Movie Review: ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES

ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES
Director: Adam McKay
Starring: Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Christina Applegate, Kristen Wiig, Dylan Baker, Greg Kinnear, Meagan Good.

The guys from the Channel 4 news team are back! It has been nearly a decade since Will Ferrell donned the mustache and fabulous hair as Ron Burgandy. Ron and his talented wife Veronica Corningstone (Applegate) are now co-anchors together and think they are being offered a promotion to the nightly primetime slot after anchor Mack Tannen (Harrison Ford cameo!) calls them into his office. The news does not quite go to plan as Veronica gets the promotion and Ron gets fired. By the hammer of Thor, no one fires Ron Burgandy! Ron does not take the news lightly as he is furious with Veronica and leaves her and their son, Walter, behind and heads back to San Diego.

Months pass and Ron is depressed and drowning himself in scotchy scotch scotch. He is approached by Freddie Sharp (Baker) of GNN, Global News Network about a new opportunity to be a part of the first 24-hour news station. He comes aboard and gathers his old crew of sports guy Champ Kind (Koechner), field reporter Brian Fantana (Rudd), and meteorologist Brick Tamland (Carell). Things do not look so bright once they hit headquarters and find out they have been given the graveyard shift time slot while their rival Jack Lime (Marsden) gets the primetime slot.

I will admit here that Anchorman and Elf are the only two Will Ferrell movies that I find are laugh out loud funny upon multiple viewings. On the contrary, I think Step Brothers is one of the dumbest movies ever made. I was so happy when news broke that Ferrell and co-creator Adam McKay would finally write a sequel to their smash hit. Comedy sequels are very hard to do well. They are rarely funnier than the first as the jokes get recycled and the laughs seem forced. The actors seem dull and bored and are only doing it for the easy paycheck. I thought that if any recent comedy could have a successful sequel, it would be Anchorman.

Why why why was I so disappointed? For one thing, the film is way too long. Even though the runtime is only two hours, it still feels long. I think McKay and Ferrell knew the audience would eat up anything they wrote without editing it down or realizing the pacing of many of the scenes. It feels over-stuffed and over-crowded with material that does not always work or works only for a bit. The whole idea behind Ron gathering the old gang takes way too long. Couldn’t we have just done a quick montage or something? Steve Carell’s Brick is expanded into a bigger role and actually given a subplot where he falls in love with the female version of Brick in fellow co-worker Chani (Wiig). I love Wiig and Carell, but all of that is so unnecessary. Part of what makes Brick funny is that he is quieter and the opposite in tone to Ron. The infamous quote “I love lamp” is perfect as it is a short random one-liner. That is what makes Brick funny. Giving him longer lines and a love interest loses the charm and innocence with the character. Brick and Chani just turn annoying after a few minutes. I think the overall story itself would have been fine if it was kept between Ron and the crew versus the Jack Lime character. It could have been simple but funny. Ferrell and McKay added in a boyfriend (Kinnear) for Veronica and a new boss (Good) for Ron to have anger towards. Giving attention to all of these people just makes the film feel bloated. There are some good laughs to be had here and there, but it is not consistent like it was in the first film. We do get treated to another brawl involving all of the local news teams, which is the high point of the film. That whole bit is chock full of celeb cameos.

I really wanted to like this movie. I wanted Ferrell and McKay to prove that comedy sequels can be successful. The first film felt smart and fresh. Here the laughs just seem stupid and cheap. I do not think my sense of humor has changed as I still find the first one hysterical no matter how many times I watch it. Frankly, I expected a lot more out of it. Maybe I was asking too much for an Anchorman sequel. We basically had a private screening of the film when we saw it as the other group behind us left halfway through. Would I have laughed more if it was a full house laughing their asses off? Maybe. A good comedy should be funny regardless of it is one person watching it alone or hundred people watching it together.

