The Social Network -- Review

The nerds have invaded our world, and things are looking good!  With Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter on television, it was only a matter of time before the nerds made a come back on the big screen, and they are making their come back in a BIG WAY!  The Social Network is the story of how Facebook came to be, and let me tell you it is a nerd's wet dream. 

A few years ago, had you asked any teen/college girl what type of guy she was looking for she'd most likely say the jock or the "bad boy", but if you asked today she would probably say that she loves nerds.  From 'The Big Bang Theory' to The Social Network, there is a group of new desirables making the "What's Hot" list these days.  It is the Sheldon Coopers and the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world that are now getting all of the attention, and this Friday you will see what I mean.

The Social Network hits theaters this weekend, and it is a classic in the making.  Jesse Eisenberg plays the insanely intelligent, all be it slightly socially challenged, creator of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg.  In this unbelievable role Jesse shines like the north star and shows that he is a force to be reckoned with in the acting community.  Yes, there are those of you out there that will confuse him with that kid from Scott Pilgrim and 'Arrested Development', but once you see this film you will surely know the difference between Jesse Eisenberg and Michael Cera.  You will know with absolute certainty that Michael Cera is just that kid that keeps making the same movies over and over again, only difference being the titles, while Jesse Eisenberg has gone from Zombieland to a role that rivals the genius of the amazing James Parsons (2010 Emmy winner for his role as Sheldon Cooper in 'The Big Bang Theory') as he gives the nerds we have grown to love on the home screen, a run for their money.  His portrayal shines a light on the man behind what we spend 18 hours a day on the internet, updating our statuses and poking our friends. 

From the opening scene (which I found to be a mix of genuine awkwardness and comedic genius) throws you into the deep end of the pool with a very special type of person, that most people either love or hate.  But as you watch this character, he grows on you until you realize that you cannot hate anyone like Mark because they simply cannot help themselves.  That sense of linear thinking draws a deep line in the sand and challenges anyone daring to get close enough to cross over to his side.  You will love to hate the man for his pure honesty and lack of bull-shit (if only everyone was that honest... although maybe not as that could turn out quite scary).  It is Jesse's expressions (or lack there of) and his seriousness throughout the entire film that makes you realize just how talented this young actor is.  I believe that there are very few actors today with the discipline to pull off such a complicated role with such perfection, yet Jesse is able to do so and make it believable is jaw dropping.  It is these unusual roles that challenge and set apart the "men from the boys" and I have to give kudos to the amazing actors that take on these roles and bring them to life like they do because it's not an easy task, especially when based on real people, and especially living people.

I'm not sure what the real Mark Zuckerberg is thinking when it comes to watching his college years played out on the silver screen, or if he even thought his life would be one that people would pay to see. The one thing I will tell you is -- The Social Network is sure to give you mixed feelings regarding some of the events that took place between friends and fellow computer geniuses, but I guarantee you, that after seeing this film you will have a new found love and respect for the men behind the life changing website.  You will walk out of the theater feeling intellectually stimulated just having had the ability to keep up with the quick jabs and techy dialogue between the computer nerds, while all the time being thoroughly entertained by the amazing talents of Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield (who portrays Eduardo Saverin), and Justin Timberlake (who portrays Sean Parker - "the other Napster guy").  It is the combination of these three and their dynamic relationship and struggles to maintain their friendships while creating one of the world's most influential websites yet to be developed. 

So regardless of what your relationship status is, update your status and post that you will be going to the theater this weekend to check out The Social Network.  I guarantee that you will be adding it to your favorite films list the minute you get home. 

I give The Social Network a 5 out of 5.    I love Nerds!

 

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps -- Review

Wall Street may be the place where money never sleeps, but the film may put you to sleep.  They say it's a financial thriller, but a thrill it was not.  Maybe I just don't understand anything about the stock market.  Maybe it's just the subject matter that didn't really peak an interest for me, but even after a quick refresher of the 1987 film (which I practically fell asleep watching) I felt that the 2010 story left me with a lack luster feeling just like the original.  Anyone who thinks a financial based thriller seriously needs to be 2 hours in length must get something that I just don't. Please be warned, this review will contain SPOILERS!  If you do not want any thing to be spoiled (if that is even possible since the story is pretty much the same as the first film) than I would recommend not reading further. 


Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps takes place 13 years after our first introduction to Gordon Gekko.  Although Michael Douglas does a great job playing a total ass-hole, there was really no need for this follow up story.  I was frustrated going in knowing that he suddenly had a daughter when the only child we knew of from the first film was a son.  Granted the son was most likely only included in the original film because it was writer and director Oliver Stone's own kid, however was it really needed to get rid of the poor kid just to have a sudden addition to the family?  Not that it couldn't have happened, but I just want to know why the story couldn't have involved a Gekko son.  Only excuse I can think of is that Stone and the studio most likely didn't feel that the story would have worked for some reason or other if it had been a female approaching Gekko or maybe even his own son being a ruthless broker.  I understand that, but I would have loved to have seen what they could have done with a gender reversal. 

I feel that Money Never Sleeps is one of those hit or miss films.  If you loved the first one, you will most likely enjoy this film.  I chose to sit through the 2 hour running time of Wall Street, hoping that it would benefit me in the long run, but as I sat there I only wished I had not made that decision.  Then to sit through another 2 hours and 13 minutes of the same thing was one of the most painful things I have done in quite some time.  I contemplated walking out, but thought that if I did I might just miss the one good thing in the film.  So I continued to sit there, hoping for something to happen.  There is no special effects to help pass the time.  There is no real suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat.  The only thing the film had going for itself was the few cameo appearances of two actors from the original film.  With a quick one-two between Gekko and Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), and a quick hello from Sylvia Miles as the realitor, all that was left was the heavy hitters that carried the film. 

Josh Brolin (Goonies and Jonah Hex) did a decent job portraying the "almost believable" villian that everyone was out to get.  Shia LaBeouf (Transformers) was surprisingly believable in his portrayal of Jake Moore.  There was a little of his past characters that almost carried over from time to time, but I was delightfully surprised by his acting.  It definitely made up for his mistake in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (sorry Spielburg, but that was a huge fail on everyone's part).  Carrey Mulligan (An Education) was fine as Winnie Gekko (no matter how mysterious her entry into the story is).  Even the brief appearances of Susan Sarandon (who plays Jake's mom), Frank Langella (who plays Jake's mentor Louis Zebal), and even Eli Wallach ( who plays Jules Steinhardt) gave it a little push to keep me in my seat, but even with such great talents in the film I still thought the story lacked in a lot of areas.  Maybe if Darly Hannah had a cameo in the film I would feel otherwise as that just might have been enough to void out how painful the rest of the film had been.

Unfortunately Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a film I wish I had passed on.  The original was more than enough for me.  I wish I had gotten more out of the film, but I can only say that the film is a 2.5 out of 5.  I wish you best if you take on this challenge.  Just don't shoot the messenger if you lose it all by taking the gamble in this market. 

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps trailer

 Wall Street (1987) trailer

Easy A -- Review

Back in the day I used to love watching teen comedy films.  I loved the cheesey 90s teen comedies with Freddy Prince, Julia Styles and Rachel Lee Cook with their random mid-story group dance routines that had everyone and their mothers dancing.  But my go-to films are still the classic John Hughes brat pack films.  They make you laugh, they make you cry and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.    Then the 21st century came and we lost the soul of the teen comedy as just about everything had become a "modern adaptation" of one of Mr Shakespeare's plays (but don't get me wrong I am a total sucker for them all). 

Easy A brings back all the things that were great about the classic teen comedy films of the 80s, with a mix of the Y2K teen comedy concept.  I feel slightly hypocritical by saying this since some of my favorite teen films include She's the Man (adaptation of 12th Night), Sydney White (adaptation of Snow White), and 10 Things I Hate About You (adaptation of Taming of the Shrew) however with the exclusion of 10 Things I do not feel that the majority of the Y2K teen comedies can touch Easy A with a ten foot pole.  (My apologies Amanda Bynes, I still love you but I think Emma Stone has stolen your spot light on this one). 

