Showing posts with label Allison Janney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Allison Janney. Show all posts

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Movie #330 - Juno

Juno
2007 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 36 min
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, JK Simmons, Rainn Wilson

Finally, a movie about teen pregnancy that's not a heart-breaking drama.  In fact, it's funny. Really funny. Ellen Page's quirky Juno is priceless, always quick with the pickup and always ready with an off-beat joke.  Rad.

One of my favorite things about this movie is the cast.  Overall, it's cast really well: Allison Janney has some great moments as Brenda, Juno's stepmom.  Garner and Bateman make the unlikely pair they portray believable.  JK Simmons is the coolest, calmest, most collected dad of a teen mom I've ever seen, but it works. And Michael Cera staked his claim on the charming geek-boy domain with this film, transitioning smoothly from his charming geek-boy character on Arrested Development. It's almost the same character, just on the big screen and in running shorts.  But he does it so well, it makes sense.

Diablo Cody made her screenwriting debut with this gem of a flick, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from her.  With dialogue that's clever and witty, characters that could be your own friends or neighbors, and a plot that's simple but realistic, I really enjoy this movie all around.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Movie #204 - Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo
2003 - Rated G - 1 hr 40 min
Director: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Brad Garrett, Allison Janney, Stephen Root, Vicki Lewis, Geoffrey Rush, Elizabeth Perkins

Another great movie and one I know most people love.  Possibly one of Disney/Pixar's finest achievements, this little cartoon is entertaining for just about anyone.  It's a very basic plotline - a father searches for his lost son - but it's done so well and with the perfect blend of humor and emotion that you can't help but get sucked in.  You'll be rooting for these little fishes before you know it.

And Ellen DeGeneres is just priceless.  Her percentage of quotable lines is high, for both kids and adults. 

I was happy to sit down and watch this one with Ellie for the first time.  And I think she loves Nemo as much as any kid does.