The Men Who Stare at Goats

A film about a branch in the US army that uses the power of the mind and the will to do good to win wars, who refer to themselves as 'Jedi'. Like most of the jokes and the plot, the concept is quite amusing. But, it will rarely get you laughing, or really even thinking about any sort of bigger picture. Can it really be taken seriously?

While it's certainly a nice idea and story, it left very little impression on me as a viewer. While the satire is quite well done, the characters are not likeable enough to really care about, Spacey's antagonist isn't really hatable enough either. It's all a bit too safe, undramatic, and as a result I found it very hard to be absorbed by the events unfolding. While much of it is very quirky, and very easy to watch in an inoffensive kind of way, it's never going to be someone's favourite film. It would have benefited drastically by pushing the more ludicrous elements to the forefront and really using them as real gags, or toning it down and going for a bit more drama, because there was potential there. Without that, it treads the middle ground between offensive and passive and doesn't really provoke any reaction at all. Still, I could watch Clooney, Bridges and Spacey act all day.

5/10

Funny People (2009)

Adam Sander's entire career has been a mixed bag for me, he usually plays the loser who pushes everyone around him away, usually a broke (insert job here) character who learns something toward the end. In Judd Apatow's 2009 "Dramady" we see him hand the reigns down to new kike's on the block Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill.

Playing a rich, famous and succesful Stand-up Comedian, living the American dream with his big house, piles of money and oodles of free time, all built from the hard work and determination it takes to be a comic, George Simmons (Sandler) seems like a character we won't have much synpathy for. Until that is, he comes down with an unfortunate case of plot point, which leads him to have rethink his life, and how he see's those around him. Along for the Ride is Ira (Rogen), a struggling new comedian trying to get his break. Simmons hires him to write material, and he slowly becomes his sole human companion as he deals with the life he's lead and the inevitiability of death. The film gleefully takes it's time strolling through it's 2 1/2 hour running time, and doesn't give you the "predictable ending" you thought it would.

Apatow has worked with Sandler and Rogen on many a "bro-mance" and finally seems to have struck what audiences can relate to. Heart. The Sandlers lonely comic "George Simmons" invites you to think about him, and feel sorry for him, something Judd hasn't got a charactet to do before now. Some strong performances and well timed humour, as well as an array of guest stars (including Andy Dick, Paul Rudd and... Eminem?) that are seen only in the peripheral, and never step on the toes of the main story. The main problem is that this is virgin terratory for Apataw, and the strong performances and at times, great dialogue can't stop the sagging second act pulling the whoke feature down.

Overall, a moving and enthralling effort from the Apataw movie generator, Bromance's with heart are hard to come by. Funny People, Shows us the difficulties success and wealth brings us while remembering to make us laugh, it's worth your attention. 7/10

Despicable Me

Endearing, charming, intelligent, fun. Even if it is 3D.

Steve Carell voices Gru, a man who wants to be the best evil genius going and embarks on a plan to steal the moon in order to prove to himself (and his mother) that he really is just that damn good. Along the way, his plan involves adopting three young girls in order for his plan to succeed, and the evil genius finds himself wanting to have fun more than world domination.

In terms plot, the film never really sags and the motivations of the characters are spot on. Children will be just as entranced with the 3D effects as the adults will be with the often witty humour and fantastic sense of the absurd. The film's highlights for me, and many others I would have thought, come in the guise of the tiny yellow followers who dominate the film with their random, playful antics. The three girls whom Gru adopts are the real stars of the show though, each lovingly characterised to be so endearing (especially the youngest - 'It's so fluffy I'M GONNA DIE!!!') that they will melt the iciest of hearts.

While many cynics might class the film as sappy and aggravatingly simple, this is a really enjoyable, loveable film that will make you laugh, and if you're that way inclined, blubber like a schoolgirl. And the 3D is actually okay.

8/10

Jackass 3D

There's something very comforting in knowing this piece of our collectives pasts (the piece we don't really like to admit) still breathes life, ten years after its initial conception.

Johnny Knoxville and co. are back once again, featuring a fresh batch of the amazing, the disgusting, and the utterly insane. Expect big hands, lots of sick and a fair bit of poo coming at you in, yes, 3D. I have to say, even though I am a firm unbeliever when it comes to the '3D revolution', it did make 5% of the film funnier. Worthwhile? You be the judge.

You either dig it, or you don't people. Is there really anything else to say? 6/10

Due Date

Due Date is this year's unofficial remake of Planes, Trains & Automobiles, and an unfortunate case of an all too familiar trend for the 21st century's comedy output - all the funny bits are in the trailer.