The funny thing is last week I attended another "teen comdey" screening that I felt cheated and lied to, and even commented that I wish the John Hughes-esk films would come back, and here it is.  My prayers have been answered.  Writer Bert V. Royal has created a tale that highlights everything that was once great in teen comedies and brought it back with flare, and with the help of director Will Gluck the two have given today's teens what those of us from yester-year look back on and say "wow those were great times."  Yes, it's not quite the same as Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Weird Science, or Say Anything (not John Hughes but just as amazing) but it has the heart and soul of what those films represent and the truth is I love that Olive (Emma Stone - Zombieland) makes a reference to all of the great 80s films that I'm talking about within the film. 

Easy A is a smart, fun, quick witted story of a girl who takes her suffering from the typical high school rumor mill, and turns the gossip in her favor, for better or worse anyways.  With her life quickly starting to resemble a book she is studying in school (The Scarlet Letter), she takes the gossip and turns in on its head and labels herself with the scarlet A.  But it's not until everything goes completely wrong that she realizes the mistake of her ways.  With a star studded cast within the school walls like Cam Gigandet (Twilight), Penn Badgley (Gossip Girl and The Stepfather),  Dan Byrd (Cougar Town and A Cinderella Story), Amanda Bynes who plays the good catholic girl who tries to save everyone's soul, and Thomas Haden Church (All About Steve) who plays Olive's slightly untraditional yet of course favorite teacher Mr. Griffith it is no wonder things are taken to the extreme like they are.    However it is not just Olive's school life that is so entertaining.  Her home life is just as amazing and it's no wonder since her parents are played by the amazing Stanley Tucci (Devil Wears Prada and Lovely Bones) and Patrica Clarkson (Pheobe in Wonderland and Shutter Island) and it proves why Olive is a little brighter than the rest.  But keep your eyes open for the cameo appearance of one of my favorite actors who will make you laugh just because he's there (sorry I'm not telling who he is, you will just have to go and see for yourself).

Easy A is such a fun film that it will make you want to re-watch all of the classic teen comedies as soon as you get home.  So if your looking to get out of rain this weekend, and are looking for a fun film that will take you back to the "good 'ol days" check out Easy A. 

I give Easy A a 4.5 out of 5.

The Town -- Review

When looking for a good heist film I also try to look for something that will either have me on the edge of my seat or something strong actors that the characters keep me entertained.  The Town is a film that gives you a handful of shining moments with it's characters and just enough suspense and action to keep you from walking out of the theater.

I will admit that the film does achieve it's goal of entertaining an audience, because I truly was entertained.  But the film had some holes that left me feeling a little cheated.  I found The Town to have built so much upon the idea of "suspension of disbelief" that it was almost a fantasy tale for criminals.  The logic, or lack there of, for FBI agents to focus all of their attention on one criminal team even though there is a boss seemed unbelievable to me.  Would the boss really never have been questioned at any point even though every guy they are going after has had some sort of connection back to him?  That wouldn't happen in The Sopranos. 

I love Jeremy Renner, and I would be lying if I said I went to see the film for any other reason (that being the main reason, and the other because I know several people who worked on the film).  I thought he pulled off the role in style, although he could have held back a little on the accent.  I almost felt like a pissing contest as to who could do a better accent when he was on screen with Affleck.  Even Affleck impressed me with his role as Doug MacRay.  He wasn't his usual mass-hole self and I actually found him tolerable which was a nice surprise because it's been quite a long time since I've been a fan of his.

But it wasn't the cast that kept me interested in the film.  Affleck brought the city of Boston to life.  I thought the with this being his second round as a director of a feature length film he did a pretty good job.  I have not seen all of Gone Baby Gone so I cannot compare, but unlike GBG I was actually able to get through all of The Town with minimal struggle.  I thought the story could have been a little cleaner and well developed, but over all I enjoyed the film.  I loves watching the city of Boston up on the big screen, and the chase sequence was probably my favorite part of the film.  It was also nice to see a few familiar faces up on the screen.


