Flicks Lists Reviews: Juno (2007)
Posted on April 30, 2008
Filed Under Movie Reviews | 2 Comments
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Well I finally saw it. It took me forever, but like they say, all good things come to those who wait.
So was it, you know, worth the wait? Yes. Should it have won best picture over No Country for Old Men? No way. Was it great? No - I said all good things come to those who wait 
Juno is a very entertaining flick about how tough it can be growing up, especially when your belly is growing out. That being said, Ellen Page’s character, Juno, handles most of it in stride. She should - Juno is more mature than just about every other character in this flick, maybe too mature.
She is definitely more mature than Jason Bateman’s character, Mark, the husband portion of a couple looking to adopt Juno’s baby. I really like Bateman as an actor and I liked Mark at the beginning of the movie. However, as the story developed, I found him to be increasingly creepy. It actually ruined parts of the movie for me. I really didn’t buy into the dynamic between he and Juno. Exchanging “mix CDs,” dancing, etc. I know what the filmmakers were going for, it was just a little too much for me.
The other characters in the movie were excellent, especially Juno’s dad and stepmother. J.K. Simmons never disappoints and Allison Janney has been a favorite of mine since The West Wing.
Jennifer Garner was also excellent as the potentially adoptive mother, Vanessa. Our introduction to her showed a serious woman who suffered a previous adoption disappointment and was handling the adoption process like a business (which, in many ways it is). However, as the movie goes along, she slowly but surely becomes an expectant mother without the baby bump.
Michael Cera was also great, as usual (see Superbad and Arrested Development) as Juno’s baby daddy.
The resolution of Juno is excellent and almost brought a tear to my eye. Almost. Like I said, a very good flick, but not great. And I’m sorry, I know it’s a movie and maybe I hung out with a different crowd, but I really don’t remember anyone in high school talking like Juno. At times it was all just a little too much.
Rating: 3 1/2 Flicks out of five.
Tags: allison janey, ellen page, j.k. simmons, jason bateman, jennifer garner, juno, michael cera, movie review, no country for old men
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That’s What She Said . . . II
Posted on March 13, 2008
Filed Under Top 10 Lists | 3 Comments
Sorry, I couldn’t resist. That’s what . . ok, I’ll stop now.
With The Office coming back next month (Thank God!), I thought I would update and “re-post” a list from last October that I’m sure a lot of you didn’t catch the first time around. Much like Lost, The Office started the season strong and seems to get funnier and funnier every year. Let’s hope that trend continues next month.
In honor of The Office’s upcoming return, here are my Top 10 Movies featuring The Office cast members:
10. Jarhead (2005) John Krasinski appears in this flick about the first Gulf War as Corporal Harrigan. Not a big role, but the movie was good and I enjoy most of John’s work (looking forward to Leatherheads).
9. Kinsey (2004)
For those of you who don’t know or haven’t seen this flick, Dr. Alfred Kinsey conducted groundbreaking research in human sexuality at Indiana University back in the 1940’s and 50’s. John Krasinski makes an appearance as a newlywed who, along with his wife, seeks out the advice of Dr. Kinsey, a zoologist by training, when he and his wife have questions about sex. Not a big role for Krasinski, but the movie is good and his scene is quite amusing.
8. Knocked Up (2007)
Knocked Up has brief appearances by Steve Carell (Michael Scott), as himself, and B.J. Novak (Ryan Howard - no, not that Ryan Howard) as an obstetrician. This movie would have ranked higher with more cast member participation. That being said, Knocked Up is a great flick - a lot of humor and a lot of heart.
7. The Replacements (2000)
Ah, The Replacements, making a second appearance in one of my movie lists (actually a third appearance now if you count That’s What She Said . . . I). Which cast member is in this flick? It’s actually a former cast member - Pam’s ex-fiance and Dunder Mifflin’s former resident psycho (that distinction now belongs to some Cornell grad), Roy Anderson, as played by David Denman. Denman plays deaf tight end, Brian Murphy, who (spoiler alert!) catches the winning pass at the end of the movie. Lucky guy. Wonder if they’ll ever bring Roy back to the Scranton Branch.
6. Almost Famous (2000)
Rainn Wilson has a small role in Almost Famous as Rolling Stone writer David Felton. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. If Rainn would have had a more prominent role, this flick would have been ranked higher.
5. Blades of Glory (2007)
Jenna Fischer has a prominent role in Blades of Glory as the sister of the evil (and incestuous?) skating siblings, Stranz and Fairchild Van Waldenberg. While this isn’t Will Ferrell’s best work, it is fun and Jenna does a great job playing the innocent sister.
4. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Either you love Anchorman or you hate it. I love pretty much anything Will Ferrell does, which means I love Anchorman. Steve Carell is phenomenal as the weatherman in this flick. That’s right, I actually used the word phenomenal to describe his performance. Watch it again if you don’t believe me.
3. Dan in Real Life (2007)
This flick just came out on DVD and, as you can probably tell by how high I ranked it, I suggest you give it a look. Steve Carell doesn’t disappoint (as usual) and Dane Cook isn’t as annoying as he usually is. This flick is a little like The Family Stone and it’s not a typical Carell movie, which leads us to . . .
2. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Another “non-typical” Steve Carell flick. Great movie. Great work by Mr. Carell.
1. The 40-Year Old Virgin (2005)
It shouldn’t surprise you that Steve Carell has dominated this list. It also shouldn’t surprise you that this flick is No. 1. It is one of my favorites and has the most appearances by cast members of The Office. In addition to Steve Carell, Mindy Kaeling (Kelly Kapoor) appears as Paul Rudd’s ex-girlfriend, and Jenna Fischer and Phyllis Smith (Phyllis Lapin) both have uncredited appearances. Like Knocked Up, The 40-Year Old Virgin is hilarious, but also has a lot of heart. You can’t say that about a lot of other such comedies in this genre.
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Tags: almost famous, anchorman the legend of ron burgundy, b.j. novak, blades of glory, dan in real life, david denman, jarhead, jenna fischer, john krasinski, juno, kinsey, knocked up, leatherheads, little miss sunshine, michael scott, mindy kaeling, paul rudd, phyllis smith, rainn wilson, roy anderson, ryan howard, steve carell, the 40 year old virgin, the office, the replacements, walk hard, will farrell
