Catching Up

by Mr. Blunderson

I'm going to rock these Big C style so hold onto your butts. All of these are films that have come and gone but I gotta say something.

Coraline

Best 3D movie I've seen since the in your face renaissance began. Every 3D flick I've seen since and including Meet the Robinsons feels like a gimmick compared to what goes on visually here. Is it irony that this film kicks so much hi-tech arse when at it's core this a lo-tech stop-motion masterpiece? Perhaps, folks. Perhaps.

Story follows a girl with busy parents who move into a apartment building filled with bizarre and eclectic type folks. Former vaudeville stars who really love their scotty dogs, a dude training mice... you get the idea. Coraline finds a portal to another world where the goofy neighbors are cool and her parents seemingly live for her, but since this is based on a Niel Gaiman you know all is not what it seems.

Sure this looks a little like Nightmare before Christmas since this was directed by Henry Selick (who also directed that cross-holiday staple) but this movie is fun and scary, yet manages to be kid friendly. It also looks amazing. This is a 3D film that really felt like it had to be seen in 3D to be truly appreciated. I'm going to give Coraline an Oh hells yes and say thanks for making a film with flying scotty dogs - a realization of one of my deepest fears.

Zack & Miri Make a Porno

Kevin Smith... I love this guy. He can do no wrong here with a solid cast and an excellent script. I just want to say a big F You to anyone who saw this and said "Smith just wanted to make a Judd Apatow movie." If that's really how you feel then you obviously haven't seen a Kevin Smith movie and you are probably too busy jerking off to Watchmen to notice I just dissed you.

It breaks my heart to know this film didn't get the recognition it deserved at the box-office. All I can say is get over yourself. See the DVD, get a dutch rudder, and witness the genius that is Kevin Smith. To say I give this film an Oh Hells Yes would be an understatement.

Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist

If you don't like Michael Cera, then I don't know if you can stomach this movie. But if you don't like Kat Dennings then there is something wrong with you. Yes I said it. She rocks this movie up and down, then sideways, then three or four other directions that probably exist but have yet to be identified by science.

When the credits rolled I knew I had watched a movie that I had enjoyed. Viewing it was a pleasant experience, I won't lie. It didn't knock me over as a soon to be classic, but I felt good all over so that has to be a plus, right? The plot isn't the most original SPOILER ALERT (boy who just got his heart ripped out meets girl, boy likes girl a lot, boy pretty much blows it with girl, boy gets his shit together and gets girl back) but this is one of those cases where you don't care. I would watch these characters all day long if I could even if all they were doing was watching TV and doing laundry.

BUT, I know this movie isn't for everyone. I'm a sap at heart and I love movies where the characters are more important than what they do. In the midst of the R-rated grown-up comedy revolution (which I support completely, don't get me wrong) it's nice to see a movie that is a little more low-key. It's sweet and funny and ever so quotable, so I'm going to give this movie a your loss if you hate it on the Mr. Blunderson scale.