There Are Worse Places To Be..."Table 19"

Table 19 (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Anna Kendrick, Wyatt Russell, Lisa Kudrow, Craig Robinson, Tony Revolori, Stephen Merchant, June Squibb

Directed by Jeffrey Blitz

The Story:

Eloise (Kendrick) has just been dumped by her boyfriend, Teddy (Russell). She decides to go to the wedding of her best friend anyway, even though Teddy is the best man and she was supposed to be the maid of honor. Now she's relegated to Table 19, home of the misfit guests. Perhaps she should have burned the RSVP card after all.

For a comedy, this film isn't fall down funny.

Instead, it rolls steadily on an even keel of amusement.

Nothing too outlandish, nothing too out there.

Just a lot of people at a wedding who really don't want to be there, or at least aren't sure why exactly they are there.

Ah, but wouldn't you know, that as the night wears on, there is a bit of camaraderie that takes place and the guests at Table 19 end up bonding, slowly and reluctantly, with one another.

Each one works through the issues that they have, and they all depart the wedding better than they were when they arrived.

It's a good cast that could have used some stronger material to work with, but it's still entertaining enough to enjoy.

Final Grade: C / C+ range

The Thin Blue Line..."End Of Watch"

End of Watch (2012)

Rated R

Starring Jake Gylenhaal, Michael Pena, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Martinez, David Harbour, Frank Grillo, America Ferrera,

Written and Directed by David Ayer

The Story:

Brian (Gylenhaal) and Mike (Pena) are officers in the LAPD. They're partners. They're brothers. When they uncover crimes being committed that are well above the street thug level that they are used to, they draw the unwanted attention of a Mexican cartel that orders them killed.

Your feeling about the police will likely color your desire to even see this film.

It's brutal and unflinching in portraying life on the streets of California and the dangers that are out there for citizens, criminals, and the police.

Shot in a documentary style for Brian's college class, you'll be up close and  personal as the personal and professional lives of Brian and Mike play out before you.

The rest of the supporting cast is great, and used sparingly.

Again, this is about the partners and the bond they share.

It's also what gives the film the extra heart and soul and may likely lead you to tears by the film's conclusion.

It's a film that had been sitting in my queue for years, and I'm finally glad I got around to seeing it.

Final Grade:  B

Quirky Yet Charming..."The Matchbreaker"

The Matchbreaker (2016)

Rated PG

Starring Wesley Elder, Christina Grimmie

Written and Directed by Caleb Vetter

The Story:

Ethan (Elder) is a hopeless romantic that always finds good reason, at least to him, to set the ladies in his life free. When he loses his job, he lands a one-time gig of being hired by the parents to break their daughter up from her boyfriend because they don't like him. Ethan does, and voila, a new career is born. However, when the girl he has had a crush on everyday of his life for the past umpteen years suddenly comes back into his life, Ethan will do whatever it takes to not let Emily (Grimmie) go this time. Lucky for him, her mom hires him to make the boyfriend go away.

What could possibly go wrong?

This scenario, or one very similar has played out a million times in the cinema already, and I'm sure it has at least a million more variations that will come out in the future.

But that's okay, because it's a formula that works.

Whether paid to break up the couple, or to get a couple together, or to make a bet to make the ugly duckling into a swan...

All related.

When done well, all enjoyable.

This one does just fine as a no-names, no budget indie romantic comedy.

Elder doesn't have the look and appeal of the handsome leading man mold, but he works perfectly as the guy that can charm his way into a girl's life and make her realize the neanderthal she's dating really isn't good enough for her.

Grimmie seems familiar, and carries an almost Anna Kendrick vibe to her. She's plucky and full of spirit.

Sadly, this was her only performance, so the world was robbed of what could have been for years to come.

I caught it on disc, but it's now streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

If this genre is your cup of tea, then this is worth a spin.

Final Grade: C+

Don't Mess With "The Accountant"

The Accountant (2016)

Rated R

Starring Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, John Lithgow,

Directed by Gavin O'Connor

The Story:

Christian Wolff (Affleck) is a savant with an amazing knack for numbers. His services are so well regarded, many illicit organizations have used him to fix their books, so to speak. However, with the criminal task force closing in, he accepts a more legitimate client to lay low for awhile, yet it may be his most duplicitous account yet.

