courtesy IMDB.com

I Love You, Man

Directed by: John Hamburg

Starring: Paul Rudd, Jason Segal, Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, J.K. Simmons, Jon Favreau

I Love You, Man is a comedy that sits in the vein of the Apatow dynasty (Knocked Up, Superbad, 40-Year Old Virgin) yet has a fresh feel to it. Paul Rudd plays Peter Klavin, a newly engaged real estate agent who realizes he has no male friends. Paul Rudd shines in this film as the lovable but awkward Klavin who embodies that nervousness everyone gets when meeting new people. Usually Rudd plays on his sarcasm to get laughs but he proved he has some other aces up his sleeve.

To compliment Rudd in this film, director John Hamburg hit the jackpot with casting Jason Segal as Sydney Fife, the investment analyst that befriends Klaven in the film. Segal’s character is crazy and blunt but endearing through out. Segal proved that he deserves more starring roles in the future.

Jason Segal and Paul Rudd in I Love You, Man

What I liked best about this movie was that the main characters were good and the minor characters were amazing. They weren’t scenery for the main characters to bounce jokes off; they all had specific character traits that may viewers love them immediately. From Klaven’s gay brother (Andy Samberg) who is trying to date straight men to the irrate asshole Barry (Jon Favreau) to Lou Ferrigno (Lou Ferrigno), the film is jammed with hilarious and off-the-wall characters.

Definately go see this film because it’s exhibiting a lot of the best comedic talent that Hollywood has to offer right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if half the cast makes it big in the next five years.

Andy Samberg and J.K. Simmons in I Love You, Man

RATED: 5 out of 5 wicked awesomes

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Paul Rudd and Jason Segal are the creme of comedic crop, Rush is awesome, teaches the importance of having a “man-cave”

Long time, no see. Sorry about the lack of posts. I haven’t had time to go see any movies due to my school responsibilities and being such a poor bastard. I did see I Love You, Man recently and you should definately check the review out. Also added video links for all the movies I have reviewed so far.

Peace in the Middle East,

-Brock

WATCHMEN

courtesy of IMDB.com

Directed by: Zack Snyder

Starring: Malin Akkerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan

I did it. I went to the midnight screening of Watchmen. The wait is finally over and it was worth, at least for me.

Let me not get ahead of myself here. I will hold my inner-fanboy at bay for the remainder of the review. So let me set the scene for Watchmen. The plot revolves around the life and times of six superheros: The Comedian, Dr. Manhattan, Ozymandias, Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, and Rorshach. They were a superhero team that was forced into early retirement due to pressure from the government and their own personal egos. They are flung back into the world of superhero-dom when the Comedian is brutally murdered in his apartment and conspiracy-theorist Rorshach believes someone is out to kill them all.

So the first thing viewers will notice about the film is that it is quite long. I think that is what will deter most from enjoying the film. Though I found that Zach Snyder knew when to throw in a point of action where the plot starts to lag, I can see how some might be strained by the movie length. The second issue with the film that viewers may dislike is the amount of information. I don’t think the average viewer has to read the graphic novel before hand because Snyder practically cut and pasted the comic panels onto the screen. I think the story might be lost in the amount of information that is delivered. It explains the length of the movie: Snyder has to deliver six rationales for why the characters act the way they do in two and a half hours.

To sum it up, Watchmen‘s success will depend on a cult following. And the fanboys. Like me.

Jackie Earle Hailey as Rorshach

For the characters, Snyder hit a gold mine. Jackie Earle Haley as the vigilante Rorshach will quickly win the hearts of the viewer and take his place beside Batman. He is basically the poor man’s Batman. He trusts no one, he prefers working on his own, he feels more comfortable in costume than out, and he feels he is the only one who can clean up the street. He’s an “any means necessary” kind of guy and I think most will love him over the other characters. Haley portrays the character as if he had actually come from the pages of the comic. Hands down, best performance. The other actors follow suit along with Haley. I often had to remember I was watching the film and not reading the comic.

