Category: Movies

#140RVW

Good not great little film featuring the show-stopping Jane Horrocks. Great British comedy, but I suspect this made a better play than film.

What’s more:

Playwright Jim Cartwright apparently wrote his play “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” specifically for the immensely talented singer Jane Horrocks, a fact that is completely believable once you hear her. (Future Oscar-winner Sam Mendes directed the play, which was then adapted for the screen by writer-director Mark Herman.)

Little Voice (so nicknamed due to her extreme shyness) shuts herself away in her overbearing mother’s house, obsessively listening to her deceased father’s record collection and perfectly mimicking the singers. Her mother (Brenda Blethyn) is a loud, brash tart, always looking for a successful man. When she brings home never-been promoter Ray Say (Michael Caine), he instantly recognizes LV’s talent and he plots to finally hit the big time behind this unexpected miracle. If he can only get her out of her room…

Little Voice is a neat little movie, although its origins as a play are incredibly apparent. It may be a tale best told on stage, as all the best thrills come from hearing Horrocks sing. It doesn’t really seem fully baked, frankly. Ewan McGregor has a nice little role as a shy pigeon-fancier who is sweet on LV, but there really isn’t any particular need for the love story – it isn’t relevant and doesn’t advance the plot. There’s a ton of great acting going on, but no one character really gets a worthwhile story to tell. Horrocks is simply masterful as LV, and has some lovely scenes with Caine, but the story is in a terrible rush to get to her performances and feels underdeveloped. I’m nitpicking a bit, but only because I enjoyed the movie so much, I just hoped it could be a bit more. It’s still highly recommended.

Poster:

Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Pass

The Representation Test Score: B (7 pts)

(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)

 

Main Cast	Brenda Blethyn Mari Hoff, Jane Horrocks LV, Michael Caine Ray Say, Ewan McGregor Billy
Rating	R
Release Date	Fri 04 Dec 1998 UTC
Director	Mark Herman
Genres	Comedy, Drama, Music, Musical, Romance
Plot	The pathetically shy LV lives the life of a recluse listening to her late father’s old records in her room and in the process driving her abusive…
Poster
Runtime	97
Tagline	Finding your own voice can be magic.
Writers	Jim Cartwright (play), Mark Herman (screenplay)
Year	1998

140 Character Movie Review – #140RVW

It’s the 100th anniversary of the opening of Wrigley Field, but I’ve already reviewed a lot of Cubs films. This has the one great Cub scene.

Spoiler-free Movie Review of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off:

The rare movie that is exactly as good as its reputation, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of John Hughes’ most beloved films for good reason. Yes, the actors are far too old to be playing high school students. That’s it. That’s my criticism.

It’s just a hell of a good time. Not as insightful or meaningful as his other teen comedies, it’s a much more straightforward ride. And there’s nothing in the world wrong with that.

As is typical in his films, the teens have all the great lines, and the adults are a bit underwritten, but that’s not really a problem for this story. Hughes wrote the screenplay in less than a week!

Matthew Broderick is ridiculously charming in what would have been a star-making role – if he wasn’t already a star. As Cameron, Alan Ruck is absolutely fabulous in what was only his third film. The two have a easy-going camaraderie made believable by their previous experience working together on Broadway. Mia Sara completes the trio capably as Ferris’ girlfriend Sloane. Would their roles have been better filled out by alternate choices Emilio Estevez and Molly Ringwald? I don’t think so.

The supporting cast is excellent, led by Jeffrey Jones as the Dean of Students. Jennifer Grey & Charlie Sheen are good, but no one approaches Ben Stein’s economics teacher.

There are so many quintessential Chicago scenes. The film really is Hughes’ love letter to his city. It’s great when a filmmaker lets their obvious love for a place so deeply saturate their art.

