Movie #389 - The Invention of Lying

The Invention of Lying
2009 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 40 min
Director: Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Louis C.K., Jeffrey Tambor, Rob Lowe, Tina Fey
Cameos by: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Edward Norton

To be fair, this movie seems to take a gimmick (a world where no one can lie) and really run with it.  Squeezing an entire plot out of one man's sudden discovery that he can, in fact, tell lies.  Oops!

The saving grace is that the movie resists the temptation to dissolve into a series of scenes where said lying character goes totally off the deep end and lies all over the place just to get what he wants -- the girl included. Where would be the fun in that? I guess of all the people who could've learned to lie, he's the least abusive of the new skill. Kinda.

See, he accidentally creates religion.  I don't have a problem with the implication that there's no religion in a world where no one lies because there aren't any lies, but we start hitting on territory that's off-centered from what's really happening here.  It's funny, it's good for a laugh, but I feel like it detracts from the main character's journey and, ultimately, the romantic aspect of the movie.  Other opinions?

Movie #383 - Girl, Interrupted

Girl, Interrupted
1999 - Rated R - 2 hr 7 min
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Whoopi Goldberg, Brittany Murphy, Clea DuVall, Elisabeth Moss, Vanessa Redgrave, Jared Leto, Jeffrey Tambor, Angela Bettis, Jillian Armenante

Ryder plays Susanna Kaysen, the author of the autobiographical book detailing her 18 months in a psychiatric ward.  A colorful cast of women join her -- some greatly outshining her in fact, like Jolie's Lisa, an Oscar-winning performance.

As one of the least crazy women in the ward, Kaysen needs to do the most personal reflection.  Her depression, she realizes, can be overcome... but it takes her a while to get to that finishing line.  No thanks to Lisa, the rowdy, authority-challenging "bad girl" of the ward.  They become friends and, while Kaysen ultimately sees lessons to be learned from the friendship, at first it threatens to lead her down exactly the wrong path.

Whoopi Goldberg is fantastic here as well, playing the head nurse of the ward -- a tough woman remniscent of Chicago's Mama Morten who puts up with a lot of back-talk but knows when its time to speak up.  A great scene between her and Ryder is among my favorites.

So many great performances here -- Brittany Murphy among them -- and it's definitely a great new addition to the wall.

Movie #265 - Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Hellboy II: The Golden Army
2008 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, John Alexander, James Dodd, Seth MacFarlane, Jeffrey Tambor, John Hurt

More of the Red guy isn't necessarily good or bad news in my opinion.  This installment takes a turn more toward a fantasy plotline, with an ancient army's resurrection and command at stake.  Can Red, Blue, and the team stop them in time? 

Meanwhile, more of the weird are they/aren't they love story between Blair and Perlman takes shape.  At least she's fully committed to the team this time around, allowing for more conflicts elsewhere... like with the weirdo in the deep-sea diving gear.

Somewhere between these two movies, Guillermo del Toro did Pan's Labyrinth and the artistic elements are apparent.  Having recently watched Pan as well, some of the characters could easily be lifted from this movie and placed into the world created in that one.  Visually, this is gorgeous to watch.

Movie #264 - Hellboy

Hellboy
2004 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 2 min
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, John Hurt, Rupert Evans, Jeffrey Tambor, Doug Jones, Karel Roden

Before seeing this movie, I was unaware that Ron Perlman could get uglier than he already is.  I was also unaware that Selma Blair could become more annoying.  Together, they're a weird match made in... hell? Maybe?

This movie's for boys, comic book fans, action film geeks. It is not for girls.  Still, I can appreciate some good CGI as much as the next girl, but there's not too much of that in here either.  The fish guy's kinda cool and I love John Hurt, so it's got that going for it.  Plus, that nerdy new kid is okay.

Mostly, though, this is one of those movies you'll enjoy more if you're a fan of the comic.  It's not geared to someone like me. So I don't hate it, but I don't love it as much as others might.

Movie #252 - The Hangover

The Hangover
2009 - Rated R - 1 hr 40 min
Director: Todd Phillips
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Heather Graham, Jeffrey Tambor, Ken Jeong, Rachael Harris, Mike Tyson, Mike Epps, Sasha Barrese, Rob Riggle

This movie actually DID live up to all the hype.  I was skeptical at first, since I was the last person on earth to see this movie and everyone was talking about how much I would love it.  Usually, those kinds of scenarios end in disappointment.

However, there's just something about this movie--and I don't know what it is--that it absolutely hysterical.  It's not that unique of a premise, the cast of characters is pretty cookie-cutter, and the funniest scenes are the easiest laughs... but man, is it funny.  Does it get any better than naked Ken Jeong leaping out of the trunk? I don't think so.

The quotes abound, the actors make the characters their own, and disaster is just barely thwarted.  A solid comedy that just might deserve that sequel their making.  I hope they don't screw it up.  Something tells me they won't.