Some mini-reviews...

Ok I've been watching flicks like crazy so here are some mini-reviews...

Speed Racer - Visually incredible. Just a beautiful film. Casting was great, loved the use of a real chimp instead of CGI. Apart from being overlong, the script was quite poor and I didn't understand it was supposed to be like a modern version of an Elvis film...camp to the max. It just seemed silly. The film also struggles to choose which audience it's going for...kids, fans of the TV cartoon, teens, adults...it kept changing throughout the film! However, it was just great to see what they did artistically with the visuals... 2.5/5 stars.



You Don't Mess With the Zohan - Adam Sandler finally finds his funny again! This film is ridiculously stupid but highly entertaining. The in-your-face message here is EVERYONE STOP TAKING THINGS SO DAMN SERIOUSLY!!! A highlight was Adam Sandler's character racing after a Wave Runner dolphin style. The film is also terribly quotable: "Silky Smooth"! 3/5 stars.




Unbreakable - After listening to a great podcast from my pals over at The Naked Lunch I had to re-watch this amazing film. It's so terribly tragic, the story, yet so powerful. I always cry when I watch this movie and am continually impressed by Samuel L Jackson's performance. Heartbreaking. 4/5 stars.




Die Hard: with a Vengeance - So after watching Bruce Willis and Samuel L. on screen in Unbreakable, I had to watch this. Die Hard is my favorite all time action series and I thoroughly enjoyed the 3rd outing. While not as unique or wonderful as #1, the chemistry between Jackson and Willis is captivating. These guys should make more movies together! 3.5/5 stars. Pure joyful entertainment.

REVIEW: I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry

Directed By: Dennis Dugan (Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy)

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel, Dan Akroyd

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This is the story of two best friends who pretend to be gay in order to secure domestic partner benefits. Adam Sandler plays Chuck and the lovable Kevin James (who I might just have a soft spot for) plays Larry.

Many people believe that this is a rip-off of the movie Strange Bedfellows (2004) which, according to IMDB.COM, is described as "Two 'very straight' old timers have to learn how to pass as a loving gay couple after falsely claiming same-sex status to take advantage of newly leglislated tax laws".

Chuck and Larry sees good guy Larry trying to obtain the benefits for the security of his children should he be killed while fighting fires where the Aussie one is really just about tax fraud.

Ok now that I've cleard that up (PHEW!), I have to say that this movie surprised me. It was laugh-out-loud funny (just wait until the shower scene), promoted acceptance and understanding of the gay community, and somehow didn't end up taking itself too seriously. The film had a good balance and the two leads have great chemistry (no pun intended).

Chuck and Larry had some classic Adam Sandler inspired comedy, such as removing the giant fat man from the burning building, but also showed a more mature side. I think that Sandler's company has taken what was right with Click, gotten rid of the crappy bits, and wrapped it around this flick like a blankie.

It was strange but fun to see Sandler play a sex-addicted superjerk (sort of who he usually plays x 1000), and I also devoured the delicious cameos by Ving Rhames (one of the best moments in a comedy every, shower scene is a must see) and Sandler movie alum, Dan Akroyd. You'll recognise a few other faces too, like my fave Steve Buscemi as an anal investigator (no pun intended here either) and Jessica Biel, who can kick vampire ass one day and be a goofy half-naked lawyer the next.

I really liked I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. My only complaint is, at times the gay rights theme was a bit heavy for this type of comedy, but mostly it suited the atmosphere of the film.

Despite the obvious, I can't help but think, was this movie just a big community service announcement for Bible-bashing America? I hope not, because politics aside, it was just a really enjoyable modern comedy.

3/5 BIG GAY STARS!