Blades of Glory (2007) Film Review

After a very public fight, Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder) are banned from international ice skating championships. But luckily there is a loophole – they can compete in pair skating. But with only a month to find partners, they end up skating together, doing things only two men can do. This puts them in direct competition with brother and sister pair Stranz and Fairchild Van Waldenberg (Wil Arnett and Amy Poehler) who will do anything to win.

You know those Will Ferrell comedies that are ridiculous and insane and could be very funny or totally awful? This is one of those. I think it is mostly pretty funny. But then, I totally love Amy Poehler and I also totally love Will Arnett. So, there was a high chance I’d be liking this. I really like Will Arnett’s dumb.

If you like these comedies, I reckon you’ll like this. I also really like the slightly not-quite-right CG work that puts the actors’ faces on the skaters’ bodies – kind of not right, and hilarious. Oh, and William Fichtner is in it. I love that man – I’ll watch him in anything.

 

Elysium (2013) Film Review

Elysium is a place orbiting Earth where all the wealthiest people went when the world became overcrowded and where the poor who remain dream of one day going. Not only do they have beautiful houses and gardens and no fear of crime, but they have fancy machines that are used to heal any injuries or illness. Max (Matt Damon) lives on Earth working an honest job after a wayward youth of stealing cars. He dreams of earning enough for a ticket to Elysium. But when he is hit with a soon-to-be-fatal dose of radiation at his work, he feels his only hope is to get there now, and hooks up with his underworld pals again. Along comes Kruger (Sharlto Copley), a nasty enforcer who will do anything he is ordered to by his sometimes boss, Delacourt (Jodie Foster) and things get mega violent. Add into the mix Max’s childhood love and her sick child and you have a whole film.

I found much of this film didn’t click for me. Yes, it had a lot of action, and there was injustice and good versus evil. There were certainly some aspects of the film that had similarities to Blomkamp’s previous film, District 9. The creation of a powerless underclass and the need for them to regain some power, and that is surely making comments on human nature in so many different ways. It felt like it should work; decent script, some top actors giving great performances. But it just didn’t work for me. Still, give it a try.

 

Date Night (2010) Film Review

Phil (Steve Carell) and Claire (Tina Fey) have been married for some time, have small children, and find that they barely have energy to have their date nights, even though they clearly enjoy each other’s company. But when close friends tell them they are splitting, news that strikes out of the blue, they decide to make a big effort and go into town (New York, that’s the town) for a special dinner. When they can’t get a table at an exclusive restaurant, they pinch someone elses reservation. Hint: if you are going to do this, make sure that the people who’s reservation you take are not attempting to bribe anyone, and you don’t spend the night on the run for your life. Even if you do end up spending time with a shirtless Marky Mark.

I love Steve Carell, I love Mark Wahlberg and I especially love Tina Fey. How could I not love this film? It’s funny, ridiculous, but mostly extremely funny. And I could watch it over and over. Just ace times.