I give The Town 2.5 out of 5.  If you are looking for something this weekend I would say that The Town is a film that will at least entertain you.

The Virginity Hit -- Review

The Virginity Hit is a teen comedy that took the tale of four friends on during the two years it took them all to lose their virginity and focused on the one kid who's big head got in the way of his little head. 

As I sat through the 86 minute running time all I could think was "MTV did it better".  Hard Times of RJ Berger is a funnier, better written, and slightly more eye appealing than this knock off.  I know the tale of teen comedies is nothing new. Having lived through the nineties my movie collection is littered with them, but the Y2K stories are lacking something that the 90s, and especially the 80s teen comedies were full of... LIFE. 

The relatively short lived tale of Matt and his "epic journey" to losing his v card felt like a 4 hour film.  The characters were fun for the first 30 minutes but then it turned into one of those "are we there yet" moments when I just wanted it to be done already.  Granted there were no premature ejaculation jokes from his friends which I feel that may have made his journey a little more believable, but then again maybe the high school kids these days don't have the "first time woes" that those that came before had to suffer through.  Maybe it's been a while since I've been in the teen world, granted I've only been an "adult" for 5 years, but I miss the raunchy jokes and heckling that were in the earlier teen comedies and things that still exist in the "adult" comedies.  It even took a note straight out of an earlier release from this year, yet watching two teens take a page out of She's Out of My League was a bit much too handle.  I found it to be a stretch in SOOML but it passed as being so off the wall for 20-something men to be helping out their friends like that, but there is no way two high school teens would give each other a hand like that in the "real world".

Is it wrong of me to ask for a little tradition in my teen comedies?  Is it wrong of me to completely dislike the likes of Super Bad (which according to several of the teens in the audience this film was like)?  Am I just "too old" to get it? 

The only saving grace I found throughout The Virginity Hit was the use of YouTube incorporated from start to finish. Yet some of you whom have seen Kick Ass may think that the transitions from online platform to video image as a copy from the film, I felt that directors Andrew Gurland and Zach Pearlman's choice in transitions was the uniqueness needed to give this little indie project something for us "old folks" to focus on.  The images and transition choices pushed the story forward more smoothly than the story itself. 

I guess that if I was back in high school or even a freshman in college, and going through similar situations I might find it funnier, but for this film being rated R I feel that it's target demographic may not be able to purchase tickets without an adult or older sibling there to sneak them into the theater. I also wish things had been funnier in the sense things didn't work out quite so perfectly for the boys because NO ONE'S first time goes as smooth as these boys.  I'd rather of laughed as their struggle and trials in bed instead of just watching one kid trying to get laid. 

Personally this film is for the high school and college aged boys.  It is for all the frat boys looking to get their kicks and the high school jocks looking to brag about their hookups.  It is not to reflect on a time we once lived as the humor does not quite translate to the older crowds like other teen comedies. 

All I can say is that you may want to give this film a shot and make the decision for yourself, but don't say I didn't warn you.  I give The Virginity Hits a 1.5 our of 5. 

Going the Distance -- Review

Everyone, at one time or another, has been in a long distance relationship.  This may have been for a summer, a year or longer, and may be anything from just a state apart to being seperated by an ocean.  But today is it something that I feel is very common, and everyone deals with it differently.  Sometimes it's caused by a chance encounter while interning or taking on a summer job or during a vacation.  Sometimes it starts in the same state but with the current economy causes a sacrafice be made with one person to take a job in another state.  And of course there are those that are seperated because their significant other is a member of the military of a given flavor and has been stationed over seas.  Some of the couples these couples are in the dating stages and others are married.  Well, this past weekend a romantic comedy about two 30-somethings meet and the struggle of keeping their long distance relationship aflout in today's world.  Going the Distance is a cute look at some of the additional trials the dating world is going through.

