2007 SUMMER MOVIES SERIES
I'll admit, I am a terrible movie critic, but you know what, it's still fun to do. So let's continue. Movie #3 is:
KNOCKED UP
Directed by Judd Apatow
Starring Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann
Write it down: THE BEST MOVIE THIS SUMMER! I know, I know, how can I proclaim this movie the best before the summer is even over? The answer: because it is. Judd Apatow has made written and directed yet another gem with Knocked Up, just following last year’s 40 Year-Old Virgin. Though a bit long, it provides you with laughs during all 129 minutes of its running time.
I’m not even sure where to start with this movie. Ladies first I guess. Katherine Heigl, who is the leading lady, does a great job playing a pregnant Alison trying to balance her “accidental” pregnancy with her amazing new job as an on-air personality on the E! network. I don’t normally watch Grey’s Anatomy so I wasn't sure if Heigl would just be a pretty face or not but you can tell, she truly embraces the comedic feel of the show, including going over the top at times (like pregnant women do….I think). Leslie Mann is just as funny as the sister. The way she is always concerned about her husband and her appearance give the audience a great sidebar to the main story of the pregnancy and relationship between Alison and Ben.
Speaking of Ben, played by Seth Rogen, what a dork but a lovable one at that. He has no job and barely any money and his only hope for surviving financially is to get a website up and running that deals with when stars show skin in a movie. The premise is far-fetched but what brings is back home is the reality of the situation between him and Alison. Even though it’s never really funny when a girl gets pregnant accidentally, the way this movie makes light of the situation is downright superb.
There is the seriousness with the abortion topic but it’s hard to realize the topic is serious because of Rogen’s darkish comments and Heigl’s confusing thoughts. Mad props also to Rogen’s cast of friends who are always there for him for dumb ideas and drugs. Also, mad props to Joanna Kerns, who plays Alison’s mom, who has an hilarious cameo at a restaurant with her daughter.
The best supporting cast member though is Paul Rudd. Just like in Virgin and Anchorman, Rudd plays second-fiddle amazingly by being quirky. In this movie, he does a great job acting as the husband who is tired of his wife and kids and just wants time to himself, something any guy can appreciate. When he and Ben leave for Vegas, it makes for the funniest 5 minutes in the movie. Oh, and I don’t wanna leave out the kids who are funnier than even the kids in Talladega Nights.
One-liners are the name of the game in this movie. Though not as quotable of a movie as Anchorman, it is just as funny as the Will Ferrell flick. Honestly, this movie is just that good. Make this your movie to watch this summer. If not, you’ll regret it because it’ll be the movie everyone is talking about.
**** out of four
Sunday, July 01, 2007
MATT’S SUMMER MOVIE SERIES
Alright, so it took longer than anticipated but I am finally writing some reviews. I have done well in my goal to see the summer movies on my countdown. I’ve actually seen one every week besides one which was sort of busy covering the Memorial golf tournament. As usual, I don't bother to spell check or check for grammar so read some parts twice to truly understand. The reviews started with Spiderman 3 (look below). Slowly (but surely), I will be posting the reviews of the other movies. Movie #2 of the Summer Movie Series is:
SHREK 3
Directed by Raman Hui and Chris Miller
Starring the voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Justin Timberlake, Rupert Everett and John Cleese
Who didn’t love the first two Shrek movies? I mean, what other movies can make not only kids laugh, but teenagers, college students, and adults at the same time? That’s the mentality I had going into the third movie and though it wasn’t up to par with the first two, it still used the same magic formula that made the first two a success.
I’ll start with the negatives first though. As this series moves on (and the fourth is being produced right now and set to be released in 2009), it is clear to me that it won’t get much funnier. Reason being is that we know these characters now. Donkey was great in the first movie with his ADD personality and just flat-out idiotic nature. Shrek was great with his wise-cracks and sarcasm and occasional sexual innuendos. Pinocchio, Gingerbread Man and the others were great as well. Then, in the second movie, Puss ‘N Boots gave the audience something fresh to laugh at. Also, the addition of Far Far Away made for good times too.
