Life of the Party (2018)

I really like Melissa McCarthy. She is funny and has pretty good acting skills, which is why, in spite of the low rating on IMDb, I still decided to check out Life of the Party. And it's one of those decisions I immediately regretted. 

The film follows Deanna Miles (Melissa McCarthy), a dedicated housewife who sees her life turned upside down when her husband (Matt Walsh) suddenly dumps her for another woman (Julie Bowen). She never graduated as she dropped out of her last year of college when she got pregnant, so she decides to go back to college, in the same school as her daughter (Molly Gordon), who, of course, is humiliated at the thought of her mother trying to live the college life. 

Girls Trip (2017)

There's nothing worst than laughless comedies. I mean, sitting through a movie that is supposed to be funny and laughing not even once, who would enjoy that? Unfortunately, many if not most comedies made nowadays are like that which is why I try to stay away from them. With Malcolm D. Lee, well, it's a different story. Although I haven't seen his entire filmography, I did love his Best Man movies. They are fun, enjoyable and they have heart and such a good cast. That's why I decided to check out his latest film, Girls Trip. And you know what, more people need to see this one.

The film follows a group of friends, Ryan (Regina Hall), a self-help guru who has it all, Sasha (Queen Latifah), a celebrity gossip writer, Lisa (Jada Pinkett Smith) a loving but overprotective mother, and Dina (Tiffany Hadish), a hot-head as they reunite after 5 years and travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival to rekindle their friendship and rediscover their wild sides.

Going in Style (2017)

When three movie legends like Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin make a movie together it's very hard to pass it. It's even harder if said movie is a heist movie, a genre I love, and it's even suggested to you by someone you usually trust with movie suggestions. And it's terrible when said movie just isn't that good. Yes, I'm talking about Going in Style. 

Joe (Michael Caine), Willie (Morgan Freeman) and Al (Alan Arkin) are senior citizens and lifelong friends trying to survive with their pensions in New York. But when their pensions are cancelled, they plan to rob a bank. None of them has ever done anything criminal in their lives and to pull off the heist, they are going to need help and a lot of practice.

Zoolander 2 (2016)

Genre

Comedy

Director

Ben Stiller

Country

USA

Cast

Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Penélope Cruz, Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen, Sting, Christine Taylor, Cyrus Arnold, Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett, Nathan Lee Graham, Justin Theroux, Milla Jovovich, Jerry Stiller, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Benedict Cumberbatch, Justin Bieber, Kiefer Sutherland, Ariana Grande, John Malkovich

Storyline

Derek (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson) are lured into modeling again, in Rome, where they find themselves the target of a sinister conspiracy.

Opinion

The really, really ridiculously good looking guys are back with "Zoolander 2", this unfunny sequel that instead of being a cleverly dumb comedy like its predecessor, it's just a dumb film.

The plot is ridiculously bad. While the first film had a clear focus - Derek being brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia -, this one is a mash of disjointed stories and situations - they are looking for whoever is behind the death of several celebrities, then they are trying to find Derek's son, then they are trying to go back into the fashion industry - that are never coherent.

But this is a dumb comedy, right? Wrong. There is almost nothing funny in this film. The well-written jokes of the first film are long gone, and in this sequel the comedy can't even be defined so. In fact, the "comedy" basically relies only on celebrity cameos to make the audience laugh, and the jokes consistently miss the mark.

The characters, Derek, Hansel and Mugatu, are still the same from the first film, seriously, dumb - the first two only - and well played by the actors. Unfortunately the new characters are bad, just like everything else. As much as I loved seeing Benedict Cumberbatch in this, I found his character quite insulting towards the transgender community. I know that was supposed to make fun of the fashion industry and androgynous models but it just felt inappropriate.

The best moment of the film is when Justin Bieber dies. Unfortunately, to see him die you actually have to see his face, and dreadful acting for a minute or so, and he also is the first person appearing on screen. So, yeah, pretty bad.

Bottom line, if "Zoolander" was eau de perfume, "Zoolander 2" is eau de toilette.

The Peanuts Movie (2015)

Genre

Animation | Comedy

Director

Steve Martino

Country

USA

Voice Cast

Troy Andrews, Rebecca Bloom, Anastasia Bredikhina, Francesca Angelucci Capaldi, Kristin Chenoweth, Alex Garfin, Noah Johnston, Bill Melendez, Hadley Belle Miller, Noah Schnapp, Micah Revelli, Venus Omega, Mariel Sheets, Madisyn Shipman, A.J. Teece, Marelik Walker, William Wunsch

Storyline

Snoopy (Bill Melendez) embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch-nemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown (Noah Schnapp) begins his own epic quest back home to win the love of his life.

