Friday, July 9, 2010

The 7 Word Weekend Review 07/09/10


New Movie Releases Reviewed in 7 Words Each


The Kids Are Alright (limited) - The title sounds better than the film.

Predators - Surprisingly, I actually want to see it.

[Rec] 2 (limited) - Tagline: Check yourself before you [Rec] yourself.

Grease Sing-A-Long (limited) - Cause singing along privately wasn't embarrassing enough.

Despicable Me - Sweet mother of all that looks hilarious.


I'm not ashamed to admit it, since the initial teaser for Despicable Me, where it just showed the two minions laughing and stuttering, I've wanted to see it. Sometimes something just strikes a chord with you. I've heard plenty of good things about it and the commercials look fantastic. It gives me the vibe of old Disney live action films from the 60's and that's right up my alley. Plus Steve Carell and Jason Segel... you know it's going to be funny. I just hope with Toy Story 3 still out there and The Sorcerer's Apprentice hitting next week, that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle. 

When they were talking about the cast for Predators months back, I may have said 'what the crackers?' only replace crackers with another word... possibly an expletive. Actually I do like to say 'expletive deleted' in place of swearing sometimes but that's neither here nor there. The point is, from the start this has had the promise to be more than some cruddy DTV excuse for an entry into a tired franchise. I'm not even a fan of Predator but with Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace and Adrien Brody all in the cast and Robert Rodriguez producing... I might be converted.

For those of you who've been wondering all these years, Grease is never the word. Hope that clears it up for you.

Youth in RevoltOn the staying in front... Youth in Revolt stars Michale Cera as awkward (always, but he does it so well) teen who creates a supplemental personality in order to win (bed) a girl. It's based on a book which I sort of read a while back. It's quite funny, if not more than a little profane and bizarre at times. I enjoyed the bits of animation that were thrown in throughout the movie and felt it gave it a style that set it on another plain without completely leaving reality. The weakest points I thought came from the drug humor, which I'm not always the most fond of in films but felt was particularly weak here. Justin Long who is enjoyable when in the right role feels wasted here. This is clearly not a film for everyone, nor is it for kids. Still, if you don't mind a quirky film with a menagerie of odd characters, an absurd plot and a half naked Fred Willard, then this is a good pick. 7 out of 10

When In RomeLast night I watched When in Rome (don't judge me). The film stars Kristen Bell as a museum curator who's obsessed with work and has never really found love. While in Rome for her sister's wedding she hits it off with  her new brother-in-law's best man, played by Josh Duhamel. When things go a little sour she goes a bit nutty and steals some coins from a supposed 'Fountain of Love' which puts a spell on the original owners of the coins. All of which sounds like it could be a setup for a decent and humorous movie. 

With the likes of Dax Shepard, Danny Devito, Will Arnett and Jon Heder in the supporting roles of the men under a love spell, you'd hope for some brilliance. Unfortunately all you get is another predictable, run of the mill rom-com with no imagination and very little direction. Dax Shepard who can be absolutely hilarious in the right role is completely wasted on a half note character. Really though, no one in the film has much to work with. There's too many characters and not enough screen time to accommodate. The result is a half hearted attempt at a screwball comedy. 

While of this is true, the film does have some funny moments, and some decent lines that save it from being a complete disaster. Kristen Schaal (Flight of the Conchords) pops up for a scene as a waitress in a trendy restaurant that seats people in a blackout room so that they can experience their other senses stronger. She completely owns what little screen time is given her. 

All in all, it's not the worst rom-com I've watched but it's far from the best. Somewhere in the middle seems right, 5 out of 10

Don't forget to enter the new CSN giveaway HERE

That's it from me for this week. Have a great weekend everyone.

14 comments:

  1. Thanks for the heads up on "When in Rome".

    As for "Despicable Me", my 19 year old was just telling me she wanted to see that one, so I thought it must be some strange teeny bopper movie. Of course, if Steve Carell is in it, I'll probably want to see it. He's a hoot and a half.

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  2. Hi friend! Sorry it has taken me forever to come over and visit your blog. I’ve been working like a crazy person (still no excuse)

    I have no desire to see Predators and hope that I don’t get drug to this one somehow by the hubs. Despicable Me looks pretty good and I’m a huge fan of Jason Segal. I will probably wait for DVD on this one only because I usually don’t go to the theater for animated films.

    I love Grease, but a sing-a-long version was SO not necessary.

    Thanks for the review of When In Rome, considering chick flicks are right up my alley ;) I’ll have to check this one out.

    Have a great weekend!

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  3. "Despicable Me" is a maybe.
    "Predators" is a for sure.
    thanks!!!

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  4. Despicable Me... also want to see it badly.

    Also, anything and I mean anything that involves someone from Flight of the Conchords has to be great and that includes anything Jim Gaffigan is in.

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  5. Despicable Me looks like the best of the crop. I wanna like Youth in Revolt, but I just feel like it's just a smidge out of my age range. Though you do bring up some convincing arguments. I'm being a flip flopper aren't I.

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  6. Just may have to break down and see Despicable Me, looks like it just may be worth it :)

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  7. I am always looking for films with a half (or fully nude) Fred Willard in it.

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  8. I want to see Despicable Me too... just wish I knew a little more about it. So I'll wait for the dvd.

    When in Rome... yeah, very, VERY predictable...

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  9. I am looking forward to Despicable Me.

    I've been wanting to see Youth In Revolt but have been hesitant. Hm, 7 of 10--I might see it.

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  10. I plan on taking the kids to Despicable me, the rest, I might remember when they hit Netflix, probably not, then I will just have to wait until they are run on local cable tv.
    Thanks for stopping over, haunted huh, I guess if you knew how life was at the time he painted them. I would agree. There is a reason he does not paint the roses I suspect.

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  11. I'm also secretly disappointed that When In Rome got such bad reviews. Kristen Bell is cute as all heck - I pretty much envision her as the perfect girlfriend. She was also awesome in Heroes, and the show almost immediately started going downhill when she left.

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  12. Nice ... I may watch when in rome now (oh, reading Steve G's comment - if you see this Steve G watch Veronica Mars, a now done TV show, and you'll fall a lot bit in love with her).

    Anyhow - not sure if you check these Mr. Non-Review, but inspired by your (non) review I watched 2 days and I'm still not sure how I feel about it (maybe too depressing underlying theme for me), but it's definitely worth a watch.

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