Comedy - Cinema Voyage

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Well I am not exactly sure what I was expecting from Inglourious Basterds - but what I saw wasn't what I was expecting in the least. In fact it was so much better than I had anticipated. Quentin Tarantino is an imaginative and quirky film maker and while this film will not appeal to everyone, it certainly appealed to my warped sense of humour. And who else has the audacity to rewrite history focussing on Hitler and his downfall and create their very own revenge fantasy film?

The movie is set in Nazi-occupied France and focusses on Col Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) who is responsible for sniffing out hidden Jews and killing them wherever they lie. His reputation precedes him and few ever survive if they come into close contact with Landa. One such survivor is Shosanna (Melanie Laurent) who manages to escape his clutches, although unfortunately for the rest of her family they met with a cruel and unnecessary death.

The title of the film itself refers to the "Basterds" a set of American guerilla soldiers led by gung-ho Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) who sets out on their own mission which is basically to "be cruel to the Germans". As he himself says", You probably heard we ain't in the prisoner-takin' business; we in the killin' Nazi business. And cousin, Business is a-boomin'."

As the story progresses, the fate of the Basterds, Landa and Shosanna all meet up during an inaugural film opening at Shosanna's cinema. All the high powered Nazis including Hitler are due to congregate to honour the movie starring war hero Pvt Fredrick Zoller (Daniel Brühl) who also happens to be the star of the film. The Basterds have their own agenda to bring the cinema down and destroy the Germans, as does Shoshanna who is planning to seek revenge for the annihilation of her family. Diane Kruger appears in the movie as Bridget von Hammersmark, an actress and spy who is a key player to the Basterds ruthless plot.

Well by all accounts nothing goes according to plan and the plot leaves way for a multitude of possibilities and eventualities. Despite the unapologetic violence, there is humour in abundance and well as a beautiful cinematic quality to many of the scenes. A great way to while away a couple of hours.

"Monsieur LaPadite, to both your family and your cows I say: Bravo."

Voyage Review: 4/5

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - 500 Days Of Summer

November 30th 2009 16:01

"This is a story of boy meets girl. The boy, Tom Hansen of Margate, New Jersey, grew up believing that he'd never truly be happy until the day he met the one... The girl, Summer Finn of Shinnecock, Michigan, did not share this belief...This is a story of boy meets girl, but you should know upfront, this is not a love story."

What a fun way to start this charming movie and the above narration sets the tone and the actions of the characters which follow. Tom Hansen is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and he suits the role of yearnful Tom wholeheartedly. Zooey Deschanel is Summer, a child of divorced parents who does not believe in love and marriage. She is also well cast in the role as the newcomer to town who ends up working at the greeting card company in which Tom works.

From the moment Tom sees Summer at work, he is smitten. We learn early on that Tom has a habit of falling hard for girls and his friends are not convinced that he is going the right away about his relationship with Summer declaring that it is "Amanda Heller all over again". Poor Tom. He believes in fate and love and Summer believes in living for the moment and taking each day as it comes. But certainly this does not stop them hooking up as their friendship develops into something more and they experience ups and downs present in most normal relationships.

One of the fun things about 500 Days Of Summer is the way in which the movie jumps from early on in the relationship to the end and back again. It opens with day 290 and then jumps back to Day 1 and then Day 3. It is a movie filled with memories both good and bad which Tom revisits again and again trying to understand where he went wrong with Summer and why he can't get her to understand how much she means to him.

The quirkiness of the relationship and the theatrical setup of many of the scenes sets this movie apart from most typical romantic comedies. The karaoke scenes are fun as is the musical number the movie creates to highlight Tom's happiness after his first night with Summer. The movie blooms under the direction of music director Marc Webb and while it lapses slightly towards the end, overall I was captivated by the relationship between the two leads.

Regardless of whether their relationship stands the test of time, it is clear that Summer affects Tom and gets him to reevaluate his life and career. Tom unfortunately does not have the same effect on Summer, but she by the end, also discovers that she didn't know everything about love or relationships either. More honest than most romantic comedies out there doing the rounds and one which may even appeal to the men as well as the women.

Voyage Review: 3.5/5

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - Whatever Works

November 1st 2009 03:16

Admittedly this movie won't appeal to all but as an avid Woody Allen fan, I enjoyed the return of the bitter Manhattan based Jew waging a personal war against the world.

Boris Yellnikoff (Larry David) considers himself a genius (he tells us at every opportunity he gets) and lets everyone around him know that he was considered for a Nobel prize in Physics. He suffers from anxieties (a la Woody Allen's numerous characters) and after a failed suicide attempt, prefers to live a simpler life free from all the trappings that only further unhappiness and suffering in people's lives.

