The Five-Year Enagement



© 2012 Ray Wong

Jason Segel is like the male version of Kristen Wiig: he can write, act, and produce. Solid comedies, too. After the success of The Muppets, Segel follows with a romantic comedy starring himself (of course) opposite effervescent Emily Blunt.

Tom (Jason Segel) and Violet (Emily) practically fall in love with each other the moment they meet at a New Year's Eve party in San Francisco. One year later, Tom proposes and Violet accepts, despite their family's objection that they haven't known each other long enough. Then Violet gets a faculty position in Michigan. Driven by love, Tom agrees to quit his job as head chef and moves with Violet.

Violet's ambition and academic schedule make it necessary for them to postpone their nuptial for two years. During that time, Violet's career advances nicely, while Tom stumbles and ends up working at a local deli. Tom begins to brew resentment but he refuses to talk about it with Violet, who is too self-absorbed and focused on her career that she hardly notices Tom is depressed.

The two-year wait turns into five when Violet's job gets extended. Tom's depression begins to get out of control, and Violet begins to doubt their compatibility. Their rocky relationship gives both of them reasons to wander, and before long they realize their engagement is nothing more an excuse so they can avoid the inevitable.

Jason Segel (The Muppets) has proven himself to the Average-Joe comedic leading man. Handsome and charming, Segel is also approachable and relatable. Segel handles the complicated character, Tom, very well, going from totally lovestruck to messed up, while holding onto our sympathy. His character's passive-aggressive nature could be grating at times -- get some balls already. But in the name of love, we forgive him. Emily Blunt (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) is lovely and radiant and wonderful as Violet, the love of Tom's life. Violet is a bit more straightforward than Tom -- she is a bit more self-centered and ambitious and she has her reservation about Tom all along. Thus her character is less evolved until the end when she realizes what love really means.

The supporting cast does their job rather nicely as well. Chris Pratt (Moneyball) plays Tom's bratty best friend with enough charisma that we can't help but love the jerk. As his wife (and Violet's sister), Alison Brie (Scream 4) is hilarious. Her "Elmo" scene with Emily Blunt is one of the highlights of the movie. Rhys Ifans (Anonymous) is dashing and smart, with a dash of slime, as Violet's boss.

Written by Segel and writer-director Nicholas Stoller (Get Him to the Greek), the screenplay can be funny at times and a drab at others. I like the fact that they stay true to the characters and make them very human and likable, albeit rather screwed up. It's just that as their engagement gets longer and longer, our patience grows shorter and shorter, and there are not enough jokes (some of them nicely gross and raunchy, just not enough) to fill in the gaps. We know where their relationship is heading, right off the bat, so the journey can seem excruciatingly slow (at 124 minutes, the movie can be trimmed substantially).

The best part of the story is the characters. We come to care about them as they struggle through their lives and relationships. However, there are some outrageous moments and plot elements that are clearly for comedy, and for me, they cheapens the movie. Yes, I understand this is a comedy, but at the core, it's a romance, and we need to believe in these character to truly feel for them.

Stoller's direction also needs more finesse. Parts of the movie feel clunky, both in production and editing. The pacing is off at places, and the middle drags. I think half an hour could have been trimmed without losing anything significant. The tone is also uneven: at times somber and serious, and at times outrageous and raunchy. Don't get me wrong, I did laugh. I just think as a movie, it lacks cohesion.

I think Segel has great ideas and in time he can make something seriously entertaining and insightful, but he is still missing the mark somehow. Give him some time, though, and he can mature as a formidable force of comedy (like what Wiig has achieved with Bridesmaids or Tina Fey with Mean Girls). Just don't make us wait five years.

Stars: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt, Alison Brie, Rhys Ifans, Mindy Kaling, Randall Park, Kevin Hart, Lauren Weedman, Mimi Kennedy, David Paymer
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Writers: Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller
Distributor: Universal
MPAA Rating: R for sexual content, nudity
Running Time: 124 minutes 

Ratings:
Script - 7
Performance - 7
Direction - 7
Cinematography - 7
Music/Sound - 6
Editing - 6
Production - 7
Total - 6.7 out of 10.0 

Damsels in Distress



© 2012 Ray Wong

Clearly influenced by Marc Webb's 2009 sleeper hit (500) Days of Summer, Whit Stillman wrote and directed Damsels in Distress, a light romantic comedy set in fictional Seven Oaks College.

