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This Means War: A Funny Action Comedy with a Fun Romance & Brilliant Ending

Posted on June 27, 2012 Written by ripitup

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This Means War movie poster - movie starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine & Tom Hardy
This Means War starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy. Image: moviepostersdirect.co.uk

Plot

CIA Agents Tuck (Tom Hardy) and FDR (Frank – played by Chris Pine) are partners and best friends- they consider each other family despite having totally different outlooks on life and romance:

Tuck is divorced with a kid, but he hasn’t given up on romance. He wants to find the right woman to share an immense, permanent bond.

Frank on the other hand is the perfect womanizer. He’s gorgeous, a smooth talker and he always has the perfect strategy-compliments of being a good agent. And while Tuck is an equally kick-ass agent, he prefers honest, serious relationships – although he has to lie about what he does for a living.

But things get complicated when the pretty, successful but romantically jaded Lauren (Reese Witherspoon) is forced back into the dating pool by her married friend Trish (Chelsea Handler.) But Lauren’s outrage about Trish’s putting up an online dating profile for her disappears when she sees that a “travel agent” named Tuck seems interested.

Frank, however, is not willing to put Tuck’s heart on the line by letting him go dating on his own.  After all, there’re lots of crazy women out there, and he is out of practice. Tuck unwillingly lets him to be at a safe, unseen distance – just in case.

The date goes great, but unfortunately before Tuck can let him all about it, Frank meets Lauren – and is totally attracted to her no-bullshit, I-don’t-date-players-like-you attitude.

When they boys find out they’re dating the same woman, they decide to “let the best man” win, as they both seem to like her a lot. But unfortunately their spy habits turns the deal into “let the best agent” win as they start spying on and sabotaging each other’s dates.

Lauren wouldn’t take Frank seriously, but a chance encounter forces her to give him another chance. Then she gets into a dilemma however when she realizes that she is dating two great, gorgeous guys. She decides to choose after a couple of more dates.

So who is going to win as both men are playing “dirty”? And will their friendship survive their increasingly growing rivalry? And how the hell are they going to protect Lauren when they are too busy to notice that their ultimate CIA target is on the right track and dying for revenge?

*

Why You Should See It:

This movie is just so much fun. It is a lot more hilarious than it is romantic, and the fighting scenes are really cool – and when the fighting gets funny, it is still really cool because let’s remember, we have two badass fighters instead of Colin Firth’s Darcy and Hugh Grant’s Daniel “fighting” on Bridget Jones’ Diary (they fought quite clumsily in both movies.) Don’t get me wrong, I love those scenes, they make for great comedy – but two agents fighting is a lot sexier than watching two clueless men fighting.

As for the ending, let’s say there is more to it than a happy ending. And the very last scene might be my ultimate favorite in the entire movie.

If you were Lauren, who would you pick?

OK, this might suit my dating blog more, and I’ll post a related article there too. But both guys have their flaws and dealmakers so let’s have fun. My point of view:

( I do give a bit about the tricks and events, so it might be a bit spoilerish).

My turn-offs from Frank (Chris Pine)

–          I hate clubs – I can’t stand the music played there. It’s a nightmare for a rock addict.

–          I’d love it if potential Mr. Right hadn’t slept with 500 women.

Sure, your past is past- but a guy having slept around that much is not a very impressive trait. I get that he is gorgeous, but I really hope he doesn’t tell Lauren- if he is going to be all romantic and loyal it is great- but I’d not be happy knowing my boyfriend slept with pretty much any girl he wanted.

–          His taste in music. Sade? Really?

–          His taste in movies. Titanic? You’ve got to be kidding me! I guess that he was in the mood for sappy and cheesy and overdramatic – but he could have just as well opted for a much more heart-felt romance with a better story. Titanic? Seriously?

–          He is too freaking arrogant! He looks great and he knows it, but at least he can fake a little modesty.

–          Pretending to like the art when he doesn’t.

–          Pretending to love animals.

 

(Not that I care about Lauren’s taste in art or am that keen about pet shelters, but I’d be disappointed to find out we didn’t have that much in common after all.)

 

My turn-offs from Tuck (Tom Hardy)

–          He is divorced- which would bring me to the question –what did he do? Was it a mutual screw-up or did he cause it?

–           And he has a kid, and an ex-wife- and if things worked out, it would be a little complicated.

–          Not to mention that his wife is gorgeous and they don’t seem to be completely over each other.

