The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog
December 11, 2009
Disney
Children's, Romance, Comedy, Fantasy, Historical
DVD
B-

Partially based on E.D. Baker's The Frog Princess, which I can't remember if I've read, this is a Disney Princess movie with a difference, well, many differences.  It has a relatively modern and real setting, New Orleans in the 1920s.  (The prologue is set the day Wilson is elected President, but I'm guessing this is 1912 rather than '16.)  The "princess" is an African-American waitress who dreams of opening her own restaurant.  She does get her prince, but he's not her main goal.  And, yes, both of them are turned into frogs, because of voodoo.

Co-writers/directors Ron Clements and John Musker also did Aladdin and, while this isn't as dazzling, it is a worthy successor as a "not a typical Disney Princess movie."  There's no razzle-dazzle performance on the level of Robin Williams's genie, although the voicework and acting are generally solid.  The two biggest standouts are Keith David as villain Dr. Facilier and Jenifer Lewis as wise-woman Mama Odie, who, in their songs especially, show the dark and light sides of voodoo, and of changing your life.  The use of light and color is sometimes impressive.  And a couple of the characters, particularly Charlotte and Ray, end up having more substance than expected.  I would say the biggest flaw in the movie is pacing, too many stops and starts.  Otherwise, I would probably go with a B, as with Aladdin.

Phil Proctor did additional voices in Aladdin well.  (And, yes, this is the Firesign Theatre Phil Proctor, who co-wrote Americathon.)

Since I've gotten more 21st-century films in recent months, and since there are more films from 2000 to '09 than there were in, for instance, the 1970s, I've decided to split off the 2010s, unlike with my book blog.

The Sex Files: A Dark XXX Parody

The Sex Files: A Dark XXX Parody
Sept. 30, 2009
Digital Sin
Porn, Romance, Horror
Download
D+

My porn collection has doubled to six movies since I reviewed Different Strokes.  This is entirely due to the acting talents of Anthony Rosano, who here plays Mulder.  After watching him in Who's the Boss?: A XXX Parody, I wondered what else he'd done.  I watched some trailers and (non-pornographic) clips, and this and the Graduate parody seemed the best of the lot.  In fact, I quite enjoyed the porn-less version of this movie on YouTube, even though I've seen maybe one episode of The X-Files.  He and Kimberly Kane, who's apparently a dead ringer for Dana Delany, are both quite good (she won an adult film acting award, and he was nominated, for this movie) and also have an appealing chemistry.  The mood of the film is appropriately atmospheric, although it seems that it's more horror-focused than the more sci-fi-oriented source material.

So why the low grade?  Well, unfortunately I didn't care for any of the sex scenes besides Rosano's and Delany's, which manages to be both hot and romantic, coming as it does after a believable confession of love.  With all the other pairings, and group sex, I hadn't the slightest interest in seeing those people together, and I found the sex boring and seemingly endless.  If the movie were just what's on YouTube, plus that love scene, I'd probably go with a B+, but the running time would be more than an hour less than it actually is.

The "parody" in the title by the way is misleading.  Unlike most of the other movies in the parody-porn subgenre (more about that under WtBXXXP), this is not played for laughs, although there are moments of humor, mostly in Mulder and Scully's quips.  I think the "dark" was put in there to suggest this but it makes it sound like it'll be black comedy porn, which it isn't either.

Evan Stone, who's the male Club Goer, would be a Bouncer in The Graduate XXX, while Rod Fontana, who's Skinner, would be the Night Clerk there.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
July 15, 2009
Warner Bros.
Fantasy, Romance, Comedy, Drama
DVD
B-

Harry Potter regulars this time include (* for newbies):

1. Afshan Azad as Padma Patil
2. David Bradley as Argus Filch
3. Jim Broadbent as Professor Horace Slughorn*
4. Scarlett Byrne as Pansy Parkinson (new to the role)*
5. Jessie Cave as Lavender Brown (new to the role)*
6. Shefali Chowdhury as Parvati Patil
7. Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid
8. Louis Cordice as Blaise Zabini*
9. Warwick Davis as Professor Filius Flitwick
10. Alfred Enoch as Dean Thomas
11. Amber Evans as Twin Girl #1*
12. Ruby Evans as Twin Girl #2*
13. Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy
14. Michael Gambon as Professor Albus Dumbledore
15. Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley
16. Josh Herdman as Gregory Goyle
17. Rod Hunt as Thorfinn Rowle*
18. Ralph Ineson as Amycus Carrow*
19. Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy
20. Isabella Laughland as Leanne*
21. Dave Legeno as Fenrir Greyback*
22. Georgina Leonidas as Katie Bell (new to the role)*
23. Katie Leung as Cho Chang
24. Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom
25. Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood
26. Helen McCrory as Narcissa Malfoy*
27. William Melling as Nigel
28. Devon Murray as Seamus Finnigan
29. James Phelps as Fred Weasley
30. Oliver Phelps as George Weasley
31. Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter
32. Anna Shaffer as Romilda Vane*
33. Geraldine Somerville as Lily Potter
34. Timothy Spall as Wormtail
35. Freddie Stroma as Cormac McLaggen*
36. Natalie Tena as Nymphadora Tonks
37. David Thewlis as Remus Lupin
38. Suzanne Toase as Alecto Carrow*
39. Emma Watson as Hermione Granger
40. Jamie Waylett as Vincent Crabbe
41. Mark Williams as Arthur Weasley
42. Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley

My review of the book is here:  http://rereadingeverybookiown.blogspot.com/2014/01/harry-potter-and-half-blood-prince.html.  And, yes, I consider the movie to be roughly equivalent in quality to the book, although the flaws are different.  As I noted there, the Horcruxes are mishandled in the movie in the sense that Dumbledore says they could be the most commonplace of objects, when in fact this better describes Portkeys (like the "manky old boot") and it's unlikely that Voldemort would entrust pieces of his soul to worthless objects.

One flaw is that, as in Order of the Phoenix, a romance is left unresolved, in this case that of Ginny and Dean.  (Poor Alfie Enoch is once again underused, even as a point in a triangle.)  We're told that Ginny and Dean argue, but we never actually see them break up, so when Ginny flirts with Harry at Christmastime and later, it's difficult to know how to take it.  I will say though that the girls and women are less out of character here than in the book, and I think this is Emma Watson's best performance so far.  (When she attacks Ron with conjured birds, he's not actually pecked and injured, like in the book, just frightened.)

My other gripe is that while some of the shots are lovely and/or haunting, too many of them are dark, which means losing detail on a television screen.  On the plus side, Yates turns out to have a gift for comedy, especially when characters are acting drunk or stoned, most notably Daniel Radcliffe's "pincers" moment.  And the Ron-on-Love-Potion scenes are everything they ought to be, with Radcliffe a fine straight man to Rupert's loopiness and handsiness.

Paul Davies is again a Death Eater, as he was in Goblet of Fire and would be again in both Deathly Hallows movies.  Tabatha St. Vincent was an extra in Order of the Phoenix as well.  Nathan Clarke is a Gryffindor Student, as he was in Order.  Neil Findlater was a Ministry of Magic Panel Member there and is a Wizard Teacher here.

Ifeoma Oboko would again be a Hogwarts student in Hallows I, although not specifically Gryffindor.  Elliott Francis would again be a Slug Club Member there.  Ninette Finch is an extra here but would be Augusta Longbottom in Hallows 2.  Arthur Bowen, who's Boy at Chestnut Stand, would be more prominent towards the very end of the series, as Albus Severus Potter.

In the Loop

In the Loop
April 17, 2009
BBC Films etc.
Comedy
DVD
B

This is a very funny documentary-looking film (but not a mockumentary per se) about British and American politics, with a profanity-laced script, most notably in the lines of Peter Capaldi as Malcolm Tucker.  In fact, some of the funniest lines are funny because of the witty use of profanity.  The humour obviously has faded upon repetition, but it's still a very entertaining movie, with a good solid cast, of whom I will reluctantly single out three:  Steve Coogan as Paul Michaelson ("I'm fucking zen!"), James Gandolfini as Lt. Gen. George Miller (probably the best actor of the bunch, very believable), and Tom Hollander as Simon Foster, a role that, like that in Gosford Park, uses his short height to advantage, so that he's a little man who can't keep up with the "big kids."  If I can't rate the movie higher it's that most of the characters are unpleasant and that does get to be a bit draining after awhile.

Pirate Radio

Pirate Radio (AKA The Boat That Rocked)
April 1, 2009
Universal etc.
Comedy, Musical, Historical
DVD
C+

I'm ambivalent about this movie, so let's get the negatives out of the way first.  This is the fictional, if inspired by true events, story of, yes, a pirate radio station in the days when the BBC did not like to play rock or pop.  Specifically, it's 1966-67, and as such I recognize that it's a period piece and this was not the most feminist of times or places.  That said, I feel that the way that sex and women are presented is excessively retrograde.  The next British movie I'll review, In the Loop, is not really feminist either, but it does treat the women as people with believable motivations, and there is nothing as creepy as the scene where a man tries to trick his partner into deflowering another man.  (Perhaps he's also trying to trick the other man, since it seems unlikely they would've gotten away with it, but this makes the scene no less creepy.)  Considering that writer-director Richard Curtis did The Tall Guy about twenty years earlier, it's fair to expect better than this.

The movie was released in a longer version (with the "boat" title) on the date I've listed, and perhaps there are fewer dangling threads in that.  To take a minor example, what the heck does Thick Kevin do on the boat?  Everyone else has a clear job but he just hangs out.  To take a more significant example, how does Philip Seymour Hoffman, as the "spirit of rock" character the Count, manage to survive after the boat sinks, while the Swedish crew disappears without comment?

The soundtrack and costumes are good at least (although the former is sometimes anachronistic), and there are some enjoyable performances, most notably Bill Nighy as Quentin, whose every line delivery and movement is perfect.  I might've rated this higher at the time, although what bothers me about it now bothered me then.