Violet (Greta Gerwig), Heather (Carrie MacLemore) and Rose (Megalyn Echikunwoke) are three college roommates who have a mission: to save people from depression, grunge and low standards of every kind. They make friends with transfer student Lily (Analeigh Tipton), whom they determine is likely to fall pray to a "classically handsome guy" who will break her heart.

According to Violet, the true way to gain happiness is to be independent and to have a relationship with man who is in every way inferior. That's why she's dating Frank (Ryan Metcalf), a frat boy who is not particularly handsome or smart. But Frank breaks her heart anyway. Violet becomes depressed herself, but she refuses to get help from her fellow friends.

Meanwhile, as predicted, Lily falls for her handsome Catholic friend Xavier (Hugo Becker) while handsome Charlie (Adam Brody) also pursues her. After Lily chooses Xavier, Violet pursues Charlie and realizes they have so much in common. Despite her own advice, Violet finds herself falling for the "classically handsome man" who is in every way not inferior to her. Is her doomed for another heartache, or will she find happiness?

Greta Gerwig (Arthur) is quickly becoming Hollywood's new It Girl, and I can see why. As Violet, she beautifully handles the character's complexity, smug superiority complex as well as her vulnerability. There is something very endearing about Gerwig in every character she plays. Analeigh Tipton's (Crazy, Stupid Love) career also is taking off with a few high profile movies under her belt. As Lily -- Violet's protégé and at-times romantic rival -- Tipton is sweet and innocent and then she's not. Very interesting.

Carrie MacLemore (Gossip Girl) is a bit one-note as Heather, although she is so cute that you rather forgive her "safe" performance and bland character. Megalyn Echikunwoke (Who Do You Love) fares better as the sarcastic Rose, but her fake British accent is a bit distracting. The boys (or "Distress" in this case) generally give good performances in support of the girls.  Ryan Metcalf (Fighting Fish) has the moronic frat boy down perfectly. French actor Hugo Becker (Gossip Girl) is dashing and somewhat creepy as Xavier, and Adam Brody (Scream 4) is charismatic as Charlie, the object of desire for both Violet and Lily.

Writer-Director Whit Stillman (The Last Days of Disco) has taken an episodic approach in telling this story. There really isn't a plot, or an arc. Mostly it's just about this group of eclectic characters meandering through college life and the minefield of young love. Much of the "plot" deals with the revolving door of their relationships, and how their perceptions and beliefs are challenged and changed. I find that kind of storytelling rather refreshing, and the characters are mostly endearing without being overtly quirky (Napoleon Dynamite, I am looking at you).

That said, the writing seems uneven. At times witty, insightful and bookishly delicious, and at times dull, contrived and pointless. The story also seems underdeveloped, as if the writer had run out of time. I have to struggle to find some deeper meanings in this story, or maybe I am looking too hard. It could very well be just a cute movie about some characters. Still, when you write a thematic comedy like this, you have to deliver certain deeper messages than just being cute and entertaining. I am not sure if Stillman achieved that.

Also, the direction seems amateurish. Perhaps that's the intended charm. But I find it distracting. For example, what's with the soft-glow filter? To me, that's just tacky. And the music is very amateurish (and not likely intentional as in Juno), sounding like an After School Special. The editing is choppy as well. Needless to say, I am not impressed. Perhaps I am missing something…

Still, I find Damsels in Distress mostly endearing and funny, and I laughed out loud a few times. I specially enjoyed the sarcasm and wit of the dialogue, and some of the interesting philosophical musings. As a movie though, it falls short to be a cult classic, but I guess it's not something to be distressed about.

Stars: Greta Gerwig, Carrie MacLemore, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Analeigh Tipton, Ryan Metcalf, Hugo Becker, Adam Brody
Director: Whit Stillman
Writer: Whit Stillman
Distributor: Lionsgate
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexual material
Running Time: 99 minutes 

Ratings:
Script - 7
Performance - 7
Direction - 6
Cinematography - 6
Music/Sound - 5
Editing - 6
Production - 7
Total - 6.7 out of 10.0 

The Cabin in the Woods

© 2012 Ray Wong

In an interview, Josh Whedon said he wanted to pay tribute to the best horror films in the past. And so he did with the making of The Cabin in the Woods.

