Dinner for Schmucks (2010)

Horrible Bosses (2011)

Arthur (2011)

Michelle and I wanted to see a comedy, and since Michelle likes the 1980s original, we decided to watch Arthur. Truth be told, I had extremely low expectations. I expected to get two hours of Billy-Madison-style manchild mixed with a poorly told love story. Instead, we witness great character growth with well-done, albeit a bit over-the-top, humour, even a few one-liners that bore timing and delivery remarkably similar to High Grant.

I haven't seen Brand in other films, and my impression was that he'd be more like say Bruno, but instead he's witty and endearing. The movie hints at further depth to this 'no work, all play' boy-in-a-man's body, and we see Brand sparkle with this at moments, and all out shine with it by the end. Mirren and Garner provide antidote to Brand's constant humour, while tertiary characters provide Brand with fuel.

Gerwig was amazing as the down-to-earth love interest, and really struck me as the long lost child of Elizabeth Shue--I've now spent an hour or so with Google trying to determine some familial relationship, to no avail. Resemblances aside, she really captures the audience with stability in her performance, you just can't wait to segway into the next scene with her.

As an aside, this sort of comedy is something that I've always hated about the genre: the inevitable climax. I like the character growth films develop from this peak, but have always hated the emotional valley we have to go through before being lifted back up and watching the credits role. Maybe I've always misinterpreted what a 'comedy' should be.

Just Go With It (2011)

On Valentine's Day, we try to go see a movie. Our first Valentine's Day was Message in a Bottle, the others since were a mixed bag of romance, romantic comedies, and other flicks too. In recent years I've been trying to put a push on seeing the romance movie of the year, or at least a romance movie. Recently, it was He's Just Not That Into You (2009), which I didn't get a feel for at first blush, but has grown on me since. Then it was Valentine's Day (2010), which I can give or take. This year, it was a toss up between Just Go With It (2011) and No Strings Attached (2011). I read reviews in each, and both left me feeling lukewarm. In the end I figured I'd enjoy Ashton Kutcher a bit more than Adam Sandler... ultimately I made the right decision, but that's not because Just Go With It isn't a great movie.

This Devlin is great--if you pardon the movie reference. :) If you liked 50 First Dates (2004) then you'll definately like this. From the reviews and the trailers I sort of expected there to be this brother-sister sort of banter between Jennifer and Adam, but that was only in the scene from the trailer. Instead, the movie opens and you forget about the plot for a bit, feeling an instant connection to Jennifer and Adam's characters, not to mention their chemistry together. All throughout the film you feel this, and it really pays off.

Adam's love interest is supposedly the main attraction, yet the camera doesn't love her as much as it loves Jennifer here, despite the age disparity, in almost every way the filmmakers have made Jennifer Aniston the love interest of not only Adam's character, but of the viewer too. For the guys out there, there's a great bikini scene where Brooklyn dives into the water, meanders under a waterfall, etc., then 5 minutes later the Jennifer's on camera diving in the water too. The difference is that there's a lot of focus on Jennifer, and I'm pretty sure the camera is zoomed in a lot tighter to her body. Maybe they air brushed the scenes some, but she comes off looking far more attractive than Brooklyn.

I believe Jennifer Aniston recently made a public statement that she was going to start avoiding the low-budget fare her post-Friends acting character has generally followed to date, and if that's true, she's done well with this one. Here we have the Rachel we all knew and loved back in the 90s, except she's mature, filled with character and a knock out. If Jennifer can find a few more to follow suit--if you pardon the half-pun--I think she's on the right track. Wanderlust (2011) might be a nice continuation of this.

Last but not least, Orson Scott Card has written a review of Adam Sandler's more serious movies like 50 First Dates, and specifically this movie. In it he talks about the regular interjection of the comedic style Adam's known for. While I agreed with Orson's review at the time I read it, after seeing this film I think it works. If you don't like Adam's style, don't watch his movies. Granted, Adam's foray into more serious roles has not mimicked actors such as Jim Carrey or Steve Carell, but everybody has to find their own way, and I, for one, appreciate Adam's more recent acting roles.

Morning Glory (2010)

The first thing that struck me about this movie was the composition of the opening scenes... but in my experience, this seems to be a recurring attribute of films set in New York, they always look spectacular.

Composing scenes is one thing, but here the writers and directors took a bunch of really good actors, added a few great actors--really great actors--and put them in roles that they probably couldn't play at any other time in their lives. Diane gives us an almost-drama-queen performance. Harrison--and for awhile I thought he wasn't acting, especially after seeing him with George Stroumboulopoulos--almost acted uncomfortable in front of the camera. Then there's Rachel, whom I adore and who plays the role of up-and-coming executive producer with ease.

Take any of these three actors out, or change their age and experience just a little bit, and I don't think this movie would have the magic it does. There were times when I was watching Rachel rabble on awkwardly and it become hard to tell if she was acting. I'm sure you've heard people talk about various performers and say that they make it look easy--well Rachel sure makes it look easy here, and you can't help but fall head over heels for her while she's doing it.

It's endearing, absolutely hilarious and is worth waking up for.

The Kids Are Alright (2010)

When searching for a term to describe it, I settled on 'authentic.' The portrayal is a nuclear family filled with non-standard roles, save the kids who portray fairly typical teenagers.

The climax of the movie gave a glimpse of how the family could have grown to accommodate another member and grow in a different direction, yet the conclusion has the family remain true to itself. It was funny without using a single punchline. You really should see this movie.

No Strings Attached (2011)

Much better than a lot of the Valentine's Day fare out there. It changed some of the roles and appealed to my emotional side. Natalie did a good job of growing her character emotionally, and Ashton gave his usual solid performance. Sure, he's type-cast these days, but we like him, so who cares.

Due Date (2010)

It was very funny! Zach gave his usual candid-but-hilarious lines, and Robert was respectably entertaining!

Love and Other Drugs (2010)

I found myself unusually engrossed in the relationship Jake and Anne had. Anne gave a great performance that was raw and attractive.

Junebug (2005)

I've had a growing love affair with Amy Adams for awhile now, and I've always enjoyed a great low-budget film. Amy and Junebug delivered, not to mention the art too--which I really enjoyed. It was funny, but not hilarious, charming but not gaudy and real but not tacky.

Land of the Lost (2009)

Not a complete waste of space-time.

Life as We Know It (2010)

A fun movie about the trials and tribulations of new parenthood. Catherine and Josh hold their roles well, and the ensemble works great! Some very funny moments wrap up this movie up well.

The Bounty Hunter (2010)

Jennifer Aniston looked great in the movie, too bad it didn't have anything else to show for itself.

The Other Guys (2010)

Surprisingly humorous with an exceptional movie soundtrack.

Going the Distance (2010)

Surprisingly crude and extremely funny!

Date Night (2010)

Hilarious use of some well-known cliches. Great laughs.