It’s hard for me to properly review this film because I carry a huge bias having read the source material. I think this movie should be respected because it almost perfect to the comic. They are few if any changes (except for the ending but that’s a story for another day). I think that this movie will become more of a success as a post-theatrical release. It will receive more fans in DVD format to allow for pausing. I also think the inevitable Director’s Cut extended edition will be hailed as a masterpiece.

So, go watch Watchmen but mentally prepare yourself. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill popcorn action flick.

RATING: 5 out of 5 wicked awesomes

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Haley as Rorshach, comic book history, there’s more to superheroes than tights and alter egos

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Studios

Directed by: Zack Snyder

Starring: Malin Ackerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Okay, so this isn’t a review, mostly because I haven’t seen the film. I figured I could get away with it though because i ahve been waiting for this move for at least a year now. I’m actually doing a documentary on comics in the media with a large focus on the release of Watchmen, so I have been constantly thinking about the film. I try not to let my inner-fanboy come out but I think this movie deserves as much attention as possible.

To start it off, this film is adapted from the 1980s comic written by Alan Moore and drawn by Dave Gibbons. To sum it up, Watchmen is the comic book. Because of this book, comics changed forever. For you non-comic book fans, Watchmen is to comics as the Ipod is to listening to music. It was a revolution in its one right. But I digress.

From what I’ve seen in the trailers, the movie looks visually amazing. Zack Snyder and his crew seem to set on making this film look as similar to the source material as possible. I think this may have the affect of The Dark Knight, if not box office wise, then definately in respect as a solid movie.

I think where the movie will fail is that most viewers won’t have read the graphic novel. Some people might get lost in the info overload that is Moore’s storytelling. I think it might not be understood initially by the average viewer but I think after multiple views and cult following, Watchmen will become an instant classic.

Check out the trailer here.

So, the show was actually enjoyable this year. I usually get bored within the first hour of award shows but i must say that this year’s show kept my attention for the whole four hours. I mean, there is only so much you can do with an award show to make it watchable throughout. It is still insane that it has to last four hours but I guess there is no happy medium.

First off, Hugh Jackman was an excellant host which was very surprising. There was a lot of buzz prior to award night that he was going to flop since he was a comedian (the traditional type of personality meant for hosting the Oscar’s). But he delivered everytime. Of course, I’m sure he had a whole team of comedy writers behind him pulling the strings, but who cares. His opening sequence was awesome and real (especially when he warbled that he hadn’t seen The Reader to Kate Winslet). I liked his hosting because I believed what he was saying was more or less the truth. Or maybe I’m just being naive because I’m a Jackman/Wolverine fan.

Moving along in that thought process, I found that there was a lot of playful fun-poking going on. I loved Steve Martin and Tina Fey’s bit when they presented the screenplay and writing awards and i howled when they blasted Scientology. I would have loved to see the actor/scientologists squirm in their seats for that joke. Ben Stiller, who has sort of fallen out of the comedic spotlight in my opinion, was awesome as slam at Joaquin Phoenix as a bearded weirdo. I started to question how Hollywood would take this ribbing. I liked it a lot because I find sometimes Hollywood likes to stroke its own ego and the Oscars are usually a platform for that.

I thought the five person presenters they had for both supporting and lead roles for both actors and actresses. It was kind of neat to relive some of Oscar’s past and have each presenter speak personally about each nominee. Also the montages they did for animated, comedy, etc of 2008 were really cool. I thought it was a nice way to give movies that don’t normally get nominations some much deserved screen time.

