Movie Review: TAMMY

TAMMY
Director: Ben Falcone
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Allison Janney, Nat Faxon, Toni Collette, Sandra Oh, Gary Cole, Mark Duplass, Dan Aykroyd

McCarthy. Sarandon. Bates. Janney. Collette. All fantastic actresses that I love. Tammy has to be good, right? Well...You may want to think twice before buying your movie tickets this weekend. On the same day Tammy (McCarthy) is fired from her job at Topper Jacks, her car breaks down, and finds out her husband (Faxon) is cheating on her with the neighbor (Collette). She heads over to her mom’s (Janney) house and ends up going on a road trip with her Grandma Pearl (Sarandon). Their end spot may be Niagara Falls, but along the way they stop by Pearl’s cousin Lenore’s (Bates) house for an all lesbian 4th of July barbeque. Tammy and Pearl both have their issues, troubles, problems, and dirty habits, so the trip along the way is quite the adventure.

Apparently, Tammy has been a pet project for Melissa McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone. They have been working on it for years as they both wrote the script and Falcone sits in the director’s chair. Falcone also has a minor role as Tammy’s manager at Topper Jack’s. It’s odd that this is their special project as it doesn’t really have anything new to say. We have seen McCarthy play this type of dirty, crass, and obnoxious character numerous times before like Bridesmaids, The Heat, and Identity Thief. It has become her niche like many other comedians typically do. She is such a talented actress and is far better than playing the same old tired character over and over again. Her character Sookie St. James on Gilmore Girls is nothing like what she has been playing lately. By the way, how come no one ever mentions Gilmore Girls when talking about McCarthy. It’s a wonderful show, so go out and add it to your summer binge list!

The trailers for Tammy have definitely played up this side of her character, but they are a bit misleading as the movie isn’t about how gross she can be. The story is more about the road trip and relationship she has with her grandmother and how the two of them grow and learn from each other. There is a bit of a transformation and growth with Tammy as she isn’t always dumb and getting into trouble. The problem with it is that it’s uneven in its approach. There is a side subplot involving a budding romance with Mark Duplass’ character. I enjoyed it even though it doesn’t quite fit in the movie. It is further proof that McCarthy would be great in a smart romantic comedy. There is a sweet and natural chemistry between the two of them.

The film boasts a wonderful cast of truly talented character actors who have all dabbled in comedies and dramas. We’ve got two Oscar winners (Sarandon, Bates) and three Emmy winners (McCarthy, Collette, Janney) present. They all make the movie tolerable as I typically enjoy whatever they are working on, yet everyone seems to be wasted here. Poor Allison Janney is stuck behind a phone most of the movie checking in with McCarthy and Sarandon’s road trip. I wonder if they are all friends of McCarthy and Falcone who decided to do them a favor by being in the movie. I know Sarandon has appeared on McCarthy’s TV show, Mike and Molly. With McCarthy, Janney, and Sarandon playing three different generations, you have to get over their lack of an age difference very early on. In case you were curious, there is only a twenty-four year age gap between McCarthy and Sarandon. According to IMDb, Shirley MacLaine was originally cast as the grandma but had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts. With Sarandon doing another road trip style movie, this made me want to go back and watch Thelma & Louise again.

I haven’t given up on McCarthy yet like I have done in the past with Will Ferrell, Jack Black, and Adam Sandler. I just think it’s time to retire this character type that she has gotten herself stuck into playing over and over. She is clearly far superior than this material. Since it has been in the works for years, I do wonder if she wrote this movie before she got into this rut. Maybe it would have played better if it had been released years ago.

Is It Worth Your Trip to the Movies? The movie has a couple of laughs, but they were already shown in the trailer. The movie is not nearly as funny as it could have been knowing how funny McCarthy can be.

RATING: 2 out of 5 TICKET STUBS

Movie Review: BAD WORDS

BAD WORDS
Director: Jason Bateman
Starring: Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Allison Janney, Rohan Chand, Phillip Baker Hall, Ben Falcone

I sometimes wonder what drives actors and directors to certain projects. I then wonder if I'm maybe missing something. Am I in a bad mood? Why am I not laughing? Such is the case when it came to Bad Words. Jason Bateman is one of those child stars that actually transitioned pretty well into working as an adult in the business. He will always be Michael Bluth to me after his four seasons on "Arrested Development". For his big screen directorial debut, he chose this script from beginner screenwriter Andrew Dodge. I really would like to know why. Not only does Bateman direct the film, but he stars as the main character, Guy Trilby.

