Showing posts with label Melissa McCarthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Melissa McCarthy. Show all posts
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| "A repulsive and obnoxious fat woman" |
IDENTITY THIEF (2012). Director: Seth Gordon.
A businessman named Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman) doesn't realize that his identity has been stolen by a repulsive and obnoxious fat woman (Melissa McCarthy) who supposedly has the same name but is actually Diana or something else. When his new boss threatens to fire him, Sandy decides to track down Diana, who's been running riot with his credit cards, so he can keep his job and bring her to justice. This alleged "comedy " is scripted by the supremely untalented Craig Mazin. I mean, I didn't expect Bringing Up Baby but I thought the film might have a chuckle or two. The first problem is that anyone who's ever had their identity stolen, or is afraid it might happen to them, is not going to find much amusement in the premise, nor in the fact that Patterson bonds and becomes friends with the woman who screwed up his life, who, of course, blames it all on a difficult childhood. The movie tries too hard and unconvincingly to create sympathy for someone who, until the unreal and sentimental conclusion, has no sympathy for anyone but herself. In one amazingly moronic moment, an imprisoned Diana talks about "dykes" trying to get at her "sweet stuff" in front of the hero's wife and children, both of whom seem more bothered by her vulgarity than her homophobia [the character also seems racist, although she never utters the "n" word that, at least, still being more or less verboten]. Sitcom star Bateman is okay but has little big-screen charisma, while McCarthy's character is so utterly repellent that it's hard to judge her acting skill. Adding insult to injury, the movie is more boring than anything else and is nearly two hours long! Two hours with one of the most odious and unattractive characters in the movies. The best scene has the chunky anti-heroine hit by a car, but, unfortunately, she survives.
Verdict: Why fast forward buttons were invented. Dreadful. 0 stars.
Say I Do to Bridesmaids
How many times have we seen the story of the behind the scenes run through the Bachelor Party? How many times have we seen the antics of guys, displaying the lowest common denominator mentality that guys hold dear? It’s always been the guys that are on display in all their good and bad glory. Not anymore, welcome to Bridesmaids.
Annie (Kristen Wiig) is not very sure of herself. She has a failed business and the men in her life, well, to say they don’t treat her well, would be an understatement. She loves spending time with her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph). And when Lillian announces her engagement, Annie is bound for the Maid of Honor role.
The Maid of Honor has a number of important roles in the planning of the wedding, but of course! That role is even tougher when Annie has a relationship that really isn’t more than a booty call, is jealous of the “new” best friend Helen (Rose Byrne) and is just a touch unstable overall.
From the toast war between Annie and Helen, to the battle to provide Lillian with the best possible environment for her shower the war is on, and Annie is in it to win it.
Bridesmaids are more than just a support group for the bride; they are a microcosm of the society that shapes her life. Some are close, some are not, but in this film, all are fun.
I’m a guy; yes the first step is admitting it. I’ve always put women on a pedestal believing of course that none of them behaved like us guys. Guys were the ones that had bad behavior a plenty, you know, guys like in The Hangover. We did the grotesque things, so much so, we sometimes couldn’t believe that some women could love us like they do. After seeing Bridesmaids I’m here to report…all my preconceived notions are wrong.
The women in Bridesmaids devour food, devour men, are used by men, use men and do all the same toilet behavior that we do. And it’s refreshing to see.
Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph are at the center of things here but they know how to take a back seat to humor better suited to Wendi McLendon-Covey and Melissa McCarthy. It’s those supporting roles that really make the film move and make the laughs roll.
Sure the shock value of seeing women do some of the things they do here helps, but really it sticks to comedy. And the biggest question asked is will guys want to see it? I think they can enjoy it and laugh as well, but it is perfectly suited for Girls Night Out!
I’m glad these Bridesmaids invited me to their party; it’s easy to say I DO with these women.
B+
Universal Pictures
Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper
Rating: R for some strong sexuality, and language throughout.
Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes
This Thief Needs To Be Locked Away
Rating: R for sexual content and language.
Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes
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If you’ve ever had you identity stolen, you know it is not a funny thing. But the ridiculousness of it all can be funny, and the new movie starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy set out to show you just how silly this crazy thing can be.
Sandy Patterson (Bateman) is leading a quiet life in Denver. An unexpected call from what he believes to be his credit card company leads him to sign up for the “platinum” security package that will keep his identity safe against criminals and just prevented a major problem from occurring. But the truth of course is that the security package was a lie and another “Sandy Patterson” has emerged (Melissa McCarthy).
Now the real Sandy Patterson is at risk of losing his job and must fly across the country to find the imposter and bring her back to Denver.
But as Sandy finds out, fake Sandy, actually Diana will not go quietly and things turn into more of a cross country road trip film. Now will Sandy kill Diana…or will the two end up making it to Denver in one piece?
Man, I’m a big fan of Jason Bateman. To put him in a film with Melissa McCarthy seems ripe for comedy gold, and maybe that is part of the downfall of Identity Thief.
There are big laughs at times in Identity Thief. I will admit to laughing out loud on a number of occasions. So what could be bad about that? Two likable stars and success at creating laughs should mean a great film, right?
Well the problem…those laughs are contained in a couple of segments of the movie. When the movie shifts to many of the subplots, the tone gets a bit surreal and downright sad. Although we are intended to feel sad for Sandy his schizophrenic journey from “mad and not going to take it” to “I’ll just be over here” don’t bother me. Yes these journey derail the often funny film from its speeding train. That and a film that doesn’t know how to wrap itself up quick enough makes for a disappointing miss.
Identity Thief only succeeds at stealing 2 hours that would be better spent watching some of Bateman and McCarthy’s other work. You will get more laughs and not feel let down if you do.
B-/C+
B-/C+
Universal Pictures
Director: Seth Gordon
Cast: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthyRating: R for sexual content and language.
Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes