2014: Week 9: That Awkward Moment

That Awkward Moment

Genre:  Romantic Comedy

Main Players: Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Imogen Poots, Mackenzie Davis

General Gist: Three best friends and their dilemmas with relationships.

Deb's Take:
I needed this movie this week.  I needed to laugh and pretty much sink into a chicky flicky kind of mode.  The thing about this movie is that is wasn't necessarily a chick flick, it was about three college guy friends.  There is very little that is chick flicky about three guys.  However, this movie was about relationships, and love, and sex, and friendship and MY perfect combination of romance, comedy and seriousness.  Now by no means is this movie an Oscar type of show.  There is no deeper meaning, no hidden messages, just flat out relationship craziness.  In all actuality it's the "fairytale" portrayal that I liked.  Chase the girl, lose the girl, get the girl (although not completely).  The better part though is it cracked me up.  There was a scene that made me laugh so hard I almost peed my pants. It was crude, but I guess my humor runs a little on the dirty side at times.  I will never think of the word "cocktail" in quite the same way.

Now about the actors,  yes I am 42 but I still think Zac Efron is nice to look at.  Also, the chemistry between the three guy actors was so natural.  Not sure if they are really friends but they seemed pretty believable to me.  I also liked the chemistry between the couples.  I liked how the dynamics between each couple was different and  all seemed like plausible situations.  Another sort of hokey likeness in the movie were the cliches and puns.  I am a sucker for one liners be it serious or funny. 

If you happen to see this movie stay for the outtakes.  They are funnier than some of the scenes.  Oh, and another thing...not one naked woman, but a couple naked men..see, chick flick!  I say take a friend (like your sister) and enjoy some girl time, and really, I think a guy might enjoy some of the funny men situations, if for no other reason than the fact that they could probably relate to every situation.

Deb's Rate: Friday Night

Tiff's Take:
Another love story (sort of) for the third week in a row.  This one was more from the male perspective though.  Meaning a lot about sex and a lot of swearing and definitely funnier than the other two.  Seeing relationships from the male perspective can be refreshing.  And this was.  But.

There were a lot of one liners, which were funny, but it didn't seem like there were any real conversations.  It was a little too much for me.  I liked the chemistry between the couples but they didn't ever really talk to each other.  I don't know.  I just didn't get into the rhythm of the movie.

But as Deb said, there was one scene that was so funny we both were practically crying.  We sisters definitely like a good laugh.  That right there is enough to go to the movie.  But overall, for me, it was just okay.

Tiff's Rate: Matinee

Preview:  We'll be celebrating the older sister's birthday this week with a movie!

2012: Week 9: 21 Jump Street

21 Jump Street

Genre: Comedy, Action

Main Players: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum

General Gist: Two underachieving cops go undercover in a local high school to try and break up a drug ring. Spoof on the TV series 21 Jump Street from the 1980's.

Tiff's Take:
I'm going to show my age a couple times with this review.  First of all, I had no idea what the original TV series was all about.  It was way before my time of TV series watching.  Before someone told me, I didn't even know Johnny Depp was in it.  So needless to say, I didn't have any preconceived notions about what this movie might be like.  That might be a good thing.

Secondly, watching this movie, I once again felt too old to appreciate much of the humor.  What is it with these movies we've been seeing lately?  Don't get me wrong, this was a decently funny movie and the crowd was really enjoying it but there were also a lot of parts where I was just shaking my head and mentally rolling my eyes.  A lot of the parts were just too over the top for me.  Jonah Hill fit his character pretty well but Channing Tatum, in all his yummy goodness, did not.  Maybe comedy just isn't his thing.  I definitely preferred him in The Vow.

So, yes, I'm too young to appreciate any throw backs to the original and yes, I'm too old to think this was a knockout comedy.

Tiff's Rate: Rent it

Deb's Take:
I vaguely remember this T.V. show when I was young. I don't remember ever really watching it much, but it was where Johnny Depp got his stardom, I believe. I think the T.V. show was more serious, where this show was comedy.

Now when I say comedy, I don't mean the kind of comedy that you get from Steve Martin or Chevy Chase. This comedy was like "The Hang Over" in high school. The stupid, roll your eyes, chuckle kind of comedy. It was definitely rated R for a reason. I did laugh, and once I realized the movie was more racy and perverse than funny and knee slapping, I was able to enjoy it a little more. I think that Jonah Hill did a good job. It was interesting to see Channing Tatum in a different role than what I am use to seeing him. He was okay too. I guess I found it hard to watch 22-30 year olds trying to pull off high schoolers. I know Hollywood always does that, but this time I found it hard to believe these kids were "kids", because they weren't.

Although I really enjoyed the "Hang Over", and this movie kind of reminded me of that humor, this time I wasn't as impressed. I think the story line was ok, but the whole thing was sort of juvenile for me. This was a pre-screening, and the place was full, and a there was a lot of laughing. There were, however, a lot of 18-25 year olds watching though. Just saying....

I will say, there was a cameo or two that surprised me.

Deb's Rate: Rent it: (or get it for free and a take a friend..like we did, thanks for joining us Chris!)

Preview: A Giveaway is in the works. As far as our next movie...could be "The Lorax" for the kids, not quite sure yet....

Week 9: Unknown

This week was Unknown with Liam Neeson and Diane Kruger.  I pretty much agree with Deb on this one.  It was good as far as Action movies go.  Maybe not the best but good.  Both Liam Neeson and Diane Kruger were good.  Although Liam Neeson's acting was good, he wasn't quite as believable as the spy/assassin/bad ass that some actors are.  Diane Kruger was a good match as well but I didn't think they had the best chemistry together.  Oh and January Jones was in it.  I hear about her all the time but she didn't really stand out for me at all.   

Action movies aren't my favorite type of genre but I enjoy them enough.  This one kept you on the edge of your seat and tense most of the time which makes for a good action movie.  It was also semi-confusing and riddle filled until the end.  Unlike Deb, I don't generally try to figure out a plot ahead of time.  I usually just enjoy the ride.   This one was no different.  Although I will admit that it left me with some questions at the end still. 

Overall, I think this was an entertaining movie.  If you're into these kinds of movies it's definitely one to see.  If you're not then it probably wouldn't hurt to miss it.  But one things for certain, I'm sure glad it was this instead of Hall Pass.  Thanks voters.  That was a close call. 

To Sum it up:  Suspenseful, action-packed but nothing to write home about.