Alright, that’s enough. Go watch it again – you know it’s been too long. Enjoy Ferris breaking the fourth wall and reacquaint yourself with quotes you’ve known for so long you forgot they were quotes. #SaveFerris

Poster:

Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Pass

The Representation Test Score: C (6 pts)

(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)

[schema type=”movie” name=”Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” description=”A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite of what the principal thinks of that.” director=”John Hughes” actor_1=”Matthew Broderick” actor_2=”Alan Ruck” actor_3=”Mia Sara”]

Main Cast	Matthew Broderick Ferris Bueller, Alan Ruck Cameron Frye, Mia Sara Sloane Peterson, Jeffrey Jones Ed Rooney
Rating	PG-13
Release Date	Wed 11 Jun 1986 UTC
Director	John Hughes
Genres	Comedy, Drama
Plot	A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite of what the principal thinks of that.
Poster
Runtime	103
Tagline	While the rest of us were just thinking about it…Ferris borrowed a Ferrari and did it…all in a day.
Writers	John Hughes (written by)
Year	1986

#140RVW

Classic Ealing comedy is a slow burn. Actually better than it needs to be, though unusually not all that funny. Could have been chase movie.

What’s more:

I was expecting this to be typically screwy comedy from Ealing Studios, and it definitely fit that formula, but I was rather impressed with the sophistication of the storyline. With a little more work or an inclination in that direction, this could have been a drama or a chase picture.

The story centers around Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness), a bright if reckless chemist working in the textile industry, whether they like it or not. He has been moving from one mill to another, covertly working on his very costly experiments without the knowledge or approval of management. While working at his latest home, Birnley Mill, he befriends and impresses Daphne Birnley (Joan Greenwood), daughter of the mill’s owner, and she persuades her father to allow Sidney to continue his experiments.

Sidney has developed an indestructible fabric that repels dirt and never needs replacing. Naturally, this development would lead to the complete breakdown and extinction of his and all related industries. Sidney must be made to see reason, and the discovery suppressed. But he’s not going down easy.

Audiences familiar with Guinness only through his later work are in for a treat with these Ealing comedies. He really was a most resourceful actor and was at the height of his talents at the time of this film.

(Another thrill comes from seeing Alfred Pennyworth himself, the late Michael Gough as a young man.)

The film was directed by Boston native Alexander Mackendrick, who would go on to direct Guinness in The Ladykillers a few years later. The script was nominated for an Oscar and the movie was a hit. It remains a classic and is highly recommended.

Poster:

Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

The Representation Test Score: D (3 pts)

(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)

 

Main Cast	Alec Guinness Sidney Stratton, Joan Greenwood Daphne Birnley, Cecil Parker Alan Birnley, Michael Gough Michael Corland
Rating	Approved
Release Date	Tue 01 Apr 1952 UTC
Director	Alexander Mackendrick
Genres	Comedy, Sci-Fi, Drama
Plot	An altruistic chemist invents a fabric that resists wear and stain as boon to humanity but both capital and labor realize it must be suppressed for economic reasons.
Poster
Runtime	85
Tagline	Should they let him play…or should they put him away?
Writers	Roger MacDougall (play), Roger MacDougall (screenplay) …
Year	1951

140 Character Movie Review – #140RVW

Schwimmer’s directorial debut features the first Simon Pegg lead role I saw, and one of his best. He actually works as a fully-realized man.

Spoiler-free Movie Review of Run Fatboy Run:

I love this movie. Despite the popularity of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, this was actually the first of Simon Pegg’s movies that I saw. Up until this point I’d only seen him in supporting roles, and while I liked him very much, I had a hard time picturing him leading a film. That he’s very funny in this is a given. What is maybe more surprising and certainly more impressive is how well he plays it straight and how fully developed this character is.

Pegg plays Dennis, an underachiever who never finishes anything, least of all his marriage to his pregnant fiance Libby (Thandie Newton), whom he deserts at the altar in the film’s opening sequence. Things move forward five years and Dennis is still an immature lout who disappoints everyone. But when Libby and their son Jake are being swept away by the obnoxious new beau Whit (Hank Azaria), Dennis tries to change in order to win them back. With the support of his friend Gordon (Dylan Moran) and landlord (Harish Patel), Dennis trains for and enters the London Marathon.

