Knocked Up's Recent Activity

list Knocked Up's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Knocked Up on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg Knocked Up's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 Film:Knocked Up http://www.spout.com/films/Knocked_Up/279565/default.aspx

Title: Knocked Up
Year: 2007
Director: Judd Apatow
Plot: When a one-night stand that should have stayed that way has unexpected consequences, the reluctant odd couple attempts to transform their tentative relationship into a lasting love in this conception comedy. Twenty-four-year-old entertainment journalist Allison Scott (Katherine Heigl) is on the fast track to the big time, but an alcohol-fueled hookup with responsibility-shirking slacker Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) finds her professional priorities taking a back seat to having a baby. Now, as overgrown kid Ben attempts to assume the responsibilities of fatherhood, he makes the brave decision to stand by Alison. In order to make things work between the pair, however, there's going to have to be some compromise, and when Allison and Ben decide to take a shot at love, they quickly find that building a relationship from scratch isn't nearly as easy as making a baby. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 118
Number of Lists: 94
Number of blog posts: 96
Number of discussion threads: 6
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:00:08 GMTKnocked Up2007Judd ApatowWhen a one-night stand that should have stayed that way has unexpected consequences, the reluctant odd couple attempts to transform their tentative relationship into a lasting love in this conception comedy. Twenty-four-year-old entertainment journalist Allison Scott (<a href="/players/P____31545/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Katherine Heigl</a>) is on the fast track to the big time, but an alcohol-fueled hookup with responsibility-shirking slacker Ben Stone (<a href="/players/P___297862/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Seth Rogen</a>) finds her professional priorities taking a back seat to having a baby. Now, as overgrown kid Ben attempts to assume the responsibilities of fatherhood, he makes the brave decision to stand by Alison. In order to make things work between the pair, however, there's going to have to be some compromise, and when Allison and Ben decide to take a shot at love, they quickly find that building a relationship from scratch isn't nearly as easy as making a baby. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide118Tag Target (>10)949663http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s279565.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Knocked_Up/279565/default.aspxFilm Spout Post: 420 Hangover Cures http://www.spout.com/blogs/hautecritique/archive/2009/7/16/43073.aspx

Post By: hautecritique
Post To: The Haute Critique on Spout
Post Date: 7/16/2009 3:01:37 PM
Body: It’s mostly a blur. At some point, there was someone’s house. One guy was laying on the floor with a tiny dog licking his face while he giggled uncontrollably. A friend of a friend was picked up and creeping everybody out, and Heather Graham might have called the police on him. That is when I left. Was that my bachelor party or someone else’s? Or, was I watching The Hangover? In comic book jargon, it is the gutter. That blank space between the sequence of images that allows your brain to fill in the gaps. Your imagination searches through the universe of possibilities based on the visible evidence. The Hangover translates this to the big screen. The main difference is he Dali-esque absurdity of the evidence. You see, Doug is getting married on Sunday. He and a couple of friends, along with the bride’s brother, head off for Friday night in Vegas (baby). We see them toasting to the night to come, then the film breaks and resumes late Saturday Morning. The writers take a crack at what would be the most perplexing evidence to wake up to, and then let it slowly ravel. There are times when it is so funny, you can’t keep your eyes open. There are also times where it is so cringe inducing, you can’t keep your eyes open. For all the shut eye, however, there is a fair amount of the movie you will actually watch. And with a little buzz to stretch one chortle to the next, it can be a belly-aching experience. I can strongly recommend blazing it up for The Hangover, but be warned. While it does have the boundary busting humor of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, it is thin on charm. The movie is all about alcohol and date-rape drugs. Where the mushroom Vegas trip in Knocked Up toys with the senses, Jaegermeister leaves the rust on this razor blade. A special shout out does go to Zach Galifianakis. His turn in this movie is special. Not special like Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Ok, a little like that. He owns the character to a terrifying degree. After this film, I wouldn’t want to meet either of them without their parole officer present. No asylum, insane, political or spiritual, could hold him. Alan (Galifianakis) is excruciatingly cracked and honest. He is a never ending barrage of words and actions that range from brilliantly stupid to utterly revolting. His challenge to decency forces you to define lines that are, otherwise, never pondered. And, at altitude, that feeds the munchies in your subconscious. If you have worn out your copy of Old School and don’t feel like watching Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up or any other in that litany, give The Hangover a spin. With a bit of herbal seasoning to cover up the tasteless bits, it’s a yummy, if not wholly, just desert. No related posts. Originally posted on:The Haute Critique
]]>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:01:37 GMThautecritiqueThe Haute Critique on Spout7/16/2009 3:01:37 PMIt’s mostly a blur. At some point, there was someone’s house. One guy was laying on the floor with a tiny dog licking his face while he giggled uncontrollably. A friend of a friend was picked up and creeping everybody out, and Heather Graham might have called the police on him. That is when I left. Was that my bachelor party or someone else’s? Or, was I watching The Hangover? In comic book jargon, it is the gutter. That blank space between the sequence of images that allows your brain to fill in the gaps. Your imagination searches through the universe of possibilities based on the visible evidence. The Hangover translates this to the big screen. The main difference is he Dali-esque absurdity of the evidence. You see, Doug is getting married on Sunday. He and a couple of friends, along with the bride’s brother, head off for Friday night in Vegas (baby). We see them toasting to the night to come, then the film breaks and resumes late Saturday Morning. The writers take a crack at what would be the most perplexing evidence to wake up to, and then let it slowly ravel. There are times when it is so funny, you can’t keep your eyes open. There are also times where it is so cringe inducing, you can’t keep your eyes open. For all the shut eye, however, there is a fair amount of the movie you will actually watch. And with a little buzz to stretch one chortle to the next, it can be a belly-aching experience. I can strongly recommend blazing it up for The Hangover, but be warned. While it does have the boundary busting humor of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, it is thin on charm. The movie is all about alcohol and date-rape drugs. Where the mushroom Vegas trip in Knocked Up toys with the senses, Jaegermeister leaves the rust on this razor blade. A special shout out does go to Zach Galifianakis. His turn in this movie is special. Not special like Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Ok, a little like that. He owns the character to a terrifying degree. After this film, I wouldn’t want to meet either of them without their parole officer present. No asylum, insane, political or spiritual, could hold him. Alan (Galifianakis) is excruciatingly cracked and honest. He is a never ending barrage of words and actions that range from brilliantly stupid to utterly revolting. His challenge to decency forces you to define lines that are, otherwise, never pondered. And, at altitude, that feeds the munchies in your subconscious. If you have worn out your copy of Old School and don’t feel like watching Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up or any other in that litany, give The Hangover a spin. With a bit of herbal seasoning to cover up the tasteless bits, it’s a yummy, if not wholly, just desert. No related posts. Originally posted on:The Haute Critique Spout Post: Apatow At His Best http://www.spout.com/blogs/bdsr80/archive/2008/11/12/37248.aspx