In the third though, the only new character of note is Arthur (voiced by Timberlake) or as Shrek calls him, “Artie”. Let me tell you know, Artie isn’t funny. He’s actually really annoying, reminding me of the kids I used to babysit. Always whining, complaining and crying about how pathetic his life is or will be as the new king. I know this is part of the storyline but the movie really went slow through these parts. Plus, with Artie not being that compelling of a character, it needed something really funny tomake up for how annoying and boring his character was.
I will say this though, the movie continues to have its flat-out hilarious parts. Fiona’s baby shower is great, especially Sleeping Beauty who continually passes out and Snow White just giving away one of her seven dwarfs to the mother-to-be. The fairy-tale high school of Artie’s is funny as well as the movie writes do a great job of again mixing the present with the make-believe past. Also, Merlin the Wizard adds some comedy too.
The ending is weak in my mind, though I did enjoy watching Charming’s terrible acting performance. The promise for the fourth movie also scares me because if it just deals with Shrek’s kids, then I don’t know just how funny it can be. This trilogy so far has done well with the jokes, addition of new characters and finding ways to keep it fresh but with another coming in just 2 years, I just don’t know. For now though, kudos for three great Shrek movies. Let’s hope the fourth can only live up to the first three.
*** out of four
Alright, so it took longer than anticipated but I am finally writing some reviews. I have done well in my goal to see the summer movies on my countdown. I’ve actually seen one every week besides one which was sort of busy covering the Memorial golf tournament. As usual, I don't bother to spell check or check for grammar so read some parts twice to truly understand. The reviews started with Spiderman 3 (look below). Slowly (but surely), I will be posting the reviews of the other movies. Movie #2 of the Summer Movie Series is:
SHREK 3
Directed by Raman Hui and Chris Miller
Starring the voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Justin Timberlake, Rupert Everett and John Cleese
Who didn’t love the first two Shrek movies? I mean, what other movies can make not only kids laugh, but teenagers, college students, and adults at the same time? That’s the mentality I had going into the third movie and though it wasn’t up to par with the first two, it still used the same magic formula that made the first two a success.
I’ll start with the negatives first though. As this series moves on (and the fourth is being produced right now and set to be released in 2009), it is clear to me that it won’t get much funnier. Reason being is that we know these characters now. Donkey was great in the first movie with his ADD personality and just flat-out idiotic nature. Shrek was great with his wise-cracks and sarcasm and occasional sexual innuendos. Pinocchio, Gingerbread Man and the others were great as well. Then, in the second movie, Puss ‘N Boots gave the audience something fresh to laugh at. Also, the addition of Far Far Away made for good times too.
In the third though, the only new character of note is Arthur (voiced by Timberlake) or as Shrek calls him, “Artie”. Let me tell you know, Artie isn’t funny. He’s actually really annoying, reminding me of the kids I used to babysit. Always whining, complaining and crying about how pathetic his life is or will be as the new king. I know this is part of the storyline but the movie really went slow through these parts. Plus, with Artie not being that compelling of a character, it needed something really funny tomake up for how annoying and boring his character was.
I will say this though, the movie continues to have its flat-out hilarious parts. Fiona’s baby shower is great, especially Sleeping Beauty who continually passes out and Snow White just giving away one of her seven dwarfs to the mother-to-be. The fairy-tale high school of Artie’s is funny as well as the movie writes do a great job of again mixing the present with the make-believe past. Also, Merlin the Wizard adds some comedy too.
The ending is weak in my mind, though I did enjoy watching Charming’s terrible acting performance. The promise for the fourth movie also scares me because if it just deals with Shrek’s kids, then I don’t know just how funny it can be. This trilogy so far has done well with the jokes, addition of new characters and finding ways to keep it fresh but with another coming in just 2 years, I just don’t know. For now though, kudos for three great Shrek movies. Let’s hope the fourth can only live up to the first three.
*** out of four
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