After a bit-too-long intermission, Two Guys, A Girl and a Movie are back with their thoughts on eight of the ten movies nominated for Best Picture.  An Education and Precious have yet to be screened (o.k. we ran out of time).

A Serious Man:
E:  A true Coen brothers flick – great writing, dark humor, and memorable characters wrapped around a morality play.  Similar to No Country for Old Men (case of money) and Burn After Reading (top secret files), A Serious Man forces the main character to look at the tangles of his life when he receives a bribe to change a student’s grade.  Not for all movie fans, don’t see it taking a statue, but entertaining.

S:  I thought it was very American Beauty-esque…a movie I liked, not loved.  I thought the story unfolded well but took a while.

District 9:
K:  A mild surprise to see this sci-fi nominated film over the higher grossing Star Trek. Neill Blomkamp brought fresh eyes to the genre that looked more impressive than many higher budget action/fantasy movies.

E:  You’re right on the ‘fresh eyes’ comment (which, considering what takes place in the movie may be a bit of a pun, K?).  Still, it has what OSCAR voters look for in Best Pics:  social commentary, great cinematography and a good story.  Won’t win, but still recommended for most (if you hate sci-fi, probably not for you).

S: Scary movie does not equal  S seeing to it.  Glad you both enjoyed it.

UP:
S: The first 20 mintues of the movie, I kept thinking, “Why is this marketed to young kids?” Rough subject matter for a Disney/Pixar creation.  But after, WOW what a fun ride (pun intended).  My favorite part was Doug the Dog.  I know it won’t win but I’d say it was my second favorite Oscar nominee!  See it if you haven’t already!

K:  Disney’s (Pixar’s) track record of quality movies in recent years is outstanding. The first 20 minutes of Up provides all you need to see just how deserving this Oscar nomination is. The rest of the movie is pretty entertaining too.

Up in the Air:
K:  George Clooney, Vera Vermiga, & Anna Kendrick nominations were well deserved.  May very well win an OSCAR for Adapted Screenplay.  Jason Reitman deserves kudos for his direction.  I had a good time seeing it but I can’t bring myself to see it win Best Picture.

Our Final Four for Best Picture

The Blind Side:
K:  Mix in Sandra Bullock’s commanding performance with football and elements of tone Crash and what do you have? An outperforming smash hit appealing to many in middle America-shocking many in Hollywood. An uplifting feel good movie that felt very Lifetime-like in overall film quality.

S: I’m not sure I agree with a Lifetime movie feel…I’ve never watched a full Lifetime movie and the only reason I’ve ever watched Lifetime is for Project Runway!  However, I will watch a football movie anytime, anywhere, any way I can!  I LOVED THIS MOVIE!  Can’t say enough how worth the time it was to see.  I will be Sandra Bullock’s character Leigh Ann Tuohy when I grow up.  No nonsense but with compassion to spare! Not sure if you can see this was my favorite of the nominees or not.

Inglourious Basterds:
K:  This writer/director came back with a vengence this year! Simply put the most divisive Best Picture nominee in this group.  People really love it or really are put off by Tarantino’s over the top pushing the envelope style of film making. I understand both sides of this argument. The opening scene & the bar basement scene are classic Tarantino. Expect a wild OSCAR acceptance speech should this movie win.  Christoph Waltz’s electric performance dominates when he’s on screen. He’s a probable shoo-in for Best Supporting Actor.

Avatar: 
E:  When S and I were getting popcorn before the 2D showing, we overheard the cashier saying the movie was “life changing.”  We had to chuckle.  Life changing – no.  Very, very good – yes.  Great story, easy to follow, amazing effects, it’s what a movie is supposed to be.

K:  Who knew that when I attended the midnight show before its opening day in December that it would become the all time highest grossing worldwide and domestic?  Simply put the greatest 3-D movie on the “environment” ever made (with my apologies to Al Gore). Even with James Cameron’s track record there were many a doubter saying this movie would flop on its face.  No movie has made more haters eat crow than on this one.  This film will win many or sweep the technical Oscars.  I thought the screenplay was average but Cameron more than made up for it in his outstanding direction.  Special mention to Stephen Lang and Zoe Saldena for their outstanding performances.  The favorite to win Best Picture in my opinion.