Post By: bdsr80
Post To: bdsr80 Blog
Post Date: 11/12/2008 12:26:41 PM
Body: I saw Knocked Up, a couple of times, I have to say that this film is great. It's up there with "40-Year Old Virgin". This film seemed more grounded in "reality" than "Virgin". People were complaining about seeing Seth Rogen's butt. It was not disgusting. It was quite nice. I wonder, why does every Apatow film have a "pot-smoking" scene? This movie, Virgin, Walk Hard, Pineapple Express. Doe Judd have something to tell us?
]]>Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:26:41 GMTbdsr80bdsr80 Blog11/12/2008 12:26:41 PMI saw Knocked Up, a couple of times, I have to say that this film is great. It's up there with "40-Year Old Virgin". This film seemed more grounded in "reality" than "Virgin". People were complaining about seeing Seth Rogen's butt. It was not disgusting. It was quite nice. I wonder, why does every Apatow film have a "pot-smoking" scene? This movie, Virgin, Walk Hard, Pineapple Express. Doe Judd have something to tell us? Spout Post: Zack & Miri: A comedy with some balls http://www.spout.com/blogs/usesoap/archive/2008/11/3/36920.aspx

Post By: usesoap
Post To: usesoap Blog
Post Date: 11/3/2008 9:43:48 PM
Body: Kevin Smith has a right to be pretty bitter right now. For years, he's been blending raunch and romance with equal measure, to middling box office results. From his grungy little breakthrough, “Clerks,” in 1994, to the polished “Chasing Amy” to the not-as-bad-as-it's-rumored-to-be “Jersey Girl,” Smith has never shied from the messy sexual side of relationships in dialogue that some of the closest couples dare not discuss. Meanwhile, writer/director Judd Apatow snuck into the kingdom and stole the crown, basically covering the very same turf in films such as “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Yet again, sex and sentimentality collide with generally hilarious, heartfelt results in his latest “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” which takes the standard romantic comedy and tarts it up with g-strings, thigh highs and body glitter. Apatow mainstay Seth Rogan plays Zack and “W.'s” Elizabeth Banks is his platonic roommate Miri, two 20-something slackers who are reminded at their 10-year high school reunion just how little they have to offer the world a decade after their departure. And if the hysterical humiliations they suffer during the reunion don't drive the point home to them, then the return to their dingy Monroeville, Pennsylvania apartment – where the heat, electricity and water have just been shut off – should do the trick. In an act of desperation they embark on the eponymous mission (in a plot very similar to last year's Jeff Bridges film, “The Amateurs”) in order to cough up the cash needed to keep them off the streets. As typical of a Kevin Smith comedy, the film comes from a very personal place and it's not long before the smut is swept up in sentimentality. Just as “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” was really a travelogue of his brush with mainstream Hollywood, “Zack and Miri” (as it's been advertised for our prurient television audiences) is Smith's love letter to making movies. It just happens that the movies in this feature typically end with a money shot. But just as Smith assembled the cast of “Clerks” with his pals from his Jersey neighborhood, Zack and Miri enlist a number of participants from their inner circle to help bring their bump-and-grind opus to life. Included in the cast are Smith standbys Jason Mewes (who boldly pulls a full monty and who always brings the funny) and original “Clerk” Jeff Anderson. Smith also has the smarts to include scene-stealing “Office” mate Craig Robinson, rehabbed porn princess Traci Lords and Katie Morgan, who you may remember from such memorable turns in “Big Bottom Sadie,” “Whore of the Rings” and “Busty Beauties 20” (and about 200 other similarly titled films...if you care to “research” them). Smith also nabbed Justin Long, another go-to laugh-getter, whose cameo in the film will forever erase any annoying Mac ad image you may have of him. It will come as little surprise that our two leads become romantically involved when called upon to perform their climactic scene (meant in every sense of the word). And the final act of the film deals with the awkwardness that can follow that moment where friends decide to take their relationship one step further (normally, though, it's not done in front of a handful of onlookers and a rolling video camera... unless you're a Hilton). And this is where Smith – and Apatow, and John Hughes, for that matter – typically falter. For the male leads, there are plenty of bulls-eye masculine observations, while leaving the women with very little room to move outside their scripted confines. It's not that Banks does not try, she radiates much the same way Rosario Dawson did in “Clerks II.” But Smith's more comfortable giving his gals equally foul-mouthed dialogue that makes them “just one of the guys,” and then turning them into jealous emotional Jello when more complex matters arise. The entire plot itself is based nowhere close to reality, even given the current Warhol-intuited “15 minutes of fame” culture in which we live, and Miri just seems way too together to fall for such a slovenly mess such as Zack, much less agree to let herself be filmed having sex with him to be mass marketed. And honestly, with porn so easily accessible online, do they really think their little homegrown DVD is going to be their financial salvation? But those minor grievances aside, “Zack and Miri” has just enough cheer to overcome its more flaccid moments. And if he can enlist a female writer for his next feature that could solidify his lady characters of his next film, Smith may be able to not only satisfy his audience throughout, but also provide them with, appropriately, a happy ending.
]]>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:43:48 GMTusesoapusesoap Blog11/3/2008 9:43:48 PMKevin Smith has a right to be pretty bitter right now. For years, he's been blending raunch and romance with equal measure, to middling box office results. From his grungy little breakthrough, “Clerks,” in 1994, to the polished “Chasing Amy” to the not-as-bad-as-it's-rumored-to-be “Jersey Girl,” Smith has never shied from the messy sexual side of relationships in dialogue that some of the closest couples dare not discuss. Meanwhile, writer/director Judd Apatow snuck into the kingdom and stole the crown, basically covering the very same turf in films such as “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Yet again, sex and sentimentality collide with generally hilarious, heartfelt results in his latest “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” which takes the standard romantic comedy and tarts it up with g-strings, thigh highs and body glitter. Apatow mainstay Seth Rogan plays Zack and “W.'s” Elizabeth Banks is his platonic roommate Miri, two 20-something slackers who are reminded at their 10-year high school reunion just how little they have to offer the world a decade after their departure. And if the hysterical humiliations they suffer during the reunion don't drive the point home to them, then the return to their dingy Monroeville, Pennsylvania apartment – where the heat, electricity and water have just been shut off – should do the trick. In an act of desperation they embark on the eponymous mission (in a plot very similar to last year's Jeff Bridges film, “The Amateurs”) in order to cough up the cash needed to keep them off the streets. As typical of a Kevin Smith comedy, the film comes from a very personal place and it's not long before the smut is swept up in sentimentality. Just as “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” was really a travelogue of his brush with mainstream Hollywood, “Zack and Miri” (as it's been advertised for our prurient television audiences) is Smith's love letter to making movies. It just happens that the movies in this feature typically end with a money shot. But just as Smith assembled the cast of “Clerks” with his pals from his Jersey neighborhood, Zack and Miri enlist a number of participants from their inner circle to help bring their bump-and-grind opus to life. Included in the cast are Smith standbys Jason Mewes (who boldly pulls a full monty and who always brings the funny) and original “Clerk” Jeff Anderson. Smith also has the smarts to include scene-stealing “Office” mate Craig Robinson, rehabbed porn princess Traci Lords and Katie Morgan, who you may remember from such memorable turns in “Big Bottom Sadie,” “Whore of the Rings” and “Busty Beauties 20” (and about 200 other similarly titled films...if you care to “research” them). Smith also nabbed Justin Long, another go-to laugh-getter, whose cameo in the film will forever erase any annoying Mac ad image you may have of him. It will come as little surprise that our two leads become romantically involved when called upon to perform their climactic scene (meant in every sense of the word). And the final act of the film deals with the awkwardness that can follow that moment where friends decide to take their relationship one step further (normally, though, it's not done in front of a handful of onlookers and a rolling video camera... unless you're a Hilton). And this is where Smith – and Apatow, and John Hughes, for that matter – typically falter. For the male leads, there are plenty of bulls-eye masculine observations, while leaving the women with very little room to move outside their scripted confines. It's not that Banks does not try, she radiates much the same way Rosario Dawson did in “Clerks II.” But Smith's more comfortable giving his gals equally foul-mouthed dialogue that makes them “just one of the guys,” and then turning them into jealous emotional Jello when more complex matters arise. The entire plot itself is based nowhere close to reality, even given the current Warhol-intuited “15 minutes of fame” culture in which we live, and Miri just seems way too together to fall for such a slovenly mess such as Zack, much less agree to let herself be filmed having sex with him to be mass marketed. And honestly, with porn so easily accessible online, do they really think their little homegrown DVD is going to be their financial salvation? But those minor grievances aside, “Zack and Miri” has just enough cheer to overcome its more flaccid moments. And if he can enlist a female writer for his next feature that could solidify his lady characters of his next film, Smith may be able to not only satisfy his audience throughout, but also provide them with, appropriately, a happy ending. Spout Post: Review: Remembering (Revisiting) Forgetting Sarah Marshall http://www.spout.com/blogs/smooth_j/archive/2008/10/5/35904.aspx