There are some Harry Potter connections here, with ex-spouses Kenneth "Lockhart" Branagh and Emma "Trelawney" Thompson playing respectively the main villain and the mother of the character closest to being the film's main character.  David Sterne was a Ministry Wizard in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and is Marianne's Captain here.  Rhys Ifans, who's Gavin, would be Xenophilius Lovegood in Deathly Hallows, Part I, while Nighy would be Minister Rufus Scrimgeour.

Tom Brooke played a Production Assistant in Bridget Jones 2 but is more memorable here as Thick Kevin.  Kirsty Mather, who's John's Boat Girl, had recently been a Hen in Mamma Mia!  Chris O'Dowd, who's sweet and goofy as Simon (the most-betrayed-by-a-woman character) would be the love interest Rhodes in Bridesmaids.

I Love You, Man

I Love You, Man
March 20, 2009
DreamWorks etc.
Comedy
DVD
B-

This is one of the better not-quite-Apatow movies to emerge in the last dozen years or so, although not without its flaws.  It is not, perhaps surprisingly, very gross (a couple vomiting scenes aside), although it is undeniably crude.  (Mostly in sexually frank dialogue.)  It is much less sexist than average for the sub-genre, and in fact Rashida Jones as Zooey Rice, the patient but not infinitely patient fiancee of the "I" of the title, gives the most believable performance.  The "bromance" at the center of the movie, between uptight and awkward (but self-aware) Peter Klaven, played by Paul Rudd, and uncivilized but nice Sydney Fife, played by Jason Segel, generally works.  However, the three characters have a lot of issues with each other that are brought up but not fully resolved.  There are moments when it feels like the movie is going to go dark and it never quite comes back from them, as if, just like in a rom-com, this bro-com has to get its happy ending no matter what.  Also, some of the humor has faded after six years, although I did still laugh out loud a few times.  Furthermore, I wish there had been more of J.K. Simmons and Jane Curtin as Peter's parents, although they're perfect in their few scenes.

David Krumholtz was Michael in 10 Things I Hate About You and is Sydney's Buddy #3 here.  Carla Gallo, who's one of Zooey's Friends here, was more memorable as the Toe-Sucking Girl in The 40 Year Old Virgin.  Jon Favreau was Leo in Something's Gotta Give and is the utterly despicable Barry here.  (And meanwhile had done Iron Man, not a remio movie obviously.)

Nelson Franklin, who plays another of Sydney's Buddies, would be Comeau in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.  Greg Tuculescu, who's I believe the guy who "farts at the open house," would be Kevin in Bridesmaids.  Mather Zickel, who's Gil here, would be Jim Stansel in Rudd's Wanderlust.  Wedding Photographer David Wain would be Keith in Rudd's They Came Together, while Wedding Band Member Craig Wedren would be Saxophone Player there.  (And they both have non-acting credits in common, such as Wet Hot American Summer.)

Sarah Burns, who plays Hailey here, would if I recall correctly have a similar single friend role as Harper in Going the Distance.

Rushing into it.

Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia!
July 18, 2008
Universal etc.
Musical, Comedy, Romance
DVD
B

This at times feels like a throwback to, no, not ABBA's glory days in the '70s, but rather the early '80s, when the cheesy, nonsensical musical sub-genre reached some sort of pinnacle, or depth, with Grease 2 and Pirate Movie.  In fact, watching this in the theater the first time (I went twice), the flipper-ballet on the jetty felt like a Pirate Movie out-take.  And yet, even when Pierce Brosnan is proving himself the worst singing James Bond since Timothy Dalton in Sextette, the movie has more heart than most modern movies.  Much of this is due to star Meryl Streep, who of course out-acts everyone but nearly out-sings everyone, with the notable exception of Amanda Seyfried as her daughter Sophie.  Seyfried has an incredible voice that Mean Girls gave no hint of.  In a plot with an incredibly fuzzy timeline (I think it's set in '97, but this is debatable), twenty-year-old Sophie wants to finally meet her father, and so she invites the three most likely candidates to her wedding:  Brosnan, Colin Firth (very sweet as the now gay one), and Stellan Skarsgård,  Meanwhile, other guests arrive, including Streep's best friends, one played by a surprisingly slapsticky Julie Walters.  Not every moment in the movie works, but the ABBA covers are great and I can't think of a weak one in the bunch.  Also, the Greek scenery is gorgeous.

Norma Atallah was Debra in Yentl and is Irini here.  Kirsty Mather, who's a Hen here, would be John's Boat Girl in Pirate Radio.

Baby Mama

Baby Mama
April 25, 2008
Universal etc.
Comedy, Romance
DVD
B

In some ways, this is sort of the flip-side of Juno, although Amy Poehler is the working-class surrogate mother for the baby that single yuppie Tina Fey hopes to have, rather than an accidentally pregnant teen.  There are more stereotypes here, not just with Poehler's character but also with Romany Malco as Oscar the African-American doorman.  I do feel that the performances and the witty screenplay humanize and expand on these stereotypes, but I can see how some might object.  Similarly, the whole "ticking biological clock" thing can be seen as both '80s dated and anti-feminist, but Fey and the others manage to tweak this.  Similarly, the movie plays with rom-com tropes (most obviously in the "Endless Love" sequence) and applies them to two straight women who become unlikely best friends.  The two leads, friends in real life, play off of each other well, and are ably supported by (among others) Steve Martin as Fey's New-Agey boss, Sigourney Weaver as the 50-something but incredibly fertile manager of the surrogacy agency, the eternal Holland Taylor as Fey's mother, and Greg Kinnear as Fey's love interest, one of the more realistic characters, although not without humor.