Opinion

Whether you are or not a fan of the Peanuts, the names Charlie Brown and Snoopy are enough to evoke an image of the kid with only a small curl of hair, and his loyal beagle. Not being a fan myself, I was reluctant to watch this film. Yet the trailer made a quite good impression on me, so I just went for it, and I was pleasingly surprised.

The Peanuts Movie is a fun, adorable computer animated film that manages to entertain all: kids, adults, and, as far as I've read, nostalgic adults. 

The story is pretty simple and a bit clichéd, but the way it is executed makes it a sweet story that engages. However, although most have liked this part the most, I've found the Snoopy sub-plot a little granted, cloying and boring. The screenplay intertwines irony, imagination, torments of childhood, and absence of adults quite well, but some gags seems a little forced.

Also, even though the film is fun to watch and delivers some simple and positive messages, the overall impression is that the film does not reach very high peaks and is more suitable for children. 

On the other hand, there is the stunning animation. The characters and the background look like they were taken straight out of the comics. The animation of the characters isn't too exaggerated, and they still move a little cartoonish, especially Snoopy. Sound words are also threw in and they are great to give the film that comic feeling. 

The characters are portrayed in their essence so that even the little ones and those who have not grown up with the Peanuts can relate to them: you will root for Charlie Brown, hate Lucy, and fall in love with cool and rebel Patty instead of the Little Red-Haired Girl.

Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

Genre

Biography | Comedy | Drama

Director

John Lee Hancock

Country

UK | Australia | USA

Cast

Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell, Ruth Wilson, Paul Giamatti, Bradley Whitford, B. J. Novak, Jason Schwartzman, Kathy Baker, Melanie Paxson, Rachel Griffiths, Ronan Vibert, Kristopher Kyer, Victoria Summer

Storyline

After 20 years, when she's financially strapped, author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) finally considers Walt Disney's (Tom Hanks) offer to make a film of her book, Mary Poppins, but won't approve unless Disney does it as she wants. So she goes to California, and while working on bringing the character of Mary Poppins to life, she starts reflecting on her childhood, upon which the book is based.

Opinion

Although this film has been on my watch-list for a while, I was reluctant because of some negative reviews I've heard and read. People complaining about Walt Disney being nothing like the man portrayed by Tom Hanks, others complaining about this being not a biopic worthy of such a man. Well, I'm not sure those people have quite understood what the film is really about.

Saving Mr. Banks actually tells the story of the making of the Mary Poppins film, and if it has to be considered a biography, it is surely not Walt Disney's but P.L. Travers's. Now, the fact that the story is more or less accurate, and that maybe there is a spoonful of sugar too much to make the film suitable for families is another thing.

Having said that, Saving Mr. Banks is a feel-good dramatic comedy, both witty and sentimental, that draws you in.

The film praises imagination and its power to help some grow, by lighting up childhood and its natural path towards adulthood. It also praises those people that, even though they have grown, are still capable of dreaming, like P.L. Travers or Walt Disney.

There are some outstanding performances too. Emma Thompson play P.L. Travers beautifully. Cold and definitely not likable in the first part (as required), she brings out all the emotions, and the serious aspects of her character. Tom Hanks does a nice job as Walt Disney and seems to be enjoying himself but this is not one of his best achievements. The supporting cast offers strong performances, especially Colin Farrell, who brings vitality and interest in the parallel story about Travers's childhood. 

Don’t you ever stop dreaming. You can be anyone you want to be. - Travers Goff

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Genre

Comedy | Crime

Director

Charles Crichton | John Cleese

Country

USA | UK

Cast

John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, Maria Aitken, Tom Georgeson, Patricia Hayes, Cynthia Cleese, Geoffrey Palmer, Roger Brierley, Llewellyn Rees, Stephen Fry, John Bird

Storyline

Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her boyfriend Otto (Kevin Kline) are in England to plot alongside George (Tom Georgeson) and Ken (Michael Palin) the robbery of a diamond collection. Since they want the stolen goods for themselves, Wanda and Otto inform the police about George, not knowing that he has already moved the diamonds to another secret place, and Wanda thinks the best way to find out is by getting close to George's lawyer, Archie Leach (John Cleese).

Opinion

Outrageously hilarious and clever, and with a solid cast, A Fish Called Wanda is a classic comedy that is the perfect mix of British and American humor.

Brilliantly written by Charles Crichton and John Cleese, the screenplay works on a lot of different levels - the heist, the romantic comedy, the eternal conflict between Brits and Americans, the hitman -, it is full of both British and American humour - so to please a bigger audience - and is enriched with ridiculous situations, misunderstandings and puns that make the film a real pleasure.

