2011 Movies: #17, 16 & 15

Ref: Mulhern

#17 The Muppets

While in the theatre on New Year's Eve (in the daytime) watching New Year's Eve, my sister and I were treated to a Muppet surprise in the form of a "don't talk during the movie" warning in which Miss Piggy shut down banana-phone-talking Fozzie, multiple-texting shrimp dude, popcorn-popping Swedish Chef and drumming Animal. At the end, old men Statler and Waldorf exhorted the audience, "Don't forget to see the Muppets in the theatre. You wouldn't want to let them into your home!" My sister laughed at this line so hard that she cried. It was that kind of morning.

It was also that kind of movie. Unabashedly silly but still charming, it followed its host of exaggerated characters (human and Muppet alike) on a diverting romp that ended in the only way that it could. It has also proven itself extremely quotable.

     Jack Black: Animal, what are you doing here?
     Animal: ...Acting... Naturaaaal.

#16 Hugo

I would not have been likely to see either of the next two films were it not for the influence of Mulhern. Nevertheless, I'm glad I saw both. Hugo was a captivating and ever so slightly creepy story that held the viewer's attention through its multitudinous meanderings. As an added bonus, there was a fierce bathing dog and a tiny human-like robot.

When we went to the theatre to see Hugo, the movie started late because the staff members didn't realize it wasn't playing. When B went out to inform them, another couple was excited because they had arrived late and thought they had missed the beginning. They then proceeded to enter a good twenty minutes later, missing the beginning. They also left with about half an hour to go. I don't know what to make of that.

#15 The Adventures of Tintin

Again with the helpful dog! Unlike B, I am not familiar with the Tintin oeuvre. Nonetheless, I was able to enjoy the film, both in its own right and vicariously through the eyes of the all-knowing fan. Investigative journalist Tintin is in the habit of getting into scrapes in the name of truth and then MacGyvering his way out. Along with his trusty sidekick Snowy (the dog), he spends this movie traveling from country to country in an effort to foil a nefarious plot (and sober Captain Haddock up while he's at it). The obstacles come fast and furious, but when Tintin is on the story you know he won't rest until it's reached its resolution.

For comparison's sake, it would have been interesting to see The Adventures of Tintin in 3D instead of regular D, since 3D is the wave of the future and the motion capture, animation and camera work probably made for an eerily cartoon/realistic juxtaposition. But for this review, that is neither here nor there.

2011 Movies: #47, 46, 45 & 44

Ref: Mulhern

#47: Cars 2

#46: Win Win

#45: X-Men: First Class

#44: Horrible Bosses

Okay, so I didn't see any of these films - clearly B has more important things to do than take me to the movies with him. So instead, I will review four films that Mulhern did not see and would probably have ranked in this range (or below) anyway.

#47: Cars 2 Jumping the Broom

Successful city girl Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton) is unlucky in love until she meets Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso). After a whirlwind romance, they're set to spend the rest of their lives together - but will their wedding survive their families?

#46: Win Win New Year's Eve

A motley crew of celebs [Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Robert De Niro, Halle Berry, Cary Elwes, Alyssa Milano, Common, Jessica Biel, Seth Meyers, Katherine Heigl, Jon Bon Jovi, Sofia Vergara, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Abigail Breslin, Josh Duhamel, Hilary Swank, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges (as he is billed), Hector Elizondo and a whole host of special guest cameos and extras and family members of director Garry Marshall] converge on New York City just in time for one magical night. No surprises here - everyone pretty much plays to their expected type (although SJP rocks some hideous shoes, so there is that).

#45: X-Men: First Class Something Borrowed

Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) considers herself a good girl who takes good care of her flighty and effervescent best friend, Darcy (Kate Hudson) - that is, up until she *spoiler alert* sleeps with Darcy's fiancé Dex (Colin Egglesfield), a missed romantic possibility from her past. Darcy simpers, Dex waffles infuriatingly, friend Ethan (John Krasinski) provides logical-yet-ignored advice and Rachel finds herself questioning who she is and what she deserves out of life - while we find ourselves questioning why and whether we care.

#44: Horrible Bosses Monte Carlo

Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy star in this fun-loving romp through a world of glitz and glamour. On a European adventure, our heroines get left behind by the worst tour group of all time - but before they throw in the towel, Grace Bennett (Gomez) is mistaken for misbehaving socialite Cordelia Winthrop Scott and she and her entourage are whisked away to an appearance in Monte Carlo. It wouldn't be a feel-good flick without a hint of romance, a spot of trouble and some life lessons learned along the way.