Turn-ons – Frank

–          The moment Frank sent the stewardess home.

–          He actually tried to be a gentleman when he took her home. It lasted for 2 seconds, but in all fairness, she didn’t want him to be a gentleman.

–          He is a badass agent- I love all the fighting stunts.

–          He’s a great friend – for the 95% of the time anyway.

–          When he is in love, he really is in love.

–          He’s the perfect “fake” boyfriend to drive your ex crazy in about 2 minutes.

–          He is good in bed. And he can do it 5 times in one night. Hallelujah!

–          Did I mention hot? He’s also charming and he can be very nice and cute when he wants to be.

 

Turn ons – Tuck:

–   Great guy.

– A decent dad.

– He is a lot of fun.

– I love safe and earnest, but I never thought he was safe- first date was about acrobacy after all.

– I should mention sexy and cute, which is a pretty irresistible combination.

– He is very funny. Half my favorite lines come from him.

– Him being British is a perk, not a flaw!

– He actually is a gentleman- he’d let you take control over how fast you want to go.

-When he chose fun dates for Lauren, he didn’t fake interest in anything. He just chose something she’d love, but he’d also enjoy. Remember the convertible ride?

– He is a pretty cool agent. I loved how he got rid of the cameras when he wanted to.

– I’m sure there is more. But you get the idea.

 

Does it look like I’d pick Tuck?  Well, I’d- had it not been for the whole ex-wife/kid/unresolved feelings bit, as well as the several redeeming qualities they threw in for Frank (the whole time at his grandma’s house was “emotional porn”(Tuck’s words) indeed. Throw in the stewardess rejection and looking genuinely hurt when she was with Tuck). But when you add it all up, Frank actually does seem to be a pretty strong rival to me.

Yes, I was lusting after them both, though I rooted for Tuck for the 85% of the time.

And during that 85%, I was lusting after Frank. Though I didn’t/couldn’t picture myself dating him. He seemed like the guy even the most emotional and romantic of girls would want to have on speed dial as a booty call. And then I’d want to date Tuck, and just Tuck for good (as I said- had it not been for the ex-wife (Abigail Spencer and the son.)

You can write your vote in the comments. I’d love to hear your preferences and why.

But the ending was perfect, and I couldn’t have written it better myself. And by the ending, I do mean all the scenes starting at the showdown at the restaurant.
*

Why the ending is awesome: it ends with action, and not the romance (though we get to learn about the romantic decision too right before.)

I always make fun of a friend of mine for seeing Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona as the ultimate “romance” movie- and I totally get it. Trust me. Two girls, one guy, all meaningless in a cool city. And I enjoyed Vicky Christina Barcelona as a movie- just I didn’t like any of the characters, including Bardem’s. No, wait –especially Bardem’s.

But This Means War might very well be a girl’s Vicky Christina Barcelona. Two hot guys fighting for one girl, being romantic and fun and adventurous – and not to mention their ass-kicking skills. I had a great time with all the action and eye candy, and I also enjoy seeing Witherspoon on the screen.

See it. It is in the league of Knight and Day – the romance is there, but so are humor and action. And if someone deems this one a chick flick, I know that we have totally different taste in movies. It’s OK, as it is all relative.

But I freaking loved this movie because it made me laugh out loud, a lot!

ONLY Disappointment:

Angela Bassett didn’t have a bigger role and I’d have loved to see her bring her A-game from Strange Days and beat the hell out of the boys for abusing the agency resources.

*

Favorite lines:

Tuck or Frank: I love you, man

– Tuck or Frank: I love you too.

-Lauren: Oh my god! I’m yoko

(though I don’t think that Paul McCartney ever had a thing for Yoko. But she did break the band so this line did crack me up.)

*

Lauren: (on why she doesn’t like the idea of online dating) I might end up in a body suit or in somebody else’s trunk.

Trish: You’re being dramatic. That only happens to one in 20 girls.

*

Discussing pros and cons of the two:

Lauren: FDR has these tiny, like, girl hands. Like little T-Rex hands.
Trish: Eeww gross that means he’s got a mike and ike for a penis.
Frank: [observing from the ops center- to Tuck] you know that’s not true.

(then he goes on to remind how Tuck has seen it in Bangledash and it is not true. But just as Tuck is enjoying this too much, Lauren says what is wrong with Tuck):

Lauren: He’s British
Now it’s Frank’s turn to crack up.)

