I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007)
When a New York City firefighter lost his wife, he found out he wouldn’t be able to get full benefits to provide for his children without a life partner. In a bind and with nowhere to turn, he looked to his best friend, a fellow NYC firefighter to pretend to be his lover. Things got a bit out of hand and extreme measures had to be taken to prove to an insurance fraud agent that they weren’t lying, including marriage. How far would one person go to make sure his family was provided for?
This movie, another Happy Gilmore Production, was a different kind of comedy. Many movies can be funny but serve no real purpose. Chuck and Larry made a statement, not just as a movie, but in life. Many life lessons about bias and prejudice were confronted and the wrongs were made right. The way these issues were addressed is an amazing fate. Gay prejudice is a sensitive subject, especially in a movie scenario; but Chuck and Larry used quality humor to not only make a statement, but to make people laugh out loud. Kevin James and Adam Sandler were an amazing combo of comedians with great chemistry, pardon the pun. This movie is definitely on my “must see” list, if you haven’t done so already.
Awards: 13 Nominations
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
WIIIILLLLLDDDDEEEERRRRR!
Van Wilder (2002)
Van Wilder is a guy who has been at his college for seven years. He spends most of his time throwing parties and "fund raisers". When his father decides that it's time for tough love, he doesn't pay his tuition. So Van becomes a professional party thrower. At the same time, Gwen who writes for the college paper, is tasked with doing a story on him, but Van is too busy partying to do that. So she writes it using info from people who talk about him and writes an unflattering piece, which doesn't make him happy. He then dares her to see if she can get the true story but is more interested in trying to score with her, which is not easy because she has a boyfriend, who is a snob, and who is not too happy with the amount time she is spending with him. So he tries to get rid of him
This is a movie you can watch over and over and over again. Whether you are in college, out of school, high school (inappropriate for kids younger than high school age) this movie is not just a comedy, it’s an inspiration. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish in college. College is a life changing experience and in this movie, you see why. Not too many of us are as fortunate as Van but I guarantee you that everyone wishes they had as much of a good time in college as him. A must add to your DVD collection if you don’t have it already. “Write that down.”
Awards: Nominated- MTV Movie Award- Breakthrough Male Performance, Ryan Reynolds (2003)
Van Wilder is a guy who has been at his college for seven years. He spends most of his time throwing parties and "fund raisers". When his father decides that it's time for tough love, he doesn't pay his tuition. So Van becomes a professional party thrower. At the same time, Gwen who writes for the college paper, is tasked with doing a story on him, but Van is too busy partying to do that. So she writes it using info from people who talk about him and writes an unflattering piece, which doesn't make him happy. He then dares her to see if she can get the true story but is more interested in trying to score with her, which is not easy because she has a boyfriend, who is a snob, and who is not too happy with the amount time she is spending with him. So he tries to get rid of him
This is a movie you can watch over and over and over again. Whether you are in college, out of school, high school (inappropriate for kids younger than high school age) this movie is not just a comedy, it’s an inspiration. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish in college. College is a life changing experience and in this movie, you see why. Not too many of us are as fortunate as Van but I guarantee you that everyone wishes they had as much of a good time in college as him. A must add to your DVD collection if you don’t have it already. “Write that down.”
Awards: Nominated- MTV Movie Award- Breakthrough Male Performance, Ryan Reynolds (2003)
Hey Bud, Let's Party!
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Follows a group of high school students growing up in southern California, based on the real-life adventures chronicled by Cameron Crowe. Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner are looking for a love interest, and are helped along by their older classmates, Linda Barrett and Mike Damone, respectively. The center of the film is held by Jeff Spicoli, a perpetually stoned surfer dude who faces off with the resolute Mr. Hand, who is convinced that everyone is on dope.
Classic Sean Penn as Jeff Spicoli made me love this movie. Besides his hilarious one liners, the movie is all about the 80’s high school scene. The biggest hangout was the mall, where if you were flipping burgers, you were the man. Mr. Hand is a crazy teacher, hardcore strict about discipline and knowledge. I have to assume everyone had a teacher like him in high school, because I know I have. Great movie and once again Sean Penn was just straight up funny. "I was thinking about that Mr. Hand. If I'm here, and you're here, than isn't it OUR time?!?!"
Awards: (2005) National Film Registry WON
(1983) WGA Award- Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium- Nominated
Follows a group of high school students growing up in southern California, based on the real-life adventures chronicled by Cameron Crowe. Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner are looking for a love interest, and are helped along by their older classmates, Linda Barrett and Mike Damone, respectively. The center of the film is held by Jeff Spicoli, a perpetually stoned surfer dude who faces off with the resolute Mr. Hand, who is convinced that everyone is on dope.
