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Reviews
Trainwreck (2015)
Raunchy Comedy That's Actually Funny
Unlike some comedies out there, this one is actually funny. I didn't really know Amy Schumer too well as a comedian - her roles have mainly been with television but let me be the first to say that Amy Schumer, acting as a chronically commitment-challenged career woman, is some serious comedic gold. Throw in some dirty jokes, a solid script (written by Schumer herself) and SNL veteran Bill Hader, and you've got a good movie for a Friday night.
What made this movie enjoyable was the script and great comedic acting. Amy wrote herself a good character. She showcases her comedic chops and also subtly subverts the stereotypical Hollywood romantic comedy women leads (instead of pining for Mr. Right, Schumer's Amy Townsend has sworn off the happily-married-with-two- kids phase for a...different source of romance).
The script, even while developing the budding connection between the two leads, still maintains gravity by exploring how each person's problems has affected their relationship. By this, I mean that there are no silly love rivals or dramatic altar scenes with sad music in the background, but rather a more realistic look into Amy's entrenched commitment-phobia and Aaron's relative naiveté with deep relationships. Schumer cuts out the clichéd dialogue and relies on well-placed scenes and double entendres, to good effect.
And of course, with the main lead (Bill Hader) playing a sports doctor, there were quite a few brilliant cameos from big-name athletes like LeBron James and Amar'e Stoudemire (LeBron in particular plays a penny-pinching, egotistical version of himself to perfection).
You may be concerned about the running time (over two hours), but the twists and narrative detours that Schumer writes are, in my opinion, justified. They don't necessarily further the plot, but they contribute to the world that the characters inhabit by fleshing out side characters. In particular, Tilda Swinton, playing the unrecognizably bronzed Anna-Wintour-like editor of Snuff magazine who bosses around Amy and her colleagues (Randall Park from "Fresh Off The Boat" and Vanessa Bayer from SNL), was another hilarious addition to the movie.
While it's not a deeply emotional movie (and it shouldn't be), it will resonate for anyone who's ever went through troubled times in a relationship. The script is cheeky and the acting was cheekier. Watch the movie. It's good.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
Absolutely Stunning, Must Watch!
I recommend this movies to families especially, but anyone can enjoy it with the exception being perhaps very small children (for mature themes). How to Train Your Dragon 2 manages to even surpass its predecessor, avoiding the sophomore slump in spectacular fashion.
The visuals and music were absolutely stunning, melding together without seams. You know you're in a good movie where sometimes, you don't even say to yourself, "Huh, this is good," but simply watch and enjoy. With this movie, I was fully enraptured. I watched in 3D, which made the cinematography even more breathtaking. Some movies are converted to 3D to make money, and I'm generally leery of feeding the cash-gobbling movie studios without compensation, but HTTYD2 has plenty of scenes to justify the additional cost of a 3D ticket. You'll still enjoy the film without the 3D, but it definitely adds to the scenes in HTTYD2, unlike in some other films.
The plot is noticeably darker, but the mature themes are handled well (with some tears might I add, and I'm a stoic person!) and leaves plenty of material for the sequel to explore. DuBlois makes a good choice to have Hiccup, the 20-year-old protagonist, face the realities of life here. Without such lessons, the film may have fallen into simply a visual stunner with no story. DuBlois' film ultimately succeeds because of a plot written for not just the visual thrills, but also the believable character development and world-building.
Summary: Must watch. I'm already considering watching it again and adding it to my DVD collection, and I'll certainly watch the third film.