Change Your Image
schrammbledeggs
Reviews
Marley & Me (2008)
An emotional roller-coaster ride...
I walked into this movie thinking it would be a silly, run-of-the-mill, romantic comedy vehicle for Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. I was so dead wrong. The movie is about how Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston start their family by getting a small puppy named Marley. Marley is a little terror as far as dogs are concerned but the entire movie centers on how everyone in the family grows up and how Marley has had an effect on each and every facet of their lives and what having a pet can do to enrich your life. I'm not ashamed to say this movie made me cry...and not just like a single tear...but like, legitimately choked up and fighting back numerous tears since I was watching it with my buddy Brian (who also cried) and I couldn't get too emotional. 10/10 movie.
The Incredibles (2004)
Overrated...
I'd seen this movie before this past week a couple years ago but I didn't remember it at all. This led me to believe that it wasn't good enough to me to warrant remembering it and I was kind of right. Watching it again, I couldn't help feeling the animation was kind of crappy for Pixar especially considering the movie they made previous to this, Finding Nemo, had flawless animation. The story was purely OK and the characters felt uncommitted. The only time I laughed was when Mr. Incredible lifted the car and that little boy on the tricycle looked at him in disbelief and subsequent appearances of said little boy. The Incredibles is overrated.
The Hours (2002)
Beautiful...
This movie started out slow and ended up excellent. Starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Julianne Moore, The Hours is a parable following the 3 parallel story lines of the aforementioned actresses and how their lives are connected by the plot of a novel that Nicole Kidman's character is writing. The acting is excellent, obviously, considering the actresses in the movie. There's also a surprisingly excellent supporting cast including Ed Harris, Claire Danes, Jeff Daniels, Allison Janney, and John C. Reilly. What REALLY makes this movie excellent is the fantastic musical score. Philip Glass really hit the nail on the head here with his musical selections. This movie is worth seeing just to hear the score.
17 Again (2009)
Mediocrity at its best...
I was invited to this movie by my Dad's girlfriend and since I wanted to be supportive, I came and hey...free movie. So as expected, me and my Dad were maybe 2 of 8 guys in a sea of teenage girls which was kind of embarrassing/hilarious. Anyway, 17 Again is mediocrity in its most boiled down form. The movie is about how Chandler Bing decides he hates his life now and is magically transformed into Zac Efron by Brian Doyle Murray as a corpulent janitor. Now mind you he doesn't go back in time...he's just 17 again in the same time. So he ends up going back to school and learning very important lessons regarding his family. Costarring Leslie Mann (who I love) as Chandler Bing's wife and Michelle Trachtenberg (who has a rockin' heinie), 17 Again features a couple good laughs, a predictable plot, and one particularly emotionally charged, well acted scene from Zac Efron. Basically, this movie could've been a lot better.
The Reader (2008)
Compelling film-making...
Starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes, two of my favorite actors, The Reader was what I expected it to be...an absolutely stunning movie rich with excellent acting and a compelling tale. The movie is about how a young man and Kate Winslet enjoy a sordid love affair one summer (sordid because the boy is only 15 and Kate Winslet is in her 30's). The boy falls in love with her but one day, Kate Winslet packs up and leaves without telling the young man and his heart is broken. Later in life, the young man is a law student and Kate Winslet's character is at the center of a huge trial. The movie explores themes of love, loss, and "what is the right thing to do?" As with most Kate Winslet movies, there is an abundance of nudity in this movie, which in my opinion, never fails to increase the sense of realism and eroticism in a particular scene or shot...and that goes for all movies; not just The Reader and not just Kate Winslet movies. The musical score to this movie supplements the visuals well and the acting is just top notch. A must-see film in my opinion.
The Pleasure of Your Company (2006)
Pretty good...
I saw this movie on Netflix Instant Queue and saw Jason Biggs and Isla Fisher on the cover...two actors who I've never disliked...so I gave this movie a shot. I walked in expecting a pretty terrible movie but I was pleasantly surprised. Basically, the movie is about how Jason Biggs randomly proposes to Isla Fisher on the basis of how spontaneous and romantic it is and Isla Fisher says yes. The rest of the movie is the "getting to know each other and falling in love" story. Now, in no way was this movie what I would call "amazing"; the plot was predictable, the acting was mediocre, and there was no evidence of outstanding direction, musical composition, or cinematography. But there's just a certain special magic present in the awkward, teen-oriented romantic comedy. Jason Biggs is just perfect at playing the role that made him famous...the awkward, embarrassing guy. Isla Fisher is gorgeous and funny...but mainly gorgeous and fills out her role well. Even Joey Pants (Joe Pantoliano) is in this movie. All in all, Wedding Daze is a fun romp that's worth 90 minutes of time you planned on wasting anyway.