Knocked Up (2007)

Knocked Up (2007)

4/10

Starring

Kathrine Heigl

Seth Rogen

Paul Rudd

Leslie Mann

Directed by Judd Apatow

Judd Apatow is a great filmmaker, but this is not one of his best, the two leads are not one I will go out of my way to see in a movie, so having them both here, just added to the disappointment.

This movie is packed with sexual references, slackers, and a bunch of weird nerds. One of them somehow ends up romantically involved with a seemingly normal person after a one-night stand. Wow—a one-night stand turns into the foundation for a happy couple. How this movie has a certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences loving it just as much, is beyond me.

The film features too many characters doing absolutely nothing to contribute to the story’s bottom line, other than reinforcing ideas the movie already sold about the leads. Talk about predictability—this is one of the easiest movies to get bored watching. It plays all the familiar Hollywood rom-com tunes and pretends to offer a happily-ever-after ending that feels unrealistic, even by Hollywood standards.

The plot revolves around a slacker named Ben (Seth Rogen), who meets a career-driven woman named Alison (Katherine Heigl). They meet at a club, and their one-night stand results in Alison becoming pregnant. The reason no protection was used? Both had a bit too much to drink and ended up miscommunicating.

Alison informs Ben about the pregnancy, and he promises to be there for her. Alison gets various pieces of advice, including abortion as an option, but she ultimately decides to keep the baby.

The movie takes us through their attempts to navigate this unexpected situation. Meanwhile, there’s a subplot involving Alison’s sister Debbie (Leslie Mann) and Debbie’s husband Pete (Paul Rudd). Their struggles to maintain their marriage and sanity often feel more compelling than the main storyline.

I didn’t feel much chemistry between Heigl and Rogen, but the dynamic between Rudd and Mann was far more engaging. Their story of marriage and its challenges was, to me, the highlight of the film.

The movie includes crude sexual humor and may come across as insensitive in its treatment of pregnancy, but I feel all of that was simply a ploy to get people talking. Despite my reservations, the movie was both a critical and commercial success, leading to a 2012 spin-off, This Is 40, starring Rudd and Mann.

If you’re in the mood for a good rom-com, there are better options out there. Judd Apatow wrote, directed, and co-produced this one, but it falls short of his usual standard.

Inside Man (2006)

Inside Man (2006)

7/10

Starring

Denzel Washington

Clive Owen

Jodie Foster

Christopher Plummer

Willem Dafoe

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Directed by Spike Lee

Spike Lee directed this movie, but it didn’t feel like the typical Spike Lee film I know. That said, it’s an awesome movie, with Denzel Washington making the hostage negotiation scenes look magnificent. He was so good at it, you’d think it’s what he does for a living. That said, this movie does not meet the requirements I was expecting when there is Washington and Foster starring in a movie.

I like how the movie operates on multiple levels. However, the plot has a glaring hole, but it may be intentional about how the criminals knew which bank and which safe deposit box to target. The knowledge of the bad man’s crime is explained in the film (hopefully, you didn’t miss that), but maybe it’s the job of the "inside man" to figure out the bank and the box. Perhaps the title refers to Clive Owen’s character, Russell, in how he operates at the end. Whether or not that’s the case, I think the writer leaves it to our imagination to fill in the blanks. Also, It has pacing issues, and there seems to be no urgency. The twists can be predictable for those familiar with heist films.

The movie starts with a captivating musical score before introducing us to Russell, who explains the bank robbery he’s about to pull off, promising it’ll make a big splash. He and his team raid the bank, dressing all the hostages in the same outfits as them to confuse any potential identification.

Detective Keith (Denzel Washington) is brought in to handle the hostage negotiation. He quickly suspects there’s more going on in the bank than just a robbery because the robbers aren’t making calls or significant moves. Meanwhile, the bank owner hires a fixer, White (Jodie Foster), to ensure something hidden in the bank doesn’t come to light.

White, who has powerful connections from past dealings, uses her influence to gain access to the robbery scene. As Keith’s suspicions start to solidify, he’s forced to navigate the situation carefully, saving hostages, figuring out the robbers’ true intentions, and dealing with his own personal issues and White’s interference.

