...Shopaholic, Duplicity, Sunshine Cleaning
Catchin' up on the past week's worth of flicks. Still waiting on the podcast post. And onward...
Confessions of a Shopaholic
I know most of you are prolly looking at your screen utterly shocked that I saw this. Hell, Im kinda surprised at myself too. But I'd heard good things about it, and I love Isla Fisher. I figured, I could trust the comedic taste of the chick who has a kid with Sacha Baron Cohen and who's breakout role was in Wedding Crashers. And for the most part, it turned out to be a good gamble.
Yes, it was girly. However, I feared it would either be a totally sappy and chicky rom-com, or some type of semi-feminazi girl power thing. While it was leaning a bit in the former end of the spectrum, it was stomachable. The romantic subplot was pretty much the most sub of the plots, keeping the mush at an acceptable level. As far as the shopping/overspending plotline, I feel it could have just as easily been about a guy who buys too many gadgets or a chick who *cough* buys to many *cough**cough* movies *cough*. Not saying I wanted it to be different. Just saying that it was kept relatable.
One good thing about the girliness was that it set up the movie for lots and lots of bright colors, which I really liked. And Fisher's bubbly personality complimented it very well. I thought she was adorable and very loveable. So could have so easily been nails-on-chalkboard annoying. I also really liked Krysten Ritter, who was totally channelling Emily Blunt. There were some pleasant surprises in the featured role castings: John Lithgow and Wendie Malick. Wish Lithgow woulda done more, but Malick was fantastic. Kristin Scott Thomas was another pleasant surprise who did a fantastic job as a vain fashion editor. And Hugh Dancy is pretty
Overall, fun movie with a good cast. Some predictability, but with a few variations from the expected. I dont know if I'd go so far as to agree with the A- that EW gave it, but it definitely was not a waste of two hours like I feared.
Duplicity
Mixed feelings about this one. Looked so promising in the trailers, but it took forever to pick up momentum. There was a point where I was seriously fighting off the urge to take a nap. And there was a lot of confusion early on. That said, it did eventually pick up, and it got better. Scenes without the two leads were dull. Scenes with one of them were fine. Scenes with both of them were pretty good. Julia Roberts and Clive Owen did have some good chemistry, and both of them are just fantastic. They also did have some very witty dialogue at times.
I dont know. I can't really think of all that much else to say about it. Even though it was confusing, it was far easier to follow than Gilroy's previous writing/directing endeavor, Michael Clayton. Most of the confusion got cleared up, and for the most part the twists were plausible without being predictable.
Sunshine Cleaning
Cute and endearing with a bit of darkness. The combination of those extreme ends of the spectrum was really interesting, and I think it worked quite well. My biggest complaint was that a lot of the plotlines and backstories seemed about 85% done. I didnt quite realize this until after I left, but I had some questions and felt like there wasnt a lot of closure on a lot of stuff. Im not sure if I necessarily think that was a problem, though. The film was just the right length, and had be absorbed in it throughout. Like I said, it wasnt until afterward that I thought it might've been lacking.
The cast was great. I _love_ Amy Adams. I dare you to watch Enchanted and not love her. She was absolutely perfect for the role, and I loved that she had a bit of an edge to her--something we haven't seen much of before. It was also kinda satisfying to hear her drop a few f-bombs, very un-Giselle-like. And now I have to add Emily Blunt to my list of actresses to keep an eye on. Though, she had the unfair advantage of being a kinda on-the-edge bad ass chick, with eyeliner, blue streaks, and rockin' ink. Alan Arkin seemed to be reprising his other "Sunshine" role, though a little toned down. Not knocking it though, cause hey it won him a freakin' Oscar last time. Mary Lynn Rajskub was a nice surprise. Woulda liked to see more from her, but I think she was just trying hard not to be too Chloe-y (from 24). And Steve Zahn is always wonderful to see. (I'd recommend him in That Thing You Do or Rescue Dawn).
