Movie Review Monday: Man Up

Welcome to another edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's film is the 2015 romantic comedy, Man Up, starring Simon Pegg and Lake Bell.

The misleading title aside, I liked this movie. It had some odd elements (which I'll get to in a bit) but overall it felt like a very genuine, silly, and heartfelt story.

The premise follows single 30-something Nancy (Bell) as she stumbles into and lies her way through a blind date that wasn't meant for her with Jack (Pegg). The hilarity obviously ensues but they also hit it off. We're left to wonder if they can really work out if they aren't being completely honest with each other.

I feel like I've been watching a fair amount of romantic comedies lately. They're hard to pull off without being hokey or melodramatic. Keeping them grounded can end up being depressing and/or boring, but the good ones can pull it off beautifully. While this isn't the best out there, it does the genre better than most. I enjoy both of these actors, which helps. Bell does a convincing British accent throughout (why they didn't get an English actor, I don't know) and Pegg is his usual fun, charming self. The supporting cast isn't given much to do. They almost detract from the movie. One character, Sean, seems to be from a completely different movie, and really took me out of the more heartfelt, genuine fun moments between Nancy and Jack.

I'd recommend this movie as a sort of "finding love in unexpected places" type romantic comedy. We could also use some of that advice as we look for a relationship. Opening ourselves up and putting ourselves out there can help us connect when we least expect it.

Check out Man Up streaming right now on Netflix.

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Movie Review Monday: Save the Date

Welcome to another edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's film is the 2012 romantic dramedy Save the Date, starring Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Martin Starr, and Mark Webber.

The film follows sisters Sarah (Caplan) and Beth (Brie) as they both go on different paths in their love lives. Sarah is trying to figure out what she wants while she begins to get serious with a long time boyfriend, and Beth is planning her wedding, committed to her partner for the long haul.

I labelled this movie as a romantic dramedy (drama + comedy) because it isn't laugh out loud funny but it does have some funny moments. It deals with something many people struggle with as they grow up; figuring out who you want to be with for the rest of your life. A tried and true premise for a film, this movie brings a modern veneer to it but not much else. It is sort of a timeless story that plays off the journey of Sarah mostly in a very subtle way. She's a frustrating character but one that I think people can empathize with either from their own lives or people they know.

I enjoyed this movie enough. It was pretty average and I didn't like the ending that much. It wasn't enough of anything to really engage me (much like my last review for American Ultra). Save the Date was a little better than that film, but it still wasn't great. It didn't resonate with me and I won't really think much about it now afterwards. I liked all the actors in it though and they did a fine job with what they were given.

You can catch Save the Date streaming right now on Netflix.

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Movie Review Monday: Serendipity

Welcome to another edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's film is the 2001 romantic comedy, Serendipity, starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.

I always knew about this movie and just randomly decided to watch it recently. It does feel a bit dated in some ways having come out 15 years ago, but the story is pretty evergreen. It follows John (Cusack) and Sara (Beckinsale) as they try to figure out what to make of a chance encounter that leaves them both reeling. They have an undeniable chemistry but are both with other people. They figure if fate steers them back to each other, then they'll give it a try. What follows is a fun ride figuring out if life is sending you signs or not.

I feel like we can all relate to this movie. We all have those "ones that got away" that we wish we could reconnect with or look for fate sending us signals in our lives. Sometimes it can be silly but it is a nice sentiment to see the universe as a slightly more magical place, with soulmates, destiny, and signals coming from the universe.

There are some great supporting performances in this movie from Jeremy Piven, Molly Shannon, and Eugene Levy. Where the film suffers for its sort of (for lack of a better word) serendipitous plot movements at times, it makes up for it with its message and implications. My partner and I enjoyed the movie enough and it has a good pace and doesn't go too long either. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a light rom-com to pass the time.

You can catch Serendipity streaming right now on Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video.

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Movie Review Monday: Two Night Stand

Welcome to another edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's film is the 2014 romantic comedy Two Night Stand, starring Miles Teller and Analeigh Tipton.

The plot follows Megan (Tipton) and Alec (Teller) as they get snowed in after a one night stand and have to spend far more time together than they originally thought. It's certainly a fun premise and while the film has some bright spots, it is ultimately a disappointing and inconsistent movie.

Trying a bit hard to be a new kind of romantic comedy for modern times, where Two Night Stand mostly fails is some very odd character choices throughout the movie which makes it all not very relatable. It feels like there was potential here sprouting out of the premise, but it falls apart by the end. I liked the two main characters, which is important since we spend most of the movie with them. The few supporting roles are decently done, but making a simple, realistic, relatable movie fell just out of reach with the absurd hurdles Megan and Alec have to overcome as they get to know each other. I also would have preferred if the whole movie was just the two days they had to spend together. Stretching it past that time didn't help the movie either.

I tend to be pretty critical of romantic comedies (the few that I do see) since they all seem to be so formulaic and generic. This film had potential but it squandered it. Real romance and love is not as simple or as complex and dramatic as movies tend to make it. I haven't seen a lot of instances of the true nature of relationships being done well on screen, but perhaps it wouldn't be as compelling if it were. There always has to be conflict to drive a plot.

Nevertheless, you can check out Two Night Stand for yourself if you'd like to form your own opinion. I had seen some promotion for it randomly and since I have a trial of HBO Now right now, I was able to check it out on there since I intrigued by the premise.

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Movie Review Monday: Trainwreck

Welcome to another edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's film is the 2015 romantic comedy Trainwreck, starring Amy Schumer and Bill Hader.

Written by Schumer (and directed by Judd Apatow), this movie was one on me and my partner's radar when it came out this summer, but we unfortunately never got around to seeing it in theaters. As it is now available to rent through iTunes, we decided to check it out together this weekend, and we were glad we did.

The story follows Amy as her character enjoys her life of at her magazine job she loves, free of inhibitions, and casually dating men until she meets the focus of a story she is writing, a sports doctor (Hader) who turns everything upside down for her. Supported by a mostly strong ensemble cast and some fun cameos, we go on the journey with Amy as she allows herself to be loved and find true happiness.

Hader and Schumer are really great in this movie. They both bring a lot of genuine emotions and laughs to the story. The comedy in the movie has the usual Apatow spin to it, which I enjoy, but I'm sure others might not or perhaps may have become tired of it. As is also usually the case with Apatow films, the heart in the movie is strong and I was really committed to the proceedings versus just waiting for the next bit. The comedy served the plot and the emotional beats were well done.

I haven't watched too much of Schumer's show on Comedy Central, so I don't know exactly how much of her comedic stylings translate over to this movie, but nevertheless, she is funny in Trainwreck and the movie would have obviously lived or died by her performance. I think this is going to be a great launching pad for whatever she wants to do next. I'm glad a movie like this exists and did so well at the box office. It just goes to show that we need way more female-led movies like this.

I definitely recommend you check out Trainwreak available right now to buy or rent on DVD, Blu-Ray, and your favorite on-demand video streaming service.

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Movie Review Monday: They Came Together

Welcome to another awesome edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's film is the 2014 romantic comedy satire, They Came Together, starring Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd.

A smart, silly send up of all the overdone, unrealistic tropes of modern romantic comedies, this movie is a lot of fun. It has two wonderful leads with Rudd and Poehler, two of my favorite actors. They fully commit to the shenanigans and they are supported by a cast of comedic cameos that further the brilliant spoof.

While the movie is short (not even an hour and half), it benefits from this since it has good pacing and the jokes never really stop. I watched it before it came on Netflix and watched it again once it was available to stream, and I enjoyed it both times. Movies like this that are quick and smart definitely benefit from multiple viewings.

While this movie may not be for those who adore your common romantic comedy movie, I think most people can appreciate the clever satire. I definitely recommend it as a short, enjoyable romp for a lazy day or perhaps to unwind after work.

Check out They Came Together, streaming right now on Netflix.

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Movie Review Monday: Don Jon

Greetings! This week, we're talking about the recent movie Don Jon (2013), which is the brainchild of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who wrote, directs, and stars in this fresh, unique, and original romantic comedy. Starring alongside Levitt is Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore. All of the actors in this movie do a splendid job with the material, which showcases a more realistic love story for the main characters, which we have come to expect from JGL in such movies as 500 Days of Summer and 50/50 (both of which I highly recommend). Part of the unique aspect of this movie is the main character's obsession with pornography and how that affects his relationships with women, which I think is a very interesting avenue to explore for a romantic comedy.

The cinematography of this movie and the pacing is kinetic, keeping you engaged throughout. It ends in an unexpected fashion and defies all the typical rom-com stereotypes, which I enjoyed greatly. I admit that I was initially drawn to this movie for the creative influence of JGL (who I respect greatly), but I am happy to have seen it in theaters when it was released and am glad to see it streaming for more to enjoy.

*Fair warning, however, since much of the plot surrounds JGL's character's obsession with porn, you'll see a lot of flashes and sounds from him caving into his addiction. Just know this going in!

So, if you want an original romantic comedy to stream that will keep you engaged (and don't mind the aforementioned glimpses of porn) check this movie out and come back next week for another great movie available on Netflix!

Take care!