The Hurt Locker:
E:  This had OSCAR buzz from the minute it was released.  If you haven’t seen it, check your cable or satellite PPV – it should be there.

S:  We PPV’d it and was just as moving as seeing it in the theatre I’d expect.

K:  The “David” of the Best Picture nominees. Got a heck of a slingshot’s chance to win, however. Director Kathryn Bigelow sets a new standard for action directing, so much so she’s the favorite to win Best Director according to her ex husband James Cameron.  Kudos to  Jeremy Renner for his Best Actor nomination. (S:  Did you know he’s in a band and write music for keyboards and sings.  Ladies, he’s supposedly single!  Do you have your plane ticket to LA?)  No movie moved me in profound ways this year that this one. In many ways the best Hollywood made on the Iraq war and the least preachy politically.  I’ll be smiling if this one were to win Best Picture.

In the end, all are worth seeing but see these top 4 if you haven’t already!  It’s worth it to be ready for your local Oscar party!

K=one guy                  E=other guy                  S=the girl

S: So let me start out by saying I was SO worried. The trailers were misleading and this movie was going to be S-C-A-R-Y!  But was hoping beyond hope that it was like one of my favorite movies, Shaun of the Dead.

K: I went in thinking, “Do we really need another zombie movie?” In the end, I’m glad I didn’t talk myself out of seeing it.

E: The set up is like any other zombie flick.  Virus goes wrong.  People start feasting on each other like a CiCi’s buffet.  A few stay untouched, band together, and try to find some sense of normalcy.

S: The gags and “The Rules” were what kept me engaged the entire time.  I was laughing my butt off!  “The Rules” reminded me of “going to the Winchester to get a pint” in Shaun of the Dead.

E: Rules like 2.  beware of bathrooms… 11. always check the backseat… 3.  always double tap (shoot ‘em in the head twice).  1.  Cardio.  30.  Never be hero.  Rules like that.

K: I enjoyed the zany, dark humor gags of Zombieland and the crazy, way over the top, gory tone of opening the scene. It sets up “The Rules” that Columbus (Eisenberg) follows to stay alive.

E: You had to love the running gag that Woody Harrelson was looking for the last Twinkie on earth.  And, it made S & me run to Hy Vee for some golden cake and creamy filled goodness after the flick.

K: Zombieland is essentially a road trip movie while parading the zombie movie genre. Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin each bring certain flair to their performances that keep the viewer engaged.

S: I loved Emma Stone in Superbad anyway but her rocker-chic look and kick-ass mentality was even better in this movie than that one.

E: And, for once, two really strong female characters in a creature feature.  That’s rare.

K: What made me really crack up unexpectedly was a terrific, out of the blue cameo by a legendary comedic actor towards the second half. The hilarious buzz worthy scene alone is worth seeing Zombieland!

S: I SO agree.  However, the end of the scene was the only thing that kind of made me a little uncomfortable.  I didn’t think it was quite the right end.

E: I think you’ve both said too much.  You’ll just have to see it for yourself (hint:  it’s not Russell Crowe, but he is the butt of a great joke).

K: Kudos for director Ruben Fleischer & the screenwriters for their creative vision for a fresh take on zombie movies.

S: I’d see this again and again and again and…

E: The ending was a little too Scooby Doo (monsters in an amusement park), but look past that for lots of laughs, a couple buckets of blood, a few one liners you’ll keep saying, and one last Twinkie.  So nut up or shut up and go see this thing.

Recommendation: Full Price for zombie movie geeks, Shaun of the Dead groupies and dark comedy fans.  Matinee if you really hate zombies.

K=one guy                 E=other guy               S=the girl

E:  The good news, you don’t have to file any TPS reports… the bad news, Extract doesn’t quite live up to Office Space.