Summary: Interesting premise. Great cast. Little lacking on closure, but good in general.
Confessions of a Shopaholic
I know most of you are prolly looking at your screen utterly shocked that I saw this. Hell, Im kinda surprised at myself too. But I'd heard good things about it, and I love Isla Fisher. I figured, I could trust the comedic taste of the chick who has a kid with Sacha Baron Cohen and who's breakout role was in Wedding Crashers. And for the most part, it turned out to be a good gamble.
Yes, it was girly. However, I feared it would either be a totally sappy and chicky rom-com, or some type of semi-feminazi girl power thing. While it was leaning a bit in the former end of the spectrum, it was stomachable. The romantic subplot was pretty much the most sub of the plots, keeping the mush at an acceptable level. As far as the shopping/overspending plotline, I feel it could have just as easily been about a guy who buys too many gadgets or a chick who *cough* buys to many *cough**cough* movies *cough*. Not saying I wanted it to be different. Just saying that it was kept relatable.
One good thing about the girliness was that it set up the movie for lots and lots of bright colors, which I really liked. And Fisher's bubbly personality complimented it very well. I thought she was adorable and very loveable. So could have so easily been nails-on-chalkboard annoying. I also really liked Krysten Ritter, who was totally channelling Emily Blunt. There were some pleasant surprises in the featured role castings: John Lithgow and Wendie Malick. Wish Lithgow woulda done more, but Malick was fantastic. Kristin Scott Thomas was another pleasant surprise who did a fantastic job as a vain fashion editor. And Hugh Dancy is pretty
Overall, fun movie with a good cast. Some predictability, but with a few variations from the expected. I dont know if I'd go so far as to agree with the A- that EW gave it, but it definitely was not a waste of two hours like I feared.
Duplicity
Mixed feelings about this one. Looked so promising in the trailers, but it took forever to pick up momentum. There was a point where I was seriously fighting off the urge to take a nap. And there was a lot of confusion early on. That said, it did eventually pick up, and it got better. Scenes without the two leads were dull. Scenes with one of them were fine. Scenes with both of them were pretty good. Julia Roberts and Clive Owen did have some good chemistry, and both of them are just fantastic. They also did have some very witty dialogue at times.
I dont know. I can't really think of all that much else to say about it. Even though it was confusing, it was far easier to follow than Gilroy's previous writing/directing endeavor, Michael Clayton. Most of the confusion got cleared up, and for the most part the twists were plausible without being predictable.
Sunshine Cleaning
Cute and endearing with a bit of darkness. The combination of those extreme ends of the spectrum was really interesting, and I think it worked quite well. My biggest complaint was that a lot of the plotlines and backstories seemed about 85% done. I didnt quite realize this until after I left, but I had some questions and felt like there wasnt a lot of closure on a lot of stuff. Im not sure if I necessarily think that was a problem, though. The film was just the right length, and had be absorbed in it throughout. Like I said, it wasnt until afterward that I thought it might've been lacking.
The cast was great. I _love_ Amy Adams. I dare you to watch Enchanted and not love her. She was absolutely perfect for the role, and I loved that she had a bit of an edge to her--something we haven't seen much of before. It was also kinda satisfying to hear her drop a few f-bombs, very un-Giselle-like. And now I have to add Emily Blunt to my list of actresses to keep an eye on. Though, she had the unfair advantage of being a kinda on-the-edge bad ass chick, with eyeliner, blue streaks, and rockin' ink. Alan Arkin seemed to be reprising his other "Sunshine" role, though a little toned down. Not knocking it though, cause hey it won him a freakin' Oscar last time. Mary Lynn Rajskub was a nice surprise. Woulda liked to see more from her, but I think she was just trying hard not to be too Chloe-y (from 24). And Steve Zahn is always wonderful to see. (I'd recommend him in That Thing You Do or Rescue Dawn).
Summary: Interesting premise. Great cast. Little lacking on closure, but good in general.