Tag: Comedy

The Hustle’s Stars Are Entertaining

Picture of Rebel Wilson and Anne Hathaway in the film The Hustle

The Hustle

Directed by Chris Addison
Written by Stanley Shapiro, Paul Henning, Dale Launer, Jac Shaeffer
(One questions how much funnier this film about female con artists would have been had any females been among the writers or director.)

The review:

I greatly enjoy both Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson so your payoff* for this female con artist film may vary. But I was in need of a palate cleanser and this silly romp provided a nice cap to my evening.** Astute viewers of con artist films will probably pick up on stuff, but if you’re there for humorous antics by two comedians, it doesn’t really matter the predictability of the plot.

The verdict: Good

Cost: Hulu monthly fee ($11.99)
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*See what I did there?
**Also, Alex Sharp was so much fun! He reminded me of early Miles Teller.

Questions:

  • What’s your favorite Anne Hathaway comedy?
  • What’s your favorite Rebel Wilson comedy?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

When Penny first meets Josephine on a train Josephine is reading the novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Alex Sharp, who co-stars in the film, made his Broadway and acting debut in the play that was the based on the novel.

Other reviews of The Hustle:

Orange background with text: Why are women better suited to the con than men? —The Hustle. Read the three-sentence movie review 3SMReviews.com

Perhaps Don’t Add Plus One to Your Queue

Picture of Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine in the film Plus One

Plus One

Directed by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer
Written by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer

The review:

I need to like the couple at the center of a rom-com, and though I found Maya Erskine* interesting and Jack Quaid** serviceable, I never really got on board with the vibe that they should end up together. The time line is a little jumbled, which takes some getting used to,*** and the Venn diagram of this movie would have it crossing with a Judd Apatow film, rather than a Nora Ephron one.**** I think, ultimately, seeing the couple-to-be only at weddings didn’t give me enough information about them, so I never really committed.

The verdict: Skip

Cost: Hulu monthly fee ($5.99) (my half) (one month, so I could watch Sword of Trust)
Where watched: at home

Consider watching instead:

Further sentences:

*I liked the irritation level of her character. Attending a lot of weddings in one’s twenties while single and female is an irritating experience.
**Jack Quaid’s last name might alert you to one-half of his parentage. His blue eyes and wide-open surprised expression will clue you into the other half. My opinions of this movie might be shaped by the fact that in my mind Jack Quaid is ten years old. That he is clearly a fully-grown man had me feeling incredibly old. [Pause for Googling.] I just looked up his age. He’s twenty-eight!
***The directors use a framing device of starting each scene at a wedding with an awkward speech. I loved the awkward speeches, and then was often confused what was happening when the scene started at the wedding before that point.
****The raunch level is high.

Questions:

  • What would have made this film better?
  • What celebrity offspring makes you feel old?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Brianne Howey reprises her character of Jess Ramsey from Andrew Rymer and Jeff Chan’s 2008 short film Suckerpunch. They also reprise the gag of using her full name each time she is mentioned.

Other reviews of Plus One:

Orange background. Text: But the truth is, if you spend your whole life looking for perfect you wind up with nothing. —Plus One. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

Peeples Is a Fine Meet the Parents

Picture of David Alan Grier and Craig Robinson in the film Peeples

Peeples

Directed by Tina Gordon
Written by Tina Gordon

The review:

Meet-the-parents-style films are not my favorite,* but this entry provides ample opportunity to show off Craig Robinson’s many talents.** It’s fun to watch a film with a Black cast where the big problem has to do with “fit” with family rather than standard topics we usually get. And you get to see some fun stuff from David Alan Grier and S. Epatha Merkerson, not to mention appearances by Melvin Van Peebles and Diahann Carroll.

The verdict: Good

Cost: free from the Multnomah County Library
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

  • The Wood
  • Aaaaannnd, that’s all I’ve got.
  • This is an area I need to do some viewing
  • According to the previews, every Tyler Perry movie, ever.

Further sentences:

*I always spend the run-time of the movie thinking, “Mr. Rogers thinks you are good enough just the way that you are, so don’t engage.” Or “This person is not worth it. Run away! Run far away!” This film fell into the “run away” category, thus making it hard to root for the ending I knew I was going to get.
**IMDB tells me he gets steady work, for which I’m glad, but I think if we were in an era where the musical theater nature of actors was better able to display, plus if we valued our talented Black performers, he’d have a much bigger career.