S:  But I believe you still have my stapler. 

K:  I was interested in seeing Extract when I learned that this is a Mike Judge movie.  “Beavis and Butthead” cartoons are a guilty pleasure and Office Space (starring Cedar Rapids/Marion native Rod Livingston) is one of my favorite modern-day-sleeper-cult-classic-comedy movies. I actually saw it in the theater (most people have seen it on cable and on home video).

E:  Some also know Mike Judge for “King of the Hill.”  Extract had a little “Hill” feel… smaller town, some trucker caps and mullets, solving the world’s problems over a few beers… but overall it stayed true to Judge’s movies:  a commentary on the workplace and worker/boss relationship.

K:  Extract seems to be a complimentary follow up to Office Space from a management point of view.

S:  But it wasn’t nearly as quotable.

K:  I enjoyed the performances of Jason Bateman (good as always), Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig, David Koechner, Clifton Collins, Jr. and Gene Simmons had an entertaining cameo role.

E:  Anything is better than those stupid Dr. Pepper commercials.  How ‘bout a KISS of shut up, Gene? 

S:  David Koechner is one of my favorite character actors.  His sports-caster in Anchorman  makes me giggle every time I watch it!

K:  For me Ben Affleck’s supporting role as bartender/shaman had me rolling in laughter as he gives “advice” on how Bateman should handle his marriage woes in the sack.

S:  This was one of the few times that I believed Ben Affleck actually acted!  It was a nice departure for him. 

E:  But, and not to give away the climax of the movie (slight pun intended), I left feeling a little uneasy.  I didn’t agree with how a one night stand can fix anything.

S:  I guess that should make me feel good knowing, as your wife, that made you feel uncomfortable.  I’m so lucky!

K:  Overall, I found Extract’s comedic pacing uneven, with a safe tone and only occasionally funny scenes.

S:  I agree.  The more acerbic humor in “Beavis and Butthead” and Office Space makes me laugh just sitting here!

K:  I much prefer the more biting humor of Office Space or the summer’s best comedy The Hangover in its raunchy tone. Extract is a mild disappointment despite good acting.

 Recommendation: Matinee or rental (let’s hope there are some great outtakes with David Koechner).

K=one guy E=another guy S=the girl

E: Some movies just make you feel good.Even if they’re kinda sad, you enjoy the experience.

S: Kind of like marriage…Sometimes it makes you feel sad or frustrated but you just have to get through it and enjoy the experience!

K: Ha Ha!I so enjoyed this movie! What a pleasant surprise! (500) Days of Summer is just one of those movies that every once in a while make a tired genre seem lively and fresh again. This is my favorite “chick flick” of 2009 that men and women will enjoy.

E: I can handle a little ’sap’ if the story is good.I’ll put (500) Days up there with Devil Wears Prada and …Not Just That Into You as movies I’ll admit I saw and enjoyed.

S: Oh you’ve seen some sap in your life…The Lake House, Hope Floats, A Walk in the Clouds are just a few.

K: In the first five minutes of this movie you know (in fact the movie tells you) that this won’t be your typical lovey-dovey romantic movie.The movie starts off with Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Tom) just devastated over being dumped by Zooey Deschanel (Summer).

K: The story timeline in (500) Days of Summer shifts around in an interesting way as we learn about the series of events leading back to be beginning of the movie.

E: I’m trying to remember the first time I saw a film told out of sequence.It may have been Pulp Fiction.Either way, it works very well for this movie.

S: For me it was my favorite movie in the drama category, The Usual Suspects.Or maybe Memento.Either way GREAT picks for a Sunday afternoon DVD experience.

K: Director Marc Webb uses occasionally offbeat scenes (at the workplace, a musical dance sequence, karaoke, use of black & white, park bench chats) to keep your interest with the back and forth timeline of Tom’s and Summer’s 500 day relationship.

S: My favorite scene of the movie was when they did an animated dance sequence in the park similar to Happily Ever After even with the animated bluebird!

