Internship

Watched: October 3, 2013
Rating: 2.5
Duration: 2:05:15
Genre: Comedy

“Google should have just shown snippets of this movie on YouTube”

Working for Google seems to be the coolest job. We may have the advantage of knowing since we are partially working for Google, as a contractor more so. Anyone would notice Google’s unending pursuit for innovation, for positive change, for making a difference. Upon watching Internship, it feels so tacky we feel bad for Google. We feel bad that Google agreed to be associated to this crap of a movie

The CONS

We have two middle-aged guys, in the form of talented actors Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, who have just lost their sales gig because their company shut down, and are now desperate to look for a job in the same field. We are led to believe that they are a very good sales man. So Owen would risk his new job selling mattress, for an interview to an internship that may or may not land them a job in Google

This is a two-hour film where the audience knows exactly what’s going to happen in the end. Billy and Nick (Vince and Owen) will land that job in Google. This is not a spoiler, it’s a given. How else would Internship end? The jokes were not that funny. We laughed when the team is screwing up Owen and Vince on the Professor X prank. Then the two actually found someone who looks like professor X, and it we thought the joke was misdirected

Then the team went partying one night despite a stressful “create an app” challenge that they decided to neglect in lieu of partying and having fun. They also went to a strip club and did all wild stuff possible, that eventually got them into trouble. In one scene where they hung out overlooking the golden gate, one of the geeks was asked to admit that it was the best night of his life, and he said it was. Really? No wonder Billy and Nick couldn’t get a proper job. They chose to party instead of meeting deadline for a difficult work assignment. Miraculously, they were able to the create the best selling app. And they had to be drunk for that

This movie is filled with pretensions and cliches are all over the place. It is a waste of talent coming from Vince and Owen, and a misuse of Google branding, references, and association

The PROS

We appreciate that we get to see the Google headquarters as portrayed in the movie. We love to see Owen and Vince team up. They have the dynamics and chemistry that can work in any comedy, well, given the proper story and settings. Even though Nick tries to hook up with a Google employee, the lovely Rose Byrne, we’re glad that Billy didn’t try to have sex with teammate Tiya Sicar, or any other female Google employee for that matter. We like Max Minghella playing as the antagonist. He is gorgeous on the outside, but pure evil within

VERDICT. 2.5 rating. If you want to get an idea on how the Google HQ looks like, maybe you could browse through the movie, but don’t sit through it

This is 40

Watched: October 2, 2013
Rating: 4.5
Duration: 2:17:03
Genre: Comedy / Romance

“Rudd and Mann look stunning, they didn’t convince us that they’re 40”

Movies have a certain impact to the viewer. Most movies have little impact. The viewer leaves the movie house, goes home, and forgets about the movie entirely. Some movies make minimal impact. After watching, the viewer is compelled to discuss the movie with others who saw it. It doesn’t have to be with close friends, it can be with mere acquaintances. And then the discussion ends, and the movie is soon forgotten. There are movies that have very awesome references you try to look them up yourself. You Google the info while watching, maybe pause the DVD as you research on the internet. There are movies that are good with references, they make you want to watch another movie, a TV show, or listen to an unknown artist. In the case of This is 40, it makes me want to watch Lost. Yes, I have seen episodes of Lost, but no, I did not follow through with the last few seasons. Upon watching This is 40, I have the sudden urge to rent the show and watch at least the last episode

The CONS

The movie is a little more than 2 hours. We are not the type who complains if the movie is too long or too short as long as it doesn’t seem to waste our very valuable time. This is 40 did not waste out time, but we felt it could have been shortened by taking out some unnecessary scenes. One example we find worthy of “cutting” is that scene with the Asian girl assistant having some psycho episode or something. It was funny at first, then it became creepy, then weird, then finally, not funny. We wanted to see more of Megan Fox, thought she was a nice view to look at when watching this movie. When she was at a table with Jason Segel and that British guy, we felt that that scene could be something that can be taken out of the storyline. Another con, that hideous haircut of Paul Rudd. Can’t imagine any guy of 40 having that kind of haircut simply by manner of choice

The PROS

This is our third Paul Rudd film in the last 3 weeks. It was not an obsession to Paul Rudd, but we are just confident in his good taste in accepting roles in his movies. It is not to refuse being a fan of Rudd, actually it is the opposite, as we had admitted from previous posts. But in our quest to watch one movie a day, despite tight work schedule and family obligations, we are tasked to pick movies that are worth a watch. And every Paul Rudd movie seems like a good choice to us

Awesome references. This movie is filled with some of the coolest references that we felt we had to take note of. There’s Simon and Garfunkel and Lost. Actually there’s just two that we took note of, not because we don’t know that reference, but because we decided we will go watch the last episode of Lost to get that movie reference

Funny things happen nonstop. There were comic moments with the foul-mouthed mother of that kid with Justin Bieber hair. There was this constant bickering between the two sisters, a thing that is relatable to many siblings. They’ve been showing off iPads, gadgets and other pop culture references, something that gives the movie some sort of realism