Guy never graduated from the eighth grade and uses that as he way into competing in national children's spelling bees. He finds that loophole in the rules and milks it for some unknown reason. He ends up winning some competitions and gets himself entered into The Golden Quill, a legendary and prestigious tournament that is now being broadcast for the first time. His media sponsor Jenny Widgeon (Hahn) is forced to tag along as part of some other rule where the students or random adult need a sponsor to enter.

Rumors of Guy and his reputation spread to those involved with the competition where protests and arguments ensue against the president of the tournament (Janney) for allowing him to enter. Even the hotel gets word of Guy's antics and pays him back by making him stay in the custodian's closet. The tournament continues with Guy participating despite the hatred from everyone else involved. Guy aces through ever word he is given. At the same time, he will go to extremely stupid lengths to humiliate the other contestants into getting eliminated. The only kid that seems unphased by Guy is ten-year-old Chaitanya Chopra (Chand). He follows Guy all over the hotel insisting they become friends. Guy eventually relents and takes Chaitanya on many inappropriate, dangerous, and immature little nightly trips.

If you think it sounds like a dumb premise, you are pretty accurate in your assessment. I know some people were laughing throughout the film, but the Allison Janney scenes were the only moments I found myself laughing at throughout the eighty minute movie. The majority of the comedy comes from Guy's humiliation of the kids and his actions towards turning Chaitanya into a man. Of course there are plenty of insults and slurs along the way toward Chaitanya's nationality, "Slumdog" being one of them. We have seen these types of comedies before where the main character is this deplorable human or some old curmudgeon. Those films have been funny as it can be funny watching someone be a grump. Bateman's character seems so lonely, bitter, and angry and it's all directed toward these innocent and smart kids. I just don't find that type of humor funny. Maybe I was remembering my days when I was a child who got teased from time to time. We do find out late in the movie what his motivation is but it comes far too late and isn't strong enough to support his actions.

With such a funny cast, I really wanted this to work. Allison Janney and Kathryn Hahn are always fantastic in supporting roles. Unfortunately, Hahn has such a weird role here that her comedic talents are just wasted. Phillip Baker Hall and Ben Falcone play the spelling bee announcers. If you saw Lone Survivor (which you should have!), you may recognize Rohan Chand. He is cute, likeable, and has this nice innocent quality that is a nice juxtaposition to Bateman. I thought there would be a clever little twist or witty banter, but Dodge's script is amateurish at best. It tries to have some poignant moments, but it just falls flat. The "humor" stemming from the kid's humiliation is just crass and crude. I'm not trying to claim I only like clean comedy. I love a good raunchy flick, but it just doesn't work here. I really like Jason Bateman, but I just don't understand what drew him to this movie.

Is it worth your trip to the movies? No, don't waste your time unless you want something to add to your worst of the year list.

RATING: 1 out of 5 Ticket Stubs

Movie Review: ENOUGH SAID

ENOUGH SAID
Director: Nicole Holofcener
Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Toni Collette, Catherine Keener, Ben Falcone

So what happens when two iconic Emmy winning actors from two of my favorite television shows do a movie together? They prove, yet again, that they are more than just Tony Soprano and Elaine Benes. Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Eva, a divorced single mother working as a masseuse and looking for more in life. Her daughter is heading off to college soon, and she is determined to soak in as much mother-daughter time as she can. She attends a party with her friends Sarah (Collette) and Will (Falcone) and awkwardly mingles with the other guests and passes out her business cards hoping for new clients. She meets Marianne (Keener), an earthy hipster poet that actually calls her back for an appointment. Eva is quite impressed as most people just take her card to be nice and never use it. They form a quick bond over being divorcees with daughters. Marianne has the gorgeous home and lifestyle Eva wishes she had. Their massage sessions turn a bit therapeutic and personal for Marianne as she continually opens up about her awful ex-husband.

At the same party, Eva is introduced to Albert (Gandolfini), another divorcee whose daughter is college bound. He is sweet, tender, funny, and the sparks ignite between the two of them. They may seem like an unlikely pair, but as they continue to see each other, they realize they may just be what each other needs in life. Eva's new found friendship in Marianne and romance with Albert is put to the test as she puts the pieces together that her new boyfriend is the awful ex-husband Marianne keeps nagging about in their sessions.

