Movie Review - Pitch Perfect

Acayeah!  So I went into this movie only knowing it had something to do with singing (I know, I'm a genius).  About 2 minutes in I think, "oh shit this is the a capella version of Step Up."  Luckily I was 60% wrong.

Acafunny!  This movie had the oddest group of characters, which equaled hilarious.  There is an underlining theme to The Breakfast Club throughout the movie.  No, there was no A Capella in Breakfast Club, though it's a thought for a sequel. What both movies show are the depths of stereotypical side characters you see in everyday life.  The fat girl, the quite Asian (watch out, it's always the quite ones), the lesbian, the alternative girl, the popular girl, etc.  

SNL started the trend, and this is the era of women in comedy.  Let's talk about Rebel Wilson, who plays Fat Amy (no thats her name I'm not being mean).  You may have had your first look at her during What to Expect when You're Expecting or in Bridesmaids.  I didn't know if I would like her character by the end of the movie, but I just wanted more.  She just has awesome comedic timing.  You are going to laugh throughout the movie and it is because of her acaawesomeness.  

You should go see Pitch Perfect.  A Capella has never been so fun.  No really, it hasn't, ever.  

Movie Review - Teachers Edition

In this time of teachers strikes and union wars two movies come out that teach us what is really important, the children. The first, Won't Back Down, shows us how parents and teachers can fight back against failing schools and injustices in the union. The second, Here Comes the Boom, teaches us one teacher can make a difference by becoming a mix martial arts fighter to save the school's music program. Both very realistic possibilities.

Won't back down does bring up real problems that the school systems are facing. What do you do if your child is in a failing school? Why are teachers protected by the union if they are not doing their jobs? I'm not anti union at all, I believe that good, hard working individuals should be protected. What I don't agree with are unions protecting those that don't deserve it. My favorite line in the movie is when the teachers are arguing about compensation. Viola's character stands up and proclaims ironically about the disagreement, "because we all went into teaching for the money!" which is met by endorsing silence.

Here Comes the Boom is about a 2002 teacher of the year who 10 yrs later has lost his drive and love for teaching. When he speaks out about the school cutting the music program for budget reasons and a teacher's job he ends up volunteering to raise the 48k and getting in over his head. I was impressed by the UFC's presence in this movie (and excited that Herb Dean was in the movie-my favorite ref). TJ says that Kevin James is a huge UFC fan, so I'm sure he loved every minute of filming this. Plus he got in really good shape for the role (looking good Kevin). This movie had me laughing out loud and I do love MMA.

Both movies prove the point that teachers can and should make a difference in children's lives. So whether you are up for a good cry or laugh and want to be cheering and inspired at the end, both are good picks.

Movie Review - Just Dredding This

Why?  Why, why, why, why, why, why, why?  Why?  I know we are in a comic book, super hero craze.  I know that they are destined to make money.  But I think we all agree that Judge Dredd is the exception to the: If at first you don't succeed... rule.  I remember the first Judge Dredd.  I was about 12 years old.  It was so bad my friend and I started laughing a third of the way through and couldn't stop the entire movie.   If Stallone can't make an action movie work, then that should tell you something.

There were these weird slow motion drug induced scenes.  A cool at first-turned annoying after the third time cinematography choice.  They added some interesting fighting scene effects at moments.  I mean slow-motion, 3D blood splatter is something each person should see once in their life.  Halfway through the movie TJ and I just looked at each other with a look that asked, “really?  Is the whole movie like this?”  Yes, yes it is.  Maybe if you were high it would take on some deeper meaning. 

In this Judge Dredd, Dredd is evaluating a rookie and responds to a triple death.  The apartment complex they enter is under gang rule.  Soon they find their selves under lockdown trying to fight their way through in order to survive.  Hmmm... I feel like I already saw a very similar situation earlier this year, and Raid Redemption was far superior. 

At the end of the day, if you saw the first one, just leave it at that.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I grew up in the height of teen coming of age movies. Movie teens of today just don't seem to have the same passion or angst that we had growing up. There's no internal, high school revolution to be had. It's all parties and girl/boy troubles with a little bit of bullying thrown in. There's no breakfast club, dancing to prove yourself, risky businesses to run or Heathers drama to overcome.

Fortunately for this generation seeing The Perks of Being a Wallflower will give them a taste of the teen worlds we were a part of growing up. It has an amazing cast including Emma Watson breaking away from Harry Potter. It was semi based on the writer/director's life during his sophomore year in high school. The entire audience, which was about 10 years younger than me, had read the book which the movie was adapted from. Let's just say that after seeing this I had to read the book, it was that good.

After the screening I was privileges to hear the director, Stephen Chbosky, talk about the film and his book. (TJ was super excited, because he the director created Jericho as well). He spoke of this feeling of being infinite, and how he was surprised that it was never used before. He also spoke about how teens often feel infinite, there's so many possibilities ahead for them. As adults we don't often feel infinite anymore. For me this movie rekindled this feeling that with a few good friends and a place that you belong, I can do anything and I'm already standing on top of the world. Like every teen should.