Saturday, August 31, 2013

August 2013 Books and Movies

Bad Teacher

I went into this expecting to hate it. I don't like teacher movies that portray the profession negatively. But, Cameron Diaz is pretty funny, so I gave it a go. I ended up liking it, mostly because she has a change of heart by the end, and really ends up helping kids. It's a light, humorous rom-com, great for date night or a night in.

Life After Porn

Good documentary. It was sad to see that some people were not in the best circumstances, but most (save a few who were coerced into doing porn in the first place) weren't sorry they spent time in the industry. You get real insight into what really goes on, both on and off camera. A must see for people who consume porn without really thinking about it, as well as people who like an interesting documentary, who aren't afraid of a little boobage.

Hall Pass

Watched this as a way to pass time at the cottage. I expected raunchy from the Farrelly brothers, but I wasn't expecting how many times a the full monty would appear. Especially since I didn't know the movie at all and was watching it with a couple of teens. Their godfather fast forwarded though those parts, but I say as long as they're comfortable, don't make such a big deal about it. The concept of the movie was pretty funny. Two friends give their husbands a hall pass for one week from their marriage. This inevitably gives them the chance to live it up and the result is a sometime funny movie with a passable script.

Wreck it Ralph

Very well done. I haven't ever been a gamer, but I've been around long enough to recognize the different styles of video games in the movie. The animation is top notch, especially with crossing over between one style of game to the next. John C. Reilly and Jane Lynch (Sue from Glee) are fantastic as Ralph and Calhoun. A must see.

Crazy, Stupid, Love 

This was a pretty good rom-com with a surprise happy ending. I really like most of the cast (Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone) and they and the script gelled together nicely. As an audience member, I was really invested in the plot. To divorce or get back together, unrequited love, being romanced by two completely different men, the twist of how Hannah (Stone) relates to the rest of the cast all drew me in.  For me, Carell is at his best just hovering between funny and sad. Definitely a good date night movie.