Movie #190 - The Ex

The Ex
2006 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 17 min
Director: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Zach Braff, Amanda Peet, Charles Grodin, Jason Bateman, Mia Farrow, Donal Logue, Amy Poehler, Amy Adams

Here's a first-time watch. And I'm still kinda scratching my head about this one. I have many questions. For example, why was it made? And what happens to Jason Bateman at the end? That's it?! Problem solved? Is he OKAY?!

So Zach Braff and Amanda Peet are young, married, and have fallen upon hard times that lead him to work with her father.  Despite their honest effort, they can't seem to be happy in their new roles: Braff as marketing ad guy, Peet as full-time mom.  And Jason Bateman, an old boyfriend of Peet's and new coworker of Braff's, is not making life any easier for both of them.

My big problem with this was it's general mean-spiritedness. It's not that funny and, at times, it's just awkward.  There's also a lot of wasted talent here. These people are funny and they're not allowed to act like it. Amy Poehler, Amy Adams, and Donal Logue are mostly wasted here. It could've been so much better. 

Now, I love a good awkward comedy scene as much as the next guy, but scenes in this movie made me cringe.  Not to mention that Zach Braff is incapable of playing any character other than J.D. on Scrubs. Amanda Peet and Charles Grodin were good though.

That's all I've got on this one, folks.

Movie #183 - Enchanted

Enchanted
2007 - Rated PG - 1 hr 47 min
Director: Kevin Lima
Starring: Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Patrick Dempsey, Idina Menzel, Julie Andrews

When I first heard about this movie, I thought it was going to be dumb. I know, I know. Proved me wrong, didn't they?  In retrospective, the concept is kinda genius.  What happens when a Disney cartoon implodes on itself? How will a Disney princess survive in New York City?  Belle might've done better than Giselle does, but she somehow manages to get through it.

So she's not street smart. And she runs around with her hands all dainty-like in front of her face. She talks to animals and makes friends with the roaches.  She makes dresses from curtains.  And she sings everywhere.  Actually, I might like to hang out with Giselle myself, which is all thanks to Amy Adams, who buys into this with the unbridled enthusiasm that Will Ferrell became Buddy the Elf.  This is why this works people, it's all up to her to sell it to us. Of course, the little girl helps too. And let's not even get started on the awesomeness that is James Marsden. Hillarious.

And so, I was wrong. And I love this movie now.  The songs get stuck in my head. It's a pity that the only Broadway songstress to appear in the movie (Idina Menzel, who you might know from the OBC of Rent and Wicked) does not sing.  Huh.  But everyone else does just fine.

Yay for a fun movie!

Movie #103 - Catch Me If You Can

Catch Me If You Can
DreamWorks
2002 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 21 min
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Amy Adams, James Brolin

Want to watch Leo play with people's hearts, minds, and money for two hours? Want to see what it would be like if Christopher Walken were his dad?  How about if Tom Hanks were a fast-acting FBI agent, just one step behind a masterful con artist?

This movie's just fun to watch, given that it's based on an actual true story.  Adapted from the book by con artist Frank Abagnale Jr. - who led federal agencies on a wild goose chase across the country before he turned 19 - these stories seem delightfully farcical.  When you stop and remember that they actually happened, it's even more interesting.  Of course, none of these tricks would work today, but it's still funny to see how easily this kid manipulates and cons.

Then you realize it's a good thing he was a fairly good-natured guy...