DVD Review: Funny People

Film: Funny People is Judd Apatow's third film as director. It focus round George Simmons' (Adam Sandler) battle with a cancerous disease and how his life is changed through his battle. The supporting cast is filled with Apatow regulars; Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Jonah Hill.

For what it is, Funny People is a decent film. Personally, It's not Apatow's best (That has to be the very quotable 40 Year Old Virgin) but I think the reason for that is that Apatow has calmed down on the obvious comedy and focused more on character development and a dramatic side to the film. Adam Sandler delievers one of his most powerful performances to date and I was very surprised when he wasn't nominated for Best Actor Musical/Comedy at the Golden Globes. Seth Rogen is fairly underrated for his serious acting ability, the guy can act and I think somewhere down the line we'll see a true Rogen dramatic performance.

I also think it's a travesty that people think Jonah Hill is better than Seth Rogen. Personally, Jonah Hill is overrated. It doesn't take much effort to play the same character in every film your in. His night guard in Night At The Museum 2 could be the day job of his character in Superbad.

Funny People is quite lengthy coming in at 2 hours and 26 minutes. The film very much so can be divided in half and possibly could have been sequels. Nevertheless I'd recommend Funny People to fans of Apatow & Sandler as you see alot of the formulaic choices of the director and like I said a great performance from Adam Sandler.

***

Extras:
Gag Reel: Simple gag reel, mainly showing Adam Sandler goofing around.
Deleted Scenes: Doesn't really move the film forward but thats why they've been deleted!
Extended/Alternate Scenes: Again nothing more to add but you may feel you enjoyed some of these scenes more than those chosen.
Line-O-Rama: Differents lines the cast improvised during filming.
Documentaries & Music: Standard production docs and music from the film.
From The Archives: Adam Sandler & Seth Rogen's old stand up routines.
The Films of George Simmons: A look at the fictional films of George Simmons.
Prank Call: More Amateur footage of Adam Sandler as a late teen.
Yo, Teach!: An episode of the fictonal TV series.

****

DVD Review: Borat

Borat, you all know what it is.

So I watched Borat for the first time and I've gotta say that I didn't think it was as funny as most have made out. Maybe that's because I saw Bruno first?

I have to admit though, I love the idea of Sacha Baron Cohen running through America and doing shit like this. Of course some of is intended to offend and I feel I should show the Feminist segment to my Women On Film tutor. (She called me a chauvinist, I'm NOT!!!)

All in all, Borat was a good film with a few laughs here and there, obviously don't check it out if your expecting a serious Oscar contender type film.

The Pamela Anderson bit was probably the most laugh out loud moment, did she know about that?

***

EDIT: Just watched the "Censored Footage" on the DVD. These should have been included in the film! Well maybe not the Supermarket/Cheese one.

So if you count the film + deleted scenes i'd give Borat:

****

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Review: Valentines Day

Valentines Day is a simple couples rom com that stars such huge names as Julia Roberts, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper and Jamie Foxx.

Valentines Day tells the story of several different people on Valentines Day and each story somehow intertwines with another in a very well thoughtout plotline.

Obviously this isn't a guy movie or a surefire classic but it does it's job well as a by the book romantic comedy that's ideal for a date movie especially round this time of year.

Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift (Who I only realised were both called a Taylor during the blooper credits) are very painful to watch at times. I'm sorry but he can't act.

***


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The Last Catch Up

Ok so in addition to yesterday's post, This is the last big catch up i'm doing. As of now I will blog reviews via my iPhone after I have watched a new film. They'll be short & sweet, Just like these.

Bruce Almighty - Great fun with Jim Carrey on top form - ****

Dawn Of The Dead (2004) - Very fun Zombie Horror - ****

Harry Brown - The slap in the face this country needs - ***

Inglourious Basterds (2009) - Confusing in parts, French & German in others. Slow burner but the ending picks it up - ****

It's Complicated - Not Meyer's best but still a decent couples film - ***

Law Abiding Citizen - Very fun all out thriller - ****

P.S I Love You - Effective Rom-Com but one for the Ladies - ***

Paranormal Activity - Not believeable at all. Whatever's pestering them picks the wrong spots. - *

Sherlock Holmes - Dull, Boring but it's a good job Downey's in it - **

The Descent Part 2 - Like the first but worse. - *

The Fourth Kind - Stupid Alien Film - *

Twilight - Yeah, you know what it is. - ***

Twilight New Moon - Like the first but with Werewolves - **

Vantage Point - A little repetitive but an all round decent film - ***


Later today I'll be watching The Hurt Locker and seeing either The Road or Up In The Air tomorrow. 

The Major Catch Up

Ok, So I've sorta been neglecting blogging lately and I shouldn't have done really. My laptop has been playing up to be fair and as I've finally brought my Xbox to Uni I've been a bit preoccupied but nevertheless I am going to get back on track and review the seven films I've seen between now and the last review. These aren't the full reviews I usually do because there's too many to write but I will return to my usual reviews for the next film I see.