Questions:

  • Do you think this happens in real life? I feel like 90% of people aren’t that overt in their dislike. And even their passive/aggressive game is weak.
  • Were you rooting for the couple, or not?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

The filmmakers found an existing house in Connecticut that they transformed into the Peeples home complete with details of the family’s ancestry including a painting of Ignatius Toussaint Peeples who lived between 1766 and 1844 that can be seen hanging in the front hall of the home.

Also this:
The cast was constantly singing and dancing on set in between takes, so much so that the producers had to lock the piano during filming.

Other reviews of Peeples:

Daisies is Art-House Fun

A picture from the film Daisies of Jitka Cerhová and Ivana Karbanová wearing bikinis and sitting against a wall.

Daisies

Directed by Vera Chytilová
Written by Vera Chytilová

The review:

I’m not really your art-film gal,* but this was part of the Filmspotting Overlooked Auteurs Marathon, so watched it, I did. It was weird, but charming** and managed to stay charming even as the young women become more and more puckish.*** I’m never going to watch this again, and probably a lot of it went over my head, but unlike some films,**** I don’t regret my time spent.

The verdict: Good

Cost: Free, via YouTube (Another bonus. It was free and easy to find.)
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*I can indie drama with the best of them, and I like foreign films, but once surrealism and other arty things enter, I get impatient and wonder how much time is left. This was 75 minutes, so I knew I would make it through.
**One of the first scenes (pictured above) shows Jitka Cerhová and Ivana Karbanová talking about how bored they are. Each arm or head movement is accompanied by a squeak, as if their limbs need oiling. This was fun to watch. I recommend watching for just this scene.
***And I mean that in the rabble rousing, not-so-charming way, rather than the mildly irritating, yet amusing way.
****I’m looking at you, Once Upon a Time in America.

Questions:

  • What’s the first thing you do after you watch a film that you don’t understand?
  • In five years, which scene from this film do you think will stick with you?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Banned by Czech authorities upon its release for “depicting the wanton”.

(There is some not-subtle snipping of cylindrical objects that I’m sure had the censors crossing their legs. That was probably enough for the “wanton” designation.)

Other reviews of Daisies:

  • Christina Newland, Little White Lies (This review provides a lot of context and I recommend you read it either before or after you watch)
  • Richard S. He, Birth Movies, Death (also good for context)
Orange background with text: That's what I don't understand. Why does one say "I love you"? Do you understand? Why can't one say, for example, "egg"? —Daisies. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

Afternoon Delight Turns Up the Tension

A picture of a couple sitting on opposite ends of a couch. The woman is drinking a soda and the man working at his computer. The picture is made with neon lights.

Afternoon Delight

Directed by Joey Soloway
Written by Joey Soloway

The review:

This film tricks you into thinking it’s a kind of rich-people problem, white-woman-depression film, but Soloway is so good at ratcheting up the tension that at the critical juncture I had trouble breathing as I waited for the hammer to drop.* The camera keeps its eye on Kathryn Hahn, which is a treat for the audience because Hahn’s dramatic roles are as good as her comedic ones.** Her relationship with the stripper McKenna*** drives this forward while also catching markers of wealthy moms-with-school-age-kids life.****

The verdict: Recommended

Cost: free via Hoopla, Multnomah County Library’s lesser streaming service.
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*It also began with a car wash scene that captured the magic I feel whenever I travel through that magical washing machine.
**Check out Private Life for drama and Bad Moms for comedy.
***I watched this movie that prominently features a stripper the same day I wrote a newsletter about how few men have to consider stripper roles when looking for work. There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to stripping as a profession, which I won’t do here, but please know that Juno Temple was the complete package when it came to her character.
****I saw aspects of this life when I worked at a charter school. It strikes me as yet another oppressive part of being a mother that no one talks about. Props also to Annie Mumolo as “Kosher Amanda” who I’ve just realized is “Barb” in Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar, thus ensuring I will prioritize this film when it appears. She also has a story credit for Joy and co-wrote Bridesmaids.

Questions:

  • What do you think was Rachel’s motivation for bringing McKenna into the household?
  • What do you do to shake up your life when you get stuck?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

(Also the only IMDB trivia item)
One of Quentin Tarantino’s favorite movies from 2013, according to Variety.