And did I fail to mention that Wolff is also like a deadly assassin as well?

And there you have a premise to a movie that might sound silly on paper, but plays out really well on screen.

Surrounded by a great supporting cast, including Simmons as the lead agent on the task force who is one step away from retirement, and hoping he can catch Wolff, or at least train his replacement before it's too late.

Other than that, I'm not going to give anything else away at the risk of taking any twists and turns away from this action thriller.

Great cast. Interesting premise. Well done by all involved.

Final Grade:  B  / B+ range

I Can't Believe They Made A "Trolls" Movie

Trolls (2016)

Rated PG

Starring Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Christine Baranski,

Directed by Walt Dohrn & Mike Mitchell

The Story:

The trolls are the happiest little critters that live in the woods. The Bergens are the most miserable. When they discover that they can become happy by eating trolls, well, you can pretty much guess that the trolls are going to have to work really hard to have a happy ending to this film!

I never saw a preview for this film. No trailers. No anything.

I heard it was coming, and I thought, really? Trolls? Those little ugly dolls from when I was growing up?

Really?

How is Dreamworks going to make this into a film?

And this is Dreamworks, and aside from Shrek, they make some pretty fun movies, but it will likely tank at the box office.

But hey, that Justin Timberlake song is pretty catchy, so what the heck, I'll rent it for the kids.

So I did.

Then I watched it.

Oh my goodness.

No matter what I was expecting, which admittedly wasn't much, I was blown away with how much fun and enjoyment I had watching this one.

It was cute. It was silly. It was fun.

It was a musical!

And in a good way, where the songs enhance the story, not become the story.

A mix of new songs and some classics mixed in for fun, it's easy to be swept up by the proceedings and you'll be as happy as Poppy (Kendrick) as the movie rolls along. Accompanied on her journey is Branch (Timberlake) the one troll in the kingdom who doesn't share the affinity of optimism and happiness that all the other trolls embody.

Yep, you get sucked in to this fun little world, and if you're not careful, you'll get sucker-punched by an emotional wallop late in the film.

I know I did.

When "True Colors" is sung, the reaction is heartfelt and genuine.

I still get a little misty-eyed thinking about it.

So, once again, well done Dreamworks.

I enjoyed this one so much, I bought it.

"For the kids".

:)

Following Storks, this looks to be a really fun year for animated films, with 2 very different, very unexpected films vying for Best of the Year honors.

 Final Grade:  B+

These Boys Can Party..."Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates"

Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)

Rated R

Starring Zac Efron, Adam Devine, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Stephen Root, Stephanie Faracy, Sugar Lyn Beard, Sam Richardson, Alice Wetterlund,

Directed by Jake Szymanski

The Story:

Mike (Devine) and Dave (Efron) have driven their parents (Root & Faracy) to the edge. Tired of their antics at family functions by showing up single, and drunk, they have an ultimatum for their sister Jeanie's (Beard) wedding in Hawaii. Show up with dates, or don't show up at all. So naturally, the boys do what anyone else would do in this day and age: post an ad on Craigslist.

What could possibly go wrong?

Naturally, this R-rated comedy is rude, crude, silly, stupid, obnoxious...

and funny.

Some of the gags misfire, but more work than don't.

And if you take the crudeness out of the jokes, and they still are funny, then you know it's a pretty good comedy.

This one definitely got more right than Efron's previous, yet similar film this year, Dirty Grandpa.

Much of that credit has to go to Efron and Devine who make a great comedy team. The sleaze is dialed way back in this one, and much of the humor is Mike and Dave's relationship with each other, the rest of their family, and of course, their final selections of Craigslist candidates (Kendrick and Plaza).

The girls have their own skeletons that they are trying to keep hidden from the boys in hopes of an all-expense paid trip to Hawaii, so it's fun as they are tripped up over their lies as well.

It's a great cast, and a whole lot more fun than I was expecting.

Naturally, with all movies, and comedies especially, there were things that could have been better, but overall, it was much better than I had hoped for.

