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katiebee09
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I Give It a Year (2013)
Tries too hard..
I'm the sort of person who doesn't turn off a film unless it's horrifically bad. While I didn't turn this one off, I did spend far too many moments cringing to make it worth my time.
I agree with other reviewers in two things: if you've seen the preview, you've seen the film, and there isn't much real comedy here.
The characters are never given depth for me to be able to relate or empathize with them. I didn't understand why the couple married, why the best friend is kept around, why they continue to see the ridiculous and crass marriage counselor, and why they don't just allow themselves to be honest much sooner. The whole movie is based off premises that try too hard to be funny and come off as fake and forced. The sister and husband are horrible to each other, and while supposedly representing married couples at large, do a terrible job seeming real. I watched the film feeling mostly disgusted at the puns, clichés, and disconnection of the characters to any authentic thought or feeling. It just tries too hard to be awkward and push the envelope, which in the end doesn't work. The doves and violinist? Really?! Also, can I just say the character written for Anna Faris is beyond pathetic. Her character is very clearly written to be a mockery of issues that actually matter and the people who pursue to make a difference in the world. The way the character has no backbone or self-respect, and just allows herself to be bowled over was really annoying to me. Also, it's just irritating that she pines over Josh and waits so long to be honest.
I was relieved and refreshed by the honesty at the end, albeit I was surprised by the convenience of the writers putting Chloe and Guy together. Again, it felt like they were trying for maximum awkward moments to push on the audience.
A couple laughs, a couple good moments, but overall unhappy with the film. Oh, and I should mention that I do enjoy raunchy and awkward humor when it's done well. This was not the case.
Amazing Grace (2006)
Good, but disappointed
I watched the trailer for this film and was blown away by the powerful emotion and story conveyed. The problem when I watched the actual film was the lack of momentum. Instead of being swept up in a moving drama that had me glued to my seat as I expected, the flow of the story was continually interrupted by jumping back and forth between present and past. I didn't care for the way the story was laid out. There were brilliant moments of acting, there were moving moments of passion and conviction, but overall I was unimpressed. The little detours of personal life and politics detracted from the momentum rather than helping to build it.
I thought it was a good film. It just wasn't the great film I'd anticipated. Definitely some fantastic actors to enjoy; Benedict Cumberbatch and Ioan Gruffudd had great chemistry and offer wonderful performances.
The Grand (1997)
Mixed feelings on this one..
Let me begin by saying the series never blew me away, but hooked me enough to see what happened through the end. During both seasons, I wasn't crazy about all the acting or how many episodes ended dramatically and began the next with all the excitement missing and momentum stalled out. I have to say though, Season 1 was much more composed and enjoyable than Season 2. One of the biggest issue was changing not one, but two actors playing roles of main characters. I literally had to replay the first part when they replace Stephen to figure out who the new guy was. Then, just as I was accepting the reality that they really had replaced Stephen, a new Ruth popped onto the screen! I literally groaned/grimaced/screamed in frustration. As the audience, I felt wronged to lose two actors in a span of seconds. Neither work for the roles, and it seems the characters are different people and less likable. Ruth was beyond irritating with her ridiculous trembling and sniveling all the time.
There were some interesting plot twists, some great actors and roles, and fantastic sets and costumes. Certain roles are entirely believable and very well done.
Overall, if you want to enjoy this show, watch the first season and quit while you're ahead. Season 2 goes a bit haywire for my taste in both plot, writing, and acting.
Ira & Abby (2006)
Touch and go with this one..
This is one of those films that I almost turned off a couple times, but got hooked back in with the humor and wit. It's a definite off-the-wall romantic comedy with enough quirkiness to make the characters and the story lovable. The thing that kept turning me off was the constant reference to the need for therapy, therapists, and over-analysis by Ira, the main character who is neurotic and has been in the therapy system his whole life. Fortunately, everything else the movie has to offer helps alleviate the constant stress I experienced thinking over and over "just let it go, Ira! Choose to be happy and accept your wife and her love and imperfections!!!!" I think, for the general masses, this wouldn't be a huge issue, and overall would be seen as an enjoyable, quirky film with a great amount of humor, just enough drama, and a good touch of heart.
A Good Woman (2004)
Not Impressed..
I was incredibly disappointed in both the storyline and performances in this film. I have enjoyed both Helen Hunt and Scarlett Johansson in other films, and so expected good things. I couldn't get into any of the characters, save one! Tom Wilkinson, as "Tuppy" offered the only believable acting. I kept waiting to be swept up in this 1930s period piece, and throughout the entire movie I continued to wait. I couldn't connect with the characters, the dialogue was poor and poorly delivered, and the story itself was flaky and fragile, and seemed to be falling apart at the seams the entire way through.
I wouldn't waste an hour and a half on this film. I almost turned it off a few times, but wanted to see if it would actually go somewhere. It left me saying, "Meh."
Leap Year (2010)
Could have been great.. Sadly was not.
I had a hard time liking this film, and I thoroughly enjoy a good romantic comedy. The problem for me was the over-the-top corny and trying-really-hard-to-be-awkward-yet-funny bits. There were too many moments when I thought "Oh no, they didn't --- UUUUUGH, yeah, they did. That sucks." Without the ridiculously predictable and (for lack of a better word) stupid moments, this could have been a great film. It felt too scripted, like it tried too hard to create painful, awkward, and touching scenes. Right when I would start to get into the characters and the story, the mood or scene would shift into a forced, trying-too-hard feel. It played the jokes and scenes done a million times, and it just wasn't funny or touching. Period.
The scenery is gorgeous, and Matthew Goode does a great job with what he is given to work with. To be fair, Amy Adams does as well. Her character is just annoying for the most part. She's hard to like, and that hurt my attempts to get into the plot.
If the film had been allowed to stick to a simple, genuine feel, it could have been great. Instead, it inserted awful comedic ploys and offered overly dramatic misses. And the music choices, for the most part, were terrible. Again, too cliché with their "love" references way too early in the film, and it didn't get better as it went on. Too much, too overdone. As I said, I really wanted to like it! If you overlook the cheesy, awful moments, it's enjoyable.