"Put in a good word for me."

Day 333
Old School
2003


Before this blog entry quickly deteriorates in to me just typing all of my favorite quotes from Old School, let us just first establish that I really, really like this movie. Like, a lot. I can't help it.

There are certainly several parts that I could do without: Andy Dick's entire portion of the movie, the whole sleeping-with-the-boss's-underage-daughter-thing, KY-wrestling. Ya know, little things here and there that naturally offend my better sensibilities. But on the whole, this movie just makes me genuinely laugh. It's one of the few of Mr. Wilson's movies that I actually went out and purchased, on purpose, long before this 'merethon' ever began.

Mr. Wilson's 'Mitch' is a great character, and ultimately one of my favorites of his. However, this entire movie would obviously be nothing without the comedic abilities of Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn. Not to mention Jeremy Piven, Craig Kilborn, Leah Remini, and Sean William Scott doing what they do best. The entire film is truly well-cast, except for maybe Ellen Pompeo, who I just find to be a bit underwhelming as 'Nicole.' I can't blame that on her entirely, though, as her character unfortunately doesn't really seem to give her too much to work with in the first place.

Anyways, it probably won't change your life, but it's definitely a very entertaining comedy. So, again, before I start rambling about streaking, or going to Bed Bath and Beyond ("I don't know if we'll have enough time..."), let me just repeat that I love this movie and call it good.


MERE'S OFFICIAL RATING:  4 out of 5 stars
All sandwiches welcome. No university affiliation required.



Up next...
Alex & Emma

[Bob Dylan mumbling incoherently...]

Day 322
Masked and Anonymous
2003


I debated trying to watch this movie again, and finally decided that life is too short and I just don't want to. I fell asleep the first time and I don't hold out too much hope for a second attempt.

In my opinion, this movie could be more aptly titled "Rambling and Incoherent."

I understood very little of what was happening or why. Perhaps I'm just too low-brow and simple, but I didn't get it. I not entirely sure there was even anything to "get."

The only real point of entertainment for me came in the form of Val Kilmer's character rambling on about animals, or something.

In any case, I would liken this movie experience to being cornered on Mass. Street by a "crazy person," subjected to their rambling observations for a couple hours, and emerging no more enlightened or fulfilled for any of it.

It's no secret that I'm not Bob Dylan's biggest fan, but I certainly can't say with any sort of authority that his presence or influence truly hurt or helped this film. For all I know, maybe it could have benefited from having more of his influence, but I would bet not...

All I can say is that I think it's just a mess. Period. And not in any good, interesting or useful way.

Normally in this blog, I do not defer to the opinions of established critics, nor do I normally even read any reviews of the films I blog about. However, after attempting to write this review, I happened to read Roger Ebert's review, and cannot help but want to share. The man was dead-on in my book.

Ohhh well. At least I found the poster in Spanish again...

Let the Merethon move on.



MERE'S OFFICIAL RATING:  No stars for you, Bobby. 
Definitely killed my appetite....



Up next...
Old School
(apparently Mr. Wilson also needed something a little more low-brow after this one, too!)

"That sounds sleazy and this is not sleazy."

Day 309
The Third Wheel
2002


First of all, it's just the best day ever when I happen to find the movie poster in Spanish.

But secondly, I've found it's hard for me to really enjoy a romantic comedy when I can't quite convince myself to even like the main character or care about his fate. Luckily, The Third Wheel still somehow manages to deliver a watchable movie, even despite the confusing and less than charming personality of its leading man.

Mr. Wilson's 'Stanley' is just so close.

He starts off fairly well as a seemingly intelligent, funny and well-liked, if a little shy, coworker. However, once he finally manages to ask out "the girl of his dreams" at the office, he quickly goes from "a little shy," to a lot of awkward. But even more distracting is the undercurrent of seemingly unnecessary aggression he exudes once they finally set out on their first date. And worst of all, everyone else, his date being the most guilty, seem fairly unfazed by it throughout.

Maybe it's just a complete lack of chemistry on the part of Mr. Wilson and Denise Richards, but by the end of the movie, you can't really imagine why there should ever be a second date, despite Stanley's (fairly vapid) confessions about love and fate.

