Movie #166 - Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
2004 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 32 min
Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber
Starring: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Christine Taylor, Rip Torn, Justin Long, Alan Tudyk

Oh man, do I love this movie.  I realize I say that about 90% of the comedies on the movie wall, but I can't help it, I love to laugh.  And Ben Stiller in this movie, and all his priceless one-liners, really make me laugh. 

As I like to say whenever appropriate, "Nobody makes me bleed my own blood."

I think that says it all.

But then there's Rip Torn and his quotable dodgeball coaching sessions ("If you can dodge traffic, you can dodge a ball.") I'm not sure how helpful they really are, but they're hillarious. 

The movie as a whole follows a predictable trajectory... evil guy tries to stomp out good guy, good guy triumphs after much strife and turmoil.  But if you need a good laugh, and some light subject matter to occupy you for a few minutes, pop this DVD in and enjoy.

After all, Chuck Norris gives it a thumbs up.

Movie #136 - Couples Retreat

Couples Retreat
Universal Pictures
2009 - Rated R - 1 hr 53 min
Director: Peter Billingsley
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Malin Akerman, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis

When this movie came out and everyone was like "Ooh! What a great cast! This is going to be hysterical!" I was onboard.  We saw it in the theater and enjoyed it, then were puzzled to hear that not everyone thought it was as funny as they hoped.  Well sure that's going to happen... This isn't a slapstick comedy, it's not Wedding Crashers, and it's not just shallow comedy either.

This movie is funny because of how well it hits the nail on the head.  The construct is a bit weak - four couples who all fit a stereotype we see in our world today - but the message is clear: "Make it work if you want it to work." Maybe the humor makes people uncomfortable, or maybe it's not the Favrea/Vaughn people expect.  Still, I happen to think this movie is pretty darn hillarious.

As for the vacation spot, with the crazy couples therapists and the fish-feeding exercises that draw sharks, there's your Favreau/Vaughn humor.  It's background noise, despite the movie's poster and catch phrase that would tell you its otherwise. It isn't the main point, it's the backdrop where these comedy writers make their valid point about human relationships.

For these reasons, and the fact that kids peeing in display toilets is hysterical, I really liked this one a lot.

Movie #92 - The Break-Up

The Break-Up
Universal Pictures
2006 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 46 min
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Justin Long, John Michael Higgins, Vincent D'Onofrio

The best part about this movie is the end.  Not because it's over... but because it doesn't end the way you expect.  A Hollywood rom-com always has a happy ending right?  Well, despite the movie trailer that would have you believe this is your standard rom-com, it so isn't.  Instead, it's like a study in communication breakdown, romantic dysfunction, the differences between men and women and how they manage conflict.  And even with its cutesy back-and-forth between this couple - expertly protrayed by Vaughn and Aniston, by the way - this movie is full of sorrow, regret, and doubt.  It's well done and highly underrated.  Calling this a rom-com just doesn't make sense.

Anyway, I really do like this movie, although it's not one I could pick up and watch every weekend.  There are laughs, here and there, but mostly it's just a reminder to appreciate the one you're with and not take anything for granted.  But the open-ended last scene also reminds us of all the things possible in the future.

Movie #61 - Be Cool

Be Cool
MGM
2005 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 58 min
Director: F. Gary Gray
Starring: John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Vince Vaughn, Cedric the Entertainer, Andre Benjamin, Steven Tyler, Christina Milian, Harvey Keitel, Dwayne Johnson

Want to learn about the seedy underbelly of the music industry? Here you go.

As the sequel to Get Shorty, this movie stands alone without leaving you confused. I know first hand, since I originally saw this one before I saw Get Shorty. I've seen both now and I feel like they can each stand on their own. Which is a good thing for me since they're alphabetically so distant.

So John Travolta is a big time movie producer who just had a big hit with Get Leo and now he wants in on the music business. Christina Milian plays his first client and a whole host of other big music names show up here and there, like gangster Andre Benjamin (Andre 3000 from Outkast). And of course, as you might guess, everyone wants to kill him. Mostly, they kill each other in the process. Vince Vaughn plays a hell of a pimp, Dwayne Johnson is his gay, star-struck body guard, and Uma Thurman plays the hip, cool music exec.

This one is lots of fun to watch. Travolta is his charming, mischievious self, which is always a good time. It takes on hit-and-runs and hired killers with a certain nonchalance that helps this movie not to take itself too seriously. It's just a good time.