RATING: ** (2 out of 5 stars)

"Halloween" Retrospective: HALLOWEEN: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS

HALLOWEEN: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS (1995)
Director: Joe Chapelle
Starring: Donald Pleasence, Paul Rudd, Marianne Hagan, Bradford English, Mitchell Ryan, J.C. Brandy, George P. Wilbur

Michael Myers and his niece Jamie Lloyd (now played by J.C. Brandy) have disappeared after the events that ended the fifth film. She has been captured and impregnated by the Man in the Black and is being kept underground in his cultish layer. After giving birth, the baby is marked with the Thorn symbol that Michael and the Man in Black had on them. She is able to escape with her baby, and calls in to the radio station to get word out that Michael is still around. A retired Dr. Loomis (Pleasence) and Tommy Doyle (now played by Paul Rudd) hear her plea and know he is still out there. Tommy was the child Laurie Strode was babysitting in the first one. He is now living in a boarding house in Haddonfield and is obsessed with finding Michael. His bedroom walls are covered in newspaper clippings relating to all things about Michael’s reign of terror. Michael kills Jamie once and for all but her baby was kept hidden.

Relatives of Laurie are now living in the old Myers house. Dr. Loomis heads back to Haddonfield to warn the Strodes that he may be back looking for the baby. The eldest daughter Kara (Hagan) is now living back at the house with her parents and six year old son Danny. Danny seems to have a sixth sense about Michael and the curse of Thorn. Tommy informs Kara about the history of the Myers house and how he believes Michael’s spree of terror is all linked to the curse of Thorn, which is why he is back again tonight.

How does the Strode family not know the history of the house? Kara’s dad seems to be the only one who knows as his brother was Laurie’s dad who sold him the house, but none of the rest of the family are aware of the history. They all live in the Myers house and are relative of Laurie Strode, yet no neighbor or someone from the Haddonfield community never made reference to those tragic events all these years ago. I find that hard to believe.

The film delves deep into the history of the curse of Thorn and gives more insight into how the Man in Black is involved. We got introduced to this concept in the fifth film, but it was never fully explained. I understand the idea of taking the story in a new direction to keep the franchise going, but I have never been a fan of the Thorn/Man in Black/cult aspect to the history of Michael Myers.

The film brings back some familiar faces and characters. George P. Wilbur who played Michael in the fourth film is back to play him again. He is the only actor to play him twice which is unfortunate as he is also my least favorite actor to play him. This film also marks the last appearance of Donald Pleasence as Dr. Sam Loomis. He died shortly after principal photography wrapped. Even though the credits state “Introducing Paul Stephen Rudd”, this was his second movie he appeared in. Clueless was released earlier in 1995. He takes over the role of Tommy Doyle who was played Brian Andrews in the original movie. Danielle Harris decided to turn down the chance to appear as Jamie Lloyd again. Apparently, there was a money dispute.

The film is just a mess overall. It is widely known that there are various versions of the movie floating around. Most notable is a "Producer's Cut" that is quite different than the theatrical cut and includes an alternate ending. That version is not available commercially, but recently there was a screening of it held in Los Angeles that received a positive response. I would love to see it some day, so I hope it gets a blu-ray release. I originally regarded Halloween III: Season of the Witch as the worst of the the series, but even Paul Rudd can't save this dreck.

RATING: * (1 out of 5 stars)

My Ranking of the Franchise
1. HALLOWEEN (1978)
2. HALLOWEEN II (1981)
3. HALLOWEEN 5: THE REVENGE OF MICHAEL MYERS (1989)
4. HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS (1988)
5. HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH (1982)
6. HALLOWEEN: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS (1995)

Movie Trailer: ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES

ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES
Director: Adam McKay
Starring: Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Christina Applegate, Vince Vaughn, Harrison Ford, Kristen Wiig

The Channel 4 news team is back! After nine years, the whole gang is back together and I couldn't be happier! Ron Burgandy is by far my favorite Will Ferrell character. Many times sequels are made to high grossing comedies and they just bomb. They recycle jokes and the script always seems to be rushed. I am glad McKay and Ferrell took their time to make sure they had the right story to make it work. The first film has a huge following so I think they knew they had to get it right to appease the fans.

With the original news team brings a slew of new cast mates including James Marsden, Harrison Ford, and the hilarious Kristen Wiig who seems to be the perfect counterpart to Steve Carell's Brick Tambland. According to IMDB and Wikipedia, there are a slew of cameo appearances from: Sacha Baron Coen, Nicole Kidman, Tina Fey, Jim Carrey, and Liam Neeson.

I'll be there opening weekend, will you?

RELEASE DATE: December 20, 2013

Movie Review: ADMISSION

ADMISSION
Director: Paul Weitz
Starring: Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Lily Tomlin, Wallace Shawn, Gloria Reuben, Michael Sheen



"Just be yourself" seems to be the motto of Portia Nathan (Fey). Portia is an admissions officer at Princeton University and that is her pitch and words of advice to all of the incoming prospects who are desperate to get in. Portia's life seems to be a bit in shambles. Her boyfriend, Mark (Sheen), has left her with no notice for a snooty Virginia Woolf scholar. She is battling her coworker (Reuben) for a promotion after her boss (Shawn) announces his pending retirement. On top of that, her relationship with her mother, Susannah (Tomlin), is not the greatest.



During one of her recruiting trips, she pays a visit to New Quest School. New Quest is pretty non-traditional in every sense of the word. It seems to be in the middle of the woods like a summer camp. There should be no surprise when the GPS in Portia's car loses signal before she arrives on site. There she reconnects with John Pressman (Rudd) a former classmate who now runs New Quest. He presents to her Jeremiah, one of his most gift students who would like to attend Princeton. John believes that Jeremiah may be the child that Portia had in school but gave up for adoption.



Does the story seem kind of ho-hum so far? Admission is another example of the kind of movie where the actors make the movie what it is and are the only reason to see it. There is really nothing all that special about the story. The plot is weak and wanders all around the troubles of Portia's life. When you think of Fey and Rudd, you expect lots of quirky moments and good laughs along the way. The script is not all that funny. I was surprised to find it to be more of a dramedy that your standard witty comedy those two are typically associated with doing. I have been a fan of both of them for years and years and applaud them for trying something a little different. It may surprise you to find out that this is their first project together. They are both strong enough actors and have great chemistry together that they keep you moderately interested despite the many flaws with the film. Tomlin and Shawn are comedic veterans so it is always a treat seeing them on screen. If you are a fan of Fey, Rudd, or Tomlin you will enjoy the movie but do not be surprised if you come out wanting more.

RATING: *** (3 out of 5 stars)

Movie Review: THIS IS 40

THIS IS 40
Director/Writer: Judd Apatow
Starring: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Megan Fox, Albert Brooks, John Lithgow, Chris Dowd

I will take a Paul Rudd movie any day of the week, especially in a script by David Wain or Judd Apatow. This is 40 is a sort of-sequel to Apatow's previous movie, Knocked Up. Rudd and Leslie Mann revisit those characters as the story centers on their marriage this time around. Debbie (Mann) is celebrating her 40th birthday but she really is pretending it is her 38th birthday. She struggles with this concept and refuses to start feeling older or doing things that older women do like shopping at Ann Taylor Loft. Pete (Rudd) is also turning 40 that week but does not seem to care in the slightest bit. The upcoming birthday party is ONLY for him and not the both of them.

They do not have a perfect marriage, but I would not consider it a miserable or bad marriage. The looming idea of being 40 really brings out their troubled areas to Debbie and Pete. Their daughters Sadie and Charlotte (Iris and Maude Apatow, real life daughters of Mann and Apatow) continually bicker and fight. Sadie is obsessed with her electronic devices and watching "Lost". Charlotte is the little sister that likes to antagonize the older one. Debbie runs a little boutique but has troubles addressing sexy coworker Desi (Fox) regarding a huge chunk of change that has gone missing. Pete started his own record label but is struggling to bring in revenue. His only hope is to sign on aging rocker Graham Parker and his band for a reunion CD and concert appearance. Pete is less than honest with Debbie about their mortgage payments and the lack of money coming in.

Let us not forget about the father figures who deepen the issues between the two of them. Pete's dad Larry (Brooks) continues to borrow money even though Pete told Debbie he had put an end to it. Larry's debt to Pete sits at $80,000 despite being remarried himself with three sons all young enough to be his grandchildren. Debbie's dad Oliver (Lithgow) is all of a sudden in the picture despite having been absent most of her life. He is also remarried with much younger children.

Pete and Debbie go back and forth on loving each other and being completely sick of each other. This struggle provides a great honesty and range with the emotional pull between the couple. The film may have its gross-out raunchy humor and gags, but there are plenty of serious heartfelt moments to elevate it over your standard dumbed down bathroom humor flick. I will take this kind of "dramedy" over some lame-brain Adam Sandler flick any day. Even if you haven't been in the same shoes and predicaments as Pete and Debbie, the honesty between the two will still ring true to a relationship in your life whoever it may be with.

