Friday, October 26, 2007

Dan in Real Life

Title: Dan in Real Life
Directed by: Peter Hedges
Starring: Steve Carell, Dane Cook, Juliette Binoche, Norbert Leo Butz, John Mahoney, Dianne Wiest
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Running Time: 1 hour. 38 minutes
Release Date: October 26th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: 'Dan in Real Life' is a total "feel good"movie, with lots of laughs, awkwardness, and charming family drama. It's one of those films that will make your heart smile.

The entire cast put in strong performances, but it is definitely Carrell who carries this film. There is something about Steve Carell and his brilliant ability to be awkward, vulnerable, honest, and messed up that resonates with the audience.

'Dan in Real Life' is a great family film, that should not be missed.
Grade: 8

Friday, August 17, 2007

Superbad

Title: Superbad
Directed by: Greg Mottola
Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Seth Rogen, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Emma Stone, Bill Hader, Kevin Corrigan,
Genres: Comedy
Running Time: 1 hour. 52 minutes
Release Date: August 17th, 2007
MPAA Rating: R

Review: Most people who have said they don't like 'Superbad', have claimed it is because the presence of strong language, crude jokes and teenage drinking. I understand that these things can be upsetting for some. However, please keep in mind, this film has a MPAA rating of R, a rating that comes with a full list of the component that earned that rating, for a reason. Look it up, and pass on films outside of your level of tolerance.

I am glad I did not pass on 'Superbad', because it is thoroughly hilarious! And since I enjoy strong language, crude jokes, and don't mind teenage drinking (just kidding) (pretty much... I am from Sweden, after all), I had no problems with the components that warranted that R rating. In fact, I loved this film!
Grade: 8

Friday, June 1, 2007

Knocked Up

Title: Knocked Up
Directed by: Judd Apatow
Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Maude Apatow, Iris Apatow, Kristen Wiig
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Running Time: 2 hour. 12 minutes
Release Date: June 1st, 2007
MPAA Rating: R

Review: 'Knocked Up' is the perfect storm of comedies, where all the perfect components, (Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Judd Apatow, Iris & Maude Apatow, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, and Charlyne Yi, to name a few) have come together, to make one awesome and thoroughly hilarious film of epic proportions.

The story is centered on Ben Stone (Seth Rogen), and Allison Scott (Katherine Heigl), who meet on a night of drunken debauchery, and end up having a one night stand. Little do they know the consequences of this night...

The movie takes off as we see these two, oddly matched, unlikely lovers navigate the treacherous ground that is pregnancy, often with hysterically funny results. It is not only Rogen and Heigl who make this film. The entire supporting cast is just as great, and their side stories really add to the likability of this film. The soundtrack is also noteworthy. Bravo, to all involved parties! I can only hope that more films with this crew are to follow.
Pretty please.
Grade: 9.5

Friday, April 13, 2007

Disturbia

Title: Disturbia
Directed by: D.J. Caruso
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Carrie-Ann Moss, David Morse, Sarah Roemer
Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Drama
Running Time: 1 hour. 44 minutes
Release Date: April 13th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: 'Distrubia' is a derivative of the "psycho next door" premise, which just so happens to be one of my favorite type of suspense thrillers. While it is not a unique concept, 'Disturbia' is well executed, and the result is a great, suspenseful thriller, with some truly scary moments.

I much prefer this type of suspense thriller, to the bloody, gory, 'Saw'-type spatter fests that are so popular nowadays. Give me a freaky psycho creeping around a backyard that looks just like mine, over a blood-soaked hostel filled with murder machines, any day.

So, 'Disturbia'. Shia LaBoeuf plays the lead, a teenager who is on house arrest after a traffic accident. While being stuck at home 24/7, bored to tears, he starts to spy on his neighbors. He quickly realized that something strange is going on next door... Que the menacing suspense music.

I was literary on the edge of my seat from start to finish while watching this. Well done, to everyone involved!
Grade: 8