Homeless man, Phil, is probably the saving grace of this entire film. Jay Lacopo, as Phil, adds some real flashes of entertainment. I'd say the entire movie is almost worth seeing solely for his monologue on bread, or even the bus-riding song.

In any case, he's much more endearing than Stanley. Perhaps that was maybe the intention of the film's creators even, but they didn't really leave Stanley much room for redemption. It surely looked like way too little too late to this girl, anyway.

Speaking of endearing, this movie made very small use of its cast. Melissa McCarthy got some decent screen time, but Greg Pitts, and un-credited 'extras' Lauren Graham and Nicole Sullivan really could have come in handy to add just a little more humor here and there. To his credit, however, Ben Affleck manages to conjure some pretty entertaining banter with Mr. Wilson towards the first half of the movie. If only it could last...

I can't say this movie is a complete throw-away. There's at least an excellent surprise cameo (that I won't give away!) mid-movie that sort of made my day.

So, yeah. Maybe give it a shot. Why not?



MERE'S OFFICIAL RATING: 3 out of 5 stars (I'm feeling generous today)
Bring two sandwiches! It's a date movie, afterall...




Up next....
Masked and Anonymous (gag)

"Of course it's dark. It's a suicide note."

Day 296
The Royal Tenenbaums
2001




Hey, remember me? Yeah, I've really got to get movin' if we're going to finish this in time...

As much as I'd like to make some sweeping statement about how paternal relationships are particularly more complicated than most other relationships in life, that would obviously be assuming way too much. Naturally everyone's situation is different.

I think it would be better for me to simply state that familial relationships are complex.

Truly any meaningful relationship has its complexities, but that added significance of blood or legal bond--whatever it is that claims you to your understood family unit--makes the complexities that much stronger, that much more loaded with implications and expectations.

What does it mean to be a father? What can you expect as someone's child?

I love the manner in which Royal Tenenbaums goes about exploring these familial relationships. Obviously it's a movie, and thus their family and story is quite extraordinary, but the basic elements of real, imperfect, human relationships are still very much present.

It's no secret I'm quite the fan of Mr. Anderson's style of film, and Tenenbaums is no exception. The visual details, the clever, surprising dialogue ("You heard me, Coltrane!")....I laugh out loud at this film, only to find myself tearing-up by the end.

And who doesn't enjoy just a good redemption story? Seeing someone able to change, or manage to redeem him/herself before it's "too late," always gives me just a little more hope for humanity. Hell, even just seeing someone make an effort at all is lovely.

But then if that same redemption story is narrated by Alec Baldwin?! Truly, what more can you ask for?!...

It's just an excellent film. Period. And don't even get me started on the soundtrack!!

I'm sure you've seen it, but if you haven't, obviously you should, if for no other reason than to see the creepy paintings that hang in Eli Cash's home. Or to see another cameo from eldest Wilson brother, Andrew. Or to hear Bill Murray say, "Where's that red one gonna go?"...



MERE'S OFFICIAL RATING: 5 out of 5 stars
Maybe save a little bit of your sandwich for Buckely? :)




Up next...
The Third Wheel

"It's been another kind of time"

Soul Survivors
2001
Day 278

When you first turn on a DVD of Soul Survivors, you'd better be prepared to make a very difficult decision:

Reality, Dream, or Nightmare.

It took longer for us to decide which path to chose than it did to watch the 10-second long, meaningless introduction that each of these labels describes.

...I'm not even going to pretend like I want to write about this movie. Instead, I will just leave you with my unassembled notes! (Yes, I do take notes.) Plus, I wouldn't dare want to ruin any of the movie's ingenious twists and surprises for you, or something....

As this film marked the second ever meeting of the Luke Wilson Merethon Review Panel, there were plenty of quotable remarks to be heard. Without further ado:

-Reality, Dream, Nightmare?

• We had to look up the differences online. Found out - only a difference of introduction. Nothing to do with actual movie version.
• "Vegetables have hit the floor."
• "I spit out my carrot!"