My one big gripe was the red carpet special before the show. Okay, I get the Oscars is just as much about fashion that is about awarding excellence in film. But honestly, can’t the get some reporters that know how to have real conversations. I can cope with the banter about designers but when you get a douche (i know that sounds mean but he deserves it) like Tim Gunn (from Project Runway) who asks assanine questions like, “Hey, Amy Adams, are you worried about winning supporting actress since you were a nun who couldn’t show skin against Marisa Tomei who showed everything but her cousin Vinny?” I almost stopped watching at that point. I would expect that kind of question from some new young (and probably blond) fashion correspondent but this guy portrays him as a proffesional. I mean, seriously. The best part was when some other fashion ding-dong correspondent was talking to Jack Black. When he gets fuddled by Black’s simple question of how he was doing, Black went out to berrate him for trying to find a bigger movie star that will pander to his inane questioning of “Don’t you think the Slumdog kids are cuuuuuuuuute???”

Which brings me to my final thought on the Oscars: Slumdog Millionaire. I was so happy that it won eight Oscars. It truly deserved everything it won. I think about half way through the show, I became so tired of hearing Benjamin Button. Nothing against Brad Pitt or Cate Blanchett. The film was really good but it has won enough awards and made its money. It wasn’t even that original. I feel that of all the other award shows, the Oscars should be the one to truly award film excellence.

check out these links for some of the best parts of the show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPgAQ_SW_Wk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On6NynkDTzc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On6NynkDTzc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On6NynkDTzc&feature=related

Posted in ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Tagged: 81st Annual Academy Awards, hugh jackman, Oscar's, red carpet, results, Slumdog Millionaire ]]> http://slackersreview.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/oscars-the-day-after/feed/ 0 bfsmeenk jackman stiller martinfey slumdog http://slackersreview.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/tardy-to-the-party/ http://slackersreview.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/tardy-to-the-party/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:08:36 +0000 bfsmeenk http://slackersreview.wordpress.com/?p=111 ]]> Hey:

It’s Brock, here to say I’m sorry for the overdue update for the site. It’s been a busy few weeks. Today I will put up my reactions to the Oscars (I know a little late but i got to put in my two cents), the winners, and my preview for the much anticipated (at least by me) Watchmen movie.

I realized that I have whole sections that haven’t been used on this site. I promise I will fill them with reviews and other cool stuff very soon.

Later and go see WATCHMEN!

-BROCK

These guys want to know who's taking them home...

So tomorrow is the big night! The Academy Awards will be live on ABC at 8PM and I’m sure it will quite the show. Hosted by Hugh Jackman this year the award show will showcase the best acting and filmmaking skills of the past year. The Academy will honour actor, director, writer, producer Jerry Lewis with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

My picks for this year’s major awards pretty well revolve around The Wrestler, The Dark Knight, and Slumdog Millionaire. I chose these films primarily because they are the films I enjoyed the most and will probably view several times in the future. That may sound kind of one-sided but I find films are judged on that principle.

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

For this category, I am torn between Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) and Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon). Like I’ve said, I loved The Wrestler but Langella’s acting in Frost/Nixon was also noteworthy. I think I’m conflicted because both characters were believable and the two actors actually took on new personas in the films. I think Langella deserves a chance at winning because I don’t think he’r been given enough attention as an actor. When he became Nixon he transfromed himself so fully that you almost don’t recognize that it is him. On the same note, Rourke is being acclaimed by every critic as returning to the spotlight after his portrayal in The Wrestler.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Well, I would like to see Heath Ledger win for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight but I feel people might take this nomination comes only due to his death. I find that hugely unfair because as an avid comic book fan, I think Ledger got his role completely correct. If I were basing this nomination on the actor’s skill to act crazy, then Michael Shannon needs to be considered as well. His role in Revolutionary Road required him to act as an institutionalized man. I thought his part is pivtoal becuase he was the mouthpiece the film’s screen writer.

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

I have to go with Kate Winslet in The Reader on this one. I found her quite captivating in the film because she has to portray so many characters: a young and old woman, a lover with a secret, and a woman who was present during a great travesty. Plus, she was naked for like the first half of the movie. She had better get something for exposing herself like that. I didn’t see Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married but I have heard good things. I also think it would be nice to see her beat out big actors like Angelina Jolie and Meryl Streep.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

For this category, I want to see an actress that hasn’t been in the spotlight to win. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’s Taraji P. Henson and Doubt’s Viola Davis are just such actresses. If I had to choose one right now, I would have to go with Henson since she has more screen time in her film then Davis has in Doubt. Of course, they have to contend with media darling Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler.