Other reviews of Afternoon Delight:

Orange background. Text: How did the stripper get in the maid's room? —Afternoon Delight. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

Welcome to Me Was Not a Winner for Me

A picture of Kristen Wiig in the film Welcome to Me.

Welcome to Me

Directed by Shira Piven
Written by Eliot Laurence

The review:

I wasn’t having a great mental health day when I watched this film that attempts to find humor in a mental health crisis,* which made it hard to appreciate this story. Though it was packed with actors I’m always happy to see** and Kristen Wiig’s deadpan performance was exactly what the character needed, I think this movie is best left on the shelf. I suppose you could watch this for the set design, if you were into that.

The verdict: Skip

Cost: free via Kanopy, the Library’s streaming service.
Where watched: at home

Consider watching instead:

Interestingly, the National Alliance on Mental Illness lists Welcome to Me as a movie about mental illness that gets it right. Their other recommendations are:

Further sentences:

*It also had a layer of people taking advantage of a person experiencing a mental health crisis, so I suspect I wouldn’t have liked this even on my best mental health days. I’m not a fan of stories where a person’s weaknesses are exploited for someone else’s material gain.
**Kristen Wiig! Wes Bentley! Linda Cardellini! Joan Cusack! Loretta Devine! Jennifer Jason Leigh! I’m even happy to see James Marsden! Plus both Tim Robbins and Alan Tudyk were in this.

Questions:

  • What parts of Alice’s life rang true to you?
  • What do you think is the best film that depicts an aspect of mental illness.

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

The actress playing Kristen Wiig’s mother is actually director Shira Piven’s mother.

Other reviews of Welcome to Me:

Orange background with text: Come with me. Into another time that happened to me. —Welcome to Me. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

Sword of Trust Pokes Fun, Shows Relationships

A picture of Jon Bass, Marc Maron, Michaela Watkins, and Jillian Bell in the film Sword of Trust.

Sword of Trust

Directed by Lynn Shelton
Written by Lynn Shelton & Michael Patrick O’Brien

The review:

Low-key humor is my favorite thing about Lynn Shelton movies* and Sword of Trust provides a full scabbard. The other thing she does well is to showcase relationships; in this film we get to see a long-term relationship between Cynthia and Mary,** plus how they interact with two pawn shop employees*** when they go to sell the inherited sword that purports to show the South won the Civil War. The film takes a few gentle pokes at internet conspiracies and had more than a couple great scenes with Marc Maron**** that elevate an already solid movie.

The verdict: Recommended

Cost: $5.99, because Matt and I split a month of ad-free Hulu plus some shenanigans with a free trial of Hulu+Showtime because Hulu lied to me and said this movie was available on Hulu.
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*Though she died in May, I’m not up to writing about her in the past tense.
**Jillian Bell and Michaela Watkins who also starred in the excellent Brittany Runs a Marathon
***Jon Bass’ commitment to his slack jaw was impressive.
****Maron talking about how he came to own the pawnshop plus his interaction with two men harassing the group.

Questions:

  • What’s your favorite part of a Lynn Shelton film?
  • What was the best nickname in this film?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Marc Maron scored the film. The blues guitar solos heard throughout were played by him.

Other reviews of Sword of Trust:

Orange background with text: Is this Antiques Roadshow for racists? —Sword of Trust. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

I Used to Go Here: Winning Failure

A picture of Gillian Jacobs and Rammell Chan in the film I Used to Go Here

I Used to Go Here

Directed by Kris Rey
Written by Kris Rey

The review:

Much as I was charmed by a unique aspect of Kris Rey’s Unexpected, so was I by the flailings* of Gillian Jacobs’ character Kate in I Used to Go Here. It’s the relationships that make this film fun, and the humor is sly and subtle.** There’s a wistfulness to this film that I loved,*** as well as the exuberance of youth viewed by someone past that stage.

The verdict: Good

Cost: $6.99 via Redbox On Demand
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*I love a good woman-flailing movie, especially if the flailing doesn’t have to do with romantic relationships.
**Kate’s book reading is a great example of this.
***There are so many good things to remember about being in college, and so many reasons to be glad you are through those years.