And, I could pretty much finish the review there, but let's milk it a little bit. Robert Downey Jr. & Zach Galifianakis play to their strengths, more or less the same characters they have been doing for the past few years. While both leads are likeable for different reasons, the film often seems to be playing for time, stretching out enjoyable set pieces and rendering them 'okay'. With a snappier delivery, this could have been great. The emotion is text book, and feels kind of stuck on just to give these guys a reason to be together. Generally this is a forgettable comedy that you can lump in with Step Brothers, Pineapple Express, Hot Tub Time Machine, Date Night etc etc etc.

For die hard American stoner comedy fans only, unless you have seen the trailer, in which case you will probably enjoy it. Actually, forget that, just watch the trailer. You'll save money.

5/10

RED (Retired, Extremely Dangerous)

What's that I hear you cry? The Loser's, The Expendables and The A-Team weren't enough to satisfy your ensemble cast actioner cravings? well fear no more as Robert Schwentke brings you his DC comic adaptation starring what could be called a "Dream Cast" consisting of Bruce WIllis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Brian Cox, John Malkovich and Karl Urban.

The film primarily follows retired black ops agent Frank Moses (Willis) and how he slowly unravels the who what and where about the people trying to kill him, along the way picking up fellow retiriees also targeted, leading to an ok but not too original conclusion. I'd go into more detail but, that's kind of it in a nutshell, love interest and occupational gag's are thrown in as if manditory, think Bourne Supremacy meets Mr. and Mr. Smith.

So, is this "little late for the summer" blockbuster flick fit to take on the big boys? well to be honest Sly Stallone stole the thunder this year as the stupidly overhyped (but generally ok) movie The Expendables already tackled the ultra bad-ass "but getting on a bit" super agents taking down a corrupt power, the main difference i can see is that this one tries a bit harder to make you laugh, the problem with THAT is, it's left mainly to Mr Malkovich who, though doing a good job, ultimately isnt enough to land a belly laugh.

So the film gets caught somewhere between action/comedy and conspiracy "clear my name" blah blah blah, Mirren and Cox both enchant and engage while the rest just seemingly running the motions, not to mention the criminal underuse of Morgan Freeman (a man so awesome, only God could play him in a movie) overall it'll tide you over and give you a chuckle, but very soon forgotten. 6/10

The Other Guys

This year I endured both "Dinner for Schmucks" and "Cop Out" both being comedy buddy movies that just didn't appeal, the former just not being as funny as it could have been and the latter being an absolute shit storm that I can't wait to be buried and forgotten in the depths of time.

The Other Guys uses tried and tested "odd couple" formula and makes it.... funny? yes, I think that would be the word, while not over satirising the movie industry (though it has it's pokes here and there for the best example see the explosion scene) it manages to create an enjoyable atmosphere where you go from laugh to laugh, the comedy doesn't rest solely on the shoulders of "someone please find me funny?" man Will Farrell, as Mark Wahlburg holds up his end of the giggles with surprising ease.

All in all, is it the best cop/comedy you'll ever see? maybe not (there aren't LOADS out there, only Beverly Hills Cop and Police Academy stand out) but will it keep you laughing for 90 minutes? it certainly will.

Watch with friends as i did, and i think you'll enjoy it, and it's enduring and heartfelt message "I hope you like jail food, and penis" (6/10)

Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World

I'm a huge Edgar Wright fan, I suppose. I think Spaced is great. I believe Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz to be two of the best comedy films ever made. I would say that qualifies me. Based on a graphic novels of the same name, Scott Pilgrim is an geek-fest tale of a hero's journey to love. And he has to beat up some people along the way. Cue pretty colours and break neck action!

Going in to the film, I had my doubts. The dizzying ad campaign here in the UK had more or less put me off it, but it didn't take long for Wright's charismatic, quick cut direction to work its charm on me. He is well known for his often blatant references of cult films, and this time its computer games. From Mario to Street Fighter, there are plenty to keep you interested and laughing as you recognise music and catchphrases. Any film in which a character plays the bass line from Final Fantasy 2 gets my thumbs up. The direction is so fun and the sense of humour is so loveable (despite Michael Cera's one trick pony acting), it will more than likely entertain. Though it was difficult for me to look past the direction, the script is tight and well written. The ensemble cast members work well and never intrude or outstay their welcome, and though the soppy love story would usually be a turn off, there's enough good to divert your attention from it. 

There's no denying this film has a niche. It's you're not looking for a fairytale geek-fest for geeks to geek-out to, then it will probably be a big turn off. If you're not in the loop, then it will leave you behind. However, I can say that being one of the target audience, this has to be one of the most entertaining films of the year, and a misunderstood commercial failure. 

8/10