Classic Sean Penn as Jeff Spicoli made me love this movie. Besides his hilarious one liners, the movie is all about the 80’s high school scene. The biggest hangout was the mall, where if you were flipping burgers, you were the man. Mr. Hand is a crazy teacher, hardcore strict about discipline and knowledge. I have to assume everyone had a teacher like him in high school, because I know I have. Great movie and once again Sean Penn was just straight up funny. "I was thinking about that Mr. Hand. If I'm here, and you're here, than isn't it OUR time?!?!"
Awards: (2005) National Film Registry WON
(1983) WGA Award- Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium- Nominated
COLLEGE!!!
Animal House (1978)
Faber College has one frat house so disreputable it will take anyone. It has a second one full of white, Anglo-Saxon, rich young men who are so sanctimonious no one can stand them except Dean Wormer. The dean enlists the help of the second frat to get the boys of Delta House off campus. This film gives high-jinks and fooling around a bad name. The dean's plan comes into play just before the homecoming parade to end all parades for all time.
The epitome of a classic comedy, Animal House defined what Fraternity life was like in different forms “back in the day.” Many of today’s stereotypes about Fraternities come from this movie. In fact, Harold Ramis, a brother of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, co-wrote this movie and involved actually stories from his chapter and personal experiences. If you have never seen this movie, which I truly hope everyone has, you absolutely need to, seriously. Only one word describes this movie, COLLEGE!
Awards: Nation Film Registry (2001) WON
People’s Choice Award- Favorite Non-Musical Motion Picture (1979) WON
WGA Award- Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen (1979) Nominated
Faber College has one frat house so disreputable it will take anyone. It has a second one full of white, Anglo-Saxon, rich young men who are so sanctimonious no one can stand them except Dean Wormer. The dean enlists the help of the second frat to get the boys of Delta House off campus. This film gives high-jinks and fooling around a bad name. The dean's plan comes into play just before the homecoming parade to end all parades for all time.
The epitome of a classic comedy, Animal House defined what Fraternity life was like in different forms “back in the day.” Many of today’s stereotypes about Fraternities come from this movie. In fact, Harold Ramis, a brother of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, co-wrote this movie and involved actually stories from his chapter and personal experiences. If you have never seen this movie, which I truly hope everyone has, you absolutely need to, seriously. Only one word describes this movie, COLLEGE!
Awards: Nation Film Registry (2001) WON
People’s Choice Award- Favorite Non-Musical Motion Picture (1979) WON
WGA Award- Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen (1979) Nominated
"Pain heals, chicks dig scars...glory lasts forever."
The Replacements (2000)
When the NFL football team, the Washington Sentinels, goes on strike, the team's owner, Edward O'Neill, calls former NFL coach Jimmy McGinty out of retirement to coach a rag-tag team of replacement players to finish the season's last four games in which McGinty turns to former Ohio State player Shane Falco to be the team's captain for the duration of the season and Falco is forced to shape up the misfit players whom include convenience store guard Clifford Franklin, gangster rapper brothers Andre and Jamal Jackson, former sumo wrestler Jumbo Fumkio, a Welsh "football" player called "The Leg", a deaf player, a convict on a work-release program, a tough SWAT leader, and many more while, at the same time, Falco strikes up a possible romance with the team's cheerleading captain Annabelle Farrell.
Keaaaauuuunnnuuuuu! A mix match of people that played some form of football at one point of their lives (replacement players), must come together to take on the NFL’s best teams to make the playoffs. Led by a former Ohio State QB who choked in the championship game, but had “miles and miles of heart,” this group of players were complete opposites and underdogs rise to the occasion with a ton of laughs and good times along the way. All I have to say is…”I will survive.” Oh, and Gene Hackman plays yet another leadership/coaching role, but funny this time. “That’s why girls don’t play the game!”
When the NFL football team, the Washington Sentinels, goes on strike, the team's owner, Edward O'Neill, calls former NFL coach Jimmy McGinty out of retirement to coach a rag-tag team of replacement players to finish the season's last four games in which McGinty turns to former Ohio State player Shane Falco to be the team's captain for the duration of the season and Falco is forced to shape up the misfit players whom include convenience store guard Clifford Franklin, gangster rapper brothers Andre and Jamal Jackson, former sumo wrestler Jumbo Fumkio, a Welsh "football" player called "The Leg", a deaf player, a convict on a work-release program, a tough SWAT leader, and many more while, at the same time, Falco strikes up a possible romance with the team's cheerleading captain Annabelle Farrell.
