Couples Retreat (and everyone else too)

The epitome of the very prevalent category of "dramedy" emerging (targeting the chick flick crowd, I'd imagine? Though I'd prefer the laughs over the heartache and formulaic execution!). It wasn't awful, it wasn't fantastic, it wasn't well, much of any emotion I could really pull from because it tried too hard to be a little bit of everything and that's where it ultimately failed.

The story revolves around four couples (Vince Vaughn paired with Malin Akerman, Jason Bateman paired with Kristen Bell, Jon Favreau paired with Kristin Davis, and Faizon Love paired with, well - see it if you must and find out). Each couple has a unique set of problems ranging from day-to-day child rearing, home projects, the inability to conceive, infidelity, a loveless marriage, and a pending divorce. When given the opportunity to retreat to a couples resort (and promised they will only have to endure a "little couples counseling sprinkled in"), they all jump at the chance to escape their jobs, and ultimately their mundane lives for a little fun in Bora, Bora.

As the simple storyline progresses, nothing seems to pick up -- even packed with bona fide stars and seemingly perfect set-ups for hilarity and frivolous fun. Unfortunately, it's light on laughter and or any real resolution, and too heavy handed. It suffers by taking itself too seriously, and feels like taking a trip to the marriage counselor with an unhappy couple -- or four! (Yeah, not my idea of fun either.) Perhaps had they removed a couple or two and focused on the script (more interesting and far-funnier than the few one-liners that came only when you were thinking "is this a comedy ... oh, there's a joke!") it would have succeeded.

Brilliant idea, poor execution.

*Fun Trivia: Peter Billingsley, Ralphie from a Christmas Story directed this! Hopefully he takes on a better project in the future.*

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

I've seen this movie more times than I'd should ever admit to, but I've never reviewed it. I'd go so far as to call this barely-outta-the-gate flick a "cult classic" for the newer generations (in the same league as Knocked Up, Talladega Nights & Stepbrothers). The title aptly captures what the main character Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) is seeking to do throughout the film: forget his ex-girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell).

After a humiliating -- and hilarious -- break-up, Peter weeps, bemoans and holes up in his house. He decides to take a break from moping and his job as a composer of "dull and ominous tones" for a cheesy CSI-style crime show that Sarah just happens to be the star of. Unfortunately for the likable Peter, the suggestion of a vacation to Oahu, Hawaii (by step-brother Brian played by SNL breakout Bill Hader) happens to be the same place quintessential bitchy ex, Sarah and her new beau, the perverse English rocker, Aldous Snow are staying. Lucky for Peter, a compassionate hotel clerk, Rachel (Mila Kunis), decides to look out for him -- comping his room, inviting him to the local Luau, and forging a real connection with the lost soul that is Peter.

The movie's not nearly as sad as one would think - nor does it lose heart by making light of real emotion. The interaction between writer/star Jason Segel and Bill Hader is priceless (mostly via webcam), and the script is well-written. Aldous seems to have been specifically written for the eccentric and strange comic, Russell Brand. This introduced him to American audiences -- and how! The obvious comedy comes from continual bumping into his ex with her new man, and his constant reminder that he's at a romantic resort .... alone! Great cameo's by Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, William Baldwin, Jason Bateman, and my favorites --- Jack McBrayer/Maria Thayer as the typical young, religious newlyweds on their honeymoon having difficulty navigating a little more than the island!

Do yourself a favor and rent the unrated version for the extra raunch, and a few extra scenes.

I Heart Zombieland.

I liked Shaun of the Dead ... I LOVED Zombieland. Perhaps it's the idea of surviving the zombie apocalypse on my turf (the good old US of A) or the rag-tag cast of characters?


The horror comedy genre is quickly becoming my favorite with fresh, innovative scripts, career revivals and upstarts. Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone breath life into this zom-com with the skill only natural delivery can provide. Zombieland focuses on Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson's character's who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Columbus (Eisenberg) is - in a word - a wuss, afraid of his own shadow. His set of "Rules for Surviving Zombieland" is what - he feels - keeps him alive. Tallahassee (Harrelson) is an gun/shovel/banjo/bat-toting, zombie-slaying' hard ass whose single goal in life (sadly) is to find a Twinkie. They unwittingly join forces with Wichita (Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), two sisters that have used their special set of skills to survive the plague.

Zombieland has what the original Scream had - a set of rules that it abides by, constantly dancing around the rules, and changing it up. It has cameo's, and unexpected funny/gory parts. It makes you jump, even when you know it's coming -- and it makes you route for the good - or bad - characters, because sometimes, they seem like one and the same! Go see it on the big screen and take a break from reality - it's totally worth the admission fee!

I'm a little bit horror, I'm a little bit co-me-dy!

Diablo Cody's singing a different tune in her follow-up script to the Oscar-winning, Juno. Jennifer's Body dives into the "horror" genre; though, I would consider it more dark humor or satire with some light horror mixed in. Vampiress-tween beast Jennifer is played by Megan Fox in her best role to date. She wreaks havoc on the small town of Devil's Kettle - with an appetite for teenage boys. Only her best friend knows the truth - played by Mamma Mia's Amanda Seyfreid. The dialogue is fantastic (as we've come to expect from Ms. Cody), but the story is strange and unfocused. Also - I was expecting a little more gore from an R-rated horror movie.

Thankfully, the movie doesn't take itself too seriously; in fact, it keeps you interested with it's switch from horrifying bloody scenes to light and witty banter between the main characters. That's where the movie does work: the two main characters are worthy of screen time and the words they spew. Despite the title role, and being Hollywood's current glam-girl, this movie is not Fox's vehicle - it was Seyfreid's as "Needy". In fact, we follow Needy through the film as she is horrified over and over by Jennifer. Her concerned, geeky but gorgeous character let's the quirky actress shine. This movie isn't the horror flick some had hoped, but I don't think the trailer misleads in that respect.

Stop reading this and go see it.