Post By: Smooth_J
Post To: Smooth_J Blog
Post Date: 10/5/2008 3:23:34 PM
Body: This was a film I saw in theaters with absolutely no expectations. The previews, the poster, even the cast made it seem like an incredibly unoriginal studio vehicle. I refused to pay attention even to the most positive of reviews that the movie was getting--even my favorite critic's 3 1/2 star review of the film (88% on Metacritic). So, I walk into the theater with a few of my friends, hating myself for being a part of the crowd of half-drunk teenagers and their most recent of partners filing into the auditorium and talking very loudly about the stupidest things imaginable. My friends insisted that it was supposed to be "Funny as shit dude!" My pre-formed opinions were almost completely proven with a generic opening sequence that involved a happy Cake song, teeth brushing, and early morning cereal and television in pajamas. I was ready for nearly two hours of pompous bashing of the film with my friends. And then, Jason Segel's dick pops out. "Oh my goodness!" I thought. The rest of the theater clearly thought the same thing, with chorus' of "Ew!"s and "Gross!"s and "Eeek! A penis!"s. I thought this was pretty funny. Thus began my two hours of pleasantly surprised hysterical laughter. With my previously porta-potty bad expectations, I found the film to be very original for a textbook romantic comedy. I knew what was going to happen the entire film--but it was the actual journey that I found to be hysterical, and how the typical events played out differently. My friends seemed to be under the impression that it was better than Knocked Up or Superbad (because that's how they compare comedies nowadays I guess?), something that frustrated me beyond belief, since Sarah Marshall was basically riding the wave (Hawaii pun) that had been originated in those two films and 40 Year Old Virgin. "Just wait to you see it again!" everyone said when I would cynically disagree. So, I preordered it, got it a day before it was supposed to even be released, and watched it. For some reason, it failed to resonate as well a second time. The film is at its strongest during the first hour. The early sequence involving Segel's desperate attempts to get over Sarah Marshall in the form of repeated promiscuous encounters with an array of strange women is especially strong. The movie begins to run stale after the first hour, but still manages to be endearing, more "twanging the heart strings", so to speak. Don't get me wrong, it's a hilarious movie. It's also sensitive, maintaining a balance between commentary on post-breakup angst and (mostly) smart humor. The acting is surprisingly good, and all of the characters are very likeable, if slightly idealized. Jason Segel holds his own as a leading man, even if some his jokes run dry when they are clearly meant to be knockouts. Russel Brand is great even when his character is too over-the-top. And the leading ladies, Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis, not only complement the scenery but demonstrate genuine pathos, infusing their characters with something completely real in the romantic comedy world of caricatured characters and stories. And, might I mention, Mila Kunis has to be one of the cutest human beings on the planet. The supporting characters, such as Paul Rudd and Bill Hader, provide most of the film's hilarity. The comedy comes not only from the lead characters' emotional scars, but almost moreso from other peoples' attempts to make him forget them, or in Kunu's (Paul Rudd's) words, "Fuck the lemons and bail." The best moments are the ones where Segel's pain is forgotten, which usually only occur in the presence of the very gifted supporting cast. This very evident fact makes a viewer wish the he would just forget the blonde bitch already and get on Mila Kunis, because even the best cutesy romantic scenes come when she's on the screen, and the funniest parts in Hawaii come when she's the primary love interest. The film probably won't age as well as some of Judd Apatow and Co's other strong efforts, but I definitely would include this one in there. What was so great about Knocked Up and 40 YOV is that they managed to transcend the romantic comedy genre that they so easily fit into. They stand alone as a comedy, approaching the romantic plots from left-field with a tongue-in-cheek demeanor but also with a true sincerity. Forgetting Sarah Marshall seems to fit more into the mold of typical date movie fare, but still has a fresh, original methodology in its emotional themes (and also its raucous comedic sensibilities). It is actually a great movie. I love it, despite its obvious flaws and generic plot lines. I can't wait for Jason Segel to get another chance at writing, because I'm almost positive that he can only get better after such a solid debut. Maybe he'll try to push the mold even more, following Seth Rogen's creative role choices and endeavors. Or maybe he'll fade into obscurity...but the pig scene in Forgetting Sarah Marshall makes me hope he doesn't. Recommendations: 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad...and, for other romantic comedies with a character's name in the titles, let's not forget John Tucker Must Die! Christ, what a terrible movie.
]]>Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:23:34 GMTSmooth_JSmooth_J Blog10/5/2008 3:23:34 PMThis was a film I saw in theaters with absolutely no expectations. The previews, the poster, even the cast made it seem like an incredibly unoriginal studio vehicle. I refused to pay attention even to the most positive of reviews that the movie was getting--even my favorite critic's 3 1/2 star review of the film (88% on Metacritic). So, I walk into the theater with a few of my friends, hating myself for being a part of the crowd of half-drunk teenagers and their most recent of partners filing into the auditorium and talking very loudly about the stupidest things imaginable. My friends insisted that it was supposed to be "Funny as shit dude!" My pre-formed opinions were almost completely proven with a generic opening sequence that involved a happy Cake song, teeth brushing, and early morning cereal and television in pajamas. I was ready for nearly two hours of pompous bashing of the film with my friends. And then, Jason Segel's dick pops out. "Oh my goodness!" I thought. The rest of the theater clearly thought the same thing, with chorus' of "Ew!"s and "Gross!"s and "Eeek! A penis!"s. I thought this was pretty funny. Thus began my two hours of pleasantly surprised hysterical laughter. With my previously porta-potty bad expectations, I found the film to be very original for a textbook romantic comedy. I knew what was going to happen the entire film--but it was the actual journey that I found to be hysterical, and how the typical events played out differently. My friends seemed to be under the impression that it was better than Knocked Up or Superbad (because that's how they compare comedies nowadays I guess?), something that frustrated me beyond belief, since Sarah Marshall was basically riding the wave (Hawaii pun) that had been originated in those two films and 40 Year Old Virgin. "Just wait to you see it again!" everyone said when I would cynically disagree. So, I preordered it, got it a day before it was supposed to even be released, and watched it. For some reason, it failed to resonate as well a second time. The film is at its strongest during the first hour. The early sequence involving Segel's desperate attempts to get over Sarah Marshall in the form of repeated promiscuous encounters with an array of strange women is especially strong. The movie begins to run stale after the first hour, but still manages to be endearing, more "twanging the heart strings", so to speak. Don't get me wrong, it's a hilarious movie. It's also sensitive, maintaining a balance between commentary on post-breakup angst and (mostly) smart humor. The acting is surprisingly good, and all of the characters are very likeable, if slightly idealized. Jason Segel holds his own as a leading man, even if some his jokes run dry when they are clearly meant to be knockouts. Russel Brand is great even when his character is too over-the-top. And the leading ladies, Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis, not only complement the scenery but demonstrate genuine pathos, infusing their characters with something completely real in the romantic comedy world of caricatured characters and stories. And, might I mention, Mila Kunis has to be one of the cutest human beings on the planet. The supporting characters, such as Paul Rudd and Bill Hader, provide most of the film's hilarity. The comedy comes not only from the lead characters' emotional scars, but almost moreso from other peoples' attempts to make him forget them, or in Kunu's (Paul Rudd's) words, "Fuck the lemons and bail." The best moments are the ones where Segel's pain is forgotten, which usually only occur in the presence of the very gifted supporting cast. This very evident fact makes a viewer wish the he would just forget the blonde bitch already and get on Mila Kunis, because even the best cutesy romantic scenes come when she's on the screen, and the funniest parts in Hawaii come when she's the primary love interest. The film probably won't age as well as some of Judd Apatow and Co's other strong efforts, but I definitely would include this one in there. What was so great about Knocked Up and 40 YOV is that they managed to transcend the romantic comedy genre that they so easily fit into. They stand alone as a comedy, approaching the romantic plots from left-field with a tongue-in-cheek demeanor but also with a true sincerity. Forgetting Sarah Marshall seems to fit more into the mold of typical date movie fare, but still has a fresh, original methodology in its emotional themes (and also its raucous comedic sensibilities). It is actually a great movie. I love it, despite its obvious flaws and generic plot lines. I can't wait for Jason Segel to get another chance at writing, because I'm almost positive that he can only get better after such a solid debut. Maybe he'll try to push the mold even more, following Seth Rogen's creative role choices and endeavors. Or maybe he'll fade into obscurity...but the pig scene in Forgetting Sarah Marshall makes me hope he doesn't. Recommendations: 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad...and, for other romantic comedies with a character's name in the titles, let's not forget John Tucker Must Die! Christ, what a terrible movie. Spout Post: Tokin' of affection http://www.spout.com/blogs/usesoap/archive/2008/8/11/33835.aspx

