Showing posts with label Zach Galifianakis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zach Galifianakis. Show all posts
G-Force
9.24.2010
Rating: PG
Movie Release Date: July 24, 2009
DVD Release Date: December 15, 2009
Plot 411: An experimental team of guinea pigs must save the world from disaster and prove they are skilled FBI agents.
Review: Ben (Zach Galifianakis) is heading an experimental program for the FBI that trains common rodents to be special agents. He has put together a team consisting of three guinea pigs and a mole. Led by Darwin (Sam Rockwell), Blaster (Tracy Morgan), Juarez (Penelope Cruz) and Speckles (Nicholas Cage) go on a mission to take down a suspected international arms dealer (Bill Nighy). Avoiding capture from FBI agents who want to stop their program, the team ends up in a pet store and gets a taste of what life as a pet is like. This movie wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. There was a lot of action that made it a lot of fun. However, the dialogue was a bit forced. They kept referencing famous movies and pulling lines out left and right. I guess that was supposed to be for the adults. Unfortunately, it wasn't really put together well enough to capitalize on that. The animation was pretty good, but I found it hard to connect with it. They just didn't seem real at all.
Watch It: For one of the few action animated flicks out there.
Skip It: Because it's not really one of those memorable movies with a lot of impact.
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Into The Wild
6.22.2010
Rating: R
Movie Release Date: September 21, 2007
DVD Release Date: March 4, 2008
Plot 411: Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, a guy who gave up almost all of his possessions to finally be free.
Review: Holy crap, I cannot believe I haven't reviewed this movie yet! It is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Perhaps it's because it tugs at the hidden idealism within me? Perhaps it's because it calls to my hidden adventurer? I don't really know, but when I first saw this film I had to learn more about Christopher McCandless, the person upon which this movie is based. I watched the documentary, The Call Of The Wild, and set Google ablaze with all my searches. Emile Hirsch plays the starring role, and for me, this is his best effort to date (even though I like him in many other films). Chris was a college student who embarked on a journey of self-discovery, independence and freedom. Being disillusioned with the capitalist world he lived in, he donated half of the money his parents gave him for college and took off to see the world. He hitchhiked around the U.S. and took odd jobs here or there. His life alternated between solitude and society. His ultimate goal was to test himself in Alaska. The themes are pretty heavy in this movie, but I found them quite inspirational. On one hand, Chris is the ultimate dreamer who went after those dreams. He didn't let anything stand in his way. Leaving all your worldly possessions behind, overcoming society's pressure to live a certain way and creating situations where you can only depend on yourself are all pretty huge deals. The fact that this guy did it is pretty amazing. Of course, the rational part of your brain is shouting what an idiot Chris was. Also in this film are Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart and Zach Galifianakis.
Watch It: If, like me, you're not normally a risk taker or even an idealist. This will give you something to think about.
Skip It: If, perhaps, you're more of a realist as some of Chris' actions are definitely illogical and foolhardy.
Movie Release Date: September 21, 2007
DVD Release Date: March 4, 2008
Plot 411: Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, a guy who gave up almost all of his possessions to finally be free.
Review: Holy crap, I cannot believe I haven't reviewed this movie yet! It is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Perhaps it's because it tugs at the hidden idealism within me? Perhaps it's because it calls to my hidden adventurer? I don't really know, but when I first saw this film I had to learn more about Christopher McCandless, the person upon which this movie is based. I watched the documentary, The Call Of The Wild, and set Google ablaze with all my searches. Emile Hirsch plays the starring role, and for me, this is his best effort to date (even though I like him in many other films). Chris was a college student who embarked on a journey of self-discovery, independence and freedom. Being disillusioned with the capitalist world he lived in, he donated half of the money his parents gave him for college and took off to see the world. He hitchhiked around the U.S. and took odd jobs here or there. His life alternated between solitude and society. His ultimate goal was to test himself in Alaska. The themes are pretty heavy in this movie, but I found them quite inspirational. On one hand, Chris is the ultimate dreamer who went after those dreams. He didn't let anything stand in his way. Leaving all your worldly possessions behind, overcoming society's pressure to live a certain way and creating situations where you can only depend on yourself are all pretty huge deals. The fact that this guy did it is pretty amazing. Of course, the rational part of your brain is shouting what an idiot Chris was. Also in this film are Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart and Zach Galifianakis.