This is the fourth feature written and directed by Judd Apatow. It is certainly his most personal and mature film to date. Apatow and Mann have said that about a third of the movie is based on their real life marriage. Apatow knows how to write for Rudd and Mann. They are hysterically funny one moment and painfully biting when they are throwing verbal jabs at each other. Their supporting company of actors especially Brooks and Lithgow are given their moments to shine as well. Apatow has been known for making many of his movies longer than they really need to be. Do not even get me started on the painfully abysmal Funny People which was the movie he made before This is 40. Talk about a movie that was not funny for the entire two and a half hour run time. This is 40 stays pretty on target and does not suffer fatigue. The party scene could be shortened and tightened, but that is the only moment I felt the pace dip. Make sure to stay during the final credits for an outtake reel showing off Melissa McCarthy. She just lets loose and riffs making it one of the funniest moments of the entire movie.

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

Movie Review: THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
Writer/Director: Stephen Chbosky
Starring: Ezra Miller, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Mae Whitman, Paul Rudd, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Nina Dobrev

Charlie (Lerman) is only a freshman and he has already had a life most high schoolers have not experienced. On the outside, he seems to come from a traditional family with normal parents (Walsh and McDermott), his older sister Candace (Dobrev) who is a senior, and an older brother who is off in college. On the inside, he believes his parents do not understand him, his one and only friend has recently committed suicide, and he is continually flooded by memories of his Aunt Helen (Melanie Lynskey). He has also spent time in a treatment facility for mental illness. His only way of dealing with his troubles is by writing letters to an anonymous "Dear Friend".

For a student like Charlie, his first day of freshman year is awkward and frustrating. He wants to lay low and blend in, but all the while he feels like he stands out for being the crazy one. In his English class, he knows all the right answers but won't participate. Mr. Anderson (Rudd) sees the spark in his eye and pulls him aside after class. A connection is formed between the two, even though Charlie is apprehensive about having his English teacher be his one and only friend. At lunch he gets rejected to sit with any groups, even the table with his sister. He meets seniors Patrick (Miller) and his half sister Sam (Watson) and they seem to be the only ones to accept him. Patrick is an extroverted out gay man who is not afraid to be who is he is despite what his fellow classmates think about him. Sam is another outsider even though she is sweet, fun, and has great taste in music.

The rest of freshman year seems to treat Charlie fairly well. He starts to feel more comfortable with himself thanks to being welcomed by Patrick, Sam, and the rest of their clan. They form a tight bond and keep each other sane and grounded. They participate in live action midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, exchange Secret Santa gifts, drink, experiment with pot, and have mindless games of Truth or Dare. Charlie continues to be challenged by Mr. Anderson as he exchanges books with him opening his mind to the likes of "Walden","The Catcher in the Rye", and "The Great Gatsby". Even with all the good around him, Charlie cannot fully escape the past as memories of Aunt Helen still linger and sit with him.

It may seem like your standard teen flick, but rest assured there is so much more behind it. This is not a story about angst-filled, whiny teens complaining about their lives. There is a depth and honesty to it that we don't always see with these types of movies or television shows on the CW. Chbosky has written and directed the movie based on his own book. Rarely do we see an author write and direct a film adaptation of one of their works. The script is full of sharp dialogue and witty humor perfectly matching the tone and mood of each of the characters. Many of your standard teen sagas can often seem trite and boring with unbelievable characters. They are either too rich, too smart, or too dumb for their own good. Chbosky's characters feel like they are real people. They feel like friends I had in high school. With great characters comes great performances. Ezra Miller gives Patrick a good mix of exuberance and flamboyancy without feeling like your typical gay movie teen. He is proving to be a stellar young actor with this and his phenomenal portrayal as the title character in last year's We Need to Talk About Kevin. The Perks of Being a Wallflower may not be everyone's type of movie but it definitely had a lasting impression on me. If you have ever felt like a wallflower yourself, I think you will feel touched as well. It is one of my favorite movies of the year so far.

RATING: **** 1/2 (4.5 out of 5 stars)

Movie Trailer: THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Starring: Ezra Miller, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Paul Rudd

Every time I watch this trailer, a huge grin comes across myself. Chbosky directed this film based off the novel he wrote. I cannot wait for it to come out, and I predict I will love it. I am going to be so bold as to say it will be in my top 5 of the year.

In case you are wondering this song used is called "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons

Begins exclusive engagment on 9/21