Post By: usesoap
Post To: usesoap Blog
Post Date: 8/11/2008 8:16:46 AM
Body: A friend with weed is a friend indeed. That is the lesson to be extracted from the latest comedy off the Judd Apatow assembly line, “Pineapple Express.” While it may get anti-marijuana advocates abuzz with consternation, it's a sweet little trip until a dramatic shift to violence quite literally calls the cops to this feel-good party. “Express” is laced with guffaws and gunplay, and while not as startlingly schizophrenic as this summer's “Hancock,” it still feels as though its personalities are squished together in such a forced fashion, it threatens to disrupt the good vibes it garners through much of the film. And, like all of Apartow's blockbuster comedies before it (“Knocked Up,” Superbad,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”), it overstays its welcome by at least 30 minutes. Imagine, if you will, an entire film devoted to the ganja-clouded escapades of Brad Pitt's Floyd, the moviewestoner he portrayed in Tony Scott's “True Romance (one of Pitt's best, albeit brief, performances on screen). James Franco channels Floyd, but successfully layers him with empathy and a hint of sadness. Franco is perhaps best known as Peter Parker's frenemy in the “Spider-Man” trilogy, as well as generic junk like “Annapolis” and “Flyboys,” which focused more on his Abercrombe and Fitch good looks than his acting chops. In “Express” he hides his sculptured silhouette behind a mop of greasy hair and clothes even a college hamper would reject. As Saul, he's a well-connected dealer who, despite his numerous contacts, remains rather friendless, reduced to surface conversations with his quasi-anonymous clientèle whose illegal purchases makes them more than a tad jittery to hang out for deeper disucssions. When Dale (played by co-writer Seth Rogan) pops by for his weekly fix, Saul reaches out by not only introducing him to the headlining herb, but shares his beloved concoction, a triple-ended joint that apparently induces a supreme high. Dale, reluctant at first, humors Saul and doesn't pass up the chance for a token toke. A tiny connection is made before Dale darts off to his thankless gig as a process server that at least provides him the opportunity to blaze up between deliveries. During one seemingly routine stop, Dale witnesses a murder and, in his drug-clouded escape, manages to smash a couple cars and attract the attention of the killers (Gary Cole and Rosie Perez). When he seeks the aid of Saul in a panic, it sets off a series of successively darker detours into pot-fueled paranoia that, were it not for the comic chops of its supporting cast, would otherwise derail this ride. Rogan does his best Rogan, meaning he coasts along with his standard understated charm and his proclivity to cling to the bliss of adolescence. It's Franco who brings out the best of the film, operating under the haze of his trade and letting humanity bubble to the surface at all the right (high) times. But Franco alone could not buoy the picture as it slowly descends into its bloody conclusion. He's helped by the go-to guy for straight-faced snickers Danny McBride, as the link between Saul and the local drug kingpin, as well as Craig Robinson (from “The Office”) and Kevin Corrigan as two henchmen dispatched to extinguish the leads. Throughout there are throwaway bits that could have easily tightened the two-hour escapade, most notably the romance between Rogan's Dale and his high school girlfriend (yes, she is technically “of age,” but that makes it no less icky). We get that this guy's unable to motivate into adulthood, but the real relationship here is the one he strikes with Saul. Stylistically, the film breaks free from the relatively staid comedic efforts of recent past, credited to director David Gordon Green, an indie filmmaker whose known more for his dramatic muscle and given the film more flourish than it deserves. The stoner comedy is one that's typically made on a shoestring and relies heavily on its hazy humor than on plot or artistry (Cheech and Chong, Harold and Kumar, “Half Baked”), and occasionally it will be elevated into headier territory (“Dazed and Confused,” “The Big Lebowski,” “The Wonder Boys”). But this may be the first stoner action film ever made, perhaps because the two adjectives are so diametrically opposed. “Pineapple Express” would be much easier to inhale if the aftertaste was not so bitter.
]]>Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:16:46 GMTusesoapusesoap Blog8/11/2008 8:16:46 AMA friend with weed is a friend indeed. That is the lesson to be extracted from the latest comedy off the Judd Apatow assembly line, “Pineapple Express.” While it may get anti-marijuana advocates abuzz with consternation, it's a sweet little trip until a dramatic shift to violence quite literally calls the cops to this feel-good party. “Express” is laced with guffaws and gunplay, and while not as startlingly schizophrenic as this summer's “Hancock,” it still feels as though its personalities are squished together in such a forced fashion, it threatens to disrupt the good vibes it garners through much of the film. And, like all of Apartow's blockbuster comedies before it (“Knocked Up,” Superbad,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”), it overstays its welcome by at least 30 minutes. Imagine, if you will, an entire film devoted to the ganja-clouded escapades of Brad Pitt's Floyd, the moviewestoner he portrayed in Tony Scott's “True Romance (one of Pitt's best, albeit brief, performances on screen). James Franco channels Floyd, but successfully layers him with empathy and a hint of sadness. Franco is perhaps best known as Peter Parker's frenemy in the “Spider-Man” trilogy, as well as generic junk like “Annapolis” and “Flyboys,” which focused more on his Abercrombe and Fitch good looks than his acting chops. In “Express” he hides his sculptured silhouette behind a mop of greasy hair and clothes even a college hamper would reject. As Saul, he's a well-connected dealer who, despite his numerous contacts, remains rather friendless, reduced to surface conversations with his quasi-anonymous clientèle whose illegal purchases makes them more than a tad jittery to hang out for deeper disucssions. When Dale (played by co-writer Seth Rogan) pops by for his weekly fix, Saul reaches out by not only introducing him to the headlining herb, but shares his beloved concoction, a triple-ended joint that apparently induces a supreme high. Dale, reluctant at first, humors Saul and doesn't pass up the chance for a token toke. A tiny connection is made before Dale darts off to his thankless gig as a process server that at least provides him the opportunity to blaze up between deliveries. During one seemingly routine stop, Dale witnesses a murder and, in his drug-clouded escape, manages to smash a couple cars and attract the attention of the killers (Gary Cole and Rosie Perez). When he seeks the aid of Saul in a panic, it sets off a series of successively darker detours into pot-fueled paranoia that, were it not for the comic chops of its supporting cast, would otherwise derail this ride. Rogan does his best Rogan, meaning he coasts along with his standard understated charm and his proclivity to cling to the bliss of adolescence. It's Franco who brings out the best of the film, operating under the haze of his trade and letting humanity bubble to the surface at all the right (high) times. But Franco alone could not buoy the picture as it slowly descends into its bloody conclusion. He's helped by the go-to guy for straight-faced snickers Danny McBride, as the link between Saul and the local drug kingpin, as well as Craig Robinson (from “The Office”) and Kevin Corrigan as two henchmen dispatched to extinguish the leads. Throughout there are throwaway bits that could have easily tightened the two-hour escapade, most notably the romance between Rogan's Dale and his high school girlfriend (yes, she is technically “of age,” but that makes it no less icky). We get that this guy's unable to motivate into adulthood, but the real relationship here is the one he strikes with Saul. Stylistically, the film breaks free from the relatively staid comedic efforts of recent past, credited to director David Gordon Green, an indie filmmaker whose known more for his dramatic muscle and given the film more flourish than it deserves. The stoner comedy is one that's typically made on a shoestring and relies heavily on its hazy humor than on plot or artistry (Cheech and Chong, Harold and Kumar, “Half Baked”), and occasionally it will be elevated into headier territory (“Dazed and Confused,” “The Big Lebowski,” “The Wonder Boys”). But this may be the first stoner action film ever made, perhaps because the two adjectives are so diametrically opposed. “Pineapple Express” would be much easier to inhale if the aftertaste was not so bitter. Spout Post: Sex, Both Valuable and Skin Deep. BlogNosh 08/05/08 http://www.spout.com/blogs/karina/archive/2008/8/5/33585.aspx