K: A special shout out to both leads, particularly Zooey Deschanel! Her “fierce-put-it-out-there-blunt-honest-mysterious-independent-woman” performance is one of her best efforts. I hope Oscar voters will consider Zooey come nomination season.

E: K, I think you exceeded the number of hyphens you can use to describe a performance…

K: Joseph Gordon-Levitt was very good too in a sometimes tricky role many would go through the motions to portry.Boy did he take it from Summer for much of the movie.I really liked how his character matures near the end of the movie as Summer drops him a surprising fact about her character.

E: He’s come a long way from “Third Rock From the Sun!”

S: LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS MOVIE…YOU HAVE TO GO SEE IT!

Recommendation: Full Price For Sure

A guy, E, and a girl, S, want to welcome little Delores to the world.  K’s wife had a beautiful little girl recently so that has put a crimp in our movie reviews.  However, you will see a review for District 9 and (500) Days of Summer in the very near future!

E and S

K=one guy              E=another guy                 S=the girl

K:  After eight months delay from its original release date (mainly to avoid competing the first Twilight film) Harry Potter is back!

E:  Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.  I have not read the books, but can say this is my favorite Potter film thus far!

S:  I have read ALL of them!  And this book was my least favorite because it was so dark and was more a transition to than a story by itself.  But the movie really reflected the book well.

K:  This sixth Potter movie deals with main themes of adolescence in a private school…

E:  Do you mean raging hormones?

K:  …with romantic flirtation, dark secrets of the past, and the role of father figures, especially in the life of Tom Riddle (better known as the Dark Lord Voldemort).

E:  Quick plot synopsis:  Students fall in and out of love with other students, we see why Voldemort is so evil and so hard to kill, we start to question the alliances of some teachers, and come to love the caring of others.  How’s that for spoiler free…!

S:  Good job!  Now on to the good stuff…

E:  I think I enjoyed this installment the best because I’m now watching adults (or at least young adults) and not pre-teens practicing hocus pocus.

S:  Or because that’s your mentality.    But I understand what you are saying.  However, I’m still an Order of the Phoenix fan, not only because the movie was so engaging but the book is still my favorite.

K:  The young lead actors clearly are more matured in their performances to match level of the adult supporting cast members.

E:  And the best part is the humor.  Again, not knowing the books, I don’t know if this element was added by the director or if it comes through in the original text, but there were some great laughs throughout the film.

K:  The occasional humor in this Potter movie mix in entertainingly between the dark tone scenes.

S:  I remember, when reading the book, how I’d laugh and then be scared in the next minute.  JK Rowling is just a very good writer whether you’re 12 or 52.  It’s just well-written and makes you never want to put the book down.

K:  The 2 ½ hour movie is technically amazing to look at but felt more like an expanded trailer for the next Harry Potter movie.

E:  Ah… yes and no.  Yes:  Technically amazing.  Best quidditch coverage by far.  But no:  This didn’t feel like a ‘place holder’ or set up film.  I was watching it, expecting it to be a set up for the final two films, and still enjoyed it.  The second Matrix and Lord of the Rings films were total set-ups, but to me this held its own.

S:  The movie is exactly what the book was…a lead-in to the final BIG FINALE.  I LOVED the color tones the movie uses.  It was really spectacular and, not to beat a dead horse but, exactly like I pictured from the book.  It truly reflected the feeling of the story.

K:  Perhaps director David Yates wanted this movie to have a toned down anticlimactic ending since the real Harry Potter series finale begins when this movie ends. The final “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” novel will be divided into two upcoming movies.

S:  See above!  Reflection, book, yada yada yada!

E:  So gather your money, dear muggles, I say pay top dollar.
Recommendation: Full Price for die hard Potter fans, Matinee for the general public.

K:  one guy                     E:  other guy                     S:  the girl

K:  First let me start by saying, I enjoyed the original Transformers movie. When I saw the final movie trailer for Revenge of the Fallen, I thought, “Well this is probably going to just be ok.” Wow was I wrong.

E:  Wrong in the wrong direction.  It was not good.

