Movie #296 - Idiocracy

Idiocracy
2006 - Rated R - 1 hr 24 min
Director: Mike Judge
Starring: Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepard, Terry Crews, David Herman, Justin Long

This movie is both hillarious and terrifying.  What would happen if stupid people kept reproducing and smart people stopped?  What if eventually the scales tipped in favor of mankind's less intelligent?  Not only would Darwin rollover in his grave, but the events portrayed in this movie might actually happen.

Luke Wilson and Maya Rudolph participate in an army program that freezes them, then gets shut down, leaving them in their pods for 500 years before they are accidentally opened up and set loose into the world.  Society is filled with idiots and the world is suffering.  Wilson now finds himself the smartest man in the world, a title which brings great responsibility.  Can he help save the crops and solve all the world's problems in one week? Or will he be executed, Colosseum style?

This movie is mostly low-brow comedy, but I think it's pretty funny.  And Terry Crews as president is just about my favorite thing in the entire movie.

Movie #44 - Away We Go

Away We Go
Focus Features

2009 - Rated R - 1 hr 38 min

Director: Sam Mendes

Starring: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Catherine O'Hara, Jeff Daniels

This was another first watch for me and I was pleasantly surprised. There's a very humorous but heartwarming feel to this entire movie. It's chock full of comedic actors playing fun (sometimes outrageous) characters as Krasinksi and Rudolph travel around the country trying to find the right place to settle down and raise their baby together. From the eccentric parents to the weird hippy cousin (Maggie Gyllenhaal - who is hysterical), all the classic archetypes are here.

As for the happy couple themselves, their story perfectly sums up how terrifying the prospect of becoming a parent can be. Everyone, for his or her own reason, freaks out about it. These two definitely have their reasons, and then grapple with them beautifully. I really enjoyed this one!

And also, it was my last "A" title!! Hooray!