Office Space.

Review #793: Office Space.

Cast
Ron Livingston (Peter Gibbons), Jennifer Aniston (Joanna), Stephen Root (Milton Waddams), Gary Cole (Bill Lumbergh), David Herman (Michael Bolton), Ajay Naidu (Samir Nagheenanajar), Diedrich Bader (Lawrence), John C. McGinley (Bob Slydell), Joe Bays (Dom Portwood), Alexandra Wentworth (Anne), and Richard Riehle (Tom Smykowski) Directed by Mike Judge (#570 - Beavis and Butt-Head Do America)

Review
Office Space is based off the Milton cartoon series by Mike Judge (who co-created one of my favorite shows, King of the Hill, but also created Beavis and Butt-Head), with Milton being a supporting character in a movie that manages to be effective at sly humor and its portrayal of the workplace that I'm sure some can relate to in any form. The cast really seem to click well, especially Livingston/Herman/Naidu, making for some fun scenes, such as when they smash a printer near the end.  Nothing in the movie seems fake or overdone, with Cole's micromanager role being especially fitting. Aniston is also a welcome part of the cast, having decent chemistry with Livingston but also seeming like the one sane individual in a movie full of quasi cynical (but enjoyable) characters. Of course, Milton (and his red stapler) stands out as well, from his glasses to the way he expresses his aggressions. I especially like when he's trying to get a piece of cake (during a birthday party), and he seems to have a piece...right up until someone tells him to pass it to the next person, while he ends up not getting a piece after all (full disclosure: I would probably have just flat out left instead of passing it on, but that's probably me being annoyed at people cutting big pieces for people with a big crowd). The movie doesn't relent on showing how inane the workplace can be, from conversations between management and workers that seem so repetitive no matter what the situation, to the lack of motivation one has to work (which is expertly addressed midway through, which get him promoted). The ending is peculiar in how abrupt it feels, but it works for a movie that takes risks and accomplishes what it wants in just under 90 minutes. I recommend this movie for anyone looking for some sly edge humor, or something different about work.

Countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

The Break-Up.

Review #789: The Break-Up.

Cast
Vince Vaughn (Gary Grobowski), Jennifer Aniston (Brooke Meyers), Joey Lauren Adams (Addie Jones), Cole Hauser (Lupus Grobowski), Jon Favreau (Johnny Ostrofski), Jason Bateman (Mark Riggleman), Judy Davis (Marilyn Dean), Justin Long (Christopher Hirons), John Michael Higgins (Richard Meyers), and Vincent D'Onofrio (Dennis Grobowski) Directed by Peyton Reed (#728 - Ant-Man)

Review
A movie I had to watch for a Speech class? That's one good opening sign. To be clear, I had to do an assignment that dealt with stuff that happened in the movie that relates (for the most part) to what we are currently learning, such as the escalation (and de-escalation) stages of a relationship, and to the movie's credit it does at least fits the bill for an assignment and is reasonably something that could used a tool for at least some sort of learning.

It's a shame the movie isn't enjoyable as well. Yes, the movie does have a break-up, in fact it happens quite early on in the movie, a little over 20 minutes into it. Which means the rest of the time is dedicated to their attempts at trying to make the other move out of the condo they live in. This is such a miserable movie to watch mainly because not only do you know they won't get back together, you really just want the movie to end. The movie might've been better (if not at least slightly more tolerable) if it had waited longer for the two to break-up. All we really see of them before the breakup is them meeting at Wrigley Field (in probably one of the more weirder meet-cutes in recent record) and...a bunch of photos of them together over the opening credits, before the set up to their breakup. The vagueness of their happy relationship means that we never really get to care about the fact they break up. Seeing them bicker (And trying to get back at each other) is more tedious than mean-spirited, and while Vaughn and Aniston are at least passable leads, they can't save a movie that makes them feel so under developed, with only the latter seeming remotely close to being likable, and the latter barely edging towards likability near the end. The supporting cast isn't much better, barely ranging an emotional response from me that wasn't just a dejected sigh, save for D'Onofrio, who manages to be one of the only really interesting (if not weird) characters in an otherwise boring flick. Ulimately, everything seems so forced, and consequently I couldn't find myself to care about anything that goes on during the movie. The ending in which the two meet up a few months (or whenever) later and exchange pleasantries and regrets (compounded with a smile) just feels forced and (mercifully) is the final scene in an otherwise dreary movie that is neither memorable nor interesting. It is sometimes funny, but not enough to carry a movie.