Post By: Karina
Post To: Karina on SpoutBlog
Post Date: 8/5/2008 6:01:11 PM
Body: In a piece at The House Next Door subtitled “More Valuable Than Sex,” Andrew Johnston talks about the 80s teen movie that taught him that “a real, intimate connection with someone you can turn to in your darkest hour is more valuable than mere sex — a downright subversive notion in an era loaded with movies about hormone-crazed maniacs desperate to lose their virginity by any means necessary.” And what film was this? You’ll have to click through, but here’s a hint: it’s vaguely related to the item below. Mr. Skin: first the Wikipedia for nudity in Hollywood movies, then a minor plot point in Knocked Up. Now? It’s a blog. The top entry as of this writing: “Who’s the Hottest Wife of Tom Cruise — Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, or Katie Holmes?” I vote Mimi. Via Fleshbot. Above: a “kiss for the ages” from Frank Borzage’s Desire, via Daniel Kasman. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Karina Longworth
]]>Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:01:11 GMTKarinaKarina on SpoutBlog8/5/2008 6:01:11 PM In a piece at The House Next Door subtitled “More Valuable Than Sex,” Andrew Johnston talks about the 80s teen movie that taught him that “a real, intimate connection with someone you can turn to in your darkest hour is more valuable than mere sex — a downright subversive notion in an era loaded with movies about hormone-crazed maniacs desperate to lose their virginity by any means necessary.” And what film was this? You’ll have to click through, but here’s a hint: it’s vaguely related to the item below. Mr. Skin: first the Wikipedia for nudity in Hollywood movies, then a minor plot point in Knocked Up. Now? It’s a blog. The top entry as of this writing: “Who’s the Hottest Wife of Tom Cruise — Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, or Katie Holmes?” I vote Mimi. Via Fleshbot. Above: a “kiss for the ages” from Frank Borzage’s Desire, via Daniel Kasman. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Karina Longworth Spout Post: Sex, Both Valuable and Skin Deep. BlogNosh 08/05/08 http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/8/5/33584.aspx

Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 8/5/2008 6:01:01 PM
Body: In a piece at The House Next Door subtitled “More Valuable Than Sex,” Andrew Johnston talks about the 80s teen movie that taught him that “a real, intimate connection with someone you can turn to in your darkest hour is more valuable than mere sex — a downright subversive notion in an era loaded with movies about hormone-crazed maniacs desperate to lose their virginity by any means necessary.” And what film was this? You’ll have to click through, but here’s a hint: it’s vaguely related to the item below. Mr. Skin: first the Wikipedia for nudity in Hollywood movies, then a minor plot point in Knocked Up. Now? It’s a blog. The top entry as of this writing: “Who’s the Hottest Wife of Tom Cruise — Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, or Katie Holmes?” I vote Mimi. Via Fleshbot. Above: a “kiss for the ages” from Frank Borzage’s Desire, via Daniel Kasman. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:01:01 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com8/5/2008 6:01:01 PM In a piece at The House Next Door subtitled “More Valuable Than Sex,” Andrew Johnston talks about the 80s teen movie that taught him that “a real, intimate connection with someone you can turn to in your darkest hour is more valuable than mere sex — a downright subversive notion in an era loaded with movies about hormone-crazed maniacs desperate to lose their virginity by any means necessary.” And what film was this? You’ll have to click through, but here’s a hint: it’s vaguely related to the item below. Mr. Skin: first the Wikipedia for nudity in Hollywood movies, then a minor plot point in Knocked Up. Now? It’s a blog. The top entry as of this writing: “Who’s the Hottest Wife of Tom Cruise — Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, or Katie Holmes?” I vote Mimi. Via Fleshbot. Above: a “kiss for the ages” from Frank Borzage’s Desire, via Daniel Kasman. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog Spout Post: Re:TOP 5 MOVIES TO TEACH AN ALIEN ABOUT EARTH http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/Re_TOP_5_MOVIES_TO_TEACH_AN_ALIEN_ABOUT_EARTH/563/31761/1/ShowPost.aspx

Post By: indieabby88
Post To: Filmgaming
Post Date: 6/26/2008 10:06:25 PM
Body: Well, I figure if an alien shows up on earth, they're going to want to converse with people. And in order to communicate with people these days, you're going to need to know movie quotes, especially if you're talking to somebody in the 18-to-35-year-old demographic. So, here goes: quotable movies you need to be familiar with to function in modern society: 1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail...Although they might like "Life of Brian" better. 2. Blazing Saddles-Get some classic Mel Brooks in there. 3. Fight Club-Do I really need to explain this one? 4. Knocked Up-Considering Judd Apatow is everywhere these days, and this is the movie that's been getting the most references of late. Also explains a lot about American culture: we're oversexed and enjoy jokes about pot and bodily functions. 5. It's a Wonderful Life-Shows the classic American "can-do" spirit the way only Capra can, it's watched by millions of people every Christmas and (at least in my family) it's just one of those movies you "have to know."
]]>Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:06:25 GMTindieabby88Filmgaming6/26/2008 10:06:25 PMWell, I figure if an alien shows up on earth, they're going to want to converse with people. And in order to communicate with people these days, you're going to need to know movie quotes, especially if you're talking to somebody in the 18-to-35-year-old demographic. So, here goes: quotable movies you need to be familiar with to function in modern society: 1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail...Although they might like "Life of Brian" better. 2. Blazing Saddles-Get some classic Mel Brooks in there. 3. Fight Club-Do I really need to explain this one? 4. Knocked Up-Considering Judd Apatow is everywhere these days, and this is the movie that's been getting the most references of late. Also explains a lot about American culture: we're oversexed and enjoy jokes about pot and bodily functions. 5. It's a Wonderful Life-Shows the classic American "can-do" spirit the way only Capra can, it's watched by millions of people every Christmas and (at least in my family) it's just one of those movies you "have to know." Spout Post: Summerhood is a must-watch http://www.spout.com/blogs/lopezdash/archive/2008/6/18/31377.aspx

Post By: lopezdash
Post To: The Movie Blog
Post Date: 6/18/2008 3:33:49 PM
Body: Summerhood, narrated by John Cusack, is not your typical summer camp comedy. Director Jacob Medjuck applies the Apatow brand of humor that made hits out of Superbad and Knocked Up to the traditional camp comedy formula, creating an entertaining and hilarious coming-of-age movie about taking chances and following your heart. The very-appropriate soundtrack of 80s songs only adds to the film, and the tracks appear at just the right time. Here's just a taste, from 2 Live Crew: I saw this at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan. The film is probably not appropriate for young children, given the mature nature of some of the film's subject matter.
]]>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:33:49 GMTlopezdashThe Movie Blog6/18/2008 3:33:49 PMSummerhood, narrated by John Cusack, is not your typical summer camp comedy. Director Jacob Medjuck applies the Apatow brand of humor that made hits out of Superbad and Knocked Up to the traditional camp comedy formula, creating an entertaining and hilarious coming-of-age movie about taking chances and following your heart. The very-appropriate soundtrack of 80s songs only adds to the film, and the tracks appear at just the right time. Here's just a taste, from 2 Live Crew: I saw this at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan. The film is probably not appropriate for young children, given the mature nature of some of the film's subject matter. Spout Post: Knocked Up (2007) http://www.spout.com/blogs/jj79/archive/2008/6/8/30850.aspx

