"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

"Jonathon?! That's your name?!"

Day 212
Bad Seed
2000


Well, that'll teach us to get our hopes up about an obscure Luke Wilson movie...

Bad Seed really sounded like it had potential. Like it might be scary, or thrilling. It was really just scary-bad. I think we each ranked it as being among the top 5 worst movies we've ever seen. Ever!! (My apologies to Liz for this being your first introduction to a Merethon screening :)

Truly even Dog Park suddenly seems loveable in the wake of this film. It was like a bad Lifetime movie. And that's coming from a woman who actually enjoys a lot of bad Lifetime movies. It was like a Lifetime movie reject, with "a lot of dead fish. Like--a lot..."

It also seemed to add proof to my theory that Mr. Wilson finds a reason in nearly eeevery film to say "Jeee-sus Christ!" at least once. Every time, with that same crazed intensity in his eyes mirroring the exasperated inflection of this decidedly favorite phrase....

If Kill the Man was the film to make this entire blog worthwhile, then Bad Seed is certainly (so far) the movie that almost makes me sorry to have undertaken this "merethon" at all. I can only hope that we've hit rock bottom here, folks. I hate to tempt fate, but surely it can't get worse than this.

I have to say, though, we did have a pretty great time adding our Mystery Science Theatre-esque commentary throughout. It at least gives you something to do while you're waiting for the movie to just end already! (Please dear gaawd, end!) Oh, but you haaaave to see the ending. Really, really. It's, um, totally worth it...?

Hahah, no. It's not. But if you're going to actually attempt to watch the film, (god knows why), you've really got to hold out for the ending. At least for the "special effects."

Ohh, and don't blink or you might miss the 5 second-long role of Andrew Wilson as "Police Officer."



MERE'S OFFICAL RATING: None. No stars for you. Just terrible!
Sandwiches strongly discouraged. I mean, really, one look at those fish....



Up next...
Charlie's Angels

"He's in a spiritual wheelchair?"

Day 202
Committed
2000


Why yes, I did find the movie poster in Spanish this time...

Ok, I've broken precedence once again and used a quote from a character other than Luke Wilson's from this film. Mostly because, as Jenna so aptly pointed out about 3/4 of the way through Committed, "I really like all the characters in this movie with the exception of Luke Wilson's."

The supporting cast truly makes this movie. They certainly provide the comic relief, if nothing else. Even creepy Casey Affleck (from whose character the title quote is taken and from whom most of the film's top quotes come) is quite entertaining, despite still being his usual, creepy self...

Now, I realize that we've finally made it out of the 90's, but this movie sure feels very much like a throw-back. Definitely on an aesthetic level, and perhaps also by fault of that whole "quest for spirituality" plot, too. There's just something so "90's" about all that...getting lost in the desert and what not.

In any case, I have to admit I enjoyed it. Heather Graham is not my favorite actress, but she's not terrible. And lucky for her, I think the plot and supporting cast were enough to, well, support her and keep the movie watchable.

I really didn't know how it was going to end either. It wasn't completely predictable and contrived. As Jenna also commented, "It comes full circle."

We also both thought writer/director, Lisa Krueger sounded familiar for some reason, but aside from Committed, she's only written and directed two other films, both of which I've never seen or heard of, and produced nothing else (according to Imdb.com) since Committed...However, after scouring the internet a little more, (Imdb fail!) I think she sounds pretty badass and could easily make more of these quirky little films with the best of them. I sort of hope she does, even...

Anyways, I enjoyed this film and definitely think it's worth a look. It's not too heavy, but not entirely soulless either. I mean, it's even got the lead singer of Everclear!

Alright. That's all I've got. Feel free to comment at will, JennaAnn!

MERE'S OFFICIAL RATING: 3 out of 5 stars
A caution regarding sandwiches: Heather Graham's nasty hair will likely make you lose your appetite...

Pretty sure I'm going to have to start doing this more than once a month if I plan to finish in time....

