50 / 50 screening

Based on a true story, a cautious healthy 30 something finds out he has cancer. We follow him through the stages of grief. We see how his somewhat newish girlfriend, best friend and family react to the situation. He gets help from a new psychiatrist and other cancer patients.

This is a nice little film. Its going to be marketed as a comedy when it comes out this fall. That's based on Seth Rogen as the best friend. I think if it gets butts in seats, then mission accomplished. Small dramas with moments of levity and character don't have the draw they once had. All the actors are great in this. Joseph Gordon Levitt has been one of my favorites since he did Mysterious Skin. He wanted to do stuff different than he did on 3rd Rock from the Sun. And I applaud him for it. Seth Rogen has gotten the clout he needed in Hollywood to do the same. Get stuff he likes made into movies. Anna Kendricks from Up in the Air and Scott Pilgrim is quickly becoming one of my It Girls to watch. Plus it has Matt Frewer in it. MAX HEADROOM! I love that guy.

I won't spoil the ending to tell you if he beats it or not, but being an indie drama, it could go either way, people.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
No.

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

Captain America

The hokiest of all comic book super heroes has made it to the big screen. Even as a kid, I knew there was something different about Captain America. You think Superman is a generic name? Woof.

But I will have to give it to Marvel. They've done a great job of getting all their characters made into movies. And this movie, like the first Iron Man, can stand on it's own two legs while fitting into a greater puzzle.

Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, Hugo Weaving and even Chris Evans do a great job in this movie. It's really a wholesome action flick. Set during World War II, our hero is a scrawny wimp who just wants to serve in the Army. As fate would have it, he ends up getting help from some scientists to be the top solider.

Just like Cap't himself, not a lot to say, but I'm glad this movie was released at the end of July, so it has a chance of hanging out in multiplexes for a little longer when the fall suck arrives.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Maybe. It was midnight the first time.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
Probably.

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

30 Minutes or Less

The four people on the poster are awesome. So why isn't this movie amazing? It was directed by the guy who did Zombieland! This should be my favorite movie. But it's not. Can expectations be set too high? Yes. Is this movie funny? Yes.

Is it based on a true story? Kinda.

Two lazy rednecks who love to blow stuff up at the old mill (?) are convinced by a stripper (who wants to polish your scepter) to hire someone to kill 'The Major' (Fred Ward). But they don't have money to even hire a hit man, so to get that money they kidnap a pizza guy and strap a bomb to him. He has to get the money or he gets blown up.

Okay, just writing the plot in that last paragraph threw me for a loop, so maybe that's why I didn't love it. Its so convoluted. But it is funny. So, non-sensical plots can be forgiven. Not as good as Zombieland, but still worth a look.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Maybe. (Stay til the credits are over)

Would you buy it?
Possibly.

Would you rent it?
Yes.

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

Horrible Bosses

Have you ever wanted to kill your boss? Well these guys do. Hilarious, yes? Okay, maybe I'm being too snarky. There are two good things going on in this movie, the bosses and the buddies. The bosses are actors who don't get to play the "fun" role very often. Jennifer Aniston as a sexual predator who is super inappropriate. Kevin Spacey is the slick prick who will say something just to see who the brown nosers are and then turn whatever you just agreed with against you. And finally we come to Colin Ferrell. He gets to play the son of the owner who is only working for his dad to support his cocaine habit. When he takes over, all hell breaks loose.

On the flip side we have the employees who's lives are being ruined by these bosses. Sudekis, Charlie Day and Bateman. They get the less exciting roles. But what they do have is a great chemistry with each other. Watching them on screen together makes you think they're friends.

The key plot point is stretched thin and wisely moves fast enough so you can't sit still long enough to realize just how ridiculous it is. Good, not great.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
Eh.

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