Sunshine Cleaning

Part of an afternoon of movies up north, I happened into a screening of Sunshine Cleaning. This is the latest from the people who brought us Little Miss Sunshine. I guess this is the second in their proposed "Sunshine" Trilogy. I had no notions one way or another going into it. LMS was a pleasant surprise but I didn't think it deserved all the attention it got (and nominations). The trailer for this movie made it seem like more of the same.

And that's what it was. Troubled family with real issues working toward something. In this case its a job instead of a competition. Alan Arkin is back as the girls' father. The best character is the one played by Clifton Collins Jr. Other than that its a fairly run of the mill story with a cutesy business.

Did you enjoy it?

Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?

No.

Would you rent it?

No.

Would you buy it?

No.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?

Yes.

Duplicity

Tony Gilroy can spin a good yarn. The question is will Julia Robert's celebrity sink it? The answer is yes and no. No because she didn't get anyone to go see it. Yes because she's at the point in her career where she really can't take fun roles anymore. I just stare at the celebrity, not the person. I'd say Erin Brockovich was the last time it would happen for her. Clive Owen does his best to go toe to toe with her. But it feels like spinning plates. This plus the constant mini set pieces that shrink wipe into oblivion (very annoying after a while).

Did you enjoy it?

Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you rent it?
No.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?

No.

Watchmen (who watches them??)

I've been reading about the Watchmen since they've had the internet on computers. When in high school I was shown the Watchmen graphic novel from my friend's college age brother. I scanned through it but it was obviously way too dense for me. At the time being a small town farm boy I was unable to wrap my head around the concept. It was hard enough for me to understand how they had 10 different Superman series of comics running at the same time.

But, the excitement that was building with the internet nerds was getting me excited as well. I didn't care that they changed the end. It wasn't close to my heart. Changes were made that I'd never notice.

So how was it? I'm not sure. I enjoyed watching it. I understand it was a large undertaking. Jackie Early Haley's Rosharch was awesome. Beyond that, it just felt hollow. I am guessing that is the point.

Did you enjoy it?

Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you rent it?
Yes. But I would wait for the longer Director Cut that is supposedly coming.

Would you buy it?
If the Director's Cut made improvements, then yes.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?

Probably not.

I Love You, Man / SHOT TIME! / Miller gets Malkmus'd / Rudd, Hamburg, Segal are good sports

Won passes to "I Love You, Man" sneak. Paul, Jason and the director John were there for a post Q&A. Everyone was super cool. It's hard to believe this movie came from the guy who made Along Came Polly. But if you compare the two side by side, it is super easy. You have the uptight guy (Paul Rudd / Ben Stiller). They meet the play by their own rules ying to their yang (Jason Segal / Jennifer Aniston). Its the age old tale of Felix and Oscar.

It was super funny. The scenes give room for people to do what they do best. There's very little in the way of conflict. Its mostly just there to keep the movie going.

Also, since when is Rush awesome? I have hated them for years. What's with the voice of Geddy Lee indeed. But man alive if the songs and use of the band as a minor plot device didn't convert me into a fan (sort of).

My roommate got to ask about Jason Segal's schlong and do some Pavement lyrics. Luckily Paul Rudd is just as awesome as you'd expect. How could he not be when the bassist for Clap Your Hands taught him bass for the movie. They also got Jason to play Dracula's Lament from Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Except for the venue tricking us into watching a Comedy Sketch before they started the movie (universally hated by the crowd) it was a great evening.

SHOT TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!

Did you enjoy it?

Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Yes. I did.

Would you rent it?
Yes.

Would you buy it?
Yes. For the RUSH songs more than anything else. That and to "slappa da bass!"

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?

Yes.