And finally, the one movie about married couple who didn’t commit infidelity. We know the two fight a lot and hate each other at one point. But we’re happy that the film didn’t have to make the couple look for comfort via extramarital sex. It doesn’t have to. We’re glad they remained faithful, even though they were about to give up on each other

VERDICT: 4.5 rating. Don’t need to be 40 to enjoy this spin-off comedy

Admission

Watched: October 1, 2013
Rating: 3.9
Duration: 1:47:07
Genre: Comedy / Romance

“Something about college admission that doesn’t strike funny to many people”

We love Tina Fey. We don’t love her from the 30 Rock days. We love her just now, upon seeing the movie that we’re about to review. To be totally honest, we haven’t seen any of Tina Fey’s before Admission. We caught few episodes of 30 Rock. Thought she was funny. Thought it was just appropriate to view her as funny, given the several Emmy awards received by the TV show. But we hadn’t had the chance to admire her talent as an actor, until we watch the hilarious movie Admission

The CONS

The jokes are not laugh-out-loud funny; they are average and too obvious. But we still get a good laugh here and there. The surrealism seems bleak and ally mcbeal-ish. Other floating characters are like… for a lack of a better term… just floating around the two central characters: Tina Fey and Paul Rudd. Admission is a good movie, it just feels like we’re in a different dimension seeing the characters onscreen. Too many weird stuff. Weird developmental school. Weird encounters with ex-fiance. Weird misbehaving mom

The PROS

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Not long ago, we got ourselves to admit of our fondness for Paul Rudd. One of the main driving forces why we chose to watch this movie is because of Paul Rudd, and secondly, Tina Fey. Luckily, we are not disappointed. Rudd is such a natural when it comes to acting. Here, he has a difficult role to act like a jerk, without knowing that he is one. Fey and Rudd expose themselves to reach that climax in acting. The peak where you feel a certain connection on the way the characters behave. We are brought to wonder why these characters behave differently than what we expect

Some of the funniest are Fey’s comebacks and punch lines. It is easier to imagine because these are coming from Tina Fey, and we totally give her credit for that, boy she’s got amazing talent. The chemistry between Fey’s Portia and Rudd’s John blends well in this movie. We believe in an instant that they like each other, and they even look cute together. As the movie progresses we imagine how crazy it must be in trying to apply for Princeton. We remember when we applied in a state university and got waitlisted, but never felt bad about it. overall we think there is a bit exaggeration on the stress level they put towards selection for college applicants, but the movie is so good it makes this seem realistic to the viewers

VERDICT: Highly recommended. 4.3 rating. Watch it and try to reminisce those college admission days

How to meet girls from a distance

Watched: September 23, 2013

Rating: 4.7

Duration: 1:20:49

Genre: Comedy / Romance

“Clever writing. Cute story. Nice acting. Amazing twist.”

There are movies you tell friends about because it made an impact to you. There are movies that touch on economic and social dilemmas, and you are struck with the social significance so you start loving the movie for its originality and value. There are movies that you have to watch over and over again, and each time you feel exasperated, like you’ve been submerged in water and you had to swim your way up for air (read: Atonement). There are really good movies that you admire because of its clever writing. And you ended up writing a short story, or starting a movie blog. And there are movies that you simply adore, for its subtlety, bluntness, and sheer ability to make you laugh. A movie that gets you, and you ultimately get the movie too.  I’m talking about this refreshing comedy from the Land Down Under, the Wellywood movie How to meet girls from a distance

The CONS

I can’t think of any. I may be biased. My judgment may have been shrouded by the movie’s relate-ability to me. The movie isn’t perfect, nothing is. It is flawed by blunt jokes. By over-acting. By characters obviously trying to be weirdos to get a good chemistry of this marvel of a movie. Perhaps the only actual con I could say is that I wanted to see more and the movie ended too soon. Not that it should have been long, I completely agree that an hour and 20 minutes is enough time to show everything. But I wanted to see more, may be some behind the scenes, or heck, a sequel maybe.

The PROS

So far, this is the highest-rated movie on this blog. And although the rating is completely based on my prerogative, I still owe the readers an explanation why I gave this movie a 4.7, 0.3 shy of being perfect

1. Casting Richard Falkner as Toby. He’s just perfect for the role. He looks timid enough to be that timid, “torpe” guy. His receding hairline shows that he is not the best looking, but we know he is talented and got skills, and that should make girls fall for him. He looks weird enough to be type-cast as a psycho stalker. I could not imagine other actors playing as Toby
2. The movie gets me. I could relate to the movie in a level that I tend to look back at my old self and think: I should have done that! I really should! It gets me because it talks to the viewers in the ordinary, “regular-people” level. Although it is a Kiwi film, there were very minimal cultural references, and we are all hooked up until the end part, and when Toby said that last word I was about to do a chicken dance, but then, I was in a crowded MRT train and that would be too embarrasing
3. Clever writing, awesome twist. The detective work that Toby does is amazing. It gave me an idea on how to manipulate someone’s life. If I have to proceed with that plan this movie would be my practical guide. When Toby does his stalking, we tend to neglect how the girl would feel, given that the local equivalent of stalking in the Phils is adoring someone and most folks want that kind of attention

