Movie Rental Finds » Comedy

Stranger Than Fiction

wallruss — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 05:28:48 +0000

Stranger Than Fiction is the story of Harold Crick, an IRS auditor, played by Will Ferrell. While this film is a bit of a comedy, it’s not Will Ferrell’s standard fare. In fact, he plays this role fairly straight. In the movie he’s living a predictable life of his own choosing when suddenly he hears a voice, one no one else can hear, that begins to annoyingly narrate his life. That being challenging enough to bear, the always accurate narrative voice one day predicts his death which changes everything. The ‘voice’ is that of Karen Eiffel, played by Emma Thompson, who is currently writing a novel that is indeed telling the story of Harold Crick and having trouble figuring out how to kill him. A certain amount of this movie is about her character. Dustin Hoffman plays the role of literary advisor to Harold and Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the woman who makes him want something more in life.

Thought it was a little slow at times, I found this movie intriguing. Part of the time I was waiting for Will Ferrell to do some outrageously, comedic, stupid bit which amazingly didn’t happen though much of his more subtle funny stuff made it through. The other part had me wondering where it was all going as, over time, it seemed to become less and less of a comedy and more of a romantic drama. I’ve never been much of a fan of Will Ferrell and tend to pass on films he stars in but I’m moved to say I liked him in this. In fact it was such a surprise that I give it a 4 out of 5 marks. It’s one of very few films that I’ve sit through more than once.

Diary of a Tired Black Man

wallruss — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 01:30:34 +0000

No this isn’t another Tyler Perry movie and it’s not just a movie about one of the genders bitching about the other…well mostly not. Here’s the press release: “A humorous and deep look into why relationships fail to work from the point of view of a good black man. It is part scripted and a series of interviews with real people from across the country.” Basically Diary of A Tired Black Man explores the Black Male side of relationship in an intelligent way and provides discussion via interview from both sexes. Sure stereotypes abound in these kind of movies and this one was no exception but the movie was still entertaining and fun.

The whole phenomenon started out with an original clip circulated around the Internet via YouTube. That got the discussion going and in the movie you see additional skits after which there are interviews from people who have just seen it. The only recogizeable actor is Jimmy Jean-Louis who plays the main male role in all the skits. You can find out more about the film and the phenomenon at the official website.

The movie is available for immediate streaming on Netflix so if you’re looking for something to watch with a group of mixed friends that will spark discussion, this could be it. It definitely worked out that way at my house. I give this film a 3 and a half out of 4 marks. Here’s the video that started it all:

You Kill Me

wallruss — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:30:10 +0000

You Kill Me is billed as a killer comedy and that’s exactly what it is. Ben Kingsley plays the part of the family killer who is also an alcoholic. The drinking is interfering with his job and when it causes him to miss a key hit, the family sends him to San Francisco to dry out and get it together. He get’s set up with an apartment and a part-time job at a morturary getting dead bodies ready for their funeral. While at work he meets Téa Leoni’s character who has her own issues and they embark upon a relationship. At this point Ben Kingsley’s character has been an alcoholic so long, he doesn’t remember being any other way. With the help of his new love interest (Leoni) and his AA sponsor played by Luke Wilson, he works to find his way which couldn’t happen too soon because the last guy he missed killing is making life more than a little tough for the people he’s left behind.

There were a lot of recognizable actors in this movie and I’d say the movie was well acted as a whole. Even Luke Wilson wasn’t terrible and while Téa Leoni’s character was a bitch, she was quite a likeable one. The film is definitely a comedy but it’s not really laugh out loud funny though it does make you smile a lot. Ben Kingsley is awesome and the movie is really just plain fun … even when it tries to be serious. I give it a 3 and a half out of 5 marks but I’m considering giving it 4. Here’s the trailer:

10 Items Or Less

wallruss — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 05:53:38 +0000

10 Items Or Less is the story of two people who meet by chance and spend a day together, sharing each other’s world. The two people in this story are Morgan Freeman, who pretty much plays himself and Paz Vega who plays the part of a grocery clerk who works the 10 items or less counter. Morgan Freeman’s character is there to do research for a movie role. He is funny, friendly, and engaging. Paz Vega’s character is young, lovable, and in a place in her life she doesn’t want to be anymore.