Watch It: If, like me, you're not normally a risk taker or even an idealist. This will give you something to think about.
Skip It: If, perhaps, you're more of a realist as some of Chris' actions are definitely illogical and foolhardy.
Gigantic
1.15.2010
Rating: R
Movie Release Date: April 3, 2009
DVD Release Date: August 11, 2009
Plot 411: Brian has wanted to adopt a Chinese baby all his life and he's not sure how his new girlfriend will fit into the picture.
Review: I have no idea what the point of this movie is and would probably not recommend it to anyone. It strives for that cool, indie feel that examines the characters rather than builds up large set pieces. However, even the characters are difficult to grasp and I didn't feel connected to any of them. Brian (Paul Dano), a mattress salesman, is in the process of trying to adopt a Chinese baby. He's only 28 years old and single, but he's diligent in this desire for adoption. While at work he meets a girl named Happy (Zooey Deschanel) and they develop a relationship. Brian is awkward and weird. Happy is quirky and cute but also flighty and lost. She comes from wealth and John Goodman plays her father who gives her anything she wants. She doesn't have a real job and because of him, she doesn't really need one. Throughout the film Brian is constantly getting into altercations with an unidentified man (Zach Galifianakis). The purpose of this is completely unclear to me. Has anyone else seen this and do you know what the hell's happening?
Watch It: Maybe if you like Deschanel's quirky character? However, I didn't even find her very likable in this film. I thought she was much better in (500) Days Of Summer.
Skip It: Because it's pretty much a waste of your time.
Movie Release Date: April 3, 2009
DVD Release Date: August 11, 2009
Plot 411: Brian has wanted to adopt a Chinese baby all his life and he's not sure how his new girlfriend will fit into the picture.
Review: I have no idea what the point of this movie is and would probably not recommend it to anyone. It strives for that cool, indie feel that examines the characters rather than builds up large set pieces. However, even the characters are difficult to grasp and I didn't feel connected to any of them. Brian (Paul Dano), a mattress salesman, is in the process of trying to adopt a Chinese baby. He's only 28 years old and single, but he's diligent in this desire for adoption. While at work he meets a girl named Happy (Zooey Deschanel) and they develop a relationship. Brian is awkward and weird. Happy is quirky and cute but also flighty and lost. She comes from wealth and John Goodman plays her father who gives her anything she wants. She doesn't have a real job and because of him, she doesn't really need one. Throughout the film Brian is constantly getting into altercations with an unidentified man (Zach Galifianakis). The purpose of this is completely unclear to me. Has anyone else seen this and do you know what the hell's happening?
Watch It: Maybe if you like Deschanel's quirky character? However, I didn't even find her very likable in this film. I thought she was much better in (500) Days Of Summer.
Skip It: Because it's pretty much a waste of your time.
What Happens In Vegas
12.20.2009
Rating: PG-13
Movie Release Date: May 9, 2008
DVD Release Date: August 26, 2008
Plot 411: When tragedy strikes, two individuals seek a distraction in Las Vegas only to end up getting married to one another.
Review: When Joy (Cameron Diaz) is dumped by her boyfriend, her BFF Tipper (Lake Bell) insists they take a trip to Vegas to forget her troubles. Jack (Ashton Kutcher) is also in Vegas with his friend Hater (Rob Corddry) because he just got fired by his dad. After a hotel mix up, the foursome party the night away. Joy and Jack wake up the next morning married to one another. But before they can get a divorce, Jack hits a jackpot with a quarter he got from Joy. Now $3,000,000 is at stake and each is determined to walk away with the cash. Unfortunately, their judge (Dennis Miller) isn't going to make it easy on them. He sentences them to six months of marriage and weekly visits to a marriage counselor (Queen Latifah). Joy and Jack live together during this period to show the court that they're really trying to be married to one another. They also try desperately to make the other give up by doing increasingly horrible things to each other. This is where all the slapstick humor comes into play. The performances by Diaz and Kutcher aren't groundbreaking, but you do get a sense of their good chemistry. This makes all the torture comedy so much better and funnier. Corddry is really funny with his dry, one-liners. The plot's a bit unrealistic (What are the odds that you're so wasted you get married to a stranger AND hit a jackpot with one pull?) but still enjoyable. Also in this film are Zach Galifianakis, Treat Williams and Dennis Farina,
Watch It: For the comedic riffs and banter. Diaz and Kutcher are pretty to look at but anyone could've played those roles just as well.