The characters are pure genius. Wanda is a sexy and seductive American who seduced men to get from them what she needs, only to backstab them in the future. Archie Leach is the well-mannered English lawyer whose marriage is in crisis, and vents his sexual desires with Wanda. Ken is a shy, stuttering hitman who is secretly in love with Wanda, and tenderly loves animals. And then there is Otto, the American with a deep aversion to the word 'stupid', an immeasurable obsession with Buddhist meditation and Nietzsche's philosophy - that doesn't even understand because too stupid - and his uncontrollable hatred towards the British.

The film is packed with exhilarating scenes, but some of the most memorable are Otto torturing Ken, ramming french fries up his nose and chomping down his beloved fishes; Archie's striptease that accidentally puts him in the situation to be naked in front of a couple and their children; Ken's revenge in the finale.

The acting is solid like a stone. John Cleese is excellent in the role of lawyer Archie Leach, Jamie Lee Curtis unleashes all her friendliness to play Wanda, Michael Palin does a great job in the role of Ken, but Kevin Kline is unarguably standing out as he rocks the show as Otto. 

Reasons you should watch and like the film in a nutshell: direction, screenplay, and performances.

Quotes

Wanda: I was dealing with something delicate, Otto. I'm setting up a guy who's incredibly important to us, who's going to tell me where the loot is and if they're going to come and arrest you. And you come loping in like Rambo without a jockstrap and you dangle him out a fifth-floor window. Now, was that smart? Was it shrewd? Was it good tactics? Or was it stupid?

Otto: Don't call me stupid.

Wanda: Oh, right! To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people! I've known sheep that could outwit you. I've worn dresses with higher IQs. But you think you're an intellectual, don't you, ape?

Otto: Apes don't read philosophy.

Wanda: Yes they do, Otto. They just don't understand it. Now let me correct you on a couple of things, OK? Aristotle was not Belgian. The central message of Buddhism is not "Every man for himself." And the London Underground is not a political movement. Those are all mistakes, Otto. I looked them up.

Unexpected (2015)

Genre

Comedy | Drama

Director

Kris Swanberg

Country

USA

Cast

Cobie Smulders, Gail Bean, Anders Holm, Elizabeth McGovern

Storyline

An inner-city high school teacher (Cobie Smulders) discovers she is pregnant at the same time as one of her most promising students (Gail Bean) and the two develop an unlikely friendship while struggling to navigate their unexpected pregnancies.

Opinion

Unexpected is a simple, yet authentic and unexpectedly beautiful film about pregnancy and friendship, and deals with some serious social issues.

With Megan Mercier and Kris Swanberg's intelligent script, and the simple, yet feeling real story, the film manages to engage the audience with the reality of pregnancy, that can be a very complicated and confusing process, and it shows this with intense emotions through the eyes of two different women in two different moments in life, a 30-year-old teacher and and 17-year-old girl. 

The film also raises some serious social issues by taking a look at socioeconomic and cultural differences, and race privilege, and also mentions the public education system of the state of Chicago, but unfortunately it doesn't explore or deepen none of the topics above mentioned.

Still the film is a good portrait of female friendship even though the relationship that develops between Samantha, the teacher, and Jasmine, the high school girl, takes some predictable turns.

Cobie Smulders probably gives the best and most genuine performance of her career as Samantha. Being pregnant herself while making this probably helped, but she is sweet and vulnerable, and she well delivers the insecurities about being a mother and the consequences it may have on one's identity. Gail Bean also delivers a solid performance as Jasmine, and she plays the role with surprisingly wisdom for her age - Hollywood should keep an eye on her. Elizabeth McGovern also gives a good performance as Samantha's mother. 

Annie (1982)

Genre

Comedy | Drama | Musical

Director

John Huston

Country

USA

Cast

Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Tim Curry, Bernadette Peters, Ann Reinking, Edward Herrmann, Geoffrey Holder, Roger Minami, Toni Ann Gisondi, Rosanne Sorrentino, Lara Berk, April Lerman, Robin Ignico, Lucie Stewart, Lois de Banzie, Peter Marshall, Irving Metzman, I. M. Hobson, Colleen Zenk Pinter, Lu Leonard, Victor Griffin, Jerome Collamore, Jon Richards

Storyline

Annie (Aileen Quinn) is a fiery young orphan girl who lives in a miserable orphanage run by the tyrannical Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett). Her seemingly hopeless situation will change when she is selected to spend a short time at the residence of billionaire industrialist Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney).

Opinion

I didn't grew up watching Annie, and I've never seen the popular Broadway play. This film has been my very first approach to this world, and if the stage play is anything like this film, I really don't get what made the musical a classic. 

Annie does have few good musical numbers, but isn't much engaging, lacks comedy, and feels rather wooden.

The main problem here is the plot. Besides the fact that the course of events is very predictable, it is when the story turns into a search for Annie's real parents followed by a kidnapping that the film really hits the bottom.

The characters look fake and cartoonish, and some of them are almost pointless. I don't know what was Punjab's role in the comic strip, but he hasn't any reason to be in this film.

Also there are several things in the film that, in my opinion, are not very appropriate for a family movie. I don't get why Miss Hannigan is transformed into an alcoholic vamp - I read she wasn't like that in Broadway's version, and orphans and maids showing their underwear during musical numbers may please fathers, and perverts but are not family material.

As for the acting, Aileen Quinn is dreadful to watch, her reactions seem prompted by someone out of the camera range, and she doesn't look like an orphan of the 1930's, but like a sitcom orphan. Albert Finney is completely wasted in this film. Ann Reinking seems too cold, and you can't feel the maternal warmth she is supposed to deliver. Carol Burnett is a huge disappointment. 

Adaptation. (2002)

Genre

Comedy | Drama

Director

Spike Jonze

Country

USA

Cast

Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Cara Seymour, Brian Cox, Tilda Swinton, Ron Livingston, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Judy Greer, Bob Yerkes, Jim Beaver

Storyline

Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) has just taken on a new assignment: to adapt Susan Orlean's (Meryl Streep) non-fiction book The Orchid Thief, which is the story of John Laroche (Chris Cooper), a plant dealer who clones rare orchids then sells them to collectors. While his easygoing twin brother Donald (Nicolas Cage), is writing scripts with ease, Charlie finds himself on a perpetual struggle that never seems to end.

Opinion

Needless to say is that the screenplay plays a major role in the making of a film. But when it comes to creative genius Charlie Kaufman is fundamental to give him most of the credits for the success of the film.

Delightfully bizarre, funny, unique, and well paced, Adaptation. is one of the most intelligent and original films I've ever seen.

Kaufman seems to the best master of destroying the line between reality and fiction - as seen in Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The story sounds kind of crazy - I mean, a writer trying to adapt a book for a screenplay, not succeeding, yet writing a screenplay about his inability to adapt the damn book - but it's pure genius. Equally brilliant is Charlie Kaufman's idea of creating an imaginary twin brother, Donald, that helped both fictional Kaufman, and real like Kaufman writing the screenplay. Also, not only Donald Kaufman is credited as co-writer, but he also got a real Oscar nomination. Isn't that even crazier?

The story revolves around four main characters, seemingly very different from each other, but they can be basically divided into two contrasting groups. Charlie and Susan, both boring and neurotic characters, find balance with Donald and John, both funny and interesting characters.

In his second collaboration with Kaufman, director Spike Jonze, who seems to have left the puppets' wires to Kaufman - see what I did there? -, does a good job, still the direction is outshined by the story.

The acting is surprisingly good, and you know who I'm talking about. Despite the lack of facial expressions, Nicolas Cage brilliantly plays both of the Kaufman brothers, and easily separates them in his portrayal. He has a consistent depressed manner as Charlie, the less confidant and more withdrawn, and he is consistently funny as Donald, the more outgoing and relaxed brother. Meryl Streep is equally excellent as Susan Orlean, the New Yorker journalist that want to understand what it feels like to be passionate about something. Chris Cooper does a wonderful job as John, the Orchid Thief, and brings humanity to the role.

Quotes

Donald Kaufman: You are what you love, not what loves you.

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Genre

Comedy | Music

Director

Elizabeth Banks

Country

USA

Cast

Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean, Chrissie Fit, Kelley Jakle, Shelley Regner, Skylar Astin, Adam DeVine, Katey Sagal, Anna Camp, Ben Platt, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, Flula Borg, Reggie Watts, John Hodgman, Jason Jones, Joe Lo Truglio, John Michael Higgins, Elizabeth Banks, Snoop Dogg, David Cross, Keegan-Michael Key, Shawn Carter Peterson

Storyline

After a humiliating command performance at The Kennedy Center in front of the President, the Barden Bellas are taken out of the Aca-Circuit. In order to clear their name and regain their status, the Bellas take on a seemingly impossible task: winning the World Championship, the competition no American team has ever won.

Opinion

Hollywood loves two things: money and pointless sequels and remakes. So what a better way than making a sequel to such a successful film like Pitch Perfect to make people pay to watch crap?

Disappointing on so many levels, Pitch Perfect 2 is an unfunny, boring and highly offensive comedy.

The plot is so predictable, hopeless, and lame, it's an insult to the audience's intelligence, and the hundreds of sub plots are completely pointless and go nowhere. Beca's job at the recording studio, for example, just fills some time, and ends with her boss saying I like your stuff but basically every single teenager with a computer can do that nowadays, so you are not that special. Also the Benji and Emily's romance is completely nonsense.

I don't even know why I'm trying to give a meaning to this, but how is the original song supposed to make them win the World Championship? If I don't go wrong, a cappella's only do cover, at least that's what they say in the film. And the Germans, Das Sound Machine, were way better than the Bellas.

The characters are even worse. Fat Amy basically takes over, and Beca is downgraded to supporting character. Emily, the new Bella, has no reason to exist, and what did they do to Bumper? How did the arrogant jerk become a love puppy dog?

When it comes to offensive humour and jokes, this film somehow manages to be even worse than its predecessor. The racist stereotypes are extended to Hispanics, with new entry Flo, whose jokes about her homeland make you feel sick. Homophobic, and fatphobic like the first installment, this film is also misogynist: sexist comments are all over the place.

The most disappointing thing is that this film was directed by Elizabeth Banks, a woman, and written by Kay Cannon, another woman, yet the dancing is a lot more sexualised, and there are pointless slow-motion sequences of the girls pillow fighting, and like Anna Kendrick says in the film, this sets women back like 30 years.

Anna Kendrick looks like she'd rather be somewhere else - but we can't blame her, can we? - and Rebel Wilson is trying to hard the fat girls have fun formula. I am sorry, only Melissa McCarthy is entitled to use that.

I wonder what did Obama do wrong to be in this film.

Unfinished Business (2015)

Genre

Comedy

Director

Ken Scott

Country

USA

Cast

Vince Vaughn, Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco, Sienna Miller, June Diane Raphael, Ella Anderson, Britton Sear, James Marsden, Nick Frost

Storyline

Hard-working small business owner Dan Trunkman (Vince Vaughn) and his two associate, Tim McWinters (Tom Wilkinson) and Mike Pancake (Dave Franco), travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. But what began as a routine business trip goes off the rails in every way imaginable - and unimaginable.

Opinion

Given the awful reviews all over the internet, I wasn't expecting much from this film, but I was pleasantly surprised at how good this film actually was. Okay, maybe I'm being too generous.

Suffering from a poorly written script, Unfinished Business does have its moments, but the humour is not always on point.

The plot is always the same trite, seen thousands of times, and totally lacking in originality - it's like The Hangover met Eurotrip -, yet the film manages to entertain a little - or not bore, which suits better in this case - through the misfortunes affecting the three main characters.

Like most comedies these days, the film does not spare vulgarity. On one hand the language is a bit more chaste than usual, but on the other hand the film "recovers" with sex and nudity scenes. 

Writer Steve Conrad, the same guy who wrote The Pursuit of Happiness, should probably work on more serious projects, as he appears to be awkward when it comes to writing comedies. When watching this film it comes to the attention that he is not able to write jokes. Vince Vaughn running in a woman's jogging clothes will never be funny, nor will be laughing at someone just because of his last name.

Also, the subplot with Vaughn's family is unnecessary since it's not properly developed, and shouldn't have been included because it feels completely out of place in such a film.

However, the performances are able to increase the level of the film. Just a little bit. Vince Vaughn does a good job, but he once again plays that character he does in every film he does. Tom Wilkinson's talent is definitely wasted here, but he give a solid support to Vaughn. Dave Franco really impressed me. I, like everyone else, am used to see Franco playing this pretty douchebags with egos bigger than Kim Kardashian's butt, and finally seeing him in a different role, playing an awkward, shy and mentally challenged guy was pleasing.

I have a question for my American readers. Why do you guys always portray Europeans as sex freaks?

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Genre

Comedy | Music | Romance

Director

Jason Moore

Country

USA

Cast

Anna Kendrick, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Ester Dean, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Kelley Alice Jakle, Shelley Regner, Wanetah Walmsley, Skylar Astin, Ben Platt, Adam DeVine, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Michael Viruet, David Del Rio, Gregory Gorenc, Wes Lagarde, Steven Bailey, Brian Silver, Michael Anaya, Nicole Lovince, Caroline Fourmy, Freddie Stroma, Jinhee Joung, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, John Michael Higgins, Elizabeth Banks, John Benjamin Hickey

Storyline

After a disastrous failing at last year’s finals, the Barden Bellas, an all-girls a cappella singing group, are forced to regroup. Among the new recruits is freshman Beca (Anna Kendrick), an independent, aspiring DJ with no interest in the college life. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition.

Opinion

Did you know that in Italian “cappella” also means making a huge mistake? Probably the people who made this film knew it, because it’s aca-awful. Anything but perfect, Pitch Perfect is just another teen movie that seems made out of weaker Glee episodes.

The storyline can be summarized in a word: predictable. Everything goes exactly as somebody with a functioning brain would think. The jokes, revolving around Jewish, menstrual cycle, penetration, and eating a twin in the womb – creepy, right? -, are not funny at all. 