This movie is kind of out there. You don’t know where it’s going until it’s over then your remember you had a pretty good time getting there. Here, it’s clearly more about the journey than the destination. If I had to describe it better I say that it was about two people being genuine and connecting. What comes of it? Well, you’ll just have to check out the movie to see for yourself. There’s no big action and no sex, just two people hanging out really. At first I wondered where this all was going but once I let that notion go I enjoyed this film. I give it a 4 out of 5 marks. It’s worth a rental.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

wallruss — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:23:08 +0000

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is an Anime movie about a high school girl who suddenly comes upon the ability to leap through time. It’s funny, a bit silly, and also serious at the same time. She has the usual high school girl problems and this newfound ability doesn’t make it any easier. As the girl learns to make better use of this power she also learns more about herself. One of the things that is really funny is that she actually has to take a running jump to make it work and her landings are awful.

All that sappy stuff aside, this was a surprisingly good movie and just when I thought I figured out how it was all going to work out, a plot twist came out of nowhere and threw me for a pleasant loop. When I saw the movie I had to read subtitles so if that’s not your bag, make sure you get the English dub. Apparently this is a classic story that has already been made into a movie and a TV drama but probably not here in the U.S. If you’re already an Anime Fan then you’ll love this. If Anime is new to you then this just might be a pleasant way to start getting to know the genre. I’ve included the trailer so you can have a look at it.

Turtles Forever

wallruss — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:02:08 +0000

Turtles Forever is a made-for-TV movie that bridges the gap between the different versions of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ that have hit the big and small scren and it does it amazingly well. If you’ve ever been a fan at any age of any TMNT show, movie, or comic then this animated movie was made is for you. I started watching this thinking it would be just like any other Turtles cartoon. What I got was sci-fi, comedy, satire, and plenty of Ninja Turtle action. This movie far surpassed my expectations and kept me riveted till the end.

I’ve been a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles since they were just comic book heroes so I may be a bit biased. The original TV version was fun but made for kids. The latest version got better and also darker but never held my attention enough to keep up with the seemingly endless episodes. Still I’d watch an episode now and then just to see what was happening in the series. This movie does not require you to be as knowledgeable of Turtle lore as I am. You don’t have to be fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to enjoy this movie but if you are, even just a little, rest assured that you will be appropriately entertained. All that and you can even sit and watch it with your kids.

Consent

wallruss — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:07:02 +0000

Consent is a cute short film that plays on the fact that two people should thoroughly discuss sex before actually doing the deed. How thorough? Well you’ll see just as two young adults lean in for the kiss. The language is rather suggestible so don’t play this in front of the kiddies. The film has written and directed by Jason Reitman and won a couple of awards. It’s easily worth a few moments of your time.

Marley & Me

wallruss — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:16:26 +0000

Marley & Me is the story of the married life of a man, a dog, and their family. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston play John and Jenny Grogan, a couple of freshly married journalists who embark upon their life together, all things according to her plan, until they bring home their new Laborador Retriever. Like their life, they never seem to get Marley under control but find that this works for them.

Make no mistake, Marley is the one constant in this movie. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston dull their onscreen presence a bit to make them seem more ordinary and to allow Marley to shine. This film follows the couple throughout the entire time the dog is in their life, through all their ups and downs as they struggle to find themselves. Marley seems to know who he is from day one.

This is definitely a date movie and while nothing ground breaking or overly amazing happens onscreen, it is at times funny, annoying, and touching all at once. This is especially so as the movie comes to a close. The whole family can watch this though the kids might be bored for the first third of the movie or at least until the dog gets his first close up. I enjoyed it and give it a 4 out of 5 marks.

The Terminal

wallruss — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:49:42 +0000

The Terminal stars Tom Hanks as an unfortunate traveler from some Russian country. While flying to New York, his home government is overthrown. When he arrives in the New York terminal he finds he cannot enter the United States because the relationship with his country has changed. He also cannot go back because his country is in turmoil and there are no flights going there so he’s stuck living in the terminal until something changes. What happens next is a series of sometimes sad, sometimes funny, sometimes heart warming events that occur while he learns to survive in the terminal. He makes some familiar friends and falls for a stewardess played by Catherine Zeta-Jones.

This is a Spielberg film. I say that to say that it is entertaining and nicely put together. It meanders a bit here and there, which isn’t necessarily a good thing for a movie with a two hour run-time, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It’s got healthy portions of drama, comedy, and romance. This is the kind of film you can watch while sitting by the fireplace with a warm beverage in hand. It’s heart warming, but also a bit slow and long. It is worth renting and it’s been out long enough that you might even be able to stream it on Netflix. I give it a 3 and 1/2 out of 5 marks. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars