I LOVE YOU, MAN
A Film By John Hamburg
A brom-com (romantic comedy dudes can attend together) through and through, I Love You, Man is full of genuine moments between two of today’s premiere comedy actors. Peter Klavin (Paul Rudd) is newly engaged and sets out to find a “Best Man” for his wedding when Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) walks into Lou Ferrigno’s open house, for which Peter is the realtor.
Rudd and Segel are at their best during every second of this movie. Paul Rudd’s character is a very believable “girlfriend guy” with no male friends while Jason Segal plays a carefree man-cave hermit. (and by “plays a” I mean “is a”) Both shine as authentic everymen thirty-somethings still trying to find themselves.
Taking it for what it is meant to be, there should not be any let downs because start to finish, this film gives its viewers a great overall experience with heart felt laughter and unadulterated smiles.
Website: http://www.iloveyouman.com/
MAX PAYNE
A Film Directed By John Moore
From video game to the silver screen, the film centers around a New York City cop who has spent years trying to find the killer of his wife and child. A stereotypical plot, followed by a disengaged group of characters and plot make this film unbelievably awful.
Few and far between are the striking super slow motion shots and computer graphics that give the movie a few seconds actually worth watching. Mark Wahlberg (Max Payne) is completely bland in the lead role and creates no on screen chemistry with any of the characters that are supposed to have connection.
Assuming knowledge of the video game series, the writers and director try to correlate the beginning to the end without anything to support this notion in the middle. As the credits begin to roll, the mind sighs relief that it will no longer be subjected to the drivel that has clouded its ability to function for the last 100 minutes.
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Website: http://www.maxpaynethemovie.com/
APPALOOSA
Written/Directed By Ed Harris
A 2008 American Western film based on a 2005 novel by the same name is Ed Harris’ second go at directing (Pollock, 2000). Although this film could have been title “Old School Bromance,” it never lacks in any of the areas that can make this genre great.
The opening scene is a brash introduction to the films antagonist (Jeremy Irons), and from there is a slow build to the “showdown” between the good guys (Ed Harris & Viggo Mortensen) against the bad guy (Irons).
Loyalty and trust are the common threads that weave in and out of this film through the relationship between Virgil Cole (Harris) and Everett Hitch (Mortensen). Hired to defend a lawless town in the late 1800’s, the two men exemplify all the best parts of a great male to male relationship.
Quite slow at times, this visually stunning film grows into something of a tell-tale story of what it means to absolutely trust someone.
Website: http://www.welcometoappaloosa.com/
CASHBACK
Written/Directed By Sean Ellis
This Academy Award nominated short film turned feature is the definition of independent filmmaking. The short takes place during the late shift at a supermarket where our aspiring artist of a protagonist, Ben, decides that he will pass the time by freezing it. Using this “still” time to appreciate and paint the beauty inside the store, the viewer is shown a new side to the monotonies that are supermarkets.
Expanding on Ben’s life through a rough breakup and his recovery period, the feature takes the short and gives it meaning. More than just a college student who likes to look at naked women, Ben establishes himself as a person looking for truth in life. He does this the same way everyone else does, through stupidity and learning from mistakes.
Well thought out filming, with a hint of rawness, create a really enjoyable vibe through out. Believable acting from all characters gives way to a great overall message that every moment, has its moments.
Website: http://www.cashbackfilm.com/