S:  You’re so right!  It had to be one of the most laughable ‘plots’ (I’m using that term VERY LOOSELY!) I’ve ever seen.  From the very beginning I knew this was going to be long.  Really, Bumblebee would play I’m So Excited by the Pointer Sisters?!  He’s WAY too cool for that.  And didn’t his ‘voice’ get fixed at the end of the last movie?

E:  Last summer was like Christmas every weekend with Iron Man, Bombay Dreams, and the Dark Knight.  And this year we were going strong with Up and the Hangover… and then this.      

K:  Yeah, It really didn’t live up to what a summer popcorn blockbuster should. I had a feeling something was up when I started laughing at the 1hr 45 min mark and thought, “Geez, there’s 40 more minutes of this?” 

S:  I just kept thinking that it felt like they sat in a brainstorming meeting and threw out lots of ideas AND EVERY ONE WAS IN THE MOVIE.

E:  Aren’t movies based on nostalgia supposed to make you feel good?  I left the theatre feeling guilty that I once owned a Blaster Transformer toy (he was the cassette player, BTW).  This movie did not do Blaster justice!

K:  This movie is one loud-too long-incomprehensible plot-overbearing CGI POS from director Michael Bay….

E:  …with CGI machines blowing stuff up with our fine military personnel looking freaked out…

S:  …Shia running away from enemy Transformers constantly…

K:  …Occasionally a cutaway cleavage shot of Megan Fox and other young “Maxim cover” looking women…

E:  …teleportation (?!?), an antique Transformer, Transformer heaven (?!?), mountains in Washington DC, machines that eat the sun, and a ‘male’ transformer (how do we know he’s male.. oh you know!)

S:  And, don’t forget the “funny” things like Shia’s boomer parents getting kidnapped, Transformers pushing stereotypes a little too far, a throwaway sidekick cyberblogger who tasers himself and John Turturro now in a deli and not a secret agency.

E:  And don’t forget tons of awkward innuendo.  This PG-13 is really a PG-13.  Not for 8 to 11 year olds.

K:  Regarding the special effects… The CGI was same “been there done that” trick as the last movie. Seriously, how many Transformers do you need in a movie anyway?

S: I know.  I kept getting lost with who was who and E kept getting mad because I kept asking him!  (He didn’t know either.)

E:  Please save your money on this, as well as GIJoe, based on early reviews, and write President Obama demanding better movies based on toys.  Can we get a MASK movie?  Adventure People?  Weeble Woobles?

K:  When the movie ended I wish I could say it was just ok.  Heck I’m more curious about seeing 2012 (I never thought that I’d be saying that) after watching this turd. By far the most disappointing summer movie to date.

S:  K goes on to say more, but the rating of this review may teeter beyond what Hoopla is comfortable with.  E has calmed him down with some Pop Rocks and Sprite.

K: (in the background) …Hasbro should be ashamed of themselves for allowing their name to be used on this garbage of a sequel… I’m actually now looking forward to seeing 2012.

Recommendation:  Have someone you don’t like treat you to this movie.  Otherwise, wait until it hits network TV in a few years and skip it then, too.

K = one boy          E = another boy       S = the girl

E:  Hilarious movie martini:  combine baby in sunglasses; wild, asexual Asian; stripper nuptials; and Mike Tyson playing air drums to Phil Collins.  Shake and serve over Vegas!

S: You are sure funny there, E!  So is it shaken or stirred?

K:  In the movie trailer I noticed this movie was from the director of Old School. I smiled and was curious to learn more. Boy did this comedy deliver for me!

S:  And me too!  I can’t believe how funny I found this to be. After the first 20 minutes, I just kept laughing and laughing and laughing and laughing…

K:  The Hangover does take several minutes for the big laughs to begin.

E:  The movie needs set ups for big laughs later so a little exposition at the beginning was like walking around the casino trying to find the hot table.  Once you found it, everything clicked.

K:  To me the setup of the main characters in the beginning pays off later in the movie. This is a detective story of a night in Las Vegas with these men gone hysterically berserk.

