16: Dumb and Dumber

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Dumb and Dumber

Poster of Dumb and Dumber. (Photo by Luke Geddes/SAIT Polytechnic)

Poster of Dumb and Dumber. (Photo by Luke Geddes/SAIT Polytechnic)

“If I know Mary as well as I think I do, she’ll invite us right in for tea and strumpets.” – Lloyd Christmas (Carrey)

Starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Directed by the Farrelly Brothers.

Production Budget: $17 Million. — Opening Weekend: $16.3 Million.

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes: 64%

MetaCritic: 39/100

Lazy Goomba: 9/10

Plot Summary

Two absolutely idiotic but lovable friends, named Harry and Lloyd, find themselves in possession of a suitcase full of money that is not theirs.  It belongs to a woman named Mary Swanson who Lloyd is madly in love with, so they set out on a cross country trip to return it to her.  As they face the urges of spending some of the money, they also find themselves (or rather don’t) being chased down by two criminals hired by the Swanson family. Will they make it to Mary in time?

Lazy Goombas Thoughts

The Good: This movie brings back so many good childhood memories so it is hard to dislike it. Jim Carrey being Canadian adds even more reason to like it. But this is just such a hilarious movie. Yes, I agree that it is stupid humour, but if you already know that you don’t enjoy that kind of stuff, then just do not watch it. But for people who laugh at funny things, you will love this (if you haven’t already watched it which every should have by now). My favourite scene by far is when Harry (Daniels) lights himself on fire at the gas station. Either that, or the one where he goes to the bathroom  in Mary’s house and…. Let’s just say things unfold.

The Bad: NOTHING! This is one of my favourite classic comedies. This along with Happy Gilmore are easily in my top five.

The Sequel: AND NO I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT HORRIBLE “WHEN HARRY MET LLOYD” SEQUEL! I am talking about “Dumb and Dumber to”. YES “TO”! That is such a hilarious title. And also, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are back at it, which will be mind blowing. And so will Jennifer Lawrence, which is always a bonus.

Lazy Goomba
Movie Critic/Cat Enthusiast

 

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15: Hunger Games – Catching Fire

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Hunger Games: Catching Fire

“Remember who the real enemy is.” – Haymitch Abernathy (Harrelson)

Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, and Woody Harrelson. Directed by Francis Lawrence.

Production Budget: $130 Million. — Opening Weekend: $158 Million.

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

Metacritic: 75/100

Lazy Goomba: 8.5/10

Plot Summary

This is the second film of the Hunger Games series. It follows Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) after she and her partner Peeta Melark (Hutcherson) won the 74th Hunger Games. With Katniss and Peeta’s miraculous survival in the last Hunger Games causing a potential uproar, President Snow visits Katniss to deliver a message. He informs her that on the upcoming Victors tour, she must conform to how he wants her to act, so that the uprising can settle down. After failing to do so, the President decides to have the 75th hungers games involve the previous victors throughout all the years of the Hunger Games history. As the Hunger Games begins, Katniss begins to realize just how much hope she has restored in the people of the world.

Lazy Goombas Thoughts

The Good: This was a fantastic movie. The plot is so so absolutely awesome, I can’t even get over it. I almost finished the first book, but didn’t get around to it. Without knowing what actually happens, it is pretty damn cool to see how the story unfolds. Once the actual games begun, I was wondering the entire time how Katniss AND Peeta were going to be able to survive AGAIN. Then when she shoots the arrow into the sky, and shit hits the fan, I was pretty surprised. And despite how realistic it may or may not be (who can really say it isn’t realistic considering it is a futuristic movie…), I thought it was an intelligent way of escaping, and I’m glad it wasn’t something completely impossible.

The Bad: I didn’t dislike too many things in this movie. Although I thought it began with a cheesy scene that somehow involved Jennifer Lawrence’s facial expressions only, and then they ended the movie with the same type of thing (her staring into the camera and then making a “angry face” at it). She’s so good looking and all that, but it just made me chuckle a little bit, and didn’t seem as serious to me as it should have seemed.

The Future: I am quite excited for the following two films. Mockingjay (the third book in the series) is split into two separate movies (more bang for their buck!). With the way the second one ended, it will just be quite exciting to see how the rest of the story unfolds. And how they eventually stick it to President Snow (that is a prediction.. I have no clue if they do, but that’s what I hope).

 
Lazy Goomba
Movie Critic/Cat Enthusiast
 

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14: Premium Rush

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Premium Rush

Alex Mitchell rides her bike like Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Premium Rush

Alex Mitchell rides her bike like Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Premium Rush (Photo by Luke Geddes/SAIT Polytechnic)

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michael Shannon. Directed by David Koepp.