The movie was both a critical and commercial success. It’s an engaging watch, but you’ll need to pay close attention to the dialogue and details to fully grasp the layers of the plot. The downside is that the co-stars didn’t get their due. While Denzel and Clive nailed their roles, Jodie Foster’s talent was underutilized, and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s potential felt wasted. I have seen this movie a couple of times, but I can understand if others see it as a waste.

Scent of a Woman (1992)

Scent of a Woman (1992)

10/10

Starring

Al Pacino

Chris O’Donnell

Directed by Martin Brest

Scent of a Woman is a classic, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you’re missing out on one of Al Pacino’s best performances to date. That’s not to diminish his incredible work in The Godfather (1972), The Godfather Part II (1974), or Scarface (1983), where he also outdid himself. Those films, along with this one, have all achieved classic status. It’s safe to say Al Pacino has been part of many cinematic masterpieces.

The movie is well-written, with a steady pace and several memorable cinematic moments. The cinematography is clear, showcasing some beautiful sights of New York. The ending, where Pacino’s character Frank defends Chris O’Donnell’s character Charlie, delivers fantastic performances and powerful dialogue that’s worth the wait.

The musical score is soothing and complements the film’s emotional tone. Credit must be given to the director for keeping the focus on the story rather than trying to evoke pity for Frank. Instead, we get a nuanced understanding of why he acts as he does after losing his sight. By the end, we’re left to decide whether to feel sorry for him or be angry at his initial inclination to take the easy way out—a choice he himself admits guilt over when he finally stands up for Charlie.

The plot revolves around a blind, retired army Lt. Colonel, Frank, who lives with his niece and has been a constant source of trouble for her family. When she plans to leave town for a short while, she hires a young student, Charlie, to look after him.

Charlie, a prep school student on a scholarship, takes the job to support himself. Unlike many of his peers, who come from wealthy families, Charlie is grounded and hard-working. But as soon as Frank’s niece leaves, Frank takes Charlie on an unexpected trip to New York, revealing an itinerary of personal goals he’s determined to fulfill.

The New York trip becomes an eye-opener for both of them. Frank, struggling to come to terms with his life after losing his sight, learns something new, while Charlie, dealing with his own issues at school, gains the courage to stand up for what he believes in.

Chris O’Donnell’s performance is commendable and deserves recognition alongside Pacino’s. The film is a remake of the 1974 Italian film Profumo di donna, itself based on Giovanni Arpino’s novel Il buio e il miele.

Pacino won the Academy Award for Best Actor for this role, and the film received nominations for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Screenplay. At the Golden Globes, it took home awards for Best Screenplay, Best Actor (Pacino), and Best Motion Picture – Drama.

My critique of this film starts with the length, the middle of the film feels stretched. Then as amazing as Al Pacino was, there were times it felt like he was overacting. But aside from that, there’s no reason not to watch this movie again.

All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)

All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)

6/10

Starring the voices of

Burt Reynolds

Judith Barsi

Dom DeLuise

Vic Tayback

Directed by Don Bluth

The animation isn’t the smoothest, the voice acting isn’t perfect, and the plot has more holes than you can count. Yet, when you put it all together, All Dogs Go to Heaven is a classic animation from the ’80s.

This is one of those childhood adventures I watched over and over again because there’s something about the story and the music that makes me nostalgic and keeps me hooked. The voice of the girl Anne-Marie was performed by the late Judith Barsi, in what would tragically be her final role—she passed away at just ten years old, a year before the film was released.

It’s clear this animation doesn’t have the magical Disney touch that defined the ’80s. While it has earned its place as a cult classic from the era, it doesn’t quite measure up to many of the Disney animations of the time.

All Dogs Go to Heaven tells the story of a German Shepherd named Charlie. In this world, dogs have their own underground society, running things independently of humans. While the human world exists, animals and humans can’t communicate with one another.

Charlie is busted out of the pound by his best friend Itchy, a scrappy Dachshund. Together, they return to the casino Charlie co-owns with Carface, a shady mixed Pit Bull. Surprised by Charlie’s release, Carface doesn’t want to share the casino any more and begins plotting to get rid of him.

This leads to Charlie being murdered. He ends up in heaven, where he learns that all dogs go to heaven. But Charlie, ever the con artist, discovers a way to return to Earth. Ignoring warnings that doing so will prevent him from ever coming back, he seizes the opportunity.