Questions:

  • What do you think Kate will do next?
  • Who was your favorite college student?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Kate’s address is given as 4569 N. Baltimore Rd, Chicago, IL 60640 (on the letter to her ex boyfriend), however the building she enters is actually 4623 N. Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, and is above Spyners Pub. The interiors may have been shot elsewhere.

Oh, internet, you are so detail oriented!

Other reviews of I Used to Go Here:

Orange background. Text: Personal essay is dead. —I Used to Go Here. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

Yes, God, Yes is Amusing, Sweet

Picture of Natalia Dyer in the film Yes, God, Yes

Yes, God, Yes

Directed by Karen Maine
Written by Karen Maine

The review:

One of the hardest things about being a teenage girl is all that sex stuff* and Karen Maine captures one girl’s experience exploring self-pleasure while also balancing what’s being taught at her Catholic school, plus dealing with rumors that have to do with her performing a sex act identified by slang she isn’t familiar with.** While she navigates her own path by mostly trying to stay on her church’s version of the straight and narrow, the rumors spread to the adults in her community and her standing falls. Natalia Dryer is a pro at capturing Alice’s befuddled confusion and growing skepticism in this amusing film.

The verdict: Good

Cost: $6.99 via Redbox On Demand
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*The Madonna/whore thing is a tough needle to thread, plus add in religious and family expectations, peer group expectations, gossip, cultural markers gleaned from the entertainment world, not to mention the possibility of past or current sexual abuse or assault.
**Maine makes the most of her time period: AOL when chat rooms could turn dirty without warning and search functions were minimal.

Questions:

  • What’s the best way to deal with unfounded rumors?
  • How do you think Alice’s friends shaped her choices?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

No good trivia, instead a quote from Jezebel.com

There’s a lot of really great coming-of-age films, but they often show painful sex. I wanted to see women exploring their own bodies more. American Pie, The Squid and the Whale—there’s a lot of films that show male masturbation. But I wanted to show the female part of it. I definitely want to find other ways to show women portraying new roles in cinema that feel very familiar to the women we are and that we know—but we’re either afraid to talk about, or men have been afraid to show on screen.

Karen Maine

Other reviews of Yes, God, Yes:

Orange background with text: We pretended each marshmallow was a different mortal sin before burning it. Yours was lust. —Yes, God, Yes. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

High School Musical Meets Its Goal

Picture of Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel in High School Musical

High School Musical

Directed by Kenny Ortega
Written by Peter Barsocchini

The review:

This movie is very good at what it sets out to do which is entertaining children.* As such, it features some perfectly serviceable performances done by a variety of attractive actors playing teenagers, some fun dance sequences, very forgettable songs** and a clear message.*** I found myself wondering if Zac Efron’s one-foot-on-wall lean**** was something he came up with, or was directed to do.

The verdict: Good (at what it sets out to do)

Cost: Disney+ Hulu monthly fee ($12.99)
Where watched: at home. I also sampled the Suite Life Movie to catch Cole Sprouse when he was an actual teenager and Right on Track to see Brie Larson when she was a teenager. I didn’t make it past the fifteen-minute mark for either of those films.

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*As I’ve revisited some live-action Disney films I loved in my childhood, I have discovered that they also were very good at entertaining children, and are not the quality film experience I’ve grown to appreciate as an adult.
**Mediocre forgettable is always better than mediocre and catchy.
***We can all work together!
****Which makes me think of 70’s catalog fashion modeled by men.

Questions:

  • How would you evaluate Zac Ephron’s career since High School Musical?
  • What’s your favorite not-really-good-yet-fun movie?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

The movie was filmed at East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. Students still use Sharpay’s pink locker.

Also this:
Zac Efron’s singing voice was that of Drew Seeley, who tested for the role of Troy. Seeley sang the entirety of “Get’cha Head in the Game” and the reprise of “What I’ve Been Looking For.” Efron only sings the first four lines of “Start of Something New,” the first sentence of “Breaking Free,” and during the scene on the balcony. The reason for this is because Efron’s natural voice was too low for that of a tenor and the producers wanted a tenor to match the role. Efron did, however, do all of his own singing in the sequels, as all the music in those films had been tailored specifically for his voice.

Other reviews of High School Musical:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: Look, you're a hoops dude. Not a musical singer person. Have you ever seen Michael Crawford on a cereal box?--High School Musical. Read the three sentence movie reivew: 3SMReviews.com