Skip It: For a better Las Vegas-based movie - The Hangover.
Movie Release Date: May 9, 2008
DVD Release Date: August 26, 2008
Plot 411: When tragedy strikes, two individuals seek a distraction in Las Vegas only to end up getting married to one another.
Review: When Joy (Cameron Diaz) is dumped by her boyfriend, her BFF Tipper (Lake Bell) insists they take a trip to Vegas to forget her troubles. Jack (Ashton Kutcher) is also in Vegas with his friend Hater (Rob Corddry) because he just got fired by his dad. After a hotel mix up, the foursome party the night away. Joy and Jack wake up the next morning married to one another. But before they can get a divorce, Jack hits a jackpot with a quarter he got from Joy. Now $3,000,000 is at stake and each is determined to walk away with the cash. Unfortunately, their judge (Dennis Miller) isn't going to make it easy on them. He sentences them to six months of marriage and weekly visits to a marriage counselor (Queen Latifah). Joy and Jack live together during this period to show the court that they're really trying to be married to one another. They also try desperately to make the other give up by doing increasingly horrible things to each other. This is where all the slapstick humor comes into play. The performances by Diaz and Kutcher aren't groundbreaking, but you do get a sense of their good chemistry. This makes all the torture comedy so much better and funnier. Corddry is really funny with his dry, one-liners. The plot's a bit unrealistic (What are the odds that you're so wasted you get married to a stranger AND hit a jackpot with one pull?) but still enjoyable. Also in this film are Zach Galifianakis, Treat Williams and Dennis Farina,
Watch It: For the comedic riffs and banter. Diaz and Kutcher are pretty to look at but anyone could've played those roles just as well.
Skip It: For a better Las Vegas-based movie - The Hangover.
The Hangover
6.18.2009
Rating: R
Movie Release Date: June 5, 2009
DVD Release Date: October 5, 2009
Plot 411: Four guys make the trek to Vegas to celebrate an impending marriage, get unbelievably drunk and must find the groom they lost on the day of his wedding.
Movie Release Date: June 5, 2009
DVD Release Date: October 5, 2009
Plot 411: Four guys make the trek to Vegas to celebrate an impending marriage, get unbelievably drunk and must find the groom they lost on the day of his wedding.
Review: Any movie with Ken Jeong is probably worth seeing and this one doesn't disappoint. He plays a Las Vegas mobster who is locked in a car by four drunk dudes. The dudes are actually Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) who have snuck away to Vegas for a night of debauchery to celebrate Doug's impending marriage. Things get buck wild and three of the four wake up the next morning with the hangover from hell and complete memory loss. Doug is missing and they need to get him back home before his wedding that afternoon. This is an over-the-top comedy that includes pretty much any kind of gross gag, drug humor and sex quip that most guys would find hysterical. The last movie I can think of that is of a similar vein is Wedding Crashers. It's like boy's night out to the Nth degree captured on film. I found it to be crazy funny and definitely recommend it if you're in a buckaloose mood. As far as any critique on the wardrobe (I do believe they wore the same tore-up stuff the entire time they're in Vegas) and setting (Vegas, with and without lights), I can't really say I noticed much. I was too busy bustin' a gut.
Watch It: For the rockin' good time that most dudes probably dream of experiencing once in their lives.
Skip It: If you're in any way modest or prudish because there's a full male frontal in addition to a bunch of other offensive jokes, gestures and references.
Skip It: If you're in any way modest or prudish because there's a full male frontal in addition to a bunch of other offensive jokes, gestures and references.
Trailer:
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