all in all, go see this movie for the absurdity of the humor, but don’t just focus on that. Try to absorb the underlying parts that truly make this one of Kevin Smith’s best films outside of the View Askewniverse.

It will leave you with a happy ending no doubt.

...Read more

(New to DVD) MOVIE REVIEW: Vicky Cristina Barcelona

A ménage à trois of absurdity.



The only reason to go see this film (if there is one) is to see Penélope Cruz and the amazing performance she gives. Everyone else is crap. Yes, even the beloved Scarlett Johansson is crap in this toilet as well.


I thought this film was sorely overrated. Not worth seeing in the least; not even for Scar-Jo making out with Penelope Cruz for cryin' out loud. There were too many weak characters in this one for me to feel attached to any of them. Who are we to root for? The girls? Javier? It seemed like the only point to this movie was to see how many chicks Javier Bardem could get with.

If anything, this movie just helps me come to realize that Woody Allen is clearly not for me nor will he ever be unless you like the kind of movie that bores you with character flaws and monotonous dialogue. They say that the old Woody Allen is much better than the new stuff he's been doing lately, but I wouldn't know, since it's only the new stuff that I've been subjected to.

In fact, I was subjected enough to this film, that yes...I walked out on it.

Heck, I even tried going back into the showing when it was in theaters, just to give it another chance. (Mainly because the film I tried substituting this with sucked just as much for me to leave that as well). But my original decision was further vindicated as this movie was clearly going no where in terms of any direction.

Adios amigos!

...Read more

MOVIE REVIEW: Paul Blart: Mall Cop

Nobody wins in this film.



I expected much more from this film...especially since Kevin James co-wrote it. His acting in the movie is quality, but the script he's given leaves him with about as much fun as playing with soggy cereal.

Overall, the story is weak. There's a lot of opportunity for some hilarious comedy in a majority of the scenes, and yet it's never taken advantage of it. The punchlines (or lack thereof) just come across as mediocre.

Although there are a few memorable quotes such as "nobody wins in a head butt" but that's really it.

Also, would someone please explain to me why master criminals who are trained to kill feel the need to ride around on little kid bikes and skateboards in order to pursue a fat man going about 10 mph on a Segway? Couldn't you just take away the Segway and chase him on foot perhaps??

*sigh*

...Read more

(Advance) MOVIE REVIEW: Valkyrie

Red's for the holidays...and Nazis.



Do yourself a favor. DO NOT read up on the true story before you go see the film. Not knowing the outcome will keep you even more glued to your seat like I was.

In short, Valkyrie is intense!

The whole idea behind the operation is an extremely gripping series of events that take place from within the Nazi regime and thus lend an insightful eye into how the army was structured at the time.

Now I'm not much of a WWII buff, but it was pretty fascinating to get to see how such a superpower could be so strong yet so vulnerable at the same time.

And who knew that these events surrounding Operation Valkyrie would actually end up taking place?? I mean, that alone still blows my mind!

It's a shame that we don't actually hear more about the events that transpired in our basic learning of the war in school and whatnot. I suppose that if it had turned out differently, we would have, but I don't want to elaborate too much on the premise here and spoil it for the rest of you ignorant ones ;)

All I'll say is that the act of eliminating Hitler is only the beginning...

The film centers around the character of Col. Stauffenberg (played by Tom Cruise) who, as you know, is the big cheese assigned to the task of making sure the mission goes through according to plan.

And Cruise does an amazing job I must say. But then again, I've always enjoyed his acting so I might be a bit partial. He may have had his own personal beliefs that got all wrapped up in controversy when they made this movie, but there's no denying the fact that the man can act.

That being said, he had me at hello once again.

But there's a great supporting cast who hold up their own as well. Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, and even Eddie Izzard (yay!) all fill their roles rather well to create a film that's worth the money to see. Even if it is released on Christmas. Don't really understand the marketing behind that one, but oh well. Red's for the holidays...and Nazis.

...Read more

MOVIE REVIEW: Four Christmases

Four Christmases I don't wanna spend time with!



Mediocre is the best way to sum it up. Not bad per say, but just not great.

It was like getting socks when you're expecting an Xbox on Christmas. Based on the looks of the trailer, I was expecting much more. It was like they kept building the jokes up and up and then letting the bottom fall out at the punchline.

Now I'm not that big of a Vince Vaughn fan (or Reese Witherspoon for that matter), but I could appreciate their style in this film...IF they had something to work with.

And better on-screen chemistry at that.

Too bad the script had Vaughn saying so much that I would've been much happier to see him simply shut the hell up. Now I know, this is the character he plays in most of his movies; the one who keeps talking and talking, and though quite talented, he's not a lead actor by any means. Yet in this film, he's given that responsibility which I don't see why, given that Witherspoon is much better equipped for this.

But okay, I went with it. And I was disappointed. Okay, I could see Witherspoon taking the reins with the romantic play, but instead Vaughn plays the semi-romantic one here.

I say "semi" romantic because there is a perfect example at the end of why he doesn't work in this role. Right at the defining point of the movie. The potential Jerry Maguire "you complete me" scene. Talk about letting what could've been a classic get cuddly w/your honey type moment go stale~sheesh!

But to add insult to injury, there's a scene that involves a pregnancy test gone sour...or bitter, depending upon what urine tastes like (i.e. a kid steals the test in a game of "keep away" with Witherspoon which eventually winds up IN the child's mouth).

Aaaaand at this point, I was convinced that the movie was definitely NOT what I asked for this christmas. I hope Santa kept the receipt on those socks.

...Read more

MOVIE REVIEW: Burn After Reading

Like lukewarm soup...



Surprisingly, I didn't like this film as much as I thought I would.

The acting is superb however, with Brad Pitt and John Malkovich clearly stealing the show. George Clooney was good, but I don't really care for him as much as a "bad guy" which one could argue he was in this movie.

But aside from the acting, the story (though a great concept) just lags behind the performances of this all-star cast. I mainly blame this on part of the directing, as the pace of the film just seems to drag on incredibly S-L-O-W.

At times, I was thinking, okay, this is going to pick up sooner or later, but it just really doesn't. I think the previews make this film out to be a faster-paced flick than it really is...and a much funnier film at that.

I mean, sure there were clever lines here and there (and great dialogue too) but it wasn't nearly as funny as I thought it could be. Some of the scenes are actually quite sad.

So all in all, I guess I was anticipating a different film than what I received. Not a bad film, just not a great film like previous Coen brothers dark comedies such (i.e. "The Big Lebowski" and "Intolerable Cruelty").

It was kind of like eating lukewarm soup. You get the taste you were expecting, just not at the right temperature.
...Read more