Tag: weaver

0

Muni reviews: Cedar Rapids (2011)

Directed by: Miguel Arteta So as I’ve become a head writer on this wonderful website, I have been asked by Kazed to review at least one film every week. Generally this wouldn’t be an issue, as I would go to the cinema 2 to 3 times a week, but I’m not living in Birmingham anymore and there’s nothing like a Cineworld card in Leicester (which is a shame!!). Anyway, so Kazed has asked me to review new-ish films which I will do, also I hope to watch some films over the summer and concentrate on indie films as much as I can. Back to me reviewing this week’s film, which is Cedar Rapids. Ed Helms (Andy in "The Office") stars as Tim Lippe, the most sheltered, naive mid-western insurance agent ever captured on film. Lippe lives and works in Brown Valley, Wisconsin ... the most sheltered, naive mid-western town ever captured on film. His only real excitement is found through his "pre-engagement" to his 7th grade teacher played very well by Sigourney Weaver. When an embarrassing accident claims the life of the hotshot agent in Lippe's firm, the owner sends Lippe to the annual convention in Cedar Rapids. His mission is to win the coveted 2-Diamond Award presented by industry legend Orin Helgesson. Since a lone character can't generate many laughs, circumstances at the convention cause Lippe to find himself roommates with a very noble Ronald Wilkes and fast-talking poacher Dean Ziegler. These 3 are joined together by Nebraska agent Joan Ostrowski-Fox. Lippe is quickly introduced to the "real world" by his new friends and after the first 20 minutes of set-up, the lines and settings get funnier and funnier. As with most comedies these days, the trailer gives away much more than it should; but, unlike most, it leaves plenty of laughs and situations for the film. What really makes this work are that all characters are actually pretty nice people ... they are just a bit exaggerated in their traits. Lippe is a bit too naive. Wilkes is a bit too uptight. Ziegler is a bit too obnoxious, and Fox is just a little too lonely and adventurous. Still, their earnestness is what keeps the film grounded. Alia Shawkat’s portrayal of the prostitute and a lovely dimension to the film and brought uniqueness to the film, and I really enjoyed her brief yet screen grabbing performance. Ed Helms is really a comic force. He has the extraordinary ability to never hold back or worry how that he might not look cool. Even as the lead character, he knows when scene-stealer John C Riley should have the spotlight. This is a tremendous asset for a comic. Where the film does falter in my opinion is the story and at times the acting, don’t get me wrong as a cast they were fantastic, but individually there was something missing. Maybe I just didn’t find it at all believable or credible, but that is a small part in a well-rounded film. I won't give away much, but will warn that some of the humor is crude, especially some of Riley's rapid-fire one-liners. If you prefer your humor to be grounded with real people, then you might want to check this one out. I have only previously known this director, Miguel Arteta,as the guy who directed, “the good girl”  and “youth in revolt” both films which I really enjoyed. Now I look forward to his next project. My verdict, this is a wonderfully executed indie film that has a bright and appealing cast, the story is different and overall pleasurable. The film is worth watching and if you’re a fan of Ed helms and John C. Riley then I’d recommend this to you. This may not be everyone’s taste so let me warn you know but for those who would enjoy it you’re welcome. 6/10 Muni

0

Kazed reviews: Paul (2011)

Originally, I had set off to watch Limitless, but as fate had it, it wasn't my destiny to see this. So instead, myself and my friends decided to watch Paul. Not that it should be considered an afterthought, just that...you know. Bradley Cooper. He's so dreamy. Anyway, recently I've been catching up on Spaced, the sitcom written by and starring Simon Pegg (Directed by Edgar Wright, of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, previously). Before watching Spaced, I also watched Hot Fuzz again, which also stars Simon Pegg, and also Nick Frost. What's the point of all this you say? Well, I'm not usually into British comedies, I usually hate them- but recently I've been watching a lot more of them. Shit. I've forgotten why I started this paragraph. Dammit, I'll leave it in anyway so it looks like a lot more text LOL. Paul is about a little alien dude who crash lands on Earth and has been on the planet since 1945, and it's now that the government want to All is not lost though, because the little alien dude, conveniently named "Paul", finds two nerds on a tour of all the Extraterrestrial spots on the West Coast of the US. It was a fun film. Fun, as in, if it had any stupid moments in it, it was justified, because it was a 'fun' film. There were some gorgeous shots during the tour scenes, some of the beauty of the natural landscape was breathtaking. That's all  got. I'm out of descriptive words. Seriously though, I'm trying to think of a scene which brought the film down in any way, but I'm struggling...If I was going to pick out something negative (and this is me being really nit-picky), it'd have to be the scene when the three protagonists are being chased, and there's an overhead shot of the front of their Winnebago-type-vehicle, then it cuts to the back of it, but the road's different. That's it. Thing is though, although that part was really the only negative I could find, the film wasn't 'all that'. It was a light-hearted comedy (kinda), with some great performances from both Frost and Pegg, and the additions of Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader and that other guy were all great. Oh, and Sigourney Weaver. I will say, that the animation on the alien were OUT OF THIS WORLD (oooooohhhhh.). It really seemed right on the button. This might sound stupid, but the physical presence of the little guy seemed really believable. Rogen voicing the thing was a great choice. It just seems like such an odd voice for something like that. ANYWAY. I liked this film. It didn't leave me with any exciting feeling afterwards, like I usually get when watching Sci-Fi films, but it was still a good film nevertheless, but nothing to write home about. Wow this wasn't even a review. WHATEVER. 6.5/10 Kazed

3

Avatar...Again.

Avatar. All-time worldwide Box office. Second. Nuff' said. Source: Boxofficemojo.com Kazed

1

Avatar hits the $1BN mark in Box Office sales

Only four films in box office history have ever reached the £1 Billion mark(Titanic, LOTR: Return of The King, Pirated of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, and The Dark Knight, respectively), and now Avatar has joined the 'elite top 5', if you will. Currently in 4th place, and having been in theatres for only 17 days in theatres, one has to wonder how much more Avatar can make. I thought this was interesting. It deserved a place on Movieville. It got it. Kazed

0

New Hi-Res Avatar photos

FirstShowing.net just released these beautiful hi-res photos from James Cameron's Avatar. For more Hi-res beauty, click the link. Click the photos for a larger image.

Avatar is the story of an ex-Marine on the planet Pandora who, as an Avatar - a human mind in an alien body - finds himself in a desperate fight for his survival and that of the indigenous beings called Na'vi.

Once again, I have to say this looks badass. More to come. Kazed