Friday, March 26, 2010

Let's All Go to the Lobby!

Hot Tub Time Machine

There's nothing redeeming about any movie that is full of anachronisms, as Dan Nichols can attest. While that's not the worst part of the film, it shows the little effort the writers put into developing this comedy. Relying instead on overt visual references to the 80s and the comedy "skills" of Rob Corddry and Clark Duke, Hot Tub Time Machine gives a bad name to time travel and comedic films.

The film posits itself as the next Hangover as it sports lewd humor coupled with bravado. Four friends take a trip to a ski lodge to relive old memories - little did they know they'd be reliving the past! What ensues are sight gags, ribald one-liners, and a feeble attempt at dime store existentialism. This has certainly been one of the worst movies I've seen so far this year. Skip it.

Greenberg

From American shlock to American shucks: Noah Baumbach's "Greenberg" is a touching if not haunting look at the middle-aged American male in the 21st Century. Ben Stiller delivers his best performance since "Heavyweights" in a story that follows Roger Greenberg as he comes to terms with what his life is after years of wondering what his life could have been.

Stiller really delivers in this film after years of horrendous Stiller comedies. Anyone who has seen "The Squid and the Whale" or "Margot at the Wedding" will know what to expect from a Baumbach film. The characters are quirky and the interactions are realistic. The film really benefited from the addition of Greta Gerwig, queen of the mumblecore movement. She brought a depth and a sense of tenderness that balanced Stiller's neurrotic, disjointed Greenberg. It's a realistic drama with touches of comedy that creates a striking dialogue on the world we live in. See it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=fsN0UewDBTI

2 comments:

mike said...

i like that you went all the way back to heavy weights as the pinnacle of stiller's career...now that i think about it...you're probably right

Rich said...

comedy "skills" of Rob Corddry what is that supposed to mean. Are you saying he is not funny? you not funny.