E:  And since I’m the best man for a wedding next summer, you know I was taking notes (sample notes: don’t end up in the hospital, don’t practice self-dentistry, don’t marry a stripper, don’t steal a tiger… boy I have a lot of don’ts!)

S: So what are the do’s?  Go to Vegas?  Have a kick-ass suite?  Find a baby named Carlos?

K:  Nothing against Justin Bartha, but Bradley Cooper (jerk fiancé from Wedding Crashers) and Ed Helms (from the Office and the Daily Show) owned this movie (that piano song in the Vegas suite was classic!).

S: And yes ladies, Bradley Cooper is still H-A-W-T!  WOW!  And you find out later, he’s not a jerk.  He just plays one with his friends.

K:  Zach G’s (try pronouncing that last name) had some of the better quotable lines like “Is this the real Caesars Palace? Does Caesar live here?”

E:  It all worked.  Great comedy ensemble with a bizarre (did I mention an asexual Asian) but funny supporting cast.  And that baby named Carlos.

K:  The supporting acting is very good with a solid cameo by Mike Tyson.

I thought the location scenes in Las Vegas made it another character.

S: And the asexual Asian was my pick for best supporting character!  Just too hysterical!

K:  How the missing buddy mystery gets resolved is a funny journey with cleverly simple resolution that made you go, “Yeah, I can see how that could have happened.”

E:  (More notes):  Don’t steal money… don’t steal a cop car… don’t lock a man(?) in a trunk… don’t borrow an expensive car to get to Vegas…

K:  DO stay when the end credits start. Great way to tie in the missing clues to how a night when out of control.

S: (more questions on the notes):  Do take pictures of the evening’s events?  Keep track of the camera?

Recommendation by E, S, K:  Is this the best summer movie so far? No. Funniest movie so far and definitely a guilty pleasure that you’ll be quoting for some time.  Well worth a full price ticket.

K = one boy          E = another boy               S = the girl

K:  Wow!

E:  Double wow!

S: Triple wo… Squirrel!

K:  Who’d have thought a story of an old geezer down on his luck, balloons, and a naive grade school nature scout would make for an amazing, thought provoking movie.

E:  The only thing that was disappointing for S & me was sitting through 3 little girls behind us who didn’t quite grasp what was going on and they were bored.

K:  The writing in UP deals with mature subjects (loss, longing, divorce, hope) and was well done.

E:  But I think this G-rated flick is for more mature children, say 7 or 8 and up.  Adults, kids or no kids would enjoy it, too.  But, 6 and under – don’t think so.  Would you agree, S?

S:  Heck yeah!  We had 4 year olds behind us who were worse than me about asking what was going on in the movie.  Yep, E, I admit it…I talk during movies.  Get over it!

K:  I was impressed with the introduction to the main character, Carl Fredrickson’s, life with his wife, Elle. Those scenes set the tone that made me truly interested in Muntz’s life throughout the movie.

E:  The entire audience gasped when the balloons were unleashed, tearing the home from its foundation, and taking Fredrickson on the journey of his life.

S:  With a pint-size castaway…a professor and Marianne.  Oh wait, wrong theme.

K: I really liked the overall message about never being too old to start an adventure and going for your dreams.

S: Me too!  As Disney does so well, it makes you think all the way through things that may not be what you thought you were going to think of during the movie.

E:  As Disney always does, it’s a great mix of funny and poignant, lighthearted and heavy hearted.  You’re caught up in the message and then laughing at talking dogs.

K:  I enjoyed the humor involving the villian’s dogs. And visually: the South American waterfall scenes are amazing in 3D.

S:  I liked them t…Squirrel!

K:  I wasn’t sure if Pixar could top last year’s Wall-E. I stand corrected. UP may be their finest effort of all the Pixar movies. One of the best movies of 2009. Major contender for a nomination for Best Animated movie Oscar.

Recommendation: Full Price. See it in 3D if possible, but do see this movie.