Movie #249 - A Guy Thing

A Guy Thing
2003 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 41 min
Director: Chris Koch
Starring: Jason Lee, Julia Stiles, Selma Blair, James Brolin, Shawn Hatosy, David Koechner, Julie Hagerty, Thomas Lennon, Jackie Burroughs

I think this movie is really funny, but I realize that not everyone agrees with me.  I mean, Jason Lee as the romantic lead? Torn between Julia Stiles and Selma Blair?  It's unlikely, but it does afford for many hillarious moments.

From bathroom crabs to underwear bins, Jason Lee tests the solidarity of the male sex.  Will his friends back up all his lies? What about total strangers?  He doesn't mean to be "cheating" and hiding things from his fiance, but stuff just keeps happening to him, whether he wants it to or not.

Yes, it's based on an infidelity...which I'm usually not a fan of in movies.  But everyone gets their own happy ending and no feelings are hurt in the process.  That's how we know it's only a movie...

Movie #241 - The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
2009 - Rated R - 1 hr 29 min
Director: Neal Brennan
Starring: Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, David Koechner, James Brolin, Kathryn Hahn, Ed Helms, Jordana Spiro, Ken Jeong, Tony Hale, Alan Thicke, Rob Riggle, Wendie Malick

Is this the funniest movie ever made? Nah.  Is it pretty funny in its own dysfunctional way? Absolutely.  Jeremy Piven plays "cocky bastard" like no other and Kathryn Hahn is totally priceless, basically in everything she does.  Then there's Ving Rhames... And Ed Helms's boy band.

It's nice to see these comedic side characters take on bigger roles and manage them well.  Even if they're characters aren't very likable as people.  They're brash and pushy and immoral lots of times, but damn can they sell cars!

Wait for the Will Ferrell cameo, which is one of the best scenes in this entire 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...