The characters aren’t that good themselves. Beca is an arrogant brat that hates to go to college and be with people. Perfect setup for character development, right? No! After apologizing for being herself, she a social butterfly. Jesse is the clichéd love interest of every single teen rom-com. The other secondary characters are unlikable and annoying, with the exception of Fat Amy because she is funny. Pardon, she will slightly make you chuckle.

More shamefully is that the film constantly offended people, being racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic. It is disrespectful towards Asians. The two Asian character are simply awful. One is a racist, rude bitch; the other is a crazy pyromaniac who enjoys rolling in vomit. It literally gives no shit about the black girl. After the moment of confession, when she opens up, and talks about her gambling problem, everyone is still concerned about her sexuality. To be honest, the attitude to her isn't better during the rest of the film.

Anna Kendrick is too sweet for the lead role of Beca, but she knows how to lead, and her solo with the coffee mug is the brightest spot in the film. The rest of the cast does not deserve a mention.

The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

Genre

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

Director

George Miller

Country

USA

Cast

Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, Veronica Cartwright, Richard Jenkins, Keith Jochim, BEcca Lish, Carel Struycken

Storyline

On a Thursday night, three female friends, Alex (Cher), Jane (Susan Sarandon), and Sukie (Michelle Pfeiffer), conjure up a mystery man, who could satisfy all their desires. Arriving in town the following day is Satan, disguised as mysterious stranger Daryl Van Horne (Jack Nicholson). One by one, Van Horne seduces each of the women, and then strange things begin to happen.

Opinion

Happy Halloween! This year I've decided to go with something a bit different, and instead of watching the same horrors over and over again, I've picked this dark comedy, which is the perfect alternative for a Halloween night at home.

Despite everything, The Witches of Eastwick is a bizarre, funny and enjoyable fantasy horror comedy.

The film doesn't offer anything new on the plate, the story is quite poor, and wastes the great potential it has, but somehow manages to be entertaining and engaging. I was definitely expecting more magic and fireworks from a film starring the devil himself, but then again the film was surprisingly good.

Despite the lack of a good story, the dialogue is surprisingly good and interesting, especially during the three games of seduction performed by Daryl Van Horne.

Four main characters are a lot to focus on, but the film gives each an equal amount of screen time, and makes each character important, without that ever going at the expense of another character. Also, the characters are solid and complements one another.

The three female leads, the beautiful and seductive witches, Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer don't seem much inspired, but they are quite believable as a group of friends. Notable acting comes from the Veronica Cartwright, mesmerising as Felicia. Jack Nicholson, however, seems to be gifted with the ability to give always good performances, and over the top as usual, I bet he had lot of fun here.

Quotes

Daryl Van Horne: Men are such cocksuckers aren't they? You don't have to answer that. It's true. They're scared. Their dicks get limp when confronted by a woman of obvious power and what do they do about it? Call them witches, burn them, torture them, until every woman is afraid. Afraid of herself... afraid of men... and all for what? Fear of losing their hard-on.

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Genre

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Country

USA

Cast

Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen, Thomas F. Wilson, Lea Thompson, James Tolkan, Elisabeth Shue, Jeffrey Weissman, Flea

Storyline

Stranded in 1955, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) must travel to 1885 to rescue Doc (Christopher Lloyd) from death at the hands of yet another member of the Tennen clan. However, there are a number of complications preventing a quick return to the future: a lack of gasoline for the time-traveling DeLorean, a band of gunslinging outlaws and a schoolmarm (Mary Steenburgen) with affections for the smitten Doc.

Opinion

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I should have probably waited till Tuesday to review this film - October 27th. Unfortunately, I've just realized that, and since it's not 1985, it's not that big deal, is it?

Final chapter of a wonderful trilogy, Back to the Future Part III is an exciting and funny two-hour trip to the wild west that lives up to the original.

Following the events of Back to the Future Part II straight away, this film brings us back in time, providing a wonderful journey in the old west, without missing to quote some of the most famous western films.

One of the best things about it is the face off between past and present - or future, I don't know. It's funny to see Marty's reaction to the water that has been served to him - water that does look like mud -, or people in the Saloon thinking that Marty's Nike are Native Americans moccasins, or everybody laughing at Doc when he says that in the future people will walk just for fun because cars will be invented.

This time, the characters change a bit. While Tennen is still an asshole, and Marty is pretty much the same - perhaps a little less sentimental -, Doc faces some changes. While he still is a crazy, creative scientist, he has to deal with the most irrational event that could ever have occurred to him: falling in love at first sight.

I know that many consider this one the best entry in the trilogy, but I disagree, and the main reason lies in the lack of logic. In all the previous films, Doc never failed to point out the dangerousness of time traveling as it can change the present/future drastically. So, with Doc staying in 1885, isn't he going against all he said? And raising a family in the old west wouldn't rewrite the past and complicate the future? In Back to the Future, 1985 changed quite a bit for just a punch.

