Dinner for Schmucks

Goolphipp Award: 3.4 (See the Cheap Matinee)

Goolsby:

At my request, this was my birthday movie. Goolphipp and a group of friends all went together, and I was by far that most excited and entertained person in the theater. I was really excited to see Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and Zach Galifianakis all on the same screen. Turns out, when all was said and done, my friends were not too stoked about the movie afterwards. This movie is quirk, to the max. I am quirk, to the max. Match made in heaven? Pretty much.

This movie is all about the dinner, but it takes a while to get there of course. I was prepared for this, and although it felt slow on getting to the dinner, I was okay with the necessary plot building that had to take place.

Carell plays Barry, a Mouseterpiece maker, he is a schmuck, and I will not deny that I did feel sad for him. Goodness, the character is such a pathetic case it almost hurts. Rudd plays Tim, the up and coming business man who befriends Barry. By the end of the movie you get to see who the real schmucks are.

Some scenes to watch for - Barry's fighting technique is to "play-dead" and of course it works every time! I was by far the loudest person laughing in the theater. All the scenes with Jermaine Clement (from Flight of the Concords), who plays Kieran the animalistic-artist, are hilarious. When Kieran and Barry share a bench and talk about life, all the while with Kieran sporting ram horns, it is pure classic genius. I loved it.

This movie had heart, and I knew that it would. In life, you've got all types of creatures, good, bad, mean, strange, and sometimes fantastic. This movie shows all walks of life. And yes, I most likely will eventually own this movie. This movie may not stick with you like some Thanksgiving feast meal, but you can't deny that food is food. The laughs flow free during this movie, and that can't be overlooked.

Just so you know, this film is based on a french film by Francis Verber called Le diner de cons (The Dinner Game). I have not seen this film, but according to others, the actual dinner is never shown in the film.

Goolsby overall: 4

That is a real live vulture featured in the dinner scenes. Real. As in, could have eaten out someone's eyes. Talk about filming dangers.

Phipps:

I am not as enthusiastic about this film like Goolsby. I was curious to see Carell, Rudd, and Galifianakis on screen. And it was pretty funny. However, the character Kieran (played by Jermain Clement) stole the show. The play on eccentric, sex god artist was amazing. When I think of all the memorable moments in this movie, he is in at least 80% of them: dressed up like a fawn, wearing horns, or being completely arrogant. There were a bunch of solid jokes along the way - the play dead, mouseterpieces, Kieran - but the way to dinner just dragged out. I lost patience with it a couple of times. When we finally got to the dinner, I laughed for the last fifteen minutes. As a whole, I think this is a Netflix movie. Something to watch on a lazy Friday night. It was just okay on all the levels - except perhaps the mouse taxidermy, which was oddly cool. For the record, they did not use the word "schmuck" once. What the heck. That's the bloody title, and you didn't use it once. "Idiot" just doesn't have the same punch as "schmuck."

Phipps overall: 2.75

Meh...a few funny moments.

Monsters vs Aliens

Goolphipp Award: 3

Audience: Come one, come all
Monsters vs Aliens is like a wholesome sandwich – providing a good fill for all. This movie has minimal adult jokes, and as in most animated movies, the adult jokes are sure to fly over the little ones’ heads.

Phipps: A mom asked why this movie was rated PG, and I honestly couldn’t tell her. Goolsby and I thought through the entire movie – looking for anything that might be a problem – and couldn’t find one thing. The only thing I can think of to call out is the violence, but it’s along the lines of The Incredibles.

Where’s the Humor: Animated standards
The good mix of characters lends itself to a rounded mix of comedy. The giantess who forgets she is a giant and the brainless blob known as B.O.B keep the laughs steady.

Goolsby: The one-liners are funny as they come, but only a few seems to stick as you walk out the doors. Enjoyable in the theater, but sadly not as memorable in the parking lot. Of course B.O.B was bound to be funny, but the best part was the idealized “Leave It To Beaver” portrayal of the San Joaquin Valley (the real “Valley” of California). Since when did Modesto get white picket fences? That kept me laughing for days… Modesto… ha.

Phipps: Being a native of Fresno County, well, I did appreciate the airtime. I laughed so loud. I think the other audience members probably thought, “I didn’t think it was that funny.” But, I agree with Goolsby, the comedy was standard. But I didn’t find it so original that I would write home about it. In fact, the only thing I’m going to tell my friends is that it featured Fresno and Modesto.

Storyline: Rejects save the day
Girl-next-door becomes monster. Meets monsters. Fights aliens. Monsters make great friends.