Upon returning to his apartment one night, he comes across a young runaway named Melodie St. Ann Celestine (Evan Rachel Wood) who is hungry and looking for a place to stay. Fast forward a month later and she is still there although has now found employment as a dog walker much to Yellnikoff's chagrin. The circumstances surrounding their meeting is contrived but manages to provide enough meat on the bone to form the relationship which holds the movie together. He quickly identifies her as being a simpleton and she enjoys being surrounded by his so-called genius. He sees the bad in everything and she likes to view the world in pretty rose coloured glasses. Despite their differences they wed and it is not long before Melodie's parents enter the scene in search of their long-lost daughter.

New York turns out to be a place for people to experience earth shattering changes. A wonderful Patricia Clarkson is Melodie's mother Marietta who is by all rights, a prim lady who hates the fact that Melodie has been (in her opinion) coerced into the marriage with Boris. Despite her dislike for Boris, she moves in with the married couple as she is left homeless and partnerless after her husband John (Ed Begley Jr) lost his job, their house and leaves her for her best friend. Marietta constantly tries to convince Melodie to leave Boris at every turn and attempts to hook her up with a young handsome actor who lives, romantically, on a house boat. And as New York takes hold, it isn't long before Marietta discovers that she has an artistic as well as a sexual streak, moving in with two men to carry out a very happy menage a trois. Melodie's father John too has an earth shattering realisation when he visits New York to seek out his wife and daughter. Wow - New York - what a place!!

Yes it could've been Woody Allen playing the role and personally I think I liked it more, because it wasn't. And I think seeing a 70 old man hooking up with a 21 year old girl is a bit creepy. Not that a 60 year old man is much better - but it works for the most part moreso because we are spared from any form of closeness between the two characters. The movie is theatrical in its approach with Boris Yellnikoff (David) approaching the actors fourth wall and speaking directly to the audience, much to the amusement of his friends.

Melodie St. Ann Celestine: Boris, what are you doing? Who're you talking to?
Boris Yellnikoff: What? There's people out there watching us!
Helena: What?
Marietta: Out there?
Boris Yellnikoff: Yeah, they're watching...

The acting from all the characters involved is charming particularly from the female actors Clarkson and Wood, despite the contrived scenarios which are presented to them by way of the script. Interestingly enough, the script was actually penned by Allen over 30 years ago which just goes to prove that given our relationships and views, not a lot changes in the grand scheme of things. Whatever Works is a fun cautionary tale about grasping love in whatever scenario it presents itself, even if it seems at odds with what you thought you were searching for all along.

As Yellnikoff himself says: "And just so you know, this is not the feel good movie of the year.", although I beg to differ slightly as you can't help but leave with the feeling that maybe all is right in the world - somewhere - somehow.

Voyage Review: 3.5/5

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - The Brothers Bloom

October 16th 2009 04:11

When I initially posted the preview of The Brothers Bloom back in May I stated that I thought it would be a lot of fun. And from the narrated outset of the movie it was. Clever - definitely. However in the end the cleverness wore me out slightly and I had really given up caring about the characters and their future together.

Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody are brothers - Stephen and Bloom. Passed from foster home to foster home, they discover that Stephen has a knack for knowing what people will do in a given set of situations and creating complicated cons to worm money and even love from unsuspecting victims. As the movie develops it soon becomes clear that even the audience are part of the victims as it becomes difficult to determine what is a con and what is real

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

September 27th 2009 03:23

Hamburgers, hotdogs, meatballs and steak falling from the sky wouldn't do much for me as a vegetarian but the township of Swallow Falls laps it all up. Sick of dining on sardines due to a sardine economic crisis, Flint Lockwood inventor extraordinaire comes up with a machine that can manufacture food from water - to order. His unveiling of the machine goes horribly wrong after an encounter with local policeman Earl Devereaux and not only does he manage to upset the entire population of Swallow Falls but his beloved machine is sent hurtling into the clouds.

As an outcast always trying to come up with a great invention, Flint Lockwood has all but given up on being an inventor when it begins to rain. As his machine is lodged in the clouds, it does not rain water as one might expect but hamburgers as his machine was programmed to do

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - Saving Grace

September 18th 2009 16:51

Sometimes you come across a film which didn’t attract a lot of attention when it was released and you have to wonder why. This is one of those films. It is funny and quirky in the way that only the British can do. If you enjoy films like “Waking Ned Devine” then you will love this.

Saving Grace is the story of Grace Trevethen, played by Brenda Blethyn. Grace is a middle-aged, upper class woman living on a large estate in Cornwall. Her husband has just committed suicide and she has been left with the estate which is in need of upkeep as well as a huge debt. Virtually everything has been mortgaged and she has to cope with repossessors knocking on her door as she grieves for her husband. Of course, the grief turns to anger when she finds out that her beloved husband had a mistress on the side! In order to keep her home the bank is insisting that Grace repay her debt and commit to making regular repayments of her mortgage

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - My Geisha

September 1st 2009 14:55

At first sight “My Geisha” looks like just another fluffy Hollywood film from the early 1960’s. Although this is a romantic comedy it has far more depth to it than many films of its genre. It helps that the beautiful music of Madame Butterfly is woven throughout the film.

