kmc-4
Joined Jul 1999
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Reviews4
kmc-4's rating
I had seen one preview for this film, and it didn't appeal to me at all. Even the title seemed completely unimaginative, like it was a shortened elevator pitch. However, I had a chance to see it as a sneak preview, and I thought, "Well, you can't go terribly wrong with Jamie Bell, Anthony Mackie, and Ed Harris, and I haven't seen Ed Burns in anything for awhile. Besides, it's free. What the heck?"
Well, the movie was, on occasion, kind of ridiculous, and it had a typically predictable ending. Also, Sam Worthington couldn't maintain his American accent; whenever he started yelling, he sounded very Australian. Still, the movie has more strengths than weaknesses, and I even had a couple of gasps and then relieved relaxes. Certainly not the best action movie I've seen, but far from the worst either. It's a decent popcorn flick, a good option if you want a movie that isn't completely mindless but doesn't make your brain hurt either.
Well, the movie was, on occasion, kind of ridiculous, and it had a typically predictable ending. Also, Sam Worthington couldn't maintain his American accent; whenever he started yelling, he sounded very Australian. Still, the movie has more strengths than weaknesses, and I even had a couple of gasps and then relieved relaxes. Certainly not the best action movie I've seen, but far from the worst either. It's a decent popcorn flick, a good option if you want a movie that isn't completely mindless but doesn't make your brain hurt either.
I saw this movie at a sneak preview of "Dinner for Schmucks" last night. I really didn't know what to expect, having only seen the posters for it and none of the previews. It looked like "Dumb and Dumber" with Steve Carell's unflattering haircut, or it could be another crude frat pack-style film. Thankfully for an art house film snob like myself, neither was the case.
The basic plot is that Tim (Paul Rudd) wants to get promoted at his company, Fender Financial. He's shown insight and incentive, but there's one more thing that he has to do to get in good with the corporate bigwigs. He has to attend a "Dinner for Winners," where each exec brings along an "idiot" who will unknowingly serve as amusement for the other smugly successful. Just then, socially inept IRS employee Barry (Steve Carell) enters Tim's life. You'll have to see the movie to find out what happens from there. ;)
Paul Rudd is well-cast as this comedy's straight man, but of course, Steve Carell steals the show as Tim's "idiot" friend. His expressions, impeccable timing, and sincerity about his character make this movie an almost perfect vehicle for him. The supporting cast is also strong, with memorable turns from Ron Livingston cast against type as Tim's slick-haired workplace rival Caldwell, Zach Galifianakis as Barry's boss Therman, and especially "Flight of the Concords" star Jemaine Clement as a Russell Brand-channeling artist named Kieran for whom Tim's girlfriend Julie (Stephanie Szostak) curates shows.
Granted, "Dinner for Schmucks" will never be considered a comedy classic. It's not "Arsenic and Old Lace," "The Graduate," or even "Little Miss Sunshine." The plot is predictable, as are many other mainstream scripts, and it probably won't even be among the year's top 20 moneymakers with all of the 3D animation dominating the theaters as of late. Still, it features humor that is about as original as Hollywood comedy gets these days, and it has only a fraction of the crudeness we've been seeing in other frat pack-style films. It is an effective diversion that most adults would probably enjoy, and it provides more than a few genuine laughs.
If you're headed to the multiplex any time soon, "Dinner for Schmucks" is definitely worth your time and money.
The basic plot is that Tim (Paul Rudd) wants to get promoted at his company, Fender Financial. He's shown insight and incentive, but there's one more thing that he has to do to get in good with the corporate bigwigs. He has to attend a "Dinner for Winners," where each exec brings along an "idiot" who will unknowingly serve as amusement for the other smugly successful. Just then, socially inept IRS employee Barry (Steve Carell) enters Tim's life. You'll have to see the movie to find out what happens from there. ;)
Paul Rudd is well-cast as this comedy's straight man, but of course, Steve Carell steals the show as Tim's "idiot" friend. His expressions, impeccable timing, and sincerity about his character make this movie an almost perfect vehicle for him. The supporting cast is also strong, with memorable turns from Ron Livingston cast against type as Tim's slick-haired workplace rival Caldwell, Zach Galifianakis as Barry's boss Therman, and especially "Flight of the Concords" star Jemaine Clement as a Russell Brand-channeling artist named Kieran for whom Tim's girlfriend Julie (Stephanie Szostak) curates shows.
Granted, "Dinner for Schmucks" will never be considered a comedy classic. It's not "Arsenic and Old Lace," "The Graduate," or even "Little Miss Sunshine." The plot is predictable, as are many other mainstream scripts, and it probably won't even be among the year's top 20 moneymakers with all of the 3D animation dominating the theaters as of late. Still, it features humor that is about as original as Hollywood comedy gets these days, and it has only a fraction of the crudeness we've been seeing in other frat pack-style films. It is an effective diversion that most adults would probably enjoy, and it provides more than a few genuine laughs.
If you're headed to the multiplex any time soon, "Dinner for Schmucks" is definitely worth your time and money.
