How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon
March 26, 2010
DreamWorks
Children's, Fantasy, Action, Comedy
DVD
B+

Chris Sanders co-wrote Aladdin, while Will Davies co-wrote Flushed Away, so perhaps it's not surprising that they do well here, directing as well as writing.  What is surprising is that this movie is actually better than either of those.  It's not due to the source material, since this is clearly another example of the movie being better than the book.  The Cressida Cowell series has ugly illustrations and forgettable characters.  This movie is visually stunning and the characters are endearing, because of rather than despite their imperfections.  Also, it's a rare action movie where the relationships are more important than the battles.  We watch as our young hero Hiccup improves how he relates to his father, his potential girlfriend, and of course his dragon.  And, yes, the movie is funny, but it's also poignant.  I found the sequel somewhat disappointing, and the TV series doesn't interest me, but here they got everything just about right.

David Tennant, who voices Spitelout, was Barty Crouch, Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but of course had meanwhile hit it big as Dr. Who.  Jonah Hill's rise was not as dramatic, but he had become better known since his appearance as the eBay Customer in 40 Year Old Virgin.  Kristen Wiig, who voices Ruffnut, would be Annie in Bridesmaids.

Sometimes dragons are just scaly cats, and sometimes they're your vehicle to Heaven.

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.

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.