Post By: JJ79
Post To: JJ79 Blog
Post Date: 6/8/2008 2:03:44 PM
Body: You would think a movie called "Knocked Up" would feature more gross-out humor than the latest creation from Judd Apatow already does. Sure, there is a cringe-worthy joke in which three characters get pink eye from farting-bare assed-on each other´s pillows. And there´s enough references to breasts becoming bigger and drooping, male reproductive organs poking a fetus in the face during sex and other bodily functions to fill two or three movies. Surprisingly, these attempts at sophomoric humor don´t hold the movie back. While celebrating her promotion at the E! Network, Alison and Ben (Katherine Heigl, Seth Rogen) hook up while both are plastered. He is an out of work slacker, living with a motley crew of friends, beer bongs and no responsibilities; she is on the fast track to becoming the next big thing on television. Eight weeks later, Alison tells Ben she´s pregnant, which leads to all sorts of break ups, make ups and hijinx between Alison and Ben, as well as her sister Debbie and her husband Pete. I´ll confess: I´ve never seen "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" or "Freaks and Geeks" or "Undeclared," all of director/writer Apatow´s previous work. Comedies, especially mainstream ones, tend to go for laughs at the expense of a particular group or person, effectively nullifying the effect of the joke. As unenthusiastic I was about seeing "Knocked Up," I can´t help but be charmed by it. It´s not revolutionary or well plotted-one storyline is carried through most of the film only to be dropped; the charm rests solely on the shoulders of the cast, particularly Heigl and Rogen. Let´s face facts: as a movie going audience, we root for the underdog to rise up and capture his ultimate prize. It doesn´t matter what the prize is, we want our protagonist to reach out and grab it. It´s unsurprising, really, since we´re all the underdog in our own ways. Who hasn´t seen the perfect guy/girl across the bar or in a crowded room and wished they had a chance with them? And who hasn´t mucked up a relationship to the point of nearly no return? We can identify with all the characters in "Knocked Up" to one degree or another, allowing us to bring our own emotions and experiences to the table and making Apatow´s job easier. Got all that? Good, so let´s talk specifics. Really, the main problem with "Knocked Up" is its running time: an unconscionable 129 minutes for a comedy. By the time Alison is giving birth in the climax, we feel as though we´ve gone through the entire pregnancy with her. While there are time jumps, the story seems to gloss over the important parts, asking us to fill in the blanks. The first three-quarters of the production flow just fine; it´s the final quarter where the problem lies. In one dramatic moment, Debbie and Pete are fighting since he is feeling trapped, with no interests of his own. The next time both characters show up, they are living happily in the same house again. So what happened? Did Pete put his interests on the back burner for his wife and kids? Did they come to an agreement about having a night out with the guys (or the girls, in her case) off screen? And for all the time devoted to their marital issues, why didn´t the audience get any resolution to the story? It´s like a piece of a train track being missing, expecting to see how the train gets to the other side…only to be shown it got there. How did it happen? If you´re going to make a 2+ hour comedy, don´t drop a plotline or leave an important piece of the story out. It´s sloppy. (It is entirely possible the missing piece was cut in editing.) Another issue all comedies seem to share is a painfully unfunny second half. It´s possible the jokes are still there, but the audience is growing accustomed to them and not finding the proceedings as funny. It´s also possible there is a misguided attempt to make every film-comedy or otherwise-have a dramatic hook in it, as if having a baby wasn´t enough. Throughout the film, Ben is a slacker, though he tries to start doing the right thing for Alison and the baby. Then, all of a sudden, it´s as if a light bulb went off in his head about needing to provide for both of them. There are moments in which Ben asks his father for advice which are ill advised; roll this scene up with the introduction of the father and we save time. The outcome of the film is never really in doubt. Remember what I said about the underdog? It´s entirely possible I expect too much out of movie characters, but halfway through the film, I wanted to personally bitch slap all of the people Ben lives with. One guy walks out of the bathroom, proudly proclaiming he has shaved his pubes and balls. They all partake a bit too much in the bong and alcohol despite not having means to support themselves. Not a single one-outside of Ben, and it takes him most of the film-thinks it´s a good idea for them to grow up. It´s maddening, in a lot of ways, to think these people are physically able to procreate and to live in the world yet don´t have the will, the discipline or the want to be what they can be. That´s a recurring theme in the film, the idea of becoming something bigger and more mature than these characters already are. Alison consistently tries to mold Ben into her idea of dating material, not to mention a father figure. In that respect, she and Debbie are on the same page. Both want their partners to devote their lives to them when, in reality, they are trying to do that without the pushing on their own. If it seems I´m a bit ambivalent about "Knocked Up," I am. Heigl and Rogen buoy the film with their sheer pluckiness and comic timing. He´s got the "gee, how did I get here?" vibe, someone we´d mostly believe in the situation presented. Heigl is a bit harder to identify with, being the beautiful prize. And, thanks to a script seemingly out to "get" married women, Leslie Mann as Debbie is the weak link in the cast. Whether it´s her paranoid conspiracy theories that Pete is cheating on her or the unending tearing down of Ben, someone needed to reign in the characterization. "Knocked Up" isn´t a bad movie; it just retreads storylines and characters we´ve seen before without adding anything new to the mix. For that reason, it gets a 6 out of 10. It´s another disposable summer film which will be forgotten about in a week.
]]>Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:03:44 GMTJJ79JJ79 Blog6/8/2008 2:03:44 PMYou would think a movie called "Knocked Up" would feature more gross-out humor than the latest creation from Judd Apatow already does. Sure, there is a cringe-worthy joke in which three characters get pink eye from farting-bare assed-on each other´s pillows. And there´s enough references to breasts becoming bigger and drooping, male reproductive organs poking a fetus in the face during sex and other bodily functions to fill two or three movies. Surprisingly, these attempts at sophomoric humor don´t hold the movie back. While celebrating her promotion at the E! Network, Alison and Ben (Katherine Heigl, Seth Rogen) hook up while both are plastered. He is an out of work slacker, living with a motley crew of friends, beer bongs and no responsibilities; she is on the fast track to becoming the next big thing on television. Eight weeks later, Alison tells Ben she´s pregnant, which leads to all sorts of break ups, make ups and hijinx between Alison and Ben, as well as her sister Debbie and her husband Pete. I´ll confess: I´ve never seen "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" or "Freaks and Geeks" or "Undeclared," all of director/writer Apatow´s previous work. Comedies, especially mainstream ones, tend to go for laughs at the expense of a particular group or person, effectively nullifying the effect of the joke. As unenthusiastic I was about seeing "Knocked Up," I can´t help but be charmed by it. It´s not revolutionary or well plotted-one storyline is carried through most of the film only to be dropped; the charm rests solely on the shoulders of the cast, particularly Heigl and Rogen. Let´s face facts: as a movie going audience, we root for the underdog to rise up and capture his ultimate prize. It doesn´t matter what the prize is, we want our protagonist to reach out and grab it. It´s unsurprising, really, since we´re all the underdog in our own ways. Who hasn´t seen the perfect guy/girl across the bar or in a crowded room and wished they had a chance with them? And who hasn´t mucked up a relationship to the point of nearly no return? We can identify with all the characters in "Knocked Up" to one degree or another, allowing us to bring our own emotions and experiences to the table and making Apatow´s job easier. Got all that? Good, so let´s talk specifics. Really, the main problem with "Knocked Up" is its running time: an unconscionable 129 minutes for a comedy. By the time Alison is giving birth in the climax, we feel as though we´ve gone through the entire pregnancy with her. While there are time jumps, the story seems to gloss over the important parts, asking us to fill in the blanks. The first three-quarters of the production flow just fine; it´s the final quarter where the problem lies. In one dramatic moment, Debbie and Pete are fighting since he is feeling trapped, with no interests of his own. The next time both characters show up, they are living happily in the same house again. So what happened? Did Pete put his interests on the back burner for his wife and kids? Did they come to an agreement about having a night out with the guys (or the girls, in her case) off screen? And for all the time devoted to their marital issues, why didn´t the audience get any resolution to the story? It´s like a piece of a train track being missing, expecting to see how the train gets to the other side…only to be shown it got there. How did it happen? If you´re going to make a 2+ hour comedy, don´t drop a plotline or leave an important piece of the story out. It´s sloppy. (It is entirely possible the missing piece was cut in editing.) Another issue all comedies seem to share is a painfully unfunny second half. It´s possible the jokes are still there, but the audience is growing accustomed to them and not finding the proceedings as funny. It´s also possible there is a misguided attempt to make every film-comedy or otherwise-have a dramatic hook in it, as if having a baby wasn´t enough. Throughout the film, Ben is a slacker, though he tries to start doing the right thing for Alison and the baby. Then, all of a sudden, it´s as if a light bulb went off in his head about needing to provide for both of them. There are moments in which Ben asks his father for advice which are ill advised; roll this scene up with the introduction of the father and we save time. The outcome of the film is never really in doubt. Remember what I said about the underdog? It´s entirely possible I expect too much out of movie characters, but halfway through the film, I wanted to personally bitch slap all of the people Ben lives with. One guy walks out of the bathroom, proudly proclaiming he has shaved his pubes and balls. They all partake a bit too much in the bong and alcohol despite not having means to support themselves. Not a single one-outside of Ben, and it takes him most of the film-thinks it´s a good idea for them to grow up. It´s maddening, in a lot of ways, to think these people are physically able to procreate and to live in the world yet don´t have the will, the discipline or the want to be what they can be. That´s a recurring theme in the film, the idea of becoming something bigger and more mature than these characters already are. Alison consistently tries to mold Ben into her idea of dating material, not to mention a father figure. In that respect, she and Debbie are on the same page. Both want their partners to devote their lives to them when, in reality, they are trying to do that without the pushing on their own. If it seems I´m a bit ambivalent about "Knocked Up," I am. Heigl and Rogen buoy the film with their sheer pluckiness and comic timing. He´s got the "gee, how did I get here?" vibe, someone we´d mostly believe in the situation presented. Heigl is a bit harder to identify with, being the beautiful prize. And, thanks to a script seemingly out to "get" married women, Leslie Mann as Debbie is the weak link in the cast. Whether it´s her paranoid conspiracy theories that Pete is cheating on her or the unending tearing down of Ben, someone needed to reign in the characterization. "Knocked Up" isn´t a bad movie; it just retreads storylines and characters we´ve seen before without adding anything new to the mix. For that reason, it gets a 6 out of 10. It´s another disposable summer film which will be forgotten about in a week. Spout Tag:funny http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/funny/MemberTagFilms.aspxfunny
Number of films tagged: 608