Charlie knows a secret about Carface and plans to use it to exact revenge for the betrayal. Returning from the dead is a shock for Itchy, but after coming to terms with it, the duo breaks into Carface’s home. There, they discover Anne-Marie, a little girl who can talk to animals. Charlie and Itchy lure her away with promises to help her fulfill her dreams if she helps them achieve theirs—chiefly, Charlie’s revenge on Carface.

The movie unfolds as Charlie’s plan intertwines with his growing sense of responsibility toward Anne-Marie.

Though All Dogs Go to Heaven wasn’t a critical success upon release, it was a commercial hit. It spawned a sequel and a television series, cementing its place in animation history. It’s still a fun movie for kids, with some lessons about responsibility woven into the story.

 

Chicken Run (2001)

Chicken Run (2001)

6/10

Starring the voices of

Phil Daniels

Lynn Ferguson

Mel Gibson

Tony Haygarth

Directed by Peter Lord and Nick Park

Chicken Run was, back then, one of those stop-motion animations you had to see. It was Aardman’s first feature film debut and, as of 2020, their most commercially successful yet.

Chicken Run is an enjoyable movie and is done like a spoof of the 1963 WWII movie The Great Escape.

The movie introduces us to the chicken causing all the problems on Tweedy’s farm—her name is Ginger. The Tweedys run an egg farm, and Ginger has witnessed what happens to chickens who stop producing eggs: they become dinner. Ginger has been coming up with plan after plan to escape the farm, only to be caught each time by Mr. Tweedy, who keeps telling his wife that Ginger is up to something sinister. She always dismisses him, saying it’s all in his head.

But Ginger never stops, and things start to look up when she sees a chicken crash into the farm. The chicken’s name is Rocky, and it seems he was flying. Ginger and Rocky strike a deal: she will keep him hidden from those hunting him if he teaches them how to fly, so they can escape the farm.

The movie revolves around that escape plan.

Chicken Run is a fun movie to watch, though in comparison to other Aardman films, it may not be their best. For me, their best so far has been The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (2012). But that’s not saying much from my side, as that is the last of their films I’ve seen.

The animation features memorable voice acting, with each actor doing a great job of bringing the characters to life. However, there are a few weaknesses. The storyline is fairly predictable, sticking to the classic escape-from-capture plot. While the main characters are well-developed, some of the secondary ones feel more like comic relief and lack depth. Also, the humor and themes seem to be more geared toward adults, with some jokes and references that might fly over the heads of younger audiences.

When it comes to stop-motion, Aardman seems to have a standard they stick to, making the animation wacky and using screenplays that are even wackier. Aardman may not have the best stop-motion (that honor goes to The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)), but their movies are still fun.

Stop-motion hasn’t been making waves at the box office lately, and many big production companies are staying far away from it. I think, other than Aardman, the next big stop-motion movie of the last decade was Frankenweenie (2012) by Disney, and even that wasn’t a commercial success.

Chicken Run and its success paved the way for Aardman to make more feature films, and there are rumors that Chicken Run 2 is in production. I would guess the release date will be 2023.

Josie and the Pussycats (2001)

Josie and the Pussycats (2001)

7/10

Starring

Rachael Leigh Cook

Rosario Dawson

Tara Reid

Alan Cumming

Parker Posey

Directed by Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan

There is something about the silliness of this movie. I don’t know whether it’s the comedy or the music, but something just makes me like it so much. Josie and the Pussycats is based on a comic series from the Archie range, and this live-action adaptation has somehow become a cult classic.

I don’t know why it has gathered a cult following, though, because this movie puts in product placement way too much, which at times can be distracting. I’m no mega star, but the way some fans act can be all too annoying. Other than that, the plot is not perfect, but everything else seems to work.

If you remove the product placements and the misbehaving fans, to me, this is a fun movie.

The plot shows us the three ladies—Josie (Cook), Valerie (Dawson), and Melody (Reid)—as they wrap up a performance. They wish they could become rock stars and have the kind of following that other rock stars enjoy. On the other side of the fence, we witness a supposed plane crash of an all-male group. Their manager, Wyatt (Cummings), notices that the band is getting too close to figuring out what he and his boss, Fiona (Posey), are actually doing.