Drew Berrymore and her real life "on-again, off-again" beau Justin Long star in one of this summer's funniest romantic comedies.  Their on-screen chemistry and comedic timing make you fall in love with the two stars all over again.  It has been a long time since I've seen a film starring Drew Berrymore that truly shinned as bringht as she does.  Not since Never Been Kissed has she given you a character that you can truly connect with on every level.  Don't get me wrong, He's Just Not That Into You was a fun film as well, but her role was so minor that seeing her back on screen with the adorable Justin Long has kept me grinning since I left the theater. 

With an all-star supporting cast of comedic talents from the likes of Christina Applegate (Samantha Who? and Just Visiting) and Jim Gaffigan (My Boys) playing Erin's sister and brother-in-law, to Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia) and Jason Sudeikis (SNL and 30 Rock) playing Garrett's bestfriends Dan and Box, there is no need to go anywhere else for a funnier film.  This is the new "chick-flick".  It is a film that will not only give the girlfriend what she wants, but it will entertain the boyfriend straight through the credits.  I feel that Going the Distance is a film that matches one of my favorite releases of 2010, She's Out of My League.  Both films give you a comedic look at the world of dating from an honest and heart felt place that makes those of us struggling in that world laugh.  Going the Distance is a cute story that will keep you laughing from beginning to end with the outragous things Garrett's friends try pulling, and will make you feel for the young couple desperately trying everything to keep the passion alike and kicking in their cross-country relationship. 

If you want a fun film to catch with your significant other I highly recommend checking out Going the Distance.  It reminds us of all the reasons why we love Drew Berrymore and Christina Applegate.  The men in the film will make you realize that the romantic comedy is no longer an actress' world, but that the actors can dominate in the genre as well.  You will fall in love with the story as well as the characters.  So give it a chance and close the distance this weekend and check out Going the Distance.

Things I missed at the Comic Con due to the LONG lines

Since there were just soooooooooo many people at this year's comic con, I was not able to get into any of the panels I desperately tried to get into.  So now that I am home, and venting my frustration with the lack of planning and organization on the show's part, I am also google-ing and youtube-ing  as many videos as I can find since I was unable to see anything for myself.  So as I am experiencing these for the first time myself, I though I would share with you. 


 Big Bang Panel Part 1

Big Bang Panel Part 2

Big Bang Panel Part 3


I waited in line for over over 3 hours trying to get into this panel and they almost shut it down.
Kevin Smith @ Comic Con







more is to come... and pictures will be posted next

The American -- Review

It has been a while since I have spent any real quality time in a darkened theater entertained by the moving pictures that a playing out before my eyes, and this however was not the welcome I was expecting. 

The American is a slow moving and depressing story unlike any of Clooney's "traditional" films and expected abilities.  With little to no dialog the passing of time feels as though it takes hours rather than the 105 minutes it actually takes.  The audience is dropped dead smack in the middle of a story with no way to tell which end is up.  I struggled for the first half hour just to try and figure out why I should even care for Clooney's character, and yet the remaining 75 minutes were no better.  With only a handful of minutes throughout the entire film that seemed to have any significance, I neither cared nor wanted to care for any of the "characters" in the story and I use the the term loosely because I still couldn't tell you who any of the characters were or what their point was for the story. 

Yes Clooney is usually able to carry any story easily on his back, but this ones weight was more than even he could bare.  Other than being the only American in the entire film and the name of the story, there appeared to be no other connection and no reason to even try to decipher the significance.  But who was he? Who was he working for? Why was he being hunted? And why should any of us even care?  I wish I had answers or even a hint of an answer, but unfortunately I have none and worse the film offered none.  I wasted the majority of my afternoon trying to convence myself just to stick it out and hope something would happen.  But NOTHING happened. 

The American is pointlessly depressing and drags on FOREVER.  I have never said this before but I am yelling it to the heavens.... This is THE WORST Clooney film EVER!  Do yourself a favor and pass on this film.  It truly isn't even worth your time or money once it's released on DVD.  I'm so disappointed with the film I cannot even rate it as right now I'm just hoping to forget all about it.

I'm sorry Silver Fox but The American was a bad decision on your part.