Siobhan Fallon Hogan, who plays the Birthing Teacher, was (minus the speech impediment) Stanley's Mother in Holes.  Mark A. Keeton was Sloane's Dinner Companion in Music and Lyrics and is Denim Suit Guy here.  Fred Armisen, the Stroller Saleman here, would be the Pastor in Easy A.

Juno

Juno
December 25, 2007
Fox etc.
Comedy, Romance
DVD
B

It would be fair to say of this movie, as of Clerks, that it's unrealistic for so many of the characters to be that witty and pop-culturally savvy.  Also, like Napoleon Dynamite, the film seems to exist in some present-day time warp, in this case a world where teens don't have cell phones or computers.  And yet, there is an inner core of reality and believability, particularly in the performances by J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney as Juno's tough but loving father and stepmother.  Ellen Page brings just the right balance of cynicism and naivete to the title role, playing a unique but recognizable 16-year-old.  And Michael Cera succeeds with the difficult role of the best friend whom she seduces and becomes pregnant by.  (Admittedly, it is in retrospect a typical Cera part, but at the time it felt fresh.)  Jennifer Garner and Michael Bateman play the Yuppie couple who want to adopt Juno's baby.  The movie does at times get to be a bit much, as with the oh-so indie soundtrack, which is why I can't rate it higher, but overall it's good.

Lucas MacFadden, AKA Cut Chemist, aptly plays the Chemistry Teacher here and was an Ozomatli Band Member in Never Been Kissed.  Brandon Barton, of the Dancing Elk Track Team, would show up as '80s Jock Boy in Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

This is by the way the 300th movie I've reviewed.  I added another D, for two total, but no more D+s.  There are three more C-s and four C's, making 17 and 22 respectively.  C+s have gone from 47 to 59, B-s from 58 to 91.  B's have again more than doubled, this time from 27 to 58.  B+s jumped from 22 to 37.  And A-s went from five to seven, while I actually have two new A's, making three in all.

Enchanted

Enchanted
November 21, 2007
Disney
Fantasy, Musical, Romance
DVD
B

A gentle self-parody by Disney of the whole Princess phenomenon, this is also a tour de force by Amy Adams, who manages to keep her character, sweet and naive Giselle (not actually a princess but "in love with" a prince), intact while still adding complexity.  And when she breaks into song, especially the extravaganza of "That's How You Know," it's hard not to be swept away.  Patrick Dempsey as Robert Philip, the cynical New Yorker whom she falls for, provides some balance in tone, although he, too, is won over.  Interestingly, their initial love interests, James Marsden as Prince Edward and Idina Menzel as Nancy, are not put down to push the main romance forward and in fact find their own Happily Ever After.  (Menzel would go on to be the voice of Elsa in Frozen.)  The other potential couple is Timothy "Wormtail" Spall as Nathaniel and his sexy but evil Queen Narissa, played just right by Susan Sarandon.  Julie Andrews briefly narrates and there are a whole bunch of Disney references throughout the movie.  (My favorite was the Bella Notte restaurant, a subtler Lady and the Tramp joke than in Flushed Away.)  If the movie never quite makes it to "classic" status, it does at least hold up to repeat viewings.  (In the first year of its release, I kept happening to watch it again, including in the unlikely setting of a ferry to the Shetland Islands.)

Harvey Evans was a Chimney Sweep Dancer in Mary Poppins, more than 40 years before he dances here.  Margaret Travolta was Rob's Mom in High Fidelity and does more voicework here as a Radio Therapist.  Amir Raissi was Eli's Egyptian Friend in The Royal Tenenbaums and is a dancer here.  Steven Weisz, who was a Charity Ball Attendee in Two Weeks Notice, is a Stunned Pedestrian here.  Thelma O'Leary was a Concert Attendee in Music and Lyrics and is a Park Attendee here, while Robert Sciglimpaglia was a Class of 1987 Alumnus there and plays a Ball Room Guest here.

"You know this song, too?"

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
July 11, 2007
Warner Bros.
Fantasy, Drama, Action
DVD
B

Harry Potter regulars this time (* for newbies):

1. Afshan Azad as Padma Patil
2. Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange*
3. David Bradley as Argus Filch
4. Shefali Chowdhury as Parvati Patil
5. Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid
6. Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick
7. Alfred Enoch as Dean Thomas
8. Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy
9. Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort
10. Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore
11. Brendan Gleeson as Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody
12. Richard Griffiths as Uncle Vernon Dursley
13. Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley
14. Robert Hardy as Cornelius Fudge
15. George Harris as Kingsley Shacklebolt*
16. Josh Herdman as Gregory Goyle
17. Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy
18. Katie Leung as Cho Chang
19. Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom
20. Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood*
21. Harry Melling as Dudley Dursley
22. William Melling as Nigel
23. Gary Oldman as Sirius Black
24. Robert Pattinson as Cedric Diggory
25. James Phelps as Fred Weasley
26. Oliver Phelps as George Weasley
27. Devon Murray as Seamus Finnigan
28. Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter
29. Chris Rankin as Percy Weasley
30. Adrian Rawlins as James Potter
31. Fiona Shaw as Aunt Petunia Dursley
32. Geraldine Somerville as Lily Potter
33. Timothy Spall as Peter Pettigrew
34. Natalie Tena as Nymphadora Tonks*
35. David Thewlis as Remus Lupin
36. Emma Watson as Hermione Granger
37. Jamie Waylett as Vincent Crabbe
38. Mark Williams as Arthur Weasley
39. Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley

My review of the book is here:  http://rereadingeverybookiown.blogspot.com/2013/12/harry-potter-and-order-of-phoenix.html.  At the time this movie came out, it was mixed in with the feelings of the pending release of the final book.  Moments like when Voldemort tells Harry, "You're a fool and you'll lose everything," gave me shivers because we really didn't know how this was all going to end.  Also, coming after the disappointments of the fourth movie, this seemed like the best entry after Azkaban.

Now I'd put it on a level with the first two movies.  It generally doesn't wow me, although Evanna Lynch is amazing as Luna, Imelda Staunton makes Umbridge even creepier than in the book by making her "nicer" on the surface, and the Dumbledore vs. Voldemort battle kicks arse.  It's a good, solid entry.  My two main quibbles are that new director David Yates has overdone pulling everyone back from overacting and made some of the lines too soft-spoken (Yates himself is soft-spoken, quite a contrast to blustering Newell); and not only has Michael Goldenberg's script (or at least the editing) lost much of the book (this is always noted as the longest book turned into the shortest movie) but there are stray lines and even subplots that are just left hanging.  Most notably, Harry and Cho's romance, which is less awkward than in the book, fizzles out because of a misunderstanding that's never resolved.  Still, kudos for Yates in getting at the emotional core of the series in a way that no one other than Alfonso Cuarón managed.

Siobhan Ellen Williams was in Hufflepuff in Goblet of Fire but is now in Gryffindor.  Paije Richardson is also in both movies, as an unidentified student.  Sarah Harrison was a Schoolgirl in Goblet and here.  Nathan Clarke is in Gryffindor here and in Half-Blood Prince.  Christopher O'Shea was an unidentified extra in Chamber of Secrets and this one, while Tabatha St. Vincent is an unidentified extra in this and Prince.  Peter Best was the Executioner in Azkaban and is a Death Eater here.  Natalie Hallam was Professor Sinistra in Goblet and seems to be reprising it here, although she's uncredited.  Neil Findlater is a Ministry of Magic Panel Member here and would be a Wizard Teacher in Prince.  Rusty Goffe would again play a Goblin in Deathly Hallows 2.  Arben Bajraktaraj is an Azkaban Death Eater here and would be specifically Antonin Dolohov in Deathly Hallows 1.  Daisy Haggard would again be the voice of the Ministry Lift in Hallows 1.

Richard Cubison was the Head Waiter in Wilde and is a Death Eater here.  John Atterbury was Merriman in Gosford Park and plays Phineas Nigellus Black here.  Sam Beazley was a Very Old Man in Bridget Jones 2 and is Everard here.  Brigitte Millar was a Journalist in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and plays Emmeline Vance here.  Samuel Gaukroger was a Child at Church in Grint's Driving Lessons and plays a Hogwarts Student here.

Music and Lyrics

Music and Lyrics
February 14, 2007
Castle Rock etc.
Comedy, Romance, Musical
DVD
B-

Writer-director Marc Lawrence did Two Weeks Notice and there are some obvious similarities, most particularly the coasting on Hugh Grant's chemistry with his leading lady, in this case the equally rom-com-prone Drew Barrymore.  Also, the film is set in New York and there's a sounding-board sibling, this time an older sister for Drew's character Sophie.  As such, the movie also has parallels with Going the Distance, although that movie would turn rom-com tropes inside out.  This one is more standard, but amiable enough to make me wish it were better.  The best aspect is undoubtedly Grant's character's former stardom in an '80s pop band called Pop!  (With the exclamation point, à la Wham!)  A perfect parody video opens the movie and nothing after that can live up to it.  My advice: put your expectations low and just enjoy this movie for what it is. 

Stephen Detherage was a News Intern in Groundhog Day and is Al the Concert Shirt Vendor here.   Carlos Velazquez was a Musician in School of Rock but is a waiter here, while Kathleen McNenny was Freddy's Mother there and is Gloria here.  Charlotte Maier had played Hugh Grant's ex-wife Helen Wade in Two WN and plays Barbara here, while Adam Grupper was her lawyer before and is Gary here, and Jason Antoon was Norman there and has a more memorable role here as angsty songwriter Greg Antonsky.

Thelma O'Leary plays a Concert Attendee here and would soon be a Park Attendee in Enchanted, while Robert Sciglimpaglia is a Class of 1987 Alumnus here and would play a Ball Room Guest there.  Mark A. Keeton is Sloan's Dinner Companion here and would be Denim Suit Guy in Baby Mama.  Zack Orth was Mike in In & Out and J.J. in Wet Hot American Summer, and is David Newbert (TV Executive #1) here.  (He would also go on to be a Waiter in They Came Together.)