My Geisha stars Shirley MacLaine as Lucy Dell, a well known comedy actress. Her husband, Paul Robaix who is played by Yves Montand, is a film director. Together they have made many movies and Lucy’s star status has helped Robaix to become successful

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - G-Force

August 22nd 2009 00:56

G-Force is a fun movie about a team of secret agent guinea pigs trying to foil a plot involving the billionaire Leonard Saber (Bill Nighy). At the same time these furry animals are trying to avoid capture by the US government as their department has been forced to disband under the leadership of Kip Killian (Will Arnett).

In order to get their badges and earn the goverment's respect, the guinea pigs along with the help of a fly and a mole and other creatures, show that size is no issue in getting the job done. And just for the record these guinea pigs are no hamsters

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - Confessions Of A Shopaholic

July 5th 2009 03:20

For most of us, Confessions of a Shopaholic is an imaginary tale as we have a firm grip on our shopping habits and credit cards but to some people, the addiction to shopping and spending is ever so real. I recall many years ago seeing a number of women and men on Oprah who had an addiction to spending, racking up thousands of dollars on their credit cards and hiding the bills from their respective partners. So for these people, I am sure Confessions is steeped very heavy in reality.

Isla Fisher is Rebecca Bloomwood, a young women with a penchant for spending money on fashionable items even though she is on the run from an obsessive debt collector and unable to pay rent

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - Happy-Go-Lucky

June 19th 2009 08:44

Mike Leigh has been nominated six times for an Oscar for a number of his movies in either the writing or directing stakes but is yet to take an award home. His latest movie Happy-Go-Lucky was nominated for a writing award at last year's Oscars although the lead actress Sally Hawkins (Cassandra's Dream, Vera Drake) failed to receive a nod even though she won a Golden Globe for her role as the ever-sunny Poppy Cross.

When we meet Poppy she is 30, single and very cheeky. She is a primary school teacher who clearly enjoys her job and loves to live life to the full. Her personality is very over the top and she is always cracking jokes - evidently not always suitable - visions of Ricky Gervais' David Brent sprang to mind at varying intervals. She lives with her longtime flatmate and friend, fellow primary school teacher Zoe (Alexis Zegerman

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - What Just Happened

June 2nd 2009 07:09

What Just Happened is a light hearted romp for those who have an interest in film, movie creation and the whole wacky world of Hollywood. If you do not have a vague interest in the creative or not so creative process of film making, then this film as a whole may not appeal to you.

Ben (Robert De Niro) is a Hollywood producer involved in projects which star such actors as Sean Penn and Bruce Willis (both played mockingly by themselves). Ben and his second ex-wife Kelly (Robin Wright-Penn) are in therapy to try to live happily apart although Ben would sooner jump at a chance for a reunion between the two despite her being involved in a relationship with someone else

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - JCVD

May 27th 2009 09:43

JCVD is short for - if you haven't already guessed it - Jean-Claude Van Damme. To be honest I can't even remember the last movie I saw that featured Van Damme - maybe Hard Target (1993) - the dvd cover looks familiar or possibly Double Impact (1991) - the twin storyline is ringing some vague bells. So it is with great surprise that I am find myself reviewing a movie featuring Mr Van Damme.

JCVD stars Jean-Claude as himself, a washed up action star who cannot get a decent studio-backed script in order to revive his flagging career. On top of his career woes, his ex-wife is taking him to court in order to fight for the custody of their only daughter (Saskia Flanders) who is embarrassed that her father does action films for a living

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review - The Great Buck Howard

May 12th 2009 14:08

The Great Buck Howard (John Malkovich) is a Mentalist who was popular decades ago and featured on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson an amazing 61 times. But what happens when the tv appearances dry up? Well he, and other old school entertainers like him, are left touring the community theatres wowing half filled auditoriums.

The Great Buck Howard is loosely based on The Amazing Kreskin, an American mentalist and hypnotist who even today offers “$50,000 to anybody that can prove that he employs paid secret assistants or confederates in any phase of his program". Such is his success - no one has ever laid claim to this money and he has been performing since the early 70's

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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Review: Paul Blart: Mall Cop

May 10th 2009 02:22

Paul Blart: Mall Cop is indeed a curious mix. It is a slapstick comedy reminiscent of both Die Hard and Kung-Fu Panda starring Kevin James (The King Of Queens). Paul is a nice guy trying to raise his daughter Maya (Raini Rodriguez) with the help of his mother (Shirley Knight) ever since his Mexican bride ran off after her green card came through.

He may only be a mall cop riding around on his Segway but he takes his job very seriously much to the annoyance of his fellow mall cops. He is also not adverse to pulling over senior citizens if they are found to be speeding in their wheelchairs. Paul is pleased when new rookie Veck (Keir O'Donnell) is presented to him to train. Veck however it seems does not share Paul's enthusiasm

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Comedy

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