Production Budget: $35 Million. — Opening Weekend: $6 Million.

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes: 76%

MetaCritic: 66/100

Lazy Goomba: 6.5/10

Plot Summary

A bike courier named Wilee (Gordon-Levitt) is doing his usually thing, soaring through the streets of Manhattan without any fear. After he gets a package to deliver, a corrupt detective (Shannon) begins to tail him in the hopes of getting the package before it arrives at its destination. Will Wilee make it before the detective stops him?

Lazy Goombas Thoughts

The Good: I really like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, because of 500 days of summer, Inception, and so on. I also like Michael Shannon because of Take Shelter, The Iceman, and Mud. So I loved the casting for this movie. All around the concept is pretty cool as well, and I learned about a cool career that is surprisingly way more dangerous and crazy then it might typically seem.

The Bad: Though the concept is cool… It lacked depth in my opinion. It was a cat and mouse chase movie, and I got pretty bored with how the movie unfolded. Despite having good actors, you know sooner or later the cat with catch the mouse, and then the mouse will outsmart the cat and escape again and so. I mean maybe it doesn’t go by this type of story line exactly, but it doesn’t stray from it much.

The Photo: The photo picture above is one of the favourite types of composition we were assigned to do throughout the year. It took me endless shots to capture a picture where my girlfriend was focused and the background was blurry but still nice looking.

” like to ride. Fixed gear. No brakes. Can’t stop. Don’t want to, either.” – Wilee (Gordon-Levitt)

Lazy Goomba
Movie Critic/ Cat Enthusiast
 
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13: Find me Guilty

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Find Me Guilty

“Jackie Dee don’t rat!” – Giacomo DiNorscio, AKA Jackie Dee (Vin Diesel)

Starring Vin Diesel, and Peter Dinklage. Directed by Sidney Lumet.

Production Budget: $13 Million. — Opening Weekend: $608,804

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes: 61%

MetaCritic: 65/100

Lazy Goomba: 7.2/10

Plot Summary

This is the true story of Giacomo DiNorscio, aka Jackie Dee (Vin Diesel),  a member of two different mafia families throughout his life. When him and several of his other mafia members are charged with crimes, Jackie Dee decided to defend himself. The court case ended up being one of the longest court cases ever, lasting 21 months.

Lazy Goombas Thoughts

The Good: The actual story line is really quite unique. I mean this guy who is part of the mafia and has spent half of his life in prison, decides to defend himself against an educated team of lawyers. This movie has the ability to make you side with the mafia, and not take an extra second to think about it, and that is quite admirable.

The Bad: I honestly hate to admit that Vin Diesel was pretty good in this role, but really, they still could have probably found someone better. He did well, there were just certain lines/scenes that made me chuckle and they weren’t supposed to be humorous.

The Replaceable:  If you search Giacomo DiNorscio on google, I feel like it would have been a better fit if he was played by someone like Ray Liotta… He kind of looks similar to guy and is also Italian. But what do I know.

Lazy Goomba
Movie Critic/ Cat Enthusiast
 

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12: Disconnect

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Disconnect

Disconnect is film that discusses the how our attachment to electronics/social media can take a toll. (Photo by Luke Geddes/SAIT Polytechnic)

Disconnect is film that discusses the how our attachment to electronics/social media can take a toll. (Photo by Luke Geddes/SAIT Polytechnic)

Starring Jason Bateman, Hope Davis, Frank Grillo, Alexander Skarsgård. Directed by Henry Alex Rubin.

Production Budget: $8 Million. — Opening Weekend: $124,000.

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes: 68%

MetaCritic: 64/100

Lazy Goomba: 8/10

Plot Summary

This movie follows three different families going through their own struggles. As their stories collide with one another, a crazy series of events unfold that bring out the characters true selves. Will that turn out to be a good or bad thing?

Lazy Goombas Thoughts

The Good: I have always liked movies which have multiple plots going on all at once. Then at some point these plots connect. Jason Bateman played the part of a distant but loving father pretty well. I think it mainly because he was sporting a solid beard which made him look more serious. The movie looks at very current problems in society today and it really portrays great accuracy in showing these problems.

The Bad: This movie is honestly so sad! This isn’t a bad thing, that’s what a drama is supposed to be. But seriously my girlfriend was balling her eyes out and I hate to admit it, but I must of cut onions near the end of the movie….