Flushed Away

Flushed Away
November 3, 2006
DreamWorks/ Aardman
Children's, Comedy, Action, Musical
DVD
B

This movie was and remains more fun than it should be.  I mean, it's a movie about a pet rat who gets flushed down a toilet and has adventures in the sewer.  But it's surprisingly sweet and funny, and although I'm not an action fan, I like the way the chase scenes are done, and the soundtrack choices.  The movie is unofficially a musical, thanks in no small part to the singing slugs, who start out as a throw-away joke and grow into a Vegas-level show-stopping ensemble.  The film is also almost a romance, with a great deal of chemistry between its lead rats, voiced by Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet, as a posh male and a working-class female, but Roddy and Rita never quite get together.  I used to hope for a sequel (or at least a spin-off with the slugs) but that seems increasingly unlikely.

Slight Harry-Potter connection (not surprising in a British movie), as Miriam Margolyes voices Rita's Tom-Jones-loving Grandma, while Bill Nighy does Whitey.

Driving Lessons

Driving Lessons
September 4, 2006
UK Film Council etc.
Comedy, Drama
DVD
C

While this has some good performances and lovely scenery (particularly in Scotland), it's hampered by Jeremy Brock's writing and direction, which manage to be both cliched and nonsensical.  The film still has some curiosity value as the movie that Rupert Grint and Julie Walters made where they weren't playing Ron Weasley and his mum.  American Laura Linney does a fine job as the mother here, although it's hard to know how to take her or most of the other characters.  And I wish Grint, as Ben, wasn't so passive through most of the movie.  For what it's worth, more enjoyable than Grint's Wild Target (2010).

There are some other, more minor, Harry Potter connections.  Jim Norton, who plays Mr. Fincham, was Mr. Mason in Chamber of Secrets.  Samuel Gaukroger, who's a Child at Church, would be in Order of the Phoenix as a Hogwarts Student, while Rose Keegan, who's Emma Pagent here, would be Red Haired Witch in Deathly Hallows, Part I.

This Film Is Not Yet Rated

This Film Is Not Yet Rated
September 1, 2006
Netflix etc.
Documentary
DVD
B-

This film promises to be better than 1987's Hollywood Uncensored, offering as it does a more contemporary look at the movie-ratings system, although there is some historical background of course.  (Hello again, Mr. Hays.)  The problem is that the aptly named Kirby Dick strays from the subject of why and how the movies are rated by the MPAA and onto who these raters are.  Not that the thread of the lesbian private investigator is without entertainment value, but I feel like this aspect of the documentary is much less interesting than the clips, sometimes side by side, of what got an R-rating (usually violence, some straight content, and big studio) vs. what got an NC17 (usually penetration, anything remotely gay, and independent).  Watching the extras, I realized that the true "stars" of the movie are a trio of outrageous, funny, and insightful directors: Matt Stone (who had appeared in Bowling for Columbine), Kevin Smith (his line about Jersey Girl's poor box office should've been in the actual movie), and John Waters (the thing about "felching" is hilarious).  Instead of playing private dick, Kirby should've kept the focus on the people who make the controversial films.  Still, definitely worth watching, especially if you like movies about movies.

Obscene?

"I know a lot of perverts...."

Wordplay

Wordplay
July 21, 2006
Grinder Productions, etc.
Documentary
DVD
B

Good, solid documentary on a subject that I've never been particularly interested in.  (I prefer puzzles where you work with what's already there, like logic problems or cracking codes.)  Director Patrick Creadon interviews a variety of crossword-puzzle fans and designers (the two categories overlap), including celebrities, most notably former President Clinton.  There are also profiles of several competitors in the annual Crossword Puzzle Tournament.  Creadon builds both humor and suspense, drawing in the viewer with not only the personal moments but also such devices as accompanying graphics that show puzzles in progress.  The movie is mildly thought-provoking, if not as profound as some documentaries, and it is overall entertaining.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
November 18, 2005
Warner Bros.
Fantasy, Comedy, Drama
DVD
C+

This time the Harry Potter Regulars include (with * for newbies):

1. Afshan Azad as Padma Patil* (new to the role)
2. David Bradley as Argus Filch
3. Shefali Chowdhury as Parvati Patil* (new to the role)
4. Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid
5. Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick
6. Frances de la Tour as Madame Olympe Maxime*
7. Louis Doyle as Ernie Macmillan
8. Alfie Enoch as Dean Thomas
9. Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy
10. Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort*
11. Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore
12. Brendan Gleeson as Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody*
13. Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley
14. Robert Hardy as Cornelius Fudge
15. Josh Herdman as Gregory Goyle
16. Stanislav Ianevski as Viktor Krum*
17. Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy
18. Katie Leung as Cho Chang*
19. Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom
20. Angelica Mandy as Gabrielle Delacour*
21. William Melling as Nigel*
22. Devon Murray as Seamus Finnigan
23. Gary Oldman as Sirius Black
24. Robert Pattinson as Cedric Diggory*
25. James Phelps as Fred Weasley
26. Oliver Phelps as George Weasley
27. Daniel Radcliffe
28. Clémence Poésy as Fleur Delacour*
29. Adrian Rawlins as James Potter
30. Charlotte Skeoch as Hannah Abbott
31. Geraldine Somerville as Lily Potter
32. Timothy Spall as Peter "Wormtail" Pettigrew
33. Emma Watson as Hermione Granger
34. Jamie Waylett as Vincent Crabbe
35. Mark Williams as Arthur Weasley
36. Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley

Shirley Henderson returns as Moaning Myrtle, again impacting the plot and flirting with Harry.  And Miranda Richardson plays Rita Skeeter just right.  Unfortunately, she's one of the few.

My review of the book is here:  http://rereadingeverybookiown.blogspot.com/search?q=goblet.  Like I said, this was at the time my favorite book in the series, and the previous movie entry had set the bar very high.  So imagine my disappointment when I saw this mess!  OK, the movie isn't terrible-- none of the HP movies are-- but it took me a long time to reconcile myself to this one.  Over the years, I've gone back and forth on it, as I have on Chamber of Secrets, but on this viewing the things that have bothered me (and many other viewers) over the past almost decade all stood out.  And I'm going to place the blame where I have usually placed it, on director Mike Newell, despite my fondness for Enchanted April.

The biggest flaw is that many of the characters are tonally off.  Even with generally solid performances, like those of Fiennes and Gleeson, there are over-the-top melodramatic touches.  Newell's biggest miscalculation is with Gambon's Dumbledore, who not only has none of the serenity of Harris's, but also none of the whimsy and dry humour of Gambon in Azkaban.  

Oddly enough though, Newell is successful with Wright's Ginny, which was especially important at the time since Half-Blood Prince had come out the previous summer and we now knew she was going to be Harry's love interest.  Wright here transitions well from the shyer, quieter Ginny of the first three films to a girl who is plausibly the sister of the Weasley twins.  Also, Newell merges the Choir Professor with the already established Flitwick, adding another layer to Davis's character, and leading to some funny jokes in the next couple movies, as well as giving him a look that is more consistent with what Rowling imagined than the bearded gnome of Columbus's movies.  Still, this doesn't balance all the characters that Newell gets completely or partially wrong.

The other issue I have with the film, not unrelated, is that there is too much spectacle, particularly in the form of action.  (And why have the very un-canonical dragon chase all over Hogwarts, but omit the Quidditch World Cup?)  Cuarón and to a lesser extent Columbus were able to offer thrills and chills without losing sight of who Harry and the other characters were.  It would be up to David Yates, who directed the second half of the series, to reestablish the importance of emotional authenticity, while still delivering intense chase scenes, fight scenes, and the like.  All that said, I can enjoy this movie in bits and pieces, even if I'm sometimes laughing at it.  (That it lends itself easily to satire is seen in this still funny Soup clip:  http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xgzrx_harry-ron-slash-on-the-soup_fun)

Siobhan Ellen Williams is a Hufflepuff Student here but would defect to Gryffindor in the next movie.  Sarah Harrison and Paije Richardson would also return in Movie #5, as students of  unspecified houses.  Natalie Hallam, who plays Professor Sinistra, would also be back.  Lisa Osmond is a Quidditch Supporter here, but plays a Gringotts Goblin in both Sorcerer's Stone and Deathly Hallows 2.  Paul Davies makes his first of four appearances as a Death Eater.

Lucy-Anne Brooks, a Beauxbaton Student here, was a Factory Worker in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Campbell Graham was Hamish in the Bridget Jones movies and is a Ministry Wizard here.

Dr. Who reveals his nefarious scheme to turn Cedric Diggory into a vampire.

The 40 Year Old Virgin

The 40 Year Old Virgin (no hyphens originally)
August 19, 2005
Universal
Comedy, Romance
DVD
B-

I went back and forth between a B and a B- on this, because when the movie is good, it's very good, as in the Hair tribute at the end.  And I didn't want to be overly influenced by hindsight, that the Judd Apatow weaknesses which would be more obvious in subsequent films, from Knocked Up to Trainwreck, are evident here, in his first theatrical release.  But the truth is, the crude humor has not aged well, that what was shocking but funny a decade ago is now just gross and at best mildly amusing.  Also, far too much time is spent with the male bonding and the false leads that the title character (played by Steve Carell) faces in his search to no longer be a virgin, and not enough on the genuinely sweet romance between Carell and Catherine Keener.

And I do have to say that the main Apatow weakness is a tendency to contrast "bad behavior" with personally conservative behavior and have the latter win out, but only after we've sat through a lot of swearing, drinking, dope-smoking, homophobia, and women being treated as bitches and ho's.  In this case, the virgin loses his virginity on his wedding night.  (In Knocked Up, an unplanned pregnancy between two incompatible strangers leads to marriage, while in Trainwreck what would've once been called a party girl learns the error of her wicked ways and of course embraces monogamy.)  If you want to make an old-fashioned story, fine, but this isn't the 1920s and I get tired of the morality plays where the audience is shown the worst of wildness and then we get a Hays Code ending, like these are the only two possibilities.  That said, it's not as bad here, and the virgin does end up with a "hot grandma" who brings out the best in him, not exactly the usual Hollywood ending, in the 20th or 21st centuries.