The script by Pegg and Michael Ian Black, based on a story by Black, is really quite good. The dialogue is very funny, it’s got a great heart and the gross-out jokes are kept to a minimum (though not a low enough number for me). Thandie Newton is Hollywood’s most under-utilized talent and Pegg really does display a maturity here that I didn’t expect. Dylan Moran very nearly steals the entire movie as Libby’s cousin Gordon, who is best friends with Dennis. He has a marvelous deadpan delivery and great timing.

Possibly the most surprising aspect of Run Fatboy Run is how inspirational it is. I’m not saying it’ll make you rethink your life, but I was unexpectedly moved by Dennis’ quest to become a better person and touched by the relationship with his son. The movie really does make you feel good, in addition to being hilarious.

Poster:

Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Fail

The Representation Test Score: B (7 pts)

(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)

[schema type=”movie” url=”http://www.runfatboyrunmovie.com/” name=”Run Fatboy Run” description=”Five years ago Dennis (Simon Pegg) was at the altar about to marry Libby (Thandie Newton), his pregnant fianc?e. He got cold feet and ran for the hills and he’s been going in circles ever since. When Dennis discovers Libby’s hooked up with high-flying-go-getter Whit (Hank Azaria), he realizes it’s now or never. He enters a marathon to show he’s more than a quitter, but then finds out just how much sweat, strain and tears it takes to run for 26 miles. Nobody gives him a chance, but Dennis knows this is his only hope to be more than a running joke.” director=”David Schwimmer” actor_1=”Simon Pegg” ]

Main Cast	Simon Pegg Dennis, Thandie Newton Libby, Hank Azaria Whit, Dylan Moran Gordon
Rating	PG-13
Release Date	Fri 28 Mar 2008 UTC
Director	David Schwimmer
Genres	Comedy, Romance, Sport
Plot	Five years after jilting his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day, out-of-shape Dennis decides to run a marathon to win her back.
Poster
Runtime	100
Tagline	Love. Commitment. Responsibility. There’s nothing he can’t run away from.
Writers	Michael Ian Black (screenplay) &, Simon Pegg (screenplay) …
Year	2007

#140RVW

Never liked Andy Samberg. Breaking Rashida Jones’ heart? You bastard. Wait, maybe that was just the character, huh? Never mind. We’re good.

What’s more:

It’s very hard to carve out any original space in the overcrowded romantic comedy field. Celeste and Jesse Forever succeeds largely because it is more than your standard rom-com; it is a realistic look at relationships that happens to be funny as hell.

The film opens with a wonderful title sequence showing the courtship of Celeste and Jesse, who appear to have a storybook relationship. From the opening scenes these two are adorkable and clearly perfect together. Only they’re not; this wonderful friendship is masking the failure of their relationship. The next 90 minutes follow these two trying to find happiness with or without each other, struggling with their friendship and their relationship.

Rashida Jones co-wrote this with Will McCormack, who has a small role in the film. It is the first screenwriting gig for either of them, but I doubt very much it will be the last. They’ve put together a very good script that doesn’t shy away from real emotions. These characters behave in familiar ways; not familiar for movies, familiar to actual humans. Characters you like will do things that make you cringe – it’s not clean, and neither is life.

Rashida Jones really becomes a certifiable star with this picture. It’s a great performance. Samberg leaves me cold; just a perennial smart-ass. Elijah Wood has a small but fun role as Celeste’s business partner. Emma Roberts plays Miley Cyrus, essentially, in a subplot that isn’t strictly necessary but provides some good comedy moments and gives Celeste some needed perspective.

Good if not great picture – check it out.

Poster:

Trailer:

Bechdel Test:

Pass

The Representation Test Score: A (13 pts)

(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)

 

Main Cast	Rashida Jones Celeste, Andy Samberg Jesse, Elijah Wood Scott, Emma Roberts Riley
Rating	R
Release Date	Fri 24 Aug 2012 UTC
Director	Lee Toland Krieger
Genres	Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot	A divorcing couple tries to maintain their friendship while they both pursue other people.
Poster
Runtime	92
Tagline	A loved story.
Writers	Rashida Jones (written by) &, Will McCormack (written by)
Year	2012