The Invention Of Lying - I hated this film. It looked really funny from the trailer and Ricky Gervais didn't disappoint in Ghost Town but the entire film was flat and dull. I was really annoyed after seeing this as well hopefully Cemetery Junction will be better. *

Zombieland - Talk about a fantastic time in the cinema. As Jimmy Carr put it on Twitter: "Zombieland rules the school" and so it does. It's full of laughs and zombie killings that never disappoint. Woody Harrelson has a good turn in this as Tallahassee and Jesse Einsberg strangely resembles Michael Cera. Seriously one of my favourite films of the year and a definite must see, even if it is only for Bill Murray. *****

Up - Pixar have done it again. Up is a film full of emotion and comedy which is a definite hit for audiences alike. Being 19 I didn't know if i'd enjoy this or not (But I did choose it over Halloween 2) and I can tell you I truly did. Pixar are running away with the Best Animated Feature Oscar yet again and a nomination for Best Original Screenplay wouldn't surprise me either. *****

Couples Retreat - Another year, Another Vince Vaughan comedy romp. This is a good rom-com with a few laughs here and there. Faizon Love steals every scene he's in and I'd recommend this as a good film to take your boyfriend/girlfriend to. ***

The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus - This is one of those films that gets you thinking about what it is your watching. Heath Ledger gives another strong turn in his final performance and Johnny Depp is brilliant as usual. It's quite scary as to how much Depp & Ledger look like each other. I also thought Jude Law and Tom Waits gave good performances. I'd recommend it to fans of Ledger & Gilliam but also if you want a break from the mainstream and see a nice smart film for a change. ****

Saw 6 - Thank You Kevin Greutert. Saw 6 is the film that has revived the Saw franchise after the close call that was Saw 5. Hoffman is up to his old tricks again although this time Jigsaw's wife Jill has a larger part to play. The traps are as smart as they always are and dare I say it the acting in this film is the on par with the first three films. Do yourself a favour, ignore how much 5 annoyed you and go and see this. ****
(Small Tidbit: On IMDB the films are ranked 1,2,6,3,4,5 according to user reviews. Take that into consideration!)

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant - This is based on the Darren Shan books. Which I haven't read. But i did enjoy the film. I enjoy pretty much anything with John C Reilly but if there was one flaw it would be that it feels like it's a little too long. If you like Twilight I wouldn't recommend it, mainly because you'll go into the film with a subconcious idea of what you think vampires are; Glittery skinned nonce's. ***

Michael Jackson's This Is It - Probably the most anticipated documentary in recent memory. This Is It as you all know is all the rehearsal footage from what would have been The King Of Pop's last ever tour. The cinematics are stunning, The dancers and band are fantastic and these shows would have been absolutely phenomenal. I would say this would be on the shortlist for Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars but apparently it's too late in the year for that (?). If you have the chance to see this in the cinemas go see it but I think it'll be on DVD soon. **** (I enjoyed Smooth Criminal the most but Jam is growing on me.)

And thats that. Films i'm planning on seeing soon are: Law Abiding Citizen, The Descent Part 2, The Book Of Eli, Shutter Island, The Lovely Bones and because i've dragged her to so much this year, Twilight: New Moon for the Girlfriend :D

There probably will be more than that being as I recently invested in monthly cinema passes!

Next Week (9th & 10th November) i'm attending the Raw, Smackdown & ECW TV Tapings in Sheffield so expect live reports!

(500) Days Of Summer

Dir. Marc Webb
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Zooey Deschanel

(500) Days of Summer is one of the best romantic comedies I have ever seen. It plays on traditional conventions and gives the audience another window into what relationships can be like.

The events take place in a not so conventional way as the film skips from day 6 to day 361 and back to day 4 but don't be to confused by the non linear narrative as it only adds to the films well delivered mystique. Gordon - Levitt plays Tom who like any man and some point in his life becomes infatuated with a girl who is seemingly untouchable. That girl is Summer (Zooey Deschanel). Summer is portrayed as a mystery to which Tom wants to know as he "loves" Summer.

The film follows Tom & Summer's relationship closely and makes sure that the audience understands every intricate detail of their quirky pairing. The acting in this film is well executed as every joke is delivered as it should to make the audience laugh.

(500) Days of Summer is thoroughly enjoyable as a couple film but I doubt it will have it's desired effect as a Saturday Night Lad's movie, I suggest waiting for Gamer if you fall into that category.

I enjoyed (500) Days from start to finish and urge you to go and see it. Look out for Tom's over the top celebration to Hall & Oates' "You Make My Dreams" and also download the soundtrack while your there.

****

(All reviews can be given a maximum of 5 *'s and i will not give 1/2's and 1/4's. I will write reviews on films i have recently seen and will review other films upon request)

Burn After Reading

Dir. Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
Starring: Brad Pitt, George Clooney & Tilda Swinton

Burn After Reading starts with probably one of the best scenes in the film. John Malkovich is speaking with one of his peers and doesn't like the fact he is in a room with "Olsen" Trust me it's funny.

After this it's almost like two different stories intertwining, both with different goals. On one side you have Osbourne Cox (Malkovich), his "Cold Hearted Bitch" of a wife Katie Cox (Tilda Swinton) and George Clooney's strange but yet realistic Harry Pfarrer. All are official types who have access to lots of money and lots of government information which in turn gets into the hands of the other side of the story.

Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) are fitness trainers who are working at Hardbodies gym when they stumble across a disc containing lots of personal information about Osbourne Cox. Both decide to hatch a plan to blackmail Cox into getting money for this specific information.

Just writing this review makes me realise how hard it is to put this film into words because each detail links with a pivotal moment of the plot and I don't want to say to much and in turn spoil the film for anyone who hasn't seen it.

The comedy in this film is very dark and probably familiar to those who are fans of The Coen Brothers comedy films and any of their films for that matter. My only problem about this film would be that the ending is so abrupt that you don't exactly see it coming and I felt let down that there was no real closure to it.

I do recommend the film, but mainly to those who are familiar with the Coens work.

***

(All reviews can be given a maximum of 5 *'s and i will not give 1/2's and 1/4's. I will write reviews on films i have recently seen and will review other films upon request)