Author: mfordfeeney

#140RVW

Results may vary. I thought it was really funny, although I’ll never understand how this became a franchise. Launched Galifianakis; #result

What’s more:

This was a bit of a sleeper. It looked funny, but not that funny. Really delivered on its potential. If you like this kind of movie, of course.

The script is really good, and the dialogue funny as hell, but the actors really sell this story. There’s some really good physical acting by the three principals and a bevy of ensemble players.

I won’t be reviewing the sequels because I’d have to watch them.

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Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Fail

Main Cast	Zach Galifianakis Alan, Bradley Cooper Phil, Justin Bartha Doug, Ed Helms Stu
Rating	R
Release Date	Fri 05 Jun 2009 UTC
Director	Todd Phillips
Genres	Comedy
Plot	Three buddies wake up from a bachelor party in Las Vegas, with no memory of the previous night and the bachelor missing. They make their way around the city in order to find their friend before his wedding.
Poster
Runtime	100
Tagline	Some guys just can’t handle Vegas
Writers	Jon Lucas (written by) &, Scott Moore (written by)
Year	2009

#140RVW

A must watch if you are a music dork. John Cusack is the most personable actor ever born, so that helps. Funny as hell with stacked cast…

What’s more:

I have to honestly say that I didn’t really enjoy this too much when it came out. The single life was still a little too fresh in my memory and some of this movie hit a little too close to home. With time, however, I recognize this as the classic it always was.

The story, adapted from Nick Hornby’s novel, unfolds nicely over a slightly too long run-time. The premise of recapping the “top 5” relationships mirrors the music theme perfectly and leads to great flashback scenes. The relationship talk is broken up by some of the greatest music conversations committed to film.

The cast is really solid, anchored by Johnny C. I’d watch him in anything, and often do. Jack Black straddles the line between hysterical and irritating (as always); he mostly wins the battle. Todd Louiso fills out the record store staff. The cameos and small parts are also fantastic, topped off by the Boss.

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Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Fail

Main Cast	John Cusack Rob Gordon, Iben Hjejle Laura, Todd Louiso Dick, Jack Black Barry
Rating	R
Release Date	Fri 31 Mar 2000 UTC
Director	Stephen Frears
Genres	Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance
Plot	Rob, a record store owner and compulsive list maker, recounts his top five breakups, including the one in progress.
Poster
Runtime	113
Tagline	A comedy about fear of commitment, hating your job, falling in love and other pop favorites.
Writers	Nick Hornby (book), D.V. DeVincentis (screenplay) …
Year	2000

#140RVW

One of those times where a film vastly surpasses the source novel, Levinson’s low-key black comedy recalls dark humor of Dr. Strangelove…

What’s more:

Not everyone likes black comedies. Sometimes they hit too close to home or offend a person’s sense of humor. Or sometimes the concept is just a little too realistic to truly be funny.

Wag the Dog could possibly be viewed in that latter category. While the movie is alternately dryly humorous and outlandishly funny, the premise is disturbingly believable: fictional war is created to divert attention from scandal.

Not the only time that a film has dealt with similar issues, but possibly the most realistic and credible example of spin doctoring on such a large scale. The book on which the film is based, “American Hero” by Larry Beinhart, is kind of a snore. Amazing concept, but all hat and no cattle. Hilary Henkin & David Mamet’s adaptation (depending on who you believe was responsible) is sublime.

The acting is predictably fabulous, making the most out of the bitingly sharp dialogue. The number of cameos is wonderful, not only because you get to see so many of these great actors, but because they flesh out some really well written characters. “The Fad King is my hero.”

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Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Pass

Main Cast	Dustin Hoffman Stanley Motss, Robert De Niro Conrad Brean, Anne Heche Winifred Ames, Denis Leary Fad King
Rating	R
Release Date	Fri 09 Jan 1998 UTC
Director	Barry Levinson
Genres	Comedy, Drama
Plot	Shortly before an election, a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer join efforts to fabricate a war in order to cover up a presidential sex scandal.
Poster
Runtime	97
Tagline	A Hollywood producer. A Washington spin-doctor. When they get together, they can make you believe anything.
Writers	Larry Beinhart (book), Hilary Henkin (screenplay) …
Year	1997

#140RVW

May be the father of not just 1980’s coming of age stories but really all youth comedies to come. Quest to belong & find your place eternal.

What’s more:

If you haven’t seen it in a while, dust this one off; it holds up gloriously. If you’ve never seen it, you are in for a treat. Remember that it’s 1979, of course; but the lack of polish subtracts nothing.

What is really amazing is how fresh the pacing is for a movie of that era. It’s less a movie from the end of the 1970’s than it feels like the first movie of the 1980’s. Moves along at a fantastic clip; possibly even too brisk. I really wouldn’t have minded a bit more depth to some of the other Cutters.

The cycling aspects of the movie are very well done, even if you are indifferent to cycling (raises hand). The underdog sports story does what it is supposed to, and the races are very exciting. Which is all the more impressive when you consider this really isn’t a sports movie.

The interactions between these aimless friends will be familiar to anyone who saw a movie in the past 35 years. While only Dennis Christopher’s lead Dave Stoller gets significant character development time, the emotions and actions of all of the characters are allowed some room to move, and as a coming of age story it succeeds wonderfully. The humor of the teens doesn’t come against a backdrop of nincompoop adults; everyone is three dimensional. Writer Steve Tesich took home an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

It really is a classic. Go see it.

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Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Fail

Main Cast	Dennis Christopher Dave, Dennis Quaid Mike, Daniel Stern Cyril, Jackie Earle Haley Moocher
Rating	PG
Release Date	Fri 20 Jul 1979 UTC
Director	Peter Yates
Genres	Comedy, Drama, Sport
Plot	A small-town teen obsessed with the Italian cycling team vies for the affections of a college girl.
Poster
Runtime	101
Tagline	Somewhere between growing up and settling down… [Australia Theatrical]
Writers	Steve Tesich (written by)
Year	1979