The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good:

I just watched the movie, “The Hangover” and wow, it was absolute perfection. It had a certain quirky pace and cadence to it that is unparalleled in today’s comedies. I, like many others have had a few laughs at the Paul Rudd/Seth Rogan empire on comedy. They have produced some quality films, but each are getting a tad redundant (see Zach and Miri make a porno, for example).

Zach Galifianakis is phenomenal in this movie. This should be his coming out party as he has been an incredibly underrated comedian for too long. His casting with Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, and Justin Bartha make for the perfect quartet of crazy (or wolfpack, for those who have seen the film).

But I digress! The movie was incredibly outrageous, and definitely deserved its R rating and then some, but you go to the movies to be entertained, and be entertained you shall! This blogger gives it 4 out of 4 stars. I tried really hard not to get specific in this encouragement to go watch this movie again and again if you have not already done so!

The Bad:

Utilizing my Netflix prescription, I recently took a gamble on the movie “Derailed”. It may have been one of the worst decisions of my young life. It was boring, and anti-climactic. It had random subplots that were never really addressed (his daughters diabetes??) Those of you who were tricked into thinking you might be renting a suspenseful thriller can feel my pain.

Jennifer Aniston gave us her typical blah performance. Hell, she got out-acted by each of the dogs used to make “Marley and Me”, so why should this time have been any different? The plot was incredibly predictable, and at times ridiculously far-fetched. *note- if you actually intend to watch this pile of @#$% despite my plea, stop reading now, major spoilers ahead*

Ok… plot flaws-

1) Why is Clive Owen’s character paying this jackass ALL OF HIS SAVINGS, (including money saved for the previously mentioned random diabetes side plot) just to not tell his wife he cheated on her, once, sort of, WHEN THE GUY HE’S PAYING HAS NO PROOF AT ALL. (pardon the all caps, it is just sooo egregious)

2) How was he not convicted, or even questioned more heavily in the death of Winston. His DNA was all over that car, and he was a prime suspect, interviewed by the black detective, and with no legit alibi. There is no way he gets away completely scot free. This is the 21st century. Detectives have crime labs at their disposal with incredibly sophisticated techniques that would leave him about 0% chance of them not knowing he was at the scene after his brilliant tactics of paying off hookers and almost pushing the car into a river.

3) Sweet plot twist with Aniston’s character being in on the whole scheme. That totally fooled me, it was like, whoa, did NOT see the only possible plot twist coming. Also, maybe you should have shot the first half of the movie and told her she was innocent, and then dropped the “plot twist” on her, so she can “act” accordingly. Seriously, terrible.

4) Since when does the bumbling borderline mentally challenged Charles Schine (Clive Owen’s character) go from Rain man to Rambo? He was a totally believable sap, but come on. No way he outwits the man conning him. Zero chance. Also, Clive Owen is the worst protagonist in an action movie ever. So why make a new movie, “The International”, as though anyone thinks he is cool with a gun in his hand. I think the best way to describe his serious face, is 1/3 angry because he’s never been loved, 1/3 bewildered, and 1/3 constipated. (you know its bad when I’m begging for a Paul Walker sighting)

In summary, I really really want 2 hours of my life back.

The Ugly: Renee Zellweger.

Gross.