The Cliffhanger: One other thing that wasn’t great was not knowing if the kid in the movie survives. It kind of just ends. Also the scenes with the couple in the fraud ordeal and the man they are following, they were so intense! Definitely thought someone was going to die in that part of the plot.

11: 2 Guns

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2 Guns

“You’re my people and we have a code. You fight for the guy that’s fighting next to you.” – Michael “Stig” Stigman (Wahlberg)

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington, and Paula Patton. Directed by Baltasar Kormákur.

Production Budget: $61 Million. — Opening Weekend: $27 Million.

 

 

 

 

 

Ratings

RottenTomatoes: 64%

MetaCritic: 55/100

Lazy Goomba: 6.8/10

Plot Summary

Undercover DEA agent, Robert Trench (Washington), infiltrates and decieves a gunman named Michael Stigman (Wahlberg). Trench unfortunately doesn’t know that Stigman is actually a Naval Intelligence Agent. After committing a robery together, the two turn on eachother leaving; Stigman leaving Trench to die in the middle of nowhere as he takes of with the money they stole. As they begin to uncover the lies beneath the assignments they were recently assigned by their superiors, they realize that their biggest enemy might not be eachother.

Lazy Goomba’s Thoughts

The Good: Wahlberg and Washington deliver a high-paced thrill ride throughout this movie. There were twists that I can honestly admit I wasn’t expecting (BUT very few considering the overuse of the buddy cop scenario). Wahlberg fits the character he was playing perfectly, as did Washington. This may be because they have played that exact character in so many of their own movies, that it is imprinted in my brain that that is really who they are. I imagine Mark Wahlberg goes home after shooting a movie and literally lifts weights until his next day of shooting. But in reality, Wahlberg might just as likely go home, have a bubble bath and a nice glass of wine, and cap the night off with a nice book. WHO REALLY KNOWS?! NO ONE. Thats who. As for Washington…. He literally should just become a cop. It is his calling.

Favorites by Actors:

Wahlberg – The Departed, The Other Guys, and The Fighter. –> Washington – Training Day, Inside Man, and American Gangster.

The Bad: So despite loving these guys, I have to say this wasn’t my favorite movie by a long shot. I thought the plot was confusing and unnecessarily complex. Once it go down to the final showdown, there were like 5 different characters I was supposed to remember. I literally didn’t know the connection between every character by the end of it. Hey, maybe I am just not smart enough to follow along, but thats my opinion.

The Cliche: Mark Wahlberg is just a cop/soldier too often, for example: Broken City, Departed, The Other Guys! He is even a cop when he does comedy. I mean look, I obviously have nothing against him playing a cop considering those are two of my favorites… but the list continues… Shooter, We Own the Night, Lone Survivor (2013), and Boogie Nights. Okay so maybe he wasn’t a cop in Boogie Nights, I just wanted to make my list longer! Because now that I think about it, hes also commonly on the opposite side of the law. I don’t know…. Try going in something without ANY action…. Oh he did Ted… Okay well lets just agree that Wahlberg is a great actor… despite any cliches. And since I dragged on so long about Wahlberg, I’ll leave it at this for Denzel Washington: 2 Guns, Taking of Pelham 1-2-3, Inside Man, Training Day, and so on. All cop movies.

 

Lazy Goomba
Movie Critic/Cat Enthusiast
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10: Into The Wild

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Into The Wild

(Photo by Luke Geddes/SAIT Polytechnic)

(Photo by Luke Geddes/SAIT Polytechnic)

“Happiness only real when shared.” – Christopher McCandless (Hirsch)

Starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, and Catherine Keener. Directed by Sean Penn.

Production Budget: $15 Million (Approx) — Opening Weekend: $2.1 Million.

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes: 82%

MetaCritic: 73/100

Lazy Goomba: 9.2/10

Plot Summary

A movie which is based on true events. This young man, Christopher McCandless (Hirsch), after graduating at the top of his class, decides to take a trip into the wild, away from society. After donated the majority of his 24,000 dollar savings money to charity, and burning the remainder, McCandless abandons his car and hitchhikes his way to Alaska. Along the way, McCandless meets many people who he becomes fond of. But he doesn’t realize the way in which he has changed each one of their lives.

Lazy Goombas Thoughts

The Good: To clarify, nothing about this STORY is good. But when it comes to the film, it was very well done. One of his few directorial jobs, Sean Penn shows how he can take a very sad story, and put a enlightening spin on it. I also thought Emile Hirsch did a fantastic job as McCandless. I actually read the Into the Wild book written by Jon Krakauer, and it was quite a fascinating read. The extra details the book delivers, which the movie doesnt, really makes a big difference. But nonetheless, this is still one of the few movies that I like almost as much as the book.

The Bad: Like I said, some details were left out of the movie, but that should be expected in the book-to-film process, in my opinion. There isn’t to much bad to say about this film, other then of course the plot itself. I just wish this guy would of at least taken the big bag of rice he left in his car. Literally may have kept him alive until people found him. But I don’t know, he did what he did, and lived a pretty eventful life up until his death. If he actually did pass away in the same way it showed in the film, that is so so sad. To go through so much pain and dying alone, after experiencing all the beauty in life. And despite being enlightening, the movie also took a darker look at the whole “happiness only real when shared,” and such because it is somewhat taken out of context. It makes him sound like he regrets all his decisions to go out in the wild on his own, but realistically I think he also loved it.

The Opinionated: In the book, there are many opinions expressed that feel that this guy was just a complete maniac for doing what he did. Some people even go as far as saying, he deserved to die (considering he put himself in such a unliveable situation). But then some also think he is a hero, or at the very least someone who went after something in life. I agree with the latter, sure it may have been slightly crazy to do it exactly the way he did, but who cares! He chose to do it, what does someones opinion matter to him anyways. I am quite certain he found HIMSELF on that trip, and whether thats good or bad I dont know, but it is something that few people really do.

 
Lazy Goomba
Movie Critic/Cat Enthusiast
 
 
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9: The Way Way Back…

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The Way Way Back

“You’ve got to go your own way, and you, my friend, are going your own way.” – Owen (Rockwell)

Starring Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell, and Liam James. Directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash.

Production Budget: $5 Million (allegedly) — Opening Weekend: $3.4 Million.

 

 

 

 

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes: 86%

MetaCritic: 67/100

Lazy Goomba: 8.7/10

 

Plot Summary

Awkward and shy 14 year-old Duncan (James) is dragged along on a family trip with his mother and her obnoxiously blunt boyfriend Trent (Carell). Not finding a fit with Trent around, Duncan rides his bike to the Water Wizz water park to escape. It’s there where he meets Owen (Rockwell) and begins to realize that life isn’t all about trying to fit in, it’s about being yourself.

Lazy Goomba’s Thoughts

The Good: I really enjoyed this movie. I felt that Liam James did a tremendous job of depicting the role of a modern teenager who is feeling out of place in the world and trying to find his way. The true awkwardness in some of his dialogue and his movements really adds to the authenticity of the film.  Also, in the past couple films that I have seen Rockwell in, I have really enjoyed. I don’t know what it is about his character that stands out, but I often enjoy the people he is playing (see: Seven Psychopaths and MOON! easily one of the best I’ve seen in a while).

The Bad:  I usually really like Steve Carell, but if you have seen this movie, you will agree with me in saying that he is a massive asshole in this movie. I hated his guts. The whole part where he tells his girlfriends son that he is a 3 out of 10, I wanted to punch him in the jibs. At such a young age you need to have your confidence boosted, not demolished. Check it out below:

“Trent: Duncan! On a scale of 1 to 10, what do you think you are?”

“Duncan: A 6!”

“Trent: I think you’re a 3! Since I’ve been dating your mom, I don’t see you putting yourself out there bud! You could try getting that score up at my beach house this summer!”

See what a dick!

There were also a few cheesy plot points but that is to be expected in feel-good family films.

The Communityest: There are two directors of this film, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, both of whom are wonderful writers. I believe they both collaborated on the script for The Descendants, which was an award winning screenplay. Also, Jim Rash, is the same guy who plays the dean in the show Community. I literally collapse laughing everytime he walks into the scene.

 

 

Lazy Goomba
Movie Critic/Cat Enthusiast

 

 

 

 

 

 

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8: Django Unchained

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Django Unchained

“Django. The D Is Silent.” – Django

Starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio. Directed by Quentin Tarantino.

Production Budget: $100 million — Opening Weekend: $30 million.

 

 

 

 

 

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes: 88%

MetaCritic: 81/100

Lazy Goomba: 9.7/10

Plot Summary

It is 1858, and Dr. King Schultz (Waltz), a prestiguous bounty hunter, is on a search for a man named Django. Upon finding him, he explains to Django (Foxx) that he has a job for him, and in return promises to help Django find his wife. After travelling around together, Schultz becomes familiar with Django, and they soon become friends. Dr. King Schultz, with the help of Django, “bounty hunt” criminals as they inch closer to finding the location of Django’s wife.

Lazy Goomba’s Thoughts

The Good: This movie absolutely blows me away. Every time I watch it, which is many, I find more and more aspects that I like about it. The script, the cinematography, the acting, and essentially everything else involved in making a film was done well with this one. I may be slightly bias, because I think Tarrantino is superb 95% of the time (minus maybe Grindhouse…). Seriously though, Waltz is easily one of my favorite characters to hit a movie screen, as Dr. King Schultz, and his horse Fritz (bows head). This plot has humor, twists, ACTION, and is overall such an uplifting message and portrayal of such dark events in history. I know some people don’t like the language, or the gore, but I think it worked perfectly. Also, who else can mix modern day hip-hop/rap into a 1850’s era plot?…… NO ONE!

The Bad: ……………….NOTHING!

The ‘BadAss’est: Easily one of the most badass and most “tough-guy” lines in history, that also sent chills down my spine was when Django finds the man who had previously enslaved him. When he was being held by that man, and his wife was being whipped, he was begging the man to stop, to which he said to Django, “I like the way you beg, boy.” Eventually Django gets his revenge and after shooting the man, he says with pride, “I like the way you die, boy.” BAMF.

“I like the way you die, Boy” – Django

Lazy Goomba
Movie Critic/Cat Enthusiast
 
 

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7: Moneyball Review

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Moneyball

Baseball close up. (Photo by Luke Geddes/SAIT Polytechnic)

Baseball close up. (Photo by Luke Geddes/SAIT Polytechnic)

“How can you not get romantic about baseball?” – Billy Beane

Starring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Directed by Bennett Miller.

Production Budget: $50 Million. Opening Weekend Gross: $19.5 Million.

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

Metacritic: 87/100

Lazy Goomba: 8.9/10

Plot Summary

In 2001, the Oakland A’s future began to look bleak. After losing in the playoffs to the New York Yankees, and then losing the top three players on their team to free agency, due to salary issues (other teams having more money to spend), General Manager Billy Beane (Pitt) needed help. He found it when he came upon Peter Brand (Hill), a Yale graduate who used a formula along with statistics, to evaluate and assemble the best team they could, with the money they had. But after some questionable signings by Beane, he lost the cooperation he had with Manager Art Howe (Hoffman), who will no longer play the players that Beane wants on the field. Will Beane be able to convince Howe, along with the rest of Oakland, that the team he has put together can make another push towards the World Series Championship?

Lazy Goomba’s Thoughts (SPOILERS)

The Good: I love this movie. I mean, first of all, I am a huge sports fan and almost love every sports movie that has ever come out (with the exception of Score: The Musical… like come on). It is surprising to me that I enjoyed this so much, considering out of all the pro National sports, baseball is my least favorite. I find it to be such a boring sport to watch, and I also grew up with two older brothers who both played, and I often got dragged along and had to watch them play, which I despised. Anyways, despite ALL of that, I still really enjoyed this movie. Not only did I like the script along with the cast and so on, I also enjoyed how it was one of those movies where there were numerous moments where you feel strong emotion. I felt truly disappointed at the beginning (and the end) when the A’s lost in the playoffs. I also felt ecstatic when they won the games to make it as far as they did. So it is nice to watch a film that brings up those feelings inside you.

The Bad: I mean as you might expect, parts of this movie can be rather slow. I didn’t care for the scenes of Beane and his daughter, and she would sing to him and such. But then again, in the overall feel and look of the movie, those parts remain somewhat important. So you can’t blame them for putting it in. It gives the film other dimensions then just the idea of sports, so even though I didn’t enjoy those scenes, they kind of did belong there.

The “Craaaaazy”: The Oakland A’s had struggles in the beginning of the season in 2002, but once Howe decided to play the team Beane had assembled, they went on to win 20 straight games to eventually put them in first place in the AL west division. They were using a first baseman who had NEVER played first base prior to that season, and also had nerve damage in his arm from an injury while being the catcher. There are many parts of the movie, just like that one, that instill hope in people. Fun fact: The Oakland A’s had the same amount of wins that season as the New York Yankers, despite New York spending 1.4 Million dollars per WIN, while the A’s spent only $26o,000 per WIN.

Here was a quote from the Film that explains some of the method to Brand’s (Hill) madness:

“It’s about getting things down to one number. Using the stats the way we read them, we’ll find value in players that no one else can see. People are overlooked for a variety of biased reasons and perceived flaws. Age, appearance, personality. Bill James and mathematics cut straight through that. Billy, of the 20,000 notable players for us to consider, I believe that there is a championship team of twenty-five people that we can afford, because everyone else in baseball undervalues them.” – Peter Brand.

Lazy Goomba
Movie Critic/Cat Enthusiast
 
 
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