Five college friends decide to spend their break at a remote lakeside cabin. Dana (Kristen Connolly) is an introverted and studious girl who has a crush on her best friend Jules' (Anna Hutchison) boyfriend, Curt (Chris Hemsworth). Tagging along are their pothead friend Marty (Fran Kranz) and gentleman Holden (Jesse Williams). Before they arrive at the cabin, they come across a creepy old man who warns them about the cabin, but they ignore him.

Once at the cabin, they discover a secret cellar filled with strange artifacts, including a diary from a girl whose entire family was killed in the cabin. Despite Marty's warning, Dana reads from the diary and awakes the dead long buried in the woods.

But little did the five young people know they are being watched, and everything has been set up. Who are these people who are watching and manipulating them? What do they want? It's time for Dana and her friends to find out, and they are not going to like what they see.

Kristen Connolly (The Happening) has the innocent look that serves the role well. She plays the shy and demure "nerd" quite well, although I find her a tad too pretty (not that nerds can't be pretty, mind you). By far the most familiar face among the five young stars belongs to Chris Hemsworth (Thor), whose pre-Thor slim build and youthful looks are convincing as he plays the smart jock, Curt. Anna Hutchison (Go Girls) has fun playing Curt's free-spirit "wild" girlfriend. Fran Kranz (Homeland) is particularly effective as the pothead goofball, and Jesse Williams (Grey's Anatomy) is sharp as the kind and gentlemanly Holden.

The veteran actors who play the "men and women behind the scene" are all excellent. Richard Jenkins (The Rum Diary) gets to flex his comedic muscles as Sitterson, one of the men in charge of their "operation." As his partner in crime, Bradley Whitford (Bottle Shock) is equally energetic and "charming" even though what they are doing is anything but. Brian White (Fighting) seems underused and irrelevant -- in fact, I am not sure what his character does except serving as some kind of "moral compass." Sigourney Weaver (Abduction), on the other hand, makes a perfect cameo at the end.

Written by Drew Goddard (Cloverfield), the screenplay is clever and innovative, meshing various ideas together into a seamless story. There's the science fiction part, and then there's the gory horror. He manages to reinvent the horror genre, and I am sure more movies like this will made to spoil the pot in the future. But for now, Goddard's story is unique and fresh, while paying homage to many horror classics such as Friday the Thirteenth and Night of the Living Dead.

I also like the fact that most of the characters are interesting and likable -- yes, even the behind-the-scene bad guys. They are so engaging and three-dimensional that we can't help but like them, even though we know they are going to horrible things. We simply believe they must have a good reason. The screenplay is also full of wit and humor; it's hard not to laugh even though bad things are happening to our heroes and heroines. Still, the writing isn't flawless. Certain things, including the foreshadowing and exposition, can be heavy-handed. The humorous tone also at times lessens the impact of the horror, making it feel like a mockery instead of homage. Thus the movie sometimes feel uneven.

Director Joss Whedon (The Avengers), together with Goddard, does a great job creating this entertaining and provocative science-fiction horror-slash-thriller. In truth, the whole production is more suspenseful than horrific, and the humor makes it even less frightening. Still, the execution is masterful and there are jaw-dropping scenes that will make you keep thinking about them. The twist at the beginning of the third act is unexpected, and the ending is rather unconventional, a perfect commentary for the themes. Once we realize what really is going on, we can't wait to see how it's going to end, and we're treated to a surprising and, once again, humorous ending.

I enjoyed The Cabin in the Woods very much even though I am usually not a horror fan. The suspense and thrills and humor and performances as well as the originality of the story make it all worthwhile. You surely won't pay me enough to watch it while alone in a cabin in the woods, though.

Stars: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, Brian White, Sigourney Weaver
Directors: Joss Whedon, Drew Goddard
Writer: Drew Goddard
Distributor: Lionsgate
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody horror violence and gore, language, drug use, sexuality and nudity
Running Time: 95 minutes

Ratings:


Script - 7
Performance - 7
Direction - 8
Cinematography - 7
Music/Sound - 8
Editing - 8
Production - 8


Total - 7.8 out of 10.0

American Reunion

© 2012 Ray Wong

It's hard to believe that it's been 13 years since we first met Jim, Michelle, Oz, and Stiffler in American Pie. Now in their early 30s, the gang is back for more sex and love (san Rock n Roll).