And the male bonding does have chemistry of a different sort (even if the guys, even "sensitive" David, played by Paul Rudd) keep gay-baiting each other.  (And not that this is never funny.  The "spinach dip in a loaf of sourdough bread" line is still golden.)  Carell, Rudd, Romany Malco (who would be Oscar in Baby Mama), and Seth Rogen play off of each other well.  And Jane Lynch, as their boss, also has some great lines, mostly improv apparently.  Overall, the movie is still worth watching but I don't know that I would buy it again, given the choice.

Marilyn Dodds Frank was Alison's Mom in High Fidelity and is Woman Who Bought Television here.  Wayne Federman was an Admissions Guy in Legally Blonde and is a Smart Tech Customer here.  Carla Gallo is Toe-Sucking Girl here and would be Zooey's Friend in I Love You, Man.  Joseph A. Nuñez is Man Buffing Floor here and would be Oscar the Security Guard in Bridesmaids, while Nancy Carell is Health Clinic Counselor here and would be Helen's Tennis Partner there.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
July 15, 2005
Warner Bros.
Children's, Musical, Fantasy
DVD
C

I don't think it's just that I'm Gen X is the reason why I enjoy this less than the 1971 Gene Wilder version.  I can see flaws in the earlier version and I would argue that there are three ways that this is actually an improvement.  The songs, taking Roald Dahl's original verse and pairing with a wide variety of styles (including disco!), are much better here.  Related to that, I prefer Tim Burton's Oompa-Loompas, including the device of them all being played by one man (through the magic of CGI).  Also, Charlie's family (including Burton's wife Helena Bonham Carter as Charlie's mum) is generally more likable here.  (Although the one dotty grandmother is mildly annoying.)

However, it is with Willy Wonka and his home life that Burton goes seriously awry.  Wilder played Wonka with a twinkle in his eye but he was also genuinely scary at some points.  Johnny Depp plays Wonka as both creepy and insecure, and we get several back-story flashbacks to his childhood with his candy-hating father.  Ten years ago, I found this to be psychobabbling derailment, and my opinion hasn't changed.  Can't Wonka just be inexplicably weird, rather than someone who just needs love and acceptance?

Also, with the exception of Freddie Highmore who's quite good as Charlie (and would do a bunch of other adaptations of children's books, none of which I own, but some of which I've seen), none of the children are as good as the '71 cast.  The parents are mostly forgettable, although Missi Pyle as Mrs. Beauregarde gives it her usual perky/crazy touch.  As for the look of the film, I'd say the movies are about equally good.

Nayef Rashed, under the name Adam Hussein, was Mohamad the Camel Seller in Ishtar and here appears as a Moroccan Market Vendor.  Nitin Ganatra, who was so memorable as Bride & Prejudice's Mr. Kohli, has a much smaller role here as Prince Pondicherry.

There are some minor Harry Potter connections.  Harry Taylor, who's the Station Guard in the first two movies, appears briefly as Mr. Gloop.  Lucy-Anne Brooks is a Factory Worker here and would soon be a Beauxbaton Student in Goblet of Fire.  Ray Donn had very small roles in both Bridget Jones movies, is a policeman here, and would be a Ministry of Magic Panel Member in Order of the Phoenix.  Brigitte Millar, who's a Journalist here, would be Emmeline Vance in Order of the Phoenix.  Tony Kirwood, who's Finckelgruber, would be a Death Eater in both parts of Deathly Hallows.

Kinsey

Kinsey
November 12, 2004
Fox etc.
Drama, Historical
VHS (the last in my movie collection)
B-

While I think  Liam Neeson, as the title character, and Laura Linney, as Clara "Mac" McMillen Kinsey, give great performances here, aging convincingly from their 20s into their 50s or 60s, this movie is too depressing (especially in the second half) for me to give it a higher grade.  Furthermore, while the passage of time (not just the characters aging, but various period details) is well done, there is a feeling that the movie tries to take on too much, tries to condense one complex life, and the lives related to it, into two hours.  Still, I have never seen a Hollywood film address such issues as bisexuality and polyamory somewhat sympathetically.  On the other hand, the film is appropriately clinical in its approach to sex, so even the nudity and simulated sex acts are not particularly arousing.  I actually thought the sexiest moment is when Alfred and Mac try not to let his parents overhear them being silly in bed.

Nearly 30 years after The Big Bus, Lynn Redgrave is almost unrecognizable in the small but pivotal role of Final Interview Subject.  And Don Sparks, the Prince in 1978's Fairy Tales, is somewhat recognizable as the Middle-Aged Businessman.  Kate Jennings Grant, who was Kennedy in The Object of My Affection, is Marjorie Hartford here.  Joe Badalucco, who was Construction Foreman in Two Weeks Notice, is Radio Repairman here.  Heather Goldenhersh was Sheila in School of Rock and is Martha Pomeroy here.

Not the usual triangle