2011 Movies: #51, 50, 49 & 48

Ref: Mulhern

#51: Bad Teacher

Wow, this movie just came out last year? I vaguely remember seeing it with my family over a holiday of some sort, but I barely remember anything that happened. A ringing endorsement.

#50: Unknown

My assessment of this one is unknown - because I didn't see it!

#49: The Lincoln Lawyer

I typically like me some good courtroom action and investigative antics (see: My Cousin Vinny - and, hey, this film too features Marisa Tomei), and once I read a recap of this movie I recalled enjoying it for the most part - especially some of the twists and turns that made it suspenseful. I wonder what ever happened with the eponymous television show...

#48: Paul

I'm have no shame in admitting that I had no desire to see this. (This from the one who watched New Year's Eve...)

2011 Movies #55, 54, 53 & 52

Ref: Mulhern

And here we are, back for another round of assessing and second-guessing the films of 2011 as ranked by Mulhern. I've already fallen behind on my shadow blog, possibly due to the fact that I've been too engrossed in reading the work of the best new gourmet food writer in Minneapolis. (And how about that American flag jacket, folks?)

Diving right in...

#55: I Don't Know How She Does It

In keeping with last time around, I have not seen this film (believe it or not, I wasn't the impetus for B's viewing it). I did read the book a number of years ago. The people are British in that version but the bit about the pie is in there (only I can't remember if it was in fact a pie or some other dessert).

#54: Hall Pass

0-for-2. I do not approve on principle.

#53: 30 Minutes or Less

0-for-3! "You're two minutes late, dude."

#52: No Strings Attached

Finally, I'm in it to win it! I liked both this version of the timeless more-than-friends tale and its (deservedly) higher-ranked counterpart that benefited from a bit more fizz. But hey, I liked Valentine's Day, too, so there's no accounting for taste.

[Speaking of Valentine's Day, I did in fact watch New Year's Eve on New Year's Eve day (noon showing rather than midnight) after a couple of mimosas... So much for being unpredictable. Don't worry - we'll talk about this again later.]

2010 Movies: #48 & 47

Ref: Mulhern

#48 Valentine's Day

Garry Marshall, I feel for you. You're known for highlighting your favorite actors repeatedly in your films (see: Julia Roberts, Hector Elizondo, Anne Hathaway, Kathleen Marshall [your daughter]) - and I like seeing my favorite actors repeatedly in films, so we have that in common.

I'll admit, I've seen this movie twice, once on its eponymous day and once as a fairly recent rental. I've had a soft spot for Bradley Cooper since Alias and it was great to see him redeem himself from the *spoiler alert* two-timing cad (blast you Jennifer Connelly for being just so crazy in that film and ScarJo for being hideously costumed, although I do like your recent bob) he played in another ensemble film that B simply loved, He's Just Not That Into You (nice character name, btw). And I rather enjoyed the characters played by Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Garner, Hector, Emma Roberts (way too mature for a high schooler), Kristin Schaal (now officially in everything) and, of course, Ashton. All in all, I'm not saying it's fine cinema, but I found it to be an enjoyable 125 minutes of my life that I don't regret devoting (twice) to some by-the-book rom-com escapism. G, if you could back slightly away from the tropes for New Year's Eve, I might actually be tempted to watch - though, to be fair, not at the midnight showing on December 31. With both Ashton Kutcher and Jessica Biel playing different characters this time around, I think that might be more than I could handle with a champagne cocktail or two under my belt.

#47 The Losers

This one was my fault - or, rather, the fault of the Redbox description:

An explosive action tale of betrayal and revenge, The Losers centers around an elite Special Forces unit sent to the Bolivian jungle on a search-and-destroy mission. But the team – Clay, Jensen, Roque, Pooch and Cougar – soon find that they have become the target of a deadly double cross instigated by a powerful enemy known only as Max. 

It sounds like the poor man's The A Team (again with the Bradley Cooper!), with Zoe Saldana standing in for Jessica Biel - and who doesn't like Zoe Saldana? But, alas, there were no action-packed *spoiler alert* plummeting tank scenes in The Losers. There was only darkness, and despair, and a shot of ZS in some undies reflected slow-motion style in a shard of broken mirror, which I believe was a highlight for B, though it didn't do enough to counteract the general gratuitous violence (which, for an action comedy, is saying a lot).

Mulhern's review reminded me that there were some lighthearted moments and laugh-out-loud lines in this film - after all, it boasted the classic word-combine "BlaGyver!" - but my overall impression was that I should have opted for a second viewing of The A Team.