VERDICT. 4.7 rating. Highest-rated so far. Watched it for 3 times. You should too, at least once. You owe yourself that favor

This Is the End

watched: September 18, 2013

rating: 3.5

duration: 1:46:41

genre: Comedy

“effortless laughter from comedy actors who made little effort”

It’s relatively new to me to see a film where most of the actors play as themselves on screen. So when I watched This is the End I thought it was a novel approach to a comedic drivel. I know many people find it trash, but there’s good trash, the one you can still find some use from. With cameos from Paul Rudd, Michael Cera, Rihanna, Jason Segel, and Channing Tatum, I am pretty convinced I couldn’t let this movie pass

Channing Tatum: “I love him”

The CONS

Admittedly, the jokes were lame. Not that jokes on this type of movie had to be deep, but they have to at least solicit some form of analyzing before you figure out how funny the punch line was. Hey, there wasn’t any punch line at all on most of the gags. It went straight to eliciting laughter purely on the merit of the statement being supposedly funny. Well, I wouldn’t expect much from a movie where actors looked like they’re just shooting off from their backyard using a handheld camera

Another con, they killed likeable characters like Michael Cera and Paul Rudd way too early. Seth Rogen, James Franco, et al seemed like they’re really likeable and are going along well in the flow of the story, but I would have wanted to see more of Rudd and Cera doing some comic relief

And one last con for the road… the Backstreet Boys “sing and dance off” on the end scene. I didn’t know Hollywood would take the route of employing the cheap trick of making movie characters dance in unison. I would have accepted it if it were a Joey De Leon movie and people would automatically sing and dance even if they are on the beach. But this is a Hollywood film, and I would even be more tolerant if there’s a hint of Bollywood to promote the merry-making, but there’s none

The PROS

The all star cast worked for me. I thought each cast is hilarious on their own, individually. Sex jokes are funny, but sex jokes of celebrities making fun of themselves are way funnier. When they were sharing secrets of bad things they did in the past, I laughed really hard when James Franco shared that he did Lindsay Lohan. Thought that was an awesome joke to be delivered from the perspective of James Franco playing as James Franco onscreen and from the perspective of James Franco being just James Franco, off cam

James Franco: “I f***ed Lindsay Lohan”

I know the bad reviews spewed from unmet expectations and disappointments. But really, what else can you expect from this kind of film? It is obviously targeted to an audience who just  wanted pure, unadulterated entertainment and fun; and the movie has effortlessly done just that, delivering pure entertainment value from big shot actors who are making complete wackos of themselves

VERDICT: rating is 3.5 out of 5. It is no Oscar contender, but you’re sure to get a good laugh out of it. Make sure you walk out as soon as you hear “Everybody” playing on the background

All is Bright

courtesy of buzzsugar.com

watched: September 15, 2013

rating: 4.0

duration: 1:47:29

genre: comedy / drama

“it’s more than a Christmas movie”

I am an admitted fan of Paul Rudd. I first saw him in “The Object of my Affection,” and I thought he was really good playing Jennifer Aniston’s gay best friend. Then I saw the two again, reunited in the subtly hilarious “Wanderlust.” The chemistry has changed in the latter movie, but still, there was chemistry

Back to All is Bright.

The CONS

The movie has a slow pace on the first part. You may give up and decide to stream videos in youtube instead, or worse, go to Wikipedia to read the movie’s entire plot. This kind of reaction is understandable, especially since the  movie has the look and feel of the oldie Northern Exposure. At one point, I thought I had enough of watching ex-prisoner movies (after watching Un Prophet), but I gave this movie another chance anyways

There were times I had to skip some parts as it started to feel like the moview is turning into a telenovela, with multiple new characters chiming in. You may feel compelled to do the same and forward it just to get right past those parts

The PROS

You expected it to be a Christmas movie, and based from the soundtrack of the opening, you know it is a Christmas movie. The ambiance,  check. Musical score, check. Family-oriented theme, check. But it is more than a movie about Christmas and all those crap about gift giving. It’s about family; and how having a family makes one person feel whole. When Dennis went to Rene to ask help, we saw the biggest pride-swallowing scene, as Dennis asked his wife’s lover for help in getting a job

The acting was undoubtedly superb. Paul Giamatti’s Dennis portrayal of the toughest character in the movie – a man who’s torn between trying to salvage what’s left of his marriage, and saving his wife’s relationship with her lover. Onset, you expect Giamatti’s Dennis to be loathsome and  greedy, but as the story unfolds you start to have utmost respect for him, and at one time root for him more than you would for Rudd’s character Rene

VERDICT: 4.0 rating out of 5. Watch it and don’t be fooled by the mushy Christmas jingles