risatrix

Member since 1/29/2009, last signed in awhile ago.

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Interested in:Comedy, Comedy Drama, Culture & Society, Language & Literature, Romance

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The Proposal

Rom-com haters begone -- it was ...
By risatrix in risatrix Blog
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"Anyone who didn't give this movie full marks just plain doesn't like romantic comedies. You know who you are. You're the ones who would never, *ever* give a rom-com five stars because it's just a "chick flick" and couldn't possibly compete with such "serious" genres as action, drama, or indie flicks.So if you're that type, don't go around reviewing movies you're not fit to judge. The rest of you, go see this movie. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds have fantastic screen chemistry. And for once, we see an older woman and a younger man – hallelujah! A playful reversal of gendered rom-com clichés! Fantastic supporting performances! Great clothes and scenery! What more does anyone want? And did I mention naked Ryan Reynolds? Not quite ten dollars' worth, but enough to leave you with a big smile on your face as you exit the theater.And you know what? There were guys in the theater laughing their asses off, so don't tell me this is just a "chick" flick. Ryan Reynolds is sa ... " [More]

I Love You, Man

The World's First Brom Com? (3 ...
By risatrix in risatrix Blog
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"It's an interesting premise for a comedy: the complicated, unspoken rules of male friendship (which have long been fodder for isolated jokes) are both revealed and questioned in a full-length bromance—or is it a brom-com? It was refreshing to see such an honest portrayal of how close the rituals of friendship and dating can be. The movie also admits that being the cool loner doesn't always work out in real life. Regardless of your gender, you can probably relate to Paul's experience, especially if you've ever moved to a new town as an adult. There were moments of fart/vomit/balls comedy that seemed just plain out of place with the rest of the movie, which is particularly ironic in a comedy that explores a less traditional version of masculine behavior—or maybe these were supposed to show that it was an acceptably male comedy? At any rate, these moments were distracting in their gratuitousness, but few and far between. The guys in the theater seemed to enjoy the movie ... " [More]

Confessions of a Shopaholic

A Movie That Knows What It Is
By risatrix in risatrix Blog
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"They say honesty is the key to good comedy, and "Confessions of a Shopaholic" is one of the most honest movies I've seen in a long time. It's a straightforward, fashion-drenched trifle that doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. But its theme of fiscal irresponsibility has accidentally become socially significant of late. For this reason, some worried that the movie would have to beg for acceptance in this fearful, recession-laden economy.It doesn't. It is unapologetic about the pleasures that shopping affords, but just as unflinching about the addictive nature of the hobby and the value (or is it worth?) of non-material things. The uninitiated may not buy the movie's declaration that shopping is better than (or at least equivalent to) sex, but those who know will understand this confession. Those who do not shop will just need to suspend their disbelief, or better yet, earn their tutelage from the movie.Isla Fisher finally gets a well-deserved lead as the movie's protagonist, ... " [More]

Last Chance Harvey

Emma Thompson is a Goddess
By risatrix in risatrix Blog
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"I'll admit my bias right away: I love Emma Thompson. Not just because she's a talented actress and screenwriter (everyone knows she won an Oscar for her 1995 "Sense and Sensibility" screenplay, right?). She's also a really cool human being. She is smart—she once said in an interview that her only regret was not reading Homer in Greek—and funny as heck. After her husband Kenneth Branagh ran off with Helena Bonham-Carter, Thompson did him one better by picking up her dishy, younger co-star Greg Wise, having a child with him, then marrying him—in that order. I went to see "Last Chance Harvey" because it's always a treat to see Thompson do her stuff on the screen, and I was not disappointed. Of course Dustin Hoffman is no slouch: without his talent the titular character could have come off as too brash to be sympathetic. Instead, Thompson's and Hoffman's fine performances are the lovely centerpiece of this straightforward, character-driven romance. Estranged divor ... " [More]

He's Just Not That Into You

"Just Not" An Interesting Exper ...
By risatrix in risatrix Blog
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"Originally, I was just not that into the idea of going to this movie. I've moved past the days of waiting by the phone for a guy (thank goodness!) and didn't necessarily want to go back. But I had a major job interview last week and I've found myself waiting by the phone once again, albeit for different reasons. So today I decided to leave the phone on the kitchen table and give this movie a whirl. It's an interesting experiment: a romantic comedy struggling with the advent of real-life problems. There are the two lovers just waiting to be united, of course. But there's also a marriage on the rocks, a philandering husband, a great guy who just doesn't want to get married, and a player who goes through women like Kleenex. Because of its many characters, the movie is quite episodic and drags at points, but this is only to be expected. I enjoyed seeing so many women on the screen, and the cast did a fine job overall. Ginnifer Goodwin sparkles as Gigi, a girl who is just a tad obsessi ... " [More]

New in Town

"New In Town" Worth Seeing? You ...
By risatrix in risatrix Blog
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"I'm an especially tough sell when it comes to movies about the Midwest. Hailing from that region myself, I get pretty ticked off when people from California write buffoonish "Midwestern" characters, or (worse yet) when Hollywood actors try to play them as jokes. Luckily, "New In Town" did its job well—so well, in fact, that I just had to see if anyone involved was actually Midwestern. Lo and behold, imdb.com reveals that one of writers, Ken Rance, was born in Minneapolis. That explains it.So. Hard-hearted Miami executive Lucy Hill (Renee Zellweger) is sent to Minnesota to supervise the modernization and downsizing of a dairy plant her company has just purchased. Zellweger is billed as the lead in this movie, and she's not bad. Nor is she great, but her budding romance with widower Ted Mitchell (a heavily-bearded Harry Connick Jr.) is believable. Lucy and Ted hate each other at first and…well, you know the drill.But the real comic heroine of this movie is Siobhan Fal ... " [More]