Up next...
Bad Seed

"Bird-dog to Scarecrow, come in Scarecrow!"

Ok, so I just wanted to let you know that:

a) I am still alive and
b) I've not yet given up on the Merethon.

I just got caught up in the Oscars and the trip to Mexico, and then I couldn't find the next movie, Committed, aaanywhere. (Ok, I didn't check Hastings. I'm still pissed that they black-listed me there a few years back. To my knowledge, I'm still banned from renting anything from them. Thus, I'm in NO hurry to give them any of my money - They say I didn't return Ice Age. I say I did. 'Round and 'round it went....Jerks.)

Instead I've chosen to order the movie from Goodwill Industries of San Francisco through Amazon.com. According to their user description, my purchase of this DVD will help put people back to work via education and career services. I'm not sure how far my $5 will really go, but every little bit counts, right?

So yeah. Screw you, Hastings!

Anyways...Please stay tuned. More fun to come, I promise!

XOXO,
Meredith

"You think I don't know what folks are saying? That old Dink's a coward?"

Day 157
My Dog Skip
2000



Well folks, we've officially made it through the 90s. I'm so very sad to see them go, again, but they just weren't meant to last forever. And the Merethon must go on...

Leading us off in to the 2000s is My Dog Skip.

I must admit, I might sorta like this movie. It's not my favorite, and frankly, it's a bit too sentimental even for me...which is saying a lot. But it's certainly got something. Not everything, but something.

Dink Jenkins may be another for my list of all-time favorite Luke Wilson characters, though. I mean, it's hard not to love him. He's just that beautiful, ball-playing, good-natured, golden-boy-next-door (literally), who ships off to war, valiantly, like all the other good boys...And it just breaks your (my) heart when he comes back jaded, drunk and hopeless...

It all seems a bit...contrived, maybe? At any rate, I still think it's fairly poignant.

I've also got a soft spot for little Jack Russels. I don't think ours are nearly as talented as the one who plays Skip, but they're still pretty damn charming, when they want to be... But really, mostly, I think I've just got a soft spot for dogs in general. This movie could definitely strike a chord with anyone who's ever had a really amazing dog. I certainly have and I wish everyone were so lucky.

Well, I think that's enough. If ya like dags, maybe see this one. Or if you like sappy movies. Or movies with Kevin Bacon.




MERE'S OFFICAL RATING: 3 out of 5 stars
Leaving sandwich unattended within reach of dogs could result in sandwich scarcity.

Up next....
Committed (Yeah, I'm looking at you for this one, Liberty Hall...don't let me down! : )

"I don't think I've ever gotten all up on anything, sir."

Day 152
Blue Streak
1999



Ok, I have to be honest. I watched this movie once before, for the sake of the blog, but it was a long while ago and I don't remember it all that well. Though I had no desire to watch it again, I convinced myself that I must, in order to honor the blog and stay true to my quest to watch ALL of Mr. Wilson's movies before his 40th birthday.

However, when I went to the library to check it out, I searched for it on their computer system only to see its status listed as "Missing." Needless to say, I was...almost upset.

I've decided it was "divine intervention," or something, and will now just have to write about the movie from memory.

Shucks.

Contrary to my expectations, this movie wasn't completely terrible. It wasn't exactly good, either, though. It was watchable, I guess. There was a plot.

I was particularly disappointed with Mr. Wilson's character, though. He finally, almost comes through in the end, but it certainly feels like an unnecessarily long time coming.

There're also some winning scenes with Dave Chappelle, but...yeah, I think that's about it. See it. Don't see it. You probably won't lose any sleep either way.

MERE'S OFFICIAL RATING: 2 out of 5 stars.
"How's that sandwich coming?"*

Up next...
My Dog Skip

(*Matt just showed me that Dave Chappelle skit with Susan Sarandon a few weeks back to cheer me up when I was sick. Seeing as Chappelle's in the moive, it somehow seemed appropriate : )