*

Directed by McG, and written by Timothy Dowling,  Marcus Gautesen and Simon Kinberg.

*

Also with Tom Hardy:

Inception

Also on Reese Witherspoon:

Penelope starring Christina Ricci and James McAvoy

 

Recommendations for the people who enjoyed This Means War and/or people who love the combination of action/romance comedy.

Bird on a Wire starring Mel Gibson & Goldie Hawn

Knight and Day starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz

Air America starring Mel Gibson & Robert Downey Jr. (no romance, action/comedy with some drama)

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Abigail spencer, action, action comedy, Chelsea handler, chris pine, chris pine this means war, comedy, Reese Witherspoon, reese witherspoon this means war, romance, romantic comedy, this means war, this means war movie, this means war movie review, this means war review, Tom Hardy, tom hardy this means war

Forget Me Not: Will Not Be Forgotten Any Time Soon

Posted on May 27, 2012 Written by ripitup

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Forget Me Not starring Tobias Menzies and Genevieve O'Reilly. 2010 movie.
Forget Me Not starring Tobias Menzies and Genevieve O'Reilly. 2010 movie.

London.

Will (Tobias Menzies) is a musician who is barely holding on to life. He has a horrific problem, but we can only guess what it might be.

Eve (Genevieve O’Reilly-Jamie Lapidus’ from Episodes) is a bartender who wants to do something more with her life.

When Will saves her from a drunk, they start hanging out – at least until Eve gets to the party she needs to go to. But their potential “Before Sunrise” story is at times interrupted by Will’s uneasiness, and making Eve question his intentions. If he doesn’t like her, why isn’t he leaving? And if he does like her, why doesn’t he make a move already?

But we, as the audience, know that Will has a lot to deal with, and his indecision comes from the fact that even though he really likes her, he doesn’t want her to get involved in his issues. Because as it is made clear to us from the first moments of the film, Will isn’t exactly a big fan of living at the moment…

Forget Me Not ISN’T Before Sunrise. And it’s a good thing!

I really loved Forget Me Not. It’s not Before Sunrise, and it is not trying to be.

On many levels, it feels even more real. Let’s face it – the biggest issue of the characters from Before Sunrise was that they lived in other continents. Boo-hoo.

Now, while I love Before Sunrise (and Before Sunset) to bits, it is totally Jesse and Celine’s fault (or blessing-depends on how you interpret Before Sunset) that they choose to leave things to fate.

Will’s problem…well…it is not like he wants to die for his gothic beliefs. It’s not like he is depressed because his wife left him or something. He knows that his future is worse than bleak, and he is going to lose a lot before he dies a natural death. So a part of him wants to take fate into his own hands…a part of him well…can’t decide on the timing. And Eve is just the perfect distraction from that awful future.

Can two people really fall in love in the course of a day? Probably. Celine and Jesse made us believe it. Eve and Will made me believe it. The question is, how much realism can you handle in a romantic movie?

Who should watch it?

Pretty much everyone who has a thing for a heart-felt romantic story that doesn’t have an escapist feel to it. If you are a cynic, you’ll like the fact that love, in this film, doesn’t come at the right moment or bring happily ever after. If you are a romantic, you’ll like the fact that love can happen-even at the worst of times.

Shit happens. Life can suck, but it isn’t without its beautiful moments. I guess whether you can empathize with Will or not depends on….well, it really depends on your ability to empathize. After all, even the most cheerful and larger-than-life people can become suicidal when they realize life as they know it is about to be over, and we are not talking about losing your job here.

“Our memories make us,” as Will says. So the best you can do is to make the best of now by making as many great memories as you can.  And love for 24 hours is better than no love at all.

So see the movie, but be prepared for its depressing and truthful moments-even though the message is, ultimately, whatever you make it.

*

Written by Mark Underwood, & Rebecca Long, and Steve Spence. Directed by Alexander Holt and  Lance Roehrig.

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Alexander Holt, Before Sunrise, before sunrise movie, Before Sunset, before sunset movie, forget me not, forget me not 2010 movie, forget me not movie, Genevieve O'Reilly Mark Underwood, Lance Roehrig drama, Rebecca Long, romance, Steve Spence, Tobias Menzies

What’s Your Number starring Anna Faris & Chris Evans: Raunchy, Funny, Annoying, Honest

Posted on February 18, 2012 Written by ripitup

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whats-your-number-movie-poster
What's Your Number starring Chris Evans and Anna Faris. Feat. Blythe Danner & Andy Samberg.

 

 

What’s Your Number Plot

Ally (Anna Faris) is a normal, single woman in her 30s who is working at a job that she doesn’t like, and dating guys she probably shouldn’t. Oh, and she has a tendency not to know exactly what she wants, and she listens to what other people think.

That’s why when stumbles upon a girlie magazine article, she realizes that her number (of guys she has slept with) is a bit too high than others around her, as well as the national average. Determined to keep her number 20, she decides to seek out all her exes –inspired by her sister, who is marrying one of her exes.

Surely some of hers just got better in time too? She is assisted by her hunky womanizer neighbor Colin (Chris Evans) whose detective skills are impressive. In return, Ally provides haven for Colin from all the girls he slept with.

But tracking down so many men takes a lot of time, and this ends up in Colin and Ally spending a lot of time together. As they both realize that the other is fun, spontaneous and easy-going- not to mention attractive – things get a little complicated. Can the one-night-stand guy actually be the one? And what happens if one of them doesn’t notice it on time?

*

Funny? Check. Romantic? Check. Sometimes too crude? Check.

What’s Your Number is a fun romantic-comedy with some annoying qualities, but it is interesting enough to ignore them. Of course I’m completely biased: being a girl who’s a Chris Evans fan and all that…

But putting that aside, all movies can be nitpicked to pieces. I just don’t see the point in doing with any movie (unless it really gets on my nerves), especially not with romantic comedies (although I do analyze the issue on my dating blog.)

Are you annoyed by the girl’s number? Do you think it is too low to care? Too high already? Who cares? In the end she ends up with the guy that she should- the guy who doesn’t give a damn about that (which is just as well since his number is way too huge), who can be her best friend and most importantly, this is the guy who loves exactly who she is, and supports her dreams. Combine that with Chris Evans’s looks, and you’ve already scored half of your female target audience.

I don’t get it. What’s the big deal with any number? Don’t talk about it if it bothers you.  It is a personal choice, everybody’s own business. But yeah, I would be alarmed at Colin’s number and freak out before ending up with him.

Assuming that his number is 300+, surely that does scream non-relationship-material! It says that you have one night stands all the time just because you can. That’s way too shallow and random for my taste. But I might totally overlook it for the right guy.  After all what matters is the last number, and him staying at that! As long your partner doesn’t try adding numbers when you are together, you can let any number go to hell.

*

Bottom line for What’s Your Number?

Often funny, sometimes sexy and partly annoying, it is just about anything you can expect from a romcom.

Favorite Scenes/Things from the Movie.

–          Strip basketball where Ally is the much better player

–          All of Ally and Colin’s relationship.

–          Ally’s methods of saving Colin from his dates

 

Favorite Lines

Ally: “I was thinking that maybe you’d want to be my date to my sister’s wedding.”
Rick (Zachary Quinto, number 19): “Are your parents going to be there?”
Ally: “At my sister’s wedding? I think so.”
*

Colin and Ally’s first actual conversation

Colin (Chris Evans): I locked myself out of my apartment – do you mind if I use your phone?
Ally: (seeing he is just trying to avoid his latest conquest) Do you think the woman coming out of your apartment could have helped you with the being locked out problem?
Colin: I look at it as trying to avoid her feelings.

*

Simon: (In British accent) Ally! It’s brilliant to see you.
Ally: [faking British accent] Simon, I can’t believe it.
Ally: This is Colin, but he has to go now.
Colin: (laughing at her faking) No, I don’t

*

Ally: He probably still works at Starbucks but he’s the best sex I ever had.
Colin: You haven’t had sex with me.
Ally: No, but I have had sex with other overly confident, struggling musicians so I’m good.
Colin: What makes you think I’m a musician?
Ally: Guitar in your apartment, you dress like a horny teenageR, I paid for that sandwich, struggling musician.

*

On finding one of the exes on Facebook, married:

Ally: He’s adorable…and so are his wife and kids.
Colin: Well he clearly doesn’t understand what Facebook is for.

*

Colin: What’d you do to turn him off?
Ally: Nothing, he’s a gentlemen.
Colin: You wore that pantsuit, didn’t you?
Ally: Hey, that pantsuit is sexy. It’s very Katherine Hepburn.
Colin: All right, let’s clear something up right now. Katherine Hepburn was not sexy, Audrey Hepburn was sexy, Katherine Hepburn was a dude.

*

Ally: I think I love you number 21.

Colin: I love you too number 300 and… (Ally puts her hand over his mouth to prevent him from finishing the number and they kiss).

 

 

Fun Cast & Entertainment Facts

–          Is it just me or the one of the exes they see on Facebook looks like Jason Segel?

–          The puppeteer ex is Andy Samberg, one of Saturday Night Live’s regulars.

–          Ally’s mother is Blythe Danner, Gwyneth Paltrow’s real-life mother.

–         The movie is based on the book called 20 Times a Lady written by Karyn Bosnak. The premise reminds me a lot of Shari Low’s book What If. The premise is similar, but in that book it is the girl who has walked away from a lot of the relationships. And although her number is lower, the changes in the guys are far more hilarious and extreme. Oh, and she does travel all around the world to find them. What If is one of my favorite books. It is hilarious, with the actual female lead being actually British and not faking it. : )

–          The disgusting boss is Community TV series star Joel McHale.

–          Heroes’ Sylar Zachary Quinto plays the doggy-style-lover/environmentalist number 19.

–          The English ex is actually English. He’s played by The Office (original UK version)’s Martin Freeman who also co-starred as the shy porn actor in the ensemble cast Love Actually.

 

Recommended Chris Evans Reading:

The Perfect Score starring Chris Evans, Bryan Greenberg & Scarlett Johansson

Chris Evans Trivia

Recommended Raunchy Romantic Comedies:

The Ugly Truth starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler

Friends with Benefits starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis

No Strings Attached starring Ashton Kutcher & Natalie Portman

Wedding Crashers starring Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson & Rachel McAdams

 

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: andy samberg, anna faris, anna faris whats your number, blithe danner, buy whats your number dvd, Chris Evans, chris evans films, chris evans movies, chris evans whats your number, comedy, quotes from whats your number, romance, romantic comedy, whats your number, whats your number anna faris, whats your number cast, whats your number chris evans, whats your number dvd, whats your number movie, whats your number movie quotes, whats your number movie review, whats your number quotes

My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend starring Alyssa Milano, Christopher Gorham & Michael Landes

Posted on January 28, 2012 Written by ripitup

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My Girlfriend's Boyfriend starring Alyssa Milano, Christopher Gorham & Michael Landes.

The Premise

Jesse (Alyssa Milano) is a young, spirited and beautiful waitress working at a coffee shop. Ethan (Christopher Gorham) is a writer who is trying to get published, but has lost hope due to failed efforts.

The two meet at the café she is working at, and decide to go on a date. And while Ethan is cute, nice, romantic and creative, Jesse also meets Troy (Michael Landes) on the same day. Troy is nice, handsome, successful and confident and he also wants to date Jesse.

Jesse hasn’t exactly been lucky with men, so she decides to go out with them both. She will make up her mind later. What are the odds of both relationships going well, right? But they both do, and both men start to fall for her, and it looks like their feelings  are mutual. What has a girl got to do?

*

Nope, it is not cheesy or unoriginal. Trust me!

Don’t hate Jesse just yet. Yes, she puts herself in a difficult situation, but there is a lot more to this love triangle and you may be really pleased at the end.

My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend is a sweet, romantic movie with characters you can relate to (especially Ethan, since I’m a nice, romantic and ..a writer: )). It is also entertaining, but you need to hang on to the end to feel rewarded.

I’ve always liked Alyssa Milano since I grew up with her, watching and laughing with Who’s The Boss. Christopher Gorham can pull off geek and romantic lead equally well, and well-Michael Landes is the perfect choice for Troy.

It is not a very funny movie, and it is not meant to be. It is however lovely and entertaining. Give it a shot.

Written by Benji Smith and Daryn Tufts. Directed by Darn Tufts. The movie also features Beau Bridges, Jeff Bridges’ older brother, as Jesse’s uncle.

Other Posts on the Cast

Who’s the Boss? starring Alyssa Milano & Tony Danza

Possession starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lee Pace & Michael Landes

The Ledge starring Charlie Hunnam, Liv Tyler, Patrick Wilson feat. Christopher Gorham

Covert Affairs starring Piper Perabo & Christopher Gorham

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Alyssa Milano, beau bridges, Benji Smith, Christopher Gorham, Daryn Tufts, Michael Landes, movies, my girlfriends boyfriend, my girlfriends boyfriend movie, romance

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