Keaaaauuuunnnuuuuu! A mix match of people that played some form of football at one point of their lives (replacement players), must come together to take on the NFL’s best teams to make the playoffs. Led by a former Ohio State QB who choked in the championship game, but had “miles and miles of heart,” this group of players were complete opposites and underdogs rise to the occasion with a ton of laughs and good times along the way. All I have to say is…”I will survive.” Oh, and Gene Hackman plays yet another leadership/coaching role, but funny this time. “That’s why girls don’t play the game!”
Grandma's Boy
Grandma’s Boy (2006)
When his roommate spends the rent money on Philipino hookers. Alex, a 35 year video game tester has to find a new place to live. After a "encounter" with his friends mom, Alex is forced to move in with his grandmother. Trying to save face with his younger co-workers, Alex says that he is living "with three hot babes" (meaning his grandmother and her two roommates).
Grandma’s Boy is another great movie by Happy Madison Productions. I don’t know about you, but if I were able to earn a good, carefree living as a video game beta tester, I’d be one happy camper. The use of obscure animals as pets and/or bodyguards, Kevin Nealon, and a cast full of comedic geniuses make put this movie over the top for laughs. The story line is great because it is not your ordinary comedy. If you haven’t seen this one yet, you should do so immediately. If you have seen this movie, then you should watch it again, because I said so!
When his roommate spends the rent money on Philipino hookers. Alex, a 35 year video game tester has to find a new place to live. After a "encounter" with his friends mom, Alex is forced to move in with his grandmother. Trying to save face with his younger co-workers, Alex says that he is living "with three hot babes" (meaning his grandmother and her two roommates).
Grandma’s Boy is another great movie by Happy Madison Productions. I don’t know about you, but if I were able to earn a good, carefree living as a video game beta tester, I’d be one happy camper. The use of obscure animals as pets and/or bodyguards, Kevin Nealon, and a cast full of comedic geniuses make put this movie over the top for laughs. The story line is great because it is not your ordinary comedy. If you haven’t seen this one yet, you should do so immediately. If you have seen this movie, then you should watch it again, because I said so!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Adam Sandler Makes the List
Happy Gilmore (1996)
Happy Gilmore is a failed hockey player with no direction in life. His grandmother is evicted from her house for her failure to pay back taxes, and his girlfriend has left him. He makes it on to the pro golf tour with the hope of making some money to save his grandmother's house, but is challenged by the favorites on the tour (Shooter McGavin).
Happy Gilmore is a movie I grew up watching. Adam Sandler is one of my favorite actors because he makes movies that not only relate to the average person, but are packed with laughs. He and his crew (Happy Madison Productions) have produced several movies that make my top list. I focus on this movie because I have just recently watched it for the 60th time (guess-timate). Even though I have seen this movie so many times, I laughed as if it were my first time seeing it. You can’t help but to fall in love with Happy’s character and hope he succeeds. It is a classic underdog story.
Awards: Won MTV Movie Award for Best Fight Scene- Adam Sandler and Bob Barker (1996)
Nominated for 3 other awards
Happy Gilmore is a failed hockey player with no direction in life. His grandmother is evicted from her house for her failure to pay back taxes, and his girlfriend has left him. He makes it on to the pro golf tour with the hope of making some money to save his grandmother's house, but is challenged by the favorites on the tour (Shooter McGavin).
Happy Gilmore is a movie I grew up watching. Adam Sandler is one of my favorite actors because he makes movies that not only relate to the average person, but are packed with laughs. He and his crew (Happy Madison Productions) have produced several movies that make my top list. I focus on this movie because I have just recently watched it for the 60th time (guess-timate). Even though I have seen this movie so many times, I laughed as if it were my first time seeing it. You can’t help but to fall in love with Happy’s character and hope he succeeds. It is a classic underdog story.
Awards: Won MTV Movie Award for Best Fight Scene- Adam Sandler and Bob Barker (1996)
Nominated for 3 other awards
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
One of the Funniest Movies in 2008
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Peter is a composer and a likable sad sack who's devastated when his girlfriend of five years, Sarah Marshall, the star of a cheesy CSI-style crime show, dumps him. He weeps, he rails, he mopes. Finally, his step-brother Brian suggests Hawaii, so Peter heads for a resort on Oahu where, as he's checking in, he sees Sarah and her new beau, Aldous, a polymorphously perverse English rocker. The weeping and moping starts again, until Peter is rescued by Rachel, a thoughtful hotel clerk who invites him to a luau and to hang out. Although he constantly runs into Sarah and Aldous, Peter starts to come alive again. Will Sarah realize what she's lost, and what about Rachel?
