Hot Shots! Part Deux in 13 seconds

I’ve seen this film a dozen times and it still blows me away that a)It outdoes the original and b)unpretentiously, and without fanfare, manages to be one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen. That’s right, you can quote me on that.  The “Bloodiest Movie Ever” sequence still makes me laugh out loud. And “War–It’s Fantastic!” has wormed its way into our household repertoire.

Lost in Translation in 13 seconds

My thoughts, in no order: The plot is in deep second to the characters. It could be Bill Murray’s best performance. Contrary to my fellow commentators in the webisphere, it’s not a romantic comedy, in that it’s not very funny and it’s not a romance–it’s two people reaching out to each other in their loneliness. And it’s stayed with me for days.   I liked it a lot…I think.  Ask me again in six months.

Hot Shots! in 13 seconds

Wacky humor, borrowing the flavor (and some of the talent) of Airplane!-Naked Gun. Not quite as good as those, but much, much better than the current “Epic Movie”-brand of horror(ible films).  I’d call it a minor success.

Get Him to the Greek in 13 seconds

The bad: Once again Judd Apatow makes it hard for me to heartily recommend his movies. Just lots of ick.  The good–the performances.  Jonah Hill isn’t the type I usually like, but here he’s fresh and even moving sometimes.  And Russell Brand’s rock star is incredible.  When he’s strutting and ACTUALLY SINGING on stage I couldn’t think of anyone else who could have done it.

The Hangover in 13 seconds

I thought it was funny.  NOT the funniest movie of that year like everyone seems to have assumed.  But vastly better than Todd Phillips’ Old School. And I appreciate its premise of guys trying to be good friends to each other–that helps to cover over that ick-please-mom-don’t-read-this-review aftertaste.

Fantastic Mr. Fox redux in 13 seconds

Every time I see this movie I like it more.  It’s such a laid-back story, with laid-back everything (which is different from boring). Wes Anderson’s brand of comedy works here, and I wonder if the fact that I’m watching an animated film makes the disconnect I usually feel towards his movies’ eccentricities more palatable.

Shrek Forever After in 13 seconds

Better than the last one, which isn’t saying much.  There’s some decent laughs, and Shrek’s fear at losing his ogre-hood strikes a chord. I’ll be honest, though, these message movies (aimed squarely at men, it seems) is, stop wanting what you don’t have, be happy with what you do.  There’s a reason men feel this way, folks–investigation is required, not forced contentment.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang in 13 seconds

One of those movies where you’re both marveling at the dialogue (razor-sharp and witty here) and performances (winning) and cringing at the depravity (substantial). Shane Black has proved a master at this kind of material before–I’m deeply interested to see what he does with the PG-13 Iron Man 3.

Maverick in 13 seconds

There’s so much that shouldn’t work in this movie, and yet it does. Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster make the most of the feather-light material, and seem to have a great time doing it. As a result, so did I.

Working Girl in 13 seconds

I’m a sucker for a Cinderella story, and this one does it right. You’re firmly in Melanie Griffith’s corner from the start, not just unsatisfied with her pedestrian life, but fighting to rise above it. It’s funny how, no matter where we come from, we all want to feel that way at some point.