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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

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

Crazy, Stupid, Love starring Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone

Posted on October 10, 2011 Written by ripitup

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Crazy, Stupid, Love starring Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone. Co-starring Kevin Bacon and Marisa TOmei. Hilarious, emotional and romantic.

 

When Emily, his wife of 25 years (Julianne Moore), announces that she has slept with a guy at work (Kevin Bacon), Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) finds himself depressed. He spends his nights in a bar, complaining about his wife to whoever he sees.

Jacob (Ryan Gosling) is the complete opposite. He is young, rich, well-groomed and he spends his nights easily picking up women, with the exception of Hannah (Emma Stone)-who would rather marry a nice but boring guy rather than sleep with a cocky player.

When Jacob realizes what a hopeless case Cal is, he decides to take him under his wing, gives him a make-over and teaches him how to pick up women.  But just when Cal has become the excellent student, Hannah decides that her life is indeed to boring and she decides to have sex with Jacob just for the hell of it.

And while Cal is conflicted between his current pick-up skills and his ongoing for his feelings for his wife, his new friend Jacob is nowhere to be found. He is just too busy falling in love with Hannah…

*

Crazy Stupid Love is all that I can ask from a modern romantic comedy. It is funny, it has its emotional moments backed up with more hilarity. It has likeable characters, a decent script and a couple of fun surprises. Not to mention the great cast: Steve Carrell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon. Enjoyed every moment of it, and it is strictly recommended. Currently rated 7.8/10 on imdb.com.

 

Fun Notes

* In the movie, Julainne Moore’s son is reading The Scarlet Letter for school. At one emotiona outburst i class, he says that the “A” stands for “assholes, as the characters in the book fall in love like assholes and die like assholes”. But he decides to get a “J” on his chest to impress his 17-year-oldy babysitter, referencing the book.

* Emma Stone, who plays Ryan Gosling’s love interest, starred in a movie called Easy A, where she playe a high school student who kept comparing herself to The Scarlet Letter’s main character Hester.

Favorite Lines

Emily: They still make you read The Scarlet Letter? You’d think someone else would have written something better by now.

—

Hannah (to Jacob, after he has taken his shirt off): Seriously? You look like you’ve been photoshopped!

*

Other Posts on Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone Trivia

All Good Things starring Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst & Frank Langella

Movie Reviews of 4 Nicholas Sparks Adaptations: A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe, Message in a Bottle and The Notebook

Other Posts on Emma Stone

Easy A starring Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church & Dan Byrd

 

Posts on Julianne Moore

The Kids Are All Right starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore & Mark Ruffalo

Shelter starring Julianne Moore & Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Chloe starring Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson and Amanda Seyfried

Laws of Attraction and Pierce Brosnan

Benny and Joon starring Johnny Depp, Aidan Quinn, Mary Stuart Masterson and Julianne Moore

The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones

 

Other Posts on Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon Trivia: Kevin Bacon Movies, His Wife Kyra Sedgwick and More

The Awesome X-Men: First Class with James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon & Rose Byrne

 

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: comedy, crazy stupid love cast, easy a, easy a movie, emma stone, emma stone easy a, Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon, Keywords: crazy stupid love, Marisa Tomei, romance, romantic comedy, Ryan Gosling, steve carell, The Scarlet Letter, the scarlet letter 1995 movie, the scarlet letter movie

Just Go With It starring Adam Sandler & Jennifer Aniston

Posted on July 3, 2011 Written by ripitup

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Just Go With It starring Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler, Nicole Kidman, Nick Swardson, Brooklyn Decker and Dave Matthews
Just Go With It starring Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler, Nicole Kidman, Nick Swardson, Brooklyn Decker and Dave Matthews. Image via soundtrack-movie.com

Successful plastic surgeon Danny (Adam Sandler) has found the perfect way of picking up pretty women without having his heart broken: he tells them that he is married to an abusive woman. He wears a gold band to complete the touch, and he is more than happy with the results. But one day he meets his dream woman, Palmer (Brooklyn Decker).

This 20-something gorgeous math teacher is fun, nice and sexy. And she also falls for him. But when she dumps him because he “is married”, Danny goes to his assistant/best friend Katherine (Jennifer Aniston) for help. She tells him to tell Palmer that he is getting divorced. This wins Palmer over, but she insists on meeting this soon-to-be ex-wife. So Danny makes up an ex-wife, and enlists Katherine’s help to pretend to be her. Katherine plays the part of the annoying yet stunning wife perfectly…until her kids call.

Now Palmer thinks that there are children involved and she wants to meet them too. Single mother Katherine has no choice but lend her children to Denny.  Just when Danny thinks he has succeeded, Katherine’s little boy blackmails him into taking all of them to Hawaii for vacation. Things get even more ridiculous when Danny’s obnoxious cousin (Nick Swardson) shows up, pretending to be Katherine’s German lover.

So can Danny handle two very smart kids, his girlfriend, his cousin and well his emerging feelings for Katherine? Oh, add Katherine’s college nemesis Devlin (Nicole Kidman) and her equally competitive husband (Dave Matthews) to the equation and we are all in for a riot…

**

Just Go With It is a highly entertaining romantic comedy. Sure, it is very typical in many aspects. Of course you know who Danny will end up with. Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston are their typical romantic comedy selves. But, hey- you knew all this already from the trailer. If you are looking for a different film that will reinvent the wheel, this is not for you. And while the film is mostly a comedy, it is not hilarious. It doesn’t often make you laugh out loud. But it makes you smile, grin, cringe and have fun. It is also a lot of fun to see the front man of Dave Matthews band – Dave Matthews –  act, and it is even better to have Nicole Kidman play the highly irritating arch nemesis named Devlin.

I really love Hawaii and its resorts, so the scenery is just lovely. Aniston’s make over scenes are also a lot of fun. Oh and the kids are adorably smart and manipulative.

All in all, it is very watchable and very cute.

 

Also on Jennifer Aniston:

Jennifer Aniston Trivia: 22 Facts About The World’s Most Popular Friend Jennifer Aniston

The Bounty Hunter

Love Happens

Marley and Me

He’s Just Not That Into You

Hollywood Stars in Friends

Derailed

Also on Adam Sandler:

Funny People starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Adam Sandler, brooklyn decker, comedy, dave matthews, Jennifer Aniston, just go with it, just go with it cast, just go with it movie, nick swardson, romance, romantic comedy

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