This movie was just non-stop laughs from start to finish. Whether it’s the way Pete (main character) weeps- yes he weeps, not cries)- or the bickering between Pete and his step-brother, the movie is a crowd pleaser. Everyone has been through a break up. Many parts of this movie can touch everyone and anyone in a special way, while making you laugh. This movie only gets funnier the more times you watch it because you tend to notice more of the subtle humor. There are many jokes that you won’t get the first time.
Awards: Won Golden Trailer- Golden Trailer Awards (2008)
Nominated for 8 Awards
Peter is a composer and a likable sad sack who's devastated when his girlfriend of five years, Sarah Marshall, the star of a cheesy CSI-style crime show, dumps him. He weeps, he rails, he mopes. Finally, his step-brother Brian suggests Hawaii, so Peter heads for a resort on Oahu where, as he's checking in, he sees Sarah and her new beau, Aldous, a polymorphously perverse English rocker. The weeping and moping starts again, until Peter is rescued by Rachel, a thoughtful hotel clerk who invites him to a luau and to hang out. Although he constantly runs into Sarah and Aldous, Peter starts to come alive again. Will Sarah realize what she's lost, and what about Rachel?
This movie was just non-stop laughs from start to finish. Whether it’s the way Pete (main character) weeps- yes he weeps, not cries)- or the bickering between Pete and his step-brother, the movie is a crowd pleaser. Everyone has been through a break up. Many parts of this movie can touch everyone and anyone in a special way, while making you laugh. This movie only gets funnier the more times you watch it because you tend to notice more of the subtle humor. There are many jokes that you won’t get the first time.
Awards: Won Golden Trailer- Golden Trailer Awards (2008)
Nominated for 8 Awards
Sunday, March 1, 2009
All About American Pie
American Pie (1999)
At a high-school party, four friends (Jim, Kevin, Finch, and Oz) find that losing their collective virginity isn't as easy as they had thought. But they still believe that they need to do so before college. To motivate themselves, they enter a pact to try to be the first to "score." And of course, the senior prom is their last best chance. As the fateful date draws near, the boys wonder who among them will get lucky. More importantly, do they really want to do it at all?
I was in 8th grade when this movie premiered in theaters. Instantly it was the talk of the town for many reasons. First, this movie was the most daring movie in a very long time, possibly since Porky’s! It was rated R and the movie theaters, which normally were very lenient on that matter, strictly enforced the “not allowed in if under 17 or accompanied by an adult” rule. I remember all these adults talking about it, but then saying “it’s not for you!” I didn’t end up seeing this movie until it was out on video (before the big DVD boom). This movie was the epitome of what high school males are like, at least in my opinion. You have four friends, all of different character or I guess you can say they would be in different cliques. Being best friends and trying to lose their virginities just led to uncontrollable laughs. This movie paved the way for most of the raunchy comedies that come out today.
Awards: Won Blockbuster Entertainment Award (2000)
Won Artios (Casting Society of America)- Best Casting (2000)
Won Golden Slate (Csapnivalo Awards)- Best Teen Movie (2000)
Won 3 Young Hollywood Awards (2000)
Nominated for 12 other awards.
At a high-school party, four friends (Jim, Kevin, Finch, and Oz) find that losing their collective virginity isn't as easy as they had thought. But they still believe that they need to do so before college. To motivate themselves, they enter a pact to try to be the first to "score." And of course, the senior prom is their last best chance. As the fateful date draws near, the boys wonder who among them will get lucky. More importantly, do they really want to do it at all?
I was in 8th grade when this movie premiered in theaters. Instantly it was the talk of the town for many reasons. First, this movie was the most daring movie in a very long time, possibly since Porky’s! It was rated R and the movie theaters, which normally were very lenient on that matter, strictly enforced the “not allowed in if under 17 or accompanied by an adult” rule. I remember all these adults talking about it, but then saying “it’s not for you!” I didn’t end up seeing this movie until it was out on video (before the big DVD boom). This movie was the epitome of what high school males are like, at least in my opinion. You have four friends, all of different character or I guess you can say they would be in different cliques. Being best friends and trying to lose their virginities just led to uncontrollable laughs. This movie paved the way for most of the raunchy comedies that come out today.
Awards: Won Blockbuster Entertainment Award (2000)
Won Artios (Casting Society of America)- Best Casting (2000)
Won Golden Slate (Csapnivalo Awards)- Best Teen Movie (2000)
Won 3 Young Hollywood Awards (2000)
Nominated for 12 other awards.
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