-Super cheese-y opening titles against a backdrop of simulated rain.

-"Tiny Explosions" - The Presidents of the USA

-"How long did we waste on that opening menu?"

-"Is that dinosaur-girl?"

-"Nobody gets branded and doesn't care..."

-"That was hairy!"

-"I'll go get your pills..." (x 100)

-"Even a dream of life is better than facing death." - Father Jude

-Jenna liked it.

-"So, Hell is a lesbian sex-bathroom in the basement of a church with cars burning outside for eternity?"

-"I think they made Casey Affleck sign a no-nudity clause in his contract."

MERE'S OFFICIAL RATING: 2 out of 5 stars. 
"The best way to look at it is with your eyes closed." ...And with lots of sandwiches.



Up next...The Royal Tenenbuams

"What if you're trying to be something you are?"

Legally Blonde

2001

Day 252

First of all, I've really got to start writing these reviews closer to the time I actually watch these movies! It's going on a couple weeks now since I've watched this one, and though I'd seen it before, I found myself pleasantly surprised, as I'd all but forgotten that it's really quite a great flick.

Sure, it's a little silly, but it's also quite witty and very entertaining. Also entertaining was seeing Matthew Davis--aka VD's Alaric--as the evil ex-boyfriend, Warner. Definitely didn't remember that...

Serendipitously, this movie also happened to pop up in the Merethon just in time for Liz's last day as an L1 (Congrats again, Ms Lizzy!) Especially entertaining was the subsequent drinking-game for every law school or legal jargon inaccuracy. :) We learned a good deal!

We also concluded that CULA is not a real school, and that, for being in the 2000s, some of those outfits looked suspiciously mid-90s... I think we also definitely agreed that the whole "bend & snap" sequence is all a bit much. That scene really just deteriorates pretty quickly.

That aside, though, this movie is pretty much great! Good for a laugh, good for a girls'-night-in. Frankly, it's just good, clean fun.

I've not yet seen the sequel, but luckily, Mr. Wilson awaits us there, too...

MERE'S OFFICIAL RATING: 4 out of 5 stars (an extra star for being surprisingly better than I remembered!)

Sandwiches permitted only with proper documentation (Stuewe v. Collins. 381 U.S. 436 (2011).

"This is like Soul Train's highest honor!"

Day 234
Charlie's Angels
2000

I really had zero desire to watch this movie.

I love that the main characters are strong, intelligent, lovely women, kicking ass and solving crime.....

Still definitely didn't want to see it.

Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood or frame of mind? Or maybe it was just a little too...something...

Or not enough something? Either way, it was definitely an improvement over Bad Seed!

There was definitely a plot. Even a reasonably complex one at that. And then there was the fairly expected "twist." Lots of fun outfits and neat-looking action sequences for our heroines.

Lots of quirky characters, too. Bill Murray--lovely as ever! Tom Green?....Not so much. I guess I have to remember this movie was made back when we'd only heard his shtick 1,000 times....

As for Mr. Wilson, I'd say he's not too far off on this character. He's quite lovely and love-able as the goofy, very naive love-interest to Ms. Diaz's Natalie.

I guess, truly, this movie really accomplished what it seemed to have set out to do; it was passably entertaining.

Not amazing. Not wonderful. Not life-changing. Just bright-colored, fast-moving, boob-filled fluff...

I've never even seen any of the original shows, but I'm apt to believe they were of a similar persuasion. If I really cared enough, I'd try to write something intelligent about women in film, etc., but maybe that's for a different blog...

Anyways, it's ok. Sometimes fluff is ok.

But only just 'ok'....

Also, loved the whole 15 second-long role of eldest Wilson, Andrew, as "Corwin's Driver." And ending the movie with Rod Stewart singing a Jimi Hendrix song?! Nice!

Good effort. Mission accomplished ladies! We'll see you again soon for round 2!

Maybe leave out Tom Green next time, though, ok? Thanks!

MERE'S OFFICIAL RATING: 2 out of 5 stars
The LL Cool J "trick" sorta made me lose my appetite for anything, let alone sandwiches...

Up next...
Legally Blonde