Once again in Marty McFly's shoes - and Seamus as well -, Michael J. Fox does a good job. Christopher Lloyd is magnificent, and more human than ever as Doc. Mary Steenburgen gives a wonderful performance as Clara. Good job also from Thomas F. Wilson.

Quotes

Marty McFly: Hey, Doc! Where you goin' now? Back to the future?

Doc: Nope. Already been there.

A Year and Change (2015)

Genre

Comedy | Drama

Director

Stephen Suettinger

Country

USA

Cast

Bryan Greenberg, Claire van der Boom, T.R. Knight, Marshall Allman, Jamie Chung, Jamie Hector, Kat Foster, Natasha Rothwell, Drew Shugart, Kate Sanford, Woody Schultz, Dan Thiel, Cruz Kim, Alison Whitney, Laurie Folkes, Cassidy Thornton, Gene Ferrick

Storyline

After drunkenly falling off the roof at a New Year's house party, Owen (Bryan Greenberg) decides that it's time to make some wholesale changes in his life. Over the next year, he re-enters his estranged son's life, reignites old friendships, quits drinking, and falls in love with Vera (Claire van der Boom), a bank teller and fellow divorcee…all in an attempt to surround himself with a family - subconsciously replacing the one he'd lost prematurely. Owen, a vending machine proprietor, soon finds that sometimes in life, you just need a little change.

Opinion

The short version of this review? I loved A Year and Change. A real pleasure to watch, and I'm glad I had the chance to be one of the first - of many, I hope - to see it.

Extremely well paced, beautiful and uplifting, A Year and Change is a brilliant dramedy about real people that gracefully alternates drama and laughs while dealing with real life problems.

Debut feature of director and writer Stephen Suettinger, the film follows up a year of Owen's life, and witnesses his maturity. The Owen we met at the beginning is a guy that gets wasted every weekend with his "friends" like a teenager would do, has commitment issues and a life nobody would envy. He eventually realises that his friends are not real, that he has to put his act together and start living. And it is sublime to see his life come to life, and getting better every day, like in real life.

One of the things I appreciated the most are the characters: relatable and feeling real, they all are well developed, and they are not just plot elements.

I am not a fan of voiceovers, but I did really appreciate it in this film because it allows you to get into Owen's head, and even though most of the things that come out of there are just ordinary thoughts, they feel essential. Then, from time to time, there are some deep lines addressed to Jen, that will stick with you.

As if all of that wasn't enough, the film can claim a beautiful musical score by Jeff Toyne, that fits perfectly. It does enhance the feelings delivered by the story and blends with the other sounds surrounding.

Worth of a mention are the slow motion sequences. Whether capturing ice stalactites defrosting, dandelion blowing in the wind or wood being cut, those shots are of indescribable beauty.

Last but not least the acting. Mostly made up of unknown television actors - I only knew Bryan Greenberg and Jamie Chung -, the cast does a great job, and the lack of A-List actors allows each to stand out. Bryan Greenberg and Claire van der Boom have a great chemistry and both deliver outstanding performances. Not least is the supporting cast, among which, and now I'm going to contradict myself, T.R. Knight as Uncle Kenny stands out.

I'd highly recommend A Year and Change to anyone who likes great dramas.

Quotes

Owen: Dear Jen, isn't it strange that sometimes you can surround yourself with a whole crowd of people, yet still feel alone?

Owen: You shouldn't let the fear of the unknown to stop you from trying something new.

Owen: There's people in this world who are just really unhappy. It's like they, they have so much pain inside of them that they don't think they'll ever be happy again. And so they make themselves believe that the only way to end the hurt is to live this life. And I think uncle Kenny was one of those people. Unfortunately, there's nothing that anyone could have said or done to take away his pain. 

Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Genre

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Country

USA

Cast

Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson, Lea Thompson, Elisabeth Shue James Tolkan, Jeffrey Weissman, Crispin Glover, Flea

Storyline

Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) has only just gotten back from the past, when he is picked up by Doc (Christopher Lloyd) and sent through time to the future to resolve a few problems with the future McFly family. But when the two return home, they soon discover that the present is not as it was supposed to be.

Opinion

Where are we? When are we? asks Marty, to which Doc replies we're descending toward Hill Valley, California, at 4:29 pm, on Wednesday, October 21st, 2015. And here we are, October 21st, 2015, waiting for Marty McFly's arrive, so what a better moment to talk about this film? This kind of opportunity comes once in a lifetime. Once in the human existence actually.

Still having that magic feeling of the first installment, Back to the Future Part II is one great ride through time, as well as a really interesting and very well made sequel.