I'm not sure if, or how, they would pull off a sequel, but with this cast of characters, I'd come back for another round.

Final Grade: B-

Beast Mode: Activated! "Rapture Palooza"

Rapture Palooza (2013)  

Rated R

Starring Craig Robinson, Anna Kendrick, John Francis Daley, Rob Corddry, Ana Gasteyer, John Michael Higgins, Ken Jeong,

Directed by Paul Middleditch

The Story:

The Rapture has happened and the souls that were left behind now have to deal with living on Earth under the Beast (Robinson). However, when he sets his sights on Lindsey (Kendrick) to be his bride, she and her boyfriend (Daley) have to formulate a plan to stop the Anti-Christ once and for all.

So how do you make a comedy about the Rapture?

Because, seriously, this one didn't quite hit the mark.

: )

It's a great cast full of some amazing comedic actors, but ultimately many of them are left floundering in their roles with little to do, or nothing of great consequence.

There is the occasional laugh, but overall, it's a big pass.

Not a complete failure of a movie, just a failure to capitalize on everything that was right in front of them, but they failed to utilize properly.

I mean when you have God (Jeong) vs. the Beast battling for world supremacy in a hot tub for the fate of the world, you just sort of expect and hope for a little more that what you ultimately get.


Final Grade: C-

How To "Get A Job" In The 21st Century

Get a Job (2016)

Rated R

Starring Miles Teller, Anna Kendrick, Bryan Cranston, Alison Brie, Marcia Gay Harden, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jorge Garcia, Nicholas Braun,

Directed by Dylan Kidd

The Story:

Will (Teller), Jillian (Kendrick) and their friends are done with college and ready to set forth into their careers and life. Except they are all about to learn that life is never easy and whatever you thought you had planned, hopefully you wrote it down in pencil or dry erase marker.

This is an odd duck of a movie.

Apparently it was trapped in limbo for several years before it was finally released, seemingly direct to DVD.

Which is a shame, as the movie has a wonderful ensemble cast and it tackles the tough job of finding employment and balancing a life, whether it's straight out of college, or in the case of Will's father (Cranston) when he is suddenly let go and has to start over again.

The stories are a little disjointed, and could have used a tighter narrative to join them all together, but at the end of the day you have a cast of really likeable characters that are faced with the prospect of growing and learning or running and hiding.

The cast is essentially what makes this movie, and every character, from the leads to the supporting characters make the most of their personalities and screen time and will win you over as the movie rolls along.

You'll be proud of the choices they make, and while there may be "all happily ever aftered with a big bow on the end", it's just the sort of ending you would want them, or yourself, to have.

Can't beat that.

Final Grade:  C+

"Mr. Right", Or At Least Close Enough

Mr. Right (2015)

Rated R

Starring Sam Rockwell, Anna Kendrick, Tim Roth,

Directed by Paco Cabezas

The Story:

Martha (Kendrick) is unlucky in love, then quite by accident, she bumps into a man (Rockwell) who just may be...Mr. Right. She is smitten, and he seems to genuinely care for her as well. Hopefully the fact that he's an assassin won't damper things between the couple.

File this one under quirky, but utterly charming, thanks mostly to Rockwell and Kendrick who rarely disappoint and their chemistry helps make this one well worth a viewing.

A few minor changes here and there to the storyline, and I would have graded it higher and let it be a contender for best of the year.

But it's got a few issues.

Those issues aren't deal-breakers for me though.

It's a scoop of vanilla ice cream that needed a topping or two to put it over the top.

But still, it's quite the charmer.

There is of course, the reasoning behind what Rockwell does for a living. Yes, he's the living paradox of a killer with a conscience, and to say more would spoil some of the fun.

So go in with no expectations other than to see a movie with Rockwell and Kendrick, and you'll come out of the viewing with a smile on your face.

Mostly guaranteed.