BEST PICTURE

I’m going with Slumdog Millionaire on this one because it didn’t get a lot of nominations in the major categories. It is also an excellent and unique film. I think it will make people rethink how they look at the world outside of their own country. It would be awesome to Dark Knight win but I think that would be difficult when it’s up against Benjamin Button, Changling, and The Reader.

BEST DIRECTING

I will also go with Slumdog on this category also. I think it has a good chance because Danny Boyle made a really interesting movie. It is as unique visually as it is in storytelling. It’s a nice symbiosis of east and west.

So those are my choices for the main categories of this year’s Academy Awards. I think that Wall-E will win a lot of awards and the same for Benjamin Button.

Richard Jenkins
THE VISITOR

Frank Langella
FROST/NIXON

Sean Penn
MILK

Brad Pitt
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Mickey Rourke
THE WRESTLER
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Josh Brolin
MILK

Robert Downey Jr.
TROPIC THUNDER

Philip Seymour Hoffman
DOUBT

Heath Ledger
THE DARK KNIGHT

Michael Shannon
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Anne Hathaway
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

Angelina Jolie
CHANGELING

Melissa Leo

FROZEN RIVER

Meryl Streep
DOUBT

Kate Winslet
THE READER
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Amy Adams
DOUBT

Penélope Cruz
VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA

Viola Davis
DOUBT

Taraji P. Henson
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Marisa Tomei
THE WRESTLER

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

BOLT

KUNG FU PANDA

WALL-E

ART DIRECTION

CHANGELING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

THE DUCHESS

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

CINEMATOGRAPHY

CHANGELING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

THE READER

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

COSTUME DESIGN

AUSTRALIA

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DUCHESS

MILK

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

DIRECTING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

FROST/NIXON

MILK

THE READER

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

THE BETRAYAL (NERAKHOON)

ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD

THE GARDEN

MAN ON WIRE

TROUBLE THE WATER

DOCUMENTARY SHORT

THE CONSCIENCE OF NHEM EN

THE FINAL INCH

SMILE PINKI

THE WITNESS – FROM THE BALCONY OF ROOM 306

FILM EDITING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

FROST/NIXON

MILK

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX

THE CLASS

DEPARTURES

REVANCHE

WALTZ WITH BASHIR

MAKEUP

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY

MUSIC (SCORE)

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

DEFIANCE

MILK

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

WALL-E

MUSIC (SONG)

“Down to Earth”
WALL-E

“Jai Ho”
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

“O Saya”
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST PICTURE

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

FROST/NIXON

MILK

THE READER

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)

LA MAISON EN PETITS CUBES

LAVATORY – LOVESTORY

OKTAPODI

PRESTO

THIS WAY UP

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)

AUF DER STRECKE (ON THE LINE)

MANON ON THE ASPHALT

NEW BOY

THE PIG

SPIELZEUGLAND (TOYLAND)

SOUND EDITING

THE DARK KNIGHT

IRON MAN

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

WALL-E

WANTED

SOUND MIXING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

WALL-E

WANTED

VISUAL EFFECTS

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHT

IRON MAN

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

DOUBT
FROST/NIXON

THE READER

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

FROZEN RIVER

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

IN BRUGES

MILK

WALL-E

Just posted some new reviews. Sorry it took so long for some updates, apparently blogging isn’t as easy as it seems. I’m trying to get as many reviews up this weekend of the Oscar nominated films since the big night is this Sunday. I should have a whole Oscar’s section up in tomorrow. I’m going to post everything you need to know about this year’s Oscar’s and have a follow-up review of the night on Monday.

I hope my stuff is good. I’m still working out how I want the site to look and work so stay posted to see the changes.

-BROCK