Since getting married, Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) seem to have everything they want: careers, family, a cute infant son, and each other. But their marriage has hit a snag specially in the bedroom department. They hope to rekindle their fire when they attend their belated high school reunion back in East Village Falls, Michigan.

Once there, Jim reunite with his best pals: Oz (Chris Klein) who is now a celebrity sportscaster; Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) who is a happily married/domesticated architect; and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), now an adventurer. They deliberately avoided troublemaker Stiffler (Sean William Scott), who happens to visit "Stiffler's Mom" (Jennifer Coolidge) anyway.

The guys want to have a good time and recapture the best years of their lives: they seem to be stuck in high school, still. Especially for Stiffler -- he is exactly the same as he was 13 years ago, still a "dick." Coming home to them becomes an exercise of nostalgia and resurfaced feelings when their "first loves" show up. It proves to be a weekend they won't forget.

It's quite a nostalgic treat to see all the actors back to play their beloved characters, especially since many of them have gone on to better and brighter things. Jason Biggs (Life Happens) got his huge break with American Pie as the pie-humping teen. Reprising the role of Jim seems easy to him, but this time he brings a certain level of maturity to the character in addition to the usual earnestness and befuddlement. As his wife, Alyson Hannigan (How I Met Your Mother) is in top form as a mom who wants to be a teenager in love again. After all these years, Biggs and Hannigan continue to radiate great chemistry together.

Chris Klein (American Dreamz) is hilarious, charming and earnest as Oz, the hopelessly romantic dork trapped in a hunk's body. After all these years, Oz still pines for his first love Heather. Mena Survari seems to be a bit loss reprising her character. The chemistry isn't quite there. Thomas Ian Nicholas (Cattle Call) and Eddie Kaye Thomas (Harold and Kumar) seem at ease playing Kevin and Finch respectively, although both of us also bring new levels of maturity to their roles. The standout is, once again, Sean William Scott (Role Models), who plays man-child Stiffler with such energy that he could possibly play that character for the rest of his life.

The fantastic cast and cameos include lovely Tara Reid (Last Call) as Kevin's old flame, sultry Jennifer Coolidge (The Jack of Spades) as Stiffler's mom, dorky Eugene Levy (For Your Consideration) as Jim's dad, and a certain bit player named John Cho (Star Trek) as, you know, that Asian MILF Guy #2.

The screenplay by Adam Herz (American Pie), co-directors Jon Hurwitz (Harold and Kumar) and Hayden Schlossberg (Harold and Kumar) follows the same blueprint of the originals, and than goodness for that. Seemingly plotless, the story simply is an excuse to get these characters together to do what they do best: be silly and awkward and sincere. You can't go wrong with these bumbling fools who are simply so darn cute and adorable for being dorks.

Granted, the situations they get into are rather trite and there's that been-there-done-that feeling: after all, teen sex comedies are nothing new anymore. The jokes aren't always funny, and not as dirty as they should be either -- we have seen funnier and dirtier in new flicks such as Superbad or the Hangover. Still, what is endearing about the American Pie franchise is the characters. So kudos to the writers for retaining that quality, and for the actors of diving back into these beloved characters after so many years.

Hurwitz and Schlossberg have done a good job streamlining the relatively plotless story and coordinating among a huge cast of beloved characters played by many now-famous actors. And the cast seems to have a great time as well. The production value is good, and the film has a surprisingly polished look to it despite being a teen sex comedy. Well, I guess it's unfair to call it a "teen" comedy anymore given most of the characters are now in their 30s. They've all grown up. But we don't have to. And that's one reunion for which I can't wait to come back.

Stars: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Sean William Scott, Mena Suvari, Tara Reid, Jennifer Coolidge, Eugene Levy, John Cho
Directors: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Writers: Adam Herz, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Distributor: Universal
MPAA Rating: R for crude and sexual content, nudity, language, drug use and teen drinking
Running Time: 113 minutes

Ratings:

Script - 7
Performance - 8
Direction - 8
Cinematography - 7
Music/Sound - 7
Editing - 8
Production - 8

Total - 7.8 out of 10.0