But hey, at least it isn't Four Christmases.

Overall, I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Leprechaun.

Review #359: Leprechaun.

Cast
Warwick Davis (Leprechaun), Jennifer Aniston (Tory), Ken Olandt (Nathan), Mark Holton (Ozzie), Robert Hy Gorman (Alex Murphy), David Permenter (Deputy Tripet), William Newman (Sheriff Roy Cronin), and Shay Duffin (Daniel O'Grady) Directed by Mark Jones

Review
Ah yes, what better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than with a Leprechaun. Doesn't that sound fun? No? Then I wouldn't watch this film either. The main figment of the film is, well the leprechaun, played by former Ewok, Warwick Davis. And that is why the film fails as well. He really isn't that scary, maybe it's the purple pants or the fact that...it's a leprechaun, trying to eliminate people with a pogo stick, or...having his getaway vehicle being a tricycle and a go kart. Also, what is he going to do with the coins if he got them all? Actually, this film is a perfect checklist of horror films. It has a few characters, in a secluded place, where one stalks them (being something unpredictable), the phone goes out, the car never starts when needed, the comedy relief that either manages to escape or not, and a mediocre run time of 90 minutes. Is the acting good? Ha ha, no. Its acting is average, not really anything useful. And yes, this is an example of an actor having their debut in horror films. Why, I don't know. Is it any good? Are leprechauns scary? I think we both know the answer. Happy St. Patrick's Day I suppose.

Overall, I give it 3 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Iron Giant.

Review #083: The Iron Giant.

Cast
Eli Marienthal (Hogarth Hughes), Vin Diesel (The Iron Giant), Jennifer Aniston (Annie Hughes), Harry Connick, Jr (Dean), Christopher McDonald (Kent Mansely), and John Mahoney (General Rogard) Directed by Brad Bird.

Review
This film is based on The Iron Man, by Ted Hughes. Now then, this film is a Dis-No wait, it's a Warner Bros Animated film. This film is beautifully animated, with a good story and good lessons to go along with it. This is the start for Brad Bird, who would go on to win 2 Best Animated Feature Oscars for Pixar (The 2 films I just listed) The robot is really cool looking, it is the main attraction that gets the screen-time, but the beauty of the film is that it makes you wait for it, savoring the fun for all. It's a throwback to the 50's, with Duck and Covers, the style, and other little stuff in there. A recommended film. This starts Season 2 (Which lasted from December 20, 2011 - December 19, 2012)

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Just Go With It.

Review #045: Just Go With It.

Cast
Adam Sandler (Daniel Maccabee), Jennifer Aniston (Katherine Murphy), Bailee Madison (Maggie Murphy), Griffin Gluck (Michael Murphy), Nicole Kidman (Devlin Adams), Nick Swardson (Eddie Simms), Brooklyn Decker (Palmer Dodge), and Dave Matthews (Ian Maxtone-Jones) Directed by Dennis Dugan.

Review
Well...The film isn't that good. I think the film tries to be funny, but it doesn't really work. According to Wikipedia, it's a loose remake of Cactus Flower (which incidentally won Goldie Hawn an Oscar, though this movie won't win anything). The film has a few flaws (one being not funny), and the main one is that this film feels like a lazy excuse to go to Hawaii. It feels lazy, the runtime even feels lazy. The acting is standard, not being a standout (an example of lazy). Ultimately, the film is...lazy. It does its job of using time, but not much else.

Overall, I give it 4 out of 10 stars.