Movie #348 - Knocked Up

Knocked Up
2007 - Rated R - 2 hr 9 min
Director: Judd Apatow
Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Harold Ramis, Alan Tudyk, Kristen Wiig

Knocked Up was one of those movies that came out and everyone raaaaaaaaved about it. "Go see it! Go see it! It's hillarious!" I waited till it came out on DVD and saw it at home, expecting really good things.

Instead, I felt like it wasn't as funny as it could have been. And Katherine Heigl annoyed the piss out of me.  Especially in the delivery room when she's arguing that she can't get induced because her birth plan says no drugs... when the doctor says the baby's health and safety is at risk.  What?! Helllllllooooooooo?

I'm a mom and I wanted a natural delivery. But when the doctor said, "Your baby needs to come out now," I did not argue for a second. I said, "What do I sign?"

Sorry, kids. But that one irksome scene isn't the only issue I have.  Heigl and Rogen have absolutely no chemistry.  I really want to like this, cuz I love these guys and Judd Apatow.  I don't hate it... but I think it got talked up to me too much and the only way to go was down.

Movie #347 - A Knight's Tale

A Knight's Tale
2001 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 12 min
Director: Brian Helgeland
Starring: Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Alan Tudyk, Shannyn Sossamon, Paul Bettany, Laura Fraser, James Purefoy

Heath! I miss Heath Ledger!

Once I got over my initial grief, I remembered how mixed my feelings were about this movie. It has all the right things to make it a fun story with a great cast. But the random rock music and the "beautiful" chick who really isn't that pretty... ugh. It's got it's weak points. And I think a lot of people discredit it completely for these shortcomings.  In truth, Ledger's great and the story is a heartwarming one.  It's no worse than any other adventure/comedy/light period movie.

Except for the damn rock music.  It almost seems like they tried to hard to make it unique, when they didn't need to at all.  For what it's worth, I actually don't despise this movie. It's not a favorite, but it was fun to revist and see Heath's effortless acting at play once again.

Movie #293 - I, Robot

I, Robot
2004 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 55 min
Director: Alex Proyas
Starring: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, Alan Tudyk, Chi McBride

Another book adapted into a movie staring Will Smith. And in the letter I.  I've never read the Isaac Asimov book this is based on, so I can't speak to that angle of the movie.  As a stand-alone futuristic action movie, I really do like this one.

Will Smith falls easily into the shoes of his hero character and the analysis of a society largely reliant on robots is not new territory, but explored with a fresh perspective.  They "can't" hurt humans and there are all these other rules that restrict them.  But a loophole, and a new model, start causing serious problems.  The central robot character, who actually feels emotions and dreams while he sleeps, voiced expertly by Alan Tudyk, is a really compelling figure - although that may be surprising.  Overall, the plot keeps you invested in this movie, rooting for our main robot.  And the end is a nice cap on a solid plotline.

Movie #166 - Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
2004 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 32 min
Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber
Starring: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Christine Taylor, Rip Torn, Justin Long, Alan Tudyk

Oh man, do I love this movie.  I realize I say that about 90% of the comedies on the movie wall, but I can't help it, I love to laugh.  And Ben Stiller in this movie, and all his priceless one-liners, really make me laugh. 

As I like to say whenever appropriate, "Nobody makes me bleed my own blood."

I think that says it all.

But then there's Rip Torn and his quotable dodgeball coaching sessions ("If you can dodge traffic, you can dodge a ball.") I'm not sure how helpful they really are, but they're hillarious. 

The movie as a whole follows a predictable trajectory... evil guy tries to stomp out good guy, good guy triumphs after much strife and turmoil.  But if you need a good laugh, and some light subject matter to occupy you for a few minutes, pop this DVD in and enjoy.

After all, Chuck Norris gives it a thumbs up.

Movie #153 - Death at a Funeral

Death at a Funeral
2007 - Rated R - 1 hr 30 min
Director: Frank Oz
Starring: Matthew Macfadyen, Peter Dinklage, Ewen Bremner, Alan Tudyk

Oh, I love this movie.  Another Brit comedy, this original version (recently remade with Tracy Morgan and Chris Rock) is both witty and poignant, and filled with perfectly timed and appropriately awkward comedic moments.

Alan Tudyk accidentally high on drugs, naked on a rooftop? Priceless.  A sexually promiscuous, gay dwarf with a naughty secret, tied up in the corner of a study? Awesome.  And an unexpected viewing of the corpse (several times)? Totally necessary.

Just watch this one and enjoy.  It's a celebration of life, death, the stuff in between, and dysfunctional families all rolled into one.