Phipps: It does sound inventive, but it didn’t “rock my sox.” I did like the themes of friendship…and accepting the weird. I couldn’t help but wonder if this movie was written by grown-up kids that were bullied. Looks like the “Monsters” won in life, after all.

Delivery: Animated delights

Goolsby: Kudos to all the actors and animators. I appreciated the detailed animation, it never looked cheesy or too cartoonish. Since we saw it in 3-D the effects were well placed and kept in pace with the flow – there were no fancy effects for effects sake. The actors seemed to have a good flow between each other, which can sometimes be hard to do on an animated film.

Phipps: This movie had the look and feel of a Pixar - almost. I know that Dreamworks has been trying to break in on the Pixar monopoly…and is close, but still misses the boat. That being said, I did love the 3-D. Like Goolsby, I liked that the 3-D wasn’t code for cheeseball. As far as the vocal acting, I don’t really have any complaints. Kiefer Sutherland as the crazy general was delightful and strangely believable. Kudos to Seth Rogan for using his distinctive pipes; it’s always a pleasure, B.O.B.

Phipps overall: 2.5
I realized as I was writing this up, that it wasn’t a movie to write home about. I won’t buy this movie later for my kids…well, maybe if it’s five bucks. It had all the right pieces, but I think it was missing the “IT” factor, whatever that is for animated movies. Maybe Dreamworks should send in a spy to discover if Pixar movies are laced with some kind of subliminal message that makes everyone love their movies more. Wow, that sounds harsh, but the bottom line for this movie is, “close, but no cigar.”

Goolsby overall: 3.5
Funny and good. Not much else to say. 3-D was nice though.

Goolphipp rating: 3 (Worth 11 Bucks)

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I Love You, Man

Goolphipp Award: 3.75

Audience: High school freshman +
I Love You, Man isn’t unusually crass, so it is approved for high school kids. But in our opinion, this movie deals with situations that would be most appreciated by post-college-age adults.
Goolsby: Fans of Rush, you must see this movie for the concert scene. I’m sure you will appreciate.

Where's the Humor: Spectrum
There is something for everyone in this one. You want fart jokes – check. Physical comedy – check. Are you a fan of the cruder sexual humor? Check.

Phipps: I liked the humor of this movie, because it had a little bit of everything – kept it interesting (and shocking). I especially liked that all the jokes seemed necessary given characters and plot. No jokes for the sake of jokes here. I don’t think I’d be too embarrassed watching I Love You, Man with my parents either, which is usually a mark of a winner.

Goolsby: Our first movie review actually has peanuts! At one point during the movie, over a table of empty beer glasses, Peter and Sydney discuss Andre the Giant’s drinking capacity. Of course, in true fashion, The Princess Bride quote comes out – “Anybody want a peanut?” Classic. It was snazzy one-liners like this that kept my snorts flowing. Even the deliver of the main line, “I love you man,” was framed and delivered well. But by far the best comedic thread throughout the movie was the crazy verbal-diarrhea nicknames Peter kept giving Sydney.

Storyline: Male Bonding
This movie kept it simple. Guy proposes to girl, and discovers he has no guy friends to be groomsmen.

Phipps: I Love You, Man doesn’t try to be more than it is, so viewers can just go along with for the ride. It does get its message across: don’t put your boyfriend/girlfriend above your friends…you just might end up with no friends. It’s enjoyable, and a great pick-me-up movie. It’s worth the price of admission.

Delivery: No complaints

Phipps: Paul Rudd was perfect for the role. He can pull off the timid “girlfriend guy” that lets loose in the man cave. Jason Segel also delivers in his role as the potential best friend. I’d bet that everyone who sees this movie will be able to see shades of a Peter Klaven or Sydney Fife in their life…I know I did. The supporting cast also was stellar. I have no complaints. In fact, all I can say is, “all hail the return of Lou Ferrigno!”

Goolsby: You cant half-ass the air guitar, and Paul Rudd did not. He owned it, and well at that. He even owned the man scream under the pier. All the actors in this movie gave it their all, and the audience can tell. I seriously believe that Rudd, in real life, is incapable of using an accent without it coming out like a Leprechaun voice – and that makes me smile.

Phipps overall: 3.5
It’s a solid movie. Enjoyable, but I’m not sure that I want to watch it over and over.

Goolsby overall: 4
You know it’s a winner when you think about it days later, and still laugh.

Goolphipp rating: 3.75 (No Peanuts Chucked)

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