:)

Final Grade: B-

"The Voices" Made Him Do It

The Voices (2014)

Rated R

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick, Jacki Weaver

Directed by Marjane Satrapi

The Story:

Jerry (Reynolds) is a nice, quiet, unassuming guy who has some issues. His doctor (Weaver) insists that he take medication, but when he does, life seems so dull and grey. He prefers to skip the meds, because life seems so much brighter and he gets to talk to his pets, Bosco and Mr. Whiskers. They talk back to him as well and encourage him to do things. Some of those things aren't very nice...

 Here's a dark comedy about a serial killer who doesn't really mean to be one.

He's simply trying to date his office crush, Fiona (Arterton). Things take a turn for the worse when he accidentally kills her.

Or was it an accident?  Jerry is never really sure.

That was bad enough, but when Fiona's head starts telling Jerry about how lonely she is and would really like a friend, that's when Jerry has to decide whether or not to go after Lisa (Kendrick) and have a relationship with her, or make her a victim.

Hey, I guess if you can have a successful series on cable about a serial killer, what's wrong with a darkly humorous movie that tries to have a little fun with the voices that some people have in their head?

The worst part about the movie: you start feeling bad for Jerry and hope that he will get away with it. Perhaps that's just how likable Reynolds is as an actor.

:)

Available for streaming on Amazon Prime as of this writing.


Final Grade:  C+

Didn't Quite Hit The High Notes Of The First One..."Pitch Perfect 2"

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Elizabeth Banks, John Michael Higgins,

Directed by Elizabeth Banks

The Story:

The Bellas are back, and the 3 time champs are on a roll and performing for the President when a wardrobe malfunction by Fat Amy (Wilson) gets them banned from further competition by the A Capella Governing Board (Higgins & Banks). They make a desperate gamble: if they win the European Championship, they are fully reinstated. It's a big task as no American team has ever beaten Europe's finest.  Can they pull off the greatest upset of all time?

If you've never watched a movie before, the suspense might kill you.

For everyone else, it's a foregone conclusion. :)

I make no apologies that I loved the first film. I don't remember if it made my Top 10 list the year it came out, but it was definitely an honorable mention film.

While just about the entire cast returns for the sequel, much of the charm and fun of the first film is gone, because we know what to expect.

That's not to say you won't enjoy this one, because you will, just not as much.

But this one has a lot of juggling to do as they are ready to let this group of Bellas graduate, but they bring in one lone recruit (Steinfeld) who will need to carry the franchise going forward if there is indeed a Pitch Perfect 3.

If there is, it has to have the duo of Higgins and Banks providing commentary again because they are the brightest spot in the movie, and the two never fail to entertain with their insane and inane commentary.

Final Grade: B-

This Movie Should Be Dragged "Into The Woods" And Left There

Into The Woods (2014)

Rated PG

Starring Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Daniel Huttlestone, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Christine Baranski, Tracey Ullman, Johnny Depp, Chris Pine, Mackenzie Mauzy, and a cast of thousands.

Directed by Rob Marshall

The Story:

What do you get when you combine Cinderella, Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk a wicked witch and an annoying baker and his wife into a musical?

If you guessed an excruciating 2 hours (plus change!) of your life sucked from the earth, congratulations, you've apparently already seen this movie.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I can see that on paper this might sound appealing. 

Apparently, it works on the Broadway stage.

But wow, this was a rambling, overblown mess of a movie that just wouldn't end.

You think it will, but no, it's like they remembered, no, we still have the big finale where all the tales must once again intersect with each other in the  most contrived way possible.

So why did I finish the whole film, you ask?

I'm not sure.

Boredom.

Train wreck style, I wanted to see if it could get any worse.

Well, it never truly got worse, but it never got any better.

It was a visually pleasing movie, and all of the actors were game for their roles.

It was simply too much.

And not even of a good thing, it was simply too much of everything.

I'm guessing that some of this was added for the movie, because I can't see a broadway production pulling off that massive of a storyline every night.

Plus, the one thing about a good musical, or even an average musical, is the songs which the cast should sing.

There isn't a memorable tune or melody to be found in this feature from start to finish.

Except one.

The one sung by Johnny Depp to a little Red Riding Hood.

This was perhaps the most cringe-worthy cinematic experience I've ever endured, watching a 50+ year old man dressed as a wolf, but only vaguely, expressing his desires for a child.