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]]>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:28:29 GMT608316941Tag Spout Tag:hilarious http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/hilarious/MemberTagFilms.aspxhilarious
Number of films tagged: 222

Number of people who tagged: 165

Number of times used: 331

]]>Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:39:04 GMT222165331Tag Spout Tag:friendship http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/friendship/MemberTagFilms.aspxfriendship
Number of films tagged: 6791

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Number of times used: 979

]]>Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:08:37 GMT6791154979Tag Spout Tag:drugs http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/drugs/MemberTagFilms.aspxdrugs
Number of films tagged: 1643

Number of people who tagged: 130

Number of times used: 488

]]>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:36:00 GMT1643130488Tag Spout Tag:sex http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/sex/MemberTagFilms.aspxsex
Number of films tagged: 2414

Number of people who tagged: 126

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]]>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:50:42 GMT2414126548Tag Spout Tag:sweet http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/sweet/MemberTagFilms.aspxsweet
Number of films tagged: 108

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]]>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:28:46 GMT10890170Tag Spout Tag:relationships http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/relationships/MemberTagFilms.aspxrelationships
Number of films tagged: 203

Number of people who tagged: 74

Number of times used: 249

]]>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:40:59 GMT20374249Tag Spout Tag:marriage http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/marriage/MemberTagFilms.aspxmarriage
Number of films tagged: 3471

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]]>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:39:11 GMT347167267Tag Spout Tag:and http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/and/MemberTagFilms.aspxand
Number of films tagged: 59

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Number of times used: 64

]]>Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:54:50 GMT595364Tag Spout Tag:relationship http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/relationship/MemberTagFilms.aspxrelationship
Number of films tagged: 1090

Number of people who tagged: 50

Number of times used: 189

]]>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:18:01 GMT109050189Tag Spout Tag:awkward http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/awkward/MemberTagFilms.aspxawkward
Number of films tagged: 49

Number of people who tagged: 47

Number of times used: 72

]]>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:09:23 GMT494772Tag Spout Tag:pregnancy http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/pregnancy/MemberTagFilms.aspxpregnancy
Number of films tagged: 1306

Number of people who tagged: 44

Number of times used: 110

]]>Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:22:12 GMT130644110Tag Spout Tag:coming-of-age http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/coming-of-age/MemberTagFilms.aspxcoming-of-age
Number of films tagged: 82

Number of people who tagged: 40

Number of times used: 98

]]>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:43:12 GMT824098Tag Spout Tag:television http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/television/MemberTagFilms.aspxtelevision
Number of films tagged: 945

Number of people who tagged: 34

Number of times used: 91

]]>Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:28:57 GMT9453491Tag Spout Tag:not http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/not/MemberTagFilms.aspxnot
Number of films tagged: 28

Number of people who tagged: 29

Number of times used: 29

]]>Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:55:41 GMT282929Tag