Fiona tells Wyatt to get a new band by any means necessary. While driving, he almost hits the three ladies as they’re running away with their instruments. Immediately, Wyatt signs them, without even hearing any of their music. He rushes them to the studio, and within a week, they’re the most popular band in the world.

Soon, we get a glimpse of what Fiona is actually doing with their music. She wants to take it to the next level by eliminating Valerie and Melody, making Josie the solo act. Well, all of Fiona’s plans face a challenge, and the movie is partly about that snag.

Tara Reid’s performance, as someone who is too silly to understand half of what’s going on, is a sight to see. My favorite act of hers is when she steps out of the shower to see a message on her mirror, screams, and then corrects the message to make it look prettier. I just giggled seeing that again. Everyone in this movie performed just well enough to make it fun to watch.

Reid was my favorite in the trio, followed by Rachael Leigh Cook and Rosario Dawson. The addition of Alan Cumming and Parker Posey took this movie to the next level.

The movie wasn’t a box-office success—in fact, it was a box-office bomb—but it’s a worthy comedy for any day. The movie is about subliminal messages, which make us like things we shouldn’t. A friend of mine thinks the movie itself has subliminal messages and that I’ve been hoodwinked into liking it.

Well, seeing this movie again, nineteen years after watching it for the first time, I still believe it’s cool. It has aged well for me, and it’s more enjoyable now knowing many of the actors on screen.

If you’ve read this review and think this is a movie for you, then why not go ahead and see it?

Burn After Reading (2008)

Burn After Reading (2008)

6/10

Starring

George Clooney

Frances McDormand

John Malkovich

Tilda Swinton

Richard Jenkins

Brad Pitt

Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

The movie is exactly what you would expect from the Coen brothers—fun, memorable actors, and many scenes that will stick with you for a long time. Burn After Reading is one of those movies that makes you, the viewer, feel like God. You’re watching the film from above, seeing all the actors running around unaware of what the others are doing. Even the CIA (a make-believe CIA in this movie) is confused, but you, the viewer, have all the pieces needed to put it all together. When the movie ended, I thought, "If only the CIA would just reach out and ask me."

Let me bring you into the plot: Ozzie (Malkovich) is being demoted at work with the CIA. His boss, Palmer, makes him understand that it has more to do with his character than his work. Ozzie goes home and tells his wife, Katie (Swinton). She sees it as an opportunity to finally leave him since she’s having an affair with a married U.S. Marshal, Harry (Clooney).

Ozzie starts a memoir and saves everything onto a PC. Katie, on her lawyer's advice, copies everything she can, specifically his financial records from the PC, to give to them for review. One of the lawyer’s assistants forgets a CD with Ozzie’s memoir at a gym, where two not-so-smart workers, Linda (McDormand) and Chad (Pitt), find it.

Linda, needing money for plastic surgery, sees this as an opportunity. She and Chad decide to blackmail Ozzie. When Ozzie doesn’t bite, they decide to take the memoir to the Russian embassy, which only gets them into more trouble than they can handle.

Also, Harry isn’t as faithful as we thought, and we find out what’s going on with him. Before you know it, everyone is tangled in everyone else’s mess, and the whole thing results in deaths and unnecessary aggravation for the CIA.

The movie’s actors all deliver great performances that will captivate you, especially Brad Pitt’s role and the way he interpreted it.

Kudos to the Coens for the way they directed this movie, making everyone seem out of it while making you, the viewer, feel more in control. For me, that was a good feeling. There aren't any laugh-out-loud moments, just moments that will make you smile and feel happy as you watch.

The movie has a very memorable ending. When the CIA director speaks to Palmer after everything has gone crazy:
“What did we learn, Palmer?”
“I don’t know, sir.”
“I guess we learned not to do it again.”
Even though they don’t know what they learned.

Burn After Reading has some weaknesses, especially with its inconsistent tone. While the characters are fun to watch, they often feel exaggerated or one-dimensional, making it harder to connect with their motivations. The chaotic nature of the plot adds to the humor but can also make the story difficult to follow at times.

The movie is very fun to watch. It was a critical and commercial success, and I’ll say if you haven’t seen it yet, you should definitely go ahead and watch it.