A few things I can say for sure. First, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale do really have a lot of imagination. Second, they took a hell of a risk making a film that requires the view of Back to the Future, otherwise the non-understanding of a multitude of things.

From the present to the future, back to the present, and then back to the past is what happens in a nutshell. So many things could have gone wrong here, but Zemeckis and Gale did a wonderful job, reproposing scenes from the old film seen from different angles, and thus offering a whole range of new scenarios to accommodate the variations of the new past.

Every paradox of time travel is explained very well in the film, and the dangerousness of meeting their other selves is embraced with clever-ish camouflages, chases and lot of suspense.

Michael J. Fox is a bit older and you can tell, but he is still our Marty, the charismatic, sympathetic guy we met back in 1985 - or was it 1955? How about Christopher Lloyd? I don't know, he is just spectacular as Doc, and Fox and him keep their characters as entertaining as they were before. Worth of a mention is Thomas F. Wilson, who is brilliant is the double role of Biff Tannen and Griff.

Quotes

Doc: Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads.

Back to the Future (1985)

Genre

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Country

USA

Cast

Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson, Claudia Wells, James Tolkan, Marc McClure, Wendie Jo Sperber

Storyline

The year is 1985 and Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), a typical American teenager, is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a plutonium-powered DeLorean invented by his good friend Doc Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd). Now Marty has to come to grips with being in the 50's and get his parents to fall in love to set straight the damage his presence has done to the events of the past.

Opinion

This film has recently turned 30 -- in Italy was actually released today thirty years ago, what a coincidence -- but the unbelievable thing is how well it aged, and its ability to deliver, every single time, the same feelings of the first time.

First chapter of un unforgettable trilogy, Back to the Future is a spectacular, entertaining, and exciting mixture of adventure, comedy, science fiction, and engaging events capable of making the viewer dream.

Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale's wonderful script mixes humour and unpredictability in a plot than is far from simple and obvious. Never boring, the story is exciting and upbeat and will keep the viewer glued to the screen from start to finish.

I think the point of the film lies in getting the viewer to understand how a simple action, or a simple word can change the outcome of one or more lives, which bring us to an inevitable question: how would the world be if time travelling was possible?

The ball scene when Marty plays Johnny B Goode leaving all the 1955 kids stunned is just epic. Also the soundtrack is spectacular.

The cast goes along with the film. Sympathetic, charismatic, and effervescent, Michael J. Fox is the perfect main character and really does a great job with Marty McFly. However, Christopher Lloyd is superb as the over-the-top mad scientist (the friend that every teenager, and non, would like to have). Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover both do a good job as Marty's parents.

Quotes

Dr. Emmett Brown: If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious shit.

Marty McFly: Whoa. Wait a minute, Doc. Are you trying to tell me that my mother has got the hots for me?
Dr. Emmett Brown: Precisely.
Marty McFly: Whoa. This is heavy.
Dr. Emmett Brown: There's that word again. "Heavy." Why are things so heavy in the future? Is there a problem with the Earth's gravitational pull?

Men in Black 3 (2012)

Genre

Action | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Director

Barry Sonnenfeld

Country

USA

Cast

Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Jemaine Clement, Emma Thompson, Alice Eve, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mike Colter, Nicole Scherzinger, Michael Chernus, David Rasche, Will Arnett, Keone Young, Bill Hader, Lady Gaga, Tim Burton, Anthony J. Gallo, Lenny Venito, Rick Baker, David Pittu, Lanny Flaherty, Cayen Martin

Storyline

When Agent K's life (Tommy Lee Jones) and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J (Will Smith) will have to travel back in time to put things right.

Opinion

Fifthteen years later, with the help of Josh Brolin, they've finally managed to make a proper sequel to Men in Black. 

Funny and entertaining, Men in Black 3 is a great improvement over the disappointing and poor second installment.

Once again we'll find ourselves spending some time with Agent J and Agent K - and their younger selves -, but this time the story is more intelligent and well-designed. The writing is very good overall. 

The film deals with the spatiotemporal theme in a clean, and cheerful way, without becoming too heavy. The dialogue is mostly funny with sparks of deepness. The villain, Boris the Animal, is by far better than Serleena, the previous film's villain. And the introduction of Giffin, the clairvoyant alien, is just brilliant.

The acting is good. Will Smith does his job pretty good, he makes us laugh, and has a great chemistry both with Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin. Jones has a more marginal role this time but still does a good job. What can I say about Brolin, let me see... He does a perfect Tommy Lee Jones. If time travelling was an actual thing, I would think Jones and Brolin were the same person. Jemaine Clement does a really good job as Boris the Animal. Alice Even does not bear comparison with Emma Thompson, and Nicole Scherzinger does nothing more than looking like a cheap hooker. 

Quotes

Agent K: Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to.