Unintentional I'm sure, but wow, does it just come off with a creepiness factor of about 11.

Final Grade: D

This Is Not A Very "Happy Christmas"

Happy Christmas (2014)

Rated R

Starring Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Webber, Lena Dunham

Written and Directed by Joe Swanberg

The Story:

Jenny (Kendrick) is going through a break-up, so she moves in with her sister (Lynskey) and her family.  Dramatic or comedic things are said to ensue.

Welcome to my first, least favorite movie of 2015!

There was no humor.
There was no intrigue for the dramatic.

About the only thing the movie had going for it was a grainy feel and titles that made this movie feel like a 70s production.

I'm not exactly sure that's a compliment.

I made it just a shade over 16 minutes before I clicked it off and looked for something better.

I was being generous, I had lost interest in the movie long before that.

Available to stream instantly on Netflix if you'd rather judge for yourself.

Final Grade: F

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: This lump of coal is the perfect gift for that Scrooge you know.

Love Conquers All... "Life After Beth"

Life After Beth (2014)

Rated R

Starring Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Anna Kendrick, Paul Reiser

Written and Directed by Jeff Baena

The Story:

Beth Slocum (Plaza) is alone hiking in the woods. The next thing we see is a wake with her family (Reilly & Shannon) grieving alongside her boyfriend, Zach (DeHaan). However, a few days later, Beth returns and her parents are overjoyed at the miracle of her return. When Zach finds out, he thinks that telling Beth the truth is in her best interest, but her parents and Beth's erratic memory make that a less than viable solution.

Zach's got his work cut out for him if he wants to keep his relationship with Beth from dying... again!

However, wishing your girlfriend was not dead becomes problematic when she returns as a walking, talking... zombie.

If that wasn't problematic enough, she may not be the only one.

This one is a slow-starter, and continues a slow burn towards the conclusion.

Baena does offer an interesting twist to the zombie mythos in his presentation of the undead.

Not nearly as family-friendly as Warm Bodies, but it could have been, easily.

A few lines of dialogue and this could have been a fun-entry to watch annually this time of year.


Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Maybe in a few years I'll catch it on cable, but not quite good enough to add to the collection.

While Not "Pitch Perfect", It's Pretty Darn Good!

First, let me tell you that I do not watch Glee.

Tried the very first episode, found it to be painfully unfunny, and have never bothered to try it again.


I do however, enjoy singing.


: )

The Story:

Barden College is home to several a capella singing groups.  The Bellas, an all-girl team are trying to recover from a disastrous showing the year prior.  Their main competition is the Treblemakers, and all-male group who won the year before.  The incoming Freshman class will try to break in, and maybe shake up the competition along the way.  The main character, Beca (Anna Kendrick) doesn't want to be in college, or singing, but since her dad is a professor at the school, her education is free. 

Or in other words:

It's "Bring it On = A Capella Style!"

Which is probably how it was pitched, and very much how the movie plays out.

Yes, I admit, I've seen Bring it On.  I watch a lot of movies. :)  But the first one wasn't that bad.  I don't recall having seen any of the subsequent sequels, and I doubt I'll ever catch the Broadway Musical of the same name.

But back to THIS movie.

It's pretty funny.

And the singing is pretty good as well.  I'm assuming all of the actors involved did their own singing, otherwise they lip synch really well for what they are doing.

For a moment, I thought that the main characters were all going to band together and form a rival 5th major singing group, but that didn't happen, and that is probably for the best.

Otherwise, the story takes a logical, and fairly slow hand at watching the groups and characters mature throughout their first year together.  It culminates at the finals, where unlike Bring it On, the team that wins really had the better routine. : )

Thumbs up to the entire cast.  I had only seen a few of them in other roles until this movie, but they all did a great job and I look forward to seeing many of them in future roles on the big screen.

The most memorable performance will undoubtedly go to Rebel Wilson as Fat Amy.  She is hilarious throughout, and has most of the great lines in the film.

Yep, I hate to say it, but I would have to recommend this film for rental.


Don't judge me!

: )

Overall: 4 out of 5 for a Solid B.