That’s the thing I love about teen sex comedies, the sheer fantasy element where in the main character’s environment is filled with busty, skinny, hot girls in every single place imaginable. I mean they practically live in the Amazon for Christ sake. This is a world where even the frumpy best friend who secretly likes our protagonist is very good looking in spite of the makeup artists best efforts to make them look very plain and unattractive (it doesn’t work, Amanda Crews is mind blowing). You never see seventy year olds or obese women walking the halls of the mall our hero Ian works in, so naturally “Sex Drive” was a fun little comedy to sit through, because it honestly doesn’t try to be anything more than a high energy time waster.
Tag Archives: Romance
She's Out of My League (2010)
I am a big fan of underdog films like “She’s Out of My League.” Films like “Tao of Steve” and “The 40 Year Old Virgin” are the types of romance comedies that somehow touch down on the realism of romance and what types of men often feel what life is handing them. This doesn’t exactly stereotype men like all other romance films do, it instead depicts them as affectionate helpful individuals who have a special relationship with one another and Jim Field Smith never devalues the influence men have on one another. “She’s Out of My League” is depicted in the trailers as something of a sex comedy, but in reality it’s a very touching and down to Earth romance comedy that digs deep and explores the inner most emotions of the average male, the man who doesn’t feel like he’s worth much, even when there’s a golden opportunity standing in front of him.
My Name Is Bruce (2007)
In the climax of this horror comedy Bruce Campbell who is playing Bruce Campbell is staring down two executives after the screening of his latest horror film and proclaims “The Fans Deserve Better.” I honestly don’t think he believes that anymore. Because for what I’ve seen over the last few years, Campbell is very aware that he is now riding on his cult reputation more than anything and is strictly winging it in terms of entertainment and original horror films. Campbell who has become somewhat of an icon over the decades by making bad movies and appearing in conventions eventually became a joke. Then there’s this 2007 monstrosity that further emphasizes Campbell the joke while also acting as an obvious vanity project that pretends to be for the fans but really feels like it’s for Bruce.
Avatar (2009)
Watching “Avatar” is like watching a magic show. There’s lights, and sounds, and smoke, and hand waving and it’s mesmerizing if you watch without caution, but if you manage to go back stage and see what’s really happening, you’ll find that what show there is is all just an illusion, it’s all just razzle dazzle with an empty center. That’s what James Cameron’s phenomenon is like sitting through. An exhausting two and half hours basically amounts to nothing more than a carnival ride, an experience that’s interesting sure, but easily forgotten once you’ve decided to move on to the next light show waiting for you. I’m not one to besmirch Cameron for giving us this movie because no matter what I say the general consensus has been that American audiences and movie goers around the world have accepted it, but I’m one of the few who see behind Cameron’s smoke and mirrors and just craved more.
Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging (2008)
It’s quite baffling that the latest from director Gurinder Chadha would get a direct to DVD treatment here in the states considering a few of her last movies experienced considerable theatrical releases, most notably “Bride & Prejudice” and the sleeper hit “Bend it Like Beckham.” What with the hit books and the appealing young cast, this movie could have cleaned up in a wide release, but sadly it’s just reduced to becoming another shelf hugger in a video store. Which is a shame because like much of Chadha’s films, “Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging” is a perfectly serviceable and quite entertaining bit of escapism centered around teen romance and sexual awakening.
Chadha has definitely appealed to the female audience for years, but “Angus, Thongs…” is probably the movie that may only appeal to the female persuasion. It’s almost exclusively about women whom are experiencing a new form of love in the wake of separation or heartbreak and I was almost not interested in the premise because the movie is pretty much alienating to anyone who doesn’t possess a bust. Much of Chadha’s film is sold by the charm and unusual beauty of Georgia Bloome who plays Georgia Nicholson, a girl in search for something more than crushes. While on the hunt for her first kiss, two young boys move in to her neighborhood and she soon sets her sights on the younger of the two Robbie.
Most of the film is centered around Georgia’s attempts to not only secure a place with Robbie in the face of his relationship with the school bully, but to find a way to improve herself in the process. These attempts are often disastrous with the proper amount of teenage awkwardness and realism that make us feel quite sympathetic for her even when she’s being completely selfish. There’s something about Chadha’s film that manages to overcome the cheese and hokey elements. Obviously it’s a teenage girl’s fantasy what with the desire for perfect friends, perfect parents, and a perfect boyfriend, but it never cuts our female protagonist any slack even when she’s being cute. While Georgia is pleasing on the eyes, she also has a lot of individuality to her to ensure she’s an imperfect heroine who may never achieve her goals of perfection because she’s too self-centered to realize she’s pretty much already perfect in the eyes of others.
The second half of the film is devoted to her eventually coming around to realizing that, and she suffers the brunt of punishment from her peers when she sinks to some cruel lows to get her man. It’s true this movie will mainly appeal to girls, but Chadha’s talents are too apparent to just write off. She directs the movie with a subtlety that makes it feel more heartfelt rather than fluffy; pair that with a rather engaging story and there’s an instant formula for a pretty successful romance comedy that is a certified winner for the female director. I’m pretty bias of course since my obsessions with the British culture knows no limitations, but “Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging” is a wonderful bit of escapism that will assuredly win over any crowd because of its realistic and relatable cast of characters, which Chadha seems to excel at spotlighting.
Whether it’s the source material or just the adaptation from Chadha and Berges, the climax to “Angus, Thongs…” is much too safe to warrant taking it seriously. While most of the film is a certified fantasy, the climax would have truly brought the story down to reality with some heartbreak and realism. Sadly, the writers instead opt for a pat happy ending that doesn’t just end on a happy note, but a giddy note where everything is almost perfect thus contradicting the original moral of the story. It’s tough to take anything here at face value when Chadha and co. are utterly unwilling to take a chance with an ending that would have been more grounded instead of just seeking to keep the audience happy.
I was mainly pleased throughout the film until the final fifteen minutes which I just couldn’t quite swallow. In spite of the clunky finale, “Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging” is a perfectly entertaining chick flick with strong performances and Gurinder Chadha’s trademark appeal to female sensibilities. While the men in the audience may not find much to look for, their mates will pretty much love it.
Planet Hulk (2010)
I, for one, have never been much of a fan of the Hulk. Even when I was highly invested in Marvel Comics collecting them and rushing to newsstands every week with sheer excitement I always opted for something other than the green behemoth. Hell, I chose to buy Darkhawk and Super Pro over an Incredible Hulk comic. Apparently I’m in the minority again because Marvel seems to love the big guy. Ever since his introduction the Hulk has been included in practically every animated series, animated movie, live action movie, and comic series in some form. He’s even guest starred on series’ centered on the X-Men and Fantastic Four and somehow always manages to steal the spotlight. So it’s no surprise the Hulk is given yet another chance at the center stage with “Planet Hulk.” I never read the graphic novel, but as always Marvel squeezes in the entirety of the tale in to a movie that barely makes it past eighty minutes.
Up in the Air (2009)
Ryan Bingham is panicking. It’s not that he’s losing his job. There are no dilemmas that are plaguing his family. Ryan is panicking because, for once, he has to settle down and face the fact that soon he’ll have to stop and take a catalogue of what his life has become over the last few years of his life. Traveling around the world, Ryan is the man companies hire to break it to employees that they have been terminated. And he prides himself in being ruthless and merciless in regards to emotions and insecurities involving people he just met and will probably never meet again. Ryan now has to take stock and decide what he has to do now that his company has decide to take its employees and bring them back down to Earth downsizing their traveling due to their slowly decreasing funds and productivity.