City Island starring Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies, Steven Strait and Emily Mortimer

Posted on March 6, 2010 Written by ripitup

City Island with Andy Garcia. And you thought your family was weird and problematic? Wonderfully written and directed by Raymond De Felitta. Produced by De Felitta and Garcia.

Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) is a correctional officer at a prison. He is a proud City Islander (Le Bronx, New York) and the family man of a hilariously problematic family, though he is not aware of half the problems.

His teenage son is into fat chicks (very much into feeding them) and intrigued by their extremely fat neighbor. He also cuts most of his classes.

Vince and his wife Joyce (Julianna Margulies) are happy that at least one member of the family- their daughter- is getting proper education. Of course what they don’t know is- she is not in college, but working as a stripper.

Vince and Joyce can’t seem to talk without fighting and Joyce is pretty sure that Vince’s so-called, frequent poker games are in fact a cover for seeing his mistress.

They are a cover, but Vince isn’t cheating. He is taking acting classes, but he is just too ashamed to tell his wife. He also has a bigger secret- he has a son from a girlfriend way before his wife. But now he has found the son- an inmate, Tony (Steven Strait). Since Tony has no family to be released to, Vince decides to bring him home. Without asking Joyce first.

No one knows about who Tony really is, apart from Tony’s acting partner (Emily Mortimer), who just has some secrets of her own…

If you think you have seen it all when it comes to comedies about dysfunctional families, wait till you see this one. It is refreshingly original and downright hilarious. So, it is not a laugh-out-loud every moment like Hangover.. But when it tends to get a little emotional, it more than makes up for it by hilarious moments or moments that are just entertaining and are simply helping build a very fun climax. Loved every minute of it.

All actors are good, but of course- if I have to pick one, it is Andy Garcia. He is perfect at comedy. It is interesting to see him in this because let’s face it- we are more used to him being the romantic and/or the serious lead. Remember When a Man Loves a Woman? 10 Things to Do in Denver When You Are dead? He can get pretty psycho when he wants like The Air That I Breathe (an emotional movie with an ensemble cast, and this movie features a fun reference to it)…But the whole cast was just good to watch.

7.5/10 on IMDB. Sounds fair. Wouldn’t even mind if it was higher. Recommended, for everyone.

Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence: Fun romcom with Monica Potter, Rufus Sewell and Joseph Fiennes

Posted on February 15, 2010 Written by ripitup

Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence movie poster — Rufus Sewell, Monica Potter, Joseph Fiennes and Tom Hollander will make you laugh.

What an adorably cute, little movie. Yes, it is very romantic and fun romcom in every sense so I am warning you before I get to the review:

Stay away if you don’t – like Monica Potter/Rufus Sewell/Joseph Fiennes or romantic comedies in general. Or if you are not romantic at all.

That being said;

Martha( Monica Potter) is a young American who has left her hometown on a whim to travel to London. She doesn’t have much money, but she know she just can’t go back to her ex-guy, job or flat.

Frank (Rufus Sewell), Laurence (Joseph Fiennes) and Daniel (Tom Hollander) are friends from childhood who have nothing in common. Frank is a once famous, out-of-work actor who drinks, smokes and talks too much. Girls always have been a reason for fighting with Daniel, who is a successful music executive. Laurence is usually the peacemaker between them. He is the sweet one.

Martha meets Daniel on a plane. Daniel falls for Martha. Frank meets Martha by chance and wants to seduce her just to get back at Daniel. But he also gets smitten by the pretty and impulsive Martha. But what if she already met Laurence somewhere in between and he is the one she wants?

The storyteller is Laurence. He recounts the events to his neighbor (Ray Winstone– who is just great) and we embark on a fine, romantic journey with some really funny consequences.

The cast is lovely. Seeing Tom Hollander (Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth The Golden Age) all blond was a first. I can finally begin to see what the fuss was all about with the other Fiennes brother (I knew and loved Ralph Fiennes first;) ) and Rufus is lovely as always. And in 1998, Rufus is just prettier than ever…

On Rufus:

The British Actors We Love

Vinyan starring Rufus Sewell

The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Rufus Sewell and Jessica Biel

St. Trinian’s starring Colin Firth and Rupert Everett

Posted on February 4, 2010 Written by ripitup

Colin Firth really started to disappoint me? What the hell was this movie? Why was it done? And more importantly, why did he think this one was a good idea? There are about 2 good jokes in the whole film and one was a reference to Colin Firth but one joke is not equal to comedy.