Of course there has to be some sort of snag. That's what makes this movie all the more realistic. Life always has to throw in those curve balls right when you think it is on the up and up. Director/writer Nicole Holofcener has created a mature smart romantic dramedy that feels far more accurate and true to life than many of those sophomoric and idiotic rom-coms that clutter the theaters. Take the first date between Albert and Eva as an example; it has that first date feel full of awkward moments, interesting dialogue, and some funny banter. There are these road blocks and personality traits that test the compatibility of the couple that ring very true to life. I feel like we do not see enough of these types of stories where the characters are set in their ways but are trying to find love again. There is an interesting commentary on divorce and how one person’s personality traits and ticks may bother one person but another person may find them redeeming. The character of Marianne is so adamant in her thoughts about Albert, but that doesn’t mean he is a terrible person or that it is wrong for Eva to be attracted to him.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus primarily works on the small screen, so it is such a treat to see her take on this character. I wish she would take on more film work in between her seasons of HBO’s “Veep”. She is truly one of the best comediennes working today. This is more of a dramatic role than say Elaine Benes, Christine Campbell, or Selina Meyer. Have no fear as she still infuses the role with her style of comedy by finding the humor in those awkward moments that she is so perfect at delivering. She has that infectious laughter that is always so believable. The chemistry between her and Gandolfini works so well, that I often wondered if she was laughing as the character or laughing at Gandolfini working his magic and charm. Maybe a little of both. It is such a shame that Gandolfini is no longer with us. He was so unbelievably talented. To many people he will always be known as Tony Soprano. Enough Said was a great platform for him to show off just how great he was at playing someone that showed off his warm and gentle side, which often goes unnoticed.

Enough Said is a gem of a movie that has gained a small audience but deserves much more. This is one of those movies that could get lost in the shuffle, but to see these two actors work so well together is such a treat. Plus, they are joined by Toni Collette and Catherine Keener who are delightful as always. If you want a romantic comedy that you can actually relate to and understand where these characters are coming from, do try to catch the latest from indie director Nicole Holofcener.

RATING: **** (4 out of 5 stars)

Movie Review: WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING
Director: Kirk Jones
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Ben Falcone, Anna Kendrick, Chace Crawford

Big stars come out yet again for another ensemble romantic comedy. What to Expect When You're Expecting follows five different couples on their way to having a child and making their lives complete. Some are planned while others are by accident. Let’s take a closer look at who they all are. Wendy (Banks) and Gary (Falcone) are finally pregnant after several years of careful planning. Wendy is the kind of woman that yearns to be a mother. She is a published author of a kid’s book and runs a store devoted to expecting mothers. Gary's dad Ramsey (Dennis Quaid) is a retired race car driver who is married and expecting with his wife (Brooklyn Decker) who is younger than Gary. Jules (Diaz) is a trainer on a "Biggest Loser" type show. After she starts dating her dance partner (Matthew Morrison) from when she appeared on a "Dancing with the Stars" type show, they find out they are pregnant. Holly (Lopez) is a struggling photographer who is adopting an Ethiopian baby with her husband (Rodrigo Santoro). Last but not least, there are two Food Truck cooks (Kendrick and Crawford) who knew each other in high school and get knocked up after a one night fling. Each couple struggles through the trials and tribulations of what it means to be an expecting couple. How does it change your life, job, and relationships?

Elizabeth Banks and Ben Falcone play the couple that has tried for years to get pregnant, but it never worked until now. Banks gives another funny heartwarming performance that easily makes her the best actress in the movie. Through the emotional and physically aspects of her character’s pregnancy, she makes the role realistic and believable. The story line between Anna Kendrick and Chace Crawford really worked for me as well. It takes some interesting turns that I didn’t always see coming which I found refreshing. Their story probably has the least amount of screen time, which is unfortunate as the two actors know what to do and how to play their characters without going over the top and making it a shtick. Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz seem to be in the wrong roles. I think I would have believed Diaz as the struggling photographer over Lopez. On the other side, Lopez could have been the fitness host who is dating a dancer. Chris Rock has a minor role as the head of a group of dads that get together for stroller walks around the park. I’m not sure if he wrote his lines or if the movie was just naturally funnier when he was onscreen.

I feel like the audience probably knows what to expect going to a movie called What To Expect When You're Expecting. Like Love, Actually and Valentine's Day before it, we have another ensemble romantic comedy with a big cast of actors each playing smaller characters that weave together in the third act. Unfortunately this movie is more on par with Valentine’s Day than Love, Actually. The script is loosely inspired by the self-help books by Heidi Murkoff. Movies like this are tricky because they are hard to write and successfully tell all of the stories. The positive aspect of having many stories is that you can have various perspectives of mothers going in from different backgrounds and ways of having children. It can appeal to many soon-to-be moms that are in the target audience range. The negative aspect can be that there are too many story lines leaving the scenes short and choppy trying to fit them all in. I didn't care for every story line. I would rather have had two or three different couples written more fully then five couples loosely thrown together. The middle of the movie seems to go astray at times, but the ending really brings it all home. I found myself really caring about the characters more than I expected to throughout the movie. There are some really tender and sweet moments to cherish.

RATING: ** 1/2 (2.5 out of 5 stars)