Rupert Everett has even a worse role. Actually he has two roles one as Colin’s ex-love interest. And no, they are not gay. Rupert plays an ugly-as-hell, old-woman. Oh dear.

What is this movie about? Boarding School, bunch of extra-hyper,extra-annoying and naughty girls pulling pranks on everyone. Colin is the minister who wants to stop it all.

Don’t see it. I am only posting so that you won’t try to watch or at least will know what awaits you. You were warned.

Other Posts on Colin Firth

The Last Legion starring Colin Firth

Trauma starring Colin Firth and Mena Suvari

The British Actors We Love feat. Colin Firth, Daniel Day Lewis, Rufus Sewell and Ralph Fiennes

Apartment Zero starring Colin Firth

The Accidental Husband starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Uma Thurman &Colin Firth

The English Patient feat. Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas & Colin Firth

Hollywood’s Tall Actors feat. Colin Firth, Keanu Reeves, Gerard Butler & More

Couples Retreat starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis and Jason Bateman

Posted on January 21, 2010 Written by ripitup

Couples retreat starring Vince Vaughn, Malin Akerman, Kristin Davis, Jon Favreau and Kristin Bell — Couples Retreat Cast: Vince Vaughn, Malin Akerman, Kristin Davis, Jon Favreau, Kristen Bell, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love and Kali Hawk.

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbfhb-43UNQ[/pro-player]

Let’s talk about your expectations first. The trailer was fun enough and made me expect a funny film with familiar actors. Now, there is no originality. The film is all about stuff you have seen before. But then again, it is about something that never gets old: Relationships. There are no plot twists or surprise endings. So, if you are looking for a smart and somewhat original script, run away from the film and never look back.

Why on earth did I enjoy it then?

1) Vince Vaughn. I like that guy. He surely seems to be playing the same talkative half-wiseass, half-sweet guy over and over again. But he is always entertaining. He proved his dramatic skills in Return to Paradise, which is unlike any Vince movie you have ever seen. I find Wedding Crashers and Old School hilarious and The Break-Up tolerable. Mr. and Mrs. Smith only got more fun with his contribution.

2) Jon Favreau. Now, you have to like a guy who directs the Iron Man movies.

3) Kristen Bell. She had the title role in the interesting TV series Veronica Mars. She also stars in the 2010 romcom When in Rome, crime/romantic/comedy Serious Moonlight alongside Timothy Hutton and Meg Ryan; as well as the hilarious romantic comedy written by and starring Jason Segel – Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

4) Kristin Davis. I loved Sex and The City and its 4 girls.

5) Carlos Ponce. Yes, I know you have seen his character Salvador a million times before: The extra-muscled exotic yoga instructor with a heavy accent. He makes all the men feel threatened. But, if you have seen Carlos in Lipstick Jungle, the difference alone will put a smile on your face.

6) Just look at the place they retreat to. Just breath-taking.

7) The kid playing Vince’s younger son. He is a riot!

8) Malin Akerman: If you liked her in The Watchmen (she plays silk Spectre II), there is a chance you will like her here. But of course for a totally opposite character, you can watch The Heartbreak Kid, also featuring Ben Stiller.

9) Jean Reno: Oh yes, he can pull off everything. But for maximum effect, remember Leon. You will laugh your butts off.

10) I have always loved Guitar Hero. You will know what I mean after you see it.

The plot? Four couples are best friends with each other: Lucy and Joey (Davis and Favreau), Dave and Ronnie (Vaugh and Akerman), Cynthia and Jason (Bell and Jason Bateman) and their friend in crisis: Shane. I said 4 couples. I will come to that.

Dave and Ronnie are happily married with 2 little kids. They are busy with their hectic lives but they are still in love.

Lucy and Joey have raised their daughter and they are counting down the days till she leaves home for college- so that they can get a divorce. Their friends have no idea.

Well, Shane’s wife has divorced him and he is now in the middle of a mid-life crisis, dating a 20 year old.

Cynthia and Jason are having a rough time and they have come with a plan. They have found a really good group discount for a week’s vacation on an exotic island. The only catch is, they have to persuade their friends to join this program that includes counseling as well. What follows is one hilarious week with even wackier characters.

It is harmless, silly and ordinary. But it is fun.